Evaluation of preoperative coagulation function changes and deep vein thrombosis incidence in elderly patients with hip fractures

OBJECTIVE

This study involved an analysis of preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) incidence and changes in coagulation function among elderly patients suffering from hip fractures. The objective was to offer guidance on the prevention and management of preoperative DVT in the lower extremities of elderly individuals with hip fractures.

METHODS

A total of 282 elderly individuals with a hip fracture were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the location of the fracture: femoral intertrochanteric fracture (FIF, 161 individuals) and femoral neck fracture (FNF, 121 individuals). The two groups were compared with respect to baseline characteristics, including gender, age, and comorbid chronic diseases. Furthermore, the analysis encompassed the incidence of preoperative DVT in both lower extremities, along with seven coagulation parameters and platelet count before the surgical procedure.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in baseline information between the two groups. The incidence of preoperative DVT in the FIF group was higher than that in the FNF group, along with a significantly higher percentage of patients exhibiting increased levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDPs).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative hypercoagulability and a greater prevalence of DVT were observed in elderly individuals with FIF compared to individuals with FNF. This indicates that clinicians should pay attention to elderly patients with FIFs, especially those with increased D-dimer and FDP levels.

Comparison of curative effect between OBS assisted by 3D printing and PFNA in the treatment of AO/OTA type 31-A3 femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients

Objective

To compare and analyze the Ortho-Bridge System (OBS) clinical efficacy assisted by 3D printing and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) of AO/OTA type 31-A3 femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 25 elderly patients diagnosed with AO/OTA type 31-A3 femoral intertrochanteric fracture was conducted from January 2020 to August 2022 at Yan'an Hospital, affiliated to Kunming Medical University. The patients were divided into 10 patients in the OBS group and 15 in the PFNA group according to different surgical methods. The OBS group reconstructed the bone models and designed the guide plate by computer before the operation, imported the data of the guide plate and bone models into a stereolithography apparatus (SLA) 3D printer, and printed them using photosensitive resin, thus obtaining the physical object, then simulating the operation and finally applying the guide plate to assist OBS to complete the operation; the PFNA group was treated by proximal femoral nail anti-rotation. The operation time, the intraoperative blood loss, Harris hip score (HHS), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

The operation time and the intraoperative blood loss in the PFNA group were less than that in the OBS group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The HHS during the 6th month using OBS was statistically higher than PFNA (P < 0.05), however, there were no significant differences in OHS during the 6th month between the OBS group and PFNA group (P > 0.05). The HHS and OHS during the 12th month in the OBS group were statistically better than in the PFNA group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The OBS assisted by 3D printing and PFNA are effective measures for treating intertrochanteric fractures. Prior to making any decisions regarding internal fixation, it is crucial to evaluate the distinct circumstances of each patient thoroughly.

A nomogram for prediction of deep venous thrombosis risk in elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients: A dual-center retrospective study

Objective

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity is a common perioperative complication of femoral intertrochanteric fracture. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients and establish a nomogram model.

Methods

From August 2014 to June 2021, a total of 1,652 femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients over the age of 65 were enrolled in our study. We distinguished independent risk factors by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. A nomogram model was then built, and the discriminative and calibration of the model was evaluated through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and calibration plots.

Results

A total of 378 patients developed DVT (292 in the training group, 86 in the validation group) while the remaining patients did not. According to the univariate and multivariate Cox analyses results, age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04-1.10), fibrinogen (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.68-2.60), D-dimer (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.27-1.40), time from injury to admission (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.55-2.05), functional status (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.86-6.20), and diabetes (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.10-2.48) were identified as independent risk factors of DVT. The ROC values for DVT of the training and validation group were 0.862 and 0.912, and the P-value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration test was 0.767.

Conclusion

This nomogram model can be used to predict the probability of preoperative DVT in elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture and guide physician in perioperative thrombosis management.

股骨转子间骨折一种新的综合分类法

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures, and to accommodate the clinical requirement for the world-wide outbreak of geriatric hip fractures and surgical operations.

METHODS

On the basis of reviewing the history of classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification in different periods, combined with the current situation of extensive preoperative CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction and widespread use of intramedullary nail fixation in China, the "Elderly Hip Fracture" Research Group of the Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Association proposed a novel comprehensive classification for femoral intertrochanteric fractures, focusing on the structure of fracture stability reconstruction during internal fixation.

