Minimally-Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Clavicle Fractures / Osteossíntese minimamente invasiva com placa para fraturas de clavícula

Abstract Objective To analyze the radiological, clinical, and functional outcomes of clavicle fractures treated with the minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. Methods From June 2018 to July 2019, 17 cases of clavicular fractures were managed using the MIPO technique under C-arm fluoroscopy. The functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley score and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The clinical results of union, the complications, the operative time, the hospital stay, as well as infection, were analyzed. Results The mean follow-up time was of 10.41 1.75 months (range: 8 to 14 months). There were 11 male and 6 female patients, with a mean age of 39.05 10.76 years (range: 22 to 57 years). All fractures united on the mean time of 15.35 3.08 weeks (range: 12 to 20 weeks). The mean operative time was of 98.11 13.83 minutes (range: 70 to 130 minutes), and the mean length of the hospital stay was of 4.7 1.12 days (range: 3 to 7 days). The mean Constant-Murley score was of 74.82 6.36 in 4th postoperstive month, and of 92.35 5.48 in the 8th postoperative month, which was statistically significant. The mean DASH score was of 9.94 1.55 in the 4th postoperative month, and of 5.29 1.85 in the 8th postoperative month, which was also statistically significant. One patient had superficial skin infection at the site of the incision. Conclusions The MIPO technique is an alternative method for the fixation of clavicle fractures, but it is technically more demanding, and requires well-equipped operating room facilities.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o resultado radiológico, clínico e funcional das fraturas da clavícula, tratadas pela técnica de osteossíntese com placa minimamente invasiva (MIPO). Métodos De junho de 2018 a julho de 2019, um total de 17 casos de fraturas claviculares foram tratadas com a técnica de osteossíntese com placa minimamente invasiva (MIPO), sob fluoroscopia com o braço em C. Os resultados funcionais foram avaliados por meio do escore de Constant-Murley e pelo escore de incapacidade do braço, ombro e mão (DASH). Foram analisados os resultados clínicos de consolidação, complicações, tempo cirúrgico, permanência hospitalar e infecção. Resultados O tempo médio de acompanhamento neste estudo foi de 10,41 1,75 meses (variação, 8 a 14 meses). Havia 11 pacientes do sexo masculino e seis do feminino, com média de idade de 39,05 10,76 anos (variação de 22 a 57 anos). Todas as fraturas se consolidaram no tempo médio de 15,35 3,08 semanas (variação, 12 a 20 semanas). O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 98,11 13,83 minutos (variação, 70 a 130), sendo a permanência hospitalar média de 4,7 1,12 dias (variação de 3 a 7). O escore de Constant-Murley médio foi de 74,82 6,36 no 4° mês e 92,35 5,48 no 8° mês do pós-operatório, o que foi estatisticamente significativo. O escore DASH médio foi de 9,94 1,55 no 4° mês e 5,29 1,85 na 8ª semana do pós-operatório, também sendo estatisticamente significativo. Um paciente apresentou infecção cutânea superficial no local da incisão. Conclusões A técnica MIPO é um método alternativo para a fixação de fraturas da clavícula, porém é tecnicamente mais desafiador, já que necessita de instalações cirúrgicas mais bem equipadas.

Intramedullary Flexible Nailing for Diaphyseal Fractures of Forearm Bones in Children / Fixação intramedular flexível para fraturas diafisárias dos ossos do antebraço em crianças

Abstract Objectives Most of the fractures of the bones of the forearm in children are successfully treated conservatively with closed reduction and casting. The outcomes remain variable and the patients may require additional fracture manipulation or formal surgical intervention due to residual angulations. The present study assesses the radiological and functional outcomes of treating displaced forearm fractures in children with intramedullary flexible titanium elastic nailing. Methods A total of 31 patients aged between 7 and 15 years old with displaced forearm fractures underwent flexible titanium elastic nailing. The patients were followed-up for a mean period of 8.51 months (range: 6-12 months) and were assessed for radiological and functional outcomes. The Price criteria were used to assess the functional outcome. Results Out of 31 patients, 21 patients underwent closed reduction, and 10 required a minimal opening of the fracture site during reduction. A total of 29 patients had excellent results with normal forearm and elbow range of motion (ROM), and 2 patients had good results. In all patients, good radiological union was seen at an average time of 7.9 weeks. Five patients had minor complications, such as skin irritation over the prominent ulnar nail (n = 2), superficial nail insertion site infection (n = 2), and backing out of the ulnar nail (n = 1), requiring early removal. Conclusion Flexible nailing is an efficient application of internal fixation for shaft fractures of both bones of the forearm in children, enabling early mobilization and return to the normal activities of the patients, with low and manageable complications.

