Use of electrochemotherapy in women with vulvar cancer to improve quality-of-life in the palliative setting: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Electrochemotherapy involves the use of transient tumor permeabilization via electric pulses in combination with low-dose chemotherapeutic agents. It has recently emerged as an alternative treatment modality in vulvar cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to ascertain the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in the context of palliative care. METHODS: The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Database, to identify all registered articles pertaining to palliative vulvar cancer treatment with electrochemotherapy from inception until August 2019, in line with PRISMA guidelines. A single-proportion meta-analysis was performed for the outcomes of overall response, complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease raterespectively, using the random-effect model. Sensitivity analysis was performed to address heterogeneity. RESULTS: Four studies were included totaling 104 women. The studies were of moderate quality. Pooled results from four studies rendered a summary proportion of 78.8% (95% CI 70.4% to 86.1%) for the outcome of overall response. The median age ranged between 68 and 85 years. The sample size per study ranged between eight and 61 women. The tumors' histological types included: squamous-cell carcinoma (96.2%), Paget's disease (2.9%), and malignant melanoma (0.9%). A total of 65 patients (62.5%) presented with a single nodule, whilst 39 patients (37.5%) presented with multiple nodules. Eighty-nine women (85.6%) were previously submitted to other treatment modalities. The overall response rate ranged from 73.2% to 80.9%. The pooled proportion for the outcomes of complete and partial response rate was 48.7% (95% CI 30.74% to 61.5%) and 30.2% (95% CI 21.7% to 39.4%), respectively. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 51 months. No severe adverse effects were reported. The safety profile of electrochemotherapy was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: Electrochemotherapy is an effective and minimally invasive treatment modality in the palliative care management of patients with vulvar cancer. The effective control of vulvar tumors by electrochemotherapy may contribute to improvement of quality-of-life. In light of the moderate quality of evidence, a multi-center cooperation is warranted to confirm its palliative benefit.

Prognostic implications of histological tumor regression (Böhm's score) in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for high grade serous tubal & ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Primary objective of this study was to determine prognostic significance of Bohm's histopathological regression score in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for treatment of high grade serous (HGS) tubal & ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who received NACT between 2010 and 2015. The 3 point histopathological regression score of Böhm was used to classify chemotherapy response. Survival outcomes between the 3 different subgroups was analysed and compared with standard clinico-pathological variables using the Cox proportional hazards model and log-rank test. RESULTS: Study cohort comprised 111 patients. Chemotherapy response score (CRS) 3 was observed in 47 (42.4%) and CRS 1and CRS 2 in 22 (19.8%) and 42 (37.8%) women respectively. Women with CRS score of 1 and 2 combined showed a three-fold increased risk of progression on both univariate and multivariate assessment (HR 3.54; C.I 2.19-5.72, p < 0.001). The median overall survival for patients with CRS 1 was 34 months, CRS 2 was 30 months and 47 months for CRS 3. CRS 1 and 2 combined was the only variable that held significance in prediction of reduced overall survival on multivariate assessment (HR 3.26, C.I 1.91-5.54, p 0.0006). CRS 1 and 2 were also associated with 5.15-fold increased risk of relapse within 6 months of completion of chemotherapy (Odds ratio OR 5.15, C.I 0.07-0.47, p - 0.002). CONCLUSION: CRS is an independent prognosticator of survival and reliable predictor of relapse within 6 months in advanced high grade serous tubal and ovarian carcinoma patients receiving NACT.

