Rigid iatrogenic hallux varus: a decades' worth experience with arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

PURPOSE: Arthrodesis of the first ray metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) is the gold standard in iatrogenic hallux varus (IHV) in the presence of stiffness and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to collect clinical and radiographic results and complications of MPJ arthrodesis in rigid iatrogenic HV. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of rigid iatrogenic HV undergoing arthrodesis with a minimum follow-up (FU) of two years was performed. The clinical parameters assessed were visual analog scale (VAS), the AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale score and the satisfaction scale. The radiological parameters evaluated the first to second metatarsal angle (IMA) and the angle of hallux valgus (HVA). Complications were also analysed. RESULT: A total of 18 patients (19 procedures) with a mean FU of 5.5 ± 2.5 years were included. The mean VAS improved from 7.3 ± 1.6 to 1.3 ± 1.2 (p < 0.05) at the last FU. Similarly, the AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal scale score significantly improved to 82 ± 9.2 (p < 0.05). Radiological evaluation demonstrated a 1-2 IMA improvement from 4.4 ± 2.2° preoperatively to 8.9 ± 2.4° at 3 months post-operatively. Similarly, there was a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of the HVA from - 22.7 ± 4.1° to 13.1 ± 4.1° at three months post-operative (p < 0.05). No signification loss of correction was noted at the last follow-up (p > 0.05). In one case, a delayed fusion at the arthrodesis site required surgical revision to promote fusion. No patient experienced pain with stress from the first MTP joint arthrodesis site or identified the arthrodesis site as a source of pain. No patient required implant removal. Re-operation and revision rates were 5.3%. The overall complications rate was 15.8%. CONCLUSIONS: MPJ fusion effectively corrects Iatrogenic Hallux Varus in cases of rigid and fixed deformities in the medium- to long-term follow-up, with lasting improvements in AOFAS and VAS scores. The procedure is characterised by a non-negligible risk of complications, reoperations and revisions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Minimally invasive surgery in medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for acquired flatfoot deformity: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in medial displacement calcaneus osteotomy (MDCO) has been proposed for surgical correction of adult-acquired flat foot deformity (AAFD) to reduce complications of open approaches. The aim of our study is to systematically analyze complications and the clinical and radiological results of MIS- MDCO. METHODS: A systematic review of the English literature was performed on 30th October 2023. Randomized controlled trials and non-randomized trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and case series concerning surgical correction of AAFD with MIS-MDCO and with at least 15 patients were included. Case reports, technical notes, animal or cadaveric studies were excluded. The quality and risk of bias of the studies included were evaluated using GRADE and MINORS systems. Complications rate, clinical and radiological results were inferred from the studies included. RESULTS: Nine articles were included. A total of 501 cases treated with MIS-MDCO were analysed with a mean follow-up of 11.9 ± 5.1 months. The reported wound infection rate was about 3% and sural neuropathy was rated about 1%. Only 4% of the cases required removal of the screw for pain. In the comparative studies (MIS versus Open MDCO), comparable clinical results but with significant differences (P < 0.001) in infection rates (1% versus 14%) and sural neuropathy (2% versus 1%) were observed. CONCLUSION: AAFD correction performed with MIS-MDCO, with the limitation of a poor quality and high risk of bias of the included studies, seems to provide good clinical results and high subjective satisfaction with a lower complication rate compared to open approach. Further high-quality long-term comparative studies could better clarify complications and clinical and radiological outcomes of the MIS technique in the treatment of AAFD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Adult spinal deformity correction surgery using age-adjusted alignment thresholds: clinical outcomes and mechanical complication rates. A systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery gives good clinical outcomes but has a high rate of mechanical complications (MC). In 2016, Lafage described the age-adjusted alignment thresholds (AAAT) to adapt the correction in relation to patient's age proposing less aggressive corrections for the elderly population. The aim of this review was to clarify the effectiveness of AAAT to achieve good health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and their relationship with post-operative MC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a review of the literature, including articles reporting data on post-operative HRQoL and MC rates in relation to the AAAT. Data were stratified according to whether they matched the AAAT, dividing the population in undercorrected (U), matched (M) and overcorrected (O). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the GRADE and MINORS systems. RESULTS: Six articles reporting data from 1,825 patients were included. The different categories (U, M and O) had homogeneous pre-operative sagittal parameters (p > 0.05) that became statistically different after surgeries (p < 0.05). Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) was more frequent in the O group compared to U (p = 0.05). Post-operative HRQoL parameters were similar in the 3 groups (p > 0.05). The quality of the included studies was generally low with a high bias risk. CONCLUSION: The results extrapolated from this review are interesting, as for the same HRQoL the U group had a lower MC rate. Unfortunately, the results are inconsistent, mainly because of the low quality of the included studies and the lack of reporting of some important patient- and surgery-related factors.

GAP score potential in predicting post-operative spinal mechanical complications: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: In 2017, the GAP score was proposed as a tool to reduce mechanical complications (MC) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery: the reported MC rate for the GAP proportioned category was only 6%, which is clearly lower to the MC rate reported in the literature. The aim of this study is to analyse if the most recent literature confirms the promising results of the original article. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the PRISMA flow chart, we reviewed the literature to analyse GAP score capacity in predicting MC occurrence. We included articles clearly reporting ASD surgery MC stratified by GAP categories and the score's overall capacity to predict MC using the area under the curve (AUC). The quality of the included studies was evaluated using GRADE and MINORS systems. RESULTS: Eleven retrospective articles (1,517 patients in total) were included. The MC distribution per GAP category was as follows: GAP-P, 32.8%; GAP-MD, 42.3%; GAP-SD, 55.4%. No statistically significant difference was observed between the different categories using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p = 0.08) and the two-by-two Pearson-Chi square test (P Vs MD, p = 0.300; P Vs SD, p = 0.275; MD Vs SD, p = 0.137). The global AUC was 0.68 ± 0.2 (moderate accuracy). The included studies were of poor quality according to the GRADE system and had a high risk of bias based on the MINORS criteria. CONCLUSION: The actual literature does not corroborate the excellent results reported by the original GAP score article. Further prospective studies, possibly stratified by type of MC and type of surgery, are necessary to validate this score.

Bone impaction grafting and anti-protrusio cages in high-grade acetabular defects: a 22-year single centre experience.

PURPOSE: Report clinical and radiological long-term follow-up (FU) outcome of bone impaction grafting (BIG) and anti-protrusio cage (APC) technique in hip revision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed data on complications, as well as the clinical and radiological outcome of patients treated using this technique at our institution. We evaluated the acetabular bone stock renovation, acetabular component stability and its radiological migration. The clinical parameters considered were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). RESULTS: Forty hips, with a mean 14.3-year FU, were included. This technique showed good clinical long-term results in an elderly and low-demanding population (mean age at surgery 71.4 ± 12.1 years). The radiological results were not as good as clinical results: 67.5% of cases had a radiographic evidence of resorption of less than 1/3 of the bone graft; 27.5% had a resorption ranging from 1/3 and ½ of the graft, and 5% had more than ½ of the graft. Paprosky type III B reported worse results in terms of graft resorption and a greater migration of the APC (p < 0.001). The survival rate was 95% and a 2.5% rate of septic failure was recorded. CONCLUSION: Impaction grafting with femoral head and APC is an effective technique for treating high-grade acetabular defects. APC reconstructs the hip centre of rotation, avoiding loading forces on the underlying bone graft that can be correctly integrated. At long-term FU, satisfactory clinical results, not strictly correlated to radiological signs of integration, were observed; Paprosky type III B reported worse results in terms of graft resorption and a greater migration of the APC.

