Prospective collection of error data in orthopaedic and trauma surgery procedures.

PURPOSE: The frequency, type and consequences of errors in orthopaedic and trauma surgery procedures should be analysed. METHODS: In a level II trauma centre, errors and intraoperative complications were prospectively recorded concerning type, severity, preventability and consequences. The error-related time delay was also noted. RESULTS: In 2012, 984 operative cases could be evaluated over six months: 744 elective and 240 emergency procedures. A total 107 errors (10.8%) in 72 procedures were recorded. There were 78 nonmedical/organisational, nine medical and 20 combined errors. Clinical consequences were seen in 1% of errors. The error rate was higher in emergency procedures. Time delays were involved in two thirds of the errors (on average 8.5 minutes). CONCLUSION: Typical patient- and procedure-related errors can be detected by consequent documentation and analysis. It may help to develop sufficient strategies of error prevention. Because of the often-seen time delay, error prevention may help save time and costs.

Treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures: comparison of interlocking plate fixation versus minimal invasive techniques.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The functional results and the complications following interlocking plate fixation of displaced proximal humerus fractures should be evaluated and compared with those following minimal invasive fixation techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (30 women, 20 men, mean age 62.7 (18-91) years) were treated for a displaced proximal humerus fracture using an interlocking plate fixation (PHILOS®) between 2003 and 2004. The mean follow-up time was 12 (9-36) months. Functional and radiographic results (Constant-Murley and Neer scores) were analyzed and compared with an equivalent historical control group of 53 patients operated for the same fracture types using minimal invasive techniques (K-wires and/or cannulated screws) between 1995 and 1997. According to the OTA/AO classification, there were 15 type A, 18 type B, and 17 type C fractures in the plate fixation group, and 23, 25, and 5 of these types in the control group, respectively. RESULTS: The mean Neer score was 85.9, the mean Constant-Murley score 84, whereas 82.4 and 75.4 for the control group, respectively. Good and excellent results were seen in 78%, whereas in 70% in the control group. The results were dependent upon the fracture's type, sex, and patient's age. Complications were seen in 9 patients, whereas in 16 patients in the control group. INTERPRETATION: Using an interlocking plate, the indication of fixation of displaced proximal humerus fractures had been expanded to type C fractures. The implant failure rate can be reduced. The functional results achieved are better compared with those following minimal invasive techniques.

Genetic instability in primary leiomyosarcoma of bone.

Primary leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of bone is an exceedingly rare entity on which to date no molecular data have been reported. In a series of 6 tumors (5 grade IIB, 1 grade IIA), we assessed the prevailing genetic stability by microsatellite analysis at 7 loci. The IIB tumors demonstrated a rate of genomic loss as high as 90%, accompanied by an intratumoral heterogeneity in 30% of conspicuous markers. High microsatellite instability in the severe type was not observed, although hMLH1 immunostaining was consistently negative. We assume that intraosseous LMS pertains to "deletor phenotype" tumors. We did observe a locus-specific MSI in our marker linked with hMSH2. Immunostaining and allelotyping indicated a knock-out of pRb in all cases, confirming its major role in sarcomas. Only the stage IIB tumors (4 of 5) pointed to p53 inactivation. In addition, the human telomerase subunit-linked markers exhibited high rates of chromosomal loss. The stage IIA tumor still confined to the bone displayed no genetic instability. Moreover, the proliferation index made a clear distinction between the IIA and IIB tumors (5% vs 30%). We propose to further investigate the usefulness of loss of heterozygosity as a progression marker in this entity.

Surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in children admitted from developing countries.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of chronic osteomyelitis in children is still challenging in developing countries. This study analysed the extent of the disease and the therapeutic regime. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study in two primary health care hospitals from January 2009 to December 2013, 27 children (20 males and 7 females, mean age 7 years) admitted from developing countries who were treated for chronic osteomyelitis. Localization, duration of the disease, extent of the osseous involvement, spectrum of germs, number of previous and required surgical procedures and duration of hospital stay are reported. RESULTS: A total of 16 cases had haematogenous and 11 cases post-traumatic aetiology. The mean duration of the disease was 18 months. On average, three (range, 1-12) previous surgical procedures were performed. The affected bones were: Tibia in 11, femur in 8, forearm in 6 cases, spine and humerus each in 1 case. Staphylococcus aureus was the responsible germ in 75%. On average, four (range, 2-8) surgical procedures were required. Osseous stabilizations were necessary in 17, plastic soft tissue reconstructions in 8 cases. In three cases with metaphyseal/diaphyseal defect, bone transfers had to be performed (2 × fibula-pro-tibia, 1 × rib for radius). The mean hospital stay took 8 (range, 4-20) weeks. Three local recurrences occurred within 3 months, all could be cured surgically. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in children requires a radical osseous debridement. The knowledge of different plastic-surgical procedures is necessary to reconstruct osseous and/or soft tissue defects.

Multicentric giant cell tumor of bone: synchronous and metachronous presentation.

A 27-year-old man treated 2.5 years ago for synchronous multicentric giant cell tumor of bone located at the right proximal humerus and the right 5th finger presented now with complaints of pain in his right hip and wrist of two-month duration. Radiology and magnetic resonance revealed multicentric giant cell tumor lesions of the right proximal femur, the left ileum, the right distal radius, and the left distal tibia. The patient has an eighteen-year history of a healed osteosarcoma of the right tibia that was treated with chemotherapy, resection, and allograft reconstruction. A literature review establishes this as the first reported case of a patient with synchronous and metachronous multicentric giant cell tumor who also has a history of osteosarcoma.

Preoperative embolization in spinal and pelvic metastases.

The role of preoperative embolization should be evaluated for the surgical treatment of spinal and pelvic metastases. Selective embolization was performed in 32 patients (19 men, 13 women; mean age 63.4 years) before surgery by anterior resection of spinal metastases (n = 21) or pelvic metastases (n = 11). Evaluation parameters consisted of the intraoperative blood loss, the need for blood replacement, and the operating time. There was a significant difference in blood loss and transfusion requirements in the spinal group (P = 0.02) as well as in the pelvic group (P = 0.05) compared to a nonembolized control group of spinal (n = 20) and pelvic (n = 10) metastases. The operating time in the embolized group was shorter, but the difference was not significant. Surgical revision was required in two cases in the embolized spinal group owing to necrosis of the psoas muscle. No neurological deficit was observed that could be attributed to the embolization procedure. Preoperative embolization is thus a suitable method for reducing intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in hypervascularized spinal and pelvic metastases.

Absence of telomerase activity in malignant bone tumors and soft-tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: Telomerase activity appears to play a crucial role in the development of many tumors. More than 80% of all malignant human tumors show an increased telomerase activity. However, conflicting results have been reported about telomerase activity in sarcomas. The aim of the study was to obtain more information about telomerase activity in sarcomas based on a large number of cases. METHODS: Telomerase activity was measured in 69 different tumor samples (33 malignant bone tumors and 36 soft tissue sarcomas). Tumor samples were obtained intraoperatively and frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen. Telomerase activity was detected by the telomeric repeat amplification assay (TRAP-assay). RESULTS: Only 7% of the samples showed telomerase activity. No correlation between staging and telomerase activity could be observed. DISCUSSION: The fact that only five out of 69 examined tumor samples showed a telomerase activity provides experimental evidence that in sarcomas the reactivation of telomerase may play a subordinate role. Our results suggest that alternative mechanisms for cell immortalization, yet to be determined, seem to be involved in the development and/or maintenance of soft-tissue sarcomas and malignant bone tumors.