RESULTS

The novel comprehensive classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures incorporates multiple indicators of fracture classification, including the orientation of the fracture line, the degree of fracture fragmentation, the lesser trochanteric bone fragment and its distal extension length (>2 cm), the posterior coronal bone fragment and its anterior extension width (involving the lateral cortex of the head and neck implant entry point), transverse fracture of the lateral and anterior wall and its relationship with the implant entry point in the head and neck, and whether the cortex of the anteromedial inferior corner can be directly reduced to contact, etc. The femoral intertrochanteric fractures are divided into 4 types (type A1 is simple two-part fractures, type A2 is characterized by lesser trochanter fragment and posterior coronal fractures, type A3 is reverse obliquity and transverse fractures, type A4 is medial comminution which lacks anteromedial cortex transmission of compression force), each of which is subdivided into 4 subtypes and further subdivide into finer subgroups. In a review of 550 trochanteric hip fracture cases by three-dimensional CT, type A1 accounted for 20.0%, type A2 for 62.5%, type A3 for 15.5%, and type A4 for 2.0%, respectively. For subtypes, A2.2 is with a "banana-like" posterior coronal fragment, A2.4 is with distal cortex extension >2 cm of the lesser trochanter and anterior cortical expansion of the posterior coronal fragment to the entry portal of head-neck implants, A3.4 is a primary pantrochanteric fracture, and A4.4 is a concomitant ipsilateral segmental fracture of the neck and trochanter region.

CONCLUSION

The novel comprehensive classification of femoral intertrochanteric fractures can describe the morphological characteristics of fractures in more detail, include more rare and complex types, provide more personalized subtype selection, and adapt to the clinical needs of both fractures and surgeries.

Conservatively Treated Femoral Intertrochanteric Fracture With Early Asymptomatic Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Case Report

Introduction:

The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide problem. Although diagnosing COVID-19 in fracture patients is important for selecting treatment, diagnosing early asymptomatic COVID-19 is difficult. We describe herein a rare case of femoral intertrochanteric fracture concomitant with early asymptomatic novel COVID-19.

Case presentation:

An 87-year-old Japanese woman was transferred to our emergency room with a right hip pain after she fell. She had no fever, fatigue, or respiratory symptoms on admission and within the 14 days before presenting to our hospital, and no specific shadow was detected in chest X-ray. However, chest computed tomography (CT) was performed considering COVID-19 pandemic, and showed ground-glass opacities with consolidation in the dorsal segment of the right lower lung field. Then, qualitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out and turned out to be positive. She was diagnosed right femoral intertrochanteric fracture with concomitant COVID-19 infection. Conservative treatment was applied to the fracture due to infection. After admission, fever and oxygen demand occurred but she recovered from COVID-19. Throughout the treatment period, no cross-infection from the patient was identified in our hospital.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the importance of considering chest CT as an effective screening method for infection on hospital admission in COVID-19-affected areas, especially in trauma patients with early asymptomatic novel COVID-19.

Risk factors of perioperative blood transfusion in elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture

This study aimed to discuss the risk factors of perioperative blood transfusion after the application of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in the treatment of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture (FIF). Moreover, this study also aimed to analyze the causes of perioperative blood transfusion and provide guidance for clinical treatment.Records of elderly patients with FIF who were treated with PFNA in our hospital from September 2014 to May 2017 were reviewed. They were divided into transfused and nontransfused groups. The Student t test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher exact test were used in univariate analysis of 11 variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the possible risk factors associated with postoperative blood transfusion after the application of PFNA in elderly patients with FIF. Correlations were sought using the Spearman rank correlation analysis.The univariate analysis showed that age, sex, type of fracture, admission hemoglobin (Hb), admission albumin, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with perioperative blood transfusion (P = .000, .019, .000, .000, .000, and .007, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (P = .019, odds ratio [OR] = 1.062), type of fracture (P = .001, OR = 4.486), and admission Hb (P = .000, OR = 0.883) were independent risk factors of postoperative blood transfusion. We found a significant positive correlation between perioperative blood transfusion and age (r = 0.264, P = .000) and type of fracture (r = 0.409, P = .000), but a negative correlation between perioperative blood transfusion and admission Hb (r = -0.641, P = .000).The main factors affecting perioperative blood transfusion are age, fracture type, and admission Hb. These results indicate that, in high-risk patients who are older in age, more unstable fractures, and lower admission Hb, monitoring Hb concentrations during the perioperative period is important to correct severe anemia in a timely manner and avoid exacerbating existing underlying diseases and inducing severe complications.