Long-term follow-up of a low profile, coated, press-fit cup: the trabeculae oriented pattern (T.O.P.) acetabular system.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasties (THAs) are rising worldwide, as the functional request of patients who undergo this procedure. The trabeculae oriented pattern (TOP) is a modern cup, which follows the philosophy of the tissue sparing surgery (TSS). Focusing on clinical and radiological results and complications, the authors aim to highlight the outcomes of the TOP at a long-term follow-up (FU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was completed on THA performed with the TOP cup between 1997 and 2015. Five hundred and eighty-eight patients sustained surgery, for a total of 662 cup implanted. Four hundred and sixty patients (524 hips) were examined. Mean FU was 12 ± 4.9 years (range 5-22). Clinical (HHS, OHS and VAS) and radiological data were obtained. Every complication, reoperation or revision was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Clinical evaluation revealed a HHS of 87.1 ± 13.8 an OHS of 41.3 ± 5.4, and a VAS of 1.2 ± 1.1. Acetabular osteolysis was observed in 53 hips. Overall survival rate of the cup was 90.5% (50 revisions), the main causes of cup substitution being aseptic loosening (AL) of the cup combined with the stem (26), of the cup only (13 cases) and periprosthetic joint infection (7 cases). CONCLUSION: TOP cup has demonstrated a good overall survivorship at a long-term FU, even compared with other coated cups, providing excellent clinical result with low rate of complications. Its association with a neck sparing stem permits a physiologic load transmission, reducing the stress shielding effect that could cause early implant mobilization.

ALIF in the correction of spinal sagittal misalignment. A systematic review of literature.

PURPOSE: We aim at analysing the impact of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in restoring the main spinopelvic parameters, along with its potentials and limitations in correcting sagittal imbalance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2009 PRISMA flow chart was used to systematically review the literature; 27 papers were eventually selected. The following spinopelvic parameters were observed: pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lumbar lordosis (LLseg) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Papers reporting on hyperlordotic cages (HLC) were analysed separately. The indirect decompression potential of ALIF was also assessed. The clinical outcome was obtained by collecting visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Global fusion rate and main complications were collected. RESULTS: PT, SS, LL, LLseg and SVA spinopelvic parameters all improved postoperatively by - 4.3 ± 5.2°, 3.9 ± 4.5°, 10.6 ± 12.5°, 6.7 ± 3.5° and 51.1 ± 44.8 mm, respectively. HLC were statistically more effective in restoring LL and LLseg (p < 0.05). Postoperative disc height, anterior disc height, posterior disc height and foraminal height, respectively, increased by 58.5%, 87.2%, 80.9% and 18.1%. Postoperative improvements were observed in VAS back and leg and ODI scores (p < 0.05). The global fusion rate was 94.5 ± 5.5%; the overall complication rate was 13%. CONCLUSION: When managing sagittal imbalance, ALIF can be considered as a valid technique to achieve the correct spinopelvic parameters based on preoperative planning. This technique permits to obtain an optimal LL distribution and a solid anterior column support, with lower complications and higher fusion rates when compared to posterior osteotomies.

Fusion rate and influence of surgery-related factors in lumbar interbody arthrodesis for degenerative spine diseases: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to summarize and critically analyze the influence of surgery-related factors in lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative spine diseases. A systematic review of the literature was carried out with a primary search being performed on Medline through PubMed. The 2009 PRISMA flowchart and checklist were taken into account. Sixty-seven articles were included in the analysis: 48 studies were level IV of evidence, whereas 19 were level III. All interbody fusion techniques analyzed have proved to reach a good fusion rate. An overall mean fusion rate of 93% (95% CI 92-95%, p < 0.001) was estimated pooling the selected studies. The influence of sagittal parameters and cages features in fusion rate was not clear. Autograft is considered the gold standard material. The use of synthetic bone substitutes and biological factors alone or combined with bone graft have shown conflicting results. Low level of evidence studies and high heterogeneity (χ2 = 271.4, df = 72, p < 0.001; I2 = 73.5%, τ2 = 0.05) in data analysis could result in the risk of bias. Further high-quality studies would better clarify these results in the future.

[Operational aspects of risk perception in the electromagnetic fields exposition]. / Aspetti applicativi della percezione del rischio nella valutazione dell'esposizione a campi elettromagnetici.

The increase of electromagnetic fields exposition is being associated with the increase of risk perception in the people exposed due to the uncertainty of the biological and sanitary effects. Research is being carried out on the symptomatology shown by the 45 people living near power-lines in the Benevento area and consequently exposed to electromagnetic fields. The measure of the magnetic and electric field was in the normal range while the people showed most symptoms in the subjective and behavioural sphere. The research findings suggest that risk assessement should take into account the subjectivity of the people exposed as shown in the special questionnaires with the aim of reducing the subjective and behavioural symptomatology for developing a new environmental medicine.

B16 melanoma response in vivo to photochemotherapy with mitoxantrone and red light.

The cytocidal activity of light-activated mitoxantrone in mice bearing B16 melanoma was investigated. Mice inoculated with 10(6) tumor cells on day 0 were i.p. injected with 1 mg/kg body weight of mitoxantrone on days 1, 5 and 9 and exposed to 108 J/cm2 of suitably filtered red light from a halogen lamp on days 2, 6 and 10. The treatment significantly prolonged the median survival time compared to both therapy with mitoxantrone and with red light alone.

A real-time FFT analyser for monitoring muscle fatigue.

The TMS 32010 system for a real-time muscle fatigue monitor is described; it is based on mean frequency shift in the electromyographic signal (EMG). The mean frequency of the EMG is obtained, in real time, from its power spectrum, with a 2 Hz resolution. This is made possible by combining novel hardware and software.

Quantitative measurements of porphyrin pigments in tissues via photoacoustic spectroscopy.

We investigated the possibility of using photoacoustic spectroscopy as an analytical technique for the quantitative measurement of injected porphyrins in tissues. Samples of liver excised from treated (i.e., injected 24 h in advance with 100 mg/kg Photofrin II) mice and control mice were lyophilized and reduced to powder; then, about 16-mg powder samples were compacted to equal volumes inside the photoacoustic cell. Amplitude and phase spectra were measured in the range 280-760 nm. From these data we computed the photoacoustic absorbance spectra; they were suitably normalized in order to account for differences in hemoglobin concentration among the livers of different mice. The absorbance difference spectra (treated minus control) were computed in the region of wavelengths above 450 nm, where porphyrins and hemoglobin exhibit major differences. Finally, by estimating the value of the thermal diffusion length of the powdered sample and those of the extinction coefficients of the most relevant Photofrin II components in the spectral region considered, we were able to evaluate the local drug concentration and determined a value (260 micrograms/g of wet tissue) that is in the range expected for the dose of Photofrin II injected.

Hemoperfusion in diabetic coma.

Hemoperfusion on ionic exchange resins in the therapy of diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) coma is proposed. Resins used are strong anionic resins in mixed form able to release bicarbonates and to trap ketoanions and organic anions in a stoichiometric manner. A series of trials in open circuit are performed in order to search for a suitable mixture of resins and to establish the amounts of HCO3- and ketoanions respectively released or entrapped. Therefore, ten simulated hemoperfusions in closed circuit systems were performed, utilizing cartridges containing 1,700 g of mixed resin (9% HCO3- form and 91% Cl- form). The results indicate that all side effects of bicarbonate i.v. therapy of DKA coma are avoided because of the smooth HCO3- administration to the patient. Furthermore, a good removal of ketoanions and organic acids is obtained without changing the blood osmolality.

Further studies on the realization of a cold carbon portable artificial kidney.

Optimal conditions have been determined for the realization of a closed-loop, cold carbon, portable artificial kidney to depurate the dialysate of urea and other catabolites. It has been noticed that a dialysate flow rate of about 250 ml/min represents an optimal compromise between urea mass transfer through the dialytic membrane and its mass adsorption on cold carbon. Under this condition, the use of a 2-kg carbon column to remove urea is satisfactory for a routine dialysis treatment. Our experiments have been performed on simulated dialysis. A portable cold carbon artificial kidney requires a cooling unit and a heat exchanger to recover the power necessary to produce the 0 degrees C temperature. A flat heat exchanger, consisting of three superposed plates, with a heat exchange surface of about 0.09 m2 and a total coefficient of thermal exchange Ht, of 380 Kcal/m2-degrees C-hour has been chosen. With heat recovery, the cooling power required is 1/3 hp to allow for parasitic cold losses and the power necessary to reach a steady state. All mechanical parts necessary for heating and cooling weigh about 12 kg.

Cold carbon haemofiltration apparatus.

Four uraemic patients underwent haemofiltration (HF) for two months, three times a week, with an infusion of about 20L of electrolyte solution. For another two months, HF was performed with diafiltrate reinfusion after regeneration on cold carbon and ionic exchange resins. Carbon (26.8g) and resins (10g/kg b.w) were needed. The data obtained in HF and in closed-circuit HF periods were similar, but during the closed-circuit HF treatment there was better control of acid-base balance.