Locking plates for distal fibula fractures in young and elderly patients:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Ankle fractures are common injuries in the young and elderly populations.To prevent post-traumatic arthritis,an anatomic reconstruction of the ankle structure is mandatory.Open reduction and internal fixation is the treatment of choice among orthopaedics.Conventional plates allow stability of the fracture if bone quality is present.Locking plates might offer an advantage for the treatment of lateral malleolar fracture in patients with comminution,severe instability,distal fractures,or osteoporotic bone.Our hospital introduced a new locking plate for fracture of the distal fibula.AIM To evaluate locking plates in terms of outcomes and complications in young and elderly patients.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a total of 67 patients treated for displaced distal fibula fractures.Demographic data,number of comorbidities,use of inter fragmentary screw,complication,time of fracture healing,partial or full weight bearing,and reoperation were recorded for all patients.Clinical outcome was assessed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society clinical scoring system.Radiographs were obtained at 4,8,12,16,20,and 24 wk until radiographic union was obtained.RESULTS All patients displayed complete bony union on radiographic assessment,and no patients developed any serious complications.We observed two superficial infections,one delayed wound healing,and two plate intolerances.Significant differences were observed between the two age groups in terms of radiographic healing(11.9 wk in younger patients vs 13.7 wk in older patients;P=0.011)and in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score at 6 mo after surgery(88.2 in younger patients vs 86.0 in older patients;P=0.001)and at 12 mo after surgery(92.6 in younger patients vs 90.0 in older patients;P=0.000).CONCLUSION Locking plates provide a stable and rigid fixation in multifragmentary and comminuted fractures or in the presence of poor bone quality.

Management of a rare giant cell tumor of the distal fibula: A case report

BACKGROUND Aggressive giant cell tumor of the distal fibula is so rare that no consensus on a surgical strategy has been reached.Thus,an appropriate treatment strategy is still important to discuss.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man who had been experiencing progressive swelling of the left lateral malleolus accompanied by pain for half a year was presented at our hospital.He had never been treated prior to coming to our hospital.Preoperative imaging revealed a 10 cm×6 cm mass located in the body of the distal fibula.Pathological biopsies confirmed it was a giant cell tumor.Preoperative examination revealed he had dilated cardiomyopathy with class 3 cardiac function.The cardiologist and anesthesiologist determined that he could tolerate the operation,but the operation should be as short and minimally invasive as possible.With the patient’s consent,we performed a tibiotalar fusion and followed up with him for 2years,finding no recurrence and a satisfactory recovery.CONCLUSION Tibial talus fusion is an effective method for the treatment of distal fibula tumors.

Fibula allograft transplantation combined with locking plate for treatment of recurrent monostotic fibular fibrous dysplasia:A case report

BACKGROUND Fibrous dysplasia is a congenital disorder in which normal bone is replaced by fibro-osseous tissue or irregular trabeculae of woven bone intermixed with mature collagenous tissue.A single or multiple bones are affected.This rare bone disorder has three clinical patterns including monostotic,polyostotic,and that associated with McCune-Albright syndrome.Most studies report primary fibrous dysplasia.However,a few cases of recurrent monostotic fibular fibrous dysplasia have been reported.Here,we report a therapeutic strategy for recurrent fibular fibrous dysplasia.CASE SUMMARY A 4-year-old boy was admitted for persistent pain in the left lower limb and abnormal gait over the previous 9 mo.He had no history of present or past illness.Preoperative imaging data showed erosion-like changes with bone expansion of the left middle and lower fibular segment.Tumor tissue in the fibular bone marrow cavity was removed by curettage,and rapid intraoperative pathological examination suggested fibular fibrous dysplasia.An allograft was implanted into the fibular medullary cavity.However,he was readmitted with clinical symptoms including persistent pain,abnormal gait,and local swelling at the age of 6 years.He was diagnosed with recurrent fibular fibrous dysplasia based on the second medical examination.He underwent fibular bone tumor radical resection and longus fibular allograft transplantation combined with fibular bone locking plate and screws.Good host bone to allogenic bone graft fusion was observed by the physician on postoperative regular follow-up.CONCLUSION Radical resection of fibrous dysplasia and longus fibula allograft combined with internal fixation for reconstruction are suitable for the treatment of recurrent monostotic fibular fibrous dysplasia.

