Effect of Intrawound Vancomycin Powder in Operatively Treated High-risk Tibia Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite the widespread use of systemic antibiotics to prevent infections in surgically treated patients with fracture, high rates of surgical site infection persist. Objective: To examine the effect of intrawound vancomycin powder in reducing deep surgical site infections. Design, Setting, and Participants: This open-label randomized clinical trial enrolled adult patients with an operatively treated tibial plateau or pilon fracture who met the criteria for a high risk of infection from January 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017, with 12 months of follow-up (final follow-up assessments completed in April 2018) at 36 US trauma centers. Interventions: A standard infection prevention protocol with (n = 481) or without (n = 499) 1000 mg of intrawound vancomycin powder. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a deep surgical site infection within 182 days of definitive fracture fixation. A post hoc comparison assessed the treatment effect on gram-positive and gram-negative-only infections. Other secondary outcomes included superficial surgical site infection, nonunion, and wound dehiscence. Results: The analysis included 980 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.7 [13.7] years; 617 [63.0%] male) with 91% of the expected person-time of follow-up for the primary outcome. Within 182 days, deep surgical site infection was observed in 29 of 481 patients in the treatment group and 46 of 499 patients in the control group. The time-to-event estimated probability of deep infection by 182 days was 6.4% in the treatment group and 9.8% in the control group (risk difference, -3.4%; 95% CI, -6.9% to 0.1%; P = .06). A post hoc analysis of the effect of treatment on gram-positive (risk difference, -3.7%; 95% CI, -6.7% to -0.8%; P = .02) and gram-negative-only (risk difference, 0.3%; 95% CI, -1.6% to 2.1%; P = .78) infections found that the effect of vancomycin powder was a result of its reduction in gram-positive infections. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with operatively treated tibial articular fractures at a high risk of infection, intrawound vancomycin powder at the time of definitive fracture fixation reduced the risk of a gram-positive deep surgical site infection, consistent with the activity of vancomycin. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02227446.

Clinical Considerations to Reduce Saphenous Neurovascular Bundle Injury During Suture Button Fixation of Syndesmosis Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To document angles, from 2 difference starting points, or danger zones that should be avoided to minimize risk of injury or irritation to the saphenous neurovascular bundle (SNVB) during suture button (SB) fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective imaging study. SETTING: Academic Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Forty-eight randomly selected patients with healthy ankles and computed tomography scans for nonankle diagnoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Computed tomography scans and 3D reconstructed images were used to define the angle between the SNVB and 2 different fibular starting points, using the direct lateral (DL) and the posterolateral (PL) starting points. Descriptive analyses were performed to identify angles that should be avoided during suture button fixation. Distances from the SNVB using preset angles of 0, 10, 20, and 30 degrees were analyzed. In addition, the width of the SNVB, the midsubstance angle of the SNVB, and the distance from the 30-degree point to the tibialis anterior were recorded. RESULTS: The mean angle between the SNVB and the standard DL starting point was 13.7 ± 5.0 degrees (P < 0.05), whereas the mean angle using the alternate PL starting point was 17.2 ± 5.3 degrees (P < 0.05). The SNVB width was 5.2 mm [range, 2.6-9.1 mm] (P < 0.05). The distances from the SNVB were greatest for the DL 30-degree group and the PL 0-degree group. CONCLUSIONS: The results document angles that should be avoided when using suture button fixation for syndesmosis injuries. Device characteristics and surgery-related variables may require intraoperative modifications, and knowledge of this anatomical relationship may reduce SNVB injury during those situations. Considering our results, we recommend that surgeons place suture buttons from the DL starting point with a 30-degree trajectory to avoid injuries to the SNVB.

Rate of contralateral hip fracture after dynamic hip screw vs intramedullary nail for treatment of pertrochanteric hip fractures.

A retrospective, comparative study was performed reviewing the electronic medical records and digital radiographs of patients who underwent treatment for intertrochanteric and pertrochanteric hip fractures with either a hip screw and side plate (HSSP) or intramedullary nail. A total of 430 patients were treated with HSSP, and 725 were managed with a cephalomedullary nail (CMN). Of these, 103 sustained a contralateral hip fracture. Fixation technique was not associated with a significant difference in the rate of contralateral fracture. Among the patients with a contralateral fracture, the median time to contralateral fracture was 119.28 months following HSSP and 81.97 months following CMN. Bisphosphonate use was found to be a significant predictor of contralateral fracture for all patients, but when matching using propensity scores, its use was found to be insignificant. In conclusion, there was no difference in the rate of subsequent contralateral hip fracture when comparing HSSP with CMN. Additionally, the time to second surgery between the two treatment modalities was found to be statistically insignificant. It is unclear if bisphosphonate use increased the odds of having a contralateral fracture, regardless of the surgical intervention. The difference in the bisphosphonate effect using propensity score matching suggests that the results may be due to confounding variables and bias.

