New Implants in Trauma Surgery and Trauma Education – Viewpoints of Experts

Vol 3 | Issue 1 | Jan – Apr 2017 | page:3-4 |  Dilip D Tanna, Govind S Kulkarni, Sudhir Babhulkar, S. C. Goel, Sushrut Babhulkar, Sunil Kulkarni, Amit Ajgaonkar, Ashok Shyam


Author:  Dilip D Tanna [1], Govind S Kulkarni [2], Sudhir Babhulkar [3], S. C. Goel [4], Sushrut Babhulkar [3], Sunil Kulkarni [2], Amit Ajgaonkar [5], Ashok Shyam [6,7]

[1] Saifee Hospital Medical research center, Mumbai , India.
[2] Sushrut Institute of Medical Sciences,Research Centre & Post-Graduate Instt of Orthopedics,Central Bazar Road,Ramdaspeth,Nagpur,INDIA 400 010
[3] Post Graduate institute of Swasthiyog Pratisthan Miraj, India
[4] Professor of Orthopaedics, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, India
[5] Zenith Hospital, Malad, Mumbai, India
[6] Indian Orthopaedic Research Group, Thane, India.
[7] Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Pune, India.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. Ashok K. Shyam.
IORG House, A-203, Manthan Apts, Shreesh CHS, Hajuri Road, Thane, India. 400604
Email: drashokshyam@gmail.com


