Similar complications, implant survival, and function following modular prosthesis and allograft-prosthesis composite reconstructions of the proximal femur for primary bone tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of consensus regarding the best type of reconstruction of the proximal femur following bone tumor resection. The objective of this study was to analyze the complication risks, implant survival, and functional outcomes following modular prosthesis (MP) and allograft-prosthesis composite (APC) reconstruction of the proximal femur after primary bone tumor resections. METHODS: We performed a search in the PubMed and Scopus libraries, obtaining 1 843 studies. We included studies reporting functional outcomes, complications, and implant survival of proximal femur reconstruction with MP or APC following primary bone tumor resection with a 2-year minimum follow-up. We excluded studies analyzing metastatic patients or studies with pooled data in which it was impossible to separate the data of patients with primary bone tumors from those with bone metastases. RESULTS: We analyzed 18 studies (483 patients) reporting on 234 (48%) patients with MP reconstruction and 249 (52%) patients with APC reconstruction. The risk of complications was similar in patients with MP reconstruction (29%; 95% CI [0.11; 0.47]) and APC reconstruction (36%; 95% CI [0.24; 0.47]) (p = 0.48). Implant survival following MP reconstruction ranged from 81 to 86% at 5 years, 75 to 86% at 10 years, and 82% at 15 years. Implant survival following APC reconstruction ranged from 86 to 100% at 5 years and 86% at 10 years, and 86% at 15 years. Functional outcomes following MP reconstruction and APC reconstruction ranged from 24.0 to 28.3 and from 21.9 to 27.8, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary bone tumor of the proximal femur who underwent MP or APC reconstruction seem to have similar complication risks, implant survival, and functional outcomes.

What Is the Likelihood of Union and Frequency of Complications After Parallel Plating and Supplemental Bone Grafting for Resistant Distal Femoral Nonunions?

BACKGROUND: Management of resistant distal femur nonunions is challenging because patients not only have disability from an unhealed fracture, but also often have a shortened femur, stiff knee, deformities, and bone defects to address during revision surgery. Dual plating of the distal femur in such a setting can maintain stability that allows the nonunion to heal while also addressing bone defects and correcting deformities simultaneously. Dual-plating techniques that have been described lack standardization with regard to the size and type of medial-side implants and configuration of the dual-plate construct. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What proportion of patients achieve radiologic evidence of union after parallel plating of resistant distal femoral nonunions? (2) What improvements in function are achieved with this approach, as assessed by improvements in femoral length discrepancy, knee flexion, and patient-reported outcome scores? (3) What complications are associated with the technique? METHODS: Between 2017 and 2020, the senior author of this study treated 38 patients with resistant distal femoral nonunions, defined here as nonunions that persisted for more than 12 months since the injury despite a minimum of two previous internal fixation procedures. During the study period, our preferred technique for treating aseptic, resistant distal femoral nonunions was to use dual plates in a parallel configuration augmented with autografts. Of 38 patients, three patients with active signs of infection who underwent resection and reconstruction using bone transport techniques and two patients older than 65 years with deficient distal femur bone stock who underwent endoprosthetic reconstruction were excluded. Of the 33 included patients, 67% (22 of 33) were male. The median age was 40 years (range 20 to 67 years). Nonunion was articular and metaphyseal in 13 patients and metaphyseal only in 20 patients. Our surgical approach was to remove existing implants, perform intraoperative culturing to rule out infection, debride the nonunion, correct the deformity, perform intra-articular and extra-articular lysis of adhesions with quadriceps release, and apply fixation using medial and lateral fixed-angle anatomic locked implants positioned in a parallel configuration. Every attempt to improve length was undertaken, and the defects were filled with autografts. A total of 97% of patients were followed until union occurred (one of 33 was lost to follow-up before union was documented), and 79% (26 of 33) were assessed for functional outcomes at a minimum of 2 years (median 38 months [range 25 to 60 months]) after excluding patients lost to follow-up and those in whom union did not occur after parallel plating. Union was defined as evidence of central trabecular bridging on AP radiographs and posterior cortical bridging on lateral radiographs. These radiologic criteria were defined to overcome difficulties in assessing radiologic healing in patients with lateral and medial plates. With parallel plating, bridging trabecular bone along the posterior cortex on lateral radiographs and the central region on AP radiographs is visualized and can be appreciated and interpreted as evidence of healing in two orthogonal planes. Preoperative and follow-up clinical assessment of knee ROM, the extent of femoral length correction based on calibrated femoral radiographs before and after surgery, and the evaluation of improvement in lower limb function based on the preoperative and follow-up differences in responses to the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) were studied (the LEFS is scored from 0 to 80, with higher scores representing better function). Complications and secondary surgical procedures to address them were abstracted from a longitudinally maintained trauma database. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent (22 of 33) of nonunions showed radiologic healing by 24 weeks, and another 24% (eight of 33) healed by 36 weeks. Six percent (two of 33) did not unite, and one patient was lost to follow-up before union was documented. In the 79% (26 of 33) of patients available for final functional outcome assessment, the median femoral shortening had improved from 2.4 cm (range 0 to 4 cm) to 1.1 cm (range 0 to 2.3 cm; p < 0.001), and the median knee ROM had improved from 70° (range 20° to 110°) to 100° (range 50° to 130°; p = 0.002) after surgery. The median LEFS score improved to 63 (range 41 to 78) compared with 22 (range 15 to 33; p < 0.001) before surgery. Serious complications, including major thromboembolic events, iliac graft site infection, knee stiffness (flexion < 60°), and medial plate impingement necessitating removal, were seen in 30% (10 of 33) of patients. Secondary surgical interventions were performed in 24% (eight of 33) of patients to address procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, a high likelihood of union and improvements in knee and lower limb function can be expected with parallel plating of resistant distal femur nonunions using anatomic locked plates. However, the increased frequency of complications observed in our study suggests the need for improvements in dual-plating techniques and to explore possible alternative fixation methods through larger multicenter comparative studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

