Short-term follow-up of kinematically vs. mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty with medial pivot components: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The kinematic alignment (KA) technique for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the medial pivot (MP) component design are two options promoting a physiologic prosthetic knee kinematics when used in combination that could improve TKA outcomes. Case-control study is initiated to compare the 1-year radio-clinical outcomes between kinematic alignment medial pivot total knee arthroplasty (KA MP-TKAs) and mechanical alignment medial pivot total knee arthroplasty (MA MP-TKA). Goal of a study was to answer the following questions: Do KA MP-TKAs patients have improved functional outcomes compared to MA MP-TKAs patients? (Q1); Do prosthetic knee and lower limb alignments differ between KA and MA patients (Q2)? And does kinematic implantation of MP TKA has higher risk of reoperations and revisions (Q3)? MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out to compare the 1-year clinical and radiographic outcomes between 24 consecutive KA-TKA patients and 24 matched MA-TKA patients. All patients had implantation with manual instruments and a cemented medial pivot TKA with excision of the PCL. All data were collected prospectively, and outcome scores were patient reported. RESULTS: KA patients had superior values in Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 1-year (KA 77 vs. MA 51) (p=0.05) follow-up. After one year KA patients scored better in objective section of the new Knee Society Score (KSS) (p=0.02), and in sport section of the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (p=0.01). Eleven out of 24 patients (46%) in KA group and 7/24 patients (29%) in MA group had limb alignment out of 180°±3°, whereas 17/24 (70%) of KA patients, and 14/24 (58%) of MA patients had orientation of tibial component with more than 3° of varus. No reoperation or revision occurred in either group. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The KA of MP TKA design seems to have a good efficacy at early-term, with some 1-year functional performance higher to the ones from MA MP TKAs. Further research is needed to define if those early results will last over time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, case-controlled study.

10-Year Survival of Navigated Versus Conventional TKAs: A Retrospective Study.

The computer-assisted navigation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) offers a radiologically demonstrated higher precision of implantation than conventional implantation in relation to the axis alignment. The impact on long-term clinical outcomes is currently unknown. In 1999, 217 consecutive TKAs were performed in a total of 213 patients (113 navigated and 104 conventional). After 10 years, it was possible to follow up on 94 patients with 96 TKAs, of which 46 were conventional and 50 were navigated. The radiographs were evaluated using the Knee Society protocol. In addition to the Hospital for Special Surgery Score and Knee Society Score, the current authors also used the patient-focused 36-item Short Form Health Survery. After 10 years, 8 TKAs were revised because of aseptic loosening, 7 in the conventional group and 1 in navigated group. This equates to an 87% survival rate for conventional and 98% for navigated implantation. This difference was statistically significant (P<.05). After conclusion of the follow-up, 17% of the conventional and 9.8% of the navigated TKAs were found to have undergone aseptic loosening. All of the TKAs subject to aseptic loosening presented a mechanical femorotibial angle outside the optimal zone of ±3° around neutral axis. The study indicates a clinically significant advantage of the navigation technique compared with the conventional procedure. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):S72-S76.].

Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis by a retrograde intramedullary nail.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the results of tibio-talo-calcaneal fusions using Retrograde Nailing System and Bone Grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 2006 to January 2008, we performed 13 fusions in 11 consecutive patients with advanced ankle and hindfoot disease. Patients underwent 13 tibiotalocalcaneal fusions (2 patients had initial tibiotalocalcaneal fusion using screws and subsequently developed a non-union) and all 11 patients were available for follow up. The procedure was performed unilaterally in all cases; there were 4 males and 7 females. The average age at the time of surgery was 65.25 years (range 51-81 years). The average duration of follow-up was 8 months (range between 6-15 months). RESULTS: Solid fusion was achieved in all 11 cases. The average AOFAS score (maximum 78 points) improved from a pre-operative mean of 16 points [range 3 to 29] to a mean of 54 points [range 42 to 70], excluding the scores for stability and range of motion. Patient satisfaction scale (maximum 10 points) improved from 3 to 7 in both pain and function. CONCLUSIONS: 1- Arthrodesis should be considered only after all conservative treatments fails; it is one of the most challenging surgical procedures that must be undertaken with care in order to provide the best possible outcome. 2- Thorough evaluation and examination will help the surgeon to find the correct indication and identify patients who are not suitable for the procedure. It is crucial to assess the vascular and neurological status and to obtain weight-bearing radiographs (possibly CT) of the ankle to evaluate the deformity. 3- The optimal position of the ankle is in neutral flexion, 0-5 degrees valgus, and 10 degrees external rotation, similar to the contralateral foot and posterior translation of the talus under the tibia (5mm). 4- Tibio-talo-calcaneal fusion with retrograde nailing and bone grafting is a successful salvage procedure in severe ankle and hind foot arthrosis with deformity.

Comparison of conventional versus computer-navigated acetabular component insertion.

This retrospective study compared the efficacy of computer navigation and conventional freehand techniques to place acetabular component orientation in the target position of acetabular cup inclination of 45 degrees and anteversion of 20 degrees . We selected 69 patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty with freehand cup insertion who had computed tomography (CT) to plan for acetabular cup placement of the contralateral side. This group was compared with 98 patients who underwent CT-based cup insertion, and all had postoperative CT. After CT-based cup placement, average cup position was 43 degrees inclination (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97; range, 30 degrees -58 degrees ) and 22.2 degrees anteversion (95% CI, 1.72; range, 5 degrees -38 degrees ). For freehand, average cup position was 45.7 degrees inclination (95% CI, 2.63 degrees ; range, 26 degrees -64 degrees ) and 28.5 degrees anteversion (95% CI, 3.80 degrees ; range, 9 degrees -53 degrees ). F ratio was 5.56 for inclination and 3.67 for anteversion (P < .0001). This study demonstrated substantial statistical improvement in accuracy of cup placement using CT-based navigation compared with freehand methods.

Preoperative oral supplementation with long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids beneficially alters phospholipid fatty acid patterns in liver, gut mucosa, and tumor tissue.

BACKGROUND: The uptake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into the liver, gut mucosa, and tumor tissue and plasma levels after preoperative administration of supplemented enteral nutrition was investigated in patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The objective of the study was to evaluate the incorporation of preoperatively administrated PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into cell phospholipids. METHODS: Patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery (n = 40) were prospectively randomized to receive a PUFA-supplemented liquid oral diet 5 days preoperatively or an isocaloric control diet. The planned diet intake was 1000 mL/d providing 3.7 g of PUFA. The diet was given in addition to the usual hospital diet. The phospholipid fractions in plasma were analyzed on the day of surgery. Tissue samples of liver, gut mucosa (small intestine), and tumor were taken during surgery and homogenized. EPA and DHA content was analyzed using liquid gas chromatography. RESULTS: Both patient groups (PUFA group: n = 20; control group: n = 20) were similar in age, weight, and surgical procedures. As compared with the control group, the PUFA group had significantly increased levels of EPA in liver tissue (0.4 vs 1.3 weight %), gut mucosa (0.3 vs 1.0 weight %), and tumor tissue (0.3 vs 0.8 weight %). Also, the DHA levels in the PUFA group were significantly higher than the control group: liver tissue (4.1 vs 7.5 weight %), gut mucosa (2.1 vs 3.7 weight %) and tumor tissue (1.9 vs 4.2 weight %). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that administration of PUFA-enriched diets leads to increased incorporation of EPA and DHA not only in liver and gut mucosa tissue, but also in tumor tissue in patients with solid gastrointestinal tumors. Thus, preoperative administration of oral PUFA-enriched diets could have an impact on the postoperative inflammatory response after major abdominal surgery.

Computer-assisted navigation increases precision of component placement in total knee arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: In our clinical study, 200 total knee arthroplasties were evaluated to compare the use of the OrthoPilot system with conventional mechanical instrumentation. Long-term outcome of total knee replacement depends mainly on the accuracy of implant positioning and restoration of the mechanical leg axis. Our experience was that navigation could achieve a greater degree of accuracy concerning the aforementioned aspects. Among 513 primary-inserted total knee replacements, 100 navigated knees were compared with 100 conventionally implanted knees after matching the two groups of patients by gender, body mass index, age, preoperative deformities, radiographic findings, and operating time. Three weeks after surgery, the radiographic results were significantly better in the computer-assisted group compared with the results in the conventional group when we assessed component positioning in four axes. Only the sagittal tibial component angle was not significantly different. Total knee arthroplasty using the OrthoPilot system led to increased precision of tibial and femoral component positioning in comparison with hand-guided replacement surgery. An additional 10 minutes of operating time was acceptable. Navigation-specific complications were not seen, and the number of outliers decreased. Because computer navigation in orthopaedics is a new technology, data regarding long-term outcomes are not available. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level II-1 (retrospective study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Early enteral gut feeding with conditionally indispensable pharmaconutrients is metabolically safe and is well tolerated in postoperative cancer patients--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Postoperative early enteral gut feeding with conditionally indispensable pharmaconutrients can contribute to minimize trauma-induced gut damage. Aim of this pilot study was the evaluation of metabolic effects and gastrointestinal tolerance of a new enteral supplement. METHODS: In a prospective open clinical trial, 20 cancer patients received the test supplement containing glutamine (as dipeptides), antioxidative (pro-)vitamins (C, E, beta-carotene), maltodextrine, tributyrine, sodium, zinc, and selenium within 2-3 h after elective gastrointestinal surgery continuously via jejunostomy tube for 3 postoperative days (500 ml/day). From postoperative day 3-5, additional enteral nutrition (1500 kcal/6270 kJ/day) was given. Metabolic effects (substrate monitoring, hematology, liver/kidney parameters) and tolerance (nausea, vomiting, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea) was assessed through the study. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal tolerance of the supplement was excellent: no adverse events related to the product were documented. Significantly increased mean plasma levels (day 3 vs. day 1) of vitamin C (13.0 +/- 7.3 vs. 62.8 +/- 29.7 micromol/l), vitamin E (13.5 +/- 6.6 vs. 20.8 +/- 9.2 micromol/l), zinc (5.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 8.6 +/- 2.3 micromol/l) and selenium (35.0 +/- 19.6 vs. 42.9 +/- 0.9 microg/l) as well as enhanced plasma glutamine levels (429.6 +/- 90.6 vs. 530 +/- 200.1 micromol/l) reflected an effective absorption of substrates supplied. Adverse effects on organ functions and hematology were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative gut feeding with the newly developed enteral supplement shows no adverse effects, is well tolerated in cancer patients and provides a novel method to deliver conditionally indispensable pharmaconutrients.

Early results of endoscopic trochanter bursectomy.

Between 1995 and 2000, we performed 45 endoscopic bursectomies in 42 patients (average age 51, range 17-61 years). All patients had at least 6 months of failed conservative treatment, and all responded positively to a sonographic-guided injection with Mepivacaine 0.5%. The bursa was removed using a synovial resector. An additional tractopexie was performed in four cases. We followed 37 patients for 12-48 months. Pre-operatively, the mean modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) disability hip score was 40.5 points. It improved to 72.6 points after a mean of 25 months. Severe complications did not occur. The minimally invasive technique requires only stab incisions, and immobilisation and hospitalisation are minimal.