Seung Hun Woo

Preoperative Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with a Hip Fracture: An Indirect Multidetector Ct Venography Study

BACKGROUND This retrospective cohort study investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for preoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a hip fracture and a delay of >24 hours from injury to surgery. METHODS This observational study included 208 patients with a hip fracture surgically treated at 1 university hospital between December 2010 and August 2014. Patients underwent indirect multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) venography for preoperative VTE detection after admission. Overall VTE risk and median time from injury to CT scan were calculated. Age, sex, fracture type, time from injury to CT scan, body mass index, preinjury mobility score, previous anticoagulation treatment, previous hospitalization for VTE, varicose veins, and medical comorbidities were considered potential risk factors. RESULTS The prevalence of preoperative VTE was 11.1% (23 of 208 patients), including 12 patients with deep vein thrombosis alone, 7 patients with pulmonary embolism alone, and 4 patients with both. The mean time from injury to CT scan was 4.9 days. The delay from the time of injury to CT scan averaged 7.6 days for patients who developed preoperative VTE, compared with 4.2 days for patients who had not developed VTE. In the adjusted models, female sex, subtrochanteric fracture, pulmonary disease, cancer, previous hospitalization for VTE, and varicose veins were risk factors for VTE. The final multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21 to 28.21), subtrochanteric fracture (OR = 22.17; 95% CI = 4.02 to 122.06), pulmonary disease (OR = 21.10; 95% CI = 5.35 to 83.21), and previous hospitalization for VTE (OR = 16.36; 95% CI = 3.41 to 78.43) increased the risk of VTE. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show a high prevalence of preoperative VTE in patients with a hip fracture. Therefore, preoperative investigation for VTE should be routinely considered for patients in whom surgery is delayed for >24 hours. At this time, indirect MDCT venography seems to be effective and useful. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A dual anteroposterior approach to the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy

When the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is performed through an anterior approach, the ischial and retroacetabular osteotomies and manual fracture of the incompletely osteotomized ischium are conducted with an incomplete view resulting in increased risk and morbidity. We have assessed the dual anteroposterior approach which appears to address this deficiency. We compared the results of the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy performed in 11 patients (13 osteotomies) through a single anterior approach with those in 12 patients (13 osteotomies) in whom the procedure was carried out through a dual anteroposterior approach. The estimated blood loss, the length of anaesthesia, duration of surgery and radiological parameters were measured. The mean operative time and length of anaesthesia were not significantly different in the two groups (p = 0.781 and p = 0.698, respectively). The radiological parameters improved to a similar extent in both groups after the operation but there was significantly less blood loss in the dual osteotomy group (p = 0.034). The dual anteroposterior approach provides a direct view of the retroacetabular and ischial parts of the osteotomy, within a reasonable operating time and with minimal blood loss and gives a satisfactory outcome.

Short-Term Results of a Ruptured Deltoid Ligament Repair During an Acute Ankle Fracture Fixation:

Background: There is no consensus on the optimal treatment or preferred method of operation for the management of acute deltoid ligament injuries during an ankle fracture fixation. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of repairing the deltoid ligament during the fixation of an ankle fracture compared to conservative management. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 78 consecutive cases of a ruptured deltoid ligament with an associated ankle fracture between 2001 and 2016. All of the ankle fractures were treated with a plate and screw fixation. Patients in the conservative treatment for ruptured deltoid ligament underwent management from 2001 to 2008 (37 fractures, group 1), while the operative treatment for ruptured deltoid ligament was included from 2009 to 2016 (41 fractures, group 2). The outcome measures included radiographic findings, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scores, visual analog scale scores, and the Foot Function Index. All patients were followed for an average of 17 months. Results: Radiologic findings in both groups were comparable, but the final follow-up of the medial clear space (MCS) was significantly smaller in the group 2 (P < .01). Clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups (P > .05). Comparing those who underwent syndesmotic fixation between both groups, group 2 showed a significantly smaller final follow-up MCS, and all clinical outcomes were better in group 2 (P < .05). Linear regression analysis showed that the final follow-up MCS had a significant influence on clinical outcomes (P < .05). Conclusion: Although the clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the 2 groups, we obtained a more favorable final follow-up MCS in the deltoid repair group. Particularly when accompanied by a syndesmotic injury, the final follow-up MCS and the clinical outcomes were better in the deltoid repair group. In the case of high-grade unstable fractures of the ankle with syndesmotic instability, a direct repair of the deltoid ligament was adequate for restoring medial stability. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

