Locked Plating versus Nailing for Proximal Tibia Fractures: A Multicenter RCT.

OBJECTIVES: The main 2 forms of treatment for extraarticular proximal tibial fractures are intramedullary nailing (IMN) and locked lateral plating (LLP). The goal of this multicenter, randomized controlled trial was to determine whether there are significant differences in outcomes between these forms of treatment. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: 16 academic trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 108 patients were enrolled. 99 patients were followed for 12 months. 52 patients were randomized to IMN, and 47 patients were randomized to LLP. INTERVENTION: IMN or lateral locked plating. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Functional scoring including Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment, Bother Index, EQ-5Dindex and EQ-5DVAS. Secondary measures included alignment, operative time, range of motion, union rate, pain, walking ability, ability to manage stairs, need for ambulatory aid and number, and complications. RESULTS: Functional testing demonstrated no difference between the groups, but both groups were still significantly affected 12 months postinjury. Similarly, there was no difference in time of surgery, alignment, nonunion, pain, walking ability, ability to manage stairs, need for ambulatory support, or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Both IMN and LLP provide for similar outcomes after these fractures. Patients continue to improve over the course of the year after injury but remain impaired even 1 year later. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Locked Lateral Plating Versus Retrograde Nailing for Distal Femur Fractures: A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The 2 main forms of treatment for distal femur fractures are locked lateral plating and retrograde nailing. The goal of this trial was to determine whether there are significant differences in outcomes between these forms of treatment. DESIGN: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Twenty academic trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty patients with distal femur fractures were enrolled. One hundred twenty-six patients were followed 12 months. Patients were randomized to plating in 62 cases and intramedullary nailing in 64 cases. INTERVENTION: Lateral locked plating or retrograde intramedullary nailing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Functional scoring including Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment, bother index, EQ Health, and EQ Index. Secondary measures included alignment, operative time, range of motion, union rate, walking ability, ability to manage stairs, and number and type of adverse events. RESULTS: Functional testing showed no difference between the groups. Both groups were still significantly affected by their fracture 12 months after injury. There was more coronal plane valgus in the plating group, which approached statistical significance. Range of motion, walking ability, and ability to manage stairs were similar between the groups. Rate and type of adverse events were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both lateral locked plating and retrograde intramedullary nailing are reasonable surgical options for these fractures. Patients continue to improve over the course of the year after injury but remain impaired 1 year postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Back2PrEP: Rates of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis Among Individuals Returning to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care: A Retrospective Review of a New York City Comprehensive HIV Prevention Program.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively reduces new HIV diagnoses. High rates of incident bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been observed in patients eligible for and adherent to PrEP. Observational studies generally report low long-term retention in PrEP care. Limited data exist on the rates of bacterial STI diagnosis upon re-engagement with PrEP services. We conducted a retrospective chart review within the HIV prevention program of an urban academic medical center in New York City. Eligible patients started PrEP from 2015 to 2019, then resumed PrEP services after a gap in care of at least 180 days. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were used to characterize the patient population and rates of bacterial STI diagnosis at re-engagement. In total, 286 patients were identified, with 316 qualifying re-engagement visits. Twenty-nine percent of patients had continued PrEP during the care gap, and 30% reported discontinuing medication due to a perceived change in risk. A new STI was diagnosed at 19% of re-engagement visits. There was no statistically significant difference in rates of new STI between individuals returning on or off PrEP, nor between those with perceived lower risk and those without. Individuals who fall out of PrEP services and subsequently re-engage remain at high risk of bacterial STI during the gap in care, regardless of whether PrEP medication is continued or the patient perceives themselves to be at lower HIV acquisition risk. Providers should strongly encourage patients discontinuing PrEP to remain engaged in sexual health services. Alternatives to clinic-based PrEP care must still include regular bacterial STI screening.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Pathogens Detected by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in a Prospective Cohort of Men Who Have Sex With Men Taking Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis-New York City, 2019-2020.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing for gastrointestinal pathogens was performed on a longitudinal cohort of 110 men who have sex with men taking human immunodeficiency virus preexposure prophylaxis. At least 1 pathogen was detected among 50 (45%) participants, with some participants testing positive for the same pathogen on multiple consecutive visits over a period of months.

Thoracic and Renal Actinomycosis Requiring Complete Right Nephrectomy in a Costa Rican Female Child.

Actinomycosis is a relatively uncommon bacterial disease of childhood, especially when presenting as deep-seated infections. Only 10% of affected patients are younger than 18 years of age. In children, cervical actinomycosis is the most common form of clinical presentation, and among the abdominopelvic form, renal abscesses are rare. We describe an uncommon and severe case of a five-year-old Costa Rican girl with thoracic and renal actinomycosis who required a complete nephrectomy.

