Chondromyxoid fibroma: A retrospective evaluation of 31 cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to review a 35-year experience with chondromyxoid fibroma at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 consecutive patients (17 males, 14 females; mean age: 30.5±15.7 years; range, 6 to 63 years) with chondromyxoid fibroma who were treated between January 1988 and December 2021. The clinical and radiological characteristics of lesions, tumor volume, and recurrence rates were assessed using the tumor archive of the hospital. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 65.9±42.0 months. Pelvis, proximal tibia, and distal femur were the most common sites of localization. The initial surgical treatment was performed on 27 patients at our clinic, while four patients were referred to the clinic after recurrence. The overall recurrence rate was 16.1%. Intralesional curettage was applied to 21 (77.8%) out of 27 patients. The cavity created after curettage was filled with bone graft (autograft or allograft) in 15 (55.5%) cases. Bone cement was applied in four (14.8%) cases. Resection was applied to five (18.5%) patients. In two (7.4%) cases, intralesional curettage alone was performed. One of these two patients experienced recurrence, resulting in a recurrence rate of 50% in this patient group. No recurrence was observed in other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Intralesional curettage and filling the defect with bone graft or cement were effective for local control in most cases. Curettage alone was associated with high recurrence rates.

Brown tumors: Retrospective analysis of 26 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Brown tumors are reactive osteolytic lesions caused by hyperparathyroidism. These rare lesions are non-neoplastic processes that result from bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review a 34-year experience with brown tumors in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 26 consecutive patients with brown tumor who were treated in our institution between May 1988 and October 2020, with a mean follow-up of 36,1 months. RESULTS: 17 male (65,4%) and 9 female (34,6%) patients with a mean age of 41,6 were included in the study. Localized bone pain was present in 13 cases (50,0%) as the first presenting symptom. 3 patients (11,5%) presented with diffuse bone pain. 7 patients (26,9%) were diagnosed with brown tumor while being investigated for pathological fractures. The other 3 patients (11,5%) were diagnosed while being evaluated for hypercalcemia symptoms. 7 patients (26,9%) had solitary lesions, while 19 patients (73,1%) had multiple lesions. Pelvis, femur, ribs, tibia, proximal humerus and mandible were the most common sites of localization. 23 patients (88,5%) were diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, while the other 3 patients (11,5%) had secondary hyperparathyroidism. A total of the 65 lesions, 23 (35.4%) underwent orthopedic surgery, and 42 (64.6%) were followed up conservatively after parathyroidectomy. Orthopedic surgery was performed in 21 of 26 patients, the other 5 cases were followed up conservatively. Intralesional curettage was performed in 19 cases (82,6%). The resulting cavity was filled with bone cement in 11 cases (47,8%). Bone grafting was applied in 8 cases (34,8%). No recurrence was observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of brown tumor begins with clinical suspicion. Endocrinology and general surgery consultation is important before surgery. Treatment of brown tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Unseen Threefold Mortality After the First Ten Days in Hemodialysis Patients Following Joint Arthroplasty: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study of 1,287 Arthroplasty Patients on Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The study addresses the growing number of hemodialysis (HD) patients undergoing joint arthroplasty, who are at higher risk of complications and mortality. Previous research has often overlooked deaths after discharge. This study aimed to examine early outcomes in a large nationwide cohort of patients who underwent arthroplasty for elective and fracture-related reasons. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2022, a study was conducted using the e-Nabiz database of the Türkiye Ministry of Health, focusing on patients aged 18 years and above who underwent elective or fracture-related arthroplasty. This study included 1,287 patients reliant on dialysis who underwent total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or hemiarthroplasty (HA), with 7.7% of them receiving dialysis for the first time. Propensity score matching was used to create an equally sized group of non-dialysis-dependent patients, ensuring demographic balance in terms of age, sex, a comorbidity index, and surgery type. The primary objective was to compare mortality rates 10, 30, and 90 days after arthroplasty. RESULTS: The first-time dialysis patients who underwent HA had significantly higher 30- and 90-day mortality rates compared to the chronic dialysis group (P = .040 and P < .001, respectively). Also, the HD patients consistently exhibited higher 90-day mortality rates across all surgery types. With total knee arthroplasty, HD patients had a mortality rate of 8.7%, in stark contrast to 0% among non-HD patients (P < .001). Similarly, with total hip arthroplasty, HD patients had a 12% mortality rate, while non-HD patients had a markedly lower rate of 2.7% (P = .008). In the case of HA, HD patients had a significantly elevated 90-day mortality rate of 31.9%, in contrast to 17.1% among non-HD patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Joint arthroplasty has higher rates of mortality and complications among HD patients. Surgical decisions must be based on patients' overall health, necessitating collaboration among specialists. These patients should be closely monitored.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia outbreak originating from a pull-out faucet in a pediatric intensive care unit in Turkey: Insights from clinical records and molecular typing.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia-related cases are rising and pose a threat to immunocompromised patients. Twelve patients from our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) presented with S maltophilia-associated bloodstream infection. METHODS: This outbreak investigation includes 12 patients from PICU between the ages of 2 months and 4 years (mean 16 months, 7 male). To identify the origin, samples from all possible sources throughout the hospital were collected and ran through DNA isolation and Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis. RESULTS: 120 samples were collected during the outbreak. 31 samples (26%) were positive for S maltophilia. 30 S maltophilia isolates were analyzed, 10 different genotypes were identified. Clustering isolates were grouped into 3 different clusters (tolerance and optimization 1.0, cutoff 90%). The largest cluster was genotype 1, which included 19 isolates, those belong to patients' samples and a sample from a pull-out faucet inside the PICU. The Pull-out faucet was the origin of the bloodstream infection. DISCUSSION: Pull-out faucets allow biofilm production, due its structure. Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis identifies the transmission dynamics of the outbreak, with its high discriminatory power. CONCLUSIONS: Water sources should be monitored on a regular basis. Pull-out faucets enable bacterial overgrowth; therefore, we recommend water surveillance during outbreak investigations.

