Cemented vs cementless stems for revision arthroplasties due to Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fracture.

PURPOSE: According to Vancouver classification, B2 type fractures are most often treated with removal of the loose stem and implantation of a long stem that bypasses the fracture site. However, there is a controversy about the stem fixation that should be used: cemented or cementless. Hence, this study aims to compare cemented and cementless stems in prosthetic revision due to Vancouver B2 (VB2) periprosthetic hip fracture. METHODS: A retrospective study was done including all the patients treated with stem exchange due to VB2 periprosthetic hip fracture in a tertiary hospital between 2015 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the stem fixation used: cemented or cementless. Functional outcomes, hospital stay, surgical time, complication rate, and mortality were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Of the 30 included patients, 13 (43.4%) were treated with cementless stems and 17 (56.7%) with cemented stems. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, anesthesia risk scale (ASA) or functional capacity prior to the intervention. Patients treated with cementless stems had a higher complication and reintervention rate than those treated with cemented stems: 62 and 45% versus 34 and 6% (p = 0.035; p = 0.010), respectively. Furthermore, in the group of cementless stems a higher proportion of non-union was found (53.8% vs. 17.6%; p = 0.037). Also, the hospital stay (33 vs. 24 days; p = 0.037) and the time to full weight-bearing (21 days vs. 9 days; p < 0.001) were longer in the cementless stem group. CONCLUSION: Cemented fixation in stem revision due to Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fracture could be an optimal option with faster recovery which could decrease the rate of complications and reintervention, without compromising the fracture healing and patient mortality. Thus, this option can be considered when an anatomical reduction can be obtained, especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities in which a less aggressive surgical option should be considered.

Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fractures treatment: fix or replace? A retrospective study comparing both techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fractures involve stem stability and they have been classically treated with revision surgery. Crucial factors such as age, clinical comorbidities and functional status are often neglected. The current study aims to compare clinical outcomes between patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or femoral stem exchange. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that includes all Vancouver B2 periprosthetic hip fractures in a tertiary referral hospital from 2016 to 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1. Patients treated with an ORIF and Group 2. Patients treated with stem replacement. The outcomes that were compared between groups included demographic data, functional capacity, complications and mortality. RESULTS: 29 periprosthetic Vancouver B2 fractures were finally analyzed. 11 (37.9%) were treated with ORIF (Group 1) and 18 (62.1%) by stem replacement (Group 2). Surgery time (143 vs. 160 min), hemoglobin drop (1.8 vs. 2.5 g/dL) and hospital stance (25.5 vs. 29.6 days) were shorter in Group 1. According to complications, 18.2% of patients in the ORIF group had orthopedic complications compared with 44.4% in the revision group. In the revision group, 3 cases needed a two-stage revision and one of these revisions ended up with a resection arthroplasty (Girdlestone). The first-year mortality rate was 27% in Group 1 and 11% in Group 2. DISCUSSION: ORIF treatment seems to be a less aggressive and complex procedure which can lead to a faster general recovery. Revision surgery can imply a higher risk of orthopedic complications which can be severe and may require further aggressive solutions. The ORIF group mortality was similar to the proximal femur fracture rate (20-30%). In conclusion, ORIF treatment seems to be a good option especially in fragile patients with low functional demand when anatomical reduction is possible.

The Lisbon Agreement on femoroacetabular impingement imaging-part 2: general issues, parameters, and reporting.

