Maggot Debridement Therapy for Chronic Leg and Foot Ulcers: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To critically analyze the existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical, economic, and psychological implications of maggot debridement therapy (MDT). DATA SOURCES: An exhaustive literature search for English-language publications was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed. STUDY SELECTION: Keywords used for the search were based on the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. The titles, abstracts, and relevant full-text articles were screened. Seven RCTs were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data pertaining to the primary and secondary outcomes of each study were extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: The data extracted were evaluated and categorized into clinical, economic, and psychological outcomes pertaining to MDT. A judicious evaluation of these outcomes was made, and the following conclusions were drawn. CONCLUSIONS: There exists heterogeneity in the extant RCTs, but MDT appears to be effective for a quick early debridement. For diabetic foot ulcers, MDT improves debridement, controls infection, and enhances wound healing. In chronic peripheral vascular disease ulcers, it aids in early debridement, but the final outcome is equivocal. Further robust integrated health economic and parallel qualitative assessment studies are recommended to understand the cost-effectiveness and patient acceptability and experience.

Proximal femoral replacement in non-neoplastic revision hip arthroplasty : five-year results.

AIMS: With increasing burden of revision hip arthroplasty (THA), one of the major challenges is the management of proximal femoral bone loss associated with previous multiple surgeries. Proximal femoral arthroplasty (PFA) has already been popularized for tumour surgeries. Our aim was to describe the outcome of using PFA in these demanding non-neoplastic cases. METHODS: A retrospective review of 25 patients who underwent PFA for non-neoplastic indications between January 2009 and December 2015 was undertaken. Their clinical and radiological outcome, complication rates, and survival were recorded. All patients had the Stanmore Implant - Modular Endo-prosthetic Tumour System (METS). RESULTS: At mean follow-up of 5.9 years, there were no periprosthetic fractures. Clearance of infection was achieved in 63.6% of cases. One hip was re-revised to pseudo arthroplasty for deep infection. Instability was noted in eight of the hips (32%), of which seven needed further surgery. Out of these eight hips with instability, five had preoperative infection. Deep infection was noted in five of the hips (20%), of which four were primarily revised for infection. One patient had aseptic loosening of the femoral component and awaits revision surgery. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship free of revision of any component for any reason was 72% (95% confidence interval (CI) 51.3% to 92.7%), and for revisions of only femoral component for any reason was 96% (95% CI 86.3% to 105.7%) at five years. CONCLUSION: Dislocation and infection remain the major cause for failure, particularly in patients with pre-existing infection. The use of dual mobility cups, silver-coated implants, and less aggressive postoperative rehabilitation regimens would possibly aid in the reduction of complications. PFA performed in patients with periprosthetic fracture seem to fair better. This study supports the judicious use of PFA in non-oncological revision hip arthroplasties, and that they be performed by experienced revision arthroplasty surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(3):229-235.

Tropical primary pyomyositis in children of the UK: an emerging medical challenge.

Pyomyositis is a commonly encountered condition in the tropics. It was not described in the UK until 1998. The reason for the increasing incidence is not understood. We sought to identify the experience gained of this condition within a UK paediatric tertiary referral unit. Retrospective review of cases of pyomyositis from our institution since 1998 was undertaken to identify demographics, presentation, diagnosis and management. Thirteen cases were identified. The obturator internus was most commonly affected (62%). Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in nine cases (69%). One diagnostic retroperitoneal exploration was performed and all cases were identified by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. To our knowledge, this is the first UK series of pyomyositis, reflecting its increasing Western incidence. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is all that is needed in the majority of cases. A greater awareness of this emerging condition is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention by all surgeons.

Validity of direct magnetic resonance arthrogram in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and their outcome post hip arthroscopy.

Femoroacetabular Impingement is an established cause of labral tears and chondral delamination. The aim was to test the validity of direct magnetic resonance arthrogram [dMRA] in the diagnosis of the same. We also looked at the short term functional outcome in these patients post hip arthroscopy. The dMRA is valuable in diagnosing labral tears nevertheless poor in detecting cartilage delamination. Hip arthroscopic intervention provided a good short-term functional outcome; however, should be offered with caution in patients over 40 years. To our knowledge, this is the single largest series published with similar methodology.

Bilateral hamstring origin calcification: rare presentation of Gitelman syndrome.

This case report is the first case to our knowledge of intratendinous or peritendinous calcification reported in Gitelman syndrome (GS) patients. GS represents the clinical manifestations of inactivation of the Slc12a3 genes encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter and the Trpm6-Mg genes encoding the magnesium transporters in the distal convoluted tubule. Hence, the biochemical findings resemble those with thiazide diuretics such as hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalciuria, metabolic alkalosis and low normal blood pressure. Serum calcium and phosphate levels are usually unaffected in GS unless associated with hyperparathyroidism or other hypercalcaemic aetiologies. We report a 69-year-old male patient with a history of GS who presented with bilateral ischial tuberosity tenderness. Further investigations confirmed the calcification of bilateral hamstring origin. Chondrocalcinosis is a known association of GS; however, extra-articular calcification is rare. Literature review illustrates sclerochoroidal calcification as the only reported soft tissue calcification apart from chondrocalcinosis.

Lipoblastoma--an unfamiliar but important diagnosis. A case series and literature review.

Lipoblastoma and its infiltrative variant lipoblastomatosis are rare adipose tissue tumours seen in infants and children. Many surgeons are unfamiliar with these uncommon lesions and hence they are suboptimally treated. We report a case series of six patients in our tertiary paediatric hospital. Cases were reviewed retrospectively with reference to demographics, investigations, diagnosis and their management. Lipoblastomas are easily misdiagnosed and excision before proper investigations may result in incomplete resection, recurrence and further potentially mutilating surgery.