Keystone pathobionts associated with colorectal cancer promote oncogenic reprograming.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) are two pathobionts consistently enriched in the gut microbiomes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to healthy counterparts and frequently observed for their direct association within tumors. Although several molecular mechanisms have been identified that directly link these organisms to features of CRC in specific cell types, their specific effects on the epithelium and local immune compartment are not well-understood. To fill this gap, we leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on wildtype mice and mouse model of CRC. We find that Fn and ETBF exacerbate cancer-like transcriptional phenotypes in transit-amplifying and mature enterocytes in a mouse model of CRC. We also observed increased T cells in the pathobiont-exposed mice, but these pathobiont-specific differences observed in wildtype mice were abrogated in the mouse model of CRC. Although there are similarities in the responses provoked by each organism, we find pathobiont-specific effects in Myc-signaling and fatty acid metabolism. These findings support a role for Fn and ETBF in potentiating tumorigenesis via the induction of a cancer stem cell-like transit-amplifying and enterocyte population and the disruption of CTL cytotoxic function.

The functional trajectories of older women having surgery for gynaeoncology cancer: A single site prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Population aging longevity and advances in robotic surgery suggest that increasing numbers of older women having gynaeoncological surgery is likely. Postoperative morbidity and mortality are more common in older than younger women with the age-associated characteristics of multimorbidity and frailty being generally predictive of worse outcome. Priorities that inform treatment decisions change during the life course: older patients often place greater' value on quality-of-life-years gained than on life expectancy following cancer treatments. However, data on post-operative cognition, frailty, or functional independence is sparse and not routinely collected. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and trajectory of functional change of older women in the 12 months following gynaeoncological surgery and to explore the associations between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective observational cohort study recruited consecutive women aged 65 or over scheduled for major gynaeoncologic surgery between July 2017 and April 2019. Baseline data on cancer stage, multimorbidity, and geriatric syndromes including cognition, frailty, and functional abilities were collected using standardised tools. Delirium and post-operative morbidity were recorded. Post hospital assessments were collected at 3-, 6-, and 12-months. RESULTS: Overall, of 103 eligible participants assessed pre-operatively, most (77, 70%) remained independent in personal care at all assessments from discharge to 12 months. Functional trajectories varied widely over the 12 months but overall there was no significant decline or improvement for the 85 survivors. Eleven experienced a clinically significant decline in function at six months. This was associated with baseline low mood (P < 0.05), albeit with small numbers (6 of 11). Cognitive impairment and frailty were associated with lower baseline function but not with subsequent functional decline. DISCUSSION: There was no clear clinical profile to identify the minority of older adults who experienced a clinically significant decline six months after surgery and for most, the decline was transient. This may be helpful in enabling informed patient consent. Assessment for geriatric syndromes and frailty may improve individual care but our findings do not indicate criteria for segmenting the patient population for selective attention. Future work should focus on causal pathways to potentially avoidable decline in those patients where this is not determined by the cancer itself.

Foot drop secondary to rhabdomyolysis: improved foot dorsiflexion and gait after neurolysis and distal nerve transfer-a case series and literature review.

Rhabdomyolysis is a triad syndrome of myalgia, muscle weakness and myoglobinuria due to muscle necrosis. Trauma, exertions, strenuous exercise, infections, metabolic and electrolyte disorders, drug overdoses, toxins and genetic defects are the most common causes of rhabdomyolysis. The etiologies of foot drop are diverse. A few cases of rhabdomyolysis-associated foot drop are reported in the literature. We present five patients with foot drop secondary to rhabdomyolysis; two underwent neurolysis and distal nerve transfer (superficial peroneal nerve to the deep peroneal nerve) surgeries and follow-up evaluations. We found five-foot drop patients secondary to rhabdomyolysis among the 1022-foot drop patients who consulted our clinic since 2004, representing a 0.5% incidence. In two patients, rhabdomyolysis was caused by drug overdose and abuse. In the other three patients, the causes were an assault with a hip injury, a prolonged hospitalization due to multiple illnesses, and an unknown cause with compartment syndrome. Pre-operatively, a 35-year-old male patient had aspiration pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis and foot drop resulting from prolonged ICU hospitalization and a medically induced coma due to a drug overdose. The second patient (a 48-year-old male) had no history of trauma but had a sudden onset of right foot drop after compartment syndrome following the insidious onset of rhabdomyolysis. Both patients had difficulty dorsiflexing their involved foot and walked with a steppage gait before surgery. In addition, the 48-year-old patient had foot slapping while walking. However, both patients had strong plantar flexion (5/5). After 14 and 17 months of surgery, both patients had improved foot dorsiflexion to an MRC grade of 4/5 with an improved gait cycle and walked with no or minimal slapping, respectively. Distal motor nerve transfers in the lower limb facilitate faster recovery and less surgical dissection because of the shorter regeneration distance from the donor axons to the targeted motor end plates through residual neural network connections and descending motor signals.

