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.
【摘要】 目的 探討多功能外固定支架治療老年股骨粗隆間骨折的療效和優點。 方法 2007年7月-2009年10月，采用外固定架治療28例老年股骨粗隆間骨折患者，其中男11例，女17例；年齡74~91歲，平均81歲。致傷原因:摔傷25例，交通事故傷3例。骨折按Evans分型:Ⅰ型1例，Ⅲ型15例，Ⅳ型12例。受傷至手術時間2~7 d。 結果 術后患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合，無延遲愈合及其他早期并發癥發生。28例均獲隨訪，隨訪時間5~14個月，平均9個月。X線片示骨折全部愈合，愈合時間11～24周，平均17周。無髖內翻和下肢短縮等并發癥發生。術后3個月，采用Harris評分進行功能評價，優18例，良7例，差3例，優良率89.3%。出現輕度針道感染7例，中度5例，重度2例，針道感染率50%；合并糖尿病者2例出現中度針道感染，2例出現重度針道感染。重度者經局部換藥、應用抗生素后愈合，后又反復出現，2~3個月取釘后愈合。無骨感染發生，患者均未出現褥瘡，合并癥無明顯加重。 結論 外固定架治療粗隆間骨折，手術創傷小，操作簡便，符合生物力學原理，可以早期離床活動及早期骨折愈合。【Abstract】 Objective To explore the effectiveness and advantages of multifunctional external fixator for the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly patients. Methods Twenty-eight patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures including 11 males and 17 females receiving external fixator treatment between July 2007 and October 2009 were enrolled in this study. Their age ranged from 74 to 91 years old with the average to be 81 years. Twenty-five patients had the disease because of ground falls, and the other 3 were due to traffic accidents. Based on the Evans Type classification, there were 1 Type-Ⅰ case, 15 Type-Ⅲ cases, and 12 Type-Ⅳ cases. The time between injury and surgery was ranged from 2 to 7 days. Results All incisions of the patients healed during phase Ⅰ without delayed healing or other early complications. Follow-up was done to all the patients for 5 to 14 months, averaging 9 months. X-ray showed all fractures healed, and the healing time ranged from 11 to 24 weeks with an average of 17 weeks. No varus or leg shortening or other complications occurred. Three months after surgery, based on the Harris hip score for functional evaluation, there were 18 excellent cases, 7 good cases and 3 poor cases with a excellent and good rate of 89.3%. Mild pin tract infection was detected in 7 patients, moderate in 5, and severe in 2 with a total pin tract infection rate of 50%. Two patients with diabetes suffering from severe pin tract infection recovered by local medication and antibiotics, but the infection reoccurred repeatedly till the healing nails were taken. No bone infection of ulcers occurred, and the existing complications were not aggravated. Conclusion Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with multifunctional external fixator is minimally invasive, simple, and consistent with biomechanical principles, which can promote early activities out of bed and early fracture healing for the patients.
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 investigate the effectiveness of limited internal fixation combined with hinged super-articular external fixator to treat type C3 fracture of the distal humerus.
MethodsBetween September 2007 and November 2012, 37 cases of type C3 fracture of the distal humerus were treated. There were 22 males and 15 females with an average age of 43.6 years (range, 22-66 years). The causes were accident injury in 24 cases, falling injury in 5 cases, falling from height in 4 cases, heavy crush injury in 2 cases, machine injury in 1 case, and other injury in 1 case. There were 22 cases of open injury and 15 cases of closed injury. The time from injury to operation was 3-46 hours (mean, 18 hours).
ResultsNeedle tract reaction and incision infection occurred in 3 cases and 1 case respectively, healing of incision by first intension was obtained in the other cases. Thirty-six patients were followed up 9-48 months (mean, 25.4 months). Heterotopic ossification occurred in 3 cases after operation and no recurrence was found by release after fracture healing. Fractures healed in the other patients after 6-14 months (mean, 9 months) of operation except 1 patient who suffered chronic osteomyelitis. One patient had delayed ulnar neuritis at 12 months after operation, and the nerve function returned to normal after the ulnar nerve transposition. There was no bone ischemic necrosis, elbow joint instability, or loosening of internal fixation. At last follow-up, the average range of motion of injured elbow was 105.0° in flexion,-25.0° in extension, 69.2° in pronation, and 75.6° in supination. According to Mayo elbow joint function score (MEPS) and disability of arm shoulder and hand (DASH) score, the results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%; and according to Cassebaum elbow joint function score, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 3 cases with an excellent and good rate of 77.8%.
ConclusionA combination of limited internal fixation and hinged super-articular external fixator has satisfactory clinical curative effect for type C3 fractures of the distal humerus, relatively few complications.
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanical stability of the three-dimensional (3-D) external fixator for osteoporotic fracture so as to provide the biomechanical basis for clinical application.
MethodsForty-five fresh frozen adult tibial specimens were selected to rapidly prepare the extracorporal tibia osteoporotic fracture models, and were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=15). Fractures were fixed with 3-D external fixators (3-D external fixators group), intramedullary nails (intramedullary nail group), and plate (plate group) respectively. Five specimens randomly from each group were used to do axial compression test, three-point bending test, and torsion test with microcomputer control electronic universal testing machine, then the mechanical parameters were calculated.
ResultsIn the axial compression test, the displacement of 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group were shorter than plate group, showing significant differences (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group (P>0.05). In the three-point bending test and torsion test, the deflection and the torsional angle of 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group were smaller than plate group, showing significant differences (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between 3-D external fixator group and intramedullary nail group (P>0.05).
ConclusionThe 3-D external fixator can fix fracture three-dimensionally from multiple plane and it can offer strong fixing. It is biomechanically demonstrated to be suitable for osteoporotic fracture.
