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Purpose of the Study: To report on the early results and possible complications of iliosacral screw fixation in the management of unstable pelvic ring injuries., Material and Methods: One hundred and two unstable pelvic ring injuries were treated using iliosacral screw fixation for posterior pelvic ring disruptions. Closed manipulative reductions of the posterior lesion were attempted for all patients. Open reductions were used in the minority of patients with unsatisfactory closed reductions as assessed fluoroscopically at the time of surgery. Anterior fixations were by means of open reduction in 62 patients and by external fixation in 14 patients, and by screws in 7 patients. Twenty patients had no anterior fixation. Plain anteroposterior, inlet and outlet radiographs of the pelvis were obtained postoperatively at six weeks, three months, six months and one year. A pelvic computed tomography scan was performed postoperatively in those patients where residual displacement or screw misplacement was suspected. Complications were recorded., Results: One patient died 31 days after the trauma due to pneumonia and one died 9 months after the surgery after a fall from a height in a second suicidal attempt. There were two posterior pelvic infections and one anterior pelvic infection. Screw misplacement occurred in seven cases. In six cases a misplaced screw produced transient L5 neuroapraxia. There was no fixation failure requiring revision surgery. There was one case of injury to the superior gluteal artery., Discussion: Unstable pelvic ring disruptions are severe injuries, associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Pelvic fractures can be treated by variety of methods. Treatment with traction and pelvic slings does not offer accurate reduction and confines the patient to prolong bed rest with all potential complications. Several authors documented lower morbidity and mortality rates and shorter hospital stay in patients treated by early operative stabilization of pelvic injuries. The timing of the surgery is still controversial. Some authors in large trauma centres believe that ideally the initial treatment should be the final treatment. The advantage of urgent fixation is the use of this usually minimally invasive technique in the initial stabilisation of a hemodynamically unstable patient.The disadvantage is performance of the surgery under increased stress and time limit, which may lead to the acceptance of sub-optimal reduction. Very good team work of the orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and other involved specialists (general surgeon, urologist) is necessary., Conclusions: Iliosacral screw fixation is a useful method of stabilizing unstable pelvic ring injuries. It is a difficult technique, with a steep learning curve. The surgeon must understand the complex and variable sacral anatomy. High quality fluoroscopic imaging is a must. Especially in vertically unstable injuries the sacroiliac screws need to be augmented by sound anterior fixation. Low rates of infection, wound healing problems and minimal blood loss are advantages of this method.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to make a basic analysis of the patients treated for pelvic fractures in the year 2007 at 14 institutions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia., Material and Methods: The group investigated consisted of 474 patients treated in 2007. In a one-year prospective descriptive study, patients' data were recorded according to a unified protocol. They included age, gender, mechanism of injury, fracture type, associated injuries, method of treatment, post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, injury/surgery-to-standing time and number of deaths during primary hospitalization.The ?2 test of independence in a contingency table was used to compare categorical data. The level of significance for the test was set at 5%., Results: The group comprised 192 women and 282 men with an average age of 45.9 years (range, 15 to 95). In men, the frequency of pelvic fractures was significantly higher (p<0.001), because men significantly outnumbered women in the largest middle-age categories (30 to 59 years). Pelvic fractures were significantly higher only in women over 80 years of age. The most frequent cause of injury was a road traffic accident (237 patients, 50%). Significantly more men than women were injured in motorbike accidents (p=0.015), due to a fall from height (p=0.001) or by a falling object (p=0.040).Women more frequently suffered injury as a result of a suicidal attempt by jumping (p=0.051) or a simple fall (p<0.001). Type A2.2 fractures (115 patients, 24%; average age, 51.8 years) and type B2.1 (77 patients, 16%; average age, 43.5 years) were most frequent. In 248 patients (52%), a pelvic fracture was part of multiple trauma. These patients had an average ISS of 30 points. Conservative treatment was used in 287 patients (61%). In 71 patients, skeletal traction (30 patients, 6%), C-clamp (19 patients, 4%) or external fixation (22 patients, 5%) was temporarily applied during the primary treatment. Surgery was carried out in 187 patients (39%). The average operative time was 114 minutes (range, 45 to 315) Post-operative complications were recorded in 58 patients (30% of the surgically treated). The most frequent local com- plication was wound infection (11 patients, 6%). The average hospital stay was 27 days (range, 2 to 266); 181 patients (38%) required care at an anaesthesia and acute care department for an average of 14 days (range, 1 to 127). The injury/surgery-to-standing time was 30 days on average (range, 2 to 118 days). Twenty-six patients; nine women and 17 men (5%), died during primary hospitalization. Their average age was 62.5 years (74.1 years in women and 56.4 years in men)., Discussion: The higher number of injured men in the middle-age categories suggests a more risky behaviour of these men in driving motor cars and motorbikes and at work (falls from height, objects falling on them).Women significantly outnumbered men in simple falls (which can be explained by a higher occurrence of pubic ramus fractures due to osteoporosis in women at a higher age) and a difference at the margin of statistical significance was recorded in suicidal attempts (any explanation is beyond the scope of this study as well as beyond the field of trauma medicine). The higher number of type A2.2 and also type B2.1 fractures can too be explained by a higher occurrence of these fractures due to simple falls in elderly women with osteoporosis., Conclusions: The evaluation of the basic demographic and epidemiologic data of patients with pelvic fractures included in this multi- centre study revealed the following facts: pelvic fractures were significantly more frequent in men; the most frequent cause of pelvic fracture was a road traffic accident; the number of injured men was highest at age 40 to 50, in motorbike accidents, falls from height and in injuries by falling objects; women outnumbered men at the age category over 80 and in suicidal jumping from a height; the most frequent types of fractures were those affecting osteoporotic bone in elderly women (A2.2, B2.1); surgical treatment of pelvic fractures was associated with a relatively high number of complications; death during primary hospitalization was higher in elderly patients. Key words: pelvic fracture, demography, epidemiology, type of fracture, associated injuries.

