Effects of repeated intravenous doses of tranexamic acid on closed tibial fracture healing: Experimental study based on the rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tranexamic acid on fracture healing in the rat tibia closed fracture model. METHODS: Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study, where closed fracture and intramedullary nailing were performed on their right tibial diaphyses. They were divided into 2 main groups, the experimental group, which was given weekly tranexamic acid injections, and the control group, which received no additional treatment. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed and evaluated for fracture healing at the first experimental group and control group, second experimental group and control group, third experimental group and control group, and fourth experimental group and control group weeks. Fracture healing was radiologically assessed according to the "Spencer Index" and "Lane and Sandhu Scoring System," and histologically evaluated according to the scoring system devised by Huo et al. Results: According to the Spencer Index, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the E3 group than in the third con- trol group (P = .014). Furthermore, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the fourth experimental group compared to the fourth control group (P=.047). According to the Lane and Sandhu Scoring System, only the mean union scores of the E3-4 groups were statistically significantly higher than the mean union scores of the C3-4 groups (P=.048). There was no histological difference between groups in terms of union, according to the criteria defined by Huo et al (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study showed us that repeated intravenous administrations of tranexamic acid had no negative effect on fracture heal- ing in the rat tibia fracture model. Although tranexamic acid demonstrated better radiological healing in the late period, it had no effect on histological union.

Radiological measurement parameters of distal radius and wrist measured on X-rays in the Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the radiologic morphometry of the distal radius and wrist to assess acceptable limits for restoring normal wrist function after fracture. METHODS: Radiological measurement parameters were measured retrospectively on anteroposterior and lateral (LAT) wrist radiographs (n=981). Radiological measurement parameters were volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, radiocarpal angle, and volar angulation angle. The patients' age, gender, and side of the radiograph were recorded as demographic data. RESULTS: The mean volar tilt angle was 15.4±4.3 degrees. The mean radial inclination angle in males was 26.8±3.6 degrees. The mean radial height was 13.6±2.1 mm. The mean ulnar variance was 0.8±1.9 mm. One hundred and eighty-nine patients had negative ulnar variances. The mean radiocarpal angle was 12.3±2.7. The mean volar angulation angle was 32.1±6.9 degrees. Radial height was found to be positively correlated with radial inclination (p<0.001; r: 601), but it was not significantly correlated with ulnar variance (p=0.14). CONCLUSION: Distal radius fractures are one of the most common types of fractures. Radiological measurement parameters were used in the determination and follow-up of the treatment. The values obtained in this study belong to the Turkish population. These values may be used as reference values in determining the quality of reduction after fracture and in the design of suitable implants for fracture treatment.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Results of Lateral Retinacular Release or Lateral Retinacular Lengthening Methods Combined With Medial Retinaculum Plication in Patellofemoral Instability.

Introduction In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent medial retinaculum plication (MRP) combined with lateral retinacular release (LRR) or lateral retinacular lengthening (LRL) with the diagnosis of patellofemoral (PF) instability. Methods In our study, we retrospectively analyzed 75 knees of 75 adult patients (43 females and 32 males) who underwent MRP+LRR or MRP+LRL due to PF instability without osseous pathologies. Patients were divided into two groups (MRP+LRR and MRP+LRL) according to the surgical method. The clinical and radiological results of the two groups were compared. Results MRP+LRL surgery was performed on 45 knees and MRP+LRR surgery on 30 knees. The mean age was 26.5 (18-43) years. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the change in patellar lateral shift (PLS) (p=0.429) and congruence angle (CA) (p=0.218) values. However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the change in patellar tilt angle (PTA) (p=0.009) and lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA) (p<0.001) values. The change in PTA and LPFA values was higher in the MRP+LRL group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of pre-operative and post-operative Lysholm knee scoring scale (p=0.205, p=0.228), Kujala pain scale (p=0.393, p=0.596), and Tegner activity level scale values (p=0.121, p=0.899). Conclusions MRP+LRR or MRP+LRL provided successful results for correcting the instability in PF instability without osseous pathologies such as patella alta, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) dysplasia, trochlea dysplasia, genu valgus, and tibial-femoral torsion. While PTA and LPFA values improved more with the MRP-LRL method, clinical results were similar in both methods.

Does Presence of Femoral Arterial Calcification Have an Effect on Postoperative Complication and Mortality in Patients With Hip Fracture?

Introduction In this study, we investigated the relationship between femoral arterial calcification on preoperative hip radiography and post-operative complications and all-time mortality rates in patients with hip fracture >65 years old. Methods This retrospective study was conducted by evaluating the records of patients who were operated for hip fractures. All patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of lower extremity arterial calcification (LEAC) at the femoral artery which was diagnosed using the hip radiograph. The patients with and without the presence of LEAC were assigned as groups 1 and 2, respectively. A multivariate Cox algorithm was applied to recognize whether this radiological factor is independently associated with survival. Results The study included 530 patients (540 hips; 191 males and 339 females) with an average age of 80.8 ± 7.6 years. In the study after 24.8±19.9 months (range:0-65 months) follow-up period, 336 (63.3%) patients had expired. Conversely, 194 (36.7%) patients are surviving. Survival rates at one month and one year after surgery were 89.5% and 65.7%, respectively. 234 of 540 hips (230 patients) have LEAC on the femoral artery. The survival rate at one month, one year, and overall survival were significantly higher in patients with LEAC. The postoperative infection rate was also two times higher in patients with LEAC than without LEAC (p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, treatment modality (hemiarthroplasty), and the presence of femoral arterial calcification were independently associated with poor overall survival. Conclusions In our study, we found that the presence of femoral arterial calcification on the affected side of the hip identified on hip radiograph was independently associated with poor one month, one year, and overall survival as the patients had 1.5 times higher mortality rate. Additionally, a significant correlation was found between age and survival of patients with hip fracture, especially patients >80 years old.

The Survival of Well-Fixed Cementless Femoral Component After Isolated Acetabular Component Revision.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether isolated acetabular component revision or both component revision surgeries should be performed in patients with stable femoral component. The present study aimed to evaluate the survival of patients with unrevised stable uncemented femoral stem who underwent isolated acetabular component revision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in patients who underwent isolated acetabular component revision and had stable uncemented femoral component during revision hip arthroplasty between February 1998 and December 2009. Demographic data of the patients included age, previous surgery, complications, duration between primary and revision surgery, and duration between revision and latest follow-up. Functional results were analyzed using Harris Hip Score (HHS). RESULTS: Fifteen hips of thirteen patients were included in the study with a mean age of 62.08 ± 12.9 years. Average time from THA to the isolated acetabular revision was 9.2 ± 3.48 years. Average follow-up time from revision to the latest follow-up was 12.39 ± 2.68 years, and femoral components had been followed for an average of 21.6 ± 4.06 years since the time of implantation. Average HHS of the patients were 53 before revision surgery and 81.9 at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The 10-year survival rate of patients who underwent revision in the femoral component was 100%, whereas their 15-year survival rate was 93.3%. None of the acetabular components required revision. CONCLUSION: Isolated revision of acetabular component may be considered if there is stable uncemented femoral component in revision THA. Acetabular reconstruction quality, acetabular and unrevised femoral component survival are not affected by retaining well-fixed femoral component. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4, retrospective cohort study.

The great mimicker at thoracolumbar spine: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To report two cases with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) in thoracolumbar spine with very different presentation. METHODS: Case 1; An 84-year-old female patient was admitted to our emergency clinic with paraparesis in both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass at the level of the T12 vertebrae. She was operated immediately with wide laminectomy and posterior instrumentation because of the paraparesis of both lower extremities. Case 2; An 70-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with thoracolumbar back pain. There was a T12 vertebra compression fracture view in the X-ray imaging. MRI revealed multiple infiltrations in medullar canale at thoracolumbar spine with lytic lesion. She underwent eight cycles of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Multiple bone involvement was detected in both cases in PET-CT (Positron emission tomography-computed tomography) scans. Additionally it was found that there were nodal involvements accompanying these involvements in case 1. Because radiological examinations were not spesific enough to diagnose, it was necessary to perform a biopsy. The histopathological diagnosis of these patients revealed diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that are localized in thoracolumbar spine is often missed or delayed due to lack of specific findings and presence similarities to other diseases. Diagnosis is made by histopathologic examination. Although the main treatment is chemotherapy for these patients, surgery is necessary for patients with neurological deficite.

Hip fractures in patients older than 75 years old: Retrospective analysis for prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: Proximal femoral fractures are often seen in older patients and are associated with high mortality. Introduction to old age population is latening due to advancements in medical sciences and increasing life expectancy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate factors affecting mortality in patients above 75 years of age who had been operated because of proximal femur fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with age 75 and over who suffers from post-fall proximal femoral fracture who underwent surgery with one of following three methods (hemiarthroplasty, proximal femoral nail or total hip arthroplasty) were evaluated retrospectively. Effects on mortality were examined for factors such as type of surgery, type of anesthesia, preoperative ASA score (American Society of Anesthesiologists Score), need for intensive care, need for blood transfusion, operation waiting time and hospitalization duration. 115 patients who met inclusion criterion were included in the study out of 224 overall. 75 patients were women and 40 were males. RESULTS: Mortality rate after first year was found to be 40%. Patients over 85 years old had higher rates of mortality (p = 0,0003) than respectively younger patients (75-85). Sex was found to have no impact on mortality (p = 0.5039). There was no statistically significant difference in terms ASA score (p = 0.1518). Order of applied surgical methods with mortality risk rates was found to be total hip arthroplasty > hemiarthroplasty > proximal femoral nail (p = 0.0003). Type of anesthesia, the use of cement during arthroplasty, operation waiting time and hospitalization duration was not directly related with mortality rate (type of anesthesia p = 0.63, the use of cement during arthroplasty p = 0.223, operation waiting time p = 0.5 and hospitalization duration p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Age is the primary risk factor on first year mortality in patients older than 75 years old with hip fractures. Addition to older age, more need to blood transfusions, and arthroplasty are other risk factors for first year mortality. It should be kept in mind that after 75 years old first year mortality may be higher if the patient is treated with arthroplasty.