PURPOSE: Proximal femur fractures are classified into intracapsular neck fractures and extracapsular trochanteric fractures, and several related treatment recommendations in elderly patients have already been introduced. Importantly, we have observed cases of combined intra and extracapsular fractures (i.e., ipsilateral neck and trochanter fractures). The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes of combined neck and trochanter fractures of the femur treated with cephalomedullary nail (CMN) in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2014, 410 patients with proximal femoral fractures were fixed using CMN; among this group, 37 patients with combined neck and trochanter fractures were identified. Two of these patients died fewer than three months after injury and another two did not return for follow-up. Thirty-three patients were included and reviewed retrospectively in this study. RESULTS: All patients were injured by simple fall. Bone union was obtained in 28 of 33 patients. Of the five patients who failed treatment, three experienced implant penetration through head (cut-through and cut-out), one had breakage of CMN and the last one had a loosening of internal fixation device with persistent non-union at final follow-up. The former four patients underwent hip replacement surgery and the latter refused surgery because he had low demand in daily life and many medical problems. CONCLUSION: Eighty-five percent of elderly patients with combined neck and trochanter fractures of the femur treated with CMN achieved bone union; these complex fractures require more accurate reduction than usual extra-articular intertrochanteric fractures.
Aged ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies

This paper reports a pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery after reduction with pointed bone reduction forceps on a spiral fracture of the distal tibia. Most reported injuries occurred at the proximal part of anterior tibial artery during drilling of the proximal tibia. To the best of the authors' knowledge, injury of the distal part of anterior tibial artery has never been reported. This paper describes a 54-year-old woman with a pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery clinically detected 11 weeks after the index surgery. This report highlights the need for surgeons to be aware of and careful about this complication during and after surgical intervention.
Aneurysm, False ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Surgeons ; Surgical Instruments ; Tibia ; Tibial Arteries

BACKGROUND: Displaced anterior column fractures have increasingly been treated surgically by the ilioinguinal approach and fixation with lag screws and a buttress plate on the pelvic brim. However, a major disadvantage of the ilioinguinal approach is possible damage to the neurovascular bundle and the lymphatic structures in the intermediate part of the approach. This study aims to present a novel surgical technique of the less invasive anterior iliac approach and compression osteosynthesis for high anterior column fractures of the acetabulum. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, 19 patients treated operatively for isolated high anterior column fractures using the less invasive anterior iliac approach and compression osteosynthesis were included. Patient demographics, the cause of injury, associated injuries, time to surgical reconstruction, and operation time were collected from the medical records. The quality of reduction was assessed by postoperative standard radiographic views and computed tomography scans and graded according to Matta's criteria. Clinical and radiographic grades were assessed according to Matta's criteria at the last follow-up. RESULTS: This less invasive surgical technique was successful for reduction and fixation in all high anterior column fractures and provided sufficient stability to allow immediate mobilization of the patients after surgery. Twelve fractures were combined with the quadrilateral plate fracture and seven fractures did not involve the quadrilateral plate. According to Matta's criteria, anatomical reduction was obtained in 17 patients and imperfect reduction in two patients. Clinical results were excellent in 17 patients and good in two patients. Radiographic results were excellent in 17 patients and good in two patients. Ten patients had neurapraxia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve related to the approach, which was resolved completely in seven. One patient had deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our less invasive surgical technique of the anterior iliac approach and compression osteosynthesis is a useful addition to the existing techniques in the treatment of high anterior column fractures of the acetabulum. Despite being a limited approach and fixation, this technique provides sufficient exposure for reducing and fixing the fracture and adequate stability to allow immediate mobilization of the patient after surgery.
Acetabulum* ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Venous Thrombosis

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the femoral, acetabular, and combined anteversion of the hip joint in South Koreans using computed tomography (CT). Methods: We measured anteversion using CT venograms taken from 2016 to 2020. Of the total 1,073 patients, 952 patients were included in the study except for those with pelvic fractures, previous femoral fractures, childhood hip joint disease, osteoarthritis, or hip dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle, < 20), foreigners, and hip and knee replacement patients. Measurements were taken twice by two orthopedic surgeons. Results: The femoral anteversion in women was 10.64° ± 10.26° (≤ 49 years), 15.75° ± 9.40° (50–59 years), 10.81° ± 9.14° (60–69 years), 12.38° ± 8.55° (70–79 years), and 11.23° ± 8.44° (≥ 80 years). The femoral anteversion in men was 12.02° ± 11.38° (≤ 49 years), 10.62° ± 9.11° (50–59 years), 6.09° ± 9.95° (60–69 years), 6.57° ± 9.51° (70–79 years), and 5.53° ± 9.29° (≥ 80 years). The acetabular anteversion in women was 17.65° ± 6.58° (≤ 49 years), 19.24° ± 6.42° (50–59 years), 20.30° ± 6.25° (60–69 years), 22.38° ± 7.36° (70–79 years), and 23.34° ± 6.98° (≥ 80 years). The acetabular anteversion in men was 15.21° ± 8.14° (≤ 49 years), 17.68° ± 6.00° (50–59 years), 17.54° ± 5.93° (60–69 years), 18.68° ± 6.62° (70–79 years), and 18.19° ± 6.94° (≥ 80 years). The combined anteversion in women was 28.29° ± 14.30° (≤ 49 years), 34.99° ± 10.62° (50–59 years), 31.11° ± 11.52° (60–69 years), 34.76° ± 10.86° (70–79 years), and 34.57° ± 11.45° (≥ 80 years). The combined anteversion in men was 27.23° ± 15.11° (≤ 49 years), 28.30° ± 11.23° (50–59 years), 23.63° ± 11.77° (60–69 years), 25.25° ± 12.02° (70–79 years), and 23.72° ± 11.88° (≥ 80 years). Conclusions Femoral anteversion tended to decrease with age in men and acetabular anteversion tended to increase in both men and women. Combined anteversion showed a tendency to increase slightly in women.

