Proximal opening-wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal for moderate and severe hallux valgus using low profile plates

BackgroundTo present the results of the treatment of hallux valgus with the proximal metatarsal opening wedge (PMOW) osteotomy using two different screw and plate systems.MethodsForty-one patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus were treated with the PMOW osteotomy between 2005 and 2009. The fixation was obtained by the Darco^® BOW or by the Arthrex^® LPS plate. Biplanar chevron and/or Akin osteotomy were associated according to the magnitude of distal angles. Each patient was evaluated with weight-bearing radiographs and AOFAS score.ResultsThe HV, IM, DMA and IP angles improved by a mean of 14°, 8°, 11°, 7° respectively. The sesamoid position improved in 79% of the feet. AOFAS score improved from a mean of 50 to 82.ConclusionThe PMOW osteotomy is effective to correct high-level hallux valgus deformities. Both systems guarantee the stability and correction of the osteotomy site. The combination with distal procedures is advisable to correct distal angles.     

Survival in Thoracic or Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Comparison between patients with or without surgical treatment

The surgical mortality among 22 patients treated for thoracic or thoracoabdominal aneurysm was compared with the mortality in 47 patients managed without surgery. Surgical mortality (<30 days) was low (1/13) in ascending aortic aneurysm, but higher (3/8) in aneurysm of the descending or thoracoabdominal aorta (including both acute and elective operations). Of the 20 non-surgically managed patients in the latter group, 15 died after a mean of 1.1 year. The only patient operated on for aortic arch aneurysm died of cerebral ischaemia 2 days postoperatively. Most of the 19 non-operated patients with aneurysm of the arch or total aorta (mean age 76 years) were never considered for surgical treatment. The analysis supports aggressive management of patients with aneurysm of the ascending, descending or thoracoabdominal aorta. Many of our patients with aneurysm of the arch or involving most of the aorta were old and had other, concomitant diseases, and in such cases an aggressive treatment strategy does not seem justified.     

Surgical closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with suspected paradoxical embolism: long‐term results

Objective—It is thought that a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the crucial mechanism in patients with suspected paradoxical embolism and cryptogenic stroke. It has been hypothesized that closure of the PFO would prevent further cerebrovascular incidents. We describe our early and late experience with surgical closure of PFO in patients with paradoxical embolism.

Patients and methods—Between May 1994 and December 2001, 33 patients (26 men, 7 women; mean age, 55.2?±?8.7 years; range, 37–74 years) underwent surgical closure of a PFO at our institution. All patients had preoperatively suffered from a stroke and/or a transient ischemic attack, after which echocardiography showed a PFO. Mean follow‐up at 99?±?30 months (range, 10–111 months) was 100% complete.

Results—All patients survived the operative procedure. Early complications occurred in four patients (12%). Actuarial survival at 1, 5 and 8 years was 97?±?3%, 97?±?5% and 94?±?8%, respectively. At long‐term follow‐up all but two patients were alive. The deaths of these two patients were related to malignancy and ischemic heart disease, respectively. Two patients (6%) had suffered a residual cerebrovascular event after successful surgery.

Conclusion—Surgical closure of PFO in patients with paradoxical embolism can safely be performed with a low risk of early mortality. Residual thromboembolic events were rare and in those few it occurred it did so with the interatrial septum being closed, indicating that in those patients the PFO was not the mechanism of the thromboembolic event in the first place.     

Mast Quadrant微创通道与开放式经椎间孔腰椎椎间融合术的临床比较

目的 比较Mast Quadrant微创通道与开放式经椎间孔腰椎椎间融合术（transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,TLIF）治疗腰椎椎间盘突出症伴节段性不稳的临床疗效.方法 回顾分析行TLIF手术治疗的65例腰椎椎间盘突出伴节段不稳的临床资料,根据手术方式分为行传统TLIF的开放组（44例）及使用Mast Quadrant通道行TLIF手术的微创组（21例）.比较微创组与开放组出血量、手术时间、住院时间以及手术前后的视觉模拟量表（visual analog scale,VAS）评分和日本骨科学会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA）评分.结果 微创组围手术期出血量、手术时间以及住院天数均较开放手术组少（短）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.2组末次随访时疼痛VAS和JOA评分均较术前有改善,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.2组之间疼痛VAS评分比较,差异亦有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论与传统开放手术相比较,应用Mast Quadrant通道不但同样能够完成椎管减压、椎间植骨融合、椎弓根螺钉内固定等操作,还具有切口小、出血少、住院时间短、术后恢复快、发生下腰痛概率低等优点,是手术治疗腰椎椎间盘突出症伴节段不稳更好的选择.     

前路选择性间隙减压融合术治疗老年多节段颈椎病

目的评价前路选择性间隙减压融合术治疗65岁以上老年多节段颈椎病的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析有完整随访资料的35例手术患者,根据症状、体征及影像学结果行选择性间隙减压植骨融合内固定术。采用日本骨科学会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA）评分和Odom标准进行临床疗效评定。结果手术时间为（86．5±27．1）min,术中出血量为（95．7±42．9）mL。术前JOA评分为（8．4±2．6）分,末次随访时为（13．1±1．7）分,改莳率平均为58．7％,Odom优良率为82．4％。末次随访时均获骨性融合,内固定位置良好。结论术前充分准备,准确评估．正确选择减压节段,前路选择性间隙减压融合术是治疗老年多节段颈椎病的一种安全有效的手术方式：