The Use of Scapular Bone Flaps During Head-and-Neck Reconstruction: Functional, Orthopedic, and Quality of Life Analyses of Flap-Harvest-Related Deficits.

ABSTRACT: The authors sought correlations between harvesting of the scapular bone tip free flap used for head-and-neck reconstruction and any shoulder function deficit, particularly at the level of the rotator cuff. The flap permits reconstruction of large and diverse regions of the head and neck, but long-term harvest morbidity has not been investigated extensively. The authors analyzed the clinical records of all patients who underwent head-and-neck reconstructions using free scapular tip flaps in our department over the past 5 years. The inclusion criteria were complete clinical and radiological documentation and follow-up for at least 12 months. Two populations, a surgical and control population, were analyzed. All patients in both populations underwent the simple shoulder test, an internationally validated self-administered test that highlights functional shoulder deficits, and 3 additional tests at orthopedic visits: the external rotation test, Patte test, and external rotation lag sign test. A head-and-neck cancer-specific questionnaire (University of Washington Quality of Life, version 4) was completed by the surgical patients. All statistical analyses were performed using Software IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).A total of 19 patients met the inclusion criteria: 11 males (57.8%) and 8 females (42.2%) of mean age 60.9 years (range 23-75 years). In addition, 20 age-and sex-matched volunteers with no history of shoulder pathology were evaluated in terms of shoulder functionality. The average score on the simple shoulder test was 10.55 in the healthy population versus 8.31 in the study population ( P < 0.001); in particular, shoulder strength differed between the groups. Similarly, the orthopedic examinations revealed clinically significant differences between the controls and patients on the Patte test and external rotation lag sign test (both P < 0.001), but not the external rotation test ( P > 0.001). The mean University of Washington Quality of Life was 73.39; most patients reported good quality of life (52.6%), followed by very good (15.7%).The free scapular bone tip flap is valuable for reconstruction of head-and-neck defects; the long and reliable vascularpedicle allows rapid patient mobilization. Morbidity was confined to small reductions in shoulder strength and external rotation, which do not affect quality of life.

Nail or plate in the management of distal extra-articular tibial fracture, what is better? Valutation of outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Distal tibial fractures are the most common long bone fractures. Several studies focusing on the methods of treatment of displaced distal tibial fractures have been published. To date, locked plates, intramedullary nails and external fixation are the three most used techniques. The aim of our study was to compare intramedullary nail (IMN) and locked plate (LP) for treatment of this kind of fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data on 81 patients with distal tibial fractures (distance from the joint between 40 and 100 mm) and we divided into two groups: IMN and LP. We compared in the 2 groups the mean operation time, the mean union time, the infection rate the rate of malunion and nonunion, the full weight bearing time. RESULTS: No patient in the two groups developed a nonunion. None of the patients obtained a fair or poor outcome. Overall 52 patients obtained an excellent result (69.3%) and 23 obtained a good result (30.6%). DISCUSSION: Our study results indicate a superiority of IMN over LP in terms of lower rates of infections and statistically significant shorter time to full weight bearing. Whereas LP appeared to be advantageous over IMN in terms of leading to a better anatomical and fixed reductions of the fracture and a lower rate of union complications. The two treatments achieved comparable results in terms of operation time, hospital stay, union time and functional outcomes.

The role of bone in glenohumeral stability.

Shoulder stability depends on several factors, either anatomical or functional. Anatomical factors can be further subclassified under soft tissue (shoulder capsule, glenoid rim, glenohumeral ligaments etc) and bony structures (glenoid cavity and humeral head).Normal glenohumeral stability is maintained through factors mostly pertaining to the scapular side: glenoid version, depth and inclination, along with scapular dynamic positioning, can potentially cause decreased stability depending on the direction of said variables in the different planes. No significant factors in normal humeral anatomy seem to play a tangible role in affecting glenohumeral stability.When the glenohumeral joint suffers an episode of acute dislocation, either anterior (more frequent) or posterior, bony lesions often develop on both sides: a compression fracture of the humeral head (or Hill-Sachs lesion) and a bone loss of the glenoid rim. Interaction of such lesions can determine 're-engagement' and recurrence.The concept of 'glenoid track' can help quantify an increased risk of recurrence: when the Hill-Sachs lesion engages the anterior glenoid rim, it is defined as 'off-track'; if it does not, it is an 'on-track' lesion. The position of the Hill-Sachs lesion and the percentage of glenoid bone loss are critical factors in determining the likelihood of recurrent instability and in managing treatment.In terms of posterior glenohumeral instability, the 'gamma angle concept' can help ascertain which lesions are prone to recurrence based on the sum of specific angles and millimetres of posterior glenoid bone loss, in a similar fashion to what happens in anterior shoulder instability. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:632-640. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180028.