Purpose: To evaluate serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in patients with low-energy hip fractures. Materials and Methods: Among 983 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between August 2013 and March 2019, 732 patients were evaluated. The remaining patients were excluded due to the presence of one or more of the following: metastatic bone tumor, metabolic bone disease other than osteoporosis, fracture due to high-energy injury, atypical femoral fracture, and no blood test. We collected patient’s data about age, sex male female, date of injury, a place of residence, fracture type, preinjury ambulation ability according to their Koval score, and their serum level of 25(OH) vitamin D. The mean age was 79.3 years (60-104 years). The sample was comprised of 530 female and 202 male, of which 342 had femoral neck fractures and 390 had trochanteric fractures. Results: Of the total 732 patients, 346 patients (47.3%) had a 25(OH) vitamin D level of less than 10 ng/mL, 264 patients (36.1%) had scores of 10-19.9 ng/mL, 87 patients (11.9%) had scores of 20-29.9 ng/mL, and 35 patients (4.8%) had a level higher than 30 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency (less than 20 ng/mL) was present in 610 patients (83.3%), insufficiency (20-29.9 ng/mL) was found in 87 patients (11.9%), and 35 patients (4.8%) had normal vitamin D levels. The differences in vitamin D concentration based on season and fracture type were statistically significant. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy were high in patients with low-energy hip fractures, with only 4.9% of patients had normal vitamin D levels. These findings suggest that efforts should be made to maintain proper vitamin D concentration.

PURPOSE: Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) occur in two distinct part, subtrochanter and diaphysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the lateral femoral bowing angle and the location of AFF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included a total of 56 cases in 45 patients who underwent surgical treatment between January 2010 and December 2015. For the diaphyseal and subtrochanteric AFFs, we evaluated the relationship between the anatomic location and lateral femoral bowing angle. Lateral femoral bowing angle was measured by two orthopaedic surgeons and average value of two calibrators was used in statistic analysis. Other variables like age, height, weight, body mass index and bone mineral density were also evaluated. We also calculated the cutoff value for the location of the fractures from the raw data. RESULTS: The average lateral femoral bowing angle was 10.10°±3.79° (3°-19°) in diaphyseal group and 3.33°±2.45° (1.5°-11°) in subtrochanter group. Lateral femoral bowing angle was statistically significant in logistic regression analysis. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, cutoff value for the location of the fracture was 5.25°. In other words, the femoral diaphyseal fractures are more frequent if the lateral femoral bowing angle is greater than 5.25°. CONCLUSION: The lateral femoral bowing angle is associated with the location of the AFFs and the cutoff value of lateral femoral bowing angle was 5.25°.
Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Diaphyses ; Femoral Fractures* ; Femur ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; ROC Curve ; Surgeons

