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A new, low-cost device to treat depressed “ping-pong” fractures non-surgically: technical note

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this paper is to describe a low-cost and readily accessed Manual Aspiration Reduction System (MARS) for use treating neonatal ping-pong fractures.

Methods

The MARS is composed of a pediatric anesthesia mask, part of a macro dripper, a 3-way stopcock, and two 60-ml syringes. Prior to its use in our patient, the system was tested on five adult volunteers to maximum negative pressure, and none reported pain during the procedure or experienced any other complication. Clinical case: A 15-day-old premature girl presented with a congenital ping-pong fracture. Her skull X-ray revealed a right parietal fracture. Neurological examination and transfontanellar ultrasound were normal. Treatment using the MARS was performed at the patient’s bedside without sedation or anesthesia. The patient was monitored by the neonatology team throughout.

Results

Skull radiography revealed reduction of the fracture after the procedure performed with the MARS. The transfontanellar ultrasound and follow-up neurological examination were normal. The patient progressed favorably and was discharged from our service after 24 h.

Conclusions

Due to its components, the MARS is a low-cost and readily accessed system. In this case, it permitted satisfactory reduction of a ping-pong parietal fracture. This system should greatly simplify the treatment of such fractures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Federico E. Minghinelli, Rodolfo Recalde & Mariano Socolovsky

  2. Neonatology Department, Maternity “Santa Rosa”, Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Alfredo Houssay

  3. Neurosurgery Department, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Alfredo Houssay

Authors
  1. Federico E. Minghinelli
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  2. Rodolfo Recalde
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  3. Mariano Socolovsky
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  4. Alfredo Houssay
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Federico E. Minghinelli.

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All potential risks and benefits of the procedure were explained to the patient’s family, who then signed an informed consent form.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Minghinelli, F.E., Recalde, R., Socolovsky, M. et al. A new, low-cost device to treat depressed “ping-pong” fractures non-surgically: technical note. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 2045–2049 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05113-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05113-y

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