Comparison of Subungual Glomus Tumours in Terms of Nail Aesthetics and Recurrence According to Size and Location in the Germinal or Sterile Matrix.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effect of subungual glomus tumour size and localization in the germinal or sterile matrix on tumour recurrence and aesthetic outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 35 patients who underwent surgery for a subungual glomus tumour between February 2013 and February 2020, 26 patients - 17 women and 9 men - with 27 subungual glomus tumours fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The average age was 37.3 (22-58) years. According to the patients' surgical notes and preoperative magnetic resonance images 14 tumours were located in the sterile, 13 in the germinal matrix, and the mean size of the glomus tumours located in the germinal matrix was 4.9±1.7 mm, in the sterile matrix 3.6±1.0 mm. At the postoperative 12th month follow-up visit nail aesthetic was evaluated objectively according to Zook's fingernail appearance scoring. In addition, patients were asked to evaluate the pain and nail appearance in the involved finger by VAS (Visual Analog Scale 0-10). Patients who experienced recurrence were noted. RESULTS: No significant Zook's fingernail appearance score differences were observed between germinal and sterile matrix groups (p=0.097). Comparison of VAS score for pain and VAS score for nail appearance between the two groups also yielded similar values (p=0.449 and 0.395, respectively). The recurrence rate was similar at both locations (p=0.557) with 3 recurrences in the germinal, and 2 in the sterile matrix group. There was no relation between tumour size, Zook's fingernail appearance score (p=0.874) and recurrence (p=0.784). The observed germinal matrix glomus tumours were significantly larger than the sterile matrix tumours (p=0.031). CONCLUSION: Neither subungual glomus tumour size nor localization in the germinal or sterile matrices has different effects on nail appearance and recurrence.

In vitro release and In vivo biocompatibility studies of biomimetic multilayered alginate-chitosan/ß-TCP scaffold for osteochondral tissue.

Biomimetic three-layered monolithic scaffold (TLS) intended for the treatment of osteocondral defects was prepared by using alginate, chitosan and ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) to study drug release behavior of the alternative drug delivery system and to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the scaffold. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex) as a model drug was incorporated into the scaffold by solvent sorption method and in vitro release studies were conducted. In addition, the scaffold was implanted into the defects formed in the trochlea of Sprague-Dawley rats to assess the healing potential of the TLS on the osteochondral defect against reference Maioregen® comparatively. The release studies showed that after an initial burst at 3rd h, dexamethasone is released slowly during a 72-h period. In vivo studies indicated that the TLS has good tissue biocompatibility and biodegradation rate and showed better results during osteochondral healing process compared to the reference. All results demonstrated that the alginate-chitosan/ß-TCP scaffold could be evaluated as a good candidate for osteochondral tissue applications.

Comparison of switch-therapy modalities (enoxaparin to rivaroxaban/dabigatran) and enoxaparin monotherapy after hip and knee replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and associated pulmonary embolism following major orthopedic surgeries is challenging, and there is an increased interest in developing new treatment strategies. We compared 2 switch-therapy modalities-enoxaparin to rivaroxaban and enoxaparin to dabigatran-and enoxaparin monotherapy for preventing DVT after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: This was a prospective, non-blinded, randomized controlled study. We selected 180 eligible patients out of 247 patients undergoing TKA or THA. During the preoperative checkup, patients were randomized to receive either enoxaparin (enoxaparin group) or switch-therapy regimens, comprising enoxaparin during hospitalization and rivaroxaban (rivaroxaban group) or dabigatran (dabigatran group) during the outpatient period. All patients were evaluated for DVT using Doppler ultrasonography (USG) 6 weeks postoperatively. The primary efficacy outcome was the prevention of symptomatic or Doppler ultrasonography (USG)-proven DVT, whereas the primary safety outcome was the incidence of bleeding during the DVT-prophylaxis period. RESULTS: Doppler USG at 6 weeks after surgery revealed no signs of DVT in any patient. During the hospitalization period, only 2 major bleeding events were reported (1 [1.6%] in the enoxaparin group and 1 [1.6%] in the dabigatran group). No major bleeding events were reported during the outpatient follow-up period in any group. Differences among the 3 groups regarding bleeding events were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: When using switch-therapy modalities, clinicians can take advantage of the safety of enoxaparin during the hospitalization period and ease of use of new oral anticoagulant drugs during the outpatient period.

