Search Results (2,931)

Background and objective: Heterotopic ossification (HO) of the plantar fascia is an exceptionally rare condition, with only a few cases mentioned in the literature. In comparison, calcification of the fascia occurs more frequently, especially in cases of chronic plantar fasciitis. Tenex™, a percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy system initially designed for tendinopathy treatment, may offer a minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgery in selected cases of HO. So, the aim of this case report was to assess the improvement in the pain and in the foot function after a percutaneous ultrasonic debridement. Case presentation: We present the case of an 82-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperuricemia, who reported a two-year history of mechanical-type plantar pain described as “walking on a stone.” Radiographs and MRI confirmed heterotopic ossification at the central component of the plantar fascia. Pain and function were assessed with the Foot Function Index (FFI). Under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, percutaneous ultrasonic debridement with Tenex™ was performed following tibial and sural nerve block and conscious sedation. The procedure was completed in 6 min and 29 s of cutting time. After surgery, the patient wore a protective shoe for 3 weeks, followed a relative rest protocol, and received NSAIDs for 5 days. At 48–72 h, the patient reported noticeable pain relief, with significant functional improvement after 1 month. Conclusions: This case shows how Tenex™ effectively treats plantar fascia HO. It led to quick symptom relief and functional recovery. The ultrasonic percutaneous debridement with Tenex™ was a safe and effective option compared to open surgery for this patient. However, more research is needed to set standardized treatment protocols and assess long-term results. Full article

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex, life-threatening syndrome characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion due to impaired cardiac function. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated heart failure are the leading causes, with mortality remaining high despite advances in revascularization and supportive care. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification allows risk stratification and guides clinical decision making by capturing the spectrum of shock severity. Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) devices, such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella, aim to stabilize hemodynamics by augmenting cardiac output and unloading the left ventricle. However, randomized trials and meta-analyses have not demonstrated a consistent survival advantage of Impella over IABP, while reporting higher rates of bleeding and vascular complications. Landmark trials, including ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer, have provided conflicting results, likely reflecting differences in baseline severity and timing of device implantation. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA-ECMO) offers full cardiopulmonary support but increases left ventricular afterload, potentially worsening myocardial injury. Combined strategies such as ECPELLA (Impella + VA-ECMO) or ECMO + IABP may mitigate left ventricle (LV) overload and improve bridging to recovery or advanced therapies, although evidence remains largely observational and complication rates are considerable. In right-sided or biventricular failure, tailored options (e.g., Impella RP, Bi-Pella) guided by invasive hemodynamics may be required. Current evidence suggests that pMCS benefits are limited to carefully selected subgroups, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, prompt referral, and individualized intervention. Robust randomized data are still needed to define the optimal role of pMCS in AMI-related CS. Full article

Backgroud: Liver abscesses caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with dental implant surgery are rare. We report a case of liver abscess and septic pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae in a patient who developed a peri-implant abscess following dental implant surgery. Methods: The 69-year-old male patient underwent a dental implant surgery on the upper right first premolar 10 days prior to admission, and the toothache and facial swelling worsened 5 days before admission. Results: One day before admission, a peri-implant abscess was diagnosed at a local dental clinic, and the patient underwent irrigation and drainage. On the day of admission, the patient visited our dental department and was admitted through the emergency room due to melena. The patient underwent further irrigation and drainage of the peri-implant abscess around the upper right first premolar. A liver abscess in segments 2/3 (3.1 cm) and septic pneumonia were diagnosed, and K. pneumoniae was identified in the blood and sputum cultures. The patient received antibiotic therapy (piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, and ceftriaxone, sequentially) without percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess due to the patient’s refusal and recovered without complications. The patient was administered ciprofloxacin for 5 months after discharge. One month after admission, the inflammatory maker returned to within reference range. The patient improved with long-term antibiotic treatment alone without drainage of the liver abscess. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae originating from a peri-implant abscess after dental implant surgery. Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware of the potential occurrence of liver abscesses caused by K. pneumoniae if signs of systemic infection persist along with peri-implant infection after dental implant surgery. Full article

