Injury
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Supercutaneous (external) fixation with locking plate is utilized for fixation of long bone fractures. One retrospective study for open reduction and supercutaneous fixation of the calcaneus is reported. We prospectively evaluated the use of this method of fixation combined with percutaneous reduction. ⋯ Super-cutaneous fixation with percutaneous reduction of calcaneal fracture is an effective method in type II and III and can be effective with type IV but with less favorable results.
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The aim of this study is three fold: 1) to introduce epidemiologic data of patients with trauma-related amputations as a 10-year experience of a rehabitation center; 2) to determine comorbidities and secondary conditions of lower limb loss; 3) to determine the rehospitalization reasons for lower limb amputee patients. ⋯ Patients with traumatic limb amputations are likely to experience several complications and comorbidities. Prevention of secondary conditions affecting those living with the loss of a limb is an important part of amputee rehabilitation and may prevent rehospitalization.
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Cierny-Mader (C-M) type IV chronic osteomyelitis represents a complex clinical challenge with permeation of extensive bone and soft tissue involvement. Aggressive debridement through viable tissue margin includes en bloc resection improves the odds of eradication of infection, which creates large bone and soft tissue loss in treating this type of osteomyelitis. The potentially large defects increase reconstruction problems with traditional reconstruction technique. The newly staged induced membrane technique presents length-independent, potential as an alternative reconstruction method for segmental bone defects due to type IV chronic osteomyelitis. The purpose of this study was to assess the result and related factors of C-M type IV chronic osteomyelitis treated with staged methods of aggressive debridement and induced membrane technique. ⋯ Staged methods of aggressive debridement and induced membrane technique seems to be a simple, reliable and effective for the treatment of C-M type IV chronic osteomyelitis. Advanced age and poor soft tissue envelope may have adverse affects and are relative contraindications. The combined assessment and management of such patients with a plastic surgeon are advocated.
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The use of improvised explosive devices is a frequent method of insurgents to inflict harm on deployed military personnel. Consequently, lower extremity injuries make up the majority of combat related trauma. The wounding pattern of an explosion is not often encountered in a civilian population and can lead to substantial disability. It is therefore important to study the impact of these lower extremity injuries and their treatment (limb salvage versus amputation) on functional outcome and quality of life. ⋯ Sustaining a combat injury to the lower extremity can lead to partial or permanent dysfunction. However, wounded service members, amputees included, are able to achieve high levels of activity and participation in society, proving a remarkable resilience. These long-term results demonstrate that amputation is not a failure for casualty and surgeon, and strengthen a life before limb (damage control surgery) mindset in the initial phase. For future research, we recommend the use of adequate coding and injury scoring systems to predict outcome and give insight in the attributes that are supportive for the resilience that is needed to cope with a serious battle injury.
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Comparative Study
Reconstruction of two fingertip amputations using a double thenar flap and comparison of outcomes of surgery using a single thenar flap.
Although thenar flap for single fingertip amputation is a common and popular surgical technique, double thenar flap technique for patients with two fingertip amputations has rarely been reported in the literature. The purpose of this case-control study was to introduce the double thenar technique and compare the clinical outcomes between single thenar flap and double thenar flap surgical treatments. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the double thenar flap technique used for patients with two fingertip amputations produced complete survival with functional outcomes comparable to those of the single thenar flap technique at the last follow-up.