Strategies in the Management of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Involving Aberrant Right Hepatic Artery Arising From the Superior Mesenteric Artery.

Introduction The prevailing guidelines do not include the involvement of an aberrant right hepatic artery (aRHA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery in classifying borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BR PDAC). Our novel classification aims to distinguish different entities depending on the location and degree of tumor involvement of aRHA and propose a strategy to manage tumor involvement of aRHA in PDAC. Material and methods The patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) from September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, and patients with aRHA were included in the study. Depending on the radiological data, arterial involvement of the aRHA was classified into group I with proximal involvement of the aRHA up to 2 cm from its origin in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and group II with distal involvement of aRHA beyond 2 cm from its origin in SMA. In addition, the resection margin status was correlated with the technique employed for managing the tumor-involved artery. Results A total of 122 patients underwent PD during the study period. Eight patients were identified to have tumor involvement of the aRHA arising from the SMA. Among the five patients in group I, three patients who had upfront surgery showed R1 resection regardless of periarterial divestment or resection/reconstruction of the involved artery, whereas R0 resection was achieved in the two patients who had neoadjuvant therapy. All patients in group II had R0 resection regardless of receiving neoadjuvant therapy. There were no significant morbidity and mortality in our series. Conclusion The aRHA should be considered in the classification of BR PDAC. Management strategies should be tailored based on the location and the degree of tumor involvement in the aRHA. We advocate neoadjuvant therapy for proximal involvement and upfront surgery for distal involvement of aRHA to achieve good oncological clearance.

Changes in the tumor necrosis factor-α level after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients with a hip fracture / Alterações no nível de TNF-α após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em idosos com fratura de quadril

Abstract Background and objectives: An ultrasound guided femoral nerve block is an established analgesic method in patients with a hip fracture. Elevated cytokine levels correlate with poor patient outcomes after surgery. Hence, the aim of the study was to describe the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients having a femoral neck fracture. Methods: A total of 32 patients were allocated into two treatment groups: 16 patients (femoral nerve block group; ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block with up to 20 mL of 0.3 mL.kg−1 of 0.5% bupivacaine and intravenous tramadol) and 16 patients (standard management group; up to 3 mL of 0.9% saline in the femoral sheath and intravenous tramadol). Tumor necrosis factor-α and visual analogue scale scores were evaluated immediately before the femoral nerve block and again at 4, 24, and 48 h after the femoral nerve block. All surgery was performed electively after 48 h of femoral nerve block. Results: The femoral nerve block group had a significantly lower mean tumor necrosis factor-α level at 24 (4.60 vs. 8.14, p < 0.001) and 48 h (5.05 vs. 8.56, p < 0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. The femoral nerve block group showed a significantly lower mean visual analogue scale score at 4 (3.63 vs. 7.06, p < 0.001) and 24 h (4.50 vs. 5.75, p < 0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 0.3 mL.kg−1 of 0.5% bupivacaine up to a maximum of 20 mL resulted in a significant lower tumor necrosis factor-α level.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom é um método analgésico estabelecido em pacientes com fratura de quadril. Níveis elevados de citocinas estão correlacionados com resultados desfavoráveis para o paciente após a cirurgia. Portanto, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever os níveis do fator de necrose tumoral alfa após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em pacientes idosos com fratura do colo de fêmur. Métodos: No total, 32 pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos de tratamento: 16 pacientes (grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral; bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom com até 20 mL de bupivacaína a 0,5% (0,3 mL.kg−1) e tramadol intravenoso) e 16 pacientes (grupo tratamento padrão, até 3 mL de solução salina a 0,9% na bainha femoral e tramadol intravenoso). Os escores do fator de necrose tumoral alfa e da Escala Visual Analógica foram avaliados imediatamente antes do bloqueio do nervo femoral e novamente em 4, 24 e 48 horas pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral. Todas as cirurgias foram realizadas de forma eletiva após 48 horas de bloqueio do nervo femoral. Resultados: O grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral teve um nível médio de fator de necrose tumoral alfa significativamente menor em 24 (4,60 vs. 8,14, p < 0,001) e 48 horas (5,05 vs. 8,56, p < 0,001) pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral, comparado com o grupo tratamento padrão. O grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral apresentou uma média significativamente menor no escore da Escala Visual Analógica em 4 (3,63 vs. 7,06, p < 0,001) e 24 horas (4,50 vs. 5,75, p < 0,001) pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral, em comparação com o grupo tratamento padrão. Conclusões: O bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom utilizando 0,3 mL.kg−1 de bupivacaína a 0,5% até o máximo de 20 mL resultou em um nível significativamente menor de fator de necrose tumoral alfa.

Bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder: a case report / Condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral do ombro: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Synovial chondromatosis is a benign arthropathy rarely seen in diarthrodial joints. Extra-articular bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder is the rarest variety. The diagnosis is established with the help of imaging modalities and histopathological examinations. This report describes a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with symmetrical, progressively increasing swelling over the bilateral shoulder region, of 12-18 months duration, with dull ache and restricted movements of the shoulder joints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) revealed large bilateral subacromial-subdeltoid bursal swelling with loose floating bodies. Surgical excision of extensive bilateral bursa was performed at four weeks of interval. Histopathological examination revealed synovial chondromatosis on either side. Postoperative recovery occurred without complications.

RESUMO A condromatose sinovial é uma artropatia benigna raramente vista em articulações diartrodiais. A condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral extra-articular do ombro é a variedade mais rara. O diagnóstico é estabelecido com a ajuda de exames de imagem e histopatológicos. Este relato descreve o caso de uma paciente de 39 anos, com aumento de volume progressivo simétrico sobre a região bilateral do ombro com 12-18 meses de duração com dor entorpecido e limitação dos movimentos das articulações do ombro. A ressonância magnética e a ultrassonografia revelaram um grande aumento de volume da bursa subacromial subdeltoidea bilateral com corpos livres flutuantes. A excisão cirúrgica extensa da bursa bilateral foi feita com quatro semanas de intervalo. O exame histopatológico revelou condromatose sinovial em ambos os lados. A recuperação pós-operatória transcorreu sem complicações.

Bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder: a case report.

Synovial chondromatosis is a benign arthropathy rarely seen in diarthrodial joints. Extra-articular bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder is the rarest variety. The diagnosis is established with the help of imaging modalities and histopathological examinations. This report describes a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with symmetrical, progressively increasing swelling over the bilateral shoulder region, of 12-18 months duration, with dull ache and restricted movements of the shoulder joints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) revealed large bilateral subacromial-subdeltoid bursal swelling with loose floating bodies. Surgical excision of extensive bilateral bursa was performed at four weeks of interval. Histopathological examination revealed synovial chondromatosis on either side. Postoperative recovery occurred without complications.

A condromatose sinovial é uma artropatia benigna raramente vista em articulações diartrodiais. A condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral extra-articular do ombro é a variedade mais rara. O diagnóstico é estabelecido com a ajuda de exames de imagem e histopatológicos. Este relato descreve o caso de uma paciente de 39 anos de idade, com aumento de volume progressivo simétrico sobre a região bilateral do ombro com 12-18 meses de duração com dor entorpecido e limitação dos movimentos das articulações do ombro. A ressonância magnética e a ultrassonografia revelaram um grande aumento de volume da bursa subacromial subdeltoidea bilateral com corpos livres flutuantes. A excisão cirúrgica extensa da bursa bilateral foi realizada com quatro semanas de intervalo. O exame histopatológico revelou condromatose sinovial em ambos os lados. A recuperação pós-operatória transcorreu sem complicações.

[Changes in the tumor necrosis factor-α level after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients with a hip fracture]. / Alterações no nível de TNF­α após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em idosos com fratura de quadril.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An ultrasound guided femoral nerve block is an established analgesic method in patients with a hip fracture. Elevated cytokine levels correlate with poor patient outcomes after surgery. Hence, the aim of the study was to describe the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients having a femoral neck fracture. METHODS: A total of 32 patients were allocated into two treatment groups: 16 patients (femoral nerve block group; ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block with up to 20mL of 0.3mL.kg-1 of 0.5% bupivacaine and intravenous tramadol) and 16 patients (standard management group; up to 3mL of 0.9% saline in the femoral sheath and intravenous tramadol). Tumor necrosis factor-α and visual analogue scale scores were evaluated immediately before the femoral nerve block and again at 4, 24, and 48h after the femoral nerve block. All surgery was performed electively after 48h of femoral nerve block. RESULTS: The femoral nerve block group had a significantly lower mean tumor necrosis factor-α level at 24 (4.60 vs. 8.14, p<0.001) and 48h (5.05 vs. 8.56, p<0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. The femoral nerve block group showed a significantly lower mean visual analogue scale score at 4 (3.63 vs. 7.06, p<0.001) and 24h (4.50 vs. 5.75, p<0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 0.3mL.kg-1 of 0.5% bupivacaine up to a maximum of 20mL resulted in a significant lower tumor necrosis factor-α level.

Tribological changes in the articular cartilage of a human femoral head with avascular necrosis.

