Intraoperative Imaging in Pelvic Surgery. / Intraoperative Bildgebung bei der operativen Therapie von Beckenfrakturen.

Pelvic fractures may range from highly severe, life-threatening injuries to less acute clinical entities. There are several sub-entities that are summed up as pelvic injuries. Anatomically, there are fractures of the anterior or posterior pelvic ring. Apart from these, there are fractures of the acetabulum that make up about one fifth of all pelvic injuries. The indication for surgical treatment of pelvic ring injuries depends on the type of injury, involvement of anterior and/or posterior elements of the pelvic ring, demands and the general condition of the patient. In acetabular fractures, indications depend on the dislocation of the fracture and of course also the needs of the patient and his general condition. An intraarticular step-off of more than 2 mm is usually considered as an indication for open reduction and osteosynthesis. Usually in all these injuries, a preoperative CT scan is mandatory to allow precise planning of the operative approach and technique. Intraoperatively, the surgeon should be familiar with the acquisition of the 2D standard views, including 2D imaging of the pelvic ring and the acetabulum. These consist of the anteroposterior view for both pelvic ring and acetabular osteosyntheses. For further assessment of pelvic ring treatments, inlet and outlet views are achievable by angulating the C-arm cranially and caudally. To assess aspects of the anterior and posterior column of the acetabulum, iliac oblique views are used. Here, the C-arm is rotated laterally. As evaluation of 2D views can be limited due to anatomy and superposing structures, intraoperative 3D imaging has become common in the last decade. Special C-arms allow the automatic acquisition of large numbers of projections and create CT-like views of the central volume. Although this method has significantly widened the possibilities of intraoperative imaging, some issues remain. Depending on the amount of implants placed in the imaging field, assessment can be seriously impaired due to artefacts caused by the implants. Intraoperative CT imaging promises enhanced image quality for artefacts and allows a considerably larger field of view. The use of radiation-free navigation facilitates implant placement in minimally invasive procedures like screw placement in the sacroiliacal joint or the acetabulum by visualisation of instruments and implants in a pre- or intraoperative 3D data set.

Unstable simple elbow dislocations: medium-term results after non-surgical and surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: Determination of the appropriate treatment of unstable simple elbow dislocations is difficult and a topic of ongoing discussion. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome and complications after surgery and conservative treatment, with special focus on post-traumatic joint laxity. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 118 consecutive patients with simple elbow dislocations underwent stability testing by fluoroscopy after joint reduction and were assigned to groups 1 (slight), 2 (moderate) or 3 (gross) depending on post-traumatic joint laxity. All patients of group 1 underwent conservative treatment, and of group 3 primary ligament repair. In patients with moderate elbow laxity, the treatment was decided individually. All patients underwent a similar functional rehabilitation programme during treatment. Clinical outcome was determined after an average of 3.4 ± 1.5 years using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and treatment-associated complications and revisions were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (41.5 %) were assigned to group 1, 41 patients (34.7 %) to group 2 and 28 patients (23.7 %) to group 3. In group 2, 22 patients underwent ligament repair, while 19 patients were treated conservatively. On average, an excellent MEPS was achieved in group 1 after conservative treatment (MEPS 95.8 ± 9.0), similar to results after ligament repair of grossly unstable elbows in group 3 (91.6 ± 11.7). Interestingly, in group 2 conservative treatment was associated with a slightly lower MEPS (90.0 vs. 95.7), and significantly fewer patients achieved an excellent MEPS (81.8 vs. 52.6 %, p = 0.045). Similarly, conservative treatment in group 2 was associated with a fivefold to sixfold risk of complications (p = 0.032) and revision surgery (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the notion that patients with slight elbow laxity can be treated non-operatively, while primary surgical treatment should be performed in patients with moderate and gross laxity to avoid post-traumatic sequelae and decrease revision rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Cohort Study, Level III.

Sports activity after anatomic acromioclavicular joint stabilisation with flip-button technique.

