Effects of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To explore the effects of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2015 to December 2020, 18 male children with cervical scar contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, aged 4 to 12 years, including 10 cases with degree Ⅱ cervical scar contracture deformity and 8 cases with degree Ⅲ scar contracture deformity, and were all reconstructed with expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap. The surgery was performed in 3 stages. In the first stage, a cylindrical skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 300 to 500 mL was placed in the frontal-parietal region. The expansion time was 4 to 6 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 2.1 to 3.0 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, expander removal, scar excision, contracture release, and flap transfer were performed, with the flap areas of 18 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×13 cm and the secondary wound areas of 16 cm×8 cm to 21 cm×11 cm after scar excision and contracture release. After 3 to 4 weeks, in the third stage, the flap pedicle was cut off and restored. The rated volume of placed expander, total normal saline injection volume, type of vascular pedicle of flap, survival of flap and reconstruction of scar after the second stage surgery were recorded. The neck range of motion and cervico-mental angle were measured before surgery and one-year after surgery. The appearance of neck, occurrence of common complications in the donor and recipient sites of children, and satisfaction of children's families for treatment effects were followed up. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: All the patients successfully completed the three stages of operation. The rated volume of implanted expander was 300 mL in 6 children, 400 mL in 9 children, and 500 mL in 3 children, with the volume of normal saline injection being 630 to 1 500 mL. The type of vascular pedicle of flap was double pedicle in 13 cases and was single pedicle in 5 cases. All the flaps in 17 children survived well, and the secondary wounds after neck scar excision and contracture release were all reconstructed in one procedure. In one case, the distal blood supply of the single pedicled flap was poor after the second stage surgery, with necrosis of about 2.5 cm in length. The distal necrotic tissue was removed on 10 days after the operation, and the wound was completely closed after the flap was repositioned. In the follow-up of 6 months to 3 years post operation, the cervical scar contracture deformity in 18 children was corrected without recurrence. The flap was not bloated, the texture was soft, and the appearances of chin and neck were good. The range of motion of cervical pre-buckling, extension, left flexion, and right flexion, and cervico-mental angle in one year after operation were improved compared with those before operation (with t values of 43.10, 22.64, 27.96, 20.59, and 88.42, respectively, P<0.01). The incision in the frontal donor site was located in the hairline, the scar was slight and concealed. No complication such as cranial depression was observed in expander placement site, and the children's families were satisfied with the result of reconstruction. Conclusions: Application of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing the cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns can obviously improve the appearance and function of neck, with unlikely recurrence of postoperative scar contractures, thus it is an ideal method of reconstruction.

Clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to April 2021, 11 patients with cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 5 to 46 years, with a course of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity of 5 months to 8 years. The degree of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity was degree Ⅰ in one patient, degree Ⅱ in nine patients, and degree Ⅲ in one patient. In the first stage, according to the sizes of neck scars, one rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 200 to 600 mL was placed in the back. The expansion time was 4 to 12 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 3.0 to 3.5 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, free expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps with areas of 10 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×13 cm were cut out to repair the wounds with areas of 9 cm×6 cm to 23 cm×12 cm which was formed after cervical cicatectomy. The main trunk of thoracodorsal artery and vein were selected for end-to-end anastomosis with facial artery and vein, and the donor sites were directly closed. The survival of flaps and healing of flap donor sites were observed on the 14th day post surgery. The appearances and cicatrix contracture deformity of the flaps, recovery of cervical function, and scar hyperplasia of donor sites were followed up. Results: On the 14th day post surgery, the flaps of ten patients survived, while ecchymosis and epidermal necrosis occurred in the center of flap of one patient and healed 2 weeks after dressing change. On the 14th day post surgery, the flap donor sites of 11 patients all healed well. During the follow-up of 6-12 months post surgery, the flaps of ten patients were similar to the skin around the recipient site in texture and color, while the flap of one patient was slightly swollen. All of the 11 patients had good recovery of cervical function and no obvious scar hyperplasia nor contracture in the flaps or at the donor sites. Conclusions: Application of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can restore the appearance and function of the neck, and cause little damage to the donor site in reconstructing the cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns, which is worthy of clinical reference and application.

Clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded ilioinguinal flaps in the reconstruction of severe scar contracture deformity after extensive burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded ilioinguinal flaps in the reconstruction of severe scar contracture after extensive burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2017 to October 2021, 7 patients with severe scar contracture deformity caused by extensive burns were hospitalized in Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, including 5 males and 2 females, aged 26-65 years, with scar area of 20 cm×4 cm-34 cm×14 cm. In the first stage, the rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as the expander) with rated capacity of 500-600 mL were embedded above the inguinal ligament, and then normal saline was injected after stitch removal for expansion to meet the needs of repair surgery. In the second stage, the scar was removed by surgical excision to correct the deformity and release the adhesion and contracture; after the removal of the expanders, the expanded ilioinguinal free flaps were harvested. When a larger flap was needed, the paraumbilical perforator flap was harvested at the same time, and the flaps were transplanted to the secondary wound after scar resection. The number of embedded expanders, the total amount of injected normal saline, the expansion time, the complications of skin and soft tissue expansion, the number, area, thickness, and anastomotic vascular pedicles of the expanded ilioinguinal flaps being resected, the type of flaps used, the repair method of flap donor sites, and the survival of flaps after operation were observed and recorded. The long-term repair effect and donor site condition were followed up. At the last follow-up, the patients' satisfaction with the curative effect of each surgical site was investigated according to the grade 5 score of Likert scale. Results: A total of 10 expanders were embedded in 7 patients, of which 4 patients had 1 each and 3 patients had 2 each. The total volume of normal saline injected was 800-1 800 (1 342±385) mL, and the expansion time was 4-24 (11±5) months. One patient had the expander exposed due to infection after the expander being inserted, while the other patients had no complications of skin and soft tissue expansion. Totally 10 expanded ilioinguinal flaps with the area of 22 cm×6 cm-36 cm×16 cm ((326±132) cm2) and the thickness of 0.6-1.1 (0.77±0.16) cm were harvested. Among the 10 expanded ilioinguinal flaps, 5 were pedicled with the superficial circumflex iliac artery, 3 with the superficial abdominal artery with relatively large caliber, 1 with the common trunk of the superficial circumflex iliac artery and the superficial abdominal artery, and 1 flap was anastomosed with the superficial circumflex iliac artery and bridged the superficial abdominal artery for intra-arterial supercharge. Unilateral expanded ilioinguinal flap combined with ipsilateral paraumbilical perforator flap were harvested in 4 cases, bilateral expanded ilioinguinal flaps were harvested in 1 case, and unilateral expanded ilioinguinal flap was harvested in 2 cases. Except for 1 case being transplanted with autologous split-thickness scalp to repair the flap donor site after combined resection of bilateral expanded ilioinguinal flaps, the donor sites of the other patients were sutured directly. All the flaps survived after operation without tip necrosis or wound residue. Follow-up for 3-30 (15±10) months showed that the flap was soft and not bloated, the function and appearance of the recipient area were significantly improved compared with those before operation, and the appearance of the donor sites was good. At the last follow-up, the patients' satisfaction with the treatment effect of the surgical site scored 4-5 (4.5±0.4). Conclusions: The expanded ilioinguinal flap can be obtained in a large area. It has the advantages of rich blood supply, less damage to the donor site, concealed location, and being convenient to be resected and transplanted in combination with the paraumbilical perforator flap. It is suitable for the clinical reconstruction and treatment of severe scar contracture deformity after extensive burns.

Aesthetic reconstruction of the scar contracture deformity in chin and neck with expanded flaps based on the "MRIS" principle / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: The surgical reconstruction strategy for scar contracture deformity in chin and neck was explored, aiming to obtain better aesthetic outcome. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From December 2017 to April 2021, 34 patients with scar contracture deformity in chin and neck after burns were hospitalized in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University), aged 12-54 years, including 13 males and 21 females, 4 cases with chin affected only, 7 cases with neck affected only, and 23 cases with both chin and neck affected. The scar areas were 48-252 cm2. All the patients were treated by operation with expanded flaps, following the "MRIS" principle of matching of the color and thickness of the repair flaps (match), reconstructing of the aesthetic features of subunits (reconstruction), design of incision according to the plastic principle (incision), and prevention of the surgical incision scar (scar). The rectangular or kidney shaped skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as the expander) with rated capacity of 80-400 mL was embedded in the first stage, which was routinely expanded to 3-5 times of the rated capacity of the expander. In the second stage, scar resection and expanded flap excision were performed to repair the secondary wound, and the flap donor site was sutured directly. The expansion ratio of the expander (with average value being calculated), the type of flaps used, the reconstruction of local aesthetic morphology, the appearance of postoperative incision, the survival of flap, and the situation of donor and recipient sites observed during follow-up were recorded. Results: Among the 34 patients, the average expansion ratio of the implanted expander was 3.82 times of the rated capacity of the expander. Three cases were repaired by the expanded local pedicled flap only, 19 cases by the expanded shoulder and/or chest perforator pedicled flap only, 10 cases by the expanded local pedicled flap combined with the expanded shoulder and/or chest perforator pedicled flap, and 2 cases by the expanded local pedicled flap combined with the expanded free flap of the second intercostal perforator of internal thoracic artery. After scar resection, the shapes of lower lip and chin-lip groove were reconstructed in 10 cases, chin process reconstruction and chin lengthening were performed in 16 cases, and the cervico-mental angle and mandibular margin contour were reconstructed in 28 cases. The surgical incision was concealed, most of which were located at the natural junction or turning point of the chin and neck subunits. The vertical incision of neck was Z-shaped or fishtail-shaped. All the expanded flaps in 34 patients survived after operation, of which 8 patients had minor necrosis at the edge or tip of the expanded flaps 1-3 days after operation and healed after dressing change. During the follow-up of 3-18 months, little difference in color and thickness between the expanded flap and the skin of chin and neck was observed, and the aesthetic shape of chin and neck was significantly improved, with mild scar hyperplasia of surgical incision. Conclusions: Reconstruction of scar contracture deformity in chin and neck by using expanded flaps based on the "MRIS" principle is beneficial to improve the quality of surgery and achieve better aesthetic outcome.

Research advances on functional training robots in burn rehabilitation / 中华烧伤杂志

Patients with deep burns are prone to suffer cicatrix hyperplasia or contracture, leading to problems including dysfunction in limbs, which impacts patients' life quality and makes it difficult for them to return to society. Thereby, the rehabilitation treatment after deep burns is particularly important. Currently, exercise therapy plays an important role in burn rehabilitation, which is mainly based on therapies such as continuous manual assistance training and manual stretching practice to provide patients with physical exercise to limbs and to correct the functional dysfunction of limbs in patients. With the continuous progress in technology, functional training robots have been developed to meet the needs. The emergence of functional training robots saves manpower and provides patients refined and standardized functional exercise treatment. From the aspects of production technology and multi-technology integration, this paper mainly introduces the recent innovation and development of functional training robots and the advantages of the application of functional training robots in the field of burn rehabilitation.

Severe hand contracture treated by external fixation after proximal row carpectomy and awake tenolysis after general anesthesia: A case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Wide-awake local anesthesia has many advantages. We describe a new method to use wide-awake local anesthesia with more flexibility. A 32-year-old man with a severe right-hand contracture after an iatrogenic tourniquet accident during an anterolateral thigh flap for a partial hand amputation underwent contracture release using external fixation after proximal row carpectomy and subsequent tenolysis. We performed most of the tenolysis procedure under general anesthesia and the final stage with an intraoperative assessment of active finger movement and dissection under local anesthesia. He regained his grip strength 2.5 years post-injury. General anesthesia is useful to treat a surgical site with extensive hard scars, whereas local anesthesia is useful for adjusting tension in an awake patient. The indication for wide-awake surgery is yet to be established; our method of combining general and local anesthesia in the tenolysis procedure illustrates the possibilities in expanding this method.

A novel splicing acceptor variant of the FBN2 gene contributes to a case of congenital contractural arachnodactyly / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify the pathogenic variants from a patient with suspected congenital contractural arachnodactyly, and to explore the possible molecular genetic pathogenesis, so as to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis.@*METHODS@#Whole exome sequencing was performed for the patient. The splicing site variation of candidate pathogenic genes was verified by Sanger sequencing, and the new transcript sequence was determined by RT-PCR and TA-cloning sequencing.@*RESULTS@#The patient carried a heterozygous c.533-1G>C variant of FBN2 gene, which was not reported. The sequencing of mRNA showed that the variant leaded to the disappearance of the canonical splice acceptor site of FBN2 gene and the activation of a cryptic splice acceptor site at c.533-71, resulting in the insertion of 70 bp sequence in the new transcript. It was speculated that the polypeptide encoded by the new transcript changed from valine (Val) to serine (Ser) at amino acid 179, and prematurely terminated after 26 aminoacids. According to the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant of FBN2 gene c. 533-1G>C was determined as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PP3 ).@*CONCLUSION@#A novel splicing variant of FBN2 gene (c.533-1G>C) was identified, which can lead to congenital contractural arachnodactyly.

Analysis of CNTNAP1 gene variants in a Chinese pedigree affected with lethal congenital contracture syndrome type 7 / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a couple who had developed polyhydramnios during three pregnancies and given birth to two liveborns featuring limb contracture, dyspnea and neonatal death.@*METHODS@#Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on fetal tissue and peripheral blood samples from the couple. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#The fetus was found to harbor homozygous nonsense c.3718C>T (p.Arg1240Ter) variants of the CNTNAP1 gene, which were respectively inherited from its mother and father. The variant was unreported previously. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PP4).@*CONCLUSION@#The novel homozygous nonsense variants of the CNTNAP1 gene probably underlay the lethal congenital contracture syndrome type 7 (LCCS7) in this pedigree. Above finding has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.

Artrogripose Múltipla Congênita: Relato de dois casos / Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita: Report of two cases

RESUMO: A Artrogripose Múltipla Congênita (AMC) é uma síndrome rara, que representa um grupo de condições congênitas caracterizado por contraturas articulares em duas ou mais articulações, não progressivas, geralmente simétricas, de etiologia desconhecida e que pode estar associada a outras malformações, como viscerais e neurológicas. Apresenta-mos dois casos isolados com achados característicos de AMC, atendidos em ambulatório de pediatria de alto risco de uma cidade do Oeste do Paraná. Caso 1: lactente, sexo feminino, 14 dias de vida, com redução dos movimentos fetais referidos pela mãe, apresentando malformações envolvendo somente os membros, visualizadas logo após o nasci-mento. Caso 2: lactente, sexo masculino, quatro meses de vida, com diagnóstico de hipocinesia fetal ao ultrassom obstétrico de 23 semanas, ao nascimento apresenta contraturas dos membros e disfunção do sistema nervoso cen-tral. O diagnóstico da artrogripose é complexo e essencialmente clínico, sendo necessária uma anamnese meticulosa, contemplando uma avaliação da gestação, via de parto, história familiar e um exame físico minucioso, classificando quais os tipos de contraturas, membros envolvidos, presença de musculatura alterada e de alterações neurológicas, a fim de diferenciar a AMC das outras síndromes que também cursam com contraturas articulares. O seguimento e tratamento dos lactentes com artrogripose devem ocorrer em acompanhamento multidisciplinar devido às variadas manifestações que a doença pode apresentar e à característica de recidiva ao longo dos anos. (AU)

ABSTRACTArthrogryposis Multiple Congenita (AMC) is a rare syndrome that represents a group of congenital conditions character-ized by joint contractures in two or more joints, non-progressive, usually symmetrical, of unknown etiology and which may be associated with other malformations, such as visceral and neurological. We present two isolated cases with characteristic features of AMC, seen in a high-risk pediatrics outpatient clinic in a city in western Paraná. Case 1: infant, female, 14 days old, with reduced fetal movements reported by the mother, presenting malformations involving only the limbs, seen immediately after birth. Case 2: infant, male, four months old, diagnosed with fetal hypokinesia on 23-week obstetric ultrasound, at birth, presents limb contractures and central nervous system dysfunction. The diagnosis of ar-throgryposis is complex and essentially clinical, requiring a meticulous anamnesis, including an assessment of pregnan-cy, delivery, family history and a thorough physical examination, classifying what types of contractures, involved limbs, presence of altered musculature and neurological changes to differentiate AMC from other syndromes that also have joint contractures. The aftercare and treatment of infants with arthrogryposis must occur in multidisciplinary follow-up due to the varied manifestations that the disease may present and the characteristic of recurrence over the years. (AU)

Obstetric Paralysis: Evaluation of the Sever-L'Episcopo Technique Modified by Hoffer / Paralisia obstétrica: Avaliação da técnica Sever-L'Episcopo modificada por Hoffer

