OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of less invasive surgical treatment for high-energy tibia plateau injury with half-ring external fixation combined with minimum internal fixation.

METHODSFrom January, 2003 to May,2006, 16 cases of high-energy tibia plateau fracture were treated with half-ring external fixation combined with minimum internal fixation including 10 cases of type V and 6 cases of type VI according to Schatzker's classification. The average age of the patients was 42.4 years (range 25 to 50 years).

RESULTSAll patients were followed for an average of 16 months (range 5 to 27 months). All the fractures healed after an average time of 3.5 months. Two patients developed infections of the pin holes. According to the criteria of Rasmussen, excellent results were achieved in 10, good results in 4 cases, moderate in 2, and poor in none.

CONCLUSIONHalf-ring external fixation combined with minimum internal fixation can be ideal for treatment of complex tibia plateau fracture.

Adult ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Fixation of proximal humerus fractures with precontoured, fixed angle devices has improved operative management of these difficult injuries, particularly in patients with osteoporosis. However, recent data has revealed that fixation with these constructs is not without complications, particularly screw cut-out and loss of reduction. Multiple strategies have been developed to decrease the number of complications. We offer a surgical technique combining suture augmentation of the proximal humerus with locked plate fixation utilizing short screws.
Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation/*instrumentation/*methods ; Humans ; Shoulder Fractures/rehabilitation/*surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence on fracture stability by different pin construct during percutaneous pinning for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures.

METHODSEighteen pairs (36) adult fresh-frozen humeri were match-paired and divided into 4 groups. Dual-energy bone density scan had been used in order to rule out the influence by different degrees of osteoporosis of the cadaver. Two-part surgical neck fracture model was carried out unanimously in all 36 humeri. Four terminal threaded pins (2.5 mm in diameter) were used in fixation for all specimen. Parallel type pinning (box type) were carried out in 2 groups and convergent type pinning (fan shape) in the other 2 groups. Instron5566 biomechanical tester was applied in determining both anti-shear and anti-torsion ultimate load of each specimen.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference between parallel pin construct and convergent construct in regard of anti-shear resistance (P = 0.73). But by mean of anti-torsion resistance, the parallel construct had significant advantage over the convergent construct (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONAccording to our biomechanical data, parallel pin construct seems to have better torsional stability. We suggest that parallel pin fixation should be applied whenever possible. Convergent pin construct should be considered when parallel construct is not possible or the distance between pins are too small (< 1 cm).

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Cadaver ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Shoulder Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery

Bones of Lower Extremity ; injuries ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanical characteristics of new type two-head automatic pressure external fixator in the view of biomechanics.

METHODSFifteen fresh and humid specimens were selected and divided into experimental group (5 cases) and control group (10 cases). The control group were respectively applied with DHS (5 cases) and traditional external fixator (5 cases). In order to compare the different apparatus, the strength, stiffness and twist mechanical function of femoral intertrochanteric fracture with different device were measured respectively when the specimens were under the pressure of 0-1800 N and loading speed 1.4 mn/min.

RESULTSThe strength, stiffness, twist mechanical function and maximum endurance of femora in the experimental group were obviously superior than that of DHS and traditional external fixator (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTwo head automatic new type pressure external fixator can embed more tightly without sliding, also can prevent the occurrence of coxa vara effectively.

External Fixators ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo compare the treating effects of different intramedullary nailing methods on tibial fractures in adults.

METHODSLiterature reports in both Chinese and English languages were retrieved (from the earliest available records to October 1, 2013) from the PubMed, FMJS, CNKI, Wanfang Data using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for treatment of tibial fractures. Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statistical software Revman 5.0 was used for data-analysis.

RESULTSA total of 12 randomized controlled trials, comprising 985 patients (475 in the unreamed group and 510 in the reamed group), were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two methods in the reported outcomes of infection (RR=0.64; 95%CI, 0.39 to 1.07; P=0.09), compartment syndrome (RR=1.44; 95%CI, 0.8 to 2.41; P=0.16), thrombosis (RR=1.29; 95%CI, 0.43 to 3.87; P=0.64), time to union (WMD=5.01; 95%CI, -1.78 to 11.80; P=0.15), delayed union (nonunion) (RR=1.56; 95%CI, 0.97 to 2.49; P=0.06), malunion (RR=1.75; 95%CI, 1.00 to 3.08; P=0.05) and knee pain (RR=0.94; 95%CI, 0.73 to 1.22; P=0.66). But there was a significantly higher fixation failure rate in the unreamed group than in the reamed group (RR=4.29; 95%CI, 2.58 to 7.14; P<0.00001).

CONCLUSIONThere is no significant difference in the reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for the treatment of tibial fractures, but our result recommends reamed nails for the treatment of closed tibial fractures for their lower fixation failure rate.

Bone Nails ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Fracture of femoral shaft in adults is common and mostly managed with intramedullary interlocking nails. Complications during closed intramedullary femoral nailing are uncommon, and mostly of them are caused by technical reasons. We describe a case of closed nailing for a femoral shaft fracture in which a jammed intramedullary guide wire, due to an incarcerated bone fragment at the nail tip, was inadvertently advanced across the knee. Forceful attempt of nail insertion caused this complication, which was probably attributed to nail design.
Adult ; Bone Nails ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVEConventional fixation of syndesmotic injuries with screws remains problematic. A novel fibrewire device (Tightrope® has suggested advantages. However, small case series have reported high soft tissue complication rates. The purpose of our study was to quantify complication rates and further procedures in patients treated with Tightropes. A secondary objective was to determine incidence of complications and further procedures in those treated with syndesmotic screws over the same period.

METHODSAll patients undergoing syndesmotic fixation for ankle fracture between May 2008 and October 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Incidence of complications, secondary procedures, maintenance of syndesmotic reduction and time spent on non-weight bearing were recorded. Family doctors were contacted for those treated with Tightropes to check for any complications managed elsewhere.

RESULTSThirty-five patients required syndesmotic fixation, in which 12 were treated with Tightropes. They were followed up in clinic for a mean of 12.4 weeks. Family doctors were contacted at mean 14.6 months after treatment to determine any complications suffered. There were no complications attributable to method of fixation. In this series, 12 patients underwent 13 procedures and no patient had recurrent diastasis at discharge; 23 patients treated with screw fixation underwent 45 procedures (19 were screw removals). There was 1 case of syndesmotic diastasis. Screw removal resulted in 2 minor complications.

CONCLUSIONTightrope fixation provideds effective syndesmotic fixation that is maintained at discharge. We do not experience soft tissue complications reported elsewhere.

Ankle Fractures ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; instrumentation ; methods ; Preoperative Period