PURPOSE: Sports activity after surgical AC joint stabilisation has not been comprehensively evaluated to date. The aim of this study was to determine rate, level and time to return to sports after AC joint stabilisation and to identify the influence of overhead sports on post-operative sports activity. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, a total of 68 patients with a high-grade AC joint dislocation (Rockwood type V) were stabilised using a single TightRope technique. Fifty-five patients (80.9 %) with median age of 42.0 (range, 18-65) years completed questionnaires regarding sports activity before and after surgery. Clinical outcome and complications were also evaluated. Forty-three patients participated in sports regularly before injury. Their sports activity was rated according to Allain, and non-overhead and overhead sports were differentiated. RESULTS: At median follow-up of 24 (18-45) months, 41 of 43 patients (95.3 %) had returned to sports. 63 % returned to the same sports activity as before injury. 16.3 % needed to adapt the type of sports to reduce demanding activities. 11.6 % reduced the frequency and 32.5 % the intensity of sports. The median time to return to sports was 9.5 (3-18) months. Overhead athletes (Allain Type III and IV) had to reduce their sports activity significantly more often (11.8 vs. 53.8 %; p = 0.011) and needed more time to return to sports (9.5 vs. 4.5 months; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: After stabilisation of AC joint dislocation, the majority of patients returned to sports after a substantial period of time. Overhead athletes, in particular, required more time and had to considerably reduce their sports activity. The findings impact therapeutic decision-making after AC joint injury and help with the prognosis and assessment of rehabilitation progress. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Development and validation of a novel questionnaire for self-determination of the range of motion of wrist and elbow.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel self-administered questionnaire for assessing the patient's own range of motion (ROM) of the wrist and the elbow. METHODS: In a prospective clinical study from January 2015 to June 2015, 101 consecutive patients were evaluated with a novel, self-administered, diagram-based, wrist motion assessment score (W-MAS) and elbow motion assessment score (E-MAS). The questionnaire was statistically evaluated for test-retest reliability, patient-physician agreement, comparison with healthy population, and influence of covariates (age, gender, affected side and involvement in workers' compensation cases). RESULTS: Assessment of patient-physician agreement demonstrated almost perfect agreement (k > 0.80) with regard to six out of eight items. There was substantial agreement with regard to two items: elbow extension (k = 0.76) and pronation (k = 0.75). The assessment of the test-retest reliability revealed at least substantial agreement (k = 0.70). The questionnaire revealed a high discriminative power when comparing the healthy population with the study group (p = 0.007 or lower for every item). Age, gender, affected side and involvement in workers' compensation cases did not in general significantly influence the patient-physician agreement for the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The W-MAS and E-MAS are valid and reliable self-administered questionnaires that provide a high level of patient-physician agreement for the assessments of wrist and elbow ROM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level II.

Initial joint stability affects the outcome after conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocations: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocations can lead to complications such as persisting pain and restricted joint mobility. The current aim was to identify patients with deteriorated outcome after conservative treatment and to investigate a possible association with initial joint (in)stability. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (mean age 37.1 ± 17.2 years) with simple elbow dislocations received conservative treatment. After closed reduction, joint stability was tested by varus and valgus stress under fluoroscopy. According to the findings under fluoroscopy, three different groups of instability could be identified: (1) slight instability (joint angulation <10°; n = 49), (2) moderate instability (angulation ≥10°; n = 19) and (3) gross instability. Patients with gross instability (re-dislocation under stability testing) were treated with primary surgical ligament repair and therefore excluded from this study. Additionally, MRIs and radiographs were analysed regarding warning signs of instability such as the drop sign and joint incongruence. Main outcome parameters were the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), range of motion (ROM), complications and revision rates. RESULTS: After 40.7 ± 20.4 months, the overall MEPS was excellent (94.2 ± 11.3) with a trend of slightly worse clinical results in group 2 (95.8 ± 9.0 vs. 90.0 ± 15.2 points; p = 0.154). In group 1, significantly more patients achieved an excellent result regarding the MEPS scoring system (77.6 vs. 52.6 %; p = 0.043) and elbow extension was significantly worse in group 2 (5.3 ± 9.9° vs. 1.4 ± 3.0°; p = 0.015). Seven treatment complications occurred in group 2 (36.8 %) compared with two in group 1 (4.1 %, p < 0.0001). Six patients (8.8 %) needed secondary surgery with an 8.4-fold higher risk for revision surgery in group 2 (p = 0.007). The presence of a positive drop sign or joint incongruence led to higher odds ratio (OR) for complications (OR = 15.9) and revision surgery (OR = 10.3). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients with moderate joint instability after simple elbow dislocation have a significantly worse clinical outcome, more complications and a higher need for secondary revision surgery following conservative treatment compared to patients with slight elbow instability.

Additional bone graft accelerates healing of clavicle non-unions and improves long-term results after 8.9 years: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Clavicle non-unions can occur after both conservative and operative treatment failure. Here, we investigated the outcome of patients with delayed fracture healing or non-unions of the clavicle. Patients underwent revision surgery by plate osteosynthesis of the clavicle with or without bone grafting. Our aim was to determine rates of bone healing and the functional long-term outcome. METHODS: The study population of 58 consecutive patients was divided into group 1 (n = 25; no bone graft) and group 2 (n = 33; iliac crest bone graft). Bone consolidation was determined by the Lane-Sandhu score preoperatively and after 2.2 ± 1.8 years, respectively. The functional long-term outcome was determined after 8.9 ± 2.7 years in all available patients (n = 30) by the Constant score, DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score and SF-36, and clavicle length was measured by ultrasound as compared to the healthy side. RESULTS: Clavicle consolidation was achieved in 54 out of 58 patients (93.1%) after revision surgeries. The radiographic score and bone consolidation rates were significantly higher in group 2 (93.3%) as compared with 72% in group 1 (p = 0.02), resulting in a significantly shorter time to bone consolidation in group 2. Similarly, the relative risk for additional surgery after the first revision surgery was 4.7-fold higher in group 1 (p = 0.02). The long-term results showed overall very good results in DASH score (14.9 ± 16.5) and good results in Constant scores (77.9 ± 19.9). The group analyses found significantly better Constant scores and better visual analogue pain scale (VAS) numbers in group 2. Clavicle shortening appeared to affect the clinical results, and a mild correlation between shortening and Constant scores (R = -0.31) was found. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows high rates of bone healing and good functional outcomes after surgical revision of clavicle non-unions and further demonstrates that additional bone graft could significantly accelerate bone healing. This indicates that revision surgery of clavicle non-unions might preferably be done with additional bone graft, even if the surgeon considers that bone healing might be achieved without bone grafting.

