Recurrent peripheral embolism following nonunion of the clavicle

Vascular complications in closed clavicular fractures are uncommon, with an incidence of only 0.4%. Subclavian artery injury can present acutely or can have a delayed presentation with arm ischemia. We report the case of an undetected subclavian pseudoaneurysm in a patient with a nonunion fracture clavicle who was referred with persistent ischemia following attempted brachial embolectomy at another center, along with a review of literature to support the hypothesis that in addition to repair of the aneurysm, treatment of the psuedarthrosis by fixation of the clavicle is essential.     

High sensitive C-reactive protein-Effective tool in determining postoperative recovery in lumbar disc disease

Background:

It is common in medical practice to see patients having persistent pain and radiculopathy even after undergoing discectomy surgery. Inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins are produced at the site of disc herniation and are now considered responsible for the pain perceived by the patient. This study has used high sensitive C-reactive protein (HSCRP) assay for predicting inflammation around the nerve roots on very same principle, which has used HSCRP for predicting coronary artery diseases in current clinical practice. Thus, purpose of this study is to test whether HSCRP can stand as an objective tool to predict postoperative recovery in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy. That is, to study association between preoperative HSCRP blood level and postoperative recovery with the help of modified Oswestry Back Disability Score.

Materials and Methods:

A study group consisting of 50 cases of established lumbar disc disease and control group of 50 normal subjects, matched with the study group. Both the study and control groups were subjected to detailed evaluation with the help of modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale both pre and postoperatively at 3 months, 6 months and 1-year. The preoperative blood samples were analyzed to assess the HSCRP concentration. All the cases underwent surgery over a period of 1-year by the same surgeon.

Results:

The level of HSCRP in the study group was between 0.050– and 0.710 mg/dL and in the control group, 0.005-0.020 mg/dL. There was highly significant positive correlation between preoperative HSCRP level and postoperative score at P < 0.005. Cases with HSCRP level in the range of 0.1820 ± 0.079 mg/dL, showed better recovery (score improved > 10 points), while those with HSCRP level in the range of 0.470 ± 0.163 mg/dL, showed poor recovery (score improved < 10 points).

Conclusion:

HSCRP will serve as a good supplementary prognostic marker for operative decision making in borderline and troublesome cases of lumbar disc disease.     

Functional outcome following a large head total hip arthroplasty: A retrospective analysis of mid term results

Background:

One of the reasons that hip resurfacing and large head metal on metal (MOM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) became popular in Asia was the possible increased range of movement and thereby improved function of the hip joint. Due to concerns of MOM articulation an alternative bearing was sought. Hence, a shift from large head MOM to large head ceramic on ceramic (COC) was made. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome including range of motion (ROM) and dislocation rates following large head MOM and large head COC THA.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospectively, 39 primary THA with large head MOM with a mean age of 56 years (range 36-72 years) and average followup of 54 months (range 38-70 months) were compared with 23 primary THA with large head COC bearing with a mean age of 48 years (range 36-68 years) and an average followup of 18 months (range 12-26 months). Functional outcome was assessed using the Modified Harris Hip Score. Dislocation rate and ROM were compared.

Results:

Global ROM averaged 248 degrees with MOM group and 252 degrees with the COC group. One patient with metal bearing had dislocation at an average 3 year followup which required revision THA while there were no complications in the COC group. MHHS averaged 89 points in MOM and 94 in COC THR.

Conclusion:

This study has shown that large head ceramic on ceramic THA is a good alternative to large head metal on metal THA with comparable dislocation rates and range of movements and without complications of metallosis in Asian patients.     

