Telerehabilitation after arthroscopic subacromial decompression is effective and not inferior to standard practice: Preliminary results.

Background Telerehabilitation promises to improve quality, increase patient access and reduce costs in health care. Physiotherapy with exercises is generally recommended to restore function after surgery in patients with chronic subacromial syndrome. Relatively few studies have investigated the feasibility of telerehabilitation interventions in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a customizable telerehabilitation intervention and compare with traditional care. Methods This research includes 18 consecutive patients with subacromial impingement who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression in a controlled clinical prospective study. Patients were randomized to either a 12-week telerehabilitation programme or the usual face-to-face physical therapy for immediate postoperative rehabilitation. We have developed a telerehabilitation system to provide services to patients who have undergone shoulder arthroscopy. An independent blinded observer performed postoperative follow-up after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results The preliminary efficacy of this telerehabilitation programme in terms of both physical and functional objective outcome measures was assessed on eight patients. Using the Constant-Murley score to evaluate functional outcome, patients in the telerehabilitation group were shown to have improved from a mean 43.50 ± 3.21 points to a mean 68.50 ± 0.86 points after 12 weeks. The physical and functional improvements in the telerehabilitation group were similar to those in the control group ( p = 0.213). There was a non-significant trend for greater improvements in the telerehabilitation group for most outcome measurements. Conclusion The results of this study provide evidence for the efficacy of telerehabilitation after shoulder arthroscopy in shoulder impingement syndrome. A telerehabilitation programme with range of motion, strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapula stabilizers exercises seems to be similar and not inferior to traditional face-to-face physiotherapy after subacromial arthroscopic decompression. Through this study, we are developing our preliminary dataset to evaluate the efficacy of telerehabilitation programmes following surgical procedures in musculoskeletal injuries and for comparison with more traditional interventions.

Inefficient differentiation response to cell cycle stress leads to genomic instability and malignant progression of squamous carcinoma cells.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or epidermoid cancer is a frequent and aggressive malignancy. However in apparent paradox it retains the squamous differentiation phenotype except for very dysplastic lesions. We have shown that cell cycle stress in normal epidermal keratinocytes triggers a squamous differentiation response involving irreversible mitosis block and polyploidisation. Here we show that cutaneous SCC cells conserve a partial squamous DNA damage-induced differentiation response that allows them to overcome the cell division block. The capacity to divide in spite of drug-induced mitotic stress and DNA damage made well-differentiated SCC cells more genomically instable and more malignant in vivo. Consistently, in a series of human biopsies, non-metastatic SCCs displayed a higher degree of chromosomal alterations and higher expression of the S phase regulator Cyclin E and the DNA damage signal γH2AX than the less aggressive, non-squamous, basal cell carcinomas. However, metastatic SCCs lost the γH2AX signal and Cyclin E, or accumulated cytoplasmic Cyclin E. Conversely, inhibition of endogenous Cyclin E in well-differentiated SCC cells interfered with the squamous phenotype. The results suggest a dual role of cell cycle stress-induced differentiation in squamous cancer: the resulting mitotic blocks would impose, when irreversible, a proliferative barrier, when reversible, a source of genomic instability, thus contributing to malignancy.

Iliac artery aneurysm repair with preservation of a single ectopic pelvic kidney.

An ultrasonographic study in a 60-year-old man incidentally detected an iliac artery aneurysm that gave rise to the renal artery of a single ectopic pelvic kidney. Renal-preservation solution could not be used during surgery, because the unclamped renal vein would have enabled the solution to enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, cold saline solution was infused through the renal ostium, and the kidney was maintained under cold saline immersion. We performed aortoiliac bypass and then implanted the renal artery into the bypass graft. Postoperatively, the patient's serum creatinine level increased; after one year, his renal function was normal. We discuss our use of cold saline solution for renal preservation.

Mitral valve repair: the chordae tendineae.

