An original technique for stabilizing the metacarpopharyngeal joints of the ulnar hand: "The transosseous capsuloplasty with anterior-posterior drilling"]

In reconstructive surgery of the ulnar clawhand deformity, the metacarpophalangeal joints of the digits and the thumb must be stabilised. The "capsuloplasty with anteroposterior drilling", which is described in this paper is an original technique whose first goal is to make this stabilisation easier and with an effectiveness at least equal to the classic and difficult Zancolli techniques. It consists, after a longitudinal opening of the volar plate, of drilling an anteroposterior hole at the level of the metacarpal neck using a square point awl, a small dorsal incision allowing protection of the extensor tendons. A needle with a non absorbable thread takes the first half of the palmar plate, goes through the hole and is brought out on the dorsal aspect of the hand, then a Halsted forceps is passed keeping close to the metacarpal neck to bring the needle to the palmar side and finally take the second half of the palmar plate. The knots are tied with the metacarpophalangeal joints in 25 degrees flexion. From June 1997 to April 2001, 25 patients suffering from ulnar nerve palsy and ten patients suffering from combined ulnar and median nerve palsy have benefited from this technique to correct the clawhand deformity and Froment's sign. No pre or postoperative complications were reported. With a mean follow-up of 24 months all the metacarpophalangeal joints operated have very good stability and improved strength.     

Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles doped with magnesium: drug delivery and acellular in vitro bioactivity

The effects of the magnesium doping of binary glass (Si–Ca) on particle texture, on the biomineralization process in simulated body fluid (SBF) as well as on drug loading and release were examined. For this purpose, magnesium-doped binary bioglass nanoparticles (85SiO₂–(15 − x)CaO–xMgO, with x = 1, 3, 5 and 10 mol%) were prepared by a base catalysed sol–gel method. N₂ adsorption isotherm analysis showed an enhancement in specific surface area as the Mg molar fraction increased. In addition, the FTIR spectra of the samples after soaking in SBF for various periods of time confirmed the presence of new chemical bonds related to the apatite phase, as was also confirmed by SEM observations. XRD patterns of the samples after soaking revealed that the crystallization to form a more stable apatite-like phase was hindered with increasing magnesium content in the glass composition. Furthermore, it was proved that the kinetics of drug release improved with increasing magnesium content. The porosity and the specific surface area were found to be responsible for this improvement.

The effects of the magnesium doping of binary glass (Si–Ca) on particle texture, on the biomineralization process in simulated body fluid (SBF) as well as on drug loading and release were examined.     

Endothoracic endoesophageal pull-through operation. A new approach to cancers of the esophagus and proximal stomach

Many thoracic surgeons have expressed concern about the complications inherent in transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy. The technique of endothoracic endoesophageal pull-through uses a mucosal coring of normal esophagus beyond the tumor and leaves a muscular tube through which the substitute organ is passed. Mediastinal hemorrhage, tracheal injury, and chylothorax are eliminated.     

Tsga10 expression correlates with sperm profiles in the adult formalin‐exposed mice

Testis‐specific gene antigen10 (Tsga10), as a cytoskeletal protein in the sperm tail, impacts the sperm motility. This study investigates the correlation between sperm profile alterations and Tsga10 gene expression in adult mice exposed to formaldehyde (FA) and then treated with antioxidant effect of manganese (Mn²⁺). In this regard, we examined 35 NMRI adult male mice (6–8 weeks age) in 4 groups of control, sham, FA‐exposed and FA+Mn²⁺. The mice in FA+Mn²⁺ group were exposed to FA (10 mg kg^?1 twice a day) for 2 weeks and treated with daily Mn²⁺ administration (5 mg kg^?1) in the second week prior to sacrificing the mice for testis dissection. The right testis was dissected in each group and subjected to RNA extraction and cDNA syntheses for gene expression analysis by real‐time PCR. The findings revealed that FA decreased sperm parameters and Tsga10 expression (52.6 ± 24.37%). However, the injected powerful manganese antioxidant improved sperm profile through overexpression of Tsga10 (121.6 ± 27.13%) under FA‐induced stressful condition which proves the correlation between sperm profile and Tsga10 expression (P ≤ 0.05). This study also shows that Tsga10 expression protects sperm dysfunction in FA+Mn²⁺ group and resulting in better preservation of spermatozoa and improvement of male fertility.     

La fracture de Tillaux chez l’enfant et l’adolescent. À propos d’une série de 11 cas

Background

Tillaux fracture in child correspond to Salter and Harris type III fracture involving the anterolateral portion of the distal tibial epiphysis. These are intra-articular fracture. The aim of this study was to analyze the therapeutic modalities and long-term clinical and radiological outcome.

Patients and methods

We reviewed retrospectively 11 Tillaux fractures. All underwent surgical treatment.

Results

The average age was 13.5 years. Patients were treated by open reduction and screw fixation. At mean follow-up of 28 months, results were rated well in nine of 11 cases.

Conclusion

The prognosis of Tillaux fracture in child is good as was observed in our studies and in series reported in the literature.