Introduction. Osteotomy is a key step in distraction osteogenesis. Various techniques of osteotomy have been described with its own benefits and pitfalls. Percutaneous osteotomy using multiple drill holes is one of the most widely used osteotomy techniques. It still remains a challenge however to keep the drill holes aligned prior to the osteotomy. Moreover, the efficacy of percutaneous irrigation practice to keep the temperature low during drilling with this technique is also debatable. With an aim to overcome these challenges, we are introducing a device called the Double Barrel Drill Sleeve (DBDS) to perform percutaneous osteotomies. We attempted to compare this method to the conventional multiple drill holes technique using laboratory experiments and clinical data. Materials & Methods. DBDS has two adjacent parallel barrels that can fit 3.2 to 3.5 mm diameter drill bits. It has a guide member at the drilling end that can be inserted through a pre drilled hole at the near and far cortices of a bone. This provides a constant rotating point for drilling of holes through the barrels. An osteotomy simulation was performed to compare percutaneous drilling with DBDS vis-a-vis a conventional single drill sleeve (SDS) by qualified orthopaedic surgeons, mainly to assess the drilling patterns of both techniques. Percutaneous drilling was done on PVC pipes wrapped in thick sponge to simulate tubular bone with surrounding soft tissue. We also assessed the effect of indirect irrigation on temperature during drilling using the DBDS against a control group on a cadaveric bone model. Ultimately we reviewed our patients who had undergone osteotomy for distraction osteogenesis with DBDS and the conventional technique, and compared their outcomes. Results. Completion time for the osteotomy simulation in the DBDS group was significantly faster than the conventional drilling group; 74 seconds to 179 seconds. There was significantly less drilling deviation from the midpoint in the DBDS group as compared to the SDS group. Mean bone temperature during drilling with indirect irrigation using DBDS was significantly lower (32.6'C) compared to the control group (48.4'C). There was no significant difference in healing index between patients treated with DBDS and the conventional method. None of these patients developed non union. Conclusions. Percutaneous drilling with DBDS was quicker and more linear compared to the conventional method. Its double-barreled feature allows effective indirect irrigation during drilling. A comparable healing index in both of the techniques shows its clinical efficacy. These attributes make DBDS a usefull tool to overcome some of the pitfalls associated with the conventional multiple drill holes technique

When a suspicious spine lesion is identified, an accurate diagnosis based on tissue biopsy is needed to direct towards the correct treatment protocol. Several studies concluded that the percutaneous fluoroscopy guided biopsy of vertebral lesions is a safe, effective and accurate diagnostic tool and is preferred over open techniques when possible. The aim of this study was to review percutaneous fluoroscopy guided transpedicular spinal biopsies at a tertiary hospital over a 6-year period. The research design was a retrospective review of patients who underwent percutaneous transpedicular spinal biopsies under fluoroscopy guidance at a tertiary hospital over a six year period (1st January 2016 to the 31st December 2021). The spine theatre registry and hospital records system were used as the source for data collection. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness of transpedicular spinal biopsies, compare spinal pathology amongst age and gender and to identify any complications. The study analysed 180 biopsies, 120 yielding a positive result (66.67%). Of these 8.9% were pyogenic infection, 18.4% neoplasm, 36.7% Tuberculosis and 2.7% other. There were 75 males and 105 females with an age range between 9 and 86 years and mean age of 43.44. Comparing age and gender found no statistical significance (p = 0.778). Comparing biopsy result and gender showed no statistical significant relationship (p = 0.970). Comparison of biopsy result with age showed no statistical significant association (p = 0,545). Four complications were identified (2.22%). The study showed that fluoroscopy guided percutaneous transpedicular biopsy is an effective and safe modality in obtaining spinal specimens in all age groups for a wide spectrum of spinal pathological lesions

