BACKGROUND: Although the valgus subtrochanteric osteotomy is considered as a standard surgical treatment for coxa vara, there is no consensus on the optimal method of fixation and osteotomy technique. Fixation of the osteotomy has been achieved by various methods including external fixation and internal fixation with pins and cerclage and a variety of plates. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the results of developmental coxa treated by Y intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy fixed with a T-buttress plate compared with other methods of fixation in the literature. METHODS: Eighteen corrective valgus intertrochanteric femoral osteotomies were performed in 18 patients (18 hips) for treatment of unilateral developmental coxa vara deformity and fixed with a T plate. There were 12 males and 6 females. The right hip was affected in 10 patients and the left hip in 8 patients. Clinically, patients were evaluated by Larson hip score. Radiographically, anteroposterior view of the pelvis and frog leg lateral views of the affected hip were taken preoperatively and compared with the findings at the final follow-up. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 29 months (range, 24 to 36 months). Clinical results showed improvement of the mean Larson hip score from 57.8 to 97.0 (p < 0.001). Radiological results showed that all osteotomies were completely united in 2.4 months (range, 2 to 3 months) with the achievement of the planned correction angle. The average correction of Hilgenreiner's epiphyseal angle improved from 78.2° to 27.8° (p < 0.001) at the final follow-up. The femoral neck shaft angle was improved from 93.7° to 129.9° (p < 0.001) at the final follow-up. Shortening of the affected limb was corrected from 2.8 cm to 1.3 cm (p < 0.001) at the last follow-up. No major serious complications were recorded in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: Intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy of the proximal femur fixed with a T plate may be efficient for treatment of developmental coxa vara. With careful planning, it can result in a low complication rate and insignificant or minimal recurrence rate.
*Bone Plates ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coxa Vara/*surgery ; Female ; Femur Neck/*surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation/methods/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; *Osteotomy/methods/statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVEIntertrochanteric femur fracture is a common injury in elderly patients. The dynamic hip screw (DHS) has served as the standard choice for fixation; however it has several drawbacks. Studies of the percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) are still inconclusive in regards to its efficacy and safety. By comparing the two methods, we assessed their clinical therapeutic outcome.

METHODSA total of 121 elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures (type AO/OTA 31.A1-A2, Evans type 1) were divided randomly into two groups undergoing either a minimally invasive PCCP procedure or a conventional DHS fixation.

RESULTSThe mean operation duration was significantly shorter in the PCCP group (55.2 min versus 88.5 min, P<0.01). The blood loss was 156.5 ml±18.3 ml in the PCCP group and 513.2 ml±66.2 ml in the DHS group (P<0.01). Among the patients treated with PCCP, 3.1% needed blood transfusions, compared with 44.6% of those that had DHS surgery (P<0.01). The PCCP group displayed less postoperative complications (P<0.05). The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score and Harris hip score in the PCCP group were better than those in the DHS group. There were no significant differences in the mean hospital stay, mortality rates, or fracture healing.

CONCLUSIONDue to several advantages, PCCP has the potential to become the ideal choice for treating intertrochanteric fractures (type AO/OTA 31.A1-A2, Evans type 1), particularly in the elderly.

Aged ; Blood Transfusion ; statistics & numerical data ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; mortality ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The development of pedicle screw-based posterior spinal instrumentation is recognized as one of the major surgical treatment methods for thoracolumbar burst fractures. However, the appropriate level in posterior segment instrumentation is still a point of debate. To assesses the long-term results of two-level and three-level posterior fixations of thoracolumbar burst fractures that have load-sharing scores of 7 and 8 points. METHODS: From January 1998 to May 2009, we retrospectively analyzed clinical and radiologic outcomes of 45 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures of 7 and 8 points in load-sharing classification who were operated on using two-level posterior fixation (one segment above and one segment below: 28 patients, group I) or three-level posterior fixation (two segments above and one segment below: 17 patients, group II). Clinical results included the grade of the fracture using the Frankel classification, and the visual analog score was used to evaluate pain before surgery, immediately after surgery, and during follow-up period. We also evaluated pain and work status at the final follow-up using the Denis pain scale. RESULTS: In all cases, non-union or loosening of implants was not observed. There were two screw breakages in two-level posterior fixation group, but bony union was obtained at the final follow-up. There were no significant differences in loss of anterior vertebral body height, correction loss, or change in adjacent discs. Also, in clinical evaluation, there was no significant difference in the neurological deficit of any patient during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, two-level posterior fixation could be used successfully in selected cases of thoracolumbar burst fractures of 7 and 8 points in the load-sharing classification.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects/instrumentation/methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*injuries/physiopathology/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/physiopathology/*surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*injuries/physiopathology/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome