Does the posterolateral bundle influence rotational movement more than the anteromedial bundle in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?

The biomechanical function of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remains controversial. Some studies report that the AM bundle stabilises the knee joint in anteroposterior (AP) translation and rotational movement (both internal and external) to the same extent as the PL bundle. Others conclude that the PL bundle is more important than the AM in controlling rotational movement.

The objective of this randomised cohort study involving 60 patients (39 men and 21 women) with a mean age of 32.9 years (18 to 53) was to evaluate the function of the AM and the PL bundles of the ACL in both AP and rotational movements of the knee joint after single-bundle and double-bundle ACL reconstruction using a computer navigation system. In the double-bundle group the patients were also randomised to have the AM or the PL bundle tensioned first, with knee laxity measured after each stage of reconstruction. All patients had isolated complete ACL tears, and the presence of a meniscal injury was the only supplementary pathology permitted for inclusion in the trial. The KT-1000 arthrometer was used to apply a constant load to evaluate the AP translation and the rolimeter was used to apply a constant rotational force. For the single-bundle group deviation was measured before and after ACL reconstruction. In the double-bundle group deviation was measured for the ACL-deficient, AM- or PL-reconstructed first conditions and for the total reconstruction.

We found that the AM bundle in the double-bundle group controlled rotation as much as the single-bundle technique, and to a greater extent than the PL bundle in the double-bundle technique. The double-bundle technique increases AP translation and rotational stability in internal rotation more than the single-bundle technique.

Making hard choices easier: a prospective, multicentre study to assess the efficacy of a fertility-related decision aid in young women with early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Fertility is a priority for many young women with breast cancer. Women need to be informed about interventions to retain fertility before chemotherapy so as to make good quality decisions. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of a fertility-related decision aid (DA).

METHODS

A total of 120 newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer patients from 19 Australian oncology clinics, aged 18-40 years and desired future fertility, were assessed on decisional conflict, knowledge, decision regret, and satisfaction about fertility-related treatment decisions. These were measured at baseline, 1 and 12 months, and were examined using linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS

Compared with usual care, women who received the DA had reduced decisional conflict (β=-1.51; 95%CI: -2.54 to 0.48; P=0.004) and improved knowledge (β=0.09; 95%CI: 0.01-0.16; P=0.02), after adjusting for education, desire for children and baseline uncertainty. The DA was associated with reduced decisional regret at 1 year (β=-3.73; 95%CI: -7.12 to -0.35; P=0.031), after adjusting for education. Women who received the DA were more satisfied with the information received on the impact of cancer treatment on fertility (P<0.001), fertility options (P=0.005), and rated it more helpful (P=0.002), than those who received standard care.

CONCLUSION

These findings support widespread use of this DA shortly after diagnosis (before chemotherapy) among younger breast cancer patients who have not completed their families.

[Post-operative retransfusion and intra-operative autotransfusion systems in total knee arthroplasty. A comparison of their efficacy]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of post-operative retransfusion with that of intra-operative autotransfusion in non-anaemic patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between February 2004 and June 2006, a total of 129 patients free of anaemia who underwent elective primary unilateral cemented TKA for primary arthritis received blood retransfusion by means of the post-operative retransfusion system. Intra-operative transfusion was not administered. Patients with coagulation disorders, thrombocytopaenia or other haematological diseases were not included. The results were compared with those of the group of 142 patients undergoing the same surgery, but with use of the intra-operative autotransfusion system, in the period from February 2009 to December 2010. The following patient data were reviewed: patient's age at the time of surgery; value of haemoglobin before and two days after surgery; allergic and febrile reactions associated with retransfusion, renal failure after retransfusion, number of postoperative allogeneic transfusions, early TKA infection and thrombo-embolic complications.

