• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This paper reports the surgical treatment results of open calcaneal fractures performed at the author's clinics focusing on open calcaneal fractures to help understand the appropriate treatment and realistic outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 22 cases out of 30 patients who visited the hospital from February 2009 to December 2019 and were followed up for more than one year. In open fractures, the fracture was classified using the Gustilo-Anderson classification and was evaluated using the soft tissue status at the time of visit. Intra-articular calcaneal fractures were classified using Sanders classification. The radiological parameters were measured for the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal length, height, and width before and after surgery, and at the last follow-up. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale and investigated complications. In addition, statistical analysis of the incidence and associated factors of posttraumatic arthritis was conducted. Results: In all cases, the surgical treatment was performed by minimally invasive surgery. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale conducted for a clinical evaluation of the final follow-up was averaged 72.5 points. In the classification of open fractures, the Gustilo-Anderson classification type IIIA was the most common, and the Sanders type III was the most common. Of the 22 cases after surgery, 15 cases had complications, 11 cases had posttraumatic arthritis, eight cases had an infection, and 4 cases had both complications. Only the Sanders classification showed a statistically significant correlation with the incidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (p-value 0.032). Conclusion: In treating open calcaneal fractures, internal fixation by a minimally invasive approach showed relatively satisfactory results. However, follow-up research will be needed, including the results of a long-term follow-up through a large number of cases and comparative studies with other surgical methods.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2019

Purpose: We perform an analysis of infection risk factors for fracture patients and confirm that the risk factors reported in previous studies increase the risk of actual infection among fractured patients. In addition, injury severity score (ISS) which is used as an evaluation tool for morbidity of trauma patients, confirms whether there is a relationship with infection after orthopedic fracture surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,818 patients who underwent fixation surgery at orthopedic trauma team, focused trauma center from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Thirty-five patients were infected after fracture surgery. We analyzed age, sex, open fracture criteria based on Gustilo-Aderson classification 3b, anatomical location (upper extremity or lower extremity) of fracture, diabetes, smoking, ISS. Results: Of 1,818 patients, 35 (1.9%) were diagnosed with postoperative infection. Of the 35 infected patients, nine (25.7%) were female and five (14.0%) were upper extremity fractures. Three (8.6%) were diagnosed with diabetes and eight (22.8%) were smokers. Thirteen (37.1%) had ISS less than nine points and six (17.1%) had ISS 15 points or more. Of 1,818 patients, 80 had open fractures. Surgical site infection were diagnosed in 12 (15.0%) of 80. And nine of 12 were checked with Gustilo-Aderson classification 3b or more. Linear logistic regression analysis was performed using statistical analysis program Stata 15 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). In addition, independent variables were logistic regression analyzed individually after Propensity scores matching. In all statistical analyzes, only open fracture was identified as a risk factor. Conclusions: The risk factors for infection in fracture patients were found to be significantly influenced by open fracture rather than the underlying disease or anatomical feature of the patient. In the case of ISS, it is considered that there is a limitation. It is necessary to develop a new scoring system that can appropriately approach the morbidity of fracture trauma patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of internal transport using Ilizarov apparatus with free flap surgery for infected tibial nonunion. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 8 patients of infected tibial nonunion treated with internal transport using Ilizarov apparatus and free flap surgery. Seven of eight patients were available for at least 1 year follow-up. All patients were male. The mean age at the time of the surgery was All fractures were Gustilo's type III B open fracture. The mean length of the bone defect was 8.5 cm. All used flaps for covering the soft tissue defect were free rectus abdominis muscle flap. We evaluated bone and functional results with use of the Paley and Catagni's classification. And we classified the complication with use of the Paley's classification. Results: Acceptable length and solid union of bone was achieved in all cases. The mean size of the bone length was 7.2 cm. The mean healing index was 69.5 days/cm. All but one case needed bone graft at docking site. All flaps were survived. There was no recurrence of infection. According to Paley and Catagni's classification, all cases showed excellent or good results. Complications were pin tract infection in 3 cases, persistent pain in 2 cases and limitation of joint motion in 2 cases. Conclusion: Simultaneous free-tissue transfer and Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis was thought to be an attractive treatment modality for infected nonunion of the tibia.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.162-168
