Results of Abductor Pollicis Longus Suspension Ligamentoplasty for Treatment of Advanced First Carpometacarpal Arthritis

Background

Suspension ligamentoplasty using abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon without bone tunneling, was introduced as one of the techniques for treatment of advanced first carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical results of APL suspension ligamentoplasty.

Methods

The medical records of 19 patients who underwent APL suspension ligamentoplasty for advanced first CMC arthritis between January 2008 and May 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The study included 13 female and 6 male patients, whose mean age was 62 years (range, 43 to 82 years). For clinical evaluation, we assessed the grip and pinch power, radial and volar abduction angle, thumb adduction (modified Kapandji index), including visual analogue scale (VAS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiologic evaluation was performed using simple radiographs.

Results

The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 19 to 73.7 months). Mean power improved from 18.3 to 27 kg for grip power, from 2.8 to 3.5 kg for tip pinch, and from 4.3 to 5.4 kg for power pinch. All patients showed decreased VAS from 7.2 to 1.7. Radial abduction improved from 71° preoperatively to 82° postoperatively. The modified Kapandji index showed improvement from 6 to 7.3, and mean DASH was improved from 41 to 17.8. The height of the space decreased from 10.8 to 7.1 mm. Only one case had a complication involving temporary sensory loss of the first dorsal web space, which resolved spontaneously.

Conclusions

The APL suspension ligamentoplasty for treatment of advanced first CMC arthritis yielded satisfactory functional results.     

Preserved function of regulatory T cells in chronic HIV-1 infection despite decreased numbers in blood and tissue

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent immune modulators, but their role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis remains poorly understood. We performed a detailed analysis of the frequency and function of Tregs in a large cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals and HIV-1 negative controls. While HIV "elite controllers" and uninfected individuals had similar Treg numbers and frequencies, the absolute numbers of Tregs declined in blood and gut-associated lymphoid tissue in patients with chronic progressive HIV-1 infection. Despite quantitative changes in Tregs, HIV-1 infection was not associated with an impairment of ex vivo suppressive function of flow-sorted Tregs in both HIV controllers and untreated chronic progressors.     

Enamel defects associated with coeliac disease: putative role of antibodies against gliadin in pathogenesis

Enamel defects in the permanent teeth of patients with coeliac disease (CD) are often reported as an atypical manifestation, sometimes being suggestive of an undiagnosed atypical disease. We proposed to explore the pathogenesis of these oral defects, which are poorly studied. Sequence analyses of proteins from gluten (gliadins) and of proline-rich enamel proteins (amelogenin and ameloblastin) suggested the presence of common antigenic motifs. Therefore, we analyzed, by ELISA and western blotting, the reactivity of sera from patients with CD against gliadin and enamel-derived peptides. Correlation analyses between the levels of specific antibodies against gliadin and enamel derived peptides and inhibition experiments confirmed the presence of cross-reactive antibodies. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the most prominent component in enamel matrix derivative (of approximately 18.6 kDa), identified by an amelogenin-specific antibody, is recognized by sera from patients with CD; in addition, several fractions of pure gliadin were recognized by amelogenin-specific antibody. In agreement, sera from mice immunized with enamel matrix-derived proteins generated antibodies that recognized a peptide (of approximately 21.2 kDa) derived from gliadin. In conclusion, antibodies against gliadin generated in patients with CD can react in vitro with a major enamel protein. The involvement of anti-gliadin serum in the pathogenesis of enamel defects in children with untreated CD can be hypothesized on the basis of these novel results.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the duodenum: single institution experience

Background

Primary gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of the duodenum are rare. The aim of this study was to review the surgical management of GISTs in this anatomically complex region.

Methods

Retrospective review from January 1999 to August 2011 of patients with primary GISTs of the duodenum.

Results

Forty-one patients underwent resection of duodenal GISTs. All operations were performed with intent to cure with negative margins of resection. The most common location of origin was the second portion of the duodenum. Local excision (n = 19), segmental resection with primary anastomosis (n = 11) and a pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 11) were performed. Two patients underwent an ampullectomy with local excision. Peri-operative mortality and overall morbidity were 0 and 12, respectively. Patients with high-risk GISTs (P = 0.008) and those who underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy (P = 0.021) were at a greater risk for morbidity. The median follow-up was 18 months. Eight patients developed recurrence. High-risk GISTs and neoplasms with ulceration had the greatest risk for recurrence (P = 0.017, P = 0.029 respectively). The actuarial 3- and 5-year survivals were 85% and 74%, respectively.

Conclusion

The choice and type of resection depends on the proximity to the ampulla of Vater, involvement of adjacent organs and the ability to obtain negative margins. The morbidity depends on the type of procedure for GIST.     

Role of Major Vascular Resection in Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Historically, direct vascular extension of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has often been considered a contraindication to resection. However, recent studies have suggested safety and efficacy of hepatectomy with major vascular resection in this patient population. The aim of this study was to investigate the short and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with ICC treated with hepatectomy with or without major vascular resection.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients with ICC who underwent major liver resection between 1997 and 2011. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients treated with major hepatectomy and vascular resection (VR) and those without vascular resection (NVR). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were used to compare overall survival (OS) between patients in VR and NVR groups.

Results

A total of 121 patients (median age 60; 42 % male) underwent major hepatectomy for ICC. Major vascular resection was performed in 14 (12 %) patients (IVC = 9, PV = 5). Age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class, tumor size, lymph node status, and CA-19 9 were comparable (all p ≥ 0.184) between VR and NVR groups. Major postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien ≥3) occurred in four (29 %) patients in the VR group and 17 (16 %) in the NVR group (p = 0.263). Postoperative death occurred in one patient in the VR group due to liver failure. Median OS did not differ between patients treated with and without vascular resection (32 vs. 49 months, respectively, p = 0.268).

Conclusions

Hepatectomy combined with IVC or PV resection can be safely performed in patients with ICC. Major vascular resection does not affect short and long-term outcomes in this patient population.     

Laser and electron‐beam powder‐bed additive manufacturing of metallic implants: A review on processes,materials and designs

Additive manufacturing (AM), also commonly known as 3D printing, allows the direct fabrication of functional parts with complex shapes from digital models. In this review, the current progress of two AM processes suitable for metallic orthopaedic implant applications, namely selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM) are presented. Several critical design factors such as the need for data acquisition for patient‐specific design, design dependent porosity for osteo‐inductive implants, surface topology of the implants and design for reduction of stress‐shielding in implants are discussed. Additive manufactured biomaterials such as 316L stainless steel, titanium‐6aluminium‐4vanadium (Ti6Al4V) and cobalt‐chromium (CoCr) are highlighted. Limitations and future potential of such technologies are also explored. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:369–385, 2016.