Closed reduction and internal fixation versus total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture

Objective： To compare the clinical effects between closed reduction and internal fixation （CRIF） and total hip arthroplasty （THA） for displaced femoral neck fracture. Methods： In this prospective randomized study, 285 patients aged above 65 years with hip fractures （Garden III or IV） were included from January 2001 to December 2005. The cases were randomly allocated to either the CRIF group or THA group. Patients with pathological fractures （bone tumors or metabolic bone disease）, preoperative avascular necrosis of the femoral head, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemiplegia, long-term bed rest and complications affecting hip functions were excluded. Results： During the had significantly higher 5-year follow-up, CRIF group rates of complication in hipjoint, general complication and reoperation than THA group （38.3% vs. 12.7%, P〈0.01; 45.3% vs. 21.7%, P〈0.01; 33.6% vs. 10.2%, P〈0.05 respectively）. There was no difference in mortality between the two groups. Postoperative function of the hip joint in THA group recovered favorably with higher Harris scores. Conclusion： For displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients, THA can achieve a lower rate of complication and reoperation, as well as better postoperative recovery of hip joint function compared with CRIF.

Outcome of bone marrow instillation at fracture site in intracapsular fracture of femoral neck treated by head preserving surgery

Purpose： The aim of present study is to evaluate the outcome of bone marrow instillation at the fracture site in fracture of intracapsular neck femur treated by head preserving surgery. Methods： This study included 32 patients of age group 18e50 years with closed fracture of intracapsular neck femur. Patients were randomized into two groups as per the plan generated via www.randomization.com. The two groups were Group A （control）, in which the fracture of intracapsular neck femur was treated by closed reduction and cannulated cancellous screw fixation, and Group B （intervention）, in which additional percutaneous autologous bone marrow aspirate instillation at fracture site was done along with cannulated cancellous screw fixation. Postoperatively the union at fracture site and avascular necrosis of the femoral head were assessed on serial plain radiographs at final follow-up. Functional outcome was evaluated by Harris hip score. Results： The average follow-up was 19.6 months. Twelve patients in each group had union and 4 patients had signs of nonunion. One patient from each group had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The average Harris hip score at final follow-up in Group A was 80.50 and in Group B was 75.73, which was found to be not significant. Conclusion： There is no significant role of adding on bone marrow aspirate instillation at the fracture site in cases of fresh fracture of intracapsular neck femur treated by head preserving surgery in terms of accelerating the bone healing and reducing the incidence of femoral head necrosis.

Dynamic hip screw with locking side plate： a viable treatment option for intertrochanteric fracture

Objective： Dynamic hip screw （DHS） is recommended for the fixation of stable intertrochanteric fractures. Its postoperative cut-out rate ranges from I% to 6%. In osteoporotic bone, normal screws in DHS blade provide less anchorage compared to locking screws. This study aims to compare DHS with locking side plate and conventional side plate. Methods： Fifty consecutive patients with intertrochanteric fractures were randomly allocated for fixation with a standard DHS （group A） and locking DHS （Combi plate, group B）. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes for the conventional DHS and locking DHS in intertrochanteric fractures. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Parker mobility score. Results： Coxa valga was found more frequently in group A than in group B （12% vs. 0%, P=0.42）. Coxa vara showed the same trend （12% vs. 8%, P=0.81）. Rate of restoration of postoperative neck-shaft angle within 20° of sound side was higher in group B （8% cases） than in group A （4% cases, P=0.98）. The rate of anteversion angle restoration within 10° of sound side was also higher in group B （100% vs. 88%, P=0.85）. The average lag screw slippage in group A and group B was 3.2 mm and 4.2 mm, the average fracture union duration was 17.1 weeks and 16.4 weeks, and the mean Parker score was 5.6 and 5.8 respectively. Screw cut-out was seen in one patient in group A. No cut-out was seen in any of the patient in group B. No patient developed deep infection, avascular necrosis, deep vein thrombosis or any other significant complications. Conclusion： The present study demonstrated that treating intertrochanteric fracture with a locking DHS allows sound bone healing and is not associated with any major complications. Although this report is promising, it should be interpreted with caution because only a prospective study with a large sample size would allow definitive conclusion.

Treatment of type III middle phalangeal neck fractures through a palmar approach： a case report

Phalangeal neck fractures occur almost exclusively in children. We present the case of a 49 years old man with a dislocated fracture of the neck of the middle phalanx with the distal fragment rotated at 180~, due to a traumatic circular saw injury to the left index, which was solved by anatomical reduction and bone fixation with two 1.5 mm Synthes screws and a temporary transarticular K- wire at the distal interphalangeal joint. Zone I flexor digitorum profundus repair was performed using a modification of the Kessler 4-strands core suture and a full-thickness skin graft from the hypothenar eminence was taken to cover the skin gap. At 6-month follow-up the patient was pain-free and with a total active movement equivalent to 190~. No radio-logical signs of avascular necrosis of the head of the middle phalanx or nonunion of the distal fragment was detectable with recovery to the previous manual work. Owing to the position of the phalangeal head maintained in position by the collateral ligaments an anatomic reduction from dorsal approach is difficult to be performed and a longitudinal trac- tion can render the reduction harder too. The volar approach permits an easier reduction of the fracture through a derotation of the distal fragment facing palmar.