Background: Progressive heart failure cardiogenic shock (HFCS) often requires escalation to temporary or durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to transplant (BTT). Following the 2018 UNOS allocation changes, our center revised its BTT strategy to optimize support and shorten wait times. At our institution, the Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist via the axillary approach was selectively used for patients who remained refractory to guideline-directed medical therapy, failed single-inotrope therapy, and were not considered suitable durable LVAD candidates by our multidisciplinary heart team. We compared transplant-related outcomes of BTT patients supported with Impella 5.5 versus durable LVAD. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective review of all heart and heart/kidney transplant candidates at Mayo Clinic Florida from October 2018 to February 2021. INTERMACS profile, baseline characteristics, and perioperative data were collected at the time of device implantation and throughout the transplant hospitalization. Results: A total of 87 heart and 4 heart–kidney transplants were completed. Forty-five patients (49%) required MCS as BTT: 27 (60%) with a durable LVAD and 18 (40%) with an Impella 5.5. All eighteen patients with Impella 5.5 as BTT (100%) were transplanted compared to nineteen patients with durable LVAD (70%), p = 0.001. The median time from listing to transplant was substantially shorter with Impella (32 vs. 696 days, p < 0.001), and this difference persisted across INTERMACS profiles. UNOS status at transplant was more urgent for Impella than LVAD (p < 0.001). Transplant surgery following Impella support required shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time (181 vs. 219 min, p < 0.001) and resulted in lower postoperative vasoactive-inotropic requirements (7.9 vs. 13, p = 0.003). No patients in the Impella group died or were delisted while awaiting transplant, whereas 5 LVAD patients (26%) died or were removed due to LVAD complications (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data demonstrates that the use of the Impella 5.5 as BTT was associated with significantly shorter waitlist time, higher transplantation rates, reduced perioperative morbidity, and lower postoperative vasoactive support compared with durable LVAD as BTT. These benefits were achieved despite a higher severity of illness at transplantation in the Impella cohort. Full article

Background: Despite percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for revascularization, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) still face residual risks of adverse outcomes. Insulin resistance (IR) and renal impairment are independent predictors of poor prognosis in these patients, yet their interaction and underlying mechanisms linked to post-PCI outcomes remain incompletely elucidated. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients with ACS who underwent PCI at the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu from July 2018 to December 2020. Insulin resistance (IR) was quantified using the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index, and renal function was evaluated via the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and unplanned revascularization. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression and mediation analyses were applied to explore the associations of TyG index and eGFR with patient prognosis, and to quantify the mediating effect of eGFR on the relationship between TyG index and prognosis. Results: A total of 1340 patients with ACS were included in the final analysis. Over a median follow-up duration of 31.02 (interquartile range [IQR]: 27.34–35.03) months, 124 patients (9.25%) experienced MACEs. After adjusting for potential confounders, both the TyG index and eGFR were identified as significant independent predictors of MACEs in the overall population and across predefined subgroups. Specifically, each one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a 73.8% higher risk of MACEs (HR 1.738; 95% CI 1.273–2.372), whereas each ten-unit decrease in eGFR was linked to a 12.7% increased MACEs risk (HR 1.127; 95% CI 1.032–1.232). Importantly, after further adjustment for confounders, eGFR significantly mediated 9.63% of the total effect of the TyG index on MACEs risk. Conclusions: Renal impairment partially mediates the association between IR and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in ACS patients undergoing PCI. This finding underscores the clinical importance of the metabolic–cardiorenal axis in this population, suggesting that a comprehensive assessment targeting both IR and renal function-related pathways may enhance risk-stratification accuracy and optimize therapeutic strategies for ACS patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Following a tailored curriculum, minimally invasive fetoscopic coverage for spina bifida aperta (SBA) was introduced in Poland in 2017. This study aims to present the results of the first patients that underwent this procedure in the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw and compare them with the results obtained in other studies. Methods: We reviewed our data of 38 expectant mothers whose fetuses with SBA and normal karyotype underwent minimally invasive fetoscopic coverage at our center between September 2017 and February 2022. All procedures were carried out between 24 + 4 and 28 + 1 weeks of gestation employing general materno-fetal anesthesia. New methods were implemented with time, moving from the patch technique to the skin-to-skin technique suture. The results of the study were compared with the available literature on fetoscopic and open surgeries. Results: In total, the procedure was attempted 38 times and completed in 34 cases. All lesions were lumbar, and the median width of the lateral ventricle was 12 mm (6–17 mm). The median age at surgery was 26 weeks and the median age at delivery was 32 weeks of gestation (26.1–37.5). The average birth weight was 1870 g (1070–3350g). From 34 patients to 31 at the one year follow-up, 13 out of 31 (41.9%) babies needed a shunt and more than 70% of babies had a functional motor level that was the same or better than the anatomical level. Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery for SBA could successfully be implemented following a tailored curriculum at our university with encouraging maternal and neonatal outcomes. The fetoscopic approach permits the assessment of various closure approaches. Preterm delivery is common but usually occurs beyond 30 weeks of gestation. At this time relevant complications from prematurity are rare. Full article

