Sujit Kumar Tripathy

Early results of core decompression and autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells instillation in femoral head osteonecrosis: a randomized control study.

Fifty-one osteonecrotic hips in 40 patients were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups. Patients in group A (25 hips) were treated with core decompression, and those in group B (26 hips) received autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell instillation into the core tract after core decompression. Outcome between the 2 groups were compared clinically (Harris Hip score), radiographically (x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging), and by Kaplan-Meier hip survival analysis after 12 and 24 months of surgical intervention. The clinical score and mean hip survival were significantly better in group B than in group A (P < .05). Patients with adverse prognostic features at initial presentation, that is, poor Harris Hip score, x-ray changes, edema, and/or effusion on magnetic resonance imaging had significantly better clinical outcome and hip survival in group B than in group A.

Closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for tibial plateau fractures

Purpose. To evaluate treatment outcomes of closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for tibial plateau fractures. Methods. 48 men and 8 women aged 19 to 61 (mean, 36) years underwent closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for closed tibial plateau fractures with <5 mm depression. According to the Schatzker classification, patients were classified into type I (n=9), type II (n=22), type IV (n=5), and type V (n=20). Closed reduction was achieved using manual ligamentotaxis with traction in extension under image intensifier control. Reduction was fixed percutaneously with cancellous screws (6.5 mm) and washers. Functional outcome (pain, walking capacity, extension lag, range of motion, and stability) was evaluated using the Rasmussen score. A total score of 28 to 36 was considered as excellent, 20 to 27 as good, 10 to 20 as fair, and >10 as poor. Results. Patients were followed up for a mean of 2.8 (range, 1–4) years. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 (range, 2–15) days. All the fracture united radiographically after a mean of 3 (range, 2.5–4.2) months. Respectively in Schatzker types-I, -II, -IV, and -V fractures, outcomes were excellent in 6, 10, 2, and 2 patients, good in 2, 9, 3, and 14 patients, fair in 1, 3, 0, and 2 patients, and poor in 0, 0, 0, and 2 patients. Outcome was satisfactory (good-to-excellent) in 89%, 86%, 100%, and 80% of the respective fracture types of patients. The mean Rasmussen score was 25.7 for all patients; it was 27.7 for type I, 26.3 for type II, 28.6 for type IV, and 23.4 for type V fractures. The mean Rasmussen score was significantly lower in 12 patients with ligament injury than in 44 patients without ligament injury (19.8 vs. 27.3, p<0.001). No patient had any complication (infection, wound dehiscence or hardware problem). Conclusion. Closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for tibial plateau fractures is minimally invasive. It reduces the length of hospital stay and costs, enables early mobilisation with minimal instrumentation, and achieves satisfactory outcomes.

Application of the Ponseti principle for deformity correction in neglected and relapsed clubfoot using the Ilizarov fixator

We treated 15 cases of neglected and relapsed clubfeet by the Ilizarov distraction method using the Ponseti principle in 12 children (mean age 7.3 years). The deformities were corrected around the talar head in the sequence of the cavus, adduction, varus and finally equinus (as per the Ponseti principle). Clinical and functional outcome after 2.5 years was significant (P<0.05) with a mean reduction of 11.7 in Dimeglios score and an average Laaveg and Ponseti functional score of 75.47. The average time taken for correction was 4.2 weeks. Differential distraction according to the Ponseti principle leads to early correction with minimal number of residual deformities and complications.

Coronal shear fracture of the humeral trochlea.

