Quadriceps Tendon Attachment Technique for Medial Quadriceps Tendon-Femoral Ligament (MQTFL) Reconstruction in the Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Patella Dislocation.

Medial quadriceps tendon-femoral ligament (MQTFL) reconstruction for prevention of recurrent patella dislocation is an alternative to medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Because the reconstruction graft attaches to the quadriceps tendon, no patella drill hole is required, thereby eliminating iatrogenic fracture risk. The procedure remains anatomically accurate and early results are comparable to MPFL reconstruction for preventing patella dislocation. The MQTFL reconstruction graft is brought up under the vastus medialis obliquus distal to the patella apex, such that its orientation is directed toward the medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) midpoint, also known as Tanaka's point. The graft is then secured by looping it around the vastus medialis and rectus femoris tendons, after which optimal graft length is easily established by cycling the knee, after which it is sutured securely into the deep quadriceps tendon precisely at the anatomic midpoint of the MPFC. Anatomic reconstruction of the MQTFL-in which graft orientation is crucial-confers reliable patellofemoral joint stability in the surgical treatment of patients with recurrent patella dislocations.

Tendon structure, disease, and imaging.

Tendon imaging plays a critical role in evaluating tendon diseases and injuries including mechanical, degenerative, and overuse disease, inflammatory enthesitis, as well as partial and full thickness tears. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), each with unique benefits and limitations, are commonly utilized to assist in diagnosing these diseases and conditions. This review delineates important structural properties of tendon and biochemical changes occurring in tendon pathology. This review also examines commonly injured tendons including tendons of the elbow, tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, hip abductor tendons, patellar tendons, and the Achilles tendon to help clinicians better recognize tendon disease. Finally, this paper introduces several emerging imaging techniques including T2 mapping, ultra-short echo time MRI, and sonoelastography as ways in which tendon imaging and evaluation may be improved.

Outcomes of delayed chest closure after bilateral lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Delayed chest closure (DCC) may be used after bilateral lung transplantation when significant bleeding/coagulopathy or severe pulmonary edema exists. Primary chest closure (PCC) in these patients can lead to heart and lung compression causing cardiopulmonary instability. The purpose of this study is to describe factors associated with DCC and evaluate outcomes after DCC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation between September 2003 and March 2005. Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed t test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Twenty-eight bilateral lung transplantations were performed. Indication for transplant was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (13), pulmonary fibrosis (5), cystic fibrosis (5), sarcoidosis (3), and pulmonary hypertension (1). Seven patients (25%) required DCC. Mean time to DCC was 5.3 days. Six patients (86%) with DCC required tracheostomy versus 4 patients (20%) with PCC (p = 0.003). Mean days to discharge was 44 in the DCC group and 21 in the PCC group (p = 0.03). Thirty-day survival was 100% in the DCC group and 95% in the PCC group (p = 1.0). There were no wound infections in either group, and 1 patient in the PCC group had sternal nonunion. Delayed chest closure was associated with cardiopulmonary bypass use (p = 0.006), cardiopulmonary bypass time longer than mean cardiopulmonary bypass time (mean, 224 minutes; p = 0.04), PaO2/FiO2 less than mean + 1 SD (value = 4.63, p = 0.0002), evidence of moderate/severe reperfusion injury on chest radiograph (p = 0.0002), and PaO2/FiO2 less than mean plus moderate/severe reperfusion injury on chest radiograph (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass use, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, and significant reperfusion injury, as determined by chest radiograph and a low PaO2/FiO2 ratio were all associated with an increased incidence of DCC in our bilateral lung transplantation patients. These patients had no wound infections or sternal complications, and although they had longer hospital stays than PCC patients, DCC did not affect operative survival. Delayed chest closure can be employed safely, when necessary, after bilateral lung transplantation with outcomes similar to patients with PCC.