Degenerative Cervical Disorder-Stand-alone Cage Versus Cage and Cervical Plate: A Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes following discectomy and anterior cervical fusion for the treatment of cervical degenerative disorder performed with stand-alone cages and anterior cervical plates. METHODS: Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews databases, according to PRISMA guidelines, with no language or date restriction. The review was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42018109180. RESULTS: Six randomized clinical trials were selected, which evaluated at least one of the objectives of this work, such as pain control, bone consolidation, neurological symptoms, and cervical lordosis, thus satisfying the inclusion criteria. Articles that did not directly compare the 2 surgical techniques were excluded. A total of 309 patients were included and the results showed no significant difference in clinical (visual analogue scale and neck disability index) or radiological (cervical lordosis and fusion) outcome between the 2 groups. The operative time was shorter in the group with stand-alone cages (mean difference = -18.40; 95% CI = [-24.89, -11.92]; P < .66). CONCLUSION: The stand-alone cages and anterior cervical plate techniques have similar clinical and radiological outcomes. Despite the significantly shorter operative time for one group, other randomized clinical trials are needed to establish conclusive evidence in favor of one of the comparative treatments.

Evidências do efeito da terapia fotodinâmica sobre a Propionibacterium acnes / Evidence of the effect of photodynamic therapy on Propionibacterium acnes

Introdução: A Propionibacterium acnes é uma bactéria causadora da acne. Devido aos efeitos colaterais ou à falta de resposta ao tratamento da acne, foi proposta a terapia fotodinâmica como um tratamento alternativo para a acne. Objetivo: O objetivo foi evidenciar a ação fotodinâmica do LED vermelho 660 nm e do fotossensibilizador azul de metileno sobre Propionibacterium acnes in vitro. Métodos: Os ensaios foram constituídos por quatro grupos: 1. controle (sem aplicação de luz e sem fotossensibilizador); 2. com aplicação de luz; 3. com fotossensibilizador e sem aplicação de luz; 4. com fotossensibilizador e com aplicação de luz. Os ensaios foram submetidos a aplicação de luz por 4 ciclos de 5 minutos com intervalos de 3 minutos. Resultados: Houve redução estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) nas médias dos grupos 1, 2 e 4, ainda que o grupo 3 não tenha apresentado significância estatística, mas houve redução detectada nas médias. Conclusão: A ação fotodinâmica é eficiente para a destruição do material biológico por irradiação a 660nm atribuída ao processo de fotossensibilização pela presença do fotossensibilizador.(AU)

Introduction: Propionibacterium acnes is a bacterium that causes acne. Due to the side effects or the lack of response to acne treatment, photodynamic therapy was proposed as an alternative treatment for acne. Objective: To demonstrate the photodynamic action of the 660 nm red LED and the methylene blue photosensitizer on Propionibacterium acnes in vitro. Methods: Four groups were studied: 1. control (without light application and without photosensitizer); 2. with light application; 3. with photosensitizer and without light application; 4. with photosensitizer and light application. The assays were subjected to light application for 4 cycles of 5 minutes at 3 minute intervals. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction (p <0.05) in the means of groups 1, 2 and 4, although group 3 did not present statistical significance, but there was a reduction detected in the means. Conclusion: The photodynamic action is efficient for the destruction of the biological material by irradiation at 660nm attributed to the process of photosensitization by the presence of the photosensitizer.(AU)

Neurorrhaphy techniques: comparative stereological and experimental axonal study / Técnicas de neurorrafia: estudio experimental estereológico axonal comparativo

There is a great variety of injuries that affect peripheral nerves derived from acquired or congenital degenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system that cause loss of sensorimotor functions. The objective of this work was to perform an end-to-side or side-to-side experimental axonal stereological study in order to compare volume density of axons, endouneuro and myelin sheath (and muscle mass) in peroneal and tibial nerves, with anastomosis contact from 0.25 cm to 0.50 cm. After approval of the Ethics Committe, 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each (G1= end-to-side neurorrhaphy; G2= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0.25 cm; G3= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0 cm and G4= Control of normality). After 180 days, fragments of peroneal and tibial nerves were collected for histological and stereological study. In comparative stereological experimental study between neurorraphies, the volume density of axons, myelin sheath of tibial and fibular nerves, as well as the post-surgical muscle mass, remains the same in end-to-side and side-to-side neurorraphies, regardless of contact area of anastomosis. It can be inferred, as surgical repair options, both end-to-side neurorrhaphy to recover and prevents atrophy of the endplate as side-to-side neurorraphy that is independent of the distance between the nerve stumps.

Gran variedad de lesiones atingen a los nervios periféricos, derivadas de enfermedades adquiridas o degenerativas congénitas que afectan la parte central del sistema nervioso y que ocasionan pérdida de funciones sensoriomotoras. El objetivo de ese trabajo fue realizar un estudio experimental estereológico axonal post neurorrafias termino-lateral o latero-lateral para comparar densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina (así como masa muscular) en nervios fibular y tibial, con unión de contacto entre 0,25 cm y 0,50 cm. Tras la aprobación del comité de ética, fueran utilizados 20 ratones machos de la raza Wistar divididos en cuatro grupos de 5 ratones cada uno (G1= Neurorrafia término lateral; G2= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,25 cm; G3= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,50 cm y G4= Control). Posteriormente, fragmentos de los nervios tibiales y fibulares fueron procesados para estudios histológicos y estereológicos. En el estudio experimental estereológico comparativo entre neurorrafias termino-lateral y latero-lateral, la densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina de nervios tibial y fibular y también la masa muscular post quirúrgica se mantuvo equitativa, independientemente del área de unión de contacto. Podemos inferir como opciones de reparación quirúrgica, que el tratamiento de la neurorrafia termino-lateral y latero-lateral previnen la atrofia de placa motora, independiente de la distancia entre los muñones nerviosos.