Injury
-
Usually ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia are not compatible with good results and require surgery. The unsatisfactory results are more likely due to complex patterns of fractures, compromised soft tissue, associated ligament injuries, and concomitant vital organ injuries. There are many classifications to describe this type of fracture but none of them is a prognostic classification. The aim of this study is to validate our classification according to prognostic terms. ⋯ The floating knee is not only the bone lesion but is above all the lesion of the soft tissues and the extensor apparatus that allow the correct functionality of the knee. These lesions do not always have favorable outcome, with respect to the nonseverity of the lesion as in Fraser's classification. Furthermore, on average these patients are subjected to an average of 6 surgical interventions; in some cases we have assisted to 23 surgical procedures. This study proved that this new classification system is prognostic, reliable and reproducible.
-
Comparative Study
Prevalence of atypical femoral fractures, a clinical update: A comparative retrospective study 7 years later.
Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are a rare type of subtrochanteric or diaphyseal fracture frequently associated with the use of bisphosphonates (BPs). They are a clinical entity often overlooked, for which a correct clinical-instrumental classification is essential for a successful treatment. Nowadays, there is no accurate data on their real incidence. The aim of this work is to evaluate the period prevalence of AFFs and their risk factors, and to compare actual results with a previous study conducted at the same Institution seven years previously. ⋯ The efficacy of BPs for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures is widely demonstrated. However, particularly prolonged use of these drugs may increase the risk of developing AFFs in some patients. The incidence of AFFs is higher than that reported in the literature, if evaluated only for the subtrochanteric and diaphyseal sites (essential diagnostic criterion in the definition of AFFs). In our study, the incidence of AFFs doubled after seven years. The present data also confirm the frequent association between the use of BPs and the onset of AFFs.
-
Comparative Study
Dual mobility cup in hip fracture: Indications and clinical results compared with bipolar hip arthroplasty.
The choice between hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) for displaced femoral neck fractures remains debated. There is increasing use in dual mobility cup total hip arthroplasty (DMC-THA) to prevent dislocations in these high-risk patients. Aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze patients treated in a single Center for femoral neck fracture comparing HA and DMC-THA in terms of: functional outcome, rate of complications and mortality. ⋯ DMC-THA offer better functional results than HA in elderly patients with femur neck fractures. The mean surgical time was longer in DMC-THA but this did not influence blood loss, time of discharge or one-year mortality. In our series dislocation never occurred in both groups.
-
Comparative Study
Length and offset restoration in partial hip arthroplasty (PHA) performed by resident surgeons: Comparison between preoperative planning and intraoperative X-ray.
Restoring of leg length and femoral offset in partial hip arthroplasty (PHA) performed by residents (level one of experience surgery) in the neck femoral fractures has a significant role in the clinical outcome. The aim of this study is to show the statistically significant differences in restoring hip geometric parameters using preoperative planning vs intraoperative X-ray. Authors compared the use of pre-operative planning with intra-operative radiography to restore the limb length and femoral offset, focused on the measurement of femoral offset and leg length discrepancy (LLD). ⋯ Statistical analyses did not find a statistically significant difference between the using of preoperative planning and intra-operative x-ray according to postoperative LLD (p = 0,06). Similarly, median change in the offset did not differ between the two groups (-2 mm vs. -1,5 mm; p = 0.69). In our experience, the combined use of pre- and intraoperative techniques appear to be viable and effective in order to restore femoral offset and minimize LLD.
-
Early treatment of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a cornerstone of the therapy in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Treatment of refractory high ICP however, remain challenging as only limited and risky third-tier therapeutic interventions are available. Controlled lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage has been known as an efficient method of ICP reduction after TBI for decades, but it is not recommended in international guidelines because of low evidence background and safety issues. Our centre has a long-standing experience using this intervention for more than 15 years. Here we present our data about the safety and efficacy of controlled lumbar drainage to avoid further second- and third tier ICP lowering therapies and beneficially influence functional outcome. ⋯ Our results support the view that controlled lumbar drainage is a highly efficient method to manage intracranial hypertension and significantly decreases the need of further harmful ICP lowering therapies without altering functional outcome of severe TBI patients.