Impact of gut microbiota on liver transplantation.

The gut microbiota has been gaining attention due to its interactions with the human body and its role in pathophysiological processes. One of the main interactions is the "gut-liver axis," in which disruption of the gut mucosal barrier seen in portal hypertension and liver disease can influence liver allograft function over time. For example, in patients who are undergoing liver transplantation, preexisting dysbiosis, perioperative antibiotic use, surgical stress, and immunosuppressive use have each been associated with alterations in gut microbiota, potentially impacting overall morbidity and mortality. In this review, studies exploring gut microbiota changes in patients undergoing liver transplantation are reviewed, including both human and experimental animal studies. Common themes include an increase in Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae species and a decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteriodes, while a decrease in the overall diversity of gut microbiota after liver transplantation.

Prognostic factors in endometrial cancer patients with bone metastasis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the pattern and prognosis of osseous involvement and the role of orthopedic surgery in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and to evaluate the quality of life, local tumor control, and survival of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2018, a total of 14 patients (median age: 60.5 years; range, 55 to 73 years) who were surgically treated for osseous metastasis of EC and followed for minimum 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were evaluated for their primary malignancy, characteristics of bone metastasis, and type of treatment related to musculoskeletal involvement. For evaluating the functional outcomes, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale were used in the pre- and postoperative period. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 34.5 (range, 9 to 89) months. All patients had advanced-stage disease (FIGO Stage III-IV). Four patients had solitary and 10 patients had multiple bone metastases. The mean VAS score and ECOG performance status grades improved (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). The median survival after detection of bone metastasis was 61 (range, 41 to 82) months. CONCLUSION: Endometrial cancer patients with musculoskeletal pain should be investigated for the possibility of bone metastasis to tailor a prompt treatment and to achieve a better prognosis. Appropriate surgical treatment of bone metastasis may improve both pain and performance status in carefully selected patients.

Clinical outcomes and survival following treatment of bone metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma: A report of 6 cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the patient-reported outcomes and survival following surgical treatment of bone metastases from (uLMS) uterine leiomyosarcoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of six patients undergoing surgical procedures for metastatic uLMS over seven years was conducted at a single center. All patients were reviewed for their primary malignancy and characteristics of bone metastasis during follow-up. Clinical presentation of bone metastasis, modality, and the type of treatment related to musculoskeletal involvement were also analyzed. The visual analog pain scale (VAS) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale were used pre-and postoperatively to evaluate the patient-reported outcome. RESULTS: Four patients had solitary bone metastases, whereas multiple bone metastases were diagnosed in two. Of those who had solitary bone metastasis, all of them were treated with wide resection. One of the two patients with multiple bone metastases was also treated with wide resection, and the other was treated with intralesional curettage. Four patients died from primary disease, and two were alive without evidence of disease recurrence. The median survival time following a diagnosis of bone metastasis was 15.0 months (95% CI, 0.6 to 29.4 months). The mean VAS scores for all six patients improved. However, the improvement in ECOG performance status was seen in only four patients. CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of uLMS patients with bone metastasis seems poor, wide resection of the solitary bone metastasis may help prolong the overall survival. Performing orthopedic surgeries for the bone metastasis from uLMS in case of intractable pain after palliative radiotherapy, impending or pathological fracture, or solitary disease has been shown to decrease the pain significantly and improve the performance status in the majority. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Malignant Tumors of the Foot and Ankle.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment is usually required for malignant foot and ankle tumors. In this study, we sought to review factors in treatment that may be associated with morbidity and mortality. METHODS: All malignant foot and ankle tumors at our institution between April 1988 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical modalities used and clinical outcomes of patients according to the anatomic location (Kirby zone) and clinical stage (Enneking system) of each tumor were described. Extent of surgical resection required, recurrence, and death rates were assessed. RESULTS: Between April 1988 and April 2018, 80 patients with malignant tumors of the foot and ankle were treated at out institution. Mean age of patients was 42.6 (range, 3-89) years. Mean follow-up was 30.2 months (range, 24-120). Tumors were primary in 75 patients (94%) and metastatic from another organ in 5 patients (6%). Tumors originated from bone in 18 patients (22%) and from soft tissue in 63 patients (78%). Synovial sarcoma was the most common soft tissue tumor, and osteosarcoma was the most common osseous tumor.All patients had surgery to resect their tumor. Twenty-one (26%) had unplanned surgical procedures without initial biopsy at an outside institution prior to referral. Those patients were more likely to be treated with amputation or wide excison and free flap surgery (P < .01). The recurrence rate was 50% for the unplanned surgery group and 22% for the planned surgery group. Mortality rate was 10% for the unplanned group and 6% for the planned group. The recurrence and mortality rate was higher in the unplanned group (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that unplanned initial surgeries are associated with higher recurrence and mortality rates and reinforces the notion that these patients should be referred for treatment at a center with specialized expertise in tumor management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level, IV, retrospective case series.

External and internal hemipelvectomy: A retrospective analysis of 68 cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the factors that may be associated with surgical site infection and mortality in pelvic resection surgeries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 68 patients (40 males, 28 females; mean age: 43±16.2 years; range, 11 to 70 years) who underwent internal or external hemipelvectomy between January 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We reviewed data concerning histopathological diagnosis, surgical technique, pelvic resection type, tumor size, postoperative infection, duration of follow-up, and mortality. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 45.5±42.2 months. Among 68 patients, 29 (42.6%) cases underwent external hemipelvectomy and 39 (57.4%) cases underwent internal hemipelvectomy. Reconstruction was performed in 14 (20.6%) patients who underwent internal hemipelvectomy. Of all patients, 61 had primary malignant pelvic tumors and two had metastatic pelvic tumors. Of the other five patients, two had a giant cell tumor, two had a pelvic hydatid cyst, and one had an aneurysmal bone cyst. The three most common pelvic tumors were chondrosarcoma (n=25, 36.7%), osteosarcoma (n=13, 19.1%), and Ewing sarcoma (n=8, 11.8%). Surgical site infections were observed in 34 (50.0%) patients. Of 34 patients, 15 (22.1%) had superficial infections and 19 (27.9%) had deep surgical infections. The superficial and deep infection rates were higher in the external hemipelvectomy group compared to internal hemipelvectomy (p=0.02). Patients with postoperative infection had a mean survival period of 36.0 months compared to 79.8 months in patients without infection (p=0.037). The patients treated with internal hemipelvectomy had a mean survival of 97.0 months compared to 25.7 months in patients treated with external hemipelvectomy (p<0.0001). The effect of Enneking stages of malignant pelvic tumors on survival was investigated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cumulative survival decreased, as the stage progressed (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The type of surgical technique affects the possibility of postoperative infection. Postoperative infection, surgical method, and stage of the tumor are associated with survival.

