• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.224-233
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of 'Blocking Kirschner Wire (K-Wire) Technique', which has been developed to reduce protrusion of the lateral wall, in maintaining the level of reduction through clinical and radiological outcomes. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures who used the blocking K-wire to maintain reduction (group A) and 44 patients that did not use blocking K-wire and were paired in 1:2 ratio with those Group A patients (group B), between January 2015 and December 2017 were enrolled in the study. All surgical procedures were performed via the extended sinus tarsi approach, and internal fixation using cannulated screws, Steinmann pins and K-wires was performed. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale and postoperative recovery of exercise ability were compared for postoperative clinical outcomes. The radiological results were compared the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal height and width, step off of posterior calcaneal joint, and the degree of protrusion of the lateral wall. Moreover, postoperative complications in both groups were compared. Results: There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes of the two groups (p=0.924, p=0.961). The amount of Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal height and width, and step off of posterior calcaneal joint from the radiological results was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.170, p=0.441, p=0.230, p=0.266, and p=0.400). However, the degree of protrusion of the lateral wall was 1.78 mm and 4.95 mm in group A and group B, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant (p=0.017). Although sural nerve entrapment and painful exostosis were more frequent in group B, they were occurred in a non-significant manner (p=0.293, p=0.655). Conclusion: Most of the clinical and radiological results as well as the complications were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the degree of protrusion of the calcaneus lateral wall in group A was promising. The 'Blocking K-Wires Technique' established by the authors may be an effective surgical option for maintaining the reduction of the lateral wall protrusion in displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.301-305
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• 2020

Background: Radiographic modalities have been commonly used to evaluate pectus carinatum (PC), and compressive orthotic bracing is the most widely accepted treatment method. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of 3-dimensional (3D) body surface scanning as an alternative modality for the evaluation of PC. Methods: The medical records of 63 patients with PC who were treated with compressive orthotic bracing therapy between July 2017 and February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Using both 2-view chest radiography (posteroanterior and lateral view) and 3D body scanning, the height of maximal protrusion of the chest wall was measured both before and after 2 weeks of bracing therapy. The difference between the pre- and post-treatment measurements was calculated for both modalities, and these differences were compared and analyzed. Results: Based on the comparison between the pre- and post-treatment radiographs, bracing therapy produced favorable outcomes in all patients (p<0.001). The measurements obtained via 3D scanning were strongly correlated with those obtained via chest radiography (r=0.60). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, 3D body surface scanning appears to be an effective, radiation-free, and simple method for the post-treatment follow-up evaluation of PC, and thus can be considered an alternative to radiography.