Percutaneous flexor tenotomy involves cutting the flexor digitorum tendons to correct claw toe deformity to treat apical pressure areas and prevent subsequent infection in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Performing this under ultrasound guidance provides reassurance of complete release of the tendon and increases procedural safety. This study is a retrospective case series evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and patient satisfaction of performing percutaneous ultrasound-guided flexor tenotomy in an outpatient setting. People with loss of protective sensation, a digital flexion deformity, and an apical toe ulcer or pre-ulcerative lesion who presented to our institution between December 2019 and June 2022 were included in this study. Participants were followed-up at a minimum of 3 months. Time to ulcer healing, re-ulceration rate, patient satisfaction, and complications were recorded. An Australian cost analysis was performed comparing this procedure performed in rooms versus theatres. There were 28 ulcers and 41 pre-ulcerative lesions. A total of 69 tenotomy procedures were performed on 38 patients across 52 episodes of care. The mean time to ulcer healing was 22.5 +/- 6.4 days. There were 2 cases of re-ulceration. 1 patient sustained a transfer lesion. There were four toes that went onto require amputation, all in the setting of pre-existing osteomyelitis. 94% of patients strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure. Costs saved were estimated to be $1426. Flexor tenotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the outpatient setting, and therefore without delay to treatment, reducing risk of ulcer progression and need for subsequent amputation. This is the first study to report on flexor tenotomy under ultrasound-guidance. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous flexor tenotomy is safe and effective, with high patient satisfaction and low recurrence rates. This performance in the outpatient setting ensures significant time and cost savings for both the practitioner and patient

Introduction. Non-union is debilitating, costly and affects 2–8% of intramedullary fixed fractures. Clinical data suggest that percutaneous interfragmentary screws offer a less invasive alternative to exchange nailing. This study aimed to assess their efficiency with biomechanical analyses. Materials and Methods. A tibia was prepared for finite element analysis by creating a fracture of AO classification 42A2b, prior to reaming and insertion of an intramedullary nail. A callus was modelled as granulation tissue and gait loads were applied. The model was validated against published data and with sensitivity studies. The effects of weightbearing, fracture gap and angle, percutaneous screws and exchange nailing were compared through quantification of interfragmentary motion and strain, with the latter used to gauge healing performance via mechano-regulation theory. Results. Axial interfragmentary motion increased with increasing weightbearing, however, shear decreased at 25–50% weightbearing, leading to superior healing performance. Fracture gap had minimal effect on axial motion, but larger gaps gave greater shear, compromising healing. Elevated fracture obliquity culminated in more shear and inferior healing. Exchange nailing reduced axial motion by ∼30%, but had little effect on shear. Conversely, percutaneous screws had negligible effect on axial motion, but reduced shear by ∼15%, with three screws having a similar net effect on healing as exchange nailing from 10 to 11mm. Conclusions. This study provides new insight into fracture healing biomechanics and discovered that partial weightbearing, less oblique fractures and percutaneous screws all reduce shear, enhancing healing

Introduction. Femoral-shortening osteotomy for the treatment of leg length discrepancy is demanding technique. Many surgical technique and orthopaedic devises have been suggested to perform this procedure. Herein, we describe modified femoral shortening osteotomy over a nail, using a percutaneous multiple drill-hole osteotomy technique. Materials and Methods. We operated on six patients with LLD. Mean femoral shortening was 4.2 cm. Osteotomy was performed using a multiple drill-hole technique, and bone was stabilized using an intramedullary nail. Post-operative clinical and radiological data were reported. Results. Shortening was achieved, with a final LLD of < 1 cm in all patients. All patients considered the lengths of the lower limbs to be equal. No special surgical skills or instrumentation were needed. Intraoperative and post-operative complications were not recorded. Conclusions. Percutaneous femoral-shortening osteotomy over a nail using multiple drill-hole osteotomy technique was effective and safe in treating LLD

