Fine wire versus locking plate fixation of type C pilon fractures.

PURPOSE: The successful treatment of high energy pilon fractures (AO-OTA 43C) can be achieved with a fine wire circular external fixator (CEF) or locking plate construct (ORIF). There is no consensus on whether ORIF or CEF achieves superior outcomes, and both have unique complications. We report early to mid-term outcomes comparing type C pilon fractures treated with ORIF and CEF. METHODS: An 8-year retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent ORIF or CEF for closed 43C fractures in a tertiary orthoplastic centre. Outcomes included unplanned return to theatre prior to union including superficial and deep surgical site infections (SSI), non-union and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) needing fusion. RESULTS: 76 patients underwent ORIF and 59 patients had CEF, with a mean follow-up of 2 years. 7/76 (9.2%) patients who underwent ORIF had a superficial SSI; 2 patients (2.6%) required a formal debridement for deep SSI; none required a flap. 13/59 patients (22%) had a pin track infection following CEF. With the numbers available, there was no significant difference in rates of unplanned return to theatre before bone healing (ORIF 7/76, 9.2%, CEF 9/59, 15.2%, p = 0.7), rates of mal-union (1.7% CEF, 3.9% ORIF, p = 0.7), deep SSI (p = 0.9), time to union (ORIF: 8.1 months v CEF 10.8 months, p = 0.51), non-union (p = 0.24) and fusion for PTOA (ORIF: 6/76, CEF 2/59, p = 0.46). CONCLUSION: With correct patient selection, both ORIF and CEF offer equivalent and favourable early to mid-term outcomes with regard to deep SSI, non-union, mal-union and PTOA. Although statistically insignificant, ORIF with more than 2 plates carries a risk of superficial and deep SSI, whilst CEF is associated with a 22% pin track infection rate. These unique risks must be discussed with the patient as part of a shared decision-making process.

Effectiveness of an Antibiotic-impregnated Bioabsorbable Carrier for the Treatment of Chronic Intramedullary and Diffuse Osteomyelitis.

Aim: The surgical management of chronic intramedullary osteomyelitis involves debridement of affected non-viable tissue and the use of antibiotics. Where surgery leaves a cavity, dead-space management is often through antibiotic-impregnated bone cement. These depots of local antibiotics are variable in elution properties and need removal. We review our unit's experience using a bioabsorbable synthetic calcium sulphate to deliver gentamicin as an adjunct in the treatment of osteomyelitis involving the medullary canal. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients with chronic osteomyelitis who were treated using this method in our institute. Variables recorded included aetiology, previous interventions, diagnostic criteria, radiological features, serology, and microbiology. The Cierny-Mader system was used to classify. Follow-up involved a survival analysis to time to recurrence, clinical and functional assessment (AOFAS-Ankle/IOWA knee/Oxford Hip/DASH scores) and a general health outcome questionnaire (SF36). The primary outcome measure was clinical recurrence of infection. Results: There were 24 male and 10 female patients. The mean age at presentation was 47 years (20-67). Clinical, laboratory, radiological, and patient reported outcomes were obtained at a median follow-up of 2.5 years (1.4-6.6 years). The bones involved were the femur (14, 41%), tibia (16, 47%), radius (1, 3%), and humerus (3, 9%). There were 13 cases classified as Cierny-Mader stage IV (diffuse with intramedullary osteomyelitis) and 21 cases as Cierny-Mader stage I. The median Oxford Hip score was 38 (11 patients, range 9-48). The median AOFAS score was 78 (14 patients, range 23-100). The median IOWA knee score was 71 (25 patients, range 22-95). The median DASH score was 33 (2 patients, range 1.7-64.2). There were two recurrences. The treatment success to date is 94%. Conclusion: In our series of patients, bioabsorbable carriers of antibiotics appear to be effective adjuncts to surgical treatment of osteomyelitis and were associated with high clinical success rates. How to cite this article: Selvaratnam V, Roche A, Narayan B, et al. Effectiveness of an Antibiotic-impregnated Bioabsorbable Carrier for the Treatment of Chronic Intramedullary and Diffuse Osteomyelitis. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2023;18(3):148-154.