“Dynamic” liver retraction at laparoscopy: An easy and effective technique

Liver retraction is an essential step during any laparoscopic upper gastrointestinal operation, especially during dissection at the oesophageal hiatus. However, the generally employed Nathanson retractor may cause significant postoperative liver dysfunction secondary to congestion of the liver.1,2 It may be technically cumbersome to systematize its frequent use intraoperatively and it may not be readily available at large. Furthermore, the unabated pressure it inflicts on the left lobe of the liver, especially during prolonged surgeries, may lead to hepatic ischaemic necrosis, gangrene, or even unexpected mortality.1 While few recently developed innovative liver retraction techniques seem useful in this context, 2-5 they tend to offer a “static” liver retraction. In this paper, we describe an easy-to-use method of laparoscopic liver retraction wherein any 5mm laparoscopic instrument can be used to manipulate the “heavy” liver so as to provide a “dynamic” counter-traction at will.     

Emergency thoracotomy in the pre-hospital setting: a procedure requiring clarification.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Emergency Thoracotomy (ET) on mortality in a group of patients suffering from severe thoracic trauma requiring Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) transfer to hospital. This is not clearly defined especially when thoracotomy takes place in the pre-hospital setting. METHODS: A retrospective review of 670 consecutive patients with severe thoracic trauma, transferred to The Royal London Hospital by HEMS between November 1994 and December 2002. ET (on scene, in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or in the operating theatre) was performed in 53 patients (7.7%). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate ET as an independent predictor of mortality. RESULTS: There were 510 males and 160 females with a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 35.12+/-17.5. Univariate analysis identified ET to be a predictor of mortality (OR=0.15, 95% CI=0.07-0.30). However, with multivariate analysis, ET was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality (OR=1.93, 95% CI=0.61-6.1). The independent predictors of mortality identified were: age>60 years (OR 5.57, 95% CI 2.19-14.16), Glasgow Coma Score <8 at the scene (OR=7.4, 95% CI=3.15-17.46), ISS>25 (OR 5.3, 95% CI=1.64-17.11), need for intubation at the scene (OR=2.80, 95% CI=1.022-7.69), oxygen saturation in A&E (<89%) (OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.13-5.05), haemothorax (OR=3.30, 95% CI=1.53-7.13) and bilateral injury (OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.51-6.61). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that when confounding variables are accounted for, ET is not a predictor of mortality following severe chest trauma. This implies that in a well-selected group of patients it may be a significant and life-saving procedure.     

Civilian Duodenal Gunshot Wounds: Surgical Management Made Simpler

Introduction Low-velocity gunshot wounds cause most civilian duodenal injuries. The objective of this study was to describe a simplified surgical algorithm currently in use in a South African civilian trauma center and to verify its validity by measuring morbidity and mortality. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients with duodenal gunshot injuries during the study period January 1999 to December 2003 was performed. Data points accrued included patient demographics, admission hemodynamic status and resuscitative measures, laparotomy damage control procedures, methods of surgical repair of the duodenal injury, associated injuries, length of intensive care and hospital stays, complications, and mortality. Results A total of 75 consecutive patients with gunshot injuries to the duodenum were reviewed. Primary repair was performed in 54 patients (87%), resection and reanastomosis in 7 (11%), and pancreatoduodenectomy in 1 (2%) during the initial phases. The overall morbidity and mortality were 58% and 28%, respectively. Duodenum-related complications were recorded in nine (15%) patients: two duodenal fistulas, one duodenal obstruction, and six cases of suture-line dehiscence. Overall and duodenum-related morbidity rates in patients with combined pancreatoduodenal injuries were 83% and 17%, respectively. Duodenum-related mortality occurred in three (4.8%) patients. Conclusions Most civilian low-velocity duodenal gunshot injuries treated with simple primary repair result in overall morbidity, mortality, and duodenum-related complication rates comparable to those in reports where more complex surgical procedures were employed. Primary repair is also applicable for most combined pancreatic and duodenal gunshot injuries.     

