Kenan Keklikci

Correction of syndactyly using a dorsal separated V-Y advancement flap and a volar triangular flap in adults.

Skin grafts and local flaps are conventional methods of repair for congenital syndactyly, but the results obtained are not always as functional and aesthetic as desired and frequently leave postoperative scars and residual syndactyly. In this article, we describe a new surgical technique for web reconstruction in the correction of simple, incomplete syndactyly. The technique consists of a dorsal separated V-Y advancement flap and a volar triangular flap to cover the newly created web space, thus avoiding skin graft in this space. In all, 15 web spaces in 10 patients were treated using this method. A follow-up period of 6 months to 2 years showed neither recurrence of the deformity nor web creep of any degree. The technique is rapid, safe, easily performed, and reproducible and requires a single surgical procedure. It uses donor tissue identical in color, texture, and thickness, which renders acceptable cosmesis in cases of simple, incomplete syndactyly, therefore, avoiding the use of skin grafts and resulting postoperative scar contracture in the web space.

Bilateral low-energy sequential femoral shaft fractures in patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics of patients with bilateral bisphosphonate-related low-energy femoral shaft fractures. METHODS The clinical registry was reviewed for patients with bisphosphonate-related low-energy fractures localized at femoral shaft between January 2008 and January 2012. Patients with a diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis, bisphosphonate usage of at least 5 years and prodromal pain prior to fracture were included the study. RESULTS Five women met the inclusion criteria. All patients had bilateral low-energy sequential femoral shaft fractures. Fracture patterns were similar and atypical (transverse-short oblique fractures with lateral cortical thickening). Mean period of bisphosphonate treatment was 8.6 years. Mean patient age was 76.2 years. Union time of three patients was between 20 and 28 weeks. The remaining two fractures were revised for delayed union or nonunion. CONCLUSION Long-term (over 5 years) use of bisphosphonates may cause insufficiency fractures due to increased fragility and brittleness which have a close relationship with depressed bone remodeling. While there is still no causal relationship between bisphosphonates and atypical, low-energy femoral shaft fractures, we have some concerns about the optimal usage time and long-term safety of bisphosphonate drugs.

Free-fillet flap harvested in ‘severe, high-energy landmine explosion’ injuries of lower extremity: A case report

Fillet flaps harvested from the non-replantable or unsalvageable amputated segment can be used to cover tissue defects. We discuss the case of a patient who had suffered a severe high-energy landmine injury, including severe leg damage, resulting in a below-knee amputation and soft-tissue defect around the forearm region. We successfully harvested the fillet from the amputated part of the extremity to the forearm region. We conclude that harvesting of a fillet flap from severely injured lower extremity, resulting from a high-energy landmine explosion, is technically feasible.

Treatment of a Unicameral Bone Cyst of Calcaneus with Endoscopic Curettage and Percutaneous Filling with Corticocancellous Allograft

The surgical procedures for unicameral solitary calcaneal bone cysts have ranged from simple curettage and grafting to subperiosteal resection with internal fixation and grafting. In this article, an endoscopically assisted technique is proposed for the curettage of a simple calcaneal cyst that takes advantage of direct visualization of the cyst wall and contents and permits accurate assessment of the extent of the lesion. After curettage, percutaneous filling of the defect with corticocancellous allograft makes the technique a complete, minimally invasive surgical approach for this condition. The technique uses 2 lateral portals, one for viewing and the other for manipulation, both of which are created under fluoroscopic control. Once the cyst has been located, the 30 degrees arthroscope is used to evacuate fluid, after which more solid cyst contents are fragmented and removed. Thereafter, curettage of the inner surface of the cavernous cyst wall is performed. Finally, complete packing of the previously cystic cavity with crushed corticocancellous allograft is performed under endoscopic visualization and confirmed radiographically.

Avulsion Fracture of the Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine Mimicking a Bone Tumor: A Case Report

This is a case of a 17-year-old boy who was admitted to the clinic suffering from right hip-inguinal region pain which began after a soccer match. He had an avulsion fracture in the anterior inferior iliac spine and CT/MR images showed similarities to a bone tumor. These fractures are especially seen in the apophyses which are within the ossification process. The radiological appearance of these fractures during the healing period may be involved with bone tumors. In the control MRI of the patient after one year, the fracture was almost healed completely. Treatment is generally conservative. Good results have been reported with rest, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Familiarity with radiological findings of these avulsion fractures in this region not only protects the patient from invasive procedures but also avoids the involvement of the practitioner in legal consequences resulting from a misdiagnosis of sarcoma.

Bilateral dorsal trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation: A case report.

INTRODUCTION Perilunate dislocations represent one of the most devastating injuries to the carpus. Fortunately, these injuries are relatively rare, constituting approximately 10% of all carpal injuries. One of the problems associated with this injury is the difficulty of its accurate and early recognition. PRESENTATION OF CASE In this study, an uncommon case of bilateral dorsal trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation following trauma has been reported. The injury was missed initially and the patient was subsequently operated after two weeks. Anatomic reduction was achieved by closed reduction. After closed reduction, percutaneous pin fixation of the carpus was performed using Kirschner wires. Finally, the scaphoid was stabilized with a headless screw percutaneously. The same procedure was repeated for the other wrist. This was followed by an uneventful post-operative period, with a satisfactory functional outcome at the two-year follow-up, despite non-union of the scaphoid in one side. DISCUSSION The case was examined in detail, and compared to the findings in the literature; observations regarding fracture prognosis were also made. Most authors agree that closed reduction is the initial treatment of choice for trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations. In addition, treatment often requires intercarpal fixation within the proximal carpal row. CONCLUSION We believe that closed reduction in these cases should be attempted regarding the potential risks of avascular necrosis and non-union of the affected carpal bones due to open reduction.

Ultrasound-Guided Femoral Nerve Blockage in A Patellar Dislocation: An Effective Technique for Emergency Physicians

BACKGROUND Patellar dislocation is an orthopedic emergency and its reduction can be painful. The aim of this case is to show that the ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blockage can be effectively used in the pain management of patellar reduction in the emergency department (ED). CASE REPORT A 21-year-old man was admitted to our ED after suffering a fall down a flight of stairs. The initial physical examination and plain radiography showed a patellar dislocation in the right knee. We performed an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blockage to provide a pain-free and comfortable patellar reduction. To our best knowledge, there is no manuscript except an old case series about use of the ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blockage in the management of patellar reduction in the medical literature. Procedural sedation is the preferred method used for this purpose in ED, but these medications need to be closely monitored because of their potential complications, such as nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and respiratory depression. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blockage gave rapid and effective pain control without any complication during the reduction in this patient. Therefore, we suggest this technique be used for pain management during the reduction of a dislocated patella in the ED.

Monostotic Paget's disease of the second metacarpal

Pagets disease of the bone is a focal chronic disorder proceeding with elevated osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the affected area. The most common sites are pelvis, femur, lower lumbar vertebrae and skull. Monostotic disease is reported in 15–30% of all cases. We report a case of monostotic Pagets disease of the second metacarpal, which is a rare location even for polyostotic disease.

Case Report: Ultrasound-Guided Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for a Case with Posterior Elbow Dislocation

BACKGROUND The interest in regional anesthesia procedures for the management of upper-extremity emergencies has increased. Toward that end, supraclavicular, interscalene, or infraclavicular approaches, with or without ultrasound guidance, are used for brachial plexus nerve blocks. Although many studies have reported on the use of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and interscalene brachial plexus blocks for upper-extremity dislocations, very few studies have reported on the use of ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. CASE REPORT We present an adult patient with posterior elbow dislocation that is treated with reduction after applying an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Additionally, we describe the infraclavicular block in detail and demonstrate the technique using images. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Based on our experience, the ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block is a fast, safe, and efficient anesthesia technique that can be an excellent alternative to sedoanalgesia and other brachial plexus blocks for the management of elbow dislocations in the emergency department.

Efficiency of instant messaging applications in coordination of emergency calls for combat injuries: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Coordination of an emergency response team is an important determinant of prompt treatment for combat injuries in hospitals. The authors hypothesized that instant messaging applications for smartphones could be appropriate tools for notifying emergency response team members. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of a commercial instant messaging application (WhatsApp, Mountain View, CA) as a communication tool for the emergency team in a level-I trauma center. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the messages in the instant messaging application group that was formed to coordinate responses to patients who suffered from combat injuries and who were transported to our hospital via helicopter during an 8-week period. We evaluated the response times, response time periods during or outside of work hours, and the differences in the response times of doctors, nurses, and technicians among the members of the emergency team to the team leaders initial message about the patients. RESULTS: A total of 510 emergency call messages pertaining to 17 combat injury emergency cases were logged. The median time of emergency response was 4.1 minutes, 6 minutes, and 5.3 minutes for doctors, nurses, and the other team members, respectively. The differences in these response times between the groups were statistically significant (p=0.03), with subgroup analyses revealing significant differences between doctors and nurses (p=0.038). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the doctors and the technicians (p=0.19) or the nurses and the technicians (p=1.0). From the team leaders perspective, using this application reduced the workload and the time loss, and also encouraged the team. CONCLUSION: Instant messaging applications for smartphones can be efficient, easy-to-operate, and time-saving communication tools in the transfer of medical information and the coordination of emergency response team members in hospitals. Language: enBACKGROUND Coordination of an emergency response team is an important determinant of prompt treatment for combat injuries in hospitals. The authors hypothesized that instant messaging applications for smartphones could be appropriate tools for notifying emergency response team members. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of a commercial instant messaging application (WhatsApp, Mountain View, CA) as a communication tool for the emergency team in a level-I trauma center. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the messages in the instant messaging application group that was formed to coordinate responses to patients who suffered from combat injuries and who were transported to our hospital via helicopter during an 8-week period. We evaluated the response times, response time periods during or outside of work hours, and the differences in the response times of doctors, nurses, and technicians among the members of the emergency team to the team leaders initial message about the patients. RESULTS A total of 510 emergency call messages pertaining to 17 combat injury emergency cases were logged. The median time of emergency response was 4.1 minutes, 6 minutes, and 5.3 minutes for doctors, nurses, and the other team members, respectively. The differences in these response times between the groups were statistically significant (p=0.03), with subgroup analyses revealing significant differences between doctors and nurses (p=0.038). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the doctors and the technicians (p=0.19) or the nurses and the technicians (p=1.0). From the team leaders perspective, using this application reduced the workload and the time loss, and also encouraged the team. CONCLUSION Instant messaging applications for smartphones can be efficient, easy-to-operate, and time-saving communication tools in the transfer of medical information and the coordination of emergency response team members in hospitals.