Development of a New Therapy-Oriented Classification of Intervertebral Vacuum Phenomenon With Evaluation of Intra- and Interobserver Reliabilities.

STUDY DESIGN: Diagnostic study, level of evidence III. OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is a common cause of disability among elderly patients. Percutaneous discoplasty has been developed as a tool to treat degenerative disease when conservative management is not successful. Indications for this procedure include low back pain and the presence of vacuum phenomenon. The objective of this study was to describe a new classification of vacuum phenomenon based on computed tomography scan in order to improve the indications for percutaneous discoplasty. METHODS: We developed a classification of vacuum phenomenon based on computed tomography scan images. We describe 3 types of vacuum based on the relationship between vacuum and the superior/inferior endplates and 2 subtypes based on the presence of significant subchondral sclerosis. A validation study was conducted selecting 10 orthopedic residents with spine surgery training to analyze 25 vacuum scenarios. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities were assessed through the Fleiss's and Cohen's kappa statistics, respectively. RESULTS: The overall Fleiss's κ value for interobserver reliability was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82-0.86) in the first reading and 0.93 (95% CI 0.92-0.95) in the second reading. Cohen's κ for intraobserver reliability was 0.88 (95% CI 0.77-0.99). CONCLUSION: The new classification has shown almost perfect inter- and intraobserver reliabilities for grading the vacuum phenomenon and could be an important tool to improve the indications for percutaneous cement discoplasty.

Colgajo de perforante de la arteria tibial posterior: Serie de casos / Posterior tibial artery perforator flap. Case series

Introducción: Los defectos de cobertura en la pierna son un problema difícil de solucionar debido a las características propias de la región anatómica. Por ello, se han desarrollado distintas estrategias de reconstrucción, y los colgajos de perforante fasciocutáneos son los que se utilizan con más frecuencia. Objetivos: Presentar la alternativa terapéutica, describir la técnica quirúrgica, los resultados y las complicaciones del colgajo de perforante de la arteria tibial posterior para el tratamiento de defectos de cobertura en la pierna. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de los pacientes tratados con colgajo fasciocutáneo en la pierna y operados en nuestro Centro. Se analizaron variables demográficas preoperatorias. Se describen la técnica quirúrgica y las indicaciones en cada paciente. Se analizaron variables posoperatorias, como las complicaciones y la supervivencia del colgajo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 12 hombres tratados con colgajo de perforante de la arteria tibial posterior. El promedio de edad en el momento de la cirugía fue de 52 años (rango 29-77). El seguimiento máximo fue de 55 meses y el mínimo, de 5 meses (promedio 18). Hubo dos colgajos con sufrimiento transitorio, una falla parcial y una falla total. Conclusiones: El colgajo de perforante de la arteria tibial posterior ha de ser considerado una opción válida en el tratamiento de heridas de pequeño y mediano tamaño de la pierna. Provee de tejido similar en grosor, textura y color en el sitio receptor con buenos resultados clínicos y estéticos. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Coverage defects in the leg are a challenge due to the particulars of the anatomy in said area, different reconstruction strategies have been developed, being the fasciocutaneous perforator flaps the most frequently used. The aim of this paper is to discuss the therapeutic alternative and to describe the surgical technique, the results and the complications of the posterior tibial artery perforator flap (PTAPF) to treat coverage defects. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated with a fasciocutaneous flap. We analyzed preoperative demographic variables. The surgical technique and the indications in each patient are described. Finally, the postoperative variables, such as complications and flap survival, were analyzed. Results: Twelve patients (all male) treated with PTAPF were included. The average age at the time of surgery was 52 years (range: 29-77 years). The maximum follow-up was 55 months, with a minimum of 5 months (average: 18 months). There were two flaps with transient congestion that reverted spontaneously: one partial failure and one total failure. Conclusions: PTAPF should be considered a viable option for the treatment of small- and medium-sized leg wounds, since they provide similar tissue thickness, texture and color on the recipient site, achieving good clinical and cosmetic results. Level of Evidence: IV

Colgajo de recto anterior del abdomen para el tratamiento de los defectos de cobertura lumbosacros / Rectus abdominis flap for the treatment of lumbosacral coverage defects

Introducción: El principio de tratamiento de los defectos de cobertura lumbosacros se basa en el manejo del espacio muerto y la cobertura del defecto. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar la técnica quirúrgica, los resultados y las complicaciones de una serie de pacientes tratados con colgajo de recto anterior para defecto lumbosacro. Materiales y Métodos: Se efectuó una revisión retrospectiva durante un período de seis años. Se analizaron variables demográficas preoperatorias. Se describen la técnica quirúrgica y las complicaciones intraoperatorias. Se analizaron las variables posoperatorias, como complicaciones del sitio donante, complicaciones del sitio receptor y duración del colgajo. Resultados: Cinco pacientes cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión (edad promedio 50 años): cuatro con tumor sacro y una paciente con osteomielitis lumbosacra. El seguimiento promedio fue de 20 meses. El tamaño promedio de la pastilla cutánea fue de 8 x 13 cm. Entre las complicaciones, se registró una lesión del pedículo intraoperatoria (reparación microquirúrgica) y el óbito de un paciente. Se evidenció una infección con dehiscencia de la herida como complicación posoperatoria. No hubo complicaciones vasculares posoperatorias en los colgajos y todos permanecieron vitales durante el seguimiento. Conclusión: El colgajo de recto anterior ha de ser considerado una opción válida en el tratamiento de heridas con grandes defectos de partes blandas a nivel lumbosacro. Provee de suficiente volumen de piel y tejido muscular para la cobertura de dichos defectos. La técnica es relativamente sencilla sin necesidad de procedimiento microquirúrgico. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Treatment of soft tissue lumbosacral defects is based on dead space management and defect coverage. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique, results and complications of patients who underwent rectus abdominis flap for lumbosacral defects coverage. Methods: A six-year retrospective review was performed. Demographic characteristics are analyzed. Surgical technique and intra-operative complications are described. Postoperative variables, such as donor site complications, recipient site complications, and flap survival were also reported. Results: Five patients met the inclusion criteria (average age, 50 years). Four patients presented sacral tumor diagnosis and one patient had lumbosacral osteomyelitis. Mean follow-up was 20 months. Flap average size was 8 x 13 cm. Intraoperative complications were one pedicle injury (microsurgical repair) and the death of a patient. Regarding postoperative complications, one wound dehiscence was reported. None of the flaps suffered vascular complications and all remained vital throughout follow-up. Conclusion: Rectus abdominis flap should be considered a valid option in the management of large soft tissue lumbosacral defects. This flap provides sufficient skin volume and muscular tissue. Surgical technique is relatively simple with no need for microsurgical procedure. Level of Evidence: IV