What is the impact of age on reoperation rates for femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty? A comparison of hip fracture outcomes in the very elderly population.

METHODS: A retrospective comparative study was performed at a level 1 trauma center at which electronic medical records and digital radiographs were reviewed for 949 femoral neck fractures. For the primary outcome of reoperation based on age, Kaplan-Meier models were built and analysis applied. RESULTS: A total of 334 fractures were nondisplaced treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP), and 615 were displaced managed with hemiarthroplasty (HA). Overall, 98 patients (10.33%) required reoperation. Increasing reoperation rates for CRPP was seen with each subsequent age group. The opposite was seen with HA in which increasing age groups showed lower reoperation rates.

Sedimentology and geochemistry of mud volcanoes in the Anaximander Mountain Region from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Investigations carried out on surface sediments collected from the Anaximander mud volcanoes in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to determine sedimentary and geochemical properties. The sediment grain size distribution and geochemical contents were determined by grain size analysis, organic carbon, carbonate contents and element analysis. The results of element contents were compared to background levels of Earth's crust. The factors that affect element distribution in sediments were calculated by the nine push core samples taken from the surface of mud volcanoes by the E/V Nautilus. The grain size of the samples varies from sand to sandy silt. Enrichment and Contamination factor analysis showed that these analyses can also be used to evaluate of deep sea environmental and source parameters. It is concluded that the biological and cold seep effects are the main drivers of surface sediment characteristics from the Anaximander mud volcanoes.

Relationship of bone mineral density of spine and femoral neck to distal radius fracture stability in patients over 65.

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that an increasing degree of osteopenia in the femoral neck and lumbar spine would be associated with loss of reduction after closed manipulation and splinting of distal radius fractures in patients over 65 years of age. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review, evaluating 78 patients with displaced distal radius fractures managed with closed reduction and splinting. T-scores from the lumbar spine and femoral neck were recorded from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans performed either within 1 year before or after injury. Volar tilt, radial height, radial inclination, and ulnar variance were evaluated from the initial fracture, postreduction, and final follow-up radiographs. We calculated the percentage of reduction maintained regarding reduction variable. We correlated T-scores of the lumbar spine and femoral neck with the percentage of retained reduction. RESULTS: We found no correlation between T-scores of the lumbar spine or femoral neck and the amount of reduction lost throughout the healing process of distal radius fractures with respect to volar tilt, radial height, radial inclination, or ulnar variance. Reduction was of no anatomical benefit in 53% to radial height, 44% to radial inclination, and 54% to ulnar variance. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be no relationship between bone mineral density, based on T-scores of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and the ability to maintain reduction after closed manipulation and splinting of displaced distal radius fractures in patients over 65 years of age. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic III.

Association of a modified frailty index with mortality after femoral neck fracture in patients aged 60 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome entailing loss of energy, physical ability, cognition, and health, plays a significant role in elderly morbidity and mortality. No study has examined frailty in relation to mortality after femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We examined the association of a modified frailty index abbreviated from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index to 1- and 2-year mortality rates after a femoral neck fracture. Specifically we examined: (1) Is there an association of a modified frailty index with 1- and 2-year mortality rates in patients aged 60 years and older who sustain a low-energy femoral neck fracture? (2) Do the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicate that the modified frailty index can be a potential tool predictive of mortality and does a specific modified frailty index value demonstrate increased odds ratio for mortality? (3) Do any of the individual clinical deficits comprising the modified frailty index independently associate with mortality? METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 697 low-energy femoral neck fractures in patients aged 60 years and older at our Level I trauma center from 2005 to 2009. A total of 218 (31%) patients with high-energy or pathologic fracture, postoperative complication including infection or revision surgery, fracture of the contralateral hip, or missing documented mobility status were excluded. The remaining 481 patients, with a mean age of 81.2 years, were included. Mortality data were obtained from a state vital statistics department using date of birth and Social Security numbers. Statistical analysis included unequal variance t-test, Pearson correlation of age and frailty, ROC curves and area under the curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics, and logistic regression models. RESULTS: One-year mortality analysis found the mean modified frailty index was higher in patients who died (4.6 ± 1.8) than in those who lived (3.0 ± 2; p < 0.001), which was maintained in a 2-year mortality analysis (4.4 ± 1.8 versus 3.0 ± 2; p < 0.001). In ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.74 and 0.72 for 1- and 2-year mortality, respectively. Patients with a modified frailty index of 4 or greater had an odds ratio of 4.97 for 1-year mortality and an odds ratio of 4.01 for 2-year mortality as compared with patients with less than 4. Logistic regression models demonstrated that the clinical deficits of mobility, respiratory, renal, malignancy, thyroid, and impaired cognition were independently associated with 1- and 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged 60 years and older sustaining a femoral neck fracture, with a higher modified frailty index, had increased 1- and 2-year mortality rates, and the ROC analysis suggests that this tool may be predictive of mortality. Patients with a modified frailty index of 4 or greater have increased risk for mortality at 1 and 2 years. Clinical deficits of mobility, respiratory, renal, malignancy, thyroid, and impaired cognition also may be independently associated with mortality. The modified frailty index may be a useful tool in predicting mortality, guiding patient and family expectations and elucidating implant/surgery choices. Further prospective studies are necessary to strengthen the predictive power of the index. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

