Dinko Vidović

Minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis in distal tibial fractures: Results and complications

INTRODUCTION Distal tibial or pilon fractures are usually the result of combined compressive and shear forces, and may result in instability of the metaphysis, with or without articular depression, and injury to the soft tissue. The complexity of injury, lack of muscle cover and poor vascularity make these fractures difficult to treat. Surgical treatment of distal tibial fractures includes several options: external fixation, IM nailing, ORIF and minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). Management of distal tibial fractures with MIPO enables preservation of soft tissue and remaining blood supply. This is a report of a series of prospectively studied closed distal tibial and pilon fractures treated with MIPO. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 21 patients with closed distal tibial or pilon fractures were enrolled in the study between March 2008 and November 2013 and completed follow-up. Demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, time required for union, ankle range of motion and complications were recorded. Fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification. Nineteen patients were initially managed with an ankle-spanning external fixator. When the status of the soft tissue had improved and swelling had subsided enough, a definitive internal fixation with MIPO was performed. Patients were invited for follow-up examinations at 3 and 6 weeks and then at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks until 12 months. RESULTS Mean age of the patients was 40.1 years (range 19-67 years). Eighteen cases were the result of high-energy trauma and three were the result of low-energy trauma. According to the AO/OTA classification there were extraarticular and intraarticular fractures, but only simple articular patterns without depression or comminution. The average time for fracture union was 19.7 weeks (range 12-38 weeks). Mean range of motion was 10° of dorsiflexion (range 5-15°) and 28.3° of plantar flexion (range 20-35°). Three cases were metalwork-related complications. Two patients underwent plate removal at 24 weeks because of plate impingement. There was one case of wound breakdown at 11 weeks. One patient had fracture union with tibial recurvatum of approximately 10°, without functional impairment. Two patients had delayed union. CONCLUSION MIPO is a reliable method of treatment for distal tibial fractures; it provides a high union rate and good functional outcome with minimal soft tissue complications. Skin impingement remains a common complication with MIPO, but this can be solved by timely plate removal.

Periprosthetic bone loss following hemiarthroplasty: a comparison between cemented and cementless hip prosthesis

The aim of this prospective randomized clinical study was to evaluate the magnitude of bone mineral changes as well as the clinical results after cemented and cementless haemiarthroplasty (HA) for femoral neck fracture. The study was comprised of 60 patients (mean age 85.2 years); 30 of them underwent cemented HA and 30 cementless HA. All patients underwent osteodensitometry for the purpose of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) evaluation. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry test (DEXA scans), which was scheduled at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. BMD was evaluated at each of the seven Gruen zones. Harris Hip Score (HHS) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months was used for evaluation of functional outcome. No difference was found between the two groups of patients in terms hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. The procedure took longer time in group A (cemented HA) compared to group B (cementless HA) (79.03 ± 3.59 vs 68.02 ± 5.97 minutes; p = 0.00). The Harris hip score averaged 76.97 ± 7.49 one year after surgery. At each follow - up examination the HHS was significantly higher in patients with cemented HA. We noted a trend of less intensive BMD reduction in all Gruen zones in group A compared to group B. However, the difference in BMD reduction between these two groups was significant only in zones 2, 3 and 4. Our results support the view that cemented hemiarthroplasty should be used for the management of displaced femoral neck fractures providing better functional outcomes and lower periprosthetic bone loss.

Internal fixation of patellar apex fractures with the basket plate: 25 years of experience

INTRODUCTION Comminution of the patellar apex is amenable to internal fixation by standard techniques and usually requires partial patellectomy. In our institution, multifragmentary fractures of the distal pole are treated with the basket plate, which is shaped to fit the geometry of the patellar apex. This implant has been used in our institution for over 25 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term results of internal fixation of comminuted fractures of the patellar apex with the basket plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 142 patients with fracture of the distal pole of the patella were treated with the basket plate between 1988 and 2013. Functional evaluation was conducted using the modified Cincinnati knee rating system. A total of 98 patients were available for late functional evaluation. RESULTS There were no infections or implant-related problems during the follow-up period. All fractures healed within 8 to 10 weeks. There were three cases of early revision because of improper use of the implant and incorrect indication. Functional outcome following internal fixation with the basket plate was excellent in 80 patients and good in 18; there were no poor results. CONCLUSION Internal fixation with the basket plate is recommended for management of multifragmentary fractures of the patellar apex because this method enables early, unrestricted knee motion, and provides reliable healing and good functional outcome. This method is an alternative to partial patellectomy and is considered a patella-saving procedure; therefore, the use of the basket plate is strongly recommended for the treatment of distal pole fractures.

Tibial plateau fracture management: arthroscopically-assisted versus ORIF procedure – clinical and radiological comparison

INTRODUCTION Tibial plateau fractures are articular injuries that may influence final functional outcome of the knee. Although these fractures comprise only 1% of all fractures, the fracture pattern is usually complex and requires anatomical reduction and absolutely stable fixation to achieve satisfactory results. The development of knee osteoarthritis is a common late complication and it can be strongly influenced by additional, underestimated cartilage defects, and meniscal and ligament tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2012 and February 2015, a total of 78 patients with tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker type I-III) were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: one group was treated with arthroscopically-assisted reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) and the other with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The final number of patients was 75; 40 in the ARIF group and 35 in the ORIF group. Radiography and computed tomography were used to assess fracture pattern. An immediate postoperative radiograph was performed, and then repeated at 6 weeks, and 3,6 and 12 months after surgery. Demographic data (age and sex), additional intraarticular injuries, hospital stay and complications were noted, and clinical and radiological Rasmunssen score at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS Additional intraarticular lesions were found in 27 patients; 20 in the ARIF group and 7 in the ORIF group (p = 0.06). There was a statistically significant difference in average duration of hospital stay: 3.10 ± 0.63 days for the ARIF group and 5.51 ± 1.66 days for the ORIF group (p = 0.0001). All fractures healed within 3 months following surgery. The overall complication rate was 12%. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the two groups (p = 0.63). Clinical and radiological scores were excellent in most patients in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in average clinical and radiological Rasmunssen scores between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Both ARIF and ORIF can provide equally good results; however, ARIF seems to offer a more precise evaluation and treatment of associated intraarticular lesions and to reduce the duration of hospital stay.

Regional bone loss following femoral neck fracture: A comparison between cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty

The aim of this prospective, randomised study was to measure and evaluate regional bone mineral changes and clinical results following the use of cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty (HA) for treatment of femoral neck fracture in elderly patients. The study comprised 60 patients, 30 with cemented HA (group A) and 30 with cementless HA (group B). All patients underwent osteodensitometry of the contralateral hip, lumbar spine and bilateral distal femur. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was scheduled at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Harris Hip Score (HHS) was used for functional assessment. Overall mortality rate was 20.3% within 1 year after surgery. There were no significant differences in morbidity, mortality and hospital stay between the two groups of patients. The implantation of cemented prosthesis took statistically significantly longer than that of cementless prosthesis (79.03±3.59 vs 68.02±5.97min; p=0.00). Functional score in patients treated with cemented HA was significantly higher compared with those with cementless HA. There was a trend of less intensive reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) in regions of interest of the lumbar spine and ipsilateral distal femur in patients with cemented HA (group A), whereas bone loss was less pronounced for the contralateral hip and distal femur in patients treated with cementless HA (group B). Management of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients with cemented and cementless HA provides a comparable outcome with regard to morbidity and mortality; however, functional outcome of patients treated with cementless HA tends to be lower. There is less intensive BMD reduction in lumbar spine and ipsilateral distal femur in patients treated with cemented HA, whereas BMD reduction in patients treated with cementless HA is more likely to be less intensive in contralateral hip and distal femur.

