Pedicle screw fixation of the C7 vertebra using an anteroposterior fluoroscopic imaging technique

Cervical pedicle screws have been reported to be biomechanically superior to lateral mass screws. However, placement of these implants is a technical challenge. The purpose of this investigation was to use an anatomic and a clinical study to evaluate a technique for placement of the pedicle screws in the C7 vertebra using fluoroscopic imaging in only the anteroposterior (A/P) plane. Ten adult cadaver C7 vertebrae were used to record the pedicle width, inclination and a suitable entry point for placement of pedicle screws. A prospective study of 28 patients undergoing posterior instrumentation of the cervical spine with C7 pedicle screw placement was also performed. A total of 55 C7 pedicle screws were placed using imaging only in the A/P plane with screw trajectory values obtained by the anatomic study. Radiographs and CT scans were performed post-operatively. The average posterior pedicle diameter of C7 vertebra was 9.5 ± 1.2 mm in this study. The average middle pedicle diameter was 7.1 mm and the average anterior pedicle diameter was 9.2 mm. The average transverse pedicle angle was 26.8 on the right and 27.3 on the left. CT scans were obtained on 20 of 28 patients which showed two asymptomatic cortical wall perforations. One screw penetrated the lateral wall of the pedicle and another displayed an anterior vertebral penetration. There were no medial wall perforations. The preliminary results suggest that this technique is safe and suitable for pedicle screw placement in the C7 vertebra.     

Feasibility and efficacy of placement of continuous sciatic perineural catheters solely under ultrasound guidance in children: a descriptive study

Background: Placement of sciatic catheters with ultrasound and stimulating catheters is known. Literature regarding catheter placements with only ultrasound is limited. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of performing continuous sciatic nerve block exclusively with ultrasound guidance and minimal equipment. Method: Forty ASA 1 and 2 patients aged 8 months–10 years posted for congenital talipoequinovarus surgery were included in the study. Continuous sciatic catheters were placed under ultrasound guidance with 18‐ gauge Tuohy needle at the infragluteal fold. Then, 0.25% of bupivacaine 0.5 ml·kg^?1 bolus was injected followed by continuous infusion later. Half the volume of the drug was injected prior to catheter insertion to improve visibility. The sciatic nerve, needle tip and shaft, catheter tip and the drug spread were visualized. The efficacy of the block intraoperatively and postoperatively was evaluated. Results: The sciatic nerve, needle shaft, and tip were well visualized in all 40 patients. The catheter tip was seen in 72.5% of patients. The effect of block was complete intraoperatively and postoperatively. Clinically significant complications were absent. Conclusion: We conclude that in children, continuous sciatic catheters can be accurately and efficaciously placed with minimal equipment with ultrasound alone.     

A single institution experience with skin sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Skin sparing mastectomies (SSMs) represent a surgical approach that preserves the natural skin envelope of the breast and, when combined with immediate reconstruction, offers a good cosmetic outcome. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the risk of local recurrence (LR) in this series with the known rate of recurrence following a conventional mastectomy.

METHODS

A total of 108 patients with breast cancer who underwent an SSM and immediate breast reconstruction over a 6-year period were reviewed.

RESULTS

A follow-up of more than eight years showed that three patients (2.78%) had developed LR.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of LR is low with SSMs and is comparable to that seen with conventional mastectomies.     

Association of hyperglycemia with increased mortality after severe burn injury

OBJECTIVE: To assess results of exchange nailing in nonunion after intramedullary (IM) nailing of humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: This was a retrospective study; 24 patients with nonunion after IM nailing of humeral shaft fractures were reviewed. In 13 cases, nonunion was treated using exchange nailing, and 11 patients were treated nonoperatively. Union was assessed from radiographs. Shoulder joint symptoms and function were assessed after a mean 4.7 years' follow-up using Constant-Murley scoring and self-administered questionnaires devised by L'Insalata et al. RESULTS: Single or repeated exchange nailing resulted in union in 6 of 13 patients. Shoulder joint function was satisfactory (mean Constant-Murley score of 72) for those patients whose fracture eventually united and poor (mean Constant-Murley score of 39) for those left with nonunion. CONCLUSION: Exchange nailing results in a poor union rate in nonunion after IM nailing of humeral shaft fractures. Permanent nonunion of the humeral shaft leaves the patient with severe disability.     

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign and inflammatory conditions

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign renal conditions associated with dense perinephric inflammation, such as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN), pyonephrosis, tuberculous pyelonephritis, and calculus pyelonephritis, and compare outcomes with a matched group of patients undergoing open nephrectomy for similar indications. An additional objective was to evaluate factors predictive of complications and open conversions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 84 patients with benign inflammatory diseases who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy and compared the data with data from 94 matched patients undergoing open nephrectomy. Both groups were compared with regard to operative time, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, analgesia requirement, blood transfusion, and hospital stay. Univariate analysis assessed the predictive value of factors such as kidney size, presence of hilar lymphadenopathy, perinephric and perihilar adhesion, laterality and body mass index on complications and risk of open conversion. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 170 +/- 59.8 and 148 +/- 42.5 minutes, blood loss was 156.2 +/- 6.8 and 154.6 +/- 68.8 mL, analgesia requirement was 165 +/- 71.2 and 284 +/- 81 g diclofenac sodium, and average hospital stay was 4.34 +/- 0.8 and 8.07 +/- 1.8 days in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. Abnormal renal hilum (71%) and perihilar adhesions (86%) were common findings in patients with XGPN, whereas abnormal hilum and hilar lymphadenopathy (55%) were commonly seen in those with tuberculosis. The renal hilum was relatively unaffected in patients with pyonephrosis and calculus pyelonephritis. Pleural entry was more common (P < 0.0001) in the open group, and visceral injury was more common in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.04). Blood transfusion was necessary in 7% and 11% of patients in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. Open conversion was required in 8 cases (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease-3, pyonephrosis, 2, XGPN and calculus pyelonephritis, 3). Intestinal obstruction that required laparotomy and adhesinolysis developed in one patient in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy can be performed safely in most patients with benign inflammatory conditions that require surgical extirpation. Proper patient selection and technical modifications may help reduce morbidity. One should keep a low threshold for laparoscopic-assisted open conversion whenever necessary.     

Estudo comparativo,randômico e duplo‐cego de petidina e cetoprofeno como adjuvantes de lidocaína em anestesia regional intravenosa

Background and objectives

A review of all the adjuncts for intravenous regional anaesthesia concluded that there is good evidence to recommend NonSteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory agents and pethidine in the dose of 30 mg dose as adjuncts to intravenous regional anaesthesia. But there are no studies to compare pethidine of 30 mg dose to any of the NonSteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory agents.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, double blind study, 45 patients were given intravenous regional anaesthesia with either lignocaine alone or lignocaine with pethidine 30 mg or lignocaine with ketprofen 100 mg. Fentanyl was used as rescue analgesic during surgery. For the first 6 h of postoperative period analgesia was provided by fentanyl injection and between 6 and 24 h analgesia was provided by diclofenac tablets. Visual analogue scores for pain and consumption of fentanyl and diclofenac were compared.

Results

The block was inadequate for one case each in lignocaine group and pethidine group, so general anaesthesia was provided. Time for the first dose of fentanyl required for postoperative analgesia was significantly more in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (156.7 ± 148.8 and 153.0 ± 106.0 vs. 52.1 ± 52.4 min respectively). Total fentanyl consumption in first 6 h of postoperative period was less in pethidine and ketoprofen groups compared to lignocaine group (37.5 ± 29.0 mcg, 38.3 ± 20.8 mcg vs. 64.2 ± 27.2 mcg respectively). Consumption of diclofenac tablets was 2.4 ± 0.7, 2.5 ± 0.5 and 2.0 ± 0.7 in the control, pethidine and ketoprofen group respectively, which was statistically not significant. Side effects were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

Both pethidine and ketoprofen are equally effective in providing postoperative analgesia up to 6 h, without significant difference in the side effects and none of the adjuncts provide significant analgesia after 6 h.     

Use of the Heartmate 3 for biventricular support as a bridge to heart transplant‐first US implant

Right ventricular failure continues to be the Achilles heel in the management of heart failure patients. Traditionally, either high doses of inotropes and inhaled nitric oxide or jerry‐rigged temporary mechanical devices have been used to support failing right ventricles. No durable implantable right ventricular assist device has been developed to address this long‐standing concern. Because of this vacuum of innovation, surgeons have started using the third‐generation LVADs to support the right ventricle. The HeartMate 3 (Abbott) LVAD is a safe and effective therapy for the management of biventricular failure.