RESULTS

Of the 129 patients with post-operative retransfusion, 25 received one or more allogeneic blood transfusions due to the haemoglobin level below 90g/l and symptoms of anaemia. The average haemoglobin level was 136 g/l (range, 111 to 159 g/l) one day before surgery and 107 g/l (range, 81 to 143 g/l) on the 2nd post-operative day. A single allogeneic blood transfusion was administered to 12 patients and two were necessary in 13 patients. The average blood volume returned to the patient through the post-operative retransfusion system was 725.3 ml (range, 250 to 1 300 ml). Of the 142 patients with intra-operative autotransfusion, 11 patients required blood transfusion in the post-operative period, with seven receiving one and four receiving two transfusions. The average haemoglobin level was 135 g/l (range, 110 to 161 g/l ) one day before surgery and 107 g/l (range, 85 to 130 g/l ) two days after it. The average volume of erythrocyte mass returned to the patient through the intra-operative autotransfusion system was 330.7 ml (range, 0 to 850 ml). No allergic, pyretic or other reaction or complication was recorded in either group. No early TKA infection occurred.

DISCUSSION

No reports comparing the efficacies of post-operative retransfusion and intra-operative auto-transfusion systems in patients undergoing total knee replacement have been found in the literature. Therefore, the only possible comparison can be made with the studies that involve patients receiving blood recuperation and control groups with no blood recuperation. In our study, 19.3% of the patients with post-operative retransfusion required allogeneic blood transfusion while this was necessary in only 7.7% of the patients with intra-operative autotransfusion. This difference was caused by a better efficiency of the intra-operative autotransfusion system which can treat up to 2 litres of harvested blood per hour and return it to the patient in the form of erythrocyte mass, while the post-operative retransfusion system can salvage only 1500 ml of blood.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of either of these systems has proved to be a simple and safe method of reducing the need of allogeneic blood transfusion in the TKA procedure. While the post-operative retransfusion system facilitates the return of drained blood only, the more efficient "cell-saver" technology collects blood shed during both intra- and post-operative periods and allows for erythrocyte mass retransfusion during and after surgery. Since the administration of allogeneic blood was required in less than 10% of the patients receiving intra-operative autotransfusion, this system was adopted as a more efficient method in routine TKA procedures.

[The effect of releasing the medial stabilisers of the knee on the magnitude of correction in opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy. Anatomy study on cadavers]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

When a larger opening of high-tibial osteotomy is necessary to achieve good correction of the lower extremity axis, partial release of the attachments of the medial stabilisers of the knee may be required. The aim of the study was to ascertain, in cadaver specimens, the effect of loosening the medial knee stabilisers on the magnitude of correction in medial opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-eight knees obtained from cadavers of Caucasian race were dissected. Medial opening-wedge high-tibial valgus osteotomy was performed using a dynamic distractor, constructed by us, with a dynamometer to ensure constant force action. Using a kinematic navigation system, the lower leg axis was studied at opening-wedge osteotomy under constant forces of 100 N and 150 N. The change in its angulation was recorded after each step in releasing the medial stabilisers whose structures were gradually made loose, under constant action of the given force, in the following order: superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament, tendons of the gracilis, semitendinosus and sartorius muscles.

RESULTS

The results were statistically analysed using descriptive statistical methods and the two-sample paired t-test with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Loosening of the medial stabilisers one by one under a constant load led to a statistically significant change in alignment. The most significant change in angulation, both in clinical and statistical terms, was that of 3.4° occurring after the superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament was made loose under a constant force of 100 N applied to osteotomy. Thus, this loosening contributed by 62% to an overall change of 5.5° in the lower extremity mechanical axis, as compared with the condition not allowing for loosening of the stabilisers. Under a load of 150 N applied to osteotomy, loosening of the medial collateral ligament resulted in a change by 4.1°, which accounted for 56% of an overall change of 7.3° that occurred after all stabilisers were released. On distraction of the osteotomy using a higher force, an increase in a stabilising effect of the pes anserinus was apparent.

