The 3D-printed patient-specific acetabular component in the management of extensive acetabular defect with combined bilateral pelvic discontuinity

Extensive acetabular defects with combined pelvic discontinuity is a surgical challenge. The ideal treatment choice is not adopted, yet. We here introduce the 3D-printed custom acetabular component in the management of extensive acetabular defect with combined pelvic discontinuity. The article presents the surgical technique and and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method. Furthermore, we present a successful treatment of a 64-year old using this construct.     

Limb preservation surgery with extracorporeal irradiation in the management of malignant bone tumor: the oncological outcomes of 101 patients

BackgroundEn bloc resection, extracorporeal irradiation (ECI) and reimplantation have been used selectively at our centers as part of limb preservation surgery of malignant bone tumors since 1996. We report the long-term oncological outcomes.Patients and methodsOne hundred one patients were treated with ECI at two Australian centers between 1996 and 2011. A single dose of 50 Gy was delivered to the resected bone segments. The irradiated bones were reimplanted immediately as a biological graft. Patients were treated with chemotherapy as per standard protocol. The three main histological diagnoses were Ewing's sarcoma (35), osteosarcoma (37) and chondrosarcoma (20). There were nine patients with a range of different histologies.ResultsThere was one local recurrence (2.86%) in Ewing's sarcoma and the 5-year cumulative overall survival was 81.9%. There was no local recurrence in osteosarcoma and five distant recurrences. The 5-year cumulative overall survival was 85.7%. The local recurrence rate was 20% (4 of 20) in chondrosarcoma, and the 5-year cumulative overall survival was 80.8%. Limb preservation was achieved in 97 patients. For the 64 patients with disease in the pelvis or lower limb, 53 (82.3%) could walk without aids at the time of last follow-up.ConclusionsThis large series of ECI shows an excellent long-term local control. It is a good alternative reconstruction method in selected patients. The overall survival is comparable to other published series.     

Biopsies of pediatric brainstem lesions display low morbidity but strong impact on further treatment decisions

ObjectiveThe course of malignant brain stem gliomas in childhood is rarely positive. Because of limited therapeutic options and potentially hazardous biopsies oncologist often relay on MRI diagnoses only for further therapy decisions. In this study we show that brain stem biopsies display a low morbidity rate and neuropathological assessment has a considerable impact on further treatment decision.MethodsWithin 18-months five children with brainstem symptoms and the radiological diagnosis of a malignant brainstem glioma, were identified. From this time point it was possible to analyze all samples with the 450 K methylome analysis. Other neuropathological techniques included classical histology with immunohistochemistry. Surgery was performed as biopsy, either microsurgical, frame-guided (Leksell), robot-assisted (ROSA) or navigated (BrainLab, two children).ResultsMean age of the children was 7.5 years (range: newborn to 12 years). There was no biopsy-related morbidity or mortality. The mean number of taken samples was 12 (range: 1–25). Histologic diagnosis could be established in all children, however, 450 K methylome diagnosis was positive in only two out of five patients.ConclusionDespite the technically difficult biopsies, all specimens were sufficient for immunohistochemical diagnosis, however, 450 K methylome analysis could only be better established where multiple small samples were taken, instead of few larger ones. Based on the preoperative radiological diagnosis suggesting malignant brainstem glioma, all children would have been treated with combined radiation and temozolomid chemotherapy. Nevertheless, due to the availability of histology and molecular diagnostics, individualized therapy could be performed, preventing in two out of five children from unnecessary radiation and chemotherapy.     

Clinical and radiographic outcomes following hinge fracture during open-door cervical laminoplasty

To investigate the clinical and radiographic fate of fractured hinges in open-door cervical laminoplasty, 135 segments of 36 patients who had undergone follow-up for more than two years after open-door cervical laminoplasty due to compressive cervical myelopathy were reviewed clinically and radiographically. Hinge fractures were identified by the intraoperative finding of obvious instability or click sounds (an obvious fracture), or by immediate postoperative computed tomography (CT) images showing a discontinuity of both the inner and outer cortex or a displacement of more than 1 mm at the lamina hinge site (an occult fracture). At two years post-surgery, union and displacement of the fractured hinges were evaluated with CT and the clinical outcome was assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores. Immediate postoperative CT scans revealed 28 hinge fractures in 16 patients. Only three fractures were identified during surgery, with most being identified on postoperative CT. Nineteen laminae showed non-displaced cortical discontinuity, five were anteriorly displaced by more than 1 mm, and four were displaced posteriorly. Twenty-five laminae (89.3%) had achieved union according to the two-year postoperative CT scan. No de novo neurologic symptoms were found to be associated with hinge fracture. The two-year postoperative JOA and NDI scores did not differ significantly between patients with or without a hinge fracture. Most fractures at the hinge site occurred without intraoperative recognition, and usually re-unified without significant displacement or adverse clinical effects. When hinge fractures occur, careful observation without additional intervention is recommended.     

Complications and operative spine fusion construct length in Parkinson’s disease: A nationwide population-based analysis

There remains a dearth of information regarding the surgical complications following multilevel spine surgery in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. This retrospective cohort study was performed to address this issue on a nationwide level using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2001 to 2012. More than 25 postoperative variables were analyzed to assess the impact of fusion construct length on each variable. Subsequently, the same analysis was performed on admissions without PD. 4301 PD patients with spine fusion were identified, of whom 934 (21.7%) underwent fusion of at least three levels; the remaining 3367 underwent fusion of 1–2 levels. Patients with 3+ level fusions were more likely to suffer paraplegia (P = .001; OR = 3.0; 95%CI = 1.5–6.1), hematoma/seroma (P = .009; OR = 1.9; 95%CI = 1.2–3.2), IVC filter placement (P = .018; OR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.1–3.9), RBC transfusion (P < .001; OR = 3.2; 95%CI = 2.7–3.8), PE (P = .027; OR = 4.5; 95%CI = 1.2–16.9), postoperative shock (P = .023; OR = 7.3; 95%CI = 1.3–39.6), ARDS (P < .001; OR = 4.1; 95%CI = 2.7–6.3), VTE (P = .006; OR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.3–5.4), acute posthemorrhagic anemia (P < .001; OR = 2.0; 95%CI = 1.7–2.4), device-related complications (P < .001; OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 2.3–4.2), and in-hospital mortality (P = .005; OR = 3.4; 95%CI = 1.5–7.4). 3+ level fusions were also more likely to have LOS > 1 week (P < .001; OR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.8–2.5), and a nonroutine discharge (P = .005; OR = 1.9; 95%CI = 1.4–2.4). 692,173 non-PD patients with spine fusion were identified; 123,964 (17.9%) underwent 3+ level fusion. Differences between 3+ versus 1–2 level fusions were similar to those in PD patient, but unlike PD patients, postoperative infection was significant while in-hospital mortality, PE and VTE were not. Fusion of at least three levels increased morbidity, mortality, and adverse discharge disposition compared with 1–2 level fusions. Nearly 80% of all spine fusions performed in the United States are fewer than three levels. These findings are worth considering during operative decision-making in both PD and non-PD patients.