Pectoralis major inverse plasty for functional reconstruction in patients with anterolateral deltoid deficiency.

After establishing anatomical feasibility, functional reconstruction to replace the anterolateral part of the deltoid was performed in 20 consecutive patients with irreversible deltoid paralysis using the sternoclavicular portion of the pectoralis major muscle. The indication for reconstruction was deltoid deficiency combined with massive rotator cuff tear in 11 patients, brachial plexus palsy in seven, and an isolated axillary nerve lesion in two. All patients were followed clinically and radiologically for a mean of 70 months (24 to 125). The mean gender-adjusted Constant score increased from 28% (15% to 54%) to 51% (19% to 83%). Forward elevation improved by a mean of 37 degrees , abduction by 30 degrees and external rotation by 9 degrees . The pectoralis inverse plasty may be used as a salvage procedure in irreversible deltoid deficiency, providing subjectively satisfying results. Active forward elevation and abduction can be significantly improved.

Unbiased evaluation of the arthroscopic extra-articular technique for Bankart repair: a clinical and radiographic study with a 2- to 5-year follow-up.

This study performed an unbiased reexamination of patients who at least 2 years previously had undergone an arthroscopic extra-articular Bankart repair and prospectively evaluated the development of degenerative changes in the shoulder. Two unbiased observers who had never seen the patients before and had in no way been involved in the treatment of the patients were given unlimited access to the patients' files, surgical reports, and radiographs. Of the 80 patients 72 (90%) attended the follow-up 42.5 months (24-66) after the index procedure. Failures in terms of stability (redislocations and subluxations) were recorded in 14% of the patients. The Rowe score was 97 points (51-100), the Constant score was 94 (56-100) in injured shoulders and 97 points (80-100) in noninjured shoulders (P = 0.002). A return to the preinjury level of activity was recorded in 73% of the patients. There was a significant increase in degenerative changes between the pre- and postoperative radiographic assessments (P < 0.0001). At 2- to 5-year follow-up therefore the extra-articular arthroscopic Bankart repair resulted in stable and well-functioning shoulders in a high percentage of patients. However, the signs of radiographic degenerative changes increased between the preoperative assessments and the 2- to 5-year follow-up.

[Surgical vs. conservative treatment of fractures of the thoracolumbar transition]. / Operative vs. konservative Behandlung von Frakturen des thorakolumbalen Ubergangs.

A total of 86 patients suffering from fractures of the thoracolumbar spine were followed up after an average time period of 57 months (12-98). Of these patients, 56 were treated operatively and 30 conservatively. According to the AO/ASIF classification, 66% of the operated group were fractures of type A, 29% of type B, and 5% of type C. All patients were operated on by means of dorsal locking instrumentation with pedicular fixation and, apart from six patients, with transpedicular cancellous bone grafting. The conservative group was treated according to the guidelines of Böhler with closed reduction, plaster cast, and rehabilitation program. All fractures in the conservative group were of type A. At follow-up of all operated cases, the local gibbus angle had improved by a reduction of on average 18.6 degrees and was followed by a loss of correction of 12.5 degrees ending in a final gain of 6.1 degrees at follow-up. At follow-up of the conservatively treated cases, the local gibbus angle showed an improvement of 11.1 degrees at reduction and a loss of correction of 14.9 degrees after reduction. The remaining result was -3.6 degrees, that means an increase of kyphoses compared to the x-ray at admission. In order to be able to compare two homogeneous groups only fractures of type A were used. Comparison of the two groups showed an improvement of the vertebral body angle of 70% (11.3 degrees) after reduction in the surgical group and 46% (6.1 degrees) in the conservatively treated group. The subsequent loss of correction was 19% (3 degrees) in the surgical and 34% (4.5 degrees) in the conservatively treated group. The remaining gain at follow-up was 51% (8.3 degrees) in the surgical and only 12% (1.6 degrees) in the conservative group. The local gibbus angle had improved on average by 17.1 degrees after reduction in the surgical and by 11.1 degrees in the conservatively treated group. Loss of correction was 71% (12.2 degrees) and 132% (14.9 degrees), respectively. The final result at follow-up showed a decrease of kyphosis of 4.9 degrees in the surgical and an increase of kyphosis of 3.7 degrees in the conservatively treated group. The difference was significant. Within the surgical group, 75% of the loss of correction was caused by the discs and 25% by the vertebral body. In the conservatively treated group it was 69% and 31%, respectively. Concerning loss of correction, no difference was seen between patients with and without intercorporal bone grafting. There was no relationship between radiological and clinical outcome. Whereas 15% of the patients of the surgical group were not satisfied or moderately satisfied with the result, all patients in the conservatively treated group were satisfied or very satisfied. Based on the good clinical results of the conservative treatment we can conclude that in stable fractures without severe deformity, and in patients who are in bad general condition, conservative treatment can considered as an alternative to surgical treatment.

Transfer of the pectoralis major muscle for the treatment of irreparable rupture of the subscapularis tendon.

