Innovative Cancer Follow-Up with Telehealth: A New Method for Oncology Nurses.

OBJECTIVES: Telenavigation (TN) is an innovative cancer follow-up method for oncology nurses. Little is known about the effectiveness of tele-navigation on cancer patients. This study investigated the opinions of healthcare providers (HCPs) and colorectal cancer patients' experience regarding patient follow-up with TN. DATA SOURCES: This is a phenomenological qualitative study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with fifteen patients and eight healthcare providers. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected from March to October 2022 and analyzed by thematic content analysis. CONCLUSION: Six themes emerged that described the experiences of TN: (1) beneficial; (2) psychological state; (3) level of knowledge, (4) technology, (5) health care system, and (6) recommendations. Patients and HCPs found TN practice helpful and reassuring and they recommended expanding these practices within the health system. As a result of the research, the TN program is described as beneficial to patients and healthcare providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The TN follow-up is a beneficial implication for colorectal cancer patients undergoing treatment, and it deserves to be more widely deployed. It brings reassurance regarding psychological, reliable data access, and home follow-up. Patients and HCPs reported positive views on telephone follow-up. There is a recommendation that the innovative follow-up technique should be disseminated to the healthcare system and that cancer nurses should be more familiar with this method.

Factors Affecting Women's Participation in Breast Cancer Screening in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer type in Turkey and the rest of the world. Regular mammography screening leads to a significant decrease in breast cancer mortality rates. The aim of this study is to analyze the factors that affect Turkish women's participation in screening. METHODS: This qualitative research design is grounded in a phenomenological approach. Fifteen women were selected using a purposive sampling method and participated in in-depth interviews. Interview data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The breast has a special meaning for participants which is heavily associated with feminity. Breast cancer causes fear because of its potential to undermine women's sense of feminity. Women's knowledge about the screening services and the mammography procedure is insufficient with only one third of women obtaining information about screening from healthcare workers. Individual and social factors that affect women's participation in screening are women's roles in the family, knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and screening, fear of cancer, anxiety about getting a mammogram, need for spouse-family support, and concerns for privacy. Organizational factors that affect participation are accessibility of breast cancer screening services, guidance given by and communication with healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Women should be better informed about breast cancer and screening services by healthcare professionals. Accessibility of mammography screening should be increased by expanding mobile services. National and institutional policies should be implemented to overcome women's anxiety and socio-cultural barriers to increase participation in screening.

Acute kidney injury after hip fracture surgery in patients over 80 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to determine the rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) after hip fracture surgery over the age of 80 and to investigate the factors associated with AKI. METHODS: From January 2015 to January 2020, 589 patients who underwent surgery of hip fractures at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Serum creatinine (sCr) was analysed daily pre- and postoperatively during the hospital stay. Patients were divided into groups; AKI and non-AKI based on KDIGO (Kidney Disease Global Outcomes) criteria. The incidence, risk factors, and mortality of postoperative AKI were investigated. RESULTS: Out of 589 patients, 58 developed an AKI (9.8%). Smoking (p: 0.004), pre and postoperative low albumin level (p < 0.05), pre- and postoperative high potassium level (p < 0.05), pre- and postoperative high urea levels (p < 0.05), high amount of intra-operative bleeding (p: 0.003) and prolonged surgery time (p: 0.003) were found to be risk factors associated with AKI. Although the mortality rate was higher in the AKI group, it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: AKI is a temporary but common complication following hip fracture surgery, which can also be predicted if risk factors are adequately observed. It typically increases the length of hospital stays, mortality and morbidity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III evidence, Retrospective comparative study.

Is the magnesium screw as stable as the titanium screw in the fixation of first metatarsal distal chevron osteotomy? A comparative biomechanical study on sawbones models.

Background: Distal chevron osteotomy (DCO) is commonly performed in hallux valgus surgery. The fixation of the osteotomy is provided by various implants. The usage of biodegradable implants such as magnesium is gradually increasing due to the advantages they provide. In this study, we aimed to compare the fixation of DCO with magnesium or titanium screw biomechanically. Methods: Twenty sawbones were used. The samples were divided into two equal groups, including ten sawbones for fixation with single headless titanium (group-1) or magnesium screw (group-2). DCO and screw fixations were performed on all samples using the same technique. Biomechanical testing was applied to five samples in each group in cantilever and the other five in a physiological configuration using a computer connected to the electromechanical test machine. The obtained data were evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test on the IBM® SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) V22.0 software. Significance was accepted at the p < 0.05 level. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the magnesium screw and the titanium screw in terms of maximum force, maximum displacement and stiffness measurements in cantilever and physiological loadings (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: This study found no significant difference in biomechanical stability between the magnesium and titanium screws in DCO fixation on sawbones. Further studies with real bones are needed.

