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CT-measurement predicts shortening of stable intertrochanteric hip fractures.

ABSTRACT: Purpose:Intertrochanteric (IT) hip fractures can be treated with sliding hip screws (SHS) or cephalomedullary nails (CMN) based on the stability of the fracture. This stability is affected by the initial impaction of the fracture which can be difficult to assess. The aim of this paper is to develop specific pre-operative computed tomography (CT) measurements of IT fractures which are predictive of post-operative shortening. Methods:A retrospective review was performed of 141 patients with AO/OTA 31A1 or 31A2 fracture patterns, who had pre-operative radiographs and CT scans, and who were treated with a SHS or a CMN. Pre-operative and post-operative imaging of IT fractures were analyzed for those fractures that shortened ?15?mm post-fixation. Results:11 fractures shortened ?15?mm with CMN being protective of shortening (6/36 SHS versus 5/105 CMN, p?=?0.0268). A novel measurement made on the pre-operative CT scan called the cortical thin point (CTP) detected differences between patients with <15?mm and ?15?mm of post-operative shortening for the SHS group (p?=?0.0375). CTP was found to be a reliable predictor for post-operative shortening of ?15?mm when a cutoff threshold of 9?mm was used in the SHS group (p?=?0.0161). Conclusions:Measuring the CTP is predictive of post-operative shortening after fixation of an IT fracture with a SHS. CMN fixation may be protective of shortening. Patients with a CTP of ?9?mm are at risk for fracture site shortening of more than 15?mm when treated with a SHS.

SUBMITTER: Hecht G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6134156 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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CT-measurement predicts shortening of stable intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Hecht Garin G Shelton Trevor J TJ Saiz Augustine M AM Goodell Parker B PB Wolinsky Philip P

Journal of orthopaedics 20180906 4

<h4>Purpose</h4>Intertrochanteric (IT) hip fractures can be treated with sliding hip screws (SHS) or cephalomedullary nails (CMN) based on the stability of the fracture. This stability is affected by the initial impaction of the fracture which can be difficult to assess. The aim of this paper is to develop specific pre-operative computed tomography (CT) measurements of IT fractures which are predictive of post-operative shortening.<h4>Methods</h4>A retrospective review was performed of 141 patie ...[more]

PMID: 30210200

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Project description:BackgroundThe best treatment for intertrochanteric hip fractures is controversial. The use of cephalomedullary nails has increased, whereas use of sliding hip screws has decreased despite the lack of evidence that cephalomedullary nails are more effective. As current orthopaedic trainees receive less exposure to sliding hip screws, this may continue to perpetuate the preferential use of cephalomedullary nails, with important implications for resident education, evidence-based best practices, and healthcare cost.Questions/purposesWe asked: (1) What are the current practice patterns in surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures among orthopaedic surgeons? (2) Do surgical practice patterns differ based on surgeon characteristics, practice setting, and other factors? (3) What is the rationale behind these surgical practice patterns? (4) What postoperative approaches do surgeons use for intertrochanteric fractures?MethodsA web-based survey containing 20 questions was distributed to active members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Three thousand seven-hundred eighty-six of 10,321 invited surgeons participated in the survey (37%), with a 97% completion rate (3687 of 3784 responded to all questions in the survey). The survey elicited information regarding surgeon demographics, preferred management strategies, and decision-making rationale for intertrochanteric fractures.ResultsSurgeons use cephalomedullary nails most frequently for treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures. Sixty-eight percent primarily use cephalomedullary nails, whereas only 19% primarily use sliding hip screws, and the remaining 13% use cephalomedullary nails and sliding hip screws with equal frequency. The cephalomedullary nail was the dominant approach regardless of experience level or practice setting. Surgeons who practiced in a nonacademic setting (71% versus 58%; p < 0.001), did not supervise residents (71% versus 61%; p < 0.001), or treated more than five intertrochanteric fractures a month (78% versus 67%; p < 0.001) were more likely to use primarily cephalomedullary nails. Of the surgeons who used only cephalomedullary nails, ease of surgical technique (58%) was cited as the primary reason, whereas surgeons who used only sliding hip screws cite familiarity (44%) and improved outcomes (37%) as their primary reasons. Of those who use only short cephalomedullary nails, ease of technique (59%) was most frequently cited. Postoperatively, 67% allow the patient to bear weight as tolerated. Nearly all respondents (99.5%) use postoperative chemical thromboprophylaxis.ConclusionsDespite that either sliding hip screw or cephalomedullary nail fixation are associated with equivalent outcomes for most intertrochanteric femur fractures, the cephalomedullary nail has emerged as the preferred construct, with the majority of surgeons believing that a cephalomedullary nail is easier to use, associated with improved outcomes, or is biomechanically superior to a sliding hip screw. The difference between what is evidence-based and what is done in clinical practice may be attributed to several factors, including financial considerations, educational experience, or inability of our current outcomes measures to reflect the experiences of surgeons. The educators, researchers, and policymakers among us must work harder to better define the roles of sliding hip screws and cephalomedullary nails and ensure that the increasing population with hip fractures receives high-quality and economically responsible care.Level of evidenceLevel V, therapeutic study.

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CT-measurement predicts shortening of stable intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Publications

CT-measurement predicts shortening of stable intertrochanteric hip fractures.

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