Prothetische Versorgung der proximalen Femurfrakturen

Biomechanical comparison of screw vs. cerclage refixation in orthogeriatric lesser trochanteric fractures: a cadaveric study

PURPOSE

Osteoporosis-related proximal femur fractures continue to increase significantly due to demographic change. This study was designed to evaluate the biomechanical stability of two different fixation methods (cerclage vs. screw) for refixation of a trochanter minor fragment in the pertrochanteric fractures in cadaveric bones.

METHODS

Artificial bones (n = 14) and human bones (n = 16) were treated with a DHS and the trochanter minor fragment was reduced by cerclage wiring or direct screw fixation. After preloading the simulated iliopsoas with 10 N, a tensile test was performed, ending with either a 70% loss of strength or avulsion of the fragment. The mean values of the avulsion force and the surface strain were recorded.

RESULTS

All tensile tests showed no significant differences between refixation using a direct screw or wire cerclage, for both artificial bones and human specimens. Absolute values showed higher avulsion forces after direct screw fixation than refixation with a wire cerclage. The surface tension of specimens treated with direct screw fixation was lower than that of specimens treated with wire cerclage. An opposite effect was seen in artificial bones. Both effects were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Based on the equal stability after lag screw placement compared to cerclage wiring, we promote the placement of a lag screw into the lesser trochanter fragment in pertrochanteric femur fractures when using a dynamic hip screw.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Biomechanical stability of short versus long proximal femoral nails in osteoporotic subtrochanteric A3 reverse-oblique femoral fractures: a cadaveric study

PURPOSE

Due to the demographic change towards an older society, osteoporosis-related proximal femur fractures are steadily increasing. Intramedullary nail osteosyntheses are available in different lengths, where the field of application overlaps. The aim of this study was to investigate whether subtrochanteric fractures can also be treated stably using a short femoral intramedullary nail in cadaveric bones.

METHODS

A short PFNA and a long PFNA were implanted in both seven artificial bones and osteoporotic human specimens. A standardized AO 31-A3 (reverse-oblique) fracture was placed in the specimens with a lateral fracture spur 2 cm proximal to the distal locking screw (short PFNA) and embedded. The simulated iliotibial tract was preloaded to 50 N. The force was applied at 10 mm/min up to a force of 200-800 N (artificial bones) and 200-400 N (human specimens). The dislocation of the fracture gap, the axial bone stiffness of bone construct and the force curve of the tractus iliotibialis were measured.

RESULTS

There is no difference in the use of a short versus long PFNA in terms of stiffness of the overall construct and only a slight increase in dislocation in the fracture gap results with short PFNA compared to a long intramedullary nail.

CONCLUSION

In summary of the available literature, the present study supports the thesis that there is no clinical difference between long versus short nails in A3 femur fractures. Furthermore, the present study defines a safe biomechanical range of fracture extension above the locking screw of the short intramedullary nail.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

[Development of the inpatient quality of care of surgically treated patients with a proximal femoral fracture in North Rhine-Westphalia : Analysis of 61,249 treatment courses based on data from external inpatient quality assurance]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Every year in Germany over 100,000 people, mostly of older age, suffer a proximal femoral fracture. Increasing case numbers in connection with an aging population and a relatively large number of concomitant diseases requiring treatment make everyday care more difficult. It is therefore of great importance to observe the quality of care for these patients using relevant quality parameters in order to be able to derive implications for everyday treatment practice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data of the external inpatient quality assurance from North Rhine-Westphalia for the years 2007-2008 and 2017-2018 were analyzed and the time periods compared. In addition, based on the documented secondary diagnosis and other influencing parameters, a risk adjustment was carried out with the aid of a logistic regression model with respect to the outcomes of general and surgical complications and mortality. Both osteosynthetically and endoprosthetically treated patients were taken into account. A total of 61,249 cases were included in the study.

