Early detected femoral neck insufficiency fracture in a patient treated with long-term bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis: A need for MRI.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical femoral fracture is an uncommon complication of prolonged use of bisphosphonates, mainly occurring in the femoral shaft. We report a case of an atraumatic insufficiency fracture of femoral neck after four years of treatment with a bisphosphonate. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 71-year-old female presented with history of pain on Lt. hip and difficulty in walking. Although there was no fracture on the radiographs, diagnosis could be made early using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. She was treated by internal fixation using cannulated screws. DISCUSSION: Because bisphosphonate prevents bone healing and remodeling, it is difficult to accomplish the bony union despite of proper treatment in patients who have fractured after long-term use of bisphosphonate. CONCLUSION: A high suspicion index and early diagnosis through the use of MRI are essential for the successful treatment of these fractures.

Timing of Hip-fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients: Literature Review and Recommendations.

The incidence of hip fractures is rapidly increasing with an aging population and is now one of the most important health concerns worldwide due to a high mortality rate. The effect of delayed surgery on postoperative outcomes has been widely discussed. Although various treatment guidelines for hip fractures in the elderly exist, most institutions recommend that operations are conducted as soon as possible to help achieve the most favorable outcomes. While opinions differ on the relationship between delayed surgery and postoperative mortality, a strong association between earlier surgery and improvement in postoperative outcomes (e.g., length of hospital stay, bedsore occurrence, return to an independent lifestyle), has been reported. Taken together, performing operations for hip fractures in the elderly within 48 hours of admission appears to be best practice. Importantly, however, existing evidence is based primarily on observational studies which are susceptible to inherent bias. Here, we share the results of a literature search to summarize data that helps inform the most appropriate surgical timing for hip fractures in the elderly and the effects of delayed surgery on postoperative outcome. In addition, we expect to be able to provide a more accurate basis for these correlations through a large-scale randomized controlled trial in the future and to present data supporting recommendations for appropriate surgical timing.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Intertrochanteric or Subtrochanteric Fractures Associated with Ipsilateral Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated with Closed Intramedullary Nailing: A Review of 31 Consecutive Cases over Four Years at a Single Institution.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures and assess the surgical outcomes of a novel, closed intramedullary nailing surgical approach designed to minimize fixation failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and April 2017, 31 patients with intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures treated with closed intramedullary nailing or long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were enrolled in this study. Preoperative data included age, sex, injury severity score, body mass index, location of shaft fracture, injury mechanism, accompanying traumatic injury, walking ability before injury, and surgical timing. Perioperative outcomes, including follow-up period, types of intramedullary nails, number of blocking screws used, operation time, and blood loss were assessed. Radiologic outcomes, including union rate, time from surgery to union, and femoral shortening, and clinical outcomes, including hip flexion, walking ability, and Harris hip score were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 29 unions (93.5%) were achieved. The time to union was 16.8 months (range, 11-25 months) for hip fractures (15.7 weeks for intertrochanteric fractures and 21.7 weeks for subtrochanteric fractures) and 22.8 months for femoral shaft fractures. There were no significant differences in surgical outcomes between the two groups except for type of intramedullary nail. CONCLUSION: Closed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures may be a good surgical option. However, fixation of femoral shaft fractures might not be sufficient depending on the implant design.

Iatrogenic dural tear in endoscopic lumbar spinal surgery: full endoscopic dural suture repair (Youn's technique).

BACKGROUND: With the advancement of minimally invasive spinal surgery, endoscopic lumbar decompression has been widely used for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal diseases. Iatrogenic dural tear is a relatively common complication in endoscopic lumbar spinal surgery. The golden standard of treatment for iatrogenic dural tear is immediate open conversion and direct repair under microscopic visualization. Recently, most of endoscopic spinal surgery is performed under local anesthesia. So, conversion to open surgery is very embarrassing situation because of the need of additional general anesthesia. But, direct endoscopic dural repair is very difficult procedure due to the limitation of manipulation. No report showed direct dural suture under full endoscopic situation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this surgical technique is to provide a method of full endoscopic dural suture repair without conversion to open surgery.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of two-level endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy.

