Good results with a cemented titanium stem after 7-9 years

AIM: Because of partially ver y controversial results in cemented hip stem replacements made of titanium alloy we investigated in our own patients the mid-term survival of the "Euroform"-stem. This stem is anatomically designed for cemented fixation, made of Ti (6)Al (4)V. METHOD: Within a period between 1990 and 2000 we implanted 2,141 Euroform-prostheses. The course of 103 patients which were operated between April 1990 and April 1992 was followed up. 9 patients died in the meantime and 8 could not be reached. Of the remaining 86 patients we could examine 73 patients with 79 prostheses (87 %). Investiagtion included a questionnaire and clinical and radiological examination to create the Harris-hip-score. The follow-up was 7-9 years, with an average of 94 months. RESULT: Of those 79 prostheses, revision surgery was performed for septic loosening in three cases and for aseptic loosening in two cases. Radiologically one stem was found to be loosen. This means that for aseptic loosening we had a revision rate for aseptical femoral loosening of 2.5 % after 94 months with a mean Harris-hip-score of 84 points. Good or excellent results were found in 82 %, fair results in 9 % and poor results in 9 %. CONCLUSION: The "Euroform" prosthesis is a cemented titanium alloy stem that has in contrary to some other published studies good mid- to long-term results.     

Mammaplasty: Shape,volume, and scar size

Recently many mammaplasty techniques have been presented with special attention paid to the resulting scar's size and its position. The surgeon should try to hid the scar, and if the inverted T incision is used, its horizontal branch should be as short as possible and kept in the breast area. Neverthelss, excessive concern about the final scar size should not interfere with the final results of the mammaplasty as far as shape, volume and lasting results are concerned. The author presents his experience in mammaplasty with respect to the volume, the shape, and the scar size interrelationships.     

300 MACS-lift short scar rhytidectomies: analysis of results and complications

Between November 1999 and April 2004, 300 MACS-lifts (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension–lifts) were performed. Starting from the idea of suspension of sagged soft tissues with permanent purse-string sutures, a new comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation was developed, in which the vertical vector appeared to be essential.The neck is corrected by extended submental liposuction and strong vertical traction on the lateral part of the platysma by means of a first vertical purse-string suture. The volume of the jowls and the cheeks is repositioned in a cranial direction with a second, slightly-oblique purse-string suture. The descent of the midface is corrected by suspending the malar fat pad in a nearly vertical direction.The skin excess generated by these actions is redraped in a pure vertical direction and excised at the temporal hairline and the paracanthal region. As no horizontal pull on the skin is exerted, a retro-auricular incision becomes obsolete. The result is a pure antigravitational lifting procedure, which produces a natural facial rejuvenation through a short scar.     

Free nipple reduction mammaplasty with a horizontal scar in high-risk patients

Women with extremely large and ptotic breasts have many complaints and difficulties during daily life. Conventional reduction mammaplasty techniques are not convenient because the presence of excess tissue beneath and over a long pedicle may cause nipple-areola complex necrosis. These patients mostly have systemic health problems so they benefit from a shorter operative procedure. The amputation method is an option providing rapid surgical operation time and little blood loss but it may lead to a flat, unaesthetic breast with poor projection. In this paper we present an alternative amputation with the use of a backfolded dermoglandular flap and free nipple graft. The inferior pole is amputated. The deepithelialized breast tissue is left on the superior pedicle extending below the 7-cm vertical limb mark. This deepithelialized tissue is tucked to give more central mound projection. The aesthetic outcomes, such as well-rounded breasts with good projection and a hidden scar at the submammary sulcus, have led us to perform this technique, which was first described by the Mansteins in 1997.     

Symptomatic Macromastia: A Quality of Life Evaluation after Reduction Mammaplasty

Abstract: The aim of this retrospective study is to present the severity of symptoms and clinical signs attributed to macromastia and the extent to which reduction mammaplasty relieves them. We studied, both by specially designed questionnaires and review of their clinical records, 92 patients, aged 18–64 years, who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty for symptomatic macromastia. The most common symptoms were breast pain and discomfort, shoulder grooving and pain, back and neck pain, intertrigo, and in one case, ulnar paraesthesia. The mean weight of removed tissue from each breast was 720 g. The complication rate was 11%, the most frequent being postoperative infection. The mean follow-up period was 27 months. Postoperatively 88 patients presented with significant improvement of symptoms, whereas in 3 patients the breast discomfort persisted apparently due to residual fibrocystic elements. The majority of patients would recommend the operation to friends and relatives with macromastia. The significant degree of symptom recess supports the reconstructive value of reduction mammaplasty.     

Volumetric short scar rhytidectomy--indications, technique and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Procedures combining a short scar with superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation are increasingly popular for patients with early signs of mid- and lower-facial laxity seeking rhytidectomy. We present the senior author's experience with a short scar volumetric malar imbrication rhytidectomy, which avoids post-auricular incisions and sub-SMAS dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and April 2007, 54 patients underwent a short scar volumetric rhytidectomy (9.6% of all facelifts). These procedures were primary in 38 and secondary in 16 patients, at a mean age of 49 years (range 35-77 years). Average operating time was 90 min. Resultant vertical and horizontal skin movement at the helical root was recorded. Concurrent procedures included blepharoplasty, canthoplasty, endoscopic forehead rejuvenation and fat grafting. Minimum follow up was 3 months. Pre- and 3 month postoperative photographs of 25 randomly selected patients were rated by three independent surgeons. A seven-point scale was used to grade the improvement in the malar eminence, melolabial fold, jowls and cervicomental angle. The overall aesthetic result was assessed using the MDACS grading system. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-tests and general estimation equations where appropriate. RESULTS: There were no significant complications. Three patients developed minor cheek swellings which all settled with antibiotics. Mean postoperative aesthetic outcomes were rated as 'Good' using the MDACS scale (mean score 0.64), with no 'Poor' results. Vertical skin lifting was significantly greater than the horizontal skin lifting (P<0.001). Mild postoperative improvements were noted in the malar eminence soft tissue volume, nasolabial fold diminishment, jowl diminishment and cervicomental angle. CONCLUSION: In the appropriately selected face, short scar volumetric malar imbrication rhytidectomy is a straightforward, safe and effective procedure for improving the early signs of ageing.     

'Cepacia syndrome' with Burkholderia multivorans, 9 years after initial colonization.

A 16-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis developed 'cepacia syndrome' 9 years after the first isolation of Burkholderia multivorans. It is important to recognise that 'cepacia syndrome' is not restricted to those infected with genomovar type III strains and that rapid, irreversible clinical decline can occur many years after the 1st isolation of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc).     

Reduction of mammaplasty scars: from a short inframammary scar to a vertical scar]

A better understanding of the vascular anatomy of the breast has drastically reduced the risk of postoperative necrosis in breast reduction. Scars however remain a major concern, and techniques to reduce these have often been considered to be less satisfactory in terms of the shape and stability of the result. Our experience with more than 1,000 breasts operated on between 1984 and 1989 with a short inframammary scar technique has proved the contrary. The next step was to eliminate the inframammary scar, as proposed by Lassus, and to leave just a periareolar scar and a lower vertical scar which does not cross the inframammary fold. One hundred and four breasts, in sixty four patients--17 to 60 years old--have been operated on according to this vertical technique between April and September 1989. Twenty seven cases of ptosis correction in seventeen patients, and seventy seven reductions in forty seven patients, with a median excision weight of 460g, have been performed. By means of an individualized preoperative drawing and several technical devices, the results have proved that vertical mammaplasty is an excellent technique particularly indicated for women with elastic skin and a firm gland. Recent experience with liposuction at the beginning of the operation, has given new possibilities for breast modelling. In fatty juvenile hypertrophies, liposuction alone may even be adequate to reduce the volume, retaining a satisfactory shape for the breast with minimal scarring.     

Resection of the knee reconstructed with a massive prosthesis. Results after a 5 to 9 years follow-up

Since ten years, with the progress of the adjuvant chemotherapy we treated conservatively 170 osteosarcomas. We try to review the functional and mechanical results of the knee prosthesis with 5 years of follow-up or more. There were 64 resections, 51 of the lower femur and 13 of the upper tibia. The early postoperative complications are few (less than 2%). The functional results are satisfying with 90% of excellent and good results. We observed 3 local recurrences (2 femur, 1 tibia). The survey is really increased by the adjuvant chemotherapy with a rate of 70% at 5 years. However for us the problem is the evolution of our reconstitution prosthesis. 3 kinds of mechanical failures occurred: a wear of the hinge, a fracture of the stem and a loosening of the massive component. The Guepar hinge was finally a good solution when it was metallic, but all the hinges with metal plastic. Articulation needed reinterventions because of quick wearing. For the tibial reconstitution prosthesis we did not observed any problem but for the femoral massive prosthesis, the failures were more frequent, perhaps because the mechanical situation is different. We observed 4 fractures of the stem, 5 loosening of femoral stem (bipolar loosening in one case). In all except one, the reintervention gave a good result. Finally, the result seems to be encouraging, the progress of the implant (Titanium stem, modular prosthesis, semi-constrained knee) may again decrease the rate of mechanical failures.     

Melanoma arising on a scar 10 years after a burn: management and review of the literature

We report a case of a melanoma arising after about 10 years after a burn injury. This is an uncommon example of a carcinogenetic event that could be prevented or diagnosed early. Usually, the mutagenic event clinically appears many years after the burn especially if it was not treated correctly with a careful surgical approach. The average time of latency could be found in literature as 46.5 years from the burn, whereas our case was only 10. A frequent and very long follow-up of the burn scars could represent a valid prophylactic option to avoid neoplastic proliferation if the tumor appears.     

Six years after: complications and long-term results after stapled hemorrhoidopexy with different devices

Purpose

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) was introduced in 1998. Early in the experience, a standard circular stapler was often used, while later specifically designed staplers for SH were developed. Although the diameter of the circular cutting knife differ significantly, it remains unclear, if the volume of the excised tissue differs and if this has an influence on the long-term results and complications.

Methods

We evaluated in a prospective consecutive database that underwent SH from January 2003 through April 2004. There were three devices used during the study period: end-to-end-anastomosis (EEA) 31, stapler device for haemorrhoids (SDH) and procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids (PPH). Procedure selection was at the discretion of the surgeon; however, the indications for surgery were similar for all involved surgeons. Demographic and operative characteristics were analysed. Follow-up data were collected continuously over the time, and in May 2010, these patients received a questionnaire. Data were compared by t test and chi-square test, respectively.

Results

There were 214 (97 females) evaluable patients. Seventy-three patients were operated with EEA-31, 52 with SDH- and 89 with PPH. The median follow-up was 6.8?years and complete data were available for 131 (61.2%) patients. Demographic characteristics were comparable within the three groups. SDH (6?ml) and PPH (6.5?ml) resected significantly (p?<?0.05) more tissue than EEA (5?ml). Early postoperative incontinence rate was significantly higher in the PPH group (6%) as compared to EEA (1%) and SDH (0%). The incidence of other early complications was similar across techniques. The overall complication rates and reoperation rates were similar. Although 41% of the patients had minor anorectal complaints (itching and soiling), incontinence rates were low (2?C3%) without any significant differences between the devices.

Conclusions

The results of cohort of SH patients support the conclusion that short- and long-term outcomes are device independent, although each approach is associated with a modest degree of ongoing anorectal symptoms.     

