The epidemiology of fractured femurs and the effect of these factors on outcome

Management of Femoral Shaft Fractures: The Significance of Traction or Operative Position

Background and objective Intramedullary femoral nailing (IMN) is the gold standard for managing femoral shaft fractures (FSFs). Though good clinical outcomes and union rates have been reported following this procedure, it has also been commonly associated with perioperative complications. Positioning the patient in lateral decubitus, avoiding a fracture table, or using manual traction have been touted as possible techniques to reduce perioperative complications in IMN. However, given the scarce availability of comparative research, the decision to employ any of the techniques mentioned above is often guided by surgeon preference alone. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of free-leg draping using either supine or direct lateral positioning with manual traction reduces perioperative complications among trauma patients undergoing an anterograde femoral nailing surgery when compared to using a fracture table. Methods Consecutive adult patients from a level-one trauma center undergoing unilateral antegrade femoral fixation surgeries between 2016 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated for possible inclusion in the study. Relevant perioperative and postoperative data, including length of hospital or ICU stay and perioperative complications, were included in the analysis. This study received research ethics board approval before data collection began. Results A total of 91 patients were ultimately included in the final analysis: 61 patients were included in the free-leg draping with manual traction group (FL) and 30 patients were included in the traction table group (TT). Patients in the FL group had a similar operative and fluoroscopy time, blood loss, length of stay, and time on the ventilator. Subgroup analysis comparing positioning within the FL group revealed non-significant differences in fluoroscopy time (p=0.59) and length of stay (p=0.20) between the lateral and supine groups. Moreover, no differences in operative time, blood loss, and time on the ventilator were observed between lateral and supine groups. Conclusion Based on our findings, there were no significant differences in terms of operative or fluoroscopy time, perioperative complications, or length of time in the hospital or on the ventilator between the groups. Our study was limited by its small sample size and incomplete data. Further prospective randomized research is required to reach definitive conclusions on the appropriate manner to treat patients with these complex and morbid injuries.

Repetitive reduction lead to significant elevated IL-6 and decreased IL-10 levels in femoral osteotomies: A quantitative analysis of a robot-assisted reduction process in a rat model

INTRODUCTION

The field of robot-assisted fracture reduction has been developed by several research groups over more than one decade by now, with the main goals of increasing the fracture reduction accuracy. However, the influence of different reduction paths to patients' physiology is not fully known yet. The aim of our study was to compare the impacts of a robot-assisted direct reduction path versus an artificially prolonged reduction path by measuring the cytokine responses in an in vivo rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six male CD(©) rats were assigned into three groups with an external fixator and osteotomy on the left femur. Seven days later, the robot was attached and one group was reduced in a single attempt, while the other group underwent 10 attempts by the robot. The third group was the control group without reduction. Before, and as well as 6, 24 and 48h after the reduction process blood samples were collected. IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and MCP-1 concentrations where analysed via ELISA or cytometric bead assay. Muscle biopsies in the osteotomy area were collected 48h after the reduction process for histological analyses. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.

RESULTS

Analysis of the cytokines showed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 of the Ten-Attempts reduction group significantly increased 6h after reduction compared to the control group. IL-6 further showed markedly elevated levels 6h after surgery in the Ten-Attempts reduction group compared to the Single-Attempt reduction group. On the anti-inflammatory side, IL-10 showed a significant decrease in the Ten-Attempts reduction group 6h after reduction compared to the Single-Attempt reduction and control group. Muscle biopsies showed a significant increase of pathological changes in both reduction groups and an increase in the severity of bleedings of the Ten-Attempts reduction group compared to the Single-Attempt reduction and control group.

CONCLUSION

A direct and gentle reduction procedure as feasible by the aid of a robot is preferable over a prolonged reduction in terms of cytokine response and tissue changes.

Long-term pattern of opioid prescriptions after femoral shaft fractures

BACKGROUND

The use of opioids in non-cancer-related pain following skeletal trauma is controversial due to the presumed risk of dose escalation and dependence. We therefore examined the pattern of opioid prescriptions, that is, those actually dispensed, in patients with femoral shaft fractures.

METHODS

We analysed data from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register between 2005 and 2008.

RESULTS

We identified 1471 patients with isolated femoral shaft fractures. The median age was 75 (16-102) years and 56% were female. In this cohort, 891 patients (61%) received dispensed opioid prescriptions during a median follow-up of 20 months (interquartile range 11-32). In the age- and sex-matched comparison cohort (7339 individuals) without fracture, 25% had opioid prescriptions dispensed during the same period. The proportions of patients receiving opioid analgesics at 6 and 12 months after the fracture were 45% (95% CI 42-49) and 36% (32-39), respectively. The median daily morphine equivalent dose (MED) was between 15 and 17 mg 1-12 months post-fracture. After 3 months, less than 5% used prescription doses higher than 20 mg MED per day. Older age (≥ 70 compared with < 70 years) was a significant predictor of earlier discontinuation of opioid use (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.9).