Repair of the mitral valve is the treatment of choice for mitral valve regurgitation when the anatomy is favorable. It is well known that mitral valve repair enjoys better clinical and functional results than any other type of valve substitute. This fact is beyond doubt regardless of the etiology of the valve lesion and is of particular importance in degenerative diseases.This review analyzes the most important advances in the knowledge of the anatomy, pathophysiology, and chordal function of the mitral valve as well as the different alternatives in the surgical repair and clinical results of the most prevalent diseases of the mitral valve. An attempt has been made to organize the acquired information available in a practical way.

Repair of rheumatic tricuspid valve disease: predictors of very long-term mortality and reoperation.

BACKGROUND: We examined predictors of reoperation and late mortality in patients undergoing tricuspid valve repair for rheumatic disease. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2007, 299 consecutive patients (mean age 50.8 + or - 13.7 years) underwent surgical repair of the tricuspid valve for multivalvular organic rheumatic disease. A total of 184 patients was found to have mitral and tricuspid valve disease, 108 triple valve disease, 5 isolated tricuspid lesion, and 2 aortic and tricuspid valve disease. Prosthetic ring annuloplasty was performed in 78 patients, commissurotomy and ring annuloplasty in 82, isolated commissurotomy in 10, suture annuloplasty in 105, and commissurotomy and suture annuloplasty in 24. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 7.4%. Previous valve surgery and reoperation for bleeding were risk factors for early death. Late mortality was 51.2%, in the majority of patients due to cardiac causes. There was a median follow-up of 16.4 years (range, 6 months to 34 years) and cumulative follow-up of 5,432 patients per year (96.7% complete). Age, New York Heart Association functional class IV and postclamping time were predictive factors for late mortality. At 25 years, the Kaplan-Meier survival was 26.6% + or - 4.2%. A total of 106 patients required valve reoperation. Age older than 40 years was a protective factor for reoperation. At 25 years, Kaplan-Meier freedom from reoperation was 35.0% + or - 5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of the tricuspid valve in patients with rheumatic valve disease can be performed with acceptable early results, but progression of rheumatic disease is associated with a high incidence of valve dysfunction and mortality in the long term.

Combined mitral and tricuspid valve repair in rheumatic valve disease: fewer reoperations with prosthetic ring annuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: We examined predictors of early and very long-term outcome after combined mitral and tricuspid valve repair for rheumatic disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1974 and 2002, 153 consecutive patients (mean age, 46.0+/-13.2 years) underwent combined mitral and tricuspid valve repair for rheumatic disease. Mitral disease was predominantly stenosis (82.3%); 100% of patients had organic tricuspid valve disease, predominantly with regurgitation (53.6%) or some degree of tricuspid stenosis (46.4%). Mitral repair included commissurotomy in 132 patients (86.3%) associated with a flexible annuloplasty in 108. Tricuspid valve repair included flexible annuloplasty in 68 patients (44.4%) and suture annuloplasty in 20 patients (13.1%) combined with tricuspid commissurotomy in 62 patients (42.5%). Thirty-day mortality was 5.9%. Late mortality was 60.1%. The median follow-up was 15.8 years (interquartile range, 6 to 19 years). Follow-up was 97.9% complete. Age>65 years was the only predictor of late mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival probability was 74.4% at 10 years and 57.0% at 15 years. Sixty-three patients required valve reoperation (mitral valve, 59; tricuspid valve, 38). Predictors of valve reoperations were either mitral or tricuspid commissurotomy without associated prosthetic ring annuloplasty. At 20 years, Kaplan-Meier freedom from reoperation was 48.5+/-5.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Combined mitral and tricuspid valve repair in rheumatic disease showed satisfactory early results. Long-term results were poor because of high mortality and a high number of valve-related reoperations. The use of prosthetic ring annuloplasty was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of both mitral and tricuspid valve reoperations.

Repeat mitral valve replacement: 30-years' experience.