Evisceration Following Abdominal Stab Wounds: Analysis of 66 Cases

Background  Abdominal stab wounds with evisceration remain an indication for emergency laparotomy. The purpose of this study was validate a policy of mandatory laparotomy for organ evisceration and a policy of selective nonoperative management with serial physical abdominal examination for omentum evisceration. Methods  The charts of 379 patients with abdominal stab wounds who presented to our Level I trauma center over a 3-year (January 2005 to December 2007) period were retrospectively reviewed. Altogether, 66 (17.4%) patients with evisceration were identified and included in the study. Indications for mandatory laparotomy were peritonitis, hemodynamic instability, organ evisceration, and a high spinal cord or severe head injury with an abdominal stab wound. Further data gathered included the organ eviscerated, intraabdominal organs injured, and complications. Injury severity was categorized using the revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), and penetrating abdominal index (PATI). Results  Organ and omentum evisceration occurred in 35 (53%) and 31 (47%) patients, respectively. Organs eviscerated were as follows (number of patients): small bowel in 27 (40.9%), stomach in 2 (3%), colon in 1 (1.5%), small bowel and stomach in 2 (3%), and small bowel and colon in 3 (4.5%). The mean RTS, ISS, and PATI scores were 7.71, 13.74, and 8.26, respectively. Only two (5.7%) patients with organ evisceration underwent a negative laparotomy. In total, 23 patients with omentum evisceration (21 with peritonitis, 1 with a head injury, 1 who failed abdominal observation) underwent therapeutic laparotomy. Six patients with omentum evisceration were managed successfully nonoperatively. Two patients with left thoracoabdominal omentum evisceration underwent delayed laparoscopy, which revealed a diaphragm injury in one patient. Overall, 57 (86.4%) patients with evisceration had an intraabdominal injury that required repair. Conclusions  Evisceration should continue to prompt operative intervention. An exception can be made to a select few patients with omentum evisceration with benign abdominal findings.     

Behaviour of nonresorbable bioactive glass–ceramic implanted into long bone defects: comparison with cancellous allografts

Introduction  The goal of this retrospective study was to compare the long-term results after implantation of the nonresorbable glass–ceramic material and transplantation of the cancellous allografts into the defects of long bones. Method  The bone cysts were excochleated and filled using granules of glass–ceramic material or cancellous allografts. Clinical, radiographic and scintigraphic examinations of 30 patients were carried out 2–14 years after their surgery. Results  Though signs of complete incorporation allowing full weight-bearing capacity were observed on plain radiographs, we detected pain in six out of nine patients after diaphyseal implantation of nonresorbable glass–ceramic. We found an increase in ^99 mTc-methylene diphosphonate uptake on the delayed images in the area of glass–ceramic implantation, mainly in its diaphyseal location. In patients after bone transplantation, the cancellous allografts were completely integrated and the scintigraphic findings were physiological. Conclusion  The implantation of the nonresorbable glass–ceramic material into the diaphyseal defects of long bones is not suitable based on our study.     

Coronary artery bypass via resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair

Pectus excavatum is a chest wall deformity that commonly warrants pediatric surgical correction for cosmesis or respiratory impairment via sternotomy. The repair typically consists of sternal wedge osteotomy and subsequent placement of a Steinman pin across the sternum with fixation to the ribs bilaterally. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) after surgical repair of the sternum with a metal implant poses an intriguing surgical challenge. Literature review reveals only one such previously described case. We present a case of coronary revascularization in an adult who previously underwent pectus excavatum repair with ligation of the internal mammary arteries. Our coronary revascularization was accessed through a resternotomy after surgical removal of the metal implant previously placed during the pectus excavatum repair. Autologous greater saphenous vein was used as a conduit for bypass. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged on postoperative day 4. The pectus repair remained intact even after the median sternotomy was performed. This was confirmed at the 1-year follow-up for the patient. Resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair with a prosthetic implant poses a challenge to cardiothoracic surgeons. Many such repairs have been described in the pediatric population. As our society ages and coronary artery disease becomes more prevalent, this unique situation may be more commonly encountered. We present an approach to coronary artery bypass grafting via median resternotomy after pectus excavatum repair.