Effects of the ratios of marrow cavity diameter to intramedullary nail diameter from different layers on blood loss during perioperative period for femoral intertrochanteric fractures

The study aimed to investigate the effect of ratios of marrow cavity diameter to intramedullary nail diameter from different layers on hidden blood loss (HBL), overt blood loss (OBL) and total blood loss (TBL) during using proximal femoral nail antirotation-Asian version (PFNA)-II for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.We retrospectively studied 70 patients treated in our hospital recently. We recorded postoperative hematocrit (Hct) and OBL during operation. TBL and HBL were calculated using CROSS equation. The ratios of marrow cavity diameter to intramedullary nail diameter from different layers, including start of funnel, end of funnel and femoral isthmus, were measured. The mean of the ratio from frontal and lateral X-ray were designated as R. We classified all included participants into a high and a low matching group according to z-score of R within each layer. TBL, HBL, and OBL were compared between the 2 groups. We applied multiple linear regression analysis between the HBL as a dependent variable and gender, age, body mass index, fracture type, and R as independent variables.The present study indicated a significant reduction in the HBL and TBL in the high matching group compared to low matching group on three layers, whereas it showed no significant difference in OBL between the 2 groups on three layers. It showed that R values from start of funnel and end of funnel were significantly associated with HBL.Matching rate of PFNA II at the funnel might be an important factor for HBL and TBL postoperatively.

Helical blade compression failure occurred during PFNA implantation: A rare case and ingenious solution

RATIONALE

Femoral intertrochanteric fracture happens easily in the elderly, especially those with osteoporosis. As a standard intramedullary fixation implant, Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) is applied to various types of stable or unstable intertrochanteric fractures of femur. Due to blade-related factors, such as cutting-through into the hip joint, cutting out or back out, there are endless postoperative failure cases of internal fixation, but reports about perioperative failure that the helical blade cannot be tightened are lacking. In this case, we firstly report an intraoperative blade compression failure and an effective technique to help surgeons out of the dilemma by using cannulated hexagonal screwdriver which was already included in the orthopedic instrument box.

PATIENT CONCERNS

An 81-year-old lady suffered left hip pain, swelling and limitation of activity, after slipping and falling when she was in the toilet.

DIAGNOSES

X-ray and computed tomography (CT)-scan showed comminuted left intratrochanteric fracture with a Jensen classification of IIa type.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated by closed reduction and internal fixation with PFNA. We suffered an unprecedented problem that helical blade cannot be tightened by the blade impactor as usual. For fear of helical blade disintegration during removal and a significant decrease in pullout strength after reinsertions, we eliminated the dilemma by using a cannulated hexagonal screwdriver to tighten the "problem" helical blade.

OUTCOMES

The "problem" helical blade was finally locked by using the SW4.0 mm cannulated hexagonal screwdriver which was already included in the instrument box. The operation ended successfully after completing subsequent steps.

LESSONS

The cannulated hexagonal screwdriver is an effective instrument that can help surgeons out of the dilemma when the blade impactor fails to tighten the helical blade in PFNA implantation.

Intertrochanteric fracture with low-energy trauma in a young woman with anorexia nervosa: A case report

RATIONALE

Anorexia nervosa is a chronic psychiatric disease defined by severe weight loss, due to fear of obesity, and self-imposed semi-starvation. Of the many complications following anorexia nervosa, low bone mineral density (BMD) is a significant risk factor for fractures. Anorexia nervosa is associated with higher risk of incident fracture in females across all age groups, and in males >40 years old. Sites at highest risk of fracture include the hip/femur and pelvis in females, and vertebrae in males with anorexia nervosa.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 29-year-old woman known to have suffered from anorexia nervosa 15 years ago visited the emergency department due to right hip pain after falling while getting out of a taxi. During the period of anorexia nervosa, she had a body mass index (BMI) of 14.06 kg/m (weight, 36 kg; height, 1.60 m) and suffered from amenorrhea. At the time of presentation, she had a BMI of 19.53 kg/m (weight, 50 kg; height, 1.60 m) and had regular menstrual periods, indicating clinical recovery from anorexia nervosa.

DIAGNOSES

Plain radiography, computed tomography, and bone scintigraphy revealed AO 31-A2.2 type right hip proximal femur intertrochanteric fracture. The BMD showed a T score of -3.9 in the hip and -3.6 at the lumbar level, indicating severe osteoporosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Osteosynthesis was performed with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and wiring.

OUTCOMES

There were no specific symptoms, such as trauma or infection, during postoperative rehabilitation and postoperative management, and she was discharged after 2 weeks. After 1 year of follow-up at our outpatient clinic, she had no complications.

LESSONS

Here, we describe an unusual case of unilateral femoral intertrochanteric fracture that occurred after clinical recovery from anorexia nervosa. This case indicated that the risk of fracture remains even after recovery of BMI. We propose that women who have clinically recovered from anorexia nervosa should be advised to undergo annual osteodensitometric analyses after consulting with specialists in other areas (psychiatry, endocrinology, eating disorders).

Curative effect of artificial femoral head replacement and its effect on hip joint function and complications of senile patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture

Curative effect of artificial femoral head replacement on hip joint function and complications of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were investigated. Eighty patients who were operated for femoral intertrochanteric fractures operation were randomly divided into observation group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The observation group was treated with artificial femoral head replacement, while the control group received internal proximal femur locking plate fixation. In the observation group, the operation time was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). The intraoperative bleeding was less than that in the control group (P<0.05). The postoperative indwelling drainage time was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). Besides, at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, 10 m walking speed in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The 5-time sit-stand time was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, Harris hip joint scores and visual analogue scale scores in the observation group were both superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the total hospitalization time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group. Time of walking on crutches and walking without crutches was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). The overall proportion of postoperative chronic pain, thrombosis and failed surgery in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Finally, physical and psychological scores in the observation group after intervention were obviously higher than those in the observation group before intervention and the control group after intervention (P<0.05). Artificial femoral head replacement is characterized by the short operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, fast postoperative recovery of joint function, low degree of pain and fewer complications in the treatment of senile femoral intertrochanteric fracture, which can improve the postoperative life quality of patients.

Application of 3D printing rapid prototyping-assisted percutaneous fixation in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture

The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of 3D printing (3DP) rapid prototyping (RP) technique-assisted percutaneous fixation in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) using proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA). A total of 39 patients with unstable ITF were included in the current study. Patients were divided into two groups: 19 patients were examined using computed tomography scanning and underwent PFNA with SDP-RP whereas the other 20 patients underwent conventional PFNA treatment. Anatomical data were converted from the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format to the stereolithography format using M3D software. The 3DP-RP model was established using the fused deposition modeling technique and the length and diameter of the main screw blade was measured during the simulation. The postoperative femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA), surgery duration, intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, and the duration of hospital stay were recorded and compared with the corresponding values in conventional surgery. No significant differences were observed in mean PFNA size between the implants used and the preoperative planning estimates. It was demonstrated that the 3DP-RP assisted procedure resulted in more effective reduction of the NSA. Furthermore, patients undergoing 3DP-RP experienced a significant reduction in duration of surgery (P<0.01), as well as reductions in intraoperative (P=0.02) and postoperative (P=0.03) blood loss, compared with conventional surgery. At 6 months post-surgery, no cases of hip varus/vague deformities or implant failure were observed in patients that underwent either the 3DP-RP-assisted or conventional procedure. The results of the present study suggest that the 3DP-RP technique is able to create an accurate model of the ITF, which facilitates surgical planning and fracture reduction, thus improving the efficiency of PFNA surgery for ITFs.

A complex proximal femoral fracture

We present the case of a 39-year-old sportswoman who was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2012. She sustained a complex proximal femoral fracture that involved the neck and trochanteric region. We decided to preserve the natural bone stock and repair the fractures, adopting skeletal traction in the first stage and then implanting an intramedullary nail. Twenty months later the fracture was healed clinically and radiologically and the patient was able to walk and run without pain.