PR01“A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS”– THE USE OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE INTERNET IN MONITORING FREE TISSUE TRANSFER

Purpose Post operative monitoring is crucial for the success of microsurgical free tissue transfer. Sophisticated and expensive methods are available for monitoring. We propose a novel technique using digital photography and the internet as a reliable and cost effective method to monitor free tissue transfers. Methods 163 micro‐vascular procedures were monitored using this technique over 8 months. Serial photographs taken to show flap color. Capillary refill time, pin prick‐ bleed time and color and hand held Doppler signal was recorded in the movie mode of a standard 5 mega pixel camera with duration of 15 seconds. Data was sent to the surgeon at regular intervals and or as deemed necessary. Results Analysis of the 67 cases is presented. 5 re‐explorations were done. The early diagnosis of venous congestion was possible using this technique. Timely intervention contributed to the success of the re‐explorations and these flaps could be salvaged. The file size of images was in the range of 1 MB–6 MB. The file size of an entire set of images ranged about 7 MB–9 MB. These were sent across the ADSL internet lines. Conclusion The use of the digital images and the internet allow reconstructive surgeons to have a reliable picture of the state of their free tissue transfers. This permits decrease in observer error and saves valuable time which otherwise needs to be spent to verify situations of doubt and offers an ideal solution to the logistic problem of having to visit the patient in case of doubt.     

Excellent results of a femoral press-fit stem cemented with a thin mantle: 116 hips followed for 11–18 years

We report the outcome of a femoral stem designed for press-fit insertion and cemented with a thin mantle. During the years 1986–1992 we performed 346 primary total hip replacements in 305 patients. Their mean age at the time of the surgery was 75 (range, 52–91 years). During the follow-up, 206 patients had died (227 hips) and 3 were lost. This left us with 96 patients (116 hips), who were followed for a mean of 13 years (range, 11–18 years). Stem survivorship according to Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a total survival of 0.982 (confidence intervals, 0.952–1). The mechanical survival rate was 0.985 (confidence intervals, 0.955–1) at 17 years with one patient at risk. Fifty-nine (70%) of the surviving patients were very satisfied with the operated hip, 22 (26%) were satisfied, 2 (2.5%) were content, and 1 (1.5%) was dissatisfied. Then, the press-fit stem allowing minimal cement has a 17-year survival rate of 0.98.     

Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of CPAP in obese males with OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with increased blood pressure and other features of the metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to determine the relative effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in modifying these outcomes. A randomised placebo-controlled blinded crossover trial comparing cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes after 6 weeks of therapeutic and sham CPAP was performed in 34 CPAP-na?ve patients (mean+/-SD body mass and respiratory disturbance indices were 36.1+/-7.6 and 39.7+/-13.8, respectively). Mean waking systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 6.7 and 4.9 mmHg, respectively, when compared with sham CPAP. No change was observed in glucose, lipids, insulin resistance or the proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome. In CPAP-compliant patients the fall in blood pressure was greater and the baroreceptor sensitivity improved significantly but no metabolic variable changed. In obese Caucasians with untreated obstructive sleep apnoea, continuous positive airways pressure can improve baroreceptor responsiveness and reduce waking blood pressure within 6 weeks, but this treatment period was insufficient to modify insulin resistance or change the metabolic profile. The mechanisms underlying this difference in the time course of blood pressure and metabolic response to continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnoea requires further exploration.     

