Investigation of the pressure value while performing biceps tenodesis for superior capsuler reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: To compare the histopathological results of biceps tenodesis (BT) performed with normal, low, and high pressures for superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) in rabbits with massive rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rabbits were divided into three groups. Rabbits 1-10 underwent SCR with BT at the same pressure (Group 1), value measured in the groove; 50% lower (Group 2); 50% higher (Group 3). After the 4-week follow-up, shoulder were en-bloc excised and histopathological evaluation was performed with modified Bonar's scale. Results were compared between the groups, statistically. RESULTS: Extracellular matrix were significantly lower in group 2 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Cellularity levels were significantly lower in group 2 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Group 2 had no difference between the sides (p > 0.05). Group 2 had lower vascularity levels compared to the other groups (p = 0.01). DICSUSSION: When the biceps tendon was in the bicipital groove and in a more mobile state with lower pressure exposure. BT performed with a tension that creates less pressure than the biceps in the groove is more successful in SCR.

Clinical factors, management, and outcomes of children under 3 years old with central nervous system tumors: single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Children under 3 years old represent a notable portion, about 25 to 30%, of all central nervous system tumor (CNS) cases. Their clinical course, prognosis, and treatment significantly differ from older children. This single-center retrospective study aims to comprehensively analyze survival factors in children under three diagnosed with CNS tumors. METHODS: Between April 2012 and December 2023, cases under 3 years of age with CNS tumors diagnosed at our center were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Among 279 CNS tumor cases, 42 (15%) were evaluated. The 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 67.4% (95% CI 47.5-81.1) and 39.8% (95% CI 24.2-55.0), respectively. Gender, symptom onset to diagnosis time, pathological neurological findings at diagnosis, and tumor location did not significantly impact survival (p > 0.05). However, cases with neurological symptoms showed significantly higher event-free survival rates (p < 0.05). Patients with embryonal tumors, metastases, inability for total surgical excision, relapsed/progressive diseases, and who under 1 year old had significantly lower survival rates (p < 0.05). Radiotherapy timing did not affect survival (p > 0.05). Event-free survival rates remained unchanged after the third year. CONCLUSION: The current treatments have been observed to have a positive impact on survival rates. Nonetheless, there is a need for novel treatments for patients with embryonal tumors, metastases, aged under 1 year, and those where total surgical excision is not feasible or in cases with progressive/relapse disease. This study underscores the importance of the first 3 years regarding relapse, progression, or mortality risk.

Effect of post-extubation inspiratory muscle training on diaphragmatic function in mechanically ventilated patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a common problem in patients who have been mechanically ventilated. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on diaphragm muscle thickness and function in mechanically ventilated patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-blind trial was conducted. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to either the conventional physiotherapy (CP) group or to the IMT group for 5 days following extubation. The CP group received only CP, while the IMT group received CP in addition to IMT. Ten healthy controls (HCs) underwent IMT. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and physical function were recorded. Diaphragm excursion (DE), diaphragm thickness at the end of inspiration (Tdi), diaphragm thickness at the end of expiration (Tde), peak contraction velocity (PCV), and peak relaxation velocity (PRV) were evaluated with ultrasonography before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The IMT group and HCs showed significant improvements in DE (p = 0.005; p = 0.005, respectively), PCV (p = 0.028; p = 0.015, respectively) and PRV (p = 0.029; p = 0.020, respectively) after 5 days of IMT. A significant increase in MIP was recorded in all groups after the intervention (CP: p = 0.044; IMT: p = 0.005; HC: p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Physical Function in Intensive Care Test (PFIT) scores in both the CP and IMT groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory muscle training improves diaphragmatic functions, including MIP, diaphragm excursion, PCV, and PRV. We think that IMT applied after extubation may serve as a tool to prevent and facilitate the recovery of diaphragmatic function.

Vaccination status of COVID-19 patients followed up in the ICU in a country with heterologous vaccination policy: A multicenter national study in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-2) prevents the development of serious diseases has been shown in many studies. However, the effect of vaccination on outcomes in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care is not clear. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted in 17 intensive care unit (ICU) in Turkey between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Patients aged 18 years and older who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and followed in ICU were included in the study. Patients who have never been vaccinated and patients who have been vaccinated with a single dose were considered unvaccinated. Logistic regression models were fit for the two outcomes (28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality). RESULTS: A total of 2968 patients were included final analysis. The most of patients followed in the ICU during the study period were unvaccinated (58.5%). Vaccinated patients were older, had higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and had higher APACHE-2 scores than unvaccinated patients. Risk for 28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality was similar in across the year both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. However, risk for in-hospital mortality and 28-day mortality was higher in the unvaccinated patients in quarter 4 adjusted for gender and CCI (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06-1.99 and OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.96, respectively) compared to the vaccinated group. CONCLUSION: Despite effective vaccination, fully vaccinated patients may be admitted to ICU because of disease severity. Unvaccinated patients were younger and had fewer comorbid conditions. Unvaccinated patients have an increased risk of 28-day mortality when adjusted for gender and CCI.

Comparison of 4 surgical approaches in pediatric Gartland type 3 supracondylar humerus fractures treated by open reduction and pinning: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of medial, lateral, posterior, and anterior approaches in pediatric Gartland type 3 supracondylar humerus fractures treated with open reduction and pinning. METHODS: Gartland type 3 supracondylar humeral fractures treated by open reduction and pinning in 4 different centers with different surgical approaches were divided into 4 groups according to the surgical approach. Each trauma center applied the surgical approaches with which it had the most experience. Specifically, patients treated with medial, lateral, posterior, and anterior approaches were classified as groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The demographic characteristics of the patients and the complications were compared. The findings were evaluated according to the Flynn criteria. RESULTS: A total of 198 pediatric patients, 114 (57.6%) male and 84 (42.4%) female, with a mean age of 6.27 ± 2.03 (range = 1-12) years, were included in this study. They were all treated with open reduction and pinning, 51 (25.8%) by the medial approach, 49 (24.7%) by the lateral approach, 66 (33.3%) by the posterior approach, and 32 (16.2%) by the anterior approach. No significant differences in age, gender, side, or complication status were found between the groups (P > .05). There were also no significant differences between the groups regarding the Flynn cosmetic and functional criteria (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Superior functional and cosmetic results can be achieved with fewer complications with surgical techniques applied by experienced surgeons in the open reduction of supracondylar humeral fractures in children. It is recommended that surgeons choose the approach with which they have the most experience. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study.

The results of the modified St Jude Total Therapy XV Protocol in the treatment of low- and middle-income children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The St Jude Total Therapy Study XV was the first clinical trial to prospectively use minimal residual disease levels during and after remission induction therapy to guide risk-directed treatment. We used the Total Therapy XV protocol with minimal modification in treating 115 newly diagnosed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients from low- and middle-income groups from January 2011 to December 2017. The mean age at diagnosis was 5.97 ± 3.96 years. The median follow-up period was 88 months. Three (2.6%) patients had bone marrow relapse, and one (0.87%) had an isolated central nervous system relapse. Nineteen of the patients (16.52%) died due to infection-related complications, three (2.61%) died due to progressive disease, and one (0.87%) died due to hematopoietic stem cell transplant complications. Five-year overall survival was 80%, and event-free survival was 78.3%. Our results showed that the Total XV treatment protocol could be used successfully in patients with ALL from low- and middle-income populations. However, infection-related deaths remain a significant problem.

Investigation of the effects of subacromial bursal tissue preservation and microfracture procedure on healing after rotator cuff repair in a rat model.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare the preservation of bursal tissue and microfracture techniques and to examine the effectiveness of the combination of the two methods in rotator cuff tear healing in the rat shoulder. HYPOTHESIS: Bursal tissue preservation combined with microfracture is more effective in the rotator cuff repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. The bursal tissue was preserved in group 1 (n=11) and excised in group 2 (n=12). Groups were categorized into subgroups as L (left) and R (right) based on the shoulder side receiving microfracture (L received microfracture, R did not). Histopathological examination was performed using modified Bonar Score System. RESULTS: Cell morphology grades of group 1 were lower than group 2 (p<0.05). In terms of collagen measurements, the grade of group 1L (bursa preservation+microfracture) was lower than groups 1R, 2L, and 2R, and the grade of group 1R was lower than groups 2L and 2R. Cellularity grades of group 2 were higher than group 1 (p<0.05). Extracellular matrix grades of group 1 were lower than group 2 (p<0.05). The overall grades were lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Combined treatment of bursal tissue preservation and microfracture was the most efficient method as determined by healing findings in histopathological specimens. Preservation of bursal tissue was a more effective option in tendon healing than performing only microfracture. LEVEL OF PROOF: II, animal research.

