Clinical outcome following primary total hip or knee replacement in nonagenarians.

Introduction The Elective Orthopaedic Centre in Epsom has an established patient reported outcome measures programme, into which all patients are enrolled. Postoperative complications, Oxford hip/knee scores (OHS/OKS) and EQ-5D™ (EuroQol, Rotterdam, Netherlands) scores are collected up to the second postoperative year. Our population is ageing and the number of joint replacements being performed on the very elderly is rising. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of joint replacements in a nonagenarian population. Methods Our dataset was reviewed retrospectively for a cohort of nonagenarians undergoing either a primary total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) between April 2008 and October 2011. Postoperative complications, mortality rates and functional outcomes were compared with those of a time matched 70-79-year-old cohort. Results Nonagenarians requiring a THR presented with a lower preoperative OHS (p=0.020) but made a greater improvement in the first postoperative year than the younger cohort (p=0.040). The preoperative OKS was lower for nonagenarians than for the control group (p=0.022). At one and two years after TKR, however, there was no significant difference between the age groups. The nonagenarians had a greater risk of requiring a blood transfusion following both THR (p=0.027; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-5.75) and TKR (p=0.037; 95% CI: 1.08-16.65) while the latter cohort also required a longer stay than their younger counterparts (p=0.001). Mortality rates were higher in the nonagenarian group but these were in keeping with the life expectancy projections identified by the Office for National Statistics. Conclusions Over a two-year period, the functional outcome and satisfaction rates achieved by nonagenarians following a THR or TKR are comparable with 70-79-year-olds.

Letter to the Editor. Congenital X-linked Stapes Gusher Syndrome.

X-Linked sensorineuronal hearing loss (SNHL) is a rare but recognized cause of bilateral SNHL associated with CSF gusher. We report a case presenting a varied imaging spectrum and clinical scenario of a one year old boy with unilateral profound hearing loss and recurrent meningitis due to spontaneous oval window gusher. Imaging showed a unilateral abnormality, with the fistula leaking from the oval window into the middle ear cleft.

Long-term outcome analysis of low pressure rectal reservoirs in 33 children with bladder exstrophy.

PURPOSE: The augmented valved rectum and double folded rectosigmoid bladder represent 2 modifications of ureterosigmoidostomy. Both procedures improve continence by lowering the reservoir pressure. We present the outcome of these techniques on the upper urinary tract, continence, metabolic profile, linear growth and bone density. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1987 and May 1997, 22 boys and 11 girls with bladder exstrophy underwent urinary diversion to a low pressure rectal reservoir. Patient age at surgery ranged from 2 to 13 years (mean 5.4). The augmented valved rectum technique was used in 18 cases and the double folded rectosigmoid bladder method was used in 15. Serial followup ultrasounds were obtained and voiding proctography was performed 1 year postoperatively in all patients. Supine height was measured at last followup in all cases. Serum electrolytes, arterial blood gases, the results of which were plotted on an acid base nomogram, and bone density using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry were measured in all patients. Prophylactic alkalization was administered to all patients. RESULTS: Mean followup is 66 months (range 24 to 148). All patients are continent during the daytime with an emptying frequency of 3 to 5 times, and all are continent at night. No patient experienced pyelonephritis or clinical acidosis. The upper urinary tract was either improved or stabilized in 64 of 66 renal units. No patient had reflux to the upper urinary tract. All patients had normal serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Hyperchloremia was noted in 19 of the 33 patients (57%), and arterial blood gases showed subclinical metabolic acidosis in 18 (55%). Supine height measurements at last followup revealed that 19 of the 33 patients (57%) had decreased linear growth (below 3rd percentile). All patients had significant reduction in bone density, and mean for age corrected bone density was 70% (standard deviation 10.9%). Both groups (augmented valved rectum and double folded rectosigmoid bladder) were comparable in regard to age, sex and followup duration. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in any parameter measured. CONCLUSIONS: The augmented valved rectum and double folded rectosigmoid bladder provide preservation of the upper urinary tract with excellent continence rates. However, prophylactic alkalization and functional isolation of the reservoir do not prevent the long-term metabolic consequences. Subclinical metabolic acidosis and decreased linear growth are to be anticipated in more than 50% of patients. Moreover, significant bone demineralization is to be expected in all of these patients.

Complete repair of bladder exstrophy: preliminary experience with neonates and children with failed initial closure.

PURPOSE: The surgical repair of bladder exstrophy remains challenging for the pediatric urologist. We present our preliminary experience with complete primary repair of exstrophy in neonates and children with failed initial closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1998 and April 1999, 9 boys and 2 girls with bladder exstrophy underwent complete repair. This procedure was performed in the first 72 hours of life in 4 boys and at age 3 months in 1 girl. Complete repair with osteotomy was performed after failed initial closure in 5 boys and 1 girl at a mean age of 28 months (range 15 to 36). The bladder and urethra were closed in continuity and epispadias was repaired by total penile disassembly. All patients were kept in a spica cast for 3 weeks. Ureteral stents and suprapubic tube were removed 10 and 14 days, respectively, after surgery. Ultrasound was performed preoperatively and every 3 months postoperatively, voiding cystourethrography was done 6 to 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Mean followup is 14 months (range 12 to 17). All repairs were successful including 1 case of penile scrotal duplication. Concomitant augmentation was done in 2 girls due to a small bladder plate. Complete closure resulted in hypospadias in 3 of the 9 boys. No patient had dehiscence or fistula. Serial followup ultrasound revealed no hydronephrosis and normal renal growth. Febrile urinary tract infection occurred in 1 case 2 months after surgery and was managed conservatively. Bladder capacity was 200 and 270 ml., at 6 months, respectively, in the 2 patients with an augmented bladder and both are dry on intermittent catheterization. The 4 patients in whom the closure was performed at birth are voiding with dry intervals with mean bladder capacity of 75 cc at 1 year (range 60 to 90). The 5 older children had a mean bladder capacity of 120 cc (range 70 to 150) at 6 months, of whom 2 are completely continent and 3 have 1 to 3 hours of dry intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Complete repair of bladder exstrophy is feasible in neonates and children after failed initial closure with minimal morbidity. There is no short-term evidence of worsening reflux or hydronephrosis. Longitudinal followup with adequate recording is required for continence evaluation. This technique may minimize the future need of bladder neck reconstruction and augmentation in patients with exstrophy.

Resonance absorption measurements of NO with a line-tunable CO laser: spectroscopic data for pollution monitoring.

Experimental coincidences between CO laser lines and seventeen NO lines have been observed. Three important parameters, the separation between each laser line and the nearest NO line (Deltanu), the pressure broadening parameter (gammaL degrees ), and the line strength ((Supsilon,J)), have been determined for each laser wavelength using the best match between experimental absorption data and theoretical calculations. These parameters are compared, where possible, with previously published results. The measured data are important for pollution monitoring systems employing tunable lasers in a direct absorption approach.

Pollution monitoring systems based on resonance absorption measurements of ozone with a "tunable" CO(2) laser: some criteria.

Measurements have been made with a line tunable CO(2) laser on ozone in order to establish some useful criteria for pollution monitoring via the direct absorption scheme. The absorption coefficient a and the pressure dependence of the extinction coefficient k(nu)(P) at frequencies nu corresponding to the P(8) to P(36) vibration-rotation lines of the CO(2) laser have been measured. Good agreement has been found with theory (within the framework of Lorentz and Doppler broadenings) for these experimental observations. It has been found that foreign gas species lines within +/-0.1 cm(-1) of the laser line can contribute significantly to the absorption process if their absorption intensities are not more than an order of magnitude below the intensity of the gas species being monitored.