Lateral Compression-I Pelvic Ring Injury: Not Benign to the Developing Fetus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether certain patterns of pelvic ring injury are associated with more frequent intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Of 44 pregnant patients with pelvic and/or acetabular fractures, 40 had complete records that allowed determination of fetal viability. χ2 tests were used for categorical variables (Fisher exact tests when expected cell counts were fewer than 5), and t tests were used for continuous variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Fetal or maternal death. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had isolated acetabular fractures, 25 had isolated pelvic ring injuries, and 3 had acetabular fractures with concomitant pelvic ring injuries. Maternal and fetal mortality were 2% and 40%, respectively. No patients with isolated acetabular fractures experienced IUFD, compared with 68% (15/22) of those with isolated pelvic ring injuries (P < 0.0001). Eight (53%) of 15 IUFDs were associated with lateral compression (LC)-I pelvic ring injuries (Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen 61-B2). Of the 13 LC-I pelvic ring injuries, 8 (62%) resulted in IUFD. Pelvic ring stability, Young-Burgess classification, and operative treatment were not associated with IUFD. Maternal Glasgow Coma Scale (average 13.2) and Injury Severity Score (average 18.2) at admission were predictive of IUFD. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent pelvic fractures in gravid trauma patients are LC-I. Although the rate of maternal mortality was low, the risk of IUFD was quite high (40%). LC-I pelvic ring injuries often had catastrophic outcomes, with IUFD in 62% of cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Help-Seeking Behavior Among Men Who Experience Sexual Violence.

Research on sexual violence and related support services access has mainly focused on female victims; there is still a remarkable lack of research on men who experience sexual violence. Research demonstrates that people who both self-identify as men and are members of sexual-orientation minority populations are at higher risk of sexual violence. They are also less likely to either report or seek support services related to such experiences. The present study is an exploratory one aimed at filling the gap in the literature and better understanding how men, both straight and gay as well as cisgender and transgender, conceptualize, understand, and seek help related to sexual violence. A sample of 32 men was recruited on-line and participated in either a one-on-one in-depth interview ( N = 19) or one of two focus group discussions ( N = 13). All interviews and groups were audiotaped, professionally transcribed and coded using NVivo 9 qualitative software. The present analysis focused on barriers to and facilitators of support service access. Emergent and cross-cutting themes were identified and presented, with an emphasis on understanding what factors may prevent disclosure of a sexual violence experience and facilitate seeking support services and/or professional help. Through this analysis, the research team aims to add knowledge to inform the development of tools to increase service access and receipt, for use by both researchers and service professionals. Although this study contributes to the understanding of the issue of men's experiences of sexual violence, more research with diverse populations is needed.

Proper Distal Placement of Tibial Nail Improves Rate of Malalignment for Distal Tibia Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesize that the anatomic center of the distal tibia is just lateral and anterior to the center of the distal tibia articular surface in the coronal and sagittal planes, respectively, and that placement of the nail along this axis results in improved rates of malalignment when treating distal tibia fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. SETTING: One Level I and one Level II trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred three distal tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nailing (IMN) (primary cohort) whose main fracture line extended within 5 cm of the plafond to evaluate the rate of malalignment with distal nail placement. Additionally, we retrospectively reviewed a secondary cohort of 15 patients with proximal tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nailing for evaluation of passive anatomic distal nail position. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary malalignment ≤5 degrees on the anteroposterior (AP), mortise, and lateral planes were evaluated in distal tibia fractures on perioperative radiographs. RESULTS: Primary Cohort: 85 patients met inclusion criteria for evaluation in the coronal plane. Overall malalignment in the coronal plane was 17.6%. There was a 2.9% (1/34) fracture malalignment rate when the nail was placed lateral to the center of the joint versus 27.5% (14/51) when placed medial to the center of the joint, with all occurring in valgus. This achieved statistical significance (P = 0.04). Correlation was highest when measuring the trajectory on mortise view using the talus as reference point. When evaluating the sagittal plane, there were 64 patients that met inclusion criteria with a 48% malalignment rate. Malalignment was greatest when the nail was placed in the anterior quadrant 100% (4/4), versus 50% (22/44) in the anterior middle, and 31.3% (5/16) in the posterior middle quadrant. This achieved statistical significance (P = 0.05). No nails were placed in the most posterior quadrant. Secondary Cohort: 15 patients met inclusion criteria for distal nail placement. The position of the nail in the coronal plane was measured on both the anteroposterior and mortise ankle radiographs using both the plafond and talus as a reference, whereas sagittal nail placement was measured on the lateral ankle radiographs. In the coronal plane, the mean passive distal position of the nail when referenced from the lateral cortex was 45.2% of the tibia plafond and 45.5% the width of the talus, or just lateral to the center of each. In the sagittal plane, passive nail placement was 40% the sagittal width of the joint measured from the anterior cortex, or just anterior to the center of the joint. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first patient series that defines optimal tibial nail placement in the treatment of distal tibia fractures. Distal placement of the nail just lateral to the center of the talus and plafond, or along mechanical axis of the tibia, results in significantly reduced rates of malalignment on the coronal plane when compared to nail placement medial to the center of the talus or plafond. Fluoroscopic judgment of distal nail trajectory was improved on the mortise view using the talus as a reference when compared to using the anteroposterior view. On the sagittal plane, anatomic passive nail placement is just anterior to the center of the plafond. However, nonanatomic nail placement just posterior to the center of the plafond had a lower incidence of malalignment compared with nails placed anterior to the center of the plafond. Further study of appropriate nail positioning on the sagittal plane is needed.

