Cambios Degenerativos y Evaluación Funcional de Fracturas Intraarticulares de Tobillo en Pacientes Pediatricos / Degenerative Changes and Functional Evaluation of Intraarticular Ankle Fractures in Pediatric Patients

Introducción Las fracturas de tobillo representan el 12% de las fracturas en la edad pediátrica. Planteamos la hipótesis que los pacientes con fracturas intraarticulares de tobillo tendrán un excelente resultado funcional y no presentarán cambios degenerativos articulares a los 6 meses post cirugía. El objetivo del estudio es realizar un analisis del resultado funcional, así como la presencia de cambios radiologicos degenerativos precoces en el seguimiento de pacientes con fracturas intra-articulares de tobillo tratadas en nuestro centro. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de Cohorte retrospectivo, se recolectaron datos de pacientes con fracturas intra-articulares de tobillo entre 2012 y 2016. Se clasificaron y evaluaron mediante score AOFAS y radiografías para clasificar según Van Dijk. Resultados La diferencia promedio de edad entre las fracturas triplanares y tillaux es de 17 meses (p: 0.038). La media de Score AOFAS fue de 85,2%. El 88.8% refiere dolor en relación a actividades cotidianas, a pesar de tener excelentes o buenos resultados funcionales. No hay correlación significativa entre los resultados de AOFAS en pacientes con fracturas transicionales y no transicionales., 43,4% presentaron estadio 0, 43,4% estadio I y 13% estadio II de Van Dijk. Ningún caso presento estadio III. Discusión En base a los hallazgos de este estudio, y al contrario de lo hipotetizado, la mayoría de los pacientes tienen un buen resultado funcional tras el manejo de las fracturas intraarticulares de tobillo y no excelente como se pensaba. Existe un grupo de pacientes que mostró cambios degenerativos precoces demostrables por radiografía.

Background Ankle fractures represent 12% of fractures in pediatric age. We hypothesized that patients with intra-articular ankle fractures will have an excellent functional result and will not present degenerative joint changes 6 months after surgery. The objective of the study is to carry out an analysis of the functional result, as well as the presence of early degenerative radiological changes in the follow-up of patients with intra-articular ankle fractures treated in our center. Methods Retrospective cohort study, data were collected from patients with intra-articular ankle fractures between 2012 and 2016. They were classified and evaluated using AOFAS score and radiographs to classify according to Van Dijk. Results The average age difference between triplanar and tillaux fractures is 17 months (p: 0.038). The mean AOFAS Score was 85.2%. 88.8% reported pain in relation to daily activities, despite having excellent or good functional results. There is no significant correlation between the AOFAS results in patients with transitional and non-transitional fractures. 43.4% had stage 0, 43.4% stage I, and 13% stage II Van Dijk. No case presented stage III. Discussion Based on the findings of this study, and contrary to the hypothesized, most patients have a good functional result after the management of intra-articular ankle fractures and not excellent as previously thought. There is a group of patients who showed early degenerative changes demonstrable by radiography.

Método para la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial utilizando el tendón del cuádriceps: descripción de la técnica y resultados / A Modified method for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using quadriceps tendon: a technical tip and results

Introducción La inestabilidad rotuliana y la luxación recurrente es un trastorno prevalente en niños y adolescentes que requiere la reparación quirúrgica del ligamento patelofemoral medial (LPFM), con especial atención en la preservación de las placas de crecimiento en esta población. Materiales y métodos Se describe un método modificado para la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial utilizando un autoinjerto del tendón del cuádriceps, que se une con suturas de anclaje al punto isométrico epifisario de la inserción de LPFM. Desde el año 2012 se ha usado esta técnica en pacientes pediátricos en nuestra institución; aquí se presentan los resultados del seguimiento de esta cohorte de pacientes. Resultados Se ha utilizado esta técnica en 5 pacientes con inestabilidad patelofemoral con luxación rotuliana recidivante con una mediana de tiempo de seguimiento posquirúrgico de cuatro años (rango 2-5 años). La mediana del índice Insall­Salvati prequirúrgico fue 1.41. La mediana de puntuación de Kujala antes y después de la cirugía durante la última evaluación fue 76.5 (rango 34-100) y 98.5 (rango 75-100), respectivamente. No hubo casos de reluxación o episodios de subluxación durante el seguimiento. Un paciente presentaba como antecedente síndrome de West que dificultó las mediciones objetivas pre y postquirúrgicas; sin embargo, sus resultados fueron satisfactorios. Discusión Este método modificado constituye una técnica alternativa de fijación del injerto, que, en nuestra experiencia, proporciona resultados satisfactorios, con estabilidad rotuliana causada por la tensión fija del injerto. En los pacientes intervenidos no se han presentado recurrencias ni complicaciones.

Background Patellar instability and recurrent dislocation is a prevalent disorder in children and adolescents that require surgical repair of the medial patellar femoral ligament (MPFL), paying particular attention in preserving the open growth plates in this population. Methods We describe a modified method for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using an autograft from the quadriceps tendon, which is attached with anchor sutures to the epiphysial isometric point of the MPFL insertion. Since 2012, this technique has been used in pediatric patients in our institution; here, we present the long-term results of this cohort. Results We have used this technique in 5 patients with patellar instability with recurrent patellar dislocation with a median postsurgical follow-up time of four years (range 2-5 years). The median preoperative Insall­Salvati ratio was 1.41. The median Kujala score before and after surgery during the last evaluation was 76.5 (range 34-100) and 98.5 (range 75-100), respectively. No cases of redislocation or episodes of subluxation were present during the follow-up. One patient presented West syndrome which made difficult pre and postoperative objective assessment; however, his results were satisfactory. Discussion This modified method constitutes an alternative technique of graft fixation, that in our experience, provides satisfactory results, with patellar stability caused by fixed graft tension. In the operated patients, no recurrences nor complications have been present.

