Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Proximal humerus fractures have rarely been associated with injuries to the axillary artery. Most of the fractures described have been Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures with medialization of the shaft fragment and resultant laceration or thrombosis of the axillary artery. No intraoperative deaths have been reported. ⋯ There were 2 mortalities, 1 intraoperative. After a thorough review of the English literature, we identified an additional 11 cases of axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fracture. The purpose of this study was to heighten the clinical suspicion of this vascular injury in patients with proximal humerus fracture dislocations and surgical neck fractures with shaft medialization, as well as to review pathogenesis and guide management decisions.
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Stable fixation of displaced type II distal clavicle fractures presents a challenge to the surgeon because of distal fragment comminution and the large deforming forces created by the weight of the arm. We hypothesized that suture fixation around the coracoid and interfragmentary suture fixation would adequately counteract these forces and lead to a high rate of union and restoration of function. ⋯ Therapeutic level IV. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Case Reports
Fixation of unstable type II clavicle fractures with distal clavicle plate and suture button.
This article reports on a technique to treat unstable type II distal clavicle fractures using fracture-specific plates and coracoclavicular augmentation with a suture button. Six patients with clinically unstable type II distal clavicle fractures underwent treatment using the above technique. ⋯ One patient required implant removal. Fracture-specific plating with suture-button augmentation for type II distal clavicle fractures provides reliable rates of union without absolute requirement for implant removal.
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Administration of early and appropriate antibiotic in treating patients with open fractures is an important early factor in preventing infection and optimizing outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of an orthopaedic trauma performance improvement program directed at early antibiotic administration for open fracture patients at our trauma center. ⋯ Therapeutic level III. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.