A novel technique for transtibial amputation in chronic occlusive arterial disease: Modified Burgess procedure.

The aim of this study was to compare results of transtibial amputations performed using the Burgess or Modified Burgess techniques with those performed using the Bruckner technique. Transtibial amputation (TTA) was performed in 117 patients with Fontaine phase IV chronic arterial occlusion. Fifty-six patients with a mean age of 51.4 years were amputated by the Burgess technique between March 2000 and January 2003; and 61 patients with a mean age of 47.8 years were amputated by Modified Burgess technique between February 2003 and March 2006. In the Burgess technique, all muscles in the amputation region were preserved and the stump was closed by a long posterior flap; whereas the entire tibialis anterior muscle and part of the soleus muscle distal to the amputation level were removed in the modified Burgess procedure. Stump revision was performed in nine cases (17.3%) amputated by the Burgess technique due to necrosis at the incision site and drainage caused by the peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles; however, two cases (3.6%) of the modified Burgess procedure required stump revision. The prosthesis caused skin maceration at the lateral side of the stump in five cases (9.6%) operated with the Burgess technique and in eight cases (14.5%) operated with the modified Burgess procedure. After the rehabilitation period, 43 patients (82.6%) in the Burgess group were mobilized without crutches in an average of 162.5 days; on the other hand 51 patients (% 92.7) in the modified Burgess group were similarly mobilized in an average of 101.5 days. Our retrospective study showed that the modified Burgess technique, with its advantages and disadvantages forms an alternative to the Burgess and Bruckner techniques regarding TTAs.

[Removal of a bent inflatable femoral nail: a case report]. / Egilmis sisirilebilir femur çivisinin çikarilmasi: olgu sunumu.

Intramedullary nailing is the gold standard for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures. Bending of the nail secondary to trauma is a rare complication encountered in unhealed and comminuted fractures. A 23-year-old man was admitted with refracture of the right femoral shaft and a 32-degree bending of an inflatable intramedullary nail due to a fall, two months after the initial surgical treatment. The nail was first straightened by exerting an external force, which decreased the angulation to 10 degrees. Then, the fracture site was opened, the lateral wall of the nail was drilled, and one of the four metal bars of the nail was cut. This allowed complete straightening of the nail by the same maneuver and its removal. A new inflatable intramedullary nail was placed and union was achieved after four months. Tools that may be necessary to cut the nail partially or totally should be made available for removal of bent nails.

Modified chevron osteotomy fixed with stofella pin for hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present the mid-term results of hallux valgus patients who underwent a modified chevron osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients (73 feet) with mild to moderate hallux valgus underwent a modified chevron osteotomy and Stoffella pin fixation between January 1999 and December 2004. Patients were evaluated clinically by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were evaluated for the hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles and sesamoid position. RESULTS: An improvement of 44.8 points in the AOFAS score was found. A change of 17.4 degrees in the hallux valgus angle and by 5.3 degrees in the intermetatarsal angle was achieved (p < 0.05). The change in the sesamoid position was significantly improved. Superficial skin infection in 3 cases, transient hypoesthesia in 2 cases, and bursitis due to screw irritation in 4 cases were the complications. CONCLUSION: Stable and rigid fixation by modified chevron osteotomy using Stoffella pins allows early mobilization and weightbearing without a cast. We believe early mobilization of the joint provides better functional outcomes with fewer complications compared to other fixation techniques.

A new perspective on management of open calcaneus fractures.

The treatment protocol of closed calcaneal fractures has been described in the literature extensively. However, treatment of open calcaneal fractures has not been discussed in detail. Various treatment alternatives have been suggested including external fixator, primary subtalar distraction arthrodesis, and partial calcanectomy according to the type of fracture. We have retrospectively reviewed 36 adult patients with 39 open calcaneal fractures who were treated with our new philosophy. Average follow-up time was 9.29 years (range, 1.25-28 years). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system was used in functional evaluation. The average score was 77.9 (range, 67-92). All of the patients had limited subtalar movement. We propose an algorithm for the management of open calcaneus fractures, although treatment largely depends on the physical status of the patient, type of the fracture, localisation of the open wound and the surgeon's choice.

First ray reconstruction with distraction osteogenesis.

