A comparative biomechanical study of the krackow suture technique with three common percutaneous suture techniques in the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical resistance under tensile forces of the Krackow suture technique with the frequently used Dresden, Carmont & Maffulli, and Ma & Griffiths percutaneous repair techniques in bovine models of Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: Transverse Achilles tendon rupture models were created from 4 cm proximal of the calcaneal insertion point in a total of 20 bovine Achilles tendon specimens. These were randomly allocated to 4 groups and repaired with configurations appropriate to the Dresden, Carmont & Maffulli, Ma & Griffiths and Krackow techniques. Failure mechanisms were recorded with force values (as Newton units) creating a 5 mm gap and load to failure under tensile loading at a rate of 10 mm/sec in a static testing device. RESULTS: In the Dresden technique group, the force required for a 5 mm gap was mean 41.21 ± 13.19 N and for load to failure, mean 193.83 ± 30.16 N, which were evaluated as statistically significantly higher than in the other techniques (p < 0.05). The lowest values were determined in the Ma & Griffiths technique group (5 mm gap: 11.06 ± 8.12 N, load to failure: 97.73 ± 29.60 N) but these were not significantly lower than the values in the Krackow and Carmont & Maffulli technique groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the Dresden technique was biomechanically superior against tensile forces compared to the Krackow technique, and the other frequently used percutaneous techniques of Carmont & Maffulli and Ma & Griffiths.

Video-based digital platforms as an educational resource for the surgical preparation of orthopedic surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to research the video-based digital platforms that orthopedic specialists in Turkey use as an educational resource in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before, the frequency of their use of these platforms, and their trust in these platforms, with a survey study. METHODS: The importance of video-based digital platforms in surgical preparations that surgeons have not seen or done before was measured using the data obtained from 181 orthopedic specialists using a survey prepared on an Internet-based server (docs.google.com). RESULTS: Orthopedists used video-based digital platforms with a ratio of 38.7% among the educational resources in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before. There was no significant difference between the specialists with a surgical experience of 1-10 years and more than 10 years of experience in terms of using video-based digital platforms in surgical preparation (p>0.05). A total of 81.2% of the participants used only video-based digital platforms in the preparation of a surgical procedure they have never seen before. The most frequently used digital platform was YouTube, and 62% of the participants considered these platforms reliable. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic specialists in Turkey primarily and frequently use video-based digital platforms as a training resource in their preparations for surgery that they have not seen or done before. The establishment or support of platforms with evidence-based content with references from official orthopedic institutions and organizations can increase the trust of orthopedic specialists in these platforms.

Can modified Dunn radiographs be an alternative to standing AP pelvis radiographs in the evaluation of pincer femoroacetabular impingement?

The purpose of this study was to compare modified Dunn radiographs with standing anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiographs in respect of the tilt ratio, lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA), crossover sign, crossover percentage and joint space width measurements. The study hypothesis was that modified Dunn radiographs could be an alternative method to standing AP pelvis images in the evaluation of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The study included 31 patients with a mean age of 42 years (range: 29-55 years) who had modified Dunn and standing AP pelvis radiographs taken in the radiological evaluation of non-traumatic hip pain between July 2018 and September 2022. Similar tilt ratio values were obtained on standing AP and modified Dunn images (P = 0.986). Joint space width showed a decrease in the transition from the modified Dunn position to the standing position, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.161). The mean LCEA was measured as 34° ± 4° in the standing position and as 35° ± 5° in the modified Dunn position. No statistically significant difference was determined in the number of patients with a crossover sign or the crossover percentage values in these patients (P > 0.05). The data obtained in this study showed that there was no significant difference between images taken in the standing and modified Dunn positions in respect of radiological findings of pelvic tilt and pincer-type FAI. The modified Dunn radiograph is equivalent to the standing AP pelvis radiograph for the evaluation of pincer FAI.

COMPARING GAIT AND HIP SCORES IN FEMORAL NECK AND INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES.