OBJECTIVES: Imaging assessment for the clinical management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is controversial because of a paucity of evidence-based guidance and notable variability among practitioners. Hence, expert consensus is needed because standardised imaging assessment is critical for clinical practice and research. We aimed to establish expert-based statements on FAI imaging by using formal methods of consensus building. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to formally derive consensus among 30 panel members from 13 countries. Forty-four questions were agreed upon, and relevant seminal literature was circulated and classified in major topics to produce answering statements. The level of evidence was noted for all statements, and panel members were asked to score their level of agreement (0-10). This is the second part of a three-part consensus series and focuses on 'General issues' and 'Parameters and reporting'. RESULTS: Forty-seven statements were generated and group consensus was reached for 45. Twenty-five statements pertaining to 'General issues' (9 addressing diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and postoperative imaging) and 'Parameters and reporting' (16 addressing femoral/acetabular parameters) were produced. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence was reviewed critically, recommended criteria for diagnostic imaging highlighted, and the roles/values of different imaging parameters assessed. Radiographic evaluation (AP pelvis and a Dunn 45° view) is the cornerstone of hip-imaging assessment and the minimum imaging study that should be performed when evaluating adult patients for FAI. In most cases, cross-sectional imaging is warranted because MRI is the 'gold standard' imaging modality for the comprehensive evaluation, differential diagnosis assessment, and FAI surgical planning. KEY POINTS: • Diagnostic imaging for FAI is not standardised due to scarce evidence-based guidance on which imaging modalities and diagnostic criteria/parameters should be used. • Radiographic evaluation is the cornerstone of hip assessment and the minimum study that should be performed when assessing suspected FAI. Cross-sectional imaging is justified in most cases because MRI is the 'gold standard' modality for comprehensive FAI evaluation. • For acetabular morphology, coverage (Wiberg's angle and acetabular index) and version (crossover, posterior wall, and ischial spine signs) should be assessed routinely. On the femoral side, the head-neck junction morphology (α° and offset), neck morphology (NSA), and torsion should be assessed.

The Lisbon Agreement on Femoroacetabular Impingement Imaging-part 3: imaging techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Imaging diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) remains controversial due to a lack of high-level evidence, leading to significant variability in patient management. Optimizing protocols and technical details is essential in FAI imaging, although challenging in clinical practice. The purpose of this agreement is to establish expert-based statements on FAI imaging, using formal consensus techniques driven by relevant literature review. Recommendations on the selection and use of imaging techniques for FAI assessment, as well as guidance on relevant radiographic and MRI classifications, are provided. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to assess agreement and derive consensus among 30 panel members (musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopedic surgeons). Forty-four questions were agreed on and classified into five major topics and recent relevant literature was circulated, in order to produce answering statements. The level of evidence was assessed for all statements and panel members scored their level of agreement with each statement during 4 Delphi rounds. Either "group consensus," "group agreement," or "no agreement" was achieved. RESULTS: Forty-seven statements were generated and group consensus was reached for 45. Twenty-two statements pertaining to "Imaging techniques" were generated. Eight statements on "Radiographic assessment" and 12 statements on "MRI evaluation" gained consensus. No agreement was reached for the 2 "Ultrasound" related statements. CONCLUSION: The first international consensus on FAI imaging was developed. Researchers and clinicians working with FAI and hip-related pain may use these recommendations to guide, develop, and implement comprehensive, evidence-based imaging protocols and classifications. KEY POINTS: • Radiographic evaluation is recommended for the initial assessment of FAI, while MRI with a dedicated protocol is the gold standard imaging technique for the comprehensive evaluation of this condition. • The MRI protocol for FAI evaluation should include unilateral small FOV with radial imaging, femoral torsion assessment, and a fluid sensitive sequence covering the whole pelvis. • The definite role of other imaging methods in FAI, such as ultrasound or CT, is still not well defined.

Correction to: The Lisbon Agreement on Femoroacetabular Impingement Imaging-part 1: overview.

The original version of this article, published on 14 May 2020, unfortunately contained a mistake.

The Lisbon Agreement on Femoroacetabular Impingement Imaging-part 1: overview.

OBJECTIVES: Imaging assessment for the clinical management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome remains controversial because of a paucity of evidence-based guidance and notable variability in clinical practice, ultimately requiring expert consensus. The purpose of this agreement is to establish expert-based statements on FAI imaging, using formal techniques of consensus building. METHODS: A validated Delphi method and peer-reviewed literature were used to formally derive consensus among 30 panel members (21 musculoskeletal radiologists and 9 orthopaedic surgeons) from 13 countries. Forty-four questions were agreed on, and recent relevant seminal literature was circulated and classified in five major topics ('General issues', 'Parameters and reporting', 'Radiographic assessment', 'MRI' and 'Ultrasound') in order to produce answering statements. The level of evidence was noted for all statements, and panel members were asked to score their level of agreement with each statement (0 to 10) during iterative rounds. Either 'consensus', 'agreement' or 'no agreement' was achieved. RESULTS: Forty-seven statements were generated, and group consensus was reached for 45 (95.7%). Seventeen of these statements were selected as most important for dissemination in advance. There was no agreement for the two statements pertaining to 'Ultrasound'. CONCLUSION: Radiographic evaluation is the cornerstone of hip evaluation. An anteroposterior pelvis radiograph and a Dunn 45° view are recommended for the initial assessment of FAI although MRI with a dedicated protocol is the gold standard imaging technique in this setting. The resulting consensus can serve as a tool to reduce variability in clinical practices and guide further research for the clinical management of FAI. KEY POINTS: • FAI imaging literature is extensive although often of low level of evidence. • Radiographic evaluation with a reproducible technique is the cornerstone of hip imaging assessment. • MRI with a dedicated protocol is the gold standard imaging technique for FAI assessment.

