Percutaneous Curved Vertebroplasty Decrease the Risk of Cemented Vertebra Refracture Compared with Bilateral Percutaneous Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the refracture rate of the cemented vertebral body of percutaneous curved vertebroplasty (PCVP) and bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). Methods: Ninety-four patients with single segment thoracolumbar OVCF were randomly divided into two groups (47 patients in each) and underwent PCVP or bilateral PKP surgery, respectively. Refracture of cemented vertebral body, bone cement injection volume and cement pattern, cement leakage rate, total surgical time, intraoperative fluoroscopy time, preoperative and postoperative Cobb angles and anterior vertebral height, Oswestry disability index questionnaire (ODI) and visual analog scales (VAS) were recorded. Results: The PCVP group had significantly lower refracture incidence of the cemented vertebral than the bilateral PKP group (p<0.05). There was a significant postoperative improvement in the VAS score and ODI in both group (p<0.01), and no significant difference was found between two groups. The operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times were significantly less in the PCVP group than in the bilateral PKP group (p<0.01). The mean kyphosis angle correction and vertebral height restoration in the PCVP group was significantly less than that in the bilateral PKP group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Both PCVP and PKP were safe and effective treatments for OVCF. The PCVP had lower refracture rate of the cemented vertebral than the bilateral PKP group, and PCVP entailed less exposure to fluoroscopy and shorter operation time than bilateral PKP.

Compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve secondary to previous rupture of the palmaris longus tendon: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: We report an unusual case compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve(PCBNN). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 52-year-old woman presenting with previous rupture of the palmaris longus tendon. During surgery, we found that the end of the tendon had formed nodules. After removing the nodules, the PCBMN was released, and half a year later, the abnormal feelings had disappeared. DISCUSSION: We aim to remind surgeons of this type of compression and to highlight the importance of maintaining vigilance in order to avoid nerve injury. CONCLUSION: PCBMN needs to be paid more attention and damaged tendons should be repaired.

[Detection and influence factor of serum metal ions concentration level after resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip].

Objective: To observe the tendency of serum cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo) ions concentration level after resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip (RSAH) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), and analyze the influence factors. Methods: Forty-seven patients (55 hips) underwent RSAH between June 2005 and November 2014 who had good joint function (Harris score were >85) at every review time were selected in the study. There were 25 males and 22 females, with the mean age of 49.7 years (range, 18-64 years). The disease causes included developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in 18 cases (22 hips) and non-DDH in 29 cases (33 hips). The follow-up time was 6 months to 5 years (mean, 3.2 years). The concentrations of Co, Cr, and Mo ions were measured by ICP-MS, and were compared with those of 6 normal controls. Based on the analysis of the measured results, patients were chosen and grouped according to prosthesis position and femoral head prosthesis diameter. A correlative analysis was made between serum metal ions concentration and various factors (age, body mass index, pre- and post-operative Harris scores, neck-shaft angle, and stem-shaft angle). Results: The concentration of serum Co ion reached the peak at 1 year after operation ( P<0.05), and then slowly decreased, increased again at 4 years after operation and was close to the 2nd-year level at 5 years. The concentration of serum Cr ion reached its peak at 9 months after operation ( P<0.05), and then gradually decreased, and was close to normal level at 5 years. The concentration of serum Mo ion kept increase trend and reached the peak at 5 years ( P<0.05). Thirty-five hips of 29 patients followed up 9 months and 1 year were grouped. For DDH and non-DDH patients, Co and Cr ion concentrations of 40-45° abduction angle of acetabular component were significantly lower than those of <40° and >45° ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in Mo ion concentration ( P>0.05). For all patients, Co, Cr, and Mo ion concentrations of 15-20° anteversion angle of acetabular component were significantly lower than those of <15° and >20° ( P<0.05). Co, Cr, and Mo ion concentrations of ≥48 mm diameter of the femoral component were significantly lower than those of <48 mm ( P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between Co ion and postoperative Harris score ( r=-0.486, P=0.041). Conclusion: The serum Co and Cr ions concentrations increase obviously at 1 year and 9 months after RSAH operation, and Mo ion concentration displays an increase trend. The metal ions concentrations have close relationship with the position of acetabular component.

Intermediate-term trends in serum levels of metal ions after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The potential risks associated with hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) are controversial and underestimated. The aim of this study was to explore intermediate-term trends for the levels of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo) ions after HRA. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent HRA from October 2005 to December 2010 were recruited to this study. The serum levels of metal ions were examined preoperatively and 3, 12, 24, and 60 months after surgery. Trends and differences in levels of metal ions with respect to sex, operated side, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in levels of Cr, Co, and Mo at each time point with respect to sex, operated side, and BMI (p > 0.05). The postoperative levels of Cr, Co, and Mo ions were significantly higher than the preoperative levels across sex, operated side, and BMI groups. Postoperative levels of Cr, Co, and Mo peaked at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively. Cr levels peaked earlier (at 12 months) in the overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m(2)) group compared to the normal-weight group (BMI <25 kg/m(2)), Co levels (at 12 months) peaked in women compared to men, and Mo levels (at 3 months) peaked in the bilateral HRA group compared to the unilateral HRA group. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of Cr, Co, and Mo increased significantly after HRA. Cr levels peaked earlier in the overweight patients, Co levels peaked in women, and Mo levels peaked in patients who underwent bilateral HRA. However, there were no significant differences with respect to sex, operated side, and BMI.

A simple method for establishing an ostrich model of femoral head osteonecrosis and collapse.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a simple method of creating an animal model of non-trauma femoral head osteonecrosis and collapse using African ostriches with weights similar to those of humans. METHODS: Eighteen African ostriches were subjected to liquid nitrogen cryo-insult in the unilateral femoral head through surgical procedures using homemade cryogenic equipment combined with tract drilling inside the femoral head. Three animals were sacrificed at postoperative weeks 6 and 12, respectively, and the remaining animals were sacrificed at postoperative week 24. Bilateral femoral heads were harvested and subjected to gross observation, histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and radiographic examination. Micro-computed tomography was performed on a portion of the specimens at postoperative week 24, and angiographic examination of the femoral head was performed before sacrificing the animals. RESULTS: Eight ostriches developed a limp at postoperative week 8, with a mean duration of 16.5 weeks. The postoperative femoral head specimens showed changes in contour and articular cartilage degeneration. Sagittal sectioning of the collapsed femoral head specimens revealed distinct boundaries among the osteonecrotic areas, osteosclerotic areas, and normal trabeculae. Histological examinations revealed active bone resorption in the osteonecrotic area of the subchondral bone, an increased number of fat cells, and active trabecular bone regeneration in the osteosclerotic areas. The postoperative radiographic examinations revealed that the height of the femoral head gradually decreased and progressed to collapse. Micro-computed tomography scans showed the interrupted trabecular bone with an irregular shape in the collapsed femoral head. Compared with the normal samples, angiographic findings revealed interrupted blood supply of the cryo-injured samples in some areas of the femoral heads, blood vessel narrowing, and decreased number of blood vessels in the cryo-injured areas. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that an animal model of osteonecrotic femoral head progressing to collapse can be established via a simplified method of cryosurgery. This model possesses histological features that are similar to those of humans; thus, it can be used as an ideal animal model for the study of femoral head necrosis.