Unterkieferrekonstruktion mit autologem Knochen und einem induktiven Implantat beim G?ttinger Minischwein

ZusammenfassungFragestellung In der vorliegenden Studie am Göttinger Minischwein wurde die direkte Rekonstruktion des Unterkiefers nach ausgedehnter Kontinuitätsresektion mit autologem Knochen und einem osteoinduktiven Implantat untersucht.Methode An neun ausgewachsenen Göttinger Minischweinen wurde ein einseitiger, 5 cm langer Unterkieferkontinuitätsdefekt gesetzt. Die Rekonstruktion erfolgte bei vier Tieren mit einem 50×25×15 mm³ großen, kollagenen Träger, dotiert mit rhBMP-2 (400 µg/cm³). Bei zwei Tieren wurde nur der Träger alleine implantiert und bei drei Tieren das lokal resezierte Knochensegment replantiert. Die Knochenregeneration und Konsolidierung der Defekte wurde radiologisch und histologisch analysiert.Ergebnisse Nach Rekonstruktion mit dem osteoinduktiven Implantat zeigte sich bei allen Versuchstieren eine komplette knöcherne Konsolidierung des gesetzten Unterkieferkontinuitätsdefekts. Der gesamte Defekt wurde von einem biomechanisch hochwertigen, sich funktionell anpassenden Knochen überbrückt. Nach Replantation des ortsständigen autologen Knochens wird dieser nicht schnell genug knöchern integriert. In der Peripherie bilden sich nur unvollständige Knochenbrücken aus; dies führt zum vollständigen Versagen der Rekonstruktion. Ebenso findet bei der Implantation des Trägers alleine keine Konsolidierung statt.Schlussfolgerung Die direkte Rekonstruktion eines ausgedehnten, biomechanisch belasteten Defekts mit einem osteoinduktiven Implantat erwies sich als die überlegene Methode. Das hierbei entstehende knöcherne Regenerat erfährt eine unmittelbare funktionelle Strukturierung. Die Notwendigkeit zu extensiven adaptiven Umbauvorgängen wird hierdurch minimiert.     

Factor Xa-activated whole blood clotting time (Xa-ACT) for bedside monitoring of dalteparin anticoagulation during haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) like dalteparin are increasingly used for anticoagulation during haemodialysis (HD). The available laboratory tests for monitoring LMWH anticoagulation are time-consuming and expensive, and the suitability of the conventional activated clotting time (ACT) is controversial. A simple and cheap bedside test would be useful. METHODS: We studied the factor Xa-activated whole blood clotting time (Xa-ACT) in vitro and in vivo in nine patients undergoing chronic HD with i.v. dalteparin bolus anticoagulation and compared it with the conventional ACT. Plasma anti-factor Xa (antiXa) activity was determined with a chromogenic assay. Thrombin-antithrombin complexes were measured to detect coagulation activation. RESULTS: Xa-ACT and ACT were prolonged with rising dalteparin concentration. In vitro, both clotting times were strongly correlated with the antiXa levels (r = 0.94 and 0.89, respectively). Nevertheless, compared with the ACT, the Xa-ACT was considerably more sensitive to the LMWH in vitro (healthy blood: Xa-ACT 90 s/U vs ACT 26 s/U; uraemic blood: Xa-ACT 96 s/U vs ACT 31 s/U) as well as in vivo (Xa-ACT 81 s/U vs ACT 22 s/U) and reflected different intensities of anticoagulation. An initial dalteparin bolus of 80+/-11 U/kg body weight was able to prevent coagulation activation for up to 4 h of HD. CONCLUSION: For monitoring LMWH anticoagulation the Xa-ACT was superior to the conventional ACT in vitro as well as in vivo during HD. The Xa-ACT can be useful as a LMWH bedside test. The ACT was not sensitive enough to serve as a LMWH monitoring tool.     

Truncus-coeliacus-Kompressionssyndrom

The celiac axis compression syndrome is a rare disease in adults. In childhood it is extremely uncommon. Vascular reasons or chronic irritation of the celiac ganglion are discussed as causes for this syndrome, leading to chronic abdominal pain. Lateral aortography is acknowledged to be the best method for diagnosis of the celiac axis compression syndrome. New duplex scanning methods are gaining more and more importance. The indication for surgery is the subject of controversy in the current literature. We present the case of a 15-year-old girl who recovered completely after transsection of the ligamentum arcuatum medianum and resection of the celiac ganglion.