Disarticulation of the thumb at the metacarpophalangeal joint level is not beneficial either aesthetically or functionally without additional surgery because it requires a bulky and an unacceptable prosthesis to be made for this amputation level. In this study, the authors have presented our experience of 12 metacarpal distractions in thumb amputated patients. Twelve male patients who had thumb amputation due to gunshot wounds were included in the study. Before the operation, aesthetic hand prostheses were made for 5 of the 12 patients. Callus distraction was performed with the use of a mini Ilizarov type external fixator in 7 cases and uniplanar dynamic mini external fixator in 5 cases too. External fixators were removed after the completion of the radiographic consolidation. Five patients whose prosthesis had been made before the operation wore their prosthesis for an average 6.8 months (5 - 14) due to poor appearance and poor construction. Union of the lengthened segment was observed in all cases. Average lengthening was 28.9 mm (range from 25 - 37). Average healing time was 2.1 months (range from 1.8 - 2.5). Average healing index was 0.73 month/cm (range from 0.65 - 0.88). Pin tract infection was seen in 7 cases (58.3%). Volar angulation developed after removing the external fixator in 1 case. Webplasty was performed in all cases. Patients were evaluated by means of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and pick-up test. It was concluded that the metacarpus lengthening by callus distraction technique may be a functionally and cosmetically effective reconstruction method for traumatic thumb amputations. It is believed that the possibility for a functionally and aesthetically acceptable fabrication of a thumb prosthesis, by providing a suction suspension with distraction and/or webplasty procedures.

Spiral and oblique fractures of distal one-third of tibia-fibula: treatment results with circular external fixator.

INTRODUCTION: Spiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula are relatively common fractures of long bones. Due to their types, aetiology, limited coverage and blood supply, these fractures often lead to union and soft tissue problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with spiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula were treated with circular external fixator (CEF) between January 1997 and August 2000. All the fractures were closed. The type of fractures based on AO classification were A1 (n = 8), A2 (n = 6), B1 (n = 11) and C1 (n = 2). RESULTS: The mean framing time was 14.1 +/- 1.8 weeks (range, 12 to 19 weeks), and the mean treatment time was 18.8 +/- 2.2 weeks (range, 15 to 24 weeks). The patients were followed up for 36 to 78 months (mean follow-up time: 51.9 +/- 10.4 months). The results were evaluated for shortness, angulation, rotation, ankle stiffness, pain and infection. After removal of the frames, 11 patients had ankle pain and stiffness, and 3 patients had loss of range of motion in the ankle even after rehabilitation. None of the patients suffered any complications such as shortness, angulation, rotational deformity and infection, and none had loss of motion in the knee. CONCLUSIONS: CEF might be a preferable alternative treatment for distal tibia-fibula fractures due to its easy application, fewer major complications such as shortness and angulation, early mobilisation and shorter treatment time.

Posterior tibial tendon transfer and tendo-Achilles lengthening for equinovarus foot deformity due to severe crush injury.

Surgical correction was performed on nine patients who had equinovarus deformity caused by severe crush injury of the leg sustained in an earthquake. The operative procedure used involved the transfer of the posterior tibial tendon to the dorsum of the foot by passing it through the interosseous membrane using a modified procedure as published in 1978. This procedure was combined with percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening and tenotomy of toe flexors when needed. The average follow-up time after the operation was 21 months. The treatment improved the heel-toe steppage gait in all patients and all were able to walk in standard shoes. There were no complications in the postoperative period. Recurrence of varus deformity was not seen in any of the patients. They had active dorsiflexion of the foot, with a median active dorsiflexion of 5 degrees (0 to 10 degrees) and median active plantarflexion of 16.1 degrees (10 to 25 degrees) compared to the median active dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on the uninvolved side. The total range-of-motion was 21.1 degrees (10 to 35 degrees).

Treatment of type IIIa open fractures with Ilizarov fixation and delayed primary closure in high-velocity gunshot wounds.

A total of 142 patients with 163 Gustilo-Anderson type IIIa limb fractures resulting from high-velocity gunshot wounds were treated with primary delayed closure and Ilizarov fixation in our department between 1988 and 1998. Average follow-up was 72.4 months. The average union period in fractures without bone loss was 16.8 weeks. It took 2 months for each 1 cm of bone defect to heal in fractures with bone loss. All fractures healed with good anatomic alignment and functional outcomes. Complications included pin-track infection in 72 fractures (50.7%), post-traumatic osteomyelitis in 5 tibial fractures without bone loss (3.1%), delayed union in 25 fractures (15.3%), nonunion in 10 (4 with bone loss) fractures (6.1%), and refracture in 4 fractures (2.4%). Our results indicate that type IIIa limb fractures caused by high-velocity gunshot wounds can be treated with Ilizarov fixation and primary delayed closure with a low overall complication rate and a remarkably low infection rate.