Objective To investigate the reasons of failure of Gamma nail treatment for intertrochanteric fractures and define operative techniques of the revision surgery. Methods From January 1999 to January 2008, 20 cases of 432 patients treated with Gamma nails for intertrochanteric fractures were revised. There were 9 males and 11 females, aged 24-87 years (median 65 years). Among them, there were 4 cases of femoral shaft fracture, 2 cases of screw penetrating the femoral head,11 cases of screw cutting out the femoral head and neck, 2 cases of internal rotation malformation, and 1 case of nfection. The operative procedures of revision were as follows: 4 cases were treated with the long Gamma nail, 4 cases by adjusting the position of Gamma nail, 11 cases with artificial femoral head replacement, and 1 case by removing Gamma nail and debriding and reimplant the Gamma nail. Results The hospital ization days were 16-28 days (21.2 days on average); the bleeding volume during operation was 150-600 mL (380 mL on average). All wounds healed by first intention. Bed rest days were 7-15 days (12.5 days on average). All the patients were followed up for 1-8 years (5 years on average). The operations were successful, the femoral intertrochanteric fracture and femoral shaft fracture reached bony union. Compl ications such as loosening, breakage of hardware and coxa adduct were not observed. No loosening and dislocation of the prosthesis occurred. Among the patients with compl ications, 9 patients were treated with a Gamma nail again. Fracture heal ing was achieved within 2 to 5 months, with an average of 3 months. According to the WANG Fang et al. criterion for hip joint function, the results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 2 cases. In 11 patients who receieved artificial femoral head replacement, the hip joint function restored to normal. Harris score was 90-93. Conclusion Various causes such as osteoporosis, ti p-apex distance ( 25 mm), femoral shaft malformation, Gamma nail shortcomings may lead to compl ications after Gamma nail treatment for intertrochanteric fractures. Good results will be achieved by different revision techniques.
Objective To summarize and analyze the operation-correlated compl ications of total knee arthroplasty (TKA)with posterior stabil ized prosthesis (PS). Methods From October 2000 to October 2007, 707 cases (816 knees) underwent TKA. All the TKA knees were divided equally into former and latter groups according to the operation time (408 knees for each group). In the former group (October 2000 to January 2005, n=350), there were 63 males (84 knees) and 287 females (324 knees), aging (63.5 ± 7.8) years. A total of 198 left knees affected and 210 right knees affected; 292 single kneesaffected and 58 both knees affected. There were 304 knees of osteoarthritis, 84 knees of rheumatoid arthritis and 20 knees of other disease. The disease course was (9.3 ± 5.6) years. The knee range of motion (ROM) was (97.2 ± 8.7)°, the HSS score was 47.4 ± 12.2. In the latter group (January 2005 to October 2007, n=357), there were 77 males (92 knees) and 280 females (316 knees), aging (62.7 ± 6.3) years. A total of 221 left knees affected and 187 right knees affected; 306 single knees affected and 51 both knees affected. There were 278 knees of osteoarthritis, 109 knees of rheumatoid arthritis and 21 knees of other disease. The disease course was (8.6 ± 5.1) years. The knee ROM was (101.1 ± 10.3)°, the HSS score was 49.3 ± 11.2. We modified the method of lateral patellar retinaculum release and used a new femoral rotational al ignment technique in the latter group. The intraoperative and postoperative compl ications were divided into mild, moderate and severe. The HSS score, ROM and compl ications of the knee were compared and analyzed statistically during the follow-up. Results The former group was followed up 5.3 years (1 to7 years), compl ications occurred in 278 knees (68.1%), including mild in 136 knees (33.3%), moderate in 135 knees (33.1%) and severe in 7 knees (1.7%). The latter group was followed up 2.1 years (0.5 to 3.5 years), compl ications occurred in 159 knees (39.0%), including mild in 111 knees (27.2%), moderate in 47 knees (11.5%) and severe in 1 knee (0.2%), and there was significant difference between them (P lt; 0.001). There was significant difference in increased ROM between the former group (6.0 ± 3.7)° and the latter group (14.4 ± 4.2)° after operation (P lt; 0.05). There was significant difference in increased HSS score between the former group (36.9 ± 3.7)and the latter group (44.0 ± 4.2) after operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The TKA is a complex operation with innumerable potential compl ications. To accumulate operative experience and improve surgical skills are the key points to reduce the operation-correlated compl ications.
