Paolo Ceccarini

Bunionette: Minimally Invasive and Percutaneous Techniques: A Topical Review of the Literature

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to review the most recent literature available on the treatment of bunionette (also named tailor’s bunion) with percutaneous and minimally invasive techniques. Focusing especially on clinical outcomes, studies related to this type of techniques were examined in order to evaluate the success of this practice that is, fusion rate and complications. The hypothesis is that these techniques are safe and successful procedures. Methods. In July 2015, a topical review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases was conducted using the keywords percutaneous (OR mini-invasive OR minimally invasive) AND bunionette (OR tailor’s bunion) AND treatment (OR surgery). Studies reporting the outcomes of the surgical treatment of bunionette were also included in our review. Results. The search yielded a total of 111 publications from PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. After evaluating abstracts and full-text reviews, 9 articles were included in this review. Treat...

The arthroereisis procedure in adult flexible flatfoot grade IIA due to insufficiency of posterior tibial tendon

BACKGROUND To report on the functional, biomechanical, and radiographic results of patients who had undergone arthroereisis plus tensioning of the posterior tibial tendon for flexible flatfoot. The hypothesis is that arthroereisis associated to a tensioning of the posterior tibial tendon give a good correction with great satisfaction in patients with flexible flatfoot in grade IIA. METHODS We evaluated 29 patients (31 feet), mean age of 46.4 years, who had been surgically treated for adult flatfoot grade IIA according to Myerson. Mean follow-up was 34.15 months. For clinical evaluation, the AOFAS hindfoot and VAS-FA scores were used. RESULTS Postoperative results showed significant increases in both AOFAS and VAS-FA scores: 54.2-81.9 and 61.5-83.2 points, respectively. For the X-ray parameters, we observed a significant variation in the talo-first metatarsal angle, from 13.8° in pre-op to 7.4° in post-op. In lateral view, Djian Annonier angle was improved from 146.6° to 134.1°. The Mearys angle, compared to an average of 8.8° in pre-operative stage improved to 4.3° in the post-operative stage. Postoperative satisfaction was excellent-good according to 23 patients (79.4%). Pain in the tarsal sinus was reported in 5 out of 31 feet (16.1%) for the first three months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Arthroereisis and tensioning of the posterior tibial tendon provided good functional outcomes for patients under 60 years of age having stage IIA flexible flatfoot without arthritic manifestations.

Correction of Hammer Toe Deformity of Lateral Toes With Subtraction Osteotomy of the Proximal Phalanx Neck

Existing techniques for surgical treatment of hammer toe commonly combine skeletal and soft tissues interventions to obtain a durable correction of the deformity, balance the musculotendinous forces of flexion and extension of the toe, and normalization of the relations between interosseous muscles and metatarsal bones. The most common surgical techniques can provide the correction of the deformity through arthroplasty with resection of the head of the proximal phalanx or arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint. In most cases, these have been associated with elongation of the extensor apparatus, capsulotomy of the metatarsophalangeal joint, and stabilization with a Kirschner wire. To experiment with a technique that respects the anatomy and joint function, we used a distal subtraction osteotomy of the proximal phalanx neck. We evaluated a series of 40 patients, aged 18 to 82 years, who underwent surgery from January 2008 to December 2010. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically pre- and postoperatively and underwent examination at a mean final follow-up point of 24.4 (minimal 12, maximal 36) months. For the clinical evaluation, we used the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score. The rate of excellent and good results was >90%. Compared with other techniques, this technique led to considerable correction, restoration of the biomechanical and radiographic parameters, and an adjunctive advantage of preserving the integrity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Thus, our results have caused us to prefer this technique.

Outcome of Distal First Metatarsal Osteotomy Shortening in Hallux Rigidus Grades II and III

Background: Existing techniques for operative treatment of hallux rigidus commonly combine skeletal and soft tissue interventions to obtain long-lasting relief of pain. To date, operative treatments include implant arthroplasty, cheilectomy, various osteotomies, nonimplant arthroplasty, and arthrodesis. We assessed a technique that respects the anatomy and joint function and used a shortening osteotomy of the head of the first metatarsal. Methods: We evaluated a series of 40 consecutive patients affected by grade II and III hallux rigidus, aged 32 to 79 years, who had undergone surgery from January 2010 to January 2014. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically, preoperatively and postoperatively, and underwent a final follow-up at a mean of 35.4 (range = 12-51) months. For the clinical evaluation, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) clinical rating scale for the hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal joints was used. Results: A patient survey revealed excellent and good overall satisfaction in 90% of the sample. Postoperative results included a significant increase (P < .001) in the median global AOFAS score, from 39 (range = 25-60) to 84 (range = 78-94). Conclusions: The technique of a shortening osteotomy of the first metatarsal head appeared to be useful for the correction of stiffness, pain relief, and an improvement in range of motion. Other advantages were that it preserved the integrity of the metatarsophalangeal joint and led to a rapid functional recovery. Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Tranexamic Acid in Pertrochanteric Femoral Fracture: Is it a Safe Drug or Not?

Abstract Background: There is a high incidence of blood transfusion following hip fractures in elderly patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of use of tranexamic acid in proximal femur nailing surgery. Materials and methods: Our sample group consisted of 90 patients suffering from pertrochanteric fractures surgically treated with osteosynthesis with SupernailGT(LimaCorporate). The classification system AO/OTA was used to divide the fractures into 31A1 (n=45) and 31A2 (n=45). The patients were divided into two groups: 47 patients were administered 15 mg of tranexamic acid per kg (group A) and 43 patients were administered placebo (group B). Blood counts were monitored daily to evaluate the rate of anemia. As a safety criterion, we monitored the possible occurrence of vascular events, symptomatic or not, over the 8 weeks post-surgery. Markers predicting mortality and deep venous thrombosis (DVE) were also monitored (fibrinogen D-dimer). Results: Blood loss occurring post-surgery can be influenced by numerous factors that are not linked to the use or non-use of tranexamic acid. While closely monitoring hemoglobin levels daily, we observed that 42% of the patients in group A required blood transfusion as opposed to 60% in group B. The results of the markers predicting mortality (alpha1-acid glycoprotein; albumin LDL) and those of DVE were not statistically significant between the two groups in this study (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on this study, the use of tranexamic acid was statistically significant in reducing post-surgery blood loss.

Articular fractures of distal radius: comparison of treatment and clinical and radiological outcomes with volar plate versus Hoffmann bridging external fixator.

The Wrist fractures are one of the most frequent traumatic pathologies. Surgery is now more commonly recommended for this type of fracture as a means to improve the outcome of patients. The objective of this study is to compare treatment with volar plate vs. external fixation in these types of fractures. A total of 158 consecutive patients who had been operated on for distal radius fractures with or without ulnar involvement, were included in this study. 109 were treated with a volar plate and 49 with Hoffmann II external fixator. The exclusion criteria were patients with a history of wrist fractures, with neurological diseases, pathological fractures and polytrauma patients. Clinical and radiographic results were evaluated in both groups of patients. Clinical parameters were: average flexion, average extension, average pronation and supination, and the average radial and ulnar deviation. The radiographic parameters that we considered were the radial tilt and ulnar variance. In both groups, we evaluated the clinical results with the DASH score and the Mayo-Wrist score. The unstable and intra-articular fractures of the distal radius can be treated with different methods, among which the most commonly used are the open reduction and internal fixation with plates or the synthesis with external fixation. Our study shows how both methods provide similar clinical and radiographic results, so the choice of which to use depends more on the surgeons experience and the patients compliance rather than on the type of fracture.

Tubular vs Profile Plate in Peroneal or Bimalleolar Fractures: is There a Real Difference in Skin Complication? A Retrospective Study in Three Level I Trauma Center

