Operative management of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures

Operative management of unstable burst vertebral fractures is challenging and debatable. This study of such cases was conducted at the Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi from January 1998 to April 2003. All surgically managed spine injuries were reviewed form case notes and operative records. Clinical outcome was assessed by Hanover spine score and correction of kyphosis was measured for radiological assessment. The results were analyzed by Wolcoxon sign rank test for two related samples and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Ten patients were identified by inclusion criteria. There was statistically significant difference between mean pre-and postoperative Hanover spine score [p = 0.008]. Likewise, there was significant difference between mean immediate postoperative and final follow-up kyphosis, [p = 0.006]. Critical assessment of neurologic and structural extent of injury, proper pre-operative planning and surgical expertise can optimize the outcome of patients

First Successful autologous chondrocyte implantation in Pakistan

Osteochondritis dissecans entails a hyaline cartilage defect of the articular surface causing pain and functional restriction in young adults, sometimes resulting in early degenerative arthritis. Conventional treatment methods such as abrasion chondroplasty and mosaicplasty have limitations in terms of quality of the resultant cartilage and donor site morbidity. A more recent technique, autologous chondrocyte implantation [ACI] results in hyaline cartilage formation and gives good long-term outcome, but requires a high-level cell culture facility and two surgical procedures. The patient was a young female with knee pain, intermittent locking and feeling of "joint mouse". MRI scan and arthroscopy showed a 2x2 cm full thickness osteochondral defect in the medial femoral condyle. A free fragment of articular cartilage was found, which was extracted arthroscopically, and chondrocytes were cultured from it in the Juma laboratory. Subsequently, patient underwent surgery whereby the chondrocytes were injected under a periosteal patch sewn over the defect. Over six months, patient's symptoms completely resolved and she returned to full function. A repeat arthroscopy after one year revealed complete filling of the previous defect with normal appearing cartilage indicating success of the procedure. This technology can be utilized for treating patients with a variety of conditions affecting hyaline cartilage of joints