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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Use of palacos in osteosynthesis for the connection of fragments (combined internal fixation)].

Internal fixations have become a frequent approach in surgery due to the profound studies dealing with biomechanical details of fractures and quality of metal devices. In the beginning, it seemed practically possible to manage easily, almost all the fractures by using various internal fixation devices excluding, naturally, those which have retained or shall retain probably some indications of further cure by closed methods. Moreover, certain doubts remain still open, particularly for the reason whether all internal fixations have been sufficiently rigid and if so, shall it be indispensable to count on the introduction of additional materials in order to strenghten these fractures. The outcome of the daily practice 1rd traumatho to approach the use of the bone cement, initially to help the fixation of new joints. Later the use of the bone cement was applied for the shaft and pathological fractures in combination with autogenous cancellous bone. Thus, the new notion was borne in traumathology which in the form of combined internal fixation has become a familiar term throughout the professional literature. Cases of the experience gained and this particular approache in surgery will be a subject of the report.

Adult

Comminuted fractures of the basilar joint of the thumb: combined treatment by external fixation, limited internal fixation, and bone grafting.

Displaced, comminuted fractures of the thumb carpometacarpal joint were treated by intermetacarpal external fixation, anatomic reduction of the joint surfaces, bone grafting and adjunctive internal fixation in thirteen patients. Retrospectively, at an average follow-up time of 35 months, nine patients showed a good result and one patient had a fair result. All fractures had united without secondary displacement, but focal irregularities of the joint surface were commonly seen. As compared with the uninvolved side, axial rotation averaged 79%, radial abduction 89%, key pinch 88%, and grip strength 81%.

Adolescent

Complications of orthognathic surgery: a comparison between wire fixation and rigid internal fixation.

This retrospective review compares the results of using rigid internal fixation (RIF) and wire fixation for orthognathic surgery patients. The records of two groups of demographically similar patients who underwent comparable surgery, performed by the same four attending surgeons at the same institutions during the same time period (1983 to 1986), were evaluated for complications and unanticipated treatment results. The most striking finding of this study is the general similarity between the two groups. However, differences in frequency of excessive weight loss and persistent restriction of mandibular opening suggest a benefit from early mobility of the mandible that comes with RIF. Because there was no concomitant increase in complications or unexpected results of treatment, the introduction of RIF for orthognathic surgery may offer patients some potential advantages.

Humans

Simultaneous maxillary and mandibular orthognathic surgery stabilized by rigid internal fixation.

Rigid internal fixation was used successfully in 111 consecutive cases in which both the maxilla and the mandible were mobilized simultaneously. The use of rigid fixation allowed for early mobilization of the mandible, which facilitated resumption of orthodontic therapy after surgery. The favorable short-term results achieved indicate the need to study the long-term stability of the technique.

Bone Plates

Medial external fixation with lateral plate internal fixation in metaphyseal tibia fractures. A report of eight cases associated with severe soft-tissue injury.

Eight patients with unstable fractures involving the articular surface and metaphyseal-diaphyseal bone of the proximal or distal tibia associated with severe soft-tissue injury or compounding wound were treated with irrigation, debridement, tetanus inoculation, antibiotic prophylaxis, and combined internal fixation with one-half frame external skeletal fixation for neutralization. All patients were followed to complete healing and functional restoration of the extremity. All fractures healed, but one superficial and one deep infection occurred. All patients achieved at least 110 degrees of knee motion. This method should be considered in unstable metaphyseal and articular tibia fractures not adequately stabilized with a lateral plate in which use of an additional medial plate is required for stability, but contraindicated because of the status of the soft tissues or extensive comminution of the bone.

Accidents, Traffic

Update-1988. Current status of internal fixation of thoracolumbar fractures.

Rigid internal fixation has become the preferred method of treatment for unstable thoracolumbar fractures in most American spine centers. In most cases, posterior instrumentation alone is adequate, but occasionally an anterior procedure is necessary. A number of internal fixation devices are now available to the orthopaedic surgeon. Controversy exists regarding the number of levels that need to instrumented and the optimal form of internal fixation.

Adult

Mechanical stability and post-traumatic osteitis: an experimental evaluation of the relation between infection of bone and internal fixation.

Stable and unstable internal fixation of fractures was performed in rabbits. After inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus, clinically manifest osteitis occurred only in the very unstable fractures. Abscesses, sinuses and sequestra developed in 45 per cent of the unstable fractures, whereas clinically manifest osteitis did not occur after rigid fixation. With rigid fixation there was no significant difference in the time to bony union between the infected and uninfected fractures. It seems that the development of osteitis and the healing of a fracture are both related to the degree of rigidity, but remain independent of each other. The significance of these findings in the management of posttraumatic osteitis is discussed.

Animals

Biomechanical evaluation of a biodegradable composite as an adjunct to internal fixation of proximal femur fractures.

Internal fixation of comminuted unstable fractures of the severely osteoporotic proximal femur is sometimes supplemented with polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA). We here report an in vitro biomechanical evaluation of a biodegradable particulate composite that might be used for similar purposes. The composite includes a matrix phase consisting of a hydrolyzable prepolymer [polypropylene fumarate (PPF)] cross-linked with methacrylate monomer, and a particulate phase consisting of tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. We implanted dynamic hip screws in 22 cadaveric proximal femora and measured the yield load for an oblique force applied to the femoral head. The hip screws were then reinforced with either PMMA or the PPF composite and tested again. On the basis of analysis of variance, the average increases in yield load for PMMA and PPF reinforcement of 1,750 and 1,130 N were statistically significant (p less than 0.00005), suggesting that both materials enhance congruence between implant and bone and thereby increase the projected load-bearing area of the implant. The increase in yield force with PMMA was slightly higher than the increase with PPF (p less than 0.05), but both values after reinforcement were close (3,790 +/- 561 N for PMMA vs. 3,240 +/- 669 N for PPF). If we can demonstrate that appropriate rates of degradation, bony ingrowth, and static and fatigue properties can be achieved in vivo with this system, our data suggest that this PPF composite may have potential as an adjunct to the internal fixation of unstable fractures of the osteoporotic hip.

Aged

Fixation of mandibular fractures: a comparative analysis of rigid internal fixation and standard fixation techniques.

This study used a prospective design to compare standard therapy (closed or open reduction with 4 weeks of maxillomandibular fixation) to rigid internal fixation (RIF) for the treatment of mandibular fractures. Ninety-two patients with 143 fractures were evaluated and treated. There was no statistically significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups, despite a bias in the distribution of study variables that favored the standard therapy.

Adult

[Transversal fracture of the patella: experimental evaluation of the Lotke and Ecker method of internal fixation].

Four different methods of internal fixation of transverse fractures of the patella were experimentally evaluated in eight cadaver knees: circumferential wiring, tension band cerclage, cerclage over Kirschner wires and the Lotke's method. Linear and angular displacements were accurately measured by means of a micrometer while actively extending the knee from 90 degrees of flexion to full extension. Circumferential wiring gave the highest displacements, up to 25 mm at 30 degrees of flexion on average. Tension band cerclage showed much better results but the greatest stability was obtained with the cerclage over Kirschner wires and with the Lotke's technique which yielded displacements of less than 1 mm. These last two methods combine the tension band principle and transosseous fixation, which are both essential to obtain a stable fixation.

Evaluation Studies as Topic

Experimental study on internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

The relative strength and the failure mode of internal fixation by multiple pinning and nailing was investigated on 35 specimens. Internal fixation consisted of 3, 5 and 7 Knowles pins, a Smith-Petersen nail or a sliding nail plate. The strength of a specimen with a triflanged nail is only half of that with multiple Knowles pins. There is no significant difference in strength of 3, 5, or 7 pin specimens. The strength of an internal fixation with a sliding nail plate is not superior to the strength of multiple pinning. The mode of failure for the different types of internal fixation is primarily a crush fracture of the supporting trabecular bone at the femoral neck with downward and outward migration of the pins or nail. Except with the fixation with 3 pins where an initial bending could be observed, failure is not a plastic deformation of the internal fixation device.

Bone Nails

Internal fixation of ulnar fractures by locking nail.

Fractures and dislocations of the forearm are commonly observed in trauma clinics. With time, there will probably be significant increases in fractures of the forearm associated with traffic and sports. The efficacy of the treatment of ulnar fractures by a new locking nail, developed by Lefevre in Strasbourg, was tested in 20 patients. The fractures were severely displaced ulnae or both bones of the forearm. The minimum follow-up period was six months. The average age of the patients was 33.5 years (range, 14-77 years). The nail is placed into the ulna proximally. Locking is achieved by two screws placed at the proximal and distal end of the nail. The healing time for the fractures of both bones of the forearm ranged from 75 days to 20 weeks, with an average of 15 weeks. Healing time for the ulnar fractures ranged from eight to 20 weeks, with an average of ten weeks. The advantages of this nail were easy closed technique, compression effects at the fracture site, and enough stability so that an external support and tourniquet, in isolated ulnar fractures, were not necessary.

Adolescent

Posterior internal fixation with screw plates in traumatic lesions of the cervical spine.

Posterior internal fixation associated with bone fusion is indicated in those traumatic cervical spines in which an additional posterior direct action is required to achieve reduction and/or decompression. The internal fixation device is represented by screw plates allowing strong anchorage, short fixation, and light postoperative immobilization. Twenty-three cases of posterior internal fixation in traumatic cervical spines are presented. In selected cases, the results can be estimated as very good with respect to instability, spinal balance involvement, canal stenosis, and reversible neurologic involvement.

Adult

Primary internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

The principles in treatment of femoral neck fractures by primary internal fixation have been reviewed. In the rare, undisplaced stress or fatigue fracture, early internal fixation with threaded pins is recommended. Impacted fractures should be treated by primary internal fixation in patients who do not follow orders and patients whose general condition is poor and would require early weight bearing. Displaced fractures may be treated by primary internal fixation at any age and regardless of the patient's general condition. The following principles are emphasized: early operation, anatomical reduction and slight valgus in some cases, compression and impaction of fragments, and firm immobilization of fragments with a device that has a sliding mechanism and provides lateral cortical fixation.

Bone Nails

Open reduction and internal fixation of radial head fractures.

Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures of the radial head were reviewed in 14 elbows. Follow-up averaged 32 months. The average elbow score for Mason type II fractures was 96.8 points, corresponding to 100% good or excellent results. Average flexion was 142.5 degrees, and the mean fixed flexion deformity was 3.9 degrees. There was no loss in grip strength. An almost normal elbow was the expected result. Good or excellent results were achieved in only 33% of Mason type III fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The average elbow score was 72.9 points, and this was statistically significantly different than the Mason type II fractures (p less than 0.05). An associated elbow dislocation did not affect the results significantly, but was associated with a slightly increased fixed flexion deformity. Fractures may be more comminuted than suggested by plain radiographs, and intraoperative decision making is required in deciding between reconstruction or excision of the radial head. Excellent results were obtained provided an anatomical reduction with stable fixation and early range of motion were achieved. If a stable anatomic reduction cannot be obtained, then alternative treatment methods should be considered.

Adult

Methylmethacrylate as an adjunct in the internal fixation of pathologic fractures.

The authors evaluated methylmethacrylate as an adjunct to internal fixation of 47 pathologic fractures of long bones (10 of the humerus and 37 of the femur) in 43 patients with metastatic disease. In their experience this method proved to be vastly superior to other methods of internal fixation. All patients were relieved of pain and, if able to walk, could do so almost immediately after fixation of the fracture. In the others comfort was enhanced and nursing greatly facilitated. The surgical technique of internal fixation is described in detail. Correct selection of the metal implant, meticulous attention to the biomechanical considerations and restoration of bone continuity by means of methylmethacrylate are most important if a gratifying result is to be obtained.

Adult

Treatment of open ankle fractures. Immediate internal fixation versus closed immobilization and delayed fixation.

Thirty-one open ankle fractures were treated over a period of 11 years and retrospectively reviewed with an average follow-up period of 61 months. Fifteen were managed by closed immobilization and delayed internal fixation. Sixteen were treated with immediate open reduction and internal fixation. One case in each group became infected. Functional scores at follow-up examination were the same for both groups. The fractures treated with immediate open reduction and internal fixation showed less impairment of range of motion but had a greater incidence of chronic ankle swelling. The hospitalization time was significantly shorter for the patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Immediate open reduction and internal fixation of open ankle fractures speed recovery with no greater incidence of infection than encountered with conservative treatment.

Adolescent