Hallux valgus surgery can result in moderate to severe post-operative pain requiring the use of narcotic medication. The percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomy is a minimally invasive approach which offers many advantages including minimal scarring, immediate weight bearing and decreased post-operative pain. The goal of this study is to determine whether the use of narcotics can be eliminated using an approach combining multimodal analgesia, ankle block anesthesia and a minimally invasive surgical approach. Following ethics board approval, a total of 160 ambulatory patients between the ages of 18-70 with BMI ≤ 40 undergoing percutaneous hallux valgus surgery are to be recruited and randomized into Narcotic-free (NF) or Standard (S) groups. To date, 72 patients have been recruited (38 NF and 34 S). The NF group received acetaminophen, naproxen, pregabalin 75mg and 100mg Ralivia (tramadol extended release) before surgery and acetaminophen, naproxen, pregabalin 150mg one dose and Ralivia 100mg BID for five days, as well as a rescue narcotic (hydromorphone, 1mg pills) after surgery. The S group received acetaminophen and naproxen prior to surgery and acetaminophen, naproxen and hydromorphone (1mg pills) post-operatively, our current standard. Visual analog scales (VAS) were used to assess pain and narcotic consumption was recorded at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 hours and seven days post-operatively. Patients wore a smart watch to record the number of daily steps and sleep hours. A two-sided t-test was used to compare the VAS scores and narcotic consumption. During the first post-operative week, the NF group consumed in total an average of 6.5 pills while the S group consumed in total an average of 16 pills and this difference was statistically significant (p-value=0.001). Importantly, 19 patients (50%) in the NF group and four patients (12%) in the S group did not consume any narcotics post-operatively. For the VAS scores at 24, 48, 72 hours and seven days the NF group's average scores were 2.17, 3.17, 2.92, 2.06 respectively and the S group's average scores were 3.97, 4.2, 3.23, 1.97. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups at 24 and 48hours (the NF group scored lower on the VAS) with a p-value of 0.0008 and 0.04 respectively, but this difference is not considered clinically significant as the minimal clinically important difference reported in the literature is a two-point differential. The NF group walked an average of 1985.75 steps/day and slept an average of 8h01 minute/night, while the S group walked an average of 1898.26 steps/day and slept an average of 8h26 minutes/night in the first post-operative week. Hallux valgus remains a common orthopedic foot problem for which surgical treatment results in moderate to severe post-operative pain. This study demonstrates that with the use of multimodal analgesia, ultrasound guided ankle blocks and a percutaneous surgical technique, narcotic requirements decreased post-operatively. The use of long-acting tramadol further decreased the need for narcotic consumption. Despite decreased use of narcotics, this combined novel approach to hallux valgus surgery allows for early mobilization and excellent pain control

Introduction. Treatment of non-union in open tibial fractures Gustilo-Anderson(GA)-3A/3B fractures remains a challenging problem. Most of these can be dealt using treatment methods that requires excision of the non-union followed by bone grafting, masquelet technique, or acute shortening. Circular fixators with closed distraction or bone transport also remains a useful option. However, sometimes due to patient specific factors these cannot be used. Recently antibiotic loaded bone substitutes have been increasingly used for repairing infected non-unions. They provide local antibiotic delivery, fill dead space, and act as a bone conductive implant, which is resorted at the end of a few months. We aimed to assess the outcome of percutaneous injection of bone substitute while treating non-union of complex open tibial fractures. Materials & Methods. Three cases of clinical and radiological stiff tibial non-union requiring further intervention were identified from our major trauma open fracture database. Two GA-3B cases, treated with a circular frame developed fracture-related-infection(FRI) manifesting as local cellulitis, loosened infected wires/pins with raised blood-markers, and one case of GA-3A treated with an intramedullary nail. At the time of removal of metalwork/frame, informed consent was obtained and Cerament-G. TM. (bone-substitute with gentamicin) was percutaneously injected through a small cortical window using a bone biopsy(Jamshedi needle). All patients were allowed to weight bear as tolerated in a well-fitting air-cast boot and using crutches. They were followed up at 6 weekly intervals with clinical assessment of their symptoms and radiographs. Fracture union was assessed using serial radiographs with healing defined as filling of fracture gap, bridging callus and clinical assessment including return to full painless weight bearing. Results. Follow-up at 6 months showed all fractures had healed with no defect or gaps with evidence of new trabecular bone and significant resorption of Cerament-G. TM. at final follow-up. There was no evidence of residual infection with restoration of normal limb function. Fractures with no internal fixation showed a mild deformity that had developed during the course of the healing, presumed due to mild collapse in the absence of fixation. These were less than 10 degrees in sagittal and coronal planes and were clinically felt to be insignificant by the patients. Conclusions. Cerament-G's unique combination of high dose antibiotics and hydroxy apatite matrix provided by calcium sulphate might help provide an osteoconductive environment to allow these stiff non-unions to heal. The matrix appears to provide a scaffold-like structure that allows new bone in-growth with local release of antibiotics helping reduce deep-seated infections. The final deformation at fracture site underlines the need for fixation- and it is very unlikely that this technique will work in mobile nonunions. Whilst similar fractures may heal without the use of bone substitute injections, the speed of healing in presence of significant fracture gap suggests the use of these bone substitutes did help in our cases. Further studies with a larger cohort, including RCTs, to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique compared to other methods are needed

