OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in limb salvage for patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects. METHODS: Between January 2021 and December 2024, 12 patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects caused by trauma were admitted. There were 10 males and 2 females; the age ranged from 18 to 46 years, with an average of 36 years. Among them, 1 case of open comminuted tibiofibular fracture caused bone necrosis and soft tissue infection; 4 cases of open tibiofibular fractures developed bone and soft tissue infections after being fixed with a combined external fixator, resulting in defects; 7 cases of closed tibial fractures that underwent internal fixation developed soft tissue infections, leading to bone and soft tissue necrosis. The time from injury to the formation of bone and soft tissue defects was 2-9 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks. The length of bone defects was 5.0-10.2 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm; the area of soft tissue defects was 32-54 cm ², with an average of 43.9 cm ². After admission, all patients underwent thorough debridement. The limb shortening treatment was performed after the wound had filled with fresh granulation tissue, and an Ilizarov ring-shaped external fixator was placed or replaced. The limb was shortened at a rate of 1 mm/day to reduce bone defects. At the same time, the soft tissue defects were repaired using the in situ tissue regeneration technique. After the wound healed, osteotomy was performed, and limb lengthening was carried out at a rate of 1 mm/day. The lower limb full-length X-ray films were taken, and the lengthening was stopped when the lower limb alignment was restored. The healing condition of the wound was observed and the healing time was recorded. RESULTS: One patient died due to a traffic accident during limb lengthening. The remaining 11 patients completed limb shortening and re-lengthening treatment and were followed up 18-36 months, with an average of 20 months. All 11 patients successfully preserved their limbs. The wound healing time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks; the limb shortening time was 4-8 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks; and the limb lengthening time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. One patient experienced delayed bone mineralization during bone lengthening, and one had pin tract infection. Both were treated symptomatically. The lower limb mechanical axis of all 11 patients was restored, and they were able to walk independently. CONCLUSION The application of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in the treatment of large bone and soft tissue defects not only effectively avoids the occurrence of nonunion at the apposition ends and increases the stability of the lower limb, but also significantly shortens the wound healing time, avoids the risk of soft tissue infection and increases the limb salvage rate. It can be used as a treatment technique for patients with complex lower limb fractures combined with soft tissue defects.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Limb Salvage/methods* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Bone Lengthening/methods* ; External Fixators ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Regeneration

