Ali Baktir

Flexor tendon repair in zone 2 followed by early active mobilization

The results following primary and delayed primary repair in zone 2 flexor tendon injuries were evaluated prospectively in 88 fingers of 71 patients using two different early postoperative mobilization programmes. In 33 patients, the Kleinert rubber band passive flexion method was used. In the remaining 38 patients, the early active mobilization programme was used. All patients were reviewed 1 year after operation and the results assessed by the Strickland criteria. During this evaluation maximum grip strength was also measured. The results were excellent or good in 78% of digits and mean grip strength was 84% of the uninjured hand in the Kleinert rubber band passive flexion group. In the early active mobilization group, excellent or good results were achieved in 85% of the digits and the mean grip strength was 90% of the uninjured hand. There were two early ruptures in each group.

One-stage treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in older children.

We reviewed the results of a primary one-stage combined operation in 47 patients (55 hips) who were > or = 4 years and had congenital dislocation of the hip. At a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (2-16 years), 67% of the whole series had good or excellent clinical results, and 65% were good or excellent radiologically. Avascular necrosis occurred in four patients, and redislocation also occurred in four patients. We concluded that most of the children who are > or = 4 years and who have congenital dislocation of the hip can successfully be treated with an extensive one-stage operation consisting of open reduction combined with innominate osteotomy and femoral varus, derotation, and shortening osteotomy.

An unidentified pitfall of Endobutton use: case report

We report a case study of a patient who underwent bone–patellar tendon–bone ACL reconstruction using an Endobutton. Although the fact that the Endobutton did not pass outside the femoral cortex was realized after the operation, Lachmans test was negative. The Endobutton appeared to hang onto the femoral tunnel as an anchor, and it was decided to observe rather than intervene. One year later no laxity had developed, and a second-look arthroscopy showed a good ligament reconstruction. Although it is quite easy to perform, Endobutton fixation in ACL surgery requires that maximum care be taken to ensure that the Endobutton has flipped.

Experimental repair of segmental bone defects in rabbits by demineralized allograft covered by free autogenous periosteum

Using an experimental model of segmental bone defect in the ulna of rabbits we investigated the effect on bone healing of fresh cancellous autograft (FCA), demineralized deep-frozen allograft (DDA), and demineralized deep-frozen allograft covered with free autogenous periosteum (DDAwP). Radiologically, it was found that the results of the FCA and DDAwP groups were superior to those of the DDA group. This superiority was statistically significant after the 3rd to the 9th week for the FCA group, and the 6th to the 9th week for the DDAwP group. However, bone formation and union in the DDA group reached the same level of those in the other groups after 12 weeks. When the all histological findings were compared at the 12th week, the FCA and DDAwP groups were statistically superior to the DDA group in terms of proximal union. On distal union, the FCA group was statistically superior to the DDA group. Biomechanically, the FCA and DDAwP groups were statistically superior to the DDA group in terms of maximum torque and energy absorption. The DDAwP group was superior to the DDA group in term of stiffness. We conclude that ossification could be more easily achieved if demineralized deep-frozen allograft is covered with periosteum when faced with the need for quicker and better quality bone integration.

Closed Ender nailing of adolescent femoral shaft fractures

Twenty-seven adolescents with 29 femoral shaft fractures, between the ages of 10 and 16 years, were treated with closed flexible Ender intramedullary nailing from 1989 to 1992 in our clinic. In one patient who had a fracture of the distal third of the femoral shaft, the nail was inserted proximal to distal (antegrade nailing). In the other patients, the nails were inserted distal to proximal (retrograde nailing). Clinical and radiological follow up averaged 32 months (18-56 months). Hospitalization averaged 15 days (7-28 days). All fractures healed with one significant leg length discrepancy of 1.7 cm in a patient who had developed osteomyelitis. There was no significant angulation or malrotation. All patients had a normal gait and were able to participate in full activities. There was one deep wound infection in a patient with an open fracture of the femoral shaft. There were no non-unions, delayed-unions or psychological complications. For this age group, this treatment of femoral shaft fracture should be considered owing to the functional recovery with low morbidity and cost, providing early ambulation, early discharge from hospital and early return to school.

Femoral shaft fractures in children treated by closed reduction and early spica cast with incorporated supracondylar Kirschner wires: a long-term follow-up results.

38 children between 1 and 10 years of age with femoral shaft fractures were treated by closed reduction and early spica cast with incorporated supracondylar Kirschner wires and followed up prospectively. Overrides of maximum 15 mm, medial and anterior angulations less than 15 degrees and lateral angulation up to 5 degrees were considered acceptable. Posterior angulation and malrotation were not accepted. Of the 38 children examined at a mean of 65.6 months (range, 58-80 months) after fracture, none had any residual skeletal deformity and joint stiffness. At long-term follow-up, maximal shortening was 11 mm and overgrowth was 6 mm. The only factor associated with unacceptable shortening was shortening > 15 mm at the time of spica cast application. We believe that close follow-up during the first 3 weeks after cast application is important in order to achieve an acceptable final outcome. On the other hand this method of treatment is simple, safe and effective. It dramatically decreases hospital stay and cost of treatment and allows rapid return of the patients to their family environment.

