Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica最新文献

Objective: It was aimed at evaluating the effect of the size of the pedicle screw placed on the fractured vertebra on the long-term radiological and clinical results of short-segment posterior instrumentation applied in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures.

Methods: This retrospective study included 36 patients who underwent short-segment posterior instrumentation surgery for a single-level thoracolumbar (T11-L2) fracture between January 2015 and March 2021. The patients included in the study were divided into 2 groups according to the size of the pedicle screw placed in the fractured vertebra (group A: intermediate screw 4.5 mm, ≤35 mm+less than 50% of the vertebral corpus length, m/f: 13/4, n: 17, age: 36.5; group B: intermediate screw 5.5 mm, ≥40 mm+more than 70% of the vertebral corpus length, m/f: 11/8, n: 19, age: 42.6). All patients were periodically evaluated clinically and radiologically. Vertebral compression angle (VCA), anterior and posterior vertebral body height (ABH-PBH), intraoperative parameters (instrumentation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy number), and complications were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, level of injury, AO classification, mechanism of injury, and American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale. Restoration of VCA and vertebral corpus heights was achieved sufficiently in both groups after operation (P < .0001). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of early postoperative VCA, VCA measured at final follow-up, or loss of correction in VCA. At the last follow-up, PBH was statistically significantly better preserved in group B (P=.0424). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of operation time and the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies. Implant failure was observed in 1 patient in group A.

Conclusion: This study has revealed that using a long, thick pedicle screw placed in the fractured vertebra can better preserve the PBH at the final follow-up. No correlation was found between the size of the intermediate screw and the preservation of the correction in the postoperative vertebral heights and VCA during the follow-up.

Level of evidence: Level III, Therapeutic Study.

Objective: This study aimed (1) to simulate pedicle screw pullout after intraoperative external wall perforation and (2) to assess restoration strength with different thread designs in the pedicle screw instrumentation for osteoporotic thoracic vertebrae.

Methods: Twenty fresh-frozen human cadaveric thoracic vertebra bodies were prepared and divided into 4 groups: group 1, 5.5 mm × 45 mm polyaxial single thread pedicle screws (PASTS); group 2, after wall injury 5.5 mm × 45 mm PASTS; group 3, 6.5 mm × 45 mm PASTS after wall injury; and group 4: 6.5 mm × 45 mm polyaxial mixed-threaded screws after wall injury. While group 1 was the control group, groups 2, 3, and 4 were used as study groups after the lateral wall breach. All prepared screw units were placed on a universal pullout measurement testing device.

Results: The mean bone mineral density for 20 thoracic vertebrae was 0.57 ± 0.12 g/cm2 (range 0.53-0.6 g/cm2 ). The mean pullout strength was 474.90 Newtons (N) for group 1, 412.85 N for group 2, 475.4 N for group 3, and 630.74N for group 4. The lateral wall breach caused a 14.1 % decrease in average pullout strength compared with the initial screw pullout. Mixed (double)-threaded screws increased pullout strength compared to 6.5 mm screws (P=.036) Conclusion: Using a 1 mm thicker polyaxial pedicle screw or mixed (double)-threaded pedicle screw seems to increase pullout strength; however, this was statistically significant only for group 4. In the thoracic spine, the redirection possibility of the pedicle screw is limited, and augmentation with cement will not be appropriate due to the risk of wall injury-related leakage. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid violating the lateral cortex by using appropriate pedicle entry points and trajectories.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment preferences of orthopedic surgeons in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) cases under the age of 1 in Türkiye with a higher incidence of DDH, estimated to be around 5-15 per 1000 live births.

Methods: This was a nationwide cross-sectional survey. A link for the online survey, including 16 multiple-choice questions, was sent to the email group of the National Orthopedic Society.

