The modified Nice knot has improved mechanical performance compared to the cinch stitch for meniscal root repair.

PURPOSE: According to previous biomechanical studies, the success of meniscus root repair depends on the suture-meniscus interface and optimisation of this procedure seems to be critical. A progressive, reliable and adjustable knot has numerous advantages in meniscal repair since the surgeon can adapt and meticulously tune the final strength of the fixation. We hypothesised that a single passage of one tape at two different points of the posterior meniscal root with a modified Nice knot configuration may allow similar or superior fixation for root repair compared to the cinch stitch suture technique. METHODS: Posterior root repair of medial and lateral meniscus was performed on 26 porcine knees. In group (A), two simple cinch stitches were applied, and in group (B), a modified Nice knot was used in a crossmatch configuration. For both groups, two passages through the meniscus with a 2-mm braided tape were used, and a single transosseous tibial tunnel technique was performed and tested in pull-out conditions. RESULTS: The modified Nice knot showed an improved biomechanical performance considering the maximum failure load for both the medial (600.7 ± 77.5 N) and lateral (686.1 ± 83.5 N) (p = 0.006) posterior root fixation when compared to a double cinch stitch (558.0 ± 123.9 N) and (629.0 ± 110.2 N) (p = 0.178) for medial and lateral fixation, respectively. The maximum stiffness was also higher for the modified Nice knot configuration for both medial (17.1 ± 1.5 vs. 13.3 ± 1.6 N/mm) and lateral meniscus (20.0 ± 2.6 vs. 13.8 ± 2.3 N/mm), being this difference statistically significative (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Nice knot allowed better adaptation in the pull-out tests and presented higher fixation strength, stiffness and reproducibility, with lower standard deviation, being at the same time economically advantageous, since only one tape is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Clinical outcomes of aortic root repair using pericardial autograft for acute type a aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: For acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root with root diameter no more than 45 mm, there are various aortic root repair techniques. In this study, a novel surgical technique using a pericardial autograft for aortic root repair was introduced. We described its surgical steps in detail and compare its clinical outcomes with direct suture technique. METHODS: Between July 2017 and August 2022, 95 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent aortic root repair were enrolled, including aortic root repair using pericardial autograft (group A, n = 49) or direct suture (group B, n = 46). The patient's clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, and a 5-year follow-up was conducted. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality, re-exploration for bleeding, postoperative new-onset renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, stroke, and paraplegia occurred in 3%, 4%, 11%, 5%, and 2% of the overall patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality and complication rate between the two groups. The 30-day mortality and re-exploration for bleeding marked the primary endpoint events. Logistic regression analysis indicated that there was a significant correlation between the primary endpoint events and surgical technique (odds ratio, 0.002; 95% confidence interval, 0-0.159; P = 0.026). The aortic valve insufficiency of the two groups were significantly improved after operation (group A, P < 0.001; group B, P < 0.001). During follow-up, there was no significant difference in short-term survival between the two groups after surgery (log-rank P = 0.75), and all patients were free from reoperation for aortic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent aortic root repair using pericardial autograft tended to have reduced 30-day mortality and a lower risk of re-exploration for bleeding. Using pericardial autograft for aortic root repair is a safe and useful approach for patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root.

