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Intramedullary fixation using a fibular nail is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional plate fixation that provides superior biomechanical strength and allows immediate full weightbearing postoperatively. The study aim was to compare the postoperative complications of minimally invasive intramedullary fibular nail fixation to plate fixation for Lauge-Hansen supination external rotation type 4 (Weber B) fractures in patients aged 65 years or older treated in a single geriatric trauma unit in the Netherlands. A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients aged 65 years or older with a Lauge-Hansen supination external rotation type 4 (Weber B) fracture treated with either intramedullary fibular fixation or plate fixation between January 2017 and January 2019. A total number of 58 patients were included with a mean age of 73.9 years (range 65-95). The intramedullary fixation-cohort (n = 13) had a significantly higher mean age (82.5 vs 71.4 years, p =.002) and Charlson Co-morbidity Index (4.7 vs 3.6, p =.005) compared to the plate fixation-cohort (n = 45). The total number of postoperative complications was lower after intramedullary fixation (n = 2, 15%) compared to plate fixation (n = 15, 33%), although this relative difference was not significant (p =.307). All 2 complications observed after intramedullary fixation were wound infections demanding no debridement or implant removal. No implant related complications, hospital-acquired complications or mortality were observed after intramedullary fixation. Despite the higher mean age and co-morbidity status of patients treated with minimally invasive intramedullary fibular nailing, the total number of postoperative complications was lower after intramedullary fixation compared to plate fixation. This technique might be a promising alternative in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of geriatric ankle fractures is rising and the potential for complications is high in this population. Little is known about factors associated with increased postoperative complications after surgical fixation of ankle fractures in older-age patients. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the epidemiology and risk factors for complications after surgically treated ankle fractures in geriatric patients. All patients who were 65 years or older and had a surgically treated ankle fracture were included. Pilon fractures, patients who were initially treated conservatively or who had less than 1 month of follow-up were excluded. Postoperative complications, demographic-, fracture- and surgical data of 282 patients were recorded from two level 2 trauma centers between 2012 and 2017. A total of 87 (30.9%) patients developed a complication, of which wound related complications were most frequently reported. Superficial and deep wound infections were observed in 27 (9.6%) and 18 (6.4%) patients, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated increased age to be an independent predictive variable for the occurrence of postoperative complications (odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.09), while cast immobilization for more than 2 weeks was a protective factor for the development of wound related complications (odds ratio 0.34; 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.66). In conclusion, the incidence of postoperative complications among geriatric patients after surgical treatment of ankle fractures is high and patients should be informed accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated medial malleolar fractures are frequently encountered injuries. Literature regarding their treatment, though, is scarce and contradicting. The aim of this systematic review is to compare surgical and conservative treatment of isolated medial malleolar fractures considering complication rates and functional outcomes. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL were searched for this review. Articles from 1980 or later, written in English, French, German, or Dutch, reporting any outcome of 10 or more isolated medial malleolar fractures in skeletally mature patients were included. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non Randomized Studies (MINORS) instrument. Eighteen studies were included involving 2566 isolated medial malleolar fractures, which showed a mean (± SD) MINORS score of 8 ± 2. Mean nonunion rate was 1.7% after surgical treatment and 3.5% after conservative treatment. Overall, comparable functional outcomes were found after both treatment methods. Only 2 of the included studies reported the exact amount of fracture displacement. One study—comparing surgical and conservative treatment—showed similar functional outcomes for 1- and 2-mm displaced isolated medial malleolar fractures, and the other, a nonunion rate of 3.5% and a good mean functional outcome in 57 conservatively treated isolated medial malleolar fractures with a mean displacement of 3.8 mm. The available evidence is scarce and of low quality but suggests that conservative treatment of isolated medial malleolar fractures displaced ≤2 mm is safe. No study exists that compares surgical and conservative treatment in isolated medial malleolar fractures displaced >2 mm. Therefore, further research is needed. Until then, the eventual choice of treatment for isolated medial malleolar fractures displaced >2 mm, might be mainly dependent on the patients' characteristics and demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A good classification system is important for clinical handoffs, research, and clinical treatment guidelines. A reliable classification system shows good interobserver and intraobserver agreement. This study analyzed the interobserver and intraobserver agreement of a descriptive system for ankle fractures and the Lauge-Hansen classification. Three groups of observers (experts, semiexperts, and novices) scored a total of 20 ankle radiographs. All ankle radiographs were classified according to the Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber classifications. The ankle fractures were subsequently reviewed in a descriptive manner for the following features: number of affected malleoli, type of fracture of the lateral and medial malleolus, and congruence of the ankle joint. After 2 weeks, the same set of radiographs were reviewed. For interobserver and intraobserver variability, the separate groups were used for analysis, and the Fleiss (multirater) κ values were calculated. The interobserver agreement for the Lauge-Hansen classification was moderate for the experts, fair for semiexperts, and slight for novices (κ = 0.45, κ = 0.37, and κ = 0.16). All factors of the descriptive system had better interobserver agreement than the Lauge-Hansen classification, except for the agreement on the type of fracture of the lateral malleolus. The intraobserver agreement of the Lauge-Hansen classification was substantial for the experts, moderate for the semiexperts, and fair for the novice observers (κ = 0.70, κ = 0.49, and κ = 0.26). The intraobserver agreement was better for all factors of the descriptive system compared with the Lauge-Hansen classification. The descriptive system presented in this study shows less variability between observers than the Lauge-Hansen classification. This system has clinical implications and is easy to use for clinicians with mixed levels of experience. It has the potential to improve clinical and research handoffs and overcome the limitations of current classification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Intramedullary fixation (IMF) has been described as a minimally invasive alternative to open reduction and internal fixation for operative treatment of distal fibular fractures in case of compromised soft tissue or severe comorbidities. The objective was to compare postoperative complications and functional outcomes of intramedullary versus plate fixation (PF) in distal fibular fractures. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases were searched for both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. A total of 26 studies was included, reporting on 1710 patients with a mean age of 51.6 years. Meta-analysis was performed on 8 comparative studies, including subgroup and sensitivity analyses on all outcomes. IMF was associated with significantly fewer wound related complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.25; p <.01), implant removals (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.93; p =.03), and nonunions (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.62; p <.01). No differences were found regarding malunion (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.21; p =.11) and the Olerud Molander Ankle Score for long-term functional outcome (mean difference, 9.56; 95% CI, 1.24 to 20.37; p =.08). Results of this study apply to a select group of patients, in which the advantages of minimal soft tissue damage by IMF are preferable to optimal fracture reduction by PF. IMF of distal fibular fractures resulted in fewer wound-related complications, implant removals, and nonunions compared with PF. Especially in elderly patients, patients with chronic comorbidity, and patients with compromised soft tissue, IMF may be preferred over PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have described the epidemiology of complications after surgical treatment of ankle fractures and assessed which factors are associated with the most frequent complications. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at 2 level 2 and 1 level 1 trauma center in a single trauma region in the Netherlands. The study variables were collected from the electronic medical patient records; all ankle fractures were classified using the Lauge-Hansen classification, and the complications were recorded. A total of 989 patients were included from 3 hospitals, with 173 complications in 156 patients (15.8%). The most frequent complication was wound related, occurring in 101 patients (10.2%). Implant-related complications occurred in 44 patients (4.4%). Other complications, such as cast pressure spots, posttraumatic dystrophy, nonunion, impingement, and pneumonia occurred in 28 patients (2.8%). The 2 most important complications were further analyzed for risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed the risk factors for wound-related complications were advanced age, increased American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, smoking, right side symptomatic, open fracture, and initial external fixation. Most implant-related complications were caused by malreduction (n = 22) or untreated syndesmotic injury (n = 19). Malreduction was associated with supination eversion fractures ( p  = .059), and untreated syndesmotic injury occurred more often with pronation external rotation fractures ( p  < .001). The most frequent complications after ankle fracture surgery were wound- and implant-related complications. Postoperative wound-related complications were multifactorial and dependent on a combination of trauma-, patient-, and treatment-related factors. In contrast, implant-related complications resulted from the interaction between the fracture type and subsequent surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is no consensus on the choice of treatment for displaced proximal humeral fractures in older patients (aged > 65 years). The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were (1) to compare operative with nonoperative management of displaced proximal humeral fractures and (2) to compare effect estimates obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Methods The databases of MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched on September 5, 2017, for studies comparing operative versus nonoperative treatment of proximal humeral fractures; both RCTs and observational studies were included. The criteria of the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, a validated instrument for methodologic quality assessment, were used to assess study quality. The primary outcome measure was physical function as measured by the absolute Constant-Murley score after operative or nonoperative treatment. Secondary outcome measures were major reinterventions, nonunion, and avascular necrosis. Results We included 22 studies, comprising 7 RCTs and 15 observational studies, resulting in 1743 patients in total: 910 treated operatively and 833 nonoperatively. The average age was 68.3 years, and 75% of patients were women. There was no difference in functional outcome between operative and nonoperative treatment, with a mean difference of –0.87 (95% confidence interval, –5.13 to 3.38; P  = .69; I 2  = 69%). Major reinterventions occurred more often in the operative group. Pooled effects of RCTs were similar to pooled effects of observational studies for all outcome measures. Conclusions We recommend nonoperative treatment for the average elderly patient (aged > 65 years) with a displaced proximal humeral fracture. Pooled effects of observational studies were similar to those of RCTs, and including observational studies led to more generalizable conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Ankle fractures are among the most common type of fractures in the lower extremity. A posterior malleolar fracture is frequently part of a more complex ankle fracture and only in rare cases it occurs as isolated injury. Posterior malleolar fractures often occur with associated injuries, such as a Maisonneuve fracture or with bi- or trimalleolar ligamentous injuries. Knowledge about these associated injuries is essential to prevent missed diagnoses. The aim of this article is to describe the isolated posterior malleolar fracture, the possible associated injuries, the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic consequences. Presentation of case We present a case of a 26-year-old male patient who sustained an isolated posterior malleolar fracture with 4.5 years follow-up. Discussion Isolated fractures of the posterior malleolus are uncommon injuries. Diagnosis, treatment and outcome can seldom be extracted from large series. However, several cases have been described in literature, which we have summarized. Conclusion This case report and literature review shows that isolated posterior malleolar fractures might occur as part of a more complex ankle injury, in combination with a fracture of the lower leg or after high energy trauma. Physicians should be aware of these associated injuries. Diagnostic work-up should include X-rays of the knee and lower leg and a CT scan of the ankle. If diagnosed and treated properly, isolated posterior malleolar fractures have a good long-term functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although fracture type and treatment options for ankle fractures are well defined, the differences between mono- and polytrauma patients and low- and high-energy trauma have not been addressed. The aim of the present study was to compare the fracture type and trauma mechanism between mono- and polytrauma and low- and high-energy trauma patients with an ankle fracture. We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study. Fractures were classified according to the Lauge-Hansen classification and a descriptive classification. High-energy trauma (HET) was defined using triage criteria. All other patients were classified as having experienced low-energy trauma (LET). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the injury severity score (ISS). Monotrauma patients were defined as patients with an ISS of 4 to 11 with an isolated ankle fracture or an ankle fracture with a minor contusion or laceration. Polytrauma patients were defined as patients with an ISS of ≥16 with ≥2 body regions involved. Patients with an ISS from 12 to 15 were excluded. A total of 96 patients were eligible for analysis. Of the 96 patients, 62 had experienced monotrauma and 34 had experienced polytrauma. A significant difference was found between the mono- and polytrauma patients in the Lauge-Hansen classification ( p < .001). Monotrauma patients had a high incidence of an isolated supination external rotation injury. Supination adduction and pronation abduction injuries were more often observed in polytrauma patients. The same pattern was observed for ankle fractures after HET compared with LET ( p < .001), because all pronation abduction and supination adduction injuries were observed after a HET mechanism. The results of the present study indicate that polytrauma patients sustain different types of ankle fractures than patients with an isolated ankle fracture. This difference likely results from the high-energy transfer associated with polytrauma, because pronation abduction and supination adduction injuries were only observed after HET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The last decade has shown a shift toward operative treatment of a subset of midshaft clavicle fractures. However, it is unclear whether there are differences between plate fixation and intramedullary fixation regarding complications and functional outcome. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare plate fixation and intramedullary fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures. Methods The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. The methodologic quality of all included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Results Twenty studies were included. Ten of the 20 included studies used a fracture classification. Seven of these studies reported exclusion of patients with comminuted fractures. No difference in the total re-intervention rate was found (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 2.04). Major re-interventions occurred more often after plate fixation (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.02 to 3.46). The mean implant removal rates were 38% after plate fixation and 73% after intramedullary fixation. Re-fracture after implant removal occurred more often after plate fixation (OR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.12 to 10.42). The Constant-Murley scores showed no differences at both short term (mean difference, −1.18; 95% CI, −13.41 to 11.05) and long term (mean difference, 0.15; 95% CI, −1.57 to 1.87). No differences were observed regarding nonunion (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.82 to 2.75). The rate of infections showed no differences when outlier studies were excluded (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.88 to 2.69). Conclusion Major re-intervention and re-fracture after implant removal occurred more frequently after plate fixation of non-comminuted, displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. No differences in terms of function and nonunion between plate fixation and intramedullary fixation were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]