The polymicrobial infection affects the infection recurrence rate (not failure) in treating femoral and tibial bone defects with the Masquelet technique-a comparative retrospective analysis of 54 patients with mono- and polymicrobial infections.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated whether polymicrobial infection affects reoperation rates due to infection recurrence and treatment failure with the Masquelet technique in infected posttraumatic segmental bone defects of the femur and tibia. METHODS:  We retrospectively analyzed patients treated between 2012 and 2021 in two trauma referral centers. We evaluated demographic data, injury, treatment, infection recurrence, failures, and bone healing rates according to whether the infection was mono- or polymicrobial. After uni-bivariate analysis between patients with polymicrobial and monomicrobial infection, we identified the variables associated with infection recurrence and failure through multivariate analysis. RESULTS:  We analyzed 54 patients, 30 (55.55%) with tibial and 24 (44.44%) femoral segmental bone defects, with a mean follow-up of 41.7 ± 15.0 months. Forty-four (81.48%) presented monomicrobial, and 10 (18.51%) polymicrobial infections. Comparatively, the need for soft tissue reconstruction and the infection recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with polymicrobial infections. There was no significant difference in the failure rate (20 vs. 6.81% p = 0.23). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the polymicrobial infection as the only independent variable associated with infection recurrence (Odds Ratio = 11.07; p = 0.0017). CONCLUSION:  Our analysis suggests that polymicrobial infection is associated with a higher risk of infection recurrence in treating the femur and tibia segmental bone defects with the Masquelet technique. This information can help surgeons to inform patients about this and give them a realistic expectation of the outcome and the possibility of reoperation.

The effect of anterior superior iliac spine preservation on donor site morbidity and function after harvesting a vascularized iliac bone flap.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) preservation on donor site morbidity and function after harvesting a vascularized iliac bone flap (VIBF). METHODS: Patients who underwent jaws reconstruction with VIBF were divided into a maintaining the anterior superior iliac spine (MASIS) group and a not maintaining the anterior superior iliac spine (NMASIS) group. Pain, tenderness, sensory deficit, gait disturbance, and function of the donor site were evaluated before and after the operation. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in this study, of which 18 were in the MASIS group. The incidence of sensory deficit in the MASIS group was significantly lower than that in the NMASIS group (50.0% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.010). Pain, tenderness, gait disturbance, and function did not differ statistically between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Except for sensory deficit, ASIS preservation has minimal impact on donor site morbidity and function.

Vancomycin Flushing Syndrome After the Use of Vancomycin-Impregnated Bone Graft During Spine Surgery: A Case Report.