The treatment of joint-fractures is a common task in orthopaedic surgery causing considerable health costs and patient disabilities. Percutaneous techniques have been developed to mitigate the problems related to open surgery (e.g. soft tissue damage), although their application to joint-fractures is limited by the sub-optimal intra-operative imaging (2D- fluoroscopy) and by the high forces involved. Our earlier research toward improving percutaneous reduction of intra-articular fractures has resulted in the creation of a robotic system prototype, i.e. RAFS (Robot-Assisted Fracture Surgery) system. We propose a robot-bone attachment device for percutaneous bone manipulation, which can be anchored to the bone fragment through one small incision, ensuring the required stability and reducing the “biological cost” of the procedure. It consists of a custom-designed orthopaedic pin, an anchoring system (AS secures the pin to the bone), and a gripping system (GS connects the pin and the robot). This configuration ensures that the force/torque applied by the robot is fully transferred to the bone fragment to achieve the desired anatomical reduction. The device has been evaluated through the reduction of 9 distal femur fractures on human cadavers using the RAFS system. The devices allowed the reduction of 7 fractures with clinical acceptable accuracy. 2 fractures were not reduced: in one case the GS failed and was not able to keep the pin stationary inside the robot (pin rotates inside the GS). The other fracture was too dislocated (beyond the operational workspace capability of the robot). A more stable GS will be designed to avoid displacements between the pin and the robot

In recent years internal fixation of the spine by using posterior approach with minimally invasive and percutaneous technique were increasingly used in trauma. The percutaneous surgery lose information and navigation is supposed to provide better data because the lost information is found again. We hypothesise that a percutaneous minimal invasive dorsal procedure by using 3D intra-operative imaging for vertebral fractures allows short operating times with correct screw positioning and does not increase radiation exposure. 59 patients were included in this prospective, monocentric and randomised study. 29 patients (108 implants) were operated on by using conventional surgical procedure (CP) and 30 patients (72 implants) were operated on by using a 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation system (3D fluo). In the two groups, a percutaneous approach was performed for transpedicular vertebroplasty or percutaneous pedicle screws insertion. In the two groups surgery was done from T4 level to L5 levels. Patients (54 years old on average) suffered trauma fractures, fragility fractures or degenerative instabilities. Evaluation of screw placement was done by using post-operative CT with two independent radiologists that used Youkilis criteria. Operative and radiation running time were also evaluated. With percutaneous surgery, the 3D fluo technique was less accurate with 13.88% of misplaced pedicle screws (10/72) compared with 11.11% (12/108) observed with CP. The radiation running time for each vertebra level (two screws) reached on average 0.56 mSv with 3D fluo group compared to 1.57 mSv with the CP group. The time required for instrumentation (one vertebra, two screws) with 3D fluo was 19.75 minutes compared with CP group 9.19 minutes. The results were statistically significant in terms of radiation dose and operative running time (p < 0.05), but not in terms of accuracy (p= 0.24). With percutaneous procedures, 3D fluoroscopy-based navigation (3D fluo) system has no superiority in terms of operative running time and to a lesser degree in terms of accuracy, as compared to 2D conventional procedure (CP), but the benefit in terms of radiation dose is important. Other advantages of the 3D fluo system are twofold: up-to-date image data of patient anatomy and immediate availability to assess the anatomical position of the implanted screws

