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Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate percutaneous sub-muscular internal fixation using a locked screw methodology for treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures. Methods: Inclusion criteria were multiple extremity fractures, open fractures, neurovascular injuries, additional ipsilateral upper extremity fractures, the inability to obtain a satisfactory closed reduction and isolated fractures with circumstances that prevented effective bracing. Exclusion criteria were immaturity, neoplasm, infection and intra-articular extensions in the same bone. Outcome measures included clinical and radiographic healing, complications, elbow and shoulder symptoms, range of motion (ROM) and Constant–Murley (CM) scores. Results: Thirty-one patients with 32 fractures were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 16 months (3–38 months). There was radiographic healing in 31 out of the 32 fractures; the non-union was revised to open plating at 6 months and healed uneventfully. Hardware complications included two construct disengagements; one patient was revised and healed, and the other achieved union with bracing. Neurovascular complications included one preoperative nerve palsy that recovered by 3 months, two partial to complete postoperative nerve palsies that recovered by 6 months, and one intact-to-complete nerve palsy due to a bone fragment that required decompression with full recovery by 3 weeks. All patients had functional ROM with a mean CM score of 88. There were no elbow complaints and minor shoulder dysfunction occurred in two patients with ipsilateral shoulder injuries. The rate of neurovascular complications was comparable to open plating techniques and all patients had full recovery. Conclusion: We feel sub-muscular anterior plating of the humerus using locking screw technology is a viable and useful method for diaphyseal humeral fractures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: To evaluate the outcome of recalcitrant deep pelvic infection that required a hemipelvic amputation. Study design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary referral centre; Level I trauma. Patients: There were 20 patients with an infection of the pelvic girdle who developed life-threatening sepsis or had an intolerable existence due to putrefied tissues that prevented end of life care. All patients failed other more conservative treatments such as limited debridement and local wound care. The indication for amputation was life-threatening sepsis (eight patients), intolerable state with putrid tissue (four patients), and both sepsis/putrefaction (eight patients). Intervention: A hemipelvic amputation, multidrug antibiotic treatment, and long-term suppression. Ten internal hemipelvectomies, eight external hemipelvectomies, and two hemicorporectomies were performed. Main outcome measure: Survival and recurrence of infection. Results: Six patients died within 6 months (mean time 17 weeks, range 2–24). The 14 surviving patients had a mean follow-up time of 28 weeks (9–48). Of these, 10 patients survived with no evidence of ongoing infection, and four patients had ongoing infection requiring suppressive antibiotics. All of the six deaths were in C-hosts with an average of six comorbidities each; mean age was 62 years old. Aetiologies of the infection were vasculopathy (5), spinal cord injury (4), post fracture (3), post abdominal surgery (2), gunshot wound (2), seeding from bacteraemia (4). Cierny–Mader host class was C (11) and B systemic/local (9) with an average of four (4) comorbidities each. Mean estimated blood loss=3100cc and operative time=157min. There were 11 cases of minor wound problems and no flap loss. Pathogens were polymicrobial (16 total pathogens) with mean of three per patient (most common was MRSA). Multi-agent antibiotic and suppression were used in all patients. In cases with putrefied tissues, appropriate nursing care was possible. Conclusion: Patients requiring hemipelvectomies usually present with sepsis or an intolerable state. Despite expected complications, we found that hemipelvectomy is an effective palliative tool in selected cases. Age and vascular disease seemed to be associated with worse outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses the past, present, and future of treating complex fractures of the tibial plateau. The article also details the numerous classification schemes and controversies surrounding tibial plateau fractures. The most important aspects of treating complex fractures of the tibial plateau are said to be the characterization of the injury, the host, and a well executed tactic.

Abstract: The authors describe a technique in which two 5.5-mm pins are inserted from the posterior aspect of the calcaneus and advanced anteriorly on a slightly convergent vector. The 2 points of fixation, with a 5/8 ring, provide a “steering wheel” effect allowing for leverage and control of the hindfoot and ankle. The construct also allows for offloading of the posterior calcaneus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To report our experience with a novel alternative method of freehand interlocking of intramedullary nails. This method requires the use of only anterior-posterior image intensification and an intramedullary guide wire to verify screw placement. Our results are compared with historical results in the literature. Methods: A total of 815 patients were treated using this technique from January 2008 to December 2012; 603 patients had fractures of the tibia and 212 had fractures of the femur. Results: The mean duration of surgery for tibial shaft fractures was 55.6 minutes (range 42-60 minutes) and that for fractures of the femur was 78 minutes (range 50-90 minutes). The mean time for each distal locking was 3.8 minutes (2.5-5.1 minutes), with 7.65 seconds of exposure to radiation during each block. Conclusions: The surgical technique is simple, easy and reproducible. Mean time of surgery and radiation exposure was less than that in the literature. A comparative study should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vertically unstable sacral fractures often make it difficult to achieve rigid fixation and there is no consensus on the optimal fixation technique for these injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate complication rate and short-term outcome of vertically unstable sacral fractures treated by posterior transiliac plate fixation. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent posterior transiliac plating for sacral fractures at two institutions. All patients were treated with the standard posterior approach using a 4.5-mm reconstruction plate and followed for at least 12 months. Patients’ demographics, Majeed functional questionnaire surveys, and radiographic outcomes were collected. There were 19 patients with a mean age of 37.5-years. The mean follow-up was 26.3 months. The most frequent mechanism of injury was a fall from a height. According to the AO/OTA classification, there were 10 C1, 6 C2, and 3 C3, which were classified as 2 Denis I, 20 Denis II, and 2 Denis III, including 5 bilateral sacral fractures. Neurological deficit at the initial examination was recorded in 10 patients. The mean ISS was 20.7 and the mean timing of the internal fixation was 6.4 days. Anterior internal fixation of pelvic ring was added in eight patients. A Morel-Lavallee lesion was identified in 5 patients during the operation. Reductions were graded as nine excellent, seven good, and three fair according to the method of Tornetta. There were two postoperative surgical wound infections, both occurring in patients with a Morel-Lavallee lesion. All the sacral fractures united eventually and no implant failure occurred, though there were two patients with a small loss of reduction (<5mm) over the follow-up period. A total of 18 patients completed the functional assessment with a mean score of 78.5 points. Posterior plate fixation of vertically unstable sacral fractures is effective in maintaining fracture reduction even in the presence of significant posterior comminution. We caution its use in the presence of a known Morel-Lavallee lesion, as this may increase the wound complication and infection risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Intra-articular fractures of the tibial plafond are complex injuries which continue to challenge orthopaedic surgeons in achieving anatomic reduction, while allowing early weight bearing and return to activity. Although a wide range of treatment options has been described for fixation of pilon fractures, the unique characteristic of each injury makes it difficult to advocate a general method of choice. We have attempted to compare a subset of AO/OTA type C pilon fractures treated either by a staged procedure of external fixation and conversion to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus definitive external Ilizarov fixation. Between 1998 and 2004, 42 patients admitted to our level 1 trauma centre underwent either procedure and were followed prospectively. Twenty-eight patients were treated with ORIF and 14 were treated by Ilizarov ring fixator. The outcome measures included time to union, as well as the rates of union, nonunion, malunion and infection. Although the ORIF group had a longer time to heal, the rates of nonunion, malunion and infection were lower compared to the Ilizarov group. However, these differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Thus, based on these results, no clinical recommendation can be made as to which procedure is better and safer for the patient. Future prospective randomised trials are required to determine with more scientific accuracy the optimal treatment strategy for these challenging injuries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]