PURPOSE: Tibial plateau fracture (TPF) is a devastating injury as it shatters lower articular surface of the largest joint. Apart from bony injury, TPF can lead to great soft tissue envelope compromise which affects the treatment plan and outcome. In the present study, clinical results were assessed in cases of high energy TPFs treated in staged manner. METHODS: Twenty-three (20 males and 3 females) patients of high energy communited TPFs (Schatzker type V and VI) were consecutively treated. All the patient had compromise of overlying skin conditions. They were all successively scheduled for staged treatment plan which comprised of application of bridging knee external fixator on the first day of admission and definitive internal fixation after skin and soft tissue overlying the fracture were healed. Schatzker type I, II, III and IV were excluded from the study. Primary survey was done and patient who had head injury, chest and abdominal injury, pelvic injury and contralateral limb injury and open fractures were excluded from the study. The patients were also evaluated in terms of wound complications, axial and rotary alignment of limb, fixation failure, articular congruity and range of motion of the knees and post injury employment. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. RESULTS: Maximum follow-up period was 13 months. All the fractures were united at final follow-up. Clinical evaluation was done with the Tegner Lysholm knee scoring scale. Excellent results were found in 78% cases and good and fair results in 22% cases. There was significant correlation between range of motion and the Tegner Lysholm knee score (p < 0.001, Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.741). The correlation between the score and the radiographical union duration was significant (p = 0.006, Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.554). CONCLUSION A staged treatment plan allows healing of soft tissue envelope, with avoidance of dreadful complications such as compartment syndrome and chronic infection. In addition, a staged treatment strategy does not hamper the fracture reduction, bony union and the functional results.
Adult ; Compartment Syndromes ; prevention & control ; Connective Tissue ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Comminuted ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of internal and external fixation combined with second-stage perforator fiap for the treatment of ankle fracture dislocation of Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC. METHODS: From May 2014 to July 2017, 20 patients with Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC ankle fracture dislocation were treated with internal and external fixation combined with second-stage perforator fiap, including 14 males and 6 females, aged from 18 to 58 years old with an average of (39.0±9.7) years old;17 patients were type ⅢB and 3 patients were type ⅢC according to Gustilo-Anderson classification;4 patients were type A, 7 patients were type B, and 9 patients were type C according to AO classification. The size of wound ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 20 cm×9 cm. Second-stage perforator flap, 11 patients were performed with posterior tibial artery perforator flap, 5 patients were performed with fibular artery perforator flap, 1 patient was performed with anterior ankle flap, and 3 patients were performed with posterior tibial artery perforator flap combined with fibular artery perforator flap. Postoperative wound healing, flap survival and fracture healing were observed, AOFAS score was used to evaluate at the latest follow up. RESULTS: All limbs were preserved successfully without amputation. Nine patients occurred superficial infection without deep infection and osteomyelitis occurring. The flaps of 19 patients survived. All patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months with an average of (12.0±2.9) months. The flaps healed well without sinus tract, bone exposure and bone disunion occurring. Fracture healing time ranged from 4 to 10 months with an average of (6.6±1.7) months. PostoperativeAOFAS score was 76.7± 16.4, among which 4 patients got excellent result, 11 patients good, 3 patients fair, and 2 poor. CONCLUSION Internal and external fixation combined with second stage perforator fiap for the treatment of ankle fracture dislocation of Gustilo-Anderson types ⅢB and ⅢC could effectively close the wound, improve fracture healing and restore appearance and function of limbs to the maximum.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle ; Female ; Fracture Dislocation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately identify subset-specific SSC marker distributions due to the poor nuclear morphological characteristics associated with fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde. In the present study, testicular cross-sections and whole-mount samples were Bouin fixed to optimize nuclear resolution and visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). The results identified an expression pattern of PLZF^highc-KIT^pos in A₁ spermatogonia, while A₂-A₄-differentiating spermatogonia were PLZF^lowc-KIT^pos. Additionally, this procedure was used to examine asymmetrically expressing GFRA1 and PLZF clones, asymmetric A_pr and false clones were distinguished based on the presence or absence of TEX14, a molecular maker of intercellular bridges, despite having identical nuclear morphology and intercellular distances that were <25 μm. In conclusion, this optimized Bouin fixation procedure facilitates the accurate identification of spermatogonium subsets based on their molecular profiles and is capable of distinguishing asymmetric and false clones. Therefore, the findings presented herein will facilitate further morphological and functional analysis studies and provide further insight into spermatogonium subtypes.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression Regulation/genetics* ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors/genetics* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics* ; Seminiferous Tubules/cytology* ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatogonia/metabolism* ; Testis/cytology* ; Tissue Fixation ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

Non-union is one of the most devastating complications after fracture fixation. It usually results in prolonged treatment duration and unpredictable results. We reviewed the literature to identify recent information regarding the following: risk factors of nonunion; mechanical risk factors, including fracture gap width and stability, osteonecrosis and healing mechanism, osteoporotic fracture and fixation method, the characteristics of fracture, soft tissue injury, local infection, and multiple fractures; as well as the metabolic risk factors, including age, comorbidities, smoking, alcoholism, and medications. The technique and devices for fracture treatment have been developed, and treatments of nonunion are evolving according to the enhancement of our understanding of nonunion. Clinicians should refer to the risk factors and advancements while developing a treatment plan.
Alcoholism ; Comorbidity ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Multiple ; Methods ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Soft Tissue Injuries

