Covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation associated to a snorkel technique for inferior mesenteric artery preservation.

Aortic distal occlusion has been usually treated by open surgery. A persisting patent and overdeveloped inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) suggests a significant participation in the bowel circulation. Coverage of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) origin could compromise the bowel circulation. Covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation (CERAB) is a proven and guideline-suggested alternative for revascularization of the distal aortic occlusion. CERAB associated to a snorkel to the IMA aims to reduce the risk of bowel ischemia keeping and percutaneous and minimal invasive approach.

A comparison of two designs of postoperative shoe for hallux valgus surgery: A biomechanical study in a cadaveric model.

BACKGROUND: Hallux Valgus Surgery success depends not only on the operative technique, but also on the care of the foot during the postoperative period. Orthopedic shoes have been developed to decrease the weight load on the first ray, an excess of which might lead to a loss of fixation or pseudoarthrosis. The goal of this study was to determine how the load distribution changed as the forced applied to the foot increased, with and without an orthopedic shoe. Also, we compared to different shoe models. METHODS: Pressure sensors were placed under the first metatarsal head and the heel of twenty specimens of fresh cadaveric adult feet. Two orthopedic shoes were chosen, a double padded (MS) and a reverse camber shoe (RCS). 10 kg loads were progressively applied, up to 60 kg. We first compared three instances: no shoe, MS and RCS. A secondary analysis comparing barefoot versus shoes was performed. A mean comparison was performed (ANOVA/T-student). RESULTS: The mean pressure of the heed and the first metatarsal showed that there were significant differences between groups (P < .005). The secondary analysis (no shoe vs orthopedic shoes) showed that the pressure without shoe was significantly higher than with any orthopedic shoe (P < .005). There were no statistically significant differences between models of shoes (P = .402). CONCLUSION: After a surgical procedure for hallux valgus fixation, postoperative shoes should be indicated to decrease the pressure on the first metatarsal head and heel in order to avoid an overload of the postoperative area. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cadaveric study. Level V.

Cryopreserved Allografts for Treatment of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia in Patients Without Autologous Saphenous Veins.

BACKGROUND: Revascularization is the best alternative to reduce symptoms and to improve the limb salvage rate in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLI). Alternative grafts as synthetic prostheses and allografts must be considered for patients without a suitable autologous graft. Our aim was to evaluate outcomes of cryopreserved allografts used as a vascular conduit for bypass surgery in the infrainguinal territory. METHODS: A retrospective analysis (January 1995 to January 2014) of the Registry of vascular and valvular allografts transplant in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain was performed for identifying patients with CLI who required infrainguinal bypass with cryopreserved arterial allografts. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, ver. 20, for Mac (Chicago). RESULTS: A total of 149 patients with CLI (mean age of 70.1 years) were analyzed. One hundred two patients (68.5%) had a grade IV lesion (Fontaine classification). In the overall follow-up, 24.8% of patients required a reintervention. Overall graft occlusion, infection, and dilation rate were 52.3%, 6%, and 5.4% respectively. Overall 30-day mortality was 0.7%. Five-year primary patency rate and limb salvage rate were 38.6% and 50.2%, respectively. Survival rate at 5 years was 54.2%. Major adverse limb event (MALE)-free rate was 21.5% at 5 years. Revascularization to a distal target vessel was an independent positive predictive risk factor for a lower limb salvage rate and lower primary patency rate. Dyslipidemia was related to a lower limb salvage rate and represents a risk factor involved in MALEs. CONCLUSIONS: Although arterial allografts seem to represent a suboptimal alternative, some selected patients could beneficiate from them. Five-year results are disappointing, and more studies are required to know other predictive factors for better selection of patients.

