Inverted human umbilical artery as a 3D scaffold for sciatic nerve regeneration in rats

Treatment of peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) remains a challenge. Interposing a graft delivers better regenerative outcomes. Autografts present major drawbacks which have given rise to the development of alternatives such as artificial scaffolds, some of which are very promising. This study was designed to investigate the potential use of an inverted human umbilical cord artery (iHUA) as a 3D scaffold nerve chamber, for nerve regeneration after transection of the sciatic nerve (SN) in rats. Rats underwent surgical SN transection in their right hindlimb, followed by suture of the device at the resected stumps. Local tolerance, insert biodegradability and nerve reconstruction over time were thoroughly studied by histopathological and morphometric analysis, completed by functional test assessment of sensitivity and motricity recovery. We have demonstrated that nerve reconstruction in the presence of an iHUA insert is effective. The device is well tolerated and highly biodegraded. Although the regenerated nerve is still immature at the end of our study, signs of sensitivity and partial functional recovery were witnessed, confirming our histological findings. Our results support the potential clinical use of iHUA as a 3D scaffold to bridge nerve discontinuity and guide axonal regrowth in selected cases of PNIs.

Pyrocardan Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Joint Arthroplasty for Isolated Osteoarthritis: Results after a Mean Follow-Up of 5 Years

Background  Isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) osteoarthritis (OA) mainly develops in women over 50 years of age in a bilateral manner. Many surgical treatments are available, including distal scaphoid resection with or without interposition, trapeziectomy, and STT arthrodesis. However, there is a controversy about which procedure is the most effective. Purposes  The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of the Pyrocardan implant for treating STT isolated OA at a mean follow-up of 5 years. Patients and Methods  Consecutive patients who underwent STT arthroplasty using the Pyrocardan were reviewed retrospectively by an independent examiner who performed a clinical and radiological evaluation. Results  The mean follow-up time was 5 years (range 3-8 years). Thirteen patients (76%) were followed for more than 5 years. Between the preoperative assessment and the last follow-up, pain levels decreased significantly. There was no significant difference in the mean Kapandji opposition score. Grip and pinch strengths were 88 and 91% of the contralateral side. The active range of motion in flexion-extension and radioulnar deviation was not significantly different to the contralateral side (119° vs. 121° and 58° vs. 52°, p  > 0.1). Functional scores were improved significantly. No identifiable differences were found in the radioscaphoid, capitolunate, and scapholunate angles before and after surgery. In three cases, the preoperative dorsal intercalated scapholunate instability (DISI) failed to be corrected. In one case, DISI appeared after the procedure. There was one asymptomatic dislocation of the implant. Calcification around the trapezium and/or distal scaphoid was found in four cases. The survival rate of the implant without reoperation was 95%. Conclusions  In the medium term, Pyrocardan implant is an effective treatment for STT OA as it reduces pain, increases grip strength, and maintains wrist mobility. This is consistent with the results of other published case series using pyrocarbon implants. It provides a high rate of patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, the surgical procedure must be done carefully to avoid STT ligament damage, periarticular calcifications, or dislocation.

Graft Choice and the Incidence of Osteoarthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Causal Analysis From a Cohort of 541 Patients

BACKGROUND

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is important to prevent knee osteoarthritis. Neither of the 2 most common graft techniques-the patellar tendon (PT) or hamstring tendon (HS) graft-has demonstrated superiority in terms of the long-term osteoarthritis rate.

HYPOTHESIS

Based on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) radiographic grading system, PT grafts decrease the incidence of osteoarthritis by providing better knee stability as compared with HS grafts over 12 years of follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

All adults with a first ACL rupture who underwent surgery with a PT or HS graft technique between January 2002 and December 2003 were included in the 2014 French Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Symposium database. Baseline characteristics were collected. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in each group. The secondary endpoints included clinical subjective evaluations by the IKDC score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. To control the differences in baseline characteristics, the data were analyzed with propensity score matching.

RESULTS

In the cohort, 541 patients from 18 centers were included: 311 PT and 230 HS ACL reconstructions. The baseline characteristics were similar after inverse probability weighting treatment (IPWT). The occurrence of osteoarthritis was similar after IPWT (19.3% for PT and 19.6% for HS, P = .94). Age at surgery >29 years and IKDC osteoarthritis stage B at the index surgery were identified as risk factors for moderate to severe osteoarthritis. Most functional outcomes were significantly higher in the HS group; however, the difference between groups remained <10 points. Of the 106 patients who needed a medial meniscectomy, the proportion of patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis was much higher in the HS group (43.5% vs 18.3%, P = .006). However, after IPWT, the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

At 12 years of follow-up, neither graft technique was superior to the other in terms of the rate of osteoarthritis.