Complications and Functional Outcome Following Operative Treatment of Talus Neck and Body Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Background: Central talar fractures are rare and often associated with impaired functional outcome. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and management of talus fractures, complications rates remain high and functional outcome is generally poor. This study aims to provide an overview of complication rates and functional outcome following operative treatment of talar neck and body fractures. This may help in clinical decision making by improving patients' expectation management and tailored treatment strategies. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted of studies published from January 2000 to July 2021 reporting functional outcome and/or complications following operative treatment of talar neck, body, or combined neck and body fractures. Keywords used were (Talar fracture) or (Talus fracture). Data on complication rates and functional outcome was extracted from selected articles. Results: A total of 28 articles were included in our analysis reporting 1086 operative treated talar fractures (755 neck [70%], 227 body fractures [21%], and 104 combined body and neck fractures [9%]). The mean follow-up was 48 (range 4-192) months. Complications occurred frequently with; 6% surgical site infection, 8% nonunion, 29% avascular necrosis, 64% osteoarthritis, and in 16% a secondary arthrodesis was necessary. A wide variety in functional outcome was reported; however, there seems to be a correlation between fracture classification and postoperative complications. Conclusion: Operative treatment of central talar fractures is associated with a high incidence of early and late complications and often leads to an impaired functional outcome. Standardization of talar fracture classification and scoring systems in combination with large sample-sized prospective studies are warranted to detect further predictive factors influencing tailormade treatment strategies and patient expectation management. Level of Evidence: Level III, Systematic review of case series and case-control studies.

Functional outcome and quality of life in surgically treated talar neck and body fractures; how is it affected by complications.

BACKGROUND: Since talus fractures are rare, study populations are frequently small. The aim of this study is to describe how surgical treatment of talar neck and body fractures and postoperative complications affect functional outcome and quality of life measured by validated questionnaires. METHODS: All patients following surgically treated talar neck and/or body fracture between January 2000 and December 2019 at a level 1 trauma center were included in this retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes were functional outcomes measured by Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), the Foot Function Index (FFI), and the Quality of Life (QOL) measured by the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between continuous variables and the outcome, and multivariable linear regression was used to identify the predictors of the functional outcome. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included, of which 73 responded to our questionnaires. The median follow-up time was 50.5 (interquartile range (IQR), 18.3-97.3) months. Our study showed the following results: a mean LEFS of 58.4 (range, 17-80), a median FFI of 15.7 (IQR, 3.5-35.2), a median EQ-5D index score of 0.83 (IQR, 0.81-1.00), a median patient satisfaction of 9.0 (IQR, 8.0-10.0), a patient reported health status of 76.8 (range, 20-100), and a mean AOFAS score of 75.7 (range, 28-100). Implant removal and secondary arthrodesis were associated with a reduced AOFAS outcome score (p=0.001, p<0.001), and implant removal was also a predictive factor for a less favorable LEFS outcome score (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent implant removal and/or secondary arthrodesis had poorer functional outcome compared to patients who did not undergo additional procedures. Careful consideration of re-intervention must be made in combination with patient expectation management. Future studies should focus on how to lower the rate of complications and the effect of secondary intervention with the use of validated questionnaires.

Management and Outcome of Hindfoot Trauma With Concomitant Talar Head Injury.