Resumo Objetivos A maioria das fraturas dos ossos do antebraço em crianças é tratada com sucesso de forma conservadora com redução fechada e imobilização gessada. No entanto, alguns pacientes podem necessitar de manipulação adicional da fratura ou intervenção cirúrgica devido a angulações residuais. O presente estudo avalia o resultado clinico e radiológico do tratamento de fraturas com desvio do antebraço em crianças fixadas com haste elástica intramedular de titânio. Métodos Um total de 31 pacientes com idades entre 7 e 15 anos com fraturas com desvio do antebraço foram submetidos a haste elástica de titânio flexível. Os pacientes foram acompanhados por um período médio de 8,51 meses (variação: 6-12 meses) e avaliados quanto aos resultados funcionais pelos critérios de Price e radiológicos. Resultados Dos 31 pacientes, 21 foram submetidos a redução fechada e 10 necessitaram de abertura mínima do local da fratura durante a redução. Um total de 29 pacientes tiveram excelentes resultados com arco de movimento normal, e 2 pacientes apresentaram bons resultados. Em todos os pacientes, a consolidação ocorreu em um tempo médio de 7,9 semanas. Cinco pacientes tiveram complicações menores, como irritação da pele sobre a haste proeminente (n = 2), infecção superficial do local de inserção no rádio (n = 2) e recuo da haste ulnar (n = 1), que exigiu remoção precoce. Conclusão A haste flexível é um método eficiente para tratamento da fratura do antebraço em crianças, permitindo mobilização precoce e retorno às atividades normais dos pacientes, com baixas e tratáveis complicações.

Bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder: a case report / Condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral do ombro: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Synovial chondromatosis is a benign arthropathy rarely seen in diarthrodial joints. Extra-articular bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder is the rarest variety. The diagnosis is established with the help of imaging modalities and histopathological examinations. This report describes a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with symmetrical, progressively increasing swelling over the bilateral shoulder region, of 12-18 months duration, with dull ache and restricted movements of the shoulder joints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) revealed large bilateral subacromial-subdeltoid bursal swelling with loose floating bodies. Surgical excision of extensive bilateral bursa was performed at four weeks of interval. Histopathological examination revealed synovial chondromatosis on either side. Postoperative recovery occurred without complications.

RESUMO A condromatose sinovial é uma artropatia benigna raramente vista em articulações diartrodiais. A condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral extra-articular do ombro é a variedade mais rara. O diagnóstico é estabelecido com a ajuda de exames de imagem e histopatológicos. Este relato descreve o caso de uma paciente de 39 anos, com aumento de volume progressivo simétrico sobre a região bilateral do ombro com 12-18 meses de duração com dor entorpecido e limitação dos movimentos das articulações do ombro. A ressonância magnética e a ultrassonografia revelaram um grande aumento de volume da bursa subacromial subdeltoidea bilateral com corpos livres flutuantes. A excisão cirúrgica extensa da bursa bilateral foi feita com quatro semanas de intervalo. O exame histopatológico revelou condromatose sinovial em ambos os lados. A recuperação pós-operatória transcorreu sem complicações.

Vaccine Safety and Pharmacovigilance in the African Region

In recent years the WHO African Region has seen a growth in clinical development of new vaccines as well as their introduction into the national immunization programmes of many countries. Recognizing the critical need for vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance; WHO has been supporting individual and institutional capacity building in the Region to strengthen the monitoring and response to adverse events following immunization through implementation of the Global Vaccine Safety Blueprint. This framework is discussed along with general points about the importance of ensuring vaccine safety and the system needed to enable this. The article ends with a brief overview of the status of vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance and the key priorities for countries in the Region for the immediate future

Lower airway anomalies in infants with laryngomalacia.

Objective. To study the prevalence of associated airway anomalies in infants presenting with moderate to severe laryngomalacia. Methods. Eighty three symptomatic infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms including wheeze and cough diagnosed as moderate to severe laryngomalacia based on their clinical and direct laryngoscopic findings were subjected to fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) during the period March 2007 to February 2009 in the Department of Pulmonology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Chennai, India. Analysis of the clinical features, radiological findings and associated lower airway anomalies by FOB was done. Results. Lower airway anomalies were demonstrated in 40 (48%) infants of the study population. Tracheomalacia was the most common lower airway anomaly 24(29%) followed by bronchomalacia 8(10%) and tracheobronchomalacia 6 (7%). (4:1:1). Conclusion. Infants with moderate and severe laryngomalacia should be evaluated with flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy to rule out associated lower airway lesions.

Childhood leprosy in Bombay: a clinico-epidemiological study.

During the years 1976-1985, 2138 cases of leprosy were detected in children aged 0-14 years, in L and M wards of Greater Bombay. Out of these, records of 1084 patients were available for detailed analysis. These were mainly from the deprived sections of society. Most cases were detected through surveys, though in recent years, there is an increasing trend for voluntary reporting. The relevant epidemiological and clinical findings are presented and compared with the data of other workers in this field.