Subbrachial approach to humeral shaft fractures: new surgical technique and retrospective case series study.

BACKGROUND: There are few surgical approaches for treating humeral shaft fractures. Here we present our results using a subbrachial approach. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series involving patients who had surgery for a humeral shaft fracture between January 1994 and January 2008. We divided patients into 4 groups based on the surgical approach (anterior, anterolateral, posterior, subbrachial). In all patients, an AO 4.5 mm dynamic compression plate was used. RESULTS: During our study period, 280 patients aged 30-36 years underwent surgery for a humeral shaft fracture. The average duration of surgery was shortest using the subbrachial approach (40 min). The average loss of muscle strength was 40% for the anterolateral, 48% for the posterior, 42% for the anterior and 20% for the subbrachial approaches. The average loss of tension in the brachialis muscle after 4 months was 61% for the anterolateral, 48% for the anterior and 11% for the subbrachial approaches. Sixteen patients in the anterolateral and anterior groups and 6 patients in the posterior group experienced intraoperative lesions of the radial nerve. No postoperative complications were observed in the subbrachial group. CONCLUSION: The subbrachial approach is practical and effective. The average duration of the surgery is shortened by half, loss of the muscle strength is minimal, and patients can resume everyday activities within 4 months. No patients in the subbrachial group experienced injuries to the radial or musculocutaneous nerves.

[The role of core decompression for the treatment of femoral head avascular necrosis in renal transplant recipients]. / Lijecenje asepticne nekroze glavice femura u bolesnika s bubreznim transplantatom metodom dekompresije.

Avascular bone necrosis is a relatively rare but significant complication in renal transplant recipients because it causes progressive pain and invalidity. It can be the consequence of the action of numerous causative factors, but it is mostly connected to corticosteroid treatment.The underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is a diminished blood flow to the bone leading to necrosis and bone destruction. During the past 25-years period, 570 renal transplantations and five combined kidney and pancreas transplantations were performed in our centre. A part of the patients was lost to follow-up due to the separation of Croatia from the former Republic of Yugoslavia. After transplantation, we revealed aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in five female patients. All patients had a history of treatment with pulse doses of corticosteroids. At transplantation the average age of the patients was 52.2 yrs (range 46 to 62 yrs), and dialytic treatment before transplantation lasted in average 9.2 yrs (range 2.5 to 21.2 yrs). The period between renal transplantation and the development of clinical signs of avascular bone necrosis lasted in average 1.2 yrs (range 0.3 to 2.3 yrs). We will demonstrate our 62-year old female patient with terminal renal failure caused by post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, who was treated with peritoneal dialysis 2.5 years before renal transplantation. Twenty months before renal transplantation the patient received pulse doses of corticosteroids, together with immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis, for the treatment of an acute polyradiculoneuritis Guillaine Barré. After transplantation a standard immunosuppressive protocol was applied which included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids and induction with basiliximab. Four months after transplantation the patient started to feel pain in the right hip after longer standing, in addition to the earlier long-lasting problems caused by bilateral coxarthrosis. The pelvic radiograph showed subchondral radiolucencies in the lateral part of the head circumference spreading into the proximal part of the neck of the right femur, which indicated the presence of aseptic necrosis, but these changes could have also been caused by coxarthrosis. Unexpectedly, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not reveal changes characteristic for avascular bone necrosis. Due to the progressively worsening of pain and the radiographic finding, the patient was submitted to decompression surgery of the femoral head. The surgical procedure was performed under diascopic guidance (C-arm) which allowed the correct positioning of a Kuerschner wire. A cannulated drill (diameter 4.0 mm) was placed over the wire and we performed two drillings of the spongiosis of the femoral head through to the subchondral area. Postoperatively, the patient was soon verticalized and advised to walk with crooks during a period of six weeks. This time is necessary to allow the mineralisation and strengthening of the bone which is now better vascularised. The patient recovered well and had no more pain. In renal transplant recipients it is most important to raise suspicion and verify the presence of avascular bone necrosis early, because timely bone decompression surgery can eliminate pain and cure the patient or it can prevent or delay bone destruction. When clinical signs of avascular bone necrosis arise and radiographic or standard MRI findings are negative, additional investigations (i.e. SPECT or MRI with contrast) should be performed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. In latter phases of the disease, surgical decompression of the femoral head cannot lead to permanent amelioration, and it is inevitable to perform more invasive surgical procedures like "resurfacing" or bone grafting in younger patients, or the implantation of total hip endoprotheses.

