Esophageal Perforation after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case analyses.PURPOSE: To investigate the causes, diagnosis, and management of esophageal perforation, depending on the time of diagnosis.OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: To date, few studies have addressed these issues.METHODS: A total of seven patients were included in this study. The patients were classified into three groups based on esophageal perforation diagnosis time: intraoperative (diagnosed during surgery), perioperative (diagnosed within 30 days postoperatively), and delayed (diagnosed >30 days postoperatively) groups.RESULTS: In the intraoperative group (N=2), infectious spondylitis was the main cause of esophageal perforation. Anterior plate and screw removal, followed by posterior instrumentation, was performed. The injured esophagus was managed by omentum flap repair in one patient and primary repair in one patient. In the perioperative group (N=2), revision surgery for infection and metal failure were the main causes of esophageal perforation. In both cases, food residue was drained on the third postoperative day. The injured esophagus was managed conservatively. In the delayed group (N=3), chronic irritation caused by metal failure was the main cause of esophageal perforation. In all patients, there was no associated infection. The anterior instrumentation was removed, and the two patients were treated by primary repair, and one patient was treated using sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. One patient in intraoperative group died of sepsis.CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of intraoperative esophageal perforation was esophageal adhesions because of infectious spondylitis. However, perioperative and delayed esophageal perforations were caused by chronic irritation because of metal failure. Anterior plate and screw removal was necessary, and posterior instrumentation and fusion may be considered, depending on the fusion status.

Clinical Efficacy of Cages in Anterior Cervical Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Disease

STUDY DESIGN: Review of the literature.OBJECTIVES: To present up-to-date information on the use of cages in anterior cervical fusion for degenerative cervical disease.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion for degenerative cervical disease remains controversial.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the relevant literature.RESULTS: The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion of one and multiple disc levels was effective in terms of biomechanical stability and clinical outcomes without complications at the donor site compared with use of an autograft. However, the use of only a cage had many drawbacks, so the combined use of a cage and a cervical plate is recommended.CONCLUSIONS: The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion was effective in terms of clinical outcomes, and the combined use of a cage and a cervical plate is recommended.

Clinical Efficacy of Cages in Anterior Cervical Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Disease

OBJECTIVES@#To present up-to-date information on the use of cages in anterior cervical fusion for degenerative cervical disease.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion for degenerative cervical disease remains controversial.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Review of the relevant literature.@*RESULTS@#The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion of one and multiple disc levels was effective in terms of biomechanical stability and clinical outcomes without complications at the donor site compared with use of an autograft. However, the use of only a cage had many drawbacks, so the combined use of a cage and a cervical plate is recommended.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The use of cages in anterior cervical fusion was effective in terms of clinical outcomes, and the combined use of a cage and a cervical plate is recommended.

Comparison of Quality of Life between Before and After Orthopaedic Implant Removal Surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not a patient's results are improved after removal of an internal fixative from a patient with no related symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 87 patients who agreed to participate in the study and satisfied the criteria for selection and exclusion of patients who underwent the operation for removal of internal fixative due to broken bones from March 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2011 at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center. The average replication period was 27 months (12-64 months) and the average age at the time of the operation for removal was 41.5 years (21-75 years) for 55 males and 32 females. The quality of life for all patients was evaluated using Short Form 36 (SF-36) surveys before the operation for removal and after a minimum of one year. RESULTS: After an orthopedic operation for removal of internal fixative, physical health status showed statistically significant improvement (p=0.001); however mental health status did not (p=0.411). A satisfaction test for the subjective surgery written by patients indicated an improvement of subjective health status in 52.9% after the surgery for removal but with no difference in 29.9% compared to preoperation. CONCLUSION: In case of an operation for removal of internal fixative for patients with no related symptoms with internal fixatives used for treatment of fractures showing agglutination opinions, an improvement was observed in physical health status, not in mental health status. When surgery for removal of internal fixative is performed for patients without related symptoms, consideration that subjective satisfaction of patients shows an improvement only in 52.9% will be helpful.

