Objective To investigate the efficacy of double-plating fixation via U-shaped incision in the treatment of type C3.3 distal femoral fractures. Methods From July 2006 to February 2009, 11 cases of type C3.3 distal femoral fractures were treated, including 5 open fractures and 6 closed fractures. Among them, there were 7 males and 4 females with an averageage of 43 years (range, 27-55 years). The locations were left side in 6 cases and right side in 5 cases. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 8 cases and fall ing from height in 3 cases. The time from injury to hospital ization was 30 minutes to 7 days. After bone traction for 3 to 8 days, the operations were performed by double-plating fixation via U-shaped incision, and autograft of il iac bone or allogeneic bone grafting. Results The average time of operation was 128 minutes (range, 105-150 minutes). The average blood loss during operation was 344 mL (range, 290-380 mL). Shallow local skin flap necrosis occurred in 2 cases, and incision healed by first intention in others patients. All patients were followed up 22 months on average (range, 12-36 months). The bone union was achieved within 3-6 months (4.4 months on average). No implant loosening or refracture was found. According to Merchan et al criteria for knee joint function evaluation, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case at last follow-up; the excellent and good rate was 81.8%. Conclusion The double-plating fixation via U-shaped incision has the advantages of better exposure, great convenience to manipulation, anatomical reduction, and rigid fixation. It provides an effective treatment for type C3.3 distal femoral fracture. However, its operation indications and operating instructions should be strictly followed.
Objective To design an open shape memory alloy artificial vertebral body that can be used to reconstruct the vertebral body in spine diseases, such as thoracic-lumbar spine tumors, burst fracture of the vertebrae, kyphosis and scol iosis, and to evaluate the biomechanical stabil ity of lumbar functional segment unit after insertion with the shape memoryalloy artificial vertebral body. Methods The open shape memory alloy artificial vertebral body with nickel-titanium (NiTi)alloy was made. Eight fresh spine specimens (T14-L5) from normal adult porcine were used to detect the range of motion (ROM) in 4 models and were divided into 4 groups: intact vertebrae served as group A; pedicle screw fixation of T15, L1, L3, and L4 was given in group B; after total resection of L2, it was reconstructed by open shape memory alloy artificial vertebral body combined with pedicle screw fixation of T15, L1, L3, and L4 in group C; and after total resection of L2, it was reconstructed by titanium cage vertebral body combined with pedicle screw fixation of T15, L1, L3, and L4 in group D. The three-dimensional ROM of flexion, extension, left/right lateral bending, and left/right rotation in T15-L1, L1-3, and L3,4 segments were detected in turn by the spinal three-dimensional test machine MTS-858 (load 0-8 N•m). Results Compared with group A, groups B, C, and D had good stabil ity in flexion, extension, left/right lateral bending, and left/right rotation, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the degree of each motion between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05). Group C had less degree of motion in T15-L1 and L3,4 segments than group D, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in L1-3 segment (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The open shape memory alloy artificial vertebral body has a reasonable structure and good biomechanical stabil ity, it can be used to stabil ize the spinal segment with pedicle screw fixation.
Objective To evaluate and compare the outcomes of simple closed reduction, selective fragment excision after closed reduction, and emergency fragment excision and reduction in the treatment of Pipkin type I fracture of femoral head associated with posterior dislocation of the hip. Methods Between January 2002 and January 2008, 24 patients with Pipkin type I fracture of the femoral head associated with posterior dislocation of the hip were treated with simple closed reduction (closed reduction group, n=8), with selective fragment excision after closed reduction (selective operation group, n=8), and with emergency fragment excision and reduction (emergency operation group, n=8). In the closed reduction group, there were 6 males and 2 females with an average age of 37.6 years (range, 19-56 years); injuries were caused by traffic accident in 6 cases, by fall ing from height in 1 case, and by crushing in 1 case with a mean disease duration of 3.1 hours (range, 1.0-7.5 hours); and the interval from injury to reduction was (4.00 ± 2.14) hours. In the selective operation group, there were 7 males and 1 female with an average age of 37.3 years (range, 21-59 years); injuries were caused by traffic accident in 7 cases and by fall ing from height in 1 case with a mean disease duration of 3.2 hours (range, 1.0-6.0 hours); and the interval from injury to reduction was (3.90 ± 1.47) hours. In the emergency operation group, there were 5 males and 3 females with an average age of 35.5 years (range, 20-58 years); injuries were caused by traffic accident in 5 cases, by fall ing from height in 1 case, and by crushing in 2 cases with a mean disease duration of 3.3 hours (range, 1.5-6.5 hours); and the interval from injury to open reduction was (5.10 ± 2.04) hours. There was no significant difference in the age, gender, disease duration, and interval from injury to reduction among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All wounds in selective operation group and emergency operation group healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 24 to 58 months (mean, 38.7 months). According to Thompson-Epstein system, the excellent and good rates were 50.0% (4/8) in the closed reduction group, 87.5% (7/8) in the selective operation group, and 87.5% (7/8) in the emergency operation group at 24 months after operation, showing significant difference among 3 groups (χ2=9.803, P=0.020). Heterotopic ossification was found in 1 case (12.5%) of the closed reduction group, in 4 cases (50.0%) of the selective operation group, and in 4 cases (50.0%) of the emergency operation group, and avascular necrosis of femoral head was found in 2 cases (25.0%) of the closed reduction group; there was no significant difference in compl ications among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Smith-Petersen approach and fragment excision by selective operation or emergency operation has similar outcome, which are better than the treatment of simple closed reduction.