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Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 4/2021

Open Access 01-08-2021 | Digital Volume Tomography | Original Article

Validation of radiological reduction criteria with intraoperative cone beam CT in unstable syndesmotic injuries

Authors: Sven Yves Vetter, Jeannie Euler, Nils Beisemann, Benedict Swartman, Holger Keil, Paul Alfred Grützner, Jochen Franke

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 4/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

Acute unstable syndesmotic lesions are regularly treated with closed or open reduction and fixation with either a positioning screw or tight rope. Conventional fluoroscopy is limited to identify a malreduction of the ankle mortise. The aim of the study was to validate the reduction criteria of intraoperative cone beam CT in unstable syndesmotic injuries by analyzing the clinical outcome.

Methods

Acute unstable syndesmotic injuries were treated with a positioning screw fixation, and the reduction in the ankle mortise was evaluated with intraoperative cone beam CT. The patients were grouped postoperatively according to the radiological reduction criteria in the intraoperative 3D images. The reduction criteria were unknown to the surgeons. Malreduction was assumed if one or more reduction criteria were not fulfilled.

Results

Seventy-three of the 127 patients could be included in the study (follow-up rate 57.5%). For 41 patients (56.2%), a radiological optimal reduction was achieved (Group 1), and in 32 patients (43.8%) a radiological adverse reduction was found (Group 2). Group 1 scored significantly higher in the Olerud/Molander score (92.44 ± 10.73 vs. 65.47 ± 28.77) (p = 0.003), revealed a significantly higher range of motion (ROM) (53.44 vs. 24.17°) (p = 0.001) and a significantly reduced Kellgren/Lawrence osteoarthritis score (1.24 vs. 1.79) (p = 0.029). The linear regression analysis revealed a correlation for the two groups with the values scored in the Olerud/Molander score (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The reduction criteria in intraoperative cone beam CT applied to unstable syndesmotic injuries could be validated. Patients with an anatomic reduced acute unstable syndesmotic injury according to the criteria have a significantly better clinical outcome.
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Metadata
Title
Validation of radiological reduction criteria with intraoperative cone beam CT in unstable syndesmotic injuries
Authors
Sven Yves Vetter
Jeannie Euler
Nils Beisemann
Benedict Swartman
Holger Keil
Paul Alfred Grützner
Jochen Franke
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-020-01299-z

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