Long-term oncologic outcomes of endoscopic stenting as a bridge to surgery for malignant colonic obstruction: comparison with emergency surgery

Background

Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) are now regarded as an effective and safe intervention for malignant colorectal obstruction (MCO). However, manipulation of the tumor might lead to the spillage of tumor cells and result in distant metastases. We aimed to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of SEMS as a bridge to surgery with those of emergency surgery for MCO.

Methods

Between June 2005 and December 2011, 60 patients who underwent elective curative resection after endoscopic SEMS insertion were included in the “SEMS group”. The SEMS group was matched to 180 patients who underwent emergency curative surgery for MCO during the same period [“Emergency surgery (ES) group”]. The clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in demographics, tumor stage, location, and histology between the SEMS group and the ES group. The median follow-up times were 41.4 months (IQR, 22.2–60.0 months) for the SEMS group and 45.0 months (IQR, 20.9–68.1 months) for the ES group. The proportions of patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were comparable (SEMS group vs. ES group, 68.3 % vs. 77.8 %; P = 0.210). The long-term prognosis did not significantly differ between two groups in either the 5-year RFS rate (79.6 % vs. 70.2 %; P = 0.218) or the 5-year OS rate (97.8 % vs. 94.3 %; P = 0.469).

Conclusions

Long-term oncologic outcomes of SEMS insertion as a bridge to surgery were comparable to those of primary curative surgery.     

Five-year epidemiology of liquefied petroleum gas-related burns

Background

The incidence of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related burns has increased over recent years, and it has become a serious public health issue in developing countries such as India and Turkey. This paper aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of LPG-related burns to provide assistance and suggestions for planning prevention strategies.

Epidemiology of bus fires in mainland China from 2006 to 2015

Objective

This study analyses the epidemiological characteristics of bus fires in mainland China over the past 10 years to develop prevention strategies and emergency procedures for such incidence and the resulting casualties.

Increased Bone Mineral Density in Cervical or Thoracic Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH): A Case-Control Study

We aim to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of patients with cervical or thoracic diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) with that in a matched control group. We also investigated the prevalence of osteoporosis in the two groups and determined the correlation between BMD and the extent of spinal DISH. From 1999 to July 2015, 65 patients with DISH underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at our institute. The control group was matched with regard to age, sex, and body mass index to the patient group on a 1:1 basis. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (L1–L4), femur neck, and femur total areas using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The BMDs of the DISH and control groups were significantly different at the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and the femur neck (p?=?0.005, 0.001). The rates of patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis were lower in the DISH than in the control group for the lumbar spine (L1–L4) (p?=?0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the lumbar spine (L1–L4) BMD and the number of spine levels affected by DISH (p?=?0.04). The BMDs of the lumbar spine and femur neck were found to be higher in the DISH group than in a matched control group, when patients with lumbar DISH involvement were excluded. The rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis tended to be lower in the DISH group than in the control group. Lumbar spine BMD is significantly correlated with the number of spine levels affected by DISH.     

Bisphosphonate-associated peri-implant fractures: a new clinical entity?: A series of 10 patients with 11 fractures

Background and purpose

The current definition of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) associated with bisphosphonate use includes only de novo fractures. However, in recent years reports of bisphosphonate-associated periprosthetic fractures involving stemmed arthroplasty implants have emerged. In a case series of peri-implant fractures in femurs with plate/screw constructs, we aimed to assess similarities with classical AFFs and how their location may have implications for the pathogenesis and management of AFFs.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively identified 10 patients with 11 peri-implant fractures.

Results

The patients were ambulant women, mean age 80 (70–92) years. Mean duration of bisphosphonate use was 5 (1–10) years. The peri-implant fractures were sustained an average of 4 years (6 months to 9 years) from the time of index surgery. They were all associated with low-energy mechanisms. 8 fractures occurred near the tip of a plate, while 3 traversed the penultimate screwhole of a plate. The peri-implant fractures showed clinical and radiological features of atypicality such as lateral cortical thickening, simple fracture pattern, and lack of comminution. The patients underwent revision surgery, with bone grafting used in all but 1 case. Radiological union was evident after 2–4 months.

Interpretation

Atypical peri-implant fractures of the femur associated with bisphosphonate use may be a new entity. Stress lesions and atypical fractures may tend to develop over stress risers along the operated femur. This finding has implications for the pathogenesis and clinical management of AFFs.Bisphosphonates form the cornerstone of antiresorptive therapy in the management of post-menopausal osteoporosis. They are used in the treatment of malignant and osteoclast-mediated metabolic bone disease. Their use in patients who have undergone total joint arthroplasty of the lower limb is associated with higher periprosthetic bone mineral density and longer implant survival (Bhandari et al. 2005). Bisphosphonates exert their therapeutic effect by reducing bone turnover and increasing overall mineralization. This translates to increased bone mineral density and bone strength, corresponding clinically to reduced risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fragility fractures (Black et al. 1996).In recent years, several published reports have described atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) of the proximal femoral diaphysis and subtrochanteric region, in association with bisphosphonate use (Goh et al. 2007, Neviaser et al. 2008, Isaacs et al. 2010). Bisphosphonates are associated with a higher age-adjusted relative risk of AFF in women than in men, which is higher in alendronate users than in risedronate users (Schilcher et al. 2015). Bisphosphonates may cause changes in bone matrix composition and bone mechanical properties, increasing the propensity for accumulation of microdamage. Impaired target remodeling would contribute to the progression of macrocracks. High interfragmentary strain from physiological loads at a thin fracture line may be a mechanical factor in lack of bone healing (Aspenberg et al. 2010).Periprosthetic/peri-implant fractures are currently excluded from the definition of AFFs. We suggest that peri-implant fractures of the femur with features of atypicality may be linked to bisphosphonate use and that they should be recognized as a clinical entity.     

Effect of ligamentum teres tear on the development of joint instability and articular cartilage damage: an in vivo rabbit study

The contribution of the ligamentum teres to the stabilization of the hip joint and the clinical influence of a compromised ligamentum teres are not well known. This study aimed to investigate joint stability and cartilage damage in a rabbit model by surgically inducing a complete ligamentum teres tear. Twenty adult New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. Rabbits were divided into complete ligamentum teres tear with capsulotomy (n = 9, group I) and capsulotomy only (n = 10, group II) groups. Unilateral surgery was performed on the left hip. Joint instability was assessed by measuring the preoperative and postoperative acetabulofemoral (A-F) distances. Rabbits were euthanized to assess cartilage damage at 24 weeks postoperatively. The median postoperative A-F distance of the operated side in group I [0.68 cm (0.37–1.04 cm)] was larger than that in group II [0.50 cm (0.30–0.65 cm)] (p = 0.041). The median postoperative A-F distance was larger in the operated side [0.68 cm (0.37–1.04 cm)] compared to the nonoperated side [0.45 cm (0.30–0.75 cm)] in group I; it also was larger in the operated side [0.50 cm (0.30–0.65 cm)] compared to the nonoperated side [0.44 cm (0.32–0.67 cm)] in group II, but only group I showed a significant difference (p = 0.016 and 0.395, respectively). Articular cartilage damage was detected at the apex of the femoral head in two rabbits (22.2%) in group I only. Rabbits with a complete ligamentum teres tear showed significant instability at the hip joint and articular cartilage damage in our rabbit model, supporting the potential clinical importance of ligamentum teres as a hip joint stabilizer.