Vascular surgical reconstructions in orthopedic tumor operations

The surgical treatment of bone tumors today results more and more in a radical resection therapy. The major vessels are often included in the tumor mass and therefore they have to be resected and reconstructed. Between 1981-1986 30 patients of the Orthopaedic University Clinic in Vienna were treated with tumor resection. The arterial and/or venous reconstruction was done in cooperation with the I. Department of Surgery of the University of Vienna. In 73% of the cases rotation plasty of the knee was performed, in 10% a local tumor resection and in 7% a tumor resection and reconstruction by a tumor endoprosthesis (KMFTR-system). Three patients underwent partial pelvic resection, hemipelvectomy and rotation plasty of the hip respectively.     

Fibrous metaphyseal defects — determination of their origin and natural history using a radiomorphological study

The radiomorphological appearance of fibrous metaphyseal defects (FMDs) is demonstrated by long-term follow-up studies. A characteristic radiomorphological course rather than a typical single appearance can be established. These findings correlate well with the duration of these tumor-like lesions; therefore, the radiological findings allow conclusions to be made about the age of a fibrous metaphyseal defect. In addition, the characteristic locations of FMDs will be explained in respect of their origins at insertions of tendons and ligaments.     

Stable bony integration with and without short-term indomethacin prophylaxis

We included in a prospective study of a standardized indomethacin protocol 134 consecutive patients undergoing primary cementless endoprosthetic hip replacement between January and June 1990. Periarticular heterotopic ossification (HO) was graded according to the Arcq classification (grades 0 to III). At final follow-up, all patients were analyzed clinically and radiographically for HO and aseptic loosening. A similar group of 44 patients (mean age of 64 years, range 38-82 years) undergoing total hip replacement (THR) with the same prosthesis and technique in 1987 did not receive HO prophylaxis and served as a control group. The average age of the 134 prophylaxis patients was 66.5 years (range 32-85 years), and the average follow-up was 65 months (range 60-71 months). Thirty patients (25%) were lost to final follow-up (19 died, 10 unknown, 1 amputation). In the study group, 77% had HO grade 0, while none had HO grade III, compared with 18% HO grade 0 and 16% HO grade III in the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P = < 0.001). At a minimum of 60 months follow-up, clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed no aseptic loosening in the study group: 4 cases of prosthesis subsidence during the first year did not progress. In the control group, there was a higher incidence of radiolucency around the femoral component, and one patient met all criteria for radiographic evidence of aseptic loosening. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.104). Based on our clinical and radiological results, indomethacin does not inhibit stable bony integration of the femoral component.     

Comparison of the results of the Weil and Helal osteotomies for the treatment of metatarsalgia secondary to dislocation of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints

We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 30 patients who were treated surgically for metatarsalgia resulting from dislocation of one or more lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. We used two treatments, including an osteotomy of the metatarsal head (Weil osteotomy, N = 15) or an osteotomy of the metatarsal shaft (Helal osteotomy, N = 15). Before surgery, all patients had been treated with various nonoperative modalities for a minimum of 6 months. Between 1991 and 1993, 15 consecutive patients underwent a Helal osteotomy (22 metatarsals), and 15 consecutive patients were subsequently treated between 1994 and 1995 with a Weil osteotomy (25 metatarsals). All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean follow-up period of 22 months (range, 12-39 months), noting especially persistent subluxation or dislocation, recurrent metatarsalgia, and transfer lesions. Patients managed with a Weil osteotomy had significantly higher satisfaction (P = 0.049), lower incidence of recurrent metatarsalgia (0 vs. 27%, P = 0.107), and fewer transfer lesions (0 vs. 41%, P = < 0.001) than those managed with a Helal osteotomy. Furthermore, those managed with the Weil procedure had a higher percentage of radiographic reduction and maintenance of the MTP joint dislocation (21 of 25, 84%; vs. 8 of 22, 36%; P = 0.002) than those managed with the Helal procedure. In the Weil group, there was also no malunion or pseudoarthrosis; in the Helal group there were five malunions and three pseudoarthroses. Although the follow-up period for the Weil osteotomy (15 months) was shorter than that for the Helal osteotomy (26 months), the former group had higher American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society forefoot scores, which were significantly different from the results attained with the Helal osteotomy. A telephone update was performed on the Weil osteotomy group at an average of 27 months postsurgery, and no patient had experienced changes since the clinical follow-up. We concluded that the Weil procedure is a satisfactory method for correcting metatarsalgia caused by dislocation of the MTP joint and that, because of the high complication rate, the Helal osteotomy is not an acceptable procedure for correcting this condition.     

