Modified Unipolar Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Metastatic Lesions of Proximal Femur with Pathological Fractures: Case Series of Six Patients

@#Introduction: Proximal femur resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction is the preferred treatment for extensive bony destruction and pathological fractures. Due to the relatively high cost of endoprosthesis, we adopted the modified unipolar hemiarthroplasty (MUH) for reconstruction when the mode of treatment was for palliation. Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective case study of six patients, who had bone and multi-organs metastases with extensive proximal femur involvement with pathologic fractures who underwent resection and MUH reconstruction during the period 2013 to 2017. All patients were classified as Group B / C based on Scandinavian Sarcoma Group survival scoring, with estimated survival of maximum six months. The basic MUH construct consisted of AustinMoore prosthesis which was secured to a Küntscher nail using cerclage wire and cemented into the femoral canal. Subsequently, the whole length of the prosthesis which remained outside the canal was coated with cement. Results:The mean age was 61.8 years. The mean survival was 3.9 months, post-operation. There was no implant failure during patients’ life span; however, a third of the patients developed infection. Wheel chair ambulation was started immediately post-operation for all patients, and two patients progressed to walking frame ambulation. The total cost of each construct was below US$490 in comparison to long-stem hemiarthroplasty (roughly US$ 1700). Conclusion: Our aim was to alleviate pain, facilitate rehabilitation, ease nursing care and improve quality of life for metastatic bone disease patients until end of life. MUH for the treatment of pathological fracture in proximal femoral metastases is a feasible palliative surgical modality in resource-limited settings.

The effect of head tilt on keratometric measurement using the IOLMaster.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of head tilt on keratometric measurement using the IOLMaster. METHODS: Twenty-seven right eyes of 27 volunteers were examined using a manual keratometer (MK), automated keratometer (AK), and an IOLMaster. MK and AK measurements were performed in the upright head position, whereas IOLMaster measurements were performed in five different head positions (upright, 5° or 15° clockwise head tilt, and 5° or 15° counter-clockwise head tilt). The repeatability of IOLMaster was compared with MK and AK. The keratometric measurements (mean keratometric power, magnitude of astigmatism, and steep meridian) in different head positions were compared. RESULTS: The IOLMaster showed good repeatability of keratometric measurement comparable to MK or AK. 15° and 5° clockwise head tilt resulted in 12.09 ± 9.51 (mean ± SD) (P<0.001 vs upright) and 5.51 ± 5.97 (mean ± SD) degrees (P<0.001) of clockwise rotation of steep meridian, respectively. 15° and 5° counter-clockwise head tilt resulted in 12.49 ± 7.07 (mean ± SD) (P<0.001) and 6.08 ± 5.09 (mean ± SD) degrees (P<0.001) of counter-clockwise rotation of steep meridian, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The patient's head tilt (5° or 15°, clockwise or counter-clockwise) significantly changed the steep meridian of astigmatism measured using IOLMaster and the steep meridian generally shifted to the direction of head tilt. The importance of maintaining the upright head posture during IOLMaster measurement is demonstrated.

A weekly administered sustained-release growth hormone reduces visceral fat and waist circumference in abdominal obesity.

Administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in obesity has been known to lead to a decrease in visceral adiposity and an increase in lean body mass. Most studies have used supraphysiological doses of rhGH, which were administered daily or every other day. We aimed to evaluate whether weekly administered low dose of sustained-release rhGH (SR-rhGH) could play a therapeutic role in the treatment of abdominal obesity. Prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter pilot study was carried out. Participants were 26 adults aged 40-65 years old with abdominal obesity (male: waist circumference >90 cm, female: waist circumference >85 cm). The subjects were given 3 mg of SR-rhGH, administered subcutaneously, weekly for 26 weeks. SR-rhGH treatment for 26 weeks increased the IGF-1 level by 56.53±76.09 µg/l (SDS 0.77±1.12) compared to the baseline (p=0.0022). After 26 weeks, SR-rhGH treatment reduced abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (140.35±75.97 to 128.43±73.85 cm2, p=0.0038). Average waist circumference decreased from 96.25±6.41 to 91.93±6.13 cm (p<0.0001) after treatment. However, body weight or lean body mass did not show any significant change. In conclusion, SR-rhGH treatment for 26 weeks reduced abdominal visceral fat and waist circumference without severe adverse events. Further studies may be considered on the role of weekly administered SR-rhGH as a treatment for abdominal obesity.