Actualización en trasplante meniscal. Resultados clínicos y funcionales de una serie de casos retrospectiva / Actualization in meniscal transplantation

El trasplante meniscal autólogo (TMA) es el tratamiento de elección en el síndrome postmeniscectomía, sin embargo, sigue siendo un procedimiento limitado, existiendo controversias en la literatura. No se encontraron reportes de TMA en pacientes y centros latinoamericanos, lo que imposibilita sustentar una conducta en base a literatura local. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar los aspectos más importantes del TMA, detallar una de las técnicas quirúrgicas más utilizadas y describir y discutir los resultados de una serie de casos consecutivos de pacientes tratados con TMA en un país latinoamericano. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica para un TMA lateral con fijación ósea a través de canal trapezoidal ("Keyhole") que ofrece ventajas para los TMA laterales, pues las raíces son muy cercanas entre ellas y el canal tiene una fijación "pressfit" disminuyendo el stress en las suturas sin la necesidad de realizar túneles óseos, que podrían interferir con procedimientos asociados.Se incluyen los resultados demográficos, clínicos, funcionales y de satisfacción de una serie retrospectiva de 16 pacientes [18 trasplantes (12 laterales y 6 mediales)] consecutivos [mediana de edad 20,5 (15-37)], operados de TMA por un mismo cirujano, entre 2004-2019, con mediana de seguimiento de 3,3 (0,5-14,8) años. No se excluyeron pacientes. Los datos fueron obtenidos a través de revisión de fichas clínicas y encuestas telefónicas. Se realizó un análisis estadístico que incluyó un test multivariado buscando asociaciones entre las variables, Wilcoxon para resultados funcionales y Kaplan-Meier para sobrevida del trasplante (reintervenciones) (p<0,05). Los resultados de esta primera serie de TMA en Latinoamérica son discutidos y se comparan con la literatura, encontrándose resultados similares a lo reportado en otras regiones y concuerdan con lo esperado para un procedimiento de salvataje

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is the gold standard treatment for post meniscectomy syndrome. However, it is still considered a limited procedure, existing controversies in the reported literature. No reports in Latin American centers and patients were found, hindering the generalization of results with this treatment. This study aims to review the critical aspects of MAT, describe a technical note for a commonly used MAT procedure, and report and discuss the results of a consecutive series of patients treated with MAT in a Latin American country.The technical note for a lateral MAT with the Keyhole bone fixation is described. This technique offers advantages in lateral MAT, where meniscal roots are close together. The keyhole is press-fit fixed into the tibial plateau, decreasing the stress of the holding sutures, and without interfering with associated procedures.The review includes the demographic, clinical, functional, and satisfaction results of a consecutive retrospective series of 16 patients [18 MAT (12 lateral and 6 medial)] with a median age of 20.5 (15-37) years. All patients were operated by the same surgeon between 2004-2019, and the median follow-up was 3.3 (0.5-14.8) years. The data was obtained through the revision of clinical files and telephonic surveys. The statistical analysis included a multivariate analysis for the association between variables, Wilcoxon for functional tests, and Kaplan-Meier for survival rate (reinterventions) (p<0.05).The results of the first Latin American MAT series are discussed and compared to the reported literature, finding similar results and are consistent with a salvage procedure

Harms C1-C2 instrumentation technique: anatomo-surgical guide.

STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic study. OBJECTIVE: To measure C1 and C2 critical areas related to the screws trajectory, according to Harms technique, in Latin specimens. To investigate vertebral's artery course in cadavers. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To our knowledge there are no studies addressing vertebral surface measurements for screw placement, according to Harms C1-C2 instrumentation technique, nor cadaveric measurements of the trajectory of the vertebral artery in Latin specimens. METHODS: C1 and C2 specimens were measured. C1 measurements: height, width, anteroposterior diameter (intraosseus screw length) and convergence in the axial plane of the lateral mass; length from the posterior border of the posterior C1 arch to the anterior cortex of the articular mass (total screw length). C2 measurements: width, height, convergence and sagittal inclination of the pars interarticularis. Direction of the trajectory of the vertebral artery in the suboccipital region in fresh cadavers. RESULTS: C1: left mass width 14.20 mm, right: 14.32 mm; left intraosseus screw length: 17.17 mm, right 16.9 mm; left total length of the screw: 27.14 mm, right: 26.72 mm; left mass height: 10.22 mm, right: 10.29 mm. Right mass convergence: 24.68°, left: 22.44°. C2: width: left 8.75 mm, right: 8.53 mm; height: left 10 mm, right 9.81 mm; convergence: left 42.15°, right: 38.98°; sagittal inclination: left 35.50°, right 33.07°. Vertebral artery's medial border is between 13 and 22 mm from the middle line of C1 posterior arch. CONCLUSION: Convergence and inclination of the pars are slightly greater than the suggested by Harms. Individual and/or racial variations must be considered. There is enough space for safe placement of a 3.5 mm screw in the lateral masses of C1 and through the pars of C2. Dissecting the superior face of the posterior arch of C1 laterally more than 10 mm from the posterior tubercule could injure the vertebral artery.