Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyClinical comparison between double-row and transosseous-equivalent repairs for medium to large size rotator cuff tears.
The transosseous-equivalent (TOE) repair of the rotator cuff tears was invented to make up for several shortcomings of the double-row (DR) repair. However, no studies have compared the clinical aspects of the DR repair and the TOE technique, supporting the superior results of the TOE technique over the DR repair, including the benefit of minimizing surgical steps. We asked whether differences existed between the two repairs regarding clinical outcomes, time and costs. ⋯ This study failed to demonstrate clinical differences between the techniques. However, when stratifying rotator cuff tears according to the tear sizes, significant differences were found in operative time and cost: the DR repair had the advantage of cost effectiveness by saving anchors for the lateral row, while the TOE repair required less operative time with more anchors used for the lateral row in the large size tears. This finding provides evidence to support the use of the TOE repair to reduce surgical steps.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsRemote cerebellar haemorrhage after lumbar spine surgery: case report.
Remote cerebellar haemorrhage (RCH) is a well-described complication of supratentorial surgical procedures with an incidence ranging between 0.2 and 4.9 %, but is a rare complication of spinal surgery. We report a case of RCH in a 65-year-old woman who showed sudden mental deterioration 48 h after lumbar spinal surgery, which was complicated by incidental dural tearing with minimal CSF loss. Brain CT scan revealed hypodense areas compatible with acute infarction involving mostly the left cerebellar hemisphere. ⋯ An external ventricular derivation was placed in a second procedure 24 h later due to the persistence of ventricular dilatation. At discharge the patient was only showing a slight dysmetria with the fine motor skills of hands and fingers. All cases of RCH after spinal surgery reported in the literature are invariably associated to iatrogenic dural tearing; although CSF loss seems to play the key role in the pathogenesis of this rare complication, the exact pathophysiology of this condition still remains undetermined.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2013
Single‑incision technique for the internal fixation of distal fractures of the tibia and fibula: a combined anatomic and clinical study.
To present a novel single anterior-lateral approach for the treatment of distal tibia and fibula fracture via anatomical study and primary clinical application in order to minimize soft tissue complications. ⋯ Distal fibula fracture occurring with distal tibia fracture poses a challenge for stable fixation. This has necessitated the need for dual incisions on the distal leg to approach each fracture for reduction and fixation. However, a single anterolateral incision enables the safe approach to the lateral aspects of the distal tibia and fibula thus eliminating the need for two separate incisions and minimizing the soft tissue complication to some extent. Meanwhile, the neurovascular bundle at risk during operation, distal tibia and fibula is clearly exposed in the single anterior-lateral incision.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2013
Case ReportsAnterior screw fixation for an odontoid fracture using an Acutrak 4/5 screw: a case report.
The direct anterior screw fixation of odontoid fractures by a single cancellous screw, especially for osteoporotic vertebrae, has a potential risk of leading to insufficient stability and implant failures. We experienced good results following surgery using a single Acutrak 4/5 screw to obtain sufficient stability for an odontoid fracture in a patient with osteopenia. The screw is a cannulated self-tapping headless screw and has a tapered profile and full threads with variable pitches, and it can yield sufficient compression force as the screw is inserted. ⋯ Some biomechanical studies showed that the compression force of Acutrak standard screws was stronger than that of both 4.0-mm cancellous screws inserted with the lag screw technique and Herbert screws, and other studies showed that the compression force of Acutrak 4/5 screws was equivalent to that of 4.5-mm cortical screws. However, there has been no clinical report of surgery using an Acutrak 4/5 screw for odontoid fractures. This is the first clinical report of fixation by an Acutrak 4/5 screw.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Dec 2013
In vivo evaluation of the kinematics of the long head of the biceps tendon within the pulley: a 3 T MRI motion analysis.
To evaluate the kinetic amplitude and direction of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) within the pulley and the proximal bicipital groove, we performed a 3T-magnetic resonance-throwing motion analysis. ⋯ 12 healthy volunteers (age 22–34 years) were enrolled. Adduction led to an anterior deviation of the LHB within the bicipital groove. Loading conditions in medium (110°) elevation/external rotation furthermore led to a significant anterior deviation of the LHB. Conclusion Our findings support the thesis that pulley lesions result from movements of the LHB especially in extreme positions during throwing/overhead activities. Load application in the medium (110°) elevation/external rotation position might enable a better evaluation of patients with dedicated pulley lesions. These results need further evaluation in larger study cohorts and in patients with dedicated rotator cuff lesions, which will be the focus of ongoing studies.