ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture in the treatment of mallet fingers. MethodsBetween June 2010 and March 2011, 33 patients with mallet fingers were treated by micro-anchor repair method (n=18, group A) and by modified pull-out suture method in which the broken tendons were sutured with double metal needle Bunnell’s suture and a knot was tied palmarly (n=15, group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). ResultsThe operation time was (62.5 ± 3.1) minutes in group A and (65.0 ± 4.6) minutes in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.85, P=0.07). The treatment expense in group A [(8 566.2 ± 135.0) yuan] was significantly higher than that in group B [(5 297.0 ± 183.5) yuan] (t=58.92, P=0.00). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of group A and 1 case of group B; the other patients obtained healing of incision by first intention. Relapsed mallet finger was observed in 1 case of group B. All patients in 2 groups were followed up 12-21 months. According to the Crawford functional assessment system, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at the last follow-up with an excellent and good rate of 83.3% in group A; the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 86.7% in group B. There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (χ2=0.23, P=0.97). ConclusionBoth micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture are simple and effective methods in the treatment of mallet finger. But compared with micro-anchor repair, pull-out suture has lower expense.
Objective To explore the mid-term effectiveness of combined knee extensor mechanism realignment with bone anchor for recurrent patella dislocation. Methods Between August 2017 and May 2019, 21 patients with recurrent patella dislocation underwent combined knee extensor mechanism realigament with bone anchor and followed up more than 3 years. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years (range, 13-26 years). All 21 patients had a history of recurrent patellar dislocation for 2-5 times (median, 3 times), and the disease duration was 1-16 years (mean, 5 years). The preoperative Lysholm score was 67.5±6.3 and the Kujula score was 64.1±7.0. The defect of meniscus, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and medial and lateral collateral ligaments were excluded by MRI examination; CT examination showed that the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance was 2.05-2.56 cm, with an average of 2.16 cm; X-ray examination showed that lower limb force line was abnormal. The effectiveness were evaluated by Lysholm score and Kujula score before operation and at 3 years after operation, and Insall evaluation standard at 3 years after operation. Results All the incisions healed by first intention, and there was no surgical complication such as lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, incision infection, and nerve injury. All 21 patients were followed up 3.0-3.5 years, with an average of 3.2 years. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the knee joint at 3 years after operation showed that the position of the patella was normal, and the axial X-ray films of the patella (30°, 60°, 90°) showed that the patellofemoral joint had a good relationship. During the follow-up, there was no anchor drop or fracture, no obvious pseudarthrosis formation, and no epiphyseal injury in the minor patients. The Lysholm score was 91.5±7.1 and the Kujula score was 88.1±7.6 at 3 years after operation, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=11.57, P=0.00; t=12.78, P=0.00). According to the Insall evaluation criteria, 12 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 4 cases were fair, and 1 case was poor, with an excellent and good rate of 76.2%. ConclusionCombined knee extensor mechanism realignment with bone anchor is a simple and reliable way to treat the recurrent patella dislocation, with a satisfactory mid-term effectiveness and less complications; however, its long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of suture anchor fixation combined with Nice knot strapping via longitudinal patellar drilling in the treatment of patellar inferior pole fractures. Methods A clinical data of 37 patients with unilateral patellar inferior pole fracture who met the selection criteria between June 2017 and June 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 17 cases were treated with the suture anchor fixation combined with Nice knot strapping via longitudinal patellar drilling (group A), and 20 cases were treated with the traditional Kirschner wire tension band technique (group B). There was no significant difference in terms of gender, age, body mass index, fracture side, combined medical disease, and preoperative hemoglobin between the two groups (P>0.05). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, fracture healing time, knee range of motion, and knee function Bostman score (range of motion, pain, daily work, muscle atrophy, walking aids, knee effusion, soft leg, and stair climbing) and grading were recorded in both groups at last follow-up. Results There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1-2 years, with an average of 1.7 years. X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures in group A healed, while 2 cases in group B did not heal. There was no significant difference in bone healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the knee range of motion, the range of motion score of Bostman score, total score and effectiveness grading in group A were significantly better than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the other items of Bostman scores between the two groups (P>0.05). During follow-up, 2 cases of internal fixation failure and 1 case of internal fixator irritation occurred in group B, and no complication related to internal fixation occurred in group A. The occurrence of complications was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with the traditional Kirschner wire tension band technique, the suture anchor combined with Nice knot strapping via longitudinal patellar drilling for the patellar inferior pole fractures has the advantages of simple operation, reliable fixation, early flexion and extension activity, and better functional recovery of knee joint.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of all-arthroscopic technique and modified open Broström technique in repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) for lateral instability of the ankle (LIA).MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on 65 patients who underwent ATFL repair with anchors for LIA between January 2014 and January 2017. The ATFL was repaired by all-arthroscopic technique in 35 patients (arthroscopic group) and modified open Broström technique in 30 patients (open group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, the side of injured ankle, the time from injury to operation, and preoperative anterior displacement of talus, tilt angle of talus, the Karlsson Ankle Functional (KAF) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Japanese Society for Surgery of the foot ankle-hindfoot (JSSF) scale score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, the intraoperative bleeding volume, and the length of time for surgery recovery were recorded. The anterior displacement of talus, the tilt angle of talus, KAF score, AOFAS score, and JSSF scale score were evaluated at 2 weeks, 3 months, and the last follow-up.ResultsAll patients were followed up 24-30 months, with an average of 26 months. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and the length of time for surgery recovery of arthroscopic group were superior to open group (P<0.05). There were 2 cases of temporary ankle and dorsum numbness and 1 case of thread reaction in arthroscopic group; and there were 2 cases of temporary ankle and dorsum numbness and 2 cases of thread reaction in open group. The AOFAS score, KAF score, and JSSF scale score in arthroscopic group were significantly higher than those in open group (P<0.05) at 2 weeks after operation; there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3 months and the last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the anterior displacement of talus and the tilt angle of talus between the two groups at 2 weeks, 3 months, and last follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionCompared with the modified open Broström technique, the all-arthroscopic technique, as a minimally invasive technique, can achieve the same effectiveness, and has the advantages of shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, and less pain in the early stage.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Kirschner wire fixation and coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction with suture anchor in the treatment of Cho type ⅡC distal clavicle fractures. Methods The data of 17 patients with Cho type ⅡC distal clavicular fractures, who were treated with Kirschner wire fixation and coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction with suture anchor between June 2019 and June 2021, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 males and 6 females with an average age of 38.7 years (range, 19-72 years). The fractures were caused by falling in 12 cases and traffic accident in 5 cases. All patients had fresh closed fractures. The interval from injury to operation was 1-5 days (mean, 2.6 days). The preoperative injury severity score (ISS) was 6-27 (mean, 10.2). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, fracture healing, and postoperative complications were analyzed. The shoulder joint function was evaluated by disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and Constant score at last follow-up. Results All operations were completed successfully. The operation time was 20-50 minutes (mean, 31.6 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 30-100 mL (mean, 50.6 mL). The hospital stay was 4-9 days (mean, 5.3 days). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 13 months). All clavicle fractures healed, and the healing time was 8-15 weeks (mean, 11 weeks). No complications such as fracture displacement or nonunion caused by internal fixation failure occurred. During the follow-up, skin irritation caused by the Kirschner wire withdrawal occurred in 3 cases. The Kirschner wires were removed after fracture healing in 17 patients. At last follow-up, the Constant score of shoulder joint was 90-100 (mean, 98.2). The DASH score was 0-10 (mean, 1.5). ConclusionKirschner wire fixation combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction with suture anchor in the treatment of Cho type ⅡC distal clavicle fractures has less postoperative complications and slight complications. It is convenient to remove the internal fixator. The Kirschner wire does not fix the distal clavicle fracture through the acromion, which has little effect on shoulder joint function and can obtain good effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of disc reduction and anchorage in treatment of diacapitular condylar fracture with disc displacement. Methods Between June 2019 and June 2021, 20 patients (27 sides) with diacapitular condylar fractures with disc displacement were treated with disc reduction and anchorage combined with internal fixation. There were 15 males and 5 females with a median age of 40 years (range, 8-65 years). The fractures were caused by falling from height in 3 cases, traffic accident in 3 cases, and falling in 14 cases. Among them, there were 13 cases of unilateral fracture and 7 cases of bilateral fractures. Five sides were type A fractures and 22 sides were type B. There were 14 simple diacapitular condylar fractures, 12 diacapitular condylar fractures combined with mandibular chin fractures, and 1 diacapitular condylar fracture combined with mandibular angle fracture. The maximum opening was 5-20 mm (mean, 9.7 mm). The time from injury to operation was 4-20 days, with an average of 11.6 days. The postoperative imaging examination was performed to evaluate the reduction of fracture and disc. The maximum opening at 6 months after operation was recorded, and the clinical dysfunction index (Di) of Helkimo index was used to evaluate the temporomandibular joint function. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All 20 patients were followed up 6-10 months (mean, 8 months). Postoperative imaging examination showed that 27 fractures were well reduced, of which 26 were anatomically reduced and 1 was basically reduced; the reduction of the temporomandibular joint disc was excellent in 25 sides, good in 1 side, and poor in 1 side, and the effective rate of disc reduction and anchorage was 96.3%. The occlusion relationship of the patient was stable and basically reached the pre-injury level, the incision scar was hidden, and the mouth opening significantly improved when compared with the preoperative level. The maximum mouth opening was 32-40 mm (mean, 36.8 mm) at 6 months after operation. Maximum opening was more than 35 mm in 17 cases. At last follow-up, joint function reached Di 0 grade in 8 sides, DiⅠ grade in 18 sides, and DiⅡ grade in 1 side. After operation, 2 cases of opening deviation, 1 case of joint click, and 2 cases of temporary disappearance of frontal striae on affected side occurred, which recovered to normal after symptomatic treatment. ConclusionFor diacapitular condylar fractures with disc displacement, it is necessary to adopt disc reduction and anchorage at the same time of fracture reduction and internal fixation, which can achieve good clinical results.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the channel-assisted minimally invasive repair (CAMIR) technique combined with flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer in the treatment of Achilles tendon sleeve avulsion. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 17 patients with Achilles tendon sleeve avulsion who underwent CAMIR technique combined with FHL transfer between January 2019 and January 2023. The cohort comprised 13 males and 4 females, aged 32 to 65 years (mean, 49.7 years). Etiologies included sports-related injuries in 15 cases and blunt trauma in 2 cases. The interval from injury to surgery ranged from 4 to 368 days (median, 15 days). All patients exhibited calcification at the Achilles tendon insertion site, with 7 cases complicated by Haglund deformity. Postoperative complications were meticulously monitored, and tendon healing was assessed via MRI. Clinical outcome were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, Tegner activity level rating scale, ankle activity score (AAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score, and subjective clinical scoring systems preoperatively and at last follow-up. Results The operation time was 50-62 minutes (mean, 56 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 5-50 mL (mean, 19.7 mL). All patients were followed up 12-67 months (mean, 38 months). No postoperative complication, such as Achilles tendon re-rupture, incision infection, deep vein thrombosis, heel raise insufficiency, or sural nerve injury, was observed. At last follow-up, MRI examination confirmed satisfactory tendon healing in all cases. Significant improvements were noted in VAS scores, Tegner activity level rating scale, AAS scores, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores, and VISA-A scores compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the subjective clinical score ranged from 6 to 10 (median, 9).ConclusionThe CAMIR technique combined with FHL tendon transfer is a good treatment for repair of Achilles tendon sleeve avulsion, with good recovery of ankle function and few complications.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of three internal fixation methods, namely hollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band, hollow screw combined with anchor nail, and modified 1/3 tubular steel plate, in the treatment of avulsion fracture of tibial tubercle (AFTT) in adolescents. Methods Between January 2018 and September 2023, 19 adolescent AFTT patients who met the selection criteria were admitted. According to different internal fixation methods, patients were divided into group A (8 cases, hollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band), group B (6 cases, hollow screw combined with anchor nail), and group C (5 cases, modified 1/3 tubular steel plate). There was no significant difference in the baseline data of age, gender, side, cause of injury, Ogden classification, and time from injury to operation among the three groups (P>0.05). The range of motion (ROM), weight-bearing time, normal activity time of knee joint, and the hospital for special surgery (HSS) score at last follow-up were recorded and compared among the three groups. Recorded whether the fracture was displaced, whether the fracture line was blurred at 1 month after operation, whether there was epiphyseal dysplasia, and whether there was incision infection and other complications. Results There was no significant difference in hospital stay between the groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 10-24 months, with an average of 14.3 months; there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). All the incisions healed well without soft tissue irritation or fracture nonunion, and no limb shortening deformity or epiphyseal dysplasia was found during follow-up. At 1 month after operation, the knee joint ROM and hospitalization expenses in group A were better than those in groups B and C, the fracture healing time, knee joint weight-bearing time, and normal activity time of knee joint were better than those in group C, and the hospitalization expenses in group C were better than those in group B, with significant differences (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the other indicators between the groups (P>0.05). In group A, the fracture line was blurred 1 month postoperatively, the fracture ends were in close contact, and there was no fracture displacement; in groups B and C, the fracture line was clear in 2 cases, and 1 case in group C had slight fracture displacement; except for 1 case in group B, there was no fracture split in the other two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidences of blur of fracture line, fracture displacement, and intraoperative bone split between the groups at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the HSS scores of knee joints in the three groups were excellent and good, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05).ConclusionHollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band technique is effective in treating adolescent AFTT, which has the advantages of stabilizing fracture, accelerating fracture healing and rehabilitation, early feasible knee joint functional exercise, and reducing hospitalization expenses.
Objective To investigate the outcomes of arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of tibial eminence avulsion fracture using absorbable double suture anchors. Methods Between February 2007 and August 2009, 18 patients with tibial eminence avulsion fracture were treated with arthroscopic reduction and fixation using absorbable doublensuture anchors. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 30.6 years (range, 17-48 years). The disease causes were traffic accident injury in 4 cases, sport injury in 8 cases, and fall ing from height injury in 6 cases; the locations were left side in 7 cases and right side in 11 cases. The results of the anterior drawer test and Lachman test were positive. According to Meyers-McKeever classification, 10 cases were rated as type II, 7 as type III, and 1 as type IV fractures. The time from injury to treatment was 6-20 days (mean, 10.2 days). Results Incision healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 29.1 months (range, 13-43 months). The X-ray films showed good reduction of fracture immediately after operation and fracture heal ing at 3 months. At the last follow-up, the range of motion of knee was 0-130°. The results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test were negative in 18 cases and 16 cases, repectively; and the results of anterior drawer test were weakly positive in 2 cases. The mean Lysholm score was significantly improved from 53.9 ± 6.7 preoperatively to 91.6 ± 4.2 postoperatively (t=22.100, P=0.000). The Inter national knee Documentation Commitee (IKDC) 2000 subject score improved from 58.1 ± 3.7 preoperatively to 92.8 ± 5.9 postoperatively (t=20.700, P=0.000). Conclusion Arthroscopic treatment using absorbable double suture anchors for tibial eminence avulsion fracture can provide satisfactory reduction, stable fixation, and good heal ing of the avulsed fragment, which is a minimally-invasive, simple, and effective treatment for patients with tibial eminence avulsion fracture.
ObjectiveTo verify the feasibility of a self-designed magnetic anchoring and traction device (MATD) for assisting two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy.MethodsThree Beagle dogs were selected as animal models with age ranging from 1-6 years and weight ranging from 8-12 kg, and they underwent two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy after general anesthesia. We used the MATD to retract the esophagus to different directions, which assisted mobilizing esophagus, detecting the nerves along esophagus and dissecting paraesophagus lymph nodes. The operation time, blood loss and feasibility of the MATD were recorded.ResultsWith the aid of the MATD, we successfully retracted and mobilized the esophagus, detected the nerves and dissected the lymph nodes in three Beagle dog models. During the operation, the MATD provided sufficient and steady traction of esophagus to achieve a good exposure of the operative field, effectively decreasing the interference between working instruments. The MATD worked well. The mean operation time was 30 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was about 10 mL.ConclusionIt is effective to use the MATD to assist retracting esophagus during video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The magnetic anchoring and traction technique can assist to expose the surgical field, decrease the interference between the working instruments and have the potential clinical application.