Prosthetic heart valve dysfunction is an acquired condition that carries a significant risk of emergency surgery. However, the long-term natural history of the condition is not well understood. Between 1974 and 2006, 1535 isolated mitral valve replacements were performed at our hospital (in-hospital mortality 5%). In total, 369 patients needed a second operation (in-hospital mortality 8.1%), while 80 (age 59.8+/-11.4 years) needed a third. The reasons for the third intervention were structural deterioration (67.5%), paravalvular leak (20%) and endocarditis (6.3%). Some 15 patients died in hospital (18.8%). After a mean follow-up period of 17.8 years, 21 patients needed another intervention (i.e., a fourth intervention). The actuarial reoperation-free rate at 20 years was 40.1+/-13.8%. The late mortality rate was 58.5% (18-year survival rate 15.4+/-5.4%). Indications for repeat mitral valve replacement must be judged on an individual basis given the high risk associated with surgery.

Surgery for rheumatic tricuspid valve disease: a 30-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess factors influencing short- and long-term outcomes of surgery for rheumatic disease of the tricuspid valve. METHODS: Between 1974 and 2005, a total of 328 consecutive patients (mean age 51.3 +/- 13.6 years) underwent tricuspid valve surgery for rheumatic disease. There were 12 cases of isolated tricuspid lesion, 199 of triple-valve disease, 114 of tricuspid and mitral valve disease, and 3 of aortic and tricuspid valve disease. Most patients (72%) had predominantly tricuspid regurgitation. Tricuspid valve prosthetic replacement was performed in 31 cases and valve repair in 297. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 7.6%. Late mortality was 52.1%, whereas the expected mortality of the Spanish population of the same age was 24.2%. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were male sex, isolated tricuspid lesion, moderate aortic insufficiency, postclamping time, and tricuspid valve replacement. Mean follow-up was 8.7 years (range 1-31 years). Follow-up was 98.9% complete. Predictors of late mortality were age, New York Heart Association functional class IV, postclamping time, and mitral valve replacement. In total, 114 patients required valve reoperation, but only 4 (3.5%) for isolated tricuspid valve dysfunction. At 30 years, actuarial survival was 12.1% +/- 4.4%, actuarial freedom from reoperation was 27.5% +/- 5.8%, and actuarial freedom from valve-related complications was 2.0% +/- 1.3%. CONCLUSION: Organic tricuspid valve disease associated with rheumatic mitral or aortic lesions increases hospital and late mortality, but valve repair compared favorably with valve replacement. Long-term results may be considered acceptable for otherwise incurable valve disease.

Spontaneous re-expansion of a collapsed thoracic endoprosthesis: case report.

A 43-year-old woman with a type B aortic dissection underwent insertion of a Zenith stent graft (Cook Inc, Bloomington, Ind). Chest pain developed 36 hours after the procedure. A computed tomography scan showed reopening of the false proximal lumen and almost complete device collapse. Because of hemodynamic stability and absence of signs of malperfusion, the patient was treated conservatively. A control computed tomography scan 7 days later showed full re-expansion of the endoprosthesis. This case illustrates that in extremely rare cases, spontaneous reexpansion of a collapsed thoracic endoprosthesis can occur after conservative management.

[Cardiac surgery in Jehovah's Witnesses. Experience in Santander, Spain]. / Cirugía cardiaca en testigos de Jehová. Experiencia en Santander.

As patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses are against blood transfusion, they are difficult to manage when a cardiac intervention is required. Between 1998 and 2004, all Jehovah's Witness patients with an indication for cardiac surgery (n=10) were operated on by the same multidisciplinary team. The mean fall in hematocrit was 30% during cardiopulmonary bypass, 35% during the postoperative period, and 22% at discharge. One patient required cardiac re-exploration because of sternal bleeding. All patients survived operation and were discharged. At follow-up, 1 patient died due to respiratory failure. Technological developments that reduce bleeding and enable lost blood to be recovered have made it possible to perform operations involving a risk of hemorrhage in Jehovah's Witnesses.