An Assessment of 3.5mm Reconstruction Plate Fixation in Olecranon Fractures

Background: Olecranon process is a large, curved eminence comprising of the proximal and posterior part of the ulna. It lies subcutaneously which makes it more vulnerable to injury. Due to intra-articular extension of fractures, anatomical reduction and early mobilization should be achieved in every case and usually managed surgically. Aims and Objectives: To access the results of reconstruction plate in fracture olecranon.Materials &Methods: This was a prospective study consisted of 25 cases of olecranon fractures which were managed by open reduction and internal fixation using 3.5mm reconstruction plate. Patients were followed up every month till 6 months. At each follow up visit clinical and radiological parameters were assessed: Final assessment was done at 6 months using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.Result: According to the AO classification, Type A-1 – 7 cases, A-3 – 1case, B-1 – 13 cases, B-3 – 1 case, C-1 – 1 case, C-2 – 1 case, C-3 – 1 case. An adequate reduction was maintained in all fractured olecranon until union. Average radiological union time was 12 weeks in 72% cases, 15 weeks in 16% cases, 18 weeks in 8% cases and > 18 weeks in 4% cases. The results were graded as per the criteria laid by Rogers et al as excellent in 84% cases, good in 12% and unsatisfactory in 4% cases. 2 cases developed superficial infection and 1 deep infection and 1 delayed union.Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of fracture of olecranon with 3.5mm reconstruction plate is based on sound biomechanical principle with a good functional outcome and a low incidence of complications.

Clinical Comparative Study on the Treatment of Inferior Pole Fractures of Patella by Double-row Anchor Suture Bridge Technique Combined with Kirschner Wire Tension Band Internal Fixation

Objective: To investigate the method, technique and clinical efficacy of double-row anchor suture bridge technique in the treatment of inferior pole fractures of patella, and to compare it with traditional Kirschner wire tension band internal fixation. Methods: General information A total of 62 patients were enrolled in this study, including 35 males and 27 females, aged 31-80 years old, with an average of (53.2±4) years old. All the patients were divided into two groups by a random double-blind method: Group A (double-row anchor suture bridge technique group) and Group B (Kirschner wire tension band internal fixation group), with 32 cases and 30 cases in each group, respectively. The two techniques were performed by the same group of doctors to fix the fracture respectively, and the intraoperative bleeding, operation time, incidence of postoperative complications, knee function score, etc., were compared between the two techniques. Results: Group A (double-row anchor suture bridge technique group): operation time 56-80min, with an average of (60±10) min; intraoperative blood loss 30-56ml, with an average of (43±10) ml. All incisions healed in one stage and stitches were removed after 2 weeks. No complications such as incision infection, flap necrosis and nerve injury occurred. The average healing time of the fracture was 12 weeks. At the last follow-up, the Bostman score was (28.5±3.3), and the excellent rate was 93.7%. Group B (Kirschner wire tension band internal fixation group): operation time 54-76min, with an average of (56±10) min; intraoperative blood loss 31-50ml, with an average of (43±80) ml. One patient developed delayed incision healing postoperatively. Four patients experienced Kirschner wire withdrawal, one of which was accompanied by infection. Two patients were found to have mild separation of distal fracture fragments, despite the fracture being fine. The average healing time of the fracture was 13 weeks. At the last follow-up, the Bostman score was (23.5±3.3), and the excellent rate was 86.7%. Conclusion: Double-row anchor suture bridge technique is applied to inferior pole fractures of patella by virtue of its various effects, such as the complete preservation of the inferior pole fragments during the operation, satisfactory fracture reduction, firm fixation, and meeting patients’ requirements for early postoperative ambulation. This technology is superior to traditional Kirschner wire tension band internal fixation owing to its advantages of no need to take out the internal fixation, firm fixation, no need to worry about Kirschner wire withdrawal and fewer complications, and its clinical efficacy satisfaction rate is also better than traditional surgical methods. In short, double-row anchor suture bridge technique is an ideal surgical procedure for the treatment of the inferior pole fracture of patella with safety, reliability and high satisfaction.

Short-Term Clinical Efficacy of Femoral Neck System Versus Multiple Cannulated Compression Screws in the Treatment of Garden III and IV Femoral Neck Fractures

Femoral neck system (FNS) , as a novel minimally invasive internal fixation device, has been gradually applied in the treatment of femoral neck fracture.However, there are few related clinical studies on FNS at present, especially there is no clinical report on FNS in treating GardenIII and IV femoral neck fractures. The aim of the present study was to compare the short-term clinical efficacy of FNS and multiple cannulated compression screws (MCCS) in the treatment of Garden III and IV femoral neck fractures. The data of 78 patients with femoral neck fracture who were admitted to three teaching hospitals affiliated to Anhui Medical University and received internal fixation with FNS and MCCS from June 2019 to December 2020 were collected for a retrospective study. There were 39 patients in both the FNS and MCCS groups. The basic data, perioperative data were recorded and compared between the two groups of patients. The results of the study are encouraging. The operation time was shorter in FNS group than that in MCCS group (p<0.001). The post-operative partial and complete weight-bearing time was earlier in FNS group than that in MCCS group (p<0.001). The Harris hip score in FNS group was higher than that in MCCS group (p<0.001). The incidence rate of lateral thigh irritation in FNS group and MCCS group was 0 (0/39) and 33.3% (13/39), respectively (χ2=15.600, p<0.001). The length of femoral neck shortening was significantly shorter in FNS group than that in MCCS group (t=-5.093, p<0.001). In conclusion, The application of FNS for Garden III and IV femoral neck fractures can shorten the operation time, reduce the frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, and facilitate the recovery of hip joint function, so it provides a novel choice for the treatment of Garden III and IV femoral neck fractures in young people.

