Gi-Soo Lee

Comparison of Time to Operation and Efficacies of Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block and General Anesthesia in Emergency External Fixation of Lower Leg Fractures (AO 42, 43, 44)

&NA; The present randomized controlled trial evaluated the usefulness of ultrasound (US)‐guided nerve block (NB) for emergency external fixation of lower leg fractures, by investigating the time required before surgery and the clinical results stratified by the anesthesia method (US‐guided NB or general anesthesia [GA]). From June 2014 to April 2016, 40 patients who had undergone emergency surgery for external fixator application were enrolled in the present study. We measured the lead time before the start of surgery after the decision to perform emergency surgery in both groups. The US‐guided NB group included 17 males (85%) and 3 females (15%), with a mean age of 55.6 (range 33 to 77) years. Of these 20 patients, 12 (60%) had comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney‐related disease. Fracture type 42, 43, and 44 in the AO classification were observed in 3 (15%), 12 (60%), and 5 (25%) cases, respectively. The mean interval before emergency surgery was 4.3 (range 2 to 6.25) hours in the US‐guided NB group. In the GA group (n = 20 patients), the mean interval before emergency surgery was 9.4 (range 3 to 14) hours, and this difference was statistically significant (p < .001). In the US‐guided NB group, no cases of anesthesia failure or unstable vital signs occurred during surgery. Also, no postoperative complications related to the anesthesia method, such as aggravation of the general condition, developed. In contrast, 1 case of postoperative atelectasis occurred in the GA group. Emergency external fixation with US‐guided NB in patients with lower extremity trauma can be implemented in less time, regardless of the preoperative preparation, which is a requirement for GA. &NA; Level of Clinical Evidence: 4

Comparison of postoperative pain control methods after bony surgery in the foot and ankle

BACKGROUNDnWe performed a prospective study to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of postoperative pain control methods after bone surgery in the foot and ankle.nnnMETHODSnAmong the patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery from June 2014 to September 2015 with an ultrasound-guided nerve block, 84 patients who fully completed a postoperative pain survey were enrolled. An opioid patch (fentanyl patch, 25mg) was applied in group A (30 patients). Diluted anesthetic (0.2% ropivacaine, 30ml) was injected into the sciatic nerve once, about 12h after the preoperative nerve block, in group B (27 patients). Periodic intramuscular injection of an analgesic (ketorolac [Tarasyn], 30mg) was performed in group C (27 patients). The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48h after surgery were checked, and the complications of all methods were monitored.nnnRESULTSnThe mean VAS pain score was lower in group B, with a statistically significant difference (P<.05) between groups A, B, and C at 12 and 18h after surgery. Four patients in group A experienced nausea and vomiting; however, no other patients complained of any complications or adverse effects.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe ultrasound-guided injection of a diluted anesthetic into the sciatic nerve seemed to be the most useful method for controlling pain in the acute phase after bone surgery in the foot and ankle. The injection of the diluted anesthetic once on the evening of the day of surgery resulted in less postoperative pain in the patients.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnII.

Screw fixation of the posterior malleolar fracture: An experimental and prospective clinical study

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Posterior malleolar fracture is known to be an indication for surgery when the size of the fragment is greater than 25% to 30% of the joint surface. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of cannulated screw fixation and early joint motion in patients with ankle fracture with posterior malleolar fracture of less than 25%, and we do cadaver experiments. Methods: The clinical portion of the study evaluated 70 patients with fracture of the posterior malleolus that comprised less than 25% of the articular surface. After fixation for lateral and/or medial malleolar fractures, cannulated screw fixation was performed for posterior malleolar fractures in 34 cases. (A group) In other 36 cases, fixation was not performed for posterior malleolar fractures. (B group) One week after the operation, ankle range of motion exercise was performed. Cadaver studies were evaluated both cannulated screw fixed and non-fixed in less than 25% fractures of the posterior malleolar. The stability of the ankle joint was measured in 12 cases. In 6 cases, the posterior malleolar was fixed and the other 6 cases were not fixed. Results: There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between Group A and B and functional score at 2 years follow up. However, the ankle function score at 6 months and 1 year after the follow - up was significantly higher in group A than in group B. In the cadaver study, the group with screw fixation was significantly stable in external rotation. Conclusion: In case of less than 25% posterior fracture, screw fixation is considered to have a significant effect on recovery and clinical outcome in the short term due to stability.

Dorsal suspension for Morton’s neuroma: A comparison with neurectomy

BACKGROUNDnThe purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of dorsal suspension with those of neurectomy for the treatment of Mortons neuroma.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted a retrospective study of dorsal suspension and neurectomy group. The dorsal suspension was performed by dorsal transposition of neuroma over the dorsal transverse ligament after neurolysis. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), postoperative satisfaction, and complications were evaluated.nnnRESULTSnBoth groups reported significant pain relief, and there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to postoperative pain. The postoperative FAAM outcomes showed no significant between-group differences. Satisfaction analysis showed excellent and good results in the dorsal suspension and neurectomy groups (95% and 77.7%, respectively). Complications of numbness and paresthesia reported in the dorsal suspension group (5% and 5%, respectively) were significantly fewer than those of neurectomy group (61.1% and 33.3%, respectively) (both, p<.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnWith its favorable results, dorsal suspension can be another operative option for the treatment of Mortons neuroma.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnLevel III, retrospective comparative case series.

Can Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block Be A Useful Method Of Anesthesia For Tumor Surgery In The Foot And Ankle

Category: Ankle, Tumor Introduction/Purpose: Tumors arising in the foot and ankle are often need surgical treatment. However, there is hesitation about the surgical treatment of anxiety about general anesthesia in some patients. Ultrasound-guided nerve block can be a useful method of anesthesia for tumor surgery in the foot and ankle.This study was performed to compare general anesthesia and ultrasound (US)-guided nerve block for tumor surgery in the foot and ankle. Also, whether US-guided nerve block is a useful method of anesthesia for tumor surgery was investigated. Methods: In this prospective, randomized study, 50 patients who underwent tumor surgery between February 2013 and February 2016 were allocated to two groups: general anesthesia (n = 25, or US-guided nerve block (n = 25). All patients completed a questionnaire with three questions 2 weeks after surgery. For the nerve block group, the procedure duration, interval between the procedure and onset of the anesthetic effect, the point of loss of the anesthetic effect, intraoperative, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and discomfort during surgery were assessed. Results: There was no patient in which the anesthetic was changed to another method during the operation. VAS pain score of postoperative 1 and 6 h was significantly different between the nerve block group (2.2 ± 1.5 and 3.0 ± 1.8, respectively) and general anesthesia group (5.2 ± 3.9 and 5.4 ± 4.5, respectively) Twenty three US-guided nerve block (92%) and 17 general anesthesia patients (68%) reported that they would prefer the same type of anesthesia if they were to undergo tumor surgery in the foot and ankle again; these differences were significant (P < 0.05). There were no long-term complications, such as neurological deficits or infection, after the procedure in all patients. Conclusion: Tumor surgery, such as tumor excision or biopsy, amputation, and other procedures, was performed safely and effectively under US-guided nerve block. These results indicated that US-guided nerve block for tumor surgery is a highly satisfactory and safe procedure without complications and is available for use by any orthopedist.

Figure 8 (Heel open) short leg cast

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: To report the results of applying heel open (figure 8) short leg cast on foot & ankle trauma or disease patients requiring short leg casts. Methods: 380 patients who were confirmed and treated by diagnosed of foot & ankle trauma or diseases were included between November 2014 and July 2016. Comprised of 222 males and 158 females, their mean age was 46 years old. The bottom of the figure 8 cast covered the metatarsal head to half portion of the medial longitudinal arch, while leg portion covering consisted from the prominence of the both malleolus to halfway of the lower leg, resulting in complete exposure of the heel and distal portion of the achilles tendon. After application of the figure 8 cast, changes in the ROM in active ankle dorsiflexion & plantarflexion, passive foot inversion & eversion, and foot internal & external rotation were measured. Results: In all cases, measurements of active ankle dorsiflexion & plantarflexion was less than 5 degrees, measurements of passive foot inversion & eversion was less than 5 degrees, foot internal & external rotation was less than 0 degrees, and were stably held without skin or soft tissue injury until cast removal. Notable were 22 cases of foot & ankle fractures treated with conservative therapy with figure 8 short leg cast resulting in bone union and stabilization without surgery. VAS discomfort score was an average of 2.6 (0~5) and figure 8 short leg cast was selected in all cases requiring a short leg cast. Conclusion: The use of figure 8 short leg cast in patients of foot & ankle trauma and diseases requiring short leg cast provides safety and prevention of skin necrosis and pressure sores from open heels while providing high patient satisfaction in daily life, such as heel touch. We believe that figure 8 short leg cast could replace the traditional short leg cast, if the safety of the figure 8 cast could be proven through long-term follow up study with various patient and cases.

