ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of difficulty in removing of locking plate and screw. MethodsThe domestic and foreign related literature about difficulty in removing of locking plate and screw was reviewed. The incidence, the reason, preventive measure, removing method, and its advantages and disadvantages were summarized and analyzed. ResultsWith the popularization of locking plate application, cases with difficulty in removing locking screw have significantly increased compared with non-locking plate, so it has become a new clinical problem. The main reasons are stripping, cross-threading, and cold-welding. In recent years, for the difficulty in removing of locking plate and screw, some special extraction tools and new extraction methods have developed, but each has its defects and indications. ConclusionSufficient preoperative preparation, being familiar with its advantage and disadvantage as well as its indications are necessary. The specific situations of patient, including the reason, the screw, the plate, the incision, the bone quantity, and existing equipment, should be comprehensively considered to select appropriate methods.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) and hollow compression screw in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures. MethodsBetween January 2010 and June 2014, 70 patients with displaced femoral neck fractures were randomly divided into 2 groups. After reduction, fracture was fixed with PCCP in 35 cases (group A) and with hollow compression screw in 35 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in the gender, age, cause, side and type of fractures, time from injury to operation, associated disease, pre-operative Harris score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, fracture healing time, fracture reduction quality, time of rehabilitation and weightloading; complication, post-operative Harris score and post-operative VAS score were compared between 2 groups. ResultsThe incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 13-34 months (mean, 23.7 months). There were significant differences in operation time, intra-operative blood loss, and fracture healing time between 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant in the fracture reduction quality between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in 2 cases of group A after operation (fracture reduction quality: grade IV); and avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in 4 cases of group B after operation (fracture reduction quality: grade I in 2 cases, grade Ⅱ in 1 case, grade Ⅲ in 1 case, and grade IV in 1 case), nonunion in 1 case, and screw loosening in 3 cases; and there was significant difference in the incidence of bone nonunion and avascular necrosis of the femoral head between 2 groups (χ2=-3.997, P=0.046). Difference was significant in fracture reduction quality in the patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and nonunion between 2 groups (χ2=1.991, P=0.047). The time of rehabilitation and weight-loading of group A was significantly earlier than that of group B (P < 0.05); the Harris and VAS scores of group A were significantly better than those of group B at 12 months after operation (P < 0.05). ConclusionPCCP for treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures has better static stability and better sliding dynamic pressure effect than hollow compression screw, and it can provide earlier rehabilitation and weight-loading postoperatively and obviously decrease the incidence of bone nonunion and avascular necrosis of the femoral head, but avascular necrosis of the femoral head still occur in patients with poor reduction or comminuted fracture.
ObjectiveTo investigate the countermeasures for difficult removal of screws in the plate. MethodsThe clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 47 patients having difficult removal of screws in the plate between January 2004 and May 2014. There were 30 males and 17 females, aged 16-58 years (mean, 34 years). The time from internal fixation to removal of internal fixation was 10 months to 20 years (mean, 22 months). The locations of internal fixation were upper extremity in 25 cases and lower extremity in 22 cases. The number of difficult removal screws in the plate was 1 in 18 cases, 2 in 15 cases, 3 in 9 cases, and 4 in 5 cases. The plate types included general plate in 15 cases and locking plate in 32 cases; stainless steel plate in 10 cases and titanium plate in 37 cases. The reason for difficult removal, plate, screw, incision, and bone quality of patient were comprehensively analyzed, and different methods for difficult removal were chosen according to the principle that first simply then complicated. ResultsAll plates and screws were removed, and no iatrogenic fracture or nerve and vascular injuries occurred. The operation time was 65-270 minutes (mean, 125 minutes). The blood loss was 80-775 mL (mean, 157 mL). The postoperative drainage was 20-250 mL (mean, 92 mL). The incision healing by first intention was obtained in 39 cases, and delayed healing in 8 cases. The patients were followed up 3-24 months (mean, 10 months). No infection or re-fracture was observed. ConclusionThere are many countermeasures for difficult removal of screws in the plate, but each has indication. As long as a well arranged preoperative condition, mastering a variety of methods, and being familiar with its indication, as well as reasonably choosing method based on the specific situations, the plate and screw maybe smoothly removed.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress in the treatment of fractures by far cortical locking technique. MethodThe domestic and foreign related literature about the treatment of fractures by far cortical locking technique was reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. ResultsIn order to overcome the shortcomings of high stress at the near side of the plate and high stiffness of traditional locking plate, a new far cortical locking technique has been developed recently. The structure retains the overall strength of locking plate, but decreases the stiffness of the fixation by 80%, so it can provide interfragmentary parallel micromotion and help to form symmetric callus, and satisfactory results have been achieved in theory, experiment, and clinical application of treatment of fractures by far cortical locking. ConclusionsThe far cortical locking technique is a major improvement of locking plate, which is expected to significantly reduce delayed healing and nonunion of some fractures treated with traditional locking plate.
