Variables affecting complication rates in type III paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures

Purpose Unstable supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures may have different outcomes as a result of direction of displacement and pin configuration. This study evaluates the impact of fracture displacement, pin configuration and fellowship training on clinical and radiographic outcomes in unstable fractures. Methods A total of 99 patients with completely displaced type III fractures were identified at an academic centre and a local community hospital. Patient characteristics and the fellowship training of the treating surgeon were recorded, and injury films documented the direction of displacement. Pin configuration, coronal and sagittal alignment were recorded from postoperative radiographs and at healing. Radiographic outcomes including coronal, sagittal and rotational malunion as well as clinical complications were analyzed. Results Fractures with direct posterior displacement had a lower composite malunion rate compared with those with posterolateral (PL) or posteromedial (PM) displacement (6.9%, 36.4%, 29.2% respectively; p = 0.019). PM displacement had a higher rate of coronal malunion compared with PL (18.2% versus 0%; post hoc p = 0.024). All-lateral constructs resulted in more rotational malunions (20.9% versus 1.8%; p = 0.002) compared with crossed pinning. PL fractures treated with all-lateral fixation showed a trend toward increased rotational instability or malunion (23.8% versus 1.3%; p = 0.073). Higher composite complication rates were noted in patients treated by surgeons with non-paediatric, non-trauma fellowship training. Conclusion For displaced SCH fractures, all-lateral fixation is associated with higher rates of rotational instability and malunion. Posteromedially and posterolaterally displaced fractures have higher rates of malunion compared with fractures with straight posterior displacement. Fellowship training other than paediatric or trauma was associated with increased complications. Level of Evidence Level III

Single-stage debridement via autogenous iliac bone graft through the OLIF corridor and lateral fixation in treating spontaneous single-level lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-open oblique debridement and lumbar interbody fusion combined with lateral screw fixation for treating single-level pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Methods Twelve patients with single-level lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis underwent OLIF combined with lateral screw fixation were analyzed. Patients underwent follow-up for 12 to 24 months. The clinical characteristics, etiological examinations, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale score (VAS), postoperative complications, and the bony fusion rate were recorded. Results The mean follow-up period of time was 14.8 months. The average operative time and intra-operative blood loss were 129.0 ± 19.76 min and 309.2 ± 92.96 mL, respectively. No severe intra-operative complications were observed during surgery, except in 1 case that develops abdominal pain and distension after surgery, 2 cases that develop left-sided transient thigh pain/numbness and 8 cases that complains of donor site (iliac crest) pain. All of these symptoms disappeared 8 weeks after surgery. Tissue sample cultures were obtained from all patients intraoperatively and four (33.3%) were positive, including 2 with Staphylococcus aureus, 1 with Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 1 with Escherichia coli. During an average of 22.5 ± 2.1 days (range, 14–29 days) after surgery, WBC, CPR, and ESR levels in all patients had returned to normal. All patients were pain free with no recurring infection. Solid bony fusions were observed in all cases within 6 months, including 10 with I grade fusion, 2 with II grade fusion according to the classification suggested by Burkus et al. No fixation failure was observed during follow up and solid bony fusions were observed in all 12 patients at finally follow-up. A significant postoperative increase was also observed in the mean segmental height and lordosis (P < 0.05), followed by a slight decrease of segmental height and lordosis at final follow-up. At the final follow up, the mean VAS (1.5 ± 0.6) and ODI (18.9 ± 7.6) were significantly lower than VAS (8.4 ± 2.7) and ODI (71.2 ± 16.5) before surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion Single-stage debridement with autogenous iliac bone graft through the OLIF corridor and lateral fixation was a feasible surgical approach in our consecutive 12 cases of pyogenic spondylitis.

Controversies in Managing of Thoracic-Lumbar Upper Burst Fractures

Upper burst fracture of Th12-L1 has unique anatomy because it contains lower spinal cord, medullary cone, and diaphragm which separates between the thoracic and lumbar spine.The presence or absence of neurologic deficit is the single most important factor in the decision making. The presence of profound but incomplete neural deficit in association with canal compromise represents an urgent indication of surgical decompression. Antero-lateral direct decompression with trans-thoracic trans-pleural–retroperitoneal approach given the proximity the cord and conus is the most effective method, with inter-vertebral instrumentation with or without lateral fixation or posterior instrumentation.

Controversies in Managing of Thoracic-Lumbar Upper Burst Fractures

Upper burst fracture of Th12-L1 has unique anatomy because it contains lower spinal cord, medullary cone, and diaphragm which separates between the thoracic and lumbar spine.The presence or absence of neurologic deficit is the single most important factor in the decision making. The presence of profound but incomplete neural deficit in association with canal compromise represents an urgent indication of surgical decompression. Antero-lateral direct decompression with trans-thoracic trans-pleural–retroperitoneal approach given the proximity the cord and conus is the most effective method, with inter-vertebral instrumentation with or without lateral fixation or posterior instrumentation.

Laparoscopic Pectopexy

Different operative approaches for the repair of a genital prolapse have been reported. However, for the reconstitution of a physiological axis of the vagina, a sacropexy seems to be the most adequate approach. We describe a method of laparoscopic apical prolapse surgery, where the lateral parts of the iliopectineal ligament are used for a bilateral mesh fixation of the descended structures. The iliopectineal ligament is a stable structure for the fixation of meshes and sutures, statistically significant stronger than the sacrospinous ligament and arcus tendinous of pelvic fascia. The incidence of defecation disorders, are reduced by a more physiological lateral fixation, which does not reduce the pelvic space. We used a single-port transumbilical device, with an additional 5 mm port, where at the end of the procedure, the drain is placed. This technique, a virtually scarless surgery, represents also, an option for women, who have an esthetic concern about scars.