CONCLUSION

A notable proportion of patients continued to receive dispensed prescriptions for opioids for over 6 months (45%) and more than a third of them (36%) continued treatment for at least 12 months. However, the risk of dose escalation seems to be small in opioid-naïve patients.

A modified intramedullary nail interlocking design yields improved stability for fatigue cycling in a canine femur fracture model

Intramedullary nailing has evolved to become the standard of care for most diaphyseal femoral and tibial fractures, as well as an expanding number of metaphyseal fractures. Owing to the unstable nature of some fractures, the intramedullary device may be subjected to significant stresses owing to a lack of solid cortical contact after nailing. In such cases, excessive interfragmentary motion (due to construct toggle) has been shown to occur. Such motion increases the likelihood of a non- or delayed-union. In the current study, two versions of a modified, angle stable interlocking design were subjected to fatigue testing in a segmental defect fracture model representing a canine femur. As a control, a third group of constructs were stabilized with a traditional nail that allowed a small amount of toggle. All constructs were subjected to 50,000 fatigue cycles representing 12 weeks of cage activity at physiologic levels of combined axial-torsional loading. Torsional testing pre- and post-fatigue revealed 4.6 +/- 1.3 degrees of toggle in the traditional nail and no toggle with the angle stable nail designs. The stable nails were also significantly stiffer in axial compression and torsion before and after cycling. These data indicate that the enhanced stability of the modified interlocking designs can be maintained throughout fatigue cycling in a challenging fracture model.

Osteosarcoma in the distal femur two years after an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture: a case report

Introduction

The duration of symptoms preceding a definitive diagnosis of osteosarcoma is quite long. Pathological radiological signs are often evident by the time of diagnosis. Although several case reports have been published on osteosarcoma of the femur, to the best of our knowledge this report is the first one with such an unusual clinical course.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 58-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a femoral shaft fracture. Two years post-trauma osteosarcoma in the ipsilateral distal femur was diagnosed. Was it coincidence? We think that the history of the trauma is crucial to answering this question.

Conclusion

This case report underlines the need to keep up awareness of pathological fractures in emergency medicine and trauma surgery. When radiographs do not raise any suspicion but the history of trauma or the physical examination does, we recommend further radiological and/or histological diagnostic examinations.

National data of 6409 Swedish inpatients with femoral shaft fractures: stable incidence between 1998 and 2004

INTRODUCTION

Femoral shaft fractures are commonly thought to be primarily associated with high-energy trauma in young persons. Only limited attention has been given to low-energy violence as a cause of these fractures among the elderly. National epidemiological data on characteristics of patients with femoral shaft fractures are lacking, so the purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence, admissions, causes of fracture and operations for these fractures on a nationwide basis in Sweden during 1998-2004.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data on all femoral shaft fractures were extracted from the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Registry. Sex- and age-specific fracture incidence, hospital admissions, mechanisms of injury and surgical procedures were analysed using descriptive analysis, linear-regression analysis and other methods as appropriate.

RESULTS

Over a period of 7 years, 6409 patients with femoral shaft fractures were identified, corresponding to an annual incidence of 10 per 100,000 person-years. Men had a younger median age (27 years, IQR 12-68) than women (79 years, IQR 62-86) (p<0.001). Females (54%) generated more admissions than males (46%). The incident rate ratio between men and women was 0.9 (p<0.001). Most hospital admissions were generated among females by the 80-89 years age-group and among males <10 years of age. 2% of the fractures were open fractures. The total number of hospital admissions was stable during 1998-2004. The two major mechanisms of injury were falls on the same level (50%) and transport accidents (17%). A significant number of fractures occurred among elderly patients after low-energy trauma. Osteosynthesis with femoral nail (54%) was the preferred operation, followed by osteosynthesis with plate and screws (16%), skeletal traction (14%) and external fixation (6%).

DISCUSSION

This nationwide study on femoral shaft fractures provides an update on incidence, admissions, external causes and surgical procedures. This information assists health-care providers in planning hospital beds, surgical interventions and risk preventions. Moreover, these data can be used for power calculations for further clinical studies.

Severity of injuries associated with femoral fractures as a result of motor vehicle collisions

INTRODUCTION

Femoral fractures are often the result of high-velocity injuries, and the early identification of associated injuries is important. The purpose of this study was to review the associated injuries present in a current UK series of patients who sustain femoral fractures as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases of femoral fractures were extracted from the UK co-operative crash injury study (CCIS) database, from 1998 to 2002. Associated injuries, skeletal and non-skeletal, were identified by body region and severity (according to the abbreviated injury scale and injury severity scale).

