Guvenir Okcu

The incidence and location of corona mortis: a study on 75 cadavers.

We dissected 150 fresh cadaver halves by ilioinguinal exposure, and counted all vessels more than 2 mm in diameter, connecting the obturator system to the external iliac system. The distance between the symphysis pubis and the anastomotic vessels was measured. We found vascular anastomoses between the obturator and external iliac systems in 91 of 150 sides (61%), and anastomotic veins in 78 of 150 exposures (52%). Arterial connections were seen in 29 of the exposures (19%). The mean distance between the anastomotic arteries and the symphysis pubis was 64 (45–90) mm, and 56 (37–80) mm for the communicating veins. There seemed to be no significant difference between genders in the incidence of corona mortis and the distance between communicating vessels and the symphysis pubis.

Intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly treated with either proximal femur nailing or hemiarthroplasty: A prospective randomised clinical study

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this prospective randomised study is to compare in the elderly the functional results of intertrochanteric femur fractures treated either with closed reduction and internal fixation with proximal femoral nailing or cemented hemiarthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included patients above the age of 75 who were diagnosed with intertrochanteric femur fracture and admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ege University Hospital between October 2006 and December 2012. After informed consent was obtained from the patients, they were randomised via sealed opaque envelops into two groups. Patients in Group 1 were internally fixated utilizing proximal femoral nail, whilst the patients in Group 2 were treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty. Complications were recorded and functional results were evaluated using the Harris Hip score. The mean time of follow up was 31.72 months (min. 18-max. 47, std. dev. ±10.68). RESULTS A total of 54 patients were included in the study. 21 of them (38.9%) received a proximal femoral nail whilst 33 (61.1%) were treated with hemiarthroplasty. Average age of the patients was 82.24 (min. 75-max. 97). Average age in Group 1 was 79.57 (min. 75-max. 91), whilst it was 83.94 in Group 2 (min. 75-max. 97). Harris Hip score analysis revealed that the difference between the patients treated with hemiarthroplasty and proximal femoral nailing was statistically significant in favour of the hemiarthroplasty group within the first 3 months. However, this difference diminished at the 6th month time point, and even reversed as of the 12th month postoperatively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Although cases with hemiarthroplasty achieved a better level of activity in the beginning, cases with proximal femoral nailing reached a comparable level of activity within a short period of time, faster than those treated with hemiarthroplasty, displaying a better level of activity in the end.

Management of shotgun induced open fractures of the humerus with Ilizarov external fixator.

We retrospectively reviewed 11 shotgun-induced open humeral fractures treated with immediate application of Ilizarov type ring external fixation. Eight patients had grade III A and three had grade III B open fractures. No patient had associated neurovascular injury. All fractures were stabilized with Ilizarov external fixator immediately after meticulous debridement and irrigation under emergent conditions. Complete bony union occurred in all patients in 14–44 weeks (mean, 21 weeks). One patient required a second intervention to adjust the external fixator rings. Two patients required a rotational fasciocutaneous flap to handle the soft tissue coverage problem. Superficial pin tract infection was present in eight patients; however none of them had deep infection or osteomyelitis. A good to excellent result was achieved in 10 patients according to the rating system of Smith and Cooney. Immediate Ilizarov external fixation is a safe method of obtaining a functional limb in the treatment of shotgun-induced open humeral fractures with severe soft tissue damage.

Evaluation of injection techniques in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the efficacy of two different injection techniques of local corticosteroid and local anesthetic in the management of lateral epicondylitis. METHODS This prospective study followed 80 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis at our hospital outpatient clinic between 2005 and 2006. Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group 1 received a single injection of 1 ml betamethasone and 1 ml prilocaine on the lateral epicondyle at the point of maximum tenderness. Group 2 patients received an injection of the same drug mixture. Following the initial injection, the needle tip was redirected and reinserted down the bone approximately 30 to 40 times without emerging from the skin, creating a hematoma. Patients were evaluated with the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire before injection and at the final follow-up. The unpaired t-test and chi-square tests were used to compare results. RESULTS Sixteen patients in Group 1 and 15 patients in Group 2 were lost during follow-up. The average follow-up period of the remaining 49 patients was 21.6 months. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to gender, age, follow-up period, symptom duration, involvement side and number of dominant limbs. The Turkish DASH scores of Group 2 were significantly lower than those of Group 1 (p=0.017). CONCLUSION Long-term clinical success in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis depends on the injection method. The peppering technique appears to be more effective than the single injection technique in the long-term.

