[Modified Masquelet technique : Technique of the induced membrane in the course of time]. / Modifizierte Masquelet-Plastik : Technik der induzierten Membran im Wandel der Zeit.

The reconstruction of long bone defects as a result of primary traumatic, secondary infection or tumor-related loss of substance continues to represent a surgical challenge. Callus distraction via segment transport, vascularized bone transfer and the induced membrane technique (IMT) are established methods of reconstruction. In recent decades IMT has experienced increasing popularity due to its practicability, reproducibility and reliability. At the same time, the original technique has undergone numerous modifications. The results are correspondingly heterogeneous. This overview is intended to explain the basic principles of IMT and to provide an overview of the various modifications and their complications.

Comparative analysis of cancellous graft and cortico-cancellous graft in osteosynthesis of scaphoid pseudoarthrosis with plate.

INTRODUCTION: Scaphoid is the most fractured carpal bone, with a 5-10% nonunion rate. Treatment challenges include choosing the implant and graft that best corrects humpback deformity and carpal malalignment with higher chances of bony healing. OBJECTIVE: Compare cortico-cancellous and cancellous grafts between two groups of patients treating scaphoid nonunion with locking plates using autologous bone graft and evaluate bone healing rates and radiographic, tomographic, and functional parameters before and after surgery. METHODS: Non-randomized prospective study including 20 cases of scaphoid nonunion. Groups were divided into Group A (ten patients treated with cortico-cancellous iliac graft) and Group B (ten patients treated with cancellous iliac graft). Patients underwent pre- and postoperative radiographs, computed tomography, and functional evaluation. RESULTS: In postoperative analysis, Group A showed a statistically significant difference in intrascaphoid angle (p = 0.002) and scapholunate angle (p = 0.011) correction when comparing the pre- and postoperative periods. Group B showed a statistically significant difference in intrascaphoid angle (p = 0.002) and scapholunate angle correction (p = 0.0018), grip strength (p = 0.002), and tip pinch strength (p = 0.001) when comparing the pre- and postoperative periods. By comparing both groups, Group B showed a statistically significant difference in intrascaphoid angle correction (p = 0.002), grip strength (p = 0.002), tip pinch strength (p = 0.002), and radial deviation (p = 0.0003). There was no statistical difference when comparing bony healing between groups. CONCLUSION: Scaphoid nonunion treatment with a locking plate was effective, showing a high bony healing rate and improved carpal alignment in imaging tests for both graft types. However, results for intrascaphoid angle correction, grip strength, tip pinch strength, and radial deviation were better in Group B. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series.

In search of the ideal periosteal flap for bone non-union: The chimeric fibula-periosteal flap.

Vascularised periosteal flaps may increase the union rates in recalcitrant long bone non-union. The fibula-periosteal chimeric flap utilises the periosteum raised on an independent periosteal vessel. This allows the periosteum to be inset freely around the osteotomy site, thereby facilitating bone consolidation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients underwent fibula-periosteal chimeric flaps (2016-2022) at the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, UK. Preceding non-union 18.6 months, with mean bone gap of 7.5 cm. Patients underwent preoperative CT angiography to identify the periosteal branches. A case-control approach was used. Patients acted as their own controls, with one osteotomy covered by the chimeric periosteal flap and one without, although in two patients both the osteotomies were covered using a long periosteal flap. RESULTS: A chimeric periosteal flap was used in 12 of the 20 osteotomy sites. Periosteal flap osteotomies had a primary union rate of 100% (11/11) versus those without flaps at 28.6% (2/7) (p = 0.0025). Union occurred in the chimeric periosteal flaps at 8.5 months versus 16.75 months in the control group (p = 0.023). One case was excluded from primary analysis due to recurrent mycetoma. The number needed to treat = 2, indicating that 2 patients would require a chimeric periosteal flap to avoid one non-union. Survival curves with a hazard ratio of 4.1 were observed, equating to a 4 times higher chance of union with periosteal flaps (log-rank p = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: The chimeric fibula-periosteal flap may increase the consolidation rates in difficult cases of recalcitrant non-union. This elegant modification of the fibula flap uses periosteum that is normally discarded, and this adds to the accumulating data supporting the use of vascularised periosteal flaps in non-union.