Objective: Bilateral facetectomy (BF) within minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) remains debated regarding its advantages over unilateral facetectomy (UF) in restoring segmental lordosis, addressing spondylolisthesis and decompressing both neural foramina. The evidence is limited. We sought to determine the benefits of contralateral facetectomy on radiographic and clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis on patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent single-level percutaneous instrumentation and MI-TLIF with either UF or BF. Plain radiographs, CT and MRI were utilized for comparative radiographic analysis. Various intraoperative and clinical parameters were evaluated to assess surgical effort and clinical outcomes. Results: We included 81 UF and 23 BF cases; complete radiological data were available for 27 and 13 patients, respectively. Both techniques demonstrated a comparable increase in segmental lordosis (UF 2.1° ± 5.3° vs. BF 4.3° ± 5.4°, p > 0.1), which is below the study’s minimum detectable effect (MDE ≈ 5.1° at 80% power). Spondylolisthesis reduction was similar, with UF achieving a mean of 2.8 ± 2.2 mm and BF 2.4 ± 1.9 mm (p > 0.1). Mean posterior disc height did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.1). The mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher with BF (803 ± 347 mL) compared to UF (437 ± 207 mL, p < 0.001). The mean duration of surgery was significantly longer for BF (240 ± 48 min) compared to UF (197 ± 37 min, p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study found no evidence of a large advantage of BF over UF in restoring segmental lordosis, spondylolisthesis and posterior disc height in monosegmental MI-TLIF surgery. Given the higher blood loss and longer operative time observed with BF, its use should be selective for specific indications. Full article

Background: The rising prevalence of gastric, biliary, and pancreatic surgeries has led to an increasing population of patients with surgically altered anatomy (SAA). In this setting, conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is often limited by anatomical barriers, resulting in high rates of technical failure and complications. While device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) has expanded therapeutic possibilities, its efficacy remains modest in complex reconstructions. Methods: This review analyzed recent literature from PubMed, Embase, and Scopus up to April 2025, focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic roles of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in SAA. Particular attention was given to cases where standard endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical techniques failed and to studies comparing EUS-guided approaches with alternative modalities. Results: EUS has transitioned from a primarily diagnostic modality to a versatile therapeutic platform in SAA. Techniques such as EUS-guided rendezvous, antegrade drainage, and hepaticogastrostomy have shown technical and clinical success rates exceeding 80–90%, often comparable or superior to interventional radiology, while reducing the need for external drains. Innovative procedures, including EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) and EUS-directed enteroenteric bypass (EDEE), have transformed the management of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and bilioenteric anastomoses, providing durable and reusable access for repeated interventions. Despite these advances, EUS-guided interventions remain technically demanding, requiring advanced endoscopic and radiologic skills, specialized devices, and are best performed in tertiary referral centers. Conclusions: EUS has redefined the treatment paradigm of biliopancreatic diseases in patients with SAA, increasingly emerging as the preferred minimally invasive approach when conventional techniques fail. Future developments will focus on dedicated devices, standardized guidelines, and structured training programs to optimize outcomes. Multidisciplinary collaboration and centralization in high-volume centers remain essential to ensure safety, efficacy, and reproducibility. Full article

