Objective To compare the effectiveness of suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator with double plate internal fixation in the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures. Methods Between January 2014 and April 2016, 30 patients with type C (Association for the Study of Internal Fixation, AO/ASIF) humeral intercondylar fractures were treated. Kirschner wire suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator was used in 14 cases (group A), and double plate internal fixation in 16 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, disease duration, injury side, and type of fracture between 2 groups (P>0.05). Results There was no significant difference in operation time and hospitalization stay between 2 groups (P>0.05). But the intraoperative blood loss in group A was significantly less than that in group B (P<0.05); the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients of 2 groups, and no surgery-related complications occurred. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 12.3 months) in group A and 6-24 months (mean, 12.8 months) in group B. The self-evaluation satisfaction rate was 85.7% (12/14) in group A and was 81.2% (13/16) in group B at 3 months after operation, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.055, P=0.990). Based on the improved Gassebaum elbow performance score at 6 months after operation, excellent and good rate of the elbow function was 78.6% (excellent in 5 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group A and was 81.2% (excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group B, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=0.056, P=0.990). Heterotopic ossification occurred at 3 months after operation in 1 case of each group respectively. The X-ray films showed bony union in all cases; no loosening or breakage of screw was observed. The bone union time showed no significant difference between 2 groups (t=–0.028, P=0.978). The time of internal fixation removal, the intraoperative blood loss, and VAS score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significant better than those in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion The suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator and double plate internal fixation for the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures have ideal outcome in elbow function. But the suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator is better than double plate internal fixation in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative VAS score, and time of internal fixation removal.
ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of progressive three-dimensional navigation template system (abbreviated as progressive template) to assist atlas-axial pedicle screw placement. MethodsThe clinical data of 33 patients with atlas-axial posterior internal fixation surgery between May 2015 and May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of auxiliary screw placement, the patients were divided into trial group (19 cases, screw placement assisted by progressive template) and control group (14 cases, screw placement assisted by single navigation template system, abbreviated as initial navigation template). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, damage segments, damage types, and preoperative Frankel classification between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the two groups were compared. The safety of screw placement was evaluated on postoperative CT by using the method from Kawaguchi et al, the deviation of screw insertion point were calculated, the angular deviation of the nailing on coordinate systems XOZ, XOY, YOZ were calculated according to Peng’s method. ResultsAll patients completed the operation successfully; the operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the trial group were significantly less than those in the control group (t=–2.360, P=0.022; t=–3.006, P=0.004). All patients were followed up 12–40 months (mean, 25.3 months). There was no significant vascular injury or nerve injury aggravation. Postoperative immediate X-ray film and CT showed the dislocation was corrected. Postoperative immediate CT showed that all 76 screws were of grade 0 in the trial group, and the safety of screw placement was 100%; 51 screws were of grade 0, 3 of gradeⅠ, and 2 of gradeⅡ in the control group, and the safety of screw placement was 91.1%; there was significant difference in safety of screw placement between the two groups (χ2=7.050, P=0.030). The screw insertion point deviation and angular deviation of the nailing on XOY and YOZ planes in the trial group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in angular deviation of the nailing on XOZ between the two groups (t=1.060, P=0.290). ConclusionCompared with the initial navigation template, the progressive navigation template assisting atlas-axial pedicle screw placement to treat atlas-axial fracture with dislocation, can reduce operation time and intraoperative blood loss, improve the safety of screw placement, and match the preoperative design more accurately.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing assisted internal fixation for unstable pelvic fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 28 patients with unstable pelvic fractures admitted between March 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Eighteen cases in the control group were treated with traditional anterior and posterior open reduction and internal fixation with plate; 10 cases in the observation group were treated with 3D printing technology to make pelvic models and assist in shaping the subcutaneous steel plates of the anterior ring. Sacroiliac screw navigation template was designed and printed to assist posterior ring sacroiliac screw fixation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender composition, age, cause of injury, fracture type, and time interval from injury to surgery (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, incision length, waiting time for weight-bearing exercise, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. Majeed score was used to evaluate the function at last follow-up. At immediate after operation, the reduction was evaluated according to Matta imaging scoring criteria, and the success of sacroiliac joint screw implantation in the observation group was evaluated. The deviation of screw entry point and direction between postoperative screws and preoperative simulated screws were compared in the observation group.ResultsAll the operation was successfully completed, and all patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 14.4 months). In the control group, 1 case had wound infection and 2 cases had deep vein thrombosis. No serious complication such as important blood vessels, and nerve injury and pulmonary embolism occurred in other patients in the two groups. No screw pulling out or steel plate breaking occurred. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, incision length, and waiting time for weight-bearing exercise of the control group were significantly more than those of the observation group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (t=0.12, P=0.90). There was no significant difference in reduction quality between the two groups at immediate after operation (Z=–1.05, P=0.30); Majeed score of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group at last follow-up (Z=–2.42, P=0.02). The success rate of sacroiliac joint screw implantation in the observation group reached category Ⅰ. In the observation group, the deviation angle of the direction of the screw path between the postoperative screw and the preoperative simulated screw implant was (0.09±0.22)°, and the deviation values of the entry points on the X, Y, and Z axes were (0.13±0.63), (0.14±0.58), (0.15±0.53) mm, respectively. There was no significant difference when compared with those before the operation (all values were 0) (P>0.05).ConclusionComputer design combined with 3D printing technology to make personalized pelvic model and navigation template applied to unstable pelvic fractures, is helpful to accurately place sacroiliac screw, reduce the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the fluoroscopy times, has good waiting time for weight-bearing exercise and function, and it is an optional surgical treatment for unstable fractures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of unstable pelvic fractures treated with minimally invasive percutaneous bridge internal fixator or traditional external fixator.MethodsThe clinical data of 45 patients with unstable pelvic fractures who met the selection criteria between January 2013 and February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into two groups. In the observation group (25 cases), minimally invasive percutaneous bridge internal fixators were used, and three-dimensional printing pelvic models were used to simulate the reduction and fixation before operation to develop individual reduction strategies. In the control group (20 cases), external fixators were used. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, cause of injury, fracture type (according to Tile classification), and time from injury to operation (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The reduction quality was evaluated according to the Matta standard, and functional recovery was evaluated according to the Majeed scoring standard.ResultsAll patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 15 months). The operation time of the observation group was significantly longer than that of the control group (t=2.719, P=0.009); no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss was found between the two groups (t=0.784, P=0.437). There was no significant difference between the two groups in fracture healing time (t=0.967, P=0.341). According to the Matta standard, the excellent and good rate of the observation group was 92%, and that of the control group was 70%, showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=3.748, P=0.053). At last follow-up, according to the Majeed scoring standard, the excellent and good rate of the observation group was 88%, and that of the control group was 60%, showing significant difference between the two groups (χ2=4.717, P=0.030). The incidences of incision and nailway infection, secondary displacement of fracture, and malunion in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); the differences in incidences of iatrogenic injury of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, deep vein thrombosis, and loosening of fixation between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05).ConclusionMinimally invasive percutaneous bridge internal fixator is a safe and effective method for the treatment of unstable pelvic fractures. It has the advantages of minimal trauma, stable fixation, less interference to patients’ daily life, early functional exercise, and quickly recovery after operation.
Objective To evaluate the deviation between actual and simulated screw placement after cervical pedicle screw placement assisted by 3D printed navigation template, and analyze the correlation between screw placement deviation and navigation pipe length. Methods A total of 40 patients undergoing cervical 1-7 pedicle screw insertion assisted by 3D printed navigation template in Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital between February 2018 and August 2020 were included in this prospective study. These patients were divided into 3 groups randomly, including 12 patients with a 5-mm pipe length (5 mm group), 13 patients with a 10-mm pipe length (10 mm group), and 15 patients with a 15-mm pipe length (15 mm group). Three-dimensional modeling was performed on preoperative cervical CT images of these patients and simulated pedicle screw was placed. Individualized pedicle screw navigation templates were designed according to the position and direction of simulated pedicle screws, and 3D printing was performed on the cervical model and navigation templates. Preoperative 3D printed model and navigation templates were used to simulate the surgical process to confirm the safety of screws. During the operation, pedicle screw placement was performed according to the preoperative design and simulated surgical process. The postoperative CT images were registered with the preoperative CT images in 3D model. The safety of screw placement was evaluated by the postoperative screw placement Grade, and the accuracy of screw placement was evaluated by measuring the deviation of screw placement point and the deviation of screw placement direction in horizontal plane (inclination angle) and sagittal plane (head inclination angle). The influence of different navigation pipe lengths on the safety and accuracy of screw placement was analyzed. Results A total of 164 pedicle screws were inserted with navigation template assistance, including 48 screws (38 in Grade 0 and 10 in Grade 1) in the 5 mm group, 52 screws in the 10 mm group (all in Grade 0), and 64 screws (52 in Grade 0 and 12 in Grade 1) in the 15 mm group, and the difference in the grade among the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). When the navigation pipe length was 5, 10, and 15 mm, respectively, the screw entry point deviation was (1.87±0.63), (1.44±0.63), and (1.66±0.54) mm, respectively, the inclination angle deviation was (2.72±0.25), (0.90±0.21), and (1.84±0.35)°, respectively, and the head inclination angle deviation was (8.63±1.83), (7.15±1.38), and (8.24±1.52)°, respectively. The deviations in the 10 mm group were all significantly less than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions In the cervical pedicle screw placement assisted by navigation template, all the screws were Grade 0 or Grade 1, with high safety. The mean deviation of the screw entry point is within 2 mm, with high accuracy. When the length of navigation pipe is 10 mm, the safety and accuracy of screw placement can be fully guaranteed.
