Septic arthritis of the major joints of the lower limb after periarticular external fixation application: are conventional safe corridors enough to prevent it?

Septic arthritis as a result of pin track infection, following application of external fixators in periarticular fractures of the lower limb, is a rare, but serious complication. Several studies, combining cadaver dissection and MRI scans or conventional X-ray measurements, have tried to define the exact anatomy of the capsular reflection in the major joints of the lower limb (hip, knee and ankle), in order to provide specific safe corridors for extra-capsular wire and pin placement. These studies are reviewed, their methods and results are presented, and their conclusions are evaluated as suggested guidelines for safe extra-capsular wire and pin insertion.

Unilateral hinged external fixator of the elbow in complex elbow injuries.

We present the outcome of treating complex injuries of the elbow with the "Orthofix" external fixator in patients where the condition of the soft tissues did not permit extensile surgical approach or where the internal fixation would not be stable enough to permit safe early joint mobilization postoperatively. Eight patients were treated, three with supra-intercondylar fracture in the presence of marked osteoporosis and five with fracture-dislocation of the elbow and excessive soft tissue impairment. The fixator was applied for a mean of 8.5 weeks (5-13 weeks). Great care was taken to use the appropriate technique in applying the fixator, especially to define the correct centre of rotation. All the fractures were united, and no instability of the joint was noted. All the patients maintained a functional range of motion, with lack of extension less than 30 degrees and flexion more than 120 degrees . One patient who developed transient palsy of the radial nerve and two patients who developed pin track infection were treated with oral antibiotics. Despite the technical difficulties, external fixation of the elbow could be a salvage procedure in difficult cases of elbow trauma, where open procedures are not indicated.

School screening in the heavily industrialized area--Is there any role of industrial environmental factors in idiopathic scoliosis prevalence?

INTRODUCTION: School-screening programs contributed greatly to the study of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) prevalence. A similar program confined to a highly industrialized area is being performed in our Department. Thus the comparison of the findings of IS prevalence of this program with those of programs performed in non-industrialized areas of the same country could imply the significance of special industrial environmental factors on IS aetiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3039 schoolchildren (1506 boys, 1533 girls), aged 5,5 to 17,5 years, have been screened for IS. These children comprise 20% of a total population of 20000 schoolchildren, who live in the region. The detection of the scoliotic children was attained utilizing the criterion of the angle of trunk inclination (ATI). The Prujis scoliometer was used to assess ATI. A cut off point of > or = 7 degrees ATI was used as a criterion for children's referral to hospital. 262 (8,6%) were referred for further evaluation, whereas 118 (3,9%) among these children underwent radiological examination. RESULTS: 90 children were found to have a Cobb angle of > or = 10 degrees at their standing PA spinal radiographs (2,9 % of the screened population). A Cobb angle of 10 degrees -20 degrees was found in 74 (2,4%) children. Sixteen (0,5%) children, who had scoliotic curves with a Cobb angle of > or = 20 degrees, underwent conservative treatment by means of spinal orthosis. Relatively to their location on the vertebral column, 20% of the scoliotic curves were thoracic, 26,7% thoracolumbar, 20% lumbar, 24,4% double and 8,9% miscellaneous. DISCUSSION: The screened area represents a place of particular interest because it experienced considerable environmental pollution during the past decades without any improvement of the available Health Services. A quite diverse population in relation to its occupation and its origin inhabits this area as well. The scoliosis incidence found in this area is similar to the incidence observed (2,9%) at other non-industrialized geographical departments of this country (2,6%). This implies that industrial environmental factors probably do not significantly influence the prevalence of AIS.

Treatment of tibial and femoral bone loss by distraction osteogenesis. Experience in 28 infected and 14 clean cases.

42 patients with diaphyseal bone defects (25 tibial and 17 femoral) who were treated by radical debridement and bone transport are reviewed. Their mean age was 35 (10-64) years and there were 29 men. 19 patients had active infections with drainage and 9 were previously infected. After resection of the infected and necrotic bone, the intercalate defect averaged 6 (3-12) cm. The mean duration of treatment was 10 (20-52) months. Regeneration of the distraction gap was achieved in all 42 patients. Union at the target zone was achieved in 38, and in the remaining 4 cases consolidation was achieved by application of autogenous bone grafts. The infection was eradicated in all 28 patients treated for bone defects associated with infection, without the need for a second operation. Complications were not severe and did not affect the final results. Residual malalignment remained in 2 patients, 1 femur and 1 tibia, with 10 degrees and 8 degrees of varus deformity, respectively. The final leg-length discrepancy never exceeded 1.5 cm. Residual fixed flexion of the knee was left in 5 cases, but never exceeded 10 degrees. Loss of 5 degrees to 10 degrees of dorsiflexion of the ankle joint remained in 7 patients. There were no intraoperative or postoperative neurovascular damage or compartment syndrome. Psychological intolerance was seen in 1 young patient. All patients, but 3 returned to their previous occupation. Bone transport is a simple and safe method for successful treatment of diaphyseal bone defects.