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DESs) is the most used revascularization strategy in current clinical practice. However, this approach is still associated with a non-negligible risk of adverse events, including late and very late in-stent restenosis (ISR) and stent thrombosis, even with newer-generation DESs. Notably, long stents and the use of overlapping stents have been consistently identified as independent predictors of both ISR and stent thrombosis. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as a viable alternative to DESs. Initially evaluated in specific clinical settings, such as small-vessel disease and ISR, DCBs have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of more complex coronary lesions and higher-risk patient populations, including elderly, diabetics and those at high bleeding risk. Their main advantage lies in avoiding permanent implantation of metallic struts and polymer coatings, thereby preserving coronary vasomotor function and promoting positive vessel remodeling and late lumen enlargement. As a result, a hybrid or blended revascularization strategy combining DESs and DCBs has gained increasing interest, offering the potential to harness the complementary benefits of both DESs and DCBs, while minimizing stent overlap and total stent length. Some studies have explored this approach, particularly for the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease and bifurcation lesions. This narrative review aims to outline the pathophysiological rationale underlying a blended DCB/DES approach and to summarize the currently available clinical evidence. Furthermore, we discuss future perspectives for optimizing the combination DCB and DES PCI in real-world practice. Full article

The indications for biliary drainage in cases of pancreatic head tumors with biliary obstruction are well established. ERCP with stent placement has long been the gold standard technique, outperforming surgery or percutaneous drainage. However, in cases of distal malignant biliary obstruction, ERCP becomes more complex, increasing the risk of complications. The advent of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), particularly EUS–choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) and EUS–hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS), has transformed the management of distal malignant biliary obstruction in the case of pancreatic cancer. EUS-CDS creates communication between the duodenum and the common bile duct. Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) simplify the procedure, offering high technical and clinical success rates and making the technique easier to perform. Nevertheless, long-term dysfunction rates remain high, necessitating careful definition of procedural indications. EUS-HGS, a more complex technique, connects dilated left bile ducts to the stomach and requires advanced expertise; it is associated with a higher rate of complications. However, its clinical efficacy and technical success are comparable to those of EUS-CDS, and it is the preferred technique in cases of duodenal obstruction or altered anatomy. European and American guidelines currently position EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) as a second-line approach after ERCP failure or when ERCP is not feasible, but there is a growing trend toward earlier use. Other techniques are emerging, such as EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) and combining EUS-HGS with antegrade stenting, offering valuable alternatives when conventional techniques fail or are inaccessible. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients that undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) require effective antiplatelet therapies to minimize the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events. Oral P2Y12 inhibitors are often utilized, however co-administered opioids may lead to gastric absorption issues in these patients, affecting the efficacy of oral inhibitors. Cangrelor is an intravenous, direct-acting, reversible P2Y12 inhibitor that could be explored as a potential treatment option for patients with gastric absorption issues during ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The objective was to estimate the UK budget impact of introducing cangrelor for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with gastric absorption issues undergoing PCI. Methods: A budget impact model was developed to calculate the impact of introducing cangrelor to treat STEMI patients with gastric absorption issues undergoing PCI, to the UK National Health Service and personal social services, over 5 years. Oral P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor), glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (eptifibatide and tirofiban), and aspirin and heparin alone were included as base case comparators. Cangrelor uptake ranged from 10% to 30% in years 1–5. The cangrelor-eligible population was estimated at 10,903 patients per year. Results: Over 5 years, cangrelor leads to a small cost saving (0.29%), varying from −GBP 261,989 in year 1 to GBP 174,778 in year 5. The introduction of cangrelor is estimated to lead to 314 fewer hospital days and 190 clinical events avoided over 5 years. Conclusions: Introducing cangrelor to STEMI patients with gastric absorption issues undergoing PCI in the UK is estimated to generate a small cost saving and reduced length of stay for some patients. Full article