Be alert to insidious fracture-related infections secondary to severe open fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To report our experience in using the Ilizarov technique to treat bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fractures with negative clinical signs and serological inflammatory markers.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the 19 patients with bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between January of 2010 and June of 2021. They were 15 males and 4 females with an age of (41±11) years. Their inclusion criteria: undergoing treatment with Ilizarov technique (consecutive compression-distraction or bone transport), soft tissue coverage procedures resulting in wound closure and negative clinical infection signs for at least 3 months and normal serological inflammatory markers, and follow-up for more than 3 months after frame removal. Three-phase bone scan was performed for the patients before the present surgery. Debridement, sampling of deep tissues for bacterial culture, and external stabilization with a fixator were performed in the present surgery. Osteotomy for compression-distraction or bone transport technique was carried out at 1 stage or 2 stages. Systemic antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks was continued for those with positive microbiological analysis guided by antibiogram. Recorded were results of intra-operative pus detection around defects, microbiological findings, length of bone defect reconstructed, rate and time of infection recurrence during treatment, fracture union rate, bone healing index, bony and functional results.Results:The interval between primary injury to the present surgery was (10±8) months. The preoperative three-phase bone scan showed infection free in 8 cases, chronic osteomyelitis in 7 cases, and suspicious infection in 4 cases. No pus was found during intra-operative debridement in all. The intra-operative microbiological detection was positive in 1 sample in 1 patient (infection free indicated by bone scan), and in ≥2 samples in 3 patients (bone scan indicating non-infection, infection not excluded and osteomyelitis in 1 case each). The length of bone defect reconstructed was (8±3) cm. The follow-up after the present surgery was (37±15) months. Fracture union was achieved in all cases, with a bone healing index of (1.7±0.5) months/cm. Clinical infection signs were observed 1 (1, 1) month after the present surgery in 6 patients whose microbiological results were all negative. All the 6 patients ended up with no clinical recurrence after empirical use of systemic antibiotics in 5 and radical debridement in one. The bony results showed 16 excellent and 3 good cases while the functional results showed 10 excellent and 9 good cases.Conclusions:In treatment of bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fractures with negative clinical signs and serological inflammatory markers, constant vigilance is needed against low-grade infection. Intra-operative multiple sampling of deep tissues with a standardized protocol and microbiological testing are extremely valuable for diagnosis of fracture-related infections.

Treatment of infected tibial nonunion plus soft tissue defects with an Ilizarov external fixator combined with pedicle flap transfer / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Ilizarov external fixation combined pedicle flap transfer in the treatment of infected tibial nonunion plus soft tissue defects.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the data of 35 patients with infected tibial nonunion plus soft tissue defects who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Tianjin Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University from July 2005 to July 2020. There were 25 males and 10 females with an age of (37.5±6.0) years. Their original traumas were 27 open and 8 closed fractures, with a disease course ranging from 8 to 42 months. Three patients had undergone 1 operation, 7 patients 2 operations, and 25 patients 3 or more operations. All patients presented with different degrees of skin and soft tissue defects or bone exposure, wound sinus formation and bone scaring. The size of pedicle flaps transferred ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 15 cm×10 cm. Surgical transfer of skin flap and external fixation were performed at one stage in 25 patients while staged surgery was performed in 10 patients. The first stage consisted of local debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, and delayed flap operation while the second stage consisted of delayed flap transfer and Ilizarov external fixation. The survival of skin flap, limb shortening, bony union and complications were observed after operation. The limb function was evaluated according to the criteria of The Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) for bone and functional results.Results:All patients were followed up for (23.8±7.4) months. Fracture union was achieved in all. The flaps survived postoperatively, the wounds were repaired by the first intention, infection did not recur, and bony union was achieved in 32 patients. Partial necrosis of the flap edge occurred in 3 cases, but responded to dressing change. In the 10 patients undergoing delayed flap operation, 100% of the flaps survived. In all patients, the limbs were shortened by (0.8±0.1) cm, and the tibial fractures got united after (7.2±1.2) months. By the ASAMI criteria for bone results, 29 cases were excellent and 6 cases good; by the ASAMI criteria for functional results, 25 cases were excellent, 8 cases good, and 2 cases fair.Conclusion:As Ilizarov external fixation combined pedicle flap transfer can repair bone and soft-tissue defects at the same time, this surgical scheme facilitates infection control and leads to reliable outcomes.

Treatment of nonunion after intramedullary nailing for subtrochanteric fractures with multi-dimensional cross locking plate-II / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To compare treatment effect of the new multi-dimensional cross locking plate-II (MDC-LP-II) and locking compression plate (LCP) as additional plates in the treatment of nonunion after intramedullary nailing treatment of subtrochanteric fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 patients with nonunion after subtrochanteric fractures treated with intramedullary nails from January 2019 to January 2021. According to the type of additional plate, it was divided into MDC-LP-II group and LCP group. There were 12 patients in MDC-LP-II group, including 10 males and 2 females, with an age of 36.83±12.61 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 25.09±2.37 kg/m 2, the time from the last operation to this treatment was 12.25±2.93 months, the number of previous operations was 1.33±0.65, 5 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 7 cases of atrophic nonunion, and the length of bone nonunion defect was 1.19±0.78 cm. In the LCP group, there were 11 cases, 9 males and 2 females, aged 30.55±8.85 years, BMI was 26.74±5.05 kg/m 2, a time of 12.82±4.40 months after the last operation, the number of previous operations was 1.36±0.96, 5 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 6 cases of atrophic nonunion, and the length of bone nonunion defect was 1.20±0.57 cm. The incision length, additional plate length, number of screws, number of bicortical screws, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, healing time of nonunion, Harris hip score, lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) and the medical outcomes study item short from health survey-36 (SF-36) were compared between the two groups. Results:All 23 patients were followed up. The follow-up time of MDC-LP-II group was 14.17±2.55 months, and that of LCP group was 14.45±3.75 months, with no significant difference ( t=0.22, P=0.834). In MDC-LP-II group, the incision length was 7.25±2.01 cm, the plate length was 9.25±0.62 cm, the number of screws was 7.17±0.94, the number of bicortical screws was 7.17±0.94, the intraoperative blood loss was 279.17±169.84 ml, and the blood transfusion was 166.67±187.05 ml. In LCP group, the incision length was 15.45±4.72 cm, the plate length was 15.51±2.38 cm, the number of screws was 5.09±0.95, the number of bicortical screws was 1.82±1.72, the intraoperative blood loss was 481.82±227.24 ml, and the blood transfusion was 685.45±299.95 ml. There were significant differences in incision length ( P<0.05), plate length ( P<0.05), number of screws ( P<0.05), number of bicortical screws ( P<0.05), intraoperative blood loss ( P<0.05), and blood transfusion volume ( P<0.05) between the two groups. The fracture healing rate was 100% in MDC-LP-II group and 64% in LCP group at 6 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, the healing rate of LCP group was 91%, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.478). The Harris score 92.83±8.04 and LEFS 74.92±6.68 at the last follow-up in MDC-LP-II group and the Harris hip score 83.36±9.89 and LEFS 66.27±7.68 at the last follow-up in LCP group were significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05). In terms of SF-36, scores of physical function, physical pain, general health status, vital vitality and mental health of MDC-LP-II group were higher than those of LCP group. No complications related to the use of MDC-LP-II or LCP fixation were observed in both groups. Conclusion:On the basis of preserving the original intramedullary nail, MDC-LP-II compared with LCP as additional plates in the rebuilding of nonunion after intramedullary nailing treatment of subtrochanteric fractures, it can effectively enhance the stability of the broken ends in a much smaller operating range, reduce the surgical trauma, protect the local blood supply and accelerate the healing of the broken end of the fracture. The patients who received MDC-LP-II treatment had better lower limb function recovery and quality of life.

Clinical effects of 3D printed porous titanium-alloy prosthesis in repairing aseptic large bone defects in the limbs / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical feasibility and effectiveness of using 3D printed porous titanium-alloy prosthesis to repair aseptic large bone defects in the limbs.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 13 patients with aseptic bone defects of long limbs treated with 3D printed porous titanium alloy prosthesis from December 2017 to December 2022, including 7 males and 6 females, aged 52.6±11.5 years (range, 35-72 years). The bone defect locations included 2 humerus, 1 radius, 5 femur, and 6 tibia. One patient suffered both femoral and tibial defects. All 13 patients suffered from bone nonunion due to internal fixation surgery, including 5 cases of hypertrophic nonunion and 8 cases of atrophic nonunion. The interval between internal fixation surgery and this treatment was 20.1±3.6 months (range, 16.5-26.6 months). The clinical treatment effect was evaluated through parameters such as gross observation, imaging evaluation, disability of arm shoulder and hand (DASH), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and patient satisfaction evaluation.Results:The length of bone defect after debridement in 13 patients was 11.7±4.5 cm (range, 6.0-20.6 cm), and the length of implant was 12.9±5.3 cm (range, 6.1-22.9 cm). Partial or complete weight-bearing began at 14.8±6.5 days (range, 2-22 days) after surgery. All 13 cases were followed up for 18.3±12.5 months (range, 13-58 months). The X-ray images showed that the prosthesis and the internal fixation were stable, and the new bone gradually grew gradually from the bone defect section and formed stable bone integration with the prosthesis surface, and no prosthesis displacement or fracture occurred. At the last follow-up, the DASH scores of 3 patients with upper limb bone defect were 8.9, 10.5, and 11.2 points, respectively, and the LEFS scores of 10 patients with lower limb bone defect were 49.6±5.9 points (range, 38-56 points). No significant subsidence or loosening of all prosthetics was observed. Patient satisfaction was 9.8±0.1 points (range, 9.6-9.9).Conclusion:After the application of 3D printed porous titanium alloy prosthesis to repair the aseptic large bone defect of the limbs, the patients can carry weight and function exercise in the early stage, and the function of the affected limbs can recover significantly, and the patients have high satisfaction.

Construction and experimental research of atrophic bone nonunion organoid on chip based on vascularization mechanism / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To design and construct a bone nonunion organoid on chip and explore the mechanism of aseptic bone nonunion.Methods:First a semi-open microfluidic chip was designed, on which human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC), human fetal lung fibroblast 1, (HFL1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were co-cultured, and a three-dimensional organ on chip system was established. Different proportions of HFL1 and HUVEC were co-cultured with BMSC, which were divided into the control group (HFL1∶HUVEC=1∶1), the fibrosis group (HFL1∶HUVEC=3∶1) and the vascularization group (HFL1∶HUVEC=1∶3). The osteogenic differentiation of BMSC was observed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining. The transcription level of osteogenic marker genes SP7, RUNX2, ALPL, and BGLAP, and vascularization related genes KDR and VWF were analyzed by qPCR. The expression levels of RUNX2 and ALP were determined by Western Blot. Results:In the co-culture system of BMSCs, HFL1, and HUVECs, BMSCs exhibited normal growth and apparent biomineralization behavior. Endothelial cells were capable of forming structured vascular networks, confirming the successful establishment of the system. Compared to the baseline group, the fibrotic group showed no significant decrease in BMSC osteogenic differentiation. The relative expression levels of the mineralization marker genes ALPL and BGLAP were 0.55±0.19 ( P<0.001) and 0.42±0.27 ( P<0.001), respectively. Vascularization genes KDR and VWF were downregulated, with relative expression levels of 0.49±0.17 ( P<0.001) and 0.49±0.21 ( P<0.001). In contrast, in the vascularized group, BMSC osteogenic differentiation genes SP7, RUNX2, ALPL, and BGLAP were upregulated, with relative expression levels of 2.91±0.52 ( P<0.001), 3.83±1.87 ( P<0.001), 3.22±1.29 ( P<0.001), and 5.21±1.46 ( P<0.001), respectively. Vascularization genes KDR and VWF were also upregulated, with relative expressions of 8.24±2.84 ( P<0.001) and 5.32±1.67 ( P<0.001). Western blot results indicated increased expression of RUNX2 and ALP in the vascularized group and decreased expression in the fibrotic group. Conclusion:The bone nonunion organoid on chip could partially simulate the local microenvironment of bone nonunion. Fibrosis may lead to a significant decrease in bone formation ability and vascularization level, which might be an important reason for the occurrence of aseptic bone nonunion.

Is Atrophic Nonunion a Misnomer - A Hospital-based Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective The present study was conducted to estimate histologically the proportion of avascularity of fracture ends in case of nonunion of long bones. Methods A total of 15 cases of established quiescent nonunion were operated according to the standard protocol and the fracture ends were evaluated histologically. The biopsied tissue was briefly fixed with formalin, embedded with paraffin (FFPE), and 5-micron sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin according to standard protocols. Immunohistochemistry with anti-CD31 antibody (JC70A clone, DBS) was performed manually using standard protocols. Results All cases of quiescent nonunion were included; radiologically, 2 cases were oligotrophic, and 13 cases were of atrophic nonunion. A total of 20% of the patients were females, 40% were in the age group between 31and 40 years old, and, radiologically, all cases were of atrophic nonunion. All cases showed positivity for CD-31 on immunohistochemistry. The blood vessel density was category I in 13.33% of the cases and category II in 86.67% of the cases. Four cases presented with mild inflammation and two presented with moderate inflammation. The average vessel count was 10 per high power field in the age groups between 20 and 30, 31 and 40, and 41and 50 years old. The age group between 61 and 70 years old showed an average vessel count of 4 per high power field. The difference in the vessel counts of oligotrophic and atrophic nonunion was not significant. No correlation was observed in the density of vessel count and duration of nonunion Conclusion The nomenclature for the classification of nonunion into atrophic, oligotrophic, and hypertrophic needs revision. Our findings do not support that atrophic and oligotrophic nonunion are histologically different.

Long-Term Outcome of Valgus Osteotomy and Fixation with Double Angled Dynamic Hip Screw for Nonunion Fracture of the Neck of the Femur in Young Adults.

Objective To evaluate the long-term results of valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy fixed with double angled dynamic hip screw for nonunion fracture of the neck of the femur in young adults. This implant allows more freedom of fixation in the sagittal plane. Very few studies have evaluated the long-term outcome for treatment of nonunion in fractures of the neck of the femur. Methods This is a prospective interventional study that included 20 patients with nonunion of the fracture of the neck of the femur aged < 60 years old without avascular necrosis of the head and significant resorption of the neck of the femur. A lateral closing wedge osteotomy was performed just above the lesser trochanter after inserting the Richard screw across the nonunion site, and it was fixed with a double-angle 120° barrel plate. The outcome was evaluated using union rate and the Harris Hip Score for functional outcome. Results The average postoperative decrease in the Pauwels angle was of 28.9°. A total of 80% of the cases progressed to union within a mean duration of 7.53 months. The mean Harris Hip Score at the final follow-up was 86.45. Conclusion Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy and fixation with a double angled dynamic hip screw is a reliable and effective method for preservation of head and promoting union in an ununited fractured neck of the femur in young patients.