Introduction: Not enough literature is available to evalute the wound complication rate of plates type in distal fibular fractures. Aim: The aim of our study was to compare wound complications of using a third tubular plate compared to LCP distal fibula plate. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective single-centre study in which was performed plating of fibula in closed ankle fractures. 93 patients were included in our study and assigned in two groups, based on using of different implant : in group A 48 patients were treated with one-third tubular and in group B 45 patients were treated with LCP distal fibula plate. There were no significant differences in the baseline characterisctics. Patients received the same surgical procedure and the same post-operative care, then they were radiologically evalueted at 1-3-12 months and clinical examination was made at 12 months using AOFAS clinical rating system. Categorical data, grouped into distinct categories, were evalueted using Chi-square test. We considered a p value < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: The wound complications rate of the overall study group was 7.6%. There were no statistical differences in the rate of wound complications between the two groups. There were no differences between both group in percentage of hardware removal at follow-up (overall 5.4%); plate removal was performed earlier in the locking plate because of wound complications. Conclusions: Our study has shown no difference in radiographic bone union rate, no significant differences in terms of clinical outcomes, in time of bone reduction and wound complication rate between the LCP distal fibula plate and conventional one-third tubular plate. Controversy still exists about the best method for the fracture reduction.

The Role of Arthroscopic Debridement after Ankle Fractures Treated with ORIF

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: The role of ankle arthroscopy in managing the consequences of ankle fractures is yet to be fully estab- lished. This study aims to assess this procedure in terms of the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, re-operation rate and patient- reported outcomes. Methods: We compared two homogeneous groups of 16 patients (32 in total, average age 40.6 years) operated for a fracture of the distal tibia and/or fibula treated with ORIF. For all fractures the AO classification was used. The baseline was 6 months after surgery. Inclusion criteria were: patients aged between 19 and 50 a pre-trauma Tegner score >3, FAOS score <75 at the baseline, R.O.M. <20° vs contralateral; we included patients with well-aligned osteosynthesis and with radiographic union. Patients with open fractures, with osteochondral lesions and with previous were excluded. In the first group we planned an arthroscopy of the ankle from 6 to 12 months after trauma, in the second group, we continued with conservative rehabilitation treatment. All patients were then re-evaluated at 3,6 and 12 months with questionnaires (Tegner activity level, and FAOS). The mean follow-up was 18.2 months. For all data statistical analysis was performed. Results: The results of our case-series showed excellent patient satisfaction (12/14) with a FAOS Score and an improved R.O.M. statistically significant (p <.001) in patients treated with ankle arthroscopy. Eighty percent was able to return to previous activity. The average time until return to sport was 5.3 ± 2.4 months. Seventy percent of the athletes still had occasional pain with sport. Conclusion: The literature on arthroscopic treatment after fracture is still poor but results obtained, even with a limited number of cases, and with a short follow-up, are positive, especially in those patients where the functional demand is highest.

Tailor’s bunion: revisione della recente letteratura nelle tecniche mini-invasive

The purpose of this study was to review the most recent literature available on the treatment of bunionette (also named tailor’s bunion) with percutaneous and mini-invasive techniques. A topical review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases was conducted in December 2015 utilising the keywords percutaneous (OR mini invasive OR minimally invasive) AND bunionette (OR tailor’s bunion) AND treatment (OR surgery). Studies that reported the outcomes of the surgical treatment of bunionette were included in our review. The search yielded a total of 111 publications from PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar. After abstract and full-text review, 9 articles were included in this review. Treatment methods were placed into two broad surgical treatment categories: with or without fixation of the osteotomy. The most common treatment strategy employed was with fixation. The pooled rates of success for the techniques with fixation and without fixation were respectively 93.5 and 97.8. The current evidence on the treatment of bunionette deformity is limited to retrospective case series. Future high-level studies are required to distinguish the most appropriate treatment for this type of deformity.

Neuroma di Morton: le tecniche mini-invasive

Morton’s neuroma is a very common cause of forefoot pain. It is a clinical syndrome of the forefoot and it has often been described in the last two centuries. It was first reported by Civinini in 1835. Morton’s neuroma usually shows a higher prevalence in women and it is most frequently located at the third intermetatarsal space. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical and ultrasound examination. MRI can be useful to confirm the diagnosis or in atypical cases. The correct treatment has been advocated for years. Open neurectomy results in reliable relief of nerve compression symptoms; however, in the last few years new minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed to release the interdigital nerve without performing open neurectomy. The results of these techniques have been favourable but the literature is still incomplete and more studies will be necessary to thoroughly compare open versus mini-invasive techniques.