Ethem Gur

Reduction of restrictive adhesions by local aprotinin application and primary sheath repair in surgically traumatized flexor tendons of the rabbit.

The effects of microsurgical and medical treatments on reduction of adhesions in surgically traumatized flexor tendons of rabbits are quantified in this study. The effects of the mentioned techniques were investigated for the following 4 groups: (1) neither primary sheath repair nor aprotinin application was done, (2) primary sheath repair was done but no aprotinin was used, (3) primary sheath repair was not done but local aprotinin (15,000 IU/kg) was applied, and (4) primary sheath repair was done and local aprotinin was applied. At the sixth and twelfth postoperative weeks, the flexor digitorum profundus tendons of the second and the third digits were subjected to biomechanical tests. Only the third digit was used in macroscopic and histopathologic evaluations. There were 6 digits included in each subgroup of biomechanical tests and 4 digits per subgroups in macroscopic and histopathologic evaluations. Work of flexion (WOF) values were obtained by calculating the area under the load-displacement curve. Percent resistive work of flexion (PRWOF) was obtained by calculating the difference between the WOF value for the repaired right digit and the WOF value for the contralateral corresponding nonrepaired digit. Combined primary sheath repair and medical treatment yielded the best results in reducing the restrictive adhesions in injured tendons. The differences between the PRWOF values of group 4 were 33.7% +/- 8.2% and 15.8% +/- 7.7% for the sixth and twelfth postoperative weeks, respectively. The corresponding values for group 1 were 95.7% +/- 13.8% and 51.75% +/- 10.25%.

Treatment of tibial bone defects with the Ilizarov circular external fixator in high-velocity gunshot wounds

Summary. One of the applications for circular external fixators is the treatment of large-bone defects which may be difficult to manage with conventional methods. Successful results have been reported with the use of circular external fixators, particularly in the treatment of infected tibial pseudoarthroses and those with bone loss. In this study, a total of 43 cases with tibial bone defects (18 infected) as a result of high-velocity gun-shot injuries were treated with circular external fixators between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1995. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range: 28–98 months) after the removal of the Ilizarov device. Satisfactory union was obtained in 40 cases without any major complication or additional surgical intervention, in spite of the large and in some cases infected defects. We conclude that this is a safe method for the treatment of infected or noninfected tibial bone defects.Résumé. Une des applications des fixateurs externes circulaires (FEC) est le traitement des pertes de substance osseuse qu’on ne peut pas traiter facilement avec les méthodes classiques. Des auteurs rapportent les résultats de traitement dans des cas de pseudarthrose infectée du tibia. Ils rapportent les résultats de 48 perte de substance du tibia secondaire à des blessures par arme à feu. 18 d’entre-eux étaient infectés. Le délai d’observation moyen était de 50 mois (28–98 mois) après ablation de l’appareil d’Ilizarov. Dans 40 cas, il n’y as pas eu de complication majeure ni de nécessité d’intervention chirurgicale complémentaire. En conclusion, c’est une bonne méthode pour traiter les pertes de substance osseuse du tibia infecté ou non.

High-velocity gunshot wounds of the tibial plafond managed with Ilizarov external fixation: A report of 13 cases

