Certain acetabular fractures involve impaction of the weight-bearing dome and medialisation of the femoral head. Intra-operative fracture reduction is made easier by traction on the limb, ideally in line with the femoral neck (lateral traction). However, holding this lateral traction throughout surgery is very difficult for a tiring assistant. We detail a previously undescribed technique of providing intra-operative lateral femoral head traction via a pelvic reduction frame, to aid fixation of difficult acetabular fractures. The first 10 consecutive cases are reviewed (Group 1) and compared with a retrospective control (Group 2, n=18) of case-matched patients, treated prior to introducing the technique. The post-operative X-rays and CT scans were assessed to identify quality of fracture reduction according to the criteria of Tornetta and Matta. Operative time, blood loss and early complication rates were also compared. All cases in both groups were acute injuries with medial and/or superior migration of the femoral head. The majority were either associated both column or anterior column posterior hemi-transverse. There was no statistical difference between the groups in age, time to surgery, BMI or ASA grade. Fracture reduction was assessed as excellent in seven, good in three and poor in one. This was not significantly different from the control group (p=0.093). The mean operative time was 232 minutes in Group 1 and 332.78 minutes in Group 2 (p = 0.0015). There was no difference between the groups for blood loss or complication rates. We conclude that this new technique is at least equivalent to using manual traction and early results suggest it reduces operative time and technical difficulty in treating these complex acetabular fractures.
Infection after knee arthroplasty is a devastating complication. Our aim is to present our outcomes of treating infected knee replacements at a tertiary referral centre. We performed a consecutive, retrospective case series of all revision knee arthroplasty for infection between January 2006 and December 2008. Case notes were reviewed and data collated on the date and institution of primary arthroplasty, procedures undertaken at our institution, microbiology and bone loss post first stage, serological markers (C-reactive protein, ESR) prior to second stage and outcome. During this three year period we performed 430 knee revision operations. 51 were in the presence of deep chronic infection. 90% were referred from other hospitals. Overall infection was successfully eradicated in 69%. Nineteen patients underwent repeat two-stage and overall eleven (58%) patients had successful eradication of infection with multiple two-stages. Of these 47% had F3/T3, the highest grading of Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute bone loss indicating no metaphyseal bone. A further 12% had bicondylar deficiency on the tibia and no femoral metaphyseal bone (F3/T2b). Multidrug resistance present in 69% and 47% were infected with multiple organisms. All members of the unsuccessful outcome group had at least one multidrug resistant organism compared to 43% in the successful cohort (P=0.0002). Multiple organisms are associated with an unsuccessful outcome (P=0.056). Serological markers were not significantly different between the successful and unsuccessful outcome groups. Where the referring hospital had attempted revision and failed, the chance of eradicating infection dropped from 75% to 58% and the rate of above knee amputation was twelve times higher (3% vs. 36%). Custom constrained, rotating hinge prostheses enable aggressive soft tissue debridement including ligaments. Successful two-stage requires a multidisciplinary approach including tissue viability nurses, microbiologists and plastic surgeons. Where units lack revision expertise this series suggests early referral increases the chance of limb salvage.
The BOA/BAPRAS guidelines for the management of open tibial fractures (2009) recommend early senior combined orthoplastics input and appropriate facilities to manage a high caseload. St Georges Hospital is one of four London Trauma Centres fulfilling these criteria. Our aim is to determine whether becoming a trauma centre has affected the management of patients with open tibial fractures. Data were obtained prospectively on consecutive open tibial fractures during two 8 month periods: before and after becoming a Major Trauma Centre (May 2009–Dec 2009 and April 2010–Oct 2010 respectively). Data on patient pathway including, admitting hospital, length of stay, timing and number of operations were recorded.Aims
Methods
Skeletal Cryptococcosis although rare has been reported in immunodeficient individuals and in particular those with HIV. We present a case in a HIV- negative patient who presented to the London Sarcoma service masquerading as a primary bone tumour and review the relevant literature. A 71 year old lady presented with a three month history of right submammary pain associated with a new lump. Chest radiographs showed an osteolytic lesion in the right 6th rib. CT scans demonstrated mediastinal lymphadenopathy and numerous lung nodules. Differential diagnosis of the lesion included TB abscess, myeloma, lymphoma or as a primary lung tumour presenting with hilar lymphadenopathy and necrotic skeletal metastasis. CT guided biopsy was performed with histology showing necrotising granulomatous inflammation with numerous yeast like organisms in keeping with Cryptococcus fungal infection. She was treated successfully with a six week course of voriconazole. Cryptococcal skeletal infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality and should be considered as a rare cause of lytic osseous lesions.