General short-term indomethacin prophylaxis to prevent heterotopic ossification in total hip arthroplasty

This prospective study evaluated heterotopic ossification prophylaxis with indomethacin for 14 days in 201 consecutive patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Ranitidine was administered concurrently to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects. None of the patients with mild gastrointestinal side effects (12%) had to suspend the prophylaxis, and no major postoperative bleeding or gastrointestinal ulcers were observed. After 12 months of follow-up, 67% of patients had no evidence of heterotopic ossification, 32% percent had grades I and 1% had grade III without clinical significance, and 0% had grade IV ossification according to Brooker's classification. These results indicate that short-term indomethacin prophylaxis is an effective, inexpensive, and easily administrated alternative to single-dose radiotherapy for nearly all patients undergoing THA.     

The chevron osteotomy for correction of hallux valgus. Comparison of findings after two and five years of follow-up

BACKGROUND: The chevron osteotomy, an accepted method for the correction of mild and moderate hallux valgus, is generally advocated for patients younger than the age of fifty years. The purposes of this prospective study were to compare the short-term (two-year) and intermediate-term (five-year) results of this operation with respect to patient satisfaction, flexion and extension of the metatarsophalangeal joint, maintenance of correction, and development of arthrosis and to determine whether the effectiveness of the procedure was limited by age. METHODS: Between April 1991 and September 1992, the chevron osteotomy was performed for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hallux valgus deformity in sixty-six consecutive feet. Forty-three patients (fifty-seven feet) were available for follow-up at both two and five years postoperatively. The two-year and five-year clinical assessments were based on the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale. RESULTS: Between the two-year and five-year follow-up evaluations, there was only a minimal change in overall patient satisfaction, and the average score on the hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale was unchanged. The passive range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint decreased between the preoperative assessment and the two-year follow-up evaluation and was unchanged at the five-year follow-up evaluation. Radiographic evaluation showed no changes in the hallux valgus or intermetatarsal angle between the two-year and five-year evaluations, although the number of feet with arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint increased slightly, from eight to eleven. Patients aged fifty years or older did as well as younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: At these two follow-up periods, the chevron osteotomy was found to be a reliable procedure for the correction of mild and moderate hallux valgus deformity, and outcome did not differ on the basis of age.     

Damage control surgery in perforated diverticulitis: ongoing peritonitis at second surgery predicts a worse outcome

Purpose

Damage control strategy (DCS) is a two-staged procedure for the treatment of perforated diverticular disease complicated by generalized peritonitis. The aim of this retrospective multicenter cohort study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of an ongoing peritonitis at the time of second surgery.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent DCS for perforated diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon with generalized peritonitis at four surgical centers were included. Damage control strategy is a two-stage emergency procedure: limited resection of the diseased colonic segment, closure of oral and aboral colon, and application of a negative pressure assisted abdominal closure system at the initial surgery followed by second laparotomy 48 h later. Therein, decision for definite reconstruction (anastomosis or Hartmann’s procedure (HP)) is made. An ongoing peritonitis at second surgery was defined as presence of visible fibrinous, purulent, or fecal peritoneal fluid. Microbiologic findings from peritoneal smear at first surgery were collected and analyzed.

