Prevention of recurrent hip fracture.

Our objective was to describe the interventions aimed at preventing a recurrent hip fracture, and other injurious falls, which were provided during hospitalization for a first hip fracture and during the two following years. A secondary objective was to study some potential determinants of these preventive interventions. The design of the study was an observational, two-year follow-up of patients hospitalized for a first hip fracture at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. The participants were 163 patients (median age 82 years, 83% women) hospitalized in 1991 for a first hip fracture, among 263 consecutively admitted patients (84 did not meet inclusion criteria, e.g., age>50, no cancer, no high energy trauma, and 16 refused to participate). Preventive interventions included: medical investigations performed during the first hospitalization and aimed at revealing modifiable pathologies that raise the risk of injurious falls; use of medications acting on the risk of falls and fractures; preventive recommendations given by medical staff; suppression of environmental hazards; and use of home assistance services. The information was obtained from a baseline questionnaire, the medical record filled during the index hospitalization, and an interview conducted 2 years after the fracture. Potential predictors of the use of preventive interventions were: age; gender; destination after discharge from hospital; comorbidity; cognitive functioning; and activities of daily living. Bi- and multivariate associations between the preventive interventions and the potential predictors were measured. In hospital investigations to rule out medical pathologies raising the risk of fracture were performed in only 20 patients (12%). Drugs raising the risk of falls were reduced in only 17 patients (16%). Preventive procedures not requiring active collaboration by the patient (e.g., modifications of the environment) were applied in 68 patients (42%), and home assistance was provided to 67 patients (85% of the patients living at home). Bivariate analyses indicated that prevention was less often provided to patients in poor general conditions, but no ascertainment of this association was found in multivariate analyses. In conclusion, this study indicates that, in the study setting, measures aimed at preventing recurrent falls and injuries were rarely provided to patients hospitalized for a first hip fracture at the time of the study. Tertiary prevention could be improved if a comprehensive geriatric assessment were systematically provided to the elderly patient hospitalized for a first hip fracture, and passive preventive measures implemented.

[Urethral trauma: retrospective study of 15 years]. / Les traumatismes de l'urètre: étude rétrospective sur 15 ans.

In urethral traumas are included pendulous, bulbar and prostatomembranous injuries generally associated with a pelvic fracture or a symphysis diastasis. Because of the possible sequelae concerning potency and urethral stricture of prostatomembranous disruptions in peculiar, treatment remains controversial. Authors present a retrospective series of 27 patients (26 males, 1 female) treated during these last 15 years to try to modify or redefine their strategy and to choose the harmless method of treatment by a multidisciplinary approach between the anaesthesiologist, the traumatologist and the urologist.

[Prospective surveillance of nosocomial infections in a traumatology and orthopedics service]. / Surveillance prospective des infections nosocomiales dans un service de traumatologie et orthopédie.

From May 1989 to February 1990, 1164 patients were followed in the Service of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology at the CHUV, for the development of nosocomial infections (N.I.), in particular postoperative wound infections. Among them, 439 patients were treated conservatively and 725 underwent 833 operations. The global incidence of N.I. was 7.7/100 admissions. Urinary tract infections represented 57% of all N.I., postoperative wound infections represented 21% (with 12% superficial and 9% deep infections), pneumonias represented 20% (5 deaths), bacteriemias represented 2% (1 death) of the cases. The rate of infections was 1.1% for clean surgical interventions (n = 549), 0% for clean-contaminated operations (n = 87), 7.5% for contaminated operations (n = 40), 22.8% for dirty operations and 1.6% for unclassified operations (n = 122). Among the 19 postoperative wound infections, 6 were diagnosed after the patients were discharged. In conclusion, postoperative wound infections constituted only 20% of all N.I. observed in the Service of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology and the rates of infection according to the types of interventions were low. On the other hand, 80% of the N.I. were observed at sites other then the wounds and were associated with a 0.5% mortality rate.

