Injury
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Although tibia shaft fractures in children usually have satisfactory results after closed reduction and casting, there are several surgical indications, including associated fractures and soft tissue injuries such as open fractures. Titanium elastic nails (TENs) are often used for pediatric tibia fractures, and have the advantage of preserving the open physis. However, complications such as delayed union or nonunion are not uncommon in older children or open fractures. In the present study, we evaluated children up to 10 years of age with closed or open tibial shaft fractures treated with elastic nailing technique. ⋯ Even with open fractures or soft tissue injuries, elastic nailing can achieve satisfactory results in young children, with minimal complications of delayed bone healing, or infection.
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To assess the association of obesity and postoperative complications after operative management of tibial shaft fractures. ⋯ In patients who undergo either ORIF or IMN for tibial shaft fractures, obesity and its related medical comorbidities are associated with significantly increased rates of postoperative medical complications, infection, nonunion, and implant removal compared to non-obese patients.
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Intramedullary nailing is the standard procedure for surgical treatment of closed and Gustilo-Anderson Grade I-II° open fractures of the tibial shaft. The use of intramedullary nailing for the treatment of proximal metaphyseal tibia fractures is frequently followed by postoperative malalignment, whereas plate osteosynthesis is associated with higher rates of postoperative infection. Intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures is generally performed through an infrapatellar approach. ⋯ The suprapatellar approach improves reduction of the fracture and reduces the occurrence of malalignment during intramedullary nailing of extra-articular proximal tibial fractures. The knee is positioned in 20° of flexion to neutralise traction forces secondary to the quadriceps muscle, thus preventing an apex anterior angulation of the proximal fragment. An additional advantage of the technique is that it allows the surgeon to avoid or minimise further soft tissue damage because of the distance between the optimal incision point and the usual area of soft tissue damage.
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Simulation in orthopaedic training is becoming increasingly popular and has been widely used in formal curricula. However, these resources are expensive and not easily accessible to every trainee. Other means of disseminating surgical education through virtual reality (VR) multimedia can act as useful adjunct to traditional methods of teaching. One validated VR platform is Touch Surgery, a cognitive task simulation and rehearsal app. ⋯ IFN modules on Touch Surgery app demonstrated a significant training effect with practice. Novices demonstrated cognitive competencies to ensure patient safety prior to operating. The app is an effective adjunct to traditional learning methods and has the potential for curricular implementation.
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Acetabular fracture surgery is demanding and screw placement along narrow bony corridors remains challenging. It necessitates x-ray radiation for fluoroscopically assisted screw insertion. The purpose of this cadaver study was to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and operation time of a novel electromagnetic navigation system for screw insertion along predefined acetabular corridors. ⋯ In this cadaver study the novel electromagnetic navigation system was feasible to allow accurate screw placement without fluoroscopy in defined narrow peri-acetabular bony corridors.