RESULTS

Positive developments could be observed in the area of surgical complications and wound infections with decreases of 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively. Patients with cardiovascular diseases had a particularly poor outcome. Here, improvements in the subcategory of cardiovascular events were found for general complications. The mortality remained unchanged at 6%. Operative activity on the weekends increased significantly. Patients whose hospital admission was related to the weekend did not show an increased risk of complications or mortality. Although the proportion of patients who were operated on after more than 48 h was reduced from 11.4% to 8.2%, the operation (> 24 h) was still delayed in 26.8% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Against the background of increasing performance demands on the healthcare system, the results document improvements in some central areas of inpatient treatment. Nevertheless, the development of strategies for the further reduction of the preoperative waiting times in a medically justifiable manner is required. Internal concomitant diseases have a decisive influence on patient outcome. Thus, an adequate treatment of the multimorbid patient collective is to be established in everyday practice on the basis of close cooperation between geriatric traumatology and geriatric internal medicine departments.

Hemiprosthesis for Femoral Neck Fractures in the Elderly: A Retrospective Study of 319 Patients

Background

In geriatric patients with Pauwels types II and III femoral neck fractures, hemiprosthesis is the therapy of choice.

Objectives

This study was conducted to analyze the results after cemented hemiprosthesis placement, the first year after surgery.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on 319 patients over 70 years with displaced femoral neck fractures treated surgically at our hospital from 2007 to 2012. All medical information was available including retrospective posthospital discharge records as well as inpatient course and one-year mortality.

Results

From a total of 319 patients, 78% (n = 249) were female and 22% (n = 70) were male, with the mean age of 83.6 years. Seventeen percent of the patients suffered from heart failure, 23% from diabetes, and 19% from renal insufficiency. Time to surgery averaged one day postinjury. Average operative time skin-to-skin was 50 minutes. Seventy-three percent of the patients could mobilize independently on discharge. Of the remaining patients, 2/3 had already lost independent mobilization prior to the fracture. Hospital mortality averaged 5% (national average in Germany: 8%), and 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 5% and 15%, respectively. Within one year, 22% of the patients died (national average: 27%). Also, 14 patients were re-admitted, for contralateral prosthetic implantation (n = 7) or revision after the periprosthetic fracture (n = 5). Fifty-three percent of the patients were admitted to hospital during the year for other diseases (national average: 54%).

Conclusions

Hemiprosthesis placement for displaced femoral neck fractures is a common and safe procedure. Despite recent decreases in hospital mortality, the risk of death remains more than twice as high within one year than that for uninjured patients of the same age.

[Femoral neck fractures in young patients]

Femoral neck fractures in young patients are rare but of high clinical relevance due to the complexity of risk factors and complications. Early stabilization and accurate reduction are of high priority. Femoral head-preserving stabilization by dynamic hip screws or threefold screw osteosynthesis are the methods of choice. Postoperative results should be closely controlled in every case in order to be able to treat possible complications in time.

[Patients with periprosthetic femur fractures and consecutive stem replacement. Analysis of survival, complications, and quality of life]

BACKGROUND

The goal of treating proximal periprosthetic femur fractures in geriatric patients is a timely postoperative mobilization. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results after treating our patients by femoral stem exchange irrespective of fixation status. The study included 32 patients (2001-2009; mean age 82 years; Vancouver classification: 12 type B1, 16 type B2, and 4 type C).

METHOD

Ambulatory status and activities of daily living pre- and postoperatively were compared. Retrospective data collection was performed by reviewing patients' charts. By interviewing patients, family members, and family physicians missing information was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients (69%) achieved their pre-traumatic mobilization level; 22 of 26 patients (85%) were reintegrated into their pre-traumatic environment. A 16% (n=5) complication rate and an 87% 12-month survival rate were calculated.

CONCLUSION

The concept of primary stable periprosthetic fracture care by using a revision prosthetic device potentially reduces complications related to postoperative non-weight-bearing without increasing the complication rate related to a more complex surgical procedure.

[Optimal timing of operations to treat fractures of the femoral neck with endoprotheses : CRP as a parameter of postoperative immunologic reaction]

BACKGROUND

The optimal time to perform endoprosthesis of hip fractures in the elderly is still under discussion. CRP as an objective marker of postoperative inflammatory reaction should give an indication if early or late surgery is favored.

METHODS

CRP values from 122 patients with no complications after hip arthroplasty of femoral neck fractures were analyzed in context with the time between the trauma and the operation.

RESULTS

In early surgery within 24 h after trauma the CRP values were significantly lower than in delayed surgery.

CONCLUSION

The lower postoperative inflammatory reaction after early surgery of hip fractures provides a better outcome when treated with arthroplasty.

Aggressive surgical treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures can reduce mortality: comparison of open reduction and internal fixation versus a modular prosthesis nail

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine if immediate full weightbearing after surgical treatment for periprosthetic femur fractures can decrease perioperative and total mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Level II trauma center.

PATIENTS

Fifty-two consecutive patients with a periprosthetic femur fracture during a 16-year time period.

INTERVENTION

Comparison of open reduction and internal fixation with a plate (non- or partial postoperative weightbearing) versus stem exchange to a modular prosthesis nail (immediate full postoperative weightbearing).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Six-month and total mortality using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. An additional matched subanalysis was performed for Vancouver Type B1 fractures.

RESULTS

Patients permitted immediate postoperative full weightbearing had a significantly decreased total (P < 0.001) and 6-month mortality (P = 0.007). Subanalysis of patients with Vancouver Type B1 fractures also showed decrease in mortality, which was significant for total (P < 0.005) but not for 6-month mortality (P = 0.121).

CONCLUSION

Treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures with femoral component exchange to a modular prosthetic nail that allows immediate postoperative full weightbearing may decrease mortality.

Primary total hip arthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck: Medium-term functional and radiographic outcomes

The number of complications after primary total hip arthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck is higher than that after operations for osteoarthritis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the number of complications and mid-term functional and radiological findings of patients after primary THA for displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck. Between 1995 and 1998, we operated on a total of 89 patients for acute displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck, i.e. Garden Type 3 and 4. In all the patients we evaluated intraoperative and early postoperative complications. We reviewed clinical and radiological results in 65 patients. The only intraoperative complication was abruption of the greater trochanter. Early postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (15%). The specific complications, THA dislocation, occurred in 3 patients. Non-specific complications were recorded in 10 patients. No delayed healing of the surgical wound, neural lesion or early, delayed or late infection was recorded. Of 65 patients followed-up for an average of 78 months (range, 62–109 months), 8 patients underwent revision surgery. Of 57 patients with primary THA, very good and good clinical results according to the Harris Hip Score were recorded in 48 patients (84%) and poor results in only 2 patients (4%). Nine of 57 followed-up patients showed radiological signs of loosening (16%). The radiolucent line could be seen in 3 patients in the region of the cup, in 1 patient in the region of the femoral component and in 5 patients in both components. Clinical complaints that would result in indication for reimplantation were recorded in none of the mentioned patients. Number of complications, functional results and resumption of full self-reliance by patients after THA for an intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck are so positive that we consider the indication of THA for a displaced femoral neck fracture fully justified.

Perioperative Application of a Serum Protein Solution (Biseko(®)) After Proximal Femur Fracture of Elder Patients

Fractures of the proximal femur are frequently seen in elderly people and will increase due to the demographic development of most industrialized countries. Early operation of dislocated fractures with either osteosynthesis or hemiprothesis has become a standard treatment for this type of injury. The high co-morbidity often leads to secondary complications like infections still resulting in a perioperative mortality rate of 11%. The perioperative infusion regime might influence the postoperative inflammatory response. Therefore Biseko(®), a serum protein solution, was compared to albumin and crystalloid infusion (Elomel). A total of 45 patients with proximal femur fractures were randomly assigned to either of the groups and received 500 ml of the infusion on 3 days starting from the day of operation. The Biseko(®) group showed significantly lower CRP levels, less infections and antibiotic treatment as well as a better clinical outcome referring to the TISS28 and APACHE Score. Concerning IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and serum leukocytes no significant differences were observed. The result shows a beneficial influence of the serum protein solution Biseko(®) concerning the number of perioperative complications. The design of this study and the small number of patients does not yet allow any conclusion concerning the effectiveness of this treatment.