ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to analyze the accuracy of the two classification systems for open fractures most commonly used in current medical practice, Gustilo and Tscherne, as predictors of infection.MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed, including 121 patients suffering from open fracture of the appendicular skeleton treated at an emergency hospital. The fractures were classified according to Gustilo and Tscherne systems during the initial treatment, and ratings were subsequently confirmed or rectified during hospitalization. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were calculated according to each classification adopted.ResultsThe results of this study demonstrated that both classifications of Gustilo and Tscherne are associated with the clinical outcome of infection in open fractures. The Gustilo classification achieved sensitivity of 76.7%, specificity of 53.8%, and accuracy of 59.5%. Tscherne's classification had a sensitivity of 56.7%, specificity 82.4%, and accuracy of 76.1%.ConclusionThe Tscherne system showed better accuracy, including specificity as a predictor of infection in open fractures, when compared with the Gustilo system.
Varus supracondylar osteotomy of the femur is the established procedure for treating painful knees that present lateral arthrosis and valgus deformity. In descriptions of the conventional surgical techniques, there are divergences regarding the location, access route, correction level, fixation type and area for synthesis insertion. This is most evident in cases of severe valgus with angles greater than 30° and distal femoral deformation, in association with hypoplasia of the lateral condyle. The authors describe a new surgical technique for distal femoral osteotomy, based on anatomical and geometrical criteria, which was developed in their clinic for treating severe valgus cases, and they present one of the cases treated. In the new technique, the wedge to be surgically resected has an oblique direction and the format of an isosceles triangle. This new proposal thus seeks to resolve problems that have been presented in such cases, through enabling valgus correction without causing any new deformity of the distal femur. Good cortical bone contact is promoted, and application of a stable synthesis system is made easier. However, the age limits for such patients and the degree of knee arthrosis that might contraindicate this procedure remain unknown. Hence, a larger sample and longer follow-up for operated cases are required.
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