[Correlation analysis of serum CTRP3 and PGC-1α expression with traumatic fracture healing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3(CTRP3) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α) on predictive value of expression level on fracture healing. METHODS: From January 2019 to January 2020, 80 patients with traumatic tibial plateau fractures were treated by internal fixation with support plates through the posterior approach of the knee joint. The patients were followed up for 12 months. According to the criteria for delayed fracture healing, the patients were divided into two groups:54 patients in fracture healing group included 24 males and 30 females, aged 29 to 75 years old with an average of (52.36±13.17) years;In the delayed healing group, there were 26 cases, 13 males and 13 females, aged from 29 to 75 with an average od (53.82±13.52) years. The serum levels of CTRP3, PGC-1αand 25 hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3] in patients with traumatic fracture were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);Blood phosphorus and calcium levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, and the product of calcium and phosphorus was calculated;Pearson's method was used to analyze the correlation between serum CTRP3, PGC-1αand bone biochemical indexes in patients with delayed union one week after operation;The predictive value of serum levels of CTRP3 and PGC-1αon traumatic fracture healing was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve). RESULTS: PGC-1α, calcium phosphorus product and 25(OH)D3 in the fracture healing group were higher than those in the delayed healing group at 1 and 4 weeks after operation(P<0.05). Serum CTRP3 was positively correlated with PGC-1α(r=0.637, P<0.05) and positively correlated with calcium phosphorus product and 25(OH)D3(P<0.05). The areas under the curve(AUC) of serum ctrp3 and PGC-1α levels in predicting traumatic fracture healing were 0.845 and 0.855, respectively. The cutoff values were 188.678 pg/ml and 2.697 ng/ml, respectively. The specificity was 96.2% and 80.8%, and the sensitivity was 53.7% and 77.8%;The predicted AUC was 0.904, the specificity was 88.5%, and the sensitivity was 81.5%. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of CTRP3 and PGC-1 in patients with delayed union of traumatic fracture at 1 and 4 weeks after operation α The expression level is of certain reference value to predict the fracture healing status of patients.

Is Atrophic Nonunion a Misnomer - A Hospital-based Prospective Cross-Sectional Study / Pseudoartrose atrófica é um termo incorreto? - Um estudo hospitalar transversal prospectivo

Abstract Objective The present study was conducted to estimate histologically the proportion of avascularity of fracture ends in case of nonunion of long bones. Methods A total of 15 cases of established quiescent nonunion were operated according to the standard protocol and the fracture ends were evaluated histologically. The biopsied tissue was briefly fixed with formalin, embedded with paraffin (FFPE), and 5-micron sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin according to standard protocols. Immunohistochemistry with anti-CD31 antibody (JC70A clone, DBS) was performed manually using standard protocols. Results All cases of quiescent nonunion were included; radiologically, 2 cases were oligotrophic, and 13 cases were of atrophic nonunion. A total of 20% of the patients were females, 40% were in the age group between 31and 40 years old, and, radiologically, all cases were of atrophic nonunion. All cases showed positivity for CD-31 on immunohistochemistry. The blood vessel density was category I in 13.33% of the cases and category II in 86.67% of the cases. Four cases presented with mild inflammation and two presented with moderate inflammation. The average vessel count was 10 per high power field in the age groups between 20 and 30, 31 and 40, and 41and 50 years old. The age group between 61 and 70 years old showed an average vessel count of 4 per high power field. The difference in the vessel counts of oligotrophic and atrophic nonunion was not significant. No correlation was observed in the density of vessel count and duration of nonunion Conclusion The nomenclature for the classification of nonunion into atrophic, oligotrophic, and hypertrophic needs revision. Our findings do not support that atrophic and oligotrophic nonunion are histologically different.