Biruni Index as a Novel Diagnostic Tool for the Early Prediction of Mortality in Critical Patients With COVID-19: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out the potential risk factors associated with mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients hospitalized due to viral bronchopneumonia, and to establish a novel COVID-19 mortality index for daily use. METHODS: The study included 431 quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19-positive patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into training and validation cohorts at random (n= 285 and n= 130, respectively). Biruni Index was developed by multivariate logistic regression analysis for predicting COVID-19-related mortality. RESULTS: In univariate logistic regression analysis, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respiratory and pulse rates per minute, D-dimer, pH, urea, ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels at first admission were statistically significant factors for the prediction of mortality in the training cohort. By using multivariate logistic regression analysis, all of these statistically significant parameters were used to produce Biruni Index. Statistically significant differences in Biruni Index were observed between ex and non-ex groups in both training and validation cohorts (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for Biruni Index were 0.901 (95CI%: 0.864-0.938, P < 0.001) and 0.860 (95CI%: 0.795-0.926, P < 0.001) in training and validation cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSION: As a pioneering clinical study, Biruni Index may be a useful diagnostic tool for clinicians to predict the mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized due to severe viral bronchopneumonia. However, Biruni Index should be validated with larger series of multicenter prospective clinical studies.

Uncooled microwave ablation of osteoid osteoma: New approaches to an old problem.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the technical and clinical success of uncooled microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of osteoid osteoma with two-dimensional fluoroscopy guidance in the operating room. METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of 9 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Mean patient age was 14.55 years. The mean size and volume of the lesions were 17.2 × 10.8 × 8.0 mm and the mean nidus size was 6.86±2.05 mm on computed tomography. MWA was performed with uncooled probe in operating room and in sterile conditions. Numerical pain score was recorded before the procedure, the day after, and at 1, 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Clinical and technical success was achieved in 100% of patients. The mean volume of MWA-induced necrosis was 20.8 × 12.8 × 10.7 mm, peripheral scar thickness was 3.5±0.75 mm, and none of the patients had nidus enhancement on first month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Fluoroscopic guidance was conducted under digital c-arm. Patients received four to 12 spot films (mean: 6.6 kVp, 2.66 mAs) over the lower extremity. Mean radiation exposure to the skin due to imaging was 0.02 mGy per patient per procedure. The dose area product-the total amount of radiation deliverable to the patient was 0.75±0.32 Gy.cm2. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the effectiveness and the safety of the uncooled MWA in osteoid osteoma. The technique may effectively be used in operating room under c-arm fluoroscopy. Such hybrid approach may ensure sterility, anesthetic safety, and lower radiation dose to patients.

Visualizing Anatomic Variants of the Sciatic Nerve Using Diagnostic Ultrasound During Piriformis Muscle Injection: An Example of 4 Cases.

Objective: The aim of this article is to present examples of patients in whom piriformis muscle (PM) and sciatic nerve (SN) variations were detected by a diagnostic ultrasound (US)-guided examination and were successfully diagnosed and treated for piriformis syndrome (PS) by US-guided injections. Clinical Features: This series includes 4 cases. In case 1, a 30-year-old woman with a 7 numeric rating scale (NRS) score for pain (on a 0-10 scale) was evaluated for complaints of left gluteal pain radiating to the thigh for 5 years and right gluteal pain for 2 years. Case 2 involves a 32-year-old man with a 7 NRS score presenting with left gluteal pain radiating to his leg for 1 year. The third case presents a 37-year-old man who had pain (6 NRS score), numbness, and discomfort radiating from the right hip to the leg that lasted for 7 years. Finally, in case 4, a 23-year-old male patient was examined with deep gluteal paresthesia and discomfort on the left side for 1 year. Intervention and Outcome: Diagnostic US evaluation of the gluteal region for each patient revealed anatomical variations of the SN. In 3 of the cases, corresponding contralateral US images demonstrated similar anatomic variations. Diagnosis of PS in each patient was made by US-guided injection. After the injection of 4 cm3 of lidocaine 2% into the PM, the patients' complaints resolved almost fully. Conclusion: The anatomical variations of the SN and PM might be a facilitating factor for myofascial pain syndrome in PS. These cases demonstrate that SN variations could be visualized with the help of diagnostic US.

Outcomes of Osteosarcoma in Children Without High-Dose Methotrexate: Could It Be Less Toxic Without Effecting Survival Rates?

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone sarcoma in childhood. High-dose methotrexate, doxorubicine, cisplatin, and/or ifosfamide combinations are used as standard treatment in chemotherapy and could cause serious toxicity. Another alternative chemotherapy protocol is consisting of epirubicin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (ECI), which we use in our center. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients with OS who were treated with ECI protocol, retrospectively. Methods: Forty-three patients with OS diagnosed at our center between December 1995 and September 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean follow-up period was 31 months (5-145 months). Recurrence was detected in 15 of 43 patients. When the factors affecting relapse are examined, recurrence was higher in patients who were older than 10 years at the time of diagnosis, upper extremity involvement, osteoblastic, and chondroblastic subgroups, but there was no statistically significant difference. Five-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 67.4% and 58.9%, and event-free survival rates were 54% and 47.3%, respectively. While 5-year overall survival rate was 86.7% in nonrecurrent cases, this rate was 40.9% in recurrent cases and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.023). Just two patients died because of the toxicity. Conclusion: The prognosis of OS is still poor in relapse cases, so the choice of chemotherapy for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy is vital. When the risk of toxicity is also considered, the first step of ECI protocol is seen as a preferable treatment option because the survival rates are similar to the literature.

The effect of collagenase clostridium histolyticum on adhesion reduction in a rat knee arthrofibrosis model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) reduces intra-articular fibrotic adhesion formation in a rat model of arthrofibrosis. METHODS: A total of 24 male Wistar rats (7 months old, weighing 220 -275 g) were randomly and equally assigned to one of two groups: the collagenase group and the control group (n = 12 each). In each group, a partial capsulotomy, and synovectomy were performed in knee. After a partial capsulotomy and synovectomy were performed in each group, the collagenase group received intra-articular CCH of 0.008 mg in 0.1 mL saline solution while the control group received the equal volume of intra-articular saline solution alone. After 6 weeks of surgery, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation, and the following outcome measures were collected. Knee range of motion (ROM) was measured using with a goniometer under 20 g force. Adhesion formation was rated using the macroscopic visual scoring system after the knee joint was exposed through a lateral parapatellar approach. Histological evaluation was performed on samples including connective tissue and fibrotic adhesions, and fibroblast cell numbers were measured performed per square. Levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) were assayed by ELISA from the intra-articular fluid. RESULTS: The macroscopic visual scoring system was significantly lower in the collagenasegroup (median = 1, range = 0-2) than in the control group (median = 2, range = 1-3)( < 0.001).ROMwas significantly higher in the collagenase group (102° ± 12.1°) than in the control group (77° ±8.94°) (P <0.001). The number of fibroblasts obtained from the scar tissue were considerably lower in the collagenase group (mean = 16.5 ± 2.74) compared tothe control group (mean = 30.1± 4.89) (P < 0.001). Levels of IL-1 andFGF were significantly lower in the collagenase group (mean = 18.6 ng/l ± 4.39,mean = 36.3 ng/l ± 2.03; respectively) compared to the control group (mean = 31.7ng/l ± 3.75, mean = 38.7 ng/l ± 2.19; respectively) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study has revealed that CCH injection can inhibit the development ofarthrofibrosis, decreasing the precursor inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and FGF-1) and histologic fibrosis in a rat knee arthrofibrosis model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Evaluation of critical shoulder angle and acromion index in patients with anterior shoulder instability and rotator cuff tear.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate glenohumeral morphologic differences and their correlation between glenohumeral instability and rotator cuff pathology. METHODS: Two-hundred radiographs and 100 MRI scans of 100 patients in whom the diagnosis of Anterior Shoulder Instability (Anl) or Rotator Cuff Tear (RCT) was arthroscopically verified were retrospectively identified and included in the study. All the patients were categorized into two groups: 50 patients with Anl (23 female, 28 male; mean age = 29 ± 7.4) and 50 patients with RCT (28 female, 22 male). Two separate control groups were then formed, one of which included contralateral shoulders of patients in the AnI group, and the other consisted of contralateral shoulders of patients in the RCT group. The x-ray and MRI scans were examined by an orthopedic surgeon and a radiologist. The Acromial Index (AI) and the Critical Shoulder Angle (CSA) were measured on true anteroposterior shoulder radiographs; Glenoid Inclination (GI), Glenoid Version (GV), and Acromion Angulation (AA) were measured on MRI. RESULTS: In the AnI group, the measurements were as followed: AI, 0.66 ± 0.03; CSA, 33 ° ± 2.85; GI, 3.4° ± 6.2; GV, 4.1 ± 4.3; and AA, 12.9 ± 8.3. In the RCT group, AI 0.71 ± 0.04; CSA, 36° ± 2.69; GI, 9.1 ± 5; GV, 6.7 ° ± 5.7; and AA, 14.3° ± 8.7. A moderate correlation was found between CSA and GI (r = 0.41, P = 0.001) and between AI and GI (r = 0.42, P = 0.014). A weak correlation was found between AI and GI in the AnI group (r = 0.22, P = 0.001). The inter- and intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficients were respectively 0.81 and 0.84 for AI, 0.88 and 0.92 for CSA, 0.72 and 0.76 for GI, 0.69 and 0.73 for GV, and 0.72 and 0.77 for AA. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that lower AI, GI, and antevert GV may be associated with AnI. Investigating CSA, AI, and GV could be useful for diagnostic evaluation of patients with AnI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Diagnostic Study.

The age, bilirubin and albumin (ABA) index: a novel noninvasive index for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

AIM: It was to assess the diagnostic performance characteristics of a novel index, (ABA), which utilizes age, bilirubin and albumin to predict significant and severe fibrosis, and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. METHODS: A total of 114 patients were included in this study. The liver biopsies were graded using the Ishak scoring system. Diagnostic performance of the ABA index was compared to aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase ratio, age platelet index, AST to platelet ratio index, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) to platelet ratio index, FIB-4, FibroQ, Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index, King's score, GGT/international normalization ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell to platelet distribution width ratio and mean platelet volume to platelet distribution width ratio (MPV/PDW) by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The ABA index was formulated as 1.5 + (0.065 × age) + (1.85 × bilirubin) - (1.65 × albumin) according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. According to the ROC curve analyses, the ABA index had the area under these ROC curves (AUROCs) of 0.805 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.727-0.883] for significant fibrosis, 0.874 (95% CI, 0.804-0.943) for severe fibrosis and 0.895 (95% CI, 0.828-0.961) for cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The ABA index was found to be superior to other evaluated noninvasive indexes of liver fibrosis by use of the cutoff point of 0 and 1. These findings should be confirmed by prospective and multicenter studies in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Development and evaluation of a novel noninvasive index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Development of noninvasive liver fibrosis indexes has been research of interest due to the limitations of liver biopsy. Therefore, we aimed to develop and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel noninvasive index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection based on age and routine clinical laboratory tests. METHODS: A total of 396 treatment naïve liver biopsy performed patients were divided into training (n = 262) and validation cohorts (n = 134). Histological staging was assessed by Ishak fibrosis scoring system. RESULTS: In training cohort, we developed a novel fibrosis index, GAPI, using γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), age, platelet, and international normalized ratio (INR) results. The diagnostic accuracies of alanine aminotransferase ratio, age platelet index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, GGT to platelet ratio index, AST to lymphocyte ratio index, fibrosis index based on the four factors, Fibro Q, Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index, King's score, Pohl score, Wang I, fibrosis index, fibrosis cirrhosis index, cirrhosis discriminant score, Lok score, Doha score, Mehdi's model, GqHBsAg, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, RDW to lymphocyte ratio, RDW to platelet ratio, GGT/INR, GGT/albumin, white blood cell/platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume/PDW and platelet/PDW indexes were compared to GAPI index. For the prediction of significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of GAPI index were 0.776, 0.868, and 0.885 in training cohort, and 0.731, 0.883, and 0.919 in validation cohort, respectively. The AUROCs of the GAPI index were higher than those of the evaluated 27 noninvasive indexes to predict significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: In resource limited settings, GAPI is a promising noninvasive liver fibrosis index for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and for decreasing the need for liver biopsy in patients with CHB infection using cutoff points of 2.00 and 3.50.

