Mini-open incision for distal biceps repair by suture anchors: follow-up of eighteen patients.

BACKGROUND: This clinical trial was done to describe a mini approach for distal biceps repair using two or three suture anchors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients have undergone surgical repair over the last 10 years. All patients were males with mean age 46.8 (range 35-72), and dominant arm was involved in 70 %. Eighteen patients were evaluated with subjective and objective criteria including patient's satisfaction, active range of motion (ROM), and maximum isometric strength (in supination and flexion) using Cybex dynamometer. Functional scoring included Mayo Elbow Performance Score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and Oxford Elbow Score. RESULTS: Eighty percent of patients were highly satisfied, with excellent results as defined by Mayo and Oxford Elbow score. Compared to contralateral, the active ROM was not affected in flexion and extension, but pronation and supination were decreased by 5°-10° in two cases. One of eighteen showed hypoesthesia of first and second fingers, and one of eighteen showed a symptomatic heterotopic ossification. There were no reruptures. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of distal biceps tendon with a mini-single-incision as we described provides patient's satisfaction and very good results with respect to ROM and functional scoring, with a low complication rate.

Efficacy and safety of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum injection for Dupuytren contracture: report of 40 cases.

BACKGROUND: Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative pathology that affects the palmar aponeurosis causing the development of nodules and collagen cords and the progressive flexion of the fingers. The standard procedure is surgical fasciectomy, followed by high recurrence rates. Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injection represents an innovative noninvasive approach to the treatment of DD. This prospective study was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of CCH injection performed in the outpatient, using local anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients [32 metacarpophalangeal (MP), 8 proximal interphalangeal (PIP)] with Dupuytren's contracture of at least 20° for MP joint and any degree for PIP joint were included. The mean age was 66. All joints were treated with a single vial of collagenase injection and manual breaking of the cord 24 h after. All adverse effects (AEs) were monitored. Patients were checked 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after the injection. Primary endpoint was a reduction in digit contracture within 0°-5° of normal extension. Secondary endpoints were the improvement of range of motion, the evaluation of AEs incidence, and cost-effectiveness of collagenase treatment. RESULTS: About 67.5 % of patients obtained a clinical success. At 6 months, a further 7.5% attained the same result. The mean contracture of treated joints was 5.3º for MP and 6.8° for PIP joints. Twenty-three patients had one or more mild-to-moderate side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The use of collagenase appears to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Therapeutic success was achieved in a significant percentage of patients. The incidence of side effects was higher, but they were local reactions of short duration. The use of a single collagenase vial in patients treated in day surgery appears more cost-effective than surgery.

Pelvic parameters of sagittal balance in extreme lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disc disease.

There is increasing interest in the use of pelvic indices to evaluate sagittal balance and predict outcomes in patients with spinal disease. Conventional posterior lumbar fusion techniques may adversely affect lumbar lordosis and spinal balance. Minimally invasive fusion of the lumbar spine is rapidly becoming a mainstay of treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease. To our knowledge there are no studies evaluating the effect of extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) on pelvic indices. Hence, our aim was to study the effect of XLIF on pelvic indices related to sagittal balance, and report the results of a prospective longitudinal clinical study and retrospective radiographic analyses of patients undergoing XLIF in a single centre between January 2009 and July 2011. Clinical outcomes are reported for 30 patients and the retrospective analyses of radiographic data is reported for 22 of these patients to assess global and segmental lumbar lordosis and pelvic indices. Effect of XLIF on the correction of scoliotic deformity was assessed in 15 patients in this series. A significant improvement was seen in the visual analogue scale score, the Oswestry Disability Index and the Short Form-36 at 2months and 6months (p<0.0001). The mean pelvic index was 48.6°±11.9° (± standard deviation, SD) with corresponding mean sacral slopes and pelvic tilt of 32.0°±10.6° (SD) and 18.0°±9.5 (SD), respectively. XLIF did not significantly affect sacral slope or pelvic tilt (p>0.2). Global lumbar lordosis was not affected by XLIF (p>0.4). XLIF significantly increased segmental lumbar lordosis by 3.3° (p<0.0001) and significantly decreased the scoliotic Cobb angle by 5.9° (p=0.01). We found that XLIF improved scoliosis and segmental lordosis and was associated with significant clinical improvement in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. However, XLIF did not change overall lumbar lordosis or significantly alter pelvic indices associated with sagittal balance. Long-term follow-up with a larger cohort will be required to further evaluate the effects of XLIF on sagittal balance.

Sagittal balance and pelvic parameters--a paradigm shift in spinal surgery.

It has become evident in recent years that global assessment of spinal sagittal balance is necessary for optimal management of the degenerate spine. Pelvic parameters have been developed which appear to correlate well with the natural history of degenerative spine disorders and outcomes from surgery. Although these parameters have a limited evidence base, they are now in widespread use by spinal surgeons and, in particular, spinal deformity surgeons. It is necessary for all surgeons treating spinal pathology to have a working knowledge of the principles of spinal sagittal balance, to be able to recognise sagittal imbalance and its compensatory mechanisms. In this article we outline the main concepts of spinal sagittal balance and pelvic parameters and how these concepts are leading to a paradigm shift in the surgical management of spinal disorders. We propose that analysis of pelvic parameters of sagittal balance will form an essential part of the evaluation of new surgical techniques for spinal conditions.