Purpose. To review records of 5 patients with anterior coronal trochlear fractures. Methods. Four men and one woman aged 25 to 46 (mean, 34) years underwent cancellous screw (n=3) or Kirschner wire (n=2) fixation for anterior coronal fractures of the humeral trochlea after falling on a flexed elbow. Patients were operated on through a medial approach. Three patients who had a large osteochondral fragment underwent fixation using 4-mm AO partially threaded cancellous screws. Two patients who had a small un-amenable osteochondral fragment (with articular cartilage damage) underwent fixation using Kirschner wires. Patients were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) based on pain, arc of motion, stability, and functional disability. Results. The mean time from injury to surgery was 7 (range, 5–10) days. The mean follow-up period was 2.7 years. No patient had any wound-related problems, postoperative neurovascular compromise, or avascular necrosis. Radiographic union was noted after a mean of 14 weeks. Outcome was excellent in 4 patients and good in one. The mean arc of flexion-extension was 101° and the mean arc of supination-pronation was 130°. The mean MEPI was 92. The MEPI was relatively low in the 2 patients with a small osteochondral fragment who underwent Kirschner wire fixation. One patient with articular cartilage damage developed mild degenerative changes and had to change his occupation. The remaining 4 patients were pain-free and had returned to their occupations within 4 months. Conclusion. Open reduction and screw fixation restores articular congruency and enables early mobilisation. Small coronal shear fractures of the trochlea not amenable to screw fixation should be fixed with Kirschner wires.

Clinical and radiological outcome of percutaneous plating in extra-articular proximal tibia fractures: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND Despite various techniques of fixation, proximal tibia fractures are associated with poor outcome and increased rates of complications. Minimal access and rigid fixation are the keys for optimal outcome in such fractures. Therefore, this study was designed to look for the clinical and radiological outcomes of percutaneous locked plating (PLP) in extra-articular proximal tibia fracture. METHODS Between April 2008 and September 2010, 47 consecutive patients with 49 proximal third extra-articular tibial fractures (29 closed and 20 open injuries) underwent PLP. The patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. The union rate and complications of this fixation were evaluated. The clinico-radiological outcomes were assessed at 1 year of surgery. RESULTS Four patients had infection in the postoperative period which needed repeated debridement, gentamycin bead application and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Three of these infective cases ended up with nonunion and needed cancellous bone grafting. All the remaining fractures united. The average time for union was 20 weeks in closed and type I open fracture and 25 weeks in type II and III fractures. No neurovascular injury, hardware failure or loss of fixation was documented till the last follow-up. The mean range of knee joint movement was 119°. The average lower extremity functional score (LEFS) was 59 (74%). There were 10 cases of malunion (20.14%), with six varus/valgus and five procurvatum/recurvatum (one having both sagittal and coronal malunion) angulations. There were no statistical differences between patients with malunion and normal alignment with regard to knee range of motion and LEFS. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive osteosynthesis using PLP in extra-articular proximal tibia fractures showed a promising result with minimal complications.

Management of femoral head osteonecrosis: Current concepts

Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a disabling condition of young individuals with ill-defined etiology and pathogenesis. Remains untreated, about 70-80% of the patients progress to secondary hip arthritis. Both operative and nonoperative treatments have been described with variable success rate. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key for success in preserving the hip joint. Once femoral head collapses (>2 mm) or if there is secondary degeneration, hip conservation procedures become ineffective and arthroplasty remains the only better option. We reviewed 157 studies that evaluate different treatment modalities of ONFH and then a final consensus on treatment was made.

Cortical Blindness Following Spinal Surgery: Very Rare Cause of Perioperative Vision Loss

A 38-year-old man was operated with posterior spinal decompression and pedicle screw instrumentation for his L2 fracture with incomplete neurological deficit. In the recovery, he complained of blindness in both eyes after twelve hours. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance angiography revealed bilateral occipital lobe infarcts. He remained permanently blind even after three years follow-up. Though rare, perioperative vision loss is a potential complication following spine surgery in prone position. We report a rare occurrence of cortical blindness following lumbar spine surgery.

Risk Factors of Venous Thromboembolism in Indian Patients with Pelvic-Acetabular Trauma