Introduction and Aims:. The surgical treatment of fractures of the scaphoid with delayed presentation or with established non-union pose a formidable challenge with reported failure rates between 15% and 45%. The aim of this study is to report the results of percutaneous versus open fixation with bone grafting of these fractures. Method:. 34 Consecutive patients who underwent surgery between 2009 and 2013 for delayed presentation and established non-union of scaphoid fractures have been reviewed retrospectively. There were 27 males and 7 females with a mean age of 31 years (15 to 66). The mean delay from time of injury to operation was 12 weeks (4 weeks to 11 months) in the percutaneous fixation group and 19 months (5 months to 6 years) in the open fixation group. 19 Patients were treated with percutaneous screw fixation alone and 15 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation supplemented with autogenous corticocancellous iliac bone graft. The classification of Slade and Dodds (2009) was used as a guide for surgical treatment and the Mini-Acutrak headless compression screw was used as the fixation device in all cases. Results:. Patients underwent final clinical and radiological assessment with plain radiographs 6 months following their surgery. There was one failed union in the percutaneous fixation group and there was one failed union in the open fixation group. One patient in the open fixation group was lost to follow up. No serious complications were recorded in either group. Conclusion:. The success of percutaneous internal fixation for acute fractures of the carpal scaphoid may be extended to include scaphoid fractures with delayed presentation and fractures of the scaphoid with established nonunion. However, appropriate patient selection is necessary to ensure optimal outcomes

Purpose of study. Unstable pelvic ring injuries usually occur in polytrauma patients and are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Percutaneous screw fixation of sacro-iliac joint dislocations, fracture-dislocations and sacral fractures is a well-recognised technique first described by Routt and is increasingly gaining popularity. This method is biomechanically comparable to open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws but offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgical techniques. It is however a technically demanding procedure with reported complications including hardware failure, misplacement of screws, nerve injury and poor posterior reduction. The purpose of the study is to report clinical results of patients treated with closed reduction and percutaneous ilio-sacral screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures by a single surgeon. Methods. A review of prospectively collected data was performed on all patients who had percutaneous sacro-iliac fixation between 2009 and 2012. Thirty five percutaneus sacro-iliac screws were inserted in 30 patients with a mean age of 25.6 years (range 17–62). Fracture types included 10 AO type B, and 20 AO type C. The mean follow-up period was 11.6 months (range 3–38). The complications assessed were screw misplacement, neurovascular complications, hardware breakage and loss of reduction. Results. All patients had a satisfactory initial reduction. One patient (2.8%) had misplacement of a screw with resultant temporary neurological fallout. One patient (2.8%) had screw misplacement without neurological fallout. Both of these patients initially had two screws inserted and the misplaced screws were removed and not reinserted. One patient (2.8%) had screw cut-out with loss of reduction. This screw was removed, open reduction peformed and the screw was re-inserted. Conclusion. The use of percutaneous sacro-iliac screws provides a safe and effective technique for the management of unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries. Our combined complication rate is comparable to published literature. NO DISCLOSURES

Introduction. Non-unions often arise because of high strain environments at fracture sites. Revision fixation, bone grafting and biologic treatments to treat long bone fracture non-union can be expensive and invasive. Percutaneous strain reduction screws (PSRS) can be inserted as a day-case surgical procedure to supplement primary fixation at a fraction of the cost of traditional treatments. Screw insertion perpendicular to the plane of a non-union can resist shear forces and achieve union by modifying the strain environment. A multi-centre retrospective study was undertaken to confirm the results of the initial published case series, ascertain whether this technique can be adopted outside of the developing institution and assess the financial impact of this technique. Materials and Methods. Retrospective analysis was performed for all PSRS cases used to treat un-united long bone fractures in four level 1 trauma centres from 2016 to 2020. All patients were followed up until union was achieved or further management was required. Demographic data was collected on patients, as were data about their injuries, initial management and timings of all treatments received. A comparative cost analysis was performed comparing patients treated with PSRS and with traditional non-union surgery methods. Results. 51 patients were treated with the PSRS technique. 45 (88%) patients achieved union at a median time of 5.2 months (range 1.0 – 24.7). Comparable results were seen between the developing institution and independent units. No patients experienced adverse events beyond failure to achieve union. PSRS appears to offer savings of between £2,957 to £11,231 per case compared with traditional methods of non-union surgery. Conclusions. PSRS is a safe, cost-effective treatment for long bone non-union. The promising results of the initial case series have now been replicated outside of the developing institution