Chondromyxoid fibroma of the second metacarpal bone--a case report.

This report describes a chondromyxoid fibroma of the second metacarpal bone in a 32-year-old female patient. Chondromyxoid fibroma is a rare, benign, slow-growing bone tumor of cartilaginous origin. Tumor has a high recurrance rate. Our aim was to show successful treatment of a metacarpal chondromyxoid fibroma with wide resection and implantation of finger join endoprosthesis.

Comparison of results of surgical treatments of primary inguinal hernia with flat polypropylene mesh and three-dimensional prolene (Phs) mesh--one year follow up.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of the surgery of inguinal hernias using flat polypropylene mesh and three-dimensional prolene (PHS) mesh. The study included two groups of 40 male patients, aged 18-50 years, with the diagnosis of inguinal hernia. One group was operated with a flat polypropylene mesh, while the second group was operated with three-dimensional prolene (PHS) mesh. The study has shown that the operation with three-dimensional prolene mesh lasted 15 minutes longer and that the patients had stronger inflammatory response. Statistically, there was no significant difference in post-operative pain intensity, post-operative use of analgesics, length of hospitalization, return to daily activities, early and late post-operative complications. No recurrence was registered in any of the groups. The analysis of results indicates that there is no difference in treatment of inguinal hernia with flat polypropylene and three-dimensional prolene (PHS) mesh.

Initial experience with external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis in polytraumatized patients with flail chest injury.

The aim of this study was to describe initial experience with external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis in polytraumatized patients with flail chest injury. From January 2002, fifteen patients underwent this surgical procedure at the University Hospital of Rijeka. Their mean age was 52 +/- 13.69 (range 18-65) and mean ISS was 29.8 (range: 20-41). Twelve patients were weaned from artificial respiration on same day when operated, two on the post-operative day 1, and one on the post-operative day 2. Their stay within the intensive care unit following extubation was within the range of 1-12 days (mean 3.93 +/- 2.99). The early external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis was followed by swift extubation of patient and direct normalization of respiratory parameters. This method contributed significantly to patient's shorter stay within the intensive care unit.

[Subtenonial application of triamcinolone in neovascular form of senile macular degeneration]. / Subtenonijalna primjena triamcinolona kod neovaskularnog oblika senilne makularne degeneracije.

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of sub-tenon application of triamcinolone for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The study included 38 eyes (26 patients; 14 women and 12 men, aged 63 to 82 years) with newly diagnosed subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Each eye received sub-tenon injection of 0.5 mL suspension of triamcinolone-acetonide (20 mg of active substance). Follow up period was 12 months. After initial application, the injections were repeated on individual case, none to five times. Elevated intraocular pressure occurred in five patients (seven eyes) and was treated with topical antiglaucomatous therapy. Transient ptosis of upper eyelid occurred in one case and completely recovered in two days. The mean visual acuity was 0.13 +/- 0.17 on the beginning of the study and 0.22 +/- 0.22 at the end of the study. Visual acuity improved in 15/38 (39%) eyes, remained unchanged in 10/38 (26%) eyes, and worsened in 13/38 (35%) eyes. Improvement by three or more lines on Snellen optotype occurred in two cases. Comparing our results to those from other authors, sub-tenon application of triamcinolone did not prove as effective as when applied intravitreally, but is substantially less expensive and easier to perform.

Quality of screening for diabetic retinopathy in the Rijeka region of Croatia.

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of screening for diabetic retinopathy in cities of Rijeka and Zagreb, Croatia. Review of a random sample of 500 diabetic patient records and prospective ophthalmologic survey of 466 randomly selected diabetic patients in a secondary level diabetologic service in Rijeka (coastal region of Croatia). The main outcome measures were proportion of diabetic patient records with notes on ophthalmologic examination; rate of diabetic patients involved with screening for diabetic retinopathy; comparison with rates in Zagreb (Croatian capital). A total of 67% patients visited the ophthalmologist at least once after diagnosed with diabetes, and notes on ophthalmologic examination were found in only 28% patient records. Fifty percent of patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination within two years. Only one third of patients diagnosed with DM in last two years visited the ophthalmologist within this time, and 14% of patients older than 50 years never visited the ophthalmologist. Model of screening for diabetic retinopathy in Croatia works better in Zagreb than in Rijeka region, and needs certain improvements. The authors suggested modern methods of screening, the incorporation of the mechanisms of quality control, the obligatory reporting of newly diagnosed diabetic patients to the national registry, and the direct referral from diabetologist to ophthalmologist.

Epidemiology of monosymptomatic optic neuritis in Rijeka County, Croatia: meteorological aspects.

In order to analyze the meteorological factors possibly influencing the monosymptomatic optic neuritis in Rijeka County, northwestern part of Croatia, retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed in Rijeka County in period from 1977 to 2001, was done. Meteorological data on monthly and yearly temperature, humidity, insolation in Rijeka County were collected from Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. In the observed period there were 173 cases of monosymptomatic optic neuritis, female/male ratio was 1.66, and overall incidence was 2.18/100,000 inhabitants. There was no correlation of incidence with average yearly and monthly temperature, humidity, insolation, or month of birth. This is the first study on meteorological factors and optic neuritis in Croatia.

Cost of treating preventable minor ocular injuries in Rijeka, Croatia.

AIM: To determine the cost of medical services for the treatment of preventable minor ocular injuries in Rijeka, Croatia. METHODS: We analyzed data on 3,755 outpatients (3,363 men and 392 women) treated for eye injuries at the Department of Ophthalmology, Rijeka University Hospital, from April 2002 to March 2003. Median age of patients was 37 years (range, 26-47 years). Data were collected with a questionnaire designed for the study, which included sociodemographic data, type of injury, time and place of injury, and preventability. We carried out cost analysis of the procedures and determined the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Out of 5,143 emergencies, minor eye injuries comprised 3,755 cases (73%). Minor injuries were potentially preventable in 90% of cases, as they resulted from nonuse or misuse of obligatory protection devices. Total one-year cost of preventable eye injuries was 135,529.55 Euros. CONCLUSION: Preventable minor eye injuries in Rijeka, Croatia, cause a serious medical and economic burden. Stricter adherence to the use of protection devices should be promoted.

Primary vs secondary wound reconstruction in Gustilo type III open tibial shaft fractures: follow-up study of 35 cases.

AIM: To compare primary and secondary wound reconstruction as a treatment method for Gustilo type III open tibial fractures. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with a Gustilo type III open tibial shaft fracture were treated and followed up for 3 years. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the treatment protocol and timing of wound reconstruction: primary wound reconstruction (n=15) and secondary wound reconstruction (n=20). After determining median value, the variability was expressed with the 25th and 75th percentiles. RESULTS: In the primary wound reconstruction group, healing was achieved in 13 out of 15 patients. The median time to recovery was 68 (25th-75th percentile=32-86) weeks, median number of operations was 4 (25th-75th percentile=3-5), and median Johner and Wruhs score was 4 (25th-75th percentile=3-5). There were 9 cases with a bone defect and 2 tibial amputations were performed. In the secondary wound reconstruction group, complete recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients. The median time to recovery was 115.5 (25th-75th percentile=70.0-128.5) weeks, median number of operations 7.5 (25th-75th percentile=6.5-8.5), and median score according to Johner and Wruhs' criteria 3 (25th-75th percentile=2-4). There were 19 cases with a bone defect and 1 tibial amputation was performed. Chronic osteomyelitis persisted only in a single patient. Median time to recovery and number of operations were significantly smaller in patients undergoing primary wound reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Primary wound reconstruction required smaller number of operations and shorter time to recovery than secondary wound reconstruction, mostly due to a significantly smaller proportion of cases with a bone defect.