One-stage oblique lateral corridor antibiotic-cement reconstruction for Candida spondylodiscitis in patients with major comorbidities: Preliminary experience

Fungal spondylodiscitis is rare (0.5%–1.6% of spondylodiscitis) and mainly caused by Candida albicans. Surgical intervention in spondylodiscitis patients is indicated for compression of neural elements, spinal instability, severe kyphosis, failure of conservative management and intractable pain. However, there is no evidence-based optimal surgical approach for spondylodiscitis. There have been only case reports of surgical treatment for Candida spondylodiscitis. We evaluated the preliminary results of the efficacy and safety of one-stage debridement via oblique lateral corridor with interbody fusion (OLIF) using stand-alone cement reconstruction after debridement for the treatment of Candida spondylodiscitis in patients with major co-morbidities. Five patients (4 males, 1 female, mean age: 64.2 years) suffering from Candida albicans lumbar spondylodiscitis who underwent this procedure were studied. Their predominant symptoms were unremitting back and leg pain and all had pre and postoperative anti-fungal therapy under microbiologist supervision. The operative time ranged from 137 minutes to 260 minutes (mean: 213.4 minutes). The mean blood loss was 160 mL (range: 100–200 mL). There were no perioperative complications. At follow-up all showed major improvement in pain and ambulatory status. CT scan showed radiological stability for all patients at 6–12 months. Our preliminary results showed stand-alone anterior debridement and spinal re-construction with cement through mini-open OLIF approach might be a safe and effective option for patients with spinal fungal infection and major comorbidities.     

RP-HPLC法同时测定骨水泥释放液中头孢呋肟与头孢拉啶的浓度

目的 采用RP-HPLC法同时测定骨水泥中头孢呋肟与头孢拉啶的释放量。方法 以Irregular-H C₁₈柱(4.6mm×150mm)为固定相;甲醇-水(20∶80,含冰醋酸0.109mol/L)为流动相,pH值调至3.00;检测波长254nm。结果 测得头孢呋肟的线性范围为0.1～4.0μg·ml^-1,r=0.9999,头孢拉啶的线性范围为0.1～7.0μg·ml^-1,r=0.9998,日内日间RSD<5%。结论 方法简单、快速、准确。     

The Effect of Premature Loss of Deciduous Teeth a Biomktric Study in 14- and 10-Year-Olds

Abstract

Objective. To compare two methods used to examine the cement interface homogeneity of adhesively luted glass fiber posts (GFPs). Material and methods. GFPs were divided into four groups (n = 5 in each) and inserted into artificial root canals under standardized conditions: Group I = RelyX Unicem, application with application aid; Group II = RelyX Unicem; Group III = Panavia F 2.0; and Group IV = Variolink II. Posts in Groups II–IV were cemented without using an appliance. All specimens were sectioned at three levels (cervical, middle and apical) perpendicularly to the post's long axis and examined and photographed (n = 60) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cement interface inhomogeneities were (A) measured by means of SEM software and (B) estimated using a graphics program with SEM images being divided into 72 equal circle segments to calculate a percentage value of inhomogeneities of the 360° circumference. Results. Median values of inhomogeneities (A/B; %) within the cement interface for the cervical, middle and apical levels of analysis, respectively were 1.4/2.1, 2.2/4.2 and 1.9/2.1 for Group I; 21.0/20.1, 24.8/23.6 and 27.0/24.3 for Group II; 1.5/1.7, 5.5/6.3 and 19.4/20.8 for Group III; and 18.1/16.7, 16.1/15.3 and 27.2/25.7 for Group IV. The two methods correlated very well (0.994), with a value of one indicating a 100% correlation. Conclusion. Both evaluation methods were found to be equally appropriate for quantifying the cement interface homogeneity of SEM cross-sections of adhesively luted GFPs.     

Cement use in total knee arthroplasty: 40 versus 80 grams

BackgroundStudies of cement use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have historically addressed mechanical properties and application strategies. Recently, cement technique has been studied as a means to reduce cost. We transitioned from opening two bags (80 grams) of cement to one bag (40 grams) of cement for primary TKA to improve cost efficacy. This study investigates the radiographic outcome and cost of TKAs performed with 40 versus 80 grams of cement.MethodsTKAs from January 2017 to January 2019 were evaluated. Cement mantle and implant alignment were assessed per the Modern Knee Society Radiographic Evaluation System at four months by three blinded reviewers. Data was analyzed according to quantity of cement used. Cement mantle quality at 16 implant zones was compared. Cost was evaluated.Results163 patients (age 66.8 yrs. +/− 8.9, 51.5% female) underwent TKA with 80 grams of cement, while 142 patients (age 67.1 yrs. +/− 9.3, 56.3% female) underwent TKA utilizing 40 grams of cement. There was no significant difference in cement mantle quality. The most common zone of cement deficiency was the femoral posterior flange (9% in 40 gram group versus 4% in 80 gram group, p value = 0.08). There was no difference in implant size. Cost saving was calculated at $7,810 for the 40 gram group.ConclusionThere was no difference in radiographic cement mantle appearance between primary knees performed with 40 or 80 grams of cement. Cement usage represents a target for cost saving and opportunity to increase the value of primary TKA. Based on the current incidence of TKA in the United States, cost savings could exceed 33 million dollars annually.     

Bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements to tooth structure

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of the bond between newly introduced self-adhesive resin cements and tooth structures (i.e., enamel and dentin).