Comparison of Time to Operation and Efficacies of Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block and General Anesthesia in Emergency External Fixation of Lower Leg Fractures

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound (US)-guided nerve block (NB) for emergency external fixation of lower leg fractures, by investigating real time before the operation and the clinical result according to the anesthesia method (US-guided NB or general anesthesia [GA]). Methods: From June 2014 to April 2016, 40 patients who underwent emergency surgery for external fixator application were enrolled in this study. We performed a randomized trial for US-guided NB and GA. We measured the lead time before the start of the operation after the decision to perform emergency surgery in both groups. Results: The US-guided NB group comprised 17 men and 3 women with a median age of 55.6 (33–77) years. Twelve of these patients had conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney-related diseases. Fracture types 42, 43, and 44 in the AO classification were observed in 3, 12, and 5 cases, respectively. The average time taken to emergency operation was 4.3 (2– 6.25) h. However, in the GA group, the average time taken to emergency operation was 9.4 (3–14) h. In the US-guided NB group, no cases of anesthesia failure and unstable vital signs during the operation occurred. Moreover, there were no postoperative complications related to the anesthesia method, such as aggravation of the general condition. Conclusion: Emergency external fixation with US-guided NB in patients with lower-extremity trauma can be implemented in less time regardless of preoperative preparation, which is a requirement in GA.

Comparison between Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Suture Material in Modified Broström Operation

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The current clinical standard for the surgical treatment of lateral ankle instability remains the modified Broström procedure. Almost surgeons are using non-absorbable suture material because of their strength & permanent. But this has several complications such as irritation, surface tenderness, etc. So we compare the clinical result between nonabsorbable and absorbable suture material. Methods: All patients who underwent the modified Broström operation of the anterior talofibular ligament and/or the calcaneofibular ligament by a single surgeon between July 2011 and May 2015 were included in this study. A total of 96 patients were included in this study: 63 men and 33 women (mean age, 33.16 years; range, 14-72 years). Non-absorbable suture(2-0 Fiberwire®, Arthrex, Naples, FL) patient were 50 (33 men, 17 women) and absorbable suture(0-Vicryl®, Ethicon, Sommerville, NJ) patient were 46(30 men, 16 women). Mean follow-up duration was 2.5 years (range, 1.0-4.7 years). Patients completed a subjective questionnaire. Outcomes measures included the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Reoperation cases by the recurred lateral ankle instability. All data were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Results: In non-absorbable suture group, The mean talar tilt angle in preoperative talar tilt test was 14.4 and in absorbable suture group, 13.7, respectively. The mean talar tilt angle in postoperative talar tilt test was 5.3 and in absorbable suture group, 6.1, respectively. There were no significant differences between non-absorbable suture method and absorbable suture method with talar tilt angle in varus stress x-ray (P > .05). There was no significant difference in FADI (87 vs 91; P = .553), AOFAS (83 vs 87; P = .372) score between non-absorable suture method group and the absorbable suture method group. During follow up, Except of 2 patients, they were no clinical symptom. Each one patient in non-absorbable and absorbable suture group underwent revision lateral ligament surgery. Conclusion: As compared with non-absorbable suture in open modified Broström procedure, absorbable suture method produced similarly favorable outcomes.

Is Revision Anatomic Ankle Ligament Repair Augmented with Suture-Tape a Valuable Alternative for Patients with Failed Broström Procedure?

Category: Ankle, Sports Introduction/Purpose: Recurrent instability after previous anatomic ankle ligament repair has been known to be a poor prognostic factor for revision modified Broström procedure, and ligament reconstruction procedures using an allograft or autograft tendon have commonly been recommended. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the intermediate-term outcomes after revision anatomic ankle ligament repair augmented with suture-tape for failed modified Broström procedures. Methods: Thirty patients with failed modified Broström procedures consecutively underwent revision procedures for recurrent ankle instability. Of these patients, 27 patients who could be followed for more than 2 years were analysed in the current study. The clinical evaluation consisted of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score(FAOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure(FAAM) score. Talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation were measured to evaluate radiologically the changes of mechanical ankle stability. Results: FAOS and FAAM scores significantly improved from preoperative averages of 53.6 and 45.6 points to 87.5 and 85.1 points at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation had significantly improved from preoperative averages of 15.1° and 12.4 mm to 2.8° and 4.1 mm at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Preoperative side to side comparison in stress radiographs demonstrated statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), but there was not significant side to side difference in these radiographic measures at final follow-up (p > 0.05). Postoperative complications included 2 cases of local wound problems, 2 cases of superficial peroneal nerve injury, and 1 case of recurrent instability. Conclusion: The revision modified Broström procedure augmented with suture-tape appears to be an effective treatment method for recurrent ankle instability in patients with prior failed modified Broström procedure. This combined procedure can provide reliable stability and satisfactory clinical outcomes through supplementation of the anatomic repair of attenuated ligaments using suture-tape.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Subchondral Bony Cyst in Early Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint Using Allogeneic Bone Graft: A Report of Two Cases

Subchondral bony cyst, large solitary or multiple cysts in acetabular dome usually exacerbate progression to degenerative osteoarthritis in the hip joint. But it can be treated through arthroscopic intervention. We report two cases that treated by arthroscopic curettage and bone graft for subchondral bony cysts in early osteoarthritis of the hip joint, and it may delay progression to moderate osteoarthritis.