Resumo Objetivo O presente estudo estimou a proporção de avascularidade histológica das extremidades das fraturas em caso de pseudoartrose de ossos longos. Métodos No total, 15 casos de pseudoartrose quiescente estabelecida foram operados de acordo com o protocolo padrão e as extremidades da fratura foram avaliadas histologicamente. Em resumo, o tecido biopsiado foi fixado em formalina e embebido em parafina (FFPE); secções de 5 mícrons foram coradas com hematoxilina e eosina de acordo com os protocolos padrões. A imunohistoquímica com anticorpo anti-CD31 (clone JC70A, DBS) foi realizada manualmente segundo protocolos padrões. Resultados Todos os casos de pseudoartrose quiescente foram incluídos; 2 eram de pseudoartrose oligotrófica e 13 eram de pseudoartrose atrófica à radiologia. Destes, 20% eram de pacientes do sexo feminino, 40% de indivíduos entre 31 e 40 anos de idade e todos os casos eram de pseudoartrose atrófica à radiologia. Todos os casos eram positivos para CD-31 à imunohistoquímica. A densidade dos vasos sanguíneos era de categoria I em 13,33% dos casos e de categoria II em 86,67%. Quatro casos apresentavam inflamação branda e dois apresentavam inflamação moderada. O número médio de vasos era de 10 por campo de alta potência na faixa etária de 20 a 30, de 31 a 40 e de 41 a 50 anos. A faixa etária de 61 a 70 anos apresentava, em média, 4 vasos por campo de alta potência. A diferença nos números de vasos em pseudoarthroses oligotróficas e atróficas não foi significativa. Não houve correlação entre a densidade de vasos e a duração da pseudoartrose. Conclusão A nomenclatura de classificação da pseudoartrose em atrófica, oligotrófica e hipertrófica precisa ser revista. Nossos achados não indicam que a pseudoartrose atrófica e oligotrófica sejam histologicamente diferentes.

[Application value of D-dimer in preoperative diagnosis of low toxic infectious nonunion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of D-dimer and common hematological indexes in the preoperative diagnosis of low toxicity infectious bone nonunion. METHODS: Total of 116 cases of bone nonunion from June 2015 to January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively, including 91 males and 25 females;the age ranged from 18 to 65 years old with an average of(45.3±11.2) years old. According to the diagnostic criteria, 116 cases were divided into low toxicity infectious bone nonunion group(31 cases) and aseptic bone nonunion group(85 cases). D-dimer, total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) were measured at admission, and the differences between two groups were compared. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were analyzed through the subject working characteristic curve and the area under the curve. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months with an average of (11.5±4.3) months. D-dimer, total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and ESR in low toxicity infectious bone nonunion group were higher than those in aseptic bone nonunion group(P<0.05);compared with other hematological indexes, the area under the curve of D-dimer was the highest, which is 0.826, and the best cut-off value of D-dimer was 1.57 g/L. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative diagnosis of low toxicity infectious bone nonunion were 78.3% and 84.2%. CONCLUSION: The preoperative diagnostic value of D-dimer in low toxicity infectious bone nonunion is better than other inflammatory indexes. The combination of D-dimer and other inflammatory indexes is conducive to the early diagnosis of low toxicity infectious bone nonunion and the evaluation of the condition.

Channel bone grafting in treatment of postoperative atrophic nonunion of clavicular fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinic efficacy of channel bone grafting [preservation of the sclerotic bone at the broken nonunion ends and fixation with limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP)] in the treatment of postoperative atrophic nonunion of middle clavicular fracture.Methods:The 41 patients were retrospectively analyzed who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Xi'an Hong-Hui Hospital for atrophic nonunion after internal fixation of middle clavicular fracture from June 2015 to December 2019. They were 23 males and 18 females, with a mean age of 47.6 years (from 28 to 63 years). The left side was affected in 25 cases and the right side in 16 cases. The time interval between initial fracture surgery and nonunion surgery averaged 18.5 months (from 9 to 40 months). Thirty-six cases had undergone one operation and 5 cases 2 operations before admission. The length of bone defect was measured during operation. All nonunions were treated with construction of a graft channel, iliac bone graft and LC-DCP internal fixation above the clavicle. The upper limb function of the affected side was evaluated by the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) 12 months after operation.Results:The 41 patients were followed up for an average of 13.6 months (from 12 to 15 months). A bone defect ≤2.0 cm was found in 25 cases and that >2.0 cm in 16 ones. Nonunion healed in all patients after an average time of 14 weeks (from 12 to 16 weeks). One patient reported continuous pain in the donor area after operation and the other developed deep venous thrombosis at the right lower limb. The DASH upper limb scores at 12 months after operation averaged 14.7.Conclusion:Channel bone grafting is a feasible clinical treatment of postoperative atrophic nonunion of middle clavicular fracture, because it preserves the sclerotic bone at the broken nonunion ends, reduces the amount of iliac bone graft and leads to fine clinic efficacy.