Multi-Segmental Osteocutaneous Free Fibula Flap for Three-Dimensional Post-Traumatic Thumb and Wrist Reconstruction

Thumb reconstruction following a traumatic injury challenge depends on the extent of the injury. Ideally, reconstruction should restore thumb length and position and retain thumb stability, mobility, and strength, while preserving sensation and aesthetics. Achieving these outcomes can be especially challenging in severe cases of soft tissue and bony loss. The authors present a case of a 20-year-old right-hand dominant female involved in a motor vehicle accident who sustained severe crush injuries and burns to her right hand. Her injuries included soft tissue and bony defects extending from the thumb to the distal radius, namely avulsion of the thumb and significant loss of the distal radial and carpal column, resulting in severe wrist instability. We employed a three-segment vascularized osteocutaneous fibula flap to reconstruct the thumb and wrist to restore bony construct, carpal support, and soft tissue coverage. Thumb motion could not be achieved, but this technique offered a sensate, functional post for opposition and the appearance of an anatomic hand. Because of this surgery, the patient was enabled to graduate from college and pursue full-time employment. The authors hope that this report will add to the fund of knowledge and surgeon armamentarium for similar devastating injuries demanding thumb and wrist reconstruction.

Treatment of Non-union Femoral Neck Fractures with Vascularized Fibula Grafting

Objective: To investigate the value of transplantation of vascularized fibula in treating non-union femoral neck fractures and preventing ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Methods : Vascularized heterotopic fibula was transplanted to the anterior-lateral part of the femoral neck. The fibula artery and vein were anastomosised with lateral circumflex artery and vein. Results : One hundred and twenty-nine cases of non-union femoral neck fracture were treated with vascularized fibula graft in our hospital from 1982 to 2002. Eighty-seven cases of them were followed up for 3 to 19 years with functional and X-ray examination. The percentage of fracture healing and effect were 94. 3 and 81. 6, respectively. Conclusion:The fibula with blood supply has a synergistic fixation impact on the non-union femoral neck fractures. The fibula is solid enough for supporting the femoral head and preventing it from collapse. The vascularized fibula grafting, by providing blood supply to the affected femoral head and neck, could promote the femoral head restoration and reconstruction. In addition, the periosteum of fibula plays a role in fracture healing.

Non-ossifying fibromas: Case series, including in uncommon upper extremity sites

AIM To investigate non-ossifying fibromas(NOFs) common fibrous bone lesions in children that occur in bones of the lower extremities.METHODS We analyzed 44 cases of NOF including 47 lesions, which were referred with a working diagnosis of neoplastic lesions. Lesions were located in the upper extremities(1 proximal humerus, 1 distal radius) and the lower extremities(25 distal femurs, 12 proximal and 4 distal tibias, and 4 proximal fibulas).RESULTS Three cases had NOFs in multiple anatomical locations(femur and fibula in 1 case, femur and tibia in 2 cases). Overall, larger lesions > 4 cm and lesion expansion at the cortex were seen in 21% and 32% of cases, respectively. Multiple lesions with bilateral symmetry in the lower extremities suggest that these NOFs were developmental bone defects. Two patients suffered from fracture and were treated without surgery, one in the radius and one in the femur. Lesions in the upper extremities(i.e., humerus of a 4-year-old female and radius of a 9-year-old male) expanded at the cortex and lesion size increased with slow ossification.CONCLUSION NOFs in the lower extremity had fewer clinical problems, regardless of their size and expansiveness. In these two upper extremity cases, the NOFs had aggressive biological features. It seems that there is a site specific difference, especially between the upper extremity and the lower extremity. Furthermore, NOFs in the radius are predisposed to fracture because of the slender structure of the radius and the susceptibility to stress.

Fibula fractures management

Isolated distal fibula fractures represent the majority of ankle fractures.These fractures are often the result of a low-energy trauma with external rotation and supination mechanism.Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and radiographic exam.Stress X-rays have a role in detecting associated mortise instability.Management depends on fracture type,displacement and associated ankle instability.For simple,minimally displaced fractures without ankle instability,conservative treatment leads to excellent results.Conservative treatment must also be considered in overaged unhealthy patients,even in unstable fractures.Surgical treatment is indicated when fracture or ankle instability are present,with several techniques described.Outcome is excellent in most cases.Complications regarding wound healing are frequent,especially with plate fixation,whereas other complications are uncommon.

Treatment of Children’s Shaft Fracture of Tibia and Fibula with ESIN Fixation

The Objective is to evaluate Elastic Stable Intrame-dullary Nailing (ESIN) fixation through the treat-ment of children’s shaft fracture of tibia and fibula. From January 2007 to January 2009, 16 cases of children’s shaft fracture of tibia and fibula had been treated by ESIN. 15 cases were followed up after the surgery and the follow-up time was 4 - 12 months (4.5 in average). The results turn out that all the patients’ fractures have got healed by Phase I and the healing time is 10 weeks in average. The near joints’ activity and affected extremity completely return to normal. This group of cases doesn’t show any sign of infection, bone nonunion, malunion or epiphysis injury. And six patients have had their intramedullary nails taken out after six months. It can be concluded that ESIN is good for treating children’s long diaphysis fracture which has difficulty in closed diaplasis and is suitable for children aged 6 - 13. ESIN has the advantages of small incision, slight injury of soft tissue, short sur-gery time, rapid recovery and few complications.

Assembly of 3D-printed Ti scaffold and free vascularized fibula using a customized Ti plate for the reconstruction of mandibular defects

Introduction Mandibular segmental defects result in significant cosmetic and functional deficiencies.Meanwhile,the reconstruction of both the contour and function of the mandible is a challenging task.At present,autologous vascularized fibula transplantation is the most common method to reconstruct a mandible with long-span defects[1].

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON FREE VASCULARIZED FIBULA GRAFTING IN REVASCULARIZING FEMORAL HEAD

laterals or femoral head and neck of 18 mature healthy male domestic dogs were divided into two groups by the principle or auto-control.Avascular osteonecrosis of femoral head(ONFH)and old femoral neck fracture(FNF)were made respectively.Free vascularized fibula grafting was performed 2 weeks later.Arter operation, X-ray,histopathological,electron microscopic,tetracycline fluorescence labelling and99mTc-methylene diphosphorate scanning were carried out respectively.The result indicated that free vascularized fibula grarting could provide new blood supply system to injured femoral head and participate in the repairing process of avascular uecrosis of femoral head.

Bone Defect Reconstruction in a 2 Years Old Boy with Non-Vascularized Fibular Graft Using the Induced Membrane Technique in Country with Low-Income: A Case Report

Chronic osteomyelitis in children is frequent in the developing countries. Their complications and morbidity burden the functional prognosis. The reconstruction of diaphyseal bone loss after sequestrectomy in young children remains a difficult and expensive challenge in our context. The delay in care and the lack of social security for all, are risk factors for morbidity. The induced membrane technique described by Masquelet starts to be applied and showed satisfactory results. We report the results of a case of reconstruction of the proximal humerus by using a non-vascularized fibula and supplemental bone substitute in a boy of 2 years with sickle cell. No scarring occurred at the sampling site. The process of bone consolidation is underway.

