Orthopedics
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This article describes the effect of closed reduction and internal fixation with 3 different screw configurations for acute completely displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults. From 2001 to 2006, 136 patients (age range, 20-50 years) who had acute unilaterally completely displaced femoral neck fractures were evaluated retrospectively. All fractures were managed with closed reduction and internal fixation with 3 cannulated screws. ⋯ The average duration from injury to surgery was 17.3 hours in the avascular necrosis of the femoral head group and 22.3 hours in the non-avascular necrosis of the femoral head group, with no statistical significance (P=.155). Vertical- and separated-type screw configurations resulted in a significantly higher nonunion rate (P=.001 and P=.0017, respectively) than parallel configuration. The complication rate in treating completely displaced femoral neck fractures with internal fixation in young adults is high, and screw configuration may further affect results.
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The effects of ipsilateral cervical nerve root transfer on the restoration of the rat upper trunk muscle and nerve brachial plexus root avulsion were studied. After simulated root avulsion of the upper trunk brachial plexus, 120 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: (A) ipsilateral C7 root transfer group; (B) Oberlin group; (C) phrenic nerve group; and (D) no axillary nerve restoration group. At 3, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively, Ochiai score, Barth feet overreaching test, Terzis grooming test, and indices of neurotization were determined in 10 rats from each group. ⋯ No significant difference was found between the ipsilateral C7 group and the phrenic nerve and no axillary nerve restoration groups in amplitude recovery rate of musculocutaneous nerve compound muscle action potential. No significant difference was found between the ipsilateral C7 and the Oberlin groups in the early recovery of musculocutaneous nerve compound muscle action potential, but recovery was significantly better in the ipsilateral C7 group at 12 weeks. Ipsilateral C7 root transfer can improve the quality of restoration of muscle and nerve function in the rat upper trunk after brachial plexus root avulsion.