ObjectiveTo compare the effective of short-segment pedicle instrumentation with bone grafting and pedicle screw implanting in injured vertebra and cross segment pedicle instrumentation with bone grafting in injured vertebra for treating thoracolumbar fractures. MethodsA prospective randomized controlled study was performed in 40 patients with thoracolumbar fracture who were in accordance with the inclusive criteria between June 2010 and June 2012. Of 40 patients, 20 received treatment with short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation with bone grafting and pedicle screw implanting in injured vertebra in group A, and 20 received treatment with cross segment pedicle instrumentation with bone grafting in injured vertebra in group B. There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected segment, disease duration, Frankel grade, Cobb angle, compression rate of anterior verterbral height, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score between 2 groups before operation (P>0.05). The operation time, blood loss, Cobb angle, compression rate of anterior vertebral height, loss of disc space height, Frankel grade, VAS and JOA scores were compared between 2 groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the operation time and blood loss between 2 groups (P>0.05). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no early complication of infection or lower limb vein thrombus occurred. Forty patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 14.8 months). No breaking or displacement of internal fixation was observed. The improvement of Frankel grading score was 0.52±0.72 in group A and 0.47±0.63 in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.188, P=0.853) at 12 months after operation. The Cobb angle, compression rate of anterior verterbral height, and VAS score at 1 week and 12 months, and JOA score at 12 months were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in Cobb angle, disc space height, VAS score, and JOA score between 2 groups at each time point (P>0.05), but the compression rate of anterior verterbral height in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.05). The loss of disc space height next to the internal fixation or the injured vertebra was observed in 2 groups at 12 months, but showing no significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with cross segment pedicle instrumentation, short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation with bone grafting and pedicle screw implanting in injured vertebra can recover and maintain the affected vertebra height in treating thoracolumbar fractures, but it could not effectively prevent degeneration of adjacent segments and the loss of kyphosis correction degree.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness using bone transport and bone shortening-lengthening by Ilizarov technique for tibial bone and soft tissue defects. MethodsBetween January 2004 and May 2012,31 patients with tibial bone and soft tissue defects were managed by Ilizarov technique,the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Bone transport was used in 18 cases (group A),and bone shortening-lengthening in 13 cases (group B).There was no significant difference in age,gender,type of fracture,defect location,size of bone and soft defects,and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05).Postoperative complications were observed;Paley's criterion was used to assess the bone healing and function recovery of the limb. ResultsAll the flaps survived and healing of wounds by second intention was obtained in all cases of group A;healing of wounds by first intention was obtained in 1 case,delayed healing in 3 cases,and healing by second intention in 9 cases in group B.All patients were followed up 1.5-4.5 years (mean,2.4 years).Pin loosening or pin tract infection occurred in 15 cases of group A and in 10 cases of group B,and limb length discrepancy in 1 case of group B;there was no significant difference in the rate of complication (χ2=0.003,P=0.955).In the distracted zone,all fractures healed naturally with excellent scale.The healing time was (251±39) days in group A,and was (239±45) days in group B,showing no significant difference (t=0.800,P=0.430);the healing index was (4.26±0.19) d/mm in group A,and was (4.13±0.19) d/mm in group B,showing no significant difference (t=1.775,P=0.086).In the bone defect zone,natural healing was obtained in 12 cases and healing after second operation or bone grafting in 6 cases,with healing time of (341±55) days (excellent in 17 cases and good in 1 case) in group A;natural healing was obtained in 11 cases and healing after second operation or bone grafting in 2 cases,with the healing time of (295±62) days (excellent in 12 cases and good in 1 case) in group B;and there was significant difference in the healing time (t=2.195,P=0.036),but no significant difference in the healing scale (Z=-1.693,P=0.091).At last follow-up,the function recovery was excellent in 7 cases,good in 6 cases,and fair in 5 cases in group A,and was excellent in 3 cases,good in 6 cases,and fair in 4 cases in group B,showing no significant difference (Z=-0.660,P=0.509). ConclusionUsing bone transport or bone shortening-lengthening by Ilizarov technique for tibial bone and soft tissue defects,the overall outcomes are similar,but the healing of bone defect zone is faster when using bone shortening-lengthening.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) between by unilateral approach and by bilateral approaches for treating mid-thoracic osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MethodA prospective randomized controlled study was performed on 22 patients with mid-thoracic OVCF between September 2012 and June 2014. PKP was performed by unilateral approach in 11 cases (group A) and by bilateral approaches in 11 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, causes of injury, disease duration, affected segment, preoperative bone mineral density, Cobb angle, compression rate of the anterior verterbral height, and Visual analogue scale (VAS) score between 2 groups (P>0.05) . The operation time, perspective times, hospitalization expenses, the leakage of cement, the sagittal Cobb angle, compression rate of the anterior vertebral height, and VAS scores were compared between 2 groups. ResultsThe operation time, perspective times, and hospitalization expenses of group A were significantly less than those of group B (P<0.05) . Twenty-two patients were followed up 13-34 months (mean, 15.3 months). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no early complication of cement leakage, hypostatic pneumonia, or deep vein thrombosis occurred. At last follow-up, no new fracture occurred at the adjacent segments. The Cobb angle, compression rate of anterior verterbral height, and VAS score at 1 week and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05) , but no significant difference was found between at 1 week and at last follow-up (P>0.05) . There was no significant difference in Cobb angle, compression rate of the anterior vertebral height, and VAS score between 2 groups at each time point (P>0.05) . ConclusionsPKP by both unilateral approach and bilateral approaches has the same effectiveness, but unilateral approach has shorter operation time, less perspective times, and less hospitalization expenses than bilateral approaches.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of sharp teeth hook plate by cutting for the treatment of olecranon fractures by comparison with Kirschner wire tension belt and locking plate. MethodsBetween January 2011 and April 2015, 32 cases of olecranon fractures were treated. Fracture was fixed with sharp teeth hook plate by cutting in 12 cases (trial group) and with Kirschner wire tension belt or locking plate in 20 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, side and type of fracture, and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The healing time of fractures and complications were recorded. At 1 year after operation, the subjective function results were evaluated according to Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and objective function results by Mayo Elbow Score (MEPS); visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for elbow joint pain, and range of motion of flexion and extension of elbow joint was measured. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, with no vascular and nerve injuries. All patients were followed up 12-36 months with an average of 18 months. All fractures healed, and there was no significant difference in the healing time between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Loosening of Kirschner wire occurred in 2 cases of control group, but no loosening of internal fixation was observed in trial group after operation. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The DASH, MEPS, VAS score, and range of motion of flexion in trial group were superior to those in control group, showing significant differences (P < 0.05) at 1 year after operation. There was no significant difference in range of motion of extension between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionSharp teeth hook plate for treatment of olecranon fractures overcomes the shortcomings that Kirschner wire tension is easy to slide and locking plate has a compression effect on triceps tendon, so it has good effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of induced membrane technique of hollow porous antibioticimpregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo for the treatment of osteomyelitis. MethodsBetween January 2010 and March 2014, 14 cases of osteomyelitis were treated by induced membrane technique of hollow porous antibiotic-impregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo after debridement at the first stage, then the bone cement with bone graft was replaced during the induced membrane after infection was controlled at the second stage. The time from first to second stage operation was 8-12 weeks (average, 10.2 weeks). There were 11 males and 3 females, aged 18 to 69 years (average, 39.2 years). According to Cierny-Mader classification of osteomyelitis, 2 cases were rated as intramedullary type, 5 cases as limited type, and 7 cases as diffusing type. The course of osteomyelitis was 3 months to 20 years, averaged 1.9 years. The healing of bone defect and the functionary recovery of adjacent joint were evaluated according to Paley's method. ResultsDebridement was performed for two times in 1 case, and for one time in 13 cases for control of bone infection at the first stage. All incisions healed by first intention after second stage. All patients were followed up 15-48 months (average, 13.4 months), with no recurrence of infection. All bone defects healed, and the clinical healing time was 4-5 months (average, 4.4 months). The results of bone healing grade were excellent in all cases at 1 year after operation; the functional recovery of adjacent joint at last follow-up was excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 85.7%. ConclusionInduced membrane technique of hollow porous antibiotic-impregnated bone cement forming in vitro and lavage in vivo for treatment of osteomyelitis has the advantages of high rate of elution of antibiotics, ease of lavage of medullary cavity, and no damage to induced membrane and bony interface between bone and bone cement when removing cement, it is effective for control of bone infection and repair of bone defect.