Medial femoral condyle fracture after cementless unicompartmental knee replacement: A rare complication

This case report describes a rare complication of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Femoral fracture after TKR is a serious and relatively common problem, but to the best of our knowledge, only one case of femoral condylar fracture after UKA has been reported thus far

Lyophilised medial meniscus transplantations in ACL-deficient knees: a 19-year follow-up

The treatment of meniscal tears has changed since the early 1980s. Meniscus transplantation emerged as a treatment option during that period. This study aims to present the long-term results of the first lyophilised meniscus allograft transplants in Turkey. Between 1990 and 1992, four transplants of the medial meniscus combined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were performed on patients with a history of medial meniscectomy and anterior knee instability at our institution. For all patients who underwent meniscus lyophilised allograft transplantation and revision ACL reconstruction, clinical outcomes were evaluated over a mean period of 19 years of postoperative follow-up by clinical assessment, Tegner score, Lysholm score, Knee Society Score, radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The median value of Tegner score was 3 before index surgery and 2.5 at year 19 postoperatively. The median value of Lysholm score was 60.5 before index surgery and 62.5 at year 19. All of the patients had Outerbridge grade IV osteoarthritis by X-ray examination at year 19. Successful meniscus transplantation depends on many factors. This study examines the effect of allografts on these factors and describes experiences with lyophilised allografts in four male patients. IV

Arthroscopic stabilization of anterior shoulder instability using a single anterior portal

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the use of a single anterior portal in the arthroscopic surgery treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability with those in the literature. Methods: The study included 72 patients (60 males, 12 females; mean age: 23.9 years) who underwent surgery using a single arthroscopic anterior portal for the treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability between 2002 and 2011. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Rowe and Oxford scales, forward flexion range and external rotation limitation. Redislocation was considered failure. Results: Mean follow-up was 49.3 months. Bankart lesion was determined in 38 patients and Bankart and SLAP lesions in 34. An average of 3.7 (range: 2 to 5) anchors were used. Redislocation was observed in 4 (5.6%) patients in the postoperative period. Postoperative Rowe and Oxford scores were 93.4 and 42.6, respectively. Conclusion: Instability surgery performed using a single arthroscopic anterior portal provided findings comparable with the literature regarding clinical outcomes, postoperative shoulder movements and low recurrence rates, emphasizing the importance of appropriate patient selection rather than the number of the portals. The use of a single portal is less invasive and reduces the surgical period

Two cases with HSSDRESS syndrome developing after prosthetic joint surgery: does vancomycin-laden bone cement play a role in this syndrome?

We report two cases of hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (HSS/DRESS) syndrome following systemic and local (via antibiotic laden bone cement (ALBC)) exposures to vancomycin. Both cases developed symptoms 2-4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. They responded to systemic corticosteroid treatment and were cured completely. Various drug groups may cause HSS/DRESS syndrome, and vancomycin-related cases do not exceed 2-5% of the reported cases. Almost all of these cases developed the syndrome following systemic exposure to vancomycin. ALBC seems to be the safer antibiotic administration method, as systemic antibiotic levels did not reach a toxic threshold level. However, local administration may not always be sufficient for bone-related/joint-related infections; these infections may require systemic antibiotics as well. As HSS/DRESS syndrome can mimic infectious diseases, it must be considered during differential diagnosis before suspecting failure of treatment and initiation of a different antibiotic course. Copyright 2015 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved

Outcomes for revision total knee replacement after unicompartmental knee replacement

Objective: The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to describe the outcomes of total knee replacement (TKR) after failed Oxford phase 3 medial unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). Methods: The study included 24 revision TKRs (20 females, 4 males; mean age: 61 years) performed following failed aseptic UKR. Outcomes were assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS). Results: The most common causes for revision were mobile bearing dislocation and unexplained pain. Mean preoperative KSS was 50.3 (range: 37 to 66) and 82.2 (range: 58 to 97) after TKR. There were 17 excellent, 4 good, 2 fair and 1 poor results. Conclusion: The type of UKR performed (cemented versus uncemented) had no effect on TKR success. Revision for failed UKR with TKR appears to be a technically straightforward procedure with satisfactory early clinical results

Clinical evaluation of an antero-medial approach for plate fixation of the proximal humeral shaft

Objective Surgical approach of fractures of the proximal humeral shaft should protect the muscular insertions and the vascularisation of fragments, improving bone union and functional recovery. The aim of this study is to review cases operated with an original anteromedial approach, in cases of specific fractures of the proximal humeral shaft. Materials and methods Prior to clinical application, a cadaveric study was accomplished. Based on the results, six clinical cases had surgery using an approach medial to the biceps and brachialis. The osteosynthesis was performed with locked plates and 4.5 screws. The approach was indicated in fractures presenting with a large lateral wedge including the deltoid muscle insertion. Stable osteosynthesis achieved with this approach allowed early postoperative mobilization of the arm in all cases. Results The case-series consisted of three women and three men with a mean age of 52.1 years (range 38–68). The minimal follow-up was 1 year. Bone union was observed at an average time of 11.2 weeks. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Discussion Open reduction and internal fixation with compression plating is a standardized and successful procedure in the treatment of humeral fractures. Internal fixation with lateral plating is difficult in the proximal third of the humeral shaft, where the positioning of the implant may hurt the long biceps tendon and the deltoid insertion. This approach was successful and safe in the presented cases. Conclusion The antero-medial approach with metaphyseal locking plate protects the muscular insertions and the vascularisation of the wedge fragment, leading to good results in all the cases in this series