Double Fascicular Nerve Transfer Restored Nearly Normal Functional Movements in a Completely Paralyzed Upper Extremity Resulting from an ACDF Surgery: A Case Report and Review of Recent Literature.

BACKGROUND Cervical spine deformities can occur because of genetic, congenital, inflammatory, degenerative, or iatrogenic causes. CASE REPORT We report a 45-year-old woman who presented to our clinic with complete paralysis of the left upper extremity 5 months after C4-C6 discectomy and fusion surgery. The electrodiagnostic and EMG reports 3 months after her previous surgery revealed left C5-C7 polyradiculopathy involving the upper trunk, lateral and posterior cords, and atrophy of the left deltoids, triceps, and biceps muscles. She underwent the following nerve transfer procedures with the senior author (RKN): The median nerve fascicles were transferred to the biceps and brachialis branches of the musculocutaneous nerve. Radial nerve triceps branches were transferred to the deltoid and teres minor branches of the axillary nerve. The patient could fully abduct her left shoulder to 170°, and the LUE functions were restored to nearly normal 17 months after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS Neurolysis combined with nerve transfer might be the most effective treatment for cervical spinal root injuries. Advances in peripheral nerve rewiring, transcranial magnetic stimulation, brain-computer interface robotic technologies, and emerging rehabilitation will undoubtedly increase the possibility of reviving the extremities in patients with central pathology by restoring the descending motor signals through the residual neural network connections.

Incidence, Etiology, and Risk Factors Associated with Foot Drop.

Background: Injury to the neurological pathway that enables ankle dorsiflexion is likely to cause foot drop. This pathway includes the motor cortex; lumbosacral plexus; and the sciatic, tibial, and peroneal nerves. Nerve damage typically occurs due to compression, entrapment, traction, or direct trauma to the nerve due to several etiologies. However, there are limited reports on the incidence, etiology, and factors associated with foot drop. Methods: The authors reviewed their clinic's data from 1022 patients with foot drop from 2004 to present to determine the incidence, causes, and risk factors of foot drop. Microsoft Excel was used for descriptive statistical data analysis and graphing. Results: A total of 21 causes of foot drop were found. Of 1022 patients, 142 (13.9%) had foot drop after lumbosacral (LS) spine surgery, while 131 patients (12.8%) with LS spine complications who had not undergone surgery also reported foot drop. The LS spine complications and surgeries were influenced by age (median age, 63 and 55 years, respectively) and were marginally higher in male patients (54%). A total of 79 patients (7.8%) with foot drop had previously undergone hip replacement surgery. Older age (median age, 60 years) and female sex (85%) were risk factors for hip replacement surgery resulting in foot drop. In contrast, younger age and male sex were the risk factors for gunshot and stab wounds, injection drug use, drug or medication overdoses, and motor vehicle accidents resulting in foot drop. Conclusions: Failed back surgery syndrome is the leading cause of foot drop after lumbosacral spine and hip replacement surgeries in both male and female older (median age, 60 years) patients. However, most (85%) of the foot drop patients in the present study who underwent hip replacement surgery were female patients. Sports and recreational activities, motor vehicle accidents, drug use, and violence are common causes of foot drop in younger male adults.

Keystone pathobionts associated with colorectal cancer promote oncogenic reprograming.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) are two pathobionts consistently enriched in the gut microbiomes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to healthy counterparts and frequently observed for their direct association within tumors. Although several molecular mechanisms have been identified that directly link these organisms to features of CRC in specific cell types, their specific effects on the epithelium and local immune compartment are not well-understood. To fill this gap, we leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on wildtype mice and mouse model of CRC. We find that Fn and ETBF exacerbate cancer-like transcriptional phenotypes in transit-amplifying and mature enterocytes in a mouse model of CRC. We also observed increased T cells in the pathobiont-exposed mice, but these pathobiont-specific differences observed in wildtype mice were abrogated in the mouse model of CRC. Although there are similarities in the responses provoked by each organism, we find pathobiont-specific effects in Myc-signaling and fatty acid metabolism. These findings support a role for Fn and ETBF in potentiating tumorigenesis via the induction of a cancer stem cell-like transit-amplifying and enterocyte population and the disruption of CTL cytotoxic function.

Comparing the Results of External Rotational Humeral Osteotomy in Older Children to the Mod Quad and Triangle Tilt Procedures in Adults with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury.

Background: External Rotational Humeral osteotomy is used to address the external rotation deficit in older children with obstetric brachial plexus Injury (OBPI). Although this procedure improves the cosmetic effect of shoulder subluxation, it has no effect on the underlying structural (glenohumeral deformity and scapular elevation and rotation) and functional problems. In this study, improvements in glenohumeral joint alignment; scapular hypoplasia, elevation, and rotation (SHEAR) deformity; and upper extremity functional movements were demonstrated in adult patients with OBPI 1 year after the mod Quad and/or triangle tilt surgeries. Methods and Patients: The outcome of humeral rotational osteotomy reported in the literature was compared with the results from 43 adult patients with OBPI (21 men and 22 women; 23 right and 20 left sides) with a mean age of 21.3 years (range, 17 to 38 years) who underwent mod Quad and/or triangle tilt surgeries and had over 12 months of postoperative follow-up (mean 22.9 months; range, 12 to 50 months). Results: The preoperative average modified total Mallet score, including supination, was 14.6 ± 3.5 (P < 0.0001) in the 43 adult patients with OBPI in this report. This total Mallet score was significantly improved to 22 ± 3.9 (P < 0.0001) over 12 months after mod Quad and/or triangle tilt surgeries. Thirty-two (75%) of the patients showed great improvement in all upper extremity functions: shoulder abduction, external rotation, hand-to-mouth, hand-to-neck, hand-to-spine, and supination. The improvement after humeral osteotomy reported in the literature was a cosmetic effect that did not address the underlying structural and functional problems and was found to decrease the improved shoulder abduction in long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Thirty-two (75%) of 43 adult patients with OBPI showed great improvement in all upper extremity functions 1 year after mod Quad and/or triangle tilt surgeries. The other 11 patients (25%) showed improvement in hand-to-mouth movement and/or supination. In contrast, humeral osteotomy, as reported in the literature, improved the cosmetic effect of shoulder subluxation but had no effect on the underlying structural and functional problems.

Iatrogenic nerve injury and foot drop: Surgical results in 28 patients.