Pelvic fractures are serious injuries. For the diagnosis and treatment of unstable pelvic ring fracture in a haemodynamically unstable patient, it is necessary to use standard procedures with the objective to stabilise both blood circulation and the pelvic ring. According to the state of the patient, the choice is between life-saving surgery, damage control surgery and procedures of early or delayed stabilisation of the pelvic ring. The survival of injured patients as well as their further health condition will depend on the method of treatment used in the first hours after injury.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To assess the effects of medical history, fracture type, method of treatment and complications on the risk of death in elderly patients treated for proximal femoral fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group comprised of 269 patients (219 women and 50 men) older than 70 years who underwent surgery for proximal femoral fracture at the Level I Traumacentre between January 2003 and June 2005. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 38 months. In a prospective consecutive manner the following was recorded: age, gender, serious internal diseases, pre-injury level of mobility, place of living before injury, fracture type (AO classification), time between injury and surgery, anaesthesia, surgical technique, complications and death. Statistical significance at the 95% level was ascertained using null-hypothesis tests for qualitative and quantitative variables by means of multivariate analysis. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 81 years (range, 70 to 99 years). The higher the age, the shorter the time of survival (p=0.015) as each additional year reduced survival by 4.6%. The women to men ratio was 4.2:1. The male gender had a significantly shorter time of survival (p=0.007). Two and more serious internal diseases in the patient's medical history, as compared with a single one, also made survival significantly shorter (p<0.001). When, before injury, a patient moved without walking support, survival was significantly longer than in a patient using a walking cane/crutch (p=0.022) or two canes/crutches or a walker (p<0.001), or in a bedridden patient (p=0.014). The fact that, before injury, a patient was living in a pensioner's home had no effect on a shortened time of survival (p=0.136). Similarly, the fracture type (31A or 31B and subgroups) was not significant for the length of survival (p=0.903). The interval between injury and surgery was not a risk factor for survival (p=0.269). No effect of the type of anaesthesia on survival was found (p=0.450). Neither the surgical technique nor the type of implant was significant for survival time. When general internal complications occurred, they affected the length of survival significantly (p<0.001). Also, pressure sores developing in the post-operative period significantly shortened the time of survival (p=0.037). Early complications did not result in shorter survival (p=0.867), but late deep infection in ive patients significantly shortened their lives (p=0.008). Failed osteosynthesis and consequent revision surgery shortened survival time only when it occurred during the primary treatment (p=0.003); after the primary hospitalization was terminated, it had no effect on the length of survival (p=0.398). DISCUSSION The study focused attention only to elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture treated surgically. The authors suggest that, by excluding patients treated conservatively, the group became more homogeneous and a more exact assessment of each factor's effect on death risk was possible. The investigated factors were recorded only during the first year following injury; however, death was recorded by the end of the study. Using the assessment of cumulative survival, this allowed for a more accurate statistical evaluation of the effect of each factor on the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS In patients over 70 years, a significantly shorter time of survival following the surgical treatment of proximal femoral fracture was found to be related to high age, male gender, multiple morbidity in the patient's medical history, poor patient's mobility before injury, general complications, development of pressure sores post-operatively, failed osteosynthesis requiring revision surgery and deep infection of the affected hip. No relation to significantly shorter survival was found for the following factors: living in a pensioner's home before injury, fracture type, time between injury and surgery, type of anaesthesia and operative technique. Key words: hip fracture, surgical treatment, mortality, risk factors.

Long-term or recurrent osteomyelitis results in the deterioration of soft tissue quality at the site of an infectious process. An insufficient perfusion of the scar tissue contributes to difficult treatment of osteomyelitis. A local transpositional or free muscle flap used to replace the vulnerable scar tissue will enhance perfusion of the affected bone and will help to control osteomyelitis. The authors present the case of a patient who had been treated by bone transport for a 14-cm-long segmental defect of the tibia after post-traumatic osteomyelitis. Recurrent osteomyelitis was found nine years after the primary surgery. The whole tibial cavity was opened leaving a 12-mm-wide trepanation opening, and debridement of all necrotic and inflammatory tissue including dystrophic skin was performed. The Orr technique was used for further treatment. There was no relapse and granulation tissue samples repeatedly gave negative culture results. Therefore, at the second stage, the soft tissue defect was covered with a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Anastomoses to the recipient vessels were technically difficult to carry out in the tissue greatly affected by previous chronic inflammation. Ten days after the surgery the patient was allowed to stand and walk, full weight-bearing was allowed at 2 months post-operatively when the flap was completely integrated. At 6-year follow-up the extremity was fully weight-bearing, with no recurrence of infection, and the patient was satisfied with the outcome. The authors regard this interdisciplinary management (extensive bone and soft tissue debridement, free muscle flap transfer) as a method indicated for the treatment of recurrent tibial osteomyelitis.

Based on case histories, the authors draw attention to important infectious complications in patients surgically treated for pelvic injuries. These complications were recorded in four out of 75 patients (5.3%) undergoing surgery for pelvic fracture in the period from 2001 to 2005. The chief risk factors for the development of infection included the poor state of health of a polytraumatized patient in combination with a long stay in an acute care unit, and severe trauma and bleeding of soft tissue structures in B and C types of pelvic injury. Bacteriological findings showed the presence of several pathogenic species (Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter koseri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella oxytoca) or multi-resistant bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

The authors evaluate the role of imaging methods used in the diagnostics of pelvic fractures with the aim to suggest the most effective way of their use. The exact diagnosis of an injury is achieved most quickly if, in hemodynamically stable patients, CT scan is the initial examination and, based on the findings, conservative, invasive (laparotomy) or miniinvasive (angiography with bleeding artery embolization) procedures are used. In hemodynamically unstable patients, the diagnostic procedure always begins with plain X-ray and FAST (ultrasound) examination of the pelvis. When large hemoperitoneum is diagnosed, laparotomy is indicated. When only a small amount of hemoperitoneum is detected, a primary, minimally invasive procedure (angiography with bleeding artery embolization) can be carried out by an experienced interventional radiologist. If this fails to result in stabilization of the circulation, laparotomy should follow. Key words: pelvic ring injury, diagnosis, plain radiography, FAST, MDCT, angiography, embolization.