Arterial Topographic Anatomy Near the Femoral Head-Neck Perforation with Surgical Relevance.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the vascular supply of the femoral head is crucial for hip-preserving surgical procedures. The critical area for reshaping cam deformity is at the retinacular vessel penetration, an area with ill-defined topographic anatomy. We performed a cadaver study of the extension of the lateral retinaculum near the head-neck junction, distribution of the arterial vascular foramina, and initial intracapital course of these vessels. METHODS: In 16 fresh proximal parts of the femur without head-neck deformities, the deep branch of the medial femoral circumflex artery was injected with gadolinium for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences to identify arterial structures. RESULTS: We found a mean number of 4.5 arterial foramina, showing a predominance from 10 to 12 o'clock. The retinaculum extended 20 mm from 1 to 10 o'clock. The surface distance from the cartilage border to the vascular foramina under the synovial fold was 6.5 mm, and the depth from the same cartilage border to the initial intraosseous vessel pathways was 5.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The data add further precision to the arterial topography at the retinacular foramina, an area that is crucial for the perfusion of the femoral head. It may overlap with the area of anterolateral cam deformity and plays a role in choosing the cuts for subcapital and intracapital osteotomies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The information is taken from normal hips and may not be directly applicable to the deformed hip. Nevertheless, it is a prerequisite for a surgeon to understand the normal anatomy and use those boundaries to prevent mistakes during intra-articular joint-preserving hip surgical procedures.

Recommendations to Reduce Risk of Nerve Injury During Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO).

The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a widely used procedure to reorient a dysplastic acetabulum resulting from developmental dysplasia of the hip, retroversion, protrusio, or some deformities with a traumatic etiology. Throughout the execution, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) as well as the obturator, femoral, and sciatic nerves can be injured. Injury to 1 of the 3 major nerves is a devastating event for the patient followed by an ill-defined period of hope for nerve recovery and fear of lifelong disability. Surgical experience is an essential factor in reducing the prevalence of nerve injury, whereas proof of the value of intraoperative fluoroscopy and nerve monitoring still must be established. Although it is known that, for example, the ischial cuts of the complex osteotomy place the sciatic nerve at risk, the action causing the nerve injury is rarely clear in the individual situation. The literature has been mostly limited to reports of incidence and offers little analytic information. Through the use of cadaveric dissections, we visualized the possible impacts of the different steps of the procedure on the nerves in their anatomic vicinity, and the present report demonstrates how nerves can be protected with retractor positioning and how lower-limb positioning can lead to nerve relaxation, an important means to avoid mechanical injury. While the frequent injuries of the LFCN are exclusively related to the approach, sciatic nerve injuries are mainly the result of the ischial osteotomy steps and femoral nerve injuries are seen nearly exclusively with the correction of the acetabular fragment. The authors implemented the demonstrated measures for 9 years, during which approximately 800 periacetabular osteotomies resulted in a total of 2 femoral and 2 sciatic nerve lesions-or a nerve injury rate of 0.5%. The nerves injuries resolved within 6 to 9 months in 3 hips, and 1 patient had a definitive foot drop requiring a splint at the time of writing.