Clinical outcomes following transtibial medial meniscal root repair are maintained at long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcomes of patients treated with posterior medial meniscal root tear (PMMRT) repair through assessment of functional outcome scores and to identify patient surgical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics associated with improved outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-centre, retrospective study evaluating patients who had undergone a PMMR repair using a transtibial suture pullout technique with two locking cinch sutures. This was performed as a follow-up to previously published 2-year and 5-year outcome studies, using the same cohort. All patients from the prior short-term and midterm studies were invited to participate. Patient-reported outcome (PROs) scores, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores, were collected. Previously collected demographic data were updated based on review of the electronic medical record. Patient outcomes were assessed preoperatively, as well as at 2-year, 5-year and 8-year postoperatively. MRI outcome measurements were assessed at 2-year and 5-year follow-ups. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. RESULTS: Seventeen patients of the original 18 patients (94.4%) were included in the final analysis. Additionally, three patients who had additional ipsilateral surgery were excluded from the analysis of PROs. The IKDC score significantly increased from 44.7 ± 11.6 at preoperative baseline to 71.2 ± 21.3 at 8-year post-operation (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in IKDC score between 2-year and 8-year follow-ups (p = n.s.) or 5-year and 8-year follow-ups (p = n.s.). The Lysholm score significantly increased from 49.6 ± 7.3 at preoperative baseline to 76.4 ± 17.2 at 8-year follow-up (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in Lysholm scores between 2-year and 8-year follow-ups (p = n.s.) or 5-year and 8-year follow-ups (p = n.s.). A linear regression analysis found that 5-year IKDC scores were significantly correlated with 8-year IKDC scores (ß = 0.681, p = 0.038). At 8-year follow-up, four (23.5%) patients required additional procedures on their operative knee (one total knee arthroplasty conversion). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with repair of PMMRT had maintenance of clinical outcome improvements at long-term follow-up despite worsening MRI outcomes at short-term and medium-term follow-ups. While a high proportion of patients required additional procedures on their operative knee at 8-year follow-up, few of these patient's additional procedures were related to failure of their primary surgery. Providers and patients may expect durable clinical outcomes following the repair of PMMRT, irrespective of radiographic appearance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Surgical management of the aortic root in acute type A aortic dissection: A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the early- and mid-term outcomes of aortic root repair and replacement, and to provide evidence to improve root management in acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). METHODS: This study enrolled 455 patients who underwent AAAD root repair (n = 307) or replacement (n = 148) between January 2016 and December 2017. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used to control for treatment selection bias. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, mid-term survival, and proximal aortic reintervention. RESULTS: The success rate of root repair was 99.7%. The in-hospital mortality in the conservative root repair (CRR) and aggressive root replacement (ARR) were 8.1% and 10.8%. The median follow-up time was 67.76 months (IQR, 67-72 months). After adjusting for baseline factors, there was no significant differences in mid-term survival (p = .750) or the proximal aortic reintervention rate (p = .550) between the two groups. According to Cox analysis, age, hypertension, severe aortic regurgitation, CPB time, and concomitant CABG were all factors associated with mid-term mortality. Regarding reintervention, multivariate analysis identified renal insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valve, root diameter ≥ 45 mm, and severe aortic regurgitation as risk factors, while CRR did not increase the risk of reintervention. The subgroup analysis revealed heterogeneity in the effects of surgical treatment across diverse populations based on a variety of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with AAAD, both CRR and ARR are appropriate operations with promising early and mid-term outcomes. The effects of treatment show heterogeneity across diverse populations based on various risk factors.

More than 3 mm of preoperative medial meniscal extrusion is identified as a key risk factor for varus progression in limb alignment after arthroscopic repair of medial meniscus posterior root tear.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors for varus progression after arthroscopic medial meniscal posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair and to compare the clinical outcomes between two groups: one with more varus progression and the other with less varus progression. METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated arthroscopic repair of MMPRT between 2015 and 2020 were enroled, and 2-year follow-up data were collected. Participants were categorized into two groups based on preoperative values of the weight-bearing line (WBL) ratio: group A with <5.9% increase and group B with ≥5.9% increase. Various factors, including demographic features and radiological findings, were analysed and compared between the two groups. Intra-meniscal signal intensity, meniscal healing, medial meniscal extrusion (MME), and articular cartilage grade were assessed preoperatively and 1-year postoperatively using coronal magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The final cohort consisted of 34 patients in group A and 46 in group B, with a mean age of 55.8 ± 11.2 and 59.8 ± 6.6 years, respectively. Preoperative WBL ratio and cartilage lesions in the medial compartment did not differ between the groups. Preoperative MME were significantly lower in group A than those in group B (2.6 ± 0.6 mm in group A and 3.5 ± 0.7 mm in group B, p < 0.05). Patient-reported outcomes at the 2-year follow-up did not differ between the two groups (n. s.). In a logistic analysis, the odds ratio of MME was 2.1 (p < 0.05), and the cutoff value of MME was 3.02 mm. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MME is a risk factor for varus progression. However, no differences in patient-reported outcomes were observed at 2-year follow-up, even in the group with greater varus progression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm: Different Modes of Presentation and Techniques of Repair.

