Controlling nutritional status score predicts postoperative complications after hip fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is calculated using laboratory values, including serum albumin, total cholesterol concentration, and total lymphocyte count; it is reportedly valuable for making nutritional assessments. One advantage of CONUT score over other nutritional assessments is that it can be calculated retrospectively using only objective laboratory values. Studies demonstrated that CONUT score was a useful tool for predicting prognosis and complications in various surgical conditions. Nevertheless, few studies utilized the score as a potential predictive marker for postoperative complications among hip fracture patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between CONUT score and postoperative complications in hip fracture patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 211 elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at a single institution from 2013 to 2018. CONUT score was calculated using preoperative routine laboratory tests for serum albumin, total cholesterol concentration, and total lymphocyte count. As potential confounders, we extracted data such as patient age, sex, fracture type, and general conditions/comorbidities, as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Postoperative complications were defined as a Clavien-Dindo classification of 1 or more. Simple and multivaribale logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the incidence of postoperative complications as the outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean age [IQR] was 86 [80-90], and 80.1% of the reviewed patients were female. Based on the CONUT scores, 78.7% of hip fracture patients were classified as malnourished; 18% experienced postoperative complications. Simple analyses revealed significant risk factors for postoperative complications, including age, the ASA-PS, the CCI, and the CONUT score. Multivariable analysis found that CONUT score was the independent risk factor for postoperative complications (odd ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.45, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CONUT scores are independently associated with the incidence of postoperative complications. CONUT score can be used for risk assessment in hip fracture patients to predict early postoperative complications.

Recurrent femoral shaft fractures in a child with gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia (GDD) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by cemento-osseous lesions in the jawbones, bone fragility, and diaphyseal sclerosis of the tubular bones. Patients with GDD are prone to sustain fractures by minor accidents. Although over 80 cases have been reported, detailed information about the orthopedic treatment of the fractures is limited. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-year-old Japanese girl with a known history of GDD presented with pain and deformity in the left thigh after a minor fall. She had a displaced transverse fracture in the mid-shaft of the left femur and underwent a closed reduction and external fixation. In the 25th week after the initial surgery, she had another fracture in the left femur at one of the half-pin insertion sites. She underwent an external fixation again. After this operation, the patient sustained another refracture at the same fracture site and one supracondylar fracture at the distant site of the femur. The supracondylar fracture occurred without any triggering activity before beginning a weight-bearing exercise. The supracondylar fracture was successfully treated conservatively, but she sustained two more diaphyseal fractures at half-pin insertion sites one after another. She eventually underwent a revision surgery with a flexible intramedullary nail. At 3 months postoperatively, the fracture was healed and the patient maintained her ambulatory status without further refracture. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GDD might have narrower safety ranges of biomechanical and physiological drawbacks, which are considered to be acceptable in ordinary cases. The choice of treatment should be aimed at minimizing these negative effects. We recommend intramedullary devise as the first-choice implant for the treatment of isolated femoral shaft fracture in GDD patients in this age group.

Metaphyseal-diaphyseal Junctional Fractures of the Distal Humerus in Children: Two Case Series.

Introduction: Although there are few descriptions in textbooks and it is stated that the treatment of metaphyseal-diaphyseal junctional (MDJ) fracture is difficult, there is almost no detailed description on its treatment methods and precautions. Case Presentation: We encountered two patients, 9-year-old and 1-year and 11-month-old Japanese boys, with MDJ fractures of the distal humerus, which are very rare in children. Unlike supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus, the fractures were spiral fractures, which made percutaneous pinning very difficult. Open reduction was performed using a bilateral approach with two skin incisions. Both patients recovered completely and had no problems carrying out activities of daily living or playing sports. Conclusions: For patients that are old enough to receive a locking plate, we recommend fixation using a locking plate. In cases of unilateral pinning without cross-pinning, retrograde intramedullary nailing should be considered. MDJ fractures of the distal humerus should be treated as distal humeral shaft fractures, not as subtypes of supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

Comparison of Locking and Frag-Loc Screws for Fixation of Die-Punch Fragments.

Background The Frag-Loc (FL) compression screw system was designed to stabilize dorsally displaced intra-articular dorsoulnar (die-punch) fragments in distal radius fractures. Purpose Comparison of the biomechanical properties of fixation of the die-punch fragment (stiffness, ultimate strength, and displacement ratio of the fragment), using the FL and traditional locking screw (LS), and using simulated distal radial fractures in cadaveric specimens under axial compressive loading. Both screws were used with a volar locking plate (VLP). Materials and Methods Eight matched pairs of formalin-fixed cadaveric specimens of the radius were used to simulate distal radius fractures with die-punch fragments. The die-punch fragment was fixed using VLP with either FL group or LS group. Biomechanical properties for the two fixation systems were evaluated under axial compression loading, applied at a constant rate of 0.5 mm/min until failure. Load data were recorded and the ultimate strength and change in the gap between the die-punch and proximal fragments measured, with the displacement ratio calculated by dividing the value of the gap before loading by the gap after loading. Failure was defined as 10 mm or more of fragment displacement, or screw failure. Results There were no differences in ultimate strength ( p = 0.47) or stiffness ( p = 0.061) between the two fragment fixation systems. However, the displacement ratio was lower for the FL than for the LS system ( p = 0.049). Conclusion Compared with LS, the FL system lowers the displacement of die-punch fragments under compressive loading. Clinical Relevance The FL system is effective for the treatment of distal radius fractures with die-punch fragments.