Purpose. To determine risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Indian patients undergoing surgery for pelvic-acetabular fractures. Methods. 48 men and 8 women aged 17 to 61 (mean, 36) years who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for pelvic-acetabular fractures were evaluated for VTE in the postoperative period. Pulmonary angiography and indirect computed tomographic venography were used in the hospital, whereas colour Doppler ultrasonography was used in an outpatient setting until postoperative week 6. Patients with evidence of VTE were treated according to the American College of Chest Physician guidelines. Correlations between VTE and putative variable were assessed, and risk factors determined. Results. 16 patients developed VTE. Six patients with proximal DVT had associated pulmonary embolism (PE). There were 12 cases of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 2 cases of distal DVT, and 10 cases of PE. The rate of VTE was significantly higher in patients who had predominantly posterior injury (as opposed to anterior injury) [13/27 vs. 3/29, p=0.003], who were operated on in the lateral position (as opposed to the supine position) [13/30 vs. 3/26, p=0.016], or via the Kocher-Langenbeck or combined approach (as opposed to others) [13/30 vs. 3/26, p=0.016]. Patients were more likely to develop VTE when they had predominantly posterior injuries (7.8 fold) or were operated on in a lateral position (2.96 fold) or via the Kocher-Langenbeck approach (2.27 fold). Conclusion. Pelvic-acetabular trauma is a significant risk factor for VTE, even in Indians. Patients who have posterior injuries or are operated on in the lateral position, or via the Kocher-Langenbeck approach have a significantly higher risk of VTE.

Four quadrant parallel peripheral screw fixation for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients.

Background: The treatment options for displaced femoral neck fracture in elderly are screw fixation, hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty based primarily on age of the patient. The issues in screw fixation are ideal patient selection, optimal number of screws, optimal screw configuration and positioning inside the head and neck of femur. The problems of screw fixation may be loss of fixation, joint penetration, avascular necrosis of femoral head, nonunion, prolonged rehabilitation period and the need for second surgery in failed cases. We hereby present results of a modified screw fixation technique in femoral neck fractures in patients ≥50 years of age. Materials and Methods: Patients ≥50 years of age (range 50-73 years) who sustained displaced femoral neck fracture and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this prospective study. They were treated with closed reduction under image intensifier control and cannulated cancellous screw fixation. Accurate anatomical reduction was not aimed and a cross sectional contact area of >75% without varus was accepted as good reduction. Four screws were positioned in four quadrants of femoral head and neck, as parallel and as peripheral as possible. Radiological and functional results were evaluated periodically. Sixty four patients who could complete a minimum followup of two years were analyzed. Results: Radiologically, all fractures healed after mean duration of 10 weeks (range 8-12 weeks). There was no avascular necrosis. Nonanatomical healing was observed in 45 cases (70%). All patients except one had excellent functional outcome and could do cross-legged sitting and squatting. Chondrolysis with progressive head resorption was seen in one case, which was converted to total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion: Closed reduction and cannulated cancellous screw fixation gives satisfactory functional results in large group of elderly patients. The four quadrant parallel peripheral (FQPP) screw fixation technique gives good stability, allows controlled collapse, avoids fixation failure and achieves predictable bone healing in displaced femoral neck fracture in patients ≥50 years of age.

Is routine thromboprophylaxis justified among Indian patients sustaining major orthopedic trauma? A systematic review

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common preventable cause of morbidity and mortality after trauma. Though most of the western countries have their guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in these patients, India still does not have these. The increasing detection of VTE among Indian population, lack of awareness, underestimation of the risk, and fear of bleeding complications after chemical prophylaxis have made deep vein thrombosis (DVT) a serious problem, hence a standard guideline for thromboprophylaxis after trauma is essential. The present review article discusses the incidence of DVT and role of thromboprophylaxis in Indian patients who have sustained major orthopedic trauma. A thorough search of ‘PubMed’ and ‘Google Scholar’ revealed 10 studies regarding venous thromboembolism in Indian patients after major orthopedic trauma surgery (hip or proximal femur fracture and spine injury). Most of these studies have evaluated venous thromboembolism in patients of arthroplasty and trauma. The incidence, risk factors, diagnosis and management of VTE in the subgroup of trauma patients (1049 patients) were separately evaluated after segregating them from the arthroplasty patients. Except two studies, which were based on spinal injury, all other studies recommended screening/ thromboprophylaxis in posttraumatic conditions in the Indian population. Color Doppler was used as common diagnostic or screening tool in most of the studies (eight studies, 722 patients). The incidence of VTE among thromboprophylaxis-receiving group was found to be 8% (10/125), whereas it was much higher (14.49%, 40/276) in patients not receiving any form of prophylaxis. Indian patients have definite risk of venous thromboembolism after major orthopedic trauma (except spinal injury), and thromboprophylaxis either by chemical or mechanical methods seems to be justified in them.