Upper Limb Lengthening in Achondroplasia Using Unilateral External Fixation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the long-term results of humeral lengthening in achondroplastic patients and make suggestions on the most appropriate surgical technique to improve patient outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-four humeral lengthening procedures performed in 27 achondroplastic patients were reviewed. Elongations were performed by means of callotasis with unilateral external fixation. Inclusion criteria were: achondroplastic patients under 17 years without prior arm operations and minimum follow-up of 36 months. RESULTS: Fifty humeri in 25 patients (13 men and 12 women), aged between 9 and 17 years, met the inclusion criteria. Mean humeral lengthening was 8.82 cm (range: 5 to 10.5 cm), which represented an elongation of 54.80% (range: 46% to 63%) of the original length. The healing index was 0.91 months (range: 0.72 to 1.4 mo) per centimeter gained. Shoulder and elbow range of motion and stability were preserved in 47 limbs. Noncomplicated cases consistently experienced a significant functional improvement in the performance of activities of daily living such as putting on footwear and personal hygiene. Short-term complications included 11 pin-tract infections, 1 radial nerve neuropraxia, and 1 failure of the regenerated bone formation. None of these complications prevented from completion of treatment. Long-term complications included 2 cases of nonunion, 3 elbow flexion contractures, and 2 cases of psychological dissatisfaction, all of them in 4 patients. Factors associated with long-term complications were intraoperative fragment displacement and distal humeral osteotomy. No fractures of the regenerated bone were identified in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Callotasis with unilateral external fixation is a reliable and well-tolerated procedure for humeral lengthening in achondroplastic patients, with an acceptable complication rate. Guided fixator placement and a proximal humeral osteotomy are strongly recommended technical tips as they may help prevent complications and improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Sífilis congénita tardía: a propósito de un caso / Late congenital syphilis: case report

La sífilis presenta un marcado aumento de su prevalencia en Argentina y en el mundo. La Organización Mundial de la Salud estima que, por año, hay 12 millones de personas infectadas mundialmente, y 270 000 corresponden a recién nacidos con sífilis congènita. Se presenta a una niña de 8 años de edad con mononucleosis por virus de Epstein-Barr, que mostró como hallazgo diagnóstico sífilis confirmada por dos pruebas treponémicas positivas; se interpretó el cuadro como compatible con sífilis congènita latente tardía asintomática.

Syphilis shows marked increase in its prevalence in Argentina and the world. The World Health Organization estimates that annually there are 12 million people infected in the world, 270,000 corresponding to newborns with congenital syphilis. We describe an 8-year-old girl who was undergoing mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus and presented syphilis as a diagnostic finding, confirmed by two different positive treponemal tests, assuming a compatible picture of late latent congenital asymptomatic syphilis.

[Late congenital syphilis: case report]. / Sífilis congénita tardía: a propósito de un caso.

Syphilis shows marked increase in its prevalence in Argentina and the world. The World Health Organization estimates that annually there are 12 million people infected in the world, 270,000 corresponding to newborns with congenital syphilis. We describe an 8-year-old girl who was undergoing mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus and presented syphilis as a diagnostic finding, confirmed by two different positive treponemal tests, assuming a compatible picture of late latent congenital asymptomatic syphilis.

La sífilis presenta un marcado aumento de su prevalencia en Argentina y en el mundo. La Organización Mundial de la Salud estima que, por año, hay 12 millones de personas infectadas mundialmente, y 270 000 corresponden a recién nacidos con sífilis congènita. Se presenta a una niña de 8 años de edad con mononucleosis por virus de Epstein-Barr, que mostró como hallazgo diagnóstico sífilis confirmada por dos pruebas treponémicas positivas; se interpretó el cuadro como compatible con sífilis congènita latente tardía asintomática.

Artroscopia anterior de tobillo. Complicaciones tempranas con técnica sin distracción / Anterior ankle arthroscopy. Early complications without joint distraction

Introducción: La artroscopia se ha convertido en una importante herramienta para tratar diversas afecciones del tobillo. El uso de portales anteriores y posteriores, asociados o no a distracción mecánica, permite una completa exploración de esta articulación. Como toda técnica quirúrgica, no está exenta de complicaciones. Objetivos: Evaluar las complicaciones tempranas de la artroscopia anterior de tobillo, sin distracción articular, y compararlas con las descritas en la bibliografía internacional. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo que evaluó a 198 pacientes sometidos a artroscopia anterior de tobillo por diversas patologías. Todos fueron operados por un único cirujano, en dos instituciones de salud, durante un período de 6 años, con un seguimiento posquirúrgico mínimo de 12 meses. Los pacientes fueron evaluados mediante el puntaje de la AOFAS y se consignaron las complicaciones intra y posoperatorias tempranas. Resultados: Se evaluó a 34 mujeres y 164 hombres (edad promedio 37.5 años). Hubo 23 complicaciones (11,61%): celulitis local (6 casos), parestesias transitorias del nervio peroneo superficial (4 casos), parestesia permanente del nervio peroneo superficial (1 caso), dolor residual en los portales (4 casos), artritis séptica (2 casos) y un caso de otras complicaciones. Conclusiones: Un conocimiento preciso de la anatomía, una asepsia y una técnica quirúrgica correctas, y los cuidados de manejo intraquirúrgico del instrumental permiten evitar la mayoría de las complicaciones. La artroscopia anterior de tobillo sin distracción por medio de los clásicos portales antero-lateral y antero-medial es una técnica segura, con un bajo índice de complicaciones y una muy baja morbilidad para el paciente. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Arthroscopy has become an important tool to treat various conditions of the ankle. The use of anterior and posterior portals, with or without mechanical distraction, allows for a complete exploration of this joint. Like all surgical techniques, it is not without complications. Objectives: To evaluate the early complications of anterior ankle arthroscopy with or without joint distraction, and to compare them with those described in the international literature. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study that evaluated 198 patients undergoing anterior ankle arthroscopy for various pathologies. All were operated on by a single surgeon, in two health centers, during a period of 6 years, with a postoperative follow-up of at least 12 months. Patients were evaluated by AOFAS score and early and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: 34 women and 164 men were evaluated (average age 37.5 years). There were 23 complications (11.61%): local cellulitis (6 cases), transient paresthesia of the superficial peroneal nerve (4 cases), permanent paresthesia of the superficial peroneal nerve (1 case), residual pain in the portals (4 cases), septic arthritis (2 cases) and one case of other complications. Conclusions: Most complications can be avoided by a precise knowledge of the anatomy and the aseptic techniques, as well as an adequate surgical approach and intra-operative management of the instrumentation. Anterior ankle arthroscopy without joint distraction through standard antero-lateral and antero-medial portals is a safe technique, having a low rate of complications and a very low morbidity for the patient. Level of Evidence: IV