Minimally Invasive Medial Plating of Low-Energy Lisfranc Injuries: Preliminary Experience with Five Cases

Fracture dislocations involving the Lisfranc joint are rare; they represent only 0.2% of all the fractures. There is no consensus about the surgical management of these lesions in the medical literature. However, both anatomical reduction and tarsometatarsal stabilization are essential for a good outcome. In this clinical study, five consecutive patients with a diagnosis of Lisfranc low-energy lesion were treated with a novel surgical technique characterized by minimal osteosynthesis performed through a minimally invasive approach. According to the radiological criteria established, the joint reduction wasanatomicalin four patients,almost anatomicalin one patient (#4), andnonanatomicalin none of the patients. At the final follow-up, the AOFAS score for the midfoot was 96 points (range, 95–100). The mean score according to the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) at the end of the follow-up period was 1.4 points over 10 (range, 0–3). The surgical technique described in this clinical study is characterized by the use of implants with the utilization of a novel approach to reduce joint and soft tissue damage. We performed a closed reduction and minimally invasive stabilization with a bridge plate and a screw after achieving a closed anatomical reduction.

Lower limb landmine injuries

The medical records of 186 patients seeking treatment for landmine injuries in the authors' region between 1993 and 2001 were evaluated. Of these patients 13 died of accompanying complications. Ten (10) patients with general body trauma and upper limb trauma were excluded from the study. Of 163 patients with lower-limb injuries included in the study, 21 with traumatic amputation underwent surgical amputation at different levels. Patients without traumatic amputation were divided into 2 groups. There were 41 patients (29%) in Group I who were treated by limb salvage procedures. Treatments used in Group I including wound debridement, tendon repair, skin approximation, minimal osteosynthesis, external fixation of long bones and secondary wound coverage. In Group II, there were 101 patients (71%) with primary amputation. Trans-tibial amputation was performed in 52 cases (51.4%), ankle disarticulation in 24 (23.7%), trans-femoral amputation in 9 (8.9%), partial foot amputation in 8 (7.9%), knee disarticulation in 7 (6.9%) and hip disarticulation in 1 case. In Group I, there was infection in 21 patients (51.2%), revision in 27 (65.8%), and amputation in 15 (36.5%). In Group II, there was infection in 28 patients (27.7%), revision in 17 (16.8%), and amputation at a higher level in 8 (7%). In crush injuries such as those resulting from landmines, soft tissue, vascular, and neurological assessment must be performed with utmost care. Even so, the desired success in interventions intended to save a limb is complicated by a high infection rate, soft tissue complications, and high revision amputation rates. Therefore, a decision to amputate in the early term based on an accurate preoperative assessment is crucial

Percutaneous Minimal Osteosynthesis of Fractures of the Proximal Humerus in Elderly Patients

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective and objective outcome of the percutaneous minimal osteosynthesis in elderly patients. Untreated, unstable and dislocated proximal humeral fractures show poor functional and subjective results. Reduction and fixation of the fragments is essential to achieve a good clinical outcome. Especially noted in elderly patients, the osteosynthesis is concurrent with the implantation of a prosthesis. Patients and methods: We examined 31 patients with a mean age of 72 years (51-87) after an average follow-up period of 15.8 months (9-31). To assess the functional and subjective results, we used the Constant Score as well as an adapted version of the Oxford Shoulder Score. Radiographs in two planes displayed the anatomical situation, the healing of the fracture, and the evidence or absence of avascular necrosis..Results: There were no local complications such as hematomas or wound infections. The results of the Constant Score showed an average of 63.5 Pts. (18-82 Points) and adapted to age and gender by 90.2% (28.1-118.8%). Compared with the uninjured arm with an average of 77.1 Points (20-89 Points) and 109.5% (29-129%) respectively, we achieved an average functionality of 82.6%, operated versus non-operated side. All but one fracture, that showed signs of avascular necrosis with disintegration of the humeral head, were fully consolidated. The subjective results were very good in 18 patients, good in 7, satisfying in 3 and poor in 3 patients..Conclusion: Our data indicate that the percutaneous minimal osteosynthesis is a valuable method for the fixation of proximal fractures of the humerus in elderly patients. The technique has a very low rate of complications and the time of convalescence is short. If closed reduction fails or a stable percutaneous fixation of the fracture by K-wires is not possible, the change to open reduction and internal fixation or the implantation of a prosthesis is required.