Rivaroxaban and Acetylsalicylic Acid for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Korean Patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with chemoprophylaxis using acetylsalicylic acid (AA) or rivaroxaban in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2011 and November 2013, 268 TKA patients (330 cases) were randomly allocated to 3 groups (group A: subcutaneous injection of 5,000 IU low-molecular-weight heparin for 2 days followed by oral administration of 100 mg AA for 5 days; group X7: oral administration of 10mg rivaroxaban for 7 days; and group X10: oral administration of 10 mg rivaroxaban for 10 days). Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) was performed at 10 days and 3 months postoperatively to evaluate VTE changes. RESULTS: The VTE incidence was 38.2%, 20.0%, and 10.0% in groups A, X7, and X10, respectively (p < 0.001). Pulmonary embolism (PE) was identified in 19.1%, 10.0%, and 2.7% in groups A, X7, and X10, respectively (p < 0.001). Proximal or symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurred primarily in group A, but the incidence was not significantly different among groups. On follow-up MDCT, PE was resolved completely with treatment in 29/30 (96.7%), and so was asymptomatic distal DVT in 24/27 (88.8%) without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban had a lower incidence of overall VTE than AA, but no difference was observed in symptomatic VTE. The 10-day course of rivaroxaban had a lower incidence of overall VTE than the 7-day course.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Minimally Invasive Anterior Interbody Fusion of the T11-T12 Level Using Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion Devices: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: Case report OBJECTIVES: To report a case of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) minimally invasive anterior interbody fusion of the T11-T12 level using direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) devices. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Interbody fusion of the thoracolumbar junction (especially T11-T12) is technically challenging from anterior, lateral, or posterior approaches. A VAT anterior interbody fusion approach using DLIF devices is a safe, minimally invasive alternative approach to the thoracolumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 37-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a car sustaining fracture-dislocation at the T11-T12 level. The accident resulted in complete paraplegia of both lower extremities and multiple lower extremity fractures. A classical instrumented posterolateral fusion from T8 to L3 and staged VAT anterior interbody fusion at the T11-T12 level were performed. RESULTS: At one year postoperatively, he was capable of independent ambulation using a wheelchair without back pain, and plain radiographs and CT scans showed a solid fusion at the T11-T12 level. CONCLUSIONS: VAT anterior interbody fusion using DLIF devices provides excellent access to the anterior spinal column with the added benefits of an improved field of view and can be a safe and effective alternative to open thoracotomy in the management of various thoracolumbar junction problems.

Eighteen Year Follow-Up Results of Accessory Lower Limb Disarticulation and Pelvic Bone Reconstruction for Monocephalus Tripus Tribrachius / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Monocephalus tripus tribrachius, a type of conjoined twins with one head and three upper and lower extremities, is a rare congenital disorder. To date, no long-term follow-up results of surgical procedures for this condition have been reported in Korean literature. We experienced a case of monocephalus tripus tribrachius, which had been surgically managed with an accessory lower limb disarticulation and pelvic bone reconstruction to manage this accessory limb and accompanying comorbidities in hip joint and pelvis. Subsequently, ipsilateral Syme amputation was done for intractable deformity of foot, and later, ipsilateral femoral varus derotational osteotomy was done for inadequate coverage of femoral head observed in follow-up. We report 18-year follow-up results of the procedures with a review of literatures.