Hamstring autograft and anatomical footprint evaluation for anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction: Cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether or not there was any incompatibility between two-strand hamstring tendons taken from the same knee and the ATFL and it was the determination of suitable footprint points in the fibula and talus for anatomical ATFL reconstruction. METHODS: 16 fresh frozen cadaver specimens were dissected to gracilis and semitendinosus tendons and the anterior talofibular ligament. The origins, insertions, distances from osseous landmarks of fibular talus of ATFL were determined. The diameters of gracilis, semitendinosus and ATFL were calculated. There was a moderate correlation between body height and the distance between the distal of inferior lateral malleolus and the fibular adhesion site of ATFL (r: 36.5 p: 0.036). There was a weak correlation between body height and the distance between the apex of the lateral talar process and the talus adhesion site of ATFL in a single bundle (r: 28.4 p: 0.002). There was no correlation between the distance from proximal and distal adhesion side of ATFL and body height in the double bundle (p: 0.241). RESULTS: There was no significant relationship between ATFL diameter and gracilis, semitendinosus and both hamstring in women. A significant relationship at 80.5% was determined between the ATFL and the gracilis diameter in man. A significant relationship at 92.6% was determined between the ATFL and the semitendinosus diameter in man. CONCLUSION: It was determined that there is not compatibility between the gracilis tendons, the semitendinosus tendon and ATFL in women. It should be supported by biomechanical and clinical studies whether this incompatibility has a clinical effect or not.

Saw-related injuries of the lower extremity.

INTRODUCTION: Saw-related injuries can be found in all parts of the body. Especially hand saw-related injuries are frequently encountered in the literature. The aim of the study is to present our demographic data, treatment strategy and prevention of the saw-related injuries in the lower extremity. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted between 2010 and 2015 and only cases with saw-related lower extremity injuries were included in the study. These patients were analyzed according to demographic data, occupational status, procedures performed, hospitalization length of stay, return to work, and complications. RESULTS: There were 48 male and 1 female patients; their mean age was 44.06 ± 13.6 (22-77) years. The average referral time after injury was 1.51 ± 0.16 (1-7) hour. The average hospitalization length of stay was 3.76 ± 3.9 (1-22) days. Fractures were also present in 13 (26.5%) patients. Postinjury complications occurred in 18 (36.7%) patients. 4 (8.2%) of the cases did not return to the job after the injury. The average return time to the work was 2.95 ± 1.5 (1-7) months. CONCLUSION: Lower extremity saw-related injuries tend to be overwhelmingly male and most often seen distal to the extremity, especially on the medial side of the extremity. A significant number of patients did not return to the job after the injury.

Histopathological Evaluation of Mechanoreceptors in the Metatarsophalangeal Joint Capsule in Hallux Valgus.

To date, we could find no study concerning the relationship between mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and hallux valgus deformity. We aimed to investigate the presence of mechanoreceptors in samples obtained from the first metatarsophalangeal joint capsules of patients with hallux valgus deformity to improve our understanding of the clinical and histopathological features of the disease. Samples were taken from the first metatarsophalangeal joint capsules of 13 fresh-frozen cadavers with normal anatomy (controls) and 29 patients undergoing surgery for hallux valgus (cases). For light microscopy, excised specimens were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and processed for routine histopathological investigation. All samples were dehydrated in a series of ethanol, cleared in xylene, and embedded in paraffin. Orientation of collagen fibers was determined on Masson's trichrome-stained sections, and mechanoreceptors were evaluated on S-100-immunostained sections. In the sections stained with Masson's trichrome, the orientation of collagen fibers was regular in the control group. However, coarse and disoriented collagen bundles were observed in the hallux valgus cases (P ≤ .05). S-100 immunostaining was positive in the sections of both the cases and controls. Finally, free nerve endings were more abundant in the samples obtained from the capsules of hallux valgus cases than from the control group (P ≤ .05). An increase in the number of free nerve endings within the capsules of the first metatarsophalangeal joints in feet with hallux valgus deformity might have a role in the development of clinically relevant joint pain and instability.

Analysis of Subcutaneous Anterior Transposition versus in-situ Decompression of Ulnar Nerve with Force Transducer in Cadaver Specimen.

AIM: To evaluate the changes in the pressure values of the ulnar nerve after in-situ decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ulnar nerve was released in the postcondylar groove. An ultrathin (100 lm) force transducer was embedded between the posterior of the ulnar nerve and the anterior of the medial epicondyle. The elbow joint was flexed from full extension position to maximum flexion and was measured to obtain the maximum stress at 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° of flexion. Then, the ulnar nerve was transposed anterior subcutaneously. The same measurement was applied to the two procedures. Data were compared between the two surgical techniques. RESULTS: Our study was performed on the right upper extremities of eight (seven men and one woman) fresh frozen cadavers. The mean age of the cadavers was 67.25 ± 12.2 years. Mean values of 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° of flexion after the ulnar nerve insitu decompression were 0.41, 0.9, 1.7, and 4.3 N, respectively. Mean values of 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° of flexion after anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve were 0.3, 0.73, 1.63, and 2.15 N, respectively. No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of 0°, 45°, and 90° of flexion values. However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the 135° of flexion measurement values. CONCLUSION: Anterior transposition is a more appropriate technique than in-situ decompression in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome that does not respond to conservative treatment regardless of the severity of the symptom.

An anatomical examination of iatrogenic nerve injury during inside out meniscus repair with flexion and extension of the knee.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to assess the safe, risky and high-risky zones by measuring the proximity of the needles to the peroneal and saphenous nerves in millimeters for the repair of tears of the anterior, middle and posterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci at flexion and extension position during inside-out repair technique. METHODS: First, a cadaveric study was conducted on 10 cadaver knees in which both (lateral and medial) menisci were divided into anterior, corpus and posterior with the longitudinal tear simulating in each section. The next phase involved the suture of the simulated tears of the menisci while the knee was at 90° of flexion and full extension. Finally, the distance from the exit points of the K-wire being inserted through meniscal anterior, corpus and posterior tears to the aforementioned nerves was measured with a digital caliper. RESULTS: The distance between K-wire exit points and neurovascular structures concerning corpus and anterior horn tear repair of both menisci were considered far away and not included. However, closer posterior menisci measurements were taken to avoid the risk of iatrogenic nerve injury. The measured distances for lateral meniscus posterior tears were recorded 11±5.2 mm at 90° of flexion and 8±4.5 mm at extension, whereas those recorded 17.3±5.7 mm at 90° of flexion and 13.7±4.7 mm at extension for medial meniscus. These variables were evaluated statistically using a paired t-test; the mean of t value was not considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the inside-out technique at knee flexion is safe even in the posterior meniscus tears. However, safety distance can be increased with the higher flexion degrees of the knee. Lastly, in posterior meniscal tear repair, we recommend either retractor assisted mini-open technique at knee flexion, or all-inside suture technique, to avoid nerve injury risk in this zone. Although many surgeons do not prefer inside-out techniques for posterior menisci tears, inside-out posterior meniscal repair of both menisci is as safe as an all-inside technique using retractor assisted mini-open technique with the knee at higher than 90° flexion.