K Wire fixation of supra-condylar humerus fractures in children. Is ulnar nerve at risk?

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in lateral entry pin fixation versus medial and lateral entry pin fixation in the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Measurement of clinical parameters in terms of elbow range of motion and postop radiographic alignment was also targeted. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of paediatric patients who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation for the treatment of displaced extension type supracondylar fractures of the humerus between July 2007 and June 2012. Data regarding socio-demographic status, disease and procedure variables was collected from patient files and was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: There were 71patients; 37(52%) in the lateral entry group and 34(48%) in the medial and lateral entry group. The two groups were similar in terms of mean age, gender distribution, and preoperative displacement, comminution, and associated vascular and nerve status (p\u3e 0.05 each). There were no cases of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in either group and no significant differences between groups with respect to the elbow range of motion and radiological parameters (p\u3e 0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: With the use of the specific techniques employed, both lateral entry pin fixation and medial and lateral entry pin fixation were effective in the treatment of displaced extension type supracondylar humerus fractures in children

Rotational mal-alignment after reamed intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fracture

Abstract Intra-medullary (IM) nailing is standard of care for unstable tibial shaft fractures. Malrotation is very common but it is under-recognised, inpart because of variation in normal anatomy and partly due to difficulty in accurately assessing rotation. This study was planned to evaluate the frequency of rotational mal-alignment after reamed tibia IMnailing. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised patients with tibia shaft fractures managed with IMnailing from January to December 2014. All the patients were assessed intra-operatively for rotational alignment using the knee and ankle fluoroscopic images. There were 81 patients with a mean age of 38±16.9 years. There were 64(79%) male patients. Overall the incidence of malrotation was in 20(24.7%) cases. Rotational mal-alignment is one of the preventable complications after IMnailing which can be assesed intra-operatively under fluoroscope

Outcomes of internal hemipelvectomy for pelvic tumors: a developing country’s prospective

Introduction: Previously, external hemipelvectomy was the mainstay of treatment for pelvic tumors. However, with technological advancements, limb salvage procedures such as internal hemipelvectomy have emerged as a viable alternative. However, there is limited literature available on long-term outcomes and complications of internal hemipelvectomy, especially from developing countries. Therefore, the objective of this study was to share our experience of internal hemipelvectomy at a tertiary care center in a developing country. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted in which all 24 patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015 at our institution were included. Medical record files were reviewed for intraoperative and early and late postoperative complications, and functional outcomes were assessed by contacting each patient on telephone. Results: Ewing sarcoma was found to be the most common diagnosis, followed by osteosarcoma as the second most common. The mean follow-up period was 18.7 ± 13.9 months. Intraoperatively there were 4 cases of iatrogenic neurovascular injury and 2 cases each of urinary tract injury and dural tear. Four patients developed early wound infections, 7 developed late wound infections, and 2 developed flap necrosis. Three patients developed recurrence, whereas 7 patients developed metastasis postoperatively. The mean survival was calculated to be 28 months and the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 19.3 ± 5.2. Conclusions: Outcomes and prevalence of complications shown in this study are comparable to those in the international literature, which suggests that hemipelvectomy is a viable option in developing countries also. However, more such studies are warranted to validate the findings and to identify the challenges and morbidities associated with hemipelvectomy in Asian and developing countries

Outcome of Judet\u27s quadricepsplasty for knee contractures and the effect of local infiltration of epinephrine on reducing blood loss

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Judet\u27s quadricepsplasty for treatment of knee contractures and to identify the effect of local infiltration of epinephrine on blood loss associated with this procedure.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which all cases of knee contractures managed with Judet\u27s quadricepsplasty from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2013 were included and were divided into two groups. The epinephrine group included patients who were infiltrated with diluted epinephrine (1:400,000) along with xylocaine, around the operative field 15 min prior to the incision time, while the control group did not receive any infiltration. Judet\u27s outcome, blood loss, drop in hemoglobin and required blood transfusion were noted for all patients and compared between both groups.Results: Most common preceding pathology identified for the development of knee contractures was periarticular fracture while ilizarov application was the most common etiology. Both groups were found similar in all preoperative characteristics except preoperative flexion contracture (p = 0.02). All functional outcome measures including Judet\u27s outcome were similar in both groups. In contrast, duration of surgery (p = 0.01), blood loss (p = 0.02), drop in hemoglobin (p = 0.01) and number of transfusions (p = 0.03) were significantly reduced in epinephrine group.Conclusion: Judet\u27s quadricepsplasty is a useful procedure to increase the range of motion of rigid knees and local infiltration of epinephrine is effective in decreasing the amount of subsequent blood loss and transfusion requirements

Malrotation after reamed intramedullary nailing with and without a fracture table for closed fractures of the femoral shaft

