Open fractures of the upper limb - do the BOAST guidelines need an update?

AIMS: This scoping review aims to explore the published literature on the current management strategies and outcomes of open upper limb injuries using the BOAST 4 guidelines as a structure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and OrthoSearch computerised literature databases (from January 2012 through April 2022) was performed. The medical subject headings used were "open fracture"/ "Gustilo Anderson" and "forearm" or "radius" or "ulna" or "elbow" or "humerus" or "clavicle" or "shoulder" or "scapula". Abstract titles were reviewed for relevance. If the article was deemed eligible, the article was retrieved and reviewed in full. RESULTS: The literature reveals lower rates of infection for upper limb injuries compared to their lower limb counterparts. Early antibiotic administration remains a key component of their management. Those without significant soft tissue injury (Gustilo Anderson 1) can often be treated as per their closed counterparts and timing to definitive fixation can be safely delayed in selected cases. DISCUSSION: There is limited high quality evidence available on the management of open upper limb injuries with guidelines built on borrowed principles from the more studied open tibia fractures. What the available evidence does show is that with lower infection rates and a more forgiving soft tissue envelope it may be safe to diverge from the current BOAST guidelines in certain cases. This has relevance in complex fracture patterns requiring specialist input where it is not possible to achieve definitive fixation in 72 h and when there are other life threatening injuries to manage. Despite this early antibiotic administration and debridement within 24 h remains a key component of the early management.

Tension Suture Fixation of Olecranon Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Mayo type-IIA olecranon fractures are characterized by a transverse or short oblique fracture without articular comminution or ulnohumeral instability. Traditionally, these fractures are treated with a tension-band wiring technique. Despite good rates of fracture union, tension-band wiring is associated with a reoperation rate of 30% to 60%, usually for removal of prominent metalwork. The tension suture technique was developed as an alternative method of fixing Mayo type-IIA fractures using only high-tensile braided nonabsorbable number-2 sutures, with the aim of reducing the reoperation rate associated with tension-band wiring without compromising outcomes. The tension suture technique has subsequently become the only technique we use when treating these fractures. DESCRIPTION: The patient is positioned in the lateral decubitus position under general or regional anesthesia. A direct posterior approach is made, centered over the fracture. The fracture is identified, cleared of hematoma, and reduced with use of a large, pointed reduction clamp to provide interfragmentary compression. A 2.5-mm transverse drill hole is made through the ulna distal to the fracture site. Two sets of number-2 braided nonabsorbable sutures are utilized. The first sutures are passed lateral to medial through the drill hole and used to grasp the medial triceps insertion onto the proximal fragment, then passed back through the transverse drill hole from medial to lateral and used to grasp the lateral triceps insertion onto the proximal fragment. The suture ends are tensioned to remove slack and tied on the lateral aspect of the olecranon. The second sutures are then passed lateral to medial through the transverse drill hole but this time used to grasp the posterolateral triceps insertion on the proximal fragment, then re-passed through the transverse drill hole from medial to lateral, and finally used to grasp the posteromedial triceps insertion. The suture limbs are tensioned and tied on the lateral aspect of the ulna next to the first suture. The clamp is removed, and the construct is tested under full range of motion to ensure there is no evidence of gapping. Fluoroscopy is utilized to confirm reduction before the wound is irrigated and closed in a standard fashion. ALTERNATIVES: Mayo type-IIA fractures may be treated nonoperatively in frail or low-demand patients. Surgical treatment is traditionally performed with the tension-band wiring technique, but plate or intramedullary fixation may also be utilized. RATIONALE: This technique negates the metalwork-related complications associated with all other surgical techniques for this fracture type. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: In a recent study comparing the tension suture technique with tension-band wiring and plate fixation for Mayo type-IIA fractures, the tension suture technique had a significantly lower reoperation rate compared with tension-band wiring and a lower complication rate compared with plate fixation. IMPORTANT TIPS: The tension-suture technique is primarily for Mayo type-IIA fractures without ulnohumeral instability or marked articular comminution.Ensure the transverse tunnel in the ulna is at least 3 cm distal to the fracture site and 1 cm anterior to the dorsal cortex of the ulna in order to prevent fracture of the tunnel.Grasp as much of the triceps tendon as possible when placing the sutures through the proximal fragment to prevent pull-out.Tension and tie the sutures with the elbow semi-extended to prevent the construct slackening in elbow extension and to facilitate interfragmentary compression during flexion.

Do Broken Toes Need Follow-Up in the Fracture Clinic?

Most toe phalangeal fractures can be successfully treated nonoperatively without any residual deformity and are usually clinically asymptomatic. Toe phalangeal fractures are nevertheless common fracture clinic referrals. Our aim was to evaluate the injury characteristics of patients with toe fractures attending a fracture clinic and to understand how current management affects the fracture clinic workload. We retrospectively evaluated all new referrals to a subspecialized foot and ankle fracture clinic during a 12-month period at our institution under the care of 1 consultant. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, fracture type, patient outcome, and the number of clinic appointments attended, cancelled, or not attended. A total of 707 new patients (mean age 39 ± 19 years; 345 males, 362 females) were seen in 47 foot and ankle fracture clinics within the study period. Seventy-four phalangeal fractures were identified in 65 patients. A total of 135 outpatient appointments were scheduled for these patients (initial and follow-up), with 93 (69%) attended, 25 (19%) not attended, and 15 (11%) cancelled and rescheduled at the patient's request. Seventeen patients (13%) failed to attend their first clinic appointment. The results of the present study highlight that 9% of all new patient referrals to a fracture clinic were for toe phalangeal fractures. Only 2 patients required surgery for significant loss of articular congruency or deformity. No patient subsequently developed a symptomatic malunion or required toe surgery during the following 2 years. We believe that undisplaced and stable toe phalangeal fractures do not need to be referred to the fracture clinic. This would result in a reduction of outpatient appointments for toe fractures by 52%.

Sports injury to a bipartite medial cuneiform in a child.

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who had sustained a soccer injury to his mid-foot. Plain radiography did not reveal any fracture to account for the severity of his symptoms or his inability to bear weight. Magnetic resonance imaging was undertaken and demonstrated the medial cuneiform to be a bipartite bone consisting of 2 ossicles connected by a synchondrosis. No acute fracture or diastasis of the bipartite bone was demonstrated; however, significant bone marrow edema was noted, corresponding to the site of the injury and his clinical point bony tenderness. This anatomic variant should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis in the skeletally immature foot. The injury was treated nonoperatively with a non-weightbearing cast and pneumatic walker immobilization, with successful resolution of his symptoms and a return to sports activity by 4 months after injury.