Objective To report the results of using Ilizarov fixation for the treatment of open tibial plafond fractures caused by high-velocity gunshot injuries. Design Retrospective review of consecutive patients. Setting Military academic hospital. Patients Using the AO classification, three type C1, five type C2, and five type C3 open tibial plafond fractures due to high-velocity gunshot injuries were treated with irrigation, débridement, primary closure, and Ilizarov fixation. Eleven of the fractures were type IIIA, and the remaining two were type IIIB according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. There were also multiple traumas in one case. Methods Plafond fractures were treated by Ilizarov technique in all 13 cases. In three of the cases, additional osseous transport to eliminate a skeletal defect was performed. Main Outcome Measures Results were evaluated according to Bones clinical grading system. Results Average follow-up was 38.4 months (range 26 to 50 months). Callus began to form in 21 to 35 days (average 27.9 days). The fractures united in 126 to 154 days (average 137.6 days), and the apparatus was removed from the limb at that time. There were six good, three fair, and four poor results. Minimal skin necrosis around the wound was seen in four cases, wound infection and purulent discharge were seen in two cases, and angular deformity was seen in two cases. Delayed union and reflex sympathetic dystrophy were not seen in any cases. Although tibiotalar narrowing was seen in four cases, no cases required tibiotalar arthrodesis or subsequent bony reconstruction at the time of their most recent follow-up. The average residual ankle range of motion was plantar flexion 18.5° and dorsiflexion 11.5°. Conclusions Early aggressive débridement of nonviable tissues, stabilization with an Ilizarov external fixator, and either primary or delayed primary closure followed by early ankle range of motion and weight bearing is an alternative treatment method of these injuries.

Bilateral lower limb amputations as a result of landmine injuries

Landmine explosions cause most of the war injuries in the battlefield. Amputations resulting from severe injuries reveal serious problems despite the improvements in surgery. Bilateral lower limb amputations have more impact than unilateral on social life. Some 29 cases with lower limb amputations due to landmine injuries were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy between January 1992 and December 1996. Amputation levels were as follows: 1 case had hip disarticulation and a trans-femoral amputation, 6 had bilateral trans-femoral amputations, 6 had trans-femoral and trans-tibial amputations, 12 had bilateral trans-tibial amputations, 1 had trans-femoral and Chopart amputations and the remaining 3 cases had trans-tibial and Chopart amputations. The initial treatment was done for all cases in the first 6–8 hours after injury at the field hospitals. Aggressive debridement, excision and primary closure were performed. None of the stumps required reamputations and/or revision. No case had gas gangrene or tetanus. Postoperative, pre-prosthetic training programme which ranged between 30–120 days with an average 48 days; and prosthesis fitting and adequate post-prosthetic training programme which ranged 32–126 (average 94) days was applied. All the cases were followed-up with a mean of 38.5 months (14–72 months). Nine (9) cases (31%) returned to their previous occupation, while 20 (69%) cases had to change their jobs.

Treatment of Complex Calcaneal Fractures with Bony Defects from Land Mine Blast Injuries with a Circular External Fixator

Four calcanei, which were massively destroyed as a result of blasting injuries from land mines, and 18 severely comminuted calcaneal fractures with bony defects (in one patient, both feet), also from land mines, were treated using a circular external fixator for reconstruction by osteogenic distraction. Because of the severe destruction of tissue to be treated, definitive orthopaedic treatment was delayed for 3 to 28 months (average, 10.1 months) after injury. Time from first use of the circular external fixator to removal of the apparatus ranged from 110 to 175 days (average, 143.7 days). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Of the 22 calcaneal injuries, 4 had excellent results, 11 good, 5 fair, and 2 had poor results. Better results were achieved in cases with lesser defects in bone and where definitive orthopaedic treatment was delayed until problems in soft tissue could be treated.

Posterior tibial tendon transfer and tendo-achilles lengthening for equinovarus foot deformity due to severe crush injury

Surgical correction was performed on nine patients who had equinovarus deformity caused by severe crush injury of the leg sustained in an earthquake. The operative procedure used involved the transfer of the posterior tibial tendon to the dorsum of the foot by passing it through the interosseous membrane using a modified procedure as published in 1978. 5 This procedure was combined with percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening and tenotomy of toe flexors when needed. The average follow-up time after the operation was 21 months. The treatment improved the heel-toe steppage gait in all patients and all were able to walk in standard shoes. There were no complications in the postoperative period. Recurrence of varus deformity was not seen in any of the patients. They had active dorsiflexion of the foot, with a median active dorsiflexion of 5° (0 to 10°) and median active plantarflexion of 16.1° (10 to 25°) compared to the median active dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on the uninvolved side. The total range-of-motion was 21.1° (10 to 35°).