Objective: Treatment modality is controversial in the unstable IT fractures. Ideal hemiarthroplasty treatment for unstable IT fractures should be comparable to that for FN fractures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare patients who underwent cementless hemiarthroplasty for a diagnosis of FN and unstable IT in terms of clinical outcomes, functional scores, and smartphone-based gait analysis data. Methods: Case matching was applied to 50 patients with FN fracture and 133 patients with IT fracture who underwent hemiarthroplasty treatment, they were compared in terms of, preoperative and postoperative walking status, and Harris hip scores. Smartphone-based gait analysis was applied to 12 patients in the IT group and 14 patients in the FN group who could walk without support. Results: There was no significant difference between patients with IT and FN fractures regarding Harris hip scores, preoperative, and postoperative walking status. In the gait analysis, gait velocity, cadence, step time, step length, and step time symmetry values were observed to be significantly better in patients in the FN group. Conclusion: Cementless hemiarthroplasty operations for unstable IT fractures have similar hip scores to FN fractures. However, the walking speed and walking symmetry data were seen to be worse. This result should be considered in the selection of appropriate treatment. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.

Objetivo: O tratamento das fraturas instáveis da IT possui modalidades de tratamento com diferentes teorias. Hemiartroplastia é o tratamento ideal para fraturas instáveis (IT), devendo ser comparável à hemiartroplastia para fraturas do colo femoral (FN). Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar pacientes que foram submetidos a hemiartroplastia não cimentada para diagnóstico do FN e IT instável em seus resultados clínicos, considerando a escala de estado funcional e a análise dos dados de habilidade de marcha coletadas por um smartphone. Métodos: A combinação de casos foi aplicada a 50 pacientes com fratura FN e 133 pacientes com fratura IT submetidos ao tratamento de hemiartroplastia, a habilidade de marcha pré e pós-operatório, incluindo suas pontuações Harris Hip, foram comparadas. A análise de marcha foi executada com smartphone em 12 pacientes do grupo IT e 14 pacientes do grupo CF, que conseguiam andar sem apoio. Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os pacientes com fraturas IT e FN em relação às pontuações Harris Hip nem quanto ao estado de marcha pré e pós-operatório. Na análise da marcha, os valores de velocidade, cadência, tempo de passo, comprimento do passo e simetria do tempo de passo foram significativamente melhores nos pacientes do grupo FN. Conclusão: As operações de hemiartroplastia não cimentada para fraturas instáveis de IT, têm pontuação de quadril semelhantes às fraturas FN. Entretanto, os dados de velocidade de caminhada e simetria de caminhada mostraram-se inferiores. Esses resultados devem ser considerados na escolha do tratamento adequado.Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo.

Anterior metaphyseal angle; much less individual variation in determining the posterior slope of the tibia.

BACKGROUND: The question of how to specify the posterior tilt of the tibia during arthroplasty operations remains unclear. The most current opinion is that a design whereby incisions are made in parallel with the individual pre-arthritic posterior tilt will yield better post-operational results. However, the wide range of inter-individual variations of posterior tilt of the tibia and the difficult task of identifying the shaft axis of the tibia through standard lateral radiographs are the main obstacles to this particular method. Therefore, there is a need for another reference line that can be measured with plain radiography and yields less inter-individual variation. The hypothesis of this study was that the angle formed between the anterior metaphyseal line of the proximal tibia and the tibial plateau would prove to be less variable across individuals. METHODS: Long-shot radiographs of non-rotating lateral tibias of 85 patients aged between 18 and 38 years were analysed. The angle forming between the anterior metaphyseal line of the proximal tibia and the slope of the tibial plateau, and the posterior slope angle was measured by 2 separate observers using the classical method. RESULTS: From the measurements of the posterior slope angle taken with the classical method, 38% (33/85) of the patients were within the ±2-degree range of the mean, and the anterior metaphyseal angle was within ±2 degrees of the mean in 75% (64/85) of the total patients. 44.23% variation (CoV) in posterior slop degrees, 2.73% (CoV) variation in the anterior metaphyseal angle measured by the same researchers. The difference between the percentages of variation was also found to be statistically significant. (z = 15.36, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The anterior metaphyseal angle can be utilized to predict the individual posterior slope. Nevertheless, further large-scale, multicentre studies are needed to establish a mean value for the population.

Comparing gait and hip scores in femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures / Comparação de escores de marcha e quadril em fraturas do colo femoral e intertrocantéricas

ABSTRACT Objective Treatment modality is controversial in the unstable IT fractures. Ideal hemiarthroplasty treatment for unstable IT fractures should be comparable to that for FN fractures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare patients who underwent cementless hemiarthroplasty for a diagnosis of FN and unstable IT in terms of clinical outcomes, functional scores, and smartphone-based gait analysis data. Methods Case matching was applied to 50 patients with FN fracture and 133 patients with IT fracture who underwent hemiarthroplasty treatment, they were compared in terms of, preoperative and postoperative walking status, and Harris hip scores. Smartphone-based gait analysis was applied to 12 patients in the IT group and 14 patients in the FN group who could walk without support. Results There was no significant difference between patients with IT and FN fractures regarding Harris hip scores, preoperative, and postoperative walking status. In the gait analysis, gait velocity, cadence, step time, step length, and step time symmetry values were observed to be significantly better in patients in the FN group. Conclusion Cementless hemiarthroplasty operations for unstable IT fractures have similar hip scores to FN fractures. However, the walking speed and walking symmetry data were seen to be worse. This result should be considered in the selection of appropriate treatment. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivo O tratamento das fraturas instáveis da IT possui modalidades de tratamento com diferentes teorias. Hemiartroplastia é o tratamento ideal para fraturas instáveis (IT), devendo ser comparável à hemiartroplastia para fraturas do colo femoral (FN). Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar pacientes que foram submetidos a hemiartroplastia não cimentada para diagnóstico do FN e IT instável em seus resultados clínicos, considerando a escala de estado funcional e a análise dos dados de habilidade de marcha coletadas por um smartphone. Métodos A combinação de casos foi aplicada a 50 pacientes com fratura FN e 133 pacientes com fratura IT submetidos ao tratamento de hemiartroplastia, a habilidade de marcha pré e pós-operatório, incluindo suas pontuações Harris Hip, foram comparadas. A análise de marcha foi executada com smartphone em 12 pacientes do grupo IT e 14 pacientes do grupo CF, que conseguiam andar sem apoio. Resultados Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os pacientes com fraturas IT e FN em relação às pontuações Harris Hip nem quanto ao estado de marcha pré e pós-operatório. Na análise da marcha, os valores de velocidade, cadência, tempo de passo, comprimento do passo e simetria do tempo de passo foram significativamente melhores nos pacientes do grupo FN. Conclusão As operações de hemiartroplastia não cimentada para fraturas instáveis de IT, têm pontuação de quadril semelhantes às fraturas FN. Entretanto, os dados de velocidade de caminhada e simetria de caminhada mostraram-se inferiores. Esses resultados devem ser considerados na escolha do tratamento adequado.Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo.

Video-based digital platforms as an educational resource for the surgical preparation of orthopedic surgeons

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to research the video-based digital platforms that orthopedic specialists in Turkey use as an educational resource in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before, the frequency of their use of these platforms, and their trust in these platforms, with a survey study. METHODS: The importance of video-based digital platforms in surgical preparations that surgeons have not seen or done before was measured using the data obtained from 181 orthopedic specialists using a survey prepared on an Internet-based server (docs.google.com). RESULTS: Orthopedists used video-based digital platforms with a ratio of 38.7% among the educational resources in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before. There was no significant difference between the specialists with a surgical experience of 1-10 years and more than 10 years of experience in terms of using video-based digital platforms in surgical preparation (p>0.05). A total of 81.2% of the participants used only video-based digital platforms in the preparation of a surgical procedure they have never seen before. The most frequently used digital platform was YouTube, and 62% of the participants considered these platforms reliable. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic specialists in Turkey primarily and frequently use video-based digital platforms as a training resource in their preparations for surgery that they have not seen or done before. The establishment or support of platforms with evidence-based content with references from official orthopedic institutions and organizations can increase the trust of orthopedic specialists in these platforms.

Radiation exposure during proximal femoral nailing: Traction table versus conventional table.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare radiation exposure of the patient during the closed reduction and proximal femoral nailing (PFN) of the trochanteric region fractures of the proximal femur using a traction table (TT) or a radiolucent table (RT) in the supine position. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2019 and December 2020, the study included 42 patients (19 males, 23 females; mean age: 81.2±9.5 years; range, 60 to 97 years) with trochanteric region fractures applied with closed reduction and PFN with the same implant type, 21 who underwent surgery on a TT (TT group), and 21 on a RT (RT group). The cumulative radiation dose was the primary outcome and was measured as the dose area product (DAP) in Gray cm2 (Gycm2 ). Intraoperative fluoroscopy times and amount of radiation exposure were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, body mass index, fracture side, and the AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) fracture classification (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the TT and RT groups in terms of the mean intraoperative fluoroscopy time (48.29±22.31 and 55.95±21.54 sec, respectively; p=0.264) and amount of radiation exposure (2.26±1.86 and 2.84±1.96 Gycm2 , respectively; p=0.332). CONCLUSION: Both TT and RT with the patient positioned supine provide similar results for closed reduction and PFN of trochanteric region fractures, in terms of DAP as the most reliable measurement method. The main clinical relevance of this study is that radiation exposure of the patient need not be considered while selecting the operating table.