CASE: Intrawound vancomycin in spine surgery is a common clinical practice. We report a case of a 14-year-old adolescent girl undergoing surgery for scoliosis correction who developed features of vancomycin flushing syndrome after the use of vancomycin-impregnated bone graft. After resuscitation, she was extubated and had an uneventful postoperative recovery. At 1-year follow-up, she is back to her routine without any sequelae of the intraoperative event. CONCLUSION: The use of intrawound vancomycin can result in life-threatening reactions. With the increase in its use, the anesthetist and the surgeon must be aware of such complications.

Complications associated with vertical bone augmentation techniques in implant dentistry: A systematic review of clinical studies published in the last ten years.

Vertical bone augmentation procedures are increasingly necessary in daily practice. However, it has been reported that vertical ridge augmentation is one of the least predictable techniques in terms of complications. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare complications in relation to the different procedures used for vertical bone augmentation prior to implant placement. This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was carried out in four databases: The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE/PubMed); Web of Science; SCOPUS; and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias, and The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool were used to assess the quality of evidence in the studies reviewed. Twenty-five studies with a total of 749 vertically augmented sites were included in the review. Complication rates varied among the different procedures: 51.02% for distraction osteogenesis, 38.01% for bone blocks, and 16.80% for guided bone regeneration. Vertical bone augmentation procedures prior to implant placement are associated with frequent surgical complications and should be approached with caution due to their possible impact on clinical treatment success.

Reconstructing a Patellar Tendon Rupture Neglected for 14 Years When Anatomic Restoration Is Not Possible: A Case Report.

CASE: This case highlights the utility and outcomes of an Achilles tendon bone-block allograft in reconstructing the patellar tendon of a 44-year-old man in the setting of a high-riding, irreducible patella after a chronic patellar tendon rupture of 14 years. CONCLUSION: In cases of a neglected patellar tendon rupture with an irreducible high-riding patella, an Achilles tendon bone-block allograft can provide the length and tissue necessary to reconstruct the extensor mechanism. Although reconstruction may not be anatomic, patients can still experience great subjective and objective functional improvement with restoration of the extensor mechanism even after delayed reconstruction.

Are Vascularized Fibula Autografts a Long-lasting Reconstruction After Intercalary Resection of the Humerus for Primary Bone Tumors?

BACKGROUND: A vascularized fibula graft (VFG) is the vascular autograft most frequently used to restore large segmental long bone defects, particularly in the upper limb. Because the use of a vascularized fibula involves an operation in an uninvolved extremity with potential morbidity, it is important to document that this type of reconstruction is successful in restoring function to the humerus. However, the long-term results of VFG after intercalary resection of the humeral diaphysis for bone tumors are still unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What was the complication rate of reconstruction? (2) What was the functional result after surgical treatment, as assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, and Constant score? (3) What was the survivorship of these grafts free from revision and graft removal at 5, 10, and 15 years? METHODS: Between 1987 and 2021, 127 patients were treated at our institution with en bloc resection for a primary malignant or an aggressive benign bone tumor of the humerus; we excluded patients treated with extra-articular resection or amputation. Of those, 14% (18 of 127) were treated with intercalary resection of the humeral diaphysis for primary bone tumors and reconstruction with VFG, with or without a bulk allograft, and were analyzed in this retrospective study. Generally, our indications for reconstruction with VFG are intercalary resection of the humerus for primary malignant or aggressive benign bone tumors in patients with long life expectancy and high functional demands, in whom adequate bone stock of the proximal and distal epiphysis can be preserved. In 13 patients, VFG was used alone, whereas in five patients, a massive allograft was used. Our policy was to use VFG combined with a massive allograft in patients undergoing juxta-articular joint-sparing resections in which proximal osteotomy was performed close to the anatomic neck of the humerus to obtain more stable fixation and better tendinous reattachment of the rotator cuff and deltoid. All 18 patients who were treated with a VFG were available for follow-up at a minimum of 2 years (median follow-up 176 months, range 26 to 275 months), and although three have not been seen in the past 5 years and are not known to have died, they had 172, 163, and 236 months of follow-up, and were included. The median age at surgery was 25 years (range 2 to 63 years), the median humeral resection length was 15 cm (range 8 to 21 cm), and the median fibular length was 16 cm (range 12 to 23 cm). Complications and functional scores were ascertained by chart review that was performed by an individual not involved in patient care. Functional results were assessed with the MSTS score (range 0 to 30), the ASES score (range 0 to 100), and the Constant score (range 0% to 100%). Survivorship was estimated using a Kaplan-Meier survivorship estimator, which was suitable because there were few deaths in this series. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent a revision procedure (one radial nerve transient palsy because of screw impingement, four nonunions in three patients with one humeral head avascular necrosis, treatment for screw-related pain in one patient, and two VFG fractures), and one patient underwent VFG removal. Donor site complications were observed in four patients (one ankle valgus deformity and three claw toes-the first toe in two patients and the other toes in the third). At the final clinical control, at a median follow-up of 176 months (range 26 to 275 months), the median MSTS score was 30 of 30 (range 28 to 30), the median ASES score was 98.3 (range 93 to 100), and the median Constant score was 93.5% (range 79% to 100%). Revision-free survival was 71% (95% CI 53% to 96%) at 5 years and 57% (95% CI 37% to 88%) at 10 and 15 years; VFG removal-free survival was 94% (95% CI 83% to 100%) at 5, 10, and 15 years. CONCLUSION: VFG appears to be an effective reconstructive option after humeral intercalary resection for primary bone tumors. These are complex procedures and should be performed by an experienced team of surgeons who recognize that complications may occur frequently in the first years after the procedure. The frequency of mechanical complications observed in the first 5 years postoperatively may be lessened by using long spanning-plate fixation, and if successful, this reconstruction provides a long-term, durable reconstruction with excellent functional results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

