Long-Term Results for Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability With Fibular Periosteum Ligamentoplasty and Extensor Retinaculum Flap.

Long-term results of anatomic reconstruction for chronic ankle instability are good, but no study has shown the results of fibular periosteum ligamentoplasty associated with extensor retinaculum flap at long-term follow-up. To demonstrate the efficacy of fibular periosteum ligamentoplasty and extensor retinaculum flap in chronic lateral instability, 40 patients underwent surgery for ankle instability. Thirty-three (82.5%) patients were reviewed, with a median follow-up duration of 8.2 (range 4 to 13) years. Functional results were assessed using the Karlsson score. Static and dynamic x-ray images were realized to measure varus tilt and anterior drawer, and osteoarthritis was evaluated with the van Dijk classification. The median Karlsson score was 95 (range 80 to 100). The mean decrease in varus laxity was 11° (range 0 to 18) and in anterior drawer was 1 (range -8 to 4) mm. At the last follow-up visit, 3 (7.5%) patients showed an evidence of osteoarthritis according to the preoperative criteria of the van Dijk classification (grade 2) and 6 (15%) patients had radiologic changes, without narrowing of the joint space (grade 1). Studies that have a follow-up time >5 years are rare. This study shows that despite the excellent control of ankle laxity, severe radiographic changes (grade 2) continue to evolve in the long term. This study indicates a good long-term outcome but suggests the need to monitor the occurrence of osteoarthritis over the long term.

[Robotic surgery : the future of prosthetic surgery ?] / Chirurgie robotique : l'avenir de la chirurgie prothétique ?

Indications for hip and knee replacement will continue to grow over the next few years. Robotic systems have been developed since the early 1990s in order to optimize implant positioning, to potentially improve clinical results, and to reduce perioperative morbidity. Currently, the different available systems certainly improve the accuracy and reproducibility of prosthetic components placement. However, the cost of robotic surgery remains very high. Early results in terms of implant survival, postoperative pain, mobility, and length of stay are encouraging. Long-term studies are needed to validate the clinical efficacy and to perform a medico-economic evaluation of robots in orthopedic surgery.

Les indications de mise en place des prothèses de hanche et de genou ne cesseront de croître au cours des prochaines années. Afin de parfaire la technique d'implantation, d'améliorer les résultats cliniques et de réduire la morbidité périopératoire, l'emploi de systèmes robotiques fait l'objet d'un intérêt grandissant depuis le début des années 90. Actuellement, les différents systèmes disponibles permettent assurément d'améliorer la reproductibilité et la précision de l'implantation des prothèses aux dépens de coûts encore élevés. Les résultats précoces en termes de survie des implants, de douleur et de mobilité post-opératoires sont encourageants. Des études au long terme seront nécessaires afin de confirmer ces derniers et valider l'efficacité clinique ainsi que l'intérêt médico-économique des robots en chirurgie orthopédique.

High-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis reduction and fusion in children using transsacral rod fixation.

PURPOSE: There is no consensus on how to treat surgically high-dysplastic developmental spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. Although reducing spinal deformity seems mandatory, the issue of surgical reduction versus in situ fusion remains controversial. METHODS: The files of 12 consecutive patients surgically treated for a grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis were reviewed. The treatment consisted in L4 to sacrum reduction and fusion by posterior approach. The reduction of lumbopelvic imbalance was made intraoperatively using a trans-sacral rod fixation technique. RESULTS: Mean preoperative L5 anterior slippage was 72.3 % (60 to 95 %). The mean preoperative lumbosacral tilt angle was 70.5° (43 to 92°). Mean final lumbosacral tilt angle was 102° (91 to 114°). Mean final L5 anterior slippage was 19 % (7 to 63 %). Neurological complications (radicular L5 or S1 deficits) were noted in five patients. At final follow-up L4 to S1 fusion was achieved in all patients. No patient had persistent deficit or radicular pain. CONCLUSIONS: The fusion rate in our series proved to be optimal. Thanks to the trans-sacral rod fixation, lumbosacral kyphosis correction was very good. The intrasacral positioning of the screws reduces the risk of implant prominence especially in such pediatric patients. We stress the importance to avoid complete slip reduction in such patients to minimize stretching on L5 and S1 roots. No additional immobilization is needed due to solid posterior instrumentation. Doing such procedure only by posterior approach avoids anterior approach-related complications.

Efficacy of integuseal for surgical skin preparation in children and adolescents undergoing scoliosis correction.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of a microbial sealant applied before the surgical incision to reduce surgical site infection in patients with scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The incidence of superficial or deep infections is reported in 2 groups of patients treated for neuromuscular or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Statistical analysis aimed to compare the effect of the use of a cyanoacrylate microbial sealant on infection rate. METHODS: From June 2010 to June 2011, 56 patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Using a random number table, patients were assigned either to receive or not a sterile, film-forming cyanoacrylate liquid application (Integuseal). Epidemiological data and infection occurrence were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Statistical analysis comparing patients with neuromuscular scoliosis and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis showed that patients with neuromuscular scoliosis had more fused levels, increased intraoperative bleeding, and longer intraoperative time. Six patients had early postoperative infections of the posterior approach, which included 3 deep and 3 superficial infections. Five infections occurred in patients treated with Integuseal. Outcome was favorable in 6 cases after local wound debridement and antibiotics. Nonparametric statistical tests (Fisher exact test) showed no significant correlation (P = 0.096) between early postoperative infection occurrence and the use of Integuseal. CONCLUSION: Although microbial sealant may be a useful addition to a multimodal approach to minimize surgical site infection, there is currently insufficient evidence as to whether the use of microbial sealants reduces the risk of surgical site infection in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery.