External fixation versus intramedullary nailing for the management of open tibial fracture: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: Tibial shaft fractures are the most common type of long-bone fractures. External fixation (EF) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) are widely used surgical techniques for the definitive fixation of open tibial shaft fractures. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare EF to IMN for the definitive fixation of open tibial fractures. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched for eligible studies. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared EF to IMN for skeletally mature adults with open tibial fracture (Gustilo I, II, and III). We evaluated the following outcomes: superficial infection, pin-track infection, deep infection, malunion, nonunion, delayed union, and implant/hardware failure. The risk ratio (RR) was used to represent the desired outcomes. The statistical analysis was performed using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 12 RCTs that enrolled 1090 participants were deemed eligible for the analysis. EF showed a significantly higher rate of superficial infection, pin track infection, and malunion compared to IMN (RR = 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34 to 3.95; RR = 13.52, 95% CI: 6.16 to 29.66; RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.73, respectively). No substantial difference was found between EF and IMN in terms of deep infection, nonunion, delayed union, or implant/hardware failure (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.98; RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.10; RR = 1.50, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.33; RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.60, respectively). DISCUSSION: The findings of our meta-analysis are consistent with the previous systematic reviews excepts for the implant/hardware failure which was found to be significant in favour of IMN by one of the previous reviews. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis confirms that IMN is better than EF with respect to clinical outcomes and complication rate for the definitive fixation of open tibial fracture.

Low-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma Extending to The Right Atrium.

Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (ESS) are very uncommon malignant tumors that make around 0.2% of the entire uterine related malignancies. They represent the endometrial stromal cells in the proliferative stage. The annual incidence of ESS is 1-2 per million women. We present an unusual case of ESS, which originates from the uterine artery through the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) and extends to the right atrium. A 48 years old woman presented with menorrhagia and right flank pain for seven months. Physical examination was normal except for a palpable suprapubic mass. Computed tomography (CT) showed the right gonadal vein and IVC tumoral thrombus extending into the right atrium. An echocardiogram and Transesophygeal echocardiogram revealed a large non-mobile echogenic density in the right atrium. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was done. Extensive myometrial and vascular invasion was noted along with the extensive lymphovascular invasion of the uterus. Eventually, distal IVC resections were done, and there was no chance to remove the tumor because it was too attached and invaded the IVC filter. Owing to the unresectability of the tumor, the patient was assigned for palliative chemotherapy. Keywords: Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, Right Atrium, Inferior Vena Cava, Spindle Cell Sarcoma.