[Evaluation of the effect of cattle calcined bone grafting material to repair alveolar bone defect after tooth extraction].

PURPOSE: To verify the efficacy and safety of calcined cattle bone grafting material in filling alveolar bone defect after tooth extraction. METHODS: A randomized, bind, parallel, positive-control multicenter clinical trial was conducted. A total of 280 subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (calcined cattle bone group) or control group (Bio-Oss group) equally. The main efficacy indicator was the imaging changes 24 weeks after material implantation. Secondary efficacy indicators were wound healing, rejection, bone metabolism, post-filling symptoms and signs of bone infection. The safety of material was assessed by the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. SAS 8.2 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 280 cases were included, of them 267 cases completed the study while 13 cases fell off. The effective rate of FAS(PPS) was 90.58%(97.46%) in the experimental group and 87.05% (95.04%) in the control group. The difference of effective rate between the experimental group and control group (95%CI) was 3.53% (-3.88%, 10.94%) of FAS, 2.42% (-2.38%, 7.22%) of PPS, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The incision healing of the two groups was good, and the incidence of rejection, bone infection signs, post-filling symptoms and bone metabolic changes was very low. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups, and no serious adverse events related to the study materials occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of calcined cattle bone grafting material in filling alveolar bone defect after tooth extraction is not inferior to that of Bio-Oss, and it is safe and effective for alveolar bone defect repair.

Arthroscopic versus open cancellous bone grafting for scaphoid delayed/nonunion in adults (SCOPE-OUT): study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Scaphoid non-union results in pain and decreased hand function. Untreated, almost all cases develop degenerative changes. Despite advances in surgical techniques, the treatment is challenging and often results in a long period with a supportive bandage until the union is established. Open, corticocancellous (CC) or cancellous (C) graft reconstruction and internal fixation are often preferred. Arthroscopic assisted reconstruction with C chips and internal fixation provides minimal trauma to the ligament structures, joint capsule, and extrinsic vascularization with similar union rates. Correction of deformity after operative treatment is debated with some studies favouring CC, and others found no difference. No studies have compared time to union and functional outcomes in arthroscopic vs. open C graft reconstruction. We hypothesize that arthroscopic assisted C chips graft reconstruction of scaphoid delayed/non-union provides faster time to union, by at least a mean 3 weeks difference. METHODS: Single site, prospective, observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight patients aged 18-68 years with scaphoid delayed/non-union will be randomized, 1:1, to either open iliac crest C graft reconstruction or arthroscopic assisted distal radius C chips graft reconstruction. Patients are stratified for smoking habits, proximal pole involvement and displacement of > / < 2 mm. The primary outcome is time to union, measured with repeated CT scans at 2-week intervals from 6 to 16 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes are Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), visual analogue scale (VAS), donor site morbidity, union rate, restoration of scaphoid deformity, range of motion, key-pinch, grip strength, EQ5D-5L, patient satisfaction, complications and revision surgery. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will contribute to the treatment algorithm of scaphoid delayed/non-union and assist hand surgeons and patients in making treatment decisions. Eventually, improving time to union will benefit patients in earlier return to normal daily activity and reduce society costs by shortening sick leave. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05574582. Date first registered: September 30, 2022. Items from the WHO trial registry are found within the protocol.

Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction injection following core decompression and biochemistry artificial bone graft implantation in osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PURPOSE: To determine how adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) injection following core decompression (CD) and biochemistry artificial bone graft implantation affects outcomes in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: A total of 19 patients (28 hips) with stage I-IIIA ONFH received adipose-derived SVF injection and combined core decompression and biochemistry artificial bone graft implantation, followed up for a minimum of two years. Disease progression was evaluated according to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging system, and the change of the ratio of the necrotic volume to femoral head volume was calculated with MRI before and after operation. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, 15 hips remained stable, and 13 hips had a progression, according to the ARCO staging system. A total of eight hips (5 with ARCO stage II and 3 with staged IIIA at baseline) progressed to post-collapse stage (stage IIIB-IV). In total, seven of eight hips with post-collapse stage and one with IIIA stage at follow-up converted to THAs in an average of 17.5 months (range, 11-68 months) postoperatively. The mean ratio of the necrotic lesion volume to the femoral head significantly decreased in hips with ARCO stage I (17.9 ± 3.0% to 9.8 ± 1.3%, p = 0.012, Δ necrosis ratio = 8.1 ± 4.2%) and stage II (22.7 ± 6.3% to 17.1 ± 9.4%, p = 0.001, Δ necrosis ratio = 5.7 ± 6.6%) at baseline. For the eight hips that progressed to post-collapse stage, the mean necrosis ratio increased from 27.4 ± 5.4% to 31.1 ± 4.0% (p = 0.146), Δ necrosis ratio = - 3.7 ± 3.9%. For the other 20 hips radiological survived, the mean necrosis ratio improved from 19.9 ± 4.4% to 11.8 ± 3.3% (p < 0.001), with Δ necrosis ratio = 8.1 ± 4.9%. CONCLUSION: Adipose-derived SVF injection following core decompression and biochemistry artificial bone graft implantation is safe and could effectively repair the necrosis lesion and delay disease progression in patients with early-stage ONFH.

Free Fibula Flap for Extremity Oncologic Defects: Factors Influencing Union and Functional Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes after vascularized bone flap (VBF) reconstruction of oncologic bony extremity defects. A secondary goal was to compare union rates based on various insetting methods, including onlay, intermedullary, and intercalary. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients who received an extremity reconstruction with a fibula flap after oncologic resection between 2001 and 2019. RESULTS: The authors identified a total of 60 fibular VBFs in 55 patients (67% lower extremity, 33% upper extremity). The overall union rate was 91.7% (55 of 60). For lower extremity reconstructions, the mean time to full weightbearing was 16 months (range, 4 to 44 months). Fibula VBFs were onlay in 65% of cases, intercalary in 23%, and intramedullary in 12%. Forty-three percent of patients required a reoperation as a result of a surgical complication. Immediate femur reconstruction subgroup analysis demonstrated that onlay fibula flap orientation was associated with a significantly increased risk for any complication (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 28.7; P = 0.03) as well as an increased risk for requiring conversion to endoprostheses because of nonunion (OR, 12.1; 90% CI, 1.03 to 143.5; P = 0.03) compared with intramedullary placement. CONCLUSIONS: The free vascularized fibula flap is a reliable option for functional reconstruction of any long bone extremity defect, but complications in these complex procedures are not uncommon. In patients with immediate femur reconstructions, intramedullary fibula placement was associated with significantly lower complication and lower metallic implant conversion rates and a trend toward a more rapid early union compared with onlay VBF. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Characteristics and risk factors of instrumentation failure following total en bloc spondylectomy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of instrumentation failure (IF) after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES), and to analyze risk factors for IF. METHODS: The medical records from 136 patients (65 male, 71 female) with a mean age of 52.7 years (14 to 80) who underwent TES were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 101 months (36 to 232). Analyzed factors included incidence of IF, age, sex, BMI, history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, tumour histology (primary or metastasis; benign or malignant), surgical approach (posterior or combined), tumour location (thoracic or lumbar; junctional or non-junctional), number of resected vertebrae (single or multilevel), anterior resection line (disc-to-disc or intravertebra), type of bone graft (autograft or frozen autograft), cage subsidence (CS), and local alignment (LA). A survival analysis of the instrumentation was performed, and relationships between IF and other factors were investigated using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients (32.4%) developed IF at a median of 31 months (interquartile range 23 to 74) following TES. Most IFs were rod fractures preceded by a mean CS of 6.1 mm (2 to 18) and LA kyphotic enhancement of 10.8° (-1 to 36). IF-free survival rates were 75.8% at five years and 56.9% at ten years. The interval from TES to IF peaked at two to three years postoperatively and continued to occur over a period of time thereafter; the early IF-developing group had greater CS at one month postoperatively (CS1M) and more lumbar TES. CS1M ≥ 3 mm and sole use of frozen autografts were identified as independent risk factors for IF. CONCLUSION: IF is a common complication following TES. We have demonstrated that robust spinal reconstruction preventing CS, and high-quality bone grafting are necessary for successful reconstruction.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):172-179.

