Acta chirurgiae orthopaedicae et traumatologiae Cechoslovaca
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2016
[Positions of Sustentacular Screw in Osteosynthesis of Calcaneal Fractures: Clinical and Radiographic Study].
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to analyse the options for sustentacular screw placement in osteosynthesis of intra-articular fractures of the heel bone and to assess the effect of various screw positions on failure to maintain the reduction in the postoperative period. In addition, problems related to screw-end protrusion over the medial cortical bone or to screw penetration into the talocalcaneal joint were assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group comprised 23 patients with a total of 25 intra-articular fractures of the heel bone treated by surgery. The procedure involved insertion of a sustentacular screw under fluoroscopic guidance. Post-operatively, screw position in the sustentacular fragment was evaluated on CT scans. During follow-up, attention was focused on the effect of screw placement on maintenance of fracture reduction, and clinical symptoms potentially associated with screw malposition were recorded. RESULTS All sustentacular screws were fixed sustentacular fragments. Seven screws (28%) were inserted in the talar shelf, seven (28%) were placed under and nine (36%) over the sustentaculum tali. Two screws penetrated into the talocalcaneal joint (8%). The end of a screw projecting by 2 mm over the medial wall of the calcaneus was found in 11 cases (44%). Two patients with screws penetrating into the talocalcaneal joint had problems. On the other hand, no clinical effect of a screw extending over the medial wall of the calcaneus was recorded. No significant association of screw position with late //delayed failure of fracture reduction was detected. DISCUSSION Although the ideal trajectory for a sustentacular screw have been defined using a model of the calcaneus, it is not easy to achieve optimal screw placement due to the complex anatomy of the calcaneus and limited possibilities of intra-operative control of screw insertion. Any sustentacular screw malposition is a potential risk factor, particularly if the screw has penetrated into the talocalcaneal joint. Therefore, it will be useful to seek methods allowing for safer screw insertion and elimination of risks associated with screw misplacement. The technique of sustentacular screw insertion by means of a compression-based device, described by the authors, designated to allow for screw placement in distal humerus fractures is one of the options. CONCLUSIONS Optimisation of techniques for sustentacular screw insertion in the osteosynthesis of calcaneal fractures should contribute to reduction of risks related to screw malposition. The assessment of effects which the position of a screw may have on delayed failure of fracture reduction should be based on a thorough biomechanical study. ⋯ sustentacular screw, calcaneal fracture, insertion, malposition.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2016
[Chest Injury and its Surgical Treatment in Polytrauma Patients. Five-Year Experience].
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Thoracic trauma, one of the most frequent injuries in patients with multiple traumata, is found in 50 to 80% of these patients and it is crucial for the patient's prognosis. It accounts for 25% of all death from polytraumatic injuries. The aim of this retrospective study was an analysis of the occurrence of chest injuries in polytrauma patients and their surgical treatment in the Trauma Centre or Department of Surgery of the University Hospital Pilsen in a five-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with injuries meeting the definition of polytrauma and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 were included. The demographic characteristics, mechanism of multiple trauma, ISS value and chest injury were recorded in each patient. The number of injured patients in each year of the study was noted. In the patients with chest injury, the type of injury and method of treatment were assessed. The therapy was further analysed including its timing. The number of deaths due to polytrauma involving chest injury, the cause of death and its time in relation to the patient's admission to the Trauma Centre were evaluated. RESULTS In the period 2010-14, 513 polytrauma patients were treated; of them 371 (72.3%) were men with an average age of 40.5 years. The most frequent cause of injury was a traffic accident (74%). The average ISS of the whole group was 35 points. Chest injury was diagnosed in 469 patients (91.4%) of whom only five (1.1%) had penetrating injury. Pulmonary contusion was most frequent (314 patients; 67%). A total of 212 patients with chest injury underwent surgery (45.2%); urgent surgery was performed in 143 (67.5%), acute surgery in 49 (23.1%) and delayed surgery in 63 (29.7%) patients. Chest drainage was the major surgical procedure used in the whole group. Of 61 patients who died, 52 had chest injury. In this subgroup the most frequent cause of death was decompensated traumatic shock (26 patients; 50%). In the whole group, 32 polytrauma patients died within 24 hours of injury (61.5%). CONCLUSIONS Chest injury, almost always blunt, is often diagnosed in polytrauma patients. A prevalent cause of multiple trauma is a traffic accident. Chest injury most frequently involves pulmonary contusion. Nearly half of chest injuries require surgery, of which 2/3 are urgent procedures. The procedure most frequently performed in polytrauma patients with chest injury is chest drainage and this is also a sufficient procedure in 75% of surgically treated patients. ⋯ polytrauma, chest injury, pulmonary contusion, surgical treatment, chest drainage.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2016
Case Reports[Pyoderma Gangrenosum Mimicking Necrotising Fasciitis after Rotator Cuff Reconstruction].