How did restrictions mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic affect the performance of orthopedic trauma surgery in a Level-1 tertiary trauma hospital?

BACKGROUND: This present study was designed to evaluate the effect of restrictions on fracture admission to a Level-1 tertiary trauma hospital between COVID-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic restriction time intervals that included groups of younger than <20-years-old, 20-65-years-old, and older than aged >65-years-old. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized and treated for orthopedic treatment between 10 March and 1 June during the pandemic period were retrospectively analyzed. Control group consisted of patients admitted to the hospital in the same time interval in 2019. The patients were divided into three groups, under 20 years of age, between 20 and 65 years of age, and over 65 years of age. The patients' data included age, gender, trauma mechanism, fracture type, and any COVID-19 radiological or clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The number of patients >65-years-old admitted to the orthopedic trauma center was high at pandemic intervals compared to pre-pandemic time. When the groups were compared for patients of 20-65-years-old; there was a significant difference for the fracture type (p<0.05). Lower extremity fractures were high at pre-pandemic group, whereas multiple traumas were high at pandemic group. For sub-group 20-65 ages, low-energy traumas were higher at pre-pandemic group, whereas high-energy traumas were more frequent at the pandemic group. CONCLUSION: We observed a decrease in fracture admission to orthopedic trauma centers during COVID-19 pandemic for subgroups of <20-years-old and 20-65-years-old ages, whereas there was a significant increase for >65-years-old age, most of them related to the osteoporotic hip fractures. So that older age group should be encouraged to mobilize at home and have permission to walk and make physical activity to avoid osteoporosis for a limited time daily.

Comparison of two different screw trajectories in the treatment of oblique scaphoid fractures: A mechanical study on composite bone models.

OBJECTIVES: In this mechanical study, we aimed to compare two different screw trajectories in terms of durability against axial loads on oblique scaphoid fractures using composite bone models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oblique osteotomies were made along the dorsal sulcus of 14 composite scaphoid bone models. Following this, all bone models were randomly classified. One group of bones were fixed with a screw placed perpendicular to the osteotomy line and the other group was fixed with a screw placed centrally down the long axis of the scaphoid bone. Each scaphoid bone model was positioned on a mechanical testing machine. Subsequently, axial loading tests were applied on each bone model to measure the amount of loading required to cause 2-mm displacement and failure on the osteotomy side and maximum displacement at the time of failure on scaphoid bone models. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in load to 2-mm displacement and failure between the two groups (p>0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of maximum displacement seen on failure (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that the stability of the screws which laid perpendicular to the fracture line and parallel to the long axis of the scaphoid was the same in fixing oblique scaphoid fractures.

Epidemiologic Study of Syrian Refugees Underwent Surgery Due to Fracture in a Tertiary Reference Hospital in Turkey.

Aim This study aims to analyze the spectrum, management, and outcome of Syrian refugees' fracture over four-year period, highlighting challenges in management and follow-up. Methods This was a retrospective review of Syrian refugee patients operated for fractures at our centre from January 2015 to January 2019. The patients were evaluated for age, gender, mechanism of injury, location and type of fracture, presence of accompanying injuries, surgical technique, complications, mortality and morbidity. The comparison of complications and postop outpatient clinic controls between Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees were also evaluated. Results The study included a total of 455 patients comprising 281 adults (202 males, 79 females) with a mean (SD) age of 41.1 (19.3) years and 174 children with a mean age of 8.8 (4.9) years. The trauma mechanism was most commonly fall in both adult and pediatric patients (86.6% / 73.5%). Whilst lower limb fractures were more common in adults (73.7%), upper limb fractures were more common in children (63.4%). The presence of accompanying trauma was determined in 21 (7.5%) adults and 10 (5.7%) children. Multiple fractures were determined in 12 (4.3%) adults and eight (4.6%) children. Plate fixation (PF) was most used in 137 (48.8%) adult patients and K-wire augmentation was used in 75 (43.1%) pediatric patients. Out of the 455 patients, 41 (14.6%) adults and 13 (7.3%) children developed complications. Whilst three adult patients were died during follow-up, no deaths were recorded in the pediatric patients. Complication rate was 54/455 in Syrian refugees and 32/455 in citizens. It was observed that the complication was significantly higher in immigrants (p: 0.017). Sixty-five (14.2%) Syrian immigrants did not come to the outpatient clinic control at all or once, while this rate was 29/455 (6.3%) for Turkish citizens (p = 0.012). Conclusion Inadequate living conditions and lack of communication faced by refugees reduce the rate of patient follow-up and negatively affect the results of orthopedic trauma.

