A Systematic Review of the Effect of Centella asiatica on Wound Healing.

BACKGROUND: Under metabolic stress conditions, there is a higher demand for nutrients which needs to be met. This is to reduce the risk of delay in wound healing which could lead to chronic wound. AIM: This is a systematic review of the effect of Centella asiatica on wound healing. C. asiatica is a traditional medicinal plant used due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and wound healing properties. METHODS: PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed for the systematic review and four electronic databases were used. RESULTS: Four clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The following distinct areas were identified under C. asiatica: wound contraction and granulation; healing/bleeding time and re-epithelialization; VAS (visual analogue scale) scores; skin erythema and wound appearance. CONCLUSIONS: C. asiatica might enhance wound healing resulting from improved angiogenesis. This might occur due to its stimulating effect on collagen I, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production. Besides, C. asiatica has shown an anti-inflammatory effect observed by the reduction in Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumour Necrosis Factor α (TNFα), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. Delivery systems such as nanoencapsulation could be used to increase C. asiatica bioavailability. Nevertheless, more studies are needed in order to perform a meta-analysis and ascertain the effects of C. asiatica on wound healing and its different parameters.

The Effect of Amino Acids on Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Arginine and Glutamine.

Under stress conditions, the metabolic demand for nutrients increases, which, if not met, may slow down or indeed stop the wound from healing, thus, becoming chronic wounds. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of arginine and glutamine supplementation on wound healing. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed for the systematic review and ten electronic databases were used. Five and 39 human studies met the inclusion criteria for arginine and glutamine, respectively. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated a significant effect of arginine supplementation on hydroxyproline content (MD: 4.49, 95% CI: 3.54, 4.45, p < 0.00001). Regarding glutamine supplementation, there was significant effect on nitrogen balance levels (MD: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.58, p < 0.0001), IL-6 levels (MD: -5.78, 95% CI: -8.71, -2.86, p = 0.0001), TNFα levels (MD: -8.15, 95% CI: -9.34, -6.96, p < 0.00001), lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio (MD: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02, -0.01, p < 0.00001), patient mortality (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.72, p = 0.0004), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (MD: -1.10, 95% CI: -1.26, -0.93, p < 0.00001) and length of hospital stay (LOS) (MD: -2.65, 95% CI: -3.10, -2.21, p < 0.00001). Regarding T-cell lymphocytes, a slight decrease was observed, although it failed to reach significance (MD: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.33, 0.01, p = 0.07). Conclusion: The wound healing might be enhanced in one or at various stages by nutritional supplementation in the right dose.

The role of interscalene brachial plexus block anaesthesia in arthroscopic shoulder surgery; a prospective study.

The choice of anaesthetic in shoulder surgery is an evolving field of research which has important implications for patient outcomes. We have performed a prospective study to assess the usability of an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with sedation as the primary anaesthetic and analgesic for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Our study assessed the requirements of analgesia peri-operatively and post operatively and found that patients had no requirement (n = 30) and minimal requirements with a low pain score (visual analogue score; mean 2.4, range 2-5) respectively. We also found that patients spent a short amount of time in recovery (31 min mean, range 21-48 min) and were able to be discharged on the same day. Our findings suggest that ISBPB with sedation is a viable option in arthroscopic shoulder surgery for a variety of procedures with positive effects for patient outcomes and mobility.

Mid-term clinical outcome following rotator cuff repair using all-suture anchors.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic rotator cuff tears can cause significant pain and functional disturbance, with associated financial ramifications. Non-surgical management should always be considered initially, however if recalcitrant to these measures surgical intervention may involve open, arthroscopic-assisted mini-open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. The use of trans-osseous sutures and suture anchors has been reported with good results, with no significant differences if the repair remains intact or recurrent tears occur. The role of traditional suture anchors has been assessed clinically and biomechanically, however there have been reports of pull out, anchor material found within joint and concerns with the amount of bone loss. The all suture anchor (ASA) is proposed to address these concerns with encouraging cadaveric, biomechanical results to date. METHODS: The two senior authors performed 31 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs using ASA with a double row technique at the two study centres'. The patients were reviewed in clinic at one month, three months, 6 months and a year postoperatively. The patients were assessed with the Constant score and clinical range of motion of the shoulder in abduction, forward flexion, external rotation and internal rotation. The surgical technique and rehabilitation was the same for both surgeons. RESULTS: At a mean follow up of 10.2 months (range 3-12 months) the mean constant score was 77.1 (range 35-90), with a mean abduction of 139.6° (range 30-180°), external rotation of 43.4° (range 20-80°), and internal rotation to lumbar vertebrae 3-4 (range buttock to lumbar vertebra 1). There has been one re-rupture to date. CONCLUSIONS: The functional and clinical results in our study are comparable to those reported in literature using standard anchors.

A rare case of primary psoas abscess causing hip pain in a patient with hip replacement.

The number of primary hip replacement procedures performed each year has exponentially increased, with a subsequent increase in associated revision procedures. Prosthetic infection is a serious concern for all arthroplasty surgeons. Psoas abscess is a rare condition with unknown etiology, and diagnosis is often missed or delayed, with subsequent increased morbidity, mortality and even possible inappropriate management. We report a patient presenting with a total hip replacement complaining of sepsis and right hip pain. No focus for the infection was isolated and an open washout of the right hip was performed due to suspected prosthesis infection. Investigations identified a psoas abscess with no evidence of prosthesis loosening. The psoas abscess was drained and the patient improved without the need to revise the prosthesis.