New Implants in Trauma Surgery and Trauma Education – Viewpoints of Experts

Trauma as a faculty is developing rapidly along with understanding of fracture patterns, change in trauma scenario and also development in new implants. However outreach of these new developments and percolation and applicability of these new developments is still a big question. We see cases that are complicated by wrong choice of surgery, wrong choice of implant and improper use of principles. Trauma International tried to interview the core team of Trauma Society of India on these two question of new implants and education and research in field of Trauma. We have compiled the responses in this editorial
Dr DD Tanna: New implants like the precontoured anatomical plates are really good. They are definitely expensive but are good. Some Indian companies are also producing excellent variants of the anatomical plates and I believe these will definitely help in better management of complex articular fractures. However I also believe that not every new implant is a real improvement over the previous one. We have to wait for the clinical results and we have to be smart in selecting our cases to use these implants
Trauma education is an ongoing process and we are all students at the same time. We have to continue to learn how to learn, only then we can learn about the new methods and technologies and also learn them well. It is essential for our growth as a surgeon and helps us deliver best treatment to our patients
Dr Sudhir Babhulkar: New implants like fragment specific fixation and anatomic contoured plates are an excellent addition to armamentarium of a trauma surgeon. However we should learn to use them wisely and carefully
Teaching the young generation is the key to spreading trauma education. Traumacon has created that interest in young surgeons about trauma. We need to focus on them and help them develop proper understanding of principles and correct execution of surgical techniques. Conferences, courses workshops all are needed to achieve this aim. Also teaching about correct principles and techniques should reach periphery. My practice has been 50 to 60% complicated reffered cases. Most of the cases were complicated because of wrong application of surgical principles. I think teaching that will address these issues the correct solution for trauma education in India.
Dr GS Kulkarni: About new implants, some of them are really useful in certain situations like fragment specific fixation and contoured plates, but some new implants are not as useful as they are made to appear. New implants should be focussed on solving a surgical problem and should not be innovation for the sake of innovations. We have our innovation which is slotted plate for lengthening over a plate and it is aimed to solve a particular problem. I think that is how innovation should be aimed at.
The focus of trauma education should be basics of trauma surgery. That is where many complications arise. Especially as cases of road traffic accidents are rising, basics of management of open fracture should be emphasised more. Principles of debridements, wound closure, when to close the compound wound, methods of closing the wound, external fixation and stabilisation of compound fracture should all be reviewed and highlighted again and again. Another area is use of antibiotics in fracture surgery specifically local and systemic therapies. Current evidence and experience suggest that with proper surgical management, a single day antibiotic therapy is enough. However most surgeons will give either three day or five day antibiotic therapy which is not good for the patient as well as the fracture. If there is a need for prolonged infection control use of local antibiotics systems like cement beads or cement rods should be utilised to reduce the systemic load of antibiotics. Even in cases of closed fracture proper surgical principles should be followed. For example if a surgeon is using locking plates without understanding the principles of locked plates, it becomes a dangerous implant in his hands and is one of the main cause of complications.
Dr SC Goel: There are new implants launched every year and such developments should be taken with pinch of salt. Lot of these may be industry driven and we need good multicentric trails to validate the results before using them
About education and research, I feel we should have focus on basic sciences too. Unfortunately there are not many basic science labs in India. There are many surgeons who have innovative ideas and techniques but do not get a chance to promote their ideas. I think either TSI or IOA should take these projects ahead and give a chance to all innovators to come forward
Dr Sushrut Babhulkar: The science of orthopaedic trauma is evolving and our understanding of it is changing and that is reflected in development of new implants. New implants in trauma are very different from new implants in Arthroplasty where it is more industry driven rather than real evolution. As our understanding of fracture pattern and soft tissue injury improves and as we encounter more varied bone quality, the need for new implants will increase. These improvement in basic understanding is what fuels development of new implants in trauma and I think we are moving forward in sensible direction as far as trauma implants are concerned
Education should focus on accurate understanding of principles of trauma surgery and principles of various implants. Both should be used in perfect harmony to achieve excellent result. If either of these principles are not followed, it would lead to complications. This is the main teaching of Traumacon every year. Again research should be promoted but not enforced, if it is enforced, we will get more poor quality research and publications.
Sunil Kulkarni: We are facing new challenging in trauma surgery and number of complex and articular trauma has increased due to high energy accidents. I think new implants have helped us a lot in dealing with these complex injuries. Although simple trauma is still managed well with conventional implants, so proper patient selection is essential.
Trauma education should be about practical knowledge. Textbook knowledge is not of much use in clinical practice. Especially trauma is a branch where even after decades of practice, on can see a completely new case of face new surgical challenge. Education should be focussed on preparing trauma surgeons to face these challenges and difficult practical problems.
Dr Amit Ajgaonkar: New implants have definitely added more tools for trauma surgeons. Implants like Halifax nails, fragment specific fixation, far-cortex locking plates are based on sound principles and have definite advantages in properly selected cases
Trauma Education should focus on peripheral surgeons. In recent months I have travelled a lot across the country and especially in the interiors. I realised that maximum trauma work is done by the peripheral surgeon in rural settings. There is an urgent requirement to provide both training as well as infrastructure to these places. I think TSI, IOA and Traumacon can contribute a lot in terms of improving the training but government should also focus on improving the infrastructure.
If we carefully note the views of all the experts above we can deduce a chain of thought which can be summarised easily. New implants are good but understanding of the principles behind the implant and proper patient selection is must. As far as trauma education is concerned, all the experts believe basic principles are the building blocks and practical knowledge is of utmost importance. I too believe that trauma Education and research are not different entities, both are actually part of one spectrum. Academics originates from new research and initiation of research is from academics. Thus they both fulfil each other and through the churning of both these, innovative ideas and new implants are born.
We thanks our panel for sharing their thoughts with us and we leave the readers now to enjoy the current issue of TI
Dr Ashok Shyam
Editor – Trauma International.


How to Cite the article: Babhulkar S, Shyam AK. 10 years of Traumacon. Trauma International. Jan – April 2017;3(1):1-2.


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Editorial – 10 years of Traumacon!!

Vol 3 | Issue 1 | Jan – Apr 2017 | page:1-2 |  Dr. Sushrut Babhulkar and Dr. Ashok K Shyam


Author:  Sushrut Babhulkar [1], Ashok K Shyam [2,3]

[1] Sushrut Institute of Medical Sciences,Research Centre & Post-Graduate Instt of Orthopedics,Central Bazar Road,Ramdaspeth,Nagpur,INDIA 400 010.
[2] Indian Orthopaedic Research Group, Thane, India.
[3] Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics &Rehabilitation, Pune, India.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. Suhrut Babhulkar
Sushrut Institute of Medical Sciences,Research Centre & Post-Graduate Instt of Orthopedics,Central Bazar Road,Ramdaspeth,Nagpur,INDIA 400 010
Email: sushrutdsurgeon@gmail.com


Editorial: 10 years of Traumacon!!

