Pain management following simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: genicular nerve blockade versus periarticular injection.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the analgesic solution prepared for periarticular injection (PAI) could be utilized as a genicular nerve blockade (GNB) agent in bilateral knee arthroplasty, and to assess the pain control efficacy of this approach in comparison with PAI. This was a retrospective cohort in which patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were evaluated. Thirty patients were enrolled. The standard PAI was used for one knee, while the PAI solution was applied in the form of GNB to the other. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores were measured and recorded separately for each knee, at rest (static) and during exercise (dynamic). Active range of joint motion (JRM) for both knee joints was measured preoperatively, at postoperatively. Compared to the PAI group, the GNB group had lower VAS scores at 2 and 8 hours (p = 0.030 and p < 0.001, respectively). The GNB group also had lower dynamic VAS scores at 2, 8, and 24 hours (p = 0.009, p <0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Static and dynamic VAS measurements did not demonstrate any differences between groups (GNB vs. PAI) at 48 hours and 30 days (p>0.05). When the reduction in VAS scores was assessed, we found that the decrease in both scores was significantly greater in the PAI group compared to the GNB group (p<0.001, for both). There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to drainage volume, complications and JRM (p>0.05). GNB was found to be more effective for pain control throughout the first postoperative day in patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA.

Posterior longitudinal ligament suturation after lumbar discectomy provides postoperative a large intradural area: First report.

Background: Stability and flexibility of the spine are provided by the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL). It plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) by preventing disc protrusion. The effect of the suturing of the PLL on the intradural area was investigated. Patients and Methods: The patients were included in whom lumbar microdiscectomy was performed between January 2021 and July 1, 2022. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as PLLs were sutured and unsutured. Results: Forty-six (23 males and 23 females) patients were included. The PLLs were sutured in 22 patients (Group 1) and not sutured in 24 patients (Group 2). The levels, sides of LDHs, and ages and gender of patients were also analyzed in both groups, which were not statistically significant. Preoperative mean spinal intradural areas were 77.29 mm2 for the PLL unsutured group and 85.40 mm2 for the PLL sutured group (Groups 1 and 2). For patients in Groups 1 and 2, the postoperative mean spinal intradural areas grew to 134.73 mm2 and 96.12 mm2, respectively. The difference in preoperative mean spinal intradural regions between the two groups was not statistically significant; however, Group 1 showed a substantial difference (sutured PLL patients). Conclusions: This study first time indicates that suturing PLL has a protective and supportive role in patients who were operated on for LDH.

A comparative study of digital nerve and digital arterial repairs performed using running versus interrupted suture techniques in finger replantations.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze replantations and compared the success rates of different suturing techniques. METHODS: The data of 54 patients who underwent 82 finger replantations between January 2016 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent traumatic total finger amputations were included in the study. Arteries were repaired with two techniques, the simple running suture technique and the simple interrupted suture technique. Demographic patient data, comorbidities, operative data, post-operative care, the length of hospital stay, mechanism of injury, and site of injury were recorded. The groups were statistically analyzed. Functional outcomes were evaluated according to the Quick DASH score. RESULTS: A total 54 patients with a mean age of 32.5±18.4 (range 1-75) who underwent finger replantation were included in the study. The mean duration of follow-up was 30.9±16.1 months. The mechanism of injury was guillotine-style injury in 29 (35.4%) fingers, avulsion injury in 15 (18.3%) fingers, and crush injury in 38 (46.3%) fingers. Forty-six fingers were repaired using a simple running suture technique, and 36 fingers were repaired using a simple interrupted suture technique. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of failure between the suture techniques (p=0.569). Further, although there was no statistically significant difference in Quick DASH scores according to the type of trauma in the simple running suture technique group (p=0.109), a comparison could not be made within simple interrupted suture technique group because of the small sample size. There was no statistically significant difference in failure rates between cases with an ischemia duration of <6 h and those with ischemia duration of 6-12 h (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups according to age, body mass index, arterial hypertension, or diabetes mellitus (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in univariate analysis according to surgery time per digit, smokers, or vein repair (p<0.05). In total, 65 (79.3%) out of 82 finger replantations were successful. A total of 17 out of 30 fingers that could not undergo venous repair survived because of treatment with medicinal leeches. CONCLUSION: Finger replantation is a difficult-to-perform surgical procedure requiring consideration of the surgical indications and the presence of an experienced surgical team. Regardless of the suture technique in finger amputations, performing venous anastomosis after arterial anastomosis is essential to restore circulation.

Important aspect of hypoglossal nerve injury following gunshot wound; Can the clivus has a role? A case report.

Cranial nerve palsies after gunshot injury are not uncommon. We report the mechanism of isolated hypoglossal nerve paralysis caused by a gunshot. We report a 74 years old patient in whom a bullet entered through the right nostril and then ended up right occipital condyle. The only neurologic deficit was tongue deviation which resolved in one week. The bullet was not removed. The effect of clival slope may have an importance in this type of injury.

Does the anesthesia technique of cesarean section cause persistent low back pain after delivery? A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean sections (CS) under spinal anesthesia may lead to newly developed low back pain (LBP) after anesthesia. The cause of this pain is still unknown. This subject was investigated. METHODS: The persistent LBP after the section was retrospectively analyzed in patients who were operated on under spinal or general anesthesia between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2020. RESULT: General anesthesia was used in 52 women, but 251 women were operated on under spinal anesthesia. Newly developed persistent LBP was detected in 57 (18,8%) of a total of 303 patients. Of those patients with LBP, general anesthesia was used in 14 of 52 (26,9%) patients, but 43 of 251 (17.1%) patients received spinal anesthesia. Baby weight after CS was the only variable associated with persistent LBP after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Patient age and anesthesia type were not associated with persistent LBP (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows anesthesia type as spinal or general was not associated with increased persistent LBP. Performing more spinal than general anesthesia in the cesarean section may be false data about the increased rate of LBP after CS.

The relationship between mean platelet volume and the mortality of patient severe head trauma; first study.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of mortality in a patient with head trauma is essential. In this study, the effect of mean platelet volume (MPV) on the mortality rate of patients with severe head trauma was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The relationship between mortality and mean platelet volumes of patient with cranial trauma was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: 43 patients with head trauma were admitted to the intensive care unit during the study period. While 17 patients died (Group I), 26 patients survived (Group II). Cox regression analysis showed that late MPV (at exitus or discharged date), WBC at admission, and age increase the mortality rate 1,770, 1,202, 1,052 times, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that MPV may be a useful predictor of mortality in patients with severe head trauma.

Asymmetric Cross Sectional Area Size of the Psoas Muscle Seems to be a Key Feature in Patients with L4-5 Lumbar Disc Herniations.

AIM: To determine the relationship between the occurrence of lumbar L4-5 disc herniation (LDH) and the size of psoas muscles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the psoas muscles were measured at the L4-5 disc level on axial MRI of patients with LDH who were admitted to the hospital between 1 January 2020 and 1 June 2020. The patients were divided into three groups according to the involvement side of LDH as the patients without disc (Group I), right side disc (Group II), and left side disc (Group III). The relationship of ipsilateral and the opposite side of the CSA of PM in the control group and the patients with LDHs was analyzed. RESULTS: This retrospective study included 65 patients (ages between 20 and 70 years) whose mean age is 42, 12. The mean values of the right side cross-sectional area of PM were 12.09 cm2 in Group I (n=18), 12.84 cm2 in Group II (n=20), and 14.15 cm2 in Group III (n=27), The left side values were 12.08 cm2, 13.22 cm2, 14.00 cm2 in Group I, II, and III, respectively. The difference between right and left side CSA of PM is that values of patients with left-sided LDHs were higher than those of the control and right-sided LDH group, and the difference was statistically significant. A strong correlation was observed between the left and right side of the cross-sectional area of psoas muscle at the L4-5 level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that there are reciprocal changes in the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle in patients with L4-5 lumbar disc herniation.

Introducing a new possible predisposing risk factor for odontoid type 2 fractures after cervical trauma; Ponticulus posticus anomaly of C1 vertebra.

OBJECTIVE: Ponticulus posticus is an anomaly of the atlas. Odontoid fracture type 2 fracture occurs by hyperflexion, hyperextension, lateral flexion, and a combination of these movements. The presence of Ponticulus Posticus anomaly may affect the occurrence of odontoid fractures of the C2 vertebra. In this study, the relationship between the presence of PP anomaly and occurring of the odontoid type 2 fracture was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cervical CTs of a total of 14 patients with odontoid type 2 fracture were retrospectively evaluated for PP, and compared with 13 patients with cervical trauma without odontoid type 2 fracture. RESULTS: Ponticulus posticus anomaly was noted in 7 of 14 patients with odontoid type 2 fractures on the upper cervical CT; therefore, the prevalence was 50.%, but only 3 cases (23.07%) were seen in 13 patients of the control group. In binominal regression analysis showed that the presence of PP anomaly increases 12,075 times to occur odontoid type 2 fracture after cervical trauma. CONCLUSION: Ponticulus posticus is often not recognized, but this study shows that ponticulus posticus is a risk factor for odontoid type 2 fracture after cervical trauma.

Do Techniques for Hill-Sachs Remplissage Matter in Terms of Functional and Radiological Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Different techniques are used for the remplissage procedure, including the double-pulley and mattress suture techniques. Both techniques have shown good results; however, it is unclear if one technique is superior. HYPOTHESIS: The remplissage procedure using the double-pulley technique with 2 anchors would have superior functional and radiological outcomes compared with the mattress suture technique with a single anchor. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study included patients with anterior shoulder instability who were treated using arthroscopic Bankart repair combined with remplissage between 2012 and 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the following metrics: Instability Severity Index Score, hyperlaxity, Sugaya index, presence of a Hill-Sachs defect, number of dislocations before surgery, sports participation, radiological measurement of the Hill-Sachs lesion, postoperative range of motion in both shoulders, Rowe score, Walch-Duplay score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Filling Index Score of Remplissage grade according to magnetic resonance imaging scans at the last follow-up. RESULTS: There were 41 patients included with a mean age of 30 ± 7 years who underwent the Hill-Sachs remplissage procedure using the double-pulley technique with 2 anchors (n = 21; group DA) or the mattress suture technique with a single anchor (n = 20; group SA). At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding the Instability Severity Index Score (P = .134), the Sugaya index (P = .538), sports participation (P = .41), the radiological measurement of the Hill-Sachs lesion (P = .803), or the Rowe score (P = .182). However, there were significant differences between the groups in the Walch-Duplay score (P = .012), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (P = .005), and Filling Index Score of Remplissage grade (P = .015), favoring group DA, as well as differences in external rotation in a neutral position (external rotation loss: 9° ± 3° [group SA] vs 12° ± 3° [group DA]; P = .003) and at 90° of abduction (external rotation loss: 8° ± 3° [group SA] vs 11° ± 3° [group DA]; P = .006), favoring group SA. CONCLUSION: In the remplissage procedure, the double-pulley technique provided better filling of the lesion and improvement in functional scores, but external rotation was limited compared with the mattress suture technique.

COVID-19 infection produces subarachnoid hemorrhage; acting now to understand its cause: A short communication.

In the medical literature, some case reports on the association of the COVID-19 infection and occurrence of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)have been reported Aim of the present paper is to search the causes of this association The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on the real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and computed tomography (CT) of the chest. There were four patients, whose median ages were 46,758, ranged 36-54 years). In conclusion, Spontaneous SAH can occur in the early and late course of COVID-19 infection. Its early recognition of the patient with spontaneous SAH is imperative.

