Objective To investigate the effectiveness of shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique for repairing large tibial bone and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2011, 12 patients with large tibial bone and soft tissue defects were treated by shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique. There were 8 males and 4 females with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 18-65 years). The causes were injury in 8 cases and chronic infection in 4 cases. The area of soft tissue defect was 5 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 16 cm, and the length of tibial bone defect was 4.5-8.0 cm with an average of 6.2 cm. Results Incision in the lengthening area healed by first intention; healing of wounds by first intention was achieved in 6 cases, delayed healing in 2 cases, and secondary healing in 4 cases, with no common peroneal nerve injury. All patients were followed up 18-54 months with an average of 29 months. In the lengthening area, the bone healing time was 180-365 days (mean, 267 days), and the healing index was 3.8-4.3 days/mm (mean, 4.1 days/mm). In the shortening area, the bone healing time was 195-380 days (mean, 297 days) in the others except 1 case who was repaired with bone grafting. Mild pin-related infection and loosening were observed in all cases, but no infection occurred in the lengthening or shortening area. At last follow-up, weight bearing of the leg was fully recovered in 12 cases. According to Mazur’s criteria, the function of ankle was excellent in 2 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 4 cases. Nine patients had equal limb length, and 3 patients had shortened length less than 2 cm. Conclusion Shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique has the advantages of simple surgery, less complications, easy to close the wound, and good effectiveness in repairing of large tibial bone and soft tissue defects．
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of sharp teeth hook plate by cutting for the treatment of olecranon fractures by comparison with Kirschner wire tension belt and locking plate. MethodsBetween January 2011 and April 2015, 32 cases of olecranon fractures were treated. Fracture was fixed with sharp teeth hook plate by cutting in 12 cases (trial group) and with Kirschner wire tension belt or locking plate in 20 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, side and type of fracture, and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The healing time of fractures and complications were recorded. At 1 year after operation, the subjective function results were evaluated according to Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and objective function results by Mayo Elbow Score (MEPS); visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for elbow joint pain, and range of motion of flexion and extension of elbow joint was measured. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, with no vascular and nerve injuries. All patients were followed up 12-36 months with an average of 18 months. All fractures healed, and there was no significant difference in the healing time between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Loosening of Kirschner wire occurred in 2 cases of control group, but no loosening of internal fixation was observed in trial group after operation. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The DASH, MEPS, VAS score, and range of motion of flexion in trial group were superior to those in control group, showing significant differences (P < 0.05) at 1 year after operation. There was no significant difference in range of motion of extension between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionSharp teeth hook plate for treatment of olecranon fractures overcomes the shortcomings that Kirschner wire tension is easy to slide and locking plate has a compression effect on triceps tendon, so it has good effectiveness.
Objective To explore the clinical application of vascular augmentation of an extra-long latissimus dorsi flap through an intercostal artery in limb wound repair. Methods Between January 2016 and December 2017, 5 patients with limb wounds were treated with the extra-long latissimus dorsi flaps. The vascular augmentation of the extra-long latissimus dorsi flap through the intercostal artery was applied during the operation. There were 4 males and 1 female, with an average age of 45.8 years (range, 43-59 years). The time from post-traumatic admission to flap repair was 7-25 days (mean, 12.3 days). The causes of injury included machine injury in 2 cases, traffic accident in 2 cases, and roller crush injury in 1 case. The wounds were located at the anterior of upper limb in 3 cases, the posterior of upper limb in 1 case, and the posterior of leg in 1 case. The size of wounds ranged from 26 cm×8 cm to 38 cm×10 cm. The size of the latissimus dorsi flap ranged from 36 cm×6 cm to 43 cm×7 cm. The size of the muscle flap ranged from 36 cm×10 cm to 43 cm×15 cm. The donor sites were closed directly. Results The distal flap necrosis occurred in 1 case and healed after symptomatically treatment. The other flaps survived completely. The wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 8-18 months with an average of 14.9 months. At last follow-up, the flaps had satisfactory appearances, soft textures, and function of sweating. Conclusion Application of vascular augmentation of the extra-long latissimus dorsi flap through the intercostal artery in repair of limb wound can reduce the incidence of distal flap necrosis and achieve satisfactory effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator for treating extreme distal radial fractures. Methods Between January 2014 and May 2016, 21 patients who suffered from extreme distal radial fractures were treated by arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator. There were 14 males and 7 females with an age of 32-57 years (mean, 42.3 years). The causes of injury included falling in 13 cases and traffic accident in 8 cases. The fracture type included 8 cases of type 23C1, 9 cases of type 23C2, and 4 cases of type 23C3 according to AO/OTA classification. The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.4 days). The Mayo score and disability of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score were used to assess the pain and function of the wrist joint. Results There was no needle red swelling, tendon irritation, or orther early complications. All the patients were followed up 10-35 months (mean, 18.3 months). The fracture healing time was 9-13 weeks (mean, 10.6 weeks). At last follow-up, the Mayo score was 87-94 (mean, 90.9); and 17 cases were excellent and 4 were good. The DASH score was 7-13 (mean, 10.6). Conclusion Arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator for treating extreme distal radial fractures has the advantages of firm fixation, early functional exercise, less postoperative complications, and good functional recovery of wrist joint.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of Nice knot combined with elastic intramedullary nailing fixation in treatment of Robinson type 2B midshaft clavicular fracture in adults.MethodsBetween March 2016 and January 2018, 20 patients with Robinson type 2B midshaft clavicular fractures were treated with reduction and internal fixation by Nice knot and elastic intramedullary nailing. There were 13 cases and 7 cases, with an average age of 43 years (range, 18-56 years). The causes of injury included the traffic accident in 6 cases, falling in 12 cases, and falling from height in 2 cases. The interval between injury and admission ranged from 1 hour to 2 days (mean, 3.2 hours). The fractures were classified as Robinson type 2B1 in 16 cases and type 2B2 in 4 cases. The length of incision, the operation time, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score on the 2nd day after operation, the fracture healing time, the postoperative shoulder function and the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the complications, and the time of second surgical removal of internal fixator and incision length were recorded.ResultsThe length of incision was 2-6 cm (mean, 4.7cm). The operation time was 45-120 minutes (mean, 77.2 minutes). The VAS score was 1-5 (mean, 3.2) on the 2nd day after operation. All incisions healed by first intention and no infection or nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-32 months (mean, 18.6 months). All fractures healed with the healing time of 10-15 weeks (mean, 12.1 weeks). The Constant score was 92-98 (mean, 96.3) and DASH score was 0-6.4 (mean, 3.1). The elastic intramedullary nailing bending and hypertrophic nonunion occurred in 1 case and the skin stimulated by elastic nail tail in 1 case after operation. The internal fixators were removed at 12-26 months (mean, 14.6 months) after operation. And the length of incision was 1-2 cm (mean, 1.3 cm) and the operation time was 5-15 minutes (mean, 9.0 minutes). ConclusionFor the midshaft clavicular fracture in adults, the procedure of the Nice knot combined with elastic intramedullary nail has advantages of small incision, light pain, rapid fracture healing, small secondary operation injury, and avoiding the risk of clavicular epithelial nerve injury, and can obtain good effectiveness.