A sinus of valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an asymmetrical dilatation of the aortic root located between the aortic valve anulus and the sino-tubular junction. Congenital weakness of the elastic lamina in the aortic media layer or trauma and infection as acquired events are the most principal causes of SVA. Presentation may be acute when rupture has occurred or SVA may be discovered fortuitously on echocardiography or CT scan when patients are examined because of unspecific chest pains, dyspnea or arrhythmias. Although endovascular treatment has been performed successfully in individual cases, surgical closure of the aneurysm aiming at preservation of the aortic valve whenever possible is the established procedure. This short report emphasizes the fact that individual treatment is required when SVA need to be operated, depending on the presentation, the location and the size of the finding. Surgery may consist of simple patch closure, bilateral tunnel closure (entry and exit) or more radical operation like Bentall in case the whole aortic root should be addressed. Overall results are excellent, independently of the clinical presentation (acute or elective) with a mortality approaching zero.

Laminectomy for acute transverse sacral fractures with compression of the cauda equina: A neurosurgical perspective.

Introduction: Optimal management of transverse sacral fractures (TSF) remains inconclusive. These injuries may present with neurological deficits including cauda equina syndrome. We present our series of laminectomy for acute TSF with cauda equina compression. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients that underwent sacral laminectomy for treatment of cauda equina compression in acute TSF at our institution between 2007 through 2023. Results: A total of 9 patients (5 male and 4 female) underwent sacral laminectomy to decompress the cauda equina in the setting of acute high impact trauma. Surgeries were done early within a mean time of 5.9 days. All but one patient had symptomatic cauda equina syndrome. In one instance surgery was applied due to significant canal stenosis present on imaging in a patient with diminished mental status not allowing proper neurological examination. Torn sacral nerve roots were repaired directly when possible. All patients regained their neurological function related to the sacral cauda equina on follow up. The rate of surgical site infection (SSI) was 33%. Conclusion: Acute early sacral laminectomy and nerve root repair as needed was effective in recovering bowel and bladder function in patients after high impact trauma and TSF with cauda equina compression. A high SSI rate may be reduced by delaying surgery past 1 week from trauma, but little data exists at this time for clear recommendations.

Stener-like lesion of the lateral meniscus in the setting of a multiligamentous knee injury: A case report.

Traumatic dislocations of the knee can result in significant soft tissue damage including multiligamentous and meniscal knee injury. When a meniscal tear involves the posterior horn, the meniscus loses one of its attachments to the tibia and can become extruded from the joint. Stener-like lesions of the knee have been reported throughout the literature; however, they have been exclusively described as a distal tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) lying superficial to the pes anserine tendon which prevents anatomic healing. The purpose of this report is to present a previously unreported unique variant of a lateral meniscus tear in the setting of a MLKI. In this case presentation, the lateral meniscus became extruded superficial to the intact lateral collateral ligament (LCL) resulting in a Stener-like lesion. Corrective recognition of lesions like these and timely surgical intervention is recommended to restore native anatomy and prevent chronic pain, instability, and premature degenerative disease. Level IV, Case report.

Midterm follow-up of composite graft replacement of the aortic root (30-year experience)-remarkably safe, effective, and durable.

Objectives: Contemporary operative choices for aortic root disease include aortic root replacement (ARR) and a variety of valve-sparing and aortic root-repair procedures. We evaluate ultra-long-term outcomes of ARR, focusing on survival, freedom from late reoperation, and adverse events. Methods: Prospectively kept records were used to accomplish long-term follow-up of patients who underwent ARR (4-pronged Yale survival assessment paradigm). Results: Between 1990 and 2020, 564 patients underwent ARR (mean 56 years, 84% male). A modified Cabrol procedure (Dacron coronary graft) was employed in 9.0% (51/564) and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting in 9.4% (53/564). There were 12.8% (72/564) urgent/emergent and 7.4% (42/564) redo procedures. Operative mortality occurred in 12 patients (2.1%) overall, or 1.4% (8/554) of nondissection and 1.3% (6/468) of elective first-time operations. Six of the 12 deaths presented with acute type A dissection, urgent operation, or reoperative states. Operative mortality dropped to 0.6% during the past 10 years. In total, 11 patients developed endocarditis. Stroke occurred in 11 of 564 patients (2.0%), 4 of whom had presented with type A dissection. Late events included bleeding in 2.8% (16/564), thromboembolism in 1.4% (8/564), and reoperation of the root in 5 of 564 (0.9%) at 15 years and more distal aortic segments in 16/564 (2.8%). Survival was no different from age/sex-matched controls. Conclusions: This ultra-long-term experience finds ARR to be extraordinarily safe, effective, and durable, with minimal long-term bleeding, thromboembolism, or graft failure. This experience provides a standard of durability for ARR against which ultra-long-term outcomes with alternate procedures (valve-sparing, Ross, other) may be compared.

