PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Srám

Publications and source records attributed to J Srám.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Classification-based surgical approach in surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures of the spine].

INTRODUCTION: The decision on the surgical approach in the operative treatment of the fractures of thoracolumbar spine is possible only by following a detailed classification. However, the application of the classification systems is not reliable without a complex imagination of the bony and fibrous structures involved into the fracture. Pre-op investigation should include x-rays, CT-scans and MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient series consists of 21 females and 43 males treated surgically for the unstable thoracolumbar fracture during 2001. The average age was 43 years. Patients suffering form osteoporosis, fresh spinal cord injury and multiple spine fractures were excluded. All fractures were examined by plain x-rays, CT-scans and MRI and classified according the AO-ASIF classification system. In patients with A-type fractures the single anterior approach was used. Patients with B- or C-type of fracture were operated by the posterior approach. These fractures were complementary classified according to the Load-sharing classification and those with 6 or more points were additionally operated also from the front. Patients were divided into the three groups: the anterior approach (22 pts), the combined procedure (22 pts) and the posterior approach (20 pts). In the third group, the hardware was removed after 15 months on average. No posterolateral fusion was carried out. Minimum follow-up was 22 months. RESULTS: No implant failure was found in any patient. No significant loss of correction was found in the first and the second group. The loss of correction in the third group was 3.1 degree on average. CONCLUSION: Overall graphical imagination of the thoracolumbar fractures (including MRI) is essential for their classification. The classification helps to choose the optimum surgical approach. The approach related to the fracture classification prevents the treatment failure.

Adult↗

[Urgent management of the complex pelvic fractures].

AIM OF STUDY: The term "complex pelvic fractures" is reserved for pelvic ring fractures associated with soft tissue injuries in the pelvic region and with haemodynamic instability of the patient. These fractures represent only 10% of all pelvic fractures; however, the morality rate exceeds 33%. This study describes the algorithm of the urgent treatment of serious pelvic ring injuries. METHODS: Urgent application of pelvic clip or external pelvic fixator is considered as a part of the reanimation period. If the external pelvic ring fixation is not followed by stabilization of patient's circulation, the pelvis packing using the lower middle incision without opening of the abdominal cavity must be executed within a short time. The absence of the intraabdominal bleeding is essential. If the pelvis packing does not improve patient's haemodynamic conditions, the bleeding should be controlled by angiography and embolization or by direct ligature of the internal iliac artery. In the most severe cases, hemipelvectomy would be carried out as the life-saving procedure. DISCUSSION: Extreme blood loss associated with complex pelvic ring fractures is possible due to enlarged volume of the injured pelvis. This is caused by a gap within the symphysis or in the region of the pubic rami and by a shift in the posterior pelvic segment. In such situation, waiting for the self-packing of pelvis by haematoma can be dangerous. In case of parapelvic compartments disruption, the effect of the self-packing would not come at all. The management of the pelvic ring fractures should be completed by a surgical procedure, because non-surgical treatment is mostly disappointing. The best results can be achieved only by the early operation of the anterior and posterior pelvic segment aimed at the realignment of pelvic ring and proper anatomical relations. CONCLUSIONS: Complex pelvic ring fractures require the aggressive approach. The basic reanimation procedures include application of the pelvic clip. This is the only way how to control extensive haemorrhage associated with the pelvic ring fractures and how to improve patient's haemodynamic conditions. The final surgical treatment of the pelvis fractures should be completed early after the injury. This is within the competence of specialized centres.

Adolescent↗

[100 CT-guided pelvic operations].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The authors present their 10-year experience with the computed tomography (CT) assisted insertion of implants in the sacroiliac (SI) region and acetabular region. Indications for these interventions and their detailed descriptions are reported. MATERIAL: A total of 98 patients, with the average age of 40.7 years and prevalence of men (70%), were treated. The most frequent cause of injury was a car accident, second in rank was fall from a height. Of these patients, 86 were followed up from 2 months to 3 years. METHODS: The surgical procedure was carried out in the CT department, in which conditions were provided to meet the criteria of an operating theatre. Computed tomography was used to plan the exact position of the implant and, during the procedure, to guide its precise insertion. These procedures required close cooperation of the surgeon and radiologist. A total of 73 CT-guided operations were performed on the SI region, using iliosacral screws or sacral rods. The operation was always preceded by surgery on the anterior pelvic segment. Iliosacral screws were also used in six patients operated on for pseudoarthrosis of the sacrum or chronic instability of the SI joint. The screws were also used in 19 patients who underwent surgical intervention in the acetabular region; in 14 cases it was for a fracture of the acetabular rim. All procedures were carried out by this minimal invasive technique. RESULTS: In all cases, correct insertion of the implant was achieved. There was only one serious preoperative complication due to the fact that the guidewire deviated from its planned direction without this being shown by CT scan. A late infectious complication following iliosacral screw application was recorded in one patient and, in another patient, a nut loosened on one side of the sacral rod. These implants, temporally immobilizing the SI joint, were removed at periods of 6 to 9 months after the operation. There was no case of secondary dislocation of the SI joint after the implant was removed. Complete bony healing of the fractures treated, including pseudoarthrosis, was achieved in all our patients. A comprehensive evaluation of the clinical results of CT-guided operations was difficult because of large inter-individual differences in the extent of pelvic injuries. DISCUSSION: CT-guided interventions are currently indicated predominantly for fractures of the sacrum or displacement of the SI joint up to a 15 mm distance. It is necessary to re-evaluate the extent of displacement after an exact reconstruction of the anterior pelvic segment and restoration of the anatomical conditions. The displacement in the posterior segment usually becomes markedly reduced. The simultaneous surgical treatment of both the anterior and posterior pelvic segments results in restoration of pelvic girdle continuity and maintenance of good stability of the pelvis. This permits early rehabilitation and mobilization of the patient. Other conditions indicated for CT-guided surgery include simple fractures of the acetabular rim with a distance between the fracture lines up to 7 to 10 mm, usually following hip dislocation, and simple oblique fractures of the acetabular columns. CONCLUSIONS: The CT-guided surgical procedure allows us to assess both the shape and course of fracture lines or distance between the injured structures. It also enables us to choose the optimal direction, in relation to these structures, for an implant to be inserted and to respect important anatomical structures in the surroundings. It helps us to determine the exact length of implants to be used. During the procedure, repeated CT scans facilitate checking the direction and position of both instruments and implants. In the closing phase of the operation, it is possible to assess closeness of the bones screwed together, the definitive placement of the implants and their reliable fixation. This method also permits to check whether a screw did not penetrate through the opposite cortical bone.

Adolescent↗