Background. Lack of ankle dorsiflexion secondary to a tight gastrocnemius-soleus complex is believed to be a contributing factor in forefoot pain particularly metatarsalgia. It is believed that by lengthening the gastroc-soleus complex weight is distributed more evenly over the foot reducing symptoms. However lengthening any tendon, especially using a percutaneous method carries risks of over-lengthening. In the summer of 2008 we started to see some patients who complained of significant weakness in their Achilles tendons following the 3 cut percutaneous tenotomy procedure. Method. All patients who underwent a percutaneous tendo-achilles release performed between June 2007 and October 2008 were identified through the clinical coding department and theatre log books. Their clinical notes were reviewed until discharge. Patients who were diabetic or had a foot deformity secondary to neurological complications were excluded. Results. 40 percutaneous tendo-achilles releases were performed in 38 patients, with an average age of 51 (male:female ratio 5:33). 37 were performed in combination with forefoot procedure. 36 were mobilized full weight bearing in a heel weight bearing shoe post operatively, of which 8 developed symptomatic over lengthening of the Achilles tendon at a mean of 7 months (2-15) post-operatively. Of these 7 required surgical treatment in the form of Achilles shortening. Conclusion. We no longer perform percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening in neurologically normal patients, due to our concern regarding the risk of over lengthening. We now prefer to perform an open gastrocnemius lengthening

Percutaneous A1 pulley release is being increasingly used as an alternative to open surgical release and injection of local steroids for the treatment of the trigger digit. We treated 43 patients, average age 57 years (range12-78). All trigger digits were grade III-IV (Quinnell classification). A mean duration of pre-operative symptoms was 7.3 months (range 2-13 months). A percutaneous release was performed with a 19-gauge hypodermic needle under local anaesthesia in the outpatient setting. All patients were evaluated with respect to clinical resolution of symptoms and general satisfaction. We report a 97% successful release and only one case of incomplete release. A result in terms of abolishing triggering was immediate and patient acceptance was excellent. By two weeks, all the patients had no pain at the operative site. After a mean follow-up of 30.2 months (range12-50), there had been no recurrences. There were no digital nerve injuries, flexor tendon injuries, and infections. The percutaneous release is a safe and effective technique, which provides significant cost savings. The time from onset of symptoms and grading prognostically is significant and affects the treatment outcome. We recommend the percutaneous technique for typical cases of trigger finger with a palpable nodule and reproducible mechanical triggering. This technique can be the treatment of choice for the established trigger finger (grade III and IV) with symptoms of more than few months' duration. The open technique is reserved for complicated cases such as florid tenosynovitis, locked digit, failed percutaneous release or those involving the thumb

Background. Percutaneous K-wire fixation is a well-recognised and often performed method of stabilisation for distal radius fractures. However, there is paucity in the literature regarding the infection rate after percutaneous K-wire fixation for distal radius fractures. Aims. To analyse the rate and severity of infection after percutaneous K-wire fixation for distal radius fractures. Material and methods. Between October 2004 and June 2005, 43 patients with closed distal radius fractures had percutaneous K-wire fixation. The wires were left outside the skin in all the cases for easy removal at the end of six weeks at the clinic. They were followed up in the clinic at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The pin tracts were examined at 2 weeks and six weeks, or if needed earlier. The severity of pin tract infection was graded using modified Oppenheim classification. Results. Out of 43 patients, the male to female ratio was 13:30. The mean age was 49.1 years (range 5-86 years). There were nine cases of pin tract infection, out of which three were grade I, three were grade II, two were grade III, and one was grade IV. In three cases the K-wires had to be removed earlier. Discussion. The infection rate after percutaneous K-wire fixation for distal radius fractures is high (20.9%), which is equivalent to the infection rate quoted in the literature for hybrid external fixators. As the K-wires are used to fix the fractures, the expected implant infection rate in Trauma and Orthopaedics which is less than 1% should be aimed for. However this is not the case. Hence, burying the K-wires under the skin may be an alternative to reduce the infection rate after percutaneous K-wire fixation of distal radius

Purpose. The traditional management of pediatric aneurysmal bone cysts involves the application of intralesional resection principles that are used to treat benign aggressive tumors in general. Alternatively, some are treated by injections of sclerosing agents. The risks of these approaches include growth arrest, additional bony destruction necessitating the restoration of structural integrity, and soft tissue necrosis. We wished to evaluate the effectiveness of treating aneurysmal bone cysts in children by percutaneous curettage as a means to avoid these risks. Method. A retrospective cohort study of pediatric, histologically proven aneurysmal bone cyst patients treated either by percutaneous curettage or by open intralesional resection with two years follow up was undertaken. Those cysts judged as uncontained and requiring restoration of structural bony integrity underwent open intralesional resection and reconstruction. Contained cysts judged as not requiring immediate structural restoration were treated percutaneously. This group was uniformly treated on an outpatient basis using angled curettes under image guidance followed by intralesional evacuation using a suction trap. None in this group had insertion of any substance into the cyst cavity. Short-term casting or immobilization was undertaken in most cases. The primary outcome evaluated was radiographic resolution, persistence or recurrence at two years according to the Neer/Cole classification. Complications were noted. Results. Twenty patients with a mean age of 11 (2–15) were evaluated, with ten in each group. In the open intralesional resection group, 9/10 achieved Neer/Cole grade I resolution; one case recurred and was successfully treated percutaneously. There was one case of valgus proximal tibial overgrowth deformity requiring hemiepiphysiodesis, and three cases requiring hardware removal for irritation. In the percutaneous group, 7/10 achieved Neer/Cole grade 1 resolution, one case exhibited radiographic persistence of nonexpansile, lytic change and two cases frankly recurred, necessitating repeat procedures. No fractures, growth arrests, or infections occurred in either group. Conclusion. Not all aneurysmal bone cysts require wide exposure for intralesional resection. Percutaneous curettage is a reasonable alternative for contained aneurysmal bone cysts. Children will readily restore bone stock in the absence of bone graft or bone substitute as long as the cyst is erradicated. Percutaneous curettage should be performed selectively and on an investigational basis for the time being

Purpose. Anterior column screw fixation has been a useful tool in the management of acetabular fractures, either alone or in combination with other fixation techniques. Percutaneous insertion may be advantageous by limiting surgical dissection but little has been reported on its safety. The purpose of this study is to report on the efficacy and safety of percutaneous anterior column stabilization. Method. In a consecutive series of 122 operatively treated acetabular fractures, 56 patients were treated with antegrade percutaneous anterior column stabilization either alone or in combination with other fixation techniques by a single surgeon (JY). The technique was selected when the anterior column portion of the fracture was undisplaced or could be reduced via indirect methods. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used to guide the placement of either a 6.5 mm or 7.3 mm cannulated antegrade anterior column lag screw. Postoperative radiographs (anteroposterior and Judet views) were obtained in the recovery room, prior to discharge and at clinic follow up. Results. The mean age of patients in the series was 52 years (range 17 91). Mean follow up was 13 months. There was one death from associated injuries. Based on the classification system described by Letournel, there were 22 anterior column, 8 transverse, 11 transverse / posterior wall, 9 anterior column / posterior hemitransverse, 1 associated both column and 5 T-type fractures. There were no vascular, neurologic, or urologic complications in the series. There were no cases of intraarticular screw placement. In two cases, the screw did not completely cross the entire fracture line on postoperative radiographs. There were no cases of hardware failure or loss of reduction. There were two cases of hardware removal for hardware prominence. There was one case of chronic proximal femur osteomyelitis, and two cases requiring subsequent total hip arthroplasty for associated injuries. All fractures healed. Conclusion. This study supports percutaneous anterior column stabilization as a safe and effective technique in the treatment of selected acetabular fractures

Acute scaphoid fractures are commonly treated with cast for 8–12 weeks. With this prolonged period of immobilisation patients can encounter joint stiffness and muscle wasting requiring extensive physiotherapy. Despite best practice, these fractures also pose a risk of non-union and suboptimal function. Fracture location, duration of time lost from work and impairment in activities of daily living are key factors in scaphoid fracture management. The aim of our study was to compare percutaneous screw fixation of the scaphoid with other operative fixation techniques. Parameters documented were length of conservative treatment, mechanism of injury, post-op complications and patient satisfaction levels with each technique using a standardised questionnaire. Economic benefit was also measured by examining time to return to work, number of x-rays and outpatient visits required per treatment group. In this study, 76 patients requiring operative scaphoid fixation were evaluated. 27 patients underwent percutaneous fixation. Waist fractures accounted for 66% (n= 18), proximal pole fractures 33% (n=8) and distal pole fractures 4% (n=1). There were 16 non-displaced fractures (59%) and 11 displaced fractures (41%). The average length of conservative treatment was 77 days (range: 2–256 days). Within the percutaneous group 2 patients developed non-union. We did not encounter any wound infection or superficial radial nerve damage. Patients treated with early percutaneous fixation had highest satisfaction levels, returned to work earlier and required less follow-up (P< 0.001). In conclusion percutaneous screw fixation provides earlier bone union and avoids the need for prolonged immobilisation when compared to other treatment modalities. The economic benefit of early percutaneous fixation must also be considered when managing patients with scaphoid fractures

Objectives. Percutaneous iliosacral screw placement is a standard, stabilization technique for pelvic fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a novel biplanar robot navigation aiming system for percutaneous iliosacral screw placement in a human cadaver model. Methods. A novel biplanar robot navigation aiming system was used in 16 intact human cadaveric pelvises for percutaneous iliosacral screw insertion. The number of successful screw placements and mean time for this insertion and intra-operative fluoroscopy per screw-pair were recorded respectively to evaluate the procedure. The accuracy of the aiming process was evaluated by computed tomography. Results. Sixteen intact human cadaveric pelvises were treated with percutaneous bilateral iliosacral S1 screw placement (32 cannulated screws, diameter-7.3mm, Synthes, Switzerland). All screws were placed under fluoroscopy-guided control using the biplanar robot navigation aiming system (TINAV, GD2000, China). There was no failed targeting for screw-pair placements. Computed tomography revealed high accuracy of the insertion process. 32 iliosacral screws were inserted (mean operation time per screw-pair 56 ± 3 minutes, mean fluoroscopy time per screw-pair 11.7 ± 9 seconds). In post-operative CT-scans the screw position was assessed and graded as follows: I. secure positioning, completely inserted in the cancellous bone (86%); II. secure positioning, but contacting cortical bone structures (9%); III. malplaced positioning, penetrating the cortical bone (5%). Conclusion. This cadaver study indicated that an aiming device–based biplanar robot navigation system is highly reliable and accurate. The promising results suggest that it has the advantages of high positioning accuracy, decreased radiation exposure, operational stability and safety. It can be used not only for the percutaneous iliosacral screw placement but also for other orthopedic surgeries that require precise positioning

Traditionally, unstable anterior pelvic ring injuries have been stabilised with an external fixator or by internal fixation. Recently, a new percutaneous technique of placement of bilateral supraacetabular polyaxial screws and subcutaneous connecting bar to assemble an “internal fixator” has been described. We present the surgical technique and early clinical results of using this technique in twenty-five consecutive patients with a rotationally unstable pelvic ring injury and no diastasis of the symphysis pubis treated between April 2010 and December 2013. Additional posterior pelvic stabilisation with percutaneous iliosacral screws was used in 23 of these patients. The anterior device was routinely removed after three months. Radiological evidence of union of the anterior pelvic ring was seen in 24 of 25 patients at a minimum 6 month follow-up. Thirteen patients developed sensory deficits in the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (five bilateral) and only one fully recovered. The anterior pelvic internal fixator is a reliable, safe and easy percutaneous technique for the treatment of anterior pelvic ring injuries, facilitating the reduction and stabilisation of rotational displacement. However, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction is common. The technique is recommended in cases with bilateral or unilateral pubic rami fractures and no diastasis of the symphysis pubis