The effects of palliative care on patients with different classes heart function: A pilot study.

The aim of this study was to explore effects of palliative care (PC) on patients with different heart function. Patients with NYHA (New York Heart Association) class II, III, IV were divided into separate groups. The KCCQ (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) scores were compared before and 3 months after PC intervention. After 3 months, compared with the control group, PC could further significantly improve the KCCQ, HADS-depression and -anxiety scores of patients in NYHA class IV (P < 0.05); PC could significantly improve the HADS-depression and -anxiety scores of patients with NYHA class III (P < 0.05), and had an improvement tendency on KCCQ score. The study revealed that PC can significantly improve anxiety and depression of patients with NYHA class III or IV, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients with NYHA class IV, but had no effects on patients with NYHA class II.

Microarray analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Background: The etiology and underlying pathogenic mechanisms of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) still remain unclear. A disruption of blood supply to the femoral head, producing ischemic necrosis, appears to be the critical pathological event. The lncRNAs play crucial roles in many biological processes and are dysregulated in various human diseases. However, its expression profiles and the potential regulatory roles in the development of LCPD have not been investigated. Methods: In this study, differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease patients were profiled. Several GO terms and pathways that play important roles in the regulation of vascular structure, function or coagulation were selected for further analysis. The lncRNA -mRNA interacting networks in LCPD tissues were constructed to identify novel potential targets for further investigation. Results: The microarray analysis revealed that 149 lncRNAs and 37 mRNAs were up-regulated, and 64 lncRNAs and 250 mRNAs were down-regulated in LCPD tissues. After filtering, we finally found 14 mRNAs and constructed an mRNA-lncRNA interacting network. Through the analysis of the interaction network, we finally found 13 differentially expressed lncRNAs, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of LCPD. These mRNAs/lncRNAs were further validated with qRT-PCR. Conclusion: The findings of this study established a co-expression network of disease-related lncRNAs and mRNAs which screened out from the concerned G.O. terms and Pathways, which may provide new sights for future studies on molecular mechanisms of LCPD.

Operative choice for subtrochanteric femoral fracture in school-aged children: Triple elastic stable intramedullary nail versus locking plate.

Background: The management strategy of subtrochanteric fractures remains controversial, and triple elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) has not been reported for pediatric subtrochanteric fractures. This study aimed to compare the clinical effects of treating school-aged children with subtrochanteric fractures with triple ESINs versus locking plates. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients with subtrochanteric femoral fracture receiving either triple ESINs (TE) or locking plates (LPs) between January 2010 and January 2018. Sixteen patients in each group with matched age, sex, and fracture characteristics were included in the study. The preoperative data, including baseline information of the patients, fracture pattern, and types of surgical procedure, were collected from the hospital database. Patients were followed-up at the outpatient clinic in the 3rd month, 6th month, 12th month, and annually afterward. Hardware removal was performed at 9 - 18 months after the primary surgery. Results: In all, 16 patients (8.4 ± 1.5-year-old, 7 boys, 9 girls) in the TE group and 16 patients (8.4 ± 1.4-year-old, 7 boys, 9 girls) in the LP group were included. There was significantly less operative time, reduced estimated blood loss, and shortened hospital stay for the TE as compared with the LP (P < 0.001). However, higher fluoroscopy frequency was observed in the TE group than in the LP group (P < 0.001). The time to union was faster in the TE group than in the LP group (P = 0.031). However, the angulation was higher in the TE group (3.2 ± 0.6) than the LP group (1.8 ± 0.5), and the incidence of implant prominence was higher in the TE group (7/16, 43.8%) than the LP group (1/16, 6.3%). Conclusion: Compared with the locking plates, triple ESINs demonstrated significantly less operative time, reduced estimated blood loss, and shortened hospital stay. Besides, both TE and LP groups produced satisfactory outcomes in school-aged children with subtrochanteric fractures. Therefore, TE remains a feasible choice for subtrochanteric fractures in school-aged children.

Plating versus elastic stable intramedullary nailing for displaced pediatric midshaft clavicular fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, operative treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents has been achieved by using a plate and screws. However, a minimally invasive trend has led surgeons to use the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of adolescent patients who were operated on with an ESIN vs. a plate. METHODS: All patients aged between 10 and 14 years with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures who were operated on at our institute between January 2014 and January 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative data, including baseline information on the patients, and types of surgical procedure were collected from the hospital database. The postoperative data, including clinical outcome and complications, were collected during the follow-up visits. Clinical outcome was evaluated during outpatient visits using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. The scar problem was evaluated according to the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) scale. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were included. Patients were categorized into two groups: ESIN (n = 45; 27 males, 18 females) and plate (n = 28; 17 males, 11 females), according to surgical technique. The average age of the patients in the ESIN group was 12.2 ± 1.5 years, and that in the plate group was 12.2 ± 1.4 years. The ESIN group presented significantly less operative time (31.1 vs. 59.8 min), a shorter hospital stay (1.5 vs. 2.5 days), and a smaller incision (2.4 vs. 5.4 cm) as compared to the plate group (P < .001). The rate of scar concern was much higher in the plate group (71.4%) than the ESIN group (22.2%) (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in shoulder function between the ESIN group and the plate group at different time points. CONCLUSION: A conservative approach remains the first choice for a pediatric clavicle fracture. Both the ESIN and the plate are safe and effective treatment methods for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents. The ESIN is superior to the plate given its shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay, lower rate of scar concern, and easier implant removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective observational study.

3D-printed model and osteotomy template technique compared with conventional closing-wedge osteotomy in cubitus varus deformity.

Cubitus varus deformity is the most common late complication of malunited supracondylar fracture that requires corrective osteotomy and fixation. From 2009 to 2017, 40 consecutive patients with cubitus varus deformity were included. Twenty patients underwent the conventional closing-wedge osteotomy (conventional group), while the other twenty patients underwent the 3D-printed model and osteotomy template osteotomy (3D-printed template group). The functional outcome was evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) Score and Flynn criteria. There were no statistically significant differences were observed regarding the humerus-elbow-wrist angle and tilting angle between the two groups, both preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 months. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the elbow ROM (127.0 ± 4.7° VS 128.9 ± 3.8°) and MEPI score (93.5 ± 3.3 VS 94.3 ± 4.1) between the groups. All patients were satisfied both cosmetically and functionally as per the Flynn criteria and MEPI score. The conventional osteotomy and 3D-printed model and osteotomy template techniques both met the treatment requirements of cubitus varus deformity. The 3D-printed template technique showed better osteotomy accuracy, but no significant advantage regarding the functional and cosmetic results than conventional osteotomy.

Two-stage strategy for neglected Monteggia fracture in children: A retrospective study of 51 patients.

ABSTRACT: A neglected Monteggia fracture is defined as the fracture of the proximal ulna associated with radial head dislocation (RHD) without undergoing any treatment for 4 weeks or more after injury. One-stage operation of ulnar corrective osteotomy and open reduction of RHD might result in many complications. Therefore, a two-stage strategy, including ulnar osteotomy (UO) with or without annular ligament reconstruction (ALR), was adopted at our institute since 2010.We performed a retrospective review of 51 patients with neglected Monteggia fracture between January 2010 and January 2018. Patients with bilateral problems or concomitant injuries in the ipsilateral extremity were excluded. Radiological and clinical data were collected from Hospital Database and clinical visits. All patients were divided into 2 groups based on the status of the ALR: the UO alone (UO) group and the ALR group.There were 15 patients in the UO group and 36 patients in the ALR group. The age in the UO group (6.1 ±â€Š2.3, year) was significantly younger than the ALR group (9.8 ±â€Š2.8, year) (P < .001). Concerning the duration from initial injury to surgery, there was a significant difference between the UO group (8.6 ±â€Š3.2 months) and the ALR group (23.3 ±â€Š12.6 months, P < .001). Concerning the preoperative elbow function, there was no significant difference between the UO group (67.6 ±â€Š5.0) and the ALR group (66.6 ±â€Š4.4) according to the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) (P = .51). Concerning the postoperative parameters, including postoperative ROM of the joint, removal of external fixator (6.7 ±â€Š0.8, 6.9 ±â€Š0.9 weeks) (P = .55), lengthening (8.9 ±â€Š2.5, 10.3 ±â€Š2.5 mm) (P = .10) and MEPS (92.7 ±â€Š2.1, 91.6 ±â€Š2.1) (P = .08), there was no significant difference between the UO group and ALR group.Two-stage strategy is a reasonable choice for selected patients with long-lasting RHD with ulnar deformity.

