Watson-Jones Anatomical Approach for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Proximal Femoral Fractures without Image Intensifier in a Low-Resource Setting

Introduction: Standard procedures for surgical fixation of proximal femoral fractures (PFF) require an image intensifier which in developing countries remains a luxury. We hypothesized that, with a well-codified technique, the Watson Jones approach (WJA) without image intensifier nor traction table, can allow open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of PFF using Dynamic hip screw (DHS), with satisfactory outcome. Patients and methods: Forty one consecutive patients (mean age 59.5 ± 21.6 years, 61% males) who were followed in a Teaching Hospital for PFF treated by ORIF using the WJA and DHS from January 2016 to December 2020 were reassessed. The outcome measures were the quality of the reduction, the positioning of the implants, the tip-apex distance (TAD), the rate and delay of consolidation, the functional results using Postel Merle d’Aubigné (PMA) score, the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) and the overall mortality. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with mechanical failure. Results: The mean follow-up period was 33.8 ± 15.0 months. Fracture reduction was good in 31 (75.6%) cases and acceptable in 8(19.5%) cases. Implant position was fair to good in 37 (90.2%) patients. The mean TAD was 26.1 ± 3.9 mm. Three patients developed SSI. Consolidation was achieved in 38 (92.6%) patients. The functional results were good to excellent in 80.5% of patients. The overall mortality rate was 7.3%. There were an association between mechanical failure and osteoporosis (p = 0.04), fracture reduction (p = 0.003), and TAD (p = 0.025). In multivariate logistic regression, no independent factors were predictive of mechanical failure. Conclusion: This study shows that ORIF using DHS for PFF via the Watson-Jones approach without an image intensifier can give satisfactory anatomical and functional outcomes in low-resource settings. It provides and validates a reliable and reproducible technique that deserves to be diffused to surgeons in austere areas over the world.

Surgical strategy of the treatment of atypical femoral fractures

The atypical femoral fracture(AFF)has been attracting significant attention because of its increasing incidence;additionally,its treatment is challenging from biological and mechanical aspects.Although surgery is often required to manage complete AFFs,clear guidelines for the surgical treatment of AFFs are currently sparse.We reviewed and described the surgical treatment of AFFs and the surveillance of the contralateral femur.For complete AFFs,cephalomedullary intramedullary nailing spanning the entire length of the femur can be used.Various surgical techniques to overcome the femoral bowing common in AFFs include a lateral entry point,external rotation of the nail,and the use of a nail with a small radius of curvature,or a contralateral nail.In the case of a narrow medullary canal,severe femoral bowing,or pre-existing implants,plate fixation may be considered as an alternative.For incomplete AFFs,prophylactic fixation depends on several risk factors,such as a subtrochanteric location,presence of a radiolucent line,functional pain,and condition of the contralateral femur;the same surgical principles as those in complete AFFs can be applied.Finally,once AFF is diagnosed,clinicians should recognize the increased risk of contralateral AFFs,and close surveillance of the contralateral femur is recommended.