Imaging prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement in symptomatic patients, athletes, and asymptomatic individuals: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is a wide discrepancy in reported prevalence rates for cam, pincer, and mixed femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), particularly among distinct populations, namely asymptomatic or symptomatic subjects and athletes. No systematic analysis to date has yet compared studies among these groups to determine differences in radiographic signs of FAI. METHODS: A systematic review of existing literature was performed to determine the prevalence of radiographic signs of FAI among athletes, asymptomatic subjects, and symptomatic patients. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied to systematically search PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases. RESULTS: We identified 361 studies in our literature search. After considering the exclusion criteria, 60 were included in this systematic review: 15 in athletes, 10 in purely asymptomatic patients, and 35 in symptomatic, non-athlete populations. Cam impingement was significantly (p=0.0003) more common in athletes versus asymptomatic subjects but not compared to symptomatic patients (p=0.107). In addition, cam FAI was significantly more common in symptomatic versus asymptomatic cases (p=0.009). The percentage of patients with cam-type FAI showed significant differences across groups (p=0.006). No significant differences were found between pincer-type FAI morphology prevalence when comparing athletes to symptomatic patients. However, mixed-type FAI was significantly more common in athletes versus asymptomatic subjects (p=0.03) and in asymptomatic versus symptomatic subjects (p=0.015). The percentage of patients with mixed-type FAI showed significant differences across groups (p=0.041). The mean alpha angle was significantly greater in the symptomatic group versus either the asymptomatic or athlete group (p<0.001). Significant differences in mean alpha angles were noted across groups (p=0.0000). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging suspicion of FAI is common among athletes, asymptomatic, and symptomatic populations. However, significant differences in type and imaging signs of FAI exist among these groups that need to be considered in patients' decision making.

Morphologic and angular planning for cam resection in femoro-acetabular impingement: value of the omega angle.

PURPOSE: The alpha angle is used to quantify in a single plane the head-neck junction deformity of cam femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI). When the deformity overlaps the superior retinaculum, femoral head osteoplasty in this area can jeopardise intra-articular vascular structures. This study proposes a new angular measure of the linear radial extension of cam deformity as a planning tool for bone resection and compares the accuracy of femoral head osteoplasty using open and arthroscopic surgery. METHODS: Twenty-five symptomatic patients operated on for FAI were included in this study. Radial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done before and after surgery. Bi-dimensional coordinates of the vascular foramina and radial extension of the deformity (omega angle) were measured. This extension was correlated with the vascular foramina location and alpha-angle value. Accuracy of resection and hip function were evaluated before and after surgery. RESULTS: The cam lesion frequently extended posteriorly. No relation between values of alpha and omega angles was found. Cam resection was complete in 88 % of cases; there was a significant improvement in outcome score after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that alpha angle, measured in one plane, was not a predictor of the radial extension of cam deformity. To achieve a full resection, it was frequently necessary to extend the femoral head osteoplasty over the retinacular area. Pre-operative determination of the omega angle and location of the vascular foramina helped improve cam resection safety and accuracy.

Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy in a Young Adult with an Ipsilateral Renal Transplant: A Case Report.

CASE: An eighteen-year-old woman was referred to our center because of left groin pain and was diagnosed with acetabular dysplasia. The proposed treatment was a Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). The patient had undergone two renal transplants due to polycystic kidney disease; the current, functional kidney was at the lateral inguinal fossa on the left side. The patient was on chronic immunosuppressants and antihypertensive therapy. CONCLUSION: The present case shows that PAO can be a safe procedure with good outcomes even in patients who have undergone renal transplantation.

Femoral head bone viability after free vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis: SPECT/CT study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate femoral head bone viability following free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) for osteonecrosis using SPECT/CT imaging. METHODS: Ten hips (9 patients) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) undergoing FVFG were prospectively enrolled. Four cases showed ARCO stage II, while six showed ARCO stage III. The mean age at surgery was 15.7 years (range, 13-22 years). Hip Harris Score (HHS) was measured pre- and post-operative. Bone scintigraphy with SPECT/CT was performed at 2 weeks and 6 months following surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 4.0 years (range, 2-5.9 years). Mean HHS increased from 37.2 to 92.3. SPECT/CT findings revealed a progressive increase of femoral head uptake in all cases, suggesting subchondral graft bone viability. No progressive deformation of the femoral head was evidenced in radiographic evaluation at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates FVFG's capacity for revitalizing femoral head subchondral bone grafting in patients with ONFH, surgically treated following Urbaniak's technique. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:573-577, 2016.

Vascularized tibial periosteal graft in complex cases of bone nonunion in children.