Results

Between 5/2011 and 7/2017, 74 patients underwent a DCS for perforated diverticular disease complicated by generalized peritonitis (female: 40, male: 34). At second surgery, 55% presented with ongoing peritonitis (OP). Patients with OP had higher rate of organ failure (32 vs. 9%, p =?0.024), higher Mannheim Peritonitis Index (25.2 vs. 18.9; p =?0.001), and increased operation time (105 vs. 84 min., p =?0.008) at first surgery. An anastomosis was constructed in all patients with no OP (nOP) at second surgery as opposed to 71% in the OP group (p <?0.001). Complication rate (44 vs. 24%, p =?0.092), mortality (12 vs. 0%, p =?0.061), overall number of surgeries (3.4 vs. 2.4, p =?0.017), enterostomy rate (76 vs. 36%, p =?0.001), and length of hospital stay (25 vs. 18.8 days, p =?0.03) were all increased in OP group. OP at second surgery occurred significantly more often in patients with Enterococcus infection (81 vs. 44%, p =?0.005) and with fungal infection (100 vs. 49%, p =?0.007). In a multivariate analysis, Enterococcus infection was associated with increased morbidity (67 vs. 21%, p <?0.001), enterostomy rate (81 vs. 48%, p =?0.017), and anastomotic leakage (29 vs. 6%, p =?0.042), whereas fungal peritonitis was associated with an increased mortality (43 vs. 4%, p =?0.014).

Conclusion

Ongoing peritonitis after DCS is a predictor of a worse outcome in patients with perforated diverticulitis. Enterococcal and fungal infections have a negative impact on occurrence of OP and overall outcome.

     

The impact of intraoperative frozen section analysis on final resection margin status,recurrence, and patient outcome with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Clinical Oral Investigations - The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of intraoperative frozen section analysis (IFSA) of tumor bed margins in patients with oral squamous...     

Intensified Adjuvant IFADIC Chemotherapy for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Prospective Randomized Feasibility Trial

Purpose. The present prospective randomized adjuvant trial was carried out to compare the toxicity, feasibility and efficacy of augmented chemotherapy added to hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy after wide or marginal resection of grade 2 and grade 3 soft tissue sarcoma (STS).Patients and methods. Fifty-nine patients underwent primary surgery by wide or marginal excision and were subsequently randomized to receive radiotherapy alone or under the addition of six courses of ifosfamide (1500 mg/m(2) , days 1-4), dacarbazine (DTIC) (200 mg/m(2) , days 1-4) and doxorubicin (25 mg/m(2) , days 1-2) administered in 14-day-intervals supported by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (30 x 10(6) IU/day, s.c.) on days 5-13. According to the randomization protocol, 28 patients received radiotherapy only, whereas 31 patients were treated with additional chemotherapy.Results. The relative ifosfamide-doxorubicin-DTIC (IFADIC) dose intensity achieved was 93%. After a mean observation period of 41+/-19.7 months (range, 8.1-84 months), 16 patients (57%) in the control group versus 24 patients (77%) in the chemotherapy group were free of disease (p>0.05).Within the control group, tumor relapses occurred in 12 patients (43%;six patients with distant metastases, two with local relapse, four with both) versus seven patients (23%; five patients with distant metastases, one with local recurrence, one with both) from the chemotherapy group. Relapse-free survival (RFS) (p=0.1), time to local failure (TLF) (p=0.09), time to distant failure (TDF) (p=0.17) as well as overall survival (OS) (p=0.4) did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Treatment-related toxicity was generally mild in both treatment arms.Conclusion. We conclude that the safety profile of intensified IFADIC added to radiotherapy was manageable and tolerable in the current setting. Inclusion of intensified IFADIC was not translated into a significant benefit concerning OS, RFS, TLF andTDF as compared with radiotherapy only, although a potential benefit of chemotherapy for grade 3 STS patients needs to be validated in prospective randomized trials including larger patient numbers.