External Fixation Using Femoral Less Invasive Stabilization System Plate in Tibial Proximal Metaphyseal Fracture

BACKGROUND: The locking plates are often used for internal fixation of closed tibial fractures. The use of a locking plate as an external fixator is still controversial, particularly for closed fractures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of external fixation using the femoral less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plate in proximal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 35 patients (26 males and 9 females) with a mean age of 42 years (range, 21 to 62 years) who presented with fresh tibial proximal metaphyseal fractures. According to the AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, the fractures were identified as type 41-A2 in 18 cases and type 41-A3 in 17 cases, including 25 closed fractures and 10 open fractures. The femoral LISS plate was used to fix these fractures, which was placed on the anteromedial aspect of the tibia as an external fixator. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range, 13 to 22 months). RESULTS: All fractures healed in a mean time of 14 weeks (range, 10 to 20 weeks). There was no case of nonunion, deep infection, and loosening of screws and plates. One month after the appearance of cortical bridging on biplanar radiographs, the locking plate was removed within 3 minutes in the clinic without any difficulty. According to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee scoring system and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle scoring system, the mean HSS score was 91 (range, 85 to 100) and 98 (range, 93 to 100), and the mean AOFAS score was 94 (range, 90 to 100) and 98 (range, 95 to 100) at 4 weeks postoperatively and final follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For proximal metaphyseal fracture of the tibia, external fixation using the femoral LISS plate is a safe and reliable technique with minimal complications and excellent outcomes. Its advantages include ease of performing the surgery, use of a less invasive technique, and convenience of plate removal after fracture healing.

Combining plates and nails in the treatment of ipsilateral unicondylar tibial plateau and shaft fractures / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To analyze the feasibility and effect of combining intramedullary nails and plates in the treatment of ipsilateral unicondylar tibial plateau fractures with non.contiguous tibial shaft fractures.Methods From May 2003 to November 2005,21 patients with ipsilateral unicondylar tibial plateau fracture and non-contiguous tibial shaft fracture were treated with combining intramedullary nails and plates,including 15 males and 6 females,with the mean age of 34 years (range,20-55 years).The tibial plateau fractures were classified according to Schatzker et al.; 4 cases were type Ⅰ,11 cases type Ⅱ,6 cases type Ⅲ and 1 case type Ⅵ.Middle third tibial shaft fractures were in 13 patients,and distal third tibial shaft fractures were in 8 patients.Once the reduction was obtained,we first fixed tibial plateau with plate and then tibial shaft with medullary nail in 19 cases; in 2 cases,we first fixed the tibial shaft with medullary nail and then tibial plateau with plate.Results 1All patients were followed up for 0.9 to 4 years (average,2.2 years).Bone union was obtained in all patients.The tibial plateau fractures united after an average of 12 weeks,and the tibial shaft fractures united after an average of 29 weeks.Delayed union of the tibial shaft fracture occurred in 3 patients,and the fracture healed finally by removing the proximal locking.Tibial plateau malunion occurred in one patient due to malreduction.According to HSS scores,excellent result was obtained in 17 patients (80.95％),good in 3 patients (14.29％),fair in 1 patient (4.76％).Conclusion With careful attention to some techniques,ipsilateral unicondylar tibial plateau fractures with non-contiguous tibial shaft fractures can be treated successfully by combining medullary nail and plate.

Effects of zoledronic acid on the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in the osteosarcoma cell line LM8 under hypoxic condition / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of zoledronic acid on the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in osteosarcoma LM8 cell line under hypoxic condition. Methods The hypoxic culture model was established. After LM8 cells were treated with zoledronic acid, semi-quantitative PCR was used to assess the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA. The expression of HIF-lct and VEGF protein was de-tected by immunohistochemical staining and ELISA respectively. Results Compared with cells in normoxic conditions, cells in the hypoxic environment and cells treated with zoledronic acid in the hypoxic condition did not show a significant change in the mRNA level of HIF-1α(P >0. 05). However, the protein expression of HIF-1α was markedly decreased in the cells treated with zoledronic acid in the hypoxic envi-ronment. In contrast, both mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF were down-regulated in the zoledronic acid treatment hypoxic group (P <0.05). Conclusion Under hypoxic conditions in vitro, zoledronic acid inhibited the expression of HIF-1α protein, which decreased VEGF mRNA level and protein expression in osteosarcorna LM8 cell line.

The anatomic study on replacement of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint through transoral approach / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to provide anatomical basis for transoral approach (TOA) in dealing with the ventro lesions of craniocervical junction, and the design and application of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint, microsurgical dissecting was performed on 8 fresh craniocervical specimens layer by layer through transoropharyngeal approach. The stratification of posterior pharyngeal wall, course of vertebral artery, adjacent relationship of atlas and axis and correlative anatomical parameters of replacement of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint were observed. Besides, 32 sets of atlanto-axial joint in adults' fresh bony specimens were measured with a digital caliper and a goniometer, including the width of bony window of anterior arch of atlas, the width of bony window of axis vertebra, the distance between superior and inferior two atlas screw inserting points, the distance between two axis screw inserting points etc. It was found that the width of atlas and axis which could be exposed were 40.2+/-3.5 mm and 39.3+/-3.7 mm respectively. The width and height of posterior pharyngeal wall which could be exposed were 40.1+/-5.2 mm and 50.2+/-4.6 mm respectively. The distance between superior and inferior two atlas screw inserting points was 28.0+/-2.9 mm and 24.0+/-3.5 mm respectively, and the distance of bilateral axis screw inserting points was 18.0+/-1.2 mm. The operative exposure position through TOA ranged from inferior part of the clivus to the superior part of the C3 vertebral body. Posterior pharyngeal wall consisted of 5 layers and two interspaces: mucosa, submucosa, superficial muscular layer, anterior fascia of vertebrae, anterior muscular layer of vertebrae and posterior interspace of pharynx, anterior interspace of vertebrae. This study revealed that it had the advantages of short operative distance, good exposure and sufficient decompression in dealing with the ventro lesions from the upper cervical to the lower clivus through the TOA. The replacement of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint is suitable and feasible. The design of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint should be based on the above data.

Follow-up Study on the Motion Range after Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease with the Bryan Cervical Disc Prosthesis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined effect of a new intervertebral cervical disc prosthesis in relieving the neurological symptoms and signs, improving the patients' ability to perform daily activities, reducing pain, and maintaining the stability and segmental motion. From December 2003 to October 2004, 12 patients, who had received 14 replacements of cervical artificial discs, were followed-up for 2 to 8 months (with a mean of 5.2 months). Of them 5 had cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 7 had cervical disc herniation. The patients included 7 males and 5 females, with their age ranging from 35 to 62 y and a mean of 50.3 y. Single-level replacements were performed in 10 cases and 2 cases received two-level replacement. Operation time of the single-level surgery averaged 130±50 min and the time of two-level surgery was 165±53 min on average (from skin incision to skin suturing).Neurological or vascular complications during or after surgery was not observed. Japanese Orthopedic Association scores (JOA scores) increased from 8.6 to 15.8 on average. There was no prothesis subsidence or excursion. Replaced segments were stable and the range of motion was partially restored, being 4.68° (3.6°-6.1°) in flexion and extension position and 3.51° (2.5°-4.6°) 3.42° (2.6°-4.3°) in left and right bending position. No obvious loss of physiological curvature was noted. CT or MRI follow-up showed that excursion was less than 1.5 mm) in 2 of 14 levels and between 1.5 mm and 3 mm) in 1 of 14 levels. No ossification in the replaced levels was observed. It is concluded that satisfactory short-term results were achieved in the 12 cases of artificial disc replacements. Different from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the replacement could achieve quick functional recovery and did not lead to the movement limitation of cervical vertebrae. At least a 5-years follow-up was needed to assess the long-term effect of the prosthesis on its neighboring segments.

Follow-up study on the motion range after treatment of degenerative disc disease with the Bryan cervical disc prosthesis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined effect of a new intervertebral cervical disc prosthesis in relieving the neurological symptoms and signs, improving the patients' ability to perform daily activities, reducing pain, and maintaining the stability and segmental motion. From December 2003 to October 2004, 12 patients, who had received 14 replacements of cervical artificial discs, were followed-up for 2 to 8 months (with a mean of 5.2 months). Of them 5 had cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 7 had cervical disc herniation. The patients included 7 males and 5 females, with their age ranging from 35 to 62 y and a mean of 50.3 y. Single-level replacements were performed in 10 cases and 2 cases received two-level replacement. Operation time of the single-level surgery averaged 130+/-50 min and the time of two-level surgery was 165+/-53 min on average (from skin incision to skin suturing). Neurological or vascular complications during or after surgery was not observed. Japanese Orthopedic Association scores (JOA scores) increased from 8.6 to 15.8 on average. There was no prothesis subsidence or excursion. Replaced segments were stable and the range of motion was partially restored, being 4.68 degrees (3.6 degrees -6.1 degrees ) in flexion and extension position and 3.51 degrees (2.5 degrees -4.6 degrees ), 3.42 degrees (2.6 degrees -4.3 degrees ) in left and right bending position. No obvious loss of physiological curvature was noted. CT or MRI follow-up showed that excursion was less than 1.5 mm) in 2 of 14 levels and between 1.5 mm and 3 mm) in 1 of 14 levels. No ossification in the replaced levels was observed. It is concluded that satisfactory short-term results were achieved in the 12 cases of artificial disc replacements. Different from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the replacement could achieve quick functional recovery and did not lead to the movement limitation of cervical vertebrae. At least a 5-years follow-up was needed to assess the long-term effect of the prosthesis on its neighboring segments.