Novel Use of Pennig External Fixation for the Treatment of Pediatric Syndactyly.

Syndactyly is one of the most common congenital limb malformations, second only to polydactyly. Syndactyly is treated with surgical intervention. During separation, free skin grafting or skin flap transplantation is required to allow for adequate skin closure. We introduce a novel application method of the Pennig external fixation device for the management of pediatric syndactyly without skin grafting. The Pennig minifixator was used in syndactyly to expand the web space soft tissue in order to allow a Z-plasty to be performed in a second operation. All patients had developed sufficient skin tissue from the external fixation. No infection, cutaneous necrosis or nonunion was noted in any of the patients. All patients had a satisfactory outcome in terms of final appearance and digit function. On the basis of the principle of strain-stress, use of the Penning external minifixator allows development of sufficient tissue in the web space for a second phase of reconstruction in syndactyly. The need for skin grafting and risk of blood vessel damage were avoided in this study, and, the incidence of skin necrosis and scar formation was reduced. Both the patients' families and our research members expressed high satisfaction with the postoperative function and appearance. Overall, application of the Pennig external fixation frame in our novel method is effective for the management of syndactyly and should be studied further. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Minimally invasive approach with external fixator for intra-articular calcaneal fractures in children.

ABSTRACT: Calcaneal fractures are rare in pediatric population, with more displaced intra-articular fractures encountered due to the increasing number of high-energy trauma. Operative interventions are gaining popularity because of the unsatisfactory outcomes of traditional conservative methods. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of a minimally invasive technique using the sinus tarsi approach and external fixator in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures in pediatric patients.Patients who underwent open reduction between January 2010 and January 2018 at our institute were included in this study and reviewed retrospectively. Radiological and clinical parameters were all recorded and analyzed.Overall, 29 patients were included in the study, including 23 boys and 6 girls (10.2 ±â€Š2.2 years old). The average follow-up was 29.5 months postoperatively (range, 26-72 months). Bohler angle was 15.2 ±â€Š3.3° preoperatively, and 34.0 ±â€Š3.8° postoperatively (P < .001); Gissane angle was 101.8 ±â€Š6.2 degrees preoperatively, and 129.7 ±â€Š6.2° postoperatively (P < .001). The average length of incision was 3.4 ±â€Š0.7 cm. At the last follow-up, all patients showed satisfactory clinical outcomes and the score was 90.0 ±â€Š2.3 according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale.Minimally invasive approach with external fixator is an effective method for treating displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in pediatric patients, with a lower incidence of wound-related complications and good cosmetic outcomes.

Intra-articular vs. intravenous administration: a meta-analysis of tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The optimal dosage and administration approach of tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. In light of recently published 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study aims to incorporate the newly found evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular (IA) vs. intravenous (IV) application of TXA in primary TKA. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs comparing IA with IV TXA for primary TKA. Primary outcomes included total blood loss (TBL) and drain output. Secondary outcomes included hidden blood loss (HBL), hemoglobin (Hb) fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time. RESULT: In all, 34 RCTs involving 3867 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Significant advantages of IA were shown on TBL (MD = 33.38, 95% CI = 19.24 to 47.51, P < 0.001), drain output (MD = 28.44, 95% CI = 2.61 to 54.27, P = 0.03), and postoperative day (POD) 3+ Hb fall (MD = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.39, P = 0.001) compared with IV. There existed no significant difference on HBL, POD1 and POD2 Hb fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time between IA and IV. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular administration of TXA is superior to intravenous in primary TKA patients regarding the performance on TBL, drain output, and POD3+ Hb fall, without increased risk of perioperative complications. Therefore, intra-articular administration is the recommended approach in clinical practice for primary TKA.

Biodegradable pins for lateral condylar fracture of the humerus with an early delayed presentation in children: a retrospective study of biodegradable pin vs. Kirschner wire.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcome of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for delayed lateral condylar fracture of the humerus (LCFH) varies in different studies, but ORIF for LCFH with an early-delayed presentation usually resulted in significant improvement of elbow function. Early delayed presentation is defined as a period of 3 to 12 weeks from the injury. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of biodegradable pin (BP) vs. Kirschner wire (KW) in the treatment of LCFH with an early delayed presentation. METHODS: LCFH with an early-delayed presentation treated with KW or BP were retrospectively reviewed in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups KW (n = 17) and BP group (n = 26). Baseline information, including sex, age, operative side, duration from injury to surgery, and implant choice, was reviewed. Radiographs and medical records were collected from the Hospital Database. RESULTS: In all, 17 patients (male/female, 9/8) in KW and 26 patients (male/female,13/13) in the BP group were included. The age showed no statistically significant difference between the KW (52.3 ± 10.2, month) and the BP (56.1 ± 10.7, month), (P = 0.258). At the last follow-up, there existed no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning Baumann's angle (P = 0.272) and carrying angle (P = 0.911). The MEPS at the last follow-up was better in the KW group (91.1 ± 2.7) than the BP group (89.2 ± 3.0), (P = 0.048). There was no case of nonunion or malunion in both groups. The incidence of fishtail deformity was (8/17, 47.1%) in KW and (13/26, 50%) in the BP group. The incidence of lateral prominence was (5/17, 29.4%) in the KW and (7/26, 26.9%) in the BP group. Furthermore, the incidence of implant prominence was higher in KW (12/17, 70.6%) than BP (0) (P <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation for LCFH with an early-delayed presentation produced satisfactory outcomes. Biodegradable pin is a good alternative to Kirschner wire, with comparable clinical outcomes.

Is bioabsorbable screw an alternative choice for displaced medial epicondylar fractures in adolescents: A comparative study of metallic cannulated lag screw versus bioabsorbable screw.

In adolescent patients, cannulated lag screw (CLS) is a widely accepted choice for fixation of the medial epicondylar fracture of the humerus (MEFH). Absorbable implants, including rod, screw, and mini-plate, have been reported in children. However, to the best of our understanding, this study is the first head-to-head comparative study of CLS versus bioabsorbable screw (BS) in the treatment of MEFH.Patients of MEFH operated at our institute, from January 2010 to January 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the CLS group and the BS group, as per the type of implant the patient received. The CLS group consisted of 35 patients, whereas the BS group consisted of 30 patients. Demographic data, including sex, age at the time of surgery, operated side, and implant material, were collected from the hospital database. Elbow range of motion (ROM), radiographic manifestation was recorded during the out-patient visit. The elbow joint function was evaluated according to the Broberg and Morrey elbow scale and Mayo elbow performance index score.Thirty patients, including 18 males and 12 females, were included in the CLS group, whereas 35 patients, including 21 males and 14 females, were included in the BS group. At 6-month follow-up, elbow range of motion, Broberg and Morrey elbow scale and Mayo elbow performance index scale showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. The carrying angle was within the normal range in both groups. There was no nonunion or malunion in either group. The rate of hypoplasia or hyperplasia was low in both groups, 3.3% in CLS and 2.9% in BS. The rate of implant prominence was significantly higher in the CLS group (33.3%) than BS (0%).Both CLS and BS are safe and effective choices for displaced MEFH in adolescents. The BS can produce a satisfactory clinical outcome and is comparable to the CLS. Besides, the BS has the advantage of not needing second surgery for implant removal.

Is biodegradable pin a good choice for lateral condylar fracture of humerus in children: A comparative study of biodegradable pin and Kirschner wire.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral condylar fracture (LCF) of the humerus in children is one of the commonest elbow injuries in children. Early recognition of the problem and appropriate management usually yields satisfactory outcomes. Closed or open reduction with Kirschner-wire (KW) is a cost-effective choice of fixation method for displaced fracture. However, various other methods, including partially threaded cannulated cancellous screw and biodegradable pin (BP), have also been used. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of BP and compare its clinical outcomes with KW. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with LCF admitted from January 2008 to January 2016 at our institute were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline information and clinical data were collected from Hospital Database. Patients were divided into the KW group and BP group. RESULTS: In all, 85 patients (male 50, female 35) in the KW group and 76 patients (male 47, female 29) in the BP group were included in this study. The average age of patients in the KW group was 5.2 years, and that of BP was 5.9 years. No nonunion or malunion was observed in either group. At the last follow-up visit, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to elbow function and appearance. The incidence of long-term complications, including avascular necrosis, fishtail deformity, and lateral prominence, showed no significant difference between both the groups. The incidence of hardware prominence was higher in the KW (13/85, 15.6%) than BP (2/76, 2.6%) group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Both KW and BP are safe and effective choices for LCF of the humerus in children. Both the implant designs produce satisfactory and comparable clinical outcomes. However, BP has the advantage of less hardware prominence, no need for hardware removal, and fewer long-term complications.

Is elastic stable intramedullary nail a good choice for pathological fractures of the proximal femur due to simple bone cyst in pediatric population?

Pathological fracture of the proximal femur represents a challenging situation for orthopedic surgeons because of the high risk of non-union, varus union, and avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of ESINs for the treatment of proximal femoral fractures caused by simple bone cysts (SBCs).All the patients with a diagnosis of proximal femoral fracture secondary to SBC treated with ESINs combined with bone grafting between January 2008 and January 2018, were analyzed retrospectively.In all, 11 patients were included in the Double ESINs group (5.1 ±â€Š0.8 years, 5 male, 6 female) and 27 patients were included in the Triple ESINs group (9.1 ±â€Š2.1 years, 11 male, 16 female). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups concerning the patients demographic parameters, including sex and affected side. However, the age in the Double group was significantly younger than those in the Triple group (P < .001). All patients in both groups displayed excellent outcomes according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS), and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at a 12-month follow-up evaluation (P = .10). As for the Capanna classification (1 + 2), there was no significant difference between these 2 groups (P = .24). In the Triple ESINs group, 24 (88.9%) patients were categorized in Capanna 1 and 2, whereas all patients in Double ESINs were Capanna 1 and 2. Overall, the success rate was 92%.ESINs combined with bone grafting is a successful strategy for proximal femoral fractures caused by SBCs in the pediatric population.

Pediatric physeal slide-traction plate fixation for pathological distal femoral fracture caused by unicameral bone cyst in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Most patients suffering from distal femoral unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are adolescents that require an early return to normal activities, including school attendance and sports exercises. However, the optimal choice of implants for such patients remains controversial. This study evaluated the application of pediatric physeal slide-traction plate (PPSP) in the treatment of pathological distal femoral fracture caused by UBCs. METHODS: Between Jan 2014 and Jan 2016, 11 (male = 6, female = 5) patients were reviewed retrospectively. Age, sex, operative time, limb-length discrepancy (LLD), and valgus angulation were all recorded for every patient. RESULTS: The average age of 11 patients was 12.2 ± 1.1 years. The operating time was 94.8 ± 7.8 min. The postoperative hospital stay was 5 to 7 days. The epiphyseal morphology in the operative leg was nearly normal. The plate was removed in an average of 19.5 ± 3.1 months. The knee range of motion (ROM) was normal in 9 patients, whereas 2 female patients reported a loss of less than 10 degrees of ROM as compared to the contralateral knee joint. Breakage of plates or refracture did not occur in our cases. All patients had a follow-up of at least 24 months. At the latest follow-up visit, all patients walked without a limp. None of the patients manifested obvious LLD and valgus deformity. CONCLUSION: PPSP combined with curettage and bone grafting allows early mobilization and produces satisfactory outcomes for pathological fracture of distal femur secondary to UBCs in adolescents.

Distal third femoral shaft fractures in school-aged children: A comparative study of elastic stable intramedullary nail and external fixator.

