Fibrin Glue is a Viable Alternative to Fat Graft for Interposition After Tarsal Coalition Resection.

BACKGROUND: Tarsal coalition is one of the most common foot and ankle pathologies in children, yet there is no consensus regarding what to interpose after resection. Fibrin glue could be considered, but the literature comparing fibrin glue to other interposition types is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fibrin glue for interposition compared with fat graft by analyzing the rate of coalition recurrence and wound complications. We hypothesized that fibrin glue would have similar rates of coalition recurrence and fewer wound complications compared with fat graft interposition. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed examining all patients who underwent a tarsal coalition resection at a free-standing children's hospital in the United States from 2000 to 2021. Only patients undergoing isolated primary tarsal coalition resection with interposition of fibrin glue or fat graft were included. Wound complications were defined as any concern for an incision site that prompted the use of antibiotics. Comparative analyses were conducted using χ 2 and Fisher exact test to examine relationships among interposition type, coalition recurrence, and wound complications. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two tarsal coalition resections met our inclusion criteria. Fibrin glue was used for interposition in 29 cases and fat graft was used in 93 cases. The difference in the coalition recurrence rate between fibrin glue and fat graft interposition was not statistically significant (6.9% vs. 4.3%, P =0.627). The difference in wound complication rate between fibrin glue and fat graft interposition was not statistically significant (3.4% vs 7.5%, P = 0.679). CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue interposition after tarsal coalition resection is a viable alternative to fat graft interposition. Fibrin glue has similar rates of coalition recurrence and wound complications when compared with fat grafts. Given our results and the lack of tissue harvesting required with fibrin glue, fibrin glue may be superior to fat grafts for interposition after tarsal coalition resection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, a retrospective comparative study between treatment groups.

Less is more in the nonoperative management of complete brachial artery transection after supracondylar humeral fracture.

Supracondylar humeral fractures are the most common fracture of the elbow in children. Despite it being a familiar problem faced by surgeons, there are aspects of its management that remain controversial. Specifically, management of these fractures that result in a pink or perfused hand that remains pulseless after acceptable reduction is expectedly controversial. We present a patient with a supracondylar humeral fracture and loss of pulse. The patient was found to have complete brachial artery transection but maintained a pink and well-perfused hand. It was determined to forgo arterial reconstruction because of concerns of worsening ischemia by damage to the collateral circulation. Despite no arterial reconstruction, the patient had a successful outcome. Therefore, this report highlights that arterial reconstruction may not be required, even in cases of severe brachial artery injury.

Anatomic variations in femoral head circulation.

The purpose of this cadaveric study was to clearly define the blood supply to the femoral head to help further reduce the incidence of iatrogenic avascular necrosis (AVN). Thirty-five hips of twenty-eight fresh cadavers were injected with colored silicone. Anterior and posterior dissection was performed to assess the vessels contributing to femoral head vascularity. The medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA) was found to be the main blood supply to the hip in twenty-nine specimens; the inferior gluteal artery (IGA) was found to be the main blood supply in six. The MFCA consistently provided at least one smaller-calibre inferomedial retinacular artery. The foveal artery provided no significant vascular contribution in any specimen. The quantity and calibre of superior retinacular vessels demonstrated their dominance in head vascularity, although inferior retinacular arteries were consistently present. To reduce the risk of iatrogenic AVN, branches of both the IGA and MFCA traversing the interval between the quadratus femoris and piriformis muscles must be protected during surgery. Since all intracapsular vessels penetrated the capsule near its distal attachment, distal capsulotomy carries a significantly higher risk of AVN than proximal capsulotomy, particularly posterolaterally and inferomedially.

Vascular supply to the acetabular labrum.

BACKGROUND: The acetabular labrum plays an important role in hip joint stability and protection of the articular cartilage of the hip. Despite this, few investigators have evaluated its microscopic vasculature and, to our knowledge, none has assessed its macroscopic blood supply. The purposes of this study were to identify the origin and course of the vascular supply to the acetabular labrum to determine if this blood supply is affected by a labral tear. METHODS: Colored silicone was injected into the vascular tree proximal to thirty-five hips in twenty-eight fresh cadavers. Twenty-four hours after injection, anatomic dissection was performed and the vessels supplying the labrum were followed from their origin to their final distribution. Additionally, labral segments of fifteen randomly selected hips were resected to assess the acetabular rim's vascular contribution, and fifteen hips were dislocated for complete intra-articular inspection of the labrum. RESULTS: Radial branches of a previously described periacetabular periosteal vascular ring were identified as the source of labral blood supply in all thirty-five hips. These branches coursed toward the hip joint on the periosteal surface, penetrated the joint capsule near its innominate insertion, and continued within a loose connective-tissue layer on the capsular surface of the labrum. No contribution from the hip capsule, synovial lining, or osseous acetabular rim could be demonstrated. An intact vascular supply was identified in all seven hips with a labral tear. CONCLUSIONS: The acetabular labrum receives its blood supply from radial branches of a periacetabular periosteal vascular ring that traverses the osseolabral junction on its capsular side and continues toward the labrum's free edge. The hip capsule, the synovial lining, and the osseous acetabular rim do not appear to provide substantial contributions to the labral blood supply.

