INTRODUCTION : In treating of acute unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures, current trend is a toward short segment instrumentation to spare the motion segments. Many authors reported the result of short instrumentation and fusion, but there have been few reports about the effect of additional screw fixation at fractured vertebra in posterior short segment instrumentation and fusion. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the results of treatment between with/without screw fixation at the fractured vertebra in posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS : Twenty-three patients with unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures were treated with posterior short segment instrumentation and fusion. Eleven cases classified into group A were not fixed at the fractured vertebre. They were followed up to average 45 months(24-79). Twelve cases classified into group B were treated with screw fixation at the injured vertebra and followed up to average 38 months(14-78). Authors evaluated the radiologic assessment, such as wedge angle of fractured body, local kyphotic angle and wedge index(the ratio of anterior body height to posterior body height), the neurologic assessment by Frankel grade system and functional assessment by Denis system. RESULTS : There was no complication resulted from additional pedicle screw fixation at fractured level. In rediologic assessment, wedge angle were measured at preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up time as follows; in group A, 22.2degrees -11.3degrees -14.1degrees and in group B, 19.5degrees -8.8degrees -9.8degrees . The local kyphotic angle measured were 17.9degrees -7.0degrees -14degrees in group A and 17.1degrees -6.3degrees -7.9degrees in group B. The wedge index were 42.9%-22.6%-28.5% in group A and 40%-19.5%-22.4% in group B. At last follow-up time, eight eases showed Frankel grade E and three cases showed grade D in group A, and all cases of group B were Frankel E. Denis pain score were satisfctory in all of both group and Denis work score were also satisfactory in two group except one case of group A. CONCLUSIONS : Additional screw fixation at fractured verteba did not cause any complication. There was no significant difference in reduction rate between two groups(P>0.05), but group B showed better maintenance of correction of kyphotic deformity than that of group A(P<0.05). In conclusion, it seems that additional screw fixation at fractured level may be better method in maintaining asgittal alignment and decreasing the risk collapsing of body.
PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ilizarov method as a treatment of open or comminuted supracondylar fractures which are uncommon, and difficult to manage because of the wide range of potential complications. MATERIALS and METHODS Between 1992 and 1999, we treated open or comminuted supracondylar fractures of the femur by Ilizarov method in whole period or conversion to OR/IF with or without bone graft after transient Ilizarov fixation. There were 13 cases in 11 patients. Open comminuted fractures were seven cases and closed comminuted fracutres were six cases. We compared Ilizarov method in all procedures and temporary mode followed by internal fixation for definite care. RESULTS According to Schatzker and Lamberts assessment the results were good or excellent in ten cases(77%). And the results were rated as good or excellent in 67% of case of Ilizarov method in all procedures, and 86% of cases changed to OR/IF. CONCLUSION Ilizarov technique is an useful method in cases of open and/or comminuted supracondylar fractures of the femur. And after initial stabilization of fracture, conversion to OR/IF is advisable to prevent pin site infection and allow ROM excercise of the knee joint.
From January 1982 through December 1992, 102 hips in 100 patients had a primary hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of femur neck and intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly who had severe comminuted fractures or poor bone quality and poor genenral condition. Of these, we reviewed 62 hips in 62 patients with a minimum follow-up over one year.
1. The average age at operation was 71.7 years(50-96 years).
2. The most common cause of injury was slip down in 56 cases(90.4%).
3. Bone quality was evaluated with Singh index radiologically and 42 cases(67.8%) were classified to below grade III.
4. Most patients were possible to sit and start wheel chair ambulation within a week and the average period of time from operation to partial weight bearing was 12.9 days.
5. In clinical evaluation, the average Harris hip score was 75.9 in the femoral neck fractures and 71.9 in intertrochanteric fractures and 73.2 in the unipolar endoprosthesis group and 69.5 in the bipolar endoprosthesis at the final follow up.
6. Postoperatively, 13 hips(21%) had only mild discomfort, 6 hips(10%) had moderate pain, one hip(1.6%) had severe pain on the ipsilateral hip or thigh, or knee.
7. The most common early postoperative complications were superficial wound infection(3 cases, 6.4%).
8. In the radiological evaluation, the most common late postoperative complications were leg length discrepancy(L.L.D) in 6 cases(9.7%) and acetabular erosion in 5 cases(8.1%).
9. In the analysis of the relationship between prosthetic head size compared to acetabular size and acetabular erosion, more proper size of prosthetic head raised less acetabular erosion, 1 case(2.5%), and large size of prosthetic head raised more acetabular erosion, 2 cases(28%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of the acetabular erosion between the unipolar and bipolar endoprosthesis group.
In this study, most of the patients had relatively good results and lower incidence of local or general complictions. Therefore, hemiarthroplasty can be suggested for one of primary treatment method of intertrochanteric fractures and femur neck fractures in elderly patients who had fevere comminuted fractures or poor bone quality and poor general condition.
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The Efficacy of Suture Fixation of the Greater Trochanter in Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures Ki-Choul Kim, Hee-Gon Park, Jae-Wook Park Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery.2021; 13(4): 468. CrossRef
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