ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous retrograde pubic screw implantation assisted by hollow pedicle opener in pubic branch fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 42 patients with pubic branch fractures treated by hollow screw fixation between March 2008 and March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the operation method, they were divided into the traditional operation group (20 cases in group A, fixed with traditional retrograde pubic screws) and the modified operation group (22 cases in group B, fixed with percutaneous retrograde pubic screws assisted by hollow pedicle opener). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two groups in terms of gender, age, cause of injury, fracture classification, comorbidity, and time from injury to operation. The operation time, blood loss, incision length, screw length, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta standard on the next day after operation, and the function was evaluated by Majeed score at 12 months after operation.ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in both groups. The operation time, blood loss, and incision length of group B were significantly less than those of group A (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in screw length between the two groups (t=0.793, P=0.437). All patients were followed up 8-24 months, with an average of 16.8 months. There was no complication in the two groups, such as injury of blood vessels and nerves, fracture of internal fixation, screw entering into joint cavity, and nonunion of fracture. There was no significant difference in the fracture healing time between the two groups (t=−1.068, P=0.299). There were 2 cases of incision infection, 1 case of incision fat liquefaction, 2 cases of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in group A, the incidence of complications was 25.0%; there was only 1 case of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in group B, the incidence of complication was 4.5%, which was lower than that in group A, but the difference was not significant (χ2=2.104, P=0.147). In group A, 1 case was found to be dislocated, but in group B, there was no dislocated fracture. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the evaluation of Matta imaging on the next day after operation and the evaluation of Majeed function at 12 months after operation (P>0.05).ConclusionPercutaneous retrograde pubic screw implantation assisted by hollow pedicle opener is effect for the pubic branch fractures with the advantage of smaller incision, shorter operation time, and less bleeding compared with traditional methods.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the extended Carlson approach in the treatment of lateral femoral condylar Hoffa fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 17 patients with lateral femoral condyle Hoffa fractures between September 2012 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 43 years (range, 32-68 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 9 cases, by falling from height in 6 cases, and by the other mechanism in 2 cases. According to the Letenneur’s classification, there were 8 cases of typeⅠ, 6 cases of type Ⅱ, and 3 cases of type Ⅲ. The mean time from injury to operation was 7 days (range, 3-32 days). All patients were treated with extended Carlson approach. Patients with Letenneur types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were fixed by a posterior antigliding plate combined with headless compression screws from anteroposterior direction, and patients with Letenneur typeⅡ were fixed by headless compression screws from anteroposterior direction. The anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films, CT and three-dimensional reconstruction of the knee joint were taken after operation to assess fracture healing and position of the internal fixators. The knee function was evaluated according to Letenneur’s functional assessment system.ResultsAll patients were followed up 13-28 months (mean, 15 months). All the incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as fracture redisplacement, fracture nonunion, internal fixator fracture, and common peroneal nerve injury occurred. The mean time of fracture healing was 18 weeks (range, 16-32 weeks). At last follow-up, according to Letenneur’s functional assessment system, the knee function was excellent in 12 cases and good in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%.ConclusionThe extended Carlson approach for the treatment of lateral femoral condylar Hoffa fractures has the advantages of clear exposure, easy reduction and fixation, high fracture healing rate, few complications, and good recovery of knee joint function.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of medial buttress plate augmented hollow lag screws fixation in combination with sartorius pedicled iliac flap for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young adults. MethodsThe clinical data of 11 young adult patients with femoral neck fractures between February 2013 and February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 4 females with a mean age of 45 years (range, 32-58 years). Fractures were caused by falling from height in 6 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by sports injury in 1 case. There were 7 cases in the left hip and 4 cases in the right hip. The mean Pauwels angle was 64° (range, 55°-75°). All patients were treated by medial buttress plate augmented hollow lag screws fixation and sartorius pedicled iliac flap. The X-ray film of pelvis, lateral X-ray film of hip joint, CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction of hip joint were taken after operation to assess fracture healing and position of the internal fixators. The postoperative hip function was evaluated according to the Harris score. Results All the incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as incision infection and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury happened. Re-examination on the second day after operation showed that reduction and fixation of fractures was good. All patients were followed up 18-36 months (mean, 29 months). All fractures achieved bony union. The time of bony union was 16-23 weeks, with an average of 18.2 weeks. One patient (9.1%) got osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) at 30 months after operation. At last follow-up, Harris score was used to evaluate hip joint function, 9 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 90.9%. Conclusion Medial buttress plate augmented hollow lag screws fixation in combination with sartorius pedicled iliac flap for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young adults has the advantage of strong biomechanical stability and can effectively improve the blood supply of femoral head and neck, which subsequently reduce the incidence of ONFH. However, the surgical indication should be fully considered.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a new tibial plateau posterolateral column universal locking anatomical plate (hereinafter referred to as “new universal locking anatomical plate”) in the treatment of tibial plateau posterolateral column fractures. Methods Between October 2020 and December 2021, 14 patients with tibial plateau posterolateral column fracture were treated with a new universal locking anatomical plate. There were 7 males and 7 females with an average age of 59 years ranging from 29 to 75 years. There were 5 cases on the left side and 9 cases on the right side. The causes of injury included falling from height in 5 cases, traffic accident in 7 cases, and other injuries in 2 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 3 to 10 days, with an average of 6 days. According to Schatzker classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅱ, 8 cases of type Ⅴ, and 2 cases of type Ⅵ. All fractures involved the posterolateral tibial plateau. Three column classification: two columns (anterolateral column+posterior column) in 4 cases, three columns in 10 cases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing, and complications were recorded. The reduction of tibial plateau fracture was evaluated by Rasmussen radiographic score, and the recovery of knee function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. Results All 14 cases completed the operation successfully. The operation time was 95-180 minutes, with an average of 154 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 100-480 mL, with an average of 260 mL. All patients were followed up 6-19 months, with an average of 12.5 months. All fractures healed, and the healing time was 15-24 weeks, with an average of 18.7 weeks. During the follow-up, there was 1 case of common peroneal nerve palsy and 1 case of traumatic osteoarthritis. There was no other complication such as vascular injury, incision infection, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, heterotopic ossification, bone nonunion, and failure of internal fixation. The reduction of tibial plateau fractures was good immediately after operation, and the Rasmussen radiological score was 10-18, with an average of 15.7; 3 cases were excellent, 10 cases were good, and 1 case was fair, with an excellent and good rate of 92.9%. The scores and grades of HSS at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between 3 months after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05).Conclusion For the fractures involving the posterolateral column of the tibial plateau, the new universal locking anatomical plate can provide strong fixation, satisfactory postoperative fracture reduction, and good recovery of knee function.
ObjectiveTo estimate the outcome of cerclage followed by a figure-of-eight tension band with a single titanium wire for the treatment of patellar fracture.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 46 patients with patellar fractures treated between June 2012 and November 2014. There were 30 males and 16 females, aged 20-86 years (mean, 54 years). The fracture causes included falling in 27 cases, traffic accident in 16 cases, and knock in 3 cases. There were 41 cases of closed fractures and 5 cases of open fracture. The injury located at the left side in 24 cases and the right side in 22 cases. According to AO classification, fracture was rated as type 34-A in 3 cases, as type 34-B in 1 case, as type 34-C1 in 7 cases, as type 34-C2 in 13 cases, and as type 34-C3 in 22 cases. The time between injury and operation ranged 1-12 days (mean, 3.7 days). During operations, a single titanium wire was used to pass around the patellar, followed a figure-of-eight wrapping, to tight and fix at the tension of 35 kg.ResultsAll incisions healed primarily. The patients were followed up 20.6 months on average (range, 6-24 months). Partial wire loosening was found in 2 cases, irritation of skin or soft tissue in 1 case. The X-ray examination showed bony healing at 3 months after operation, without breakage of titanium wire. The internal fixation was removed in 38 cases at 12 months after operation. According to the Böstman rating score, the mean score was 28.34 (range, 24-30) at 12 months after ope-ration; the results were excellent in 42 cases and good in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%.ConclusionFor patellar fracture, cerclage followed by a figure-of-eight tension band with a single titanium wire is able to achieve an effective stability and to allow early motion for patient with less complication.