Transoral diverticulostomy with a modified Endo-Gia stapler: results after 4 years of experience

Background The incidence of Zenker’s diverticulum is low (2/100,000). Standard surgical treatment is cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches pursued recently have treated Zenker’s diverticulum adequately. The functional minimally invasive therapy is performed alternatively using an Endo-Gia stapler inserted transorally to perform an esophageal diverticulostomia, or using thermal coagulation applied by a carbon dioxide (CO₂) or argon plasma laser. The key to a successful procedure is adequate exposure of the diverticulum by insertion of a pharynx spreader before the surgery. Methods Since 1996, 31 patients who underwent minimally invasive diverticulostomies performed in our clinic have been included prospectively in the current study. All the patients were examined endoscopically before and after surgery. Furthermore, the intraesophageal and intragastric pressure was examined by transesophageal manometry, and the pH in the esophagus and stomach was determined by pH-metry. A barium swallow was performed to exclude leakage at the stapler suture line as proof of sufficient anastomoses. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after surgery. The results were compared with those of patients undergoing conventional procedures. Results The median follow-up period after resection of the diverticulum was 46 months. Both the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GQLI) (p < 0.001) and the modified dysphagia score (GHDS) increased significantly, indicating that the operations were successful. The minimally invasive procedure is faster than cricopharyngeal myotomy and significantly safer. It is better tolerated by patients, and they are discharged earlier. Conclusion Transoral esophagodiverticulosomy has become the standard procedure for Zenker’s diverticulum in the authors’ department. The endoscopic minimally invasive approach proved to be safer than standard surgical procedures. It offers a significantly shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001). An erratum to this article can be found at     

Reduction mammaplasty by central pedicle flap with short submammary scar

Reduction mammaplasty was performed in 30 patients by combining the central pedicle flap method with the short submammary scar (3-S) technique to avoid the common drawbacks of currently popular dermoglandular procedures. Reduction was accomplished by using perforating vascular branches from the pectoralis major muscle and its fascia supplying the nipple and breast parenchyme instead of the subdermal plexus. The central vascular pedicle supplying the nipple-areola complex was preserved. Only the periphery of the breast parenchyme was resected circumferentially, with the exception of the inferolateral portion, so as not to injure the sensory nerve. The remaining breast parenchyme was preserved in an inverted cone shape. The nipple-areola complex was safely transposed with great freedom, and the amount of resection was accurately adjusted for symmetry. No cases of nipple-areola complex sensory change occurred postoperatively, and lactation is possible because of preservation of the lactiferous ducts. The length of postoperative scars was reduced by using the short submammary scar technique. We believe this combined method is ideal in patients requiring resections ranging from 200 to 600 g per breast with good skin elasticity and moderate degree of ptosis.Presented at the Sixth Asian Pacific Congress of the International Confederation for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in Seoul, Korea, October 1993.     

Functional results two years after laparoscopic rectopexy

BACKGROUND: Rectopexy is one of the accepted treatment options for full-thickness rectal prolapse, but the details of the technique remain controversial. This unit has adopted a laparoscopic approach as an alternative to open surgery, and has used three techniques: mesh, suture, and resection. This retrospective study compares the long-term outcome.METHODS: From 1993 to 1995, 14 patients underwent a laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy. From 1996 to 1999, 34 patients underwent laparoscopic suture rectopexy with (n = 18) or without sigmoid resection (n = 16). RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality, and morbidity was similar in the three groups, ranging from 11 to 19%. The mean follow-up was 47, 24, and 20 months for mesh, suture, and resection rectopexy, respectively. During follow-up, 1 patient in each group developed mucosal prolapse. There was no difference between the three groups for incontinence rate, which improved in more than 75% of patients who had impaired continence preoperatively. Postoperative constipation was observed in 2 patients (11%) after resection rectopexy, in 10 (62%) after suture rectopexy (P < 0.01 versus resection), and in 9 (64%) after mesh rectopexy (P < 0.01 versus resection). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the addition of sigmoid resection to laparoscopic rectopexy is safe and could contribute to reduce the risk of severe constipation after operation. Laparoscopic mesh rectopexy confers no advantage over the sutured technique, which we now use as our fixation method of choice.