The Ilizarov fixator in trauma: a 10-year experience.

We reviewed the clinical results of 332 fractures treated with the Ilizarov external fixator between 1984 and 1993. The locations of the involved bones were: tibia, 247 (including 28 with tibial pylons); femur, 47; humerus, 21; forearm, 12 and calcaneus, 5. The clinical outcomes of this series were retrospectively evaluated by radiological and clinical rating systems. In the tibial fractures, results in 71.1% were categorized as excellent or good, without deep infection; 63.3% of the tibial pylon fractures, mostly open, also showed excellent or good results. In the femoral fractures, which were mostly localized at the metaphysis or distal epiphysis, 72% showed excellent or good results, but the patients com-monly complained of knee stiffness. Limitations of range of movement (ROM) in the elbow and the wrist were common in patients with forearm fracture, but ROM was regained after physical therapy. According to the clinical results of the present study, we believed that Ilizarov external fixation was best indicated for tibial fractures, because of its advantage of allowing early weight-bearing. Ilizarov external fixation was also best indicated for: (1) open fractures, (2) comminuted fractures, (3) intra-articular fractures, and (4) fractures with bony defect.

Indications and results of surgical treatment of cervical disc disease by anterior and posterior approach.

The authors report their experience with indications (130 cases) for the treatment of cervical disc disorders, which has recently witnessed an increase in cervicobrachial pain in disc-spinal cord conflict syndromes. After a first period during which the use of hemilanimoarthrectomy prevailed, there has been an evident increase in the number of cases treated by discectomy by Cloward fusion and an anterior approach. Thus, the results obtained in local symptoms have improved; more precisely, the problem of neck pain and cervical mobility have been resolved, while positive results in peripheral symptoms have remained the same.

Acylphosphatase from human skeletal muscle: purification, some properties and levels in normal and myopathic muscles.

Human skeletal muscle acylphosphatase was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using anti-horse muscle acylphosphatase antibodies. The three forms of the enzyme present in human muscle are very similar to those found in muscles of other animal species. The two main forms, Hu 1 and Hu 3, were also characterized with respect to molecular weight and some kinetic properties. Levels of acylphosphatase activity were measured in specimens of muscle from normals and from patients with various forms of muscular dystrophies and other myopathies. Acylphosphatase activity appears to be lower in all myopathic forms considered than in controls, and seems to be correlated with percentage of Ca2+ activation of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase.