Risk Factors for Wound Failure After Primary Closure of Type IIIA Open Tibia Fractures.

The objective of our investigation was to explore risk factors associated with primary closure of type IIIA tibial fractures resulting in subsequent flap coverage. A retrospective study identified 278 patients with acute type IIIA open tibial fractures who underwent primary closure at a single center during an 8-year period. Treatment factors, including the number of debridements before closure, duration of external fixation, and timing of wound closure, were reported. The primary outcome was complication requiring unplanned operation of the study injury resulting in flap coverage. Fifty-five (20%) patients underwent flap coverage following complication after attempted primary closure. Patients who required a flap experienced a 42% complication rate after delayed flap coverage. The limb salvage rate was 95% for the study population. Three significant complication predictors were identified: 3 or more debridements before closure (odds ratio [OR], 29.8; 95% CI, 5.9-150.1; P<.001), wound closure more than 2 days after injury (OR, 9.8; 95% CI, 1.6-60.2; P=.01), and external fixation more than 14 days (OR, 7.3; 95% CI, 1.6-34.6; P=.01). Patients who had 3 or more debridements before closure had a 70.7% chance of having a complication resulting in a flap (29 of 41) compared with only a 6.8% chance of complication for those who had 2 or fewer debridements (14 of 205; P<.001). Risk factors for complication after primary closure of type IIIA open tibial fractures include number of debridements, wound closure after 2 days, and external fixation use for more than 14 days. Wounds requiring 3 or more debridements failed 70.7% after closure, suggesting alternative approaches should be considered in more severe cases. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):108-112.].

Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneus Fractures: Extensile Lateral and Less Invasive Approaches.

Treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is controversial and must be individualized by patient and fracture type. With an extensile lateral approach, all components of the deformity in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures can be addressed. The extensile lateral approach is indicated in more complex fracture patterns and when delay of surgery is necessary because of severe soft-tissue injury beyond 2 to 3 weeks. Careful patient selection, proper surgical timing, incision placement, and soft-tissue handling minimize the high rate of wound healing complications associated with the extensile lateral approach. The goals of surgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures may also be achieved using less invasive approaches, such as the sinus tarsi approach and closed reduction with percutaneous fixation, decreasing the risk of wound complications. Multiple factors influence determination of the specific approach.

Periprosthetic Tibial Plateau Fractures After Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Are Successfully Treated With Open Reduction and Internal Fixation.

Periprosthetic tibial fractures after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are rare but devastating events. Given the relative infrequency of these injuries, treatment strategies are not well defined. The goal of this retrospective case series is to report the findings for a series of patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of periprosthetic fracture after UKA, including radiographic alignment, Knee Society Score (KSS), and failure rate. Patients were identified by the International Classification of Diseases code for periprosthetic tibial plateau fractures. Electronic medical records and radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Fracture patterns and coronal and sagittal alignment of UKA components were measured on radiographs. Clinical outcomes, including range of motion assessment, visual analog scale pain score, and KSS, were collected at final follow-up. Eight patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for this study. Fractures occurred at a median of 14 days (range, 5-52 days) after UKA, and all showed a vertical shear pattern that exited at the meta-diaphyseal junction. Of the 8 fractures, 7 (87.5%) healed to radiographic and clinical union after the initial ORIF. One patient required reoperation for hardware failure. Mean visual analog scale pain score and KSS at final follow-up were 3 and 85±14, respectively. Periprosthetic tibial plateau fractures after UKA commonly occur as a vertical shear fracture exiting at the metadiaphyseal junction. The use of ORIF with a 3.5-mm plate in buttress mode is a reliable method for treatment of these fractures. Restoration of alignment and motion is achievable, but residual pain may affect patient-reported outcome scores. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(5):287-292.].

High-Energy Pilon Fractures: Role of External Fixation in Acute and Definitive Treatment. What are the Indications and Technique for Primary Ankle Arthrodesis?

External fixation is an essential tool in the management of high-energy pilon fractures. Reduction techniques using the external fixator and fixation constructs for use with external fixation as a part of stage management are reviewed. The concepts of external fixation with limited articular fixation is discussed. The use of circular external fixation in both acute management of high-energy pilon fractures, as well as the indications and technique for acute ankle arthrodesis as part of primary treatment of pilon fractures are outlined.

Timing of Pavlik Harness Initiation: Can We Wait?