Arthroplasty vs proximal femoral nails for unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures in elderly patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Proximal femoral nails(PFNs)are the most common method for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures(IFFs),but postoperative bed rest is required.There is a large amount of blood loss during the operation.Osteoporosis in elderly patients may cause nonunion of fractures and other complications.Arthroplasty can give patients early weight bearing and reduce financial burden,but whether it can replace PFNs remains controversial.AIM To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroplasty and PFNs in the treatment of unstable IFFs in elderly patients.METHODS A search was conducted in the PubMed,Embase,and Cochrane Library databases and included relevant articles comparing arthroplasty and PFN.The search time was limited from January 1,2005 to November 1,2020.Two investigators independently screened studies,extracted data and evaluated the quality according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.According to the research results,the fixed effect model or random effect model were selected for analysis.The following outcomes were analyzed:Harris Hip score,mortality,complications,operation time,blood loos,hospital stay,weight-bearing time,fracture classification and type of anesthesia.RESULTS We analyzed four randomized controlled trials that met the requirements.A total of 298 patients were included in these studies.According to the AO/OTA classification,there are 20 A1 types,136 A2 types,42 A3 types and 100 unrecorded types.Primary outcome:The Harris Hip Score at the final follow-up of the PFN group was higher[mean difference(MD):9.01,95%confidence interval(CI):16.57 to 1.45),P=0.02].There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of overall mortality[risk ratio(RR):1.44,P=0.44]or the number of complications(RR:0.77,P=0.05).Secondary outcomes:blood loss of the arthroplasty group was higher(MD:241.01,95%CI:43.06–438.96,P=0.02);the operation time of the PFN group was shorter(MD:23.12,95%CI:10.46–35.77,P=0.0003);and the length of hospital stay of the arthroplasty group was shorter[MD:0.97,95%CI:1.29 to 0.66),P<0.00001].There was no difference between the two groups in the type of anesthesia(RR:0.99).There were only two studies recording the weight-bearing time,and the time of full weight bearing in the arthroplasty group was significantly earlier.CONCLUSION Compared with PFN,arthroplasty can achieve weight bearing earlier and shorten hospital stay,but it cannot achieve a better clinical outcome.Arthroplasty cannot replace PFNs in the treatment of unstable IFFs in elderly individuals.

Current concepts in the management of bisphosphonate associated atypical femoral fractures

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used as the mainstay of treatment for osteoporosis.Bisphosphonates function by binding to hydroxyapatite,and subsequently targeting osteoclasts by altering their ability to resorb and remodel bone.Whilst aiming to reduce the risk of fragility fractures,bisphosphonates have been associated with atypical insufficiency fractures,specifically in the femur.Atypical femoral fractures occur distal to the lesser trochanter,until the supracondylar flare.There are a number of the differing clinical and radiological features between atypical femoral fractures and osteoporotic femoral fractures,indicating that there is a distinct difference in the respective underlying pathophysiology.At the point of presentation of an atypical femoral fracture,bisphosphonate should be discontinued.This is due to the proposed inhibition of osteoclasts and apoptosis,resulting in impaired callus healing.Conservative management consists primarily of cessation of bisphosphonate therapy and partial weightbearing activity.Nutritional deficiencies should be investigated and appro-priately corrected,most notably dietary calcium and vitamin D.Currently there is no established treatment guidelines for either complete or incomplete fractures.There is agreement in the literature that nonoperative management of bisphosphonate-associated femoral fractures conveys poor outcomes.Currently,the favoured methods of surgical fixation are cephalomedullary nailing and plate fixation.Newer techniques advocate the use of both modalities as it gives the plate advantage of best reducing the fracture and compressing the lateral cortex,with the support of the intramedullary nail to stabilise an atypical fracture with increased ability to load-share,and a reduced bending moment across the fracture site.The evidence suggests that cephalomedullary nailing of the fracture has lower revision rates.However,it is important to appreciate that the anatomical location and patient factors may not always allow for this.Although causation between bisphosphonates and atypical fractures is yet to be demonstrated,there is a growing evidence base to suggest a higher incidence to atypical femoral fractures in patients who take bisphosphonates.As we encounter a growing comorbid elderly population,the prevalence of this fracture-type will likely increase.Therefore,it is imperative clinicians continue to be attentive of atypical femoral fractures and treat them effectively.

Early acute fat embolism syndrome caused by femoral fracture: A case report

BACKGROUND Fat embolism syndrome(FES)is a rare complication caused by the presence of fat particles in the microcirculation,which usually occurs within 12-72 h after trauma.At present,there have been few cases of fat embolism presenting within 3 h after trauma.Here,we report a case of femoral fracture complicated with an acute fat embolism caused by a car accident.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old woman with pain,swelling and limited movement of her left lower limb after a car accident was taken by ambulance to our hospital.X-ray examination showed fracture of the middle and lower part of the left femur and fracture of the base of the left fifth metatarsal bone.She was hospitalized and admitted to the orthopedic ward.After the attending doctor performed tibial tubercle bone traction,the patient became confused,followed by respiratory distress.Finally,she was transferred to the intensive care unit.After nearly a month of treatment in the intensive care unit,the patient's cognitive function gradually recovered over 6 mo.CONCLUSION For patients with early traumatic fractures,young emergency physicians and orthopedics should be aware of the possibility of FES.