Management of Cyclops Syndrome: A case report.

Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) is a typical athletic injury. One of the most frequent complication after ACL reconstruction is reduced range of motion (ROM) due to the impingement on the inter-condylar notch of a fibrous tissue mass, defined as Cyclops Syndrome. We report the case of a 25 years old male, who underwent reconstruction of ACL with Gracilis-semitendinosus (GR-ST) tendons with delayed onset of loss of knee extension seven years after ACL reconstruction. Clinical and magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings were consistent with Cyclops syndrome. The patient underwent arthroscopy in May 2015, which revealed a fixed fibrous nodule impinging on the inter-condylar notch in extension that was treated by mechanical shaving, radiofrequency ablation remodeling inter-condylar notch and releasing of the ACL transplant. After surgery our patient returned to his routine activities after 5 days and started running about 10 days later, without anterior knee pain and without deficit of hyperextension.

Feasibility and Value of Radiographic Union Score Hip Fracture after Treatment with Intramedullary Nail of Stable Hip Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Given the importance of fracture healing on patient outcome in clinical practice, it is critical to assess fracture healing. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the Radiographic Union Score Hip fracture after treatment with intramedullary nail of stable hip fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data from the clinical records of our institution of the 47 patientswho had undergone intertrochanteric hip fracture treatment using an intramedullary nail. Pain visual analogic score (VAS) was collected the same day that X-rays were taken. Plain hip X-rays were performed, in two radiographic views, at 40 and 90 days after the surgical procedure. The correlation between the RUSH and VAS score was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean RUSH and VAS scores showed a strong statistical improvement between the 40 and 90 day follow-ups. RUSH value at 40 days fitted an inverse linear regression with VAS, p-value of 0.0063 and r2 of 0.15. At 90 days the regression between RUSH and VAS scores was not significant. CONCLUSION: RUSH could be proposed as an objective system to evaluate union in hip fractures treated with intramedullary nail.

Long-term outcome of grade III and IV chondral injuries of the knee treated with Steadman microfracture technique.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Steadman microfracture technique in the management of high-grade chondral defects at the level of the knee by clinical follow-ups at eleven years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a study conducted on fifteen patients suffering from Outerbridge grade III and IV chondral lesions of the knee, who underwent Steadman microfracture surgery between 2003 and 2004. Selective exclusion criteria to prevent that other treatments or comorbidities could invalidate the results were used. Patients were clinically evaluated with Lysholm and IKDC scale scores before surgery and at follow-ups at eleven years. RESULTS: There has been an improvement in the Lysholm scores (59.33 ± 18.2 at time zero vs 82.13 ± 14.16 at time t; p value: 0.0342) and in the IKDC scores (45.13 ± 17.07 at time zero vs 68.66 ± 21.47 at time t; p value: 0.04) that appears statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Currently microfracture surgery is not indicated in patients with high-grade chondral defects, but at the same time, it is a technique of easy execution, low cost and good results. The clinical improvement observed appears statistically significant, but we have also noticed a slight clinical worsening in two patients, possibly caused by: improper treatment, new trauma, incorrect rehabilitation and age at time of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The study has shown significant clinical improvements in patients, despite the fact that indications to the use of microfracture are still very limited and selective. It's essential to underline the importance of the single patient assessment process, taking into account a variety of aspects including the site, the number and extent of the lesion, the degree of functionality, activity level, age and previous trauma. This shows the importance of a comprehensive assessment of the patient in order to choose the most suitable surgical option, which not necessarily has to strictly adhere to standard practice.