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) with locking compression plate (LCP) for distal tibial metaphyseal intra-articular fracture compared with extra-articular fracture. Materials and Methods: From February 2006 to June 2008, 21 patients with distal tibia metaphyseal intra-articular fracture and 20 patients with extra-articular fracture were treated operatively by MIPPO technique with LCP and followed for at least one year. In the group with intra-articular fracture, mean age was 48.85 years old and a mean follow-up was 15 months. In the other group with extra-articular fracture, mean age was 52.35 years old and a mean follow-up was 14.5 months. The type of fracture was evaluated using the AO/OTA classification and open-fractures were according to the Gustilo-And gron classification. Radiologic evaluation with fracture healing and tibial alignment, clinical evaluation with Olerud and Molander ankle score and restriction of motion were done for treatment. Results: According to AO/OTA classification, There were 21 type A, 15 type B, 5 type C. Average union time of the intra-articular fracture (type B, C) was 18.7 weeks. Average union time of the extra-articular fracture (type A) was 17.1 weeks. All fractures were healed without malunion. There were no difference of mean restriction angle between intra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3.57 degree, plantar-flexion was 5.95 degree) and extra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3 degree, plantar-flexion was 3.75 degree). There were no difference of Olerud and Molander ankle score between them as a mean score of intra-articular and extra-articular was 89.25, 91.25 each other. As a complication, there were 3 case of skin necrosis, 8 case of discomfortable skin tenting by plate and 1 superficial infection, but could be healed by conservative care. Conclusion: MIPPO technique, combined articular reduction, with LCP of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture was a good method with high functional recovery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.166-170
• /
• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the results of MIPPO (minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis) technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of 13 patients who were treated by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures from Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2003. The average age was 46.7 years and mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. According to AO classification, there were 8 cases of A1, 3 cases of A2, 1 case of B1 and 1 case of C2. One case of A1 was a Gustilo-Anderson type I open fracture and fibular fractures were combined in 12 cases. We applied anatomical reduction and internal fixation for the fibular fractures and internal fixation on the medial side of the tibia by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Clinical results were evaluated using radiographic results, Neer score, the starting time of postoperative exercise and clinical complications. Results: According to the Neer score, all cases showed satisfactory results. Active ankle ROM was started at average 2.4 weeks ($2{\sim}4$ weeks) and full weight bearing ambulation at average 5.2 weeks ($4{\sim}8$ weeks) postoperatively. Union of fractures was obtained by average 14.4 weeks ($8{\sim}18$ weeks) postoperatively. Two cases showed $5^{\circ}$ limitation of motion without functional deficits and other cases showed satisfactory ROM results. One case had $6^{\circ}$ valgus deformity without functional deficits. There were not any other complications like soft tissue problems and delayed-or non-union. Conclusion: MIPPO technique for the treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures is a feasible technique with a good clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.76-81
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the data comprehensively including not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes but some parameters related to operation between the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique and intramedullary nailing (IMN) for treatment of segmental tibia shaft fractures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 31 patients (mean age, 49.3 years, range, 27-74 years), with a mean follow-up of 14.1 months (range, 12-19 months) with acute segmental tibial fractures (AO 42-C2) who underwent either surgical treatment of MIPO or IMN. In accordance with the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 11 were type I, 5 were type II, and 15 were type III. Initial compartment syndrome was confirmed in 2 cases. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in terms of the patient demographic data between the two groups. The time to definitive fixation was longer in the MIPO group (mean $13.7{\pm}10.9days$; range, 2-27) than in the intramedullary group (mean $5.4{\pm}9.6days$; range, 0-35) with statistically significant difference (p=0.002). Bony union was observed in most of cases but except 5 cases of nonunion were diagnosed (3 in the MIPO vs 2 in IMN, p=0.188). The average bone healing time was 27.1 weeks (10 to 56 weeks) in MIPO group and 23.2 weeks (13 to 66 weeks) in IMN group, respectively (p=0.056). Overall complications were 5 cases in MIPO group and 2 cases in the IMN group. Difference in LEFS was not statistically significant between both groups (p=0.824). Conclusion: This study showed that segmental tibia shaft fractures treated with both MIPO and intramadullary nailing was challenging with relatively high complication rate. A well planned sequential strategy with keeping the soft tissue and personality of fracture in mind is utmost significant as much as the choice of surgical modalities.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Generally, the treatment of ankle trimalleolar open fractures is divided into two stages: external fixation and debridement; and secondary internal fixation. On the other hand, this two-stage operation takes considerable treatment time and is challenging in procedures requiring reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of an immediate one-stage internal fixation operation considering the wound conditions to overcome two stage operation disadvantages. Materials and Methods: From September 2009 to January 2018, 24 cases of ankle trimalleolar open fractures, who underwent immediate internal fixation and were followed up for at least one year, were studied retrospectively. The open wound was divided into the Gustilo-Anderson classification. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed on every medial and lateral malleolar fracture. On the other hand, with posterior malleolar fractures, surgical or conservative treatment was performed depending on the fragment size. The radiologic outcome was evaluated using the Burwell and Charnley criteria and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and complications, such as infection and posttraumatic arthritis, were used for the clinical evaluation. Results: The wound was classified into eight cases (33.3%) of type I, 11 cases (45.8%) of type II, and five cases (20.8%) of type IIIa. The degree of reduction was anatomical, fair, and poor in 16 cases (66.7%), six cases (25.0%), and two cases (8.3%), respectively. The mean AOFAS score was 79 points, and there were complications, such as infection in three cases (12.5%) and post-traumatic arthritis in two cases (8.3%). Conclusion: Satisfactory results were obtained through immediate surgical treatment in ankle trimalleolar open fractures of types I, II, and IIIa.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2018

Background Free muscle flaps are a mainstay for reconstruction of distal third leg wounds and for large lower extremity wounds with exposed bone. However a major problem is the significant postoperative flap swelling, which may take months to resolve. We studied the efficacy and safety of immediate application of a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing after a free muscle flap to the lower extremity. Methods Over a 19 months period, all consecutive free muscle flaps for lower extremity reconstruction at a Level I trauma center were evaluated prospectively for postoperative flap thickness, complications and flap survival. Immediate application of a VAC dressing was performed in 9 patients, while the flap was left exposed for monitoring in 8 patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in flap survival between both cohorts. Mean flap thickness at postoperative day 5 for the VAC group was $6.4{\pm}6.4mm$, while flap thickness for the exposed flap group was $29.6{\pm}13.5mm$. Flap thickness was significantly decreased at postoperative day 5 for the VAC dressing group. Conclusions Immediate application of VAC dressing following free muscle flaps to the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival or outcomes and results in decreased flap thickness and a better aesthetic outcome.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2006

Twelve cases in eleven patients with segmental bone defects were treated with contralateral fibula free flap and ipsilateral island fibula flap in an antegrade, retrograde or bidirectional flow fashion. Five cases were managed with free flaps and seven were with ipsilateral fibula island transfer. Among seven cases, antegrade fashion was three, retrograde was three, and bidirectional was one. All patients were related with open tibial fractures and its sequelae except one who had open foot bone fracture. According to Gustilo's classification, ten patients were type IIIb and one was type IIIc. Basically, antegrade-flow flaps based on the peroneal vessels as in the conventional free flap were used for the proximal or middle one-third tibial defects. On the contrary, retrograde-flow flaps based on the communicating branch between the peroneal and posterior tibial vessels were used for the middle or distal one-third of the tibia. Bidirection-flow flap based on intact peroneal vessels were used for the middle portion of the tibia. The patients who have undergone ipsilateral fibula island flap had one of the following problems: a previously failed free flap, below-knee amputation of the opposite leg because of open tibial fracture, refusal to use the contralateral sound leg, or poor general condition to stand a lengthy operation. Six of the patients who have got ipsilateral fibula island flap also had an associated fibula fracture on the same leg, which was ultimately used as one of the osteotomy sites. The follow-up period was from 1 to 10 years. Two cases of free flap were failed: one patient had below-knee amputation and the other patient had ipsilateral fibula transfer. Other cases were successful and excellent hypertophy of the transferred fibula was achieved. Time to bone union ranged from 4 to 11 months. Time to full weight bearing was from 5 to 13 months after surgery. All of the transferred fibulas showed hypertrophy after weight bearing. In one case, stress fracture was developed during ambulation, which was healed conservatively. Nonunion occurred in two cases, which were treated with a long leg cast and cancellous bone graft, respectively. Length discrepancy of the legs was noted. The limb was shorter by an average 0.5 cm in three cases, longer by 1.1 cm in one case. In the case of island fibula transfer, limited arc of rotation was not a problem. Other disabling complications were not seen. We believe that these diverse modalities using a vascularized fibula will make us more comfortable to handle major bone defects.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.234-244
• /
• 2021

Purpose: To date, studies of firearm and explosive injuries in the Korean military have been limited compared to its importance. To overcome this, this study examined the characteristics of musculoskeletal damages in soldiers who have suffered firearm and explosive injuries over the past four years. Materials and Methods: From January 2015 to July 2019, military forces who had suffered musculoskeletal injuries from firearms or explosive substances were included. The medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively, and telephone surveys about Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) for this group were conducted. To compare the functional outcomes, statistical analysis was performed using a t-test for the types of weapons, and ANOVA for others. Results: Of the 61 patients treated for firearms and explosives injuries, 30 patients (49.2%) were included after undergoing orthopedic treatment due to musculoskeletal injury. The average age at injury was 26.4 years old (21-52 years old). The number of officers and soldiers was similar. Eleven were injured by gunshot and 19 by an explosive device. Sixteen were treated in the Armed Forces Capital Hospital and 10 at private hospitals. More than half of the 16 patients (53.3%) with a fracture had multiple fractures. The most common injury site was the hand (33.3%), followed by the lower leg (30.0%). There were 14 patients (46.7%) with Gustilo-Anderson classification 3B or higher who required a soft tissue reconstruction. Fifteen patients agreed to join the SMFA survey for the functional outcomes. Between officers and soldiers, officers had better scores in the Bother Index compared to soldiers (p=0.0045). Patients treated in the Armed Forces Capital Hospital had better scores in both the Dysfunction and Bother Index compared to private hospitals (p=0.0008, p=0.0149). Conclusion: This is the first study to analyze of weapons injuries in the Korean military. As a result of the study, the orthopedic burden was high in the treating patients with military weapon injuries. In addition, it is necessary to build a military trauma registry, including firearm and explosive injuries, for trauma treatment evaluation and development of military trauma system.