Circular frames without x-ray - lessons learned regarding radiation exposure during tibial deformity correction from Low & Middle Income Countries?

Circular frames are a successful way of treating difficult fractures and non-unions. At our institution (CSC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, our method differs from developed healthcare systems in that we do not use x-ray to site the frames. A retrospective cohort study was performed between CSC and a UK LRS unit. Demographics, diagnosis, frame type, pre- and post-op deformity, proximal and distal construct alignment comparative to the tibia, and time to union or failure. 70 patients in total were identified and were randomly selected from a hospital in UK. Demographics & deformity were similar and failed to reach significant difference on testing: union rate 70% v. 82%, time to union 9.8 v. 8.5 months, and radiation exposure mean 0 v. 74 cGy/cm2 (range 6.4-326.7). These are startlingly homogenous results considering the differing resources available. We believe that ring fixators are a viable treatment method in austere environments where image intensifiers are unavailable, and demand no unnecessary radiation exposure.

The Salter innominate osteotomy does not lead to acetabular retroversion.

In children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), Salter's innominate osteotomy aims to surgically manipulate the acetabulum to increase anterior coverage and aid joint support. Consequently, this procedure may retrovert the acetabulum, predisposing patients to pain, osteoarthritis, impingement, or further surgical intervention. In this study, we aim to address whether the innominate osteotomy leads to acetabular retroversion postoperatively or at follow-up. Ninety-two patients were identified from our institutions DDH database between 2009 and 2016, who underwent a unilateral innominate osteotomy for DDH, performed by expert surgeons in a leading paediatric hospital. A novel technique was utilized to measure acetabular version on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, where acetabular version was compared between the pathological and contralateral control hips. Measurement of acetabular version in postoperative and control hips demonstrated no incidence of acetabular retroversion. A significant difference was observed when comparing the acetabular version of control versus post-operative hips (P < 0.001), where hips postinnominate osteotomy had a larger degree of acetabular anteversion compared to the control hip. Furthermore, on follow-up radiographic imaging, there was no evidence of acetabular retroversion when using previously defined markers. This study confirms that the Salter innominate osteotomy does not lead to acetabular retroversion both immediately post-operatively and throughout follow-up. In fact, it demonstrates that the acetabula are more anteverted than the contralateral control hip, which has not been previously documented. Additionally, this study demonstrates a novel method of measuring acetabular retroversion using CT technology that adjusts for pelvic tilt, which is repeatable among individuals.

How well do we reduce ankle fractures intra-operatively: A retrospective 1 year review using Pettrone's criteria.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle ORIF is a common orthopaedic procedure. Assessment of the reduction is often performed by 'eyeballing' the intra-operative images. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the radiographic reduction of all ankle fracture ORIFs at COCH over a 1-year period using Pettrone's criteria METHOD: Using the trauma database at the COCH all patients admitted for ankle ORIF over a 1 year period (n = 284) were identified. Each patient was retrospectively reviewed, duplicates or non-ankle fractures excluded and data collected on: patient demographics, Lauge-Hansen classification, time from injury to theatre, level of primary surgeon, type of fixation, reduction of medial, lateral or posterior malleolar reduction, syndesmosis reduction, date and satisfaction at last clinic appointment and complications. RESULTS: After exclusions 187 patients were included in the study. The average age of patients was 49 years old (14-93). The most common Lauge-Hansen fracture classifications were SER (51.6% (98)) and PER (29.9% (57)). Registrars were first surgeon in 49.7% (93) of cases. 80% (111 of 139) of medial malleoli were reduced, 90% of lateral malleoli were reduced 11% (21) had residual talar shift. The syndesmosis was reduced in 76.4% (143) of cases. 19% (36) had further operations. There were 35 major complications in 25 (13.4%) patients. Not all malposition of fracture fixation were in the same ankles, 34.2% (64) ankle ORIFs had residual deformity after being fixed. CONCLUSION: The implications of this study are very important. The authors aim to raise awareness of Pettrone's radiographic criteria of a successful ORIF of the ankle and subsequently improve the mal-reduction rate of post-fixation ankle ORIF.

Management of medial humeral epicondyle fractures in children: a structured review protocol for a systematic review of the literature and identification of a core outcome set using a Delphi survey.

BACKGROUND: Medial humeral epicondyle fractures of the elbow are one of the most common injuries in childhood and often require surgery. There are currently no standardised outcome measures to assess progress after an elbow injury in a child. Wide variation in currently reported outcomes makes comparison of treatment difficult. This study aims to identify outcome measures that have previously been reported in studies evaluating the management of medial epicondyle fractures in children and to facilitate the development of a consensus core outcome set (COS) suitable for use in all future studies of medial humeral epicondyle fractures in children. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will include a systematic review of the academic literature to identify a list of outcome measures that have previously been reported. The list of outcome measures will be used in a consensus setting exercise with focus groups of key stakeholders to identify key outcomes. A Delphi process to include two rounds will then be used to define the most important outcomes to all stakeholders forming the COS. DISCUSSION: Core outcomes represent the minimum expected data reported for a specific condition and will improve the quality of future studies reducing bias, allowing easier comparison and enhancing opportunities for larger meta-analysis. It is anticipated that this COS will form part of the feasibility to a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA)-funded trial concerning the management of elbow fractures in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative (COMET), registration number: 949 . Registered on 17 January 2017. Prospero International prospective register of systematic reviews, registration number: CRD 42017057912 . Registered on 16 April 2017.

Extraction of incarcerated medial epicondyle from the elbow joint using conventional nerve stimulator: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Incarceration of the medial epicondyle is a well-recognised sequelae following closed reduction of the elbow. Manipulation for extraction is not usually successful and hence an incarcerated medial epicondyle is usually an indication for open reduction and fixation. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a simple technique of closed reduction using a conventional nerve stimulator to extract an incarcerated medial epicondyle in a 13-year-old Caucasian boy. This technique uses contraction of the attached common flexor muscles to indirectly extract the trapped medial epicondyle. CONCLUSIONS: This is a simple technique using a commonly available nerve stimulator and may obviate the need for extensile open reduction for extraction of the incarcerated medial epicondyle. We would recommend this technique where closed reduction methods have failed.