Non-union is one of the most devastating complications after fracture fixation. It usually results in prolonged treatment duration and unpredictable results. We reviewed the literature to identify recent information regarding the following: risk factors of nonunion; mechanical risk factors, including fracture gap width and stability, osteonecrosis and healing mechanism, osteoporotic fracture and fixation method, the characteristics of fracture, soft tissue injury, local infection, and multiple fractures; as well as the metabolic risk factors, including age, comorbidities, smoking, alcoholism, and medications. The technique and devices for fracture treatment have been developed, and treatments of nonunion are evolving according to the enhancement of our understanding of nonunion. Clinicians should refer to the risk factors and advancements while developing a treatment plan.
Alcoholism ; Comorbidity ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Multiple ; Methods ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Soft Tissue Injuries

BACKGROUND: Several techniques have been designed to treat fifth metacarpal fractures reported to be effective. However, these methods cannot be easily applied to the fourth metacarpal due to its central anatomical position. In this study, we sought to analyze the functional outcomes of patients who underwent transverse pinning for a fourth metacarpal bone fracture. METHODS: A total of 21 patients were selected and their charts were retrospectively reviewed. After fracture reduction, two transverse Kirchner wires were first inserted from the fifth metacarpal to the third metacarpal transversely at the distal part of the fractured bone, and then another two wires were inserted at the proximal part of the fractured bone. The splint was removed approximately one week postoperatively and the Kirchner wires were removed four to five weeks postoperatively. Patients started active and passive exercise one week after the operation. Pain visual analog scores, total active and passive motion, and the active and passive range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint and grip strength were evaluated. RESULTS: Dorsal angulation improved from a preoperative value of 44.2° to a postoperative value of 5.9°. Six weeks after surgery, functional recovery parameters, such as range of motion and grip strength, had improved to 98% of the function of the normal side. No major complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the transverse pinning of fourth metacarpal bone fractures is an effective treatment option that is less invasive than other procedures, easy to perform, requires no secondary surgery, minimizes joint and soft tissue injury, and allows early mobilization.
Bone Wires ; Early Ambulation ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone* ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Joints ; Metacarpal Bones ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Splints

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Fixation

PURPOSEThe treatment of high-energy tibial condylar fractures which are associated with severe soft tissue injuries remains contentious and challenging. In this study, we assessed the results of Joshi's external stabilization system (JESS) by using the principle of ligamentotaxis and percutaneous screw fixation for managing high-energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries.

METHODSBetween June 2008 and June 2010, 25 consecutive patients who were 17e71 years (mean, 39.7), underwent the JESS fixation for high-energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries. Out of 25 patients, 2 were lost during follow-up and in 1 case early removal of frame was done, leaving 22 cases for final follow-up. Among them, 11 had poor skin condition with abrasions and blisters and 2 were open injuries (Gustilo-Anderson grade I&II). The injury mechanisms were motor vehicle accidents (n=19), fall from a height (n=2) and assault (n=1). The fractures were classified according to Schatzker classification system.

RESULTSThere were 7 type-V, 14 type-VI and 1 type-lV Schatzker's tibial plateau fractures. The average interval between the injury and surgery was 6.8 days (range 2-13). The average hospital stay was 13 days (range, 7-22). The average interval between the surgery and full weight bearing was 13.6 weeks (range 11-20). The average range of knee flexion was 121°(range 105°-135°). The normal extension of the knee was observed in 20 patients, and an extensor lag of 5°-8° was noted in 2 patients. The complications included superficial pin tract infections (n=4) with no knee stiffness.

CONCLUSIONJESS with lag screw fixation combines the benefit of traction, external fixation, and limited internal fixation, at the same time as allowing the ease of access to the soft tissue for wound checks, pin care, dressing changes, measurement of compartment pressure, and the monitoring of the neurovascular status. In a nutshell, JESS along with screw fixation offers a promising alternative treatment for high- energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

DNA ; isolation & purification ; Formaldehyde ; Genes, erbB-1 ; genetics ; Genetic Techniques ; Humans ; Mutation ; Paraffin ; Tissue Fixation