Currently, conventional diagnosis of acetabular fractures is often supplemented and even replaced by CT examination, as this can provide a more detailed image of the extent of fracture and its morphology. Supported by developmental anatomy, Harris et al. proposed a new classification for acetabular fractures in which the pubic bone component of the acetabulum is shown to coincide with the anterior column of the acetabulum. There is no need to abandon the generally accepted and much used Letournel-Judet classification, but changes in the algorithm of acetabular fracture examination will certainly require that the CT classification of acetabular fractures is included. The Harris classification, based on evaluation of simple and unambiguous axial CT scans, is readily understood by both radiologists and orthopedic trauma surgeons and thus the use of it will foster greater interdisciplinary cooperation resulting in a better care for patients with acetabular fractures. Key words: acetabular fracture, CT-based classification, CT-based diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of treatment in patients with infected fractures or chronic osteomyelitis in the tibial and ankle regions by radical debridement of skeletal and soft tissues and coverage of the defect, using free flap transfer or muscle flap transposition., Material: Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004, 26 patients were treated by this method; 13 had infected tibial or ankle fractures and 13 showed osteomyelitis of the tibia. All patients, in the case of failure, would have been indicated for below-knee amputation. The group comprised six women and 20 men at an average age of 46 years (range, 10 to 67 years)., Methods: In this retrospective study, the following data were recorded: type of injury (multiple trauma, combined trauma, single trauma), fracture type according to the AO classification, grade of injury in open fractures by the Gustillo and Anderson classification, number of previous operations in patients with infected fractures, microbiological findings in all patients before defect coverage with a flap, interval between the injury and flap coverage, number of post-operative complications, number of subsequent operations, period of relief for the treated limb, actual weight-bearing of the limb, patient's satisfaction with the therapy., Results: Since one patient died of heart attack during follow-up, 25 patients (5 women and 20 men) were included in the final evaluation. The average follow-up was 27 months (range, 15 to 49 months). The healing of infection and union of bone were recorded in 21 patients (84 %). Healing with pseudoarthrosis development occurred in three patients (12 %). One patient (4 %) had to undergo leg amputation due to persistent secretion. The duration of treatment before coverage of the defect was on average 10 weeks (range, 4 weeks to 6 months) in the patients with infected fractures, and 9 years (range, 2 to 20 years) in the patients with osteomyelitis. Post-operative complications were recorded in seven patients (27 %). Impaired vascularization of the flap in the early post-operative period was found in two patients (8 %). In two patients (8 %) residual infected tissue under the flap resulted in purulent secretion. In three patients (12 %), at the time of evaluation, the lower extremity could not bear weight due to non-union of fractured bone., Discussion: The use of free or transposition muscle is regarded as the optimal method for the treatment of extensive defects of soft tissues in limb traumatology. The advantages include: good quality coverage of the defect; ability of vascularized flap tissue to transport antibiotic to the defect area; long-term improved perfusion in the fracture region is important for fracture healing., Conclusions: The treatment of infected tibial and malleolar fractures by debridement and subsequent coverage of soft tissue defects, using muscle flap transfer, permits elimination of infection in most of the patients, but often requires subsequent surgery in order to provide biological stimulation for healing of defective fractures. Treatment of osteomyelitis of the tibia by this method is demanding, but has a good prospect of healing in a period shorter than is necessary for treatment without muscle flap transfer.

Purpose of the Study: The authors present a group of patients treated for pelvic fractures in a period of 6 years and they evaluate radiographic findings and clinical outcomes following surgical management of type B and type C fractures., Material and Methods: Between July 1998 and June 2004, a total of 271 patients with pelvic fractures, 162 men and 109 women (average age, 42 years; range, 15 to 93 years) were hospitalized at the authors' departments. Of these, 141 patients were operated on (94 men, 47 women; average age, 37 years; range, 15 to 72 years) and 130 were treated conservatively (average age, 47 years; range, 15 to 93 years). The clinical outcome assessment in patients with type B and type C fractures treated surgically was based on the Majeed scoring system, and the radiographs were evaluated as described by Matta and Tornetta., Results: In 85 % of the patients, pelvic fractures were due to a high-energy trauma caused by traffic accidents in 63 % (pedestrian injury, 30 %; injury of the driver or passenger, 28 %; motorcycle injury, 5 %), by falls from heights in 20 % (occupational injury, 10 %; suicidal attempt, 10 %) and by other causes in 2 %. Sports accidents, usually due to a low-energy trauma, accounted for 8 % of the injuries (falls from a bicycle, violent kicks) and ordinary falls of elderly persons for 7 %. Type A injury was in 56 patients (21 %), type B in 103 patients (38 %) and type C in 112 patients (41 %). In 27 % of the patients, pelvic ring injury was part of a multiple trauma, in 58 % it was a combined injury and in 15 % it presented as a single trauma. Primary neurological deficit was found in nine patients (9 %) with type B fracture and in 20 patients (18 %) with type C fracture; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Urogenital injury was co-existent with type B fracture in 12 patients (12 %) and with type C fracture in 15 patients (13 %); the difference was not significant (p = 0.734). In seven patients (3 %), the injury involved an open fracture. Thirty-three patients (12 %) died during hospitalization. The difference in death rate between the patients with type C and those with type B fractures was significant (p = 0.021). Excellent and good clinical outcomes were achieved in 83 % and 70 % of the patients with type B and type C fractures, respectively. The difference was not significant (p = 0.236). Radiographs showed excellent reduction in 83 % of type B fractures and in 61 % of type C fractures; the difference was not significant (p = 0.271). Intra-operative complications were recorded in 22 %, early post-operative ones in 13 % and late complications in 11 % of the patients., Discussion: The significant difference in primary neurological deficit between the patients with type C fractures and those with type B fractures was attributed to more severe injury and vertical dislocation of the posterior segment in type C fractures. On the other hand, the fact that urogenital involvement was not significantly higher in type C fractures can be explained by an equal presence of anterior segment injury in both type B and type C fractures. The significantly higher number of deaths in patients with type C fractures, as compared with those with type B fractures, was related more to severe injuries of other organ systems in polytraumatized patients than to injuries of the pelvis itself, although severe injury to the posterior segment in type C fractures can result in massive bleeding into the retroperitoneum., Conclusions: An active approach to the treatment of patients with unstable pelvic fractures, which is based on the correct diagnosis, comprehensive multi-disciplinary care, urgent primary stabilization and early definitive fixation by internal osteosynthesis, offers a prospect of survival and a good functional outcome for the patient. However, a high proportion of lasting sequelae due to altered biomechanics of the pelvic ring, and irreversible injuries to neural structures and the urogenital system may lessen good results achieved by a demanding surgical procedure on the skeleton.

The authors compare their experience with the treatment of pelvic ring injuries with the literature data concerning the etiology, diagnosis and classification of this trauma, co-existing pathologies, primary therapeutic procedures, timing of the definitive treatment, surgical approaches, osteosynthesis of the posterior and anterior segments, complications and lasting sequelae. The authors regard the issue of surgical treatment as an independent discipline in the field of musculoskeletal system traumatology. They see the reason for it in the variability and complexity of primary therapeutic procedures and the necessity of following up and attending to the patients in whom treatment of complications and lasting sequelae requires multi-disciplinary co-operation.

Purpose of the Study: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of plain X-ray images in the diagnosis of pelvic ring injury in comparison with CT findings., Material and Methods: The group evaluated consisted of 30 patients, 11 women and 19 men, at an average age of 46 years (range, 20-81 years; women, 20-68 years, men, 20-81 years; average age, 49 and 44 years in women and men, respectively) in whom plain radiography and CT scans were done as part of the initial examination. A retrospective assessment of plain X-ray images was carried out by two independent specialists (radiologist and trauma surgeon). The authors together evaluated CT scans and carried out the final assessment of all medical records. Pelvic radiography was taken with a mobile X-ray unit; CT scans were done according to the standard trauma scanning protocol, using a CT scanner with either one row (CT) or 16 rows (multidetector/MDCT) of detectors., Results: Based on the evaluation of X-ray and CT findings, a total of 133 fractures or displacements in the sacroiliac joint or pubic symphysis were detected. The radiologist identified 99 (74 %) injured structures and the trauma surgeon 111 (83 %) ones. This difference was not significant on the whole (p = 0.536), nor when individual structures were assessed. False negative findings were made by the radiologist on 10 occasions and by the trauma surgeon on seven occasions; the evaluation of image data sets by both observers was associated with only one false positive finding. The overall sensitivity of plain X-ray images, when compared to CT scans, was 83 %, but it was considerably lower on evaluation by one observer only (radiologist, 67 %; trauma surgeon, 78 %)., Discussion: The biggest difference between the findings of two independent specialists existed in the assessment of injuries to the posterior ring of the pelvis (SI joint, sacrum) on plain X-ray images. However, trauma in this region was identified without any doubt on CT scans. To diagnose the type of pelvic injury from CT scans without a possibility to evaluate standard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs or good-quality 2D or 3D reconstructions was found difficult in over one third of the patients. A validity comparison of standard AP radiography and high-quality 2D or 3D CT reconstructions showed that both had an equal value for the exact detection of pelvic injury type. For correct evaluation of the type of injury, scans from the MDCT were easier to read than those from the CT scanner., Conclusions: There is no doubt about the role of standard AP X-ray in the identification of pelvic injury type in polytraumatized, hemodynamically unstable patients. The validity of CT examination for identification of injury to the posterior ring of the pelvis in particular is so high that, in the primary diagnostic procedure, inlet and outlet radiography of the pelvis has lost its importance. The information on the stability and type of injury provided by 2D and 3D CT reconstructions is so exact that, at present, CT examination can reliably replace AP radiography, particularly if, for various reasons, good-quality X-ray images cannot be guaranteed.

