The utility of mini C-arm in the fixation of unstable paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures have traditionally been reduced and fixed with conventional C-arm (CCA) fluoroscopy guidance. With the increase in popularity of the newer mini C-arm (MCA) system within other fields of surgery due to its ease of use and lower radiation emission, the same adoption should be explored in pediatric orthopedic surgeries. The purpose of this study is to compare the MCA and CCA primarily in reduction and fixation outcomes and secondarily in other perioperative parameters. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 193 patients who underwent surgical fixation for displaced supracondylar humerus fractures. 44 and 149 cases were performed with the MCA and CCA respectively. Baumann's angle and the intersection of anterior humeral line (AHL) were assessed on postoperative anterior posterior and lateral radiographs and adequate reduction was defined by an angle between 64 and 81˚, and AHL intersecting middle third of the capitellum. Surgical time, fluoroscopy duration, number of images and radiation exposure were obtained from the surgical notes. RESULTS: Amongst the CCA cases, there were greater satisfactory coronal plane reduction (p < 0.05), while no difference in sagittal plane accuracy (p > 0.05) was seen. In MCA group, longer surgical (p < 0.05) and fluoroscopy times (p < 0.05), and greater number of shots (p < 0.05) was noted. However overall radiation exposure in the MCA group was still lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MCA system is potentially less accurate in coronal plane reduction and more challenging to use. However, pitfalls can easily be avoided. Usage should be advocated as overall radiation exposure can be reduced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III retrospective comparative study.

Playground-related Extremity Fractures in an Asian Setting over the Last Decade - Are We Safe?

The cost of playground-related injuries remains significant. Measures adopted to prevent such fractures or reduce their severity would translate into appreciable financial savings. Our study looks at the changes in playground-related extremity fracture epidemiology over the past decade after the implementation of latest playground standards. This is a retrospective case series approved by the local ethics board comparing the results of two descriptive studies; one conducted prior to the implementation of the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board Singapore Standards SS 457: 2007 and the other thereafter. The demographics have remained the same. The proportion of public playground injuries has fallen significantly from 89.6% to 76.3% (p < 0.05), whereas school playground injuries have risen from 5.9% to 18.0% (p < 0.05). Fractures related to monkey bars and the flying fox have shown a significant improvement, decreasing to 38.1% from 47.6% (p < 0.05) and 1% from 6.9% (p < 0.05), respectively. There has been a decrease of 33% in playground-related injuries. The total financial cost of sustaining one playground-related extremity fracture has generally increased by 50%. However, considering the 37.4% drop in surgeries, the actual overall costs to the healthcare system have essentially fallen. Safety standards have had a positive effect on playground safety in Singapore. There are now fewer and less severe playground-related extremity fractures.

Reliability of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating meniscal and cartilage injuries in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees.

PURPOSE: The accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in assessing meniscal and cartilage injuries in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees as compared to arthroscopy was evaluated in the present study. METHODS: The results of all preoperative MR imaging performed within 3 months prior to the ACL reconstruction were compared against intraoperative arthroscopic findings. A total of 206 patients were identified. The location and type of meniscal injuries as well as the location and grade of the cartilage injuries were studied. The negative predictive value, positive predictive value, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MR imaging for these 206 cases were calculated and analysed. RESULTS: In patients with an ACL injury, the highest incidence of concomitant injury was that of medial meniscus tears, 124 (60.2 %), followed by lateral meniscus tears, 105 (51.0 %), and cartilage injuries, 66 (32.0 %). Twenty-three (11.2 %) patients sustained injuries to all of the previously named structures. MR imaging was most accurate in detecting medial meniscus tears (85.9 %). MR imaging for medial meniscus tears also had the highest sensitivity (88.0 %) and positive predictive value (88.7 %), while MR imaging for cartilage injuries had the largest specificity (84.1 %) and negative predictive value (87.1 %). It was least accurate in evaluating lateral meniscus tears (74.3 %). The diagnostic accuracy of medial meniscus imaging is significantly influenced by age and the presence of lateral meniscus tears, while the duration between MR imaging and surgery has greater impact on the likelihood of lateral meniscus and cartilage injuries actually being present during surgery. The majority of meniscus tears missed by MR imaging affected the posterior horn and were complex in nature. Cartilage injuries affecting the medial femoral condyle or medial patella facet were also often missed by MR imaging. CONCLUSION: MR imaging remains a reliable tool for assessing meniscus tears and cartilage defects preoperatively. It is most accurate when evaluating medial meniscus tears. However, MR imaging should be used with discretion especially if there is a high index of suspicion of lateral meniscus tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.