Is there a role of coral bone substitutes in bone repair?

Xenogeneic bone graft materials are an alternative to autologous bone grafting. Among such implants, coralline-derived bone grafts substitutes have a long track record as safe, biocompatible and osteoconductive graft materials. In this review, we present the available literature surrounding their use with special focus on the commercially available graft materials. Corals thanks to their chemical and structural characteristics similar to those of the human cancellous bone have shown great potential but clinical data presented to date is ambiguous with both positive and negative outcomes reported. Correct formulation and design of the graft to ensure adequate osteo-activity and resorption appear intrinsic to a successful outcome.     

Modern treatment of tibial shaft fractures: Is there a role today for closed treatment?

PurposeThe decision to attempt closed treatment on tibial shaft fractures can be challenging. At our institution, we attempt treatment of nearly all closed, isolated tibial shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to report the results of 10 years of experience to develop a tool to identify patients for whom non-operative treatment of tibial shaft fractures may be a viable optionMethodThis was a retrospective review of patients with tibial shaft fracture seen at a level 1 trauma center over 10 years. Patients with closed, isolated injuries underwent sedation, closed reduction, long-leg casting, and outpatient follow-up. Patients were converted to surgery for inability to obtain or maintain acceptable alignment or patient intolerance. Radiographic characteristics and patient demographics were extracted. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a model to predict which patient and injury characteristics determined success of nonoperative treatment.Results334 patients were identified with isolated, closed tibial shaft fractures, who were reduced and treated in a long leg cast. 234 patients (70%) converted to surgical treatment due to inability to maintain alignment, patient intolerance, and nonunion. In a regression model, coronal/sagittal translation, sagittal angulation, fracture morphology, and smoking status were shown to be significant predictors of success of nonoperative treatment (p < 0.05). We developed a Tibial Operative Outcome Likelihood (TOOL) score designed to help predict success or failure of closed treatment. The TOOL score can be used to identify a subsegment of patients with injuries amenable to closed treatment (38% of injuries) with a nonoperative success rate over 60%.ConclusionNon-operative treatment of tibial shaft fractures is feasible, although there is a relatively high conversion rate to operative treatment. However, it is possible to use injury characteristics to identify a cohort of patients with a higher chance of success with closed treatment, which is potentially useful in a resource-constrained setting or for patients who wish to avoid surgery.Level of EvidencePrognostic Level 3     

Is there a role for ambulatory management of emergencies?

The Public Health Code includes the practice of ambulatory surgery. The regulations are well defined and different from the practice of out patients' care. Good practice of this surgery necessitates the will and involvement of the patient, the support of his/her family which means that the operated patient is not alone when he/she returns home after surgery and a medical team remains in contact with the patient. The majority of hand trauma surgical procedures can be performed by ambulatory surgery. Only operations necessitating permanent post-operative care and specific treatment as in the case of intense pain and surgical procedures in multi-trauma require traditional hospitalisation. To this day, there is no or very little litigation related to this surgical practice; the rules and professional obligations are the same as those for surgery with traditional hospitalisation. There are less risks of hospital infections because the operated patient spends only a few hours in the hospital. The rules specify that the proper functioning is under the responsibility of the co-ordinator of the ambulatory surgery unit.     

Abdominal tuberculosis: Is there a role for surgery?

It is important that surgeons are familiar with the various manifestations of tuberculosis(TB). Although TB has been declining in incidence in the developed world, itremains an important problem in endemic areas of the developing world. The aim of the review was to elucidate the natural history and characteristics of abdominal TB and ascertain the indications for surgery. TB can affect the intestine as well as the peritoneum and the most important aspect of abdominal TB is to bear in mind the diagnosis and obtain histological evidence. Abdominal TB is generally responsive to medical treatment, and early diagnosis and management can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention. Due to the challenges of early diagnosis, patients should be managed in collaboration with a physician familiar with anti-tuberculous therapy. An international expert consensus should determine an algorithm for the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of abdominal TB.     

Is central skeleton bone quality a predictor of the severity of proximal humeral fractures?

IntroductionThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlation between bone attenuation around the shoulder joint assessed on conventional computed tomography (CT) and bone mineral density (BMD) based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the central skeleton and the correlation between the bone quality around the shoulder joint and the severity of the fracture pattern of the proximal humerus.Materials and methodsA total of 200 patients with proximal humeral fracture who underwent preoperative 3-dimensional shoulder CT as well as DEXA within 3 months of the CT examination were included. Fracture types were divided into simple and comminuted fracture based on the Neer classification. After reliability testing, bone attenuation of the glenoid, three portions of the humeral head, and metaphysis was measured by placing a circular region of interest on the center of each bony region on CT images. Partial correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between the bone quality around the shoulder joint on CT and the BMD on the central skeleton after adjusting for age and body mass index. Partial correlations between fracture classification and CT/DEXA results were also evaluated.ResultsBone attenuation measurements of the glenoid and humeral head showed good to excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.623–0.998). Bone attenuation of the central portion of the humeral head on CT showed a significant correlation with the BMD of L1, L4, the femoral neck, and femoral trochanter (correlation coefficient, 0.269–0.431). Bone attenuation of other areas showed a lower correlation with BMD by DEXA. As the level of the Neer classification increased from a 2 to 4-part fracture, bone attenuation of the central humeral head decreased significantly (r = −0.150, p = 0.034). However, the BMD on DEXA was not a predictive factor for comminuted fracture of the proximal humerus.ConclusionsDEXA examination of the central skeleton may not reflect the bone quality of the proximal humerus and severity of proximal humeral fracture. Direct assessment of the bone quality of the proximal humerus is recommended to determine the osteoporotic nature of the fracture.     

Is there a potential role for hyoid bone compression in pathogenesis of carotid artery stenosis?

BACKGROUND

Blood flow turbulence and increased shear stress, particularly at sites of sudden, marked arterial wall changes, are significant hemodynamic parameters in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We present a case in which we found the hyoid bone protruding into the carotid vessels and may have been contributing, in part, to atherosclerotic carotid stenosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 85-year-old woman presenting with left arm and leg weakness consistent with right hemispheric transient ischemic attack. Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) and carotid non-invasive studies revealed a 90% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery. At surgery, the hyoid bone on the right side was projecting into the internal carotid artery, causing indentation. There was associated rotation of the internal and external carotid arteries from their normal position. Right carotid endarterectomy was performed and the lateral one-third of the hyoid bone excised to alleviate the external compression. Postoperative spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan of the carotid vessels demonstrated the extent of hyoid resection as well as rotation of the external and internal carotid arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest the possible contribution of hyoid bone compression to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis. This report also highlights the diagnostic value of CT angiography in the assessment of carotid artery occlusive disease.     

Thoracolumbar spine fractures: Is there a problem?

Every physician who treats injured patients has a responsibility to detect and appropriately manage thoracolumbar spinal column injuries. Fractures of the thoracolumbar spine are relatively common, so clinicians must give them every consideration both to protect from secondary spinal cord injury and to appreciate the extent of the patient's injuries. Other extraspinal as well as noncontiguous injuries to the spinal column are frequently present. Unfortunately, thoracolumbar spine fractures are often missed or diagnosed late in clinical series. In an era of cost-containment, not all responsive patients require full thoracolumbar spine radiographs. In awake, alert, nonintoxicated patients with simple injury mechanisms, these fractures can be ruled out through physical examination, if the patient has no physical findings and does not have other serious injuries. However, concern has recently been raised that some patients may have "asymptomatic" fractures that may be missed without radiography. The evidence reveals that fractures are not truly asymptomatic but may be masked by other distracting injuries, making them fractures occult rather than asymptomatic. Clinicians and subsequently their patients will always be at risk if this important distinction is forgotten.     

Is there still a role for total pancreatectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perioperative and long-term results of total pancreatectomy (TP), and to assess whether it provides morbidity, mortality, and quality of life (QoL) comparable to those of the pylorus-preserving (pp)-Whipple procedure in patients with benign and malignant pancreatic disease. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: TP was abandoned for decades because of high peri- and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Because selected pancreatic diseases are best treated by TP, and pancreatic surgery and postoperative management of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency have significantly improved, the hesitance to perform a TP is disappearing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study conducted from October 2001 to November 2006, all patients undergoing a TP (n = 147; 100 primary elective TP [group A], 24 elective TP after previous pancreatic resection [group B], and 23 completion pancreatectomies for complications) were included, and perioperative and late follow-up data, including the QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire), were evaluated. A matched-pairs analysis with patients receiving a pp-Whipple operation was performed. RESULTS: Indications for an elective TP (group A + B) were pancreatic and periampullary adenocarcinoma (n = 71), other neoplastic pancreatic tumors (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, neuroendocrine tumors, cystic tumors; n = 34), metastatic lesions (n = 8), and chronic pancreatitis (n = 11). There were 73 men and 51 women with a mean age of 60.9 +/- 11.3 years. Median intraoperative blood loss was 1000 mL and median operation time was 380 minutes. Postoperative surgical morbidity was 24%, medical morbidity was 15%, and mortality was 4.8%. The relaparotomy rate was 12%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days. After a median follow-up of 23 months, global health status of TP patients was comparable to that of pp-Whipple patients, although a few single QoL items were reduced. All patients required insulin and exocrine pancreatic enzyme replacements. The mean HbA1c value was 7.3% +/- 0.9%. CONCLUSION: In this cohort study, mortality and morbidity rates after elective TP are not significantly different from the pp-Whipple. Because of improvements in postoperative management, QoL is acceptable, and is almost comparable to that of pp-Whipple patients. Therefore, TP should no longer be generally avoided, because it is a viable option in selected patients.     

Is there a role for open stone surgery?

Modern day urinary-stone treatment involves procedures and techniques that were not even available 20 years ago. The relatively rapid and sometimes explosive development of ESWL, percutaneous techniques, and ureteroscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy has ushered in the era of minimally invasive stone management. In many regards, open surgery has such a limited role that its performance often is regarded as a sign of failure. To think of open stone surgery in this manner is likely to do a disservice to a small but important segment of the urinary-stone patient population. The critical responsibility of the urologist treating stone disease is to be able to recognize those clinical situations in which open stone surgery may represent at least a viable and reasonable alternative to less-invasive modalities. The duty of the surgeon is then to be able to present this option to the patient in an unbiased fashion and to effectively perform and implement this form of treatment if chosen. It is only with this approach that open surgery will continue to be correctly applied on those rare occasions and will not become a lost surgical art in the era of minimally invasive surgery.     

Is there a role for surgery in the treatment of mastalgia?

Breast pain is a common condition affecting most women at some stage in their reproductive life. Mastalgia is resistant to treatment in 6% of cyclical and 26% non-cyclical patients. Surgery is not widely used to treat this condition and only considered in patients with severe mastalgia resistant to medication. The aims of this study were to audit the efficacy of surgery in severe treatment resistant mastalgia and to assess patient satisfaction following surgery. This is a retrospective review of the medical records of all patients seen in mastalgia clinic in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff since 1973. A postal questionnaire was distributed to all patients who had undergone surgery. Results showed that of the 1054 patients seen in mastalgia clinic, 12 (1.2%) had undergone surgery. Surgery included 8 subcutaneous mastectomies with implants (3 bilateral, 5 unilateral), 1 bilateral simple mastectomy and 3 quadrantectomies (1 having a further simple mastectomy). The median duration of symptoms was 6.5 years (range 2-16 years). Five patients (50%) were pain free following surgery, 3 developed capsular contractures and 2 wound infections with dehiscence. Pain persisted in both patients undergoing quadrantectomy. We conclude that surgery for mastalgia should only be considered in a minority of patients. Patients should be informed of possible complications inherent of reconstructive surgery and warned that in 50% cases their pain will not be improved.     

The treatment of distal third humeral diaphyseal fractures: Is there still a place for the external fixation?