The development of the European total hip arthroplasty in the sixties of 20th century is associated mainly with the names of G. K. McKee, J. Charnley and M. E. Muller. The SICOT meeting in Paris in 1966 introduced THA as a new method of treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip and paved the way for the commercialization of the manufacturing of prostheses. The success of this method consisted primarily in the fixation of individual components by bone cement and application of metal-to-polyethylene and metal-to-metal joints. The book presents these historical events as they have been reflected in the development of THA in the countries of the former Czechoslovakia and in the development of implants of domestic provenance. The development of THA in the former Czechoslovakia started in 1969 and was based on the Swiss school established by M. E. Muller. The Muller component with the "banana-shaped" stem was implanted using the Watson-Jones approach, the proximal femur canal was prepared by a rasp and the Palacos cement was used. This prosthesis served also as the model for the first Czech implant Poldi-Cech of I generation (the Chirulen cup available in three sizes, the "banana- shaped" femoral component with a 32 mm head-diameter and 130 degree neck-shaft angle) the development of which started in 1969 and the serial production began in 1972 in the Poldi Kladno steel company. Fatigue fractures of the "banana-shaped" stem led to the development of the concept of a femoral component with an "anatomical" stem. In Switzerland, this concept was developed by B. G. Weber. In the former Czechoslovakia the development of a new femoral component with an "anatomical" stem following the shape of the intramedullary canal with an ovoid profile and without sharp edges started in 1972. Due to the incidence of fatigue fractures of the "banana-shaped"stem and material that was not sufficiently strong (steel used for the production of osteosynthetic components), 144 degree neck-shaft angle was chosen. Reduction of the effect of bending forces on the valgus stem had eliminated fatigue fractures. This Poldi-Cech prosthesis of II generation was provided in nine sizes. The diameter of the head remained the same. Three Chirulen cups were supplemented with a "flat" cup for implantation in a dysplastic acetabulum. The prosthesis was implanted with an exact instrument set (reamer for acetabular preparation, rasp for proximal femoral preparation, alignment device for accurate positioning of both the cup and the femoral component) with the use of the Palacos cement. The production of the Poldi-Cech prosthesis of II. generation started in 1974 with the fabrication of a monoblock. Since 1986 it has been developed into a modular system (14/16 cone) with the possibility to use a ceramic head of 32 mm diameter (only in the nineties the cone size was changed to 12/14 and the heads were provided also in the 28 mm diameter). The Poldi-Cech prosthesis of II generation with the "anatomical" stem has been implanted since 1974 (i. e. during 30 years) in more than 140 000 patients in the Czech and Slovak Republics. In the same year cemented monoblock hemiarthroplasty was developed on the same basis as THA using the same "anatomical" stem and 36 to 60mm head diameter. Until now more than 35,000 of these hemiarthroplasty systems have been implanted. Until 1992 the Poldi-Cech implant was practically the only available cemented total hip replacement in the former Czechoslovakia and retrospectively it may be considered a highly successful implant. In the authors' view, the further development of THA will lead in the following years to the use of implants proved by a long-term follow-up. Preference will be given to prostheses the implantation of which will require a minimal loss of the bone stock during primary surgery and which will allow a technically easy reimplantation. The continental Europe has been recently preferring hybrid prostheses while Scandinavia witnesses an evident increase in the number of implanted cemented prostheses to the detriment of the cementless and hybrid ones. Naturally, cementless prostheses will keep dominating in young patients.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study is to evaluate the results achieved after the replacement of a loosened or broken cemented cup by another cemented cup and to specify conditions under which such procedure may be successful., Material: In the period of 1992-1997, 158 revision surgeries of total hip arthroplasty were performed at the authors' Department. In 69 patients (57 women, 12 men) the cemented cup was replaced by another cemented cup and the original femoral monocomponent with the 32 mm head diameter the surface of which was not damaged was left in place., Methods: The indication for operation was loosening of Degree 2 or 3 of the classification after Krbec et al. The surgery was performed from the Watson-Jones or Bauer approach. The cup was always revised with the use of the Palacos cement in combination with antibiotics by the cementing technique of 2nd generation. Augmentation was used in 11 cups. The original femoral component was always returned to the original cemented bed and a cement mantle was added in the proximal part in 15 patients. Poldi cups were replaced in all patients of the followed up cohort (63 times loosening--91%, 6 times breakage--9%) using 3 types of cups for revision surgery (Poldi--44 times, Ultima--20 times, SPC--5 times). During the period of March through December 2001, 48 patients were followed up in the out-patient department. The clinical condition was evaluated on the basis of the Harris Hip Score and a radiograph was made to monitor changes in the position of the cup, linear wear, the presence and size of the radiolucent zone., Results: The results were evaluated in 48 patients (40 women and 8 men) with the average interval of 63 months after revision of the cup (range, 46 to 112 months). However, the clinical and radiograph evaluation of the condition was made only in 45 patients. Three patients re-operated on in 2001 were not included in the evaluation. The Harris Hip Score was on average 78 points (range, 51 to 97 points). Radiographs did not show any change in the position of the cup. The linear wear up to 1 mm was revealed in 4 cups and above 1 mm in 1 cup (11% of the evaluated patients). The radiolucent line in zone III after DeLee and Charnley was present in 4 cups, in zones II and III in another 4 patients, i.e. in total in 8 of 45 cups (18%)., Discussion: The group of 45 followed-up patients may be considered a sufficiently representative sample of the original 69-member cohort (minimally 7 patients died in the follow-up period, 3 patients were not included in the evaluation). With regard to the average follow-up of 63 months the results may be considered as medium-term. The average interval between primary total hip arthroplasty and revision of 130 months is comparable with the results of similar studies by other authors. The results of the clinical evaluation on the basis of Harris Hip Score are not convincing (range, 51 to 97 points, average 78 points). Radiographs showed a radiolucent zone in 8 cups (18%). Another 3 patients were at the time of evaluation after a repeated revision of the cup for loosening (at the interval of 22 to 34 months)., Conclusion: A good integration of the cemented cup used in revision of the loosened cemented cup of total hip arthroplasty was evident only in infrequent cases of a perfectly preserved acetabulum both from the viewpoint of shape and structure. The evaluation of other patients of the followed-up cohort, however, produced rather unconvincing results. On this basis and also on the basis of their experience in the use of cementless cups in revision of total hip prostheses the authors recommend to prefer a cementless implant in the revision of the cup.

