Comparison of metacarpal plating methods

PURPOSE: Most metacarpal fractures are stable and can be treated with nonsurgical stabilization. However, some metacarpal fractures are treated with open reduction and internal fixation because of an open fracture, instability, or multiple fractures. Newer plate designs have emerged that allow a shorter plate and screw construct. We sought to determine the relative strength of 3 different methods of metacarpal plating for unstable fractures. METHODS: We tested our hypothesis in a transverse metacarpal fracture model using fourth-generation, biomechanical testing grade composite sawbones (Sawbones; Pacific Research Laboratories, Vashon, WA). The metacarpals were divided into 3 groups of 15 bones. Group 1 was plated with a standard 6-hole, 2.3-mm plate with 6 nonlocking bicortical screws in standard AO fashion. Group 2 was plated with a 6-hole, double-row, 3-dimensional (3D) plate with 3 nonlocking screws on either side of the fracture aiming for convergence of the screws. Group 3 was plated with a 2.4-mm plate using 6 nonlocking screws and standard AO technique. The metacarpals were then tested to failure in cantilever bending mode. RESULTS: All constructs broke through the bone. No plate failure or screw pullout was seen. Group 1 had a load to failure of 264 N +/- 14. Group 2 had a load to failure of 302 N +/- 17. Group 3 had a load to failure of 274 N +/- 20. The load to failure was highest in group 2 (3D plate). All differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 methods produced a strong construct. The load to failure was highest in group 2 (3D plate). Double-row plates with converging screws provide adequate or superior strength of fixation when compared with standard plate constructs.     

SUPINE POSITION ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN A PATIENT WITH SITUS AMBIGUOUS WITH POLYSPLENIA

A 58‐year‐old woman complained of painless jaundice. The serology showed total bilirubin 10.6 mg/dL with direct bilirubin of 7.0 mg/dL. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan disclosed an abnormal arrangement of the abdominal viscera and dilation of the biliary tree. A nearly 1.4 cm‐sized periampullary mass was seen. These findings are compatible with situs ambiguous with polysplenia and were suggestive of a periampullary tumor. Due to her unusual anatomical features, the patient underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the supine position instead of in the conventional prone position. ERCP showed that the common bile duct (CBD) diameter was increased to 20 mm. Microscopic findings of the biopsy specimen of papillary mass were compatible with an adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The clinical stage was stage IA (T1N0M0). Eight days later, a papillectomy was carried out by endoscopic snare resection. Six months later, follow‐up studies, including ERCP, abdominal CT and 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸‐FDG PET)‐CT scan, showed no evidence of recurrence. Although the success rate of supine position ERCP may be influenced by the extent of the intestinal malrotation and the position of the duodenum, we conclude that supine position ERCP can be carried out effectively in a patient with situs anomaly.     

Employees' satisfaction and the influential process factors during regular health check-up by a contracted industrial health association]

This study aimed at identifying factors influencing satisfaction among employees who undergo health check-ups. Seven hundred and twenty two workers at a single working-site (669 male and 53 female) were recruited for a cross-sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire that we newly developed through a pilot interview study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that overall satisfaction was significantly associated with the employee's age (p = 0.06), job type (p = 0.10), and waiting time during the examination (p < 0.01), the burden involved in filling out a check list before the examination (p = 0.06), and the courtesy of the health examination staff (p = 0.07). Our results may imply a role of satisfaction for quality assurance during work-site health check-ups.     

Robotic high para-aortic lymph node dissection with high port placement using same port for pelvic surgery in gynecologic cancer patients

ObjectiveThis study reports our initial experience of robotic high para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALND) with high port placement using same port for pelvic surgery in cervical and endometrial cancer patients.MethodsBetween July 2013 and January 2014, we performed robotic high PALND up to the left renal vein during staging surgeries. With high port placement and same port usage for pelvic surgery, high PALND was successfully performed without repositioning the robotic column. All data were registered consecutively and analyzed retrospectively.ResultsAll patients successfully underwent robotic high PALND, followed by hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Median age was 45 years (range, 39 to 51 years) and median body mass index was 22 kg/m² (range, 19.3 to 23.1 kg/m²). Median operative time for right PALND and left PALND was 37 minutes (range, 22 to 65 minutes) and 44 minutes (range, 36 to 50 minutes), respectively. Median number of right and left para-aortic lymph node by pathologic report was 12 (range, 8 to 15) and 13 (range, 5 to 26).ConclusionWith high port placement and one assistant port, robotic high PALND with the same port used in pelvic surgery is feasible to non-obese patients.     

Single-site robotic surgery in gynecologic cancer: a pilot study

Objective

To discuss the feasibility of single-site robotic surgery for benign gynecologic tumors and early stage gynecologic cancers.