Chondroprotective effect of Nigella sativa oil in the early stages of osteoarthritis: an experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Nigella sativa oil possesses a well-known ability to protect certain organs from oxidative, neoplastic, and inflammatory damage. This study investigated the potential chondroprotective effects of intraarticular injections of Nigella sativa oil in a rabbit osteoarthritis model. METHODS: Osteoarthritis models were created by performing anterior cruciate ligament transections in 20 New Zealand rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of 10 and given intraarticular injections in their right knees weekly for 5 weeks, beginning in the third week post-operation. Injections given to the first group contained whole Nigella sativa oil, whereas the second group was injected with a saline solution. Knee joints were harvested 8 weeks after surgery. Knee joint surfaces were examined macroscopically, and medial femoral condyle sections were examined microscopically. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the macroscopic grading results of the groups, with the Nigella sativa group having better results (p=0.001). The Nigella sativa group also received significantly better total Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular administration of Nigella sativa oil has the potential to protect cartilage from degeneration in the early stages of osteoarthritis.

A rare rib lesion due to parosteal osteosarcoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Masses which develop on the surface of the rib bones are rare. The differential diagnosis includes benign and malignant lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-year-old European woman presented at an out-patient clinic with a 9-month history of a painless swelling on the right posterolateral side of her chest wall. The case reported here is of a very rarely seen parosteal osteosarcoma of the rib that was treated with wide resection and chest wall reconstruction. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distal metastasis after a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Parosteal osteosarcoma is a locally aggressive malignant tumor, and resection with a wide margin is the most appropriate treatment. Correct diagnosis of parosteal osteosarcoma is challenging for an orthopedic surgeon. Although rare, in the differential diagnosis of lesions located on the ribs, parosteal osteosarcoma should be considered and a systematic diagnostic approach should be taken.

An unusual presentation of Trevor's disease at the ankle joint: Involvement of both medial and lateral epiphyses.

INTRODUCTION: Trevor's disease, also known as dyplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, is characterised by osteochondromas arising from epiphyses. The disease typically affects one side of an epiphysis (usually the medial side). CASE PRESENTATION: A case in whom both the medial and lateral sides of the epiphysis were involved is described. Thus, the use of the descriptor "hemimelica" is not always appropriate. CONCLUSION: Although rare, Trevor's disease should be kept in mind during the differential diagnosis of patients with ankle pain and a mass. Other possible joints should be examined to explore multiple involvement. Surgical treatment, only on lesions causing impingements, may improve functional status and reduce pain.

Effects of Local Application of Nano-silver on Osteomyelitis and Soft Tissue Infections: An Experimental Study in Rats.

Purpose: Bone and soft tissue infections are among the least desired complications after orthopaedic surgery. This study analysed the in vivo effects of the local application of nano-silver particles (AgNPs) [1nm = 1 billionth of a meter] in soft tissue infections. Materials-Method: An experimental osteomyelitis model was formed by inoculating both tibias of 24 rats with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The rats were followed without treatment for 21 days. Blood samples and tibial x-rays at day 21 confirmed the development of infection. Then, the rats were divided randomly into two groups. One group (12 rats) underwent surgical debridement and received 21 days of teicoplanin therapy. The second group had the same treatment, with the addition of local nano-silver. All of the rats were sacrificed at day 42. Blood and wound swab samples were taken and the culture results were analysed. Results: No differences were observed between the groups in healing values at pathological examination, or in changes in the number of colonies at days 21 and 42. No differences in white blood cell count (WBC) were observed between the groups before and after the treatment. Conclusion: Although in vitro studies suggest the effectiveness of AgNPs on pathogens, we found that the application of nano-silver did not make any difference when used in addition to the classical osteomyelitis treatment with antibiotics and local surgical debridement. We believe that additional in vivo studies using repeated nano-silver application could be beneficial.

Carpometacarpal fracture dislocation of the fourth and fifth finger: mid-term results of 15 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to retrospectively evaluate and compare the mid-term clinical follow-up results of patients who were treated with open or closed reduction due to carpometacarpal (CMC) fracture dislocation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical charts of 15 patients (1 male, 14 females; mean age 32.5±10.5 years; range 18 to 55 years) who were operated for fourth and fifth finger CMC fracture dislocations were examined. Patients were divided into two groups according to applied treatment as closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP, n=6) and open reduction and percutaneous pinning (ORPP, n=9). Patients were assessed by a hand therapist blinded to the treatment groups. Patients were compared in respect of visual analog scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) scores, and grip strength. Complications were recorded. RESULTS: Mean VAS values of ORPP group and CRPP group were 2.33±0.50 and 1.67±0.52, respectively. Mean Q-DASH values of ORPP group and CRPP group were 13.63±3.21 and 9.05±2.36, respectively. Mean grip strength values of ORPP group and CRPP group were 65.78±3.70 and 75.17±6.11, respectively. Mean VAS and Q-DASH scores of ORPP group were statistically significantly higher compared to CRPP group. Mean grip strength value of CRPP group was statistically significantly higher compared to ORPP group. CONCLUSION: Treatment of fourth and fifth finger CMC fracture dislocations with CRPP results in statistically superior VAS, Q-DASH and grip strength values in the early post-injury period.

An Unusual Orthopaedic Disease: Sarcoidosis-A Case Report.

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic, noncaseating granulomatous disorder with wide systemic involvement. It is encountered widely around the world and it affects both sexes, all the races in all age groups. Lungs, eyes, and skin are the organs most commonly affected. Constitutional features such as weight loss, fatigue, and myalgia are the most common symptoms. Bone involvement, which is very rare, was reported as present in 3 to 13% of effected cases, and it is most commonly seen in hands and feet, compared with long bone involvement, which is extremely rare. We hereby present a case with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis and multiple bone involvement emphasizing the importance of differential diagnosis.

A rare case of a medullary, multifocal lesion in the distal radius.

In multifocal findings, the possibility of multifocal osteoid osteomas should be considered and this case helps us to be attentive for the unusual radiographical presentation of osteoid osteoma.

Endometrial adenocarcinoma recurrence presenting with tibial metastasis: Report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic bone disease at extremities is mostly associated with lung, liver, prostat, thyriod or breast malignancies. There for surgeons generally tends to seek for a primary tumor originating from these organs. Herein a case of endometrial adenocarcinoma recurrence that presented with symptoms of tibial pain is described. PRESENTATION OF CASE: 59 year-old woman was admitted to our orthopaedic oncology unit with pain, swelling and tenderness at right cruris for two weeks without any trauma history. Her medical history revealed that she had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. During follow-ups no recurrence had been detected. Initial X-rays of the right tibia showed a lytic and expansile mass located at the shaft of the tibia suggesting metastasis. A wide resection of the lesion with clear margins was performed two weeks after first admittance. Resected area was replaced by fresh frozen femoral shaft allograft. At postoperative 17th month. X-rays obtained at last follow-up demostrated full healing and integration of allograft. DISCUSSION: Endometrial adenocarcinoma is a disease of postmenapousal women with 95% of the cases occurring after the age of 40 years. Patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer often have distant metastases found within the lymph nodes, liver, and/or lung. CONCLUSION: Recurrence of endometrial cancer as a solitary bone lesion is a rare situation. Wide resection and reconstruction with an allograft or an intercalar prosthesis might be an option to increase survival and possible cure of the patient.

A Case of Schwannoma of the Common Peroneal Nerve in the Knee.

Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumors of peripheral nerves that originate from neural sheath. The aim of this case report is to bring to mind the schwannoma in the patient with knee pain. A 39-year-old woman presented with a complaint of knee pain of three months history. After surgical intervention, the patient's complaints completely disappeared in the post-operative period. This should come to mind in the differential diagnosis of knee pain.

