Second Biopsy of Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node for Reappearing Breast Cancer After Previous Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a safe and accurate axillary staging procedure for patients with primary operable breast cancer. An increasing proportion of these patients undergo breast-conserving surgery, and 5% to 15% will develop local relapses that necessitate reoperation. Although a previous SLNB is often considered a contraindication for a subsequent SLNB, few data support this concern. Methods Between January 2000 and June 2004, 79 patients who were previously treated at our institution with breast-conserving surgery and who had a negative SLNB for early breast cancer developed, during follow-up, local recurrence that was amenable to reoperation. Eighteen of these patients were offered a second SLNB because of a clinically negative axillary status an average of 26.1 months after the primary event. Results In all 18 patients (7 with ductal carcinoma-in-situ and 11 with invasive recurrences), preoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed an axillary sentinel lymph node, with a preoperative identification rate of 100%, and 1 or more SLNs (an average of 1.3 per patient) were surgically removed. Sentinel lymph node metastases were detected in two patients with invasive recurrence, and a complete axillary dissection followed. At a median follow up of 12.7 months, no axillary recurrences have occurred in patients who did not undergo axillary dissection. Conclusions Second SLNB after previous SLNB is technically feasible and likely effective in selected breast cancer patients. A larger population and longer follow-up are necessary to confirm these preliminary data.     

Effect of total knee arthroplasty on recreational and sporting activity

BACKGROUND: Common concerns of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are whether they can continue with certain recreational and sporting activities or even commence new ones after the procedure. The present study was designed to determine preoperative and postoperative activities, the numbers participating and the time to resume these activities. METHODS: Between 1 and 2 years after TKA, patients who had undergone 144 arthroplasties, were surveyed by postal questionnaire to ascertain how the arthroplasty had affected their recreational and sporting ability. Their preoperative and postoperative activity along with the time to resume was recorded. The Oxford knee score and estimate of physical activity was also collected. RESULTS: Out of the 144 TKA performed, 122 participated in sport and recreational activity preoperatively and 108 participated postoperatively. Patients stated that the surgery had a beneficial effect on their performance of sporting and recreational activities although the number of sporting events decreased. By multiplying individuals by the number of activities they participated in, there were 254 occurrences of sport and recreational activities preoperatively giving a mean for the group of 1.76 sports/patient. Postoperatively this had reduced to 204, giving a mean of 1.41. Three activities showed a significant change for individual patients from pre- to postoperation. Those which showed an increase were exercise walking, where 19 patients (13.2%) who did not walk before surgery took up walking afterwards (P < 0.006) and aqua aerobics, where five took up aqua aerobics postoperatively for the first time (P < 0.025). Golf was the only sport which had a significant fall in participation from pre- to postoperation, with 10 out of 19 golfers giving up (P < 0.025). CONCLUSION: The present study has shown that patients are adopting lower impact activities to participate in after TKA. The total number of patients performing a sport decreases postoperatively and the total amount of sport played decreases. These data will help to counsel patients.     

Congenital nevus: the Indiana University's approach to treatment

The article will review the different treatment modalities for congenital nevi and the senior author's approach to these lesions. The management of congenital melanocytic nevus presents a diagnostic dilemma. Treatment must weigh the risk of malignancy, psychological distress to parents and child, and potential morbidities of excision. Excision of every nevus is neither applicable nor practical. Most plastic surgeons would agree that a large nevus mandates excision because of the risk of malignancy. However, debates occur regarding treatment of small and medium size nevi. Opinions differ regarding the types of reconstruction, malignant potential, and psychological impact of leaving a lesion untreated.     

Quantitative assessment of tension in wires of fine-wire external fixators

Fine-wire fixators are widely used in fracture management. Stable fixation requires the wires maintaining tension throughout the treatment. Clinical experience indicates that wire site complications relate to wire tension. However, there lacks a method to assess wire tension quantitatively in the clinic. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative assessment method for in situ wire tension and to investigate the factors that influence the assessment. An apparatus was developed based on a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) displacement transducer that measured the deflection of the testing wire with respect to a parallel reference wire when a constant transverse force of 30N was applied to the testing wire. The wire deflection measured was correlated with the wire tension measured by the force transducer. The experiment was performed under different conditions to assess the effect of bone-clamp distance, reference wire tension, number of wires, and fracture stiffness. The results showed that there was a significant and negative correlation between wire tension and deflection and the bone-clamp distance was the most important factor that affected the wire tension-deflection relationship. The assessment method makes it possible to investigate the relationship between wire tension and wire site complications in the clinic.