RESULTS

A total of 5,841 crashes were investigated in that time period, and there were 365 car occupants who sustained a femoral fracture. The 16-35 age group accounted for nearly half of all cases. A total of 313 patients (85.2%) had at least one other concomitant significant injury, of which 84 (23.0%) had skeletal injury only, 45 (12.3%) had non-skeletal injury only, and 184 (50.4%) had both. The opposite lower limb was the most common skeletal injury, and thoracic injuries were the most common visceral injuries. Thoracic injuries also accounted for the most serious injuries (AIS 4-6). The overall mortality was 40.5% in our series.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant injuries are to be expected in the majority of cases of femoral fractures sustained as a result of MVCs. There should be a low threshold for involving a general surgical team in the management of these cases.

Avaliação do diagnóstico densitométrico de osteoporose/osteopenia conforme o sítio ósseo

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a freqüência de osteoporose de acordo com os sítios ósseos avaliados, utilizando um estudo transversal de base clínica. Foram avaliados 610 exames densitométricos em relação a freqüência de osteoporose/osteopenia e concordância do diagnóstico de acordo com o local avaliado. Apesar de alta correlação da DMO entre os sítios ósseos, a freqüência de osteoporose variou de acordo com o sítio avaliado. Osteoporose esteve presente em 14 e 18% dos pacientes, quando considerado o colo do fêmur e fêmur total, e 42 e 30% quando considerados o triângulo do Ward e coluna (p< 0,05). Um quarto das mulheres consideradas em risco aumentado de fratura pelo exame da coluna lombar foi classificado como normal pelo estudo do colo do fêmur; 16% com risco aumentado pelo estudo do colo do fêmur foi classificado como normal no estudo da coluna. Este estudo demonstra que existe discordância nos resultados densitométricos de acordo com a área estudada, afetando a ocorrência de osteoporose. Para julgamento clínico de risco de fratura, a avaliação combinada de dois sítios ósseos é o procedimento mais adequado.

Temporal and demographic variations in attendance at accident and emergency departments

OBJECTIVES

Little has been reported of the demographic and temporal variations in accident and emergency (A&E) attendances despite the importance of this information in planning services. The purpose of this paper to is to explore the variations in attendance patterns across the West Midlands region of the NHS.

METHODS

The data were obtained from the A&E minimum dataset from a sample of 13 hospitals. Arrival dates and times, age, and sex of all patients attending A&E in the year from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 were analysed to look at the pattern of attendance by hour, day and month, age, and sex.

RESULTS

No differences were found in attendance patterns in respect to sex. Attendances by children under 15 years peaked in the evening between 18:00 and 19:59. In contrast, peak attendance in those over 15 years was between 09:00 and 11:59. The percentage of "out of hours" attendances in this dataset was highest in the under 1 age group (58.5%), the 15-24 age group (57.1%), and the 25-44 age group (54.6%). The highest proportion of patients attended A&E on a Monday, while the percentage of weekend attendances decreased with age. In children aged 1-14 years there were more attendances in summer than winter. In those aged under 1 and over 65 there was a winter peak with December having the most attendances.

CONCLUSIONS

No sex differences were found in the temporal attendance patterns at A&E. However, many differences were found in the attendance of different age groups. These differences are of great importance in the planning of services, and further research is required to explain the reasons behind these variations.

The motorcyclist: easy rider or easy victim? An analysis of motorcycle accidents in Germany

This report reviews the findings from 86 motorcycle accidents during a 1-year period at the Trauma Center "Bergmannsheil" in Bochum, Germany. A study of the case histories supplemented by telephone conversations yielded the following results: 90.7% of the patients were men, and the average age was 28.8 years; most of the accidents occurred in the 25- to 30-year-old age group (27.9%). Motorcycle accidents happened mostly during recreational rides on weekends in the summertime. Although there was a high rate of helmet use (98.8%), the head region was affected in 12 victims. Two patients died because of their severe head injuries (2.3%). Lower extremity injuries (46%), especially open tibia fractures (19.7%), were among the most common injuries sustained. Fractures of the distal radius constituted the largest portion of upper extremity injuries (18.8%). The average stay in our hospital was 35.4 days; 23.4% of the patients had to change jobs after the accident. Fifty percent of the crashes happened with motorcycles between 500 and 750 cc stroke volume. Although 34.5% possessed their driver's licenses for more than 8 years, they had not had much experience handling a motorbike. These results underline the fact that motorcycle accidents are sustained by young men in their working prime; as a result, these accidents pose a tremendous burden to individuals and society and every attempt should be made to offer highly qualified surgical and trauma care to minimize the damage to the motorbiker. A plea is made for more prevention measures like driver education, better road conditions, or legislative changes to prevent motorcycle crashes. The wearing of a helmet is strongly advocated.