Internal fixation such as elastic stable intramedullary(ESIN) nail and submuscular plate (SMP) is gaining popularity for femoral shaft fractures in school-aged children. However, external fixation (ExFix) might be a valuable option for the distal third femoral shaft fractures, where the fracture heals rapidly, but it is crucial to avoid angular malunion. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes, postoperative complications of distal third femoral shaft fractures in school-aged children treated by ESIN versus ExFix.Patients aged 5 to 11 years with distal third femoral shaft fractures treated at our institute from January 2014 to January 2016 were included and categorized into ESIN (n = 33) and ExFix (n = 38) group. The preoperative data, including baseline information of the patients, radiographic parameters, and type of surgical procedure, were collected from the hospital database, and postoperative data, including complications, were collected during the follow-up visit.In all, 33 patients (average, 8.0 ±â€Š2.1 years, male 20, female 13) in the ESIN group and 38 patients (average, 8.3 ±â€Š2.3 years, male 23, female 15) in the ExFix group were included in this study. There was significantly less operative time for the ExFix group (45.4 ±â€Š7.8 min) as compared to the ESIN group (57.8 ±â€Š11.3 min) (P < .01), reduced estimated blood loss (EBL) in the ExFix group (9.9 ±â€Š3.5) as compared to the ESIN group (16.4 ±â€Š6.5) (P < .01). As for the frequency of fluoroscopy, there was a significant difference between the ExFix group (13.9 ±â€Š2.4) and the ESIN group (15.5 ±â€Š3.2) (P = .02). The rate of major complications was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .19). The rate of implant irritation was significantly higher in the ExFix group (28/38, 73.7%) than the ESIN group (12/33, 36.4%) (P < .01). The rate of surgical site infection (SSI) is significantly higher in the ExFix group (18/38, 47.4%)) than the ESIN group (1/33, 3%) (P < .01). The rate of scar concern was significantly higher in the ExFix (9/38, 23.7%) than the ESIN (2/33, 6.1%), (P = .04). According to the Flynn scoring system, 30(90.9%) patients in the ESIN group and 24(89.5%) patients in the ExFix group were rated as excellent. None of the patients had poor outcomes.Both ESIN and ExFix produced satisfactory outcomes in distal third femoral shaft fractures. ExFix remains a viable choice for selected cases, especially in resource-challenged and austere settings.

Fixation of delayed distal radial fracture involving metaphyseal diaphyseal junction in adolescents: a comparative study of crossed Kirschner-wiring and non-bridging external fixator.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment remains the preferred choice for distal radius fracture in children. However, loss of reduction is problematic, especially in an older child. Crossed Kirschner-wires is widely used to treat distal radius fracture in adolescents. This study aimed to compare the application of crossed Kirschner-wiring (KW) and non-bridging external fixator (EF) for the treatment of delayed distal radial fracture involving metaphyseal diaphyseal junction (MDJ) in adolescents. METHODS: Between January 2012 to January 2017, 146 (male = 101, female = 45) patients in EF group and 117 (male = 76, female = 41) in KW group, were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative data were collected from the hospital database, and postoperative clinical outcomes data were collected during the follow-up visits. We used SPSS for data analysis. RESULTS: There existed no significant difference between EF and KW regarding sex, body weight, fracture side, duration from injury to surgery. The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in EF (30.5 ± 6.1 min) than the KW group (44.6 ± 9.4 min), P < 0.001. The number of intraoperative X-ray images was significantly lower in EF (6.5 ± 1.1) than KW (11.8 ± 2.3), P < 0.001. The incidence of tendon irritation is significantly higher in the KW (19.7%) than the EF group (0%), P < 0.001. The residual angulation on the AP view was higher in KW (3.8 ± 2.3, degrees) than the EF group (2.5 ± 1.6, degrees), P < 0.001. The volar tilting is better in EF (6.6 ± 1.1, degrees) than the KW group (1.0 ± 1.5, degrees), P < 0.001. However, the functional outcomes of the wrist showed no significant difference between EF and KW group, P = 0.086. CONCLUSION: The EF was superior to KW in the treatment of radial MDJ fractures in adolescents. The EF displayed shorter duration of surgery, less tendon irritation, and better radiographic outcomes than the KW. However, the cost-effect analysis remains to be investigated, because the EF is more expensive than KW.

Injectable calcium sulfate vs mixed bone graft of autologous iliac bone and allogeneic bone: Which is the better bone graft material for unicameral bone cyst in humerus?