Distal Rotational Metatarsal Osteotomy (DROMO) for the treatment of hallux valgus associated with first metatarsal pronation: Surgical technique and initial results.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (HV) is a very common deformity worldwide. Most of the surgical techniques used in the treatment of HV only correct these deformities in two planes, that is sagittal and transverse planes. The importance of the first metatarsal pronation as an etiological factor of hallux valgus is validated by numerous authors and it is usually unaddressed. Few surgical techniques have focused on the correction of rotational deformity of the hallux valgus. We aim to first report a detailed technique and a case series using the Distal Rotational Metatarsal Osteotomy (DROMO) surgical technique, which is less invasive and can address the pronation deformation. METHODS: The inclusion period was 6 months finishing in April 2021. The study analyzed the following x-ray parameters: preoperative and postoperative intermetatarsal angle (IMA), preoperative and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA), preoperative and postoperative coronal rotation of the first metatarsal according Hardy and Clapham's classification as described by Kim et al., preoperative and postoperative shape of the first metatarsal head as described by Ono et al. RESULTS: 33 patients matched our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most patients underwent the surgery for the left foot (n = 18), compared to the right foot (n = 15). We found statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative IMA (p < 0.001), preoperative and postoperative HVA (p < 0.001). Preoperative and postoperative coronal rotation of the first metatarsal as classified by Hardy and Clapham was significantly different (p < 0.001), as well as preoperative and postoperative shape of the first metatarsal head (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: DROMO can correct the metatarsal rotation through minimal invasive surgery. From our perspective, DROMO technique should be another alternative for HV correction technique which in time can be associated as a local anesthetic technique, DROMO results are attractive for an ambulatory procedure.

Percutaneous hallux valgus surgery: Anatomical study of its safety and effectiveness.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Although percutaneous hallux valgus surgery is increasing in popularity, concerns about safety regarding neurovascular and tendinous structures remain. The first aim of this body-donor study was to evaluate the safety of three common percutaneous portals. Secondly, to evaluate percutaneous surgery effectiveness in completing adductor tendon release and first ray osteotomies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty body-donor feet were included and underwent three percutaneous procedures, which are commonly performed in combination: distal metatarsal osteotomy, proximal phalanx osteotomy and adductor tendon release. After surgery, the distance between surgical portals and relevant neurovascular structures was measured. Damage to this neurovascular structures, tendons or articular cartilage was noted. Completion of adductor tendon release and osteotomies was verified. RESULTS: The medial dorsal digital nerve of the hallux was damaged in two specimens. Mild peritendon damage was observed in two feet. The rest of neurovascular and tendinous structures were intact. No cartilage damage was observed. The distance between the adductor tenotomy portal and the lateral dorsal digital nerve of the hallux and the first dorsal metatarsal artery was 3.3mm (SD 1.4) and 2.4mm (SD 1.8), respectively. Complete adductor tenotomy was achieved in 14 feet. CONCLUSIONS: The structure with the highest risk of damage during percutaneous hallux valgus surgery is the medial dorsal digital nerve. The lateral dorsal digital nerve and the first dorsal metatarsal artery might be at risk due to the small distance to the adductor tendon release portal. A deep anatomical knowledge and a meticulous surgical technique are required to avoid lesions to neurovascular and tendinous structures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, Cadaveric study.

Distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone for the correction of hallux valgus: comparison of the sagittal stability of two percutaneous techniques-a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: Distal first metatarsal osteotomy is used to correct mild or moderate hallux valgus (HV). We designed a cadaveric study to compare the resistance to axial load between two percutaneous distal first metatarsal osteotomies: Bösch osteotomy and percutaneous chevron. The first aim of this study was to develop a systematic technique for measuring the sagittal displacement on lateral foot X-rays. Our second objective was to measure the resistance to axial load for both of these osteotomies. METHODS: Ten pairs of freshly frozen cadaveric feet were randomly assigned to one of the two techniques investigated. Pre- and post-operative lateral X-rays were obtained. After surgery, the feet were placed under progressive axial loads up to 60 kg. Metaphyseo-diaphyseal angle (MDA) and the distance between bone fragments were measured, and the differences between the two techniques were statistically assessed. RESULTS: The MDA decreased in both surgical techniques. The mean plantar tilt was -6.90 degrees (SD = 10.251) for chevron osteotomy and -5.34 degrees (SD = 16.621) for Bösch osteotomy. There was no significant difference between the techniques (p = 0.41). Regarding the distance between the bone fragments, the Bösch osteotomy produced more plantar displacement than the chevron osteotomy, which was statistically significant for the 10 and 20 kg loads (p = 0.031 and 0.04, respectively). At loads ≥ 30 kg, the bone fragment distance did not differ significantly between the techniques (p = 0.114). CONCLUSIONS: Although the chevron technique confers higher stability regarding fragment displacement during axial loading, both techniques increase the plantar angulation of the metatarsal head. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cadaveric study.