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hyaluronidase in the Selective Nerve Root Block of Radiculopathy: A Double Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PURPOSE: To determine the ability of hyaluronidase to provide longer lasting pain relief and functional improvement in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Selective nerve root block (SNRB) is a good treatment option in lumbar radiculopathy. We studied the effectiveness of hyaluronidase when added to the traditional SNRB regimen. METHODS: A sample size of 126 patients per group was necessary. A sample of 252 patients who underwent an injection procedure with or without hyaluronidase due to radiculopathy was included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control (C) group and the hyaluronidase (H) group. After SNRB due to radiculopathy, the visual analog scale (VAS) was compared at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks between the two groups, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was compared at 12 weeks between the two groups. RESULTS: Both groups seemed to have general improvement in VAS, but in C group, the VAS was higher than the H group 2 and 4 weeks after the surgery, and the difference in time-group change between 2 groups was statistically significant (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The rebound pain (the re-occurrence of pain within 2-4 weeks after injection) that occurs within 2-4 weeks after the injection of the routine regimen can be reduced when hyaluronidase is added to the routine SNRB regimen.

Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur Using an Anti-Hypersliding Compression Hip Screw and TSP

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the result of fixation of unstable intertrochanteric fractures using an anti-hypersliding compressive hip screw and a trochanter stabilizing plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures who were given an anti-hypersliding compressive hip screw (Group A) or conventional compressive hip screw (Group B) were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 23.5 months. Radiographic evaluation included the changes of neck-shaft angle, lateral displacement of proximal fragment, distal migration of the lag screw, fixation failure, and union time using plain radiographs taken at postoperative and last follow-up time. RESULTS: Lateral displacement of the proximal fragment averaged 1.62 mm in Group A and 3.97 mm in Group B, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). The neck-shaft angle was increased in Group B, but has no significance. The average of the Harris hip score and walking ability after surgery is higher in Group A than B, but there was no significant difference. The complication rate was significantly lower in Group A. But union time showed no difference in each group. CONCLUSION: Anti-hypersliding compression hip screw with a TSP, which reduces sliding of the lag screw and extreme change of the moment arm, is a another good option for the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures against an increase of the failure rate from the hypersliding of the lag screw.

Clinical Analysis of Femur Shaft Insufficiency Fractures

BACKGROUND: To characterize the recently issued femur shaft insufficiency fracture in terms of a patient's own epidemiological status. METHODS: Fourteen patients were treated for insufficiency fracture from July 2002 to June 2008, excluding cases including the risk factors of insufficiency fracture. All patients were female, and their mean age was 75.6 years (range, 65 to 89 years). The mean follow-up period was 50.6 months (range, 14 to 86 months). RESULTS: The mean body weight of the Koreans in the same age group was 58.1 +/- 9.7 kg, and the mean height was 155.5 +/- 8.8 cm. The mean body weight of our insufficiency fracture patients was 45.7 kg and it was statistically significantly lower than that of the Koreans in the same age group (p < 0.001). The mean height was 147.3 cm and it was significantly shorter than the mean height of the Koreans in the same age group (p = 0.002). In regard to menopausal time, the mean menopausal time of the Koreans was 48.0 +/- 4.2 years, it was 44 years in our study, as menopause occurred statistically significantly earlier (p = 0.017). The patients with insufficiency fracture showed statistically lower weight, shorter stature and an earlier menopausal period than that of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: In early menopausal, underweight, and short patients prescribed osteoporosis medication for an extended period of time, if predromal symptom is present, it is necessary to suspect insufficiency fracture of the femur.

Paraplegia due to Missed Thoracic Meningioma after Laminotomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Report of Two Cases

To describe two cases of thoracic paraplegia due to a thoracic spinal cord tumor (meningioma) that was not detected during lumbar spinal decompressive surgery for lumbar canal stenosis and a complaint of claudication. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year and 6 months to 1 year and 8 months. The neurological deficit due to thoracic meningioma after surgery for lumbar canal stensois was decreased after mass excision. So, careful physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging can reveal another thoracic spine compressive lesion such as meningioma. Additional thoracic decompressive surgery can provide partial amelioration of each patient's neurological condition. Surgeons should know that a silent meningioma can aggrevate neurological symptoms after lower lumbar spine surgery and should inform their patient before surgery.