Unicameral bone cyst (UBC) is a benign fluid-filled lesion, mainly located in the metaphyses of long bones in children and adolescents. Elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) is adopted in our institute for UBCs since 2010, and bone grafting was performed simultaneously. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ESIN decompression combined with different bone graft materials.All patients with the diagnoses of UBCs of the humerus, treated with ESINs and bone grafting between January 2010 and June 2018, were analyzed retrospectively. The bone grafting included injectable calcium sulfate, a mixture of the autologous iliac bone and allogeneic bone. All patients were categorized into 2 groups: ICS (injectable calcium sulfate) group and MIX (a mixture of the autologous iliac bone and allogeneic bone, ratio: 1:3) group. All the information was collected from the Hospital Database.In all, 17 patients (8.8 ±â€Š2.3-year-old, male 8, female 9) in the ICS group and 19 patients (8.9 ±â€Š1.9-year-old, male 10, female 9) in the MIX group were included in this study. Patients in both groups were followed up for more than 2 years (average, 3.4 ±â€Š1.3 years). No recurrence was observed in either group. There was no significant difference between the two groups concerning the patient's demographic parameters, including sex, age, and affected side. All patients in both groups displayed excellent and good shoulder function, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .29). As for the Capanna classification, there was no significant difference between these 2 groups (P = .78).Intramedullary nailing has the advantage of a minimally invasive procedure, immediate stability, and continuous decompression. ICS showed similar results as a mixture of the autologous iliac bone and allogeneic bone.

The optimal choice for length unstable femoral shaft fracture in school-aged children: A comparative study of elastic stable intramedullary nail and submuscular plate.

The utilization of elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) in length unstable femoral shaft fractures in children remains controversial, and the results in different studies vary a lot. This study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes of ESINs versus submuscular plate (SMP) in length unstable femoral shaft fractures.Patients aged 5 to 11 years old with length unstable femoral shaft fractures treated at our institute from January 2008 to January 2018 were included and categorized into ESIN and SMP group. The preoperative data and operative variables were collected from the hospital database, and postoperative data including complications were collected at follow-up visits.In all, 77 patients (8.1 ±â€Š1.9 years old, male 45, female 32) in ESIN group and 45 patients (8.0 ±â€Š2.2 years old, male 26, female 19) in SMP group were included in this study. Comparing operative variables, there was significantly less operative time, reduced estimated blood loss (EBL) and shortened hospital stay for ESINs as compared with SMP (P < .001). However, the fluoroscopy frequency was not significantly different between these 2 fixation methods (P = .42). As for elective removal surgery, there was significantly reduced operative time, EBL and shortened hospital stay for ESINs as compared with SMP (P < .001).Both ESIN and SMP are safe and effective choices for length unstable femoral shaft fractures in children aged 5 to 11 years. In ESIN, extra care is required to provide additional immobilization using spica cast or brace. Compared with SMP, ESIN is able to deliver comparable clinical outcomes with less EBL, operative time and shorter hospital stay.

Enhanced recovery care versus traditional non-ERAS care following osteotomies in developmental dysplasia of the hip in children: a retrospective case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been shown to shorten the length of hospital stay and reduce the incidence of perioperative complications in many surgical fields. However, there has been a paucity of research examining the application of ERAS in major pediatric orthopaedic surgeries. This study aims to compare the perioperative complications and length of hospital stay after osteotomies in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) between ERAS and traditional non-ERAS group. METHODS: The ERAS group consisted of 86 patients included in the ERAS program from January 2016 to December 2017. The Control group consisted of 82 DDH patients who received osteotomies from January 2014 to December 2015. Length of hospital stay, physiological function, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly reduced from 10.0 ± 3.1 in the traditional care group to 6.0 ± 0.8 days in the ERAS(P < 0.001). The average VAS score in the first 3 days was significantly lower in the ERAS group (2.9 ± 0.8) than the traditional non-ERAS group (4.0 ± 0.8) (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of break-out pain (VAS > 4) between two groups (29.5 ± 6.3 times vs.30.6 ± 6.5 times, P = 0.276). The frequency of postoperative fever was lower in the ERAS group. The frequency of urinary tract infection in both groups were not noticeable because the catheter was removed promptly after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The ERAS protocol is both safe and feasible for pediatric DDH patients undergoing osteotomies, and it can shorten the length of hospital stay without increasing the risk of perioperative complications.