BACKGROUND: Talar head fractures account for 2.6% to 10% of all talar fractures and are often associated with concomitant musculoskeletal injuries. The current literature only describes a total of 14 patients with talar head fractures and, with that, guidelines for management are lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the management and long-term outcome of patients who have hindfoot trauma with concomitant talar head fractures. METHODS: This study includes a retrospective cohort of patients with talar head fractures. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, fracture characteristics, treatment, follow-up, and complications were reported. Functional outcome was assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Quality of life was measured by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Twenty-one patients with acute fractures of the talar head were identified. The mean follow-up time was 4.9 years. RESULTS: All patients sustained additional ipsilateral foot and/or ankle injuries. Fifteen patients had operative management of their talar head fracture. There were no postoperative wound infections and no cases of avascular necrosis. All fractures united, and 29% of patients developed posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The overall mean FFI score index was 34.2, and the mean AOFAS score was 70.7. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.74. CONCLUSION: Talar head fractures always coincided with other (foot) fractures. Management and long-term functional outcome were affected by the extent of associated injuries. Due to the low incidence and high complexity of talar head fractures, early referral to dedicated foot surgeons and centralization of complex foot surgery is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Lateral Process Fracture of the Talus: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Fracture of the lateral process of the talus (LPFT) is a frequently overlooked injury that can lead to severe complaints if not treated adequately. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment and long-term outcomes of LPFT through a review of the literature. Furthermore, we propose a modified classification based on severity and intra- or extra-articular location of LPFT. Patients diagnosed with LPFT and treated at a Level 1 trauma center between 2001 and 2018 were included. Fracture and treatment characteristics were recorded in combination with functional outcome and quality of life after a mean follow-up of 5.5 (range 0.8 to 17.2) years. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify all case series regarding patients with LPFT; 36 patients were included. According to our modified classification, 1 patient had type 1A (2.8%), 6 patients had type 1B (16.7%), 10 patients had type 2 (27.8%), 11 patients had type 3 (30.6%), 6 patients had type 4A (16.7%), and 2 patients had type 4B (5.6%). Twenty-eight patients underwent operative fixation (78%). The median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Score was 75 (range 12 to 100). The median Foot Function Index was 2 (range 0 to 9). The median score for the EuroQol-5D was 0.8 (range -0.5 to 1), and the median score for health status component was 75 (range 30 to 98). There is some room for conservative treatment of LPFT; however, we strongly believe that this should be considered only for nondisplaced, small-fragment, and extra-articular fractures. Surgical treatment leads to an overall good (long-term) outcome.

Functional Outcome and Quality of Life After Nonoperative Treatment of Posterior Process Fractures of the Talus.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the posterior process of the talus are frequently overlooked, possibly leading to nonunion, arthritis, and chronic pain. Given the rare occurrence, previous case series have been small and without functional outcome scores. Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence on outcomes after nonoperative and operative management of posterior process fractures of the talus. METHODS: All patients treated at a level 1 trauma center between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Patient, fracture, and treatment characteristics were collected, and functional outcome as well as quality of life were assessed. Twenty-nine patients with posterior process fractures of the talus were identified in our database. RESULTS: The most frequently seen mechanism of trauma was fall from height in 13 patients (44.8%). Twenty-two patients underwent primary arthrodesis or operative reduction and fixation of the fracture (75.9%). Eighty-two percent of the patients returned the questionnaires with a mean follow-up of 6 years. The 2 patients with primary arthrodesis were excluded from outcome analysis. The mean Foot Function Index score was 1.8 (range 0.0-10). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 78.7 points (range 0-100). The mean quality of life EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) index score was 0.78 (range -0.26 to 1). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) on overall patient satisfaction was 8.2 (range 1-10). CONCLUSION: Operative management of extended posterior talar fractures was found to provide good functional outcome, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Although the patients treated nonoperatively were found to have less severe injuries, they demonstrated worse overall outcome, which is supportive of surgical management. Nonoperative treatment is therefore only justified in selected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Extra-articular Medial Impression Fracture of the Talus: A Previously Undescribed Injury.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral fractures of the talus are uncommon. Almost all the literature regarding talar fractures consists of central intra-articular fractures, whereas studies about peripheral talar fractures are lacking. The aim of this study is to increase awareness in diagnosing an unusual peripheral extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. METHODS: This study includes a retrospective case series of patients with an extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, diagnostics, fracture characteristics, and treatment were reported. RESULTS: Eight consecutive patients with an extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus were identified. In 80%, the trauma mechanism was a supination or inversion injury of the ankle and foot. An X-ray was obtained in all patients; in 7 (88%) patients, a computed tomography scan was done, and an additional magnetic resonance imaging was done in 3 (38%) patients. In 4 patients (50%), the correct diagnosis was missed at first presentation. The delay between injury and diagnosis was 0 to 180 days (of 36 days on average). CONCLUSION: This is the first case series to describe patients with a peripheral extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. Good clinical examination and judicious use of diagnostic imaging are a necessity to find the talar impression fractures in a timely manner, and treatment can be started immediately. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Appendico-cutaneous fistula 20 years after groin hernia repair with a polypropylene plug.

