Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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To determine the incidence of pin tract infection.DESIGN Retrospective chart review. ⋯ Patients with hybrid external fixators had a similar risk of pin tract infection as patients who had unilateral fixators. The infection rate in the ring fixator group was significantly lower than the hybrid external and unilateral fixator groups.
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The pelvic C-clamp was designed to provide posterior stability temporarily to pelvic ring injuries associated with massive venous hemorrhage in adult patients. Pediatric pelvic ring injuries are uncommon, but when unstable injuries occur they may be coupled with visceral injuries and lethal hemorrhage. 1, 2 Anterior external frame fixators have been described in the treatment of these injuries in pediatric patients with few adverse outcomes and good long-term results. ⋯ The pelvic C-clamp eliminated these problems, while providing fixation points that do not violate areas of cartilage or physeal growth. We present a case demonstrating that the pelvic C-clamp is a safe form of temporary fixation in a skeletally immature patient with a posterior pelvic ring injury associated with massive hemorrhage.
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To measure the failure rate of percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation of vertically unstable pelvic fractures and particularly to test the hypothesis that fixations in which the posterior injury is a vertical fracture of the sacrum are more likely to fail than fixations with dislocations or fracture-dislocations of the sacroiliac joint. ⋯ Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is a useful technique in the management of vertically unstable pelvic fractures, but a vertical sacral fracture should make the surgeon more wary of fixation failure and loss of reduction.
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To investigate the risk of axillary nerve injury during placement of the proximal interlock and tension screws of the Synthes Titanium Flexible Humeral Nail System (Synthes, Paoli, PA). ⋯ There is significant risk to the axillary nerve when inserting the proximal interlock screw and the tension screw of this flexible humeral nail system. We recommend blunt dissection through the deltoid, direct visualization of the lateral humeral cortex, and use of a soft tissue protection sleeve when predrilling and placing these screws.