[Mid-term complications of the monopolar, modular radial head prosthesis]. / Complicaciones a mediano plazo de la prótesis monopolar modular de cabeza radial.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to assess the type, frequency and severity of complications after the implantation of the modular monopolar radial head prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with 48 radial head prostheses implanted between 2009 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated clinical and radiographically for a mean follow-up of 43.55 months (range: 12-89). RESULTS: The same type of prosthesis was implanted in every patient (Ascension Modular Radial Head). The average score in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 88.29 ± 9.9 points. During the follow-up, three patients (6.25%) suffered from continuous pain. Twelve cases (25.5%) showed radiological oversizing, though only five were symptomatic. Heterotopic ossification was detected in twenty-seven cases (57.4%). Eleven patients (23.4%) developed postoperative stiffness. Nineteen cases (40.42%) showed periprosthetic osteolysis, from which seven were symptomatic. Thirteen patients (27%) developed surgery-related complications: three cases of infection, four cases of symptomatic loosening, two neurapraxies, one instability and three cases of oversizing with associated stiffness. Nine patients (18.75%) required reintervention. DISCUSSION: Our study obtains a 27% of overall complications, mostly related to oversizing and prosthetic loosening, and 19% of reinterventions. These results are similar to those presented in previous studies, with variations depending on the time of follow-up. Further research is also required to evaluate long-term results and the potential progression of the radiographic findings. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data stress the need for improvement in both the surgical technique and the design of the implants.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el tipo, la frecuencia y la gravedad de las complicaciones después de la implantación de la prótesis monopolar modular de cabeza radial. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron retrospectivamente 47 pacientes con 48 prótesis de cabeza radial implantadas entre 2009 y 2017 durante una media de 43.55 meses (rango: 12-89). RESULTADOS: Se implantó el mismo tipo de prótesis en cada paciente (Ascension Modular Radial Head). La puntuación media obtenida en la clasificación Mayo Elbow Performance Score fue de 88.29 ± 9.9 puntos. Durante el seguimiento tres pacientes (6.25%) sufrieron dolor continuo. Doce casos (25.5%) mostraron sobredimensión radiológica, aunque sólo cinco fueron sintomáticos. Se detectó osificación heterotópica en 27 casos (57.4%), 11 pacientes (23.4%) desarrollaron rigidez postoperatoria, 19 casos (40.42%) mostraron osteólisis periprotésica, de los cuales siete fueron sintomáticos, 13 pacientes (27%) presentaron complicaciones: tres casos de infección, cuatro casos de aflojamiento sintomático, dos neuroapraxias, una inestabilidad y tres casos de sobredimensionamiento con rigidez asociada. Nueve pacientes (18.75%) fueron reintervenidos. DISCUSIÓN: Presentamos 27% de complicaciones globales, principalmente relacionadas con la sobredimensión y el aflojamiento protésico y 19% de reintervenciones. Estos resultados son similares a los descritos en estudios previos con variaciones en función del tiempo de seguimiento. Asimismo, se requieren nuevos estudios para evaluar los resultados a largo plazo y la posible progresión de los hallazgos radiográficos. CONCLUSIÓN: En conjunto, estos datos ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de mejoría tanto de la técnica quirúrgica como del diseño de los implantes.

[Diaphragmatic pacemaker dysfunction and utility of diaphragmatic ultrasonography]. / Disfunción de marcapasos diafragmático y utilidad de la ecografía diafragmática.

Patients with spinal cord injuries above the C5 vertebrae have a high risk of respiratory complications, and complete spinal cord injures can require support with mechanical ventilation. In selected patients, implantation of a diaphragmatic pacemaker offers the possibility of breathing without mechanical support and reduces respiratory complications, increasing the patient's independence. Ultrasonography is a simple and non-invasive technique that may be useful in the differential diagnosis of thoracic diseases. We present the case of a patient with a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, who underwent diaphragmatic pacemaker implantation. The use of ultrasound allowed rapid and reliable diagnosis of device malfunction. M-mode diaphragmatic ultrasonography is a simple and non-invasive technique that can be incorporated into routine clinical practice to diagnose diaphragm movement disorders.

Characterization of Surgical Procedures in the Spanish Mohs Surgery Registry (REGESMOHS) for 2013-2015. / Descripción de las intervenciones quirúrgicas recogidas en el registro español de cirugía de Mohs (REGESMOHS) (2013-2015).