Can Anti-embolism Stockings Cause Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Following Total Hip Arthroplasty Via Anterior Approach? A Case Report.

We present a patient who had a common peroneal nerve palsy complication due to anti-embolism stocking compression following total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery performed via the anterior approach (AA). The patient was a 17-year-old underweight female and have experienced bilateral hip pain for the last 3 years. Pelvic X-rays revealed bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head and THA surgery for the left hip via the AA was done. Common peroneal palsy developed due to anti-embolism stocking compression on the first postoperative day, which was confirmed by ultrasonography (USG). The common peroneal nerve returned to full function in the third postoperative month with complete healing and the patient was followed up for 3 years. Several etiologic factors have been reported as the cause of the common peroneal nerve palsy following THA surgery. Common peroneal palsy caused by anti-embolism stocking as in our case is an etiologic factor to be considered by arthroplasty surgeons.

Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma.

Superficial acral fibromyxoma is a rare, benign, slow-growing, soft-tissue tumor commonly located in the acral regions, with a predilection for the great toe, developing from the nail unit. Because of its nonspecific features and rarity, clinical diagnosis is difficult. In this article, we present a case of superficial acral fibromyxoma located in the nail unit with new dermatoscopic and radiologic findings that have not been previously reported in the literature.

The Relationship Between Arthroplasty Surgeons' Experience Level and Optimal Cable Tensioning in the Fixation of Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, our aim was to examine the relationship between the arthroplasty surgeons' experience level and their aptitude to adjust the cable tension to the value recommended by the manufacturer when asked to provide fixation with cables in artificial bones that underwent extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom-made cable tensioning device with a microvoltmeter was used to measure the tension values in Newtons (N). An ETO was performed on 4 artificial femur bones. Surgeons at various levels of experience attending the IXth National Arthroplasty Congress were asked to fix the osteotomized fragment using 1.7-mm cables and the tensioning device. The participants' demographic and experience data were investigated and recorded. The surgeons with different level of experience repeated the tensioning test 3 times and the average of these measurements were recorded. RESULTS: In 19 (35.2%) of the 54 participants, the force applied to the cable was found to be greater than the 490.33 N (50 kg) value recommended by the manufacturer. No statistically significant difference was determined between the surgeon's years of experience, the number of cases, and the number of cables used and the tension applied over the recommended maximum value (P = .475, P = .312, and P = .691, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: No significant relationship was found between the arthroplasty surgeon's level of experience and the adjustment of the cable with the correct tension level. For this reason, we believe that the use of tensioning devices with calibrated tension gauges by orthopedic surgeons would help in reducing the number of complications that may occur due to the cable.

Scheduling surgery after transarterial embolization: does timing make any difference to intraoperative blood loss for renal cell carcinoma bone metastases?