Background: Most peroneal nerve injuries resulting in foot drop are secondary to trauma or iatrogenic. Foot drop can occur due to potential complications from the hip, lumbosacral spine, and knee surgeries, which are critical to diagnose and manage. Methods: We reviewed our foot drop patients' data to determine the incidence and iatrogenic causes of the injury and managed surgically by neurolysis of the peroneal nerve and transfer of functional fascicles of either the superficial peroneal or the tibial nerve to the deep peroneal nerve. Results: We found 28 iatrogenic foot drop patients who have had surgery and postoperative follow-up evaluations with us. Before the onset of foot drop, all except one (27 of 28) patient have had surgeries in other clinics before presenting to our institution. Foot drop in one patient was due to infection and hip wound after he was intubated and stayed in ICU for 4 weeks. Thirteen of the 28 patients have had lumbosacral (L3-4, L4-L5, and L5-S1) fusion or laminectomy, eight have had hip surgery, and five have had knee surgery. One patient had a fasciotomy due to compartment syndrome and another patient had two previous surgeries for posterior tibial entrapment and tarsal tunnel syndrome at other institutions. NCS and EMG reports showed that these patients had injuries to the peroneal or tibial nerve after their prior surgeries. One patient had a femoral nerve injury. Preoperatively, 10 patients had severe foot drop with muscle weakness and a functional grade of 0/5; 16 patients had grades ranging from 1 to 2/5; and two patients had 3/5. Overall, 23 of the 28 patients (83%) had improvement in their ankle dorsiflexion with anti-gravity and regained a healthier gait after the decompression, neurolysis, and nerve transfer at our clinic. Conclusion: Twenty-three of the 28 (83%) iatrogenic foot drop patients in this report regained a healthier gait with improved ankle dorsiflexion and anti-gravity after the neurolysis, and nerve transfer of the peroneal or tibial nerve and transfer of functional fascicles of either the superficial peroneal or the tibial nerve to the deep peroneal nerve at our clinic.

Gynae-Oncology Surgeons' Preparedness to Undertake Colorectal Procedures during Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Cancer: A Cross Sectional Survey.

Cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer commonly involves bowel resection. Although UK gynaecological oncologists are trained in bowel surgery, the degree to which they perform bowel surgery independently varies nationally. A recent joint policy statement from the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) emphasises the need for formalised colorectal support. An anonymous, online survey was emailed to BGCS members to assess the status of multidisciplinary working between UK gynaecological oncology and colorectal/general surgical teams. A total of 46 members responded (8.2% response rate). There was a large variety in the involvement of colorectal/general surgical teams in preoperative planning. A total of 13% of respondents had no formalised agreement for intraoperative support, 72.1% of respondents independently performed rectal peritoneal stripping and 60.5% independently performed small bowel resection. This was reduced to 27.9% for right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis and 16.3% for left hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis. Respondents often involved colorectal support for post-operative complications. The majority of UK gynaecological oncologists involve colorectal/general surgical teams in bowel procedures, more commonly for large bowel procedures compared to small bowel and for left colon compared to right colon procedures. A total of 16.3% of respondents independently performed all surveyed bowel procedures. Future research should examine training and experience within these groups to address this disparity.

Targeting different types of human meningioma and glioma cells using a novel adenoviral vector expressing GFP-TRAIL fusion protein from hTERT promoter.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of Ad/gTRAIL (an adenoviral vector in which expression of GFP and TRAIL is driven by a human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter, hTERT) on malignant meningiomas and gliomas. BACKGROUND: Gliomas and meningiomas are the two most common types of human brain tumors. Currently there is no effective cure for recurrent malignant meningiomas or for gliomas. Ad/gTRAIL has been shown to be effective in killing selected lung, colon and breast cancer cells, but there have been no studies reporting its antitumor effects on malignant meningiomas. Therefore, we tested the antitumor effect of Ad/gTRAIL for the first time in human malignant meningioma and glioma cell lines, and in intracranial M6 and U87 xenografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human malignant meningioma and glioma cells were infected with adenoviruses, Ad/gTRAIL and Ad/CMV-GFP. Cell viability was determined by proliferation assay. FACS analysis and quantification of TRAIL were used to measure apoptosis in these cells. We injected Ad/gTRAIL viruses in intracranial M6 and U87 xenografts, and measured the brain tumor volume, quantified apoptosis by TUNEL assay in the brain tumor tissue. RESULTS: Our studies demonstrate that in vitro/in vivo treatment with Ad/gTRAIL virus resulted in significant increase of TRAIL activity, and elicited a greater tumor cell apoptosis in malignant brain tumor cells as compared to treatment with the control, Ad/CMV-GFP virus without TRAIL activity. CONCLUSIONS: We showed for the first time that adenovirus Ad/gTRAIL had significant antitumor effects against high grade malignant meningiomas as well as gliomas. Although more work needs to be done, our data suggests that Ad/gTRAIL has the potential to be useful as a tool against malignant brain tumors.

