Radiographic evaluation of the glenohumeral joint space in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the beach-chair position.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder arthroscopy can be performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus or beach-chair position, but in both cases, glenohumeral (GH) joint spaces must be increased to improve visualization and allow access of the optical instrument. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of limb setup and longitudinal traction on the opening of the GH space with patients placed in the beach-chair (dorsal decubitus) position. METHODS: GH spaces at 3 test points corresponding to the anatomic locations of Bankart lesions were determined indirectly from radiographic images obtained from 67 patients presenting shoulder pathology with an indication for arthroscopic surgery. Measurements were made with the operative limb in neutral rotation and positioned in relation to the coronal plane in adduction, 45° of abduction, or adduction with an axillary spacer, in each case with and without longitudinal traction. RESULTS: GH spaces were optimized at 2 of 3 test points when the operative limb was positioned in adduction or neutral rotation and manual longitudinal traction was applied with or without a polystyrene spacer placed under the axilla, but use of the spacer was essential to maximize the GH space at all 3 locations. In contrast, 45° of abduction proved to be the least appropriate position because it afforded the smallest GH space values with or without traction. CONCLUSION: Appropriate positioning of the patient on the operating table is a critical aspect of shoulder arthroscopy. Radiographic images revealed that adducted upper-limb traction with the use of an axillary spacer in patients in the beach-chair position generates a significant increase in the GH space in the lower half of the glenoid cavity, thereby facilitating visualization and access of the optical equipment to the GH compartments.

Fratura extra-articular da extremidade medial da clavícula associada à luxação acromioclavicular tipo IV: relato de caso / Extra-articular fracture of the medial end of the clavicle associated with type IV acromioclavicular dislocation: case report

Ocorrendo isoladamente, as fraturas da clavícula e as luxações acromioclaviculares são lesões muito comuns. A combinação de uma luxação acromioclavicular e de uma fratura do terço lateral da clavícula não é rara. Entretanto, existem muito poucos casos descritos de luxações acromioclaviculares associadas a fraturas do terço médio da clavícula; aquelas associadas a fraturas do terço medial são ainda mais raras. Nós reportamos o caso de um indivíduo adulto do sexo masculino que sofreu uma luxação acromioclavicular (tipo IV) associada a uma fratura extra-articular desviada da extremidade medial da clavícula (grupo 3 de Almann) em um acidente ciclístico. O paciente foi tratado na fase aguda com redução aberta e fixação interna das duas lesões. Na avaliação clínica, 12 meses após a cirurgia, o paciente apresentava-se assintomático, com mobilidade ativa e passiva completa, força e resistência normais e simetria das cinturas escapulares. As radiografias e a tomografia computadorizada tridimensional mostravam subluxação posterossuperior persistente da articulação acromioclavicular e consolidação anatômica da fratura clavicular.

Fractures of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocations are very common injuries when they occur separately. The combination of an acromioclavicular dislocation and a fracture of the lateral third of the clavicle is not rare. However, there are very few reported cases of acromioclavicular dislocations associated with fractures of the middle third of the clavicle; those associated with fractures of the medial third are even rarer. We report the case of an adult male who suffered an acromioclavicular dislocation (type IV) associated with a displaced extra-articular fracture of the medial end of the clavicle (Almann group 3) in a cycling accident. The patient was treated during the acute phase with open reduction and internal fixation of the two lesions. At the clinical evaluation 12 months after the surgery, the patient was asymptomatic, with full active and passive mobility, and normal strength and endurance of the shoulder girdle. Radiographs and a three-dimensional CT scan showed persistent posterosuperior subluxation of the acromioclavicular joint and anatomical consolidation of the clavicular fracture.

EXTRA-ARTICULAR FRACTURE OF THE MEDIAL END OF THE CLAVICLE ASSOCIATED WITH TYPE IV ACROMIOCLAVICULAR DISLOCATION: CAAE REPORT.

Fractures of the clavicle and acromioclavicular dislocations are very common injuries when they occur separately. The combination of an acromioclavicular dislocation and a fracture of the lateral third of the clavicle is not rare. However, there are very few reported cases of acromioclavicular dislocations associated with fractures of the middle third of the clavicle; those associated with fractures of the medial third are even rarer. We report the case of an adult male who suffered an acromioclavicular dislocation (type IV) associated with a displaced extra-articular fracture of the medial end of the clavicle (Almann group 3) in a cycling accident. The patient was treated during the acute phase with open reduction and internal fixation of the two lesions. At the clinical evaluation 12 months after the surgery, the patient was asymptomatic, with full active and passive mobility, and normal strength and endurance of the shoulder girdle. Radiographs and a three-dimensional CT scan showed persistent posterosuperior subluxation of the acromioclavicular joint and anatomical consolidation of the clavicular fracture.