Refractory actinomycosis of the humerus.

Actinomycosis is a chronic, opportunistic infection caused by Actinomyces species, such as Actinomyces bacillus. Actinomycosis in long bones is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, isolated primary actinomycosis of the humerus is rarely reported in literature. We present a rare case of a refractory primary actinomycosis of the humerus. A 66-year-old man with no history of concomitant conditions was admitted to our hospital with a history of a tumour on the distal third of the left arm as a result of a closed trauma without fracture 20 years before. Pathological anatomy samples showed the presence of Actinomyces. Cultures were subjected to a prolonged incubation of 21 days under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and were always negative. He underwent several surgical procedures and received long-term antibiotic therapy with poor outcome. Primary actinomycosis in long bones is uncommon. Diagnosis may be challenging: considering the small number of case studies reported in the literature, symptoms are not specific, and the organism is difficult to isolate. Antibiotic treatment may not be sufficient to improve the clinical condition, and surgical alternatives should be considered.

Tratamiento artroscópico de fractura de platillo tibial en una paciente embarazada. Actualización / Arthroscopic treatment of pregnant patients with tibial plateau fractures

En el manejo de pacientes embarazadas con fracturas se debe tener en cuenta no solo la vida de la madre sino del feto. Los cambios anatómicos y los cambios fisiológicos en el embarazo aumentan la complejidad del tratamiento. Presentamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 29 años cursando embarazo de 34 semanas quien presenta fractura del platillo tibial de su rodilla derecha Schatzker tipo 2 (AO 41 B3) tratada mediante reducción y osteosíntesis bajo asistencia artroscópica. Describimos un decálogo de tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes embarazadas en el cual mencionamos los puntos esenciales a tener en cuenta al momento de planificar el tratamiento definitivo. Destacamos puntos como el posicionamiento de la paciente, la profilaxis antibiótica, el tipo de anestesia, la radiación tolerable y la tromboprofilaxis. El trabajo con un equipo médico multidisciplinario hizo posible realizar la cirugía controlando en forma segura a la paciente y el feto. La asistencia artroscópica permite tener visión directa de la superficie articular disminuyendo al mínimo la irradiación y logrando una reducción anatómica. Tipo de estudio: Reporte de caso. Nivel de evidencia: IV.

In the management of pregnant patients with fractures, both, the mother and the fetus risk of life must be taken into account. Anatomical and physiological changes in pregnancy increase the complexity of the treatment. We present the case of a 29-year-old female ongoing a 34-week pregnancy period. She presented tibial plateau fracture of her right knee classified as Schatzker type 2 (AO 41 B3). Treatment was done by reduction and osteosynthesis under arthroscopic assistance. We describe a decalogue of surgical treatment in pregnant patients in which we mention the essential points to take into account when planning the definitive treatment. We highlight points such as positioning of the patient, antibiotic prophylaxis, type of anesthesia, tolerable radiation and thromboprophylaxis. A safe surgical procedure with an optimal control of the patient and the fetus was possible by working with a multidisciplinary medical team. Arthroscopic assistance allows direct vision of the articular surface, minimizing irradiation and achieving anatomical reduction. Type of study: Case report. Level of evidence: IV.

Osteosintesis directa para tratar la espondilolistesis traumatica del axis. Reporte de un caso y revision bibliografica / Direct osteosynthesis to treat traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis. Case report and literature review

La espondilolistesis traumática del axis representa un 5% de las fracturas cervicales y es definida por una fractura de la pars interarticularis de la segunda vértebra cervical. El mecanismo de esta fractura, en general, implica fuerzas de hiperextensión. Los aspectos más importantes relacionados con el pronóstico y tratamiento son el compromiso discal C2-C3, el compromiso neurológico y la presencia de luxación facetaria. En relación con los tratamientos conservador o quirúrgico en patrones no desplazados, la cirugía podría determinar una recuperación precoz. Por otro lado, se han descrito buenos resultados con el uso del halo chaleco. Se presenta un caso de espondilolistesis traumática del axis tratado con osteosíntesis directa a través de un abordaje posterior en un paciente que rechazó el tratamiento conservador.

Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis accounts for 5% of all cervical spine fractures and is defined as a pars interarticularis fracture in the second cervical vertebra. Its mechanism usually involves hyperextension forces. The most important aspects related to prognosis and treatment are C2-C3 disk injury, neurological involvement, facetary dislocation and displacement. As regards the conservative or surgical management in non-displaced patterns, surgical management could result in an early recovery; however, there are good results with halo vest immobilization. We present a case with C2 direct crew osteosynthesis through a posterior approach in a patient who refused conservative treatment.