INTRODUCTION: The Spanish Mohs Surgery Registry is used to collect data on the use and outcomes of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in Spain. The aim of this study was to describe perioperative and intraoperative data recorded for MMS procedures performed between July 2013 (when the registry started) and January 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of data from 18 hospitals. The data collected included type of anesthesia, surgical technique, hospital admission, number of Mohs stages, management of preoperative risk factors, additional treatments, previous treatments, type of tumor, operating time, and complications. RESULTS: Data were available for 1796 operations. The most common tumor treated by MMS was basal cell carcinoma (85.96%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (6.18%), lentigo maligna (2.81%), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (1.97%). Primary tumors accounted for 66.9% of all tumors operated on; 19.2% of tumors were recurrent and 13.9% were persistent. The most common previous treatment was surgical. MMS was mostly performed under local anesthesia (86.7% of cases) and as an outpatient procedure (71.8%). The frozen section technique was used in 89.5% of cases. One stage was needed to achieve tumor-free margins in 56.45% of patients; 2 stages were required in 32.1% of patients, 3 in 7.1%%, 4 in 2.7%, and 5 or more in 1.8%. The defect was reconstructed by the dermatologist in 98% of patients and the most common technique was flap closure (47.2%). Intraoperative complications were recorded for just 1.62% of patients and the median (interquartile range) duration of surgery was 75 (60-100) minutes. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the patients and tumors treated by MMS are similar to those reported for similar studies in other geographic areas. Lentigo maligna and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans accounted for a higher proportion of cases in our series, and repair of the surgical defect by a dermatologist was also more common. Operating times in MMS are not much longer than those reported for other procedures and the rate of intraoperative complications is very low.

[Percutaneous osteosynthesis in tibial pilon fractures. Does the surgical technique determine the final result?]. / Osteosíntesis percutánea en fracturas de pilón tibial, ¿condiciona la técnica quirúrgica el resultado final?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of distal tibia fractures with or without extension into the ankle joint, treated by percutaneous cannulated screws or locking plates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on 107 patients treated between 2001 and 2012. INCLUSION CRITERIA: fractures 43-A and 43-C1 and C2 according to the AO/OTA system, treated with percutaneous osteosynthesis by locking plate or two cannulated screws in X -letter setting. A total of 33 patients were evaluated: 16 tibial fractures were performed with locking plate (G1) and 17 with cannulated screws (G2). Mean time to surgery was 8.31 days (0-14) in G1, and 2 days (0-7) in G2. The mean follow-up was 72 months (12-132). Mean time to healing: 17.08 weeks (8-48) in G1, and 14.56 weeks (8-24) in G2. The results were evaluated according to the AOFAS scale, with plain X-rays, and complications during follow-up. RESULTS: The mean evaluation according to the AOFAS score was 78.62 in G1 (22-93), and 90.63 in G2 (70-100), and this was statistically significant. In G1, 61.4% (8) of the results were excellent or good, while in G2 it was 76% (13). There were no axial deformity cases or shortenings. There were 4 superficial infections and one broken device recorded in G1. DISCUSSION: The percutaneous cannulated screw fixation is a suitable alternative for the management of fractures without significant joint involvement, and seems to offer better functional results than plates. The shortest time from injury to intervention in this group improves the progress of the soft tissues, and can improve the final result.

[Medium term results of unipolar modular radial head arthroplasty]. / Resultados a medio plazo de la artroplastia monopolar modular de cabeza radial.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the results of unipolar modular radial head arthroplasty in the treatment of complex fractures associated with elbow joint instability. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective design study of 44 patients, 17 men and 27 women with a mean age of 51 years (17-78) who suffered radial head fractures (Mason III) in the context of an unstable elbow injury. Mean follow-up was 21.2 months (12-60). Radial head replacement was performed with a unipolar modular prosthesis with a fixed stem (Ascension(®) Modular Radial Head [MRH]), associating repair of concomitant lesions. The Mayo scale Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to perform the functional assessment. A radiological evaluation was performed at the last follow-up and the complications were recorded. RESULTS: Final arc of flexion-extension was 108° with an average of 135° of prono-Supination. At final follow-up, 82% of results were satisfactory according to the MEPS. The 40% of patients (17) had radiographic signs of lucencies around the stem, although most of them were asymptomatic. Two of them needed a second surgical procedure because of painful prosthetic loosening and further surgery was required for a prosthesis dislocation. DISCUSSION: Radial head implants are an adequate treatment option for restoring stability in complex radial head fractures. Modularity allows a wide range of size combination and helps to avoid overstuffing. Periprosthetic osteolysis could be associated with the presence of pain, so it is necessary to perform long-term studies to test the potential complications of this finding.