Right Ulnar Reconstruction after Sequestrectomy by Non-Vascularized Fibular Transfer in a Girl of Three Years

Chronic osteomyelitis is serious because of the orthopedic sequels that they could cause. Extended diaphyseal sequestrations could cause bone loss and their management is delicate. Here we report a case of right ulnar diaphyseal reconstruction by non-vascularized fibula transfer. This was a three-year-old girl, non-sickle cell, who had chronic osteomyelitis of the right ulna. The evolution was towards an almost total ulnar diaphyseal sequestration with externalization of the distal extremity. The removal of this large sequestrum occurred almost spontaneously, leaving a significant bone loss over a length of about 6 cm. Secondarily, we reconstructed the right ulnar diaphysis by transfer of a free non-vascularized graft of the left fibula, maintained by a pin. The follow up was favorable with almost complete recovery of prono-supination. Fibular ossification has evolved as well and we did not notice any complications at the graft collection site. Non-vascularized fibula graft transfer is a useful therapeutic option in the management of significant bone defects secondary to chronic osteomyelitis of one of the two forearm bones.

Efficacy of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for checkrein deformity: A case report

BACKGROUND In clinical practice, checkrein deformity is usually found in patients with calf injuries after ankle fracture or distal tibial fracture. The patients with checkrein deformity mainly report distending pain in toe tips, pain when walking or wearing shoes, and gait instability. Previous studies have mainly reported surgical treatments for checkrein deformity, while few studies have reported using comprehensive rehabilitation alone to improve the checkrein deformity.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to unstable gait caused by pain in the right hallux, for which she was unable to stretch for over three months. The patient had undergone "resection of ameloblastoma at the right mandible, mandibulectomy, and autogenous right fibula grafting". The patient’s hallux toe, as well as the second and third toes of the right foot could not be stretched, with pain in all the toes during walking. Based on the medical records of the patient, as well as the results of physical and auxiliary examinations, the main diagnosis was checkrein deformity in the right foot. Since the patient refused surgical treatment, rehabilitation was the only treatment option. At discharge, the patient reported evident improvement in the pain in the toes, gait stability, as well as increased ability to climb up and downstairs.CONCLUSION Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy could effectively alleviate the manifestations of checkrein deformity and improve the walking ability of the patients.

The sequential treatment of extensive mandibular ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is the most frequent odontogenic tumor of the jaw. If not treated, ameloblastoma can gain an enormous size and cause severe facial disfigurement and functional impairment. Here we report two patients afflicted with extensive mandibular ameloblastoma (sized in 23 cm × 18 cm × 17 cm and 15 cm × 12 cm × 10 cm, respectively). Both the patients received the same sequential treatment including radical tumor resection, simultaneous reconstruction with fibula free flap graft, vertical distraction osteogenesis on the fibula graft, placement of endosseous dental implants, and final pros-thodontic rehabilitation. It took about 15 months to finish the entire course of treatment. And after the four-year follow-up, neither soft tissue related, nor hard tissue related problems were observed. Satisfactory facial symmetry, chewing and speech functions of the patients were restored. So this sequential treatment for extensive mandibular ameloblastoma can obtain an excellent effect by the shortest time and the lowest economical cost. Furthermore, the series also can be used to reconstruct giant mandibular defects caused by different reasons.

The Use of Fibula Free Flap for Reconstruction of Anterior Chest Wall Full-Thickness Defects

Reconstructions of the sternum remain a formidable challenge for the operating team. Reconstruction of the sternumdefect, regardless of the reason, should ensure the stability of the anterior chest wall, the return of acceptable respiratory parameters and the control of wounds. Stability of the chest wall can be provided by autogenous tissues or prosthetic materials. In our experience, the fibula free osteocutaneous flaps are harvested for reconstruction of the bone defect in two patients after full-thickness defect of the sternum and anterior chest wall.

