Browsing by Subject "Fracture Fixation, Internal"

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    Bioburden after Staphylococcus aureus inoculation in type 1 diabetic rats undergoing internal fixation.
    (Plast Reconstr Surg, 2014-09) Brown, Nga L; Rose, Michael B; Blueschke, Gert; Cho, Eugenia H; Schoenfisch, Mark H; Erdmann, Detlev; Klitzman, Bruce
    SUMMARY: Fracture stabilization in the diabetic patient is associated with higher complication rates, particularly infection and impaired wound healing, which can lead to major tissue damage, osteomyelitis, and higher amputation rates. With an increasing prevalence of diabetes and an aging population, the risks of infection of internal fixation devices are expected to grow. Although numerous retrospective clinical studies have identified a relationship between diabetes and infection, currently there are few animal models that have been used to investigate postoperative surgical-site infections associated with internal fixator implantation and diabetes. The authors therefore refined the protocol for inducing hyperglycemia and compared the bacterial burden in controls to pharmacologically induced type 1 diabetic rats after undergoing internal fracture plate fixation and Staphylococcus aureus surgical-site inoculation. Using an initial series of streptozotocin doses, followed by optional additional doses to reach a target blood glucose range of 300 to 600 mg/dl, the authors reliably induced diabetes in 100 percent of the rats (n = 16), in which a narrow hyperglycemic range was maintained 14 days after onset of diabetes (mean ± SEM, 466 ± 16 mg/dl; coefficient of variation, 0.15). With respect to their primary endpoint, the authors quantified a significantly higher infectious burden in inoculated diabetic animals (median, 3.2 × 10 colony-forming units/mg dry tissue) compared with inoculated nondiabetic animals (7.2 × 10 colony-forming units/mg dry tissue). These data support the authors' hypothesis that uncontrolled diabetes adversely affects the immune system's ability to clear Staphylococcus aureus associated with internal hardware.
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    Factors associated with surgeon recommendation for additional cast immobilization of a CT-verified nondisplaced scaphoid waist fracture.
    (Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 2021-11) Bulstra, Anne Eva J; Crijns, Tom J; Janssen, Stein J; Buijze, Geert A; Ring, David; Jaarsma, Ruurd L; Kerkhoffs, Gino MMJ; Obdeijn, Miryam C; Doornberg, Job N; Science of Variation Group

    Introduction

    Data from clinical trials suggest that CT-confirmed nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures heal with less than the conventional 8-12 weeks of immobilization. Barriers to adopting shorter immobilization times in clinical practice may include a strong influence of fracture tenderness and radiographic appearance on decision-making. This study aimed to investigate (1) the degree to which surgeons use fracture tenderness and radiographic appearance of union, among other factors, to decide whether or not to recommend additional cast immobilization after 8 or 12 weeks of immobilization; (2) identify surgeon factors associated with the decision to continue cast immobilization after 8 or 12 weeks.

    Materials and methods

    In a survey-based study, 218 surgeons reviewed 16 patient scenarios of CT-confirmed nondisplaced waist fractures treated with cast immobilization for 8 or 12 weeks and recommended for or against additional cast immobilization. Clinical variables included patient sex, age, a description of radiographic fracture consolidation, fracture tenderness and duration of cast immobilization completed (8 versus 12 weeks). To assess the impact of clinical factors on recommendation to continue immobilization we calculated posterior probabilities and determined variable importance using a random forest algorithm. Multilevel logistic mixed regression analysis was used to identify surgeon characteristics associated with recommendation for additional cast immobilization.

    Results

    Unclear fracture healing on radiographs, fracture tenderness and 8 (versus 12) weeks of completed cast immobilization were the most important factors influencing surgeons' decision to recommend continued cast immobilization. Women surgeons (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.28-6.81, p  =  0.011), surgeons not specialized in orthopedic trauma, hand and wrist or shoulder and elbow surgery (categorized as 'other') (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.31-5.33, p  =  0.007) and surgeons practicing in the United States (OR 6.53, 95% CI 2.18-19.52, p  =  0.01 versus Europe) were more likely to recommend continued immobilization.

    Conclusion

    Adoption of shorter immobilization times for CT-confirmed nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures may be hindered by surgeon attention to fracture tenderness and radiographic appearance.
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    Fractures in myelomeningocele.
    (J Orthop Traumatol, 2010-09) Akbar, Michael; Bresch, Bjoern; Raiss, Patric; Fürstenberg, Carl Hans; Bruckner, Thomas; Seyler, Thorsten; Carstens, Claus; Abel, Rainer
    BACKGROUND: In patients with myelomeningocele (MMC), a high number of fractures occur in the paralyzed extremities, affecting mobility and independence. The aims of this retrospective cross-sectional study are to determine the frequency of fractures in our patient cohort and to identify trends and risk factors relevant for such fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1988 and June 2005, 862 patients with MMC were treated at our hospital. The medical records, surgery reports, and X-rays from these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, 11% of the patients (n = 92) suffered one or more fractures. Risk analysis showed that patients with MMC and thoracic-level paralysis had a sixfold higher risk of fracture compared with those with sacral-level paralysis. Femoral-neck z-scores measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) differed significantly according to the level of neurological impairment, with lower z-scores in children with a higher level of lesion. Furthermore, the rate of epiphyseal separation increased noticeably after cast immobilization. Mainly patients who could walk relatively well were affected. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with thoracic-level paralysis represent a group with high fracture risk. According to these results, fracture and epiphyseal injury in patients with MMC should be treated by plaster immobilization. The duration of immobilization should be kept to a minimum (<4 weeks) because of increased risk of secondary fractures. Alternatively, patients with refractures can be treated by surgery, when nonoperative treatment has failed.
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    Hardware Removal in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Management Algorithm.
    (Annals of plastic surgery, 2015-11) Cahill, Thomas J; Gandhi, Rikesh; Allori, Alexander C; Marcus, Jeffrey R; Powers, David; Erdmann, Detlev; Hollenbeck, Scott T; Levinson, Howard

    Background

    Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures are typically treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Open reduction and internal fixation can be complicated by hardware exposure or infection. The literature often does not differentiate between these 2 entities; so for this study, we have considered all hardware exposures as hardware infections. Approximately 5% of adults with CMF trauma are thought to develop hardware infections. Management consists of either removing the hardware versus leaving it in situ. The optimal approach has not been investigated. Thus, a systematic review of the literature was undertaken and a resultant evidence-based approach to the treatment and management of CMF hardware infections was devised.

    Materials and methods

    A comprehensive search of journal articles was performed in parallel using MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect electronic databases. Keywords and phrases used were maxillofacial injuries; facial bones; wounds and injuries; fracture fixation, internal; wound infection; and infection. Our search yielded 529 articles. To focus on CMF fractures with hardware infections, the full text of English-language articles was reviewed to identify articles focusing on the evaluation and management of infected hardware in CMF trauma. Each article's reference list was manually reviewed and citation analysis performed to identify articles missed by the search strategy. There were 259 articles that met the full inclusion criteria and form the basis of this systematic review. The articles were rated based on the level of evidence. There were 81 grade II articles included in the meta-analysis.

    Result

    Our meta-analysis revealed that 7503 patients were treated with hardware for CMF fractures in the 81 grade II articles. Hardware infection occurred in 510 (6.8%) of these patients. Of those infections, hardware removal occurred in 264 (51.8%) patients; hardware was left in place in 166 (32.6%) patients; and in 80 (15.6%) cases, there was no report as to hardware management. Finally, our review revealed that there were no reported differences in outcomes between groups.

    Conclusions

    Management of CMF hardware infections should be performed in a sequential and consistent manner to optimize outcome. An evidence-based algorithm for management of CMF hardware infections based on this critical review of the literature is presented and discussed.
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    Treatment of chronic (>1 year) fracture nonunion: heal rate in a cohort of 767 patients treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS).
    (Injury, 2015-10) Zura, Robert; Della Rocca, Gregory J; Mehta, Samir; Harrison, Andrew; Brodie, Chris; Jones, John; Steen, R Grant
    BACKGROUND: Established fracture nonunions rarely heal without secondary intervention. Revision surgery is the most common intervention, though non-surgical options for nonunion would be useful if they could overcome nonunion risk factors. Our hypothesis is that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can enhance heal rate (HR) in fractures that remain nonunion after one year, relative to the expected HR in the absence of treatment, which is expected to be negligible. METHODS: We collated outcomes from a prospective patient registry required by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Patient data were collected over a 4-year period beginning in 1994 and were individually reviewed and validated by a registered nurse. Patients were only included if they had four data points available: date when fracture occurred; date when LIPUS treatment began; date when LIPUS treatment ended; and a dichotomous outcome of healed vs. failed, assessed by clinical and radiological criteria. Data were used to calculate two derived variables: days to treatment (DTT) with LIPUS, and days on treatment (DOT) with LIPUS. Every validated chronic nonunion patient (DTT>365 days) with complete data is reported. RESULTS: Heal rate for chronic nonunion patients (N=767) treated with LIPUS was 86.2%. Heal rate was 82.7% among 98 patients with chronic nonunion ≥5 years duration, and 12 patients healed after chronic nonunion >10 years (HR=63.2%). There was more patient loss to follow-up, non-compliance, and withdrawal, comparing chronic nonunion patients to all other patients (p<0.0001). Patient age was the only factor associated with failure to heal among chronic nonunions (p<0.004). Chronic nonunion patients averaged 3.1 surgical procedures prior to LIPUS, but some LIPUS-treated patients were able to heal without revision surgery. Among 91 patients who received LIPUS ≥90 days after their last surgery, HR averaged 85.7%, and the time from last surgery to index use of LIPUS averaged 449.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound enhanced HR among fractures that had been nonunion for at least 1 year, and even healed fractures that had been nonunion >10 years. LIPUS resulted in successful healing in the majority of nonunions without further surgical intervention.