Abstract Introduction: To observe the effect of the choice of surgical table on the incidence of malrotation. Methods: The randomised trial was conducted from July 2012 to January 2013 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, during which 74 patients were inducted. Randomisation was done via random allocation software version 1.0.0 and sealed envelopes were used to guide the choice of table. Malrotation was assessed by the operating surgeon using the lesser trochanteric shape signunder intra-operative fluoroscopy. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The 74 patients in the study were divided into two groups of 37(50%) each using fracture table and the regular table.Overall, there were 55(74%) male and 19(26%) female patients with a mean age of 37±17 years. Overall incidence of malrotation was 13(17.6%). Malrotation was observed in 7(19%)patients in the fracture table group and 6(16%)in the regular table group (p=0.760). Conclusion: The choice of fracture table did not influence the occurrence or direction of malrotation

Prophylaxis against heterotopic ossification after elbow and acetabular fractures — do we really need it

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic modalities for heterotopic ossification prevention after elbow and acetabular surgeries. METHODS: The retrospective chart review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital and comprised record of patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for elbow and acetabular fractures between 2010 and 2013. Data was classified into three groups: Group A patients had received single dose of radiotherapy; Group B patients had received indomethacin, and Group C patients had not received any prophylaxis. Outcome variables included time-to-fracture healing, heterotopic ossification, non-union and wound infection. RESULTS: Of the 104patients 70(67.3%) had elbow fractures and 34(32.7%) had acetabular fractures. Out of the 70patients with elbow fractures, 28(27%) were in Group A, 24(23%) in Group B, and 18(17%) in Group C. In Group A, 4(22%) patients had wound infection compared to 1(5.5%) patient in Group C (p=0.131). One (4%) patient in Group B and 1(5.5%) in Group C developed heterotopic ossification (p=0.486). Non-union occurred in 1(4%) patient in Group B and 1(5.5%) in Group C. Out of the 34 patients with acetabular fractures, 11(32.3%) were in Group A, 10(29.4%) in Group B, and 13(38.2%) in Group C. In Group A, 2(18.2%) patients developed wound infection. Only 1(7.6%) patient in Group C developed heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSIONS: No role of radiotherapy or indomethacin was detected in the prevention of heterotopic ossification

Clinic based biopsy vs. theatre biopsy of bone and soft tissue extremity tumours: comparable diagnostic modalities

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of clinic-based biopsy versus theatre biopsy against final histopathology in patients presenting with extremity tumours. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised record of patients who underwent biopsy procedure of extremity tumours from January 2008 to December 2011. Data regarding socio-demographic status, disease-related and procedure-related variables were collected from the files. Histopathology report of biopsy was compared with the final histopathology after definite procedure of the tumour for concordance. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients whose records were reviewed, 42(48%) had undergone biopsy in theatre and 45(52%) in clinic. The overall median age was 29 years (Inter-quartile range: 18-58 years). As compared to final histopathology after the definite procedure, diagnostic accuracy of theatre and clinic-based biopsy was 97.7% vs. 95.5% respectively. Surgical site infection was observed in 2(5%) in theatre and in 1(2.2%) in clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Clinic-based biopsy was accurate and safe with diagnostic accuracy comparable to theatre-based biopsy. Clinic-based biopsy, being cost-efficient along with low morbidity, should be preferred in patients with extremity tumour

Hip fracture surgery: Does type of anesthesia matter?

Background: Hip fracture surgery is a common procedure, and the geriatric population with its multiple comorbid conditions is at most at risk of developing anesthesia-related complications. Data on the impact of type anesthesia on postoperative morbidity and mortality is limited.The effects of regional and general anesthesia on postoperative outcomes need to be clearly elucidated. Methods: In this study, all patients who underwent dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation for intertrochanteric fractures, between January 2005 and December 2010, at the Aga Khan University Hospital, were included. Patients were divided into two groups; group A included those patients who received general anesthesia, and group B consisted of patients who had received regional anesthesia. The two groups were compared for differences in morbidity, mortality, and intraoperative complications based on the type of anesthesia administered. Results: During this period, 194 patients underwent DHS fixation. One hundred and seven patients received general anesthesia whereas eighty-seven patients received regional anesthesia. The mean operative time was significantly lower in the group receiving regional anesthesia (1.25 ± 0.39 hrs) as compared to those who received general anesthesia (1.54 ± 0.6 hrs) ( \u3c 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of wound infections, length of hospital stay, postoperative ambulation status, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and mortality between the regional and general anesthesia groups. Conclusion: Even though administration of regional anesthesia was positively correlated with shorter operative duration, the type of anesthesia was not found to affect surgical outcomes in the two study groups. Based on these results, we recommend that anesthesia should be tailored to individual patient requirements