Penthrox® (Methoxyflurane) as an Analgesic for Removal of Circular External Fixators and Minor Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Methoxyflurane has excellent analgesic properties and is approved for use in the United Kingdom and Ireland since 2015. It is currently used in emergency departments for analgesia during fracture reductions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with theatre access severely restricted, Penthrox® had the potential to provide adequate pain relief to aid frame and wire removal in the clinic setting. Materials and methods: Patients presenting to the limb reconstruction service elective clinic and requiring frame removal or minor procedures were included in the study. Patients with renal, cardiac or hepatic disease, a history of sensitivity to fluorinated anaesthetic agents and those on any nephrotoxic or enzyme-inducing drugs were excluded. All procedures were performed in an appropriate isolated room in the clinic. Patient demographics, procedure details, visual analogue score, Richmond Agitation Scale and patient satisfaction were recorded. Results: A total of 39 patients were included in the study of which 17 had Ilizarov frames removed, 10 had hexapod removals, nine had heel rings removed and three had an external fixator removed. Eleven patients received additional pain relief in the form of oral analgesia. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the experience. One patient required a general anaesthetic for the removal of a wire that could not be removed in the clinic due to bony overgrowth. Conclusion: Patient satisfaction was very high (>95%), and it was possible to perform frame removals and minor procedures in the clinic environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We see potential for regular use of Penthrox® in the future for the removal of external fixation outside of the operating theatre. Clinical significance: Penthrox as an analgesic for frame adjustments and removals is safe and has the potential for significant financial savings for the National Health Service (NHS). How to cite this article: Debuka E, Birkenhead P, Shah S, et al. Penthrox® (Methoxyflurane) as an Analgesic for Removal of Circular External Fixators and Minor Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2023;18(2):82-86.

A multicentre, randomized, parallel group, superiority study to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of external frame versus internal locking plate for complete articular pilon fracture fixation in adults.

AIMS: A pilon fracture is a severe ankle joint injury caused by high-energy trauma, typically affecting men of working age. Although relatively uncommon (5% to 7% of all tibial fractures), this injury causes among the worst functional and health outcomes of any skeletal injury, with a high risk of serious complications and long-term disability, and with devastating consequences on patients' quality of life and financial prospects. Robust evidence to guide treatment is currently lacking. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two surgical interventions that are most commonly used to treat pilon fractures. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 334 adult patients diagnosed with a closed type C pilon fracture will be conducted. Internal locking plate fixation will be compared with external frame fixation. The primary outcome and endpoint will be the Disability Rating Index (a patient self-reported assessment of physical disability) at 12 months. This will also be measured at baseline, three, six, and 24 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes include the Olerud and Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), the five-level EuroQol five-dimenison score (EQ-5D-5L), complications (including bone healing), resource use, work impact, and patient treatment preference. The acceptability of the treatments and study design to patients and health care professionals will be explored through qualitative methods. DISCUSSION: The two treatments being compared are the most commonly used for this injury, however there is uncertainty over which is most clinically and cost-effective. The Articular Pilon Fracture (ACTIVE) Trial is a sufficiently powered and rigorously designed study to inform clinical decisions for the treatment of adults with this injury. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(3):150-163.

Fibular lengthening for malunited ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Malunited ankle fractures are uncommon. They produce symptoms of persistent pain, joint effusion, limitation of dorsiflexion and eventually lead to ankle arthritis. We feel that correction of the ankle alignment can improve the final outcome and present our results. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From May 2004 to April 2006, seven patients with a malunited fibular fracture aged 25 to 62 years (male:female ratio, 5:2) were treated in our institute. All patients were referred for persistent pain. The delay between injury and the operative intervention was 3 to 16 months. All patients were assessed with a clinical examination, AOFAS ankle hindfoot score and plain radiographs. A transverse fibular osteotomy was made just above the ankle joint and below the tibiofibular syndesmosis. A tricortical iliac bone graft and a lateral fibular plate were applied. RESULTS: Fibular length and restoration of the ankle mortise was successful in all the cases. All patients showed radiological evidence of bony union on followup. The average AOFAS score was 82 (pain: 31, function: 41, and alignment: 10). Patients were followed up for an average period of 11 (range, 6 to 24) months after the surgery. CONCLUSION: We present our early experience with a simpler fibular osteotomy to correct the ankle joint alignment for malunited fibular fractures which was successful at short-term followup.

Bilateral ankle dislocation without malleolar fracture.

UNLABELLED: Dislocation of the ankle joint without a concomitant malleolar fracture is rare. With all reported cases to date being unilateral injuries, we present the case of a 28-year-old male who sustained bilateral ankle dislocations without associated ankle fractures following a road traffic accident. Ten months after the trauma, the patient had returned to work with minimal sequelae related to the injury. To our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind to be reported. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4.

Is device-assisted reduction prior to semi-extended intramedullary nailing of distal tibial fractures necessary?

INTRODUCTION: Traditional methods of nailing distal tibial fractures have an unacceptable risk of mal-alignment due to difficulty in obtaining and maintaining reduction intra-operatively. Methods to obtain and maintain reduction when nailing these fractures, and therefore reducing the risk of Mal-alignment include modified external fixators, distractors and commercial reduction tools. Semi-extended intramedullary nailing of distal tibial fractures via a supra-patellar approach is now being used more commonly. The aim of this study was to assess whether a commercial reduction device (Staffordshire Orthopaedic Reduction Machine - STORM, Intelligent Orthopaedics, Stafffordshire, UK) is necessary to reduce the risk of mal-alignment in patients undergoing semi-extended nailing for distal tibial fractures. METHODOLOGY: A case-control study was conducted in 20 patients who had STORM-assisted reduction of distal tibial fractures prior to intramedullary nailing and 20 controls without STORM. The control group was matched for age, sex, fracture type (AO/OTA), ASA and gender. All patients had an intramedullary nail (IMN) using the semi-extended system. Primary outcome measures were coronal and sagittal mal-alignment. Secondary outcome measure was unplanned return to theatre for complications and problems with fracture healing. RESULTS: There was no difference in post-operative mal-alignment in both groups. There was no significant difference in time to union in both groups Both groups had equal number of patients requiring unplanned return to theatre. The STORM group was associated with a significantly increased operative time [p=0.007, 130.3min (SD 49.4) STORM vs 95.6 mins (SD 22.9) Control]. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative use of STORM significantly increases operative time with no difference in outcome. The superior orthogonal views and manual control obtained during semi-extended nailing via a supra-patellar approach obviate the need for additional methods: of intraoperative reduction for this fracture group.

Management of high-energy tibial pilon fractures.

Tibial pilon fractures result from high-energy trauma unlike usual ankle fractures. Their management provides numerous challenges to the orthopaedic surgeon including obtaining anatomic reduction of articular surface and the management of associated soft tissue injuries. This article aims to review major advances and principles that guide our practice today. We also discuss a treatment algorithm based on a staged approach to the fracture: initial spanning external fixation followed by definitive fixation.

Distraction osteogenesis and nonunion of the docking site: is there an ideal treatment option?

Docking sites are the result of a classic bone transport technique for dealing with bone loss. Union may prove to be the rate-limiting step in the duration of treatment. Strategies to improve union have focused on surgical manipulation such as immediate coaptation of the margins of the segmental defect in the process of acute shortening to prevent fibrocartilaginous capping of the ends of bone during transport. This procedure has the highest success rate for union but is limited by its effect on the limb's vascularity. Other techniques for improving union involve compression, alternate compression-distraction, and bone grafts, all of which induce union to a variable degree. The application of external stimulators and bone morphogenetic proteins, the use of which is supported in fracture healing and even regenerate formation, is as yet unproven at docking sites.