The authors present an overview of the current views on etiology and diagnostics of infectious complications of total hip arthroplasty and analyze the possibilities of individual therapeutic procedures (debridement with the preservation of total hip arthroplasty, revision of the endoprosthesis, long-term antibiotic therapy, final resection arthroplasty, arthrodesis). They discuss the pending issues relating to the therapy of infectious complications of total hip arthroplasty (the duration of antibiotic therapy, the interval between the extraction and revision surgery of the endoprosthesis, the use of antibiotic-containing cement). Based on their own experience they recommend the revision surgery with the preservation of the implant, debridement and irrigation as the first step only in case of an early post-operative infection and in case of a late hematogenous acute infection. In case of chronic infection they recommend a two-step revision surgery using the cement spacer and the antibiotic therapy for 3 to 6 months. During this period the laboratory and clinical signs of the infection must be back to their normal. Long-term antibiotic therapy in dependence on microbial sensitivity is recommended.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the work is to evaluate the results achieved in the group of patients with implanted Schenker cementless femoral component (Schenker, Switzerland) and discuss the method of solution of loosening of these components in the group of patients who underwent revision surgery., Material: The first part of the followed-up group comprised 16 patients (11 women, 5 men) with the total of 18 operated on hips who underwent primary hip arthroplasty between 1989 and 1992 (Poidi cemented cup, Schenker cementless femoral component). The average follow-up period was 140 months (range 120 to 156 months). The second part of the group included patients who underwent revision for loosening of the Schenker cementless femoral component. This part consisted of 18 patients (11 women, 7 men) with 20 operated on hips. The average interval after primary hip arthroplasty was 65 months (range 36 to 118 months)., Methods: In the period between May and December 2002, 34 patients were examined in the out-patient department. The evaluation involved only patients who did not undergo revision surgery. The clinical condition was evaluated on the basis of the Harris Hip Score and a radiograph was made to monitor any signs of linear wear of the cup, the extent of the radiolucent zone in both components and a potential migration of components., Results: Results were evaluated in 16 patients (11 women, 5 men) with 18 operated on hips. The average follow-up period was 140 months. Harris Hip Score averaged 76 points (range, 56 to 97 points). The linear wear up to 1 mm was recorded in 4 cups and that of up to 2 mm in 2 cups. The radiolucent line surrounding the cup in zone III after DeLee and Charnley was present in 5 cups, in zones II and III in another 1 patient. No cup showed any signs of migration. The radiolucent line surrounding the femoral component was present in 9 hips. The progress of subsiding as compared to the preceding radiograph check (interval of 1 to 2 years) was evident in 3 femoral components. At the time of the check 20 femoral components had been already revised, of this 7 hips were after repeated revision., Discussion: Between 1986 and 1992, 74 primary hip arthroplasties in 61 patients were performed at the authors' department using Schenker cementless femoral component always in combination with Poldi cemented cup. Of 61 patients, the follow-up was not completed in 27 (10 patients died, 6 of them underwent a revision surgery at other hospitals, 11 patients were lost for the follow-up). In the evaluated 18 hips only 7 were without pain, another 3 patients from suffered occasional pain which responded to common analgesics. The results of clinical evaluation after Harris are unconvincing. During the follow-up 29 joints (39% of the original cohort) had been revised or indicated for revision surgery. Repeated revision surgery was performed in 7 hip joints where the Schenker cementless femoral component was originally replaced by cemented stem and this cemented component loosened within 3 to 7 years after the first revision. With regard to the success rate of other double tapered femoral components, the authors consider the material of the component (vitalium) as the main cause of failure. The surface of this stem did not provide for a long-term osteointegration and is at present successfully used only for production of femoral heads rather than for cementless femoral components., Conclusion: A favourable clinical finding and a good integration of the cementless femoral component Schenker were recorded within the average follow-up of 12 years only in 5 patients. All of them were young at the time of surgery and had a very good quality of bone. As a conclusion authors state that in general, Schenker cementless femoral component has not proved to be successful in clinical practice. For revision surgery of the loosened Schenker cementless femoral component it is necessary to use a titanium cementless component with a surface allowing long-term osteointegration.

Purpose of the Study: The authors present an overview of mortality of patients with proximal femur fractures treated at the authors' Department in 1997 in dependence on different factors relating to the preinjury condition and the treatment itself. The aim of the work was to determine the impact of these factors on the risk of mortality and compare the findings with the data published by other authors dealing with the same issue., Material: In the given year 244 patients with 248 proximal femur fractures, 58 men (24%), 186 women (76%), average age 77 years were treated. There were 115 (47%) fractures of femoral neck, 117 (47%) pertrochanteric fractures and 16 (6%) intertrochanteric (high subtrochanteric) fractures. Thirty-nine fractures (16%) were treated conservatively, internal fixation was performed in 116 fractures (47%), i.e. 6 times by a plate, 94 times by a DHS, 16 times by the Gamma nail, and 93 fractures (37%) were treated by arthroplasty (62 times by hemiarthroplasty and 31 times by total hip arthroplasty)., Methods: The following data was recorded in all patients of the monitored group: age, sex, social environment and physical activities of the patient prior to the injury, mechanism of the injury, type of fracture, surgical risk expressed by the respective class of the ASA score, therapeutic procedure, type of anesthesia and interval between the injury and operation. Recorded was also the number of mortality in the course of primary hospitalisation and one year after the injury or operation. At the end of the one-year monitoring statistical evaluation was made of the relation between mortality and the above mentioned monitored factors and the results were compared with those published in similar types of study., Results: In the period of one year after the injury or operation 85 patients died of the total number of 244 (56 women and 29 men). The number of decreased patients was increasing in individual age decades and the highest number was recorded in case of men in 9th decade (80%) and 10th decade (100%). The lowest number of mortality related to patients who lived with their families prior to the injury (26.5%) and the highest number was in patients from social care institutes (43.8%). Patients with impaired mobility already prior to the injury and not leaving their homes accounted for 46.7% of mortality. In the course of one year after the injury 33.0% died of fracture of femoral neck, 30.7% of pertrochanteric and 35.7% of intertrochanteric (high subtrochanteric) fracture. Dependence of mortality on ASA score was as follows: ASA I-0%, ASA II-4.3%, ASA III-21.3%, ASA IV-42.1%, ASA V-68.9%. The highest number of mortality of operated on patients was in the group treated by hemiarthroplasty (41.1%). After spinal anesthesia 26.6% of patients died within one year and after general anesthesia 26.7% of them. There was an evident increase in the number of mortality in patients operated on in the interval longer than 3 days after the injury., Discussion: The mortality in the followed up group was statistically significantly influenced by the age (p = 0.003), sex (p < 0.01) and ASA score (p < 0.001). This corresponds to the results of other studies. The dependence of mortality on environment and mobility prior to the injury, type of the fracture, type of surgical treatment and type of anesthesia has not been proved., Conclusion: Based on the evaluation of the data monitored in the group a conclusion was made that absolute mortality risk in the first year after the injury related to patients with pathological fractures due to metastasis. A higher risk related to male patients older than 80 years with the surgical risk of ASA IV and higher and this risk rate was the highest in the time interval within 3 months after the injury or operation.