Methods

In this single institution, prospective analysis, we analyzed six patients who had undergone single-site robotic surgery between December 2013 and August 2014. Surgery was performed using the da Vinci Si Surgical System. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Single-site robotic surgery was performed successfully in all six cases. The median patient age was 48 years, and the median body mass index was 25.5 kg/m² (range, 22 to 33 kg/m²). The median total operative time was 211 minutes, and the median duration of intracorporeal vaginal cuff suturing was 32 minutes (range, 22 to 47 minutes). The median duration of pelvic lymph node dissection was 31 minutes on one side and 27 minutes on the other side. Patients'' postoperative courses were uneventful. The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. No postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusion

When used to treat benign gynecologic tumors and early stage gynecologic cancers, the single-site da Vinci robotic surgery is feasible, safe, and produces favorable surgical outcomes.     

Time-resolved MR angiography for detecting and grading ovarian venous reflux: comparison with conventional venography

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA) with that of conventional venography for the detection and grading of ovarian venous reflux, which aid in the diagnosis of pelvic venous congestion.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 19 consecutive patients who underwent TR-MRA and conventional venography. The images were analysed by two radiologists in a randomised “blinded” manner. With the use of conventional venography as a gold standard, the images were reviewed to determine if differences in the detection and grading of ovarian venous reflux were seen between TR-MRA and conventional venography; the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TR-MRA compared with that of conventional venography were evaluated. The McNemar test was performed to determine the significance of any differences. Interobserver agreement was analysed using generalised κ statistics.

Results

There was no significant difference between TR-MRA and conventional venography for grading ovarian venous reflux (p>0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of TR-MRA were found to be 66.7%, 100% and 78.9%, and 75%, 100% and 84.2%, respectively, for the two observers. The weighted κ-values indicated excellent agreement between the two observers for grading ovarian venous reflux on TR-MRA (κ=0.894).

Conclusion

TR-MRA is an accurate method for accessing pelvic venous congestion.Chronic pelvic pain is a common health problem among females, and this is characterised by non-cyclic pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months [1]. It has been reported that as many as 39.1% of females have had chronic pelvic pain at some time during their lives [2]. Pelvic congestion syndrome is defined as chronic pelvic pain caused by incompetent ovarian veins, with associated venous reflux and venous engorgement [3,4].Conventional angiography is currently considered the gold standard for the detection of pelvic congestion syndrome [5]. However, this procedure is time-consuming and invasive, and it necessitates the use of ionising radiation. Several non-invasive techniques are used for the work-up of pelvic venous congestion, including sonography, CT and MRI [6-10]. Time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA) has been proven to be a quick and non-invasive technique that allows evaluation of the physiological blood flow [11-14].There has been a study regarding the usefulness of TR-MRA for assessing ovarian venous reflux, but to the best of our knowledge [11] the correlation with conventional venography has not been used to access the result of TR-MRA for detecting ovarian venous reflux. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of TR-MRA with that of conventional venography for the detection and grading of ovarian venous reflux, which will help make the diagnosis of pelvic venous congestion.     

How do the work environment and work safety differ between the dry and wet kitchen foodservice facilities?

In order to create a worker-friendly environment for institutional foodservice, facilities operating with a dry kitchen system have been recommended. This study was designed to compare the work safety and work environment of foodservice between wet and dry kitchen systems. Data were obtained using questionnaires with a target group of 303 staff at 57 foodservice operations. Dry kitchen facilities were constructed after 2006, which had a higher construction cost and more finishing floors with anti-slip tiles, and in which employees more wore non-slip footwear than wet kitchen (76.7%). The kitchen temperature and muscular pain were the most frequently reported employees'' discomfort factors in the two systems, and, in the wet kitchen, "noise of kitchen" was also frequently reported as a discomfort. Dietitian and employees rated the less slippery and slip related incidents in dry kitchens than those of wet kitchen. Fryer area, ware-washing area, and plate waste table were the slippery areas and the causes were different between the functional areas. The risk for current leakage was rated significantly higher in wet kitchens by dietitians. In addition, the ware-washing area was found to be where employees felt the highest risk of electrical shock. Muscular pain (72.2%), arthritis (39.1%), hard-of-hearing (46.6%) and psychological stress (47.0%) were experienced by employees more than once a month, particularly in the wet kitchen. In conclusion, the dry kitchen system was found to be more efficient for food and work safety because of its superior design and well managed practices.     

What is a reasonable surgical procedure for spinal extradural arachnoid cysts: is cyst removal mandatory? Eight consecutive cases and a review of the literature

Background  

Spinal epidural arachnoid cysts (EAC) are rare and may present with myelopathy, which can be completely curable with surgery. The majority of investigators believe that the repairment of dural defect is important to treat EAC. However, the necessity of excising EACs remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to find a reasonable surgical technique for treatment of EACs after considering the clinical outcome, recurrence, and complications.