Injury
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We present the clinical and radiological outcome of a 13-year cohort study of 38 open book pelvic lesions. All patients were treated in one Level I Trauma centre. In the posterior pelvis, sacro-iliac diastasis was seen in 31 patients, sacral fracture in 7. In all patients with sacro-iliac diastasis, the pubic bone was inferiorly displaced on the primary ap pelvic overview on the side of injury. All but one patient was treated with open reduction and internal fixation of the symphysis pubis. Additional stabilization of the posterior pelvis was done in 9 patients. 32 patients were seen after a median follow up of 84 months. Majeed score and SF-36 questionnaire were used. Functional outcome was excellent with a mean Majeed score of 95.7. Comparing our data with the SF-36 score of the normal German population, the mean value of the 'role-physical' and the 'physical function' categories was significantly lower for patients treated with an open book lesion. There was a tendency towards a better outcome in open book lesions with sacral fracture. There was a tendency towards worse outcome for the patients with additional dorsal stabilization. Male impotence was the single most important lesion of neurological origin which persisted two years after open book lesion. ⋯ Functional outcome after surgical treatment of open book pelvic lesions is good. External rotation and accompanying inferior displacement of the ipsilateral hemipelvis may be a sign of partial lesion of the posterior sacroiliac complex. Identification of patients who need additional posterior stabilization remains difficult.
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Traumatic disruption of the pelvic ring is uncommon but is associated with a high risk of mortality. These injuries are predominantly due to high energy blunt trauma such as a fall from height, road or workplace trauma, and severe associated injuries are prevalent, increasing the complexity of managing this patient group. The aim of this population-based study was to investigate predictors of mortality following severe pelvic ring fractures managed in an inclusive, regionalised trauma system. ⋯ The findings highlight the importance of effective control of haemodynamic instability for reducing the risk of mortality. As most patients survive these injuries, further research should focus on long term morbidity and the impact of different treatment approaches.
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Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty have shown to improve pain and functional outcome in cases with symptomatic vertebral fractures. Although restoration of the vertebral body height and kyphosis seemed to be easier with balloon kyphoplasty, it became clear that some of the correction achieved by the balloon is lost once it was deflated. Vertebral body stent was developed to eliminate this phenomenon. To our knowledge this is the first study in describing this technique in clinical settings. ⋯ Vertebral body stenting leads to satisfactory improvement in pain, function and kyphosis correction in the treatment of osteoporotic and traumatic fractures. Anterior spinal column, especially the fragmented superior endplate is nicely reconstructed by the stent provided it is inserted accurately. With addition of posterior transpedicular instrumentation, indications for this technique may be wider covering some Type B and C fractures with similar vertebral body damage.
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There is a growing use of locking compression plates in fracture surgery. The current study was undertaken to investigate the wound complication rates of locking versus non-locking plates in distal fibular fractures. ⋯ There is a significant increase in wound complications in distal fibular fractures treated with a locking compression plate. In light of the current study, we would caution against the application of the currently used locking compression plates in the treatment of distal fibular fractures.
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To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new double fixation technique for displaced patellar fractures using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands. ⋯ This new double fixation technique using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands resulted in satisfactory outcomes for patella fractures without any obvious complications.