Clavicle development occurs before the age of 9 in females and 12 in males. Children below the age of 10 with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures recover well with conservative management. However adolescents are more demanding of function and satisfaction following clavicle fractures and may benefit from operative management. Study aims: 1) Perform a systematic review of the current evidence supporting intramedullary fixation of adolescent clavicle fractures. 2) Review current management in a major trauma center (MTC) with a view to assess feasibility for a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The MEDLINE, EMBASE and AMED databases were searched in October 2014 to identify all English language studies evaluating intramedullary fixation in children aged 10–18 years using MeSH terms. Data was extracted using a standardised data collection sheet and studies were critically appraised by aid of the PRISMA checklist. All patients aged 9–15 attending an MTC receiving clavicle radiographs in 2014 were retrospectively reviewed for type of fracture, management and outcome.Background
Methods
Visual representation help make the ever-increasing data more attractive, thought provoking and informative. In the field of surgical training, Procedure Based Assessment is a structured method of assessing surgical performance and skills of trainees in the UK and is a valuable tool for trainers in the Annual Review of Competence Progression. Trainers can view PBA's on the online-based Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme individually in a long-form format with no visual representation. To assess the effect of an originally devised EVR tool of PBA's in the context of ARCP on 10 aspects including speed of assessment, assimilation of data, ease of interpretation and identification of trainees’ weaknesses and strengths.Background
Aim
Applying the concept of a regional trauma network to the UK paediatric trauma population has unique difficulties in terms of low patient volume and variation in paediatric service provision. In addition, no consensus exists as to which radiological investigations should be employed and an increasing trend towards computerised tomography raises concerns over radiation exposure. We carried out a retrospective review of all paediatric trauma calls from April 2010 and March 2013 around becoming a Major Trauma Centre. We aim to analyse the impact this has on trauma calls and assess the radiological investigations currently used in this population. The number of yearly paediatric trauma calls doubled during our study and totalled 132. The commonest mechanisms of injury were road traffic collisions, fall from a height or fall off a horse. 91.7% of children had some form of radiological investigation; 67% plain radiograph, 37.1% trauma CT, 21.2% focused CT and 5.3% abdominal ultrasound scan. Of the 77 CT scans performed 57.1% were reported as normal and 54.5% of these patients were discharged home the same day. Five children re-attended the emergency department within 30 days with two positive findings; a subdural haematoma and a tibial plateau fracture. The current use of harmful radiological investigations in paediatric trauma patients is not uniform. We propose implementation of radiology protocols and clinical guidance to imaging in paediatric trauma to limited radiation exposure.
This study is a mid-term follow up of an original series of 51 babies treated with a modified Ponseti technique for idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus using below-knee Softcast (easier to remove and hygienic)1 to determine whether this method is as effective as traditional above-knee plastering. 51 consecutive babies were treated (April 2003-May 2007) and serial Pirani scores were recorded. Dennis Browne Boots (DBB) were applied when correction was achieved and an Achilles tenotomy was performed if necessary to complete the correction. DBB were worn fulltime for 3 months and at night for 3.5 years. Of the original 51, 3 were lost to follow up and 3 were diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition and excluded. 45 patients, 34 boys and 11 girls were followed up for a mean of 55.3 months (range 36–85 months). Mean age at presentation was 16 days with a median Pirani score of 6.0 (5.5, 60). 75.7% required an Achilles tenotomy before DBB. Median Pirani score at tenotomy was 2.5 (2.0, 2.5). Time to boots (weeks) was mean 5.0 (4.2, 6.0) in the non-tenotomy group and 10.7 (9.8, 11.8) in the tenotomy group. 2 patients had residual deformity after plastering requiring surgery and there were 6 recurrences requiring surgery (4 tibialis anterior tendon transfers and 2 open releases). There appears to be a greater risk of operative intervention for girls and non-compliance with DBB. The estimate of 5-year (60 month) survival without surgery was 85% (96% CI; 70,99%).Methods
Results
No previous studies have attempted to measure parental satisfaction and service quality in regards to paediatric orthopaedic service inpatient care. We performed a prospective observational study to assess parental satisfaction with the level of service provided for paediatric orthopaedic inpatient care in our unit. We employed the validated Swedish parent satisfaction questionnaire to generate parental satisfaction data from 104 paediatric orthopaedic hospital inpatients between August 2009 and May 2010 (49 elective and 55 trauma paediatric orthopaedic admissions, median age range 2–6 years). Questions focused on eight domains of quality: Information on illness, information on routines, accessibility, medical treatment, care processes, staff attitudes, parent participation and staff work environment. Scores generated were a percentage of the maximum achievable for that quality index, for example 100% would correspond to a parent awarding all questions for that index the highest possible score.Introduction
Methods
Simulation is increasingly perceived as an important component of surgical training. Cadaveric simulation offers an experience that can closely simulate operating on a living patient. We have explored the feasibility of providing cadaveric training for the whole curriculum for trauma and orthopaedic surgery speciality trainees, before they perform those operations on living patients. An eight station surgical training centre was designed and built adjacent to the mortuary of a University Hospital. Seven two-day courses for foot and ankle, knee, hip, spine, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, and trauma surgery were designed and delivered. These courses, designed for 16 trainees, were delivered by eight consultant trainers and a course director. Each was structured to allow every trainee to perform each standard operation in the curriculum for that respective subspecialty. We designed the courses to maximise simulated operating time for the trainees and to minimise cost. We surveyed trainers and trainees after the courses to qualitatively assess their value.Introduction
Methods
We report the results of the use of the Long Gamma Nail in the treatment of complex proximal femoral fractures in our hospital. All patients at one hospital treated with the Long Gamma Nail were reviewed. Information collected included the age, sex, type of injury, fracture classification, intra-operative complications, post-operative complications, and survival of the implant and patient. One hundred nails were reviewed which were inserted in 97 patients. 70 patients were followed up for 1 month or more and their mean follow up was 8 months (range 3 months to 6 years). The mean age was 74 (range 16–98). Twenty were inserted into femurs with metastatic malignancy and four patients were victims of poly-trauma. The average length of the operation was 2 hours 22 minutes. Blood transfusion was required in 74% and on average was 2.5 units. There were 7 significant complications. Five patients underwent revision, 2 to Total Hip Arthroplasty after proximal screw migration and 2 patients required exchange nailing. There was one broken nail and two peri-prosthetic fractures at the tip of the nail. Success was defined as achievement of stability of fracture until union or death; this was achieved in 15% of cases. The mortality was 7% at 30 days and 17% at one year. One death was directly related to the nail and the rest due to medical co-morbidities. Complication rate fell with increasing experience in the unit. The training of surgeons had no detrimental effect on outcome. Complex proximal femoral fractures including pathological lesions, subtrochanteric fractures and pertrochanteric fractures with subtrochanteric extensions are difficult to treat, with all implants having high failure rates. The long gamma nail allows early weight bearing and seems effective in treating these difficult fractures. Furthermore the majority of these unstable fractures tend to occur in the very elderly with osteoporosis and other medical co-morbidity. Care should be taken to avoid malpositioning of the implant, as this was the major cause of failure and revision. The length of time surgery may take and the anticipated blood loss should not be underestimated especially when dealing with challenging fractures in frail and elderly patients or those with medical co-morbidity.
The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of total hip arthroplasty, with regard to dislocation, at our unit. 1727 primary total joint arthroplasties and 305 revision total hip arthroplasties were performed between 1993 and 1996 at our unit. We followed up 1567 of the primary hip arthroplasties and 284 of the revision hip arthroplasties at 8 to 11 years post surgery. Patients were traced by postal questionnaire, telephone interview or examination of case notes of the deceased. The dislocation rates by approach were: 23 out of 555 (4.1%) for the posterior approach, 0 out of 120 (0%) for the Omega approach and 30 out of 892 (3.4%) for the modified Hardinge approach. 58.5% of dislocations after primary total hip arthroplasty were recurrent. The mean number of dislocations per patient was 2.81. 8.1% of revision total hip arthroplasties suffered dislocation. 70% of these became recurrent. The mean number of dislocations per patient was 2.87. The vast majority of dislocations occur within 3 months of surgery. To our knowledge this is the largest multisurgeon audit of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty published in the United Kingdom. The follow-up of 8 to 11 years is longer than most comparable studies.