The formation of an appendico-cutaneous fistula is rare. Few case reports have been published; most describe the formation of a fistula after appendicitis. Here we describe the case of a 79-year-old woman presenting with an appendico-cutaneous fistula after groin hernia repair. She was referred to our outpatient department with a painful mass in the right groin. An ultrasound showed a fluid containing mass. Incision and drainage was performed. After 9 weeks she was referred again with a persisting open wound. Fistulogram and CT scan showed a fistuleous tract involving the appendix. Wound culture showed Escherichia coli. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed an appendix stuck to the ventral wall of the abdomen without any sign of previous infection. After an appendectomy, pathological investigation revealed an appendix sana. After operation, the fistula persisted due to a polypropylene plug from the previous groin hernia correction. The (infected) plug was removed and the fistula healed.

[Surgery in patients with centrally-situated non-small cell lung carcinoma: lung-parenchymal sparing procedure versus pneumonectomy]. / Chirurgie bij patiënten met centraal gelegen niet-kleincellig longcarcinoom: longparenchymsparende ingreep versus pneumonectomie.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if lung-parenchymal sparing resection ('sleeve' resection) is a safe and oncologically responsible alternative to pneumonectomy in patients with central tumours. Further, to evaluate in how far this technique is being used in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Patients undergoing either lung-parenchymal sparing procedure or pneumonectomy for centrally situated non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) between January 1995 and January 2010 were included. Early mortality, perioperative complications, survival and disease-free survival in both groups were compared. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total 78 patients underwent sleeve resection and 89 pneumonectomy. Early mortality (during admission or within 30 days of operation) in the sleeve-resection group was 1.3% (1 patient), and 9.0% (8) (p = 0.038) in the pneumonectomy group. In the sleeve-resection group 6.4% (5) developed a bronchopleural fistula; in the pneumonectomy group this was 4.5% (4) (p=0.735). Median survival in the sleeve-resection group was 90 months, and 1- and 5-year-survival were 88 (SD: 4) and 61% (SD: 6), respectively. Median survival in the pneumonectomy group was 17 months, with a 1- and 5-year survival of 63 (SD: 5) and 24% (SD: 5), respectively. The difference in survival was significant (p <0.001; hazard ratio: 3.27; 95% CI: 2.11-5.08). The effect of TNM stage was not statistically significant in addition to operation (p = 0.079) and TNM stage was not a clear confounder: even after analysis the hazard ratio was 2.74. In the sleeve-resection group, after 5 years disease-free survival was 62% (SD: 7). In the pneumonectomy group, this was 34% (SD: 7) (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with centrally-situated NSCLC who undergo a lung-parenchymal sparing procedure have lower mortality and better survival than patients who undergo pneumonectomy.

Follow-up after pulmonary valve replacement in adults with tetralogy of Fallot: association between QRS duration and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze whether QRS duration, before and after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), is related to long-term outcome in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). BACKGROUND: Key factors that determine outcome after PVR in adult TOF patients are largely unknown. Recognition of such factors assists the identification of patients at increased risk of adverse events. METHODS: Adults who previously underwent total correction for TOF (n=90; age 31.4±10.3 years) and required PVR for pulmonary regurgitation were included. The QRS duration was measured pre-operatively and 6 months after PVR. The post-operative changes in QRS duration were calculated. Adverse events (death, re-PVR, ventricular tachycardia, and symptomatic heart failure) were noted during follow-up. RESULTS: During 5.5±3.5 years of follow-up, 13 adverse events occurred. The 5-year event-free survival rate was 76% for patients with a pre-operative QRS duration>180 ms and 90% in patients with a QRS duration≤180 ms (p=0.037). For patients with a post-operative QRS duration>180 ms, 5-year event-free survival was 71%, whereas it was 91% for patients with a post-operative QRS duration≤180 ms (p=0.004). After multivariate correction, a post-operative QRS duration>180 ms (hazard ratio: 3.685, 95% confidence interval: 1.104 to 12.304, p<0.05) and the absence of a reduction in QRS duration post-PVR (hazard ratio: 6.767, 95% confidence interval: 1.704 to 26.878, p<0.01), was significantly associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Severe QRS prolongation, before or after PVR, and the absence of a reduction in QRS duration after PVR, are major determinants of adverse outcome during long-term follow-up of patients with TOF.