Objective To review the latest research progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis.Methods The l iterature concerning the research of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis in recent years was reviewed. Then the characteristics and new research progress of different internal and external fixation techniques were analysed and compared. Results There are plenty of different types of internal and external fixation devices, each with distinct characteristics. Now it is widely considered that internal fixation is the first choice for end-stage ankle arthropathy. However, under the circumstances that patients with serious bone defect, chronic active infection, or extensive soft tissue damage are not suitable for internal fixation, ankle arthrodesis with external fixation is still a safe and effective method. Conclusion For severe or end-stage ankle arthropathy, ankle arthrodesis is a mature therapeutic way with exact effect. Researches on these two aspects, expansion of indications of internal fixation and comparison and combination of internal and external fixation techniques, need to be deepened, which is of great significance for choosing a better fixation method and acquiring a better therapeutic effect.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of Taylor spatial frame (TSF) and unilateral external fixator in the treatment of tibiofibular open fractures.MethodsBetween January 2016 and July 2018, 74 patients with tibiofibular open fracture who met the selection criteria were divided into TSF group (43 cases, fixed with TSF) and unilateral group (31 cases, fixed with unilateral external fixator) according to the principle of entering the group every other day. There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, type of fracture between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, fracture healing time, removal time of external fixator, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The limb function was evaluated according to Johner-Wruhs criteria for evaluating the final effectiveness of tibial shaft fracture treatment. The recovery of lower limb force line was ecaluated by LUO Congfeng et al. criteria.ResultsAll patients were followed up 8-22 months, with a median of 12 months. All fractures healed, and no complication such as delayed union, nonunion, or osteomyelitis occurred. The operation time, fracture healing time, and removal time of external fixator in TSF group were significantly shorter than those in unilateral group (P<0.05). At 3 months after the removal of the external fixator, the limb function was evaluated according to the Johner-Wruhs standard. In TSF group, 41 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 97.67%; in unilateral group, 30 cases were excellent and 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 96.77%; there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.666). At 4 months after operation, the recovery of lower limb force line was ecaluated by LUO Congfeng et al. criterion. In TSF group, 41 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 97.67%; in unilateral group, 29 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 96.77%; there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.666).ConclusionFor tibiofibular open fracture, on the premise of fracture healing, TSF technology is superior to unilateral external fixation in terms of shortening operation time, fracture healing time, and removal time of external fixator.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of bone transportation by ring type extenal fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail for tibial non-infectious defect. MethodsBetween June 2008 and October 2012, 22 cases of tibial large segment defect were treated. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 24-58 years (mean, 36.8 years), including 17 cases of postoperative nonunion or malunion healing, and 5 cases of large defect. After debridement, bone defect size was 5.0-12.5 cm (mean, 8.05 cm). Bone transportation was performed by ring type external fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail, the mean indwelling duration of external fixation was 10.2 months (range, 2-26 months); the external fixation index was 1.57 months/cm (range, 0.3-3.2 months/cm); and the mean length increase was 8.05 cm (range, 5.0-12.5 cm). ResultsAll patients were followed up 19-58 months (mean, 32 months). No infection occurred after operation and all patients obtained bony union, and the union time was 4.7-19.4 months (mean, 11.9 months). Complications included refracture (1 case), skin crease (1 case), lengthening failure (1 case), foot drop (2 cases), retractions of the transport segment (1 case), delay of mineralization (1 case), which were cured after corresponding treatment. According to Hohl knee evaluation system to assess knee joint function after removal of external fixator and intramedullary nail, the results were excellent in 15 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%; according to Baird-Jackson ankle evaluation system to evaluate ankle joint function, the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 7 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 59.1%. ConclusionBone transportation by ring type external fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail could increase stability of extremities, allow early removal of external fixator and avoid axis shift of extremities, so it has good effect in treating tibial noninfectious defect.
Objective To investigate the operative indication and clinical efficacy of combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation in treatingdistal radius fracture. Methods From March 2000 to March 2005, 28 patients with distal radius fracture were treated with combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation. Dorsal external fixator was used to maintain wrist in functional position, combinated volar plate or Kirschner wire fixation after reduction was achieved. Bone graft was necessary if there were severe comminuted cortical bone or compress of cancellous bone. Of 28 patients, there were 21 males and 7 females, aging from 1854 years with a median age of 41 years. The locations were the left side in 4 cases and the right side in 24 cases. According to typing criterion for AO, 18 cases were classified as C2 and 10 cases as C3. One case wasaccompanied with dislocation of lunate bone. Results Among 28 patients, 24 were followed up for an average of 8.5 months. The anatomical relationship of their wristjoint were reestablished and retained. Overall good to excellent results were achieved in 87%, excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases and fair in 3 cases. Conclusion A combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation is an effective method of treating fractures of the distal radius，because distal radius fracture is unstable or difficult to close reduction. Volarfixation can avoid operative complication, and external fixator can obtain satisfactory reduction and function.
Bone lengthening technique is one of the core surgical technique for skeletal lengthening and reconstruction. It is widely used in the treatment of nonunion, segmental bone defect, bone infection, congenital or post-traumatic limb length differences, and hand-foot deformity correction. Until today, the surgical techniques and devices of bone lengthening are improving over time, and it is to improve the quality of treatment and reduce complications. However, the bone lengthening technique is different from the treatment for other orthopedic diseases, and it has the following feature, including requiring multiple steps, longer treatment course, and application of external fixator. This article will summarize the hot research in the field of bone lengthening treatment in recent years and provide reference for future clinical treatment.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the mid-term effectiveness of arthrolysis and hinged external fixation for the treatment of stiff elbow caused by heterotrophic ossification.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2017, 11 patients with stiff elbow caused by heterotrophic ossification were admitted. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 14-48 years), and left side in 6 cases and right side in 5 cases. The cause of stiff elbow included humerus fracture in 5 cases, ulna fracture in 2 cases, fracture of capitulum radii in 1 case, dislocation of capitulum radii in 1 case, terrible triad of the elbow in 1 case, and soft tissue injury in 1 case. The disease duration ranged from 7 to 18 months (mean, 11 months). Preoperative active range of motion of elbow was (19.6±17.5)° and Mayo score was 34.1±9.7. All patients received the treatment of arthrolysis and debridement of heterotrophic ossification lesion combining hinged external fixator, and active and passive rehabilitation with the help of hinged external fixator. The hinged external fixators were removed after 2 months.ResultsAll patients were followed up 13-36 months (mean, 19.1 months). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication of infection or nerve lesion occurred postoperatively. At last follow-up, the results of X-ray films showed that no heterotrophic ossification recurred. The active range of motion of elbow was (116.4±16.6)° and Mayo score was 93.2±7.8, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=17.508, P=0.000; t=16.618, P=0.000).ConclusionThe application of arthrolysis and debridement of heterotrophic ossification lesion combining hinged external fixator can improve the elbow’s range of motion significantly and obtain a good mid-term effectiveness.
Objective To study the role of ultracision harmonic scalpel and skin flap in axillary fossa external fixation in operation of breast cancer. Methods One hundred and sixty-six patients with breast cancer were included in this study between May 2009 and November 2009. Combined group (n=51) applied ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation. External fixation group （n=52） used the skill of skin flap external fixation. Routine group included 63 patients. Operative time, accidental injury during operation， volume of bleed and drainage, time of drainage, detection amount of lymph node, and complications such like subcutaneous fluidity were observed and recorded. Results The operative time and detection amount of lymph node were not different among three groups （Pgt;0.05）. The volume of bleed in combined group was less than that in other groups （Plt;0.05）. The volume of drainage and the time of drainage were decreased or shorten by turns from routine group, external fixation group to combined group （Plt;0.05）. The incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity in combined group was lower than that in routine group （Plt;0.05）. Conclusions Using ultracision harmonic scalpel in operation of breast cancer can remarkably reduce the volume of bleed and drain postoperatively. Ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation is safety and can reduce the incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity, thus can be applied widely in breast cancer operation.
Objective To summarize the methods of ankle hinge position design in the correction of clubfoot deformity by Ilizarov method, and to explore its application value in the prevention of ankle dislocation. Methods A retrospective study was conducted including 28 patients with rigid clubfoot deformity (34 feet) who met the selection criteria and admitted between September 2021 and December 2024. There were 19 males and 9 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range, 19-47 years). According to Dimeglio classification, there were 21 feet of degree Ⅲ and 13 feet of degree Ⅳ. The causes were traumatic sequelae in 9 cases, congenital foot deformity in 15 cases, spina bifida sequelae in 1 case, peripheral neuropathy in 1 case, and cerebral palsy sequelae in 2 cases. The malformation lasted from 6 to 46 years, with an average of 29.3 years. All patients were treated with Ilizarov circular external fixator, and the hinge position of ankle joint was planned according to the standard lateral X-ray film of foot and ankle and the principle of Ilizarov limb deformity correction center of rotation angulation (CORA) before operation. The 2008 International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) scoring system was used to evaluate the efficacy. ResultsThe deformity of rigid clubfoot was completely corrected in all patients, and the patients could walk with plantar weight-bearing, and the ankle weight-bearing walking significantly improved when compared with that before operation. There was no complication such as ankle dislocation, talus impact or extrusion, local skin necrosis, needle tract infection, or numbness of extremities during the correction process. All patients were followed up 5-39 months, with an average of 18.1 months. At last follow-up, according to the ICFSG scoring system, 23 feet were excellent, 10 feet were good, and 1 foot was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 97%. Conclusion Designing the position of the ankle hinge according to the principle of CORA can effectively avoid ankle dislocation, talus impingement, tibiotalar joint extrusion, and other ankle adverse events in the process of correcting clubfoot deformity, which has good application value in clinical practice.