[Embolization of genicular arteries in patients with knee osteoarthritis as an alternative for refractory pain treatment: A systematic review]. / Embolización de arterias geniculares en pacientes con osteoartrosis de rodilla como alternativa de tratamiento del dolor. Una revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Genicular artery embolization emerges as an innovative technique described for the treatment of refractory pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This review summarizes the available data on the efficacy of genicular artery embolization in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and refractory pain as an alternative treatment or associated with pharmacological treatment. METHODS: Review according to PRISMA® standards on genicular artery embolization and knee osteoarthritis. RESULTS: Thirteen publications out of a total of 63 studies reporting data from 914 patients were analyzed according to inclusion criteria. The indication of embolization was performed in patients with severe chronic pain refractory to conservative treatment and moderate-to-severe knee OA. Only minor complications have been reported. CONCLUSION: Genicular artery embolization is a possible and potentially very effective alternative in the treatment of chronic refractory pain in patients with knee OA, without serious complications. All studies conclude in favor of embolization of the genicular arteries in the treatment of chronic refractory pain in patients with knee OA.

A randomized controlled noninferiority trial comparing radiofrequency with stripping and conservative hemodynamic cure for venous insufficiency technique for insufficiency of the great saphenous vein.

OBJECTIVE: The quality of available evidence regarding new minimally invasive techniques to abolish great saphenous vein reflux is moderate. The present study assessed whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was noninferior to high ligation and stripping (HLS) and conservative hemodynamic cure for venous insufficiency (CHIVA) for clinical and ultrasound recurrence at 2 years in patients with primary varicose veins (VVs) due to great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency. METHODS: We performed a randomized, single-center, open-label, controlled, noninferiority trial to compare RFA and 2 surgical techniques for the treatment of primary VVs due to GSV insufficiency. The noninferiority margin was set at 15% for absolute differences. Patients aged >18 years with primary VVs and GSV incompetence, with or without clinical symptoms, C2 to C6 CEAP (Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathophysiologic) clinical class, and GSV diameter >4 mm were randomized with a 1:1:1 ratio to RFA, HLS, or CHIVA. The rate of clinical recurrence at 24 months was the primary endpoint and was analyzed using a delta noninferiority margin of 15%. Ultrasound recurrence, safety, and quality of life were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: From December 2012 to June 2015, 225 limbs had been randomized to RFA, HLS, or CHIVA (n = 74, n = 75, and n = 76). Clinical follow-up and Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. No differences in postoperative complications or pain were observed among the three groups. RFA was noninferior to HLS and CHIVA for clinical recurrence at 24 months, with an estimated difference in recurrence of 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.8% to 10.7%; noninferiority P = .002) and -7% (95% CI, -17% to 3%; P < .001), respectively. For ultrasound recurrence, RFA was noninferior to CHIVA, with an estimated difference of -34% (95% CI, -47% to -20%; noninferiority P < .001) at 24 months. However, noninferiority could not be demonstrated compared with HLS (5.9%; 95% CI, -4.1 to 15.9; P = .073). No differences were found in quality of life among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: RFA was shown to be noninferior in terms of clinical recurrence to HLS and CHIVA in the treatment of VVs due to GSV insufficiency.

Coagulation Panel in Patients with SARS-CoV2 Infection (COVID-19).

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) is the causal agent of the newly-termed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In January 2020, the World Health Association (WHO) declared the CO-VID-19 as an epidemic. Abnormal coagulation parameters in COVID-19 patients currently are considered as prognostic factors of severity. Our aim is to summarize the current data available in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search was performed in the Database of publications on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) of the World Health Organization. Thrombin Time (TT), Prothrombin Time (PT), Fibrinogen (FIB), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APPT), and D-Dimer have been detected as parameters to study in every COVID-19 patient. CLINICAL APPLICATION: The coagulation function panel has been described to be altered in critical COVID-2019 patients. DIC, which plays an important role in advanced stage, is known to be associated with sepsis. Anticoagulant therapy, mainly with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), appears to be associated with better prognosis in patients with severe COV-ID-19. DISCUSSION: Coagulation function in patients with SARS-CoV2 infection is significantly deranged compared with normal patients. FIB and D-Dimer/FDP are the most significantly altered values and the early deetection of alteration could be useful to address therapies. D-Dimer/FDP (DD/FDP) alteration correlates with severity. Markedly elevated D-Dimer can be used to guide the introduction of anticoagulation therapy and evaluate prognosis of COVID-19. In every patient admitted with SARS-CoV2 infection PT, FIB, D-Dimer/FDP, and platelets must be ordered. We suggest daily extraction for every patient admitted and tested positive for COVID-19.

Modified Tension-Slide Technique for Endoscopy-Assisted Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfer.

The rupture of the Achilles tendon (AT) usually occurs in high-caliber athletes, but low-demand patients are also are risk, mainly if they are under corticoids or quinolones. The diagnosis of the AT rupture is usually neglected, and this could result in a worse prognosis for the patient if not treated in an appropriate time. For these patients or for those with high surgical risk, an option of minimally invasive surgery remains attractive. Classical techniques consist of direct repair or augmentation with the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus as well as nonanatomical tendon transfers which can generate issues with the donor site. We present a pioneering technique that is analogous to that used for the surgical treatment of distal rupture of the biceps tendon, which consist of a transfer technique of flexor hallucis longus by extracortical fixation interference screw associated to a direct tendon reinsertion performed through a bone tunnel on the superior and posterior aspect of the calcaneus using an extracortical drilling system and an interference screw within the calcaneal tunnel. The arthroscopic approach may be technically challenging, and a high-level of arthroscopic skills are required to complete the procedure but after a learning curve it represents a feasible a safe technique.Levels of Evidence:Therapeutic, Level IX: Evidence from opinion of authorities and/or reports of expert committee.

Registry of Valvular and Vascular Allograft Transplants in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Spain (ReVAC): Design of the Registry.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there have been significant changes in the perception of valvular and vascular allograft transplants. Despite the constant evolution of the field of transplant and the involvement of multiple surgical specialties, there is not an official registry for administrative and clinical control. This study aims to design a registry of vascular and valvular allograft transplantation in Catalonia, Spain (ReVAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three consecutive focal groups were designed. Focal groups established administrative, technical, and clinical requirements of ReVAC. ReVAC included patients with a transplanted cryopreserved vascular segment or cardiac valves that were distributed by Catalan tissue banks to public and private hospitals in Catalonia. Ten hospitals were involved in this study. Data were collected on 380 patients between January 1995 and November 2015. RESULTS: The project resulted in the completion of a growing platform available online. ReVAC was divided into the following 3 levels: patient-related, surgery-related, and transplant-related data. Online access is available through the website of applications of the "Generalitat de Catalunya." CONCLUSION: ReVAC has been useful for administrative and clinical control of transplants in Catalonia. Currently, data related to outcomes of arterial allografts are available, reinforcing the current guideline-supported indications, as well as opening a window for further analysis and guideline creation.

[Aorto-bifermoral grafs infection due to Candida parapsilosis. An unusual pathogen]. / Infección de injerto aortobifemoral por Candida parapsilosis. Un germen inhabitual.

BACKGROUND: Aorto-enteric fistula is a rare and potentially lethal entity. Its presentation may be as an enteric-paraprosthetic fistula, due to injury in the gut caused by direct contact with the vascular prosthesis. OBJECTIVE: We report a case of enteric-paraprosthetic fistulae with the unusual finding of Candida parapsilosis as the only isolated pathogen. CLINICAL CASE: A 65-year-old male, smoker, with aortobifemoral revascularisation with dacron due to aortoiliac occlusive disease, and re-intervention for thrombosis of left arm at 6 months. Hospitalisation at 22 months was required due to a toxic syndrome, which was diagnosed as enteric-paraprosthetic fistulae after complementary studies. The graft was removed and an extra-anatomic revascularisation was performed. Microbiology specimens taken from the duodenal segment in contact with the prosthesis showed the prosthetic segment and peri-prosthetic fluid were positive to C. parapsilosis. DISCUSSION: The finding of C. parapsilosis in all cultures taken during surgery, along with negative blood cultures and no other known sources of infection, is of interest. It is an unusual pathogen with low virulence and limited as regards other Candida species. Our patient had no clinical data common to cases of infection with C. parapsilosis, and the mechanism of graft infection is unknown. CONCLUSION: Graft infection by C. parapsilosis may be anecdotal. However, its consequences can also be severe. Microbiological tests can be useful to adjust antimicrobial therapy in the post-operative period, but their usefulness for determining the aetiology is doubtful, as it may be just an incidental finding.

Edema óseo secundario a lesiones ligamentarias de tobillo. Hallazgos en las imágenes de resonancia magnética / Bone marrow edema following ankle ligament injuries: an MRI imaging evaluation

Introducción: El esguince agudo de tobillo es una de las lesiones musculoesqueléticas más frecuentes. Su creciente estudio con resonancia magnética ha llevado a una mayor detección de edema óseo. El edema óseo por contusión consiste en una fractura ósea subcondral microtrabecular del hueso esponjoso junto con hemorragia local y edema. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar una posible relación estadística entre la lesión ligamentaria de tobillo y la localización del edema óseo. materiales y métodos: En-tre 2016 y 2018, se analizaron 50 resonancias de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de esguince sin lesión ósea en la radiografía. Dos radiólogos independientes analizaron las secuencias T1 y T2 en los planos coronal, axial y sagital. Se comparó la localización del edema óseo y las lesiones ligamentarias con el fin de encontrar posibles asociaciones. Resultados: No hubo diferencias en la presencia de edema óseo en relación con el ligamento lesionado como consecuencia de un esguince de tobillo (p >0,05). En general, el edema óseo fue más frecuente en la cabeza y el cuello del astrágalo (64%). No se halló una relación estadística entre la localización de edema óseo y el ligamento lesionado (p >0,05).Conclusiones: El edema óseo es un hallazgo frecuente en la resonancia magnética después de una lesión ligamentaria a causa de esguinces de tobillo; sin embargo, no hay evidencia de una relación entre la localización del edema y el ligamento lesionado. Nivel de Evidencia: II

Acute ankle sprains are a common type of musculoskeletal injury. With the increased popularity of MRI post-ankle sprain, more cases of bone marrow edema or bone bruise are detected. This is a subchondral osseous fracture of the cancellous microarchitec-ture with accompanied local hemorrhage and edema. This study aims to analyze if the presence of ankle ligament injury presents any significant statistical relation with the specific location. materials and methods: We reviewed 50 MRI performed during 2015-2018 for patients who reported ankle pain and signs of instability. Two different radiologists evaluated the series. Bone marrow edema location and specific ligament lesions were contrasted to find possible associations. Chi-Square was used to analyze the differences. Results: The anterior talofibular ligament was the most commonly injured ligament (84%). CFL injury occurred in 27 cases (54%). There were no differences between the presence of bone marrow edema and the ligament injured after an ankle sprain (p>0.05). Overall, the most common location of bone marrow edema was the head and neck of the talus (64%). There was no statistical relationship between bone marrow edema location and the injured ligament (p>0.05). Conclusion: Bone marrow edema is a frequent finding after a ligament injury following ankle sprains. However, this finding is not directly related to a specific location of the injured ligament. The location of bone marrow edema is not related to specific ligament injuries. MRI findings of bone marrow edema must not change the management of patients with acute ankle sprains. Level of Evidence: II

Embolización de arterias geniculares en pacientes con osteoartrosis de rodilla como alternativa de tratamiento del dolor. Una revisión sistemática / Embolization of genicular arteries in patients with knee osteoarthritis as an alternative for refractory pain treatment: A systematic review

Introducción: La embolización de arterias geniculares emerge como una técnica innovadora para el tratamiento del dolor refractario en pacientes con osteoartrosis (OA) de rodilla. Se exponen los datos disponibles sobre su eficacia en pacientes con OA de rodilla y dolor persistente, como tratamiento alternativo o asociado a tratamiento farmacológico.MétodosRevisión según estándares PRISMA® sobre embolización de arterias geniculares y OA de rodilla.ResultadosSe analizaron 13 publicaciones según criterios de inclusión, de un total de 63 estudios obteniendo datos de 914 pacientes. Las indicaciones de embolización se realizaron en pacientes con dolor crónico severo refractario a tratamiento conservador y con OA de rodilla moderada a severa. Solo se han reportado complicaciones menoresConclusiónLa embolización de arterias geniculares es una alternativa posible y potencialmente muy eficaz en el tratamiento del dolor articular crónico en pacientes con OA de rodilla, y sin complicaciones graves descritas. Todos los estudios concluyen a su favor en el tratamiento del dolor articular en estos pacientes. (AU)

Background: Genicular artery embolization emerges as an innovative technique described for the treatment of refractory pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This review summarizes the available data on the efficacy of genicular artery embolization in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and refractory pain as an alternative treatment or associated with pharmacological treatment.MethodsReview according to PRISMA® standards on genicular artery embolization and knee osteoarthritis.ResultsThirteen publications out of a total of 63 studies reporting data from 914 patients were analyzed according to inclusion criteria. The indication of embolization was performed in patients with severe chronic pain refractory to conservative treatment and moderate-to-severe knee OA. Only minor complications have been reported.ConclusionGenicular artery embolization is a possible and potentially very effective alternative in the treatment of chronic refractory pain in patients with knee OA, without serious complications. All studies conclude in favor of embolization of the genicular arteries in the treatment of chronic refractory pain in patients with knee OA. (AU)