[Combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block in the emergency surgery for pertrochanteric fracture: an alternative technique in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications]. / Bibloc lombaire et sciatique plexique pour la chirurgie urgente des fractures pertrochantériennes: une technique alternative chez les patients à haut risque anesthésique.

INTRODUCTION: emergency surgery for pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications is a real challenge for surgeons due to the increased intraoperative risk. We report our experience with combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block as an alternative anesthetic technique for these fractures. METHODS: we conducted a three-year descriptive, single-center, cross-sectional study including patients with a history of recent pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) at high risk anaesthetic complications. Combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block was performed using the common neurostimulation technique. A mixture of 20ml of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% (50/50) was injected into each block. The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block assessed through the rates from anesthesia-related failures defined as need for conversion into general anaesthesia (GA). The secondary endpoints were: 1) anesthetic technique, 2) intraoperative hemodynamic, respiratory and neurological impairment, and 3) outcomes and potential postoperative complications. RESULTS: the study included 30 patients. The average age of patients was 74 ± 10 years. The average admission time in the Department of Emergency Surgery was 12(5-36) hours. The average duration of the procedure was 15.20 ± 3.45 minutes. No conversion into GA was necessary. There were no statistically significant differences between the various recorded intraoperative hemodynamic and respiratory parameters (MAP, HR, SpO2) (p > 0,05). Surgical procedure duration was 46 ± 5 minutes. Surgical satisfaction was 9.7 ± 0.1. The first post-operative analgesic treatment was started after 8(1-24) hours. All patients had complete sensorimotor recovery. CONCLUSION: combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block is an anesthetic alternative for urgent PFF surgery in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications: reduced operative delays, anesthetic efficiency, hemodynamic and intraoperative respiratory stability, absence of complications due to other anesthetic techniques, rapid admission to recovery room, and good postoperative analgesia.

Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in school sports injury: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Most injuries in adolescent occur during school sports like volleyball, football or basketball. Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures (TTAF) are an unusual condition, resulting from a forced extension of the knee opposed to fixed leg. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 16 years old male was hurt during school basketball, X-rays displayed avulsion fracture of tibial tuberosity of left knee, the treatment was operative using two cancellous screws, results were good including complete knee mobility and early coming back to school sport at 6 months. DISCUSSION: TTAF remains rare accounting for <3% of all epiphyseal injuries, it is frequent in teenage boys with open physis during school sport. We review the pathophysiology, mechanism, classification, diagnosis, and management of this injury. CONCLUSION: complications are occasional and functional recuperation is common after closed reduction and cast immobilization for slightly or no displaced fractures, otherwise open reduction and internal fixation for displaced fractures.

Bilateral posterior hip dislocation associated with right Pipkin II fracture: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral posterior hip dislocations are very rare injury, requiring a very hight trauma energy. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We present a case of 40-year-old male who sustained bilateral posterior hip dislocation with associated right femoral head fracture Pipkin type II following a hight energy trauma without neurovascular deficit. A prompt closed reduction was made, it was successful in lift hip but incomplete in right one, therefore, an open reduction was indicated, performed through a modified Hardinge approach permitting internal osteosynthesis with two Herbert screws. DISCUSSION: Posterior hip dislocations are an orthopaedic emergency that must be reduced within 6 h to avoid sciatic nerve compression and avascular necrosis (AVN). They are most often associated with femoral head fractures commonly known as Pipkin's fractures, that need anatomic reduction and osteosynthesis through posterior approaches, rarely external or anterior approaches. RESULTS: Anatomic and functional results were good at two years follow up excepting a right hip non-bridging heterotopic ossification; the patient returned to his work normally without any functional sequelae.