Midterm Donor Site Morbidity After Vascularized Free Fibula Flap Harvesting.

BACKGROUND: Vascularized fibula grafts (VFGs) have become one of the most preferred grafts for the reconstruction of bone defects. However, despite the many advantages over other graft options, recipient and donor site morbidities are also common. Donor site morbidity has been reported at rates ranging from 5% to 67%. The aim of this study was to present a single-center series examining the clinical, functional, and radiologic aspects of donor site morbidity following VFG harvesting. METHODS: The study included 69 patients who underwent biological reconstruction with VFG for bone tumors, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, or bone defects after trauma. Patients were evaluated functionally, clinically, and radiologically for donor site morbidity. RESULTS: Donor site morbidity was observed in 33 of 69 patients (48%). The most complications were sensation deficits around the feet and ankles (20 of 69; 29%). Knee laxity was more common in patients who underwent osteoarticular fibular resection (P = .006). CONCLUSION: We found VFG to be an effective method for the reconstruction of large bone defects, but associated with a relatively high rate of complications. Complications requiring surgical intervention were rare and the majority of patients did not have long-term functional limitations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

The John Hopkins classification system used in pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures requires more experience than the Gartland system.

The Gartland classification is used to decide on surgery. In contrast, the John Hopkins classification system predicts clinical outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and determines the risk of reduction loss. This study aims to investigate the usability of the Gartland and the John Hopkins classification systems by pediatric and general orthopedic surgeons. The preoperative images of 200 patients who presented at a tertiary-level trauma center with a supracondylar humerus fracture were examined by 4 observers, twice at an interval of 6 weeks. The observers comprised 2 pediatric orthopedic surgeons and 2 orthopedics and traumatology surgeons. Inter- and intra-observer reliability were excellent for the first and second measurements of the Gartland classification. The inter-observer agreement of the pediatric orthopedic surgeons and the general orthopedic surgeons was found to be similar (ICC >90). Inter-observer reliability was excellent (ICC: 0.808) and good (ICC: 0.732) for the measurements of the John Hopkins classification, respectively. The inter-observer agreement of the pediatric orthopedic surgeons and the general orthopedic surgeons was not similar. The inter-observer agreement between the two pediatric orthopedic surgeons was excellent for the measurements (ICC: 0.868; ICC: 0.756, respectively). The inter-observer agreement between the two general orthopedic surgeons was good for the measurements (ICC: 0.605; ICC: 0.663, respectively). The John Hopkins classification system has good intra- and inter-observer reliability, and a high experience level increases the agreement. The Gartland classification system was not affected by experience. This should be considered when taking measurements in studies and patient management.

Reliability of Gordon Lateral Rotation Percentage and Prabhakar Percentage of Metaphyseal Overhang for Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fracture; Is it Clinically Reliable for John Hopkins Classification Coronal Fracture Subtypes?

BACKGROUND: Rotational malalignment is a common problem in pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF). Several techniques have been described to evaluate the true rotation value. Although the Prabhakar and Gordon techniques are used frequently, their superiority to each other in terms of measurement quality is unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical compatibility of the 2 techniques and to evaluate whether they are suitable for all subtypes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 40 patients with SCHF (including subtypes; Typical, Medial Oblique, Lateral Oblique, and High fracture pattern). The Gordon lateral rotation percentage and Prabhakar percentage of metaphyseal overhang were measured twice by 4 experienced Orthopedics and Traumatology surgeons at 8-week intervals. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability were examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability for Gordon and Prabhakar technique was 0.816 and 0.762 for the first measurement and 0.811 and 0.811 for the second measurement, respectively.The medial oblique fracture pattern was determined to have the best interobserver agreement among the subtypes. The result was excellent for the medial and lateral oblique subtypes, good for the typical fracture pattern, and fair for the high fracture pattern. The intraobserver reliability for Gordon and Prabhakar technique was excellent, 0.924 and 0.922, respectively. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study was that the Gordon and Prabhakar techniques have similar interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Although the Gordon technique tends to have higher interobserver reliability, the difference was clinically insignificant. These measurements should not be relied upon in cases of SCHF with a high fracture pattern because of the different anatomic features of that region. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Is radiological rotation measurement affected by the fracture pattern in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures?