Dispositivo de tração do membro superior para osteossínteses intramedulares bloqueadas anterógradas de fraturas diafisárias de úmero / Upper limb traction device for anterograde intramedullary locked nail of humeral shaft fractures

As fraturas diafisárias de fêmur e tíbia no adulto são, na sua maioria, tratadas cirurgicamente, geralmente através de osteossínteses intramedulares bloqueadas. Algumas fraturas diafisárias cominutivas e/ou muito desviadas podem representar um verdadeiro desafio técnico. As mesas de fraturas (ou ortopédicas), que permitem a estabilização instrumental vertical, horizontal e rotacional do membro, facilitam enormemente as manobras de redução e de colocação do implante e são amplamente utilizadas pelos cirurgiões ortopédicos. As fraturas diafisárias de úmero são, na sua maioria, tratadas não cirurgicamente. Entretanto, algumas requerem o tratamento cirúrgico, cujas indicações estão bem definidas na literatura. Podem ser fixadas através de placas ou de hastes intramedulares por via anterógrada ou retrógrada. No úmero, as manobras de redução da fratura e estabilização do membro para a implantação da haste intramedular são realizadas manualmente, geralmente por dois auxiliares e, por serem sujeitas à fadiga muscular, podem ser menos eficientes. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um dispositivo externo de tração do membro superior para utilização em osteossínteses intramedulares bloqueadas anterógradas de fraturas diafisárias de úmero que permite a estabilização vertical, horizontal e rotacional do membro superior, de maneira similar àquela utilizada para os membros inferiores. O dispositivo é portátil, de construção simples, e pode ser instalado em qualquer mesa cirúrgica equipada com trilhos laterais. Foi utilizado no tratamento cirúrgico de 29 fraturas diafisárias de úmero com haste intramedular bloqueada anterógrada. Nossa experiência foi extremamente positiva. Não tivemos nenhuma complicação relacionada à sua utilização, que acreditamos ter facilitado, de maneira notável, os procedimentos cirúrgicos.

Diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia in adults are mostly treated surgically, usually by means of intramedullary locked nail. Some comminuted and/or very deviated shaft fractures can represent a real technical challenge. The fracture table, which allows for the vertical, horizontal and rotational instrumental stabilization of the limb, greatly facilitates reduction and implant placement maneuvers and are widely used by orthopedic surgeons. Humeral shaft fractures are mostly treated nonsurgically. However, some whose indications are well defined in literature require surgical treatment. They can be fixed by plates, or by anterograde or retrograde intramedullary nail. In the humerus, limb fracture reduction and stabilization maneuvers for implantation of intramedullary nails are done manually, usually by 2 assistants. Because they are subject to muscle fatigue, this option may be less efficient. The aim of this paper is to present an external traction device for use in anterograde intramedullary fixation of humerus shaft fractures that allows vertical, horizontal and rotational stabilization of the upper limb similarly to that used in the lower limbs. The device is portable, of simple construction, and can be installed on any operating table equipped with side rails. It was used in the surgical treatment of 29 humeral shaft fractures with anterograde locked intramedullary nail. Our experience was extremely positive. We had no complications related to its use and we believe it to have facilitated the surgical procedures in a remarkable way.

UPPER LIMB TRACTION DEVICE FOR ANTEROGRADE INTRAMEDULLARY LOCKED NAIL OF HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES.

Diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia in adults are mostly treated surgically, usually by means of intramedullary locked-nail osteosynthesis. Some comminuted and/or highly deviated shaft fractures may present a veritable technical challenge. Fracture (or orthopedic) tables, which enable vertical, horizontal and rotational instrumental stabilization of the limb, greatly facilitate reduction and implant placement maneuvers and are widely used by orthopedic surgeons. Humeral shaft fractures are mostly treated nonsurgically. However, some cases with indications that are well defined in the literature require surgical treatment. They can be fixed by means of plates or intramedullary nails, using anterograde or retrograde routes. In the humerus, fracture reduction and limb stabilization maneuvers for implantation of intramedullary nails are done manually, usually by two assistants. Because muscle fatigue may occur, this option may be less efficient. The aim of this paper is to present an external upper-limb traction device for use in anterograde intramedullary locked-nail osteosynthesis of humeral shaft fractures that enables vertical, horizontal and rotational stabilization of the upper limb, in a manner similar to the device used for the lower limbs. The device is portable, of simple construction, and can be installed on any operating table equipped with side rails. It was used for surgical treatment of 29 humeral shaft fractures using an anterograde locked intramedullary nail. Our experience was extremely positive. We did not have any complications relating to its use and we believe that it notably facilitated the surgical procedures.

Beach chair position with instrumental distraction for arthroscopic and open shoulder surgeries.

Arthroscopy is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder disorders. It can be performed in the lateral or sitting position (beach chair). Both have advantages and disadvantages. We present a simple, inexpensive, versatile, portable, continuous distraction device for arthroscopic, combined, and open shoulder surgeries in the sitting position that offers the advantages of the 2 classic positions without their disadvantages. The device was used in 101 consecutive procedures: 61 rotator cuff repairs (29 arthroscopic, 18 mini-open, 14 open), 4 two-part humeral fractures, 1 septic arthritis, 3 calcifying tendinitis, 9 capsular releases, 8 Bankart repairs (6 arthroscopic, 2 open), 13 acromioplasty and biceps tenotomy, and 2 superior labrum anteroposterior repairs. Our experience with this device is extremely positive. We have had no complications and have used it for shoulder arthroscopy, open, and combined surgeries. We have also not had difficulty visualizing or approaching the glenohumeral and subacromial spaces in the treatment of shoulder disorders. It is a safe, practical, easy, and fast set up. Its versatility makes it particularly helpful for the less experienced arthroscopic surgeon.