Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Iliosacral screws are a popular technique used to treat complicated injuries of the pelvis. It is well recognized that this technique entails some potentially disabling complications, including damage to vessels and lumbosacral nerves. The recommended insertion site for iliosacral screws into the S1 body lies along the posterior ilium between the greater sciatic notch and the iliac crest. The anatomy and course of the superior gluteal nerve and vessels have been described along the outer aspect of the posterior ilium. Injury to the superior gluteal nerve and vessels has been reported during pelvic surgery, including the insertion of iliosacral screws. The purpose of this study is to assess the risks of injury and proximity of percutaneously inserted iliosacral screws to the superior gluteal nerve and vessels using a cadaver model. ⋯ The deep superior branch of the superior gluteal nerve and vessels, which provides major blood and nerve supply to the G. medius and G. minimus, is at significant risk during the percutaneous placement of iliosacral screws even when "well placed" and soft tissue protecting cannulas are used. The clinical effects of these injuries remain poorly understood.
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We present the case of an intraforaminal iliosacral screw placed percutaneously with aid of C-arm using inlet, outlet, and lateral views of the pelvis. The iliosacral screw was placed above the S1 foramen on the outlet view, into the middle of S1 via the ala on the inlet view, and below the cortical shadow of the ala on the lateral view. ⋯ Postoperative computed tomography scan showed that the iliosacral screw was within the S1 foramen. Because of the tangential nature of the S1 foramen, slight posterior placement of the screw into the S1 body and not into the promontory resulted in violation of the foramen despite it being above the cortical shadow on the outlet view.
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Fractures in the trochanteric region of the femur are classified as AO/OTA 31-A, as they are extracapsular. This report analyzes the relatively rare 31-A3 fracture, which has also been referred to as an "intertrochanteric femur fracture with subtrochanteric extension," "reverse obliquity intertrochanteric femur fracture," "unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture," or a "subtrochanteric femur fracture." The A3 fracture is characterized by having a fracture line exiting the lateral femoral cortex distal to the vastus ridge. Possible fixation constructs include compression hip screws, intramedullary hip screws, trochanteric intramedullary nails, cephalomedullary antegrade intramedullary nails, and 95 degrees plates. Most reports investigating 31-A fractures do not describe the 31-A3 fracture. For this analysis, only reports clearly indicating that the fracture treated was a 31-A3 were included. It should be understood that this approach therefore excludes reports on generic "subtrochanteric fractures" or "intertrochanteric fractures," some of which may have been 31-A3 fractures. ⋯ To determine the effect of fixation technique for the AO/OTA 31-A3 fracture on rates of union, infection, risk of reoperation, and functional outcomes.
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Treatment of extra-articular distal humerus shaft fractures with plating techniques is often difficult, as traditional centrally located posterior plates often encroach on the olecranon fossa, limiting distal osseous fixation. The use of a modified Synthes Lateral Tibial Head Buttress Plate (Synthes, Paoli, PA) allows for a centrally placed posterior plating of the humeral shaft that angles anatomically along the lateral column to treat far distal humeral shaft fractures. Fifteen patients treated in this manner were followed to radiographic and clinical union. There were no cases of instrumentation failure or loss of reduction.
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The purpose of this study was to report the results of surgical treatment of a subset of intertrochanteric fractures with posteromedial comminution and extension of the fracture line into the femoral neck using a sliding hip screw. ⋯ We conclude that intertrochanteric hip fractures with associated femoral neck fractures should not be managed with a standard sliding hip screw.