Incidence, Etiology, and Management of Long Thoracic and Accessory Nerve Injuries and Winging Scapula.

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries make up many upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UE-MSDs), as peripheral nerves in the upper extremities are susceptible to damage due to their superficial course and length. The health and economic burdens of peripheral nerve injuries are rising. Upper-limb peripheral nerve injuries caused by prone positioning in COVID-19 patients in intensive care have occurred during the current global pandemic. Understanding the incidence and causation of these injuries is essential, as these affect primarily young workers and athletes with skeletal immaturity and contribute to significant morbidity. Methods and Patients: A total of 789 patients, 481 of whom were male and 308 female, with limited upper-extremity movements, scapular winging, and pain due to upper brachial plexus, long thoracic and accessory nerve injuries (459 right, 282 left, and 48 bilateral) were included in the study. Patient age at the onset of injury ranged between 11 months and 68 years. Results: A total of 18 causes of peripheral nerve injury were identified among the 789 patients with UE-MSD. The most affected patients (12.7%) were involved in sports and related activities, with 20 different sports and related activities reported in this patient population. Weightlifting caused the most (10.9%) number of injuries in this group. Incidences in the least affected patients were due to massage and viral infection, at 0.6% and 0.6% respectively. Conclusions: Sports and recreational-related physical activities are essential components of a healthy lifestyle, and may help decrease the incidence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Injury and fear of impairment, however, can be barriers in the participation of these activities. Surgery and other interventions can help maximize return to work and regular activities after UE-MSDs.

Surgical management of winged scapula/shoulder disability in adults who failed conservative treatments.

BACKGROUND: Scapular winging, muscle weakness, chronic discomfort, and overall impairment of shoulder function are commonly caused by injuries to and/or compression of the upper brachial plexus, long thoracic, and accessory nerves. These injuries can have significant social and financial impacts on patients. METHODS: Twenty-one adults who sustained shoulder injuries (a bilateral injury in two patients and a total of 23 shoulder surgeries) presented with winged scapulas, limited shoulder range of motion, and severe shoulder pain. RESULTS: Patients underwent unilateral decompression, neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus/long thoracic nerve (LTN), and partial resection of the scalene muscle. The mean shoulder abduction/flexion improved significantly, and 15 of 21 (71%) patients regained full range of motion (180°) postoperatively. In addition, the winged scapula appearance improved significantly in 20 of 21 patients (96%) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: All except one of 21 patients with scapular winging, muscle weakness, chronic discomfort, and overall impairment of shoulder function improved following unilateral decompression, neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus/LTN, and partial resection of the scalene muscle.

Long-term Improvements of Neuroplasty and Scalene Muscle Resection in LTN-injured Winged Scapula Patients.

Injuries to the long thoracic nerve, which directly branches off of the C6, C7, and C8 brachial plexus nerve roots, can cause scapular winging and affect shoulder movements. Long thoracic nerve injuries resulting from accidents, violence, or overuse can be severe lesions requiring challenging surgeries. We evaluated the long-term functional outcomes of neuroplasty and the scalene muscle resection procedures in patients with long thoracic nerve injury and winging scapula. METHODS: All 15 patients who underwent scalene muscle resection with decompression and neurolysis of the long thoracic nerve in a single institution to treat winged scapula and limited shoulder movements between March 2007 and May 2020 with follow-up over 2 years were included in the study. RESULTS: Shoulder abduction and arm flexion improved significantly to 158 ± 52 degrees and 165 ± 53 degrees from a mean of 108 ± 54 degrees and 104 ± 52 degrees (P < 0.02) over 2 years after surgery (mean 3.4 years). Overall, there was a significant reduction in the scapular winging, as assessed by estimating the decrease in the angle between the scapular plane and the posterior chest wall. The extent of the score greatly improved post-surgically from a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4 to 3.5 ± 0.9 (range 1-4; 1-severe, 2-moderate, 3-mild, and 4-minimal) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The improvement in shoulder movements and reduced scapular winging was significant and stable over 2 years of surgery in 81% of our study patients.