Objective To analyze the causes and managing methods of long bone fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation. Methods From December 1995 to December 2000, 43 cases of postoperative nonunion of long bone fracture were treated. These cases included 31 males and 12 females at the age of 19-57 years (40 years on average). The locations were femur in 11 cases, tibia in 21 cases, humerus in 8 cases and forearm in 3 cases. Bone nonunionafter allogeneic bone transplantation was caused by extensive soft tissue contusion and poor cover around bone fractue site in 6 cases, by incomplete debridement in 8 cases of osteomyel itis (including 6 without continual lavage and 4 only skin flap transfer), by secondary infection of wounds in 3 cases, by severe primary injury or secondary scar covering bone in 12 cases, instable internal fixation in 7 cases, and by earl ier weight bearing in 7 cases. Accroding to Weber classification, there were 4 cases of hypertrophic type and 39 cases of atrophic type. Basing on the type of nonunion, the methods such as refixation, bone retransplantation and transferring tissue flap were chosen to manage the cases. Results Incision healed by first intention in 37 cases, superficial infection occurred and cured after 2 weeks of dressing change in 5 cases, and sinus formed and cured after 2 months of dressing change and drainage in 1 case. All transferring tissue flap survived, and partial necrosis occurred at flap edge in 4 cases and cured after dressing change. All patients were followed up for 38-91 months with an average of 54.6 months. All the nonunion cases achieved bone union 5-11 months with an average of 7.6 months. But low extreme shorten monstrosity occured in 4 cases, malunion in 2 cases, functional l imitation near joints in 7 cases, and rotational l imitation of forearm in 1 case. Conclusion Fracture nonunion after allogeneic bone transplantation mainly shows atrophic type with overall or partial absorption of the allograft bone. The preconditions to guarantee fracture nonunion heal ing include stabil ity of fracture fixation, using transferring tissue flaps, controll ing infection, and adequate bone transplantion.
Objective To investigate the etiology, diagnosis, revascularization of upper l imb ischemia and the compl ications. Methods From March 2003 to February 2008, 72 cases of upper l imb ischemia were treated. There were 44males and 28 females, aged 19-90 years old (median 63 years old). The duration of the disease was 1 hour to 2 years. All cases had symptoms of l imb ischemia such as paleness, coldness, paralysis. According to individual condition, 72 patients accepted revascularizations including thromboembolectomy, reconstruction after traumatic injuries, pseudoaneurysm excision and angioplasty, balloon dilatation and stent implant, arterial repair, patch, vascular prosthesis or vein bypass/transplantation, and l igation or coarctation of fistula. Results Sixty patients (83.3%) recovered well after operation. Re-occlusion following thromboemboletomy was found in 6 patients (8.3%). And there were 4 patients (5.6%) with l imbs disturbance and muscles contracture and 2 patients (2.8%) with compartment syndrome in this series. The affected l imb had to be amputated in 2 patients (2.8%). And 1 patient (1.4%) died of cerebral hemorrhage because of anticoagulation 3 days after operation. All patients were followed up 1-6 years (mean 52 months) after operation. Four patients recurred and got improved after retreatments. The others got a good result with normal skin color and temperature, restoration of the radial and ulnar pulses, normal saturation of blood oxygen of finger ti p (gt; 90%) and patent blood flow of affected arteries was shown by color Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion The study indicates that identifying the etiology of upper l imb ischemia before operation and active revascularizations consistent with different causes are the key to treat the upper l imb ischemia.
Objective To study the prevention and management of early compl ications associated with anterior cervical spinal surgery. Methods From November 1998 to December 2006, 363 cases were treated with anterior cervicalsurgery, including 268 males and 95 females aged 17-79 years．In these cases, 224 suffered from cervical spondylosis, 39 from cervical disc herniation, 87 from cervical trauma, 9 from cervical tumor and 4 from cervical tuberculosis. Forty-eight cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones, 132 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by autogenous il iac bones and anterior cervical spine locking plates, and 183 cases with anterior cervical surgery were fused by titanium mesh cage and anterior cervical spine locking plates. Results A total of 282 cases were followed up for 3 months to 5 years with the average of 1 year and 11 months. Twenty-three compl ications associated with surgery were found, with an incidence of 8.16%. Three cases of transient superior laryngeal nerve palsy recovered within 3-7 days after the restriction of l iquid diet and fluid replacement. Two cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy recovered by 3-month pronunciation practice. One case of spinal cord injury was treated with medicine for dehydration and anti-inflammation, and was restored to preoperative muscle power of inferior extremity after 6 months. Two cases of CSF leakage were cured with moderate local compression and meticulous water-tight wound closure. Among the 10 patients with compl ications of internal fixation, one suffering mild dysphagia was reoperated, while the others were treated with cephal-cervico-thorax plaster external fixation and recovered with sol id fusion within 3-18 months. Among the 4 cases with cervical hematoma, 1 died of wrong rescue procedures and 1 was infected. Conclusion Adequate preoperative preparation, thorough understanding of anatomy related to the anterior approach and skilled surgical technique are essential for preventing the early postoperative compl ications of anterior cervical spinal surgery．