Efficacy of radial shockwave therapy for promoting healing of delayed of forearm fractures in children with ultrasonic guidance / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy on delayed union of forearm fractures in children with ultrasonic guidance.Methods:A retrospective analysis of information on 18 children with delayed forearm fracture union who received ultrasonic guided extracorporeal shockwave therapy from February 2018 to June 2019 was conducted. Among them, there were 14 males and 4 females; Age: 9.44±3.75 years (range, 3-15 years); All the children were closed forearm fractures, including 13 cases of ulna and 5 cases of radius. Initial fixation methods: intramedullary nails fixation in 8 cases, Kirschner wire fixation in 4 cases, steel plate fixation in 2 cases, external fixation in 2 cases, conservative treatment in 2 cases; The classification of fracture nonunion were: 14 cases of hypertrophy, 4 cases of atrophy; The course of disease was 4.0 (3.0, 6.0) months. The front and lateral X-ray films of the affected side forearm were taken before treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The scores of callus condition were performed using Lane-Sandhu X-ray scoring standard and Fernandez-Esteve X-ray evaluation standard of callus grade.Results:All children completed treatment and were followed up for 6 months. The bone healing standard was the disappearance of the fracture line shown by anterior and lateral X-ray films. Within 6 months after treatment, 11 patients got bone union. The healing rate was 61.11% (11/18). The average of Lane-Sandhu X-ray scores before treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment were 3.0 (1.0, 4.0), 6.0 (4.0, 8.0) and 10.0 (5.0, 12.0), respectively, there were statistically significant differences in pairwise comparisons at each time point. And the average scores of Fernandez-Esteve X-ray evaluation standard for callus grade were 1.0 (1.0, 2.0), 3.0 (2.0, 4.0), and 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), respectively, there were statistically significant differences from 3 months and 6 months after treatment to preoperative group, while there was no statistically significant difference between 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The mixed effects model analysis results showed that only the Lane Sandhu X-ray score and Fernandez Esteve X-ray standard score of callus grade at different follow-up time points were significantly different. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, number of shockwave treatments and interval time from the first treatment after the initial fixation.Conclusion:The radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy can effectively treat the delayed healing of forearm fractures in children; the X-ray score has been significantly improved. The treatment is highly accepted by children and their parents, and can be used as one of the methods to treat delayed healing of fractures in children in the future.

Ilizarov external fixation combined with bone surface roughening technique for tibial dystrophic nonunion / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Ilizarov external fixation combined with bone surface roughening technique in the treatment of tibial dystrophic nonunion.Methods:The data were retrospectively studied of the 11 patients with tibial dystrophic nonunion who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, 920 Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from April 2018 to January 2021. They were 7 males and 4 females, aged from 32 to 61 years (average, 44.6 years). Their last surgical fixation before admission was Hoffman Ⅱ external fixation in 6 cases and locking plate internal fixation in 5 cases. The time from their last operation to the present operation ranged from 9 to 26 months (average, 14.2 months). After treatment by Ilizarov external fixation combined with bone surface roughening technique, the 11 patients started weight-bearing walking with double crutches from the second day after operation, gradually progressed to walking with a single crutch 2 months after operation, and resumed normal weight-bearing walking without any crutch 3 months after operation.Results:All the 11 patients were followed up for 12 to 30 months (average, 20.0 months). The time for bearing Ilizarov external fixation ranged from 6 to 10 months (average, 8.6 months). Mild pin track infection occurred in 4 cases but was healed by pin track rinse with normal saline; moderate pin track infection happened in another 2 cases but responded to oral amoxicillin capsules for one week in addition to pin track rinse with normal saline. All the bone dystrophic nonunion was cured after 6 to 10 months (average, 8.6 months). By the bone criteria of Association for Study and Application of Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI), the efficacy was excellent in 8 cases, good in 2 and fair in one at the last follow-up; by the limb function criteria of ASAMI, the efficacy was excellent in 9 cases and good in 2 at the last follow-up.Conclusion:Ilizarov external fixation combined with bone surface roughening technique is an effective treatment of tibial dystrophic nonunion.

Prevention and treatment of complications after open wedge high tibial osteotomy for knee arthritis / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is one of the effective treatments of medial knee arthritis and an important step in the treatment of knee arthritis. However, with the popularization of OWHTO, more and more of its related complications have been reported, including under- and over-correction of the alignment, tilted joint line, fracture of the cortical hinge, and changes in the posterior tilt of the tibial plateau. This paper reviewed the domestic and foreign research literature on the OWHTO treatment of knee arthritis to analyze the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, treatment strategies and prevention methods concerning the complications in the treatment of OWHTO. A comprehensive understanding of the prevention and treatment methods of the complications can help avoid and reduce some of the complications so that OWHTO can be popularized more widely.

