Neurologic Complication after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty with Polymethylmethacrylate: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

In recent years, percutaneous vertebroplasty has frequently been used to treat osteoporotic compression fractures. This procedure is generally known to be safe because of the rare occurrence of complications. However, it is accompanied by the risk of cement leakage, and the cement can be easily removed using a surgical technique. Most neurological complications occurred due to extravasation of cement into the spinal canal. Comparatively, there were no reports of neurological complications due to the extravasation of cement into the paravertebral area. Here, we report a case of right-exiting L1 spinal root compression after percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). We proceeded to cement removal and nerve root decompression by a paraspinal open microsurgical technique in the event of neurological complication.

Lower Extremity Amputations for the Diabetic Foot Complication / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, the patterns and the functional outcome of the amputations due to the diabetic foot complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (50 feet) of diabetic foot amputations were followed for more than 1 year. The mean age was 62.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 46 months. Retrospective analysis was performed using chart review and interview with the patients. The outcome was assessed with modified AOFAS scale. RESULTS: The diabetic foot lesions were infection in 45 feet, gangrene in 35 feet and ulcer in 15 feet. Toe amputation was most commonly performed procedure (23 cases) followed by below knee and ray amputation. Postoperative modified AOFAS score was average 51.5 points, and 94% were satisfied with outcome. Minor amputations showed better outcome than the major amputations. CONCLUSION: Overall postoperative functional outcome was encouraging with high patient satisfaction rate (94%). Better outcome was obtained with the minor amputations.

A Clinical Analysis of 260 Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Compression Fracture

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the results regarding pain relief, complication after percutaneous vertebroplasty, for an osteoporotic compression fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 260 patients (male 55, female 260, mean age 69.4 years old) treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty in Dankook University Hospital from July 1997 to July 2004 were reviewed. We performed percutaneous vertebroplasty and observed the degree of pain relief using pain scale pre-/postoperation. we evaluate the complication by plain radiographs and computed tomography, ABGA and chest X-ray. we evaluate pain relief and complication for 1 week by follow-up plain radiographs. we recommended BMD follow-up per 1 year and osteoporosis medication at least 2 years. A clinical result was evaluated as excellent, good, fair, poor and visual analogue scale (VAS 0~10) for 1 year. We prefaced a statistical analysis by T-test using SPSS (version 11.0) correlating 1 week and 1 years effects. RESULTS: 73 (28.3%) of the patients were evaluated as excellent: 123 (45.5%), as good: 45 (17.8%), as fair; and 23 (8.5%), as poor, show 73.8% over good in 1 week. 76 (29.3%) of the patients were evaluated as excellent; 120 (44.3%), as good; 43 (16.8%), as fair; and 25 (9.6%), as poor in 1 year, show 73.6% over good result. 1 week follow-up and 1 year follow-up show similar results. 1 patient had death (hemothorax), 4 patients had arrhythmia, 15 patients (21 vertebrae) had fracture around vertebroplasty. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous vertebroplasty using PMMA is valuable method in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fracture, providing immediately pain relief, long term pain relief, prevention of complication originated from long term traction and bed rest, unwearing brace and early ambulation.

Surgical Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture by Minimal Incision Technique / 대한족부족관절학회지

PROPOSE: There have been many debates about the ideal surgical technique for acute Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study is to review and analyze the clinical outcome of the acute Achilles tendon ruptures that had been repaired by indirect suture technique with minimal incision that utilized an instrument called Achillon (Newdeal, France). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on the 14 cases (14 patients) of acute Achilles tendon total ruptures that have been repaired by minimal incision technique utilizing Achillon instrument from June 2003 to December 2004. Two cases were reruptured before 8 weeks and repaired again using Krackow suture which left 12 feet for postoperative functional evaluation with at least 6 months of follow-up. Ten cases were men and average age at time of injury was 34.4 (26-49) years. The time from injury to surgery was an average of 4.5 (1-9) days and the postoperative evaluations were done by an Arner-Lindholm scale and AOFAS score. The ability to return to original work and sports activities as well as patient satisfaction were also evaluated. RESULTS: The follow-up period was averaged for 13.2 (6-24) months. Seventy-one percent of cases were ruptured during sports activities. The ruptured level was the average of 5.1 cm (3.2-8 cm) above calcaneal attachment and the skin incision was averaged for 2.7 cm (2.5-3.0 cm) long. At final follow-up, standing on tip-toe was possible in all cases while the heel-floor height on ruptured side was shorter by 0.7 cm (0-2 cm). By Arner-Lindholm evaluation scale, 9 cases were excellent, and 3 cases were good. Overall AOFAS score was an average of 96.1 (94-100), and all patients were satisfied with the result. Patients returned to work at an average of 1.3 months after the surgery and pre-injury sports activities were all possible from at 6 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Since we have treated acute Achilles tendon ruptures with minimal incision technique utilizing the Achillon and gained encouraging functional results with all patients returning to previous work with high patient satisfaction, this technique could be recommended as one of the ideal surgical options for the Achilles tendon ruptures.

Surgical Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture by Minimal Incision Technique / 대한족부족관절학회지

PROPOSE: There have been many debates about the ideal surgical technique for acute Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study is to review and analyze the clinical outcome of the acute Achilles tendon ruptures that had been repaired by indirect suture technique with minimal incision that utilized an instrument called Achillon (Newdeal, France). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on the 14 cases (14 patients) of acute Achilles tendon total ruptures that have been repaired by minimal incision technique utilizing Achillon instrument from June 2003 to December 2004. Two cases were reruptured before 8 weeks and repaired again using Krackow suture which left 12 feet for postoperative functional evaluation with at least 6 months of follow-up. Ten cases were men and average age at time of injury was 34.4 (26-49) years. The time from injury to surgery was an average of 4.5 (1-9) days and the postoperative evaluations were done by an Arner-Lindholm scale and AOFAS score. The ability to return to original work and sports activities as well as patient satisfaction were also evaluated. RESULTS: The follow-up period was averaged for 13.2 (6-24) months. Seventy-one percent of cases were ruptured during sports activities. The ruptured level was the average of 5.1 cm (3.2-8 cm) above calcaneal attachment and the skin incision was averaged for 2.7 cm (2.5-3.0 cm) long. At final follow-up, standing on tip-toe was possible in all cases while the heel-floor height on ruptured side was shorter by 0.7 cm (0-2 cm). By Arner-Lindholm evaluation scale, 9 cases were excellent, and 3 cases were good. Overall AOFAS score was an average of 96.1 (94-100), and all patients were satisfied with the result. Patients returned to work at an average of 1.3 months after the surgery and pre-injury sports activities were all possible from at 6 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Since we have treated acute Achilles tendon ruptures with minimal incision technique utilizing the Achillon and gained encouraging functional results with all patients returning to previous work with high patient satisfaction, this technique could be recommended as one of the ideal surgical options for the Achilles tendon ruptures.