Factors affecting the incorporation of extracorporeally irradiated autograft for the treatment of bone tumours-a retrospective analysis from a tertiary referral centre.

PURPOSE: Re-implantation of the tumor bearing autograft following extracorporeal radiation therapy (ECRT) has been established as an oncologically safe biological reconstruction technique following resection of bone sarcomas. However, factors affecting the ECRT graft-host bone incorporation have not been fully investigated. An insight into the factors that influence graft incorporation can circumvent the complications and increase graft survival. METHODS: A total of 96 osteotomies in 48 patients with intercalary resections of primary extremity bone sarcomas (mean age 15.8 years, mean follow-up 42.1 months) were analyzed retrospectively for factors ECRT autograft-host bone union. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, age < 20 years, metaphyseal osteotomy site, V-shaped diaphyseal osteotomy, and use of additional plate at diaphyseal osteotomy had a significantly faster time to union, while gender, tumour type, bone involved, resection length, chemotherapy, type of fixation, and use of intra-medullary fibula did not influence union time. In multivariate analysis, V-shaped diaphyseal osteotomy and use of additional plate at diaphyseal ostetomy were the independent factors with favourable time to union. None of the analyzed factors was found to have a significant effect on the union rate. The major complications were non-union in 11.4% patients, graft failure in 2.1%, infection in 12.5%, and soft tissue local recurrences in 14.5% patients. CONCLUSION: Modified diaphyseal osteotomy and augmentation of the stability of the reconstruction using additional small plates enhance the incorporation of ECRT autograft.

Niveles bajos de vitamina D y su efecto en la oseointegración: revisión sistemática / Low levels of vitamin D and effect on osseointegration: a systematic review

Introducción: la vitamina D es una hormona que se sintetiza por células de la piel mediante la luz ultravioleta (UV) y se obtiene a través de la dieta. La relación que se establece entre la deficiencia de vitamina D y el fracaso en injertos óseos o implantes se basa en las alteraciones inmunológicas e inflamatorias debido al vínculo que existe con la inmunidad innata y adaptativa. Objetivo: identificar los factores que se presentan en el periodonto cuando existen niveles bajos de vitamina D y se realizan tratamientos periodontales como injertos óseos e implantes. Material y métodos: se realizó la búsqueda primaria de artículos en bases de datos PubMed y Google Académico (en español e inglés), de acuerdo con las palabras claves: deficiencia, vitamina D, implantología y oseointegración. Resultados: la vitamina D afecta y predispone al rechazo de injertos, ausencia de oseointegración en implantes debido a la inmunomodulación. Conclusión: el éxito del tratamiento se vuelve predecible cuando se encuentran niveles óptimos de vitamina D en conjunto con técnicas de abordaje quirúrgico correctas que permitan generar una integración ideal de los tejidos periodontales (AU)