Purpose of the Study: To present the first 3-5 year experience in primary implantation of the Ultima cementless hemispherical threaded cup., Material: In the period between October 1995 and June 1997 we implanted in total 30 Ultima cementless cups in 28 patients (10 men, 18 women). The average age of the operated on was 60 years (41-74 years). Twenty-four patients, i.e. 26 hips were available for the follow up. From the viewpoint of diagnosis the group of patients included 15 cases of primary osteoarthritis, 9 cases of acute intracapsular femoral neck fracture, 3 cases of postdysplastic osteoarthritis, 2 cases (1 female patient with bilateral affection) of rheumatoid osteoarthritis (RA) accompanied with the protrusion of acetabulum and 1 case of idiopathic necrosis of the head., Methods: The average follow up was 39 months (31-51 months). Subjectively, we followed the patients' satisfaction with the result of the surgery, i.e. subsidence of pain, range of motions and the willingness to undergo the surgery once more on the basis of its result. Radiologically, we assessed the shape of acetabulum prior to operation, the position of the implanted cup in ap projection on the postoperative radiograph, on the last control radiograph we evaluated osteointegration of the cup and also potential particular ossification., Results: Nineteen patients out of 24 were subjectively satisfied with the result of the operation. The primary shape of acetabulum was in 24 cases spherical, 4 times dysplastic slightly lower CE (Wiberg) angle and twice there occurred protrusion of the head (the female patient with RA). The position of the cup in ap projection was evaluated in 25 cases as correct (45 degrees declination), in 2 cases as valgus (more than 55 degrees declination), in 3 cases as varus (less than 35 degrees declination) and in 1 case the cup was inserted too deep. Osteointegration was evaluated in 25 cases. In 22 cases we considered the osteointegration as good, i.e. without signs of a radioluscent line around the circumference of the cup. This line we encountered in 2 patients around the whole circumference of the cup but without any signs of a change in the position of the cup and without subjective complaints (pain in the hip). Both patients operated on for the primary osteoarthritis had a spherical shape of acetabulum and the declination of the cup was assessed as satisfactory. In 1 case we had to re-operate on due to the migration of the cup in the pelvis, namely in the female patient with RA and bilateral affection. The migration occurred on the left side 2.5 year after the primary surgery. Particular ossification was encountered 3 times, one case required extirpation. Complications were recorded in 8 patients. In one case the lateral cortex was peroperatively perforated by the stem of the femoral component. In another patient with a dysplastic acetabulum the cup was inserted to deep in the medial wall of the acetabulum. In the third patient the greater trochanter got broken, remained displaced and only the ligaments healed. Early postoperative complications were recorded twice. In one case it was a serous secretion from the wound which subsided after a few days without the necessity of revision. Revision was required in the second case when the R-drainage broke in the course of its removal. Late complications occurred in 3 patients. In one case there developed a mitigated infection requiring revision surgery, in case of the female patient with RA the cup protruded in the pelvis which necessitated a revision surgery., Discussion: So far there are no literary data on this type of cup. The only existing information relates to the preceding type of a similar design, i.e. Mecring cup, which failed., Conclusion: Despite relatively good but short-term results of this small series the unusual design of the Ultima hemispherical threaded cup requires a great prudence in its application and additional long-term follow-up. Therefore the cup cannot be recommended for a regular use for the time being.

Purpose of the Study: Authors report on five-year results in patients after THR operated on between 1994 and 1995 in which a cementless CLS Spotorno cup was used., Material: In the given period 59 patients were operated on (35 women and 24 men). The average age at the time of implantation was 54.6 years. The most frequent causes of the indication for THR was primary osteoarthritis of the hip in 27 patients and postdysplastic osteoarthritis in 16 patients. Applied were 46-62 mm cups for 28 mm and 32 mm diameters of the head. The femoral component used was a cementless Poldi--42 times, cemented MS-30--16 times and cementles CLS--once. The surgical approach was first anterolateral, later Bauer transgluteal approach which allows a better visualization of the location during the reaming of acetabulum and cup positioning. The reaming of acetabulum and implantation of the cup were performed in a standard way. Prior to incision Kefzol (cefazolin) was administered intravenously in the dosage of 2 g. In patients with a preceding operation on the hip joint the administration of Kefzol was extended to 24 to 72 hours (3 x 1 g each 8 hours intravenously). Standard antithrombotic prevention by miniheparinization was applied in all patients until they were able to walk with the help of crutches (7 to 10 days). In case of an increased risk of thromboembolic complications heparin with a low molecule weight (Fraxiparine) was applied over the same period., Methods: In the period between autumn 1999 and spring 2000 clinical examination of the patients operated on was performed together with a radiograph of the hip joint involved. Clinical findings were evaluated after Harris hip score. Radiograph findings were compared to the postoperative and the control ones made one year after the operation. Evaluated were the position of components and signs of their loosening, if any., Results: After the average follow-up of 59 months 57 patients were checked. Excellent results according to Harris were achieved in 40 patients, good results in 13 patients and satisfactory results in 4 patients. No poor result was recorded. Radiographs proved a full integration of CLS Spotorno cups without any signs of loosening in all checked patients., Discussion: Not very numerous works in both foreign and domestic literature list according to the experience of individual authors the following advantages of CLS Spotorno cup: a small bone loss during reaming of acetabulum, excellent primary stability, excellent secondary stability and its easy reimplantation as compared to all types of cementless cups. Only in one female patient after a peroperative fissure of proximal femur the control examination showed a lower value of Harris score than was the average value of the whole group. Similarly, the Harris score was lower in female patients who postoperatively experienced complications of neurological and internal nature (1 temporary paresis of n. ischiadicus, 1 phlebothrombosis of veins of the limb operated on). Control radiograph examination proved a full bone integration without signs of loosening in both components of the implant in all 57 checked patients., Conclusion: After five years the authors have a good experience with CLS Spotorno cup and recently they have started to indicate it more often in postdysplastic coxarthrosis in younger patients and in revision surgery for aseptic loosening of a cup. In young patients they recommend its matching with CLS Spotorno cementless femoral component and in middle-aged patients its matching with MS-30 (Morscher-Spotorno) cemented femoral component the centralizer of which allows an ideal anchoring of the stem in the cement mantle.