Algorithm for femoral and periacetabular osteotomies in complex hip deformities.

BACKGROUND: Residual acetabular dysplasia of the hip in most patients can be corrected by periacetabular osteotomy. However, some patients have intraarticular abnormalities causing insufficient coverage, containment or congruency after periacetabular osteotomy, or extraarticular abnormalities that limit either acetabular correction or hip motion. For these patients, we believe an additional proximal femoral osteotomy can improve coverage, containment, congruency and/or motion. PURPOSES: We provide algorithms for (1) identifying patients we believe will benefit from proximal femoral osteotomy, (2) selecting the appropriate osteotomy, and (3) choosing the sequence of these osteotomies. METHODS: Anteroposterior, false-profile and functional radiographs and MR can identify most patients we believe will benefit from periacetabular and femoral osteotomies. Recently described techniques, including relative femoral neck lengthening, femoral neck osteotomy and femoral head osteotomy have expanded indications for a combined procedure. Historically performed first, periacetabular osteotomy is now frequently performed following femoral osteotomy. RESULTS: The rate of intertrochanteric osteotomy performed with periacetabular osteotomy has decreased from approximately 10% in the first 500 surgeries to about 2% currently. Among 151 relative neck lengthenings (23 with PAO), 53 femoral neck osteotomies (4 with PAO) and 14 femoral head osteotomies (11 with PAO), eleven complications occurred including osteonecrosis in two and delayed unions in eight. No complication occurred following a combined procedure. CONCLUSION: Although isolated periacetabular osteotomy can provide sufficient coverage, containment and congruency for most patients with residual hip dysplasia, some may benefit from an additional proximal femoral osteotomy. Knowing the appropriate indications, selection, and sequencing of these osteotomies is critical for enhancing patient outcomes.

In situ pinning with arthroscopic osteoplasty for mild SCFE: A preliminary technical report.

BACKGROUND: There is emerging evidence that even mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis leads to early articular damage. Therefore, we have begun treating patients with mild slips and signs of impingement with in situ pinning and immediate arthroscopic osteoplasty. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES: Surgery was performed using the fracture table. After in situ pinning and diagnostic arthroscopy, peripheral compartment access was obtained and head-neck osteoplasty was completed. METHODS: Between March 2008 and August 2009, three male patients (age range, 11-15 years; BMI, 22-31 kg/m(2)) presented with slip angles between 15º and 30º. All were ambulatory without assistance but had 2 to 12 weeks of hip and/or knee pain, limited motion and a positive impingement test. Postoperatively, patients were assessed at 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months; then every 6 months for the first two years. Hip motion, epiphyseal-metaphyseal offsets and alpha angles were determined. Patients completed the UCLA activity scale at latest followup that ranged from 6 to 23 months. RESULTS: Arthroscopic evaluation revealed labral fraying, acetabular chondromalacia, and a prominent metaphyseal ridge. At last followup, each was pain-free and had returned to unrestricted activities. Hip motion improved in all and none demonstrated clinical impingement. Radiographs showed normalized epiphyseal-metaphyseal offsets and alpha angles. CONCLUSIONS: In situ pinning with arthroscopic osteoplasty can limit impingement after mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Due to limited followup, we are unable to say whether this protocol reduces subsequent articular damage. Although we recommend performing these procedures concomitantly, they can be performed in a staged fashion, especially since hip arthroscopy following an epiphyseal slip can be challenging.

Atorvastatin reduces the ability of clopidogrel to inhibit platelet aggregation: a new drug-drug interaction.

BACKGROUND: We observed that the prodrug clopidogrel was less effective in inhibiting platelet aggregation with coadministration of atorvastatin during point-of-care platelet function testing. Because atorvastatin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, we hypothesized that clopidogrel might be activated by CYP3A4. METHODS AND RESULTS: Platelet aggregation was measured in 44 patients undergoing coronary artery stent implantation treated with clopidogrel or clopidogrel plus pravastatin or atorvastatin, and in 27 volunteers treated with clopidogrel and either erythromycin or troleandomycin, CYP3A4 inhibitors, or rifampin, a CYP3A4 inducer. Atorvastatin, but not pravastatin, attenuated the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel in a dose-dependent manner. Percent platelet aggregation was 34+/-23, 58+/-15 (P=0.027), 74+/-10 (P=0.002), and 89+/-7 (P=0.001) in the presence of clopidogrel and 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg of atorvastatin, respectively. Erythromycin attenuated platelet aggregation inhibition (55+/-12 versus 42+/-12% platelet aggregation; P=0.002), as did troleandomycin (78+/-18 versus 45+/-18% platelet aggregation; P<0.0003), whereas rifampin enhanced platelet aggregation inhibition (33+/-18 versus 56+/-20% platelet aggregation, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CYP3A4 activates clopidogrel. Atorvastatin, another CYP3A4 substrate, competitively inhibits this activation. Use of a statin not metabolized by CYP3A4 and point-of-care platelet function testing may be warranted in patients treated with clopidogrel.