Missed isolated posterior malleolar fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the injury mechanism and clinical and radiological results of the patients with isolated posterior malleolar fracture. METHODS: Seven patients (5 male, 2 female; mean age: 32 years; range: 23-40) with a missed isolated posterior malleolar fracture were included in the study. All patients had initially been examined for an ankle sprain in the emergency room, where the initial plain radiographs did not show any abnormality. Due to the long lasting symptoms all patients underwent an MRI scan by the 3rd week which revealed a posterior malleolar fracture. Patients were treated with an ankle brace for 3 weeks. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Bone healing and degenerative changes were evaluated with plain Radiographs, including a 50° external rotation lateral. Clinical outcome was evaluated with American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale. RESULTS: Fracture healing was seen in 6 of the 7 patients by the 6th week. There was no radiographic healing by 6th month in the remaining patient. Mean AOFAS ankle hindfoot scores at the beginning of the treatment and at 3rd month were 20 (11-31) and 86 (43-96), respectively. There was no instability or degenerative changes at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Isolated posterior malleolar fracture should be kept in mind in patients who present with pain at the posterior part of the ankle following a forced plantar flexion and/or axial compression injury. A 50° external rotation lateral radiograph can be useful in detecting the fracture.

Minimally invasive osteosynthesis of adult tibia fractures by means of rigid fixation with anatomic locked plates.

Main principle of biological fixation by minimally invasive locked plate osteosynthesis (MILPO) in lower extremity long bone fractures is relative stability which is provided by using long plate with limited number of screws. Some biomechanical studies have been reported about this issue. However, clinical studies are still missing. The aims of this retrospective extended case series were to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of adult tibia fractures treated by MILPO and the effect of plate length and screw density on complication rates. Twenty tibia fractures in 19 patients (mean age 42.3 years) operated by MILPO were reviewed. According to the AO classification, diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures without intraarticular extensions were simple and wedge-type fractures, whereas all intraarticular fractures were comminuted. Number of screws, cortices and empty screw holes proximal and distal to the fracture, plate-span ratio (plate length divided by overall fracture length), plate-screw density (number of inserted screws divided by number of plate holes), fixation failures, delayed or nonunion, malalignment and leg length discrepancy were documented. Mean follow-up was 16 (range 12-26) months. On average, 4 screws with 6 cortices were used both proximally and distally in all fractures. Only in diaphyseal fractures, one screw hole close to the fracture was omitted. Average plate-screw density and plate-span ratio were 0.68 and 4, respectively. Mean union time was 3 months. There were no cases of delayed or nonunion on the final follow-up. Plate bending was observed in one patient who had fair result. The remaining 18 (94.8 %) patients showed good and excellent results. Satisfactory results can be achieved despite low plate-span ratio and high plate-screw density in simple and wedge-type diaphyseal fractures of the tibia. Additionally, plate-screw density can be higher at metaphysis in intraarticular fractures, in which essential point is a perfectly stable fixation that provides early motion.

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation for a large chondral defect in a professional football player: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation is a well-known procedure for the treatment of cartilage defects, which aims to establish a regenerative milieu and restore hyaline cartilage. However, much less is known about third-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation application in high-level athletes. We report on the two-year follow-up outcome after matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation to treat a large cartilage lesion of the lateral femoral condyle in a male Caucasian professional football player. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old male Caucasian professional football player was previously treated for cartilage problems of his left knee with two failed microfracture procedures resulting in a 9 cm2 Outerbridge Grade 4 chondral lesion at his lateral femoral condyle. Preoperative Tegner-Lysholm and Brittberg-Peterson scores were 64 and 58, and by the second year they were 91 and 6. An evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated filling of the defect with the signal intensity of the repair tissue resembling healthy cartilage. Second-look arthroscopy revealed robust, smooth cartilage covering his lateral femoral condyle. He returned to his former competitive level without restrictions or complaints one year after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that robust cartilage tissue can be obtained with a matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure even after two failed microfracture procedures in a large (9 cm2) cartilage defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the application of the third-generation cell therapy treatment technique, matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation, in a professional football player.