Injury
-
3D-printed implants could improve the capture of fracture fragments for improved stability of tibial plateau fracture fixation. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of fixation constructs using standard and customised 3D-printed proximal tibial locking plates for fixation of tibial plateau fractures. ⋯ Production of customised plates for proximal tibia fractures at point-of-care is feasible, however fixation constructs with these plates did not provide any biomechanical advantage over standard plates in terms of axial loading stiffness.
-
Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are well-known and serious complications following a trauma to the lower extremities. There is an ongoing debate on the benefit of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as prophylaxis following ankle fracture treatment. We examined the association between the incidence of VTE and the use of LMWH-prophylaxis following an ankle fracture, as well as factors affecting the risk of VTE. ⋯ Routine use of LMWH in patients with operatively treated ankle fractures was associated with a lower incidence of VTE. A more frequent use of LMWH among patients with non-operatively treated ankle fractures were associated with a lower incidence of VTE. The onset occurred later among patients with LMWH-prophylaxis who still suffered a VTE.
-
Fractures of the pelvic ring and acetabulum generally result after high energy trauma. Pelvic fractures, especially, are considered complex injuries from a therapeutic point of view, in relation to the frequent coexistence of skeletal and / or parenchymal lesions affecting other areas, and the abundant bleeding invariably associated with the latter. ⋯ The knowledge of the characteristics of the lesions and of the classification systems, as well as an accurate assessment of the anatomo-functional repercussions, represent therefore the fundamental prerequisites for the correct assessment of physical damage. Herein, we aim to examine whether the medico-legal assessment parameters of physical damage being used in Italy and Europe are appropriate and consistent with the complexity of similar injuries.
-
To our knowledge, a vascularized bone flap training model has not been described in the literature. In this study, we hypothesized that chicken wing radius bone can be used as a cheap, realistic and easily accessible vascularized pedicled bone flap training model. ⋯ We think that this model can be a pioneer in defining the bone flap model in living animals in future studies. Since this inanimate animal model is a cost-effective and easily accessible technique, it offers the opportunity to be applied easily and repeatedly, even in the comfort of surgeons' homes.