Fracturas inestables de radio distal intra y extraarticulares: análisis comparativo de resultados a mediano plazo del tratamiento quirúrgico con placas volares / Intra- and extra-articular distal radius unstable fractures: comparative analysis of the medium-term results of volar plate surgical treatment

Introducción Comparar los resultados radiológicos y recuperación postoperatoria de la función de la muñeca a mediano plazo en las fracturas inestables extra e intra articulares de radio distal, después de la reducción abierta con abordaje palmar y osteosíntesis con placa volar. Materiales y métodos Estudio de casos y controles en 52 pacientes divididos en los grupos de fracturas extra o intra articulares de acuerdo a la clasificación AO. Las radiografías preoperatorias y postoperatorias fueron evaluadas para determinar la restauración anatómica de la longitud radial, ángulo radial e inclinación palmar del radio. Se evaluó además el resultado, seis meses después de la cirugía, del rango activo de movimiento y la fuerza de agarre, a la vez, que se hizo evaluación del puntaje de QuickDASH. Resultados La edad promedio fue 53,7±16,8 (DE) años; el 63% mujeres. Las fracturas extra articulares fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres, pero las intra articulares presentaron distribución similar por sexo (p=0.023). La fuerza de agarre de la mano operada fue 73.7% y 67.5% de la mano opuesta en las fracturas extra e intra articulares, respectivamente. El puntaje QuickDASH promedio fue 2.36 (DE 2.01) y 4.16 (DE 3.82) en fracturas extra e intra articulares respectivamente (p=0.111). Discusión Para fracturas de radio distal la reducción abierta con abordaje palmar y estabilización con placa volar ofrece resultados funcionales satisfactorios tanto para las fracturas extra articulares como para las intra articulares, con una leve, aunque esperada, ventaja en las primeras debido a su menor complejidad.

Background To examine and compare the radiological results and postoperative recovery of the medium-term wrist function in unstable extra- and intra-articular fractures of distal radius, after open reduction with a palmar approach and osteosynthesis with a volar plate. Materials and methods Retrospective case control study in 52 patients, divided into groups according to the Orthopaedic Association (AO) classification as extra- or intra-articular fractures. The pre-operative and post-operative radiographs were evaluated to determine the anatomical restoration of the radial length, radial angle, and palmar inclination of the radius. The medium-term results of the active range of motion and the grip strength, as well as the Quick DASH score, were evaluated six months after surgery. Results The mean age was 53.7±16.8 (SD) years and 63% were women. Extra-articular fractures were more frequent in women, but intra-articular fractures had a similar distribution by gender (P=.023). The grip strength of the operated hand was 73.7% and 67.5% of the opposite hand in the extra- and intra-articular fractures, respectively. The mean Quick DASH score was 2.36 (SD 2.01) and 4.16 (SD 3.82) in extra- and intra-articular fractures, respectively (P=.111). Discussion For unstable distal radius fractures, open reduction with palmar approach and volar plate stabilisation offers satisfactory functional results for both extra-articular and intra-articular fractures, with a slight, but expected, advantage in the former due to its lesser complexity.

Selection Mode of Essential Medicine in South Africa and Its Enlightenment to China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To provide reference for further standardizing and improving the selection of essential medicine in China. METHODS ：The selection mode of essential medicine in South Africa was introduced ，involving organizational structure and responsibilities ，selection criteria ，selection procedure ，dynamic adjustment mechanism and implementation effect. The suggestions were put forward for improving selection mode of essential medicine in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS ： Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committees at all levels in South Africa were responsible for collecting applications for essential medicine and submitting them to the Rational Selection Group for preliminary screening ，which was finally decided by the National Essential Drugs List Committee ；the selection criteria was mainly based on WHO essential medicine selection criteria ；the selection basis of essential medicine in South Africa was based on standard treatment guidelines ；a bottom-up normalized user feedback mechanism was established to dynamically adjust the list ，and more attention was paid to drug evidence and evidence level in the review process ；the review points tended to focus on evidence and the level of evidence. In general ，the selection of essential medicines in South Africa had high recognition and good application. It is recommended that China appropriately refer to the practice of South Africa ，take clinical guideline as one of the selection criteria ，establish daily gradual feedback channels ， strengthen the review of evidence ，unify Chinese evidence grading system ，and combine Chinese national conditions to finally explore a selection model for essential medicine with Chinese characteristics.

Limits to clinical trials in surgical areas

Randomized clinical trials are considered to be the gold standard of evidence-based medicine nowadays. However, it is important that we point out some limitations of randomized clinical trials relating to surgical interventions. There are limitations that affect the external and internal validity of many surgical study designs. Some limitations can be bypassed, but can make it more difficult for the study to be carried out. Other limitations cannot be bypassed. When it is intended to extrapolate the result of a randomized clinical trial, the premise is that the performed or to be performed intervention will be similar wherever applied and/or for every doctor using it. However, no matter how standardized the technique may be, the results are not similar for all surgeons, which implies a significant limitation to surgical randomized clinical trials concerning external validity. When considering the various limitations presented for performing surgical trials capable of generating scientific evidence within the patterns currently proposed in the evidence level classifications of medical publications, it is necessary to rethink whether those scientific evidence levels are similarly applicable to surgical works and to nonsurgical trials. We currently live in a time of supposed ''inferiority'' of surgical scientific works under the optics of the current quality criteria for a ''suitable'' clinical trial.