Extensor Pollicis Brevis tendon damage presenting as de Quervain's disease following kettlebell training.

Kettlebell exercises are more efficient for an athlete to increase his or her muscle strength. However it carries the risk of injury especially in the beginners. A 39 year old gentleman came to our clinic with radial sided wrist pain following kettlebell exercises. Clinically patient had swelling and tenderness over the tendons in the first dorsal wrist compartment, besides Finklesten test was positive. Patient had a decreased excursion of the thumb when compared to the opposite side. Ultrasound/MRI scan revealed asymmetric thickening of the 1st compartment extensors extending from the base of the thumb to the wrist joint. Besides injury to the Extensor Pollicis Brevis (EPB) tendon by repetitive impact from kettlebell, leading to its split was identified. Detailed history showed that the injury might be due to off-centre handle holding during triceps strengthening exercises. Our report stresses the fact that kettlebell users should be taught about problems of off-center handle holding to avoid wrist injuries. Also, in Kettlebell users with De Quervains disease clinical and radiological evaluation should be done before steroid injection as this might lead to complete tendon rupture.

Atypical tibial tuberosity fracture in an adolescent.

Avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity are typically sustained by adolescent males during sporting activities. Tibial tuberosity avulsions with simultaneous proximal tibial epiphyseal fractures are rare injuries. We present an unusual case of Ogden type IIIA avulsion fracture of tibial tuberosity with a Salter Harris type IV posterior fracture of proximal tibial epiphysis in a 13-year-old boy. We believe that the patient sustained the tibial tuberosity avulsion during the take-off phase of a jump while playing basketball due to sudden violent contraction of the quadriceps as the knee was extending. This was then followed by the posterior Salter Harris type IV fracture of proximal tibial physis as he landed on his leg with enormous forces passing through the knee. Although standard radiographs were helpful in diagnosing the complex fracture pattern, precise configuration was only established by computed tomography (CT) scan. The scan also excluded well-recognized concomitant injuries including ligament and meniscal injuries. Unlike other reported cases, our patient did not have compartment syndrome. Anatomic reduction and stabilization with a partially threaded transepiphyseal cannulated screw and a metaphyseal screw followed by early mobilization ensured an excellent recovery by the patient.Our case highlights the importance of vigilance and a high index of suspicion for coexisting fractures or soft tissue injuries when treating avulsion fractures of tibial tuberosity. A CT scan is justified in such patients to recognize complex fracture configurations, and surgical treatment should be directed appropriately to both the fractures followed by early rehabilitation. Patients with such injuries warrant close monitoring for compartment syndrome during the perioperative period.

Supracondylar femoral fracture after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with transfemoral fixation.

Femoral fractures following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are rare. These injuries often are related to increased stresses at the femoral tunnel. Hamstring tendon autograft is often used for ACL reconstruction, and transfemoral fixation is one of many graft fixation techniques with few reported complications. This article reports an atraumatic transverse supracondylar femoral fracture occurring through the transfemoral fixation tract following hamstring ACL reconstruction in a 38-year-old woman.

Delayed presentation of Subclavian venous thrombosis following undisplaced clavicle fracture.

Medial clavicle fractures are uncommon, accounting for approximately 5 percent of all clavicle fractures. Vascular injuries are uncommon but are recognised as either an immediate complication due to transection of the vessel by the displaced fracture, or as a late complication, secondary to compression from abundant callus formation. We present an unusual case of positional venous insufficiency in the upper limb as an immediate complication of a closed, minimally displaced clavicle fracture, with secondary subclavian venous thrombosis formation eleven days following the injury.

The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability.

Anterior instability is a difficult clinical problem that is treated by a variety of open and arthroscopic methods with good results. Bankart repair remains a popular option. However, in those situations involving irreparable ligamentous damage or bony deficiency, this technique may be insufficient to stabilize the shoulder. One of the principal methods of open treatment for this problem is the Latarjet procedure, as described in his article in 1954. It has proven to be a durable and reliable method of treatment for anteroinferior instability of the glenohumeral joint. Several authors have reported on the long-term outcomes of this procedure with satisfactory results. There has been no previous description of the Latarjet procedure being performed arthroscopically. We present the first report of a new surgical technique, the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. This procedure is fully arthroscopic and combines the advantages of the open procedure with those of arthroscopic stabilization. This is a significant step forward in the development of arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction and enables shoulder surgeons to treat all cases of instability arthroscopically.

Management of flexion contracture in total knee arthroplasty.

Flexion contracture is a common deformity encountered during total knee arthroplasty. Most deformities are mild and can be passively corrected at the time of surgery. Severe fixed deformities require surgical correction with release of the contracted soft tissues and appropriate management of the femoral bone resection. The goal of surgery is to correct the contracture and bring the knee to full extension. After surgery, attention must be given to maintaining full extension during the rehabilitation phase. Residual or recurrent flexion contractures are not tolerated well by the patient and pose a functional disability.