Cross-sectional Analysis of Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Secondary to Spinal Internal Fixation via the Posterior Approach

Backgroud: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors related to surgical site infection (SSI) secondary to spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach.Methods: Patients who had undergone spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach at the spinal center of our hospital from January 2004 to December 2019 were selected in this cross-sectional study. Information about age, sex, body mass index (BMI), fused segment, hemoglobin concentration, serum albumin concentration, surgical duration, surgery beginning time, allogeneic blood transfusion, combined diabetes, peak blood glucose 72 h postoperatively ≥12 mmol/L, smoking history, and blood loss were included. The factors related to SSI were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Results: Among the 4,350 patients, 66 had SSI, with an infection prevalence of 1.5%. The subjects included 37 men and 29 women (age range, 22–84 y; average age, 47.4 ± 12.8 y). Univariate analysis showed that sex, BMI, fused segment, surgery beginning time, allogeneic blood transfusion, and smoking history were not correlated to infection (P > 0.05). However, age >60 y, surgical duration >3 h, serum albumin concentration <30 g/L, hemoglobin concentration <80 g/L, combined diabetes, peak blood glucose 72 h postoperatively ≥12 mmol/L, and blood loss >1,000 mL were correlated with infection (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age >60 y, surgical duration >3 h, hemoglobin concentration <80 g/L, serum albumin concentration <30 g/L, combined diabetes, and blood loss >1,000 mL were significantly correlated with SSI secondary to spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach.Conclusion: This study provides information on SSI secondary to spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach. We found that age >60 y, surgical duration >3 h, hemoglobin concentration <80 g/L, serum albumin concentration <30 g/L, combined diabetes, and blood loss >1,000 mL are directly correlated with SSI secondary to spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach. These findings may contribute to discussions and actions that may help to reduce SSI secondary to spinal internal fixation via the posterior approach in the short or medium term.

Posterior Laminectomy and Lateral Mass Screw Fixation for the Treatment of Severe Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background Severe and complex cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM) requires surgical treatment. The common methods of posterior cervical spine surgery are laminoplasty and laminectomy with lateral mass screw internal fixation. However, the operative effect of this surgical approach is unclear owing to the complexity and severity of CSM in patients who undergo this surgical treatment.Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of posterior cervical laminectomy and lateral mass screw internal fixation in patients with severe and complex CSM. Methods We retrospectively analysed 60patients (48men,12women; mean age59.7 years) with severe and complex CSM who underwent posterior cervical laminectomy and lateral mass screw internal fixation from May 2013 to June 2020. Forty-eight patients underwent laminectomy and lateral mass screw internal fixation;12 patients underwent laminectomy and lateral mass screw internal fixation with 1–2 segmental laminoplasty. C-spine radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to detect any curvature and fusion of the cervical spine, restenosis, and loose/broken internal fixation screws.Clinical efficacy was evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA)scores, neck disability index(NDI), Odom’s classification, and the visual analogue scale(VAS) for pain. Results Overall effect was satisfactory at the last follow-up (average, 3.6 years [range, 6 months–6 years]), with no restenosis or loosened, slipped, or broken internal fixations. The anterior curvature angle of lordosis (n=46)was not significantly different from baseline at the last follow-up(P>0.05). The cervical kyphosis angle (n=14)was significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with the baseline value (P<0.05), as were the JOA, NDI, and VAS scores(all P<0.05). Odom’s classifications at the last follow-up were excellent, good, and fair in 45, 12, and three patients, respectively. Conclusions Posterior cervical laminectomy and lateral mass screw internal fixation achieved satisfactory clinical results in severe and complex CSM cases.Combining this surgical method with laminoplasty of 1–2 spinal segments stabilised the cervical spine and provided spinal decompression while preventing excessive backward drift of the cervical spinal cord, resulting in fewer complications.

Effects of an on-Table Reconstruction Technique Combined with Miniplate Internal Fixation and Prosthesis for the Treatment of Isolated Mason III Radial Head Fractures

Background In this retrospective study we analyzed a consecutive series of patients affected by isolated radial head Mason III fractures and treated with an on-table reconstruction technique combined with miniplate internal fixation or prosthesis. Methods This study included 42 patients affected by isolated radial head Mason III fractures and treated between Jan 2012 and Jan 2019. Twenty-four patients (average age 45.6 years) were treated with an on-table reconstruction technique combined with miniplate internal fixation. The remaining 18 (average age 44.5 years) were treated with prosthesis. From a clinical point of view, we evaluated the patients according to the Broberg–Morrey scoring system and the (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) DASH questionnaire for parameters. Results We found similar results in both the groups according to Broberg–Morrey score system and the DASH questionnaire at the last follow-up. The scores of the prosthesis group were better than those of the internal fixation group at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month follow-up post-operation. Conclusion Both the on-table reconstruction technique combined with the miniplate internal fixation and prosthesis can be effective in treating patients with isolated Mason III radial head fractures. There was no difference in elbow function between the two groups at the last follow-up; however, a prosthesis favors early functional recovery of the elbow.