Results: Among 233 filled-out surveys, 211 met the inclusion criteria. Half of the participants had experience of <10 years as orthopedic surgeons, managed <25% of pediatric patients in daily practice, and treated <25 DDH cases per year before walking age. Ninety-seven percent used more than one method, hip ultrasound the most common, for exact diagnosis of DDH under 6 months. Pavlik harness was the most commonly preferred brace, but the use of Tübingen orthosis increased among experienced surgeons. The uppermost age limit for bracing was higher in surgeons dealing with more pediatric patients and treating more DDH cases. Dislocated hips and hips requiring closed/open reduction were more commonly referred to other surgeons by less experienced surgeons in terms of years, number of pediatric patients, and treated DDH cases per year. The lowest age limit for intervention under general anesthesia was lower in surgeons treating >25 DDH cases per year. Over one-third used both anterior and medial approach open reduction, but a trend to anterior open reduction alone was more evident in surgeons treating >50 DDH cases per year. More experienced surgeons were more prone to check the intraoperative reduction with postoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis and treatment ages of DDH cases did not significantly change during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Conclusion: Management preferences of orthopedic surgeons in DDH before walking age primarily depend on the rate of pediatric patients in daily practice and the number of treated DDH cases per year.

Objective: This study aimed to biomechanically compare the maximum rotational, axial movements, and compression forces between fracture fragments before and after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption among interlocking nails, compression nails, and newly designed compressive anti-resorption (CARES) nails compressed with tube and coil spring.

Methods: We determined the maximum axial/rotational movements and interfragmentary compression loads between fragments on 10 interlocking nails, 10 compression nails, and 10 CARES nails with 30 composite femurs. Using a compression-distraction testing device, 6 N·m external and internal torques were applied, and we evaluated the maximum rotational and axial displacement between fragments after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption.

Results: When 6 N·m of internal-external rotation torque was applied after 2 mm fracture site resorption, the maximum rotational displacement between fragments in the CARES nail was 3 ± 0.52 mm, 101% less than the 6.03 ± 0.83 value in the compression nail and 100% less than the 6 ± 1 mm value measured in the interlocking nail (P=.000). The compression between fragments was 298 ± 72 N in the CARES nail after 1 mm of resorption, while this value was measured as 0 in the other nails. There was a significant difference in rotational, axial stability, and interfragment compression among the different femoral nails after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption.

Conclusion: The CARES nail having additional coil springs seems significantly biomechanically superior to compression nails and interlocking nails, providing maximum rotational, axial stability, and interfragment compression after fracture site resorption.

Osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle caused by lateral patella dislocation have been rarely reported. The AO/OTA Classification is not suitable for this uncommon injury. Comminution of the anterior cartilage surface of the lateral condyle with bone impaction is challenging to reduce and repair accurately, leading to uncertainty in joint function recovery. The treatment for this rare fracture is not commonly reported. We, herein, report a unique case where the lateral condyle osteochondral fracture occurred alongside patellar dislocation and instability of the patellofemoral joint. Autogenous bone grafting, open reduction, and internal fixation with a rim plate resulted in a satisfactory outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to present the clinical outcomes and establish a safe range for olecranon wedge osteotomy combined with internal fixation in treating Mayo IIB-type olecranon fractures.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients (10 elbows) underwent treatment involving wedge osteotomy combined with internal fixation. Primary outcome measures included the evaluation of the Oxford Elbow Score (OES), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), pain severity assessed via a visual analogue scale (VAS), elbow mobility, and the extent of osteotomy at the final follow-up.

Results: At the last follow-up, the median OES was 45 (range 38-48), and the median MEPS was 90 (range 75-100). Six out of 10 patients reported no pain based on the VAS. No significant differences were observed between the healthy and affected sides regarding flexion-extension and rotation activities. The mean horizontal lengths of the olecranon articular surface and base osteotomy were 6.2 mm (range 5.5-7.4 mm) and 14.4 mm (range 10.2-16.5 mm), respectively. The mean olecranon shortening was 4.2 mm (range 2.2-5.4 mm), resulting in a shortening rate of 7.3% to 18.9%. Fracture union was achieved in all patients, with a mean time to union of 11.2 weeks (range 8-16 weeks). Early mild (grade 1) degenerative changes were observed in 3 cases.

Conclusion: Wedge osteotomy combined with internal fixation represents a reliable treatment option for Mayo IIB olecranon fractures, particularly in cases of severe comminuted fractures that are challenging to restore anatomically.

Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of triple-dose intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) using thromboelastography (TEG).

Methods: One hundred thirty patients undergoing THA were prospectively enrolled in the study. According to the intravenous infusion TXA dose, patients were divided into single-dose (n=65; mean age=60.8 ± 8.1 years) and triple-dose groups (n=65; mean age=61.8 ± 8.6 years). Complete blood count (CBC), conventional coagulation tests (CCT), and TEG were conducted 1 day before the operation, on postoperative day 1 (POD1), and postoperative day 7 (POD7). Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed 1 day before the operation and on POD7. Drainage blood loss, total blood loss (TBL), hidden blood loss (HBL), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) incidence, and blood transfusion rates were calculated and recorded. The CCT, CBC, and TEG parameters were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: Single- and triple-dose groups had significantly different hematocrit on POD7 (P < .05). No significant differences were found in CCT and hemoglobin at any corresponding time point between the 2 groups (P > .05). Despite the reaction time (R) on POD1 (P < .05), there were no significant differences in other TEG parameters at any other time point between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). For drainage blood loss and TBL, the triple-dose group had lesser blood loss than the single-dose group (P < .05). However, no significant differences were found for blood transfusion rate, HBL, or incidence of DVT (P > .05).

Conclusion: Compared with single-dose, triple-dose TXA can be more effective in decreasing blood loss without increasing DVT incidence in patients undergoing THA. Although there is a notable disparity in the R time on POD1, the administration of triple-dose TXA does not substantially impact the coagulation status as assessed by TEG and CCT.

Objective: This study aimed to biomechanically compare the maximum rotational, axial movements, and compression forces between fracture fragments before and after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption among interlocking nails, compression nails, and newly designed compressive anti-resorption (CARES) nails compressed with tube and coil spring.

Methods: We determined the maximum axial/rotational movements and interfragmentary compression loads between fragments on 10 interlocking nails, 10 compression nails, and 10 CARES nails with 30 composite femurs. Using a compression-distraction testing device, 6 N·m external and internal torques were applied, and we evaluated the maximum rotational and axial displacement between fragments after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption.

Results: When 6 N·m of internal-external rotation torque was applied after 2 mm fracture site resorption, the maximum rotational displacement between fragments in the CARES nail was 3 ± 0.52 mm, 101% less than the 6.03 ± 0.83 value in the compression nail and 100% less than the 6 ± 1 mm value measured in the interlocking nail (P=.000). The compression between fragments was 298 ± 72 N in the CARES nail after 1 mm of resorption, while this value was measured as 0 in the other nails. There was a significant difference in rotational, axial stability, and interfragment compression among the different femoral nails after 1-4 mm fracture site resorption.

Conclusion: The CARES nail having additional coil springs seems significantly biomechanically superior to compression nails and interlocking nails, providing maximum rotational, axial stability, and interfragment compression after fracture site resorption.

Orthopedic injuries, especially fractures of long bones as well as multiple fractures and comminuted fractures, are very common after destructive disasters (e.g., earthquakes, wars, and hurricanes). Another frequent problem is traumatic rhabdomyolysis, which may result in crush syndrome, the second most frequent cause of death after direct traumatic impact following earthquakes. To improve outcomes, interventions should be initiated even before extrication of the victims, which include maintenance of airway patency and spine stabilization, stopping traumatic bleeding by any means, and initiating fluid resuscitation. On-site amputations have been extensively debated to liberate the victims if the release of trapped limbs is impossible. Early after the rescue, a primary survey and triage are performed, a fluid resuscitation policy is planned, complications are treated, the wounds are decontaminated, and the victim is transported to specialized hospitals. A triage and primary survey are also performed at admission to the hospitals, which are followed by a secondary survey, physical, laboratory, and imaging examinations. Washing and cleaning of the soft-tissue injuries and debridement in open, necrotic wounds are vital. Applications of fasciotomies and amputations are controversial since they are associated with both benefits and serious complications; therefore, clear indications should be defined. Crush syndrome has been described as the presence of systemic manifestations following traumatic rhabdomyolysis, the most important component of which is acute kidney injury that may contribute to fatal hyperkalemia. The overall mortality rate is around 20% in crushed patients, which underlines the importance of prevention. Treatment includes maintaining of fluid electrolyte and acid-base balance, application of dialysis, and also prevention and treatment of complications. The principles and practices in disaster medicine may differ from those applied in routine practice; therefore, organizing repeated training courses may be helpful to provide the most effective healthcare and to save as many lives as possible after mass disasters.