Methods

Three self-adhesive cements (SmartCem2, RelyX Unicem, seT SDI) were tested. Cylindrical-shaped cement specimens (diameter, 3 mm; height, 3 mm) were bonded to enamel and dentin. Test specimens were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The shear bond strength (SBS) was tested in a Zwick Roll testing machine. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and t-test. Statistically significant differences were defined at the α = 0.05 level. Bond failures were categorized as adhesive, cohesive, or mixed.

Results

The SBS values ranged from 3.76 to 6.81 MPa for cements bonded to enamel and from 4.48 to 5.94 MPa for cements bonded to dentin (p > 0.05 between surfaces). There were no statistically significant differences between the SBS values to enamel versus dentin for any given cement type. All cements exhibited adhesive failure at the resin/tooth interface.

Conclusions

Regardless of their clinical simplicity, the self-adhesive resin cements examined in this study exhibit limited bond performance to tooth structures; therefore, these cements must be used with caution.     

不同振动频率对3种粘接剂粘固种植体基桩时拉伸强度的影响

目的:比较不同振动频率对3种粘结剂粘结种植体基桩与钴铬烤瓷合金基底冠之间拉伸强度的影响。方法:制备90个纯钛种植体基桩及与基桩相匹配的钴铬合金基底冠。按不同的振动频率分为5组,0点组、7点组、8点组、9点组和10点组,分别用氧化锌丁香油水门汀(zinc oxide-eugenol,ZOE)、玻璃离子水门汀(glass ionomercement,GIC)和种植粘结剂(premier implant cement,PIC)粘结金属基底冠和基桩。以握笔式将洁牙机工作头的前端部分与基桩长轴垂直接触颈缘,螺旋振动15min,测试拉伸强度。结果:同一种粘结剂的粘结作用下,随着洁牙机振动频率的增加,种植体的基桩与基底冠产生的脱位力之间存在显著性差异(P<0.05);在同一振动频率作用下,不同粘结剂对种植体基桩与基底冠产生的脱位力存在显著性差异(P<0.05);洁牙机的振动频率与脱位力之间呈负相关关系(P<0.05)。结论:不同振动频率对金属冠与基桩之间拉伸强度有显著性影响。     

In vitro temperature evaluation during cement augmentation of proximal humerus plate screw tips

Background

The treatment of proximal humerus fractures in patients with poor bone quality remains a challenge in trauma surgery. Augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement is a possible method to strengthen the implant anchorage in osteoporotic bone and to avoid loss of reduction and reduce the cut-out risk. The polymerisation of PMMA during cement setting leads, however, to an exothermic reaction and the development of supraphysiological temperatures may harm the bone and cartilage. This study addresses the issue of heat development during augmentation of subchondrally placed proximal humerus plate screws with PMMA and the possible risk of bone and cartilage necrosis and apoptosis.

Methods

Seven fresh frozen humeri from geriatric female donors were instrumented with the proximal humerus interlocking system (PHILOS) plate and placed in a 37 °C water bath. Thereafter, four proximal perforated screws were augmented with 0.5 ml PMMA each. During augmentation, the temperatures in the subchondral bone and on the articular surface were recorded with K-type thermocouples. The measured temperatures were compared to threshold values for necrosis and apoptosis of bone and cartilage reported in the literature.

Results

The heat development was highest around the augmented tips of the perforated screws and diminished with growing distance from the cement cloud. The highest temperature recorded in the subchondral bone reached 43.5 °C and the longest exposure time above 42 °C was 86 s. The highest temperature measured on the articular surface amounted to 38.6 °C and the longest exposure time above 38 °C was 5 min and 32 s.

Conclusion

The study shows that augmentation of the proximal screws of the PHILOS plate with PMMA leads to a locally limited development of supraphysiological temperatures in the cement cloud and closely around it. The critical threshold values for necrosis and apoptosis of cartilage and subchondral bone reported in the literature, however, are not reached. In order to avoid cement extravasation, special care should be taken in detecting perforations or intra-articular cracks in the humeral head.     

Does the cement stiffness affect fatigue fracture strength of vertebrae after cement augmentation in osteoporotic patients?

Purpose

Normal progression of osteoporosis or the rigid reinforcement of the fractured vertebral body with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement is being discussed as a cause for adjacent-level fractures after vertebroplasty. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether augmentation with low stiffness cement can decrease the risk of adjacent-level fractures in low-quality bone.

Methods

Eighteen female osteoporotic lumbar specimens (L1–L5) were harvested and divided into three groups according to bone mineral density: (I) native; (II) PMMA; (III) modified PMMA (lower stiffness). For the PMMA and modified PMMA groups, a compression fracture was first mechanically induced in L3, and then the fracture received vertebroplasty treatment. The cement stiffness reduction of the modified PMMA group was achieved via an addition of 8 mL of serum to the typical PMMA base. All specimens were exposed to cyclic loading (4 Hz) and a stepwise increasing applied peak force. Cement stiffness was tested according to ISO 5833.

Results

A 51 % decrease in cement stiffness was achieved in the modified PMMA group (954 ± 141 vs. 1,937 ± 478 MPa, p < 0.001). Fatigue fracture force (the force level during cyclic loading at which the deformation experienced a sudden increase; FFF) was significantly affected by bone quality (r ² = 0.39, p = 0.006) and by the initial fracture force (the force necessary to create the initial fracture in L3 prior to augmentation; r ² = 0.82, p < 0.001). Using initial fracture force as a covariate, the FFF of the modified PMMA group (1,764 ± 49 N) was significantly higher than in the PMMA group (1,544 ± 55 N; p = 0.03).

Conclusions

A possible method to reduce adjacent-level fractures after vertebroplasty in patients with reduced bone quality could be the use of a lower modulus cement. Therefore, mixing cement with biocompatible fluids could prove useful to tailor cement properties in the operating theater.