DISCUSSION

The evolution of angle-stable implants has advanced options for reliable fixation of high-tibial corrective osteotomy which involves cutting out a wedge and forcing it open on the medial side. These implants provide stable fixation even when a large correction of the limb mechanical axis is required, and allow for rehabilitation with early weight-bearing. As with a large correction the force needed to make the wedge open is increasing, it is necessary to consider loosening of the medial stabilisers of the knee. According to our knowledge, no study on the effect of individual medial stabilising structures of the knee on the force required to open high-tibial osteotomy with the wedge opened medially has been published.

CONCLUSIONS

The process of correcting lower extremity alignment by high-tibial opening-wedge valgus osteotomy brings about an increase in tension of the stabilisers on the concave side of the deformity. Our results show an important role of releasing the superficial portion of the medial collateral ligament in the reduction of forces necessary to correct a deformity.

Three-body correlation functions and recombination rates for bosons in three dimensions and one dimension

We investigate local three-body correlations for bosonic particles in three dimensions and one dimension as a function of the interaction strength. The three-body correlation function g(3) is determined by measuring the three-body recombination rate in an ultracold gas of Cs atoms. In three dimensions, we measure the dependence of g(3) on the gas parameter in a BEC, finding good agreement with the theoretical prediction accounting for beyond-mean-field effects. In one dimension, we observe a reduction of g(3) by several orders of magnitude upon increasing interactions from the weakly interacting BEC to the strongly interacting Tonks-Girardeau regime, in good agreement with predictions from the Lieb-Liniger model for all strengths of interaction.

Superlattice Nanowires

CoNiCu/Cu superlattice nanowires have been grown by electrodeposition in nuclear tracketched nanoporous membranes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show a good layer structure and allow an estimate of the current efficiency. Current perpendicular to plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistance of up to 22%, at ambient temperature, has been measured but appears to be limited by defects, giving rise to ferromagnetic interlayer coupling, at low nonmagnetic layer thicknesses. Magnetic properties of the superlattice nanowires are influenced by in-plane anisotropy and magnetostatic coupling.

Electrodeposited Magnetic Multilayers

Electrodeposited magnetic multilayer films consisting of alternating layers of a ferromagnetic and a non-magnetic metal may exhibit giant magnetoresistance (GMR), but the effect is very sensitive to whether deposition is carried out under potentiostatic or galvanostatic control, and the choice of substrate. The texture of Co-Ni-Cu/Cu superlattices grown on polycrystalline (100)-textured Cu plates and (HO)-textured Cu foil under potentiostatic control depended on that of the substrate, while comparable superlattices grown under galvanostatic control had a predominantly (111) texture. The films grown under galvanostatic control generally exhibit AMR or smaller GMR. The magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Co-Ni-Cu/Cu superlattices and a single-layer Co-Ni-Cu film electrodeposited directly onto n-GaAs (100) are also described, and evidence is presented for an in-plane magnetic anisotropy in these samples.

[Posterior extensile approach to release a post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Restriction of joint motion is a frequent complication in the treatment of elbow injury. Grade 4 elbow stiffness up to its ankylosis is a strong limiting factor in the patient's daily activities. The surgical release of a stiff elbow has been a rare procedure. It can be done using either isolated or combined approaches. The aim of the study is to present our experience with and the results of elbow arthrolysis using a posterior extensile approach to the joint.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven patients aged between 17 and 38 years with post-traumatic post-operative ankylosis, or grade 4 elbow stiffness were operated on. The average range of motion before surgery was 12.9° (range, 0° - 20°). The average interval between primary injury and arthrolysis was 21 months (range, 8 - 70 months). Clinical assessment before and after surgery was based on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). The average follow-up was 26 months (12 - 47). Arthrolysis was completed by application of an external fixator in four patients, by interposition arthroplasty in two patients, ulnar nerve transposition in five patients and radial head replacement in one patient. RESULTS The average MEPS score increased from 45.0 points (range, 30 - 65 points) to 87.9 points (range, 75 - 100 points). The average range of motion at the final follow-up was 99.3° (range, 65° - 135°). Most patients reported pain relief. There was no iatrogenic instability following surgery. Improvement was most marked in relation to joint function, as demonstrated by increase from an average score of 6.4 points (range, 0 - 15 points) before surgery to 24.3 points (range, 20 - 25 points) after surgery in the MEPS.

DISCUSSION

Surgical treatment of an ankylosed elbow is not a common procedure in the majority of hospitals. The use of a posterior extensile approach, which preserves the extensor mechanism, to release the elbow joint has been reported only occasionally in the international literature. The results, however, seem to be good. On the other hand, removal of the olecranon is associated with a high complication rate. Operative release of the elbow with total joint replacement is an extreme option. CONCLUSIONS In grade 4 stiff elbow release, the posterior extensile approach to the elbow joint as described here allows us to have a good view of all articular compartments. It maintains continuity of the extensor apparatus of the elbow, which is the essential requirement for effective post-operative rehabilitation and therefore its great advantage. This approach is not associated with serious complications.

[Relationship of the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus tendons in the plantar midfoot. An anatomical cadaver study]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To verify, in cadaver specimens, the precise anatomic structure of cross-connection between the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons and to identify its position in relation to orientation points in the foot in view of the surgical technique for tendon transfer, including the necessity of subsequent tendon suture.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A hundred cadaver legs (50 cadavers of 29 men and 21 women, all Caucasians) were dissected by an extensive medio-plantar approach. The anatomical relationship of the FHL and FDL tendons was studied. The distances measured were as follows: between the first metatarsophalangeal joint line and the FHL origin of a tendinous slip; between the slip and the calcaneal tubercle; and the total distance between the first metatarsophalangeal joint line and the calcaneal tubercle.

RESULTS

In all cadaver legs, a cross-connection between the FHL and FDL tendons was present in the plantar midfoot. There was always a tendinous slip branching from the FHL tendon and running lateral and distal to the FDL tendon. The slip was attached to the FDL tendon distal to its branching for the toes; it either attached to only the FDL tendon for the second toe or it split to attach to the FDL tendon branches for the second and the third toe. The two configurations were referred to as type II and type II,III, respectively. Type II was found in both legs of 31 cadavers (62 %), and type II,III in 14 cadavers (28 %). In five cadavers (10 %) attachment was different in the right and the left foot. Expressed in absolute numbers, there were 67 type II attachments (two-thirds of the findings) and 33 type II,III attachments (one-third of the findings). The average distance between the first metatarsophalangeal joint line and the origin of an FHL tendinous slip was 7.3 (± 0.9 ) cm, the average distance between the origin of an FHL tendinous slip and the calcaneal tubercle was 9.2 (± 1.1) cm and the average distance between the first metatarsophalangeal joint line and the calcaneal tubercle was 16.5 (± 1.6) cm.

DISCUSSION

Various presentations of the anatomical relationship between the FHL and FDL tendons in the midfoot are found in the literature. Some describe it as a mere cross-connection between the tendons; others report certain forms of attachment. Only two papers on this issue have recently been available in the international literature and their findings markedly differ from our observations made on a significantly higher number of specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The FHL and FDL tendons in the midfoot are cross-connected with a tendinous slip branching proximal to the FHL tendon to be attached to the FDL tendon distal to its branching for the second or the third toe. Transfer of the FHL and FDL tendons is often used in the treatment of tibialis posterior muscle dysfunction, extensive inveterated ruptures of the Achilles tendon and, less frequently, posterior foot balancing in neuromuscular foot deformities. The anatomic pattern of a tendon cross-connection in relation to orientation points in the foot varies to such an extent that, during surgery, it is impossible to keep strictly to the recommended halves of the distances between the calcaneal tubercle and the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The length of a FDL graft is limited by the level of tendon branching for the toes; it is not necessary to cut through the slip. Because of the anatomical structure of tendon cross-connection, we consider it necessary to suture the distal stump of one tendon to the other tendon to retain their correct function.