Ganglion cysts of the proximal tibiofibular joint review of literature with three case reports

Proximal tibiofibular ganglion is a rare disorder. It may settle down in the subcutaneous tissue or may develop along the peroneal muscles and nerve. Common clinical findings are various sizes of mass, pain and hypoesthesis due to compression neuropathy. We report three cases of proximal tibiofibular ganglion and review the literature about the diagnostic tools, recurrence rates and treatment modalities.

Should full threaded compression screws be used in adult femoral neck fractures

INTRODUCTION Operative treatment consisting of fracture reduction and fixation, or arthroplasty to permit early patient mobilization, continues to be the treatment of choice for most femoral neck fractures. Options for internal fixation have included a variety of implants; however most recent reports and textbooks cite parallel multiple cancellous screws as the surgical technique of choice. METHODS The study was prospective, randomized and IRB approved. Inclusion criteria included skeletal maturity, closed femoral neck fracture without concomitant fractures or injuries with complete charts and adequate radiographs obtained from the initial injury till the last follow-up. Forty-four patients were enrolled in this study during one-year period at two university centers. 22 were randomized to be treated with full threaded, cannulated compression screws (Acutrak 6/7, ACUMED) (Group 1) and the other 22 with 16mm partial threaded, 6.5mm or 7.3mm cannulated screws (SYNTHES) (Group 2). Three or four screws were used in both groups according to fracture type and surgeons preference. Data evaluated included surgical time, fluoroscopy time, fracture type, radiological outcome, complications and functional status using the Harris Hip Score. RESULTS Both groups were comparable in terms of age and gender. There was not a significant difference in terms of surgical time, follow-up period, fracture type, or fluoroscopy time. There were eight complications in Group 1 and two in Group 2 (P=0.049) Time to union was significantly longer in Group 1 (P=0.001). However, Hip Scores were not significantly different in both groups (P=0.20). CONCLUSION When compared with full threaded compression screws, partial-threaded cannulated screws provides a shorter union time and less complication rate while providing equivalent functional results in adult femoral neck fractures.

Is it possible to decrease skin temperature with ice packs under casts and bandages

IntroductionThere is a general belief that the presence of a cast or a bandage eliminates the lowering effects of skin temperature when local cold therapy applied on the surface of the cast or bandage. The purpose of this study is to determine the magnitude of temperature changes at the skin of the ankle after the application of frozen ice packs to the surface of various casts and bandages both in normal and swollen ankles.Materials and methodsThirty-two healthy subjects (Group A) and 12 patients with Grade III inversion type acute ankle sprain (Group B) were randomly divided into four groups. The sensor of the digital thermometer was secured to the ankle over the anterior talo-fibular ligament in every subject before placement of a bandage or cast. Robert Jones bandage, elastic support bandage, a below-knee plaster cast and synthetic below-knee cast were applied in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Two frozen ice packs were placed around the cast or bandage at the level of sensor, and skin temperatures were recorded.ResultsThe skin temperature under dressings and casts decreased significantly relative to the baseline temperatures with local cold therapy in all groups. The fall in the temperature with cryotherapy in group A showed a three-phase pattern of change between groups 1 and 2, groups 2 and 3 and groups 2 and 4 during the experiment. The fall in the skin temperature with ice packs differed significantly between groups 1 and 3, and also groups 1 and 4 from the beginning till the end of the experiment. There was no significant difference between groups 3 and 4 in terms of skin temperature fall with cryotherapy during the whole experiment. The results were similar in group B.ConclusionA bandage or cast does not prevent measurable skin temperature lowering by frozen ice packs both in normal and swollen ankles.

