Are patient-reported outcome measures biased by method of follow-up? Evaluating paper-based and digital follow-up after lumbar fusion surgery

Background Context

Long-term follow-up of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) is essential in both modern spinal care and research. Lack of time and staff are commonly reported barriers to implementing long-term follow-up of PROM. Automated and digital follow-up systems for PROM collection are seeing widespread use, yet their validity and comparative effectiveness have never been evaluated.

Complications of hand surgery

Hand surgery involves the surgical treatment of hand conditions and encompasses small bone fixation, arthroscopy, joint replacement and reconstruction of tendon and nerves. Complications following surgery to the hand may be due to patient factors, surgical decisions and the complex anatomy of the hand. Here we describe the complications associated with common surgical interventions for both elective and traumatic injuries to the hand. Following hand surgery, a balance between immobilisation and early range of motion is offset by the risk of wound complications, non-union of fractures and tendon re-rupture with stiffness and reduced range of motion of the digits. Superficial infection is relatively common following procedures to the hand, however long-term sequelae are rare. Implant failure, subsidence, instability and reduced range of motion are seen following arthroplasty procedures. Complex regional pain syndrome offers a significant challenge following injury to the hand and specifically after surgical procedures. Surgeons should consider the risk of particular surgical techniques, other perioperative factors and patient factors that may contribute to the development of complications following hand surgery. Patients should be adequately counselled in order to make an informed decision regarding the management of their condition.     

老年人股骨粗隆间骨折手术时机对预后影响的临床研究

目的：探讨老年股骨粗隆间骨折手术时机对临床预后结局的影响。方法整群选取2015年1月—2016年1月该院收治的老年股骨粗隆间骨折患者68例为研究对象。根据患者手术时间将其分为A组与B组, A组32例,B组36例,观察两组患者不同年龄术后30 d、1年的死亡情况。结果两组患者术后30d、1年死亡率比较差异无统计学意义,P>0.05；但A组、B组患者中超过80岁的患者术后1年死亡率明显低于80岁以下年龄患者,P<0.05,差异具有统计学意义。结论年龄超过80岁的老年股骨粗隆间骨折患者术后1年死亡率相对较高。     

Primary epidural lumbar Ewing sarcoma presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an adult patient who underwent surgical decompression: A case report

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare primary neoplasm in the lumbar adult spine and may mimic a benign tumor. In this case, after a patient's three-month history of lower back pain and rapidly progressing leg numbness and weakness, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the third lumbar vertebra. At a two-month follow-up, imaging showed a fracture, compression and lesion enlargement. Decompression and fixation confirmed ES, and the patient began combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two months postoperatively, residual ES was suspected on MRI. The patient underwent a second surgery, and histopathology confirmed necrosis. A six-month follow-up after the first surgery showed no tumor recurrence. This case supports the inclusion of ES in the differential diagnosis of pathologic spinal fracture. Early decompression and spinal fixation are critical for preserving neurologic and spinal functions in ES complicated by a compression fracture. Combined adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the standard therapeutic strategy.     

后路枕骨髁螺钉技术研究进展

正枕骨、寰椎和枢椎共同构成了枕颈部活动的结构功能单位,即枕颈交界区~([1-2])。炎症、创伤、肿瘤及畸形等因素会导致枕颈交界区失稳,从而引起颈脊髓或神经根的损伤、麻痹及难以忍受的疼痛,甚至危及生命~([3-4])。后路内固定融合技术是治疗枕颈部失稳的重要手段,目前常用术式为枕骨螺钉技术,该技术较钢丝固定技术有更好的生物力学稳定     

补肾壮骨汤对骨质疏松型胸腰椎压缩骨折患者椎体成形术治疗效果影响的Meta分析

[目的]采用Meta分析法系统评价补肾壮骨汤对椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松型胸腰椎压缩骨折(OTCF)临床的影响。[方法]以"补肾壮骨汤"为首输关键词,以"椎体成形术""骨质疏松""胸腰椎压缩骨折"等为次输关键词,全面搜索补肾壮骨汤对OTCF患者椎体成形术治疗效果影响的随机对照研究文献,评价纳入研究文献的一般特征,对文献资料所提取的治疗有效率、骨密度、Oswestry功能障碍(ODI)指数、治疗安全性(新发骨折率)等观察指标进行Meta分析处理与分析。[结果]共13篇文献纳入Meta分析范畴,文献总样本量1 037例。分析显示,与对照组相比,治疗组可明显提高临床有效率[OR=4.63,95%CI[2.92,7.36],P0.000 01]、改善骨密度[MD=0.08,95%CI[0.06,0.1],P0.000 01]、降低ODI指数[MD=-2.34,95%CI[-3.49,-1.19],P0.000 01]、降低新发骨折率[OR=0.08,95%CI[0.11,0.44],P0.000 01]。[结论]与单纯椎体成形术治疗相比,补肾壮骨汤辅助椎体成形术在OTCF患者治疗中,可提升患者术后骨密度、改善胸腰椎功能障碍和降低术后新发骨折率,治疗疗效确切。     

A systematic review of combined pelvic and acetabular injuries

PurposeInjuries of both pelvic ring and acetabulum as rare very few articles are available in literature. There are no set protocols in defining the injury let alone defining early and definitive management strategies. This article is an attempt to encompass all available data to give us guidelines in managing these injuries.MethodsAn extensive literature review was carried out on PubMed/Medline, google scholar and Embase databases was done with the eligibility criteria of 1) Case series with a minimum of 20 cases. 2) The patient’s outcome reported. 3) Full article available. 4) Article in English. 5) Minimum Jadad score of 3. As per PRISMA guidelines the search was done and gradually filtered down to relevant articles which were 8 in number.ResultsThe incidence of these injuries range from 5 to 16%. The transverse acetabular fracture pattern is the commonest followed by associated both column fractures. There is equal propensity of Anteroposterior compression and lateral compression injuries. The injury mechanism appears to transmitted lateral force from the greater trochanter inwards with an implosion injury causing acetabular and pelvic injury as a continuum. The initial management is similar to managing pelvic ring injuries with focus on patient resuscitation, hemodynamic stabilization and temporary stabilization. The injury severity score and the mortality rates are comparable to isolated unstable pelvic ring injuries. Definitive management focuses on fixing the posterior pelvic ring first followed by the acetabular fracture and then the anterior pelvic ring. The displacement rates and outcome is worse than isolated acetabular injuries or pelvic injuries.ConclusionCombined Pelvic and acetabular injuries are complex injuries which need to be managed initially as we manage pelvic injury and later as we fix as an acetabular fracture meticulously.