Prevalence of Spondylolysis and Its Relationship with Low Back Pain in Selected Population

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of spondylolysis in a selected population and evaluate the association of spondylolysis with low back pain (LBP). Spondylolysis is widespread in the general population but the prevalence of spondylolysis and its relationship with LBP in the Korean population is controversial. METHODS: A sample of 855 participants (age, 20 to 86 years) from our medical center who underwent multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging to assess abdominal and urological lesions were enrolled in this study. The occurrence of LBP requiring medication in the preceding 12 months was evaluated using a self-report questionnaire (a modified Nordic Low Back Pain Questionnaire). The presence of spondylolysis was characterized by CT imaging. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between spondylolysis and LBP, while adjusting for gender and age. RESULTS: Seventy-eight study subjects (9%) demonstrated spondylolysis on CT imaging. There was no significant difference between the age groups (p = 0.177). The p-value of gender was 0.033 but this was not significant due to the selected population bias. Three hundred eleven study subjects (36%) had back pain. There was a significant difference between gender (p = 0.001). No significant association was identified between spondylolysis and the occurrence of LBP. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LBP was 36.37% and the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis in a selected population, who visited hospital for abdominal or urological lesions except LBP, was 9.12% based on CT imaging. Males demonstrated a similar presence of LBP to females but a significantly higher incidence of spondylolysis (p = 0.033). The prevalence of spondylolysis was not associated with the presence of LBP and age in adulthood.

Open Reduction without Fusion of Bilateral Jumped Lumbosacral Facet Dislocation Associated with Symphysis Pubis Separation and Cauda Equina Syndrome: Case Report

This paper reports a rare case of a lumbosacral dislocation associated with symphysis pubis separation and cauda equina syndrome. A 39-year-old male who diagnosed traumatic lumbosacral dislocation underwent an open reduction without fusion. After an open reduction and internal fixation of a symphysis pubis separation, a missed lumbosacral dislocation was diagnosed and an open reduction was performed without fusion. Due to the symphysis pubis separation, the patient was not allowed weight bearing for 3 months, which then began from wheel chair ambulation. At the 6-month follow up evaluation, there was no back pain but the patient reported mild S1 nerve root sensory symptoms. Lumbosacral dislocation is common in high energy polytrauma patients and can be misdiagnosed. However, prompt reduction without fusion is a good alternative treatment.

Fracture-Dislocation of S1 in 3-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Fracture-dislocation of the sacrum that has not yet fully developed is common in the distal sacrococcygeal joint of children, but this injury is rarely seen in 1st Sacrum. Most of these patients have a severe neurological deficit, so this injury generally requires surgical decompression. We managed a three year old patient who had a S1 fracture-dislocation without a neurological deficit, and the patient was treated with simple skin traction and bed rest without surgery. The child had a satisfactory result, so we report on this case with reviewing the relevant literatures.

Anterior Dislocation of Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint: A Case Report

There are variable types in wrist joint injury. Most common case is simple distal radius fracture. And ulnar head dislocation associated with disruption of distal radioulnar ligament is unusual. Among thease injury types. volar dislocation of ulnar head in the distal radioulnar joint is not common and it is misdiagnosis frequently. So it needs to surgical operation frequently. The author reviews this injury with the relevant literature.

Sacral Fracture Dislocation of Suicidal Jumper (Suicidal Jumper's Fracture): 4 Cases Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Displaced fractures of the upper sacrum are a rare type of high energy injury, such as a fall, with similar neurological symptoms and fracture patterns. The authors treated 4 patients with these fracture patterns surgically or conservatively and followed them up for at least 1 year. We report these 4 cases with a review of the relevant literature.

Traumatic Simultaneous Bilateral Hip Dislocation in the Elderly Patient: A Case Report

Traumatic simultaneous bilateral hip dislocation is reported rarely, but the most of them are limited in young patients. The authors managed the elderly patients whose both hip was dislocated traumatically, simultaneously and who didn't have any other underlying disease and other associated fracture - femur, hip joint and pelvis, with a review of the relevant literature.

Traumatic Simultaneous Bilateral Hip Dislocation in the Elderly Patient: A Case Report

Traumatic simultaneous bilateral hip dislocation is reported rarely, but the most of them are limited in young patients. The authors managed the elderly patients whose both hip was dislocated traumatically, simultaneously and who didn't have any other underlying disease and other associated fracture - femur, hip joint and pelvis, with a review of the relevant literature.

