Effect of unreamed, limited reamed, and standard reamed intramedullary nailing on cortical bone porosity and new bone formation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of unreamed nail insertion and reamed nail insertion with limited and standard canal reaming on cortical bone porosity and new bone formation. DESIGN: A canine segmental tibial fracture was created in fifteen adult dogs. The tibiae were stabilized with a statically locked 6.5-millimeter intramedullary nail without prior canal reaming (n = 5), after limited reaming to 7.0 millimeters (n = 5), or after standard canal reaming to 9.0 millimeters (n = 5). Porosity, new bone formation, and the mineral apposition rate of cortical bone were directly compared between the three nailing techniques. RESULTS: A significant increase in cortical bone porosity and new bone formation was seen in all three groups of experimental animals compared with the control tibiae. The overall lowest porosity levels were measured in the limited reamed group, with similar porosity levels measured in the unreamed and standard reamed groups. Porosity was lower in the limited reamed group in the entire cortex of the segmental and distal cross sections, as well as the endosteal, anterior, and posterior cortices along the length of the tibia. Overall, there was no difference in the amount of new bone formation or the mineral apposition rate between the three groups of animals at eleven weeks after surgery. DISCUSSION: The results of this study suggest that limited intramedullary reaming is a biologically sound alternative for the treatment of tibial diaphyseal fractures in which the circulation is already compromised.

Blood flow changes to the proximal femur during total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in perfusion to the proximal femur that occur during cemented and uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA). DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A single tertiary-care centre. PATIENTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients. Those who had undergone previous hip surgery or received systemic corticosteroid therapy were excluded. INTERVENTION: Cemented (11 procedures) or uncemented (12 procedures) THA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Changes in blood flow at the level of the proximal femur, measured with laser Doppler flowmetry at 4 different times during THA. RESULTS: In both the cemented and the uncemented procedure overall proximal femoral blood flow was reduced (p = 0.002, p = 0.008, respectively). A greater reduction in overall proximal femoral perfusion was seen in the cemented group compared with the uncemented group (p = 0.004). This greater reduction in perfusion was seen primarily in the proximal femoral diaphysis (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The extensive canal preparation involved with the cemented procedure or the introduction of bone cement under pressure into the femoral canal may contribute to the greater reduction in perfusion to the proximal femur.

Influence of plate design on cortical bone perfusion and fracture healing in canine segmental tibial fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether or not the limited contact design of the low-contact dynamic compression plate (LCDCP) provides advantages over the dynamic compression plate (DCP) in the context of cortical bone blood flow, biomechanical properties, and remodeling of bone in segmental tibial fractures. DESIGN: Randomized trial using canines. SETTING: Animal research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven canines. INTERVENTION: Segmental tibial fractures were surgically created in canine tibiae. The tibiae were reduced and stabilized with 316L stainless-steel, 3.5-millimeter, ten-hole plates: LCDCP (n = 5) or DCP (n = 6). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Laser Doppler flowmetry evaluated cortical bone perfusion in the proximal tibia, segmental piece, and distal tibia (a) before fracture, (b) after fracture, (c) immediately after plating, and (d) at ten weeks. After the dogs were killed at ten weeks, bending stiffness and load to failure of the tibiae were assessed. Tibial cortical bone porosity and new bone formation were measured. RESULTS: Cortical bone blood flow was similar between the LCDCP and DCP groups throughout the study. Bending stiffness and load to failure of the tibiae were similar between the two groups. Whereas cortical bone porosity and new bone formation were higher in all plated tibiae at ten weeks compared with controls, no differences in cortical bone porosity were seen between the LCDCP and DCP groups. There was a trend toward significantly more new bone formation in the LCDCP group. CONCLUSION: The LCDCP is not advantageous in fracture healing or restoration of cortical bone perfusion to devascularized cortex in segmental fractures when plate fixation has been chosen for fracture stabilization. The overall injury following segmental devascularization seems more important to outcome than the type of implant used for fracture fixation up to ten weeks.

In vitro evaluation of a laser Doppler flowmetry implantable fibre system: the effect of flow velocity and concentration on perfusion assessment.

