Thermal Generation in Spinal Surgery: Does Rate of Irrigation Matter During Anterior Cervical Discectomy?

BACKGROUND: High-speed rotational burring is considered the mainstay of modern spinal decompression surgery. However, high-energy burrs generate significant heat due to the friction between the bone and the rotating burr. This study determines the effects of automated irrigation rate on burr tip temperatures either with a serrated steel burr or diamond-coated burr during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: This is an observational study of the routine practice of a single surgeon for 20 patients aged 18 years or older undergoing elective single- or multilevel ACDF. Various continuous irrigation rates of 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 cc/min were used. Forward-looking infrared thermography was used to measure the burr tip temperatures. The Midas Rex Legend EHS (Medtronic, PLC, Minneapolis, MN) stylus high-speed surgical drill was used with 3-mm burrs (diamond-coated and carbide-serrated steel) paired to the Medtronic Integrated Power Console set at 60,000 rpm. RESULTS: The 0.5-cc/min irrigation rate kept the maximum burr temperatures below 45°C (P < .001). With no irrigation (0 cc/min), the steel burrs reached a maximum of 141°C, and the diamond-coated burrs reached 177°C, which was the only significant difference related to the burr materials (P = 0.0354). With irrigation rates of 0.5 cc/min and above, the maximum recorded temperature for steel burrs was 40.6°C, and the maximum temperature for diamond-coated burrs was 38.9°C. Irrigation rates greater than 0.5 cc/min yielded little additional benefit. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of adequate irrigation during high-speed burr drilling. Continuous irrigation is recommended even as low as 0.5 cc/min. It is good operative practice to reduce the risk of heat transmission to surrounding tissues, especially considering the proximity of cervical spinal nerve roots during uncoforaminal decompression.

Single-surgeon perspective: is there ever a need to open extension-type supracondylar fractures?

BACKGROUND: Supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHFs) represent the most common pediatric elbow fracture, constituting approximately 12-17% of all pediatric fractures. The vast majority of operative supracondylar humerus fractures are treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP); however, the estimated rate of SCHFs requiring open reduction is approximately 12.7%. AIM: This study aims to analyze the likelihood of open reduction in pediatric extension-type SCHFs and to reaffirm the traditional teaching of reduction techniques described by Smith and Rang. METHODS: A single-surgeon retrospective analysis of 56 operative pediatric SCH cases (51 extension-type, 6 flexion-type) who underwent either CRPP or open reduction over a 16-year period was performed. All cases were performed using the aforementioned reduction technique. The Modified Gartland's classification was utilized in the analysis of extension-type SCHF radiographs. RESULTS: Gartland IIA fractures constituted 38% of SCHFs, 9% of Gartland IIB, 43% of Gartland III, and 7% of flexion-type. The rate of open reduction in SCHFs was 1.8% (1 out of 56 cases), performed in a flexion-type injury. All extension-type fractures were successfully managed with either CRPP or manipulation and casting alone. Of the cases requiring CRPP, 45% were divergent lateral wires, and 55% were crossed wires. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, a 1.8% rate of open reduction was indicated in flexion-type SCH fractures. All 52 cases of extension-type SCHFs were successfully managed with closed reduction with or without percutaneous pinning. Successful closed reduction using the concept of intact periosteal hinge to aid and maintain reduction is crucial.

The Not-So-Merry-Go-Round: Traumatic Inferior-Anterior Hip Dislocation in a 9-Year-Old.

Merry-go-rounds are not as innocuous as they may seem. Pediatric hip anterior-inferior dislocations are very rare and can be associated with low-energy trauma. Prompt recognition of pediatric hip dislocations is vital, and this should be treated as a time-sensitive orthopedic emergency. Closed reduction within 6 hours minimizes the risk of avascular necrosis (AVN). We present a case of a 9-year-old boy with an inferior-anterior hip dislocation following low energy trauma while playing on a merry-go-round. The patient was emergently brought to the theatre for closed reduction under general anesthesia within 6 hours. At his 12-month follow-up, he has a full range of motion without any pain.