[Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phaeoacremonium parasiticum]. / Feohifomicosis subcutánea causada por Phaeoacremonium parasiticum.

BACKGROUND: From the available literature, it is demonstrated that dematiaceous fungal infections mostly affect immunosuppressed patients. These infections can occur in different forms, from subcutaneous infection to disseminated forms that may compromise the life of the patient. In many cases the infection is related to the inoculation of the microorganism by diverse traumatic mechanisms, which determines the course of the infection to be slower in some cases. CASE REPORT: We describe two cases of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phaeoacremonium parasiticum: A cancer patient with subcutaneous lesions affecting the left hand and forearm, and a patient who presented with subcutaneous abscesses in the left leg. CONCLUSIONS: These cases confirm the presence of this type of fungus in Spain. In the second case a combination of amphotericin B lipid complex and posaconazole, together with several surgical resections, were necessary in order to overcome the infection.

Salvage for nail breakage in femoral intramedullary nailing.

Proximal fractures of femur represent an important cause of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality for elderly patients. Femoral intramedullary nailing is an option to achieve a stable osteosynthesis but the breakage is a rare complication. The aim was to determinate the prevalence, causes, management and functional outcomes of this patients in our hands. Retrospective review of 1246 proximal femur fractures operated between 2003 and 2012. We analyse epidemiological data, fracture type and the quality of closed reduction and fixation by preoperative and postoperative radiology. Type of salvage procedure chosen for each case is presented. Functional outcome and quality of life questionnaire was obtained by Barthel index and Short Form 12 version 2. 11 cases (0.88%) were identified. The type of initial fracture was 7 cases AO/OTA 31A3 and 4 cases AO/OTA 31A2. The implant failure was detected at 11 months after surgery (SD 6.39). Nail breakage occurred in three different points: 7 cases in the proximal aperture, 3 cases in cervicocephalic screw and 1 case in the distal aperture of the nail. The association of nonunion at fracture site and progressive hip pain was observed in all cases. Different salvage procedures were performed: 7 cases osteosynthesis revision (nail or dynamic condilar screw plate), 2 cases arthroplasty and 2 cases conservative treatment. The main Barthel score before the salvage procedure was 63.2 (SD 13). At final follow-up, this score improved to 72.8 (SD 20.38). To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the largest series of cases of trochanteric nail breakage due to material fatigue. This complication is rare (0.88%) that can foresee in unstable fractures with delayed union. The type of salvage should be individualized showing acceptable functional outcome in our series.

[Study of the feasibility of lateral meniscal repair including the popliteal tendon with a knee simulator]. / Estudio de la viabilidad de la reparación meniscal lateral incluyendo el tendón poplíteo con simulador de rodilla.

BACKGROUND: Although the indications for lateral meniscal repair are well established, some aspects are still controversial. The classic recommendation is to avoid going through the popliteal tendon with sutures, even though this is at times difficult to achieve. The purpose of this paper was to assess the feasibility of a meniscal repair that included the popliteal tendon. METHODS: To this end, nine human fresh frozen knees were used, in which a bucket handle lesion of the lateral meniscus was inflicted. The knees were divided into three groups: Group A (control): meniscal repair was performed with 5 vertical sutures, 2 posterior and 3 anterior to the popliteal fossa; Group B: one stitch was added between the lateral meniscus and the popliteal tendon, and Group C: the additional stitch included the meniscus, the popliteal tendon and the articular capsule. In all cases a lateral condyle osteotomy was performed to access the lateral compartment of the knee. Once the osteotomy had been fixed, the knees underwent 1000 gait cycles and a rotational test using an experimental gait simulator. Then a macroscopic assessment of the meniscal repair and the popliteal tendon was performed. RESULTS: No differences were seen in the previous situation in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental model the repair of the lateral meniscus including the popliteal tendon did not seem to have any repercussions on suture viability.