PURPOSE: Our purpose is to clarify the optimal timing of surgery after transarterial embolization (TAE) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) bone metastases. METHODS: This retrospective study included 41 patients with RCC bone metastases embolized between 2013 and 2019. Different-sized particulate and/or liquid embolic agents were used for TAE. Embolizations were categorized into groups 1-3 according to the interval between TAE and surgery (group 1: <1 day, group 2: 1-3 days, group 3: >3 days). Degree of embolization after TAE was graded visually based on angiographic images (<50%, 50%-75%, 75%-90%, >90%). The relationship between the TAE-surgery interval and intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and the correlation between IBL and embolization grade were examined. Lesion sizes and the relationships among lesion localizations and contrast media usage, intervention time, and IBL were also analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-six pre-operative TAEs (single lesion at each session) were performed in this study (26 in group 1, 13 in group 2, 7 in group 3). Lesion sizes and distributions were similar between groups (p = 0.897); >75% devascularization was achieved in 40 (TAEs 86.96%), but the IBL showed no correlation with the embolization rate (r=0.032, p = 0.831). The TAE-surgery interval was 1-7 days. The median IBL in group 1 (750 mL; range, 150-3000 mL) was significantly lower than those in the other groups (p = 0.002). Contrast media usage (p = 0.482) and intervention times (p = 0.261) were similar for metastases at different localizations. IBL values after TAE were lower for extremity metastases (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Bone metastases of RCC are well-vascularized, and to achieve lowest IBL values, surgery should preferably be performed <1 day after TAE.

The increase in paediatric orthopaedic trauma injuries following the end of the curfew during the COVID-19 period.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the injury patterns of orthopaedic trauma patients in the paediatric age group who presented to our hospital during and after lifting the curfew due to the pandemic, with the patients of the same age group who presented to our institution during the same time period last year. METHODS: Patients, aged 0 years to 18 years, who presented to our clinic between 21 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 (during curfew) (Group A1, n = 111), between 01 June 2020 and 31 August 2020 (Group A2, n = 214) and during the same periods in 2019 Group B1 (n = 220) and Group B2 (n = 211) were included. Patients with pathological fractures, traumas occurring earlier than the aforementioned date range and those consulted while being hospitalized in another department were excluded from study. Patients' demographics, the department they presented to, the anatomical region affected by trauma, trauma mechanism, the location of trauma, the treatment applied and the length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of outdoor traumas (72.9% versus 61.1%), high-energy traumas (40.1% versus 26.5%), the rate of the patients treated with surgery (28% versus 17.1%) and the rate of admission to the emergency department (90.2% versus 58.3%) were significantly higher in Group A2 when compared with Group B2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The significant increase was observed in the number of outdoor injuries, high-energy traumas and fracture patterns that require surgical treatment during the first three months following the lift of the curfew, in comparison with the corresponding dates from last year. We think that children's lower extremity muscle strength and neuromuscular control was decreased due to staying home for a prolonged period of time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Case-control study.

Late effects of osteosarcoma and its treatment in pediatric patients: A single-center experience.

PURPOSE: The success of osteosarcoma treatment strategies improved survival rates. The need of diagnosing and managing adverse effects is increasing. We aimed to investigate the outcomes and late results of pediatric osteosarcoma treatment in the survivors. METHODS: Out of osteosarcoma patients (n=54), we assessed the long-term outcomes of survivors (n=39) diagnosed from 2002-2018. We compared the survivors' (n=39) health status (cardiac, renal, neurologic, psychiatric, physical limitations), pain, and psychosocial outcomes (education level, smoking history, and alcohol consumption, marital status, parenthood, health care services usage) with their siblings (n=77). The quality of life and overall survival of amputee and nonamputee survivors are also compared. We provided the retrospective data from the files and phone calls and used Kaplan Meier survival analysis, Ki-Kare, and t-test. Results The overall survival (OS) of children with osteosarcoma (n=54) who survived at 2 years and 5 years from the diagnosis was 90.7 and 77.8%, respectively. These patients achieved 2- year event-free survival (EFS) of 70.4% and 5-year EFS of 57.4%. Thirty-nine survivors of osteosarcoma were compared with 77 sibling controls. Osteosarcoma survivors were more likely than the sibling cohort to report adverse health status containing nephrotoxicity (5.1 vs 0%) (p=0.045), cardiotoxicity (10.3 vs 0%)(p<0.01), neurotoxicity (5.1 vs 1.7%) (p=0.045), activity limitations (64 vs 1.3%)(p<0.01) and pain (12.8 vs 0%) (p=0.002). Survivors' educational status (p=0.014), marital status (5.1 vs 32.5%)(p=0.001), employment (2.6 vs 28.6)(p < 0.001), parenthood (0 vs 29.9%)(p < 0.001) were negatively affected compared with the control group. The prevalence of smoking, alcohol use, psychiatric treatment, and deafness were similar. The amputees (n=9) had an OS rate of 55.6%, and the nonamputees (n=45) had 75.6%. We found similar quality of life results between them. CONCLUSION: Long-term survivors of pediatric osteosarcoma are at significant risk of chronic health conditions, physical limitations, and pain up to 16 years follow up. Follow-up clinics and clinical guidelines are required for the survivors of children with osteosarcoma.