A comparative study on use of two versus three double-loaded suture anchors in arthroscopic Bankart repair.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare clinical results of repair using two versus three double-loaded suture anchors in arthroscopic Bankart repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2012 and December 2017, a total of 40 patients (38 males, 2 females; mean age: 31.6±8.1; range: 17 to 47 years) who underwent Bankart arthroscopic surgery and were followed for minimum two years were retrospectively analyzed. Group 1 (n=17) underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with two double-loaded suture anchors, while Group 2 (n=23) underwent repair with three double-loaded suture anchors. Clinical outcomes of the patients and recurrences were compared. RESULTS: At the final postoperative follow-up, a significant improvement was observed in the functional outcomes in all patients. No statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05) in the mean clinical scores of the Constant Shoulder Score between Group 1 (94.2±7.8) and Group 2 (95.4±4.1). There was no significant difference in the mean Rowe scores (Group 1: 95.6±4.6 vs. Group 2: 96.3±3.8, respectively) and external rotation loss (at neutral Group 1: 1.9° vs. Group 2: 2.2°, respectively). Three of our patients had recurrent dislocation during a major traumatic event (n=2 in Group 1 and n=1 in Group 2). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that stability is not correlated with the use of either two versus three double-loaded suture anchors in arthroscopic Bankart repairs.

Arthroscopic excision of intraarticular subperiosteal osteoid osteoma of talar neck: A case report.

Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign, small, and painful tumor typically seen in the subcortical shaft and metaphysis of the long bones of the lower limb. The occurrence of this type of tumor on the talar neck is rare and may cause limitation of range of motion of the ankle joint. In this article, a 17-year-old male patient had ankle pain and limitation of joint motion accompanied by synovitis. The OO in the intraarticular subperiosteal talar neck was successfully excised arthroscopically and the nidus was completely removed. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically in the postoperative period. In this case, we achieved a successful result with surgical treatment of benign bone tumor in the talus with intraarticular excision of the lesion arthroscopically.

What Are We Missing From Asymmetric Relationship Between the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Profiles and Sphenoid Sinus Volume?

PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY: Detailed analysis of retinal structure such as the retinal nerve fiber layer can be performed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). There are no published studies concerning a relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer and human sphenoid sinus volumes. We investigated this relationship. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spectral-domain OCT. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and sphenoid sinus volume estimation of both sides of sex-matched patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean RNFL thicknesses at the left side (91.8 µm) were significantly smaller than the right side (94.5 µm) (P = 0.040). However, the mean left sinus volume (44.5 cm) is larger than the right side, (34.5 mm) (P < 0.005). Left and right differences of both parameters are statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a negative correlation between mean RNFL thicknesses and mean sinus volumes. To our knowledge, this article is the first report demonstrating the asymmetry relationship between RNFL and sphenoid sinus volumes.

The Effect of Neuroscientists on the Studies of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction Following Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The autonomic nervous system dysfunctions following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are common in neurosurgical clinical practice. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of Asian neuroscientists on the studies of autonomic nervous system dysfunction following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases for studies pertaining to SAH and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The searched terms contained "experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage," "autonomic nervous system," and "Ganglion." RESULTS: There are many animal studies because the live human brain vessels cannot be used in investigations. The considerable efforts have been made to investigate the effect of SAH on the autonomic nervous system in laboratory animals. Seventy-four studies were published by various authors. Most of the articles came from Asian Countries 49 studies (66.2% of the total studies). The most preferred animals were rabbits (in 43 studies, 58.1% of the total studies). CONCLUSION: Asian neuroscientists published enormous contributions in SAH-related autonomic nervous system dysfunction. It was shown that there is a great interest of Asian neuroscientists for autonomic nervous system changes secondary to SAH.

Association between blood pressure, inflammation and spirometry parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many systems including the cardiovascular system (ischemic heart diseases, heart failure, and hypertension) may act as comorbidities that can be seen during the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Comorbidities affect the severity and prognosis of COPD negatively. Nearly 25% of patients with COPD die due to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the blood pressure, inflammation, hypoxia, hypercapnia, and the severity of airway obstruction. METHODS: We included 75 COPD patients in the study with 45 control cases. We evaluated age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, C-reactive protein levels, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure Holter monitoring, arterial blood gas, and respiratory function tests of the patient and the control groups. RESULTS: In COPD patients, the night time systolic, diastolic blood pressures and pulse per minute and the mean blood pressures readings were significantly elevated compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis, night time systolic pressure was associated with all the parameters except forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%). Diastolic blood pressure was associated with pH and HCO3 levels. The mean night time, day time pulse pressures and 24- hour pulse per minute values were also associated with all the parameters except FEV1%. CONCLUSION: In this study we found that parameters of systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse pressures were significantly elevated in COPD patients compared to the control groups. Blood pressure was associated blood gas parameters and inflammation parameters in COPD patients. This, in turn, may cause understanding of the pathophysiology of COPD and its complications.