Deep peroneal nerve palsy due to osteochondroma arising from fibular head and proximal lateral tibia.

Following median and ulnar nerves, peroneal nerve entrapment is the most frequent nerve involvement in the body Katirji and Wilbourn (1998) [1]. Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors comprising 9% of all bone tumors and 35% of benign bone tumors Porter (2000) [2]. Hereditary exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance characterized by multiple osteochondromas near joints. It is one of the most commonskeletal dysplasias with a frequency of about 1.18%. In this study, we aimed to present a case with a drop foot resulting from osteochondromas of proximal tibia and fibula and help to guide the clinicians in differential diagnosis according to SCARE criteria Agha (2016) [3].

Results of screw fixation in Mason type II radial head fractures.

PURPOSE: The treatment of Mason type II fractures is controversial, and the aim of our study is to define the outcome of surgical treatment with screw fixation in the Mason type II radial head fracture. METHODS: The study was carried out between 2011 and 2015, and included 14 men and 9 women, with isolated Mason type II radial head fractures which were treated operatively with screw fixation. Cases involving the additional ligament injury or fractures in other areas, or having a follow-up period which is greater than 11 months were excluded. The clinical and radiological results of our patients were assessed, using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS: The average MEPS was 95.86 points. 100 degree arcs of motion were attained by a total of 21 patients (91 %) for both flexion-extension and pronation-supination. Nevertheless, 2 patients (9 %) did not recover the 100 degree arcs for the flexion-extension. CONCLUSION: Anatomical reduction of type II radial head fractures through open surgery and fixation with screws can have favorable results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective design.

Flexor Tendon Injuries and Treatment Results of 67 Patients.

Flexor tendon injury is the most commonly seen hand injury. Tendons are the structures which enable the muscles to adhere to the bones and transmit the movement starting from the muscle to the bones. They have significant role in hand movement. As treatment method, surgical repair: (1) Primary repair, (2) Secondary repair; techniques are used. With the scientific studies conducted, flexor tendon morphology, kinematics, biomechanics, biological properties and tendon improvement became quite understandable, good suturing materials were developed and consequently successful studies regarding primary repair results were published. Flexor tendon surgery has reached its current level with the accumulation of knowledge obtained from the increased clinical and experimental studies. This study addresses flexor tendon injuries and surgical treatment methods. We achieved 76.12% full functioning fingers in the results; we obtained following the physical treatment application that started on the 10th day after primary repair that we performed in 67 patients who applied with acute flexor tendon Zone 1-2 and 3 incision. Flexion restriction and contracture developed in 16 patients (23.88%) at various levels. Scar softening and revision surgery for contracture excision was performed in 8 patients (11.94%) with Zone 2 injury due to contracture. Superficial skin infection developed in 21 patients (31.34%) and was treated. Revision surgery was performed in 6 patients with Zone 1 injury due to rupture occurred during rehabilitation.

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Western urban Turkish population: a community-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the largest cause of morbidity and mortality in Turkey and in the World. Heart of Balçova Project is a community- based health promotion project that aims to reduce CVD incidence and prevalence through risk factor modification in the individual and population level. This paper presents results of the baseline survey that aimed to define CVD risk factors and risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Balçova population. METHODS: The study population included 36,187 people over 30 years of age residing in Balçova in 2007. Individuals were interviewed at their homes. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured and in total 12914 fasting blood samples were collected for lipid and glucose analyses. CHD risk was estimated using Framingham risk equation. Student's t test, Chi-square for trend test and ANOVA were used to compare mean levels and percentages of risk factors between age groups and gender. RESULTS: In total 5552 men and 10528 women participated in the study. Smoking prevalence was 38.6% in men and 26.8% in women. The prevalence of obesity was 29.4% among men and 44.2% among women and obesity prevalence increased until the age group 75 years old. While 14.6% of men and 12.6% of women had diabetes, 39.8% of men and 41.8% of women had hypertension. The prevalence of high total cholesterol was 56.0% in men and 50.6% in women. Men had a higher risk of developing CHD compared to women in the following 10 years (13.4% vs 2.5%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of preventable risk factors for CHD is very high in Balçova population. Community-based interventions should be planned and implemented targeting both the high-risk individuals and whole population.