BackgroundFemoral fracture in adolescents is a significant injury. It is generally agreed that operative fixation is the treatment of choice, and rigid intramedullary nail fixation is a treatment option. However, numerous types of rigid nails to fix adolescent femoral fractures have been described. Hence, the aim of this paper was to collate and evaluate the available evidence for managing diaphyseal femoral fractures in adolescents using rigid intramedullary nails.Materials and methodsA literature search was undertaken using the healthcare database website (http://www.library.nhs.uk/hdas). Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify prospective and retrospective studies of rigid intramedullary nail fixation in the adolescent population.ResultsThe literature search returned 1,849 articles, among which 51 relevant articles were identified. Of these 51 articles, 23 duplicates were excluded, so a total of 28 articles were reviewed. First-generation nails had a high incidence of limb length discrepancy (Küntscher 5.8 %, Grosse–Kempf 9 %), whilst second-generation nails had a lower incidence (Russell–Taylor 1.7 %, AO 2.6 %). Avascular necrosis was noted with solid Ti nails (2.6 %), AO femoral nails (1.3 %) and Russell–Taylor nails (0.85 %). These complications have not been reported with the current generation of nails.ConclusionsRigid intramedullary nail fixation of femoral fractures in adolescents is a useful procedure with good clinical results. A multiplanar design and lateral trochanteric entry are key to a successful outcome of titanium alloy nail fixation.
The aim of this prospective randomised study was to compare the clinical and radiological results of a cemented all-polyethylene Ultima acetabular component with those of a cementless porous-coated acetabular component (PFC) following total hip replacement (THR). A total of 287 patients received either a polyethylene acetabular component (group A) or a cobalt-chromium porous-coated component (group B) with an identical cemented femoral component and 28 mm cobalt-chromium head, thus making it the largest study of its type. Patients were evaluated radiologically and clinically using the Harris hip score (HHS). Group A comprised 183 patients (73 male, 110 female) with a mean age of 71.3 years (55 to 89). Group B comprised 104 patients (48 male, 56 female) with a mean age of 69.8 years (56 to 89). A total of 16 patients (13 in Group A, three in Group B) did not have post-operative data for analysis. The mean follow-up in group A was 7.52 years (0.4 to 15.0) and in Group B 7.87 years (0.5 to 14.0). At final follow-up the mean HHS was similar between groups A and B (74.5 (25 to 100) and 78.0 (37 to 100), respectively; p = 0.068). The total number of revisions for any cause was 28, 17 of which were in group A and 11 in group B. The ten-year survivorship was 86.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78.4 to 92.1) and 89.2% (95% CI 78.3 to 94.8) for groups A and B, respectively (log-rank p-value = 0.938). A total of 20 cemented and two cementless acetabular components had evidence of acetabular radiolucencies or acetabular component migration at last follow-up (p = 0.001). These results indicate that patients with a cemented all-polyethylene and cementless porous-coated polyethylene lined acetabular component have similar long-term clinical outcomes.
The use of a Rhys-Davies (R-D) mechanical exsanguinator prior to the application of tourniquet is routine clinical practice in knee arthroscopy. However, this technique has been reported to cause injuries and is contraindicated in conditions like malignancy and latex allergy. Lower limb elevation alone has also been described as a technique of exsanguination. We conducted a prospective audit of two groups of patients (25 each) undergoing routine knee arthroscopy comparing the practice of mechanical exsanguination (R-D) with lower limb elevation technique. Average total operative times of the two groups were similar (R-D exsanguinator-23 min, limb elevation-21 min, n.s). Time interval between tourniquet inflation and skin incision was significantly lower in limb elevation technique (R-D exsanguinator-5 min, limb elevation-0.2 min, P < 0.001). Limb elevation technique of exsanguination helps avoid the risks associated with mechanical exsanguination and may potentially reduce the non-operative tourniquet application time.
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