Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Sep 2005
Control of severe hemorrhage using C-clamp and arterial embolization in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic ring disruption.
Hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in patients with a pelvic fracture. The majority of blood loss derives from injured retroperitoneal veins and broad cancellous bone surfaces. The emergency management of multiply injured patients with pelvic ring disruption and severe hemorrhage remains controversial. Although it is well accepted that the displaced pelvic ring injury must be rapidly reduced and stabilized, the methods by which control of hemorrhagic shock is achieved remain under discussion. It has been proposed to exclusively use external pelvic ring stabilization for control of hemorrhage by producing a 'tamponade effect' of the pelvis. However, the frequency of clinically important arterial bleeding after external fixation of the pelvic ring remains unclear. We therefore undertook this retrospective review to attempt to answer this one important question: How frequently is arterial embolization necessary to control hemorrhage and restore hemodynamic stability after external pelvic ring fixation? ⋯ Although the C-clamp is effective in controlling hemorrhage, one must be aware of the need for arterial embolization to restore hemodynamic stability in a select subgroup of patients.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jul 2005
Case ReportsIntraspinal metalloma resulting in late paraparesis.
The metal-related complications caused by orthopedic implants have long been a concern, but these problems have been considered mostly in the field of arthroplasty or internal fixation of fractures. The recent prevalence of spinal instrumentation has evoked a similar concern among spine surgeons. Here, we present a case of intraspinal metallosis adjacent to the pedicular hook occurring after treatment of vertebral fracture by posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion, and causing paraparesis at the 3rd postoperative year. ⋯ Crevice and fretting corrosion are results at the junctions of rod-screw, rod-hook, transverse connector rod and other connector rods in modular spinal implants. Adequate usage of transpedicular screws may inhibit the occurrence of such a complication. For this reason, further studies are necessary to increase metallic corrosive resistance to inhibit crevice and fretting corrosion.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jul 2005
Benefits of postoperative shed blood reinfusion in patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement.
In patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR), most of the measured blood loss occurs during the postoperative period, and 30-50% of these patients receive allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT). For this reason, the salvage and return of unwashed filtered shed blood (USB) from postoperative drainage may represent an alternative to ABT in these patients. We have, therefore, evaluated the clinical utility of USB return in TKR patients, with a special focus on patients with mild anaemia. ⋯ Return of USB after TKR seems to shorten the hospital stay and effectively reduce postoperative requirements for ABT, especially in patients with preoperative Hb > or = 13 g/dL. For patients with preoperative Hb < 13 g/dL, although the return of USB also decreased the requirements for ABT, a further reduction will probably be obtained with the addition of another blood-saving method.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jul 2005
Review Case ReportsA case of trigger finger following partial laceration of flexor digitorum superficialis and review of the literature.
Trigger finger is a common condition, and the usual cause is stenosing tenosynovitis. Trigger finger caused by trauma is extremely rare. We examined a patient in whom an apparently trivial laceration caused partial laceration of the flexor tendon, leading to trigger finger. ⋯ We also review nine previously reported cases. When triggering occurs after an injury near the base of a finger, partial laceration of the flexor tendon should be kept in mind as the cause. Ultrasonography may be valuable for the diagnosis.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jul 2005
Palmar locking plate for treatment of unstable dorsal dislocated distal radius fractures.
This study investigates the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal radial fractures using a palmar placed interlocking plate system with no substitutes for treatment of the dorsal metaphyseal fracture void. ⋯ The treatment of unstable, dorsally dislocated, distal radius fractures AO types A3, C1 and C2, with a palmar placed 2.4 mm interlocking plate system and without additional treatment of the metaphyseal defects showed good radiological and functional results with minimal loss of reduction.