The present study evaluated the tribological properties of the articular cartilage surface of the human femoral head with postcollapse stage avascular necrosis (AVN) using atomic force microscopy. The cartilage surface in the postcollapse stage AVN of the femoral head was reported to resemble those of disuse conditions, which suggests that the damage could be reversible and offers the possibilities of success of head-sparing surgeries. By comparing the tribological properties of articular cartilage in AVN with that of osteoarthritis, the authors intended to understand the cartilage degeneration mechanism and reversibility of AVN. Human femoral heads with AVN were explanted from the hip replacement surgery of four patients (60-83 years old). Nine cylindrical cartilage samples (diameter, 5 mm and height, 0.5 mm) were sectioned from the weight-bearing areas of the femoral head with AVN, and the cartilage surface was classified according to the Outerbridge Classification System (AVN0, normal; AVN1, softening and swelling; and AVN2, partial thickness defect and fissuring). Tribological properties including surface roughness and frictional coefficients and histochemistry including Safranin O and lubricin staining were compared among the three groups. The mean surface roughness Rq values of AVN cartilage increased significantly with increasing Outerbridge stages: Rq = 137 ± 26 nm in AVN0, Rq = 274 ± 49 nm in AVN1, and Rq = 452 ± 77 nm in AVN2. Significant differences in Rq were observed among different Outerbridge stages in all cases (p < 0.0001). The frictional coefficients (µ) also increased with increasing Outerbridge stages. The frictional coefficient values were µ = 0.115 ± 0.034 in AVN0, µ = 0.143 ± 0.025 in AVN1, and µ = 0.171 ± 0.039 in AVN2. Similarly to the statistical analysis of surface roughness, significant statistical differences were detected between different Outerbridge stages in all cases (p < 0.05). Both surface roughness and frictional coefficient of cartilage, which were linearly correlated, increased with increasing Outerbridge stages in postcollapse AVN. The underlying mechanism of these results can be related to proteoglycan loss within the articular cartilage that is also observed in osteoarthritis. With regard to the tribological properties, the cartilage degeneration mechanism in AVN was similar to that of osteoarthritis without reversibility.

Less invasive stabilization system for the management of proximal tibia fractures.

BACKGROUND: Proximal tibia fractures are difficult to treat especially when soft tissues are compromised by conventional open reduction and internal fixation with high complication rates. Many methods have been tried to manage these fractures. Less invasive stabilization system (LISS) is the latest technology applied for these injuries. This report presents clinical results of the LISS for the treatment of complex proximal tibia fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2007 to May 2010, total of 35 cases of the proximal tibia fractures (19 AO type 41A, 11 type 41B and five AO type 41C) were treated with the LISS technique. Clinical and radiological evaluation was done at 6, 10, 14, 20, 24 weeks and 9, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.17 years (range 20-73 years); male patients were 21 and female 14. The mean follow-up time was 31.42 months (range 21-42 months). The patients were evaluated using Knee Society scores, and the mean score was 92.11 (range 84-100); the mean full weight bearing time was 15.8 weeks (range 12-22), and union time was 25.17 weeks (range 20-29). Superficial infections and slight mal-alignment were seen on five patients each. CONCLUSION: The less invasive stabilization internal fixator system can be used successfully to treat complex proximal tibia fractures with minimal complications. It can be an alternative method for the treatment of the proximal tibia fractures.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for distal tibial fractures.

PURPOSE: To review the outcomes of 53 patients who underwent minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for distal tibial fractures. METHODS: Medical records of 31 men and 22 women aged 22 to 78 (mean, 51) years who underwent MIPO using a locking compression plate for distal tibial fractures of the left (n=28) and right (n=25) legs with or without intra-articular extension were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a mean of 26 (range, 24-38) months. The mean time from injury to surgery was 9 (range, 3-12) days. The mean operating time was 105 (range, 75-180) minutes. The mean hospital stay was 16 (range, 8-25) days. Non-weight bearing walking with a crutch was started after a mean of 5.7 (range, 3-9) days. The mean time to callus formation was 12 (range, 8-15) weeks. The mean time to full weight bearing was 15 (range, 8-22) weeks. The mean time to bone union was 25 (range, 20-30) weeks. All except 2 fractures united anatomically. At 10 months, the range of motion of the ankle joint in all patients was similar to the contralateral side. Two patients had malunion but this was not clinically significant. Five patients had superficial infection, and 2 patients had persistent pain. CONCLUSION: MIPO is effective for closed, unstable fractures of the distal tibia. It reduces surgical trauma and preserves fracture haematoma.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in the treatment of isolated ulnar bone fractures.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive internal fixation is also called "biological internal fixation". This concept is used widely in the treatment of various fractures but to date, there have been no report about such application in the repair of isolated ulnar bone fractures. METHODS: Eleven patients with fracture of isolated ulnar bone (four AO type 22A11 and seven AO type 22A12), mean age 43.16 (range, 24- 59y), were treated using closed reduction and locking compression plate with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with the aim of minimising soft tissue damage. RESULTS: Fractures healed at an average of 7.8 weeks with good to excellent clinical outcomes. There were no complications such as nonunion, implant failure or neurovascular injuries. CONCLUSIONS: MIPO seems to be advantageous for soft tissue and bone biology. Good union was seen and fracture complications were also prevented by early mobilisation. KEY WORDS: Locking compression plate (LCP), closed reduction, isolated ulnar bone fracture, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO).