PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The locked nailing of diaphyseal fractures of the tibia currently represents a method of choice for treating the closed diaphyseal fractures, some of the tibial metaphyseal fractures and open tibial diaphyseal fractures classified as grade I and II according to Gustilo-Anderson (GA) classification. The suprapatellar (SP) approach is an alternative technique of insertion of the nail in semi-extension of the lower extremity with easier reduction, namely of multiple fractures and proximal diaphyseal fractures of the tibia in particular. This study aims to evaluate the group of patients in whom the suprapatellar approach was used and who were followed up for the period of at least 12 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prospective study included 55 cases of osteosynthesis of diaphyseal fractures of the tibia with the surgery performed in the period from January 2013 to June 2015, of which in 53 patients (17 women and 36 men) with the mean age of 49.6± 16.7 years the ETN nail by DePuy Synthes ® was inserted through a suprapatellar approach. In 38 cases (70.1%) an isolated trauma was involved, 15 patients (29.9%) were treated for multiple injuries or polytrauma. In nine cases (17%) it was an open fracture (2times - GA grade I, 7times - GA grade II). A multiple fracture or a fracture of the proximal third was recorded in 19 cases (34.5%). The functional and radiological results of the treatment were assessed prospectively at 12 months after the surgery using the Lysholm (LS) score. RESULTS The final functional results were successfully assessed in 49 performed osteosyntheses (89.1%). The mean duration of surgery was 72.7± 19.57 min (40-140 min, median 65 min). A total of 48 (98%) fractures healed by primary intention. In five cases (10.2%) a delayed healing occurred and in one case (2 %) non-union was reported, requiring a revision surgery. In three cases (6.1%) complete implant was removed (twice by SP and once by IP approach). The mean Lysholm score was 93.4 ± 8.39 points (59-100 points, median score of 95 points). An excellent or a good result was observed in 45 patients (91.8%), a satisfactory result in three patients (6.2%), and a poor result in one patient (2%). A statistically significant correlation (p = 0.006) between the LS score values and the age of the patients was confirmed. In patients up to 60 years of age the LS score was 96.2 ± 4.51 points (89-100, median 96), at the age of more than 60 years it was 86.9 ± 11.46 (59-100, median 89). CONCLUSIONS The suprapatellar approach in treating the tibial diaphyseal fractures represents a safe alternative nail insertion technique. If an appropriate surgical technique is applied, the risks inherent in this approach are negligible. The approach allows for an easy reduction of challenging fractures of the proximal third diaphyseal fracture of the tibia and multiple fractures of the tibia and facilitates an easy check of the axial position of the extremity. The functional results of the knee joint are comparable to those achieved with the infrapatellar nailing technique. The final LS score correlates with the age of the patients. Key words:tibial fractures, suprapatellar approach, intramedullary nailing, knee pain.
- MeSH
- diafýzy diagnostické zobrazování zranění chirurgie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fraktury tibie klasifikace diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie MeSH
- intramedulární fixace fraktury přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- kostní hřeby * MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Lysholmovo skóre MeSH
- otevřené fraktury diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- radiografie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- uzavřené fraktury diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess the average length of a proximal and a distal incision, to verify the location of the axillary nerve and to identify risk factors for nerve injury during minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During cadaver study a total of 24 implantations using the Philos angular stable plate were performed from the minimally invasive anterolateral approach. A five-hole plate inserted with the aid of new Philos aiming device was used in all cases. The plate was fixed with four screws proximally and with three screws to the diaphysis. After implantation either of the incisions were joined and the axillary nerve was exposed on the lateral side of the arm. RESULTS: The nerve was not found to be injured during plate implantation in any of the cases. The average length of the proximal incision was 56 ± 2.8 mm (52-64 mm) and that of the distal incision was 32 ± 2.5 mm (28-35 mm). The middle free part covering the axillary nerve was on average 45 ± 4.3 mm (38-54) long. The average width of the nerve was 1.9 ± 0.35 mm (1.4-2.8 mm). The average distance of the axillary nerve was 39 ± 2.9 mm (37-44 mm) from the superior facet of the greater tubercle and 53 ± 3.9 mm (48-60) from the lower edge of the acromial process. In 80% of the cases the nerve was located in the area determined for the screws going to the medial calcar region; in 20% it was over a hole for the screw directed towards the centre of humeral head. Nerve location above the first six most proximally placed screws was not recorded in any of the cases. DISCUSSION: The minimally invasive anterolateral approach is an alternative technique for osteosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures using angular stable plates. Advantages reported by a number of authors include lower incidence of avascular necrosis of the humeral head, an easier way of reduction and a better view of the rotator cuff. On the other hand, this approach is associated with a higher risk of damage to the axillary nerve. Distance of axillary nerve from acromion is very variable. It may be located in the range of 30 to 85 mm from the acromial edge. CONCLUSION: The anterolateral approach is, when respecting the anatomical position of the axillary nerve, a safe alternative to the conventional deltoideopectoral approach.
- MeSH
- axila inervace MeSH
- fraktury humeru * diagnóza chirurgie MeSH
- hodnocení výsledků zdravotní péče MeSH
- humerus patologie patofyziologie MeSH
- kostní destičky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- miniinvazivní chirurgické výkony škodlivé účinky přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- peroperační komplikace prevence a kontrola MeSH
- poranění periferního nervu * etiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- vnitřní fixace fraktury * škodlivé účinky přístrojové vybavení metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
To evaluate and compare proximal humeral fractures treated either by plate osteosynthesis with angular-stable screws or by intramedullary nailing, and to define the indications optimal for use of either technique. MATERIAL: The study comprised 97 patients. The proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate was used in 49 patients (31 women and 18 men); with age average 57.4 years (women, 64.5 and men, 45.3 years). By the AO classification, 12 patients with type A, 15 with type B, and 22 with type C fractures. The Targon PH nail was used in 48 patients (32 women and 16 men) at an average age of 65.3 years (women, 72.2 and men, 51.4 years). Type A fractures were in 18, type B in 18 and type C in 12 patients. METHODS: The patients were prospectively evaluated and placed into the two groups.The post-operative range of motion was assessed by the Constant-Murley (CM) score at 6 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. The CM value was related to the healthy collateral limb and recorded as a relative CM score. RESULTS In the PHILOS group, the average values were: operative time, 76.2 min; X-ray exposure, 4.2 min; and relative CM score, 74.5 points. The Targon PH group showed the average operative time of 50.2 min., X-ray exposure for 4 min. and the relative CM score 78.3 points. There were no significant differences between the groups, with the exception of shorter operative time in intramedullary nailing. DISCUSSION: Nailing is the method of choice for two-fragment fractures. In comminutive metaphyseal fractures particularly, the use of nailing is more effective than plate osteosynthesis that carries the risk of plate detachment from the diaphysis. In fractures with a long fracture line extending into the metaphysis, plate osteosynthesis with open reduction is a better option. The results in three-fragment fractures are comparable and the choice of an implant is the matter of surgeon's preference. The standard technique for four-fragment fractures involves the use of angular-stable plate fixation through the deltoid- pectoral approach. Intramedullary nailing is a borderline indication requiring a modified surgical procedure, with tubercles being fixed with osteosuture. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences in functional results occurred between the observed groups at one year of followup. In four-fragment proximal humerus fractures, the patients treated with Targon PH nails had more complications and worse relative CM scores than those treated with PHILOS plates; however, this was not statistically significant and the number of complications decreased after the technique of tubercle osteosuture had been introduced. Finally, the only significant difference between the groups was a shorter operative time with the use of intramedullary nailing.