Short-term results of tibial interference screw fixation for transtibial medial meniscus posterior root pull-out repair.

Background: To evaluate the technique of transtibial pull-out repair with tibial interference screw fixation for medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) tear by reporting on short-term outcomes and complications. Methods: All MMPR repairs performed between January 2019 and August 2021 (n = 70) were retrospectively screened regarding demographic data and surgical parameters. The patients were questioned for performed revision surgery, symptoms and complications. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, Lysholm Knee Score and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC) questionnaires were used to evaluate clinical outcome. In cases of revision surgery for re-tear the mode of failure was intraoperatively classified (patients with re-tear were excluded from the clinical follow-up examination). The influence of demographic and treatment parameters (surgical and rehabilitation) on the incidence and mode of re-tear and clinical scores was evaluated. Results: After 2.3 ± 0.7 years, 62 patients (88.6 %) were available for follow-up. There were no direct intra- or postoperative complications. No revision was performed due to symptoms related to the tibial fixation material. The mean surgery time was 33.5 ± 10.8 min. The overall re-tear rate was 17.7 % (11 patients) of whom 10 were treated surgically and one conservatively. Primary mode of failure was suture cut-out from the meniscus (70 %). The NRS, Lysholm Knee Score and subjective IKDC were obtained in 38 patients and improved from 6.8 ± 2.4, 40.1 ± 23.9 and 32.8 ± 16.3 to 2.2 ± 2.2, 80.5 ± 16.3 and 63.0 ± 13.9, respectively (all p < 0.001). No influence was observed from demographic and treatment parameters on re-tear rates or clinical Scores. Conclusions: Tibial interference screw fixation is a fast and promising technique for MMPR transtibial pull-out repair. In the presented technique, utilizing non-absorbable locking sutures alongside tibial interfenrence screw fixation, the primary mode of failure was suture cut-out from the meniscus.

One-year radiographic and clinical performance of bioactive materials in primary molar pulpotomy: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is considered the gold standard material for pulpotomy procedures. However, some drawbacks such as poor handling and long setting time are challenging when it is used as pulpotomy dressing in primary molars in children. Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare the radiographic and clinical performance of a premixed, fast setting bioceramic root repair material (BC RRM-F) with MTA in vital pulpotomy procedures of primary molars, with or without the added seal of a stainless steel crown (SSC). METHODS: In this double blinded, four-arm, parallel group randomized contolled trial (RCT), 64 primary molars were randomly allocated to one of the four treatment groups: MTA (PDTM MTA WHITE)+SSC, MTA+GI (bulk fill glass ionomer with glass hybrid technology GC EQUIA Forte® HT), BC RRM-F+GI and BC RRM-F+SCC. All molars were evaluated clinically and radiographically according to the modified Zurn and Seale criteria at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow up. Multivariate cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the success of both pulp capping materials used. Overall survival analysis showed that using GI instead of SCC as a final restorative material was significantly associated with increased risk of failure. CONCLUSIONS: TotalFill® BC RRM™ Fast Set Putty can be used as an alternative to MTA in primary molar pulpotomy. Regardless of the pulp capping material, one year survival of pulpotomized primary molars restored with SSC is higher compared to those restored with GC EQUIA Forte® HT. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians' preference and cost effectiveness may justify the use of either material in primary molar pulpotomy. Parents insisting on tooth-colored restorations for their children's pulpotomized teeth cannot be told that the expectation for success is the same as those restored with SSC, even if calcium silicate-based pulp capping materials are used.

Meniscus root tears: state of the art.

BACKGROUND: Meniscus root tears represent significant pathology that, historically, has been underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, the recognition of their clinical and functional significance has recently surged, mainly due to their frequent association with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. AIM: This comprehensive review discusses various aspects of meniscal root tears, including their epidemiology, biomechanics, etiology, clinical and radiological findings, classification, management and surgical techniques.

A Systematic Review of Adverse Events and Complications After Isolated Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repairs.

BACKGROUND: Medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) tears are recognized as a substantial cause of disability and morbidity. However, meniscus root repair, regardless of technique, is not without potential complications. PURPOSE: To evaluate the reported incidence of complications and adverse events after isolated MMPR repair. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases with the following search terms combined with Boolean operators: "meniscus,""root," and "repair." Inclusion criteria consisted of level 1 to 4 human clinical studies in English or English-language translation reporting complications and adverse events after isolated posterior medial meniscus root repairs. The overall incidence of specific complications was estimated from the pooled sample of the included studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total pooled sample of 442 patients were identified. The mean patient age was 58.1 years, while the mean final follow-up time was 37.2 months (range, 12-84.8 months). The overall incidence of complications was 9.7% (n = 43/442), with the most commonly reported complication being progressive degenerative changes within the knee (10.4%; n = 25/240; n = 5 studies). A total of 1.25% (n = 3/240) of patients who experienced degenerative changes required conversion to total knee arthroplasty. Repair failures were reported in 3.1% (n = 10/327; n = 8 studies) of patients. CONCLUSION: Repairing MMPR tears is critical in preventing accelerated progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients without significant knee osteoarthritis preoperatively. While this repair is still recommended and necessary in appropriate patients, this review found that the incidence of complications after isolated posterior medial meniscus root repair was 9.7%, primarily involving the presence of progressive degeneration, while repair failure was reported in 3% of patients.

Research progress on aortic root repair by modified sandwich technique for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection has the characteristics of acute onset, severe condition and high mortality. Once making a definite diagnosis, surgical treatment is needed as soon as possible. It is difficult for cardiac surgeons to treat the acute aortic dissection involving the aortic sinus, which is an important risk factor for death. Improving the surgical treatment for the aortic sinus can be a key to improving the prognosis. In this review, we will introduce the modified sandwich technique for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection and the prognosis, and summarize the experiences of different modified sandwich techniques. However, there is still no unified standardized technique in aortic root repair, and there is a lack of large studies with long-term follow-up, so it is necessary to further improve the aortic root repair techniques.

Repair of medial meniscus posterior root tear is effective for root healing and cartilage regeneration in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether the repair of a medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) is effective for MMPRT healing, cartilage regeneration, and clinical outcomes in opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). METHODS: This retrospective study included 80 patients who underwent OWHTO and subsequent second-look arthroscopy. The patients were divided into OWHTO-with-MMPRT-repair (n = 40) and OWHTO alone (n = 40) groups, and the healing rates (complete/partial/failure) were compared. Each group was further divided into over- and under-corrected subgroups to compare healing rates. The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade, cartilage defect size, Koshino stage, ICRS cartilage repair assessment score of the medial femoral condyle (MFC), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores between the OWHTO-with-MMPRT-repair and OWHTO alone groups were compared according to whether microfracture was performed on the MFC. RESULTS: The overall healing rate of the MMPRT was higher in the OWHTO-with-MMPRT-repair group than that in the OWHTO alone group (P < 0.001). In addition, in the subgroup analysis, no difference in the MMPRT healing rate between the over-correction and under-correction groups when MMPRT repair was performed (n.s). In contrast, without MMPRT repair, the healing rate was lower in the under-correction group than that in the over-correction group (P = 0.03). Cartilage regeneration of the OWHTO-with-MMPRT-repair group was superior to that of the OWHTO alone group (P < 0.05). The IKDC subjective scores of the OWHTO-with-MMPRT-repair and OWHTO alone groups were 34.5 and 33.1 before surgery (n.s) and 50 and 47.2 at one year after surgery, respectively (n.s). These differences between the two groups for cartilage regeneration and IKDC subjective scores showed the same pattern regardless of microfractures. CONCLUSIONS: MMPRT repair during OWHTO might improve MMPRT healing, even with under-correction, and cartilage regeneration of MFC, regardless of microfracture. However, OWHTO with MMPRT repair might not improve short-term clinical outcomes compared to OWHTO alone. Further randomized clinical trials are necessary. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective cohort study.

Revision of Failed Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair: A Case Report.

