Limb salvage versus amputation. Preliminary results of the Mangled Extremity Severity Score

Objective criteria can predict amputation after lower-extremity trauma. The authors examined the hypothesis that objective data, available early in the evaluation of patients with severe skeletal/soft-tissue injuries of the lower extremity with vascular compromise, might discriminate the salvageable from the unsalvageable limbs. The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) was developed by reviewing 25 trauma victims with 26 severe lower-extremity open fractures with vascular compromise. The four significant criteria (with increasing points for worsening prognosis) were skeletal/soft-tissue injury, limb ischemia, shock, and patient age. (There was a significant difference in the mean MESS scores; 4.88 in 17 limbs salvaged and 9.11 in nine limbs amputated; p less than 0.01). This scoring system was then prospectively evaluated in 26 lower-extremity open fractures with vascular injury over a 12-month period at two trauma centers. Again, there was a significant difference in the mean MESS scores; 4.00 for the 14 salvaged limbs and 8.83 for the 12 amputated limbs (p less than 0.01). In both the prospective and retrospective studies, a MESS score of greater than or equal to 7 had a 100% predictable value for amputation. This relatively simple, readily available scoring system of objective criteria was highly accurate in acutely discriminating between limbs that were salvageable and those that were unsalvageable and better managed by primary amputation.

Delayed intramedullary nailing after failed external fixation of the tibia

Thirteen patients (11 males, two females) with 16 tibia fractures (three segmental) were initially treated with external fixation and secondarily had delayed intramedullary nailing after fixator removal. There were six closed injuries and two Grade I, five Grade II, one Grade IIIA, and two Grade IIIB open soft-tissue injuries. The average patient age was 40 years (range, 19-84 years). The external fixator was removed at an average of 12 weeks (range, three to 25 weeks) for malreductions in six case, atrophic segmental fractures in two, and atrophic/unstable fracture patterns in five. Intramedullary nailing was performed at an average of 13 days (range, five to 30 days) after fixator removal. There were 12 reamed nails and one self-broaching nail. Preoperative antibiotics averaged eight days, and postoperative averaged 11 days. All patients healed with bridging callus; full weight bearing occurred at an average of 2.7 months. Follow-up evaluation averaged 22.5 months. Weight bearing began within the first three weeks in 12 of 13 patients. Results were rated as excellent in eight and good in five. There were no complications related to infection or non-union. Delayed intramedullary nailing, after excluding potential high-risk patients, is an option for the treatment of tibia fractures that have failed treatment with external fixation. However, it is not recommended as a routine procedure.

Arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy for recurrent anterior shoulder instability

Beginning in 1983, the principles of staple capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder utilizing arthroscopic techniques were applied to the treatment of patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. This paper describes the results of arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder in the first 25 consecutive cases in which these techniques were utilized. The patient population includes 4 females and 19 males, 2 of whom underwent bilateral staged procedures. Eleven of the patients had documented recurrent anterior dislocations while the remaining 12 patients were determined to have subluxation of the shoulder. The average age of the patient population was 23 years. Follow-up averaged 36 months. Results were determined by utilizing a strict 100 point rating scale as described by Rowe. Utilizing this scale, 67% of patients achieved good or excellent results. Five patients came to undergo additional surgical procedures. There were no complications of infection or neurovascular injury, but one patient suffered staple impingement upon the humeral head leading to excoriation thereof and secondary pain. An average loss of external rotation of 9 degrees, as compared to the contralateral shoulder, was noted postoperatively.

Aerobic Dance Injuries

In brief: During an 18-month period 61 patients who had problems associated with aerobic dance were evaluated. Fifty-four had overuse injuries, including all but two of the 24 patients who were instructors. The authors used three-phase radionuclide scintigraphy to evaluate some of the injuries and prescribed balanced orthoses for the management of pain related to lower extremity malalignment. Most of the injuries occurred when people began exercising vigorously after a period of inactivity.

Anterior portal selection for shoulder arthroscopy

A posterior portal site has become the accepted standard for introduction of the arthroscope for routine diagnostic procedures of the shoulder. Few published guidelines exist, however, on the optimum and safe positions of accessory portals for introduction of a probe or surgical instruments during shoulder arthroscopy. The relatively thick surrounding muscle layers and the close proximity of vital neurovascular structures would make guidelines for safer and more reproducible accessory portal selection helpful to minimize the risk of injury to these structures. The "intraarticular triangle" bounded by the humeral head, the glenoid rim, and the biceps tendon has been found to be an excellent intraarticular landmark for placement of an accessory anterior portal for shoulder arthroscopy. Anatomical dissections on 20 cadaver shoulders have confirmed that instruments passed through this location are at little risk to injure adjacent neurovascular structures about the shoulder. Clinical data in 30 shoulder arthroscopies performed utilizing this landmark for placement of an anterior portal have confirmed this position to be a safe and useful location for portal placement if proper precautions are followed.