Application of cold atmospheric microwave plasma as an adjunct therapy for wound healing in dogs and cats

Background@#Cold atmospheric plasma is a novel innovative approach for wound care, and it is currently underrepresented in veterinary medicine. @*Objectives@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of using cold atmospheric microwave plasma (CAMP) as an adjunct therapy for wound healing in dogs and cats. @*Methods@#Wound healing outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using clinical records of client-owned dogs and cats who were first managed through standard wound care alone (pre-CAMP period) and subsequently via CAMP therapy (CAMP period). The degree of wound healing was estimated based on wound size and a modified wound scoring system. @*Results@#Of the 27 acute and chronic wounds included in the analysis, 81.48% showed complete healing after the administration of CAMP as an adjunct therapy to standard care.Most wounds achieved complete healing in < 5 weeks. Compared with the pre-CAMP period, the rate of wound healing significantly increased every week in the CAMP period in terms of in wound size (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p = 0.012; third week, p < 0.001) and wound score (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p < 0.001; third week, p = 0.001). No adverse events were noted except for mild discomfort and transient erythema. @*Conclusions@#CAMP is a well-tolerated therapeutic option with immense potential to support the treatment of wounds of diverse etiology in small animal practice. Further research is warranted to establish specific criteria for CAMP treatment according to wound characteristics.

The Effectiveness of Plantar Aponeurosis Release for the Limitation in First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Extension after Hallux Valgus Surgery / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint after surgery for hallux valgus has been reported. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of releasing plantar aponeurosis for improving the range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint that was limited after hallux valgus surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (1 man, 12 women [17 feet]; median age, 54.4 years; range, 44~69 years) with limited first metatarsophalangeal joint extension after hallux valgus surgery, who underwent an additional procedure of plantar aponeurosis release between March 2015 and August 2015, were included. Subsequently, the passive range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint was evaluated via knee extension and flexion positions. Hallux valgus angle, inter-metatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and talo-first metatarsal angle were measured on weightbearing dorsoplantar and lateral radiographs of the foot preoperatively. RESULTS: The mean range of extension for the first metatarsophalangeal joint improved significantly, from 2.5° to 40.9° in the knee extension position (p<0.00). The mean extension range for the first metatarsophalangeal joint also improved, from 18.2° to 43.2° in the knee flexion position (p<0.00). In all patients, congruence of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was recovered. CONCLUSION: Plantar aponeurosis release is an effective additional procedure for improving the extension range of the first metatarsophalangeal joint after hallux valgus surgery.

The Treatment of Infected Non-union of Long Bones with Plate and Screws

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of internal fixation with plate in treating infected nonunion of long bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1993 to February 2004, ten patients who underwent internal fixation with plate and cancellous bone graft on account of infected nonunion of long bone were retrospectively examined. The medical treatment were composed of thorough and adequate debridement of necrotic tissue, irrigation and plate fixation. Two patients were operated on with bridging plate method. Autologous cancellous bone graft was performed in 6 patients. In 2 cases, it was performed 4 weeks after internal fixation. RESULTS: In 9 patients, radiographic union appeared on the average of 6.8months and infections were cured before union occurred. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation with plate is a useful method for the solid fixation in the treatment of infected nonunion. The general concern was that the inserted hardware worsened the infection, which was overcomed with the operative techniques as bridging plate, debridement and cancellous bone graft.

Radiological Analysis of the Degenerative Arthritis of the Ankle / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the radiological characteristics of the degenerative arthritis of the ankle using the standing radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2001 to May 2005, 36 patients (56 ankles) who were treated for osteoarthritis of ankle were analysed. Angle of tibial shaft and tibial joint surface on AP view (TSA), angle of tibial joint surface on lateral view (TLS), tibial and medial malleolus angle (TMM) and talo-1st metatarsal angle were checked on standing radiograph. The patients with medial joint and total joint involvement were categorized into three stages according to the location of involvement. The degree of joint space narrowing was categorized into two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in TSA, TLS, TMM and talo-1st metatarsal angle with regard to the stage of arthritis. However, the difference between the less severe group and the severe group existed. CONCLUSION: Angular deformity was not correlated with stage, but correlated with severity. The deformity of distal tibial articular surface does not seem to be a cause of primary osteoartiritis, but rather a result from it.

Radiological Analysis of the Degenerative Arthritis of the Ankle / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the radiological characteristics of the degenerative arthritis of the ankle using the standing radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2001 to May 2005, 36 patients (56 ankles) who were treated for osteoarthritis of ankle were analysed. Angle of tibial shaft and tibial joint surface on AP view (TSA), angle of tibial joint surface on lateral view (TLS), tibial and medial malleolus angle (TMM) and talo-1st metatarsal angle were checked on standing radiograph. The patients with medial joint and total joint involvement were categorized into three stages according to the location of involvement. The degree of joint space narrowing was categorized into two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in TSA, TLS, TMM and talo-1st metatarsal angle with regard to the stage of arthritis. However, the difference between the less severe group and the severe group existed. CONCLUSION: Angular deformity was not correlated with stage, but correlated with severity. The deformity of distal tibial articular surface does not seem to be a cause of primary osteoartiritis, but rather a result from it.

Revision Arthroplasty using Thtoplast - HA Composites for Acetabular Bone Deficiencies / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Sixty-eight revisions of total hip arthroplasties from sixty-one patients were performed using allogenic cancellous chip bone and fine granules of HA for bone deficiencies of the acetabulum at two hospitals in Seoul since September 1992. In our practice, acetabular deficiencies were classified into two broad categories, which were based on our provisional treatment protocol. For the segmental deficiencies of the acetabulum, we employed the method of using the cemented acetabular component. In the mean time, Ling technique of impaction graft with PMMA cement were also employed. For the cavitary deficiencies of the acetabulum, we used several types of uncemented ingrowth cups with HA granules and Tutoplast was used to further ameliorate the bony integration. In addition, we obtained good results in cavitary deficiencies of the acetabulum with C.L.S. Expansion Cup and Ringloc fin Cups which seem that initial stability during the cup installation were remarkable. Unfortunately, we had 5 cases of clinical failure, which consist of bone graft incorporation, where eventual resorption of the graft and implant migration were resulted. Nevertheless electromicroscopic finding of interface taken from failure showed partial new trabecular formation and physicochemical bonding near the host bone bed in some cases. Although primary stability of reconstructive surgery was acceptable, Tutoplast - HA granule composites have similar effect of incorporation to host bone compared with other method of allogenic bonegraft storage, which remodeled after 5 years. Thus, this phenomenon requires further investigation of molecular biological role of tissue substance known as cytokine, as well as microscopic histology.