Background and Objectives: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a widely accepted method for long-term enteral nutrition, but procedure-related complications and early mortality remain major concerns. Nutritional and inflammatory indices such as serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS-2002) may provide prognostic value, yet comparative data in PEG cohorts are limited. This study aimed to identify predictors of complications and 90-day mortality after PEG and to compare the prognostic performance of nutritional indices. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 122 consecutive adult patients undergoing PEG between January and December 2024 was analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected, including albumin, CRP, PNI, and NRS-2002. Complications were categorized as early (≤30 days) or late (>30 days), and all-cause mortality was assessed at 30 and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate predictors of complications and 90-day mortality. To address multicollinearity, albumin, PNI, and NRS-2002 were separately tested in adjusted models, with model performance assessed by AIC, BIC, Nagelkerke R², and C-index. Results: Early complications occurred in 4.9% and late complications in 8.2% of patients, for a total complication rate of 13.1%. Thirty-day mortality was 4.1%, 90-day mortality 17.2%, and total in-hospital mortality during the study year 30.3%. Neuromuscular indication was independently associated with increased risk of complications (aOR 5.0, 95% CI 1.2–20.0, p = 0.028) but reduced 90-day mortality (aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03–0.80, p = 0.025). Lower baseline albumin independently predicted higher 90-day mortality (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.99, p = 0.034). Elevated CRP demonstrated a borderline association with mortality (p = 0.051), while NRS-2002 ≥5 and Δ-PNI showed borderline trends toward increased mortality risk. In model comparison, none of the nutritional indices achieved independent statistical significance, but all demonstrated similar performance (AIC = 114, C-index 0.72–0.74). Conclusions: PEG outcomes are strongly influenced by baseline indication and nutritional–inflammatory status. Neuromuscular patients and patients with dysphagia face higher complication risk but lower short-term mortality, while hypoalbuminemia, elevated CRP, and high NRS-2002 or declining PNI identify patients at greater risk of death. Systematic integration of albumin, CRP, PNI, and NRS-2002 may improve risk stratification and management in PEG candidates. Full article

Thyroid nodules, prevalent in 2% to 65% of the general population depending on diagnostic methodology, represent a significant clinical concern despite a low malignancy rate, typically 1% to 5%. A substantial proportion of thyroid cancers are small, indolent lesions, allowing for conservative management with favorable prognoses. Nodule detection commonly occurs via palpation, clinical examination, or incidental radiological findings. Established risk factors include advanced age, female gender, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and estrogen dominance. Despite conservative management potential, a considerable number of thyroid nodules in Europe are unnecessarily referred for surgery, incurring unfavorable risk-to-benefit ratios and increased costs. Minimally invasive techniques (MITs), encompassing ethanol and thermal ablation modalities (e.g., laser, radiofrequency, microwave), offer outpatient, nonsurgical management for symptomatic or cosmetically concerning thyroid lesions. These procedures, performed under ultrasound guidance without general anesthesia, are associated with low complication rates. MITs effectively achieve substantial and sustained nodule volume reduction (57–77% at 5 years), correlating with improved local symptoms. Thermal ablation (TA) is particularly favored for solid thyroid lesions due to its precise and predictable tissue destruction. Optimal TA balances near-complete nodule eradication to prevent recurrence with careful preservation of adjacent anatomical structures to minimize complications. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely adopted, while microwave ablation (MWA) presents a promising alternative addressing RFA limitations. Percutaneous laser ablation (LA), an early image-guided thyroid ablation technique, remains a viable option for benign, hyperfunctioning, and malignant thyroid pathologies. This review comprehensively evaluates RFA, MWA, and LA for thyroid nodule treatment, assessing current evidence regarding their efficacy, safety, comparative outcomes, side effects, and outlining future research directions. Full article

Introduction: The efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) versus placebo and conservative treatment (CT) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) has been debated in recent years. The aim of this study was to conduct an updated systematic review with a meta-analysis on the efficacy of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PV versus placebo and CT in pain relief, functionality and quality of life in patients with OVFs. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, resulting in a total of 15 RCTs. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias v.2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed using the weighted inverse variance method to analyze the standardized mean difference (SMD) in pain (VAS/NRS scales), functionality (RMDQ/ODI scales) and quality of life (QUALEFFO scale) in the short (<1 month), medium (1–6 months) and long terms (≥6 months). Heterogeneity was assessed using I² and τ². Subgroup analyses were performed according to the type of control, geographic region, number of institutions, fracture chronicity, and risk of bias. In addition, sensitivity (leave-one-out) and publication bias (funnel plots and Egger’s tests) analyses were performed. Results: Overall, PV showed benefits over the combined control groups in pain relief in the short (SMD: −0.68; 95%CI: −1.28–−0.07), medium (SMD: −0.63; 95%CI: −1.18–−0.07), and long terms (SMD: −0.59; 95%CI: −1.02–−0.15). No statistically significant differences were found in functionality and quality of life, although several trends toward significance were observed favoring PV. Subgroup analyses showed greater advantages of PV at several time intervals in acute (<8 weeks) OVFs, multicentric trials and studies with a low risk of bias. There were cues suggestive of potential publication bias in functionality, but not in pain or quality of life. Conclusions: PV shows significant benefits in pain relief, particularly in acute OVFs, but its efficacy in terms of functionality and quality of life remains unclear. These results support the use of PV in appropriately selected patients. However, given the high heterogeneity found, more controlled, multicenter trials are still required. Full article

Background: The management of lateral compression type 1 (LC-1) pelvic fractures remains controversial. Posterior fixation alone has traditionally been practiced without clearly defined indications for supplementary anterior stabilization. Direct comparative evidence between posterior-only and combined anterior–posterior fixation remains scarce. This study evaluated whether institutional criteria reliably identify patients who benefit from additional percutaneous anterior fixation. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a level I trauma center and included adults with LC-1 fractures treated exclusively by percutaneous fixation. Combined anterior–posterior fixation was performed when predominant anterior pain and radiographic compromise indicated instability. Primary outcomes were pain trajectory (Numeric Rating Scale), inpatient opioid use, physiotherapy clearance, and ward mobility. Results: Thirty-seven patients were analyzed (combined = 14; posterior-only = 23). Preoperative pain was higher in the combined group (median 7 vs. 6; median difference 1 [95% CI 0 to 2]; p = 0.0036). Postoperatively, pain scores were lower in the combined group at 1–6 weeks (median difference −1 [95% CI −2 to 0]; p < 0.05). Opioid consumption was reduced (193 mg vs. 312 mg; median difference −200 mg [95% CI −280 to −120]; p < 0.001), and physiotherapy clearance occurred earlier (4 vs. 7 days; median difference −3 [95% CI −5 to −1]; p = 0.020). Conclusion: Our current indications to perform combined fixation were associated with favorable early outcomes in pain control and physiotherapy clearance among patients with LC-1 fractures showing anterior compromise. These results support a selective combined approach, though interpretation must remain cautious given the small retrospective cohort. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and refine patient selection. Full article