[Reduction of radiation exposure by the use of fluoroscopic guidance in transpedicular instrumentation]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The variability in width, height, and orientation of spinal pedicles makes pedicle screw insertion a delicate operation. Fluoroscopic guidance often exposes the patient and especially surgeons to relatively high doses of ionising radiation. The use of pulsed fluoroscopy is safer, as compared to continuous fluoroscopy, because of reduced radiation exposure. There are increasing numbers of literature reports regarding the high doses of radiation to which orthopaedic and spine surgeons are exposed during surgical procedures. Spine surgery can be associated with significant radiation exposure to the surgical staff. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare a computer-assisted navigation with a conventional procedure in order to assess if it is possible to reduce radiation exposure while preserving the accuracy of screw placement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The first "conventional" group consisted of 30 patients, with an average of 1.9 segments of the lumbar spine stabilised. Screws were inserted transpedicularly under image intensifier guidance. In the second "navigated" group of 30 patients, stabilisation of 1,8 segments was performed on average. A CT-free fluoroscopic 2D spinal navigation system (VectorVision, Brain LAB, Germany) was used intra-operatively. It combines image-guided surgery with C-arm fluoroscopy. For each surgery (navigated or not), the duration of irradiation was recorded. The irradiation duration was collected from the X-ray image intensifier. In both groups the screw positioning accuracy was controlled intra-operatively according to Learch's, Acikbas's, and Whitecloud's methods from AP and lateral images and by meticulous pedicle palpation.

RESULTS

The irradiation duration calculated to one vertebra (two screws) was significantly shorter in the second (navigated) group (3.4 s) than in the first (conventional) group (14.4 s). The mean duration of data registration was 6.0 minutes (range, 3 to 11 minutes). The mean ratio according to Acikbas's calculation method was 43.2 % (range, 32 % to 74 %) in the first (conventional) group and 44.1 % (range, 35 % to 76 %) in the second (navigated) group.

DISCUSSION

During a conventional surgical procedure many X-ray images are made to control the accuracy of screw insertion. If the trajectory is not satisfying, it must be corrected or the pedicle is drilled again, always with a new fluoroscopic control. The process is repeated until satisfactory orientation is achieved. This is the explanation for a much longer duration of irradiation in conventional procedures. Navigation facilitates the surgical act, enabling us to acquire the right position of all screws, with only an AP image and a lateral image at the beginning of instrumentation for data registration; prolongation of the operative time is irrelevant.

CONCLUSIONS

Navigation allows us to keep the same accuracy of pedicle screw placement while reducing radiation exposure of the surgeons and operating room staff by about one quarter. In multiple-level vertebral instrumentations this reduction is more pronounced. In centres where many procedures involving spine instrumentation are done every day, the "saved" exposure time can amount to hours.

[Injection of anaesthetic-corticosteroid to relieve sacroiliac joint pain after lumbar stabilisation]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Both the range of motion and load transfer of the sacroiliac (SI) joint improve considerably after lumbar spine surgery. When, following surgery, SI joint pain develops in spite of appropriate physical therapy, injection of an anaesthetic with added corticosteroid into the SI joint is a first choice treatment. The aim of this presentation is to provide information on our experience with this therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-four patients after lumbar spine fusion reported lumbalgia different form pain before surgery. In 14 (41%) of them, pain in one of the SI joints was diagnosed as the cause. This group included 12 women and two men at an average age of 56 (range, 47 to 68) years. Ten patients underwent lumbosacral fixation and four had segmental ("floating") lumbar spine fusion. All patients experienced lumbalgia at more than 3 months following surgery, at 8 months on the average (range, 4 to 12 months). None of them had SI joint pain before surgery. The diagnosis was based on specific manoeuvres on physical examination of the joint. Each patient was given an injection of 20 mg (0.5 ml) Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol®, Pfizer, Puurs, Belgium) and 4.5 ml 1% Mesocain (Zentiva, Praha, CR).They were inquired as to pain relief 24 h later and then at 1, 3 and 6 months after injection. Subjective feelings were assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The results were analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