Unilateral Isolated Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Caused by Gunshot Injury.

Cranial nerve palsies after gunshot injury are not uncommon. However, in the literature, only 1 patient with isolated hypoglossal nerve paralysis caused by gunshot has been published. The authors describe a 34-year-old man suffering from unilateral isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy caused by gunshot injury as a second reported patient. The bullet entered maxillary sinus, and caused condylar fracture, then ended up C1-2 interspace. The bullet was surgically removed by a posterior approach. It is important to pay attention to hypoglossal nerve injury when confronted with a gunshot wound. The authors recommend early and sufficient surgical decompression.

Central Sagittal Angle of the Sacrum as a New Risk Factor for Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain after Caesarean Section.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. PURPOSE: This study investigated the possible association of persistent low back pain (LBP) with caesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Many women suffer from LBP after CS, which is commonly performed under spinal anesthesia. However, this type of LBP is poorly understood, and there is poor consensus regarding increased risk after spinal anesthesia. METHODS: We examined two groups of patients who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Group I included patients who presented to a neurosurgical clinic complaining of LBP for at least 6 months. Group II was a control group with patients without LBP. We analyzed clinical and sagittal angle parameters, including age, body mass index, parity, central sagittal angle of the sacrum (CSAS), and sacral slope (SS). RESULTS: Fifty-three patients participated in this study: 23 (43.1%) in Group I and 30 (56.9%) in Group II. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-tests showed that age, parity, and CSAS significantly differed between the two groups at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Age, parity, and CSAS appear to be associated with increased risk for LBP after CS under spinal anesthesia. Future prospective studies on this subject may help validate our results.

Use of tolvaptan in patients hospitalized for worsening chronic heart failure with severe hyponatremia: The initial experience at a single-center in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan for severe hyponatremia (SH) in hypervolemic heart failure (HF) patients within daily clinical practice. METHODS: We restrospectively reviewed our database on tolvaptan as an add-on treatment in hypervolemic patients admitted to our clinic due to deterioration of HF and having hyponatremia resistant to standard therapy. Severe hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium concentration ≤125 mEq/L. The database included demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings on admission, and numerous outcome measures for oral tolvaptan treatment were used to assess its efficacy and safety. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 56 hypervolemic HF patients with severe hyponatremia (25 female and 31 male) with mean age of 66 years. All patients received a single dose of tolvaptan 15 mg daily for an average of 3.2 days due to severe hyponatremia. Sodium and potassium concentrations, fluid intake, and urine volume increased (p<0.0001, p=0.037, p<0.0001, and p<0.0001, respectively), whereas furosemide dosage, body weight, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and New York Heart Association class decreased significantly in response to tolvaptan treatment, without a rise in serum creatinine or urea concentrations (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p=0.001, p<0.049, p<0.009 ve p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective, single-centered study conducted in a small group of Turkish patients, short-term treatment with low-dose tolvaptan added to standard therapy of hypervolemic HF patients with severe hyponatremia was well tolerated with a low rate of major side effects and was effective in correcting severe hyponatremia.

Neglected knowledge: Asymmetric features of lumbar disc disease.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniations have been extensively studied in the literature. Asymmetric trunk muscle anatomy could affect the development of this entity which has never been quantitatively studied previously. The purpose of this manuscript was to analyze the operated sides of herniated lumbar disc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data files of patients with lumbar disc herniation operated in author's hospital between January 2007 and March 2009 were analyzed. RESULTS: In operated side analysis, discectomy side was 53% on the left side, 40% on the right side, the difference between two sides was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The asymmetric distribution may be a significant factor in the development and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniations.