Ilizarov treatment of humeral shaft nonunion in an antiepileptic drug patient with uncontrolled generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity

Nonunion of the humeral shaft in patients with antiepileptic drug associated metabolic bone disorder constitute a challenging surgical problem difficult to treat due to seizure activity, osteoporosis, and poor stabilization options. We report a case of nonunion of the humeral shaft in an antiepileptic drug patient with uncontrolled generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity successfully treated with Ilizarov external fixator and a follow-up of 4 years

Popliteal artery damage during total knee arthroplasty

AbstractInjury of popliteal artery during total knee arthroplasty is a relatively rare complication. We report on one case of transverse semi-dissection of the popliteal artery during the tibial cut and one case of popliteal pseudoaneurysm formation caused by Hohmann retractors. Diagnosis was made early in the first case but it was delayed in the second due to misdiagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Both injuries were managed eventually by open surgery. Postoperative clinical examination and ultrasound imaging confirmed the successful restoration of the blood flow. This case report also describes the classification system of the type of vascular damage and describes the mechanism, the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities and treatment options for these rare complications of total knee arthroplasty surgery

Proximal screws placement in intertrochanteric fractures treated with external fixation: comparison of two different techniques

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To compare two different techniques of proximal pin placement for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients utilizing the Orthofix Pertrochanteric Fixator.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy elderly high-risk patients with an average age of 81 years were treated surgically for intertrochanteric fracture, resulting from a low energy trauma. Patients were randomly divided in two groups regarding to the proximal pin placement technique. In Group A the proximal pins were inserted in a convergent way, while in Group B were inserted in parallel.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All fractures healed uneventfully after a mean time of 98 days. The fixator was well accepted and no patient had significant difficulties while sitting or lying. The mean VAS score was 5.4 in group A and 5.7 in group B. At 12 months after surgery, in group A the average Harris Hip Score and the Palmer and Parker mobility score was 67 and 5.8, respectively. In group B, the average Harris Hip Score and the Palmer and Parker mobility score was 62 and 5.6, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the functional outcome. The mean radiographic exposure during pin insertion in Group A and Group B was 15 and 6 seconds, respectively. The difference between the two groups, regarding the radiographic exposure, was found to be significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Proximal screw placement in a parallel way is simple, with significant less radiation exposure and shorter intraoperative duration. In addition, fixation stability is equal compared to convergent pin placement.</p

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a distinctive variant of fibrosarcoma with a high metastasizing potential and sometimes long interval between tumour presentation and metastasis. We present the case of a 50-year-old male who developed a large mass in the posterior aspect of his lower left thigh. The tumor was excised with preservation of the neurovascular structures surrounded by the mass. The tumour measured 11 × 10 × 9 cm and on pathology evaluation was diagnosed as LGFMS. Due to the relative rarity of LGFMS, there is no dedicated protocol regarding follow-up recommendations. In order to early diagnose possible metastasis it is important to inform the patients about the longstanding metastatic potential of the disease

Current concepts in end-to-side neurorrhaphy

In peripheral nerve injury, end-to-side neurorrhaphy involves coaptation of the distal stump of a transected nerve to the trunk of an adjacent donor nerve. It has been proposed as an alternative technique when the proximal stump of an injured nerve is unavailable or the nerve gap is too long to be bridged by a nerve graft. Experimental and clinical data suggests that end-to-side neurorrhaphy can provide satisfactory functional recovery for the recipient nerve, without any deterioration of the donor nerve function. The most accepted mechanism of nerve regeneration following end-to-side neurorrhaphy is collateral sprouting. The source of the regenerating axons traveling in the epineurium of the donor nerve is thought to be the proximal Ranvier’s nodes at the site of end-to-side neurorrhaphy, however, histologic evidence is still lacking. Partial neurotomy of the donor nerve may enhance regeneration of motor neurons through end-to-side neurorrhaphy and reinnervation of motor targets

Index Finger Pollicization in the Treatment of Congenitally Deficient Thumb

Congenital deficiency of the thumb greatly compromises hand function, because the normal thumb contributes at least 40% of its usefulness. The method of choice in the treatment of this functional liability is the pollicization of the index finger. This study presents the long term outcome of 21 index finger pollicizations in 18 patients, with a mean follow-up time of 9 years. The thumb deficiency was bilateral in 3 patients, whereas in 7 it was associated with radial club hand. The result was considered excellent in 75%, good in 19%, and poor in 6% of the 21 pollicizations, according to Percival’s scoring system. The less rewarding function was obtained in the presence of associated radial club hand in combination with late reconstruction. Index finger pollicization is the method of choice in the treatment of thumb aplasia or severe hypoplasia. The younger patients adapt easier and use the new thumb in a more natural way

All-Epiphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: A Surgical Technique Using a Split Tibial Tunnel

Many techniques have been described for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, including extra-articular, complete or partial transphyseal, and physeal-sparing techniques. An all-epiphyseal technique places the tendon and its tunnels and fixation all within the child's epiphysis, leaving the growth plates untouched. We describe an all-epiphyseal quadruple-hamstring ACL reconstruction using a split tibial tunnel. The split tibial tunnels drop the tunnel size down to 4.5 to 5.5 mm from 7 to 8 mm because only half the total graft diameter passes through each of the split tunnels. This increases the safety margin for keeping the tunnel within the tibial epiphysis, in addition to avoiding damage into the growth plate. The bone bridge between the 2 tunnels serves as a solid low-profile fixation post. Femoral graft fixation is achieved with an interference screw, which allows precise tensioning and low-profile fixation entirely within the femoral tunnel. By placing the graft at the native ACL's anatomic attachment points without spanning or violating the growth plates at any step of the procedure, an all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction with a split tibial tunnel theoretically minimizes the risk of growth disturbance in an ACL-deficient child