Introduction: vitamin D is a hormone that is synthesized by skin cells using UV light and consumed through the diet. The relationship established between vitamin D deficiency and the failure of bone grafts or implants is based on immunological and inflammatory alterations due to the intimate link with innate and adaptive immunity. Objective: to identify the factors that occur in the periodontium when there are low levels of vitamin D and periodontal treatments such as bone grafts and implants are performed. Material and methods: a search for articles was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar (Spanish and English). Results: vitamin D affects and predisposes to graft rejection, absence of osseointegration in implants due to immunomodulation. Conclusion: the success of the treatment becomes predictable when optimal levels of vitamin D are found together with the correct surgical approach techniques that allow the generation of an ideal integration of the periodontal tissues.(AU)

Core decompression with ß-tri-calcium phosphate grafts in combination with platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of avascular necrosis of femoral head.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate whether the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with ß-tri-calcium phosphate (ß-TCP) grafts after core decompression (CD) could improve the clinical outcomes of early stage of avascular necrosis of femoral head. METHODS: Forty-five (54 hips) patients with Ficat-Arlet classification stage I-II treated by CD with ß-TCP grafts with or without the application of PRP from July 2015 to October 2020 were reviewed. Group A (CD + ß-TCP grafts) included 24 patients (29 hips), while group B (CD + ß-TCP grafts + PRP) included 21 patients (25 hips). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Harris hip score (HHS), change in modified Kerboul angle and the hip joint survival were evaluated and compared between the groups. Patients had a mean follow-up period of 62.1 ± 17.2 months and 59.3 ± 14.8 months in group A and group B, respectively. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores in group A was significantly higher than group B at the 6 months (2.9 ± 0.7 vs 1.9 ± 0.6, p < 0.01) and final follow up postoperative (2.8 ± 1.2 vs 2.2 ± 0.7, p = 0.04). The mean HHS in group A was significantly lower than group B at the 6 months (80.5 ± 13.8 vs 89.8 ± 12.8, p = 0.02). However, at the final follow up, there is no significant difference between the groups (77.0 ± 12.4 vs 83.1 ± 9.3, p = 0.07). The mean change in modified Kerboul angle was -7.4 ± 10.6 in group A and -19.9 ± 13.9 in group B which is statistically significant (p < 0.01). Survivorship from total hip arthroplasty were 86.2%/84% (p = 0.86) at the final follow up, which was not statistically significant. No serious complications were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of PRP combined with CD and ß-TCP grafts provided significant pain relief, better functional outcomes, and delayed progression in the short term compared to CD combined with ß-TCP grafts. However, the prognosis of the femoral head did not improve significantly in the long term. In the future, designing new implants to achieve multiple PRP injections may improve the hip preservation rate.

Risk factors associated with fixation-related complications in microsurgical free flap reconstruction of the mandible.

BACKGROUND: Hardware complications (loosening of screws, infection, or exposure of the plate) in mandibular reconstruction with vascularized osseous free flaps impose significant morbidity, and frequently require revision surgery. Purpose of this study was to identify possible contributing factors for hardware complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study involving case series of patients who underwent microvascular mandible reconstructions between 2000 and 2020. Patient demographics, pathological, clinical, and treatment-related factors were analyzed in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were enrolled, encompassing 63 reconstructions with fibular free flaps, 26 reconstructions with scapular, and 2 reconstructions with iliac flaps. Rate of hardware complications and plate exposure was 14.3% and 7.7%, respectively, with a median follow-up time for extrusion of 29 months. In univariate analysis, preoperative radiotherapy (odds ratio [OR] = 6.57, p = .01), and secondary mandible reconstruction (OR = 4.3, p = .04) were significant predictors of hardware complications, and plate exposure was most frequently found in secondary reconstruction (37.5%, OR = 11.8, p = .04). Hypertension was the most commonly found comorbidity (24%), and it trended toward significance regarding plate exposure (p = .05). Only secondary mandible reconstruction was associated with osteosynthesis complications (OR = 12.53, p = .01) and plate exposure (OR = 23.86, p = .005) on multivariate analysis, while preoperative radiation therapy did not retain its relevance on plate exposure. CONCLUSION: Secondary mandible reconstructions with vascularized osseous free flaps have a higher risk of osteosynthesis complications than primary reconstructions.