All patients reported pain relief within 24 h of injection, but not its complete resolution. The average VAS score before and after the blockage of the SI joint was 9.1 points (8-10) and 4.8 points (2-7), respectively; this implies improvement by an average of 4.3 points (1-6), i.e., approximately by 47.3% (12.5-62.5). The duration of effects varied greatly from patient to patient. The average interval between injection and pain recurrence lasted for 5 weeks (1-28). Most frequently, relief was experienced for 2 weeks, or for 6.8 weeks with the standard deviation included. DISCUSSION Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a very frequent cause of lumbalgia, particularly after lumbar spine surgery. Physical therapy may not always be effective. SI joint arthrodesis is indicated only in rare cases. One of the few possibilities of pain relief involves intra-articular injection of an anaesthetic with corticosteroid for booster effect. The treatment of SI joint blockage after spinal fusion has recently been dealt with in three reports in the international literature; their conclusions are in accordance with the results of this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar spine stabilisation surgery may result in overloading the SI joints as the "adjacent segments". An intra-articular injection of anaesthetic can be considered a reliable method for ascertaining the SI joint as the source of a patient's problems. However, even with corticosteroid added, pain relief is not usually long-lasting.

[Inveterated posterior glenohumeral dislocation treated surgically from the anterior approach]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to remind the medical community of the occurrence of rare dorsal glenohumeral dislocations and of the need to pay increased attention to radiographic and clinical examination in the patients in whom signs of this injury are also supported by medical history. When this dislocation becomes a chronic disorder, it can frequently be managed only by surgical intervention. The treatment algorithm used at the authors' institutions is described.

MATERIAL

In the period from 2000 to 2008, a total of l7 patients (9 women and 8 men) with an average age of 65.5 years (51 to 89 years) had surgery for inveterated dorsal glenohumeral dislocation. The average injury-surgery interval was 5.6 weeks (1 to 18 weeks). The average follow-up was 38 months (101 to 13 months).

METHODS

Surgery was performed via an anterior deltoideopectoral approach. Under pathological conditions, the subscapular muscle was identified. When a large reverse Hill-Sachs defect was present, the lesser tuberosity with the subscapular tendon was osteomited (10 patients). After scar and granulation tissue had been removed, the humeral head was reduced. Using Neer's modification of the McLaughlin procedure, the excised lesser tuberosity fragment was transferred into the antero-medial defect in the humeral head and fastened with a screw. In the case of an unstable humeral head, this was held in the reduced position by two Kirschner wires either passed through the acromion or fixed to the glenoid (11 patients). The arm was immobilized in a brace for four weeks. Then the wires were removed and rehabilitation was started with avoidance of internal rotation.

RESULTS

None of the patients had recurrent dislocation. All were satisfied with the outcome and capable of resuming their daily activities sufficiently. Six patients complained of occasional pain. The average value of active elevation was 113° (40° to 160°). Reduced muscle strength in abduction, as compared with the contralateral arm, was observed in two patients. Injury to the axillary vein was recorded in one patient. Two patients had a large haematoma of the arm with swelling of the whole extremity. Two of the 11 patients treated with Kirschner wires developed infection around the wires that healed after their removal at four weeks after surgery. DISCUSSION The open reduction and stabilization of a posterior inveterated glenohumeral dislocation can be regarded as a rare procedure performed only occasionally even in specialized institutions. The international literature also provides information on only a few tens of such cases over a number of years. Causal procedures, performed through both an anterior and posterior approach, as well as extrafocal (rotational) osteotomy have been recommended. Currently, surgery from an anterior approach is preferred, because a reverse Hill-Sachs defect, if present, can be managed either by transfer of the lesser tuberosity with the subscapular tendon or by massive allograft. CONCLUSIONS The authors' experience suggests that Neer's modification of the McLaughlin procedure is the optimal treatment for posterior inveterated glenohumeral dislocation with an anteromedial defect of the humeral head. The excision of the lesser tuberosity with the subscapular tendon provides good access to the shoulder joint and thus allows for its reliable reduction. The fastening of a tuberosity fragment into the compression defect resolves one of the major risks for recurrent dislocation, without necessity to use allogenic material. Transfixation of the humeral head with Kirschner wires for four weeks is a reliable method of holding the head in the glenoid without risk of significantly restricting shoulder motion in the future.

[Transhumeral head plasty and massive osteocartilaginous allograft transplantation for the management of large hill-sachs lesions]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of this presentation is to inform the medical community about causal therapy (transhumeral head plasty or massive osteochondral allograft transplantation) for large Hill-Sachs lesions which frequently cause failure of anterior stabilisation following ventral shoulder dislocations.

MATERIAL

Seven men with an average age of 26 years (19 to 33 years) undergoing surgery in 2006 and 2007 were evaluated. The minimum follow-up was 18 months (41 to 18 months). Impressions on more than 30 % of the articular surface, or those whose critical size was larger than one-eighth of the humeral diameter (on CT scan) were taken as indications for surgery. Four patients had had previous surgery for anterior instability and three had a primary procedure. Four men underwent acute surgery and three had elective operations.Trans- humeral head plasty was used in five and massive osteochondral allograft in two patients.

METHODS

In the patients with large lesions in the anterior aspect of the shoulder joint, transhumeral head plasty involving repair of the ventral structures from the anterior approach was indicatedúúú in those with an isolated posterior bony defect, a massive osteochondral allograft was transplanted through the posterior approach. The Constant-Murley score was used to assess clinical status before (not in acute conditions) and after surgery.

RESULTS

All patients reported improved clinical status. The average Constant-Murley score at final follow-up was 95.9 points (83-100 points). In the patients not having an acute procedure in whom pre-operative Constant-Murley scores were obtained, the average improvement was by 22.7 points (8 - 37 points). No general surgical complications were recorded. All patients reported subjective satisfaction and willingness to undergo surgery under the same conditions again.

DISCUSSION

A Hill-Sachs lesion is a frequent injury to the humeral head resulting from anterior shoulder dislocation. To distinguish between major and minor defects in terms of clinical significance is essential for the choice of appropriate shoulder treatment. Up to now large lesions have mostly been managed by non-causal techniques affecting shoulder biomechanics. Transhumeral head plasty or transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft, on the other hand, offers a causal treatment. However, these two methods have rarely been mentioned in the international literature, and usually only as case reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Transhumeral head plasty and transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft offer a causal therapy for the management of Hill-Sachs lesions that does not alter shoulder biomechanics. They are not associated with a higher percentage of post-operative complications. Neither technique is more demanding than non-causal procedures. Operations carried out as primary and not as "salvage" procedures restored the function of the shoulder joint to normal. After secondary surgery, occasional shoulder pain may persist as well as its restricted range of motion.

Maternal and umbilical cord androgen concentrations do not predict digit ratio (2D:4D) in girls: a prospective cohort study

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is widely used as a marker of prenatal androgen exposure. However, there are no published prospective studies where prenatal androgen exposure has been measured and correlated with digit ratio in adult life. We aimed to establish the prospective relationship between prenatal androgen exposure in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (as measured by maternal circulating androgen concentrations and umbilical cord androgen concentrations) and digit ratio in adolescent girls. Androgen concentrations (testosterone, free androgen index, androstenedione, DHEAS) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in stored plasma samples from pregnant mothers at 18 (n=118) and 34/36 (n=114) weeks of gestation and in cord blood (n=82) from the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort Study (www.rainestudy.org.au). Digit ratio was measured in 244 female offspring from this cohort at age 14-16 years. Only one borderline statistically significant correlation between maternal circulating androstenedione levels at 18 weeks of gestation and left hand digit ratio was seen. No other statistically significant relationship between maternal androgen concentrations or umbilical cord androgen concentrations and digit ratio in adolescence were observed. These findings suggest that variation in 2D:4D in girls is not established as a result of testosterone concentrations in the second and third trimesters. We conclude that prenatal androgen exposure as measured by maternal circulating androgen concentrations at 18 and 34/36 weeks of gestation or in the umbilical cord at birth may not predict digit ratio in girls.