Introduction

The treatment for humeral diaphyseal fractures is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of treating humeral distal third diaphyseal fractures by using external fixation technique.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively review 65 cases of diaphyseal humeral fractures (31 type A, 23 type B and 11 type C of the AO/OTA classification) treated with external fixation (Orthofix FAD small) between 2008 and 2013. The mean follow-up was 48 months (24–72 months). There were 12 open fractures; however, no cases of concomitant vascular injury were described. The transolecranic traction was always applied to promote partial reduction through ligamentotaxis. In case of interposition of soft tissues impeding reduction, a small incision was performed allowing mobilization of bone ends.

Results

All fractures resulted healed at a mean of 11 weeks (range 9–13 weeks); the average time of removal of the external fixator was 88 days (range 65–95 days). At the last follow-up, the mean elbow flexion was 132.6° (Min 126°–Max 137°) and the mean elbow extension was 6.4° (Max 0°–Min 13°). The Cassebaum’s index rated as excellent in 47.8 % (31 patients), good in 37 % (24 patients), fair in 9.2 % (6 patients) and poor in 6 % (4 patients). The mean DASH score at the final follow-up was 14.7 (range 0–33); 15 patients had a range score between 10 and 20, 43 had less than 10, and seven had more than 20. We observed three cases of superficial infections and two cases of acute radial nerve palsy recovered within 3 months.

Conclusion

According to the excellent clinical results and full rate of consolidation, we state external fixation as a valid option in the treatment of distal third humeral diaphyseal fractures.

     

The ailing gut: a therapeutic role for bone marrow cells?

It is obvious that the BM does more than simply supply the GIT with cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. A growing number of studies suggest that BMCs can differentiate into ISEMFs (Lee et al., PLOS ONE 2011;6:e26082) and in the setting of inflammation can be contributors to all lineages of the neovasculature. The role of BMCs in epithelial turnover is more problematic; their contribution after transient mucosal injury seems negligible, but a number of studies in both rodents and man suggest that small numbers of BMCs can be incorporated into the epithelial compartment with more chronic injury (e.g., GvHD in man and chemically induced colitis in rodents); commonly cell fusion seems to be responsible for this. Significantly, this engraftment does not seem to occur in the stem-cell compartment, with the notable single report of the chronically infected murine gastric mucosa, where the BM origin of the stem cells can be the only rational explanation for the complete colonization of the mucosa by BMDCs. In the clinical setting, a role for MSCs in ameliorating colitis seems promising, though the mechanisms by which this is achieved remain somewhat unclear, though both immunomodulatory and regenerative effects of BMCs are likely to be important.     

Wii-habilitation: Is there a role in trauma?

Rehabilitation forms an essential component of the therapeutic continuum in multiply injured patients. Effective rehabilitation programmes assist patients in optimising their level of physical, psychological and social function, while also reducing the length of patient stay, re-admission rates and use of primary care resources.A recent report from the National Audit Office on trauma care within the UK highlighted rehabilitation as an area of trauma patient care that frequently fell short of the standards expected. The current decline in the economy is likely to impact upon the financial resources available to address these concerns particularly recognising the high dependency on human resources. As a result, those involved in the rehabilitation of injured patients will need to develop new, innovative, cost-effective strategies to improve the current rehabilitation programmes available.These programmes need to intervene early and provide task-orientated training along with high repetition intensity. Such programmes not only test patient motivation, but also frequently demand a high degree of therapist supervision. Efforts logically should therefore focus on designing interventions that engage and motivate patients and encourage increased therapist-independent patient rehabilitation.Virtual reality (VR) offers a possible solution. VR is a technology that allows the user to directly interact with a computer-simulated environment. This technology, developed initially for military training, has now become widely available through video games. The potential for VR interfaces to create an environment that encourages high repetition intensity has been exploited by numerous vocational training programmes, such as laparoscopic surgical skill training. It is now conceivable that computer-based rehabilitation programmes could be developed using current, widely available, affordable virtual reality platforms, such as the Nintendo^® Wii.This review aims to discuss the use of modern computer technology in patient rehabilitation and how this may be applied to trauma patients.