Anterolateral Arthrotomy Research Articles

Septic Hip Arthritis at CHU Gabriel TOURE: Therapeutic and Evolutionary Aspects

Introduction: Septic hip arthritis involves the functional prognosis of the hip in case of joint destruction. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hospital frequency, to determine the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of septic arthritis of the hip at the trauma orthopedic department of CHU Gabriel TOURE Bamako. Methods: This was a descriptive, monocentric, cross-sectional study of patients with septic hip arthritis, managed from January 2010 to December 2019. Results: We collected 48 patients. Gender male was represented 58.3% with a sex ratio of 1.4. The average age of our patients was 17.02, with extremes of 7 and 80. Septic hip arthritis was observed in a chronic mode in 87.5% (more than 3 weeks). Diagnosis was based on clinical, bacteriological and imaging. Trauma was incriminated in 5 cases (10.4%). The radiographic assessment at the time of the consultation was normal in 66.7% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common germ with 47.9%, and the culture was sterile in 10.4%. Septic hip arthritis was complicated in 18.75% of cases. Antibiotic therapy was probabilistic with the combination of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in 24 cases (50%). Watson Jones antero-lateral arthrotomy was performed in 35.71%. We observed 66.6% complications. After an average decrease of 41.6 months, functional results were good in 58.3%. Conclusion: Septic hip arthritis is a serious condition of the child and adolescent. Diagnosis must be early; management must also be early, multidisciplinary and adapted to minimize sequelae.

Posterior to anterior malleolar extended lateral approach to the ankle (PAMELA): a cadaveric anatomic study.

The posterolateral approach is used in most cases of surgical treatment of ankle fractures involving the posterior and lateral malleoli. However, this approach does not allow access to the anterolateral structures of the ankle, which represent important landmarks to allow an anatomical reduction in case of complex ankle fracture. Our objective is to propose a novel surgical approach for optimal management of injuries including both a fracture of the posterior malleolus and a complex lesion of the lateral and/or anterolateral portions of the ankle. Cadaveric dissection, including a vascular study, was performed on eight specimens. Assessment included density of the vascular supply around the lateral malleolus, identification of the structures at risk, quality of exposure of the bony structures, and convenience of hardware fixation. The cutaneous flap benefits from a rich interconnected arterial supply. Structures at risk, including the superficial peroneal and sural nerves, the lesser saphenous vein, and the peroneal artery are easily identified and protected. The interval between the peroneal tendons and the flexor hallucis longus muscle provides optimal access to the posterior malleolus. The lateral malleolus is exposed by retracting the peroneal tendons medially. An anterolateral arthrotomy, respecting the anterior talofibular and tibiofibular ligaments, offers a sharp view on the talo-tibio-fibular junction. Hardware placement can be done with optimal access to any exposed surfaces. The PAMELA opens a new perspective in the optimal management of complex fractures of the ankle. The approach allows optimal exposure to address fractures of the posterior malleolus, of the lateral malleolus, and of the anterolateral portion of the ankle through a single incision. Application in clinical practice is the subject of a future study in our institution.

How can the articular surface of the tibial plateau be best exposed? A comparison of specific surgical approaches.

The correct choice of a fracture-specific surgical approach with an articular accessibility in complex tibial plateau fractures to facilitate durable fracture fixation of the anatomic articular reconstruction is under debate, as the most important risk factor for malreduction in complex tibial plateau fractures is an impaired visualization of the articular surface. Six established surgical approaches were simulated on 12 cadaver knees. The visible articular surface was labeled with an electrocautery device for each approach and subsequently analyzed with ImageJ. Areas of each hemiplateau were compared using the Student's t test. In the lateral tibial plateau, the dorsal 19.0 ± 5.8% of the articular surface could be exposed via the postero-lateral approach. Via the antero-lateral arthrotomy, 36.6 ± 9.4% of the anterior articular surface was visible. The additional osteotomy of the lateral femoral epicondyle significantly increased the exposure to 65.6 ± 7.7% (p < 0.001). In the medial tibial plateau, the osteotomy of the medial femoral epicondyle significantly improved visualization of the medial articular surface (62.3 ± 8.6%) compared to the postero-medial approach (14.0 ± 7.3%) and the antero-medial approach (36.9 ± 9.2%) of the articular (p < 0.001). Visualization of the tibial articular surface is limited through specific surgical approaches. Extension by osteotomy of the femoral epicondyle led to a significant improvement in the articular exposure without, however, obtaining sufficient visibility of the posterior joint segments, which should be included in the preoperative strategy. The proposed surgical approach-specific map of the tibial plateau may constitute an important instrument in the toolbox of an experienced surgeon to treat complex tibial plateau fractures at the highest level. Level IV.

