Vertebral body replacement system Synex in unstable burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine

A prospective longitudinal study was performed to evaluate the vertebral body replacement system Synex associated with posterior fixation in unstable burst fractures of the lumbar and thoracic spine. Within 24 months, we treated 28 patients (average age, 41 years; range, 22–64 years; 14 women, 14 men) with acute unstable burst fractures without osteoporosis of the thoracolumbar region (n=16) and the thoracic (n=3) as well as the lumbar (n=9) spine in two stages (primary dorsal transpedicular stabilization and secondary vertebral body replacement). The complications were analyzed and the postoperative follow-up result was evaluated regarding stability, bone fusion, correction loss, pain and neurological status. One patient showed a transient irritation of the lumbosacral plexus and one patient had a superficial wound infection (complication rate, 7.1%). At the follow-up examination (mean follow-up, 13 months) only in two cases a minimal loss of correction (<5°) was measured. Radiologically, 27 patients showed secure bone fusions and all patients had stability of the osteosynthesis. Most of the patients stated no or just slight pain at follow-up. Only two patients with pain to a medium degree had to take painkillers. The vertebral body replacement system Synex seems to be a good alternative for vertebral body replacement in unstable burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine since at present follow-up it shows a high rate of bone fusion and minimal loss of correction.     

Effectiveness of a hospital-wide selective screening programme for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers at hospital admission to prevent hospital-acquired MRSA infections

Screening of potential MRSA-positive patients at hospital admission is recommended in German and international guidelines. This policy has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of nosocomial MRSA transmissions in the event of an outbreak, but the influence of screening on reducing hospital-acquired MRSA infections in a hospital setting where MRSA is endemic is not yet well-documented. This study describes the effect of hospital-wide screening of defined risk groups in a 700-bed acute care hospital during a period of 19 months. In a cohort study with a 19-month control period, the frequencies of hospital-acquired MRSA infections were compared with and without screening. In the control period, there were 119 MRSA-positive patients, of whom 48 had a hospital-acquired MRSA infection. On the basis of this frequency, a predicted total of 73.2 hospital-acquired MRSA infections was calculated for the screening period, but only 52% of the expected number (38 hospital-acquired MRSA infections) were observed, i.e., 48% of the predicted number of hospital-acquired MRSA infections were prevented by the screening programme. The screening programme was performed with minimal effort and can therefore be recommended as an effective measure to help prevent hospital-acquired MRSA infections.     

Midterm results of mobile-bearing knee replacements

We examined the clinical and radiographic results of 93 patients affected by knee arthritis or osteonecrosis subjected to unilateral cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty with the LCS prothesis (Depuy/Johnson & Johnson). The mean follow-up was 9.5 years (range, 7–12 years). Clinical evaluation was performed using the Knee Society rating system, while radiographic evaluation was done according to the Knee Society roentgenographic system. At the latest follow-up, the mean knee score was 87 points: the functional score improved from 40 to 90. Radiolucent lines were small and not progressive. The implant survival at 12 years was 88%. Six knees (7%) required revision for implant-related problems. We conclude that the mobile-bearing prosthesis is a successful device even at long-term follow-up.     

Factors associated with mortality and functional disability after hip fracture: an inception cohort study

Hip fracture results in excess mortality and functional disability. This study sought to identify predictors of mortality and limited functional ability 1 year after hip fracture. We conducted a 1-year follow-up of a prospective population-based inception cohort of 218 hip fracture patients who had been consecutively admitted and discharged from hospital during the previous year. Mortality was observed to be independently associated with poor mental status (relative risk [RR]=6.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.73–28.00), prefracture limited functional ability (RR=4.35; 95% CI, 1.32–14.36), institutionalized disposition at discharge (RR=2.92; 95% CI, 1.02–8.38), and male gender (RR=2.44; 95% CI, 1.01–5.93). Independent predictors of limited functional ability were prefracture functional disability (RR=34.14; 95% CI, 3.13–372.33), poor mental status (RR=9.71; 95% CI, 1.57–59.82), age >80 years (RR=4.03; 95% CI, 1.48–11.00), and female gender (RR=3.57; 95% CI, 0.08–0.98). On discharge, special attention and care should thus be given to all patients displaying any of the above predictive factors.     

