The use of an intraarticular catheter on fast-track primary knee arthroplasty, is it a step forward? / Uso de catéter intraarticular en fast track de artroplastia primaria de rodilla. ¿Supone un avance?

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the efficacy in post-operative pain control of the intraarticular catheter compared to the epidural catheter after primary total knee arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomised clinical trial consisting of two groups of patients. A control group with intradural anaesthesia and an intraoperative epidural catheter (ropivacaine) and an intervention group using the same anaesthetic technique and an intraarticular catheter with an elastomeric pump (ropivacaine+dexketoprofen). Data such as demographic, anaesthetic and surgical variables, pain intensity according to Verbal Rating Scale, opioid use and complications, joint balance, onset of walking and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A lower incidence and severity on Verbal Rating Scale and a better control of postoperative pain (p<.0014) were observed in the intervention group. Joint balance also presented significant results in flexion and 74% of these patients started walking before the first 36h and the control group had not yet done so. Regarding patient satisfaction, 54.1% of the patients were "very satisfied" with the use of the catheter (p>.001). Finally, the hospital stay decreased significantly, with 33.3% of intervention group patients discharged within the first 48h compared to none of the control group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The use of the intraarticular catheter as postoperative analgesia is a useful and safe alternative. It reduces the possibility of side effects. It helps in early improvement of joint balance, onset of walking and control of pain. All of which increase patient satisfaction and result in a shorter period of hospitalisation.

[Environment and lifestyle: Impacts on male fertility?] / Toxiques, mode de vie, environnement : quels impacts sur la fertilité masculine ?

In this last century, an increase of men infertility has been registered. It has been suggested that environmental factors could a negative impact over sperm quality. Among these factors, impact of environmental toxicant has been spread by media. In this review of scientific literature, we identify several environmental factors that could impact men fertility in a negative way. These factors are tobacco, marijuana, weight, body mass index, heat, nutritional state, electromagnetic waves and altitude. For each of these factors, the impact over men fertility, their mechanism, as well their influence over the use of Assisted Reproductive Technics are reported.

Type II olecranon fractures in patients over 65. Tension band or pre-formed plate? Analysis and results. / Fracturas de olécranon tipo ii en mayores de 65 años. ¿Banda a tensión o placa preformada? Análisis y resultados.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment using tension band with needles and preformed plates in type ii olecranon fractures according to the Mayo classification in patients older than 65 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective study of 49 patients with a mean age of 75.1 years who underwent surgery olecranon fracture using 2 different fixing systems. The Mayo classification was used to define them, excluding type i and iii, and the VAS to assess postoperative pain. Patients were assessed functionally by the questionnaire Quick DASH. All measurement was performed with goniometer and joint balance serial radiographs at one month, 3, 6 and 12 months. Minimum follow-up was one year. RESULTS: In 26 patients the tension band was used and the preformed plates in 23. There were no statistically significant differences in functional outcomes, joint balance or postoperative VAS between the 2 groups. There were a greater proportion of patients who had to be operated because of problems related to osteosynthesis material in those in which preformed plates were used. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of olecranon fractures with tension band with needles and cerclage remains the surgery of choice in patients older than 65 years.

[Total reverse shoulder replacement. Evaluation of the clinical results and complications in a series of 52 cases]. / Artroplastia total invertida de hombro. Evaluación de resultados clínicos y complicaciones tras una serie de 52 casos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical results and analyse the complications of total reverse shoulder replacement performed in our centre over an 8 year period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on 50 patients (52 shoulders), with a mean age of 70.15 years (range 51 to 84 years) between December 2004 and December 2012, who received a total reverse shoulder replacement, all performed by the same surgeon. The results have been evaluated according to clinical data, radiography study, a satisfaction scale, and the Constant scale, with a minimum follow-up of 16 months. Five of the cases (9.62%) had been intervened due to fractures of the proximal end of the humerus, 6 cases (11.53%) as surgical consequence of a prosthesis revision, 10 cases (19.23%) due to fracture sequelae, and 30 cases (59.62%) were patients with arthropathy due to a massive fracture of the rotator cuff. RESULTS: After a mean follow up of 35.78 months (range, 16-82), satisfactory clinical results were obtained in 80% of cases, with a mean preoperative Constant of 27.7 points, and reaching 67.1 points 12 months after the operation. On the visual analogue scale, 8.25 points were obtained before the surgery, which decreased to 2.25 points 12 months later. The complications rate was 15.38%, which were due to an intra-operative fracture (1.92%), deep infection (3.84%), instability (3.84%), and early mechanical loosening (3.84%). Scapular notching was observed in the radiographic study in 9 (17.3%) cases. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: After the results obtained, it could be said that total reverse shoulder replacement achieved encouraging results in the short term for the treatment of glenohumeral arthrosis and massive tears of the rotary cuff. On analysing our series, it can be seen that the complications rate is much higher when it is used to treat fracture sequelae in which there is a loss of proximal humerus bone stock.