Prevalence of Osteochondral Lesions in Rotational Type Ankle Fractures With Syndesmotic Injury.

The aim of this study was to report the incidence of associated osteochondral lesions (OCLs) on postop CTs, which may benefit from arthroscopic treatment, in patients with rotational type ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury. The diagnosis and treatment of associated OCLs may be an additional benefit of the use of arthroscopy in the management of rotational type ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury. We retrospectively reviewed data of a prospective cohort study of patients who underwent open reduction and surgical fixation of an ankle fracture with syndesmotic injury. These patients underwent routine bilateral postoperative CT assessment. Two independent observers classified ankle fractures according to Weber and OCLs according to the classification system by Berndt and Harty. Fifty-nine patients were included. There were 19 (32%) Weber B type ankle fractures and 39 (66%) Weber C type fractures. One patient (2%) had fixation for a medial malleolus fracture and syndesmotic rupture without fibula fracture. Talar OCLs were present in 8 patients (14%). In one patient, 2 OCLs were found, which resulted in a total of 9 lesions. Two lesions were found on the medial side, both anterior. The other 7 were located laterally, of which 1 was anterior, 3 central, and 3 posterior on the talus. According to the Berndt and Harty classification, 1 was classified as stage I, 4 as stage III, and 4 as stage IV. The prevalence of OCLs in ankle fractures with syndesmotic instability was 14%. We believe that lesions were arthroscopically accessible in 6 patients (10%). Moreover, most lesions were located on the lateral dome, and thus also potentially approachable through an anterolateral arthrotomy during open reduction and internal fixation. The majority of OCLs found in this series were Berndt and Harty type III or IV, and so likely would preferably have been addressed during the index procedure. Level III, diagnostic cohort study.

Lateral Talar Dome Access Utilizing Temporary Invasive Distraction

Autogenous osteochondral grafting is an operative option for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). Graft implantation often requires an osteotomy to gain perpendicular access to the recipient site. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of soft tissue releases, osteotomies, and invasive distraction on perpendicular access to the lateral talar dome. We hypothesized that temporary invasive distraction (TID) would provide greater perpendicular access than anterolateral arthrotomy alone and similar access compared to an anterolateral tibial osteotomy. Eight fresh frozen cadaveric limb specimens were utilized. An anterolateral arthrotomy was performed and an osteochondral plug was harvested as far posterior as allowed. An additional two Kirschner wires were placed to mark the borders of the area of access. This process was then repeated utilizing: 1) an external fixator for distraction alone, 2) an anterolateral tibial osteotomy alone (with distraction released), and 3) an anterolateral tibial osteotomy (with distraction reapplied). The area accessible as well as the anterior to posterior (AP) access was measured and recorded for each approach. The approach utilizing TID provided greater access than arthrotomy with regard to AP access (p=0.0007) as well as area (p=0.003). The approach utilizing TID alone was equivalent to the anterolateral tibial osteotomy with regard to AP access as well as area. TID combined with osteotomy provided greater access than the TID or osteotomy approaches alone with regard to AP access (p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively) and greater access than the external fixator alone with regard to area (p=0.02). Temporary distraction utilizing external fixation provides greater perpendicular access than anterolateral arthrotomy and access equivalent to anterolateral osteotomy alone. Utilizing TID may obviate the morbidity and possible complications associated with osteotomy and may prove to be a valuable tool in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

