Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy and Percutaneous Disc Cementoplasty for Painful Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients over 60 Years

PurposeTo determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous lumbar discectomy (PLD) and percutaneous disc cementoplasty (PDCP) for painful lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in patients >60 years of age.Materials and MethodsSixteen older patients (mean age, 71.00 ± 6.24 years) with painful LDH were treated with PLD and PDCP. The outcome data (the Macnab criteria, visual analog scale score, and Oswestry disability index) were collected preoperatively; at 1 week postoperatively; at posttreatment months 1, 3, and 6; and every 6 months thereafter. In addition, treatment duration, injection volume of bone cement, length of hospital stay, and complications were assessed.ResultsTreatment was successful in all patients. The pain relief rate at the last follow-up was 87.5%. Six, 8, and 2 patients showed excellent, good, and fair results, respectively; no patient showed a poor result. The average visual analog scale for back and leg pain decreased from 6.75 ± 1.06 and 7.00 ± 0.89 before the procedure to 2.81 ± 1.60 and 2.87 ± 1.75 at 1 month, 2.79 ± 1.58 and 2.71 ± 1.64 at 6 months, and 2.90 ± 1.73 and 3.00 ± 1.76 at 1 year, respectively. The scores were 2.44 ± 1.63 and 2.44 ± 1.71, respectively, at the last follow-up. The Oswestry disability index also changed after the procedure, with significant differences between baseline scores and those at each follow-up (P < .001). The mean procedure duration, injection volume of bone cement, and length of hospital stay were 55.69 ± 5.86 minutes, 2.50 ± 0.63 mL, and 7.06 ± 2.41 days, respectively. There were no complications.ConclusionsThe combination of PLD and PDCP is feasible, safe, and effective for older patients with painful LDH.     

Radiofrequency Microdebridement Versus Surgical Decompression for Achilles Tendinosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Achilles tendinosis is primarily managed nonoperatively with activity modification and physiotherapy, although surgery can be required. This has classically involved surgical decompression of the Achilles tendon, although the use of radiofrequency microdebridement has been suggested as a novel minimally invasive alternative. We present a randomized controlled trial comparing radiofrequency microdebridement using the Topaz^® microdebrider wand and traditional surgical decompression. All patients with Achilles tendinosis referred to a single surgeon and meeting the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in our single-blinded, randomized controlled study. The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire and the visual analog scale were used as measures at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. From 2009 to 2014, 16 patients were randomized to traditional decompression treatment and 20 to Topaz^® treatment. All surgical procedures were performed as day-case procedures with the patient under general anesthetic by a single surgeon. No significant differences were found between the groups in demographic data. At 6 months after intervention, both groups demonstrated an improvement in the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles and visual analog scale scores compared with baseline, with no difference found between treatment modalities at 6 months. The Topaz^® microdebrider resulted in variable outcomes after surgery and is not without complications. Regarding the patient-reported outcome measures, Topaz^® conferred no additional benefit compared with traditional surgical decompression and we have stopped using Topaz^® in our treatment of Achilles tendinosis.     

Is Double Metatarsal Osteotomy Superior to Proximal Chevron Osteotomy in Treatment of Hallux Valgus With Increased Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle?

We compared the results of proximal chevron osteotomy and double metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus with an increased distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). From October 2008 to December 2012, first metatarsal osteotomies were performed in 64 patients (69 feet) with symptomatic hallux valgus associated with an increased DMAA. Proximal chevron with Akin osteotomy and lateral soft tissue release was performed in 46 feet (PCO group); double metatarsal osteotomy and Akin osteotomy without lateral soft tissue release was performed in 23 feet (DMO group). Clinical assessments were performed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale and visual analog scale (VAS). The hallux valgus angles, intermetatarsal angles, sesamoid positions, metatarsus adductus angles, and DMAAs were compared at different postoperative times. Postoperative shortening of first the metatarsal and complications were compared. The mean AOFAS scale and VAS scores showed significant improvement in both groups after surgery; however, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. The immediate postoperative hallux valgus angle and sesamoid position were significantly larger in DMO group; however, no intergroup difference was observed at the last follow-up visit, with the hallux valgus angle gradually increasing in the PCO group. The postoperative DMAA was significantly smaller in the DMO group. The mean shortening of the first metatarsal after surgery was significantly larger in the DMO group than in the PCO group. Transfer metatarsalgia developed in 1 foot (2.2%) in the PCO group and 2 feet (8.7%) in the DMO group. Partial avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head with advanced arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint developed in 1 foot (4.3%) in the DMO group. In conclusion, no differences in the clinical and radiographic results were observed between the 2 groups for hallux valgus deformity with an increased DMAA.     

Effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 analogs in combination with insulin on myocardial infarct size in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIM To evaluate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs(GLP-1 a) combined with insulin on myocardial ischemiareperfusion injury in diabetic rats.METHODS Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2 DM) was induced in maleWistar rats with streptozotocin(65 mg/kg) and verified using an oral glucose tolerance test. After anesthesia, the left coronary artery was occluded for 40 min followed by 80 min reperfusion. Blood glucose level was measured during surgery. Rats were randomized into six groups as follows:(1) control rats;(2) insulin(0.1 U/kg) treated rats prior to ischemia;(3) insulin(0.1 U/kg) treated rats at reperfusion;(4) GLP-1 a(140 mg/kg) treated rats prior to ischemia;(5) GLP-1 a(140 mg/kg) treated rats at reperfusion; and(6) rats treated with GLP-1 a(140 mg/kg) prior to ischemia plus insulin(0.1 U/kg) at reperfusion. Myocardial area at risk and infarct size was measured planimetrically using Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, respectively.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the myocardial area at risk among groups. Insulin treatment before ischemia resulted in a significant increase in infarct size(34.7% ± 3.4% vs 18.6% ± 3.1% in the control rats, P 0.05). Post-ischemic administration of insulin or GLP-1 a had no effect on infarct size. However, pre-ischemic administration of GLP-1 a reduced infarct size to 12% ± 2.2%(P 0.05). The maximal infarct size reduction was observed in the group treated with GLP-1 a prior to ischemia and insulin at reperfusion(8% ± 1.6%, P 0.05 vs the control and GLP-1 a alone treated groups).CONCLUSION GLP-1 a pre-administration results in myocardial infarct size reduction in rats with T2 DM. These effects are maximal in rats treated with GLP-1 a pre-ischemia plus insulin at reperfusion.     

Effectiveness of Vaginal Misoprostol and Rectal Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug in Vaginoscopic Diagnostic Outpatient Hysteroscopy in Primarily Infertile Women: Double-Blind,Randomized, Controlled Trial

Study ObjectiveTo assess whether vaginally administered misoprostol or rectally administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug reduces pain during vaginoscopic diagnostic outpatient hysteroscopy in nulliparous infertile patients.DesignDouble-blinded, randomized, controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).SettingDepartment of reproductive medicine at a university teaching hospital.PatientsOne hundred fifty-eight primarily infertile women who underwent outpatient hysteroscopy for evaluation of infertility.InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Women in group 1 received 200 μg misoprostol vaginally at 6 hours before outpatient hysteroscopy and placebo tablets rectally at 60 minutes before the procedure. Women in group 2 received placebo tablets rectally at 6 hours before outpatient hysteroscopy and 100 mg diclofenac sodium rectally at 60 minutes before the procedure. Women in group 3 received placebo tablets vaginally at 6 hours before outpatient hysteroscopy and placebo tablets rectally at 45 to 60 minutes before the procedure. Patients were asked to record severity of pain, which was the primary outcome of the study, during the outpatient hysteroscopy procedure by using a visual analog scale ranging from 1 (very favorable) to 10 (very unfavorable). Secondary outcomes included procedural time from introduction of the hysteroscope through the external cervical os and visualization of the uterine cavity, patient acceptance recorded by the patient using a 5-point Likert scale, post-procedural analgesic requirements, and vasovagal effects.Measurements and Main ResultsMedian (range) pain scores for the women in group 1 (4.75 [3.12–6.54]) and group 2 (5.01 [2.8–7.05]) were not significantly different from those in group 3 (4.15 [2.17–6.92]) (p = .57). There was also no significant difference in patient acceptance (Likert scale) (p = .67), vasovagal symptoms (p = .84), procedure time (p = .05), and post-procedural analgesic requirement (p = .71).ConclusionsWe were unable to demonstrate a benefit in pain reduction and patient acceptance with the use of vaginal misoprostol or rectal NSAIDs during vaginoscopic diagnostic outpatient hysteroscopy in nulliparous infertile women without a history of cervical stenosis. Trials investigating the optimal time for vaginal misoprostol premedication for pain relief in vaginoscopic outpatient hysteroscopy are needed. New interventions and/or drugs should be studied to decrease pain perception during vaginoscopic outpatient hysteroscopy.     