C-reactive protein for early detection of postoperative systemic infections in intertrochanteric femoral fractures

BACKGROUND This retrospective cohort study investigated perioperative C-reactive protein (CRP) value for early detection of postoperative systemic infective complications in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fracture. METHODS A total of 250 patients aged ≥65 years, with intertrochanteric femoral fractures that were surgically treated between January 2011 and December 2015 were included. CRP value was measured preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) 3, 5, and 10, and analyzed with regard to postoperative systemic infections, delirium, and death within 1 year. The patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative systemic infection, and perioperative CRP responses between the two groups were comparedusing t-test (or Man-Whitney test where appropriate). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves of CRP value were used to determine the best-supported cut-off values for identifying postoperative systemic infections. Systemic infections were reclassified as pulmonary and extra-pulmonary infections. RESULTS The mean CRP values preoperatively and on POD 3, 5, and 10 were 2.82, 10.10, 3.74, and 1.89 mg/dL, respectively. Postoperative systemic infections, delirium, and death within 1 year were noted in 35 (14.0%), 30 (12.0%), and 45 (18.0%) patients, respectively. The CRP value in patients with postoperative systemic infections significantly elevated on POD 5 and 10 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and cut-off values were 4.71 and 1.59 mg/dL on POD 5 and 10, respectively. Postoperative delirium and death within 1 year were observed more often in the group with postoperative systemic infections (p = 0.003, p = 0.014). Although preoperatively elevated CRP values did not influence the postoperative CRP responses, they were significantly associated with delirium (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS The CRP value on POD 5 is the earliest predictor of postoperative systemic infections in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures that are managed surgically. Moreover, when the CRP value on POD 5 is >4.71 mg/dL, the possibility of postoperative systemic infections should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, Retrospective cohort study.

Diagnostic strategy for elderly patients with isolated greater trochanter fractures on plain radiographs

BackgroundIsolated greater trochanter (GT) fractures are relatively rare and few studies have assessed the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these fractures. When initial plain radiographs show an isolated GT fracture, underestimation of occult intertrochanteric extension may result in displacement of a previously non-displaced fracture. This study examined the clinical results and value of different diagnostic strategies in elderly patients with isolated GT fractures on plain radiographs.MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2015, 30 patients with initial plain radiographs showing isolated GT fractures were examined using MRI, bone scanning and/or CT for suspected occult intertrochanteric extension. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of each test. In addition, we noted the location of the fracture or soft-tissue injury on MRI in addition to treatment results.ResultsAll 30 patients had osteoporosis and fractures caused by minor trauma. MRI revealed isolated GT fractures in nine patients and occult intertrochanteric fractures in 21 patients. Using the MRI-based diagnosis as a reference, the results showed that plain radiographs, bone scans, and CT scans can be used for supplementary examination but they are not appropriate as confirmatory tests for these fractures. However, in patients with both isolated GT fractures seen on plain radiographs and increased uptake in only the GT area on bone scans, MRI revealed isolated GT fractures. The fractures were treated surgically in 20 patients and conservatively in 10 patients with satisfactory clinical results.ConclusionsWe confirmed that MRI-based examination is useful in all symptomatic elderly patients whose plain radiographic findings reveal isolated GT fractures. However, we suggest that there is a need to establish a diagnostic strategy through increased understanding of the available diagnostic methods. We believe that surgical treatment should be considered in patients with occult intertrochanteric fractures that are detected on MRI.