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate results of osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft combined with a bridge plating technique in atrophic and oligotrophic femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients with atrophic or oligotrophic femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunion treated with osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft between January 2008 and December 2018. Patients with hypertrophic nonunion, infected nonunion, and nonunion treated with autogenous cancellous bone graft alone were excluded.The nonunion site was exposed by using the Judet technique of osteoperiosteal decortication. Nonunion with a lack of stability was stabilized with a new plate using a bridge plating technique or augmented by supplemental fixation with a plate. Nonunion with malalignment was stabilized with a new plate after deformity correction. Autogenous cancellous bone graft was harvested from the posterior iliac crest and placed within the area of decortication. A basic demographic survey was conducted, and the type of existing implants, mechanical stability of the implants, the type of implants used for stabilization, the operation time, the time to bone union, and postoperative complications were investigated. Results: The average follow-up period was 33.3 months (range, 8–108 months). The operation time was 207 minutes (range, 100– 351 minutes). All but 1 nonunion (96.7%) were healed at an average of 4.2 months (range, 3–8 months). In 1 patient, bone union failed due to implant loosening with absorbed bone graft, and solid union was achieved by an additional surgery for stable fixation with a new plate, osteoperiosteal decortication, and autogenous cancellous bone graft. There were no other major complications such as neurovascular injuries, infection, loss of fixation, and malunion. Conclusions Osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft combined with stable fixation by bridge plating showed reliable outcomes in atrophic and oligotrophic diaphyseal nonunion. This treatment modality can be effective for treating atrophic and oligotrophic diaphyseal nonunion because it is very helpful stimulating bone union.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate results of osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft combined with a bridge plating technique in atrophic and oligotrophic femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients with atrophic or oligotrophic femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunion treated with osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft between January 2008 and December 2018. Patients with hypertrophic nonunion, infected nonunion, and nonunion treated with autogenous cancellous bone graft alone were excluded.The nonunion site was exposed by using the Judet technique of osteoperiosteal decortication. Nonunion with a lack of stability was stabilized with a new plate using a bridge plating technique or augmented by supplemental fixation with a plate. Nonunion with malalignment was stabilized with a new plate after deformity correction. Autogenous cancellous bone graft was harvested from the posterior iliac crest and placed within the area of decortication. A basic demographic survey was conducted, and the type of existing implants, mechanical stability of the implants, the type of implants used for stabilization, the operation time, the time to bone union, and postoperative complications were investigated. Results: The average follow-up period was 33.3 months (range, 8–108 months). The operation time was 207 minutes (range, 100– 351 minutes). All but 1 nonunion (96.7%) were healed at an average of 4.2 months (range, 3–8 months). In 1 patient, bone union failed due to implant loosening with absorbed bone graft, and solid union was achieved by an additional surgery for stable fixation with a new plate, osteoperiosteal decortication, and autogenous cancellous bone graft. There were no other major complications such as neurovascular injuries, infection, loss of fixation, and malunion. Conclusions Osteoperiosteal decortication and autogenous cancellous bone graft combined with stable fixation by bridge plating showed reliable outcomes in atrophic and oligotrophic diaphyseal nonunion. This treatment modality can be effective for treating atrophic and oligotrophic diaphyseal nonunion because it is very helpful stimulating bone union.

Background: Plate fixation for atypical femoral fractures has shown high failure rates compared to intramedullary nail fixation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological results of patients treated with a plate and screws for atypical fractures of the femoral diaphysis. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively on 16 patients who had undergone internal fixation using plates for treatment of atypical femoral complete fractures from 2007 to 2015. Nine patients were treated with lag screws and short plates while 7 patients were treated with position screws and long plates, which covered the whole femur. Radiologic evaluation was performed on all patients. Complications were also evaluated. Results: Bone union was achieved in all patients and the average bone union time was 17.7 weeks (range, 14–28 weeks). There was no correlation between the preoperative use of a bisphosphonate, plate length, postoperative teriparatide use, and the time to bone union. Regarding complications, 2 cases of complete fractures and 1 impending fracture occurred at the end of short plates. Conclusions Satisfactory results were obtained with use of plates for patients with atypical femoral complete diaphyseal fractures, in whom intramedullary nails could not be applied due to severe bowing. In particular, it seemed advantageous compared with intramedullary nail fixation in that it could maintain the leg length through anatomical reduction and prevent iatrogenic fracture.

PURPOSE: Unrefined tablets prepared from Aconitum tubers are occasionally used in Korean folk medicine. This study defines the potential sources, clinical toxicology, and treatment of aconitine poisoning. METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted in 63 patients in the ED of a tertiary University Hospital with suspected toxicity from an unrefined tablet prepared from Aconitum tubers from 1999 to 2007. RESULTS: A total of 63 cases enrolled included 26 men and 37 women, aged 30 to 86 years. Forty-eight patients ingested aconitine tablets as digestives, 26 tablets on average. After a latent period of 30 to 450 minutes, patients developed a combination of neurologic (87.3%), gastrointestinal (82.5%), cardiopulmonary (41.3%), and other (28.6%) features typical of aconitine poisoning. Initial ECG abnormalities revealed dysrhythmia (61.9%), conduction disturbance (42.9%), and abnormal waveforms (39.7%), with 28.6% of patients having normal ECGs. All patients received supportive treatment or close observation regardless of ingestion amounts. Patients with hypotension or ventricular arrhythmia were treated with inotropic agents or amiodarone. CONCLUSION: Toxicologic signs and symptoms can occur after the consumption of aconitine tablets, regardless of ingestion amount. The risk occurs because of inadequately processed aconitine roots. This study will provide important data for public education and distribution regulations for Aconitum sp. in Korea.
Aconitine ; Aconitum ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Eating ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Male ; Medicine, Traditional ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Control, Formal ; Tablets ; Toxicology