Proximity and Risks of the Anterior Neurovascular and Tendinous Anatomy of the Distal Leg Relative to Anteriorly Applied Distal Locking Screws for Tibia Nailing: A Plea for Open Insertion.

PURPOSE: To determine the proximity and potential risks to distal leg anatomy from anterior to posterior (A-P) applied distal tibia locking screws for tibial nailing. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: ACS level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twenty consecutive adult patients undergoing computed tomograms with intravenous contrast (computed tomography angiograms) on uninjured legs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Simulated 5-mm distal interlocking screws placed in the A-P axis of an ideally placed tibial nail at 10-mm increments from the tibial plafond (10-40 mm) were studied in relation to the distal leg's anterior anatomy. RESULTS: All A-P screws (80/80, 100%) impacted the tibialis anterior tendon, extensor hallucis longus tendon, and/or anterior tibial neurovascular (NV) bundle between 10 and 40 mm cranial to the plafond. The NV bundle was impacted in 53% of cases. The medial extent of the tibialis anterior tendon was greatest 10 mm cranial to the plafond and averaged 27 degrees (95% confidence interval, 22-33 degrees) medial to the A-P line. The maximum lateral border of the foot's common extensors, found 40 mm cranial to the plafond, averaged 71 degrees (95% confidence interval, 62-80 degrees) lateral to the A-P line. DISCUSSION: The anterior tibial NV bundle and foot and ankle extensor tendons are at high risk from A-P-directed distal locking screws. The tendinous anatomy of the distal leg is at risk between 33 degrees medial and 80 degrees lateral to the A-P axis of a tibial nail. Distal locking screws placed from the A-P direction should be thoughtfully applied and an open approach should be strongly considered.

Impact of early operative pelvic fixation on long-term self-reported outcome following severe pelvic fracture.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic disruption of the pelvic ring is a significant cause of life-threatening hemorrhage. For those patients who survive the initial injury, these fractures are associated with long periods of immobilization and intense rehabilitation. There is little published information available regarding long-term functional outcomes in these patients. This study evaluated the impact of severe pelvic fractures on those long-term outcomes. METHODS: All patients with severe pelvic fractures over an 18-year period were identified. Severe pelvic fractures were defined as those with vascular disruption, open-book component with symphysis diastasis, or sacroiliac disruption with vertical shear. Functional outcome was measured using the Boston University Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care to assess mobility (normal, >84) and daily activity (normal, >84). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of functional outcome after severe pelvic fracture. RESULTS: From January 1996 to September 2014, 401 patients were identified: 240 (60%) men and 161 (40%) women. Overall mortality was 29%. Of the 285 survivors, follow-up was obtained in 145 patients (51%). Mean follow-up was 8.3 years, with a maximum of 20 years. Mean age and Injury Severity Score were 53 years and 27, respectively. Mean Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care scores for mobility and daily activity were 55 and 63, respectively; both signifying significant impairment when compared with normal. Multiple linear regression analysis using age, traumatic brain injury, transfusions, Injury Severity Score, ventilator days, presence of associated lower-extremity fractures, and time to operative pelvic fixation identified time to pelvic fixation as the only predictor of decreased mobility (ß = -0.74, p = 0.04) and activity (ß = -0.21, p = 0.03) following severe pelvic fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged time to operative pelvic fixation led to worse long-term functional outcomes in patients with severe pelvic ring disruption. Early fixation of the pelvic ring is the only potentially modifiable risk factor for decreased functional outcomes in patients with severe pelvic fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

Suprapatellar Intramedullary Nail Technique Lowers Rate of Malalignment of Distal Tibia Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To report on the immediate postoperative alignment of distal tibia fractures (within 5 cm of the tibial plafond) treated with suprapatellar intramedullary nail (IMN) insertion compared with the infrapatellar technique. Primary outcomes include alignment on both the anteroposterior and lateral radiographic views. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two urban level I trauma centers. PATIENTS: A total of 266 skeletally mature patients with a distal tibia fracture were treated with an IMN. One hundred thirty-two patients underwent this procedure through a suprapatellar technique. INTERVENTION: Intramedullary nail placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Alignment. RESULTS: The 2 treatment groups were evenly matched with respect to age, gender, fracture grade, and the presence of open fracture. Within the suprapatellar group, the fibula was intact, fixed, and remained fractured in 6 (4.5%), 22 (16.7%), and 104 (78.8%) cases, respectively. The fibula was intact, repaired, and remained fractured in 9 (6.7%), 32 (23.9%), and 93 (69.4%) cases, respectively, in the infrapatellar group. There was no difference in the rate of fibular fixation between the groups (P = 0.2). Primary angular malalignment of ≥5 degrees occurred in 35 (26.1%) patients with infrapatellar IMN insertion and in 5 (3.8%) patients who underwent suprapatellar IMN insertion (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest patient series directly comparing the suprapatellar with infrapatellar IMN insertion technique in the treatment of distal tibia fractures. In the treatment of distal tibia fractures, suprapatellar IMN technique results in a significantly lower rate of malalignment compared with the infrapatellar IMN technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Femoral fracture repair using a locking plate technique in an adult captive polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

OBJECTIVE: To report successful femoral fracture repair in a polar bear. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) 5 years and approximately 250 kg. METHODS: A closed, complete, comminuted fracture of the distal midshaft femur was successfully reduced and stabilized using a compression plating technique with 2 specialized human femur plates offering axial, rotational, and bending support, and allowing the bone to share loads with the implant. Postoperative radiographs were obtained at 11.5 weeks, 11 months, and 24 months. RESULTS: Bone healing characterized by marked periosteal reaction was evident at 11 months with extensive remodeling evident at 24 months. No complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Distal mid shaft femoral fracture was reduced, stabilized, and healed in an adult polar bear with a locking plate technique using 2 plates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Previously, femoral fractures in polar bears were considered irreparable. Use of 2 plates applied with a locking plate technique can result in successful fracture repair despite large body weight and inability to restrict postoperative activity.

Case reports--resolution of Barrett's disease and esophageal epithelial atypia after gastric bypass and LAP-BAND.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a well-recognized complication of obesity. Long-term reflux is associated with the progression from esophageal injury to Barrett's esophagus then to carcinoma. Bariatric surgery may prevent reflux and the progression of esophageal injury. We present two cases that had remission of their esophageal problems after differing bariatric operations.

Is there a gluteus medius tendon injury during reaming through a modified medial trochanteric portal? A cadaver study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to evaluate whether there is any damage to the gluteus medius tendon when reaming through a modified medial trochanteric portal for antegrade intramedullary femoral nailing. METHODS: Ten cadaver hips were used in this study. A guidewire was placed in the modified medial trochanteric portal using the assistance of C-arm fluoroscopy and a 14-mm reamer was advanced over the wire. After the reaming was complete, each hip was dissected and the gluteus medius muscle and tendon were inspected to evaluate the amount of intrasubstance and medial tendon damage. RESULTS: Precise localization of the modified medial trochanteric portal was achieved in 9 of 10 cadaver hips. Of those nine hips, the use of the modified medial trochanteric portal did not result in any visible damage to the tendinous insertion of the gluteus medius or the medial aspect of the tendon in any of the specimens. CONCLUSIONS: There is no damage to the gluteus medius tendon with the use of the modified medial trochanteric portal. Although the clinical implications of this finding are not known with certainty, the use of the modified medial trochanteric entry portal for antegrade femoral nailing could possibly result in less postoperative morbidity because it does not damage the gluteus medius tendon as compared to the traditional more lateral trochanteric portal.

Conocimientos y actitudes sobre la menstruación en el Distrito Nacional

Estudiamos los conocimientos y actitudes sobre la menstruación en una muestra de 300 niñas que estudian en diferentes centros escolares de Santo Domingo, cuyas edades oscilaron entre los 12 y 18 años. Los conocimientos y actitudes sobre la menstruación son mayores y más favorables en las niñas de la zona urbana que en la de la zona rural

Relación entre la edad de la aparición de la menarquia y el nivel socieconomico de las ninas dominicanas

Estudiamos la relación entre la edad de aparición de la menarquia y el nivel socioeconómico en una muestra de 2,700 niñas a nviel nacional. La edad promedio de la menarquia obtenida es de 12.5 años para la población urbana y 13.1 años para la rural; deducimos que el factor socioeconómico es una variable determinante en a edad de aparición de la menarquia

Edad de la menarquia en niñas dominicanas

Estudiamos la edad de la menarquia por el método de Statu Quo en una muestra de 2,700 niñas a nivel nacional, con edades comprendidas entre 8 y 18 años. La edad de la menarquia nacional obtenida es de 12.6 años, correspondiendo a la población urbana una menarquia de 12.5 años y para la rural 13.1 años