Multi-institutional analysis of sequential intravesical gemcitabine and mitomycin C chemotherapy for non–muscle invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: Apart from cystectomy, few treatment options exist for the management of bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We report a multi-institutional experience with sequential intravesical combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine and mitomycin C (MMC) for NMIBC in the treatment of high-risk patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who received 6 weekly treatments with sequential intravesical gemcitabine (1 g) and MMC (40 mg) chemotherapy for NMIBC. Gemcitabine was administered first and retained for 90 minutes and then drained. MMC was then administered directly after and retained for an additional 90 minutes. Forty-seven patients received treatment from 3 academic tertiary referral centers between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (median age 70, range 32–85; 36 males, 11 females) who previously failed a median of 2 intravesical treatments were reviewed. Complete response, 1-year, and 2-year recurrence-free survival rates for all patients were 68%, 48%, and 38%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival for all patients was 9 months (range 1–80). Fourteen of 47 patients (30%) remained free of recurrence with a median time to follow-up of 26 months (range 6–80 mo). Ten patients required cystectomy. CONCLUSION: Sequential intravesical combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine and MMC appears to be a useful treatment for patients with high-grade NMIBC as well as those with prior bacillus Calmette-Guerin failure. Further prospective studies are warranted

Political Leaders' Socioeconomic Background and Fiscal Performance in Germany

This paper investigates whether the socioeconomic status of the head of government helps explain fiscal performance. Applying sociological research that attributes differences in people's ways of thinking and acting to their relative standing within society, we test whether the social status of German prime ministers can help explain differences in fiscal performance among the German Laender. Our empirical findings show that the tenures of prime ministers from a poorer socioeconomic background are associated with higher levels of public spending and debt financing

Intramedullary foot fixation for midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy.

Midfoot Charcot collapse commonly occurs through the tarsometatarsal and/or midtarsal joints, which creates the characteristic rocker bottom deformity. Intramedullary metatarsal fixation spanning the tarsus into the talus and/or calcaneus is a recently developed method for addressing unstable midfoot Charcot deformity. The intramedullary foot fixation technique has various advantages when addressing midfoot Charcot deformity in the neuropathic patient. These advantages include anatomical realignment, minimally invasive fixation technique, formal multiple joint fusion, adjacent joint fixation beyond the level of Charcot collapse, rigid interosseus fixation, and preservation of foot length. The goals of the intramedullary foot fixation procedure are to create a stable, plantigrade, and ulcer-free foot, which allows the patient to ambulate with custom-molded orthotics and shoes

Intramedullary Foot Fixation for Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Midfoot Charcot collapse commonly occurs through the tarsometatarsal and/or midtarsal joints, which creates the characteristic rocker bottom deformity. Intramedullary metatarsal fixation spanning the tarsus into the talus and/or calcaneus is a recently developed method for addressing unstable midfoot Charcot deformity. The intramedullary foot fixation technique has various advantages when addressing midfoot Charcot deformity in the neuropathic patient. These advantages include anatomical realignment, minimally invasive fixation technique, formal multiple joint fusion, adjacent joint fixation beyond the level of Charcot collapse, rigid interosseus fixation, and preservation of foot length. The goals of the intramedullary foot fixation procedure are to create a stable, plantigrade, and ulcer-free foot, which allows the patient to ambulate with custom-molded orthotics and shoes

Use of a static progressive stretch orthosis to treat post-traumatic ankle stiffness

Abstract Background Chronic ankle stiffness can develop for numerous reasons after traumatic injury, and may adversely affect patient gait, mobility, and function. Although standard physical therapeutic techniques typically resolve this stiffness, some cases may be recalcitrant to these measures, making it difficult to restore range-of-motion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a static progressive stretch orthosis for the treatment of chronic ankle stiffness. Methods Twenty-six patients (26 ankles) who had chronic post-traumatic ankle stiffness were studied. The patients began treatment at a mean of 47 weeks (range, 6 to 272 weeks) following their initial injury using a static progressive stretch orthosis. A patient-directed protocol was used for 30 minutes per day, 1 to 3 times per day, until the range-of-motion was considered to have plateaued. Mean treatment time was 10 weeks (range, 3 to 19 weeks). Treatment duration, range-of-motion, and complications with the device were assessed. Results The overall mean improvement in motion (combined dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) was 17 degrees (range, 2 to 44 degrees). There was a mean improvement in dorsiflexion of 9 degrees (range, -2 to 20 degrees), and a mean improvement of 8 degrees of plantar flexion (range, -10 to 35 degrees). There were no reports of numbness or skin problems. Conclusions The outcomes of this study suggest that a patient-directed treatment protocol using a static progressive stretch orthosis was an effective ancillary method for the treatment of chronic post-traumatic ankle stiffness that was refractory to standard physical therapy techniques.</p