"Core out" or "curettage" in rectal advancement flap for cryptoglandular anal fistula

AIM

Transanal advancement flap is a recognized technique for complex fistula. Management of the tract is open to discussion. Excision of the tract by the "core out" technique is difficult and could increase the risk of sphincter damage. Curettage is easier but it could increase the risk of recurrence. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of both techniques on sphincter function and to study the clinical results.

METHOD

This is a retrospective analysis from a prospective database. One hundred nineteen consecutive patients with high cryptoglandular anal fistula were included. "Core out" technique was performed in 78 patients (group I) and "curettage" in 41 (group II). In both, a full-thickness rectal flap was advanced over the closed internal defect. Anorectal manometry was performed to assess sphincter function. Continence was assessed using the Wexner Scale. Recurrence was defined as the presence of an abscess or fistulization.

RESULTS

Manometric results showed a significant decrease in the maximum resting pressure after surgery in both groups. The maximum squeeze pressure was significantly reduced only in group I (p < 0.001). No significant changes in Wexner score were observed. The overall recurrence rate was 5.88%, five of group I (6.4%) and two of group II (4.9%), without statistical significance (p = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

The core-out technique causes a significant decrease in squeeze pressures, which reflects damage to the external anal sphincter. This could lead to incontinence in high-risk patients. Curettage is a simple technique that preserves the values of squeeze pressures without increasing recurrence rates.

A Minimally Invasive Procedure for Axillary Osmidrosis: Subcutaneous Curettage Combined with Trimming Through a Small Incision

BACKGROUND

Though minimally invasive procedures often yield excellent esthetic results for axillary osmidrosis, the high recurrence rates of malodor limit its further application. Incomplete removal of the apocrine glands would lead to recurrence of the axillary bromhidrosis, while excessive resection of the apocrine glands firmly attached to the dermis would easily result in local skin necrosis. Therefore, accurate management of the apocrine glands is extraordinarily important, particularly with a limited access. Herein, we would like to introduce an effective and minimally invasive procedure combining subcutaneous curettage and trimming for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis.

METHODS

A 5-mm incision was marked at the inferior pole of the central axillary crease. Subcutaneous undermining was done clinging to the axillary superficial fascia. The whole procedure was performed in the following sequence of "scraping-trimming-scraping" against the undermined skin flap until the remaining hairs were easily pulled out.

RESULTS

All the wounds healed primarily without significant complications. Out of 300 axillae, 294 (98 %) showed good to excellent results for malodor elimination. Scars were invisible in 280 axillae (93.3 %) and slightly visible in 18 axillae (6 %). The dermatology life quality index score decreased significantly after the operation.

CONCLUSION

The procedure is an efficacious and minimally invasive method for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis.

[Mono-arthritis of the hand: case report of osteoid osteoma]

Osteoid osteoma is a rare occurrence at the hand. There is often a long delay before the diagnosis because the clinical signs mimic other frequent affections of the hand. We report the case of a 24-year old female patient suffering from an osteoid osteoma in the first phalanx of a finger. The diagnosis was made four years after the first symptoms. We started by a curettage-biopsy, followed in a second operative step by cauterization and filling up the defect by a bone autograft. Six months after the surgery, the patient was no longer experiencing any symptom. This rare case demonstrates that osteoid osteoma remains a possible diagnosis in chronic pain affecting the hand.

Less is more: "incision and curettage" as an optimal procedure for recurrent pilonidal disease

AIM

Although pilonidal disease has been a well-known entity for more than a century, recurrence of pilonidal disease is still not rare. The optimal surgical approach to recurrent disease is under debate. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of "incision and curettage" procedure for recurrent pilonidal disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From May 2009 to May 2013, 42 patients (37 male/5 female) underwent surgical treatment for recurrent pilonidal disease. Incision and curettage of granulation tissue, hair and debris in the cavity were performed in all cases. Data collection included demographics, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hospital stay, return to daily activities (lying, sitting down in comfort) and work, and complete wound healing time.

RESULTS

Mean operating time was 16.6±4.7 (10-24) minutes. Mean pain score was 1.4±1.1 (0-5) with VAS. The mean duration of returning to daily activities such as comfortable lying down, sitting and returning to work were 1.6±0.8 (1-4) days, and 3.3±2.3 (1-15) days, and 10.2±5.4 (5-33) days, respectively. The mean wound healing time was 19.9±7.8 (7-52) days. During the three-year follow-up period, no recurrence was observed.

DISCUSSION

"Incision and curettage" may be performed as first-line treatment for recurrent cases. It does not require surgical skill and can be easily applied in a short time.

CONCLUSION

This simple surgical option, incision curettage provides short hospital stay and quick return to daily activities, in addition to patient comfort and satisfaction.

KEY WORDS

Pilonidal sinus, Recurrence, Sacrococcygeal.

Minimally invasive technique for curettage of chondroblastoma using endoscopic technique

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor. The treatment for chondroblastoma usually consists of curettage of the lesion and packing the tumor cavity with bone grafts or bone cement. However, chondroblastomas are known to recur in 10% to 20% of cases after excision, possibly because the incomplete removal of pathological tissue at surgery. We present a case of chondroblastoma in the distal femur treated by endoscopic curettage, which allowed a complete resection of tumor tissue and a minimal damage of the bone. The patient had relief of symptoms, rapid function restoration and no local recurrence. Endoscopic curettage is a promising new treatment for chondroblastoma. In fact, the extra-articular technique enters the tumor cavity via a tunnel drilled through the medullary canal, allowing to visualize possible residual tumor tissue or defects of the articular surface, without violating the joint and without taking away a much bigger cortical window.

Orthodontic treatment in cherubism: an overview and a case report

INTRODUCTION

Cherubism is a rare hereditary disease that frequently manifests as a painless enlargement of the mandible and/or maxilla. The disease usually progresses rapidly during the first and second decades of life but it is self-limiting and often regresses. Although few orthodontic case reports describing cherubic patients exist, the timing and extent of surgical intervention is controversial.

AIM

This present paper aims to review the treatment literature and provide a case report of a patient who underwent orthodontic/surgical management.

METHODS

The patient presented with severe cherubism in her late teenage years; her main complaint was poor facial and dental appearance. Multiple teeth were missing and those present demonstrated significant preoperative root resorption. Treatment consisted of orthodontic alignment of the upper anterior teeth and a recontouring osteotomy.

RESULTS

Confirmed by the patient, the combination approach led to a significant improvement in facial aesthetics and better self-esteem. Tooth movement through the osseous lesions was uneventful and no further root resoption was observed.

CONCLUSION

Orthodontic treatment may be undertaken in those affected by Cherubism even with pre-existing idiopathic root resorption, but patients need to be appropriately informed and consented.

Mandible reconstruction using rhBMP-2: case report and literature review

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-type 2 (rhBMP-2) is used in oral and maxillofacial procedures due to its endochondral bone formation capacity, and this is also the reason for its use off-label in jaw reconstruction. This study reports a case of an extensive central giant cell lesion along the mandibular body and symphysis. Treatment consisted of enucleation and curettage followed by off-label use of rhBMP-2 associated with bovine bone xenograft. The literature concerning mandibular reconstruction using rhBMP-2 was also reviewed.

Treatment of fistula in ano with fibrin glue: preliminary results from a prospective study

AIM

This prospective study was done to evaluate the efficacy of commercial fibrin glue application in the healing of patients with fistulas-in-ano from a short follow up period (one year).

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial of 26 patients was performed during the period from January 2012 to July 2012. Nineteen men and seven women were treated for a fistula-in-ano with a commercial fibrin glue injection. In the operating room, the patients underwent an anorectal examination under spinal anesthesia. The external and internal fistula tract openings were then identified and the fistula tract was accurately curetted. Fibrin glue was introduced by a loaded double-channel syringe into the external fistula opening until the fibrin glue tip could be seen emerging from the internal opening.

RESULTS

The initial success rate was 76.9% (20/26). Recurrence rate was 23% (6/26). Four patients underwent a re-application of fibrin glue and the fistulas of these patients closed. Total recurrence rate was 7.6% (2/26). The overall success rate was 69.2% (18/26).

CONCLUSION

Fibrin glue application was thus found to be an easy, safe, successful alternative treatment in the management of fistulas-in-ano. Specifically, this therapeutic option demonstrated his efficacy for simple non-ramificated transsphincteric and intersphincteric fistulas. Multicentric randomized clinical trials with more representative sample seem to be necessary to investigate the best patients to treat by fibrin glue injection and the optimal application technique to improve these results.

Successful conservative treatment of dentigerous cyst following intrusion of lower primary incisors

This paper reports on the development of a dentigerous cyst associated with a lower permanent incisor following intrusion of two lower primary incisors. The small root remnant of one of the traumatized primary incisors was associated with granulation tissue, while the second incisor was discolored and suspected of being non-vital. The associated permanent incisor and other adjacent incisors were apically and laterally dislocated from their natural site of eruption. The conservative treatment included extraction of the involved primary discolored incisor, as well as the root remnant, followed by removal of the granulation tissue. After 18 months of follow-up, the permanent incisors were erupting in normal position, without pathological signs of the dentigerous cyst. Following severe traumatic injury to a primary tooth, periodic radiographic follow-up, until eruption of the correspondent permanent tooth, is recommended.

Recovery of putative periodontal pathogens from curette sampling at different depths of periodontal lesions: an in vivo cross-sectional clinical study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depth of curette sample collection from periodontal lesions on the recovery of putative periodontal pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

METHODS

Twenty-two periodontal pockets 6 to 8 mm deep with bleeding on probing at a single-rooted tooth were sampled, yielding 66 separate samples. Curette samples were obtained at three different levels of the periodontal lesion (orifice, shallow--2 mm into the pocket; or base of lesion), and processed using PCR to identify 10 periodontal pathogens. The chi-square procedure was used to determine whether probe depth affected the distribution of bacterial counts observed. A repeated measures analysis of variance tested the hypotheses related to level of probe and microorganism on mean rank of bacterial counts.

RESULTS

The effect of probe level on mean bacterial counts depends on the type of microorganism. Likewise, the effect of microorganism type on mean bacterial counts significantly depends on probe level, where sampling from 2 mm into the periodontal pocket was found to yield significantly higher results than sampling from the orifice. Overall mean counts of pathogenic microorganisms were found to differ significantly across the three probe depths. The microorganisms differed in their observed levels over all three probe levels. Further analysis found several significant differences that characterize the nature of the interaction between probe level and microorganism type.

CONCLUSION

There is significant difference in the amount of putative periodontal pathogens at varying depths of the pocket when sampled with a periodontal curette.

Brodie's abscess of the posterior ilium: a rare cause for low back pain in children

Brodie's abscess of the pelvis is very rare in healthy children. It can be missed because of its varied presentation. We present an 11-year-old boy who presented with low back pain. Investigations revealed a well-defined lesion in the posterior ilium. He underwent open biopsy and debridement. At the end of the final follow-up, he was asymptomatic and there was no recurrence. We present this case for the rare site of Brodie's abscess and for its unusual presentation as low back pain.

A comparative study of calcium sulfate artificial bone graft versus allograft in the reconstruction of bone defect after tumor curettage

BACKGROUND

Cavity reconstruction after benign bone tumor removal is varied and controversial. Allograft is widely used but is associated with complications. New bone substitutes, such as calcium sulfate artificial bone, have been introduced for bone tumor operation. However, the bone healing response of artificial bone has not been compared with allograft bone. We therefore compared calcium sulfate grafts (study group) with bone allografts (control group) for the treatment of benign bone tumors.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who underwent calcium sulfate reconstruction and 50 patients who underwent allograft cancellous bone reconstruction. The two groups were well matched. The mean follow-up time of the study group was 19.9 (12-55) months. We investigated bone healing response, complications, and factors affecting bone healing.

RESULTS

At the last follow-up, 84% (42/50) of cases in the study group and 62% (31/50) of cases in the control group had achieved clinical healing (P = 0.013). The initial healing rate showed no significant difference between the two groups (100% vs. 96%, P = 0.153). The mean healing times for calcium sulfate and allograft bone were 9.6 (3-42) months and 13.8 (3-36) months, respectively (P < 0.01). Complications in the study group were minor and resolved. Implant volume was a significant factor affecting bone healing.

CONCLUSION

The calcium sulfate bone substitute showed a satisfactory healing outcome and safety profile in reconstruction of bone defects after benign bone tumor curettage, especially in smaller cavities.

Can adenocarcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix be treated safely by conisation in combination with endocervical curettage?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of endocervical curettage (ECC) after conisation in patients treated for adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the uterine cervix.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with AIS diagnosed between 1990 and 2010 and with a minimum of 1.5 years of follow-up were retrospectively identified using computerised clinical files.

RESULTS

The authors identified 195 patients (median age 32 years) with a median follow-up of 6.4 years. ECC was performed in 165 patients. In 144 (87%) the initial ECC was normal. In 129 no recurrence was observed during follow-up (90%). A positive ECC was observed in 21. Thirteen patients had hysterectomies; six hysterectomies were normal. Eight patients treated conservatively developed no recurrent disease. Two patients with a positive ECC did not have a hysterectomy and developed recurrent disease. In patients with affected margins, 17% developed recurrent disease.

CONCLUSION

ECC performed during initial conisation is a prognostic tool for the treatment ofAIS. Close follow-up is recommended in patients treated conservatively.

Lower recurrence rate in chondroblastoma using extended curettage and cryosurgery

PURPOSE

Various methods for the treatment of chondroblastoma of bone have been used including simple curettage, or combined with bone grafting, in addition to the use of adjuvant therapy. However, local recurrence still represents a challenge in the management of this aggressive tumour. This study focuses on evaluating the role of intraregional extended curettage together with the use of adjuvant cryotherapy and autogenous bone grafting in the treatment of benign chondroblastoma of bone aiming to decrease the recurrence rate.

METHODS

All patients with chondroblastoma included in this study underwent intralesional extended curettage, adjuvant cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen, and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting. Follow up for healing of chondroblastoma lesions and detection of any local recurrence was assessed on clinical and radiological bases. The functional outcome was assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 49 months. The average time for bone healing was 7.4 months. Our rate of local recurrence is 7.1 %. Two patients (14.3 %) developed physeal growth arrest. One patient had superficial skin sloughing (7.1 %). None of the cases had pathological fracture. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society functional score was 92.7 %.

CONCLUSION

Chondroblastoma is an aggressive benign bone tumour with a high rate of recurrence. The use of high-speed burr combined with adjuvant intralesional cryotherapy and iliac crest autogenous bone grafting is a reliable method of treatment with a low rate of recurrence.

Local recurrence after curettage treatment of giant cell tumors in peripheral bones: retrospective study by the GSF-GETO (French Sarcoma and Bone Tumor Study Groups)

BACKGROUND

Curettage is a well-established treatment modality for giant cell tumors of bone. The purpose of this retrospective study by the French Sarcoma and Bone Tumor Study Groups (GSF-GETO) was to analyze various tumor-specific and surgery-specific factors that could influence the rate of local recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Data was collected from patients with giant cells tumors of the appendicular skeletal who were treated by intralesional curettage. The hazard ratio for tumor recurrence was calculated for the different variables collected and a multifactorial analysis carried out.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-three surgical procedures were included from nine centers. One hundred and seventy-one (89%) were primary tumors and 22 had been referred after one or more recurrences. The mean follow-up was 6 years and 11 months. The distal femur and proximal tibia were the most common locations: 42.5 and 34.2% of cases, respectively. The bone defect after curettage was filled in 176 cases (91.2%) and left empty in 16 cases. Local adjuvant treatment (phenol, alcohol, cryotherapy or combination treatment) was used in 39 cases (20.2%) and systemic adjuvant treatment used in 24 cases (calcitonin 11 and zoledronic acid 13). Local recurrence occurred in 71 cases (36.8%). Risk factors for local recurrence were an empty defect, a defect filled with autograft, and patients treated before 2005. Multivariate analysis showed that the only risk factors for local recurrence were a surgical procedure before 2005 (odds ratio 3.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 7.9) P=0.017) and a bone defect filled with autograft (odds ratio 3.9 [95% CI: 1.3, 11.6] P=0.013) CONCLUSION: Neither tumor-specific nor surgery-specific factors such as adjuvant treatment were found to be as risk factors for local recurrence after curettage of giant cell tumors in the appendicular skeleton. As recently reported, high-quality local curettage is probably the most effective technique to prevent local recurrence. The current study suggests that two factors associated with more recent management of these tumors in France, high-speed burring and centralization to skilled surgical teams, can improve the quality of curettage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4, retrospective cohort study.

Iterative curettage is associated with local control in giant cell tumors involving the distal tibia

BACKGROUND

The distal tibia is an unusual location for a giant cell tumor (GCT). Treatment choices are unclear because of their rarity, the anatomy of the ankle, and difficulties associated with reconstruction.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We assessed: (1) the treatment modalities used by participating Canadian bone tumor centers for distal tibia GCTs; (2) the incidence of local recurrence and their management; and (3) patients' function after treatment.

METHODS

A prospective tumor database served to identify all 31 patients with primarily treated distal tibia GCTs between 1991 and 2010. We extracted patients and tumor characteristics, treatment modalities for initial and recurrent tumors, and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and Toronto Extremity Salvage (TESS) scores. The median followup was 58 months (range, 24-192 months).

RESULTS

Extended curettage was the only modality of treatment for all patients including all subsequent local recurrences. Nine had local recurrence, three of which had a second local recurrence; one had a third recurrence. Ultimately all patients were in remission at last followup. The local recurrence rate was 29% and appeared higher compared with recent series of all anatomic sites. The mean final MSTS and TESS scores were 91% (range, 71%-100%) and 88% (range, 35%-100%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended curettage was the unique modality of surgical treatment for all tumors. We found the incidence of local recurrence higher than that reported for other locations but recurrences were manageable with repeated curettage. Complications and function appeared better than those reported for series of ankle fusion or reconstruction for bone tumors.

Management of actinic keratosis

Actinic keratoses are common, often multiple, epidermal lesions found mainly on the sun-exposed skin of fair-skinned middle-aged and older people.(1) Over time, lesions may remain unchanged or may proliferate, regress, reappear or develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).(2) Detectable (spot) lesions are often associated with alteration of the surrounding skin (field) where subclinical lesions might be present.(2) Interventions may target individual or multiple lesions or a whole field.(2) Here, we update our previous review(3) on the prevention and treatment of actinic keratoses, focusing on the licensed treatments most commonly used in the UK and recommended in UK guidelines.

Comparative risk of high-grade histopathology diagnosis after a CIN 1 finding in endocervical curettage versus cervical biopsy

OBJECTIVE

No evidence-based clinical management recommendations exist for women with an endocervical curettage (ECC) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1) result when the concurrent cervical biopsy is not high-grade. For women with these pathologic findings, we assessed their short-term risk of high-grade histopathologic diagnosis in the Calgary Health Region where ECC was routinely performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed pathology and colposcopy reports from 1,902 referral colposcopies where both ECC and biopsies were normal or CIN 1. We calculated the short-term risk of CIN 2 or more severe (CIN 2+) detected 12 to 24 months after colposcopy. Pearson χ tests or Fisher exact tests were used to compare risks of a CIN 2+ diagnosis between combinations of test results and strata of risk factors.

RESULTS

The short-term risk of CIN 2+ was the same after a CIN 1 biopsy and CIN 1 ECC (4.9% of 1,389 vs 5.0% of 359, respectively, p = .37). Compared with low-grade referral cytology, the risk of CIN 2+ after high-grade cytology was elevated significantly for CIN 1 ECC (13.3% vs 3.3%, p < .01) and nonsignificantly for CIN 1 biopsy (7.1% vs 4.6%, p = .12).

CONCLUSIONS

After low-grade cytology, the short-term risk of a high-grade histologic diagnosis in women with either CIN 1 ECC or biopsy is equivalent, suggesting similar management. A CIN 1 ECC may warrant different management in the context of high-grade referral cytology.

Tuberculous osteomyelitis in the ulna of a patient undergoing hemodialysis

A 76-year-old woman on hemodialysis (HD) presented with pain and swelling in the left wrist and forearm. The osteomyelitis occurred in the part of the ulna adjacent to the arteriovenous fistula. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in pus obtained from the left forearm, leading to a diagnosis of tuberculous osteomyelitis. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous drugs and her symptoms improved. In this study, we report a case of tuberculous osteomyelitis occurring in the ulna, which is not the usual site of predilection for tuberculosis infection. As HD patients exhibit a high frequency of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous osteomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious osteomyelitis. In addition, it may be useful to perform stab cultures at an early stage in order to diagnose tuberculous osteomyelitis.

Layered socket Grafting using an anorganic bovine bone mineral-collagen composite

Following tooth extraction, socket grafts are commonly used to prevent incomplete healing and to optimize the bony site for implant placement (1). Many particulate, composite, and putty-like bone grafting materials either with or without a membrane have been used as socket grafts. This article introduces the layered socket grafting technique for socket grafting without the use of a membrane or primary closure. This technique uses a particulate anorganic bone mineral to graft the apices of sockets and then a composite material consisting of anorganic bovine bone mineral and collagen for the superior or crestal one-third of a socket or defect. When grafting sockets, the technique is fast and does not require the use of releasing flaps or primary closure and can also be used to manage large periapical defects.