Steroid Injection and Biomarker Levels in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts: Can we Estimate the Result?

BACKGROUND: Steroid injection is a common method in the treatment of unicameral bone cysts (UBC). In this study, the relationship between the clinical results and inflammatory molecules' levels in the cyst fluid was evaluated after three repeated steroid injections in UBC subjects. METHODS: Twenty-one patients diagnosed with UBC were treated with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) injections. Patients were given three injections, each containing MPA, 6-8 weeks apart. Plain radiographs were obtained and cyst healing was evaluated according to modified Neer classification. Cyst fluid samples were taken. Samples were taken at first and last operations and were studied using the ELISA method to examine IL-1ß, PGE2, MMP-1, and VEGF-A levels. RESULTS: There were 17 and 4 cases localized to the humerus and femur, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 36.9 months. Complete recovery was achieved in 13 patients (61.9%) receiving MPA. Four patients (19%) recovered with residual lesions. One patient (4.7%) did not respond to steroid injections at all. In three patients (14.2%) the cyst recurred. Results were satisfactory in 17 patients (80.9%) and totally unsuccessful in 4 patients (19%). IL-1ß, PGE2, and MMP-1 levels in cyst fluid were not affected by injection (p > 0.05), but VEGF-A levels decreased significantly with cyst healing (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Steroid injection is a good choice in the treatment of UBC because of its less aggressive and relatively good outcome. It may be considered to evaluate the response to treatment by performing biomarker monitoring especially VEGF-A in repeated injections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II study.

The Natural Course of Serum D-Dimer, C-Reactive Protein, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Levels After Uneventful Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the baseline levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and monitor the natural course of these serum markers after uneventful primary total joint arthroplasty. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 81 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The level of serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 15, and 45. Mean peak values, peak times, and distribution were compared between D-Dimer, CRP, and ESR. RESULTS: The mean preoperative serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR level was 412 ± 260 (range 200-980) ng/mL, 2.93 ± 2.1 (range 1-18) mg/L, and 22.88 ± 17.5 (range 3-102) mm/h, respectively. The highest mean peak for D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was at postoperative day 1, 3, and 5, respectively. CONCLUSION: D-dimer levels reached peak levels on postoperative day 1 and then declined rapidly to a plateau level by postoperative day 3. A second, albeit small, peak in the level of D-dimer occurred on postoperative day 15. The level of CRP and ESR remained elevated for much longer with CRP returning to baseline on postoperative day 45 and the level of ESR had not returned back to normal on postoperative day 45.

