PULMONARY BLOOD DISTRIBUTION AFTER TOTAL CAVOPULMONARY CONNECTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES

Objective. To assess the feature of pulmonary blood flow distribution after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) of different types, and to provide the selection of the best type .Methods. Thirty-two consecutive survival patients after TCPC underwent radionuclide lung perfusion imaging. According to the radionuclide counts in the left and right lungs, analyses of the distribution of blood flow from superior venous cava (SVC) and inferior venous cava (IVC) and the whole pulmonary blood flow in both lungs were made. All patients were divided into 4 groups by the the anastomosis between IVC and pulmonary artery.Results. Group Ⅰ: The flow ratio of the IVC to left lung was greater than that to the right lung , P≤0. 01; the flow ratio of the SVC to right lung was greater than that to the left lung, P≤0. 01; and the whole pulmonary blood flow went dominantly to the left lung, P≤0. 05, which is not in line with physiological distribution. Group Ⅱ: the flows from the SVC and IVC were mixed in the middle of     

A comparison of two rehabilitation protocols after total knee arthroplasty: does flexion affect mobility and blood loss?

We report a prospective trial comparing the effectveness of a post-operative flexion regime versus a standard extension regime on the early outcome and on the post-operative blood loss of total knee arthroplasty. Fourty-eight knees were divided to two different post-operative rehabilitation regimes: a flexion regime and an extension regime. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, gender, operation side and pre-op diagnosis All patients were implanted with a NexGen cemented total knee prosthesis and all operations were performed by the same surgeon. Patients were assessed pre-operatively, at the time of discharge, at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks, and were evaluated by means of the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the WOMAC score, the Clarkson criteria for range of motion and muscolar strength measurement, and the Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) for the pain. Futhermore, postoperative blood loss was assessed by comparing the volume of blood in the drain at the time of their removal and measuring the difference in preoperative and postoperative blood haemoglobin (Hb) in the 2 groups. Patients subjected to the flexion regime had a better KSS and Womac score after 12 weeks and had less post-operative blood loss, requiring fewer blood transfusions. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of pain and muscolar strength. We believe a flexion regime after a total knee arthroplasty is a valid option of rehabilitation treatment and does not result in an increase in wound problems.     

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.     

云南白药对全髋关节置换术出血量的影响

目的研究云南白药在围术期对全髋关节置换术术中出血量及术后引流量的影响。方法2006至2008年我科收治的股骨颈骨折行全髋关节置换术60例,随机分成两组,分别服用云南白药胶囊和空胶囊;术前术后测定凝血酶原时间(PT),记录全部病人术中出血量及术后24 h引流量。结果实验组和对照组病人的凝血酶原时间(PT)差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);试验组的术中出血量、术后24 h引流量分别为(380±78)ml(、336±77)ml,较对照组(481±77)ml(、418±68)ml明显减少,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论云南白药胶囊能够明显减少全髋关节置换术围术期出血量。     

Planning for minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is considered the treatment of choice in patients with single compartment arthritis of the knee at early stages or with osteonecrosis limited to one compartment. However, results in the literature are still controversial and it is a technically difficult procedure. The main goal of UKA is to restore the articular space of the afflicted compartment, without influencing the limb alignment. Selection of patients and pre-operative planning are crucial. The necessity to improve functional results and to reduce immobilization of the patients has led to the development of minimally invasive surgery. Applied to UKA, this approach reduces blood loss and surgical time, causes fewer symptomatic postoperative complications, and permits earlier recovery compared to the traditional incision. The shorter incision makes careful pre-operative planning essential. We briefly review the indications for UKA, the pre-operative clinical and radiological assessment, and the surgical procedure. Proocedings of the Consensus Conference “TSS in hip and knee replacement” (Rapallo, Italy 22–24 June 2006)     

Osteotomy of the tibial tubercle in complex primary total knee replacement

Objective  Stiffness and severe deformity pose a major challenge in total knee arthroplasty. Numerous techniques have been described to gain exposure and improve knee flexion. Tibial tubercle osteotomy provides excellent and safe exposure of the joint, although mechanical and wound complications have been reported. Materials and methods  We present a series of 32 consecutive complex primary total replacements where an osteotomy of the tibial tubercle was utilised. Results  The patients had a mean follow-up of 2 years and 11 months. Following the procedure, with the exception of one case complicated with deep infection, all of the patients had improved clinically. The mean postoperative range of motion had increased to 102° (give P value < 0.005) and there were no cases of delayed union or non-union. A mechanical complication related to technique occurred in one patient; there were no other cases with a postoperative extension lag. Conclusion  In this challenging population group, we have found a tibial tubercle tuberosity osteotomy to greatly facilitate exposure without compromising the clinical and radiographic outcome.     

28 mm Metasul™ bearings in primary total hip arthroplasty

Assessment of possible low-wear with some former metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasties (THA) led to the reintroduction of metallic bearings in the late 80’s. The author reports on two studies of Metasul-28 mm cementless THA. In the first one in a general population, impingement has been the main cause of osteolysis and Co level survey has been a good indicator of Metasul bearing behaviour. In the second study, in a group of 83 less than 50-year-old and active patients, Metasul bearings showed good wear resistance at 7.2 years mean follow-up. In both studies, no general toxic effect could have been detected thus far. According to the current knowledge, it is always reasonable to expect low-wear and better THA longevity with use of MoM bearings under the following conditions: 1) use of a CoCr alloy with high carbide concentration; 2) reduce impingement risk (head without sleeve, slimmer as possible neck, perfectly adapted Morse cone from the same manufacturer, well — oriented components); and 3) prefer cementless acetabular fixation.     

3261例老年患者医院感染分析及对策

目的　探讨老年人医院感染状况 ,以采取有效措施降低医院感染率。方法　对我院 3 2 61例老年住院患者进行回顾性调查分析。结果　 3 2 61例中 2 1 2例发生医院感染 ,感染率为 6 .5 % ,以下呼吸道感染为多 ,占 49.5 % ;其次为泌尿道感染 ,占 2 2 .0 % ;胃肠道感染占 1 6 .5 % ;皮肤感染占 6 .6 % ;其他感染占 5 .2 %。结论　老年患者抵抗力低下 ,不合理使用抗生素以及住院时间延长 ,是造成医院感染的主要因素 ,因此应加强老年患者的护理 ,提高其自身防御能力 ,严格加强感染管理制度及医院感染监测 ,合理使用抗生素 ,以有效地降低医院感染的发生。