High-energy femur fractures increase morbidity but not mortality in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Trauma centers are projected to have an increase in the number of elderly patients with high-energy femur fractures. Greater morbidity and mortality have been observed in these patients. Further clarification regarding the impact of high-energy femur fractures is necessary in this population. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Our purpose was to assess the influence of high-energy femur fractures on mortality and morbidity in patients 60 years and older. Specifically, we asked (1) if the presence of a high-energy femur fracture increases in-hospital, 6-month, and 1-year mortality in patients 60 years and older, and (2) if there is a difference in morbidity (number of complications, intensive care unit [ICU] and total hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, accompanying fractures, and surgical intervention) between patients 60 years and older with and without high-energy femur fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of 242 patients was performed. Patients with traumatic brain injury or spine injury with a neurologic deficit were excluded. A control group, including patients admitted secondary to high-energy trauma without femur fractures, was matched by gender and Injury Severity Score (ISS). In-hospital mortality, 6-month and 1-year mortality, complications, ICU and total hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, accompanying fractures, surgical intervention, and covariates were recorded. Statistical analyses using Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier estimates, and Cox regression models were performed to show differences in mortality (in-hospital, 6-month, 1-year), complications, length of ICU and total hospital stay, discharge disposition, surgical intervention, and accompanying fractures between elderly patients with and without femur fractures. The average ages of the patients were 72.8 years (± 9 years) in the femur fracture group and 71.8 years (± 9 years) in the control group. Sex, age, ISS, and comorbidities were homogenous between groups. RESULTS: In-hospital (p = 0.45), 6-month (p = 0.79), and 1-year mortality (p = 0.55) did not differ in patients with and without high-energy femur fractures. Elderly patients with high-energy femur fractures had an increased number of complications (p = 0.029), longer total hospital length of stay (p = 0.039), were discharged more commonly to rehabilitation centers (p < 0.005), had more accompanying long bone fractures (p = 0.002), and were more likely to have surgery (p < 0.001). Average ICU length of stay was similar between the two groups (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: High-energy femur fractures increased morbidity in patients 60 years and older; however, no increase in mortality was observed in our patients. Concomitant injuries may play a more critical role in this population. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the role of high-energy femur fracture mortality in this age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Treatment and displacement affect the reoperation rate for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures (FNFs) comprise 50% of geriatric hip fractures. Appropriate management requires surgeons to balance potential risks and associated healthcare costs with surgical treatment. Treatment complications can lead to reoperation resulting in increased patient risks and costs. Understanding etiologies of treatment failure and the population at risk may decrease reoperation rates. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore (1) determined if treatment modality and/or displacement affected reoperation rates after FNF; and (2) identified factors associated with increased reoperation and timing and reasons for reoperation. METHODS: We reviewed 1411 records of patients older than 60 years treated for FNF with internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty between 1998 and 2009. We extracted patient age, sex, fracture classification, treatment modality and date, occurrence of and reasons for reoperation, comorbid conditions at the time of each surgery, and dates of death or last contact. Minimum followup was 12 months (median, 45 months; range, 12-157 months). RESULTS: Internal fixation (hazard ratio [HR], 6.38) and displacement (HR, 2.92) were independently associated with increased reoperation rates. The reoperation rate for nondisplaced fractures treated with fixation was 15% and for displaced fractures 38% after fixation and 7% after hemiarthroplasty. Most fractures treated with fixation underwent reoperation within 1 year primarily for nonunion. Most fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty underwent reoperation within 3 months, primarily for infection. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, hemiarthroplasty resulted in fewer reoperations versus internal fixation and displaced fractures underwent reoperation more than nondisplaced. Our data suggest there are fewer reoperations when treating elderly patients with displaced FNFs with hemiarthroplasty than with internal fixation.

