Forty cases of intertrochanteric fractures of femur were treated with percutaneous nonmetallic external fixator. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years, and the fractures were all united without coxa vara or shirtening deformities. There was no mortality in this series. This method had the advantages ofbeing simple, save time and effort, less traumatic and early ambulation. The design of the apparatus tallied with the biomechanics of the neck and shaft of the femur.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of external fixation and volar locking compression plate in the treatment of distal radius fractures of type C.
MethodsBetween March 2012 and March 2013, 122 patients with distal radius fractures of type C were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. Fractures were treated by external fixation in 61 patients (external fixation group) and by open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking compression plate in 61 patients (plate group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, fracture side, weight, height, body mass index, fracture type, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The blood loss, operation time, hospitalization days, fracture union time, wrist function, and complications were compared between 2 groups. And the quality of reduction was observed, including volar tilting angle, ulnar deviation, radial height, and articular reduction.
ResultsThe blood loss, operation time, and hospitalization days in plate group were significantly higher than those in external fixation group (P<0.05). All of the patients in both groups were followed up 12-28 months. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (6.6%) of external fixation group (pin tract infection in 2 cases and radial nerve neuritis in 2 cases) and in 5 patients (8.2%) of plate group (wound infection in 1 case, carpal tunnel syndrome in 2 cases, and tendon rupture in 2 cases), showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.500). The X-ray films showed fracture healing in all patients of 2 groups; the union time of plate group was significantly longer than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ulnar deviation and radial height between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the volar tilting angle of plate group was significantly larger than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist function and articular reduction between 2 groups (P>0.05).
ConclusionFor distal radius fractures of type C, the use of external fixation or volar locking compression plate can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes, but the external fixation has the advantages of less invasion, shorter hospitalization days, minor complications, and faster fracture union.
A series of 28 cases of fractures of the small tubular bones of the hand, including Bennetts fracture, were treated with the minor unilateral multifunctional external fixator. After manipulation, a hole was drilled on the proximal and distal parts of the fractured bone. Hand in functional position, the external fixator was set in place. Functional exercises were begun after the fixation. The patients were follwed up for two to six months. The average healing time was thirtyfive days. The average healing time for Bennett’s fractures was twentyeight days, and for the fractures of metacarpal bone was forty-two days. There were no deformity and complication of infection following external fixation.The functional recovery of the hands was satisfactory. The fixator had the following advantages: It was simple and had tight fixation; fractures with infection, was still indicated and could be adjusted according to the clinical purpose.
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator with double plate internal fixation in the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures.
Methods
Between January 2014 and April 2016, 30 patients with type C (Association for the Study of Internal Fixation, AO/ASIF) humeral intercondylar fractures were treated. Kirschner wire suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator was used in 14 cases (group A), and double plate internal fixation in 16 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, disease duration, injury side, and type of fracture between 2 groups (P>0.05).
Results
There was no significant difference in operation time and hospitalization stay between 2 groups (P>0.05). But the intraoperative blood loss in group A was significantly less than that in group B (P<0.05); the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients of 2 groups, and no surgery-related complications occurred. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 12.3 months) in group A and 6-24 months (mean, 12.8 months) in group B. The self-evaluation satisfaction rate was 85.7% (12/14) in group A and was 81.2% (13/16) in group B at 3 months after operation, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.055, P=0.990). Based on the improved Gassebaum elbow performance score at 6 months after operation, excellent and good rate of the elbow function was 78.6% (excellent in 5 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group A and was 81.2% (excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group B, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=0.056, P=0.990). Heterotopic ossification occurred at 3 months after operation in 1 case of each group respectively. The X-ray films showed bony union in all cases; no loosening or breakage of screw was observed. The bone union time showed no significant difference between 2 groups (t=–0.028, P=0.978). The time of internal fixation removal, the intraoperative blood loss, and VAS score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significant better than those in group B (P<0.05).
