Preliminary outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty using a new fixed-bearing revision knee system in Asians: a mean of 3-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the early outcomes of the new semi-constrained revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system by performing subgroup analysis according to the revision cause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2019 to July 2020, 83 revision TKAs using the fixed-bearing Attune® revision knee system with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Clinically, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated. The incidence of systemic and specific postoperative complications was investigated. Each cohort was divided into septic (group A, 34 patients) and aseptic mode (group B, 41 patients), and compared to assess the outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of revision was 73.3 years (range 59.0 to 84.0 years), and the follow-up duration was 36.1 months (range 30.0 to 40.0 months). Clinical outcomes and ROM significantly improved at last follow-up (p < 0.001). Group A showed statistically inferior clinical outcomes in the last follow-up compared to group B. Four knees (5.3%) had a postoperative femoral joint line elevation of more than 5 mm. There were no serious systemic complications. One patient underwent re-revision TKA due to recurrence of infection. No stem tip impingement or cortical erosion was observed in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Revision TKAs using a new semi-constrained revision system showed favorable short-term follow-up outcomes, with improvement in clinical scores and ROM. Moreover, by using stem offsets, no postoperative stem tip impingement or cortical erosion was found. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective Case Series.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Debridement and Drainage with Four Different Approach Methods for the Treatment of Spinal Infection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of spinal infection seems to be increasing in recent years. Percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage (PEDD) has become an effective alternative to extensive open surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study reviewed the charter of patients who received PEDD using 4 different approach methods to evaluate the clinical results. STUDY DESIGN: An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved retrospective chart review. SETTING: University hospital inpatient referred to our pain clinic. METHODS: A retrospective patient chart analysis of PEDD procedures in spinal infections over a 7-year period was done for the evaluation of structural location, symptoms and signs, etiologic agents, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (11 men and 6 women, mean age 70.4 ± 11.1 years) with spinal infections received PEDD. According to the structural localization of the spinal infections, 6 cases of spondylodiscitis alone, 5 cases of spondylodiscitis with a psoas abscess, one case of spondylodiscitis with an epidural abscess, 4 cases of spondylodiscitis with epidural and psoas abscesses, and one case of spondylodiscitis with a facet joint abscess were found. All patients had preoperative symptoms of unremitting backache and febrile sensation, and signs of paravertebral muscle tenderness and limitation of spine motion. The most common etiologic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. Most patients (14/17) improved; the 2 failed patients received a second PEDD after recurrence, and the other received open surgery without re-PEDD. Both the numeric rating scale and Oswestry disability index scores were significantly reduced after PEDD. No complications related to PEDD were found. LIMITATION: This study is limited by its retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: PEDD using 4 different routes brought immediate pain relief and reduced disability in treating spinal infections, especially in elderly patients with comorbid underlying disorders.Key words: Percutaneous discectomy, psoas abscess, spinal epidural abscess, spondylodiscitis, surgical endoscopy.

Earlier treatment improves the chances of complete relief from postherpetic neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: As herpes zoster progresses via postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) to well-established PHN, it presents its recalcitrant nature to the treatment. At this point, the well-established PHN is fixed as a non-treatable, but manageable chronic painful neuropathic disorder. This study evaluated the incidence of complete relief from PHN according to PHN duration at their first visit, and the other factors influencing it. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with PHN at a university-based pain clinic over 7 years. The responders were defined as patients who had complete relief from pain after 1 year of active treatment. Age, sex, PHN duration at their first visit, dermatomal distribution, and underlying disorders were compared in the responder and non-responder groups. Responders were also compared according to these factors. RESULTS: Among 117 PHN patients (M/F = 48/69), 35 patients (29.9%) had complete relief from PHN. Mean ages were 64.3 ± 10.6 and 66.9 ± 10.7 years, numbers of male to female patients were 11/24 and 37/45, and mean durations of PHN at their first visit were 8.5 ± 6.3 and 15.3 ± 10.7 months in the responder and non- responder groups, respectively. In addition, PHN patients who visited the clinic before 9 months showed a better result. Dermatomal distribution and underlying disorders did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 30% of PHN patients received complete relief. Those who sought treatment in a pain clinic before 9 months received a better result.