Objective To observe and evaluate the clinical effect of the new fenestration rammer in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture by posterior internal fixation and reduction of lamina with finite fenestration decompression. Methods Patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures admitted to Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital between September 2017 and January 2020 were retrospectively selected. The patients were divided into observation group and control group according to different surgical methods. The observation group used a new tamping device with finite fenestration rammer of unilateral lamina to reduce the spinal occupying bone mass, and the control group used conventional instruments for reduction of intraspinal fracture masses. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, CT measurement of sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal and the number of cases of postoperative vertebral empty shell phenomenon were recorded in the two groups, and Frankel grading evaluation of spinal nerve function was conducted. Results A total of 67 patients were included. There were 33 cases in the observation group and 34 cases in the control group. The patients in both groups were followed up for 12 to 16 months, with an average of (14.45±2.25) months. The improvement rate of Frankel rating in each group was 100%. In the control group and the observation group, except for the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal before operation (P=0.616), the operation time [(150.44±26.47) vs. (120.91±20.86) min], the intraoperative blood loss [(244.41±42.97) vs. (183.33±34.56) mL], the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal one week after operation [(92.50±2.32)% vs. (93.72±2.40)%], the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal at the last follow-up [(91.50±2.96)% vs. (93.17±3.27)%] and the occurrence of empty shell phenomenon (13 vs. 5 cases) were statistically significant (P<0.05). The intragroup comparison showed that the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal was improved one week after operation and at the last follow-up compared with that before operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the sagittal diameter ratio of spinal canal between one week after operation and the last follow-up (P>0.05). Conclusions The new fenestration rammer can effectively reduce the spinal occupying bone mass in thoracolumbar burst fracture, effectively restore the volume of the spinal canal, achieve the purpose of decompression, effectively prevent the formation of vertebral shell, maximize the retention of the stable structure of the posterior column, and avoid iatrogenic nerve injury. It is safe and effective.
Objective To compare the clinical results of locking compress plate (LCP) as an external fixator and standard external fixator for treatment of tibial open fractures. Methods Between May 2009 and June 2012, 59 patients with tibial open fractures were treated with LCP as an external fixator in 36 patients (group A), and with standard external fixator in 23 patients (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, affected side, type of fracture, location, and interval between injury and surgery between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The time of fracture healing and incision healing, the time of partial weight-bearing, the range of motion (ROM) of knee and ankle, and complications were compared between 2 groups. Results The incidence of pin-track infection in group A (0) was significantly lower than that in group B (21.7%) (P=0.007). No significant difference was found in the incidence of superficial infection and deep infection of incision, and the time of incision healing between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 5 cases of group A and 2 cases of group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.036, P=0.085). All patients were followed up 15.2 months on average (range, 9-28 months) in group A, and 18.6 months on average (range, 9-47 months) in group B. The malunion rate and nonunion rate showed no significant difference between groups A and B (0 vs. 13.0% and 0 vs. 8.7%, P gt; 0.05); the delayed union rate of group A (2.8%) was significantly lower than that of group B (21.7%) (χ2=5.573, P=0.018). Group A had shorter time of fracture healing, quicker partial weight-bearing, greater ROM of the knee and ankle than group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The LCP external fixator can obtain reliable fixation in treating tibial open fracture, and has good patients’ compliance, so it is helpful to do functional exercise, improve fracture healing and function recovery, and reduce the complication incidence.