A new species of Halaphanolaimus (Nematoda: Leptolaimidae) from the southern Black Sea (Turkey) with a modified key for species identification.

Halaphanolaimus sergeevae n. sp. is described and illustrated from the Sinop coasts (southern Black Sea, Turkey). The new species morphologically resembles H. pellucidus Southern, 1914, but differs from it by having a higher number of tubular supplements (12-14 vs. 6-7), longer spicules (68-70 im vs 47-52 [tm), smaller tail/spicule ratio (1.6 vs. 2.7), smaller body size (926-1273 vs. 1500 microm), and smaller De Man indices of a, b and c'. An updated identification key to the species of Halaphanolainius is proposed.

The rate of contralateral proximal femoral fracture following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning compared with arthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: As the population ages, the number of proximal femoral fractures seen each year is expected to increase. Subsequent contralateral hip fractures have been reported to occur in as many as 11.8% of patients after surgical fixation of the initial fracture, but it is unknown if this rate is similar among patients managed with different surgical procedures. METHODS: A retrospective comparative study was performed at a single institution at which electronic medical records and digital radiographs were reviewed for 1177 patients who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning or arthroplasty for the treatment of a proximal femoral fracture. For the primary outcome of subsequent fracture, logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-five patients were managed with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, and 682 were managed with arthroplasty. Patients who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning were two times more likely to have a subsequent contralateral femoral fracture in comparison with those who underwent arthroplasty, with contralateral fracture rates of 10.10% for the closed reduction and percutaneous pinning group and 5.57% for the arthroplasty group (p = 0.0035). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing closed reduction and percutaneous pinning as the initial treatment for a hip fracture had an increased risk of a subsequent contralateral hip fracture in comparison with those undergoing arthroplasty, after controlling for patient characteristics.

Intramedullary fixation of fibular fractures associated with pilon fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of intramedullary fibular fixation to maintain reduction until healing and to determine the overall complication rate in high-energy pilon fractures associated with fibular fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Level I university trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: From 2000 to 2007, 972 pilon fractures were treated at our institution, 38 of which were treated with an intramedullary device for the associated fibular fracture. Two patients had acute amputations and two died; 1-year follow-up was obtained in 27 of the remaining patients. Average length of follow-up was 21 months. INTERVENTION: A retrospective chart and radiograph review was conducted of all patients for data extraction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Fibular fixation type and length, fibular healing, and complications. RESULTS: Average patient age was 36 years (range, 18-59 years). Four of the fibular fractures were segmental. All fractures had at least 50% of the cortex intact to prevent shortening. The average height of the fibular fractures from the distal tip was 6.9 cm (range, 1.3-22.2 cm). In 20 patients, a 3.5-mm fully threaded cortical screw was used for stabilization, and in the remaining seven, a 2.5-mm wire was used. The intramedullary implant extended 8.5 cm above the most proximal fracture line on average (range, 1.6-29.8 cm). Fibular alignment was within 3 degrees of anatomic in all cases after initial fixation. At final follow-up, fibular alignment had not changed more than 1 degrees in any case. No complications related to the fibular incision occurred, and all fibula fractures healed within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: In axially and rotationally stable fibular fracture patterns associated with pilon fractures, intramedullary fibular stabilization was effective in maintaining fibular alignment. This technique led to reliable fracture healing in appropriately selected fractures and may be particularly advantageous in patients with compromised lateral and posterolateral soft tissues.

Shortening osteotomy and compression plating for atrophic humeral nonunions: surgical technique.

The incidence of nonunion after humeral shaft fractures is low with both operative and nonoperative interventions. However, when a delayed union or nonunion occurs, it can be a very debilitating, leading to limited function and pain. Several methods have been described for the management of humeral diaphyseal nonunions. We present 11 cases managed with a transverse, shortening osteotomy and compression plating with or without bone grafting. Of the 11 cases, 10 had prior surgical treatment of open reduction and internal fixation. Union was achieved in all 11 humeri.