Effects of leptin on femoral fracture in rats

In this study, our objective was to evaluate effects of leptin on fracture healing in rats. Seventy two male SpragueDawley（SD） rats were randomized into 3 groups. Standardized femoral fractures were created in all the rats. Group A was treated with 1 mL normal saline（NS）, group B with 0.3μg/kg leptin in 1 mL NS, and group C with 0.5μg/kg leptin in 1 mL NS for 2 weeks intraperitoneally. Each group was divided into three subgroups including 8 rats for evaluation at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Radiological evaluation showed that callus formation of group B and C was all significantly higher than group A at 8 weeks（P=0.04 and P = 0.013, respectively）. There was no statistically significant difference in fracture healing between group B and group C at 8 weeks（P = 0.197）. Histological evaluation revealed fracture healing of group B and C was better than group A at 4 weeks（P=0.01 and P= 0.002,respectively） and 8 weeks（P = 0.008 and P= 0.003, respectively）. Micro-computed tomography（Micro-CT） analysis demonstrated that greater amounts of bony callus and evidence of bone fusion were observed in group B and C at 4 weeks（P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively） and 8 weeks（P= 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively） compared to group A. Group C also had better fracture healing than group B at 8 weeks（P = 0.01）. In conclusion, leptin has a positive effect on rat femoral fracture healing.

Complex proximal femoral fracture in a young patient followed up for 3 years: A case report

BACKGROUND Ipsilateral femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures in young patients are extremely rare,and there is no reference for fracture classification and treatment options.CASE SUMMARY We report a 27-year-old male patient who sustained ipsilateral femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures and was treated with a proximal femoral locking compression plate(PFLCP).The literature on these fractures was also reviewed.At the last follow-up three years after surgery,the patient had no obvious pain in the hip,and the range of motion in the hip joint was slightly limited,but met the normal life and work needs.There were no complications such as necrosis of the femoral head.CONCLUSION The PFLCP can be used to treat these complex proximal femoral fractures,and selection should be based on the patient's specific fractures.

Length unstable femoral fractures:A misnomer?

BACKGROUND Flexible intramedullary nailing(FIMN)is relatively contraindicated for pediatric length unstable femoral fractures.AIM To evaluate FIMN treatment outcomes for pediatric diaphyseal length unstable femoral fractures in patients aged 5 to 13 years.METHODS This retrospective study includes pediatric patients(age range 5-13 years)who received operative treatment for a diaphyseal femoral fracture at a single institution between 2013 and 2019.Length unstable femur fractures treated with FIMN were compared to treatment with other fixation methods[locked intramedullary nailing(IMN),submuscular plating(SMP),and external fixation]and to length stable fractures treated with FIMN.Exclusion criteria included patients who had an underlying predisposition for fractures(e.g.,pathologic fractures or osteogenesis imperfecta),polytrauma necessitating intensive care unit care and/or extensive management of other injuries,incomplete records,or no follow-up visits.Patients who had a length stable femoral fracture treated with modalities other than FIMN were excluded as well.RESULTS Ninety-five fractures from ninety-two patients were included in the study and consists of three groups.These three groups are length unstable fractures treated with FIMN(n=21),length stable fractures treated with FIMN(n=45),and length unstable fractures treated with either locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator(n=29).P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Patient characteristic differences that were statistically significant between the groups,length unstable with FIMN and length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator,were average age(7.4 years vs 9.3 years,respectively),estimated blood loss(29.2 mL vs 98 mL,respectively)and body mass(27.8 kg vs 35.1 kg,respectively).All other patient characteristic differences were statistically insignificant.Regarding complications,length unstable with FIMN had 9 total complications while length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator had 10.Grouping these complications into minor or major,length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator had 6 major complication while length unstable with FIMN had 0 major complications.This difference in major complications was statistically significant.Lastly,when comparing patient characteristics between the groups,length unstable with FIMN and length stable with FIMN,all characteristics were statistically similar except time to weight bearing(39 d vs 29 d respectively).When analyzing complication differences between these two groups(9 total complications,0 major vs 20 total complications,4 major),the complication rates were considered statistically similar.CONCLUSION FIMN is effective for length unstable fractures,having a low rate of complications.FIMN is a suitable option for length stable and length unstable femur fractures alike.

A comparison of three fixations for intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly

Objective To compare the efficacy of 3 internal fixations,locking proximal femoral plate (LPFP),ASI-AN IMHS and InterTAN,for intertrochanteric femoral fractures in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective study was done to analyse

Complication rates after direct anterior vs posterior approach for hip hemiarthroplasty in elderly individuals with femoral neck fractures

BACKGROUND Dislocation rates after hemiarthroplasty reportedly vary from 1%to 17%.This serious complication is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates.Approaches to this surgery are still debated,with no consensus regarding the superiority of any single approach.AIM To compare early postoperative complications after implementing the direct anterior and posterior approaches(PL)for hip hemiarthroplasty after femoral neck fractures.METHODS This is a comparative,retrospective,single-center cohort study conducted at a university hospital.Between March 2008 and December 2018,273 patients(a total of 280 hips)underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasties(n=280)for displaced femoral neck fractures using either the PL(n=171)or the minimally invasive direct anterior approach(DAA)(n=109).The choice of approach was related to the surgeons’practices;the implant types were similar and unrelated to the approach.Dislocation rates and other complications were reviewed after a minimum followup of 6 mo.RESULTS Both treatment groups had similarly aged patients(mean age:82 years),sex ratios,patient body mass indexes,and patient comorbidities.Surgical data(surgery delay time,operative time,and blood loss volume)did not differ significantly between the groups.The 30 d mortality rate was higher in the PL group(9.9%)than in the DAA group(3.7%),but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.052).Among the one-month survivors,a significantly higher rate of dislocation was observed in the PL group(14/154;9.1%)than in the DAA group(0/105;0%)(P=0.002).Of the 14 patients with dislocation,8 underwent revision surgery for recurrent instability(posterior group),and one of them had 2 additional procedures due to a deep infection.The rate of other complications(e.g.,perioperative and early postoperative periprosthetic fractures and infection-related complications)did not differ significantly between the groups.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the DAA to bipolar hemiarthroplasty for patients with femoral neck fractures is associated with a lower dislocation rate(<1%)than the PL.

Bipolar hip arthroplasty using conjoined tendon preserving posterior lateral approach in treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures

BACKGROUND Hip fractures account for 23.8%of all fractures in patients over the age of 75 years.More than half of these patients are older than 80 years.Bipolar hemiarthroplasty(BHA)was established as an effective management option for these patients.Various approaches can be used for the BHA procedure.However,there is a high risk of postoperative dislocation.The conjoined tendon-preserving posterior(CPP)lateral approach was introduced to reduce postoperative dislocation rates.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the CPP lateral approach for BHA in elderly patients.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed medical data from 80 patients with displaced femoral neck fractures who underwent BHA.The patients were followed up for at least 1 year.Among the 80 patients,57(71.3%)were female.The time to operation averaged 2.3 d(range:1-5 d).The mean age was 80.5 years(range:67-90 years),and the mean body mass index was 24.9 kg/m^(2)(range:17-36 kg/m^(2)).According to the Garden classification,42.5%of patients were typeⅢand 57.5%of patients were typeⅣ.Uncemented bipolar hip prostheses were used for all patients.Torn conjoined tendons,dislocations,and adverse complications during and after surgery were recorded.RESULTS The mean postoperative follow-up time was 15.3 months(range:12-18 months).The average surgery time was 52 min(range:40-70 min)with an average blood loss of 120 mL(range:80-320 mL).The transfusion rate was 10%(8 of 80 patients).The gemellus inferior was torn in 4 patients(5%),while it was difficult to identify in 2 patients(2.5%)during surgery.The posterior capsule was punctured by the fractured femoral neck in 3 patients,but the conjoined tendon and the piriformis tendon remained intact.No patients had stem varus greater than 3 degrees or femoral fracture.There were no patients with stem subsidence more than 5 mm at the last follow-up.No postoperative dislocations were observed throughout the follow-up period.No significance was found between preoperative and postoperative mean Health Service System scores(87.30±2.98 vs 86.10±6.10,t=1.89,P=0.063).CONCLUSION The CPP lateral approach can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative dislocation without increasing perioperative complications.For surgeons familiar with the posterior lateral approach,there is no need for additional surgical instruments,and it does not increase surgical difficulty.

Treatment of a femoral neck fracture combined with ipsilateral femoral head and intertrochanteric fractures: A case report

BACKGROUND This article presents a rare case of a complex hip fracture involving the ipsilateral femoral neck,trochanter,and femoral head,that was accompanied by hip dislocation.Currently,there is no established standard treatment method for this specific type of fracture.Therefore,it is crucial to comprehensively consider factors such as patient age,fracture type,and degree of displacement to achieve a successful outcome.CASE SUMMARY A 38-year-old man sustained a comminuted fracture of his right hip as a result of a car accident.The injuries included a fracture of the femoral head,a fracture of the femoral neck,an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur,and a posterior dislocation of the hip on the same side.We opted for a treatment approach combining the use of a proximal femoral locking plate,cannulated screws,and Kirschner wires.Following the surgery,we developed an individualized rehabil-itation program to restore patient limb function.CONCLUSION For this complex fracture,we selected appropriate internal fixation and for-mulated individualized rehabilitation,which ultimately achieved good results.

Direct anterior compared to posterior approach for hip hemiarthroplasty following femoral neck fractures

The differences in complication rates between the direct anterior and posterior approaches for hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures are not yet fully understood.Dislocation,a severe complication associated with increased mortality and often requiring additional surgery,may occur less frequently with the direct anterior approach compared to the posterior approach.Careful consideration of patient demographics is essential when planning the surgical approach.Future research in this area should focus on robust randomized controlled trials involving elderly patients recovering from femoral neck fractures.

Relationship between preoperative psychological stress and shortterm prognosis in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture

BACKGROUND Older adults are at high risk of femoral neck fractures(FNFs).Elderly patients face and adapt to significant psychological burdens,resulting in different degrees of psychological stress response.Total hip replacement is the preferred treatment for FNF in elderly patients;however,some patients have poor postoperative prognoses,and the underlying mechanism is unknown.We speculated that the postoperative prognosis of elderly patients with FNF may be related to preoperative psychological stress.AIM To explore the relationship between preoperative psychological stress and the short-term prognosis of elderly patients with FNF.METHODS In this retrospective analysis,the baseline data,preoperative 90-item Symptom Checklist score,and Harris score within 6 months of surgery of 120 elderly patients with FNF who underwent total hip arthroplasty were collected.We analyzed the indicators of poor short-term postoperative prognosis and the ability of the indicators to predict poor prognosis and compared the correlation between the indicators and the Harris score.RESULTS Anxiety,depression,garden classification of FNF,cause of fracture,FNF reduction quality,and length of hospital stay were independent influencing factors for poor short-term postoperative prognoses in elderly patients with FNF(P<0.05).The areas under the curve for anxiety,depression,and length of hospital stay were 0.742,0.854,and 0.749,respectively.The sensitivities of anxiety,depression,garden classification of FNF,and prediction of the cause of fracture were 0.857,0.786,0.821,and 0.821,respectively.The specificities of depression,FNF quality reduction,and length of hospital stay were the highest at 0.880,0.783,and 0.761,respectively.Anxiety,depression,and somatization scores correlated moderately with Harris scores(r=-0.523,-0.625,and-0.554;all P<0.001).CONCLUSION Preoperative anxiety,depression,and somatization are correlated with poor short-term prognosis in elderly patients with FNF and warrant consideration.