The utility of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is limited by the requirement for placement of the LDF probe directly on the bone surface. A system of implantable and detachable fibres was developed so that repeated non-anaesthetized measurements could be made. Using a specially designed flow chamber and a flow medium of latex particles, we compared the in vitro properties of the implantable fibre and the standard probe, by determining the effect of flow velocity and concentration on perfusion assessment. For both probes, the LDF output increased in response to increasing flow velocities and concentrations of the flow medium. With increasing velocities of the flow medium, both probes responded similarly when assessing perfusion through cortical bone, but differed when measuring flow through cancellous bone. A difference between the probes also existed when determining the effect of concentration on perfusion assessment. With increasing concentrations of the latex particles, the rate of LDF output increased more rapidly when perfusion was measured end on to the direction of flow by the standard probe, compared to the implantable fibre. This situation was reversed when assessing perfusion tangential to the direction of flow. The differences in the properties of the two probe systems are related to the direction of flow assessment and the type of bone through which flow was measured. These factors should be considered when measuring blood flow with either the LDF implantable fibre system or the standard LDF probe.

Muscle perfusion after intramedullary nailing of the canine tibia.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary nailing with and without reaming leads to a reduction in cortical bone blood flow. The repair of the devascularized bone is mediated principally by the surrounding soft-tissue envelope. The objective of this study was to determine the effect on muscle blood flow of reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing techniques. METHODS: Midshaft tibial osteotomies to create a 2.5-cm segment of devascularized tibial cortex were performed in 19 adult canines. The tibia was stabilized with a locked intramedullary nail without reaming in 9 animals and with intramedullary reaming in 10 animals. In the unreamed group, the tibia was stabilized with a loosely fitting (n = 4) or a tightly fitting (n = 5) locked nail. In the reamed group, limited reaming (n = 5) or standard reaming (n = 5) was performed. Muscle perfusion was measured in the anterior compartment musculature of the hind-limb using laser Doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: Overall muscle perfusion was greater in the reamed group than in the unreamed group at the conclusion of the nailing procedure (p = 0.0001) and at 5 weeks (p = 0.0008) and 11 weeks after nailing (p = 0.001). The degree of canal fit of the intramedullary nails and the extent of reaming before nail insertion did not further influence muscle circulation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that in the presence of an intact soft-tissue envelope, intramedullary reaming of the canine tibia has a major effect on increasing the circulation to the surrounding muscles. The increased extraosseous circulation may have implications for fracture healing.

Effect of limited and standard reaming on cortical bone blood flow and early strength of union following segmental fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively determine the extent to which limited and standard intramedullary reaming disrupts cortical circulation and to evaluate the effect on the biomechanical properties of the united fracture. DESIGN: Midshaft tibial osteotomies to create a 2.5-centimeter segment of diaphyseal bone were performed in ten adult dogs. Before insertion of a locked intramedullary nail, the tibia was reamed to either 7.0 millimeters (n = 5) or 9.0 millimeters (n = 5). Blood flow was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry during the nailing procedure and at eleven weeks postnailing. Bending stiffness and load to failure were determined for each healed tibia. RESULTS: Tibial blood flow was reduced for the limited and the standard ream groups by 63 percent (p = 0.002) and 83 percent (p = 0.0008), respectively. After canal reaming, perfusion was reduced to a greater extent in the standard ream group (p = 0.009). At eleven weeks postnailing, tibial perfusion increased to the same levels in both groups (p = 0.43) and returned to base-line values. Bending stiffness and load to failure were reduced after limited reaming (p = 0.002, p = 0.003) and standard reaming (p = 0.01, p = 0.002) were performed. Stiffness and load to failure were reduced to the same extent in both groups (p = 0.12, p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Both limited reaming and standard reaming negatively affect diaphyseal cortical circulation. Limited reaming spares cortical perfusion compared with standard reaming at the time of nail insertion. No long-term advantage for limited reaming was demonstrated. Limited reaming may be advantageous acutely for the stabilization of tibial fractures in which the circulation is already compromised.

