Long-term follow-up of Van Nes rotationplasty in patients with congenital proximal focal femoral deficiency.

Van Nes rotationplasty may be used for patients with congenital proximal focal femoral deficiency (PFFD). The lower limb is rotated to use the ankle and foot as a functional knee joint within a prosthesis. A small series of cases was investigated to determine the long-term outcome. At a mean of 21.5 years (11 to 45) after their rotationplasty, a total of 12 prosthetic patients completed the Short-Form (SF)-36, Faces Pain Scale-Revised, Harris hip score, Oswestry back pain score and Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaires, as did 12 age- and gender-matched normal control participants. A physical examination and gait analysis, computerised dynamic posturography (CDP), and timed 'Up & Go' testing was also completed. Wilcoxon Signed rank test was used to compare each PFFD patient with a matched control participant with false discovery rate of 5%. There were no differences between the groups in overall health and well-being on the SF-36. Significant differences were seen in gait parameters in the PFFD group. Using CDP, the PFFD group had reduced symmetry in stance, and reduced end point and maximum excursions. Patients who had undergone Van Nes rotationplasty had a high level of function and quality of life at long-term follow-up, but presented with significant differences in gait and posture compared with the control group.

Rehabilitation and water quality monitoring in the Golden Horn.

In this work, the oceanographic aspects of the Golden Horn and some results of the Golden Horn Rehabilitation Project are presented. The hydrographic structure of the Golden Horn responds rapidly to the conditions in the southern Bosphorus, which is especially true for the outer parts of the estuary up to the Valide Sultan Bridge (VS). West of this bridge which was blocked by the pontoons of the bridge, carries the major pollution load and is dependent on the underlying water and surface mixing, for its renewal. The dissolved oxygen concentrations were measured below the detection limit in the region between the VS and Eyüp-Sütlüce (ES) section during the majority of the measurement periods where H2S has been determined simultaneously until February 2000. Although the microbial contamination of the estuary stations is very high, decreases in the contamination at stations are observed. The highest concentrations are recorded at the ES-VS section and supported by Fecal Coliform data during the rainy months in general despite the operational collector system surrounding the estuary. An obvious decrease of pollution in comparison with the data of the previous years is clearly observed as an encouraging result of the rehabilitation efforts achieved so far.

Transphyseal osteotomy of the distal tibia for correction of valgus/varus deformities of the ankle.

This study is a retrospective review of the results of consecutive cases of a transphyseal osteotomy of the distal tibia. Indications for the procedure are significant valgus or varus deformities of the ankle needing acute correction because of problems with the skin and brace fit as well as progressive deformity. Twenty-one patients with a variety of underlying diagnoses, five with bilateral deformities, underwent this procedure. The technique involved making either a medially based closing or opening wedge with the distal limb of the osteotomy through the physis or the physeal scar so that it was very close to the ankle joint. A fibular osteotomy was not necessary except in three ankles. All osteotomies healed. All patients were able to ambulate and use their braces as soon as their osteotomies healed, and none had any further pressure sores or brace-related problems, although some had mild residual valgus or varus deformities. There were no significant leg-length discrepancy problems as a result of the surgery. This osteotomy is a treatment alternative for significant angular deformities of the ankle that require acute correction.

Regional fasciocutaneous flap closure for clubfoot surgery.

Skin closure after a comprehensive posteromediallateral release of clubfeet through a Cincinnati incision may be difficult. This is especially true for cases of severe deformity either primary or recurrent. To deal with this, certain techniques have been developed. These consist of casting the foot in an undercorrected position with subsequent serial cast changes, leaving the incision completely or partially open for closure by secondary intention, using tissue expanders, and using different flap techniques. Five patients with nine clubfoot deformities who were treated with a comprehensive posteromedial-lateral release through a Cincinnati incision and underwent fasciocutaneous flap closure since June 1998 were included in this study. These flaps allowed correction and complete wound closure at the end of surgery without any skin tension. These flaps were constructed either in a rotational or V-Y advancement manner. None of the patients had any major complications. In summary, this new fasciocutaneous flap is a simple and reliable method in cases with primary skin-closure difficulties. It does not require special equipment or a plastic surgeon.

Factors predicting postoperative complications following spinal fusions in children with cerebral palsy.

A retrospective review of 107 patients with cerebral palsy who had undergone a posterior spinal fusion with unit rod instrumentation by the same two surgeons was done to determine what factors cause complications that lead to delayed recovery time and a longer than average hospital stay. The operative risk score was developed with scores for the child's ability to walk and talk, oral feeding ability, cognitive ability, and medical problems within the year prior to surgery. Operative risk score is primarily a measure of degree of neurologic involvement. The postoperative complication score (POCS) is a combined measure of all postoperative complications including factors for prolonged intubation, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and delayed feeding. The mean age at surgery was 14.3 years. The mean weight was 29.5 kg, with 89 of 107 patients below the fifth percentile for weight compared with age. The mean degree of spinal deformity was 75.2 degrees (range 43-120 degrees ). The mean weight for age was -1.96 SD below the normal. The mean operative time was 4.3 h, with estimated blood loss of 1.2 blood volumes. The mean length of hospitalization was 23 days 2 h, with 5 days 2 h in the intensive care unit. The operative risk score and weight for chronological age below the fifth percentile showed statistical significance (p = 0.05) in regard to increased POCS. The weight for height-age and deficient total lymphocyte count, both factors that measure nutritional status, showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05) compared with POCS. Curves with deformity of >70 degrees had statistically significant high POCS (p = 0.03). Complications for patients having a posterior and an anterior surgery versus those who had a posterior fusion alone were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The factors that led to a greater rate of complications were the severity of neurologic involvement, severity of recent history of significant medical problems, and severity of scoliosis.