Role of lateral soft tissue release in percutaneous hallux valgus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether lateral soft tissue release (LSTR) is required as part of percutaneous hallux valgus (PHV) surgery. The primary aim of this systematic review was to assess whether LSTR reduces the risk of recurrence of hallux valgus deformity. The secondary aims were to assess if LSTR increases the risk of complications, improves the clinical outcome and leads to a greater radiographic correction. METHODS: We performed a PRISMA-compliant PROSPERO-registered systematic review, pooling clinical papers reporting results after PHV surgery into two categories (PHV with (Group 1, G1) and without LSTR (Group 2, G2)) and comparing them. Data regarding the study design, demographics, the surgical procedure and the clinical and radiological outcome were extracted and compared. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS). RESULTS: Sixteen studies were selected (G1:594 feet; G2:553 feet). The pooled proportion of recurrence at a minimum 21-month follow-up (2%, 95%CI 0-3 vs 2%, 95%CI 0-5; p = 0.70) did not differ in the two groups. Similarly, the pooled proportion of complications (27%, 95%CI 17-38 vs 25%, 95%CI 12-37; p = 0.79) was similar. The pre- (p = 0.23) and post-operative AOFAS scores (p = 0.16), the pre-(HVA: p = 0.23) (IMA: p = 0.94) and post-operative radiological angles (HVA: p = 0.47) (IMA: p = 0.2) and the methodological quality of studies (p = 0.2) did not differ either between G1 and G2. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that LSTR performed during percutaneous HV surgery reduces the risk of recurrence of the deformity at a mean 4-year follow-up nor improves the clinical and radiological outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Bösch osteotomy for hallux valgus correction: results at a mean 10-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Bösch osteotomy (BO), which is a first metatarsal subcapital osteotomy stabilised with a K-wire, is a surgical option to correct hallux valgus (HV). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical and radiographic results in a cohort of patients treated at our institution with such osteotomy. METHODS: In this retrospective monocentric single-surgeon cohort study, we included 58 HVs (46 patients) who underwent HV correction by BO and were followed at a minimum of 7 years. The range of motion (ROM), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's Forefoot scale (AOFAS-FS) and the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) for pain were recorded. On weightbearing radiographs, the Hallux Valgus Angle (HVA), Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA), the Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle (DMAA), and the Lateral Sesamoid Position (LSP) were measured and compared with pre-operative values. The complication rate and first metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness were also assessed. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 10 ± 2 (7-17) years, mean ± standard deviation AOFAS-FS and VAS were 89 ± 11 (67-93) and 2.1 ± 2.8 (0-7) points, respectively. In 42 (72%) cases there was no limitation in the choice of footwears. Radiographically, we found a significant improvement in the HVA (from 33.9° ± 6.7 to 18.8° ± 5.6, p < 0.001), in the IMA (14.2° ± 3.1 to 9.4° ± 2.7, p < 0.001), in the DMAA (from 30.3° ± 6.8 to 11.5° ± 5.1, p < 0.001) and in LSP (median value from 3 to 1, p < 0.001). In 36 (62%) cases the ROM was greater than 75° while in 22 (38%) it ranged between 30° and 75°. Minor complications occurred in six (10%) cases, which did not require any further surgery at the longest follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bösch technique provided satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes in the treatment of hallux valgus which persisted at a mean 10-year follow-up. The complication rate did not differ from more recent techniques described in literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

The eradication rate of infection in septic knee arthritis according to the Gächter Classification: a systematic review.

Introduction: Knee septic arthritis rapidly damages the knee joint. Gächter described a classification of joint infections based on arthroscopic findings: an arthroscopic staging of the common disease has prognostic and therapeutic consequences. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the application of the Gächter classification system to knee septic arthritis, evaluating prognostic and therapeutic implications of this classification. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive electronic search of the literature was performed. The following search terms were used: (Arthroscopy* OR Arthrotom* OR Aspiration) AND Knee AND Septic AND Arthritis. The study reported the Gächter classification in septic knee arthritis and the eradication rate according to the type. The primary endpoint is the eradication rate of septic knee arthritis according to the Gächter sort. Secondary endpoints are surgical procedures according to Gächter classification and the rate of re-operations. Results: Seven studies were included. The overall eradication rate of knee septic arthritis ranged from 90% to 100%: 95%-100% Gächter I; 97%-100% Gächter II; 67%-100% Gächter III; 50%-100% Gächter IV. Surgical treatments for knee septic arthritis included arthroscopic irrigation alone, articular irrigation, and debridement in knee arthroscopy or knee arthrotomy according to Gächter stage. However, 28% required re-operations for persistent infection: secondary procedures included further irrigation and debridement with the arthroscopic or arthrotomic approach. Conclusion: Gächter classification showed a crucial prognostic role in predicting the outcome of surgical treatment of septic knee arthritis. Regardless of the procedure performed, a prompt operation and an accurate debridement of the synovial membrane are the most critical factors for eradicating infection and good clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study.

Static versus dynamic fixation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis: a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses.

PURPOSE: Multiple Level I meta-analyses were conducted comparing traditional static vs. more recently introduced dynamic strategies of fixation for injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (TFS). The aim of this review was to assess their robustness and methodological quality, providing support in the choice of a treatment strategy in case of TFS injury using the highest level of evidence. METHODS: In this systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, meta-analyses/systematic reviews comparing static and dynamic fixation methods after acute TFS injury were identified. The robustness of studies was evaluated using the fragility index (FI) for meta-analysis and the fragility quotient (FQ). The risk of bias was evaluated using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) instrument. Finally, the Jadad was applied to select the study which provided the highest quality of evidence to develop recommendations for the fixation strategy of these lesions. RESULTS: Out of 1.302 records, four Level I meta-analyses were included in this study. Analyzing the statistically significant dichotomous outcomes, the median FI was 3.5 (IQR, 2 to 5.5; range, 1 to 9), while the median FQ was 1.9% (IQR, 1 to 3.5; range 0.35 to 4.4). In total, 37% had an FI of 2 or less and 75% of outcomes had a FI of 4 or less. According to the AMSTAR score and Jadad algorithm, the largest meta-analysis was selected as the highest evidence provided so far. CONCLUSION: The meta-analyses with statistically significant dichotomous outcomes comparing dynamic and static fixation for treating injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are fragile, with a change in less than four patients or less than 2% of the study population sufficient to reverse a significant outcome to nonsignificant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

Poly(ADPR) polymerase-1 and poly(ADPR) glycohydrolase level and distribution in differentiating rat germinal cells.

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP-1) and poly(ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) are responsible for the transient poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins in eukaryotic cells. This biochemical reaction plays an active role in DNA replication and repair, transcription, cell differentiation and death. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels and the sub-cellular distribution of such enzymes in rat germinal cells at different stages of differentiation, i.e. in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, representing meiotic and post-meiotic cells, respectively. The determination of the level of PARP-1 mRNA and protein revealed its higher expression in primary spermatocytes, thus implying that PARP-1 is one of the meiotic genes whose expression is requested at the pachytene phase of the meiosis. We also demonstrated that rat germinal cells contain both the forms of PARG (i.e. of 110 and 60 kDa) so far described in somatic cells. In our experimental system, the large PARG was present and active mainly in the nuclear fraction of primary spermatocytes, whereas round spermatids showed a higher level of the 60 kDa PARG in the post-nuclear fraction. Collectively, our data show a different expression level of PARP-1 and a different endocellular distribution of PARG and suggest a role for the poly(ADP-ribose) turnover in distinct pathways in meiotic and post-meiotic germinal cells.