Analysis of risk factors for nonunion after surgery for femoral shaft fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for nonunion after surgery for femoral shaft fractures in order to reduce them.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 804 patients with femoral shaft fracture who had been treated from January 2014 to December 2020 at Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital. There were 575 males and 229 females, aged from 18 to 96 years (average, 43.7 years). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether nonunion had occurred after surgery: a nonunion group of 112 cases and a fracture healing group of 692 cases. The preoperative general data, such as age, gender and fracture type, as well as intraoperative and postoperative data, such as operation time, internal fixation method, reduction method and internal fixation failure, were compared between the 2 groups. Items with P<0.05 were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors for nonunion. Results:There were statistically significant differences between the nonunion group and the fracture healing group in smoking history, drinking history, injury mechanism, injury type, multiple injuries, fracture AO classification, fixation method, internal fixation failure, postoperative infection and use of non-steroid anti-inflammtory drugs ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking ( OR=3.261, 95% CI: 2.072 to 5.133, P<0.001), high energy injury ( OR=2.010, 95% CI: 1.085 to 3.722, P=0.026), multiple injuries ( OR=3.354, 95% CI: 1.985 to 5.669, P<0.001), AO type 32-C fracture (type 32-C fracture used as a reference, P=0.034), internal fixation failure ( OR=3.517, 95% CI: 1.806 to 6.849, P<0.001), external stent fixation (external stent fixation used as a reference, P=0.009) were the risk factors for nonunion after femoral shaft fractures. Conclusions:After surgery for patients with femoral shaft fracture, special attention should be paid to those with a smoking habit, high-energy injury, multiple injuries, AO type 32-C fracture, external stent fixation or a failed internal fixation, because they are high-risk groups prone to postoperative nonunion.

Basic characteristics and treatment of aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft in Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University from 2013 to 2020 / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the basic characteristics and treatment of aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft in Xi'an Red Cross Hospital from 2013 to 2020.Methods:The data were analyzed retrospectively of the patients with aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2013 to December 2020. The patients' data from 2013 to 2016 were assigned into group A while those from 2017 to 2020 into group B. The data like gender, age and nonunion were statistically analyzed and compared between the 2 groups.Results:A total of 311 patients with aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft were diagnosed and treated during the 8 years, accounting for 54.6% (311/570) of the femur nonunion, 32.8% (311/949) of the lower extremity nonunion, 25.0% (311/1,242) of the extremity nonunion, and 22.7% (311/1,370) of the whole body nonunion. There were 244 males and 67 females; the majority of patients were in the age group of 21 to 50 (67.2%, 209/311). The occupation distribution was the most common in farmers (49.2%, 153/311). Traffic injury was the most common cause for primary fractures (40.8%, 127/311). The most common type of injury was closed injury (89.4%, 278/311); the most common type of nonunion was atrophic nonunion (87.8%, 273/311); intramedullary nailing was the main treatment for primary fractures (54.3%, 169/311); channel osteogenesis was the main treatment for secondary nonunion (62.1%, 193/311); autologous iliac bone grafting was the most common grafting for atrophic nonunion (83.5%, 228/311). Compared with group A, the proportion of aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft in group B increased by 9.2% in the femoral nonunions, by 6.9% in the lower extremity nonunions, and by 6.0% in the extremity nonunions, and by 5.2% in the whole body nonunions, showing statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the types of nonunion, occupational distribution, first-stage fracture treatment, second-stage nonunion treatment, and bone grafting method between the 2 groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The patients with aseptic nonunion of the femoral shaft were more common in young and middle-aged male heavy manual laborers, and the condition was increasing in recent years. The channel osteogenesis technique was still the preferred treatment method in the hospital investigated.

[Application of individualized controllable stress external fixation in open tibial fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of individualized controllable stress external fixator in the treatment of open tibial fractures. METHODS: From December 2018 to July 2020, 60 patients with open tibial fractures were treated, including 35 males and 25 females;The age ranged from 23 to 58 years;The course of disease was 1.2 to 10.0 h. According to the stress stimulation on the fracture end after operation, all patients were divided into 4 groups, including non stress group (15 cases) and 3 groups with different stress stimulation(15 cases in each group). All patients with open tibial fractures were treated with controllable stress external fixator. Four weeks after operation, the stress group adjusted the elastic external fixator to apply axial stress of 1/6, 2/6 and 3/6 of their own weight to the fracture end based on the patient's weight. The wound healing of all patients after operation was observed, the plain CT images of fracture ends at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after operation were followed up, the average valueof callus area per 10 scanning planes was calculated, and the differences between the groups were compared. The fracture healing was observed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The wounds of all patients healed well, of which 7 patients underwent secondary free skin grafting and transferred myocutaneous flap. All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months, with an average of 16.5 months. The final follow-up results showed that the fracture healing of stress groups and non stress group had significant difference(P<0.05). After axial stress stimulation at the fracture end, CT examination was performed on the fracture end of all patients at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks. The average values of callus area in 10 plain scanning planes were calculated as follows:no stress group (0.275±0.092) mm2, (0.383±0.051) mm2, (0.412±0.048) mm2, (0.472± 0.019) mm2, (0.548±0.036) mm2, the area of callus growth in the stress group was significantly higher than that in the non stress group. There was significant difference among these groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: When the controllable stress external fixation technique is used to treat open tibial fractures, the elastic external fixator is adjusted according to the patient's own weight after 4 weeks, and a certain axial stress is applied to the fracture end, which is conducive to the fracture healing of patients, and can reduce the incidence of delayed union or nonunion of open fractures, which has a certain application value.