Comparison of complications and reoperations in AO/OTA 43.C3 pilon fractures treated with conventional ORIF versus minimally invasive hexapod ring fixation.

INTRODUCTION: Controversy exists regarding the optimal management of AO/OTA 43. C3 pilon fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the gold standard treatment, but serious soft tissue and infectious complications have been previously reported. Minimally invasive strategies using hexapod ring fixation (HRF) with supplemental limited internal fixation have been used to reduce the incidence of complications. Previous studies have included heterogeneous types of pilon fractures, with non-comminuted injuries being more likely to be treated with ORIF and complex fractures receiving HRF treatment. To our knowledge, no studies have compared the complications and reoperation rates between ORIF and HRF exclusively for C3 fractures. METHODS: Retrospective study comparing 53 patients treated for AO/OTA 43.C3 pilon fracture with ORIF or HRF in a trauma level I center with at least a two-year follow-up. Patients treated between January 2015 and January 2019 received ORIF and those treated between January 2019 and January 2021 received HRF. Complications were divided into two groups: minor (superficial infection and malalignment) and major (non-union, deep infection, and amputation). Reoperations, prevalence of ankle osteoarthritis, and requirement for ankle arthrodesis/total ankle replacement were registered. RESULTS: We included 30 and 23 patients in the ORIF and HRF groups, respectively. The overall complication rate was similar in both groups, with 50% and 56,5% of the patients having complications in the ORIF and HRF groups, respectively (p:0,63). Minor complications were significantly more prevalent in the HRF group (p<0,001) whilst the ORIF group had a significantly higher rate of major complications (p<0,01). Superficial infections were highly prevalent in the HRF group (47,8%), as they were related to half-pin or K-wire infections. Deep infection was present only in the ORIF group, with 20% of the patients developing this major complication (p:0,03). Non-union rate, reoperations, ankle osteoarthritis, and the need for arthrodesis or ankle replacement showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: In AO/OTA 43.C3 fractures, HRF is safe and effective, achieving high union rates with a significantly lower rate of major complications compared to ORIF. According to our results, ORIF should be used cautiously for these types of fractures, considering the increased risk of deep infection.

Actualización en enfermedad de kawasaki: diagnóstico, estudio y tratamiento / Kawasaki disease update: diagnosis, study and treatment

La enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) es una vasculitis aguda de vaso mediano que afecta principalmente a niños menores de 5 años, que de no ser tratada, se asocia al desarrollo de aneurismas de las arterias coronarias en aproximadamente el 25% de los casos. Típicamente la EK se presenta con fiebre, cambios mucocutáneos y linfadenopatía. Sin embargo, EK es una enfermedad excepcional en la que las formas incompletas de la enfermedad son muy comunes y a menudo asociación sintomatologías atípicas. Éstas pueden crear un desafío diagnóstico para los tratantes y retrasar el inicio de la terapia. No existe un gold standard para el diagnóstico de EK pero hay estudios de laboratorio y hallazgos ecocardiográficos que permiten apoyar el diagnóstico en casos incompletos. El estudio con ecocardiograma debe realizarse lo más pronto posible cuando se sospecha el diagnóstico, pero no debe retrasar el inicio de tratamiento. El objetivo de la terapia en EK es disminuir el riesgo de desarrollar aneurismas de las arterias coronarias y de esta forma, la morbimortalidad asociada a dicha condición. El propósito de esta revisión es conocer las características clínicas y las posibles formas de presentación de esta patología, además del tratamiento actual.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of the medium vessel that mainly affects children under 5 years old, which if it's not treated, is associated with the development of coronary artery aneurysms in approximately 25% of all cases. Typically, KD presents with fever, mucocutaneous changes and lymphadenopathy. However, EK is an exceptional disease in which incomplete forms of the disease are very common and atypical presentations often occur. These presentations may create a diagnostic puzzle for pediatricians and may delay the start of therapy. There is no specific study for the diagnosis of KD but there are laboratory studies and findings in ECG that support the diagnosis in atypical cases. The echocardiogram study should be performed as soon as possible when the diagnosis is suspected, but should not delay the treatment. The goal of treatment in KD is to reduce the risk of developing aneurysms of the coronary arteries and thereby decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.