ACTIfit™: 38% full resorption at 8 years in a cohort of 18 cases

BACKGROUND

Preserving meniscal tissue is a major priority in young, physically active patients. Extensive meniscal defects may result in exercise pain and premature osteoarthritis. ACTIfit™ is a synthetic meniscal substitute that may improve short-term functional scores via biological integration with meniscal tissue regeneration. However, long-term data on the lifespan and chondroprotective effect of this newly formed tissue are lacking. The primary objective of this study was to assess the biological integration of ACTIfit™ based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The secondary objective was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

The ACTIfit™ meniscal substitute undergoes biological integration over time, suggesting chondroprotective potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2014 report by Baynat et al. described the 2-year clinical and radiological outcomes of 18 patients after ACTIfit™ implantation at the Clermont-Tonnerre military teaching hospital (Brest, France). The patients had chronic knee pain of at least 6 months' duration after failure of primary meniscal surgery with segmental meniscal defects. Mean age was 34.0±7.9 years. A concomitant procedure was performed in 13 (60%) patients, including osteotomy in 8 and ligament reconstruction in 5. For the current study, the clinical and radiological follow-up was at least 8 years. Assessments were with the Genovese grading scale for substitute morphology on MRI scans, International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) score for osteoarthritis progression, and Lysholm score for clinical outcome. Failure was defined as total substitute resorption (Genovese morphology grade 1) or revision surgery with implant removal, conversion to meniscus allografting, or arthroplasty.

RESULTS

MRI scans were available for 12 (66%) patients. The reason for not having long-term MRI scans was surgery for substitute removal or arthroplasty in 3 of the remaining 6 patients. Complete implant resorption (Genovese grade 1) was noted in 7/12 (58%) patients and osteoarthritis progression to ICRS grade 3 in 4/12 (33%) patients. At last follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was significantly improved vs. baseline (79±15 vs. 55±13, P=0.005).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of complete ACTIfit™ resorption 8 years after implantation was high. This finding argues against ability of this substitute to induce the regeneration of durable meniscal tissue with a chondroprotective effect. The clinical outcome score was significantly improved at last follow-up. However, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of ACTIfit™ given the high frequency of concomitant surgical procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective observational cohort.

Biliary peritonitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Occurrence of a perforation after endoscopic CPRE sphincterotomy is a complication previously reported in the literature, with frequent repercussions on the duodenum and the periampullary region (Stapfer types 1 and 2); treatment modalities are strictly codified. During an endoscopic procedure, it may be associated with manipulation of a guide wire, generally leading to isolated pneumoretroperitoneum (Stapfer type 4), which is conservatively treated. Secondarily to endoscopic maneuvers, Stapfer type 3 may also occur, causing pancreatic or biliary ductal lesions. When perforation is highlighted following an endoscopic procedure, treatment depends on the presence of an intraperitoneal or retro-peritoneal liquid or aerial effusion. When perforation is contained and clinical tolerance remains satisfactory, conservative treatment is carried out. Conversely, in the event of poor tolerance or intraperitoneal contamination, emergency surgery is called for.

Long-term functional outcomes after surgical treatment of nonspecific thoracic outlet syndrome: Retrospective study of 70 cases at a mean of 8 years' follow-up

Our objective was to study the clinical and functional outcomes after surgical treatment of nonspecific thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) using a supraclavicular approach. We included every patient with TOS who was treated surgically by the same surgeon at a single hospital between 1999 and 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 4 years. The primary outcome was the overall evaluation of the function by the QuickDASH Score. Secondary outcomes included functional, subjective outcomes, pain levels, and neuropathic features. The clinical outcome of 70 cases was evaluated with a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. The improvement in the QuickDASH Score was significant with an average change of 38 points. Mean pain intensity was reduced postoperatively by 1.6 points from 5.1/10 to 3.5/10. Persistent pain rate at 4/10 or more remained in 56% of cases. These cases were mostly neuropathic. The surgical procedure significantly reduced the number of patients suffering from paresthesia, numbing or weakness. The possibility of sequelae and the persistence of neuropathic pain means the surgical indication should be limited to patients with significant functional disability despite well-conducted rehabilitation. The long-term functional outcomes in patients undergoing TOS was mostly good but could be improved by addressing residual neuropathic pain symptoms.