Corrective osteotomies of the radius:Grafting or not?

AIM:To review the current literature regarding corrective osteotomies to provide the best evidence of the rule of bone grafting.METHODS:Our MEDLINE literature search included 280 studies using the following key words "Malunited distal radius fracture" and 150 studies using key words "Corrective osteotomy of the distal radius".Inclusion criteria were:Malunited distal radial,extra articular fracture,volar locking plate,use of iliac bone graft(cancellous or corticocancellous),non-use of bone graft.Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria.RESULTS:Seven of the 12 studies considered,described the use of a graft;the remaining five studies didn't use any graft.Type of malunion was dorsal in most of the studies.The healing time was comparable using the graft or not(mean 12.5 wk),ranging from 7.5 to 16 wk.The mean disabilities of the arm,shoulder and hand score improvement was 23 points both in the studies that used the graft and in those not using the graft.CONCLUSION:This review demonstrated that corrective osteotomy of extra-articular malunited fractures of the distal radius treated by volar locking plate does not necessarily require bone graft.

Advantages of preoperative planning using computed tomography scan for treatment of malleolar ankle fractures

Malleolar ankle fractures have been classified using plain radiographs,and there is no consensus regarding the role of computed tomography(CT)scans in preoperative planning.We analyzed critical aspects,such as limits of standard radiographs,types of injury,classification methods and cost/benefit evaluations.CT scans allow a 3 D analysis of the fracture to be obtained and consequently assess the indication for surgical procedure,surgical access and the type of fixation devices required.This exam is useful for detecting lesions that may go unnoticed on radiographs and will help surgeons to clarify the pathoanatomy of ankle fractures.According to Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association(AO/OTA)classification,CT scan is recommended in medial malleolar fractures with vertical rim,type 44 B fractures with posterior malleolar involvement and all type 44 C fractures(according to AO/OTA).Also Tillaux-Chaput fractures(43-B1 according to AO/OTA),malleolar fractures in the presence of distal tibial fractures(43 according to AO/OTA)and distal tibia fractures in adolescents should be studied with CT scans.

Distal biceps tendon rupture reconstruction using musclesplitting double-incision approach

AIM: To evaluate the clinical and functional results after repair of distal biceps tendon tears, following the Morrey's modified double-incision approach.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with distal rupture of biceps brachii treated between2003 and 2012 in our Orthopedic Department with muscle-splitting double-incision technique. Outcome measures included the Mayo elbow performance, the DASH questionnaire, patient's satisfaction, elbow and forearm motion, grip strength and complications occurrence.RESULTS: At an average 18 mo follow-up(range, 7 mo-10 years) the average Mayo elbow performance and DASH score were respectively 97.2 and 4.8. The elbow flexion range was 94%, extension was-2°, supination was 93% and pronation 96% compared with the uninjured limb. The mean grip strength, expressed as percentage of respective contralateral limb, was 83%. The average patient satisfaction rating on a Likert scale(from 0 to 10) was 9.4. The following complications were observed: 3 cases of heterotopic ossification(6.4%), one(2.1%) re-rupture of the tendon at the site of reattachment and 2 cases(4.3%) of posterior interosseous nerve palsy. No complication required further surgical treatment.CONCLUSION: This technique allows an anatomic reattachment of distal biceps tendon at the radial tuberosity providing full functional recovery with low complication rate.