Timothy J. Bray

Immediate external fixation of unstable pelvic fractures

Immediate external fixation has been proposed as a means of stabilizing severe pelvic fractures to reduce the chance of organ failure and death. Sixty-six patients were admitted from January 1980 through December 1983 with double fractures of the pelvic ring that involved the posterior elements. Twenty-six patients (39 percent) underwent immediate external fixation for instability, and 40 patients (61 percent) with stable fractures were treated with bed rest. The two groups were similar in age, injury severity score, and degree of shock. The mortality rate of the two groups was the same (12 percent), as was the incidence of organ failure. The mean transfusion requirement in the unstable group was greater, but not significantly. Our results were better than those reported in recent studies in which immediate rigid fixation was not used. We conclude that the patient with multiple trauma without unstable pelvic fracture should undergo immediate external fixation to decrease morbidity and mortality rates and limit soft tissue damage.

Operative treatment of displaced talus fractures.

The talus is a bone with unique biomechanical features and vascular supply. Displaced fractures of the talus, therefore, frequently create problems of proper management. Forty-one severe talar fractures were treated operatively. The incidence of avascular necrosis was relatively low in this series (16%), and all of these were of Type III and IV fractures of the Marti-Weber classification. Type IV fractures were successfully treated by arthrodesis per primam, and suggested that fusion may be the indicated method of treatment in these severe injuries. Fusion of the tibiotalar joint has been used to encourage revascularization and to preserve the important function of the subtalar joint. In all other fracture types with dislocation, anatomic reduction is performed to restore joint congruity and encourage maintenance of talar dome viability. Painstaking postoperative management is important for the complete restoration of function.

Biomechanical testing of new and old fixation devices for vertical shear fractures of the pelvis

Malgaigne fractures of the pelvis have been treated with many different methods of fixation. We developed a plate for use on the anterior aspect of the sacroiliac (SI) joint using information obtained from cadaveric dissections and computed tomography (CT) scans of male (50) and female (50) pelvises. We tested each of six pelvises in the Instron, with five different fixation systems. Our results showed that the weakest system was the anterior quadrilateral frame plus two symphyseal plates. When comparing three posterior screws with the SI joint plate, the difference was not statistically significant. However, in both of these systems, a second symphyseal plate added to the overall stability.

Computed Tomography-guided Fixation of Unstable Posterior Pelvic Ring Disruptions

Summary Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the current treatment of choice of posterior pelvic ring disruptions with instability, has significant disadvantages. These include relatively “blind” placement of the fixation screws, infection, exsanguinating hemorrhage, and high wound complication rates. We feel fluoroscopy does not offer significant clarity in defining the posterior structure. Advantages of computed tomography (CT)-guided sacral fixation are direct visualization of the course of the screws and absence of significant wound complications. This technique provides superior visualization of the nerve roots and sacral canal compared to fluoroscopic methods. Thirteen patients (10 unilateral and 3 bilateral) with unstable but reducible sacral fractures or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disruptions underwent CT-guided posterior pelvic ring fixation using a cannulated screw system. Skeletal traction was required intraoperatively in one case by a traction-counteraction pulley system in the CT scanner. All other reductions were performed by preoperative skeletal traction or manually by the surgeons after anesthesia in the scanner or after push-pull films demonstrated instability. The guide pin, using depth and angulation measurements derived from the scout CT scans, was positioned across the fracture or SIJ. Following CT confirmation of the position of the pin, the screw tract was drilled and the cannulated screw was placed into position. Radiographic and clinical follow-up observation (7–24 months) showed healing with no significant complications in all 13 patients. Computed tomography-guided sacral fixation is a safe alternative to ORIF in selected patients with reducible unstable pelvic fractures.

Early surgical stabilization of flail chest with locked plate fixation.

Objectives: To compare the results of surgical stabilization with locked plating to nonoperative care of flail chest injuries. Design: Retrospective case–control study. Setting: Level II trauma center. Patients/Participants: From January 2005 to January 2010, 22 patients with flail chest treated with locked plate fixation were compared with a matched cohort of 28 nonoperatively managed patients at our institution. Intervention: Open reduction internal fixation of rib fractures with 2.7-mm locking reconstruction plates. Main Outcome Measurements: Demographic data, such as age, sex, injury severity score, number of fractures, and lung contusion severity, were recorded. Intensive care unit data concerning length of stay (LOS), tracheostomy, and ventilator days were noted. Operative data, such as time to OR, operative time, and estimated blood loss, were recorded. Hospital data, including total hospital LOS, need for reintubation, and home oxygen requirements, were documented. Results: Average follow-up period of operatively managed patients was 17.84 ± 4.51 months, with a range of 13–22 months. No case of hardware failure, hardware prominence, wound infection, or nonunion was reported. Operatively treated patients had shorter intensive care unit stays (7.59 vs. 9.68 days, P = 0.018), decreased ventilator requirements (4.14 vs. 9.68 days, P = 0.007), shorter hospital LOS (11.9 vs. 19.0 days, P = 0.006), fewer tracheostomies (4.55% vs. 39.29%, P = 0.042), less pneumonia (4.55% vs. 25%, P = 0.047), less need for reintubation (4.55% vs. 17.86%, P = 0.34), and decreased home oxygen requirements (4.55% vs. 17.86%, P = 0.034). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential benefits of surgical stabilization of flail chest with locked plate fixation. When compared with case-matched controls, operatively managed patients demonstrated improved clinical outcomes. Locked plate fixation seems to be safe as no complications associated with hardware failure, plate prominence, wound infection, or nonunion were noted.

Clinical and financial comparison of operative and nonoperative treatment of displaced clavicle fractures

HYPOTHESIS Surgical stabilization of displaced clavicle fractures was once considered to have rare indications. Our purpose was to present the clinical and economic effects of surgical management using data collected from operative and nonoperative patients. METHODS Our fracture database was queried from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2010, identifying 204 patients with displaced midclavicular fractures. Radiographs and charts were reviewed, and questionnaires were distributed. RESULTS Operative patients had less chronic pain (6.1% vs 25.3%), less cosmetic deformity (18.2% vs 32.5%), less weakness (10.6% vs 33.7%), less loss of motion (15.2% vs 31.3%), and fewer nonunions (0% vs 4.8%). Operative patients missed fewer days of work (8.4 days vs 35.2 days) and required less assistance (3 days vs 7 days) for care at home. Mean income lost was

Economic Viability of a Community-Based Level-II Orthopaedic Trauma System

321.69 versus

Closed intramedullary femoral osteotomy : shortening and derotation procedures

10,506.25. Operative patients had a mean emergency department bill of

Impact of Hospital-Employed Physician Assistants on a Level II Community-Based Orthopaedic Trauma System.

2,060.51 versus

Operating room efficiency: benefits of an orthopaedic traumatologist at a level II trauma center.

1,871.92 and had a mean hospital bill of