Treatment of large bone defects with the Ilizarov technique.

Between 1985 and 1990 we treated 11 large segmental bone defects (average 6.7 cm) in ten patients with the Ilizarov technique. Open fractures, type III according to Gustilo, represented the largest group (8 of 11 cases). The average delay before the Ilizarov technique was initiated was 8.9 months. The external fixator was usually maintained for 1 year. Bone regeneration was obtained in every case. Consolidation was not fulfilled with this technique in three cases. The complications observed were one refracture, four leg-length discrepancies (average 1.5 cm), and five axial deformities exceeding 5 degrees. No pin-track infection was observed. In our limited series of four type IIIC open fractures treated by the Ilizarov technique, no patients required amputation. The Ilizarov technique is particularly useful in the treatment of large bone defects, without major complications, especially if there is an adequate initial debridement.

[Progressive correction of an ulnar deviation of the hand following defective healing of the 2 forearm bones and probable sequellae of a Volkmann contracture]. / Correction progressive d'une déviation cubitale de la main après cal vicieux des deux os de l'avant-bras et séquelles probables d'un Volkmann.

The authors describe the progressive correction of a deformed forearm and an ulnar deviation of the hand as a result of a bullet wound. The injury comprised a fracture of the two bones of the forearm, with deformed callus and after effects of a probable Volkmann syndrome. The correction was obtained after 10 months. This report illustrates the interest and the difficulty presented by osteogenesis by distraction and osteotomy with a minimal cutaneous wound. This allows the reduction of risk to the cutaneum and vessels involved in extemporaneous corrections.

[Pertrochanteric fracture in elderly subjects. Prospective non-randomized studies]. / Les fractures pertrochantériennes du sujet âgé. Etude prospective non randomisée.

During a two-year period 237 patients were admitted for intertrochanteric fracture of the femur. 196 patients were included in this study with an average age of 79 years. Surgery comprised 163 nailings (Ender-Kempf), 31 blade plates and 2 prostheses. In this study the mortality rate and general complications were essentially related to the age and general condition of the patient; the general complications did not differ between methods. Walking ability at 6 months chiefly depended on the patient's general condition before the fall. The techniques allowing immediate weight-bearing diminished the length of hospitalization. Reoperation was required in 4% of nailings and 6.5% of blade plates.

Energy balance in elderly patients after surgery for a femoral neck fracture.

To study energy and protein balances in elderly patients after surgery, spontaneous energy and protein intake and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured in 20 elderly female patients with a femoral neck fracture (mean age 81 +/- 4, SD, range 74-87 years; weight 53 +/- 8, range 42-68 kg) during a 5-6 day period following surgery. REE, measured over 20-40 min by indirect calorimetry using a ventilated canopy, averaged 0.98 +/- 0.15 kcal/min on day 3 and decreased to 0.93 +/- 0.15 kcal/min on day 8-9 postsurgery (p less than 0.02). REE was positively correlated with body weight (r = 0.69, p less than 0.005). Mean REE extrapolated to 24 hr (24-REE) was 1283 +/- 194 kcal/day. Mean daily food energy intake measured over the 5-day follow-up period was 1097 +/- 333 kcal/day and was positively correlated with 24-REE (r = 0.50, p less than 0.05). Daily energy balance was -235 +/- 351 kcal/day on day 3 (p less than 0.01 vs zero) and -13 +/- 392 kcal/day on day 8-9 postsurgery (NS vs zero) with a mean over the study period of -185 +/- 289 kcal/day (p less than 0.01 vs zero). When an extra 100 kcal/day was allowed for the energy cost of physical activity, mean daily energy balance over the 5-day study period was calculated to be -285 +/- 289 kcal/day (p less than 0.01 vs zero). Measurements of total 24-hr urinary nitrogen (N) excretion were obtained in a subgroup of 14 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Atypical osteogenesis following multiple sequestrectomies for infected open fracture of the femur: a case]. / Ostéogénèse atypique après séquestrectomies multiples pour fracture ouverte infectée du fémur: un cas.

The authors present the case of an open fracture of femur Cauchoix type II with an infection due to Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus and Aspergillus fumigatus. After several sequestrectomies and five hyperbaric sessions, apyrexia was attained at the end of the third month, the femur having been stabilised with an external fixator. The 15 cm gap due to loss of bone substance, filled at each dressing with an antiseptic iodine based ointment, closed itself finishing as continuous bone five months after the accident, the granulation tissue having been recovered by thin skin grafts. A repeated fracture occurring forty-eight hours after the removal of the Hoffmann frame was treated by fitting an Ilizarov fixator arriving at consolidation in seven months. The authors examine different possibilities of accelerating osteogenesis and highlight the potential role of iodine ointment as inductive to osteogenesis stemming from a periosteal layer seemingly held in place.

[Pancoast's tumor: multi-disciplinary treatment and combined cervico-thoracic approach]. / Tumeur de Pancoast: traitement pluridisciplinaire et abord chirurgical cervico-thoracique combiné.

Five patients were treated from May 1987 to April 1988 in CHUV, Lausanne, for a superior sulcus tumor (3 epidermoid, 2 undifferentiated carcinomas). Treatment consisted of preoperative radiotherapy (3000 cGy)-surgery-postoperative radiotherapy (1500-2500 cGy). Two patients died from metastases. Only one patient presented with a local recurrence. Surgical resection was carried out by combined cervical and thoracic exposure. The cervical approach allows separation of the tumor from the subclavian artery, brachial plexus and vertebrae. Then, by thoracotomy, the superior lobe with tumor and thoracic wall is removed. Technical aspects of the procedure are described.

[L4/L5 spondylolisthesis following reduction and stabilization by anterior and posterolateral graft of L5/S1 spondylolisthesis with major displacement]. / Spondylolisthésis L4/L5 après réduction et stabilisation par greffe antérieure et postéro-latérale d'un spondylolisthésis L5/S1 à grand déplacement.

40 children and adolescents, recurrence of a spondylolisthesis after posterior or even postero-lateral fusion is a well known fact. Anterior fusion added to the posterior graft is said to prevent such and occurrence. We report a case of a L4/L5 listhesis which followed near complete reduction of a 70% L5/S1 slip fixed by a combined approach. We think this is due to the persisting lumbo-sacral postural abnormalities and that while reducing and fixing the spondylolisthesis one should restore physiological posture to prevent this recurrence at the same level or at a higher one.

Adjusted versus fixed-dose subcutaneous heparin in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after total hip replacement.

Venous thromboembolism after total hip replacement continues to be a serious problem. We conducted a study to determine whether adjustment of the dose of subcutaneous heparin to yield partial thromboplastin times in the high-normal range results in a greater reduction of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis than fixed doses of heparin. Seventy-nine patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups two days before surgery. Group 1 (41 patients) received a fixed dose of 3500 IU of heparin subcutaneously ever eight hours; 16 of the 41 (39 per cent) had deep-vein thrombosis diagnosed by venography. Group 2 (38 patients) was started on the same dose, which was then adjusted to keep the activated partial thromboplastin time between 31.5 and 36 seconds. From the day of operation to the eighth postoperative day these patients needed progressively more heparin to maintain the activated partial thromboplastin time in the prescribed range. Only 5 of the 38 (13 per cent) had deep-vein thrombosis (P less than 0.01), and the number of thrombi in proximal veins was also lower in this group (P = 0.003). The number of units of blood transfused, the frequency of postoperative wound hematomas, and the drop in hemoglobin levels were identical in the two groups. Adjusted low-dose heparin prophylaxis appears to be a safe and efficacious method to reduce the frequency of deep-vein thrombosis in patients undergoing total hip replacement.