PURPOSE: The efficacy and safety of endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (EPCF) have been demonstrated for single-level cervical radiculopathy, but no report in the medical literature has described the clinical results of two-level EPCF. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of two-level EPCF performed in patients with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients (9 females and 13 males) that underwent two-level EPCF with cervical radiculopathy from January 2012 to January 2014 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes were assessed before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively using visual analogue scale for neck and arm, neck pain and disability scale (NPDS), and neck disability index (NDI) scores. Radiological outcomes were assessed by measuring segmental lordosis (SL), C2-7 lordosis, and disc height index (DHI) before surgery and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean VAS, NPDS, and NDI scores were significant improved at 1 month postoperatively versus preoperative values and these improvements were maintained at 2 years after surgery. SL and C2-7 lordosis were significantly increased after surgery, and no instability in dynamic view was observed during the 2-year follow-up period. Percentage DHIs of operated discs were also maintained without significant change at 2 years after surgery. One patient suffered from transient motor palsy due to root retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Two-level EPCF can be safely preformed and should be considered an alternative to two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion or open posterior cervical foraminotomy in selected patients.

Is the dislocation rate higher after bipolar hemiarthroplasty in patients with neuromuscular diseases?

BACKGROUND: Patients with neuromuscular disease reportedly have a higher incidence of postoperative dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Although the literature has focused on a high prevalence of preoperative neurologic conditions in patients who had dislocations after bipolar hemiarthroplasties, the relative incidence of dislocation in patients with neuromuscular disease and without is unclear. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore (1) asked whether the incidence of postoperative dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty was greater in patients with neuromuscular disease than for those without, and (2) whether function differed between the two groups, and (3) explored potential risk factors for dislocation in two groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 190 patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasties for fracture of the femoral neck between 1996 and 2008. Of the 190 patients, 42 had various neuromuscular diseases and 148 had no history of neuromuscular disease. Intraoperative stability was tested and posterior soft tissue repair was performed in all patients. We determined the incidence of dislocation, postoperative leg length discrepancy, and femoral offset in patients with or without neuromuscular disease. RESULTS: The incidence of dislocation was 2.6% in all patients. We observed similar rates of dislocation in the two groups: 4.8% (two of 42 hips) in patients with neuromuscular disease and 2.0% (three of 148 hips) in patients without neuromuscular disease. CONCLUSIONS: In femoral neck fractures in patients with neuromuscular disease, careful preoperative management and operative technique such as a posterior soft tissue repair might decrease the risk of postoperative dislocation; therefore, we consider the bipolar hemiarthroplasty a reasonable treatment option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Posterior decompression and fusion in patients with multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis: a comparison of segmental decompression and wide decompression.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study. PURPOSE: We compared the outcomes of segmental decompression and wide decompression in patients who had multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis with back pain. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Wide decompression and fusion in patients with multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis may increase the risk of perioperative complications. METHODS: From March 2005 to December 2007, this study prospectively examined 87 patients with multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis and who were treated by segmental or wide decompression along with posterior fusion using pedicle screw fixation, and these patients could be followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Of the 87 patients, 45 and 42 patients were assigned to the segmental decompression group (group 1) and the wide decompression group (group 2), respectively. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of the patients in these two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in terms of the levels of postoperative pain based on the visual analogue scale, the Oswestry Disability Score, the clinical results based on the Kirkaldy-Willis Criteria, the complication rate or the posterior fusion rate. On the other hand, the mean operating times in groups 1 and 2 were 153 ± 32 minutes and 187 ± 36 minutes, respectively (p < 0.05). The amount of blood loss during surgery and on the first postoperative day was 840 ± 236 ml and 1,040 ± 301 ml in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that segmental decompression offers promising and reproducible clinical and radiological results for patients suffering from multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis.

Simultaneous anterior and posterior surgery in the management of tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess in patients with neurological deficits.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the treatment outcomes of performing simultaneous anterior and posterior surgery for patients with tuberculous spondylitis and psoas abscess. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although various treatment options have been used for spinal tuberculosis, there are only a few reports on the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess. METHODS: Between March 1997 and February 2006, we performed operations on 14 cases of tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess. All the cases underwent anterior debridement with an interbody bone graft and posterior fusion with using pedicle screws. RESULTS: Under the Frankel classification, 1 case improved by two grades, 10 cases improved by 1 grade and 3 cases demonstrated no change. The Kirkaldy-Willis functional outcomes were classified as excellent in 10 cases and good in 4. One year after surgery, bony union was confirmed in all 14 cases. The mean kyphotic angle of the spinal lesion was 12.4 degrees and the mean lordotic angle at the final follow-up was 6.4 degrees . Postoperative complications (superficial wound infections) were encountered in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that anterior debridement with interbody bone grafting and posterior instrumented fusion can provide satisfactory results for treating tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess in patients with neurological deficits.