The ChoCO-W prospective observational global study: Does COVID-19 increase gangrenous cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the highly morbid and potentially lethal gangrenous cholecystitis was reportedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the ChoCO-W study was to compare the clinical findings and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients who had COVID-19 disease with those who did not. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected over 6 months (October 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with 1-month follow-up. In October 2020, Delta variant of SARS CoV-2 was isolated for the first time. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed and reported according to the STROBE guidelines. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who had COVID-19 were compared with those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 2893 patients, from 42 countries, 218 centers, involved, with a median age of 61.3 (SD: 17.39) years were prospectively enrolled in this study; 1481 (51%) patients were males. One hundred and eighty (6.9%) patients were COVID-19 positive, while 2412 (93.1%) were negative. Concomitant preexisting diseases including cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and severe chronic obstructive airway disease (p = 0.005) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 group. Markers of sepsis severity including ARDS (p < 0.0001), PIPAS score (p < 0.0001), WSES sepsis score (p < 0.0001), qSOFA (p < 0.0001), and Tokyo classification of severity of acute cholecystitis (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher postoperative complications (32.2% compared with 11.7%, p < 0.0001), longer mean hospital stay (13.21 compared with 6.51 days, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (13.4% compared with 1.7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis was doubled in the COVID-19 group (40.7% compared with 22.3%). The mean wall thickness of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group [6.32 (SD: 2.44) mm compared with 5.4 (SD: 3.45) mm; p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis is higher in COVID patients compared with non-COVID patients admitted to the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis in COVID patients is associated with high-grade Clavien-Dindo postoperative complications, longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. The open cholecystectomy rate is higher in COVID compared with non -COVID patients. It is recommended to delay the surgical treatment in COVID patients, when it is possible, to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. COVID-19 infection and gangrenous cholecystistis are not absolute contraindications to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a case by case evaluation, in expert hands.

Coexistence of secondary chondrosarcoma and lung carcinoma metastasis in the humerus of a patient with Ollier's disease: A case report.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis in the same bone is an extremely rare condition. Limited number of case reports exists for coincidence of benign and malign neoplasms but none for malignant to malignant metastasis. Occurrence of several individual malignancies in the same patient may eventually cause such coexistences. We report an Ollier's disease patient with malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma complicated by a pathologic fracture and eventually whose pathological examination revealed that the lesion was not only the chondrosarcoma but an accompanying metastasis from existing lung adenocarcinoma. This report includes clinical, radiological, histological diagnostic challenges in an unexpected lesion and a review of literature.

Is unicondylar osteoarticular allograft still a viable option for reconstructions around the knee?

BACKGROUND: Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts (UOAs) represent a possible technique for reconstructing massive bone defects around the knee when only one condyle is affected. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the outcome of UOAs and describe the possible salvage procedures in case of graft failure. METHODS: Twenty-five deep-frozen UOAs were implanted at Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (Bologna, Italy). Twenty-two followed bone tumor resection, two cases were post-traumatic defects and one case followed UOA failure. Mean age at surgery was 33years (range: 15 to 63). Eighteen UOAs were in distal femur, seven in proximal tibia. RESULTS: Three patients died (only one because of the tumor). One UOA was removed for chondrosarcoma relapse and one for allograft fracture. Mean overall survival with UOA failure as a primary endpoint was 129months (range 12 to 302), with differences in the femur (85%) and in the tibia (40%) at 150months. Six UOAs had to be converted into knee prostheses due to osteoarthritis after a mean follow-up of 146months. No complications were recorded in UOAs converted into knee prostheses after a mean three year follow-up. Fourteen patients with UOAs still in place at the last follow-up (mean 123months) were radiologically and functionally evaluated: no correlation was found between function and the degree of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, UOAs offer good clinical results and postpone the need for knee prosthesis. Despite short-term encouraging results, longer-term follow-up is needed in order to evaluate the outcome of knee prosthesis after UOA.

Bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft of the shoulder.

PURPOSE: to describe an original technique and preliminary results of bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation for the treatment of end-stage glenohumeral osteoarthritis. METHODS: three patients underwent bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation to the shoulder. Clinical and radiographical evaluations were carried out periodically through to final follow-up. RESULTS: constant Score increased from 38.3 ± 2.9 pre-operatively to 78.7 ± 16.2 at 12 months, 72.3 ±15.3 at 24 months, and 59.3 ± 22.0 at 34 months. Arthritis and partial reabsorption of the implanted surfaces were evident radiographically. CONCLUSIONS: the clinical results obtained in these patients seem to support the applicability of bipolar fresh osteochondral allograft implantation in the shoulder in subjects with severe post-traumatic arthritis and intact rotator cuff. The development of arthritis of the implanted surfaces, while not impacting the clinical result, is a cause of concern. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level IV, therapeutic case series.