Bone nonunion in the pediatric population usually occurs in the context of highly unfavorable biological conditions. Recently, the vascularized fibular periosteal flap has been reported as a very effective procedure for treating this condition. Even though a vascularized tibial periosteal graft (VTPG) was described long ago and has been successfully employed in one adult case, there has been no other report published on the use of this technique. We report on the use of VTPG, pedicled in the anterior tibial vessels, for the treatment of two complex pediatric bone nonunion case: a recalcitrant supracondylar femoral pseudarthrosis secondary to an infection in an 11-year-old girl, and a tibial nonunion secondary to a failed bone defect reconstruction in a 12-year-old girl. Rapid healing was obtained in both cases. In the light of the data presented, we consider VTPG as a valuable surgical option for the treatment of complex bone nonunions in children.

Composite vascularized fibular epiphyseo-osteo-periosteal transfer for hip reconstruction after proximal femoral tumoral resection in a 4-year-old child.

Literature on the reconstruction of the proximal femur in skeletally immature patients with the use of an epiphyseal transplant is scarce and with variable results depending on the indication. We report successful outcomes using a modified vascularized fibular epiphyseal transplant in a 4-year-old boy with an oncologic lesion. We discuss the advantages of supplementing the standard graft with a vascularized fibular periosteal tissue. The vascularized fibular epiphyseal transplant (VFET) is an effective option in the reconstruction of the epiphysis in skeletally immature patients, owing to the advantage of restoring both the joint function and the growth potential in a single surgical operation. Multiple reported cases demonstrate the effectiveness of this complex technique in upper extremity reconstruction. However, literature is scarce regarding its use for the reconstruction of the proximal femur and hip joint. Through this article, we report the use of a VFET in the reconstruction of a proximal femur in a 4-year-old boy after an intra-articular wide excision of an epithelioid hemangioendotelioma. We also discuss the advantages of designing the flap as a composite vascularized epiphyseo-osteo-periosteal flap.

Vascularized fibular periosteal graft: a new technique to enhance bone union in children.

BACKGROUND: The periosteum in children has strong osteogenic power and is quite thick, facilitating procurement. However, it has been rarely used as a vascularized flap to enhance bone union in this age range. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a new vascularized periosteal flap harvested from the fibula for the enhancement of bone union in the pediatric age. METHODS: Thirteen vascularized fibular periosteal grafts were used in 12 children, mean age 12.6 years. Indications included the prevention of bone allograft-host junction nonunion and treatment of recalcitrant bone nonunion. In 9 instances, the periosteal flap was harvested as a free flap and in 4 as a pedicled flap. Serial radiographs and computed tomography scans were used to evaluate the progression of callus formation and bone healing. RESULTS: All flaps were successful in promoting bone healing and achieving bone union in a mean time of 2.8 months for metaphyseal junctions and 7.1 months for diaphyseal ones, except for 1 case, which initially failed due to a pedicle torsion. It was then resolved with a second vascularized fibular periosteal grafts, with complete union after 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Transfer of a vascularized fibular periosteal flap, either pedicled or as a free flap, is an effective treatment to enhance bone union in children in biologically unfavorable scenarios. The properties of periosteal tissue in the pediatric age are unique and its use in bone union enhancement permits new reconstructive strategies in children different from those described in adults. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Terrible triad of the elbow.

PURPOSE: To review epidemiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of the terrible triad of the elbow. METHODS: Records of 18 cases of the terrible triad of the elbow occurring in 8 women and 8 men aged 17 to 77 (mean, 45) years were reviewed. The epidemiology and various treatment approaches and functional outcomes were recorded. The mean follow-up period was 13.6 (range, 4-38) months. The injury mechanisms included simple falls (n=12), falls from a low height (n=2), traffic accidents (n=2), and sports accidents (n=2). Radial head fractures and the coronoid apophysis fractures were classified. RESULTS: There were 10 type-III and 8 type-II radial head fractures, 9 type-I and 9 type-II coronoid apophysis fractures, and all humeroulnar dislocations were posterior. The mean duration of immobilisation was 25.5 (range, 17-38) days. After rehabilitation, the mean range of motion of the elbow improved to 130 degrees flexion (24% recovery), 18 degrees extension (35% recovery), 73 degrees supination (142% recovery), and 85 degrees pronation (25% recovery). The greatest gain in range of motion occurred within 3 to 4 months. Complications included heterotopic ossification (n=4), blocked pronation and supination (n=4), transient ulnar nerve injury (n=2), Essex-Lopresti lesion (n=2), unnoticed dislocation (n=3), and rapidly progressive arthrosis (n=1). CONCLUSION: Although our patients had better recovery of range of motion than those reported in other studies, the terrible triad of the elbow can lead to joint instability, osteoarthritis, arthrosis, and joint stiffness, and may resort to total elbow arthroplasty in some cases.

Vocal cord paresis and diaphragmatic dysfunction are severe and frequent symptoms of GDAP1-associated neuropathy.

Cranial nerve involvement in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is rare, though there are a number of CMT syndromes in which vocal cord paralysis is a characteristic feature. CMT disease due to mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 gene (GDAP1) has been reported to be associated with vocal cord and diaphragmatic palsy. In order to address the prevalence of these complications in patients with GDAP1 mutations we evaluated vocal cord and respiratory function in nine patients from eight unrelated families with this disorder. Hoarseness of the voice and inability to speak loudly were reported by eight patients and one had associated symptoms of respiratory insufficiency. Patients were investigated by means of peripheral and phrenic nerve conduction studies, flexible laryngoscopy, pulmonary function studies and polysomnography. Nerve conduction velocities and pathological studies were compatible with axonal CMT (CMT2). Flexible laryngoscopy showed left vocal cord palsy in four cases, bilateral cord palsies in four cases and was normal in one case. Restrictive respiratory dysfunction was seen in the eight patients with vocal cord paresis who were all chair-bound. These eight had confirmed phrenic nerve dysfunction on neurophysiology evaluation. The patient with normal vocal cord and pulmonary function had a less severe clinical course.This study shows that CMT patients with GDAP1 mutations develop severe disability due to weakness of limb muscles and that laryngeal and respiratory muscle involvement occurs late in the disease process when significant proximal upper limb weakness has developed. The early and predominant involvement of the left vocal cord innervated by the longer left recurrent laryngeal nerve suggests a length dependent pattern of nerve degeneration. In GDAP1 neuropathy, respiratory function should be thoroughly investigated because life expectancy can be compromised due to respiratory failure.

Efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has significantly reduced surgical wound infection rates, this complication is still a frequent complication of head and neck cancer surgery. Because these infections are typically polymicrobial, our study evaluated the safety and efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery. METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective clinical trial, 70 patients with surgical wound infection received piperacillin-tazobactam. RESULTS: Of patients who were evaluable, 92.4% were also clinically cured or improved, and the bacteriologic eradication rate was 80.3%. Of the 70 patients enrolled in the study, six (8.5%) experienced six adverse events: two cases of moderate diarrhea, one allergic skin reaction, and three cases of phlebitis. No deaths were attributable to the study drug. CONCLUSIONS: Piperacillin-tazobactam is a good choice of treatment as monotherapy for surgical wound infection after clean-contaminated head and neck oncologic surgery.

Impact of mining activities on soils in a semi-arid environment: Sierra Almagrera district, SE Spain.

Field and laboratory-column studies were undertaken in order to investigate soil contamination derived from past mining activity in the Sierra Almagrera (SA) district in southeast Spain. The tailings, soil and sediment samples that were collected showed high concentrations of Ag, As, Ba, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn when analyzed. The mean concentrations of these elements in the tailings were 29.8, 285.4, 54000, 57.7, 2687.5, 179.0 and 2269.0 ppm, respectively. In the soil samples these decreased to 14.3, 96.9, 24700, 37.5, 1859.1, 168.5 and 815.7 ppm, respectively. Geochemical analyses demonstrated high levels of As, Pb and Zn which were above the intervention values set forth in the Andalusian Regulations for Contaminated Soils for As (>50 ppm), Pb (>500 ppm) and Zn (>2000 ppm). Column experiments and mineralogical studies suggest that the dissolution of sulfates and other secondary phases, accumulated in soils and waste-sites during the dry season, acts to control the mobility of metals. The elution curves obtained from column experiments showed a mobilization of Ba, Cu, Pb and Zn, while a low mobility was seen for Ag, As and Sb.