Peri-implant femoral fractures:Challenges,outcomes,and proposal of a treatment algorithm

Purpose:Non-prosthetic peri-implant fractures are challenging injuries.Multiple factors must be care-fully evaluated for an adequate therapeutic strategy,such as the state of bone healing,the type of implant,the time and performed personnel of previous surgery,and the stability of fixation.The aim of this study is to propose a rationale for the treatment.Methods:The peri-implant femoral fractures(PIFFs)system,a therapeutic algorithm was developed for the management of all patients presenting a subtype A PIFF,based on the type of the original implant(extra-vs.intra-medulllary),implant length and fracture location.The adequacy and reliability of the proposed algorithm and the fracture healing process were assessed at the last clinical follow-up using the Parker mobility score and radiological assessment,respectively.In addition,all complications were noticed.Continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation,or median and range according to their distribution.Categorical variables were expressed as frequency and percentages.Results:This is a retrospective case series of 33 PIFFs,and the mean post-operative Parker mobility score was(5.60±2.54)points.Five patients(15.1%)achieved complete mobility without aids(9 points)and 1(3.0%)patient was not able to walk.Two other patients(6.1%)were non-ambulatory prior to PPIF.The mean follow-up was(21.51±9.12)months(range 6-48 months).There were 7(21.2%)complications equally distributed between patients managed either with nailing or plating.There were no cases of nonunion or mechanical failure of the original implant.Conclusion:The proposed treatment algorithm shows adequate,reliable and straightforward to assist the orthopaedic trauma surgeon on the difficult decision-making process regarding the management of PIFF occurring in previously healed fractures.In addition,it may become a useful tool to optimize the use of the classification,thus potentially improving the outcomes and minimizing complications.

Subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head in young military recruits:Potential risk factors

BACKGROUND Subchondral fatigue fracture of the femoral head(SFFFH)mainly occurs in young military recruits and might be confused with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.However,less research focuses on the risk factor for SFFFH.AIM To evaluate the intrinsic risk factors for SFFFH in young military recruits.METHODS X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging data were used for analysis.Acetabular anteversion of the superior acetabulum,acetabular anteversion of the center of the acetabulum(AVcen),anterior acetabular sector angle(AASA),posterior acetabular sector angle,superior acetabular sector angle,neck-shaft angle(NSA),inferior iliac angle(IIA),and ischiopubic angle were calculated.Then,logistic regression,receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,and independent samples t-test were performed to identify the risk factors for SFFFH.RESULTS Based on the results of logistic regression,age[odds ratio(OR):1.33;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.12-1.65;P=0.0031]and treatment timing(OR:0.86;95%CI:0.75-0.96;P=0.015)could be considered as the indicators for SFFFH.AVcen(P=0.0334),AASA(P=0.0002),NSA(P=0.0007),and IIA(P=0.0316)were considered to have statistical significance.Further,AVcen(OR:1.41;95%CI:1.04-1.95)and AASA(OR:1.44;95%CI:1.21-1.77),especially AASA(area under curve:66.6%),should be paid much more attention due to the higher OR than other indicators.CONCLUSION We have for the first time unveiled that AASA and age could be key risk factors for SFFFH,which further verifies that deficient anterior coverage of the acetabulum might be the main cause of SFFFH.

Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of the Gamma3 nail vs Gamma3U-blade system in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures

BACKGROUND The traditional Gamma3 nail is a mainstream treatment for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.Literature reports that the Gamma3U-blade system can increase the stability of the Gamma3 nail and reduce complication incidence.However,comparative studies between the Gamma3U-blade and Gamma3 systems are limited;hence,this meta-analysis was performed to explore the clinical efficacy of these two surgical methods.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of Gamma3 and Gamma3 U-blade for intertrochanteric fractures.METHODS A computerized search for Chinese and English literature published from 2010 to 2022 was conducted in PubMed,Cochrane,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP databases.The search keywords were gamma 3,gamma 3 U blade,and intertrochanteric fracture.Additionally,literature tracking was performed on the references of published literature.The data were analyzed using Revman 5.3 software.Two individuals checked the inputs for accuracy.Continuous variables were described using mean difference and standard deviation,and outcome effect sizes were expressed using ratio OR and 95%confidence interval(CI).High heterogeneity was considered at(P<0.05,I2>50%),moderate heterogeneity at I2 from 25%to 50%,and low heterogeneity at(P≥0.05,I2<50%).RESULTS Following a comprehensive literature search,review,and analysis,six articles were selected for inclusion in this study.This selection comprised five articles in English and one in Chinese,with publication years spanning from 2016 to 2022.The study with the largest sample size,conducted by Seungbae in 2021,included a total of 304 cases.Statistical analysis:A total of 1063 patients were included in this meta-analysis.The main outcome indicators were:Surgical time:The Gamma3U blade system had a longer surgical time compared to Gamma3 nails(P=0.006,I2=76%).Tip-apex distance:No statistical significance or heterogeneity was observed(P=0.65,I2=0%).Harris Hip score:No statistical significance was found,and low heterogeneity was detected(P=0.26,I2=22%).Union time:No statistical significance was found,and high heterogeneity was detected(P=0.05,I2=75%).CONCLUSION Our study indicated that the Gamma3 system reduces operative time compared to the Gamma3 U-blade system in treating intertrochanteric fractures.Both surgical methods proved to be safe and effective for this patient group.These findings may offer valuable insights and guidance for future surgical protocols in hip fracture patients.

Treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fracture with long proximal femoral nail antirotation

Objective： Subtrochanteric femoral fractures are severe injuries. Although many treatment methods have been developed, controversy exists regarding the optimal management of these fractures. This study evaluated the clinical outcome of subtrochanteric femoral fractures fixed with long proximal femoral nail antirotation （PFNA-Iong）. Methods： Between October 2006 and February 2008, 25 patients with traumatic subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were treated with PFNA-long. Closed reduction and fixation were performed in 20 cases. In the remaining 5 cases, closed reduction was difficult, so limited open reduction was performed, with bone grafting in 4 cases and circumfer-ential wiring in 4 cases. Results： The average follow-up time was 16.1 months. All subtrochanteric femoral fractures healed uneventfully except one case of delayed union. The mean union time was 26.2 weeks. Technical difficulties with nail insertion were encountered in 3 cases. No implant failure was observed. Conclusion： PFNA-long is effective in treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures, with a high rate of bone union, minor soft tissue damage, early return to functional exercise and few implant-related complications.

Should we change our approach to resuscitating victims of femoral fracture?A clinical experience in a busy trauma hospital in Shiraz,Iran

Purpose Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening event worldwide.Severe brain trauma accompanying femoral fractures can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and increase pre-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1.The primary treatment in these cases is hydration with crystalloids,which has both benefits and complications.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fluid therapy on the hemodynamics,coagulation profiles,and blood gases in such patients.Methods In this cross-sectional study,patients were divided into two groups:femoral fracture group and non-femoral group.The hemodynamic status,coagulation profile,and blood gases of patients in both groups were evaluated upon arrival at the hospital and again 2 h later.Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA with repeated data and paired samples t-test.Results A total of 681 trauma patients(605 men and 76 women)participated in this study,including 69(86.3%)men and 11(13.8%)women in femoral fracture group and 536 men(89.2%)and 65 women(10.8%)in non-femoral group.The laboratory parameters were evaluated in response to the equal amount of crystalloid fluid given upon arrival and 2 h later.Blood gases decreased in the fracture group despite fluid therapy(p<0.003),and the coagulation profile worsened although the change was not statistically significant.Conclusion The treatment of multiple-trauma patients with femoral bone fractures should be more concerned with the need for the infusion of vasopressors such as norepinephrine.If there is evidence of clinical shock,excessive crystalloid infusion(limited to 1 L)should be avoided,and blood and blood products should be started as soon as possible.

Retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing under arthroscopy for supracondylar femoral fracture

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing under arthroscopy on supracondylar femoral fractures. Methods: From June 1999 to December 2000, 17 patients with supracondylar femoral fracture were treated with arthroscopically assisted implantation of retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail and close reduction. Results: More than 6 month follow up study after operation in 11 patients revealed that the average healing time was 3 months. Average range of the knee motion for all the patients was more than 90 degrees. There was no implant breakage and infection. Conclusions: This new method, combining the advantage of arthroscope and retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail, can provide a stable and reliable fixation, and meanwhile is less invasive to the soft tissue and knee, less operative time and blood loss, minimal disruption of the blood supply in fracture site. It is conducive to the fracture healing and the functional recovery of the knee joint and worthwhile to be recommended.