A novel cerclage wiring technique in intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated by intramedullary nails in young adults

Accurate reduction of medial arch fracture fragments in intertrochanteric fractures: A novel technical note

Intramedullary fixation is currently used to stabilize intertrochanteric fractures. Surgical reduction of the medial arch cortex is crucial to achieve stabilization of the internal fixation system, however, it is challenging to perform. To ensure anatomical reduction, we developed a novel surgical technique to assist in achieving accurate and convenient reduction. In this technique, right-angle forceps were used to pry and reset medial arch cortex fragments via a mini-helical blade incision. Noteworthily, all patients who underwent this technique achieved anatomical reduction with reduced operation times and bleeding. Our article illustrates intraoperative reduction techniques and summarizes tips and tricks that may be beneficial and educative for orthopedists.

The lesser trochanter "Sling fixation technique" in proximal intramedullary nailing of unstable intertrochanteric fractures: A polymer-based cerclage wiring

Introduction

Lesser trochanter (LT) fixation to restore the continuity of the posteromedial fragment using a cerclage wire has been reported to provide a more stable reduction in the treatment of unstable femoral neck fractures with LT involvement. However, LT fixation is not commonly performed due to the complications associated with the traditional monofilament cerclage metal wires. In this study, we investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a new technique for LT fixation in conjunction with Intramedullary (IM) fixation with nail and screws when compared to isolated IM fixation. The Sling Fixation Technique involves a new wiring technique and the use of a polymer-based cerclage cable characterized by iso-elastic properties that is hypothesized to provide better clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Patients and methods

This prospective observational study included 30 patients who underwent proximal IM nailing from July 2019 to April 2020. Thirty consecutive patients (30) were assigned to 2 different treatment groups. Fifteen (15) patients were treated with the IM Nailing and Sling Fixation Technique and 15 with IM nailing only. Patients were comparable for demographic features, fracture pattern, age, gender and associated medical comorbidities. Clinical outcomes were analyzed in terms of time needed to achieve complete weight bearing, Harris hip score (HHS), Barthel Index (BI) and Radiographic Union Scale for Hip (RUSH). The follow-up period was one year.

Results

Time for fracture healing and to achieve weight-bearing in the "Sling" group were shown to be significantly shorter than in the IM group. The Sling group showed furthermore better HHS, BI and RUSH scores when compared to the IM group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from the surgery. No complications such as wiring breakage, cut-outs, breakage or pullout of the fixation screws were observed; one case of heterotrophic ossification was reported.

Conclusion

In cases of unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur with lesser trochanter involvement, the Sling fixation technique using an isoelastic polymer-based wire showed superior results in terms of stability and consequently better clinical and radiographic outcomes than IM nailing only.

Breakage of intramedullary femoral nailing or femoral plating: how to prevent implant failure

Introduction

Intramedullary (IM) fixation is the dominant treatment for pertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures. In comparison to plate osteosynthesis (PO), IM fixation offers greater biomechanical stability and reduced non-union rates. Due to the minimally invasive nature, IM fixations are less prone to approach-associated complications, such as soft-tissue damage, bleeding or postoperative infection, but they are more prone to fat embolism. A rare but serious complication, however, is implant failure. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify possible risk factors for intramedullary fixation (IMF) and plate osteosynthesis (PO) failure.

Materials and methods

We searched our trauma surgery database for implant failure, intramedullary and plate osteosynthesis, after proximal—pertrochanteric, subtrochanteric—or femoral shaft fractures between 2011 and 2019. Implant failures in both the IMF and PO groups were included. Demographic data, fracture type, quality of reduction, duration between initial implantation and nail or plate failure, the use of cerclages, intraoperative microbiological samples, sonication, and, if available, histology were collected.

Results

A total of 24 femoral implant failures were identified: 11 IMFs and 13 POs. The average age of patients in the IM group was 68.2 ± 13.5 years and in the PO group was 65.6 ± 15.0 years, with men being affected in 63.6% and 39.5% of cases, respectively. A proximal femoral nail (PFN) anti-rotation was used in 7 patients, a PFN in one and a gamma nail in two patients. A total of 6 patients required cerclage wires for additional stability. A combined plate and intramedullary fixation was chosen in one patient. Initially, all intramedullary nails were statically locked. Failures were observed 34.1 weeks after the initial surgery on average. Risk factors for implant failure included the application of cerclage wires at the level of the fracture (n = 5, 21%), infection (n = 2, 8%), and the use of an additional sliding screw alongside the femoral neck screw (n = 3, 13%). In all patients, non-union was diagnosed radiographically and clinically after 6 months (n = 24, 100%). In the event of PO failure, the placement of screws within all screw holes, and interprosthetic fixation were recognised as the major causes of failure.