The authors present an overview of basic demographic data obtained from the follow up of 248 patients treated for a proximal femur fracture at their clinic in 1977.The average age (77 years) and the predominance of patients older than 70 years (81 %) are comparable with the groups of patients presented in the foreign literature. The group of patients accounts for approximately 2 % of the national group (data acquired from the Institute of Health Care Information and Statistics), the average age is by 5 years higher and the predominance of patients older than 70 years is more significant by approximately 10 %. Also the percentage of mortality in the course of hospitalization is in the authors' group higher (approximately by 4 %) as compared to the national group. The risk of death is, however, high only in the group of patients older than 80 years and the conservatively treated patients. The comparison with similar dat in the group of patients treated for the same diagnosis at the authors' clinic in 1998 shows a significant increase of the number of treated patients (by 33 %), however, basic demographic data (average age and age distribution) has not changed. Key words: proximal femur fractures, basic demographic data.

The article presents an overview of costs relating to the treatment of 244 patients with a total number of 248 fractures of proximal femur hospitalized at the authors' department in 1997, amounting approximately to 9,4 mil. Kc. Average price of hospitalization was 37 862 Kc. A comparison with data from General Health Insurance Company of the same year which recorded 13 126 accounts of patients treated for the above mentioned diagnosis and spent on their treatment 383,2 mil. Kc shows that the average cost of hospitalization at the authors' department is higher by 8 666 Kc. This difference is for greater part caused by the average time of hospitalization longer by 5 days due to a higher age average of the respective group of patients as compared to the national group and also due to the lack of beds in social-care institutes where patients from higher age groups could be transferred after the primary hospitalization. Key words: proximal femur fractures, cost of treatment.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is considered as avascular necrosis of the proximal femoral epiphysis, that can result in a secondary osteoarthritis. Bone scintigraphy using 99mTc phosphonate complexes is a suitable method for study of changes of LCPD. The authors present a group of 59 children (44 boys, 15 girls), with clinical suspicion of LCPD or with clear diagnosis of LCPD according to X-ray examination, who were examined using scintigraphy. The patological scintigraphic images of the proximal femoral epiphysis are evaluated according to Conway's classification. The correlation of pinhole imaging of the hip X-ray examination is neccessery for the correct diagnosis of stage of LCPD according to Conway's criteria. In author's experience Conway's classification is useful for evaluation of the development of disease; this is important for prognosis and treatment of LCPD. Key words: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, bone scintigraphy, scintigraphic classification.

The authors submit their initial experience with the use of the apparatus Artroflow recommended as one possible means to prevent thromboembolic disease in bedridden patients. The strictly defined criteria of the investigation made it possible to include in the group only a limited number of patients, therefore the results are not significant. Seven months' experience, however, convinced the authors that it is useful to use Artroflow for the rehabilitation of geriatric patients after fractures of the proximal part of the femur. Key words: prevention of thromboembolic disease, activation of the venous pump by passive means, Artroflow apparatus.

The authors give a review of imaging techniques used at present in the diagnosis and follow-up of changes in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Based on data in the literature and their own experince, the authors draw attention to the advantages and disadvantages of different diagnostic methods. They discuss possibilities of different imaging techniques in the early diagnosis of the disease. In their opinion a high-standard X-ray examination is still the basic examination. A suitable supplement in particular in a early stages are sonographic, scintigraphic and magnetic resonance examinations. Key words: diagnosis of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, X-ray examination, sonography, scintigraphy, magnetic resonance.

The author presents an account of the most frequently used X-ray classifications of morbus Legg-Calvé-Perthes, incl. their description and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods. He emphasizes in particular Waldenstrom's, Herring's and Stulberg's classification. Key words: morbus Legg-Calvé-Perthes, X-ray classification.

Based on seven-year experience with non-cemented femoral components of total endoprostheses of the hip joint, type Schenker, the authors assume that their use is limited only to a small group of patients under 40 years of age, provided strict principles as regards precision of implantation are respected. The latter are discussed in the submitted paper.

The authors monitored a group of 87 patients after a reoperation of the total replacement of the hip joint due to the so-called aseptic loosening of one of the components. On the basis of the evaluation of clinical complaints and an x-ray finding of the extent and progress of the so-called radioluscent line on the cement-bone interface and their correlation with the peroperative finding of the loosening of the implant they developed an x-ray classification of the loosening of the total endoprosthesis. This three-grade classification facilitates the consideration of the latest state of the fixation of the implant and the prognosis of further development. It is a therapeutical guideline for the determination of the period suitable for reoperation and possible exchange of endoprosthesis. Key words: total endoprosthesis of the hip joint, aseptic loosening, diagnostics.

The authors present a case-history pertaining to the early diagnosis of Perthes' disease by magnetic resonance in a patient with a marked clinical symptomatology and a negative classical skiagram. Typical changes on the X-ray picture developed after a three-month interval. Confirmation of the importance of magnetic resonance for early diagnosis of Perthes' disease is consistent with the quoted literature. Key words: early diagnosis, Perthes' disease, magnetic resonance.