OBJECTIVETo define the preoperative and intraoperative variables which may affect the immediate postoperative outcome in surgically managed patients with unstable pelvic fractures.

METHODSThis study was performed prospectively from January 2009 to June 2011 on 36 consecutive patients admitted to the trauma ward of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, with unstable pelvic injuries.

RESULTSIn the present study of 36 patients, 29 were managed surgically. Surgical duration was 2 hours in patients operated on within 1 week and 3.4 hours in those operated on after 1 week. The blood loss was 550 ml when surgery was done after a week, but when done within a week it was 350 ml. The average blood loss through Pfanenstial approach was 360 ml, through posterior approach was 408 ml and through combined approach was 660 ml which was significantly high.

CONCLUSIONAnterior approach to the pelvis would cause significantly more amount of blood loss than posterior approach and external fixation. Surgical approaches do not have any influence on the surgical duration or the infection rate. The blood loss significantly increases when the surgical time is more than 1 h. The infection rate is not influenced by the duration of surgery. Presence or absence of associated injuries to the head, chest or abdomen is the main determinants of patient's survival and it greatly influences the duration of hospital stay.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Hoffa fracture is an uncommon injury. In the literature, lateral condylar Hoffa fracture is mentioned as a more common injury pattern than medial condylar Hoffa fracture. The mechanism of injury and method of treatment is not very well described in the literature. We are presenting a rare case of comminuted medial condylar Hoffa fracture with ipsilateral patellar fracture. The mechanism of injury has not been described in the literature. Lag screw fixation, which is the most acceptable method of treatment, is not possible due to comminution. We explain the possible mechanism of injury and fix the fracture with L-buttress plate.
Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans

Intraarticular nonunion of tibial plateau is rare. In the literature, only 9 patients were found to be treated for intraarticular tibial plateau nonunion and they got varying results. Internal fixation along with bone grafting was done as a standard treatment in all cases. We treated 4 different profile cases of intraarticular tibial plateau nonunion in our institution by 4 different methods. We treated these cases with plaster of paris cast, internal fixation along with bone graft, arthrodesis with K-nail and total knee replacement. Case 1 was treated with plaster of paris (POP) cast as the patient refused surgery. The fracture was united and the patient was fully satisfied with full range of motion despite valgus malalignment. Case 2 was managed with open reduction internal fixation along with bone grafting. The patient had a good union and got full range of motion at the knee joint. Case 3 was treated with total knee arthroplasty due to her old age and got satisfactory result. Case 4 was an infected nonunion. Arthrodesis was done and the patient could walk with full weight bearing independently. We conclude that internal fixation along with bone grafting may not be suitable in all cases of intraarticular nonunion of tibial plateau. Causes of nonunion, present condition and range of motion of the knee joint, as well as the age of patient should be all considered and the treatment should be individualised according to each patient's situation.
Bone Transplantation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo assess the outcome of immediate plate osteosynthesis via application of antibiotic impregnated collagen fleeces (gentamicin-collagen and antibiotic sponge) which gradually release antibiotic locally in the surgical treatment of open fractures presented to us 6 hours after injury.

METHODSAll cases were treated in our tertiary level trauma center and teaching hospital including 35 patients with open fractures who were treated by immediate open reduction and plate fixation from January 2008 to August 2010. Among them, 31 patients were available for adequate follow-up and assessment. All fractures were treated by irrigation and debridement, immediate open reduction and plate fixation along with placement of antibiotic-releasing collagen fleeces around the plate just before closure of wound. Patients were assessed to determine postoperative infection, delayed union or nonunion and development of other postoperative complications. It was hypothesized that immediate plate osteosynthesis after thorough debridement and local antibiotics would give safe and acceptable clinical results in treatment of open fractures.

RESULTSThe 31 patients with adequate final follow-up were assessed at a mean time of 40 weeks (15-160 weeks). Most fractures united primarily in an acceptable time period according to area of involvement. Local wound complications (superficial infection and skin loss) were found in 3 patients (9.67%). Deep infection was noted in 2 patients (6.45%). None of these patients needed implant removal and both fractures united in due time. Delayed union was noted in 5 patients (16.13%). No patient progressed to nonunion or implant failure in long term follow-up. Excessive scarring was developed in 2 patients (6.45%).

CONCLUSIONSImmediate plate osteosynthesis after adequate debridement and placement of collagen film eluting antibiotics locally produces excellent results regarding bone union and absence of deep infections and is a safe technique in the management of open bone injuries. These sponges can be used easily with any form of internal fixation and there is no need of second surgery for the removal of these antibiotic carriers since they are bioabsorbable. Local antibiotic-impregnated collagen sponges along with systemic antibiotics for 3 to 5 days offer promising results in open fracture management.

Animals ; Collagen ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Porifera ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery