Screw fixation with a triangle configuration, a displaced fracture, and poor reduction are risk factors for nonunion in intracapsular femoral neck fractures treated with fixation with multiple screws.

The 3D simulation and printing technique is an effective and reliable method for treating anterior pelvic ring fractures. With precise pre-operative planning and accurate execution of the procedures, this time-saving approach can provide a more personalized treatment plan, allowing for a safer orthopaedic surgery.

Humeral suspension was the most popular reconstructive procedure after total scapulectomy until the early 1990s. Since 1992 the senior author has been performing scapular endoprosthetic reconstruction after total scapulectomy whenever the rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, deltoid, and trapezius were preserved. We hypothesized that scapular endoprosthetic reconstruction resulted in better functional and cosmetic results than humeral suspension. From 1979 to 2003, 32 consecutive patients had total scapulectomies. Reconstructions included humeral suspensions in 16 patients and scapular endoprostheses in 16 patients. Functional and cosmetic results were compared retrospectively between the two groups. Patients with scapular endoprostheses had better functional results and superior cosmesis as compared with patients with humeral suspension. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores for patients with scapular endoprostheses and humeral suspensions were 78.5% and 58.5% respectively. Seven patients with scapular endoprostheses had greater than 40 degrees abduction and 11 patients with humeral suspensions could not abduct the shoulder greater than 20 degrees. Twelve patients with humeral suspensions and none with scapular endoprostheses wore shoulder pads or customized orthoses for cosmetic purposes. After total scapulectomy, scapular endoprosthetic reconstruction led to better functional and cosmetic results than humeral suspension and therefore we recommend performing this reconstructive procedure whenever the rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, deltoid, and trapezius are preserved.

Background and Purpose. Hip dislocation combined with acetabular fracture remains a challenging condition for orthopedic surgeons. In this study, we utilized a computer-assisted simulation and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to treat patients with hip dislocation combined with acetabular fracture. We hypothesized that the 3D printing-assisted method would shorten the internal fixation time and surgical time. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients diagnosed with traumatic posterior dislocation of hip combined with acetabular fractures and treated with plate fixation from September 2013 to August 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) traditional method and (2) 3D printing groups. In the traditional method group, the plates were contoured during the surgery, whereas in the 3D printing group, the patient’s pelvic computed tomography image was transformed to the 3D medical image software for processing preoperatively. The fracture reduction was simulated by the computer. Thereafter, the 1:1 scale 3D printing model was used to design the surgical plan and contour patient-specific plates preoperatively. Results. The internal fixation time was significantly shorter in the 3D printing group than in the traditional method group (-33 min, P<0.05). The mean operative time was shorter than that in the traditional method group (-43 min). However, blood loss and postoperative radiograph results were similar between the groups. The complication rate was lower in the 3D printing group (2/7) than in the traditional method group (5/9). Interpretation. Computer-assisted simulation with 3D printing technology is a more efficient method for treating hip dislocation combined with acetabular fractures.

The authors recommend functional muscle transfer reconstruction after extensive resection of the quadriceps muscle or resection of the femoral nerve with one or more of the following muscles: the sartorius, the biceps femoris, and the semitendinosus muscles.

The 3D printing is a reliable method for treating acetabular fractures, and can reduce the surgical duration, instrumentation time, and blood loss.

No abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a progressive and complex pathological condition that results in multiple adverse consequences, including impaired learning and memory. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has produced limited benefits in experimental TBI models. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a novel metabolic regulator that has neuroprotective effects, promotes remyelination, enhances angiogenesis, and elongates astrocytic processes. In this study, MSCs were genetically engineered to overexpress FGF21 in order to improve their efficacy in TBI. MSCs overexpressing FGF21 (MSC-FGF21) were transplanted to mouse brain by intracerebroventricular injection 24 h after TBI was induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI). Hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory, assessed by the Morris water maze test, was markedly decreased 3-4 weeks after TBI, a deficit that was robustly recovered by treatment with MSC-FGF21, but not MSC-mCherry control. Hippocampus-independent learning and memory, assessed by the novel object recognition test, was also impaired; these effects were blocked by treatment with both MSC-FGF21 and MSC-mCherry control. FGF21 protein levels in the ipsilateral hippocampus were drastically reduced 4 weeks post-TBI, a loss that was restored by treatment with MSC-FGF21, but not MSC-mCherry. MSC-FGF21 treatment also partially restored TBIinduced deficits in neurogenesis and maturation of immature hippocampal neurons, whereas MSC-mCherry was less effective. Finally, MSC-FGF21 treatment also normalized TBI-induced impairments in dendritic arborization of hippocampal neurons. Taken together, the results indicate that MSC-FGF21 treatment significantly improved TBI-induced spatial memory deficits, impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, and abnormal dendritic morphology. Future clinical investigations using MSC-FGF21 to improve post-TBI outcomes are warranted.