A Quantitative Comparison of Surgical Approaches for Posterolateral Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Exposure of the posterolateral talar dome for osteochondral autograft transfer can be challenging. The purpose of this study is to compare surgical exposures for perpendicular access to the posterolateral talar dome using osteochondral transfer instrumentation. Five surgical approaches were performed on each of eight cadaveric ankles. The sequence was: (1) Anterolateral arthrotomy with ATFL release, (2) Anterolateral tibial osteotomy, (3) Fibular osteotomy with ATFL intact, (4) Fibular osteotomy with ATFL release, and (5) Fibular osteotomy with ATFL/CFL release. (ATFL repaired between 1 and 2). While maintaining the orientation of the harvester perpendicular to the talar dome articular surface, osteochondral plugs were harvested as far posteriorly as possible using a 6-mm harvester. Distances from the anterior talar articular surface to the posterior aspect of the recipient site were measured. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Fisher post hoc tests. Average AP exposure (mm) and percentage of AP talar dome dimensions exposed: (1) Anterolateral arthrotomy with ATFL release: 21.2 mm (43.3%), (2) Anterolateral tibial osteotomy: 33.7 mm (68.5%), (3) Fibular osteotomy(ATFL intact): 43.2 mm (87.8%), (4) Fibular osteotomy with ATFL release: 44.9 mm (91.2%), and (5) Fibular osteotomy with ATFL/CFL release: 46.6 mm (94.6%). All osteotomies provided greater exposure than anterolateral arthrotomy with ATFL release (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was obtained between each of the fibular osteotomies and tibial osteotomy (p < 0.0001). Differences between the fibular osteotomy approaches (3 to 5) were not significant. Fibular osteotomy provides the greatest perpendicular exposure to the posterolateral talar dome. Anterolateral tibial osteotomy provides greater exposure than arthrotomy alone. This study provides a guide for surgical exposures to the posterolateral talar dome for osteochondral autograft transfer.

Bone-cartilage transplantation from the ipsilateral knee for chondral lesions of the talus

We present a prospective analysis to review talus dome chondral and osteochondral lesions treated with autogenous bone-cartilage transplantation harvested from the ipsilateral knee since 1998. The clinical outcome of osteochondral defects is investigated by using a method for resurfacing that supplies hyaline cartilage. The outcome analysis also considers defect size and the number of transplanted osteochondral cylinders. Prospective analysis of a case series. Included in the study were 43 patients with ankle joint pain resulting from osteochondritis dissecans stage III-IV (n = 22), post-traumatic cartilage defects (n = 16), and focal osteoarthritis (n = 5). The mean age of this group was 31.2 years; there were 30 male and 13 female patients. To carry out the osteochondral resurfacing procedure, anteromedial or anterolateral arthrotomy (23 cases) or medial malleolar osteotomy (20 cases) of the distal tibia was performed. The osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS; Arthrex, Naples, FL) was used for transplantation. The follow-up examinations were performed after 3 months (clinical, radiological), after 6 months (clinical, radiological), after 9 months (clinical, radiological, hardware removal, and second-look arthroscopy), after 12 months, and every following year (clinical, radiological, magnetic resonance imaging). The follow-up of 11 patients was greater than 2 years (maximum, 4.5 years), for 8 patients 1 to 2 years, for 12 patients 6 to 12 months, and for another 12 patients 0 to 6 months. The results have been validated by the scores of Evanski and Waugh score and Mazur et al. The mean pain intensity measured by visual analogue scale (0 to 10, with 10 representing the worst imaginable pain) reduced from 4.4 to 2.3 after 6 months (n = 34), to 1.6 after 1 year (n = 23), and after 2 years to 1.1 (n = 14). Patients reported a significantly improved range of motion of the ankle compared with their preoperative status. The smaller the diameter of the transplants and the smaller the number of transplants used, the better were the results in pain reduction and postoperative range of motion. The Evanski and Waugh score improved from 52 to 88 points and the score described by Mazur et al. from 53 to 90 of 100 possible points. All medial osteotomies were healed clinically and radiographically. All grafts showed bony integration in the talus as seen in the radiographs and by magnetic resonance imaging. Second-look arthroscopy found integration of the osteocartilaginous graft with surrounding cartilage within the first year. A series of needle biopsies showed hyaline structure. Autogenous osteochondral transplantation of the talus using ipsilateral knee osteochondral grafts is a very promising surgical procedure to treat local cartilage lesions of the ankle joint. Level IV.

Comparison of arthroscopic and open techniques in carbon fibre reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: Long-term follow-up after 5 years

Two groups of patients with chronic, symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency were reconstructed with carbon fibre. In 15 patients, the prosthesis was inserted through an anterolateral arthrotomy; in 14, it was inserted arthroscopically. Both groups also received a MacIntosh extraarticular lateral substitution. Assessment included subjective functional rating and objective clinical examination for instability. No significant difference in subjective functional rating was present after a minimum of 5 years; however, a reduced complication rate and diminished return of clinical instability was evident in the arthroscopic group during this period. Reconstruction was satisfactory in 47% of the arthrotomy group and 64% of the arthroscopy group when subjective and objective criteria were combined to assess the final outcome. This study supports the proposition that, in combination with extraarticular lateral substitution, arthroscopic insertion of cruciate prostheses compares favourably with conventional “open” techniques.