Objective To analyze the imaging characteristics of vertebral " shell” phenomenon of thoracolumbar fractures after posterior reduction and to explore the relationship between vertebral " shell” and fracture healing. Methods Between January 2013 and December 2015, the clinical data of 116 patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated with posterior pedicle screw-rod system reduction and internal fixation were analyzed retrospectively. There were 72 males and 44 females, aged 22-66 years (mean, 43 years). Injury causes were traffic accident in 24 cases, falling from height in 54 cases, bruise in 38 cases. Fracture segment located at T11 in 5 cases, T12 in 38 cases, L1 in 52 cases, L2 in 21 cases. There were 51 cases of compressive fracture and 65 cases of burst fracture. The sagittal Cobb angle ranged from 8 to 27°, with an average of 15°. Degree of preoperative spinal compression ranged from 20% to 75%, with an average of 44%. Bone density measurement showed that normal bone mass in 30 cases, bone loss in 40 cases, osteoporosis in 41 cases, and severe osteoporosis in 5 cases. The number, pathological characteristics, and imaging regularity of the vertebral " shell” phenomenon were observed and analyzed by logistic regression. Results All patients were followed up 11-18 months with an average of 13 months. A total of 72 cases of vertebral " shell” phenomenon mainly located in the vertebral anterior column and the end plate near the weak area (54/72, 75.0%). Most of them were in the irregular shape (50/72, 69.5%). The vertebral fracture line was related to the shape of the vertebral body and the displacement of the vertebral body after reduction. The outcome of the " shell” can be divided into disappeared type, reduced type, and collapse type, the volume of vertebral " shell” and its outcome were the risk factors for vertebral fracture healing. Conclusion The incidence of vertebral " shell” and nonuion of thoracolumbar fractures after posterior reduction are high. The main influencing factors are vertebral " shell” outcome and size.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety of photoelectric guided navigation unilateral puncture of the percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).MethodsA randomized controlled clinical research was performed between June 2015 and January 2017. Eighty-five cases of OVCF were treated with photoelectric guided navigation unilateral puncture of the PKP (trial group, 43 cases) or C arm fluoroscopy unilateral puncture of the PKP (control group, 42 cases) respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, segmental fracture, AO classification, bone mineral density, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score between 2 groups (P>0.05). The concordance rate of puncture path and design path, the incidence of pedicle wall breaking, the incidence of bone cement leakage, and the rate of bone cement distribution center were observed and calculated on postoperative CT images; the intraoperative X-ray exposure frequency, frequency of puncture, operation time, VAS scores before operation and at 2 days after operation, and postoperative blood vessel or nerve injury were recorded and compared.ResultsThe intraoperative X-ray exposure frequency and puncture frequency in trial group were significantly less than those in control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in operation time between 2 groups (t=0.440, P=0.661). The VAS scores of 2 groups at 2 days after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in VAS score at 2 days after operation between 2 groups (t=0.406, P=0.685). All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 10 months). No blood vessel or nerve injury occurred in 2 groups. The incidence of pedicle wall breaking, the incidence of bone cement leakage, the concordance rate of puncture path and design path, and the rate of bone cement distribution center in trial group were 2.33% (1/43), 2.33% (1/43), 86.05% (37/43), and 88.37% (38/43) respectively, all showing significant differences when compared with those of control group [19.05% (8/42), 21.43% (9/42), 45.24% (19/42), and 50.00% (21/42) respectively] (P<0.05).ConclusionIntraoperative photoelectric guided navigation unilateral puncture of the PKP can improve the success rate of target puncture and reduce the incidence of pedicle wall breaking effectively, and achieve better bone cement distribution and better security.
ObjectiveTo explore the application value of thin CT angiography (CTA) of pedicle sagittal plane of axis for preoperative evaluation planning pedicle screw placement.MethodsBetween February 2016 and August 2017, 34 patients (68 pedicles) who underwent thin CTA scan before posterior axial surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The vertebral artery development was statistically analyzed. The continuous layers of transverse process hole pedicle height more than or equal to 4 mm (f) were measured and read. The axial fixation methods, clinical manifestations of vertebral artery and spinal cord injury and the bone union of fractures or implants were recorded. Postoperative results of pedicle screws were evaluated by CT scan.ResultsThe right sides of 8 cases and the left sides of 18 cases were dominant vertebral arteries, and equilibrium was reached in 8 cases; f>9 layers were found in 16 pedicles,f=9 layers in 27 pedicles, f=8 layers in 17 pedicles, and f<8 layers in 8 pedicles. The 43 pedicles off≥9 layers used pedicle screw fixation; in the 17 pedicles of f=8 layers, 16 used pedicle screw fixation, and the other one used laminar screw fixation; in the 8 pedicles of f<8 layers, 4 used pedicle screw fixation, and the other 4 used laminar screw fixation. A self-defined pedicle screw grading system was used to evaluate the excellence, and the result showed that,f>9 layers: 14 pedicles were class A, 2 were class B, none was class C;f=9 layers: 16 pedicles were class A, 7 were class B, 4 were class C; f=8 layers: 3 pedicles were class A, 5 were class B, 8 were class C; f<8 layers: none was pedicles class A or class B, 4 were class C. The other 4 lamina screws fixation didn’'t invade the spinal canal. One case of pedicle class C showed clinical manifestations of mild dizziness and drowsiness. The patients were followed up for 6-11 months with an average of (8±3) months, and the fracture or bone graft fusion were observed after 6 months of following-up.ConclusionBased on preoperative CTA thin layer scanning, through measuring and reading continuous layers of transverse process hole pedicle height more than or equal to 4 mm, can effectively judge the security of axial pedicle screws in order to subsequently choose the reasonable operation methods so as to improve success rate and decrease surgical risk.