Traumacon is arguably the biggest trauma conference in India. It was started in 2007 and has completed 10 years in 2017. It is a proud moment for the entire Traumacon organisers and Trauma Society of India (TSI). TSI was started 15 years back with Dr DD Tanna as president and Dr Sudhir Babhulkar as Secretary and ably supported by Dr GS Kulkarni and Dr SC Goel. In those days, arthroplasty, arthroscopy and spine were considered as major specialities of Orthopaedics, while trauma was considered as one of basic units of orthopaedics. Following the trend, there were speciality conferences only in arthroscopy, arthroplasty, spine and also in paediatric orthopaedics but no dedicated conference for trauma existed. TSI took on itself to develop the faculty of trauma in India and with that premise in focus a dedicated trauma conference ‘Traumacon’ was conceived. A proper pattern of the conference was established and the first conference was planned in Mumbai. This was a runaway success and support from the entire orthopaedic faculty was tremendous. Dr Sushrut Babhulkar, Dr Sunil Kulkarni and Dr Amit Ajgaonkar took responsibility of making Traumacon the event of the year in Trauma Calendar of all orthopaedic surgeons.
Traumacon differs a lot from other orthopaedic conferences. At times there is criticism that TSI is a much closed door society and this is in fact true and deliberate. This is done to maintain proper ethics and code of conduct. The core group is involved passionately in all aspects of Traumacon and take decision in terms of scientific program and faculty. At the end of every Traumacon, the preparation for next meeting starts with review of all faculty and comments from delegates are reviewed. The plan for the next year is chalked immediately at the end of one meet after deep scientific and academic deliberations among the core group of TSI. This helps in maintaining the continuity and also improve quality year after year.
Another factor that makes Traumacon different is that the focus of the entire conference in on the delegates. We want our delegates to be exposed to every aspect of orthopaedic trauma, right from the very basic to the latest advancements. Practical sessions and case discussions are aimed to improve the practical knowledge of the delegates and to make difference in their clinical practice. Many delegates have reported that they have significantly changed their operative practices after attending Traumacon and that is the real reward of organising the conference
Principles of trauma surgery are undergoing rapid development along with development of new implants. Rural India is still lacking in good trauma education and surgeons are in need of updating their surgical techniques as well as surgical principles. Needs of these surgeons are specifically addressed in Traumacon and all faculty are passionate to provide practical answers any questions raised by the delegates. This will help in improving the trauma care that the patient receive even in the remotest part of the country. TSI is also conducting the current concepts in trauma symposiums across the country to meet this very aim.
TSI has also worked in the area of academics by affiliating with Thieme and writing guidelines on various areas of orthopaedic trauma. These books are given complimentary to all Traumacon delegates and they can refer these books as an when they need. TSI has also affiliated with the best journal of trauma in the world ‘Injury’ and an Indian supplement is released during Traumacon 2017. Trauma International is also affiliated to TSI and a special issue of the Journal is released every year at Traumacon.
All these activities of TSI and Traumacon have reinvigorated the interest of young orthopaedic surgeons in Trauma and they now look at trauma surgery with more respect. In short TSI has succeeded in promoting trauma as a speciality of Orthopaedics and now many surgeons feel proud in calling themselves trauma surgeons. In future too, TSI and Traumacon will continue its focus on faculty of orthopaedic trauma, academics and newer developments in the area and continue to provide an international platform to all Trauma Surgeons across the country.


How to Cite the article: Babhulkar S, Shyam AK. 10 years of Traumacon. Trauma International. Jan – April 2017;3(1):1-2.