Conclusion

Intramedullary or plate osteosynthesis remain safe and reliable procedures in the treatment of proximal femoral fractures (pertrochanteric, subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures). Nevertheless, the surgeon needs to be aware of several implant-related limitations causing implant breakage. These may include the application of tension band wiring which can lead to a too rigid fixation, or placement of cerclage wires at the fracture site.

Surgical Selection of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures: PFNA Combined with or without Cerclage Cable

Due to the instability of unstable intertrochanteric fractures, the selection of a suitable internal fixation has always been a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. This study is aimed at comparing the clinical efficacy of PFNA combined with cerclage cable and without cerclage cable and finally recommend a stable internal fixation method to provide the basis for clinical therapy. From January 2014 to January 2018, we retrospectively analyzed all cases of unstable intertrochanteric fractures who received treatment in the Orthopedics Department of our hospital and finally screened 120 cases, 51 of whom were treated with cerclage cable, 69 without cerclage cable. The follow-up period was one year. HHS, BI, and RUSH scores were given within the specified time. We divided the patients into the PFNA+cable (PFNA combined with cerclage cable) group and the PFNA group. The time of fracture healing and weight-bearing in the PFNA+cable group was shorter than that in the PFNA group. With regard to HHS, BI, and RUSH, the PFNA+cable group was higher than the PFNA group at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. For HHS rating, the PFNA+cable group has a higher excellent rate than the PFNA group, which was 96.1% and 84.1%, respectively. All the results mentioned above were statistically significant. Compared with the group without cerclage cable, the application of cerclage cable can reduce the incidence of complications. From the comparison between the two groups, it can be seen that the surgical method of PFNA combined with cerclage cable can not only help to improve the stability of fracture reduction, shorten the time of fracture healing and postoperative weight-bearing, and significantly improve patients' self-care ability but also reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. Therefore, we think PFNA combined with cerclage cable is a good choice.

Cement augmentation for trochanteric fracture in elderly: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Cement augmentation of internal fixation of hip fracture has reported to improve fracture stability in osteoporotic hip fractures, reducing the risk of cut-out of the sliding screw through the femoral head. The purpose of present study was to perform a systematic literature review on the effects of augmentation technique in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was systematically performed to evaluate all papers published in English language included in the literature between January 2010 and July 2020, according to the PRISMA 2009 guidelines. In vivo and in vitro studies, case reports, review articles, cadaveric studies, biomechanical studies, histological studies, oncological studies, technical notes, studies dealing with radiological classifications and studies on revision surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies involving 301 patients were included. Patients had a mean age of 84.6 years and were followed up for a mean period of 11 months. The proximal femoral fractures were stabilized with implantation of the PFNA or Gamma nail and augmentation was performed with two different cements: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in 4 studies and calcium phosphate (CP) in one study. Overall, 57.5% of patients reached the same or greater preoperative mobility, and postoperative Parker Mobility Score and Harris Hip Score were acceptable. No significantly complications were observed, and no additional surgery related to the implant was required.

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review show that cement augmentation is a safe and effectiveness method of fixation to treat trochanteric fractures.

The effect on outcomes of the application of circumferential cerclage cable following intramedullary nailing in reverse intertrochanteric femoral fractures

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on union results of the application of cerclage cable around the lateral femoral wall (LFW) in postoperative fracture displacement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective evaluation was made of all the cases of reverse intertrochanteric fractures over a 7-year period in a trauma center. The study included 69 fractures treated with intramedullary nailing. The age of the patients, postoperative reduction quality and complications such as mechanical failure and non-union (1.4%) were obtained from the medical records. Changes in the neck-shaft angle, the amount of LFW displacement and telescoping of proximal femoral nail antirotation blades and lag screws were measured on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. The functional evaluation of the Harris Hip Score was recorded at the final follow-up examination.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 56.31 years (range 18-93 years). Closed reduction was applied in 37 (53.7%) cases, open reduction in 10 (14.5%) and with cerclage cable in 22 (31.8%). Mechanical failure developed in 8 (11.5%) cases where cerclage cable was not used. In 2 of these 8 cases, open reduction was successful. In the patients where cerclage cable was applied, no mechanical failure developed and no case underwent revision surgery. In the cases where cerclage cable was not used, a significantly higher rate of telescoping was found. (p = 0.001). The application of cerclage cable was seen to significantly reduce the amount of LFW displacement (2.23 mm vs 8.86 mm) and shorten the time to partial weight bearing (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

In reverse intertrochanteric fractures, the application of circumferential cerclage cable with cephalomedullary nailing contributes to primary stability and accelerates mobilization. Therefore, it can be considered a good option. It reduces the risk of failure internal fixation for intertrochanteric fracture.