Introduction: Meniscal root tear decreases the ability of the meniscus to convert the axial load to radially directed hoop stress. This leads to a decreased contact area and increased contact pressures, leading to early osteoarthrosis of the knee and eventually higher chances of undergoing total knee replacement. Meniscal root repair helps to restore normal knee kinematics; however, non-anatomical repair results in increased strain in the repair and causes early failure of the repair, leading to abnormal knee kinematics. Case Report: A 45-year-old female with a body mass index of 40.6, hypothyroid, and type II diabetes mellitus presented to the outpatient department with the complaints of left knee pain and difficulty in walking. She had undergone an arthroscopic medial meniscus posterior root repair 1 year back. Clinical and radiological examinations helped to diagnose a re-tear of the medial meniscus root with a non-anatomic tibial tunnel. She then underwent arthroscopic revision root repair surgery. Currently, the patient is at a 1-year follow-up and has resumed her activities of daily living. Conclusion: Anatomical repair of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus is important in restoring normal knee kinematics and for the ability of the meniscus to maintain the hoop stress. Non-anatomic repair leads to early failure and progression to rapid cartilage degeneration, resulting in early osteoarthritis and eventual knee replacement. Any revision surgery presents its own different set of challenges. The basic principles must be adhered to while addressing any failure of the primary surgery.

Outcomes After Meniscal Root Repair in Patients With and Without Advanced Patellofemoral Chondromalacia: Comparison at 2-Year Follow-up.

Background: Meniscal root repair can improve patient outcomes significantly; however, several contraindications exist, including arthritic change to the medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartments. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of meniscal root repair in patients with advanced patellofemoral chondromalacia (PFC). It was hypothesized that the presence of advanced PFC would not significantly affect the postoperative outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent meniscal root repair with at least 2 years of follow-up data. Patients with chondromalacia as determined by arthroscopic visualization (defined as Outerbridge grade 3 or 4) were placed in the PFC group; patients with Outerbridge grade 0 to 2 chondromalacia were placed in the non-PFC group. Outcomes were measured by the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form. Clinical outcomes including complications were also recorded. Quantitative data between the groups were analyzed using the 2-tailed independent-samples t test. Results: Overall, this study included 81 patients (35 in the PFC group, 46 in the non-PFC group). The mean follow-up times were 25.1 months in the PFC group and 24.8 months in the non-PFC group. In both groups, Lysholm and IKDC scores improved significantly with 24-month Lysholm scores averaging 85.86 in the PFC group and 86.61 in the non-PFC group (P = .62) and 24-month IKDC scores averaging 77.66 for the PFC group and 79.59 for the non-PFC group (P = .45). The cohorts demonstrated similar rates of retear, arthrofibrosis, infection, and progression to total knee arthroplasty. Conclusion: The presence of advanced PFC was not associated with inferior outcomes in patients who underwent posterior meniscal root repair, and rates of recurrent tears, postoperative infection, arthrofibrosis, and conversion to total knee arthroplasty were similar between the study groups. These findings suggest that PFC may not significantly alter the results of meniscal root repair and should not be considered an absolute contraindication for this procedure.

Increased Posterior Tibial Slope Increases Force on the Posterior Medial Meniscus Root.

BACKGROUND: Posterior medial meniscus root (PMMR) tears have been associated with increased posterior tibial slope, but this has not been fully evaluated biomechanically. In addition, the effects of knee flexion and rotation on the PMMR are not well understood biomechanically because of technological testing limitations. A novel multiaxial force sensor has made it possible to elucidate answers to these questions. PURPOSE: (1) To determine if increased posterior tibial slope results in increased posterior shear force and compression on the PMMR, (2) to evaluate how knee flexion angle affects PMMR forces, and (3) to assess how internal and external rotation affects force at the PMMR. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were tested in all combinations of 3 posterior tibial slopes and 4 flexion angles. A multiaxial force sensor was connected to the PMMR and installed below the posterior tibial plateau maintaining anatomic position. The specimen underwent a 500-N compression load followed by a 5-N·m internal torque and a 5-N·m external torque. The magnitude and direction of the forces acting on the PMMR were measured. RESULTS: Under joint compression, an increased tibial slope significantly reduced the tension on the PMMR between 5° and 10° (from 13.5 N to 6.4 N), after which it transitioned to a significant increase in PMMR compression, reaching 7.6 N at 15°. Under internal torque, increased tibial slope resulted in 4.7 N of posterior shear at 5° significantly changed to 2.0 N of anterior shear at 10° and then 8.2 N of anterior shear at 15°. Under external torque, increased tibial slope significantly decreased PMMR compression (5°: 8.9 N; 10°: 4.3 N; 15°: 1.1 N). Under joint compression, increased flexion angle significantly increased medial shear forces of the PMMR (0°, 3.8 N; 30°, 6.2 N; 60°, 7.3 N; 90°, 8.4 N). Under internal torque, 90° of flexion significantly increased PMMR tension from 2.3 N to 7.5 N. Under external torque, 30° of flexion significantly increased PMMR compression from 4.7 N to 12.2 N. CONCLUSION: An increased posterior tibial slope affects compression and anterior shear forces at the PMMR. An increased flexion angle affects compression, tension, and medial shear forces at the PMMR. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The increase in compression and posterior shear force when the knee is loaded in compression may place the PMMR under increased stress and risk potential failure after repair. This study provides clinicians with information to create safer protocols and improve repair techniques to minimize the forces experienced at the PMMR.

Comparison of medial tibiofemoral joint mechanics between all-suture anchors and transtibial pullout technique for posterior medial meniscal root tears.

BACKGROUND: The posterior medial meniscal root tear (PMMRT) seriously impacts the tibiofemoral joint biomechanics. Two available techniques for PMMRT repair include the transtibial pullout (TPO) repair and all-suture anchor (ASA) repair techniques. These techniques have not been compared biomechanically. METHODS: A total of 20 fresh porcine cadaveric knee specimens were used. All 20 knees were randomly and evenly distributed into four groups (five specimens per group): (1) intact posterior meniscal root, (2) PMMRT, (3) TPO repair technique for PMMRT, and (4) ASA repair technique for PMMRT. The tibiofemoral contact mechanics were investigated using a pressure sensor. All knee specimens were tested by being loaded with 600 N axial compressive force at three different flexion angles (0°, 45°, and 90°). The contact surface area, contact pressure, peak pressure, and time-zero displacement were recorded. RESULTS: The PMMRT caused a significant decrease in contact surface area, an increase in contact pressure, and peak pressure from the reference values observed in the intact meniscus group (P = 0.05, 0.016, and 0.008, respectively). After fixation, no significant difference was observed between the ASA and intact group. Meanwhile, significant differences were found between the TPO and intact group in terms of contact surface area, contact pressure, and peak pressure. In the comparison between the two techniques, the ASA group demonstrated higher contact surface area than the TPO group at the average knee flexion angle (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: For most testing conditions, the ASA technique demonstrated superior biomechanical property in terms of contact surface area compared with the TPO technique under compressive loading conditions. The ASA technique could also restore the tibiofemoral contact mechanics to be comparable with those of the native intact knee. Meanwhile, a significant difference in tibiofemoral mechanics, compared with the intact knee, could be observed in the TPO technique.

Comparison of the Microleakages of Four Root-End Filling Materials: An In Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: When a nonsurgical endodontic treatment is ineffective, surgery is necessary. This entails putting a retrofilling to seal the tooth's apex. Exposing the lesion, performing a curettage, exposing the root apex, resecting it, preparing the root end, and lastly filling the cavity with the proper material are all steps in endodontic surgery. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the apical microleakage of four root-end filling materials in cavities prepared using ultrasonic retro tip in in vitro conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro study was conducted on 60 extracted single-rooted teeth and was cut at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). They were biomechanically prepared and obturated. Apical 3 mm root-end resection was done using a diamond disc. Root-end cavities were made using an ultrasonic retro tip. Teeth were separated into four groups and filled with SuperEBA®ï¸ ethoxy-benzoic acid (EBA; Keystone Industries, New Jersey), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine (Septodont, France), and TotalFill Bioceramic Root Repair Material (BC RRM; FKG Dentaire Sàrl, Switzerland). The samples were kept in methylene blue dye and split longitudinally. The degree of dye penetration was observed under a stereomicroscope and scored. Finally, the results were analyzed. RESULTS: TotalFill BC RRM and Biodentine showed the least apical microleakage (p <0.05). Group 1 samples had the highest mean microleakage, followed by Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 samples. CONCLUSION: All of the sample groups showed some evidence of microleakage, but not all of the samples showed leaking. SuperEBA (Group 1) demonstrated the highest microleakage when compared to the other groups.