Cirugía robótica en artroplastia de rodilla / Robotic surgery in knee arthroplasty

La cirugía protésica de rodilla es un procedimiento ampliamente aceptado como etapa final del tratamiento de la artrosis de rodilla, con sobrevida que supera el 90% a 10­15 años. Dentro de las principales causas de fallo, se encuentran la infección (20,4%) y el aflojamiento mecánico (20,3%). El uso de ayudas tecnológicas en cirugía está en constante desarrollo, con el objetivo de mejorar la precisión del acto quirúrgico. En ese escenario, la Cirugía Asistida por Computador (CAS) en artroplastia de rodilla, crece de forma exponencial, y apunta a mejorar el posicionamiento y selección del tamaño de los componentes protésicos, aumentar la precisión de las resecciones óseas y mejorar el balance de los tejidos blandos, logrando así una mayor sobrevida del implante. En comparación a las técnicas convencionales, la cirugía robótica ha mostrado mejores resultados funcionales, al primer año de seguimiento, en términos de rango articular, menor dolor post-operatorio y menor tiempo de estadía hospitalaria. Pero todavía es necesario establecer si, a largo plazo, esas diferencias funcionales se traducirán en mejores resultados clínicos que permitan, de forma consistente, inclinar la balanza en favor de la técnica asistida por robot por sobre las técnicas tradicionales.

Prosthetic knee surgery is a widely accepted procedure as the final stage in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, with survival rate over 90% at 10 - 15 years. Among the main causes of failure are infection (20.4%) and mechanical loosening (20.3%). The use of technological aids in surgery is in constant development, with the aim of improving the accuracy of the surgical act. In this scenario, Computer-Aided Surgery (CAS) in knee arthroplasty grows exponentially, and aims to improve the positioning and selection of the size of the prosthetic components, increase the accuracy of bone resections and improve the balance of soft tissues, thus achieving a greater survival of the implant. Compared to conventional techniques, robotic surgery has shown better functional results at the first year of follow-up, in terms of joint range, less post-operative pain and shorter hospital stay. It is still necessary to establish whether, in the long term, these functional differences will result in better clinical results that will allow - in a consistent manner - to tip the balance in favor of robot-assisted technique over traditional techniques.

Meniscal Ramp Lesion Repair Using an All-Inside Technique.

Posteromedial meniscotibial ligament lesions, known as meniscal ramp lesions, are typically associated with ACL injuries, but frequently underdiagnosed. When correctly diagnosed, repair is mandatory in most cases. Retraction of the soft tissues makes it difficult to repair and leads to suture failure. Previously described techniques include all-inside and inside-out meniscal sutures, but do not ensure correct meniscotibial closure because of the soft tissue retraction. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a meniscal ramp lesion arthroscopic repair with an all-inside technique with the Fast-Fix 360 device, detailing the use of the accessory posteromedial portal, and the addition of an arthroscopic grasper that raises the retracted meniscotibial ligament, to allow correct fixation.

Lesiones meniscales ramp, y lesiones del ligamento meniscotibial posteromedial / Meniscal ramp lesions, and posteromedial meniscotibial ligament lesions

Las lesiones meniscales son las lesiones más frecuentemente asociadas a lesiones del Ligamento Cruzado anterior (LCA), encontrándose 9,3 a 16,9% en el segmento posteromedial y comprometiendo el ligamento meniscotibial. Descritas por Strobel por su apariencia artroscópica de rampa, se ha presentado su importancia dado el subdiagnóstico y el efecto biomecánico de una lesión posteromedial del menisco sobre el LCA y que su reparación restaura la traslación nativa de la tibia en conjunto con la reconstrucción del pivote central. Se ha demostrado que la mejor forma para diagnosticar lesiones ramp, es por visiones artroscópicas accesorias, una a través del surco intercondíleo y la otra por un portal posteromedial, logrando diagnosticar y manejar aquellas lesiones que sean inestables, a través de suturas dentro tanto por el portal anterior como por el posterior. Los resultados quirúrgicos son buenos, con mayor riesgo de falla en casos que la lesión se extiende al cuerpo meniscal. Es una lesión que debe buscarse bajo lupa, ya que pasarla por alto puede llevar a progresión de la lesión y a un mayor riesgo de rerotura del ligamento cruzado reconstruido.

Meniscal tears are the most frequently associated lesions in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture, 9.3 to 16.9% on them in the posteromedial segment compromising the meniscotibial ligament. Described by Strobel for its arthroscopic ramp appearance, has gained importance given the underdiagnosis and biomechanical effect of a posteromedial meniscal lesion on the ACL, and that its repair restores the native anterior tibial translation when the central pivot is also reconstructed. It has been shown that the best way to diagnose ramp lesions is by accessory portals, one through the intercondylar notch and the other through a posteromedial portal, useful to diagnose and repair those lesions that are unstable, through all-inside sutures within both Anterior and posterior portals. Surgical results are good, with increased risk of failure in cases where the lesion extends to the meniscal body. It is a lesion that must be looked for in a direct way, since misdiagnosing it can lead to ramp lesion progression and increased risk of re rupture of the reconstructed ACL.

Biomechanical and histological comparison between the cryopreserved and the lyophilized Gracilis tendon allograft for MPFL reconstruction, a cadaveric experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the main restrictor of lateral shifting of the patella, contributing by 60 % in the first 20° flexion of the knee. MPFL reconstruction has been performed in order to restore the stability of the patella with good results.Lyophilized Gracilis tendon allograft (LGA) compared to Cryopreserved Gracilis tendon allograft (CGA) has a lower cost, does not require to maintain cooling chain or preparation. The purpose of this study is to compare the histological and biomechanical characteristics of an experimental model of reconstruction of the MPFL in porcine patellas with LGA versus CGA. METHODS: Randomized controlled experimental study in porcine model conducted on 36 porcine patellas in which 18 were intervened with LGA and 18 were intervened with CGA. The confluent tunnel technique was used for MPFL reconstruction. Maximum tensile force, allograft elongation and stiffness of the construct were measured. The cellularity and collagen tissue distribution were evaluated in the allografts. The histological and biomechanical characteristics of the LGA were compared to those of the CGA. RESULTS: The median of the maximum tensile force for the LGA group was 299.63 N and 280.86 N for the CGA group (p = 0.45). The median of the stiffness was 57.86 N/mm for the LGA and 54.23 N/mm for the CGA (p = 0.2). The median of the elongation for the LGA was 5.95 mm and 6.12 mm for the CGA (p = 0,29). The bone bridge failed in 88.88 % of the constructs with LGA and 94.44 % in those with CGA (p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were observed between the LGA group and the CGA group in maximum tensile force, elongation, stiffness, site of rupture and histological characteristics. The use of a lyophilized Gracilis tendon allograft for MPFL reconstruction confers the same histological and biomechanical characteristics as a cryopreserved Gracilis tendon allograft.

Endoscopic release of internal snapping hip: a review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Internal snapping hip is a common clinical condition, characterized by an audible or palpable snap of the medial compartment of the hip. In most cases it is asymptomatic, while in a few patients, mostly in athletes who participate in activities requiring extremes of hip range of motion, the snap may become painful (internal snapping hip syndrome - ISHS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a review of current literature, focused on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of ISHS. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of ISHS is multifactorial, and it is traditionally believed to be caused by the tendon snapping over the anterior femoral head or the iliopectineal ridge. Most cases of ISHS resolve with conservative treatment, which includes avoidance of aggravating activities, stretching, and NSAIDs. In recalcitrant cases, surgery may be indicated. Better results have been reported with endoscopic iliopsoas tendon release compared with open techniques, which may be related to the treatment of concomitant intra-articular pathologies. Furthermore, endoscopic treatment showed fewer complications, decreased failure rate and postop erative pain. It is important to remember that in most cases, a multiple iliopsoas tendon may exist, and that the incomplete release of the iliopsoas tendon can be a reason for refractory pain and poor results. Then, even if of not clinical relevance at long term follow-up, patients should be told about the inevitable loss of flexion strength after iliopsoas tenotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement in patients older than 60 years.

BACKGROUND: The indications of hip arthroscopy increased over the past decade. Although mostly recommended for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in young patients, well-selected older patients (> 60 years old) may benefit from this surgery. However, the role of hip arthroscopy for the management of older patients is controversial. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a series of patients aged 60 years and older who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI at mid-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-year-old patients and older, with a joint space greater than 2 mm, and a grade I and II hip osteoarthrosis (OA) according Tönnis scale were included into the study. Twenty-three patients (28 hips) met the inclusion criteria. The T-Student test was used to detect for differences between variables (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.4 years, and the mean follow-up was 4.4 years (2-9 years). We found an improvement in mHHS and VAS score from the baseline to the final follow-up in 87% of patients (p<0.05). Three patients (13%) were submitted to a THA at a mean of 12 months, while the survivorship rate at the final follow-up was 75%. No major complications have been reported. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic treatment of FAI in patients over 60 years old, with no signs of advanced osteoarthrosis, showed a significant improvement of functional score and pain in most of cases, and it can be consider a reasonable option in well selected patients. Level of evidence: IV case series.