Lower limb landmine injuries.

The medical records of 186 patients seeking treatment for landmine injuries in the authors' region between 1993 and 2001 were evaluated. Of these patients 13 died of accompanying complications. Ten (10) patients with general body trauma and upper limb trauma were excluded from the study. Of 163 patients with lower-limb injuries included in the study, 21 with traumatic amputation underwent surgical amputation at different levels. Patients without traumatic amputation were divided into 2 groups. There were 41 patients (29%) in Group I who were treated by limb salvage procedures. Treatments used in Group I including wound debridement, tendon repair, skin approximation, minimal osteosynthesis, external fixation of long bones and secondary wound coverage. In Group II, there were 101 patients (71%) with primary amputation. Trans-tibial amputation was performed in 52 cases (51.4%), ankle disarticulation in 24 (23.7%), trans-femoral amputation in 9 (8.9%), partial foot amputation in 8 (7.9%), knee disarticulation in 7 (6.9%) and hip disarticulation in 1 case. In Group I, there was infection in 21 patients (51.2%), revision in 27 (65.8%), and amputation in 15 (36.5%). In Group II, there was infection in 28 patients (27.7%), revision in 17 (16.8%), and amputation at a higher level in 8 (7%). In crush injuries such as those resulting from landmines, soft tissue, vascular, and neurological assessment must be performed with utmost care. Even so, the desired success in interventions intended to save a limb is complicated by a high infection rate, soft tissue complications, and high revision amputation rates. Therefore, a decision to amputate in the early term based on an accurate preoperative assessment is crucial.

Distraction osteotomy for malunion of the distal end of the radius with radial shortening.

The treatment and outcomes of distraction osteotomy in 9 patients with malunion of the distal radius with radial shortening are presented. The patients had an average age of 32 years (range: 14 to 36 years) and comprised 7 males and 2 females. Ulnar inclination was below normal in all patients, volar inclination was below normal in 8 patients, and the average radial length discrepancy was 7.6 mm (range: 4 to 16 mm). Angulations in the distal radius were corrected by manipulation after osteotomy, and shortening by callus distraction. In order to achieve normal radial length, distraction was performed for an average of 10.2 days (range: 7 to 19 days), and union occurred in an average of 10.7 weeks (range: 9 to 13 weeks). During the waiting period between distraction and consolidation, impairment of ulnar and volar inclination recurred in 3 patients, and translation of the distal fragment necessitating correction occurred in 3 patients. No cases of nonunion or malunion were observed. In all patients, there was a decrease in cosmetic and pain-related complaints, and improvement in wrist movements. Distraction osteotomy is a simple and effective treatment for malunion of the distal radius with concurrent radial shortening. However, the position of the distal fragment should be followed up until consolidation.

The effects of osteoporosis on distraction osteogenesis: an experimental study in an ovariectomised rabbit model.

The effects of oestrogen deficiency-associated osteoporosis on callus distraction were investigated in rabbits. Twenty-four female New Zealand rabbits 5 to 6 months old were used. Ovariectomy was performed on 12 rabbits, which composed the osteoporotic model group. Six weeks later, osteotomy was carried out and Ilizarov external fixators were applied to the right proximal tibial metaphyses in both the osteoporotic model group and the control group. Beginning one week postosteotomy, the metaphyses were distracted 0.35 mm twice daily for 3 weeks, and the average length increase obtained for both groups was 17.2 mm (minimum: 16.8, maximum: 19 mm). Following a postdistraction waiting period of 6 weeks for newbone formation, the subjects were sacrified and specimens were examined histopathologically. Radiography was carried out at one-week intervals during the distraction period and at 2-week intervals during the waiting period, and scintigraphy was performed at the end of each period. On histopathologic examination, a significant difference in callus remodeling was observed between the control and osteoporotic model groups. On radiologic evaluation it was observed that, while both groups had inadequate callus tissue at the end of the waiting period, callus formation and remodeling occurred later in the model group than in the control group, and the new bone was more osteoporotic. Osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency adversely affects the outcome of callus distraction. Nonetheless, radiographic findings in rabbits indicate that the effects may not be so great as to preclude clinical procedures. It was concluded that these results should be supported with clinical studies.

Treatment of multifragmentary fractures of the femur by indirect reduction (biological) and plate fixation.

We present a retrospective review of the results of 43 multifragmentary femur fractures treated under the principle of indirect reduction (biological) and plate fixation. Fractures were caused by high-energy trauma in all patients. Sixteen were subtrochanteric, 14 diaphyseal and 13 supracondylar. There were 13 open fractures. In six of the patients with diaphyseal fractures, a plate was inserted through isolated proximal and distal incisions only, deep to the vastus lateralis. None of the fractures was treated with bone graft. The mean follow-up time was 28.3 months. Union was achieved in 41 patients within a mean period of 4.25 months. There was delayed union in one patient (subtrochanteric), non-union in two, infection in three, malunion in three, leg shortening in six and mild knee stiffness in seven. In eight patients with diaphyseal fractures in whom a single incision was performed, the average time for fracture healing was 4.14 months in seven and non-union developed in one. In six patients with diaphyseal fractures, in whom proximal and distal incisions were performed, the average time for fracture healing was 4 months. There was no difference (P>0.05) between single and double incision with reference to infection and time to union, but the indirect reduction methods must be meticulously implemented. The implants we used are cheaper and more easily supplied than many others. The success rate is high when the technique is correctly implemented. We believe that this is a treatment of choice in countries with low socioeconomic status, no efficient health insurance system and no intraoperative image intensification.

Supracondylar process of the humerus.

Four cases of supracondylar process of the humerus in three patients are presented. The main features of a supracondylar process as compared with an osteochondroma are reviewed. The three patients had pain and one had signs indicating median nerve compression. One had a supracondylar process together with an osteochondroma in the contralateral supracondylar region. One patient with a bilateral supracondylar process refused an operation. The other two patients underwent surgical treatment. The symptoms disappeared in the two patients who were operated.

Treatment of humeral diaphyseal nonunions by interlocked nailing and autologous bone grafting.

Twenty seven patients with humeral diaphyseal nonunion treated with interlocked nailing and autogenous bone grafting were retrospectively assessed. The mean age was 37 years (28 to 59 years). There were 16 women and 11 men. An average of 11 months (8 to 36 months) had elapsed between the initial trauma or treatment and presentation in our clinic. The nonunion site was in the distal third of the humerus in 18 patients (66%) and in the middle third in 9 (34%). Seventeen (73%) had hypertrophic and 10 (37%) atrophic nonunion. Patients were treated with locked intramedullary nailing and autogenous cancellous bone grafting. The mean follow-up was 42 months (28 to 62 months), and the mean time to union was 4.8 months (2.5 to 11 months). Three patients developed superficial infection. Union was achieved in all cases but one, in which there was multiple nerve injury. According to Steward and Hundley's scoring, results were good in 24 patients, fair in 2, and poor in one. Interlocked nailing and autologous bone grafting has a good rate of union provided nails of appropriate diameter are used and distal and proximal locking is performed correctly. We think that its low rate of infection, low risk of injury to the radial nerve, and low requirement for soft tissue dissection make it a suitable choice in the treatment of nonunions of the humeral diaphysis.

[The middle period outcome of partial patellectomy for the treatment of comminuted patella fractures]. / Parçali patella kiriklarinin tedavisinde parsiyel patellektomi'nin orta dönem sonuçlari.

The fracture of the biggest sesamoid bone patella is encountered at a rate of 1% of all skeletal injuries. Partial patellectomy is advised in the treatment of comminuted fractures of patella. In this retrospective study, we evaluated 18 of 25 patients who had partial patellectomy in our clinic between 1986-1997. Five patients were female (%27.8) and 13 were male (%72.2). The mechanisms of injuries were as follows: 11 (%61) motor vehicle accidents; 4 (%22) falls from flat-roofed house; 2 (%11) gunshot; and 1 (%5) subsidence. The mean age of the patients was 34.3 (range, 13-65). Ten left (%55) and eight right (%45) partial patellectomy were performed. Ten (%55) patients had also additional pathologies. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years (range, 2-11 years). Patients were very well in the last follow-up. According to Cincinnati Knee Score, which was improved by Noyes, 5 patients (%30) had excellent, 8 (%42) good 3(%17) moderate and 2 (%11) bad results. In conclusion, in the following years, enlargement in patellar articular surface and ossification, which is developed compensationally in the extensor mechanism may be detected and misevaluated as osteoarthrosis. Hence, we determined that they had not restricted knee joint functions in our cases.

[Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients with Leinbach type endoprostheses]. / Ileri yasdaki hastalarda intertrokanterik kiriklarin Leinbach tipi endoprotezle tedavisi.

Intertrochanteric fractures are seen in elderly ages and occur mostly by minor trauma. Mortality and morbidity rates are high and internal fixation and external methods are used for the treatment. Twenty-seven patients with intertrochanteric fractures who were at the mean age of 78 ranging between 71-95 and were treated by Leinbach type endoprosthesis during 1995-1999 were evaluated. Fourteen (%51) patients were female and 13 (%49) were male. The patients underwent operation as early as they were convenient. If they could, they were advised to walk at the second or third day of the operation. Two (%7) patients died at the end of the operation and 1 (%3.7) patient died during the first week after the operation. The patients were followed up mean 14(5-21) months and evaluated according to the criteria of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons which displayed good results in %80 of patients. In elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures due to pathologies and related complications and also complications due to immobilization are seen frequently. Treatment with endoprosthesis is thought to be helpful in decreasing these complications and early mobilization of the patients.

Popliteal artery injuries associated with fractures and dislocations about the knee.

The authors present the results of a retrospective review of popliteal artery injuries associated with fractures and dislocations about the knee. They treated 41 patients with popliteal artery injuries associated with either fractures about the knee or knee dislocations. Thirty-five of the patients were males, 6 females; the mean age was 23 years. The delay before accessing the hospital was 17 hours (range: 3 hours to 10 days). Thirty-two fractures were open. Together with the vascular injury, 12 femoral fractures, 20 tibial and fibular fractures, 5 knee dislocations, 4 femoral + tibial fractures were identified. Twenty-three patients underwent external fixation, 8 internal fixation, 6 plaster cast immobilization, 4 minimal osteosynthesis and plaster cast immobilization. The arterial injury was treated by end-to-end anastomosis in 5 cases, saphenous vein anastomosis in 29 cases and thrombectomy in 7 cases. Nine patients were amputated. Delay in surgery, blunt trauma, extensive soft tissue defect and bone fracture or dislocation, are associated with high amputation rate following popliteal artery injury. The influence of each of these factors alone on the amputation rate could not be evaluated in this study, as no statistically significant correlation could be demonstrated.

Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures by external fixation.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the results of treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur by external fixation in 33 patients with an average age of 65.9 years. Patients in the study had Evans stable type 1 intertrochanteric fractures and unstable type 1 fractures that could be reduced to anatomical or nearly anatomical position by closed manipulation under fluoroscopy. The average follow-up period was 24 months (range, 12 to 40 months). There was no mortality in the early postoperative period, but the mortality within six month following surgery was 39%. Complete fracture healing was achieved in all patients. The fixator was removed after an average of 94 days (75 to 130 days) at the outpatient clinic. Varus malalignment of more than 20 degrees and limb shortening greater than 2 cm were noted in 3 patients. Pin-tract infection was seen around 10 pins (7%). Osteomyelitis was not noted in any patients. Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures by external fixation is simple and can be done under local anesthesia together with narcotic analgesic support. It allows early mobilization, and implant removal is easy. Therefore we think that external fixation is a valuable alternative in high-risk geriatric patients.

Treatment of closed femoral diaphyseal fractures with external fixators in children.

From August 1992 to July 1996, 57 patients with closed femoral fractures were treated by external fixator in the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinics, School of Medicine, Dicle University. The technique was applied to children with closed femoral fractures. Their mean age was 6 (range 4-12) years old. The mean hospitalisation period was 8 (range 5-15) days. Fixators were removed on an average of 55 (range 38-79) days. The mean follow-up period was 18 (range 9-36) months. Pintract infection was observed in 3 and refracture in 1 patient. Infection was controlled with oral antibiotics and local dressing. An external fixator was applied to a patient in whom refracture developed. No patient had malunion, nonunion, or leg length discrepancy. We propose that external fixation in closed femoral shaft fractures of children could be a rational alternative mode of therapy, since it has some advantages and can be easily removed without undergoing a second round of anaesthesia.