Acta chirurgiae orthopaedicae et traumatologiae Cechoslovaca
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2011
[Injection of anaesthetic-corticosteroid to relieve sacroiliac joint pain after lumbar stabilisation].
Both the range of motion and load transfer of the sacroiliac (SI) joint improve considerably after lumbar spine surgery. When, following surgery, SI joint pain develops in spite of appropriate physical therapy, injection of an anaesthetic with added corticosteroid into the SI joint is a first choice treatment. The aim of this presentation is to provide information on our experience with this therapy. ⋯ Lumbar spine stabilisation surgery may result in overloading the SI joints as the "adjacent segments". An intra-articular injection of anaesthetic can be considered a reliable method for ascertaining the SI joint as the source of a patient's problems. However, even with corticosteroid added, pain relief is not usually long-lasting.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2011
[Multidirectional screw fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures using angle-stable plates].
Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius are treated predominantly by open reduction and internal fixation with various types of angle-stable plates. In this study we compare functional and radiographic outcomes in patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with either angle-stable plates with rigid-direction screw insertion or multidirectional angle-stable plates. ⋯ The LCP group included 37 patients with an average age of 50 years (range 20-81 years) who were treated using angle-stable plates with rigid-direction screw insertion (LCP, Synthes). The APTUS group comprising 41 patients with an average age of 48.9 years (range 22-77 years) was treated by angle-stable implants in which screws can pivot freely in all directions (Aptus, Medartis). There was no significant difference between the groups in relation to fracture severity, age or other relevant characteristics. In all cases we used the volar approach. The final evaluation of treatment outcome was made at 12 months after surgery. We measured the range of wrist motion and hand grip strength, and compared the values with those obtained in the contralateral wrist. The results evaluated on the scoring systems of Gartland and Werley and of Castaing, and the DASH score were compared between the groups. The findings on radiographs were compared with the anatomical standard in the distal radius region. RESULTS In the LCP group, the average values, as compared with the contralateral side, were as follows: volar flexion, 84.2 %; dorsal flexion, 82.4 %; radial deviation, 83.2 %; ulnar deviation, 89.1 %; pronation, 98.6 %; supination, 97.4 %. In the APTUS group, the values in comparison with the other wrist were: volar flexion, 84.1 %; dorsal flexion, 91.8 %; radial deviation, 95.1 %; ulnar deviation, 92.8 %; pronation, 99.0 %; supination, 98.1 %. The values statistically comparable with the contralateral side were those in pronation, supination and hand grip strength in both groups. In addition, in the APTUS group, the values corresponding to the healthy wrist function were achieved in both radial and ulnar deviation. There were no differences in the values based on the scoring systems between the LCP and APTUS groups. As for the radiographic parameters, only the reconstruction of radial length was optimal. The other parameters differed from the anatomical standard. However, all patients met the criteria of successful healing of a distal radius fracture. Secondary fragment displacement during healing was recorded in two patients of the LCP group and in one of the APTUS group. Transient irritation of the median nerve was observed in five LCP group patients and in only one APTUS group patient. One patient in each group had an extensor tendon rupture. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome was diagnosed in two LCP group patients and in three APTUS group patients. DISCUSSION The surgical treatment of complex fractures of the distal radius using the angle-stable implants has generally achieved very good functional and radiographic outcomes with a low rate of complications. In the APTUS group, in contrast to the LCP group, the extent of radial and ulnar deviation corresponded to that found in the healthy wrist. The reason was a low-profile design of the plate and the screws, and the system with multidirectional angle-stable screws. The fewer cases of median nerve irritation in the APTUS group can be explained by the use of a different operative approach reducing the risk of direct mechanical nerve injury. In contrast to other authors, flexor tendon ruptures were not recorded in our groups. CONCLUSIONS The treatment of distal radius fractures by the angle-stable locking plate system from the volar approach achieved comparable functional and radiographic outcomes with both rigid-direction screw insertion and multidirectional screw insertion.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2011
[Failed compression osteosynthesis of the dens axis treated by anterior C1-C2 transarticular stabilisation. Case report].
We describe the case of an 80-year-old female patient who had undergone anterior C1-C2 transarticular stabilisation and was subsequently treated by the triple-screw method for failed compression osteosynthesis of a AO type III dens axis fracture. Key words: dens axis, upper cervical spine fracture, eldery, triple screw technique, anterior transarticular C1-C2 stabilisation.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2011
[A contribution of multidetector computed tomography to indications for chest wall stabilisation in multiple rib fractures].
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is more sensitive for the detection of injury to the thoracic wall and intra-thoracic organs than a plain chest radiograph. The chest wall deformity and instability following multiple rib fracture involves fractures of four or more adjacent ribs at two levels, sometimes including a sternal fracture. It may also be associated with lung trauma (pneumothorax, haemothorax, rupture, laceration or pulmonary contussion). An isolated multiple-rib fracture can successfully be treated conservatively. Early intubation and mechanical ventilation are indicated in patients with progressive respiratory insufficiency. Indications for surgical stabilisation of this fracture are based on the signs of respiratory failure and the results of imagining methods (MDCT at the present time). ⋯ Based on 3D reconstruction from MDCT images, it is possible to make the pre-operative considerations for rib osteo- synthesis more specific and to choose the best approach. At the same time MDCT enables us to diagnose associated intra-thoracic injuries and provides indications for their treatment. In addition, it gives us a possibility to evaluate the role of a flail segment in breathing dysfunction and to establish indications for surgical stabilization in multiple rib fractures. Rib osteosynthesis allowed for early stabilization of the chest wall and improved the mechanics of breathing, thus requiring a shorter period of mechanical ventilation. The evaluation of statistical significance of these facts will be made when a larger group of patients examined by MDCT is available.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2011
[Identification of the lumbosacral nerve plexus during the extreme lateral interbody fusion procedure].
The aim of this clinical observation study was to determine the extent to which muscle relaxation induced by anesthesia must be intra-operatively reversed for a reliable identification, by intra-operative monitoring, of the lumbosacral (LS) nerve roots during extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF). MATERAL AND METHODS: General anesthesia (midazolam, propofol, sufentanil, oxygen/air/sevofluran - rocuronium) was administrated to all pa - tients. Train-of-four (TOF) stimulation of the ulnar nerve at 10-second intervals and an electromyographic response of the adductor pollicis muscle were used, and the duration of neuromuscular block was measured by the value of the TOF-ratio. When the level of recovery from neuromuscular block was TOF-count = 2, reversion to normal function was still accelerated by sugammadex administration at a dose of 2 mg.kg-1. Subsequently, it was determined at which level of muscle relaxation subsidence the first responses to LS nerve root stimulation were evident. Intra-operative neurophysiologial monitoring (IOM) with use of the NIM - Neuro® 3.0 device allowed for assessment of a triggered electromyographic reaction (tEMG) of LS roots to stimulation during surgery. The neuromuscular reactions were evaluated in 11 patients, five men and six women. The results were analysed by descriptive statistics and presented as median and interquartile-range values. ⋯ 1. For a reliable intra-operative identification of LS nerve roots by electric stimulation at a 10 mA intensity it is recommended to achieve the value of TOF ratio equal to at least 0.70. When stimulation at a lower intensity (5 mA) is used, a TOF ratio of . 0.90 is necessary. 2. Administration of sugammadex to reverse an action of the muscle relaxant rocuronium is an effective and quick method to achieve the values required.