Tumeur à cellules géantes de la main: Résultats du traitement : 5 cas au recul moyen de 7,8 ans

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Giant-cell bone tumors are benign but have great potential for recurrence. Frequently observed in epiphyseal areas of tubular bones, these tumors are rarely found in hand localizations. We examined the characteristic features of giant-cell tumors of the hand and analyzed the pertinence of surgical treatment. We noted complications, consequences of recurrence and later operations on the same tumor site in five cases. CASE REPORTS Five patients treated between 1973 and 2000 for giant-cell tumors involving the hand bones were reviewed retrospectively. Mean age was 41.6 years and mean follow-up was 7.8 years. The surgical procedure was curettage for two, curettage with bone graft for two and amputation for one. The Enneking score was noted. RESULTS Pain was the main symptom, with local swelling in several cases. At 7.8 years follow-up recurrence was noted for four of the five tumors. Two patients were treated for a second recurrence. Amputation of the forearm was required for one recurrence affecting soft tissue. Mean time between two consecutive recurrences was three months. In all six episodes of recurrent tumor were treated. These five patients had a total of ten operations. There were no cases of metastasis nor multicentric foci. DISCUSSION Treatment of giant-cell tumors involving the hand bones is designed to eradicate the tumor and also protect hand function while keeping in mind the aggressive nature of these benign tumors. Surgical alternatives for radical treatment can include wide resection, resection of the ray and amputation.

Influence of number and orientation of screws on stability in the internal fixation of unstable femoral neck fractures

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to biomechanically compare 3 different cannulated screw configurations used in internal fixation of unstable femoral neck fractures. METHODS The study included 28 synthetic left femurs randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Samples in the first 3 groups were osteotomized in the basicervical region to create Pauwels Type 3 fractures. Fixation was carried out using cannulated screws. In Group 1, four screws were used including 3 in an inverted triangle configuration in parallel with the neck and the fourth screw transversely into the calcar. In Group 2, three screws were used including 2 in parallel with the neck and the third transversely into the calcar. In Group 3, three screws were used in an inverted triangle configuration in parallel with the neck. No osteotomy or fixation was carried out in Group 4. Load test was performed on all the groups and the strength of the screw fixations against axial load and their amount of relocation were measured. RESULTS Average maximum strength was 36.1 ± 3.2 N/mm2 in Group 1, 27.3 ± 4.1 N/mm2 in Group 2 and 21.9 ± 3.2 N/mm2 in Group 3. The average relocation in the line of osteotomy in the moment of average maximum stress (21.9 ± 3.2 N/mm2) was 11.5 ± 2.1 mm in Group 3, 6 ± 1.3 mm in Group 2 and 5.8 ± 1.1 mm in Group 1 (p<0.05). It was also observed that while the relocation in the moment of average maximum stress (27.3 ± 4.1 N/mm2) was 9.1 ± 1.7 mm in Group 2, the deformation under the same stress value was 9 ± 1.7 mm in Group 1 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The use of a transverse screw in the calcar in addition to cannulated screws parallel to the neck appear to provide stability benefit in the treatment of unstable femoral neck fractures.

Different trends in trauma care – The Turkish perspective

The first Turkish association for orthopaedics and traumatology (TOTDER) was founded in 1939 in Istanbul. This association is still active [1,2]. The societies in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir later joined together in 1970, to form the Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (TOTBID) which is the most important society in Turkey [3]. The Turkish Orthopaedic Trauma Society (TOTS) was founded as a branch of TOTBID approximately a decade ago [4]. Although TOTS is the sub-society founded latest, it is the most active branch of TOTBID. The discussions and conferences organized by TOTS during the National Congresses always attract the greatest audience. The courses organized by TOTS on an annual basis include the ‘‘Orthopaedic Trauma Basic Course, Orthopaedic Trauma Advanced Course, External Fixator Course, Intramedullary Nailing Course, Posttraumatic Deformity Course, Pelvis-Acetabulum Cadaver Course and Minimal Invasive Plating Course’’. In addition to these courses, annual regional meetings are organized and educational support is given in local universities. The TOTS society with the support of international faculty also hosted the International Polytrauma Course 2011 in Istanbul.