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip is effectively treated with a Pavlik harness (PH) within the first 6 months of life. Over 80% of unstable hips in the newborn period will naturally stabilize by 2 months of age. If there is no difference in the effectiveness of initiating PH treatment at 1 week compared with 4 weeks of age, waiting may allow the hips to naturally stabilize and avoid treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the timing of PH implementation influences its effectiveness in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted between 2004 and 2010. Patients were included if PH therapy was prescribed for hip instability or dislocation at or before 6 months of age. PH failure was defined as requiring any operative procedure for definitive management. Groups were divided based on the age at which the PH was initiated-group1=<30 days, group 2=30 to 60 days, group 3=>60 days. RESULTS: A total of 176 children were included with 38 (21.6%) failing PH treatment. The mean age at PH initiation was 1.3 months (SD=1.3) in the successfully treated children and 1.4 months (SD=1.2) in the failures (P=0.77). There was no difference in the failure rates by age with group 1=19.1% (18/94), group 2=22.5% (9/40), and group 3=26.2% (11/42) (P=0.87). There was no statistical difference with respect to sex or breech positioning in the success or failure groups; however, there was a higher percentage of bilateral involvement in the failure group (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had PH initiation before 30 days of age were no more or less likely to fail than when PH was initiated after 30 days of age. Parents can be counseled that waiting until after 30 days of age is appropriate before PH implementation. By avoiding swaddling during this period, the hips may stabilize without treatment and allow for more parental-infant bonding before implementation of PH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-therapeutic, case control study.

Management of Tarsometatarsal Joint Injuries.

Joint disruptions to the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint complex, also known as the Lisfranc joint, represent a broad spectrum of pathology from subtle athletic sprains to severe crush injuries. Although injuries to the TMT joint complex are uncommon, when missed, they may lead to pain and dysfunction secondary to posttraumatic arthritis and arch collapse. An understanding of the appropriate anatomy, mechanism, physical examination, and imaging techniques is necessary to diagnose and treat injuries of the TMT joints. Nonsurgical management is indicated in select patients who maintain reduction of the TMT joints under physiologic stress. Successful surgical management of these injuries is predicated on anatomic reduction and stable fixation. Open reduction and internal fixation remains the standard treatment, although primary arthrodesis has emerged as a viable option for certain types of TMT joint injuries.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Versus Primary Arthrodesis for Lisfranc Injuries.

Management of injuries to the tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) joint complex continues to generate heated debate. Arthrodesis of the Lisfranc joint complex has historically been reserved as a salvage procedure for failed treatment. Recently, primary arthrodesis has emerged as a viable treatment alternative to open reduction and internal fixation for these injuries. The objective of this article was to examine the current literature regarding open reduction and internal fixation versus primary arthrodesis of Lisfranc injuries.

Comparison of modern locked plating and antiglide plating for fixation of osteoporotic distal fibular fractures.

BACKGROUND: Fractures in osteoporotic patients can be difficult to treat because of poor bone quality and inability to gain screw purchase. The purpose of this study is to compare modern lateral periarticular distal fibula locked plating to antiglide plating in the setting of an osteoporotic, unstable distal fibula fracture. METHODS: AO/OTA 44-B2 distal fibula fractures were created in sixteen paired fresh frozen cadaveric ankles and fixed with a lateral locking plate and an independent lag screw or an antiglide plate with a lag screw through the plate. The specimens underwent stiffness, cyclic loading, and load to failure testing. The energy absorbed until failure, torque to failure, construct stiffness, angle at failure, and energy at failure was recorded. RESULTS: The lateral locking construct had a higher torque to failure (p=0.02) and construct stiffness (p=0.04). The locking construct showed a trend toward increased angle at failure, but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.07). Seven of the eight lateral locking plate specimens failed through the distal locking screws, while the antiglide plating construct failed with pullout of the distal screws and displacement of the fracture in six of the eight specimens. CONCLUSION: In our study, the newly designed distal fibula periarticular locking plate with increased distal fixation is biomechanically stronger than a non-locking one third tubular plate applied in antiglide fashion for the treatment of AO/OTA 44-B2 osteoporotic distal fibula fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V: This is an ex-vivo study performed on cadavers and is not a study performed on live patients. Therefore, this is considered Level V evidence.

The effect of rhBMP-2 in a novel, non-instrumented extremity nonunion model.

BACKGROUND: Pre-clinical models of bony nonunion typically employ critical-length defects. However, these models may not accurately reflect clinical practice since many nonunions are diagnosed without bone loss. We developed a non-displaced rat ulna fracture model in order to examine the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) with an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) for nonunion treatment. METHODS: Transverse diaphyseal ulna fractures were created in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. Eight animals (Group 1: Nonunion) received no further intervention. The remaining 16 animals were treated with 5 µg rhBMP-2/ACS at 8 weeks after the original intervention (Group 2: Nonunion + BMP) or at the time of initial injury (Group 3: Fresh fracture + BMP). RESULTS: In Group 1, 7 of 8 fractures demonstrated gross motion and a persistent radiographic gap (12.5% healing rate). In Groups 2 and 3, fractures healed at a rate of 75% (6 of 8 in each group) as determined by manual and radiographic evaluation. Biomechanical testing for torque load-to-failure and torsional stiffness demonstrated no significant difference between healed specimens treated with rhBMP-2. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first description of a physiologic, non-stabilized, non-defect fracture nonunion model in a rodent. Furthermore, unlike previous nonunion models, the healing rates after treatment with rhBMP-2 are comparable to that of clinical data, suggesting that this model may provide an environment more representative of nonunions in humans.

The effect of axillary hair on surgical antisepsis around the shoulder.