Primary external fixation of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity who undergo surgery have an increased risk for perioperative complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the perioperative outcome of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures treated with initial external fixation in obese patients. METHODS: Review of clinical data and radiographs of 42 patients identified from a prospectively entered trauma database who had rotationally unstable fractures of the pelvis treated with initial pelvic external fixation. RESULTS: Inability of an anterior uniplanar external fixator to maintain adequate reduction of the pelvic ring disruption occurred with a greater frequency in obese patients compared with nonobese patients (p < 0.005). The anterior frame was unable to provide sufficient stabilization of the pelvic ring disruption in all obese patients with pure open-book-type fractures. For these patients, stabilization of the pelvic ring was achieved with early symphyseal plating. CONCLUSION: We report a significantly higher incidence of inability to obtain or maintain reduction of open-book pelvic fractures in obese patients using primary anterior uniplanar external fixation. Early symphyseal plating allowed early patient mobilization and maintained acceptable reduction throughout the follow-up period.

Functional outcome of acromioclavicular joint injury in polytrauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome of displaced acromioclavicular (AC) injuries in polytrauma patients. DESIGN: A matched, case-control study using a prospectively gathered trauma database. METHODS: Twelve polytrauma patients with a concomitant displaced acromioclavicular joint injury were matched to polytrauma patients without an acromioclavicular joint injury and to patients with an isolated displaced acromioclavicular joint injury. They were evaluated with a series of five shoulder questionnaires and the SF-36 general health status questionnaire. RESULTS: Shoulder function in polytrauma/acromioclavicular joint injured patients was consistently worse than in control patients with an isolated acromioclavicular joint injury. In addition, the presence of an acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytrauma patient had a negative effect on several components of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: A displaced acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytrauma patient has a greater effect on shoulder function than isolated acromioclavicular joint injuries when evaluated by both disease-specific and general health outcomes. Standard treatment methods may be inadequate for this group of patients.

Cortical bone blood flow in loose and tight fitting locked unreamed intramedullary nailing: a canine segmental tibia fracture model.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively determine the extent to which loose and tight fitting unreamed, locked intramedullary nails devascularize cortical bone and to determine their effect on early strength of union. DESIGN: A 2.5-centimeter segment of devascularized diaphyseal bone was created in the tibiae of twelve skeletally mature mongrel dogs by means of two standardized transverse osteotomies. Stabilization of the tibia was achieved with either a 5.0-millimeter (n = 6) or a 6.5-millimeter (n = 6) unreamed, locked intramedullary nail. Bone blood flow was assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry. Bending stiffness and load to failure were determined for each healed tibia. RESULTS: At the conclusion of the nailing procedure, the overall tibial blood flow was reduced by 58 percent and 72 percent for the 5.0-millimeter and 6.5-millimeter nail groups, respectively (p = 0.001, p = 0.00004). Perfusion was reduced to a greater extent in the tightly fitting nail group (p = 0.017). At eleven weeks postnailing, cortical perfusion increased in both the 5.0-millimeter and the 6.5-millimeter nail groups (p = 0.005, p = 0.002, respectively). Perfusion increased to a higher level in the loosely fitting nail group (p = 0.007). Biomechanical properties of the healed tibiae, including bending stiffness in two planes and load to failure, were similar in the two experimental groups (p = 0.42, p = 0.09, p = 0.34). DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that a loose fitting nail spared cortical perfusion at the time of nail insertion more than did a canal filling nail and allowed more complete cortical reperfusion at eleven weeks postnailing. The results of this study have implications for the treatment of severe tibial shaft fractures in which the blood supply is significantly compromised.

Cloning of the herpes simplex virus ICP4 gene in an adenovirus vector: effects on adenovirus gene expression and replication.

To assess the ability of the herpes simplex virus ICP4 protein to complement adenovirus E1a mutants we have constructed an adenovirus type 5 vector containing a temperature-sensitive ICP4 gene, under control of its own promoter, within the E1 region of the genome. The recombinant virus expresses ICP4 in cells which are permissive (293) or nonpermissive (KB and R970-5) for viral replication, and at levels which approximate those obtained in herpes simplex infection. The adenovirus-encoded protein is functional in that it complements an ICP4 deletion mutant of herpes simplex virus; however, it is incapable of complementing adenovirus E1a mutants for viral growth or DNA replication. At the level of activation of gene expression, ICP4 stimulates the expression of the adenovirus E2a gene but not that of other early genes. Our results indicate that ICP4 does not possess all of the functions of the E1a proteins and, furthermore, that adenovirus early genes differ in their susceptibility to heterologous trans-activators.