Gracilis and semitendinosus moment arm decreased by fascial tissue release after hamstring harvesting surgery: a key parameter to understand the peak torque obtained to a shallow angle of the knee.

PURPOSE: Semitendinosus and gracilis muscles whose tendons are used in surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament maintain their contractile ability, but the peak torque angle of hamstring muscles shifted to a shallow angle postoperatively. The goal was to quantify the influence of the myofascial structures on instantaneous moment arms of knee muscles to attempt explaining the above-mentioned post-surgical observations. METHODS: Hamstring harvesting procedures were performed by a senior orthopaedic surgeon on seven lower limbs from fresh-frozen specimens. Femoro-tibial kinematics and tendons excursion were simultaneously recorded at each step of the surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference was demonstrated for instantaneous moment arm of gracilis during anterior cruciate ligament surgery (84% of the maximum intact values; P ≥ 0.05). The first significant semitendinosus moment arm decrease was observed after tendon harvesting (61% of the maximum intact values; p ≤ 0.005). After hamstring harvesting, the maximum and minimum moment arm (both gracilis and semi tendinosus) shifted to a shallow angle and 90°, respectively. CONCLUSION: Moment arm modifications by paratenons and the loose connective tissue release are essential to understand the peak torque obtained to a shallow angle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic science study, biomechanics.

[Diagnosis of chyliferous blockage by the hyperlipidemia test (author's transl)]. / Diagnostic du blocage des chylifères par le test d'hyperlipidémie.

In our hyperlipidemia test, the total lipids curve, a plateau without a postprandial peak, allows an easy diagnosis of the chyliferous blockage. The malformation of chyliferous vessels produces the congenital forms: exsudative enteropathy, chyloperitoneum, spontaneous chylothorax, chylous cyst of the mediastinum, reflux of chyle in the pulmonary lymphatics, lymphoedema with chyle reflux in the lymphatics of the leg and chyluria. The acquired forms comprise the post-infectious sclerosis of the intestinal lymphatics and the neoplastic invasions of the mesenteric lymph nodes. The optical density curve brings some informations for a better understanding of lipid's absorption.

[Malformations of the lacteals]. / Les malformations des chylifères.

For the diagnosis of malformations of the lymphatics is made by the hyperlipidaemia test, which shows a flat total lipids curve without a post-prandial peak. Malformation of the lymphatics of the small intestine is responsible for exudative enteropathy, chyloperitoneum, chyluria, lymphoedema with reflux of lymph in the lymphatics of the legs and its complications (chylorrhagia, chylarthrosis), chylothorax, chylopericardium and reflux of lymph in the pulmonary lymphatics. This malformation can also be associated with other disorders : such as the syndrome of Klippel and Trenaunay, and simple lymphoedema of the limbs or genital organs. Lymphography of the intestinal lymphatics carried out during laparotomy after a fatty meal shows the state of the lymphatic vessels, a lack of injection of the cistern of Pecquet, and above all the presence of adventitious vessels allowing the lymph to reach the cervical region.

[The induced hyperlipemia test. 10 years of experience]. / Le test d'hyperlipidémie provoquée. Dix ans d'expérience.

The induced hyperlipemia test, which is easly to administer, yields very interesting information for the study of lipidic metabolism in arteriosclerosis patients. Its use, in both the pre- and post-operative phases, has brought out the valuable effect of ligature of the intestinal lymphatics in treating arteritis. It may also enable us to determine whether there is a hereditary factor or family predisposition to arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, the test makes it possible to confirm diagnosis of obstruction of the lymphatics of the gut in exsudative enteropathy and in various dysfunctious of the chyliferous vessels (sclerosis, rupture, tumoral invasion) without to resort to the use of radioactive substances.

[Ligation of lymphatic ducts in treatment of arteriosclerosis. 550 operated cases reported over a period of 9 years]. / Ligature des chylifères dans le traitement de l'artériosclérose. 550 cas opérés en 9 ans

In all diseases where there is an important loss of lymph, e.g. chylothorax, chyloperitoneum, exsudative enteropathy chyloduodenal fistula, we observed not only a fall in the serum proteins and calcium, but also a fall in lipids and cholesterol. We first carried out ligature of the lymphatic ducts in numerous dogs. Since 1966, we have carried out this ligature in 550 arteriosclerotic patients, aged less than 52 years. The metabolic changes observed over a period of 9 years were very marked. Clinically, in 100 patients who underwent classical reconstructive arterial surgery, the association of ligature of the lymphatic ducts reduced by half, after a period of 6 years, the complications normally observed.