满足日常生活活动范围的髋臼假体角度安全范围及杯颈前倾角组合

目的：研究满足日常生活活动范围条件下,全髋关节置换术中髋臼杯角度安全范围及杯颈前倾角优化组合。方法：建立人工全髋关节三维可视化计算机模型,将髋关节屈曲≥110。、屈曲90。内旋≥30。、后伸≥30。、外旋≥40。定义为日常生活活动范围一般标准,而将屈曲≥120、屈曲90。内旋〉145。、后伸≥30。、外旋≥40。定义为严格标准,头颈直径比为2—2．92,假体颈前倾角为0一30,髋臼杯前倾角为0一70,外展角为10。～60。,颈干角设定为135。,计算满足上述两组活动范围,髋臼杯外展角每变化5。,相应的髋臼杯前倾角安装角度,在以臼杯外展角为横坐标,臼杯前倾角为纵坐标的坐标系上描点、连线画图进行描述,采用SAS6．12统计学软件对数据进行分析。结果：髋臼杯角度安全范围随着头颈直径比增大而增大,头颈比大于2．37时,臼杯角安全范围增大明显,严格标准活动度下的安全范围比一般标准条件下的小。颈干角135。,髋关节一般标准和严格标准活动度下,髋臼杯前倾角（y）与股骨假体前倾角（X）的关系分别为：Y1：一0．816X1＋39．76（R。=0．993）,Y2=-0．873X2＋47．04（R^2=0．999）。结论：头颈直径比较大的假体髋臼杯角安全范围明显增大,建议选择头颈比直径大于2．37的假体。髋关节活动范围要求越高,髋臼杯角度安全范围就越小,但可以通过选择较大头颈直径比的假体来纠正。杯颈前倾角呈负相关。     

Optimum pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis value after operation for patients with adult degenerative scoliosis

Background Context

Schwab classification for adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) concluded that health-related quality of life was closely related to curve type and three sagittal modifiers. It was suggested that pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis value (PI-LL) should be corrected within ?10°~+10°. However, recent studies also indicated that ideal clinical outcomes could also be achieved in patients without the ideal PI-LL mentioned above.

喉及下咽部CT仿真内窥镜成像技术及其初步临床应用

目的　探讨正常和异常喉及下咽部的CT仿真内窥镜 (CTVE)成像技术及其初步临床应用。方法　采用层厚 3 0mm、螺距 1 0、间隔 1 0mm对 10例正常和 2 0例经病理证实的喉及下咽部病变的患者进行CTVE成像 ,并与纤维喉镜、手术所见对照分析。结果　CTVE能清楚显示正常喉及下咽部的腔内结构。 19例头端CTVE上显示的病变部位、大小和形态与纤维喉镜所见基本一致 ,1例声带息肉显示明显不如后者 ;2例从足侧观察肿瘤与声带和前联合的关系 ,弥补了纤维喉镜的不足。CTVE不能显示组织的颜色变化 ,不易观察病变的表面状况 ,难以判断病变的性质 ,以及不能观察喉内结构的活动情况。结论　CTVE是一种新的、非侵袭性的方法 ,能清楚显示正常和异常喉及下咽部的腔内结构 ,是纤维喉镜的很好补充手段。