Occupational shoulder disability: functional recovery after decompression and neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus and the long thoracic nerve.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of patients with work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UE-MSDs) who failed conservative treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 17 patients who had work-related UE-MSDs and underwent the following surgeries and follow-up evaluations: decompression, external and internal neurolysis of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus and the long thoracic nerve (LTN), and a partial resection of the anterior and middle scalene muscle. A detailed history of clinical presentation including pain, physical and clinical examinations of the extent of scapular winging (ESW), and upper extremity anatomical postures, such as active forward arm flexion and shoulder abduction, were recorded before and after 3 months of the surgery. Nerve conduction velocity and electromyography examination reports were obtained to assess the sensory or motor loss of the nerve injury before their operation. RESULTS: All 17 patients included in this report showed some improvement anatomically in the scapula appearance and functionally in their shoulder movements. More specifically, 9 (53%) patients got a restored to near healthy appearance of the scapula, and 11 (65%) patients recovered a full range of motion, 180° post-surgically. Overall, the mean shoulder flexion and abduction improved to 157±37.5° and 155±40.2° after the surgery from 106±30.2° and 111±34.8°, respectively (p < 0.0001). The ESW score also significantly improved from a mean of 1.5±0.51 to 3.5±0.71 (p < 0.0001). The post-surgical improvements were statistically highly significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Decompression and neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus and the LTN, and the partial release of the scalene muscle contracture procedures have fostered improvements in the shoulder anatomical appearance and movements in all 17 patients. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(3):427-35.

Continuity of Cancer Care: The Surgical Experience of Two Large Cancer Hubs in London and Milan.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a large effect on the management of cancer patients. This study reports on the approach and outcomes of cancer patients receiving radical surgery with curative intent between March and September 2020 (in comparison to 2019) in the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS (IEO) in Milan and the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA). Both institutions implemented a COVID-19 minimal pathway where patients were required to self-isolate prior to admission and were swabbed for COVID-19 within 72 h of surgery. Positive patients had surgery deferred until a negative swab. At IEO, radical surgeries declined by 6% as compared to the same period in 2019 (n = 1477 vs. 1560, respectively). Readmissions were required for 3% (n = 41), and <1% (n = 9) developed COVID-19, of which only one had severe disease and died. At SELCA, radical surgeries declined by 34% (n = 1553 vs. 2336). Readmissions were required for 11% (n = 36), <1% (n = 7) developed COVID-19, and none died from it. Whilst a decline in number of surgeries was observed in both centres, the implemented COVID-19 minimal pathways have shown to be safe for cancer patients requiring radical treatment, with limited complications and almost no COVID-19 infections.

Shoulder function and anatomy in complete obstetric brachial plexus palsy: long-term improvement after triangle tilt surgery.

