Late laceration of the superficial femoral artery by an intertrochanteric fracture fragment

Trochanter migrans: late complications due to displacement of the lesser trochanter in trochanteric fractures

Complications associated with secondary displacement and migration of the lesser trochanter fragment in trochanteric fractures are rare. The complaints expressed by the patient may be misunderstood and attributed to implant-associated or patient-specific problems likely to occur after surgery. This series illustrates potentially dangerous late complications caused by secondary migration of the lesser trochanter. It may help focus the surgeon's attention on possible functional impairment and severe late complications caused by displacement of the lesser trochanter in trochanteric fractures that require prompt intervention.

When to Reduce and Fix Displaced Lesser Trochanter in Treatment of Trochanteric Fracture: A Systematic Review

Purpose

To systematically evaluate the benefits of reducing and fixing displaced lesser trochanter (LT) of trochanteric fractures and when this procedure is worth the effect.

Methods

From database establishment through March 2021, four online databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant literature that investigated reduction and fixation for displaced LT of trochanteric fractures. The papers were then screened by two reviewers independently and in duplicate according to prior inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data as well as data on fracture types, surgical protocols, and surgical outcomes were recorded, analyzed, and interpreted.

Results

Total 10 clinical studies with 928 patients were included, in which 48 cases had intact LT and 880 cases involved the displaced LT, of which 196 (22.27%) cases underwent reduction and fixation for LT while the rest of 684 (77.73%) cases not. In these studies, complications were evaluated as a more applicable predictive parameter for operation than postoperative hip function.

Conclusion

It was beneficial to reduce and fix the displaced LT when one of the conditions below occurred: displacement distance of LT ≥2 cm, quantity of comminuted LT fragments ≥2, and range of LT fragments in medial wall ≥75%; the fracture line of LT fragments reaching or exceeding the midline of the posterior wall.

Lesser Trochanter Migration following Intramedullary Fixation of an Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture

Intertrochanteric femur fractures are commonly observed in the elderly and may be associated with a complete fracture of the lesser trochanter in over 50% of cases. The migration of the lesser trochanter secondary to the psoas muscle contracture is a rare event. This case report presents a rare case of sudden groin pain three-week status after intramedullary fixation of a intertrochanteric femur fracture.

Proximal femoral fractures and vascular injuries in adults: Incidence, aetiology and outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Vascular injuries (VI) presenting during internal fixation (IF) of proximal femoral fractures (PFF) are potentially limb- and life-threatening. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature is to report on their incidence, associated complications and to give special emphasis in their prevention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken using the PRISMA guidelines with no language restriction. Case reports of VIPFF-IF and series of PFF-IF with cases of VI published between inception of journals to March 2015 were eligible for inclusion. Relevant information was divided in two parts. Part I included the analysis of cases of VIPFF-IF, with the objective of establishing the frequency of injury of each vessel, the types and mechanisms of injury, the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, and the outcomes. Part II analysed series of PFF-IF, which included case(s) of VI for assessing the incidence of VIPFF-IF.

RESULTS

Overall 160 articles with 182 cases of VIPFF-IF met the inclusion criteria. The injuries to extrapelvic vessels prevailed over those of intrapelvic vessels. There was a higher frequency of injury to the deep femoral artery and its branches in extrapelvic vessels and of external iliac artery and vein in intrapelvic vessels. The types of injury were: compression, intimal flap tear, disruption of the intimal layer with thrombosis, laceration with haemorrhage, and puncture or progressive erosion leading to a pseudoaneurysm (PSA) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF), with high prevalence for PSA, followed by lacerations. PSAs were more frequent in extrapelvic lesions and lacerations in the intrapelvic vessels. There were 7 non-iatrogenic injuries, produced by a displaced lesser trochanter fragment or other bone fragments, and 175 iatrogenic injuries (96.15%). The intrapelvic intraoperative protrusion of instruments or implants, or the post-operative migration of implants produced the injuries of intrapelvic vessels. For iatrogenic injuries of extrapelvic vessels the prevalent mechanism was a displaced lesser trochanter fragment, either intra- or postoperatively, followed by injuries by an overshot drill bit or a protruding screw; several other mechanisms completed the list. The clinical and radiological investigations were similar to those of VI elsewhere. VI occurred either at the time of fracture, during surgery or after it, early or late, weeks, months or even years after IF. The diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were most diverse, and the incidence of morbidity and mortality was 18.06%. The overall incidence of VIPFF-IF was 0.49%.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of VIPFF-IF is low, though it will probably rise because of the increasing frequency of PFF. With few exceptions, these injuries, which are potentially limb and life-threatening, are iatrogenic, resulting of errors in IF, with different types of lesions to intra- and extrapelvic vessels running in close proximity to the bone. Although the surgeon should bear in mind this possibility and achieve early diagnosis and prompt accurate treatment, there is no consensus as to what is the best diagnostic or therapeutic modality. A precise diagnosis of the preoperative vascular status of the limb, monitoring of the displacement of the lesser trochanter fragment, careful and gentle reduction of the fracture, and precise handling of instruments and implant selection and placement during IF, are factors to consider in order to prevent this complication, which should never be underestimated.

Pertrochanteric hip fracture: a "routine" fracture with a potentially devastating vascular complication

Vascular injuries in conjunction with low-energy geriatric hip fractures, although uncommon, can be life-threatening. Furthermore, vascular injuries are usually iatrogenic, related to malpositioning of percutaneous reduction aids, aberrant drilling, or poorly sized implants. The authors describe an older woman who had a low-energy pertrochanteric hip fracture. She was noted preoperatively to have an isolated decrease in hemoglobin of 4.7 g/dL in the 2.5 days before surgery. Fracture reduction was performed with closed and percutaneous techniques with the limb free-legged on a radiolucent flat-top table. On reduction of the distal fragment (which was translated proximal and medial), extremely brisk bleeding was noted from the fracture site. Vascular control was obtained with subvastus exposure through the fracture site to gain access to the medial aspect of the thigh. A pulsatile traumatic laceration in the profunda femoral artery was identified, and the ends were ligated. The fracture was then fixated internally. Careful analysis of preoperative imaging showed the distal fracture fragment in immediate proximity to the calcified profunda femoral artery, transecting it at the time of injury and resulting in the significant increase in hemoglobin noted preoperatively. This case is an unusual vascular injury associated with a very common geriatric fracture pattern. To the authors' knowledge, there are only 2 cases in the English language literature of acute vascular injury as a result of a proximal femur fracture fragment. Given the routine nature of geriatric hip fractures, the orthopedic surgeon must be familiar with the appropriate diagnosis and management of this major complication.