[Transpedicular osteotomy with dorsal wedge osteotomy: treatment of post-traumatic or postinfection kyphotic malalignment of the thoraco-lumbar spine]. / Pedikelsubtraktionsosteotomie mit dorsaler Wedge-Osteotomie : Behandlung von posttraumatischen bzw. postinfektiösen kyphotischen Fehlstellungen in der thorakolumbalen Wirbelsäule.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological follow-up of patients suffering from fixed post-traumatic and postinflammatory kyphotic deformities of the thoracic and lumbar spine and treated by posterior transpedicular wedge resection osteotomy of the spine. METHODS: A total of 28 patients received a posterior transpedicular wedge resection osteotomy. A prospective follow-up was performed preoperatively, postoperatively and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The kyphotic angle of the fractured segment was evaluated as well as the clinical parameters the self-reported visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry score. RESULTS: The median pain scores (VAS) and the Oswestry disability scores (p<0.05) decreased significantly from pretreatment to post-treatment. Postoperatively a significant correction of the kyphotic angle could be achieved with a mean of 28 degrees (range 14-44 degrees ). In the follow-up after 1 year there was a 7 degrees increase in kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedicular wedge resection osteotomy of the thoracic and lumbar spine offers a safe surgical technique for the treatment of fixed postinflammatory kyphotic deformities.

Radiographic measurement of tibial joint angles in sheep.

The aim of this study was to establish normal reference values of anatomic and mechanical joint angles of the tibia in sheep at different age groups. Eighteen clinically healthy Santa Ines sheep were used. The animals were divided into three equal groups according to age: Group I - from six- to eight-months-old, Group II - 2-years-old, Group III - from three- to five-years-old. Anatomic medial proximal and lateral distal tibial angles, mechanical proximal and distal tibial angles, and anatomic caudal proximal and anatomic cranial distal tibial angles were measured from tibiae radiographs (n = 36). In the craniocaudal view, the mean values of the anatomic medial proximal, anatomic lateral distal, mechanical medial proximal, and mechanical lateral distal tibial joint angles were 89.6 masculine, 86.6 masculine, 91.4 masculine, and 85.19 masculine respectively. In mediolateral view, the mean values of the anatomic caudal proximal and anatomic cranial distal tibial angles were 64.55 masculine and 105.69 masculine, respectively. The joint orientation angles of the tibia in sheep showed similar values regardless of animal age for both anatomic and mechanical axes.

Não-união tarsometarsiana em Urubu-Rei (Sarcoramphus papa)

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Defeitos congênitos do palato em cães. Relato de três casos

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

[Distraction of the first metacarpal bone for thumb reconstruction]. / Die Distraktion des ersten Mittelhandknochens zur Daumenersatzbildung.

After amputation of the thumb good functional results can be achieved by lengthening the first metacarpal bone, if a suitable technique is used. Since 1987 we have treated six patients in this way. In all of our patients the thumb was mechanically stable and sensitive after lengthening, thus improving the patients' ability to use their hands for grasping. Other advantages include the relative simplicity of the method, the fact that no experience of microsurgery is necessary and that the surgery does not result in soft tissue damage. In most cases treatment is on an outpatient basis. Between the various operations the patient can be reintegrated into his professional and social life. The period of absence from work (about 12 weeks) is relatively short when the severity of the injury is taken into consideration. Distraction of the first metacarpal bone cannot be considered an alternative to replantation but represents a complementary procedure in accordance with the modern management of severe hand injuries.

[Thumb replacement operation using metacarpal distraction osteotomy as a secondary intervention after thumb amputation]. / Die Daumenersatzoperation mittels metacarpaler Distraktionsosteotomie als Sekundäreingriff nach Daumenamputation.

After thumb amputation distal to the MCP-1 joint, good results can be achieved with lengthening of the first metacarpal bone by an external fixateur if a correct technique is applied. In all our patients the lengthened thumb was mechanically stable and sensitive, thus improving the patient's ability to use the hand to grasp. Another advantage of this procedure is the relative simplicity of the method. Furthermore, the original nerve and vascular supply can be preserved.