Objective:To summarise the advantages and disadvantages of applying the method of retrograde replantation with an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending for replantation of rotational avulsed and fractured great toes.Methods:From January 2016 to June 2021, 11 rotational avulsed and fractured great toes were replanted with the method of retrograde replantation in an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending. Of the 11 patients, 10 were males and 1 was female, aged 18 to 50 years old with an average of 32 years old. Causes of injury: 5 of driving belt, 4 of machinery crush and 2 of car accident. Injury sites: 4 on left great toes and 7 on right great toes. All of the injuries were with fracture and exposure of proximal tendons of flexor and extensor. Seven patients had the follow-up reviews by outpatient clinic visiting, 2 over mobile phone and 2 via WeChat.Results:After surgery, 9 great toes completely survived and 2 great toes had necrosis. The survival rate of toe replantation was 81.8%(9/11). The operation time was 2 to 3 hours, with an average of 2.5 hours. Postoperative X-ray film showed that 8 to 12 weeks after the operation, the fracture and joint fusion were healed at first stage in the survived toes. All patients were entered in follow-up for 3 to 18 months with 10.5 months in average. The survived great toes were plump and the toenail grown well. At the final follow-up, the static TPD at the toes was 8-12 mm, with an average of 10 mm. There was no effect shown on either walking or running.Conclusion:The retrograde replantation method with an operative position of foot stepping and knee bending for great toe replantation has the characteristics of a good field of view and convenient in operation under microscope, a short operation time, and a high survival rate of replantation.

Objective:To evaluate the treatment of infected nonunion after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture with a reconstruction stent of external fixation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 5 male patients with infected nonunion after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture who had been treated and completely followed up at The Great Wall Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery Hospital from January 2017 to October 2022. The patients were (30.0±13.5) years old. Seinsheimer fracture types: ⅢA (1 case), ⅢB (1 case), Ⅳ (2 cases), and Ⅴ (1 case); original internal fixation: intramedullary system (4 cases) and plate fixation (1 case); the Cierny-Mader anatomical classification: type Ⅳ (diffuse type) for all. After complete debridement at stage one, 2 or 3 hydroxyapatite (HA) coated screws were placed at both fracture ends from the lateral side of the femur for unilateral reconstruction external fixation. Next, a hybrid external fixation scaffold was added with a 1/3 ring at the sagittal position and 1 or 2 HA screws in 4 cases while unilateral reconstruction external fixation was constructed at both sides by inserting 2 HA screws into both fracture ends from the anterior femur at the sagittal position in 1 case. Antibiotic bone cement was used to fill bone defects of (3.8±1.8) cm. At 6 to 8 weeks after debridement when infection did not recur, antibiotic bone cement was removed before autogenous iliac bone grafting was performed in 3 patients and osteotomy bone transport in 2 patients. Infection control, bone union time, time for removal of external fixation stent, complications, Sanders hip function score and Paley bone outcome score were recorded.Results:The 5 patients were followed up for (23.4±8.1) months after surgery. Infection at the fracture ends was controlled after 1 time of debridement in 3 patients and after 2 times of debridement in 2 patients. The loosening HA screws were replaced twice due to infection at the proximal nail tract, and autologous bone grafting was performed at the opposite fracture ends in 1 case; no complications occurred in the other 4 cases. Bony union was achieved at the extended segment and fracture ends in all patients. The time for imaging union after bone reconstruction was (10.2±3.4) months. The time for wearing a stent of external fixation was (18.0±4.5) months. There was no recurrent infection or lingering infection. According to the Sanders hip function score at the last follow-up, 4 cases were excellent and 1 case was good; according to the Paley bone outcome score, the curative effect was excellent in all.Conclusion:Application of a reconstruction stent of external fixation combined with antibiotic bone cement can control infection at the first stage and conduct bone reconstruction at the second stage to successfully treat the infected nonunion and preserve the hip function after internal fixation of subtrochanteric fracture.