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Clinical and radiological outcome of Thoracolumbar fractures treated by Transpedicular Fixation

Vol 3 | Issue 1 | Jan – Apr 2017 | page: 38-45 | Suresh Babu Surapaneni, Venkata Suresh Babu Tummala, Ravikanth Makkena


Author: Suresh Babu Surapaneni [1], Venkata Suresh Babu Tummala [1], Ravikanth Makkena [2]

[1] Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
[2] Department of Orthopaedics, ASM Medical College, Eluru, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Address of Correspondence:
Dr. Suresh Babu Surapaneneni,
Suresh Ortho & Multispeciality Clinic, 56-2-18, Koneru Satyanarayana Street,
Canara Bank Road, Patamata, Vijayawada – 520 010, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phone: +91-9440219597. Tel.: +0866-2474797.
E-mail: drssureshbabu@yahoo.com


Abstract

Background: The injuries involving the spinal cord are generally challenging to manage. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the clinical including neurological and radiological outcome of thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by short segment and long segment transpedicular instrumentation and posterolateral fusion.
Methods: 34 patients with or without neurological deficit were studied. Gaines scoring, American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale was used for study.
Results: The mean intra-operative correction of K-angle in the short segment group was 14.68° and the loss of correction observed at the last follow-up evaluation was 6.62° with a final gain of 8.06°. The mean intra-operative correction in the long segment group was 19.76° and the loss of correction observed at the last follow-up evaluation was 6.61°. Final gain was 13.15°. On radiological evaluation of wedge angle, mean correction loss of 3.87 degrees and 3.4% implant failure was noted in the short segment group while the long segment group had 1.53 degrees of mean correction loss and no implant failure. There was no positive correlation found between Gaines score with progression of deformity. Neurological Outcome in the short segment group four grades of improvement was found in 1 patient, three grades in 1 patient, two grades in 2 patients and one grade in 6 patients. In the long segment group, three grades of improvement were found in 3 patients, two grades in 2 patients and one grade in 2 patients. 1 of the grade D patient showed improvement within the grade and 3 patients did not show any improvement. Average ASIA motor score improved with treatment from 28.31 to 39.56 points (11.25 points) in short segment group and from 19.91 to 28.46 points (8.55 points) in long segment group.
Conclusion: Transpedicular fixation is a stable, reliable and less surgically extensive construct for addressing thoracolumbar burst fractures. About 6-8° loss of correction was observed with both short and long segment stabilizations in our study. Long segment has better results in terms of maintenance of reduction and final gain. The length of instrumentation does not seem to have any effect on the neurological outcome.

Key Words: Thoracolumbar fractures, Clinical, Radiological outcome.


References

1. Instructional Course Lecture AAOS: Diagnosis and management of thoracolumbar spine fractures. JBJS Vol. 85A: Number 12: Dec. 2003.
2. Harrington PR, Tullos HS. Reduction of severe spondylolisthesis in children. South Med J 1969; 62-1-7.
3. Steffee AD, Biscup RS, Sitowski DJ. Segmental spine plates with pedicle screw fixation- a new internal fixation device for disorders of the lumbar and thoracolumbar spine. Clin orthop 1986; 203: 45-53.
4. Mirjanli et al: Comparison of Transpedicular fixation configurations in Burst fractures of thoracolumbar vertebra. Turkish Spine Journal. Vol. 6, No. 3 Year 1995.
5. Louis et al: Posterior approach with Louis plates for fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine with and without Neurological deficits. Spine 1998;23(18):2030-2039. .
6. Parker et al: Successful short segment instrumentation and fusion for thoracolumbar spine fractures. A consecutive 4 1/2 year series. Spine volume 25, Number 9, Pg 1157-1169.
7. Gertzbein SD, Brown CMC et al: The neurological outcome following surgery for spinal fractures. Spine 13: 641-644, 1988.


How to Cite this article: Surapaneni SB, Tummala VSB, Makkena R. Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Thoracolumbar Fractures Treated by Transpedicular Fixation. Trauma International Jan-Apr 2017; 3(1): 38-45.


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