Radial head prosthesis in complex elbow dislocations: effect of oversizing and comparison with ORIF.

PURPOSE: Elbow dislocations with complex elbow instability (CEI) and unstable radial head fractures require reconstruction by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) if possible or alternatively by a radial head prosthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the differential outcome of both strategies and to investigate the contribution of prosthesis-related radiographic factors such as oversizing on clinical outcome. METHODS: A total of 53 patients underwent ligament and coronoid refixation, and radial head reconstruction by ORIF (n = 18; group 1) or by monopolar modular prosthesis (n = 35; group 2). Patients were followed by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and a radiological score including prosthesis oversizing, joint subluxation, ossifications, capitellar erosions, implant loosening and ulno-humeral osteoarthritis. To investigate the effect of oversizing, group 2 was subdivided by prosthesis overlenghtening ≥ 2 mm. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients (79.2%) could be followed for 3.0 ± 1.3 years with an average MEPS of 76.8 ± 17.2. Patients with ORIF had slightly better MEPS (82.1 ± 9.9) as compared with group 2 (74.7 ± 19.1) though three ORIF patients required an early conversion to prosthesis. In group 2, oversizing occurred frequently and 50% showed an overlenghtening ≥ 2 mm. Oversizing significantly decreased MEPS (63.2 ± 21.3 vs 84.7 ± 9.0; p = 0.001) and elbow range of motion and increased the occurrence of other radiological abnormalities and the risk for surgical revisions. The radiological score and prosthesis overlenghtening but not prosthesis diameter showed an inverse correlation with MEPS. CONCLUSIONS: In CEI a radial head reconstruction with a prosthesis demonstrates similarly good clinical results as compared to ORIF in anatomically sized prosthesis, but prosthesis oversizing could induce other radiographic abnormalities with then deteriorated outcome.

Posttraumatic and postoperative osteomyelitis: surgical revision strategy with persisting fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic and postoperative osteomyelitis (PPO) with bacteria colonisation during trauma and associated surgery is an increasing clinical problem. This study investigated the treatment of PPO by surgical revision including irrigation, debridement, and temporary hardware maintenance. In addition, a drainage was inserted as persisting fistula to control osteomyelitis until fracture healing was achieved. Trauma- and osteomyelitis-related factors that influenced the study outcome were determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 67 consecutive patients with PPO were included. At onset of PPO, patients had incomplete fracture healing. Patients were subdivided by time of PPO occurrence (acute, subacute or chronic), initial soft tissue trauma, anatomical location, and initial fracture type (AO classification). The study outcome measures included radiographic and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: 59 patients could be followed for an average of 23 months after revision surgery. A bone healing was achieved by 89% of patients after 14.7 ± 13.4 weeks. Fractures of the lower extremity, open fractures and comminuted C-type fractures took significantly longer to achieve bone healing (p < 0.05 each). Time of PPO occurrence did not influence bone healing. After fracture consolidation, no re-infection was found. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed high rates of bone healing, indicating that this strategy with persisting fistula should be considered as alternative treatment option in patients with PPO.

Biofilm growth on implants: bacteria prefer plasma coats.

PURPOSE: Bacterial biofilm formation on prostheses or devices used for osteosynthesis is increasingly recognized as cause of persistent infections, an entity known as implant-associated posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Biofilm formation is a very complex, multistep process with adhesion as the first and decisive step. The most prevalent pathogens found are staphylococci species, especially S. aureus, presumably due to a preference to non-biological materials, such as metal. Adherence is influenced by several factors, including the microenvironment, in which blood proteins from serum or plasma might influence adhesion and maybe biofilm formation. The aim of the present study was to test and to compare adherence of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa to different biological and non-biological surfaces in vitro. The question was addressed if coating of the surface by plasma or serum proteins influences bacterial adherence. METHODS: Adherence of radiolabeled bacteria to different surfaces in the presence or absence or serum/plasma proteins was measured over time. RESULTS: When testing adherence of S. aureus to plastic, titanium or to monolayers of epithelial cells (A549) or fibroblasts (Colo800) a clear-cut preference for non-biological surfaces, especially for titanium was seen. Using P. aeruginosa species a similar pattern without a significant difference was revealed. When mimicking the in vivo situation by pre-coating of titanium with human serum or plasma adherence was increased, especially when titanium was coated ("opsonized") by plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial adherence to surfaces is determined by a variety of factors such as temperature, the presence of nutrients, the absence of host defense systems and the configuration of the covered surface. In vivo, adherence to non-biological surfaces is also influenced by the microenvironment, especially plasma proteins, promoting biofilm formation.