BACKGROUND: In supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF), the most frequently used method to calculate rotation is the Gordon lateral rotation percentage (GLRP) defined by Gordon et al. However, this technique includes only typical fractures (49%-80% of all fractures) from the Johns Hopkins (J-H) fracture classification system. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate (1) is Gordon criteria useful for John Hopkins subgroups of supracondylar fractures and (2) is Gordon criteria affected by internal and external rotation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed using four pediatric left humerus bones obtained from the Sawbone© company. For each bone, an osteotomy was made to mimic each of the J-H coronal fracture patterns. The cut bones were placed in a wooden rotation apparatus. The GLRP measurements were taken by five blinded observers. RESULTS: In the repeated measurements of the observers, <20° rotation typical and <30° medial oblique and lateral oblique fracture pattern were measured as within the limits of an acceptable amount of rotation according to the Gordon criteria. However, for high fracture pattern (HFP), ≤30° internal rotation and <60° external rotation were determined to be within the acceptable rotation criteria according to the Gordon criteria. CONCLUSIONS: All fracture patterns have different characteristics; however, based on the data of this study, the Gordon criteria can be used safely for typical, medial oblique, and lateral oblique fracture patterns but it is necessary to lower the acceptable rate of 50% for HFP.

The growth plate: a physiologic overview.

The growth plate is the cartilaginous portion of long bones where the longitudinal growth of the bone takes place. Its structure comprises chondrocytes suspended in a collagen matrix that go through several stages of maturation until they finally die, and are replaced by osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and lamellar bone.The process of endochondral ossification is coordinated by chondrocytes and a variety of humoral factors including growth hormone, parathyroid hormone, oestrogen, growth factors, cytokines, and various signalling pathways.Chondrocytes progress from a resting state to enter the phases of proliferation and hypertrophy. Under the influence of oestrogen, the proliferation of chondrocytes decreases as the resting chondrocytes are consumed. During the terminal phase of differentiation, cartilage is replaced by blood vessels and organized bone tissue, and once chondrocytes have died, the longitudinal growth of the bone ceases and the growth plate closes.The highly complex regulatory signals involved in this process are genetically determined, and genetic perturbations in any of the associated genes can result in abnormalities of bone growth. Hundreds of chondrodysplasias have been described, pointing to the complexity of the humoral control systems involved in endochondral ossification.While our knowledge of the mechanisms behind the various bone growth control systems is improving, a deeper understanding of the underlying processes could aid clinicians to better understand bone health and bone growth abnormalities. This review describes the current clinical research into the physiology of the growth plate. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:498-507. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190088.

Comparison of mesenchymal stem cell sheets and chondrocyte sheets in a rabbit growth plate injury model

Background/aim: The treatment of posttraumatic deformities and differences in length between the extremities resulting from physeal injury remains controversial. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of tissue-engineered, monolayer, and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell sheets and chondrocyte sheets for physeal arrest treatment and to investigate cell sheet technology as a novel method for cell transplantation in physeal cartilage repair. Materials and methods: A proximal tibial physeal injury was induced in New Zealand rabbits. Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes were cultured in temperature-responsive culture dishes and applied to the iatrogenic partial growth plate defects in single-sheet grafts (cell sheets). Treatment efficacy was determined using radiological measurements, as well as histological and immunohistochemical staining. Results: Treatment with MSCs and chondrocytes prevented endochondral ossification in the physeal plate, and bone growth resumed after treatment in both the MSC and chondrocyte cell groups. We found significant differences in radiological evaluations between pre- and posttreatment measurements in both MSC and chondrocyte groups. Transplanted cells were observed in the damaged area in both of the groups, which differentiated in the direction of growth plate cartilage. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that MSC or chondrocyte transplantation using the cell-sheet technique described in the present study aids in the regeneration of cartilage tissue during physeal arrest after growth plate damage.