TSS and traditional surgery in hip and knee replacement

Surgery passes through a continuous evolution, thanks to the introduction of new technologies and techniques. Tissue-sparing surgery is a concept introduced in the last years to address prosthetic surgery to a more conservative fashion. We discuss the TSS decalogue with a critical eye, pointing out how traditional surgery is evolving in accordance with TSS statements. Proceedings of the Consensus Conference “TSS in hip and knee replacement”, Rapallo, Italy, 22–24 June 2006     

老年新鲜股骨颈骨折治疗方法探讨

目的 探讨老年新鲜股骨颈骨折的术式选择。方法 回顾性分析217例60岁以上新鲜股骨颈骨折，分别采用单钉固定(46例)、多针固定(37例)、AO空心钉固定(79例)、人工髋关节置换(55例)4种方法，对比骨折愈合率、股骨头坏死率、髋关节功能恢复优良率。结果 内固定组骨折愈合率83．3％(140／162)，股骨头坏死率19．1％(31／162)，髋关节功能优良率75．9％(123／162)。其中空心钉组骨折愈合率94．9％(75／79)，股骨头坏死率6．3％(5／79)，髋关节功能优良率91.1％(72／79)。人工关节组髋关节功能优良率89．1％(49／55)。结论 内固定手术对老年新鲜股骨颈骨折有意义，AO空心钉固定操作简单，骨折愈合率高，可作首选内固定。人工髋关节置换应严格掌握适应证。     

开放性眼外伤玻璃体积血的手术治疗

①目的 探讨现代玻璃体手术对开放性眼外伤玻璃体积血的治疗效果。②方法 对108例开放性眼外伤玻璃体积血的病人，于伤后2～4周施行玻璃体切割置换术(单纯玻璃体切割术24例，联合晶体切割84例，联合视网膜手术76例)。③结果 术后经随访2周～18个月，48例达功能治愈，36例达解剖治愈，总治愈率达77．7％。24例继发青光眼者眼压控制在1．37～2．24kPa。④结论 适时地施行玻璃体切割置换术，可很大程度地改善开放性眼外伤玻璃体积血病人的预后，对有效防治外伤性玻璃体视网膜病变以及牵引性视网膜脱离等具有重要作用。     

瓣膜病合并肝功能不全患者的体外循环管理

目的 回顾52例瓣膜病变合并肝功能不全的行瓣膜置换术的患者，总结体外循环(CPB)经验。方法 CPB采取中度低温，保持较高的灌注压力。预充液加入白蛋白。心肌保护用高钾含血停搏液灌注。结果 结果CPB时间50～135min，主动脉阻断23～98min，心脏自动复跳率94％，无全心辅助和左心辅助，围术期死亡6人。结论 术中加强心肌保护的同时重视肝保护，可减轻术后心功能衰竭和肝功能衰竭，降低并发症和死亡率。     

精神病人与正常人戒烟前后焦虑抑郁症状的对照研究

目的　了解精神病人和正常人戒烟前后精神状况的变化及差异性 ,探讨戒烟措施。方法　对 71例精神病人和 5 0例正常人戒烟前及戒烟后 1周分别应用汉密顿焦虑量表 (HAMA)、汉密顿抑郁量表 (HAMD)、焦虑自评量表 (SAS)、抑郁自评量表 (SDS)、简明精神病量表 (BPRS )进行测评。结果　精神病人强制性戒烟前HAMA、HAMD、SAS、SDS、BPRS分值分别为 (8.2 1± 6 .4 1)、(7.6 4± 5 .71)、(36 .81± 7.14 )、(33.71± 7.1)、(2 9.4 5± 8.4 7) ;戒烟后HAMA、HAMD、SAS、SDS、BPRS分值分别为 (16 .4 5± 6 .34)、(19.73± 8.71)、(5 8.1± 12 .12 )、(5 6 .31± 11.4 )、(37.32± 7.95 ) ;戒烟前后 5种量表分值变化与正常人戒烟前后分值变化比较有极显著性差异(P <0 .0 1)。结论　对精神病人强制性戒烟可引起明显的情绪反应 ,应适宜控制病人吸烟 ,建立一个合理的管理制度