BACKGROUND: Infection after shoulder surgery can have devastating consequences. Recent literature has implicated Propionibacterium acnes as a causative agent for postoperative shoulder infections. Axillary hair removal has been suggested as a method for infection prevention, although data quantifying its effect on the bacterial load around the shoulder are lacking. METHODS: We clipped one randomly selected axilla in 85 healthy male volunteers with commercially available surgical clippers. Aerobic and anaerobic culture specimens were taken from the clipped and unclipped axillae. Each shoulder was then prepared with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol. Repeated culture specimens were then taken from both axillae. Cultures were held for 14 days and recorded with a semiquantitative system (0-4 points). Results were compared by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: There was no difference in the burden of P. acnes between the clipped and unclipped axillae before or after surgical preparation (P = .109, P = .344, respectively). There was a significantly greater bacterial burden in the clipped shoulder compared with the unclipped shoulder before preparation (P < .001) but not after preparation (P = .285). There was a significant reduction in total bacterial load and P. acnes load for both axillae after surgical preparation (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Removal of axillary hair has no effect on the burden of P. acnes in the axilla. Clipped axillae had a higher total bacterial burden. A 2% chlorhexidine gluconate surgical preparation is effective at removal of all bacteria and specifically P. acnes from the axilla.

Anterior intrapelvic modification to the ilioinguinal approach.

Anterior approaches to the pelvis for acetabular surgery require an intimate knowledge of pelvic anatomy. The utilitarian anterior approach is the ilioinguinal approach. This article will describe a technique for modifying the medial window of the ilioinguinal approach to facilitate intrapelvic visualization and instrumentation not afforded in the original technique as described by Letournel.

Evaluation of posterior malleolar fractures and the posterior pilon variant in operatively treated ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Substantial attention has recently been placed on fractures of the posterior malleolus. Fracture extension to the posteromedial rim ("posterior pilon variant") may result in articular incongruity and talar subluxation. Current classification systems fail to account for these fractures. The relative frequency of this fracture, its associated patient characteristics, and the reliability of its diagnosis have never been reported in such a large series. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 270 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Basic demographic data were collected. The fractures were classified according to Lauge-Hansen and AO/OTA. Additional radiographic data included whether the fracture involved the posterior malleolus and whether the fracture represented a posterior pilon variant. Univariate statistical methods, chi-square analysis, and interobserver reliability were assessed. RESULTS: The relative frequency of posterior malleolus fracture was 50%. The relative frequency of the posterior pilon variant was 20%. No significant difference was noted with respect to the frequency of posterior malleolar or posterior pilon variant between the subgroups of the AO/OTA and Lauge-Hansen classification systems when compared to the overall fracture distribution. Patients with posterior malleolar fractures and posterior pilon variants were significantly older. Females were significantly more likely than men to sustain posterior malleolar fractures and posterior pilon variants. Patients with diabetes trended toward a greater risk of both types of fractures. Interobserver reliability data revealed substantial agreement for posterior malleolar fractures and posterior pilon variants. CONCLUSION: These data represent the highest reported rate of posterior malleolar involvement in operatively treated ankle fractures and is the first to describe the percentage of the posterior pilon variant in such a large series. The interobserver reliability data demonstrate substantial agreement in identification of posterior malleolar fractures and the posterior pilon variant based on plain radiographs. Certain patient characteristics such as age, sex, and diabetes may be associated with these fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Efficacy of surgical preparation solutions in lumbar spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative spinal wound infections are relatively common and are often associated with increased morbidity and poor long-term patient outcomes. The purposes of this study were to identify the common bacterial flora on the skin overlying the lumbar spine and evaluate the efficacy of readily available skin-preparation solutions in the elimination of bacterial pathogens from the surgical site following skin preparation. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was undertaken to evaluate 100 consecutive patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. At the time of surgery, the patients were randomized to be treated with one of two widely used, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, surgical skin-preparation solutions: ChloraPrep (2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol) or DuraPrep (0.7% available iodine and 74% isopropyl alcohol). Specimens for aerobic and anaerobic cultures were obtained prior to skin preparation (pre-preparation), after skin preparation (post-preparation), and after wound closure (post-closure). A validated neutralization solution was used for each culture to ensure that the antimicrobial activity was stopped immediately after the sample was taken. Positive cultures and specific bacterial pathogens were recorded. RESULTS: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium acnes, and Corynebacterium were the most commonly isolated organisms prior to skin preparation. The overall rate of positive cultures prior to skin preparation was 82%. The overall rate of positive cultures after skin preparation was 0% (zero of fifty) in the ChloraPrep group and 6% (three of fifty) in the DuraPrep group (p = 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.006 to 0.085). There was an increase in positive cultures after wound closure, but there was no difference between the ChloraPrep group (34%, seventeen of fifty) and the DuraPrep group (32%, sixteen of fifty) (p = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.284 to 0.483). Body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery, and estimated blood loss did not a show significant association with post-closure positive culture results. CONCLUSIONS: ChloraPrep and DuraPrep are equally effective skin-preparation solutions for eradication of common bacterial pathogens on the skin overlying the lumbar spine.