Posterior fragment in ankle fractures: anteroposterior vs posteroanterior fixation

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to compare reduction quality and functional outcome of posterior malleolus fractures treated with indirect reduction and anteroposterior (AP) fixation or with direct reduction via a posterolateral approach and posteroanterior (PA) fixation. METHODS Forty-eight patients with trimalleolar fracture were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomised in two groups: indirect reduction and AP fixation (AP group) and direct reduction and PA fixation (PA group). Inclusion criteria were: posterior fragment involving more than 25% of the articular surface, displacement over 2mm and ankle instability. The quality of reduction was evaluated using postoperative plain radiographs. Residual displacement of the posterior fragment, articular step-off and/or articular surface gap were analysed. The reduction was considered excellent (<1mm), good (1-2mm) or poor (>2mm). Range of motion (ROM) was measured bilaterally, and the difference in dorsiflexion between the injured and uninjured side was considered as dorsiflexion restriction. Demographic data (age, sex), type of fracture (AO/ASIF classification) and complications were noted. RESULTS Forty-six patients completed all follow-up examinations. There was no statistically significant difference in age (p = 0.41), sex (p = 0.29) or specific type of fracture (p = 0.83) distribution between the AP and PA groups. All fractures completely healed within 3 months. The overall complication rate was 8.7%. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the two groups (p = 0.71). Radiological evaluation of the ankle showed there was significantly better quality of reduction with direct reduction via a posterolateral approach in the PA group. Excellent reduction was achieved in 79.2% and 45.5% of the PA and AP groups, respectively. The quality of reduction was significantly higher in the PA group compared with the AP group (p = 0.04). The mean restriction of dorsiflexion was lower in the PA group (5.96 ± 0.65°) compared with the AP group (6.45 ± 1.06°), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS The direct reduction technique via a posterolateral approach and PA fixation enables higher quality of reduction and better functional outcome in the management of the posterior fragment compared with indirect reduction and percutaneous AP fixation.

Plate versus intramedullary fixation of two-part and multifragmentary displaced midshaft clavicle fractures – a long-term analysis

INTRODUCTION Surgical fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures is predominantly achieved with intramedullary (IM) or plate fixation. Both techniques have potential pitfalls: plate fixation involves greater periosteal stripping and protuberance of the implant, whereas IM fixation may be associated with implant-related complications, such as migration or skin irritation, which may lead to further surgery for implant removal. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods in simple (Robinson 2b.1) and multifragmentary (Robinson 2b.2) displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. METHODS A total of 133 consecutive patients who underwent surgical fixation for a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture with either IM fixation using a 2.5-mm Kirschner wire or plate fixation using an 8-hole Dynamic Compression Plate (DCP) were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was a minimum of 1 year. The patients were allocated into two injury groups: displaced simple 2-part fractures (64 IM vs. 16 DCP) and displaced multifragmentary fractures (27 IM vs. 26 DCP). The major observed outcome measures were: infection rate, non-union rate, reoperation rate and postoperative range of motion (ROM). RESULTS Rates of non-union for displaced 2-part fractures were 2/64 (3.13%) with IM fixation and 0/16 (0.00%) with plate fixation (p = 0.477). For displaced multifragmentary fractures, rates of non-union were 2/27 (7.41%) with IM fixation and 0/26 (0.00%) with plate fixation (p = 0.161). No significant difference was observed between the two fixation modalities in patient-reported time to regain ROM on the injured side for displaced 2-part fractures (p = 0.129) and displaced multifragmentary fractures (p = 0.070). Deep infection rate was zero (p = 1.000) overall in the study, and reoperation rate for IM and plate fixation, respectively, was 3.13% and 6.25% in the Robinson 2b.1 group (p = 0.559) and 7.41% and 7.69% in the Robinson 2b.2 group (p = 0.969). CONCLUSION IM fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures (Robinson 2b.1) has an equivalent non-union rate to plate fixation and similarly low complication and reoperation rates. For displaced midshaft multifragmentary clavicle fractures (Robinson 2b.2), the higher non-union rates observed with IM fixation leads us to recommend consideration of plate fixation for Robinson 2b.2 fractures.