A pilot study on the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the relationship between tongue manifestation and the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred patients with first unilateral cerebral infarction were recruited. The relationship between different tongue manifestation and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NIHSS scores in the patients from different tongue color groups were analyzed and further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with red or bluish-purple tongue than that of those with the pink (P <0.01). On tongue fur, the NIHSS score in the patients with thick fur was higher than that of those with the thin (P=0.003). NIHSS score in patients with slippery, moist or dry fur was significant different (P=0.003), Further analysis demonstrated that the NIHSS score was higher in the patients with dry fur than that of those with moist fur, and had statistical significance (P=0.01). The NIHSS score was higher in patients from greasy fur group than that of the non-greasy (P=0.002). There was significant difference of NHISS score in the patients with different fur color (P=0.000), and further analysis demonstrated that the NHISS score in white-yellow, yellow fur group were higher than that of the white (P=0.06 or 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The changes of tongue manifestation might be associated with the degree of neurological impairment in the patients with acute cerebral infarction.</p>

Effects of different heights of simulated joint lines on patellofemoral joint contact pressure in total knee arthroplasty / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To discuss the effects of different joint line heights on patellofemoral joint (PFJ) contact pressure at different knee flexion angels in human cadaveric total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Seven normal fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees with intact joint cartilage were tested on an Instron 8501 testing machine with a load of 30 kg. The load of quadriceps tendon was adjusted to balance the specimen at the desired angles. Total knee arthroplasty were performed with femurs of increased lengths (i. e. the heights of joint line were +2 mm, +4 mm, and +6 mm) and tibial plateaus of different heights. The peak PFJ contact pressure was measured with Fuji pressure-sensitive film before and after total knee arthroplasty. Results: After total knee arthroplasty, at knee flexion angles of 60°, 90° and 120°, the peak contact pressures of lateral PFJ facet were significantly higher when the heights of joint line were +4 mm and +6 mm than those when the heights of joint line were 0 and +2 mm (P<0.05); at knee flexion angles of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° the peak contact pressure of medial PFJ facet were significantly higher when the heights of joint line were +6 mm than those when the heights of joint line were 0, +2 mm, and +4 mm (P<0.05). Conclusion: The peak PFJ contact pressure increases if the height of joint line is elevated by more than 4 mm in total knee arthroplasty, so the variation of joint line should be controled within 4 mm in total knee arthroplasty.

Radiographic analysis of rotational malalignment between tibial component and femoral component in total knee arthroplasty / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify possible reasons of rotational mismatch between tibial component and femoral component in total knee arthroplasty and choose a right reference axis for placing the components in the operation and to decrease the complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty normal Chinese knees were studied. There were 20 men and 20 women, and average age was 34 years (range, 18 - 42 years). The images of cross sections of the distal femur were obtained by spiral CT scanning (0.5 mm thickness). Scan direction was aligned to be in the plane perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the tibia. On the images of the distal femur and the proximal tibia, three baselines for the anteroposterior axis of the femoral component were drawn based on the clinical epicondylar axis and the surgical epicondylar axis and 3 degrees lateral rotated to the posterior condylar surfaces of the femur separately, and a baseline for the anteroposterior axis of the tibial component was drawn based on the medial 1/3 of the tibial tuberosity. The rotational mismatch angles were measured between each component by using the Autocad software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean rotational mismatch angle between tibial component and femoral component is 2.94 degrees for the clinical epicondylar axis, 6.50 degrees for the surgical epicondylar axis and 6.83 degrees for 3 degrees lateral rotation of the femoral component referenced to the posterior condylar axis separately.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Landmarks of each bone were the intrinsic cause of the rotational mismatch in total knee arthroplasty. The clinical epicondylar axis can be chosen for the ideal reference to rotational alignment of the femoral component because of its minimal rotational mismatch between each component.</p>

The use of a closed-suction drain in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the value of using a closed-suction drain in cemented knee arthroplasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred patients were prospectively randomized into two groups, one group underwent cemented total knee replacement with a single deep closed-suction drain, and the other group (n = 50) no drain.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total blood loss was significantly greater in those with a drain although those without lost more blood into the dressings. There was no statistical difference in the postoperative swelling or pain score, ecchymosis, deep vein thromboses (DVT), time at which flexion was regained or the incidence of infection at a minimum of two years after surgery in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no evidence to support the use of a closed-suction drain in cemented knee arthroplasty.</p>

The effect of rotational alignment of the femoral components on the patellofemoral biomechanics in total knee arthroplasty / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of rotational alignment of the femoral components on the patellofemoral biomechanics in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrated on autopsy specimens, as the guide for surgeons to choose the correct reference axis for rotational alignment of the femoral components and to reduce the patellofemoral joint complications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Select 9 frozen fresh human cadaver knees without gross deformities or instabilities and mount specimens on a patellofemoral joint testing jig connected to a Model 8501 Instron machine (Instron Corporation, Canton, MA). The study simulated the action of squatting from the standing position with the foot firmly planted. Standard TKA was performed in each specimen by the same senior surgeon using Nexgen LPS total knee system (Zimmer Corporation, Warsaw Indiana). Alter rotational alignment of the femoral components referenced to the transepicondylar axis and the Whiteside's line respectively. Measure biomechanics of the patellofemoral joints using Fuji prescale film at 30 degrees , 60 degrees , 90 degrees , 120 degrees of knee flexion respectively. The digital values were obtained by the handheld pressure measurement systems (FPD-305E, FPD-306E) and Autocad software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rotational alignment of the femoral components paralleled to the transepicondylar axis had the best results of the peak value of the patellofemoral contact pressure (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in patellofemoral contact area (P > 0.05). But the patellofemoral contact area had the close correlations to the angles of the knee flexion and the specimens.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rotational alignment of the femoral components has a great influence on the patellofemoral contact pressure in total knee arthroplasty. It is reliable for surgeons to choose the transepicondylar axis as the reference axis to rotate femoral components.</p>