The Levels of Inflammatory Markers in the Treatment of Stroke study (LIMITS): inflammatory biomarkers as risk predictors after lacunar stroke

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is increasingly recognised as playing a central role in atherosclerosis, and peripheral blood markers of inflammation have been associated with incident and recurrent cardiac events. The relationship of these potentially modifiable risk markers to prognosis after ischaemic stroke is less clear. The Levels of Inflammatory Markers in the Treatment of Stroke (LIMITS) study will address hypotheses related to the role of inflammatory markers in secondary stroke prevention in an efficient manner using the well-established framework of the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) trial (NCT00059306).

METHODS

SPS3 is an ongoing Phase III multicentre secondary prevention trial focused on preventing recurrent stroke in patients with small vessel ischaemic stroke, or lacunes. In SPS3, patients are assigned in a factorial design to aspirin vs. aspirin plus clopidogrel, and to usual vs. aggressive blood pressure targets. The purpose of LIMITS is to determine whether serum levels of inflammatory markers - including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, CD40 ligand, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 - predict recurrent stroke and other vascular events among lacunar stroke patients. The project will also determine whether these markers predict which people will respond best to dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin, as well the relationship to cognitive function.

ANALYSIS

plan Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression modeling will be used to estimate hazard ratios for the effect of marker levels on risk of recurrent stroke and other outcomes after adjusting for additional potential risk factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, treatment arm, and traditional stroke risk factors. Interactions between marker levels and treatment assignment for both arms of the SPS3 study will be assessed. Observations will be censored at the time of last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS

LIMITS represents an efficient approach to the identification of novel inflammatory biomarkers for use in risk prediction and treatment selection in patients with small vessel disease.

[Hamstring versus quadriceps tendon graft in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate functional outcomes and knee joint stability after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using three-tunnel quadriceps tendon-bone graft and four-tunnel hamstring graft (semi-tendinosus and gracilis muscles).

MATERIAL

Group 1 included 20 patients undergoing reconstruction with quadriceps tendon- bone graft group; 2 comprised of 20 patients treated by hamstring graft. There were 26 men and 14 women, with an average age of 27 (range, 16 to 44) years. The minimum follow-up period was one year.

METHODS

In group 1 patients, semi-anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed by a three-tunnel technique (two tunnels in the femur and one in the tibia) using quadriceps femoris muscle graft. Group 2 patients were treated by anatomic four-tunnel reconstruction (two tunnels in the femur and two in the tibia) with the use of hamstring graft. Functional outcomes were evaluated on the basis of Lysholm and IKDC scores. Antero-posterior stability was measured with aKT-1000 arthrometer and rotational stability was assessed by the pivot-shift test. For statistical evaluation, the level of significance (p) was set at < 0.05.

RESULTS

The final evaluation showed an average Lysholm score of 88.9 ± 12 (76-100) points for group 1, and 87.9 ± 11 (62-100) points for group 2; there was no statistically significant difference. The rounded average result of the functional IKDC score after surgery was the same in the two groups (80 ± 10). The joints treated by the three-tunnel technique had on average better antero-posterior stability, but this was not statistically significant. The pivot-shift phenomenon was not seen in either of the groups. Operative times in both groups were comparable. An intra-operative fracture of the patella occurred in two patients of group 1.

DISCUSSION

No similar prospective study comparing the outcomes of the methods reported here has been found in the internatio- nal literature. The studies so far published have not included any such comparison or they compared other techniques, such as single- versus double-bundle reconstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on Lysholm and IKDC score evaluation and antero-posterior and rotational stability assessment, it can be concluded that both the three- and the four-tunnel technique of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction gave similar results, with no significant differences, at one-year follow-up. However, these are only short-term results and only a long-term follow-up can prove or disprove the validity of this conclusion.