Predicting Factors on Surgical Management of Unilateral Calcaneal Fracture / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To study prognostic factors of unilateral calcaneus fracture underwent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected appropriate 60 cases of 236 calcaneus fracture cases between March 1985 and March 2004, and analyzed the correlation between sex, age, smoking, injury mechanism, Essex-Lopresti classification of calcaneus fracture, preoperative Bohler angle, postoperative Bohler angle, postoperative 1 year Bohler angle and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), P.S. Kerr's Calcaneal Fracture Score (CFSS). The average age was 41.4 and average follow up period was 74 (12 to 240) months. RESULTS: For follow up period, average VAS is 3.43 and CFSS is 81.23. The sex, age, smoking, injury mechanism, and preoperative, postoperative, postoperative 1 year Bohler angle had no correlation with the prognosis. But the Essex-Lopresti classification of calcaneus fracture, tongue type had better prognosis than joint depression type (VAS : p=0.041, CFSS : p=0.021). CONCLUSION: In unilateral calcaneus fracture, the sex, age, smoking, injury mechanism, preoperative Bohler angle, postoperative Bohler angle, postoperative 1 year Bohler angle had no correlation with the prognosis of fracture, but in Essex-Lopresti classification, the tongue type fracture had better prognosis than the joint depression type.

The Reliability of Proximal Femoral Shaft Fracture Classification

PURPOSE: The Garden classification by which femur neck fracture is classified and the Boyd-Griffin classification by which trochanteric fracture is classified are studied on the reproducibility, repeatability, interobserver's and intraobserver's reliability and then reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 56 cases in femoral neck fracture and 60 cases in trochanteric fracture who were operated from May 1999 to December 2003 were classified by three observers who are hip surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon and senior residentship doctors three times. Femur neck fracture was classified by Garden's method which used commonly and trochanteric fracture was classified by Boyd-Griffin method which is classified by the pattern of fracture and degree of comminution. We got the interobserver's and intraobserver's Kappa score using the Stata 7.0 statistically. The statistical analysis was made by Stata 7.0. RESULTS: Garden classification in femur neck fracture showed moderate agreement in intraobserver reliability and fair agreement in interobserver reliability. Boyd-Griffin classification in trochanteric fracture showed substantial agreement in intraobserver reliability and moderate agreement in interobserver reliability. CONCLUSION: Boyd-Griffin classification showed over moderate agreement but Garden classification showed fair agreement, so using Garden classification in femur neck fracture has some problem in reliability and application.

A Case of Surgically Treated Transverse Sacral Fracture: A Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Most sacral fractures have generally been treated with a nonoperative method. However, the authors of this study treated, with an operative method, a transverse sacral fracture that was displaced forward into the pelvic cavity and the patient also had extensive neurologic injury and instability. Fracture site stabilization and decompression proved to be successful management and the patient experienced a remarkably good outcome. In selected cases, surgical treatment is a good option for the management of transverse sacral fracture.

Relationship of Tibial Nonunion with Fibular Nonunion in the Tibio-fibular Shaft Fracture

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to know the relationship of tibial nonunion with fibular nonunion in the tibio-fibular shaft fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1998 to February 2004, 98 tibio-fibular shaft fractures which did not involve adjacent joints and were followed up at least 1 year were selected. The characteristics of patients and tibia shaft fracture were analyzed statistically to know the above relationship. RESULTS: The patient's factor and tibia shaft fracture factor were not significant statistically. In patients with the fibular union, there was 1 case (1/68) of tibia nonunion, but in patients with the fibular nonunion, there were 6 cases (6/30) of tibia nonunion. So fibular nonunion was significant statistically associated with tibia nonunion (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Fibular nonunion was presumed to have a higher risk of tibia nonunion.

The Precipitating Factors of Amputation as Initial Treatment in Diabetic Foot / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the precipitating factors of amputation as initial treatment in diabetic foot patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March, 1994 and February 2003, 41 cases (37 patients) diabetic foot patients who had diabetic ulcer, pyogenic inflammation and gangrene and followed up over 1 year were collected. Among them, We evaluate the precipitating factors of amputation for average 39.6months (12-118months). RESULTS: Among many factors, Wagner classification, pulse volume recording of toes, Ankle-Brachial Index and Albumin level are statistically significant in amputation patients. CONCLUSION: In determining the amputation of diabetic foot as initial treatment, the trauma history, circulation of foot and serum albumin level are important precipitating factors. So the education about preventing even minor trauma and maintaining good nutrition state decrease the amputation rate in diabetic foot patients.