Femoral Revision Using the Wagner SL Revision Stem: A Single-Surgeon Experience Featuring 11-19 Years of Follow-Up

Seventy-four revisions of the femoral component featuring placement of a Wagner stem in 74 patients operated upon between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed. Clinical evaluation, radiological assessment, and survival analysis of revision stems were conducted. The mean follow-up duration was 14.4 years (range, 11 to 19 years). When failure was defined as stem removal for any reason, 4 of 64 stems had to be further revised during the follow-up period, yielding a cumulative stem survival rate of 93.8% (95% CI: 87.7% to 98.2%) at 18 years. The Wagner revision stem is an effective implant for revision hip surgery when bone stock is lacking. Use of the stem affords mechanical stability even when bone loss is massive.

Is cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty a safe treatment for femoral neck fracture in elderly patients

Objectives Controversy exists regarding the use of cement in hemiarthroplasty when treating a displaced femoral neck fracture in elderly patients. The primary hypothesis of this study was that the use of cement would afford better visual analog pain and activity scores in elderly patients. Methods This study included 133 patients over 65 years of age admitted to our clinics from 2006 to 2012 for the surgical treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture. All patients were treated via hemiarthroplasty. The patients (66 males, 67 females; mean age: 78.16 years; range: 60–110 years) were followed-up regularly. All patients were divided into one of two groups: group A was treated with cement; and group B without. Both groups were compared in terms of preoperative features (demographics and associated diseases), pre- and postoperative complications, mortality rates, pain and activity levels, and hip scores. Hospitalization time, average surgical duration, and time from fracture to operation were also recorded. Mean follow-up duration was 30.9 (range: 5–51) months. Results We found no significant between-groups differences in terms of length of hospital stay, Harris Hip Score, complications, or follow-up mortality rates. Walking ability and pain scores were better in the cemented group in the early follow-up period. Duration of surgery and perioperative mortality rates were somewhat lower in the cementless group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion The use of cement during hip hemiarthroplasty in patients over 65 years of age had no negative impact on mortality or morbidity. Hemodynamic changes during cement application are important, but it is noteworthy that patients fitted with cemented endoprostheses had increased levels of activity and lower pain levels.

Mobile- versus fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial featuring 6-10-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of mobile- (MB) and fixed-bearing (FB) total knee arthroplasties (TKA). METHODS A randomized controlled study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of MB and FB prostheses in 93 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKA for knee osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up of the patients was 100.9 months in the MB group (range: 78-121 months) and 93.7 months (range: 78-120 months) in the FB group. The clinical results were graded according to the Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) and the Knee Society Functional Score (KSFS). Secondary outcomes included pain, patellofemoral joint function, quality of life (QOL), and radiologic outcomes (Knee Societys roentgenographic evaluation system). RESULTS Although there was significant improvement in both groups, there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to mean KSFS and radiologic outcomes. However, mean pain score of the MB group was significantly higher than that of the FB group (48.83±0.62 vs 47.39±0.86, respectively, p=0.011), and mean KSKS was significantly higher than that of the FB group (93.5±6.2 vs 89.7±6.9, respectively, p=0.007). CONCLUSION TKA clinical results were satisfactory in both the MB and FB groups. KSKS and pain scores were significantly better in the MB than in the FB group. However, no differences were found in other assessments. Thus, we conclude that the best design is the one with which the surgeon is most comfortable and most able to implant reproducibly.

Reducing Blood Loss in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Combined Intravenous Intra-Articular Tranexamic Acid Administration

Objectives: We asked whether tranexamic acid administration could reduce blood loss and blood transfusion requirements after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study examined the role of different method of tranexamic acid administration in TKA. Methods: The study enrolled 81 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The patients who were randomized into the TXA group received both intravenous and intra-articular TXA. The control group did not receive TXA. The anesthetist, surgeon, and observer were blinded to the study group (double-blinded). TXA was administered as a bolus dose of 15 mg/kg 10 min before the inflation of the tourniquet on the first side. This was followed by continued intra-articular administration of 3 g at 10 min before the deflation of the tourniquet. Intravenous infusion of 10 mg/kg/h was continued for the next 3 h. Equal volumes of placebo were administered at the same rate and by the same route. We measured volume of drained blood 48 hours postoperatively, decrease in hemoglobin levels 12 hours postoperatively, amount of blood transfused, and number of patients requiring allogenic blood transfusion (BT). Results: Mean (± SD) postoperative volume of drained blood was lower in the group receiving tranexamic acid (509.39 ± 224.97mL) than in control subjects (961.37 ± 427.99mL). The mean hemoglobin decrease 12 hours postoperatively was lower in patients receiving tranexamic acid (2.07 ± 1.11g/dL) than in control subjects (3.21 ± 1.05g/dL). The amount of blood transfused and number of patients requiring blood transfusion were lower in patients receiving tranexamic acid than in control subjects. Conclusion: This prospective randomized study showed that during simultaneous bilateral TKA, TXA reduced blood loss and helped to reduce the BT amount and frequency with negligible side effects. With regard to the administration route, combined intravenous–intra-articular administration of TXA significantly reduces blood loss and the need for BT associated with bilateral simultaneous total knee replacement without enhancing the risk of deep vein thrombosis.