Dall-Miles cable and plate fixation system in the treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures: a review of 20 cases.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of Dall-Miles cables and plates in the treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures around hip arthroplasties. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 20 cases of periprosthetic femoral fracture treated with the Dall-Miles cable and plate system between November 1999 and December 2002 in James Paget Hospital in the United Kingdom. Demographic data, fracture type, and surgical outcome of the patients were reviewed and assessed. RESULTS: Of the 20 cases of periprosthetic femoral fracture, one was of Vancouver type A, 15 were of type B1, and 4 were of type C. The mean age at operation was 78.5 years (range, 68-90 years) with a male to female ratio of 11:9. The mean time to union was 3.9 months (range, 3-8 months), and the mean follow-up period was 19.4 months (range, 1-4 years). 15 patients achieved satisfactory results, including 2 delayed unions that healed with a residual varus deformity of 15 degrees in the femoral component. Three patients developed deep-seated wound infections. No nonunion of fractures or fixation system failures occurred. CONCLUSION: The Dall-Miles cable and plate fixation system alone is a sufficient treatment for most periprosthetic femoral fractures. In the management of B1 fractures, there was no significant difference in clinical outcome, despite the various combinations of cables and screws used for stabilisation of the plate. However, in cases of comminution at the fracture site, junctional grafting with morsellised autograft may be used in addition to internal fixation to accelerate union.

Carboplatin in Combination with Bendamustine in Previously Untreated Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bendamustine is an alkylating agent with high efficacy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Even in solid tumours, monotherapy with bendamustine has resulted in subjective remissions and has been associated with a low rate of side effects. The current dose-finding study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of combined carboplatin/bendamustine in previously untreated patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Carboplatin was administered as a 1-hour infusion on day 1 at increasing dose levels, and bendamustine was administered as a short infusion on days 1 and 2 at increasing dose levels (80-120 mg/m(2)). The regimen was administered every 3 weeks. Four dose levels were planned, starting with 80 mg/m(2) bendamustine and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 5 (dose level I). The other dose levels were 100 mg/m(2) bendamustine and carboplatin AUC 5 (dose level II), 100 mg/m(2) bendamustine and carboplatin AUC 6 (dose level III), and 120 mg/m(2) bendamustine and carboplatin AUC 6 (dose level IV). A minimum of three patients were enrolled at each dose level. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicities, which included fatigue, infection and tachyarrhythmia, were observed at dose level III. The recommended dose for phase II studies was therefore established at dose level II. The majority of haematological and non-haematological toxicities observed were only mild (grade 1 or 2) in patients at dose levels I and II. None of the patients developed severe alopecia. Objective responses were observed in eight of the ten patients involved in this trial. CONCLUSION: Because of its acceptable toxicity and favourable preliminary antitumour efficacy, the combination of carboplatin and bendamustine appears to be a potentially useful chemotherapeutic option in patients with extensive SCLC.

Reduction in pain associated with open carpal tunnel decompression.

Patients treated by open carpal tunnel decompression under local anaesthetic experience significant pain with the introduction of local anaesthetic before operation. A prospective double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial was carried out to assess whether this pain could be reduced with the pre-application of a topical lignocaine-prilocaine anaesthetic cream. Nineteen patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral operations were studied. Pain, measured with a visual analogue scale, was significantly reduced on the sides treated with anaesthetic cream. On a four point verbal scale the rating on the placebo side was "moderate" or "severe", compared to "mild" on the anaesthetic cream side. The reduction in pain was greater in women, possibly due to a relatively thinner dermis. There were no adverse effects.

Tantalum ball position after total hip arthroplasty.

There are several techniques for the accurate measurement of the migration of components after arthroplasty some of which require the operative placement of tantalum balls. We have reviewed the position and migration of these markers in 64 patients after total hip arthroplasty. In 40% of cases, one or more balls was seen to be outside the proximal femur on the postoperative radiograph, although all were considered to be within the bone at operation. In two hips, one ball appeared to have migrated towards the joint, although none was seen within the joint. Misplacement was not related to the experience of the surgeon or the operative approach. Migration analysis which necessitates the insertion of tantalum balls requires careful technique to avoid a potential source of third-body wear. It should probably be used only for research in small series of patients.