Should Treatment of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis Be Based on Bone Biopsies?

RECOMMENDATION

Yes. Bone biopsies play both a crucial diagnostic and interventional role in the management of diabetic foot infection. Although bone biopsies are not required in every case of diabetic foot infection, their most important role is in guiding accurate antibiotic treatment, as they provide more accurate microbiological information than superficial soft tissue samples in patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Moderate.

DELEGATE VOTE

Agree: 100%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus).

Does Revascularization Prior to Foot and Ankle Surgery Reduce the Incidence of Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?

RECOMMENDATION

Several studies support the effect of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) on wound healing and surgical site infection (SSI). Despite this, there have been no specific studies proving the beneficial effect of revascularization on SSI prior to operative intervention in the setting of traumatic or elective foot and ankle surgery. The majority of studies on revascularization are in the setting of diabetic foot infection or established ischemia. We recommend that in the presence of an inadequate vascularization in the foot and ankle, vascular optimization should be undertaken prior to elective surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Limited.

DELEGATE VOTE

Agree: 100%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus).

What Is the Diagnostic "Algorithm" for Infected Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA)?

RECOMMENDATION

Patients who present with clinical symptoms and signs of periprosthetic ankle infection (pain, erythema, warmth, sinus tract, abscess around the wound) and sinus tracts communicating with the ankle/subtalar joint are likely to have total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) infection. In the absence of a sinus tract, elevated inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP]) should prompt ankle joint aspiration for cell count, differential, and culture. The joint aspiration is to be repeated. If the same organism is identified in at least 2 cultures of synovial fluid, the patient is diagnosed to have an infection. If the repeat aspiration is negative, further investigation is warranted. In patients not requiring operative intervention for other reasons, nuclear imaging should be considered for diagnosis. If an operation is indicated, histologic examination (>5 neutrophils/high-power field) or synovial fluid analysis is conducted to confirm infection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Limited.

DELEGATE VOTE

Agree: 100%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus).

Treating the Many Using a Few: A Novel Approach for the Application of External Fixators in Mass Casualties

Aim

The aim of this is to allow the use of unsterile kit (clamps and rods) in situations where the demand for external limb fixators exceeds the available sterile equipment.

Background

In view of the recent rise in violence and terrorist activity, we have to be prepared for situations causing major incidences. These can place a large strain on our operating theaters and the available surgical kit due to the potential number of casualties.

Materials and methods

We propose a sterile dressing technique during the application of an external limb fixator that provides an adequate seal around the pin sites and allows the use of simply decontaminated external fixator parts.

Conclusion

This technique prevents the intraoperative contamination of the clamps and connecting rods, which allow for a sterile barrier to minimize pin site infections.

How to cite this article

Vris A, Al-Obaedi O, Vaghela KR, et al. Treating the Many Using a Few: A Novel Approach for the Application of External Fixators in Mass Casualties. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2019;14(2):92–93.

All Internal Bone Transport: Use of a Lengthening Nail and Double Plating for Management of Femoral Bone Loss

Background

Variety of techniques for management of segmental femoral bone loss have been described, each with different advantages and challenges during treatment. The development of motorized lengthening nails has provided a potential for all internal bone transport, avoiding some of the difficulties with external fixation in the femur. At present, there is limited published literature on experiences in this technique.

Aim

The development of this technique aimed to overcome the difficulties previously reported for internal bone transport in the femur, particularly varus deformity and joint stiffness.

Technique

We describe the technique of double plating with bone transport utilizing a magnetic lengthening nail to manage segmental femoral bone loss. The benefits of the technique are discussed, along with specific challenges and lessons that have been learned through experience of internal bone transport.

Conclusion

Use of a magnetic lengthening nail and double plating as a method of all internal bone transport provides an option for the management of massive femoral bone loss, while avoiding some of the challenges that have been reported with the existing techniques.

Clinical significance

This technique provides an additional method in the armamentarium of the trauma or limb reconstruction surgeon treating massive femoral bone loss.

How to cite this article

Wright J, Bates P, Heidari N, et al. All Internal Bone Transport: Use of a Lengthening Nail and Double Plating for Management of Femoral Bone Loss. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2019;14(2):94–101.

‘Rail and Nail’ bifocal management of atrophic femoral nonunion

Aims

The management of a significant bony defect following excision of a diaphyseal atrophic femoral nonunion remains a challenge. We present the outcomes using a combined technique of acute femoral shortening, stabilized with a long retrograde intramedullary nail, accompanied by bifocal osteotomy compression and distraction osteogenesis with a temporary monolateral fixator.

Patients and Methods

Eight men and two women underwent the ‘rail and nail’ technique between 2008 and 2016. Proximal locking of the nail and removal of the external fixator was undertaken once the length of the femur had been restored and prior to full consolidation of the regenerate.

Results

The mean lengthening was 7 cm (3 to 11). The external fixator was removed at a mean of 127 days (57 to 220). The mean bone healing index was 28 days/cm and the mean external fixation index was 20 days/cm (11 to 18). There were no superficial or deep infections.

Conclusion

This small retrospective study shows encouraging results for a combined technique, enabling compression of the femoral osteotomy, alignment, and controlled lengthening. Removal of the fixator and proximal locking of the nail reduces the risk of complications and stabilizes the femur with the maximum working length of the nail. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:634–9.

Evaluation of a cooling/heating-assisted microextraction instrument using a needle trap device packed with aminosilica/graphene oxide nanocomposites, covalently attached to cotton

Evaluation of the first commercial sample of a cooling/heating-assisted microextraction instrument.

Computer hexapod-assisted orthopaedic surgery provides a predictable and safe method of femoral deformity correction

Aims

Computer hexapod assisted orthopaedic surgery (CHAOS), is a method to achieve the intra-operative correction of long bone deformities using a hexapod external fixator before definitive internal fixation with minimally invasive stabilisation techniques. The aims of this study were to determine the reliability of this method in a consecutive case series of patients undergoing femoral deformity correction, with a minimum six-month follow-up, to assess the complications and to define the ideal group of patients for whom this treatment is appropriate.

Patients and Methods

The medical records and radiographs of all patients who underwent CHAOS for femoral deformity at our institution between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Records were available for all 55 consecutive procedures undertaken in 49 patients with a mean age of 35.6 years (10.9 to 75.3) at the time of surgery.

Results

Patients were assessed at a mean interval of 44 months (6 to 90) following surgery. The indications were broad; the most common were vitamin D resistant rickets (n = 10), growth plate arrest (n = 6) and post-traumatic deformity (n = 20). Multi-planar correction was required in 33 cases. A single level osteotomy was performed in 43 cases. Locking plates were used to stabilise the osteotomy in 33 cases and intramedullary nails in the remainder. Complications included two nonunions, one death, one below-knee deep vein thrombosis, one deep infection and one revision procedure due to initial under-correction. There were no neurovascular injuries or incidence of compartment syndrome.

Conclusion

This is the largest reported series of femoral deformity corrections using the CHAOS technique. This series demonstrates that precise intra-operative realignment is possible with a hexapod external fixator prior to definitive stabilisation with contemporary internal fixation. This combination allows reproducible correction of complex femoral deformity from a wide variety of diagnoses and age range with a low complication rate. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:283–8.

Assessment of penetration of dorsal screws after fixation of the distal radius using ultrasound: cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION

Volar locking plates are used to treat unstable and displaced fractures of the distal radius. Potential advantages of stable anatomical reduction (eg early mobilisation) can be limited by penetration of dorsal screws, leading to synovitis and potential rupture of extensor tendons. Despite intraoperative imaging, penetration of dorsal screws continues to be a problem in volar plating of the distal radius. Ultrasound is a well recognised, readily available, diagnostic tool used to assess soft-tissue impingement by orthopaedic hardware. In this cadaveric study, we wished to ascertain the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for identification of protrusion of dorsal screws after volar plating of the distal radius.

METHODS

Four adult, unpaired phenol-embalmed cadaveric distal radii were used. A VariAx™ Distal Radius Volar Locking Plate system (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) was employed for instrumented fixation. A portable SIUI CTS 900 ultrasound machine (Providian Medical, Eastlake, OH, USA) was used to image the dorsal cortex to ascertain screw penetration.

RESULTS

Specificity and sensitivity of ultrasound for detection of screw protrusion through the dorsal cortex was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound was found to be a safe and accurate method for assessment of dorsal-screw penetration through the dorsal cortex of the radius after volar plating of the distal radius. It also aids diagnosis of associated tendon disorders (eg tenosynovitis) that might cause pain and limit wrist function.

Hardware complications related to the surgical fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphyses

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis is a disabling condition with an annual incidence of 2-13 per 100,000. In situ surgical fixation is the preferred initial treatment for both stable and unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) cases. The main aim is to avoid further slippage and complications such as osteonecrosis and chondrolysis. The choice of medical implants in managing this condition has changed along the years from large nail-like devices to cannulated screws. The biomechanical properties of different fixation techniques have been studied. All implants have been associated with complications that can occur intraoperatively as well as in the early and late postoperative periods. This report examines a number of different implants used and identifies complications and ways on how to avoid such complications. It also looks at the complications directly related to medical implants in the management of SCFE. We looked at published literature in peer-reviewed journals describing the use of the different medical implants and the documented complications. We also examined literature that suggests ways on how to avoid and manage these complications. A review of the current literature is presented in this text.

Do the presence of pathologic changes and the level of operator experience alter the rate of intra-articular injection of the first metatarsophalangeal joint? A cadaver study

BACKGROUND

Injections, punctures, and aspirations of the first metatarsophalangeal joint are common interventions. Accurate intra-articular placement of the needle is a prerequisite for the achievement of desirable results and the avoidance of complications. We evaluated the rate of successful intra-articular injections and the influence of the degree of operator experience in achieving this success.

METHODS

A total of 106 cadaveric metatarsophalangeal joints were injected with a methylene blue-containing solution and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra-articular from periarticular injections. To evaluate the importance of experience, 38 injections were performed by a student, 38 by a trained resident, and 30 by an experienced surgeon. In the second part of the study, we examined the relation of pathologic findings of the metatarsophalangeal joint and the accuracy of intra-articular injection.

RESULTS

The overall rate of unintentional periarticular injections remained low (9.4%; 10 of 106 joints). The student achieved a successful intra-articular injection in 86.8% of joints (33 of 38), the resident in 92.1% (35 of 38), and the specialist in 93.3% (28 of 30). The number of extra-articular injections increased significantly with the presence of deformity (hallux valgus) and arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of pathologic changes reduces the rate of successful intra-articular joint puncture. However, the overall frequency of successful intra-articular injections can be improved through experience and the use of imaging.

Fracture of the ulnar styloid process negatively influences the outcome of paediatric fractures of the distal radius

In paediatric patients with fractures of the distal radius, the consequences of associated ulnar styloid fractures are often underestimated. These may include persisting pain or functional deficits. The aim of the present study was to report the outcome of these fractures using a modified DASH-Score. All children with distal radius fractures treated in a two years period were analysed; only patients with a concomitant fracture of the ulnar styloid were included in the study.In addition, children with a non-union of the styloid at cast removal were asked to complete a postal questionnaire; the data were compared to those in a group of patients with isolated distal radius fractures. Patients reporting problems and those with a modified DASH score over 0.5 were invited for a long-term follow-up clinical and radiological examination. A concomitant fracture of the ulnar styloid was present in 11% of all distal radius fractures. At the time of cast removal 46 patients (89%) showed a delayed union of the ulnar styloid. The modified DASH Score of these patients at an average of 31 months (range: 24-40 months) was significantly worse (3.8; range: 0-24.2) compared to 0.7 (range 0-27.7) in the patients with isolated radius fractures after a mean of 27 months (range: 21-42 months). At follow-up, 7 patients showed a non-union of the ulnar styloid. Fractures of the base of the styloid process were more likely to develop non-union compared to fractures of its tip. The presence of an ulnar styloid fracture negatively influences the outcome of distal radius fractures. Patients with lesions of the ulnar styloid should be followed until union is observed and/or they are asymptomatic.

Computer-aided analysis of radial head morphometry

Operative treatment of displaced and comminuted radial head fractures involves internal fixation with plates and screws in cases where reconstruction is possible and replacement with a radial head prosthesis when comminution renders the radial head unreconstructable. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the morphometry of the radial head using a modern technique and to compare the findings with several commercially available radial head prostheses. Computed tomography scans of 30 cadaveric elbows and 3-dimensional reconstructions were used to analyze the morphometry of the proximal radius. Results were compared with the manufacturer data of several radial head prostheses. Mean diameter of the radial head at the level of the fovea was 19±1.58 mm (range, 15.82-21.81 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 18.62±1.78 mm (range, 15.48-22.21 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Mean diameter of the radial head at its widest part was 23.15±1.94 mm (range, 19.45-26.49 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 22.44±1.73 mm (range, 19.64-25.44 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Mean diameter of the radial head at the level of the head-neck junction was 15.42±1.59 mm (range, 11.80-18.46 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 14.75±1.39 mm (range, 12.32-17.31 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Statistically significant sex differences existed in the maximum diameter of the radial head, the diameter at the level of the head-neck junction, and the length of the radial head. Currently available radial head prostheses cover the range of sizes encountered. Products with a choice of head and stem sizes in any combination are preferable. In unstable elbow fractures, correct implant size is an important factor to avoid subluxation of the radial head (Mason type IV fractures) if collateral ligaments are sufficient.

Acetabular fractures in children: a review of the literature

Injury to the acetabular growth plate is rare. Accordingly, data on the incidence in the literature are controverse. Other difficulties include the clear definition of a pediatric acetabular injury. The modified classification according to Salter-Harris described by Bucholz is used in immature patients. The majority of these injuries can be treated conservatively. In severely displaced injuries or in the presence of intra-articular pathologies open procedures are recommended. The main long-term complication is the development of posttraumatic acetabular dysplasia which should be early detected by regular check-ups until the completion of growth. Overall, the long-term results are satisfactory.

The influence of ultrasound guidance in the rate of success of acromioclavicular joint injection: an experimental study on human cadavers

BACKGROUND

Injections of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) are performed routinely in patients with ACJ arthritis, both diagnostically and therapeutically. The aim of this prospective controlled study was to estimate the frequency of successful intra-articular ACJ injections with the aid of sonographic guidance versus non-guided ACJ injections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 80 cadaveric ACJs were injected with a solution containing methylene blue and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra- from peri-articular injections. In 40 cases the joint was punctured with sonographic guidance, whereas 40 joints were injected in the control group without the aid of ultrasound.

RESULTS

The rate of successful intra-articular ACJ injection was 90% (36 of 40) in the guided group and 70% (28 of 40) in the non-guided group. Ultrasound was significantly more accurate for correct intra-articular needle placement (P = .025).

DISCUSSION

The use of ultrasound significantly improves the accuracy of ACJ injection.