Arthroscopic release of the subscapularis for shoulder contracture of obstetric palsy

Objective Retrospective study of one surgeon’s experience with arthroscopic release in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Methods Over a four-year period, 6 patients who presented with a shoulder contracture secondary to obstetric palsy before the age of 8 years were treated arthroscopically. Small arthroscopy instruments, small shaver blades, including a 2.7-mm, 30° angled scope, and 90° radiofrequency probe, were used for this surgery. Patient selection for this approach was based on the lack of bone deformity and targeted soft tissue release. Postoperative brace immobilization for 6 weeks was used in all patients. Functional status of the patients was evaluated pre- and postoperatively with the assessment of external rotation. Results The case series consisted of 2 girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 5.1 years (range, 3–8 years). No patient was lost to follow-up, and all patients completed a minimum 1 year of clinical and radiographic follow-up. Increases in external rotation were observed in all patients. There was no intra- or postoperative complications. Conclusion Arthroscopic treatment of the shoulder contracture in obstetric palsy was found to be a safe and eVective procedure in patients who are likely to undergo future tendon transfer or bone surgery

The effect of magnesium added to levobupivacaine for femoral nerve block on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction

Purpose The aim of this prospective randomised doubleblind study is to investigate the effect of magnesium added to local anaesthetics on postoperative VAS scores, total opioid consumption, time to first mobilisation, patient satisfaction and rescue analgesic requirements in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery. Methods A total of 107 American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status grade I and II patients between 18 and 65 years of age who were scheduled to undergo elective anterior crucial ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autografts were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to Groups L (n = 51) and LM (n = 56) using the closed-envelope method. Group LM was administered 19 ml of 0.25 % levobupivacaine and 1 ml of 15 % magnesium sulphate, while Group L was administered 20 ml of 0.25 % levobupivacaine for femoral blockade. General anaesthesia was administered using laryngeal airway masks following neural blockade in both groups. The patients were evaluated for heart rate and mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, visual analogue score (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS), rescue analgesic requirements, total opioid consumption, side effects and time to first mobilisation at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 12th and 24th hours postoperatively. Results There was no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate or oxygen saturation between groups. The area under the curve VAS and VRS scores were lower at 4, 6, 12 and 24 h in Group LM (p = 0.001, p = 0.016, respectively). The rescue analgesic requirement and the total opioid consumption were significantly lower in Group LM (p = 0.015, p = 0.019, respectively). The time to first mobilisation and the Likert score (completely comfortable; quite comfortable; slight discomfort; painful; very painful) were higher, and the block onset time was lower in Group LM (p = 0.014 and p = 0.012, respectively). There was no difference in terms of side effects. Conclusions The addition of magnesium to levobupivacaine prolongs the sensory and motor block duration without increasing side effects, enhances the quality of postoperative analgesia and increases patient satisfaction; however, the addition of magnesium delays the time to first mobilisation and decreases rescue analgesic requirements

Effect of Potassium Aluminum Sulfate Application on the Viability of Fibroblasts on a CAD-CAM Feldspathic Ceramic before and after Thermocycling.

Potassium aluminum sulfate (alum) is a known adjuvant, which has been used as a mordant in textile industry for color fixation. This material has potential to be incorporated into dentistry for color stability, yet its toxicity first needs to be evaluated. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of potassium aluminum sulfate (alum) on fibroblasts when applied onto feldspathic ceramic before and after thermocycling. Forty-eight feldspathic ceramic specimens were divided into four groups (FC: no alum application or thermocycling; FCT: thermocycling without alum application; FA: alum application without thermocycling; FAT: alum application and thermocycling) (n = 12). Cell viability was assessed by using a tetrazolium salt 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphnyltetrazolium bromide assay at 24 and 72 h, and cell cultures without any ceramic specimens served as control (C). One sample from each material group was further analyzed with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Cell viability at different time intervals within each group was analyzed with Friedman tests, while Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the test groups within each time interval. Pairwise comparisons were further resolved by using Wilcoxon tests (a = 0.05). C had lower (p = 0.01) and FA had higher (p = 0.019) cell viability after 72 h. After 24 h, the highest cell viability was observed in C (p ≤ 0.036). After 72 h, the differences between C and FA, C and FAT, FC and FA, and FCT and FAT were nonsignificant (p > 0.05). Cell viability was not affected by alum application or thermocycling at any time interval (p ≥ 0.631). EDX analysis showed an increase in potassium concentration in FA and FAT when compared with FC and FCT. Regardless of the time interval, alum application onto feldspathic ceramic and thermocycling did not influence the cell viability