腓骨游离瓣重建口腔下颌骨缺损──26例临床分析

目的：探讨腓骨游离瓣在口腔下颌骨缺损修复中的应用价值。方法：对１９９６年４月以来以腓骨游离（皮）瓣存活情况，分析病人术后３个月颜面外形，张口度及供区并发症，并摄Ｘ线片了解移植骨愈合、固位以及剩余腓骨段及髁关节变化情况。结果：１７例移植骨瓣及９例骨皮瓣全部成活。２５例受区创口一期愈合。术后３个月颜面外形１５例为优，７例中等，４例差；２３例张口度大于２．５ｃｍ。所有病人吞咽功能的正常。２例供区有肿瘤，１例小腿外侧皮肤麻木，２例跑步受限，１例轻度跛行。Ｘ线片显示２４例骨端对位良好，骨痂形成正常，除１例远端残骨腓骨段外移外，其余未见腓骨及髁关节位置变化。结论：腓骨游离瓣是一种比较理想的下颌骨缺损修复材料。可用于修复各类下颌骨缺损，尤适于涉及双侧下颌体直线缺损的修复；可同期植入种植体，恢复咀嚼功能。

Correlative Factors Research of Tibial Shaft Fracture with Ipsilateral Posterior Malleolar Crack Fractures

Background:Missed diagnosis rate of spiral tibia shaft fracture with posterior malleolus crack fracture(PMCF)is high in the clinical.However,the mechanism and related factors of fracture are still unclear.Moreover,PMCF has been observed in other types of tibial shaft fractures.Objective:To explore the correlative factors of tibial shaft fracture with ipsilateral PMCF,decrease the rate of clinical missed diagnosis,strengthen the effective fixation of PMCF,and reduce the incidence of traumatic arthritis.Methods:From September 2014 to May 2019,we collected 137 tibiofibular fracture.Only 68 cases involved in ankle joint CT examination and were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into posterior malleolus group(30 cases)and non-posterior malleolus group(38 cases)according to whether come up PMCF or not.The posterior malleolus group contained 24 males and 6 females,27-77(47.57±11.79)years old,the non-posterior malleolus group contained 23 males and 15 females,18-85(48.71±13.84)years old.The gender,age,location,fibula fracture and tibial shaft fracture classification were observed for univariate and multivariate analysis.Results:The probability of PMCF was higher with right tibial shaft fracture(OR=3.6995%CI:1.13-12.08 P<0.05);the probability of PMCF following distal fibular fracture was higher than that without fibular fracture(OR=11.3695%CI:1.72-75.05 P<0.05);the probability of PMCF with type A tibial shaft fracture was higher than type C(OR=4.8295%CI:1.19-19.58 P<0.05).Conclusion:Right type A tibial shaft fracture accompanied by distal fibular fracture are very important factors related to PMCF,which needs highly attention to avoid clinical missed diagnosis.

Relationship between serum adhesion molecules, trace elements and delayed union of tibial and fibula fractures

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum adhesion molecules, trace elements and delayed union of tibial and fibula fractures.Methods:A total of 46 patients with delayed union of tibial and fibula fractures in our hospital from May 2014 to June 2016 were selected as the observation group, 46 patients with normal healing of tibial and fibula fractures were selected as the control group, then the serum adhesion molecules and trace elements levels of two groups at forth, eighth and sixteenth week after the surgery were compared.Results:The serum dhesion molecules levels of observation group at forth, eighth and sixteenth week after the surgery were all higher than those of control group, the serum trace elements levels were all lower than those of control group, and the serum adhesion molecules levels of two groups at eighth week after the surgery were all higher than those at other time, the trace elements levels were all lower than those at other time (allP<0.05).Conclusions:The serum adhesion molecules and trace elements of patients with delayed union of tibial and fibula fractures show obviously abnormal state, so those indexes of those patients should be paid to more monitoring and improvement.

Lengthening osteotomy of the fibula in treatment of treating lateral malleolar malunon

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of lengthening and rotational osteotomy of the fibula for lateral malleolar malunion.Methods Twenty-three patients who suffered from the traumatic arthritis of ankle were due to