PURPOSE: Untreated complete obstetric brachial plexus injury (COBPI) usually results in limited spontaneous recovery of shoulder function. Older methods used to treat COBPI have had questionable success, with very few studies being published. The purpose of the current study was to examine the results of triangle tilt surgery on shoulder function and development in COBPI individuals. METHODS: This study was conducted as a retrospective chart review. Inclusion criteria were COBPI patients that had undergone the triangle tilt procedure from 2005 to 2009 and were between the ages of 9 months and 12 years. COBPI was defined as permanent injury to all five nerve roots (C5-T1), with significant degradation in development and function of the hand. Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 5 (0.75-12) years were followed up clinically for more than 2 years. RESULTS: The triangle tilt procedure resulted in demonstrable clinical enhancements with appreciable improvements in shoulder function, glenoid version, and humeral head congruity. There was a significant increase in the overall Mallet score (2.4 points, p < 0.0001) following surgical correction in patients that were followed up for more than 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that COBPI patients who develop SHEAR and medial rotation contracture deformities can benefit from the triangle tilt surgery, which improves shoulder function and anatomy across a range of pediatric ages. Despite these patients presenting late for surgery in general (5 years), significant improvements were observed in their glenohumeral (GH) dysplasia and their ability to perform shoulder and arm movements following surgery.

Coracoid abnormalities and their relationship with glenohumeral deformities in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients with incomplete recovery from obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) usually develop secondary muscle imbalances and bone deformities at the shoulder joint. Considerable efforts have been made to characterize and correct the glenohumeral deformities, and relatively less emphasis has been placed on the more subtle ones, such as those of the coracoid process. The purpose of this retrospective study is to determine the relationship between coracoid abnormalities and glenohumeral deformities in OBPI patients. We hypothesize that coracoscapular angles and distances, as well as coracohumeral distances, diminish with increasing glenohumeral deformity, whereas coracoid overlap will increase. METHODS: 39 patients (age range: 2-13 years, average: 4.7 years), with deformities secondary to OBPI were included in this study. Parameters for quantifying coracoid abnormalities (coracoscapular angle, coracoid overlap, coracohumeral distance, and coracoscapular distance) and shoulder deformities (posterior subluxation and glenoid retroversion) were measured on CT images from these patients before any surgical intervention. Paired Student t-tests and Pearson correlations were used to analyze different parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences between affected and contralateral shoulders were found for all coracoid and shoulder deformity parameters. Percent of humeral head anterior to scapular line (PHHA), glenoid version, coracoscapular angles, and coracoscapular and coracohumeral distances were significantly lower for affected shoulders compared to contralateral ones. Coracoid overlap was significantly higher for affected sides compared to contralateral sides. Significant and positive correlations were found between coracoscapular distances and glenohumeral parameters (PHHA and version), as well as between coracoscapular angles and glenohumeral parameters, for affected shoulders. Moderate and positive correlations existed between coracoid overlap and glenohumeral parameters for affected shoulders. On the contrary, all correlations between the coracoid and glenohumeral parameters for contralateral shoulders were only moderate or relatively low. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the spatial orientation of the coracoid process differs significantly between affected and contralateral shoulders, and it is highly correlated with the glenohumeral deformity. With the progression of glenohumeral deformity, the coracoid process protrudes more caudally and follows the subluxation of the humeral head which may interfere with the success of repositioning the posteriorly subluxed humeral head anteriorly to articulate with the glenoid properly.

Surgical normalization of the shoulder joint in obstetric brachial plexus injury.

Obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPI) result in bony derangements that include posterior humeral head subluxation, glenoid retroversion, and joint incongruity. Often these deformities are accompanied by scapular hypoplasia, elevation, and rotation, which further exacerbate shoulder dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of triangle tilt surgery on glenohumeral joint anatomy in 100 OBPI patients. The triangle tilt surgery restores the distal acromioclavicular triangle from an abnormal superiorly angled position to a neutral position, thereby restoring normal glenohumeral anatomic relationships.Axial computed tomography and magnetic resonance images taken before and 12- to 38-months after surgery showed significant improvements in both posterior subluxation and glenoid version. Patients with complete posterior glenohumeral dislocation improved from 19% preoperatively, to 11% postoperatively. Glenoid shape was also improved, with 81% of patients classified as concave or flat after surgery compared with 53% before surgery.Triangle tilt surgery allows for both repositioning and remodeling of the glenohumeral joint. These anatomic improvements after triangle tilt surgery hold promise for improving shoulder function and quality of life for OBPI patients.