The effect of tranexamic acid on hidden blood loss in total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hidden blood loss in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2015 and June 2021, a total of 120 patients (45 males, 75 females; mean age 57.2±4.9 years; range, 45 to 67 years) with primary osteoarthritis who underwent THA without the use of TXA and 53 patients who received TXA were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, amount of transfusion, early complications, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, total blood loss, visible blood loss, and hidden blood loss values were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups with and without the use of TXA in terms of intraoperative bleeding, amount of blood in the drain, total blood loss, hidden blood loss, and blood transfusion (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between intraoperative blood loss and hidden blood loss (r=0.325 p<0.01), while no significant correlation was found between postoperative drainage volume and hidden blood loss (r=-0.006 p=0.946). CONCLUSION: The use of TXA in patients undergoing THA reduces blood loss, including hidden blood loss, thereby reducing the need for blood transfusion after hip arthroplasty. However, there seems to be no linear relationship between postoperative blood loss and hidden blood loss. Considering these results, the routine use of TXA can be recommended in THA, unless there is a contraindication.

Is the 5-factor modified Frailty Index a prognostic marker in geriatric ankle fractures?

BACKGROUND: The 5-factor modified Frailty Index (mFI-5), which is the latest version of the Frailty Index, is a tool that calculates the risk of complications after treatment by scoring the comorbidity status of the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the mFI-5 in predicting complications in geriatric patients with an ankle fracture. METHODS: A retrospective examination was made of a total of 94 patients aged >65 years who were treated for an ankle fracture in our hospital between 2015 and 2020. Weber type A, B, and C fractures were included in the study. For each patient, the mFI-5 was calculated for the comorbidity status of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension requiring drugs, and non-independent functional status. Multivariance logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the mFI-5 points as a predictor of negative outcomes. RESULTS: The mFI-5 was observed to be effective in the prediction of the complications of hospital re-admission, wound site infec-tion, life-threatening medical complications, and the presence of any complication (p<0.05). In the prediction of whether or not there was any complication, the mFI-5 was determined to be a more effective tool than body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiol-ogist, age, length of stay in hospital, and duration of operation (p<0.05, OR=2.726, 95% Confidence Interval=1.285-5.783). CONCLUSION: The mFI-5 is a sensitive tool for the prediction of complications which may develop following geriatric ankle frac-ture. The five comorbidities which constitute the mFI-5 are easily obtained from the patient anamnesis, and this renders it a practical clinical tool to identify high-risk patients, determine the preoperative risks, and improve the health-care service.

Comparison of Three Different Surgical Fixation Techniques in Pediatric Forearm Double Fractures.

Introduction Although forearm fractures are one of the most common fractures in children, controversy remains about the optimal fixation technique in the surgical treatment of these fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the results of pediatric patients with a forearm double fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (plate-screw group), elastic intramedullary nailing to both bones (ESIN), and hybrid fixation (the radius or ulna is fixed with the help of ESIN and the other forearm bone is fixed using plate-screw). Methods A retrospective scan was made of the records of 51 patients with forearm double diaphyseal fractures (19 plate-screw, 18 ESIN, and 14 hybrid fixation). Comparisons were made in respect of the duration of surgery, length of the incision, duration of follow-up, time to union, functional results, and complication rates. Results The study results showed that the surgical incision length and operating time in the hybrid group were statistically significantly shorter than in the plate-screw group (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined between the three groups in respect of the functional results (p>0.05). Conclusion When the hybrid fixation technique was compared with other methods, the results were equal or better in terms of surgery time, incision length, time to union, and complications. Therefore, this technique can be used as an effective and reliable method in appropriate pediatric forearm diaphyseal double fractures.