Abstract Evaluate the results of a series of 28 cases of high obstetric paralysis treated with the Sever-L'Episcopo technique modified by Hoffer, between 2003 and 2016. Children (mean age, four years and seven months) with adduction contracture and internal rotation of the shoulder without secondary bone deformities (Mallet class II) underwent lengthening of the pectoralis major muscle and tenotomy of the subscapularis muscle associated with transfer of the latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle to the infraspinatus muscle, moving to the function of external rotators and elevators. The mean follow-up was three years and 10 months. At the end of the study, 24 patients achieved excellent functional assessment scores, mainly of the abduction and external rotation, passing from Mallet class II to class IV. Four patients still demonstrated some degree of global movement limitation, passing from class II to class III. Regardless of the final functional gain, all patients were able to perform tasks that were previously difficult. The data from this study suggest that Hoffer's surgery is an effective method in the treatment of the sequelae of high obstetric paralysis without secondary bone deformities.

Resumo Avaliar os resultados de uma série de 28 casos de paralisia obstétrica alta tratadas com a técnica Sever-L'Episcopo modificada por Hoffer, entre 2003 e 2016. As crianças (idade média, quatro anos e sete meses) com contratura em adução e rotação interna do ombro sem deformidades ósseas secundárias (Mallet classe II) foram submetidas ao alongamento do músculo peitoral e tenotomia do músculo subescapular associada à transferência do latissimus dorsi e músculo redondo maior para o músculo infraespinhal, movendo-se para a função de rotadores externos e elevadores. O seguimento médio foi de 3 anos e 10 meses. Ao final do estudo, 24 pacientes obtiveram excelentes escores de avaliação funcional, principalmente de abdução e rotação externa, passando de Mallet classe II para classe IV. Quatro pacientes ainda demonstraram algum grau de limitação de movimento global, passando da classe II para a classe III. Independentemente do ganho funcional final, todos os pacientes foram capazes de realizar tarefas que antes eram difíceis. Os dados deste estudo sugerem que a cirurgia de Hoffer é um método eficaz no tratamento das sequelas de paralisia obstétrica alta sem deformidades ósseas secundárias.

Surgical Treatment of Post-traumatic Elbow Stiffness by Wide Posterior Approach / Tratamento cirúrgico da rigidez pós-traumática do cotovelo por via posterior ampla

Abstract Objective To demonstrate the clinical outcomes and complication rates of the surgical release with a single posterior approach in the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Methods A prospective study with patients submitted to surgery between May 2013 and June 2018 in a single center. The access to the elbow was made through the posterior approach. The patients were followed up by an occupational therapy team, and were submitted to a standardized rehabilitation protocol, with static progressive orthoses and dynamic orthoses. The primary outcome was the range of flexion-extension of the elbow after 6 months. Results A total of 26 patients completed the minimum follow-up of 6-months. The mean range of flexion-extension of the elbow at the end of 6 months was of 98.3 ± 22.0°, with an amplitude gain of 40.0 ± 14.0° in relation to the pre-operative period (p< 0.001). The average flexion-extension gain at the end of 6 months was of 51.7% ± 17.1% (p< 0.001). The mean pronosupination at the end of 6 months was of 129.0 ± 42.7° (p< 0.001). Half of the cases had moderate and severe stiffness in the pre-operative period, compared with 7.7% at 6 months post-operatively (p< 0.001). The mean score for the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) instruments was 74.4 ± 16.8 points and 31.7 ± 21.9 points respectively (p< 0.001 for both). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score presented no statistically significant difference compared to the pre-operative period (p= 0.096). Complications were observed in 6 (23%) patients, and no new surgical procedures were necessary. Conclusions The surgical release of the elbow associated with a rehabilitation protocol is a safe technique, with satisfactory results and low rate of complications.

Resumo Objetivo Demonstrar os resultados clínicos e a taxa de complicações da liberação cirúrgica por via única posterior no tratamento da rigidez pós-traumática de cotovelo. Métodos Estudo prospectivo, com pacientes submetidos a cirurgia entre maio de 2013 e junho de 2018 em um único centro. Foi realizado acesso ao cotovelo por via posterior. O seguimento dos pacientes foi feito por uma equipe de terapia ocupacional, e eles foram submetidos a um protocolo de reabilitação padronizado, com órteses estáticas progressivas e dinâmicas. O desfecho primário foi a amplitude de flexoextensão do cotovelo após 6 meses. Resultados Um total de 26 pacientes completaram o seguimento mínimo de 6 meses. A média de flexoextensão do cotovelo, ao final de 6 meses, foi de 98,3° ± 22,0°, com um ganho de amplitude de 40,0° ± 14,0° em relação ao pré-operatório (p< 0,001). A média de ganho relativo de flexoextensão, ao final de 6 meses, foi de 51,7% ± 17,1% (p< 0,001). A média de pronossupinação, ao final de 6 meses, foi de 129,0° ± 42,7° (p< 0,001). Metade dos casos apresentava rigidez moderada e grave no pré-operatório, contra 7,7% aos 6 meses de pós-operatório (p< 0,001). A pontuação nos instrumentos Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) e Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) apresentou melhora estatisticamente significativa em relação ao pré-operatório, atingindo 74,4 ± 16,8 pontos e 31,7 ± 21,9 pontos, respectivamente. A escala visual analógica (EVA) não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação ao pré-operatório (p= 0,096). Complicações foram observadas em 6 (23%) pacientes, não sendo necessária nova abordagem cirúrgica em nenhum paciente. Conclusões A liberação cirúrgica do cotovelo associada a protocolo de reabilitação é técnica segura, com resultados satisfatórios e baixa taxa de complicações.

Uso del vendaje neuromuscular preventivo en futbolistas categoría sub 14 en la provincia Chimborazo / Use of preventive neuromuscular bandage in U14 category soccer players in the Chimborazo province

Un futbolista resulta vulnerable a sufrir lesiones a lo largo de su carrera profesional, por lo que resulta importante la prevención y tratamiento efectivo al respecto. Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo y de tipo observacional descriptivo. Los investigadores trabajaron con la totalidad de la población objeto de estudio, la que estuvo constituida por 21 jugadores de la categoría sub 14 de la FDCH, durante el período de competición junio­agosto 2018. Un 38,09% presentaron lesiones por contracturas musculares. La medición de la flexibilidad permitió apreciar que la mayoría de la población estuvo en las categorías de normal y deficiente (66,67%). En el 57,14% de los participantes se usó el KT para buscar relajación del tono muscular. Se estableció la existencia de un aumento de la flexibilidad en el 95,24% de los futbolistas. La evaluación pre y post competición del test sit and reach permitió determinar la importancia y viabilidad de la utilización del vendaje neuromuscular como una medida de intervención y prevención de lesiones, especialmente en la optimización de la flexibilidad isquiotibial y disminución de los factores de riesgo.

A footballer is predisposed to suffer injures throughout his professional career, it is important to perform a preventive approach in one of the most frequent affections that affect the athlete such as muscular distention. An analytical descriptive investigation was carried out. For demonstrating the importance of the use of the prevent neuromuscular bandage and its effects on the hamstring musculature. The population object of study was conformed, by 21 players of the category sub14 in Federación Deportiva de Chimborazo who during the year 2017 had incidence of 57% of hamstring atrain. At the end of the investigation 76% of footballer maintained good flexibility, decreasing the risk factors and reducing the incidence of the injury by 33 %.

Penile Reconstructive Surgery in Peyronie Disease: Challenges in Restoring Normal Penis Size, Shape, and Function

Follistatin Mitigates Myofibroblast Differentiation and Collagen Synthesis of Fibroblasts from Scar Tissue around Injured Flexor Tendons

Clinical effect of plum-blossom needle tapping at three meridians of wrist on wrist joint contracture after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping at three meridians of wrist combined with rehabilitation training and simple rehabilitation training on wrist joint contracture after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 patients with wrist joint contracture after stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the control group, simple rehabilitation training was applied, 5 times a week, 3 weeks as one course and totally 3 courses were required. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, plum-blossom needle tapping at three meridians of wrist was adopted in the observation group. The tapping regions were wrist traveling parts of three meridians of hand, ranging from up 3 to below 1 of wrist crease, 3 times a week, 3 weeks as one course and totally 3 courses were required. The active range of motion (AROM) of active wrist extension, Fugl-Meyer score (FMA) and Barthel index (BI) score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The AROM, FMA scores and BI scores after treatment in the two groups were superior to before treatment (<0.05), and the improvements of 3 indexes in the observation group were superior to the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping at three meridians of wrist combined with rehabilitation training is superior to simple rehabilitation training on wrist joint contracture after stroke.

Melatonin protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting contracture in isolated rat hearts / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the protective effect of melatonin against myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated rat hearts and explore the underlying mechanisms.@*METHODS@#The isolated hearts from 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (=10): the control group, where the hearts were perfused with KH solution for 175 min; IR group, where the hearts were subjected to global ischemia for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min; IR+melatonin (Mel+IR) group, where melatonin (5 μmol/L) was administered to the hearts 1 min before ischemia and during the first 5 min of reperfusion, followed by 115 min of reperfusion; and IR+2, 3-butanedione monoxime (IR+BDM) group, where the hearts were treated with BDM (20 mmol/L) in the same manner as melatonin treatment. Myocardial injury in the isolated hearts was assessed based on myocardial injury area, caspase-3 activity, and expressions of cytochrome C and cleaved caspase-3 proteins. Cardiac contracture was assessed using HE staining and by detecting lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and the content of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the coronary outflow, measurement of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and electron microscopy. The content of ATP in the cardiac tissue was also determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those in the control group, the isolated hearts in IR group showed significantly larger myocardial injury area and higher caspase-3 activity and the protein expressions of cytochrome C and cleaved caspase-3 with significantly increased LDH activity and cTnI content in the coronary outflow and elevated LVEDP at the end of reperfusion; HE staining showed obvious fractures of the myocardial fibers and the content of ATP was significantly decreased in the cardiac tissue; electron microscopy revealed the development of contraction bands. In the isolated hearts with IR, treatment with Mel or BDM significantly reduced the myocardial injury area, caspase-3 activity, and protein expressions of cytochrome C and cleaved caspase-3, obviously inhibited LDH activity, lowered the content of cTnI and LVEDP, reduced myocardial fiber fracture, and increased ATP content in the cardiac tissue. Both Mel and BDM inhibited the formation of contraction bands in the isolated hearts with IR injury.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mel can alleviate myocardial IR injury in isolated rat hearts by inhibiting cardiac contracture, the mechanism of which may involve the upregulation of ATP in the cardiac myocytes to lessen the tear of membrane and reduce cell content leakage.

Research advances in pathomechanism and treatment of joint contracture / 中国骨伤

Joint contracture is one of the common musculoskeletal disorders. It has seriously disturbed patients' activities of daily living in various aspects. The pathogenesis of it is eager to explore to distinct degree. Nowadays the thickeness and fibrosis of joint capsular is redarded as the major reason to joint contracture. It is reported that excessive fibroblasts and myofibroblasts activity, collagen hyperplasia, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in these fibrotic condtions lead to the contracture. In addition, upregulators of myofibroblast and collagen synthesis, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were shown to be increased. Altered levels of cytokines were also thought to play a role in this process as elevated levelsof tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and abnormal distribution tissue inhibitors of MMPs(TIMPs) were demonstrated in contracted capsules. At present, the methods for clinical treatment of joint contracture mainly include two major categories:stretching therapy, physical factor therapy, exercise therapy, botulinum toxin injection and other non-surgical treatments, arthroscopic lysis, open lysis, and other surgical treatments. Surgical treatment is performed when non-surgical treatment is difficult to achieve further improvement. It has a good effect on mild to moderate joint contracture, but it is difficult to completely restore joint activity for serious joint contracture. Although clinical treatment methods are diverse, the clinical effects are staggered and the effectiveness of their treatment is controversial. Joint contracture is an important challenge faced by orthopedics and rehabilitation physicians, therapists and patients. The review summarized the pathogenesisand treatment of joint contracture and provided a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Pathological variant of FBN2 gene identified in a pedigree affected with congenital contracture arachnodactyly / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To detect pathological variant in a Chinese pedigree affected with congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA).@*METHODS@#Next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to scan the whole exome of the proband. Potential variant of the FBN2 gene was also detected in all members of the pedigree and 100 healthy controls by Sanger sequencing. With the determination of the genotype, prenatal diagnosis was carried out by amniotic fluid sampling.@*RESULTS@#A c.3528C>A (p.Asn1176Lys) variant was identified in the FBN2 gene of the proband, other patients from this pedigree, as well as the fetus. The same variant was not found among healthy members from this pedigree and the 100 healthy controls.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.3528C>A (p.Asn1176Lys) variant of the FBN2 gene probably underlies the pathogenesis of CCA in our case. The new variant has enriched pathological spectrum of the FBN2 gene.

Laserterapia versus técnica de compressão isquêmica: avaliação comparativa dos efeitos terapêuticos e funcionais da contratura do músculo trapézio / Laser therapy versus ischemic compression technique: comparative evaluation of the therapeutic and functional effects of trapezius contracture

Introdução: A contratura muscular ocorre quando o músculo se contrai de maneira incorreta e não volta ao seu estado normal de relaxamento, em resposta a uma sobrecarga de esforço. Objetivos: Comparou-se a utilização de duas técnicas e os benefícios proporcionados ao tratamento dos pacientes acometidos com contratura do músculo trapézio superior. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo transversal, intervencionista, comparativo e quantitativo no período de agosto de 2015 a junho de 2016, com 49 acadêmicos, que foram divididos em dois grupos (G1/G2). Os dados foram obtidos através da ficha de avaliação cinético-funcional desenvolvida para o estudo, que foi aplicada antes e ao término do tratamento fisioterapêutico, Escala dos Sintomas de Dyrek e Escala Visual Analógica. Resultados: Dos 49 acadêmicos, 80% eram do sexo feminino, sendo 95% solteiras, todos naturais de Fortaleza, todos cursando o ensino superior, com média de idade de 23,33 anos. No G1 (Compressão isquêmica) antes da aplicação a maior predominância foi a de nível de dor 7 e logo depois da aplicação o nível de maior predominância foi de dor 2, conforme Escala Visual Analógica. No G2 (Laserterapia) o nível de dor antes da aplicação foi de 7 e logo depois da aplicação, foi de dor 1 conforme Escala Visual Analógica. Conclusão: As técnicas de Laserterapia e a Compressão Isquêmica melhoraram o aporte sanguíneo da área tratada, porém na laserterapia houve a diminuição do limiar de dor e restabelecimento da normalidade funcional local. (AU)

Introduction: Muscle contracture occurs when the muscle contracts incorrectly and does not return to its normal state of relaxation in response to effort overload. Objectives: We compared the use of two techniques and the benefits provided to the treatment of patients with upper trapezius contracture. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, interventional, comparative and quantitative study between August 2015 and June 2016, with 49 academics divided into two groups (G1/G2). The data were obtained through the functional kinetic evaluation sheet developed for the study, which was applied before and at the end of the physiotherapeutic treatment, Dyrek Symptom Scale and Visual Analog Scale. Results: Of the 49 students, 80% were female, 95% single, all of them from Fortaleza/CE, all of them attending higher education, with a mean age of 23.33 years. In G1 (Ischemic Compression), before the application, the greatest predominance was pain level 7 and soon after the application the greater predominance was level pain 2, according to Visual Analog Scale. In G2 (Laser Therapy) the level of pain before the application was 7 and soon after the application was level pain 1 according to Visual Analog Scale. Conclusion: Laser therapy and ischemic compression improved the blood supply of the treated area, and laser therapy decreased th pain threshold and restored the local functional normality. (AU)

The mechanisms and treatments of muscular pathological changes in immobilization-induced joint contracture: A literature review / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

The clinical treatment of joint contracture due to immobilization remains difficult. The pathological changes of muscle tissue caused by immobilization-induced joint contracture include disuse skeletal muscle atrophy and skeletal muscle tissue fibrosis. The proteolytic pathways involved in disuse muscle atrophy include the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent pathway, caspase system pathway, matrix metalloproteinase pathway, Ca-dependent pathway and autophagy-lysosomal pathway. The important biological processes involved in skeletal muscle fibrosis include intermuscular connective tissue thickening caused by transforming growth factor-β1 and an anaerobic environment within the skeletal muscle leading to the induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. This article reviews the progress made in understanding the pathological processes involved in immobilization-induced muscle contracture and the currently available treatments. Understanding the mechanisms involved in immobilization-induced contracture of muscle tissue should facilitate the development of more effective treatment measures for the different mechanisms in the future.