BACKGROUND: The clinical diagnosis of a tear of the subscapularis tendon is difficult, and the resulting delays frequently cause a major time-lapse before repair is attempted. Diagnostic delay often means that surgical repair is no longer possible. In twelve patients who had an irreparable tear of the subscapularis tendon, the superior one-half to two-thirds of the tendon of the pectoralis major muscle was used as a substitute for the subscapularis tendon. In order to adapt the orientation of the transferred muscle to that of the subscapularis, it was routed behind the conjoined tendon of the coracobrachialis muscle and the short head of the biceps to the lesser tuberosity. METHODS: The operations were performed between May 1993 and June 1997. The average age of the twelve patients was sixty-five years old (range, forty-nine to eighty-one years old). Eight patients had an isolated rupture of the subscapularis tendon, and four had a concomitant lesion in the form of either a partial or a complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon. The dominant symptoms were anterior shoulder pain and weakness that had responded poorly to nonoperative therapy. Four patients also had signs of recurrent anterior instability. RESULTS: After an average follow-up interval of twenty-eight months (range, twenty-four to fifty-four months), nine of the twelve patients assessed the final result as excellent or good; three, as fair; and none, as poor. Pain was reduced, with the score improving from an average of 1.7 points (of a maximum of 15 points) preoperatively to an average of 9.6 points postoperatively. The patients' subjective functional evaluation improved from an average score of 20 points preoperatively to an average of 63 points postoperatively. The average functional rating with use of the Constant and Murley score increased from 26.9 to 67.1 percent of normal. All four preoperatively unstable shoulders were stable at the time of the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This repair technique can be recommended as a reconstructive procedure for elderly patients who have an irreparable tear of the subscapularis tendon.

Dynamic stabilization of winging scapula by direct split pectoralis major transfer: a technical note.

A new technique of split pectoralis major tendon transfer (sternal head) for symptomatic scapular winging is shown. Whereas other authors use a lengthening with autogenous grafts, we prefer a direct attachment of the split pectoralis major tendon. With the use of an anterior and a posterior incision, the tendon of the sternal head of the pectoralis major is mobilized and transferred directly to the inferior angle of the scapula. An anatomic study shows that the pectoralis major muscle usually seems to be suitable for this procedure. Direct transosseous fixation of the transferred split pectoralis major tendon appears to be an excellent operation for correcting winging scapula without the necessity of an autogenous graft and concern over stretching or tearing of the graft extension.

[Osteosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures]. / Osteosynthese bei proximalen Humerusfrakturen.

Only 5% of adult fractures are fractures of the proximal humerus. In 80% of these fractures one can expect a good result, because they are generally nondisplaced, stable and allow early mobilization. However, the other 20% of these fractures present not only problems with reduction and adequate fixation but also the risk of humeral head necrosis and painful shoulder ankylosis. The operative treatment of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus has changed during the last few years. Minimal osteosynthesis takes into consideration the great extend and the biological aspects of these fractures and provides sufficient stability for early functional therapy. The Neer-classification has proved very useful for both, the indication for and the choice of an operative procedure.

A randomized, prospective study of operative and non-operative treatment of injuries of the fibular collateral ligaments of the ankle.

One hundred and forty-six adults who had an isolated injury of the fibular collateral ligaments of the ankle were randomized to be managed operatively or non-operatively. Disruption of the ligaments was diagnosed by means of a physical examination and on the basis of stress radiographs of the ankle made with use of a specially designed device to hold the leg. Operative treatment, performed in seventy-three patients, consisted of suture repair of the disrupted ligaments within seventy-two hours after the injury, followed by immobilization of the ankle in a below-the-knee plaster cast for six weeks. Non-operative treatment, used for seventy-three patients, consisted of the use of an ankle orthosis for six weeks. After a minimum of two years of follow-up, we could detect no significant differences, with the numbers available, between the two groups with regard to the functional result or the degree of joint laxity that was evident on stress radiographs. The non-operative group lost a mean of 1.6 weeks from work, and the operative group lost a mean of 7.0 weeks. We concluded that non-operative treatment of an injury of the fibular collateral ligaments of the ankle yields results that are comparable with those of operative repair and is associated with a shorter period of recovery.

Arthroscopic extra-articular Bankart repair for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.

This study describes a new arthroscopic procedure for the stabilization of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations. The technique involves two important features. The first is the anterior inferior transmuscular approach through the subscapularis muscle, which permits self-locking implants to be inserted into the anterior inferior third of the glenoid rim so that they oppose the direction of pull of the capsule. This approach was studied on 79 cadaveric shoulders before clinical application. The second feature is the extracapsular (extra-articular) location of the self-locking implants, which permits a superomedial capsular shift as required. The technique offers a high degree of capsular stability. Of a total of 318 patients undergoing this procedure, the first 100 shoulders (98 patients) were evaluated postoperatively at an average of 35 months (range, 18 to 62 months). The diagnosis in all cases was traumatic recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. Repair of the capsule was performed initially with screws and later with absorbable tacks. The overall recurrence rate was 9% (9 shoulders). Excluding the first 30 shoulders to take account of the learning curve, the recurrence rate for the subsequent 70 shoulders was only 5.7%. Limitation of external rotation at 0 degrees abduction averaged 6.7 degrees and 6.1 degrees at 90 degrees abduction for all shoulders; 61% of participants in overhead sports and 70% of participants in contact sports resumed their preinjury activities. The recurrence rate for patients involved in overhead sports was 10% and for collision sports it was 14%. There were no recurrences in the case of patients whose sports involve minimum risk to the shoulder (cycling, jogging). Most recurrences were observed in patients with lax shoulders and small Bankart lesions.

Percutaneous fixation of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus.

Untreated 3- and 4-part fractures of the proximal humerus have a poor functional outcome. Open operation increases the risk of avascular necrosis and percutaneous reduction and fixation may be preferable. We report 27 patients, 9 with 3-part and 18 with 4-part fractures, treated by percutaneous reduction and screw fixation. Thirteen of the 4-part fractures were of the valgus type with no significant lateral displacement of the articular segment, and five showed significant shift. Instruments were introduced into the fracture through small incisions so that the fragments could be manoeuvred under the control of an image intensifier, taking advantage of ligamentotaxis as far as possible. A good reduction was achieved in most cases. The average follow-up was 24 months (18 to 47). All the 3-part fractures showed good to very good functional results, with an average Constant score of 91% (84% to 100%), and no signs of avascular necrosis. Good radiological results were achieved in 4-part fractures when impacted in valgus except for one patient with partial avascular necrosis of the head. In those with lateral displacement of the head, revision to a prosthesis was required in one patient because of avascular necrosis and in another because of secondary redisplacement of the fracture. Avascular necrosis was seen in 11% of 4-part fractures. The average Constant score in patients with 4-part fractures who did not need further operation was 87% (75% to 100%).

[Is the static external fixator a suitable method in the treatment of multi-fragmented fractures of the distal radius?]. / Ist der statische Fixateur externe eine geeignete Methode zur Behandlung von Mehrfragmentfrakturen des distalen Speichenendes?

We present a retrospective study of 21 patients treated with an external fixator for comminuted fractures of the distal radius from May 1993 until May 1994. Mean follow-up was 14.5 months after operation. The 21 patients were on average 59 years old. The distal radius fractures were classified according to the AO: Type A2 (four times), Type A3 (two times), Type C1 (one time), C2 (nine times), C3 (five times). We mounted the external fixator generally in a static way. After two weeks it was dynamized. The fixator was removed after four to at least six weeks. An additional osteosynthesis with Kirschner wires was performed in twenty cases. Three times we added a primary cancellous bone graft, in one case an implantation of Endobone was used.

[Rupture of the rotator cuff]. / Die Rotatorenmanschettenruptur.

The operative treatment of rotator cuff tears becomes more popular. New reliable diagnostic techniques improved operative procedures and as a very important fact the demanding of the patients to a normal function of the shoulder account for this development. Therefore every physician has to know exactly the reason, the clinical appearance and the course of this pathology. Beside conservative treatment, new operating techniques and the postoperative management will be shown.

The tendon defect after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the midthird patellar tendon--a problem for the patellofemoral joint?

Retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed on 41 patients seen at the Salzburg General Hospital Department of Traumatology on average 2 years following ACL reconstruction. In 26 patients (61%) clinical examination revealed pain trigger points over the donor site of the midthird patellar tendon and in the patellofemoral joint. Functional pain during kneeling activities was observed in 19 patients (46%). Objective measurement of the length of the patellar tendon in bilateral radiographs demonstrated exactly equal patellar tendon length in both knees in 11 patients (27%). The radiographs showed tendon shortening following harvesting of the midthird patellar tendon by 1-3 mm in 7 patients (17%), by 4-6 mm in 16 (39%), and by 6-9 mm in 7 (17%). Average length change in the patellar tendon on the donor side was -3 mm, representing a patellar tendon shortening of 9.8%. On the basis of the OAK score, however, good and very good results were recorded in 33 patients (80%). On the whole, these good overall results were compromised only be patellar tendon defect morbidity. In addition to the local scarring problems at the donor site, shortening of the patellar tendon was observed with changes to patella position and interference with the mechanics of the patellofemoral joint. Tendon shortening can be explained on the basis of cicatricial contraction in the process of autorepair to the tendon defect. The problems affecting the patellofemoral joint are inherent in the therapy and must be treated as a negative factor. In the case of patients whose work requires mainly a kneeling position and those who make significant functional demands of the extension system of the knee, a critical assessment is required of the use of the midthird patellar tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

[Late results after primary surgical care of recent knee ligament injuries]. / Spätergebnisse nach operativer Primärversorgung frischer Kniebandläsionen.

This report presents late results of primary suture of fresh ruptures of knee ligaments. Considering the rapid development of knee surgery the control of a surgical procedure practically unchanged since 15 years seems necessary. On the basis of these late results immediate suture of ruptured knee ligaments is a useful surgical procedure.