Patellar bone stock after extra-articular knee resection preserving extensor mechanism: A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the thickness of the remaining patellar bone stock following extra-articular knee resection (EKR) preserving the extensor mechanism in human cadaveric knee joints. METHODS: A total of 14 human cadaveric knee joints (8 men and 2 women) were dissected, and the patellar thickness from the joint capsule insertion to the anterior cortex of the patella was measured using an electronic caliper. The mean age of the cadavers was 37 years (range=28-50). Measurements were performed by an anatomist and an orthopedic surgeon. As the total number of the cadavers was not enough to show the patellar thickness with sampling (sex and age), we endeavored to supplement the content with magnetic resonance images (MRI). Accordingly, the patellar bone thickness was also measured on axial MRI scans of 100 adult and 25 pediatric knees of patients (71 women and 54 men; mean age=36 years; age range=7-67 years) admitted to our hospital in whom meniscal tears were suspected. The rate of specimens with remaining patellar thickness of less than 10 mm after presumed resection was evaluated. The macroscopic measurements in cadavers and MRI measurements in adult knees were compared statistically. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the residual patellar bone of the cadaver dissections following a presumed EKR preserving the extensor mechanism was 8.2 mm (range=3.4-15.8). Additionally, in 71.4% (10/14) of the cadaveric knees, the thickness of residual patellar bone was less than 10 mm. In MRI scans, the average thickness of residual patella after presumed resection was 8.6 mm (range: 3.6-16) in adult knees and 6.9 mm (range: 3.4-10) in pediatric knees, and the residual patellar thickness less than 10 mm after presumed resection was determined in 72% of all MRI scans. Macroscopic measurements in cadaveric knees were statistically similar to MRI scan measurements in adult knees (p=0.765, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study revealed that the thickness of the remaining patellar bone stock after EKR preserving the extensor mechanism may be low. A preoperative assessment with MRI can guide the surgeon to select the appropriate method for knee resection in order to prevent from the complications of resected patella.

A retrospective comparison of costs for the primary and revision total knee arthroplasty in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the cost profiles of patients who underwent a primary or revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine the effects of the length of hospital stay, comorbidities, and septic and aseptic revision rates on the treatment costs. METHODS: A total of 1,487 patients who underwent primary (n=1,328; 1,131 females, 197 males) or revision TKA (n=159; 137 females, 22 males) between 2010 and 2017 at our institution were retrospectively included in the current study. The patients' demographics (age and gender), the length of hospital stay, comorbidities, and septic and aseptic revision rates were collected from our hospital database. The total costs of revision and primary TKAs were calculated based on the prostheses and surgical equipment used, hospital stay, and other administrative costs in both the Turkish lira (TRY) and US dollar (USD) based on the parity of the 2 currencies from 2010 to 2017. RESULTS: The average cost per patient for primary TKAs was 7,985±2,927 TRY (5,265 USD) in 2010 and 7,070±1,775 TRY (1,852 USD) in 2017. The average cost for revision TKAs was 13,647±4,095 TRY (8,999 USD) in 2010 and 22,806±6,155 TRY (5,973 USD) in 2017. In terms of the total costs, significant differences existed over the years, with a significantly higher difference in 2015 compared with that from 2010 to 2013 (p<0.001); however, no difference was determined among the age groups (p=0.675). The difference between the total costs of the septic (n=34; 17,964±13,028 TRY) and aseptic revisions (n=125; 23,377±12,815 TRY) was significant (p=0.001), with a higher cost for patients with septic TKAs but with no significant difference between the total costs for the patients with and without comorbidities (p=0.254). Additionally, the length of hospital stay was 2 times higher in patients with revision TKAs than in those with primary TKAs (12.3 vs 6.2 days). CONCLUSION: Revision TKAs cause higher costs than primary TKAs, with a prolonged hospital stay. The septic background seems to be an independent predictive factor for increased costs in revision TKAs.

Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus in an adult patient.

Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus is an uncommon benign lesion that has rarely been reported in the literature. This study presents a rare case of a Brodie's abscess of the calcaneus caused by Staphylococcus aureus in an adult patient. A 46-year-old immunocompetent man had undergone nonsurgical treatment since childhood owing to the diagnosis of a heel spur. Radiological evaluation revealed a benign radiolucent cystic lesion of the calcaneus surrounded by a sclerotic rim. This condition was accompanied by perilesional bone marrow edema. Thereafter, surgical treatment was planned. During surgery, the content of the lesion was observed to be purulent. Meticulous intralesional debridement was performed, and antibiotic-loaded bone cement beads were placed. Subsequent to microbiological and pathological examinations, the cystic lesion was confirmed to be a Brodie abscess; however, direct clinical evidence of an intraosseous infection was lacking. The patient was followed up for 14 months with no complications until recovery. A Brodie abscess may mimic bone tumors. The onset of a Brodie abscess is insidious, and the clinical findings of such lesions may be obscure. A Brodie abscess of the calcaneus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic heel pain when suspicious radiological findings are evident.