scholarly journals A 10-year Retrospective Case-Series of Venous Thrombo-Embolism frequency in Patients Treated with Total Contact Casts

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0041
Author(s):  
Xenia Tonge ◽  
James Widnall ◽  
Gillian Jackson ◽  
Simon Platt

Category: Diabetes Introduction/Purpose: Venous Thrombo-Embolism (VTE) is a recognized complication of lower limb immobilization. In the neuropathic patient total contact casting (TCC) is used in the management of acute charcot neuroathropathy and/or to off-load neuropathic ulcers. To our knowledge, there is currently no literature stating the prevalence of VTE in patients, despite the possibility of prolonged lower limb immobilization. There are also no recommendations regarding VTE prophylaxis in the setting of TCCs. We report a retrospective case series assessing the frequency of symptomatic VTE in the patients treated with TCCs. Given that diabetic foot disease manifests as one of many co-morbidities in this medically complex group of patients we hypothesize that the rate of occurrence of VTE should be higher than that of the general population. Methods: Patients undergoing TCC between 2006 and 2018 were identified using plaster room records. These patients subsequently had electronic clinical letters and radiological reports assessed for details around the TCC episode, past medical history and any VTE events. Results: There were 143 TCC episodes in 105 patients. Average age at cast application was 55 years. The mean time in a cast was 45 days (range from 5 days to 8 months). 3 out of 4 patients had neuropathy as a consequence of diabetes. One TCC related VTE (0.7% of casting episodes) was documented. This was a proximal DVT confirmed on USS 9 days following cast removal. Only 3 patients received VTE prophylaxis while in TCC. Conclusion: Despite these complex patients having a multitude of co-morbidities the frequency of VTE in the TCC setting remains similar to that of the general population. This may be due to the fact that TCCs permit weight bearing or that Charcot arthropathy leads to a high outflow state, potentially turning Virchow’s triad in the patient’s favour. This case series suggests that, while all patients should be individually VTE risk assessed as for any lower limb immobilization, chemical thromboprophylaxis is not routinely indicated in the context of TCCs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Stenquist ◽  
Brian T. Velasco ◽  
Patrick K. Cronin ◽  
Jorge Briceño ◽  
Christopher P. Miller ◽  
...  

Background. Syndesmotic disruption occurs in 20% of ankle fractures and requires anatomical reduction and stabilization to maximize outcomes. Although screw breakage is often asymptomatic, the breakage location can be unpredictable and result in painful bony erosion. The purpose of this investigation is to report early clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation using a novel metal screw designed with a controlled break point. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation utilizing the R3lease Tissue Stabilization System (Paragon 28, Denver, CO) over a 12-month period. Demographic and screw-specific data were obtained. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed, and radiographic parameters were measured. Screw loosening or breakage was documented. Results. 18 patients (24 screws) met inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 11.7 months (range = 6.0-14.7 months). 5/24 screws (21%) fractured at the break point. No screw fractured at another location, nor did any fracture prior to resumption of weight bearing; 19 screws did not fracture, with 8/19 intact screws (42.1%) demonstrating loosening. There was no evidence of syndesmotic diastasis or mortise malalignment on final follow-up. No screws required removal during the study period. Conclusion. This study provides the first clinical data on a novel screw introduced specifically for syndesmotic fixation. At short-term follow up, there were no complications and the R3lease screw provided adequate fixation to allow healing and prevent diastasis. Although initial results are favorable, longer-term follow-up with data on cost comparisons and rates of hardware removal are needed to determine cost-effectiveness relative to similar implants. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective case series


2019 ◽  
Vol 101-B (6) ◽  
pp. 691-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. N. Tonge ◽  
J. C. Widnall ◽  
G. Jackson ◽  
S. Platt

Aims To our knowledge, there is currently no information available about the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or recommendations regarding chemoprophylaxis for patients whose lower limb is immobilized in a plaster cast. We report a retrospective case series assessing the rate of symptomatic VTE in patients treated with a lower limb cast. Given the complex, heterogeneous nature of this group of patients, with many risk factors for VTE, we hypothesized that the rate of VTE would be higher than in the general population. Patients and Methods Patients treated with a lower limb cast between 2006 and 2018 were identified using plaster room records. Their electronic records and radiological reports were reviewed for details about their cast, past medical history, and any VTE recorded in our hospital within a year of casting. Results There were 136 episodes of casting in 100 patients. The mean age was 55 years (22 to 91). The mean time in a cast was 45 days (five days to eight months). A total of 76 patients had neuropathy secondary to diabetes. No patient received chemical thromboprophylaxis while in a cast. One VTE (0.7% of casting episodes) was documented. This was confirmed by Doppler scan nine days after removing the cast. Conclusion The frequency of VTE was higher than that of the general population (0.05%); this is most likely attributable to our patients’ apparent increase in VTE risk as suggested by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These findings suggest that thromboprophylaxis is not routinely indicated in patients who undergo immobilization of the lower limb in a cast, although the risks of VTE should be assessed. While the cast itself does not pose an increased risk, other pathologies, such as active cancer, mean that each individual case needs to be considered on their merit. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:691–694.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0047
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. Umbel ◽  
B. Dale Sharpe ◽  
Terrence M. Philbin

Category: Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: For unstable ankle fractures, surgeons typically employ the long-time standard of care; that is, open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws. For patients with increased risk of soft tissue complications, a relatively newer construct includes intramedullary distal fibula fixation offering a viable option providing similar union rates, fracture alignment, and theoretical lower infection rate. Our study examines an intramedullary system with a novel design featuring fixation by proximal talons ensuring maintenance of alignment, rotation, and prevention of fracture settling. Our research builds on recent published work evaluating this intramedullary device. However, our study is the largest case-series, to our knowledge to assess time to weightbearing, fracture union and union rate as well as the first to assess safety and reproducibility of percutaneous reduction. Methods: A retrospective case-series was conducted on all skeletally mature patients with unstable ankle fractures treated with the same intramedullary distal fibular fixation. Surgeries were performed by a single surgeon between September 2015 and August 2019. Patient post-operative imaging was carefully assessed for quality of reduction, classifying reductions as ‘good,’ ‘acceptable,’ or ‘poor,’ also assessing for union and fracture settling. Patient charts were also assessed for comorbidities, injury pattern, fracture classification, associated injuries, fracture reduction method, perioperative complications, tourniquet time, characteristics of fracture union, time to weight bearing, and need for additional surgery. Results: Fifty-one patients were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 32.2 weeks. Four fractures were bimalleolar (7.8%), 44 were isolated distal fibula fractures (86.3%), and 3 were trimalleolar fractures (5.9%). Two percent were Weber A, 77% Weber B, and 11% Weber C. Thirty-five (69%) reductions were achieved closed or percutaneously without complications. Based on reduction classification system, 47 fracture reductions (92%) were classified as ‘good’ and 4 (8%) were ‘acceptable’. All but one fracture (98%) went on to union. Average time to union was 10.3 weeks. Average weightbearing in a walking boot was at 6.8 weeks and 11.2 weeks without immobilization. One patient (2%) had a superficial wound infection, and there were no deep infections. Diabetes, smoking, and neuropathy were not predictive of complications. Conclusion: Our study strengthens the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy for a novel intramedullary device with unique proximal fixation. To our knowledge, this is currently the largest retrospective case-series in the literature evaluating this device. Fracture union and union rates were found to be acceptable for unstable ankle fracture patterns and infections rates were found to be very low, consistent with previous research. Percutaneous reduction of the lateral malleolus did not result in any injury to nearby anatomic structures or unsatisfactory fracture alignment. Lastly, consistent time to weight bearing following surgery could safely be achieved without consequence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 106163
Author(s):  
Malcolm Wilson ◽  
Bridget O'Connor ◽  
Nicholas Matigian ◽  
Geoffrey Eather

Author(s):  
Ahmed Fathy Sadek ◽  
Ezzat Hassan Fouly ◽  
Ahmad Fouad Abdelbaki Allam ◽  
Alaa Zenhom Mahmoud

2021 ◽  
pp. 175114372110121
Author(s):  
Stephen A Spencer ◽  
Joanna S Gumley ◽  
Marcin Pachucki

Background Critically ill children presenting to district general hospitals (DGH) are admitted to adult intensive care units (AICUs) for stabilisation prior to transfer to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Current training in PICU for adult intensive care physicians is only three months. This single centre retrospective case series examines the case mix of children presenting to a DGH AICU and a multidisciplinary survey assesses confidence and previous experience, highlighting continued training needs for DGH AICU staff. Methods all paediatric admissions to AICU and paediatric retrievals were reviewed over a 6-year period (2014-2019). Cases were identified from the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) and from data provided by the regional paediatric retrieval service. A questionnaire survey was sent to AICU doctors and nurses to assess confidence and competence in paediatric critical care. Results Between 2014-2019, 284 children were managed by AICU. In total 35% of cases were <1 y, 48% of cases were <2 y and 64% of cases were <5 y, and 166/284 (58%) children were retrieved. Retrieval reduced with increasing age (OR 0.49 [0.40-0.60], p < 0.0001). The survey had an 82% response rate, and highlighted that only 13% of AICU nurses and 50% of doctors had received prior PICU training. Conclusion At least one critically unwell child presents to the AICU each week. Assessment, stabilisation and management of critically unwell children are vital skills for DGH AICU staff, but confidence and competence are lacking. Formalised strategies are required to develop and maintain paediatric competencies for AICU doctors and nurses.


Author(s):  
C. Osborne ◽  
Y. A. Elce ◽  
L. Meehan ◽  
A. J. Davern ◽  
T. B. Lescun

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document