Gangrenous pyoderma is a rare complication of surgical treatment mimicking bacterial necrotizing fasciitis. The characteristic symptoms include a pre-existing immune disorder, negative results of the relevant microbiological examinations, no response to any antibiotic therapy, and deteriorating of the condition after radical debridement. Another typical feature is a discrepancy between an ominous appearance of the wound accompanied by leucocytosis and an elevated CRP level, and the patient s good general condition with low-grade fever and no signs of sepsis. The case of a 68-year-old man who underwent an elective open reconstruction of rotator cuff tears of the left shoulder is presented. The surgery was complicated with pyoderma gangrenosum that was first treated unsuccessfully by repeated revision surgery and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The patient was ultimately cured with corticosteroids. The sequellae included limited motion of the shoulder joint and extensive destruction and scarring of the adjacent soft tissue. ⋯ gangrenous pyoderma, necrotizing fasciitis, corticosteroids.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2016
Comparative Study[Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Infectious Complications in Grade III Open Fractures].
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Grade III open fractures are associated with infectious complications in 25-66% of injuries. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied to an injured soft tissue coverage provides an impermeable barrier between the injured structures and the external environment, in addition to early secretion draining and a positive effect on the site of application. All this also prevents secondary bacterial contamination. The objective of the study was to compare the results of treatment methods in view of infectious complications in patients with soft tissue injury in grade-III open fractures managed either by NPWT and primary closure or by covering with combined dressing fabric (COM) in combination with continual wound lavage. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study comprised 77 patients with 80 grade III open fractures treated in the years 2008-2012; of these, 39 patients with 41 fractures met the inclusion criteria and were finally evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group included 19 patients with 20 fractures treated by the standard surgical procedure using stabilisation with an external fixator or intramedullary nail, thorough soft tissue debridement, continual wound lavage and suture of skin lesions or using a primary coverage of the defect with COM. The trial group consisted of 20 patients with 21 fractures treated according to the same principle, but NPWT was applied to injured soft tissue coverage first and skin suture or any other type of skin defect coverage was carried out when the healing process was good and bacteriological findings were negative. The results of both methods were evaluated based on the following criteria: development of superficial or deep infection in the wound, interval to negative bacteriological findings and osteomyelitis rate. The results were analysed by Fisher's exact test and the Man Whitney U test. RESULTS Infectious complications were recorded in a total of 15 (37%) fractures: 11 (55%) in the control group and four (19.1%) in the trial group (p = 0.025). Recurrent infection was observed in five control group fractures (25%) and in none of the trial group fractures (p = 0.021). Osteomyelitis was found only in two control group fractures. The average interval before negative bacteriological results were obtained was 22 days in the control group and 12 days in the trial group (p = 0.001). DISCUSSION The NPWT use as a temporary coverage of soft tissue defects in open fractures results in a significant reduction of infectious complications, as shown by many relevant studies including this study. In comparison with Gopal's "fix and flap" concept, the NPWT in our patient group had slightly higher incidence of infectious complications (15.4% versus 19.1%). However, these results can be achieved only if a specialist in reconstructive surgery and appropriate technical facilities are readily available. If this is not possible, then the NPWT, in comparison with conventional methods, provides the best possible way of temporary protection for an injured soft tissue coverage. CONCLUSIONS Application of NPWT within the primary treatment of injured soft tissue coverage in grade III open fractures results in a statistically significant reduction of bacterial contamination at the site of injury, as well as a reduction of the subsequent incidence of infectious complications. Primary application of NPWT also significantly reduced the risk of recurrent infection. ⋯ open fracture, negative pressure wound therapy, continual wound lavage, infection.
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Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech · Jan 2016
Review Case Reports[Infectious Inflammation of Pubic Symphysis (Symphysitis Pubis Purulenta): Five Case Reports and Literature View].
Purulent inflammation of the pubic symphysis is a rare condition involving the symphysis and parasymphyseal parts of the pubic bones. It is usually found in immuno-compromised patients and its most frequent cause is Staphylococcus aureus. Conservative treatment is based on long-term administration of antibiotics and has been efficient, as reported, in about 50% of the patients. ⋯ Based on the experience with the treatment of five patients with infection of the pubic symphysis, the authors suggest that the late phase with abscess formation or purulent discharge should be managed by surgery. This treatment has good clinical outcomes although it may be complicated by slow healing of soft tissues around the symphysis and instability of the anterior pelvic segment with its sequelae. Key words: infection of the symphysis, infection of the pubic symphysis, septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis, pubic osteomyelitis.