Conclusion
The suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator and double plate internal fixation for the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures have ideal outcome in elbow function. But the suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator is better than double plate internal fixation in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative VAS score, and time of internal fixation removal.
Six cases of old fracture of the tibia with large sear, bony defect, and shortening deformity of the limb were treated by elongation osteotomy at epiphysis and compression fixation of the fracture with external semilunar fixation frame. The bony defect ranged from 3cm to 6cm. Bony healing developed in all patients 4-7 months after operation. Early postoperative movement was suggested. The results revealed that there was an obvious improvement of the joint function and the shortened legs were corrected. The advantages of this method are that there is no need of bone grafting and operative treatment of the scar prior to treatment of the bone.
Objective To compare effects, advantages and disadvantages of simple internal fixation to that of l imited internal fixation with external supporting frame fixation in the treatment of complex fractures of tibial plateau. Methods From July 2002 to August 2006, 66 cases of complex fractures of the tibial plateau were divided into the internal fixation group (n=39) and the external fixator group (n=27). The interal fixation group had 18 cases of IV, 7 cases V and 14 cases VI according to Schatzker, including 25 males and 14 females aged 18-79 years with an average of 45.4 years. The external fixator group had 13 cases of IV, 6 cases V and 8 cases VI according to Schatzker, including 18 males and 9 femles aged 18-64 years with an average of 44.2 years. No significant difference was evident between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). Patients were treated by using screws, steel plates or external supporting frame fixation strictly based on the princi ple of internalfixation. Results All patients were followed up for 1-5 years. Fracture healed with no occurrence of nonunion. Two cases inthe internal fixation group presented partial skin infection and necrosis, and were cured through the dressing change and flap displacement. Fracture heal ing time was 6-14 months with an average of 7.3 months. The time of internal fixator removal was 6-15 months with an average of 8.3 months. In the external fixation group, 11 cases had nail treated fluid 7 days to 3 months after operation, combining with red local skin; 3 cases had skin necrosis; and 3 cases had loose bolts during follow-up. Through debridement, dressing change and flap displacement, the skin wounds healed. Fracture heal ing time was 3-11 months with an average of 5.1 months. The time of external fixator removal was 5-11 months with an average of 6.4 months. At 8-14 months after operation, the knee function was assessed according to Merchant criteria. In the internal fixation group, 29 cases were excellent, 4 good, 5 fair and 1 poor, while in the external fixation group, 20 cases were excellent, 3 good, 2 fair and 2 poor. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effects of simple internal fixation and l imited internal fixation with external supporting frame fixation were similar in the treatment of complex fractures of tibial plateau. Fixation materials should be selected according to the state of injury and bone conditions for the treatment of tibial plateau fracture of type IV, V and VI based on Sehatzker classification.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy of Ilizarov bone transport and bone lengthening in the treatment of long bone infection and limb shortening, and fracture nonunion caused by infection.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 13 patients with long bone infection, chronic osteomyelitis of the femur and tibia, and infectious bone nonunion, treated with infection focus removal, Ilizarov outer fixation, bone transport and bone lengthening between June 2011 and October 2013. Among the patients, 8 of them had chronic osteomyelitis of the femur and tibia, 4 had infectious bone nonunion, and one had chronic fibula osteomyelitis.
ResultsAll the 13 patients had a first-stage healing of the sinus tract and junctions. Among the patients who did the bone transport by themselves after being discharged from hospital, two had nail infections (one was cured after debridement, and the other underwent amputation after re-infection after debridement). One had a re-fracture after the healing of the previous fracture, and was cured by intramedullary nailing. The length of bone transport in these 13 cases ranged from 5 to 13 cm, averaging 7.5 cm. After bone transport, 11 patients had equal length of the lower limbs, and the affected lower limb of the other two patients became shorter than before. No neural function damage occurred in all the patients.
ConclusionIlizarov bone transport and lengthening technique is an effective way to treat infections and bone defect of long bone, and it can improve patients' quality of life greatly.
