Objective To summarize the cl inical appl ication of minimally invasive percutaneous locking compression plate (LCP) internal fixation in the treatment of tibial fractures and to evaluate its cl inical effects. Methods From September 2005 to September 2007, 13 patients with tibial fractures were treated with indirect reduction and minimally invasive percutaneous LCP internal fixation, 8 males and 5 females, aged 18-35 years old (27 on average). Among them, the fractures were caused by traffic accidents in 3 cases, by fall ing in 5 cases, by fall ing from height in 4 cases and by bruise in 1 case. The fractures were located at 1/3 upper tibia in 2 cases, at 1/3 medium tibia in 6 cases and at 1/3 lower tibia in 5 cases. All fracture were closed ones. According to the AO classification, 4 cases were type A, 7 type B and 2 type C. The time between fractures and operation was from 3 hours to 5 days (2.5 days on average). Results All incisions obtained heal ing by first intention. All patients were followed up for 10-18 months (13 months on average). All fractures reached cl inical heal ing, and the heal ing time was 12-20 weeks (16 weeks on average). There was no delayed fracture heal ing, nonunion, infection and internal fixation failure. No compl ications such as rotation, crispatura deformity and internal fixation loosening were found. According to the HSS scoring, the function of the knee joint was graded 85-95 (90 on average), and the range of motion was 100-130° (120° on average). According to the AOFAS Ankie Hindfoot Scoring, the function of the ankle joint was graded 80-95 (92.4 on average). Nine cases were excellent, 4 good, and the choiceness rate was 100%. Conclusion Minimally invasive percutaneous LCP internal fixation is in accord with biological set principles and beneficial for tibial fracture heal ing and reconstruction of soft tissues.
Objective To determine the effect of non-reamed versus reamed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in adults on the rates of nonunion, the rates of implant failure, the rates of infection, the incidence of compartment syndrome, the rates of malunion, and the time of union. Methods We searched MEDLINE （1966 -July, 2005）, EMBASE （1974 -July, 2005 ）, The Cochrane Library （Issue 2, 2005 ）and CBMdisc （1979 -July, 2005 ）, and handsearched the relevant Chinese and English orthopedic journals. Randomized controlled trials and Clinical controlled trials of nonreamed versus reamed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in adults were included. The quality of trials was critically assessed. RevMan 4.2.7 software was used for data analysis. Results Four RCTs and one CCT of non-reamed versus reamed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in adults were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that nonreamed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in adult increased the rates of nonunion （RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.20 to 2. 91, P =0. 006）, implant failure （RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.34, P〈0. 000 1 ） and the time to union （WMD 9.00, 95% CI 3.19 to 14.81, P =0. 002）. Conclusions Compared with reamed intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in adults, non-reamed intramedullary nailing increases the rates of nonunion and implant failure is common. There is no statistical difference in the rates of post operative infection, the rates of malunited fracture and the incidence of compartment syndrome between the two groups. However, further studies are needed to determine the effects of reamed and non-reamed intramedullary nailing on these outcomes, expecially when patient has severe open fractures （Gustilo Grade Ⅲ C）and multiple injuries.
Objective To evaluate the safety of conversion from external fixation to internal fixation for open tibia fractures. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2014, 94 patients (98 limbs) with open tibia fractures were initially treated with external fixators at the first stage, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. In 29 cases (31 limbs), the external fixators were changed to internal fixation for discomfort, pin tract response, Schantz pin loosening, delayed union or non-union after complete wound healing and normal or close to normal levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), and the leucocyte count as well as the neutrophil ratio (trial group); in 65 cases (67 limbs), the external fixators were used as the ultimate treatment in the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, side of the limbs, interval from injury to the first debridement, initial pathogenic bacteria, the limbs that skin grafting or flap transferring for skin and soft tissue defect between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of Gustilo type III fractures in the control group was significantly higher than that in the trial group (P=0.000). The overall incidence of infection was calculated respectively in the two groups. The incidence of infection according to different fracture types and whether skin grafting or flap transferring was compared between the two groups. The information of the pathogenic bacteria was recorded in the infected patients, and it was compared with the results of the initial culture. The incidence of infection in the patients of the trial group using different internal fixation instruments was recorded. Results The overall incidences of infection for the trial and control groups were 9.7% (3/31) and 9.0% (6/67) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.013, P=0.909). No infection occurred in Gustilo type I and type II patients. The incidence of infection for Gustilo type IIIA patients in the trial group and the control group were 14.3% (1/7) and 6.3% (2/32) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.509, P=0.476); the incidence of infection for type IIIB patients in the two groups were 50.0% (2/4) and 14.3% (2/14) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=2.168, P=0.141); and the incidence of infection for type IIIC patients in the two groups were 0 and 16.7% (2/12) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.361, P=0.548). Of all the infected limbs, only 1 limb in the trial group had the same Staphylococcus Aureus as the result of the initial culture. In the patients who underwent skin grafting or flap transferring, the incidence of infection in the trial and control groups were 33.3% (2/6) and 13.3% (2/15) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=1.059, P=0.303). After conversion to internal fixation, no infection occurred in the cases that fixed with nails (11 limbs), and infection occurred in 4 of 20 limbs that fixed with plates, with an incidence of infection of 20%. Conclusion Conversion from external fixation to internal fixation for open tibia fractures is safe in most cases. However, for open tibia fractures with extensive and severe soft tissue injury, especially Gustilo type III patients who achieved wound heal after flap transfer or skin grafting, the choice of secondary conversion to internal fixation should carried out cautiously. Careful pre-operative evaluation of soft tissue status, cautious choice of fixation instrument and meticulous intra-operative soft tissue protection are essential for its safety.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of Drawtex hydroconductive dressing in treatment of early implantation-associated infection and soft tissue defect after internal fixation of tibial fracture. Methods Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits were used to prepare the model of early implantation-associated infection after internal fixation of tibial fracture, and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=12) . The infected wounds were covered with Drawtex hydroconductive dressing (group A), chitosan solution gauze (group B), and normal saline gauze (group C), respectively. The dressing was changed every 2 days. X-ray films were performed at 1, 14, and 21 days. The gross observation, microbiological evaluation, and histological observation were done at 21 days. Results There was no significant difference in the wound grading according to the Jamesʾ grading criteria between groups at 21 days (χ2=3.713, P=0.156). X-ray films showed no bone destruction in all groups at 1 day; and there was no significant difference in radiographic scores between groups (P>0.05). At 14 days, the mild osteolysis was observed in group B; the radiographic score was significantly lower in groups A and C than in group B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and C (P>0.05). At 21 days, the osteolysis and osteomyelitis were observed in groups B and C; the radiographic score was significantly lower in group A than in groups B and C (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P>0.05). Also, the microorganism in bone tissue of group A was less than that of groups B and C (P<0.05); and the difference between group B and group C was not significant (P>0.05). Histological observation showed the mild inflammatory cell infiltration in group A and many inflammatory cells in groups B and C. The Smeltzer histological score was significant lower in group A than in groups B and C (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P>0.05). Conclusion Drawtex hydroconductive dressing can be used for the implantation-associated infection after tibial fracture internal fixation. And the effectiveness of Drawtex hydroconductive dressing is better than that of chitosan solution gauze and normal saline gauze.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and effectiveness of bone transport technique for simultaneous repair of tibia defect and refractory soft tissue defect. MethodsThirty-five patients with tibia bone defect combined with refractory soft tissue defect were treated between January 2010 and December 2014, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 14 females with an average age of 29 years (range, 18-47 years). All patients had Gustilo type Ⅲ open tibial fractures, which were caused by traffic accident. Fracture located at the upper 1/3 of the tibia in 1 case, at the middle 1/3 of the tibia in 19 cases, and at the lower 1/3 of the tibia in 15 cases. All patients underwent external fixation after 4-10 hours of trauma, and tibial skin necrosis, infection, and purulent exudation were observed after 5-10 days of operation. The time from injury to admission was 21 days to 5 months (mean, 2 months). After debridement, the average length of tibia defect was 8 cm (range, 6-11 cm); the area of soft tissue defect was 6 cm×5 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. Orthofix external fixation was applied to tract the bone and soft. ResultsAll 35 patients were followed up 12-22 months (mean, 16 months). The average time of bony healing was 15 months (range, 9-20 months), and no obvious force line offset was found. Osteotomy segment was extended from 6 to 11 cm (mean, 8 cm); after treatment, the external fixation support was retained for 2 to 10 months (mean, 5 months). No blood vessel and nerve injuries were found during treatment, and no osteomyelitis and refracture happened after operation. The skin and soft tissue defects healed, and the healing time was 1 to 3 months (mean, 1.3 months). Different degrees of infection occurred in 5 cases, and was cured after dressing change. According to Johner-Wruhs' evaluation criteria after external fixator was removed, the results were excellent in 26 cases, good in 5 cases, and moderate in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 88.6%. ConclusionBone transport technique can simultaneously repair tibia bone defect and soft tissue defect by continuous bone and soft tissue traction.
Objective To compare the clinical effect of reamed and nonreamed intramedullary interlocking nails on treating open tibial fractures. Methods From February 2002 to February 2004, 92 cases of open tibial fractures (86 patients) were treated with intramedullary interlocking nails. Of the 86 patients, 65 were male and 21 were female. Their age ranged from 18 to 68 years (36.5 on average). Of the 92 cases, 54 were in the reamed group and 38 in the nonreamed group. Patients moved with the support of crutch after their wounds were healed. Results All patients were followed up regularly for 6 to 24months. Infection rate in the reamed group and nonreamed group was 20.3% and 5.3% respectively, and there was significant difference between them (Ｐlt;0.05). The averagehealing time of the fractures was 22.5 weeks in reamed group and 19 weeks in nonreamed group, and there was no significant difference between them (Ｐ＞0.05). Delayed unions occurred in 8 cases and 3 cases in reamed group and nonreamed group respectively. Conclusion Compared with reamed group, nonreamed intramedullary interlocking nails have lowerinfection rate and fewer delayed unions and ununions.