Effect of Intravenous Intraoperative Esmolol on Pain Management Following Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Lack of proper control of acute postoperative pain often leads to lingering or chronic pain. Several studies have emphasized the role of beta-blockers in reducing postoperative pain. Esmolol is a selective short-acting beta-blocker that produces few side effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intravenous intraoperative esmolol on postoperative pain reduction following orthopedic leg fracture surgery. METHODS: In a clinical trial, 82 patients between 20-65 years of age with tibia fractures and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I & II who underwent surgery were divided into two groups. Group A received esmolol and group B received normal saline. Postoperative pain was measured at three time points: entering the recovery unit, and at 3 h and 6 h following surgery, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean VAS scores at all three time points were significantly different between the two test groups (P = 0.02, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0001, respectively). The consumption of pethidine was lower in group A than in group B (P = 0.004) and the duration of its effect was significantly longer in time (P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous intraoperative esmolol is effective in the reduction of postoperative pain following leg fracture surgery. It reduced opioid consumption following surgery and delayed patient requests for analgesics.

Central nervous system metastasis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To report involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) following epithelial ovarian cancer is rare. Advances in management of ovarian cancer by use of primary surgery including abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo'oophorectomy should attain as complete a cytoreduction as possible and effective platinum-based chemotherapy have prolonged survival. CASE REPORT: We present a case involving a 35-year-old Iranian woman diagnosed and treated for primary ovarian cancer in 2002. She underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy treatment. Eight months after the initiation of therapy, multiple brain metastases without intraperitoneal lesions were found and treated with combination chemotherapy and whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), without evidence of recurrent disease. The patient died from disease in December 2005. CONCLUSION: In a patient suffering from neoplasm that rarely metastasizes to CNS, a careful clinical examination and proper therapeutic approach including chemotherapy may lead to prolong survival.

Subtrochanteric Fractures: Comparison of Proximal Femur Locking Plate and Intramedullary Locking Nail Fixation Outcome.

Fixation of subtrochanteric fracture, even for experienced surgeons, is a challenge. This fracture is most difficult to treat, and the incidence of complications in this type of fracture is higher. This study compared surgical results of two methods, proximal femur locking compression plate and intramedullary locking nail. This is an analytic study, performed on all patients with subtrochanteric fracture who were referred to the hospital during 3 years. They were treated with proximal femur locking plate or intramedullary locking nail. The postoperative complications were evaluated and recorded. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Complications were studied in both groups. Neither treatment has statistically significant difference in complications, onset of complications incidence, and time of full-weight bearing. Although the Harris Hip Score among patients improved in both methods of treatment, there is no significant difference between the two groups. The results of subtrochanteric fracture fixation by intramedullary or locking plate were similar and had the same outcome.

Effect of obesity on arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle.

The present case series study was performed to evaluate the effect of obesity on the arthroscopic findings and the functional outcome after arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle. The study was conducted on 36 patients (26 were classified as obese [body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2)] and 10 as not obese [body mass index <25 kg/m(2)]) who had previously undergone arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle. The arthroscopic findings and demographic features were recorded. The patients were examined postoperatively at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and AOFAS scores were obtained. Our data showed that obese patients had the same arthroscopic findings as nonobese patients, except for chondral lesions. At 1 year of follow-up after performing arthroscopy, the presence of obesity had no effect on the functional outcome of arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle.Obesity has no effect on the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment.

Classification and Management of Subcutaneous Emphysema: a 10-Year Experience.

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is a condition often causing minimal symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe and even life-threatening. This study is the first great survey about SE. The aim of this study is to classify and evaluate the etiology, signs, symptoms, and management of SE. This retrospective study was performed by reviewing patients who had been diagnosed as having SE in Rasht, between January 2001 and January 2011. We classified the severity of SE in five grades including the (1) base of the neck, (2) all of the neck area, (3) subpectoralis major area, (4) chest wall and all of the neck area, and (5) chest wall, neck, orbit, scalp, abdominal wall, upper limbs, and scrotum. We excluded all patients in grades 1 and 2, because the symptoms and signs were not significant. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 18. We collected 35 cases of SE with the mean age of 53 ± 14.83 (71 % men). The most common cause of SE was pneumothorax with background of COPD and surgery in grade 5, trauma due to rib fracture in grade 4, and iatrogenicity in grade 3. We performed two bilateral 2-cm infraclavicular incisions. In our patients with infraclavicular incisions, expansion of the lung was better, and the patients' appearance improved. Infraclavicular incisions as a simple method for the management of SE can decrease the severity of SE with no cosmetic problem.

Posterior mediastinal cyst.

Hydatid disease is still an important health problem in the world. Mediastinal localization of hydatidosis is very rare. We report the case of a 19-year-old man who presented with right chest wall pain and cough. Chest X-Ray and computed tomography showed a mediastinal cystic mass. A right posterolateral thoracotomy was performed and the cystic mass was identified. Daughter cysts were seen within the cyst when the lesion was accidentally opened during the procedure. Cyst mass was radically resected. No complication or recurrence was seen in the follow-up period.

Otomycosis in the north of Iran: common pathogens and resistance to antifungal agents.

Otomycosis as a kind of external otitis can be caused by various species of fungi. To use the appropriate treatment, it is necessary to identify the causal agent of otomycosis. The aim of this study was to determine the pathogens that caused otomycosis and also the efficacy of different antifungal agents. 100 patients with diagnosis of otomycosis/otitis extern were entered in this study. Bacterial culture was performed by eosin methylene blue agar, blood agar; and Sabouraud dextrose agar was used to culture the fungal agents. Minimum inhibitory concentration test also was performed to determine the efficacy of Clotrimazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole and Nystatin on the fungal pathogens. Otomycosis was confirmed in 43% of patients by positive culture. The most prevalent fungal pathogen was Aspergillus niger which was sensitive to Clotrimazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole. Candida albicans was sensitive to all drugs, in which, the most sensitivity was due to fluconazole. The most frequent fungal pathogen in our otomycosis cases is A. niger, and most of fungi that caused otomycosis are sensitive to clotrimazole.

Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fractures: Dynamic Hip Screw versus Locking Compression Plate.

BACKGROUND: According to the existing literature, the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) is the preferred standard for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. However, some surgeons use other devices such as the Locking Compression Plate (LCP). OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the outcome of using DHS or LCP in intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 104 patients who were referred to Pursina Hospital in Rasht, Iran with intertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated with either the DHS or LCP devices. Demographic features, existence or nonexistence of stability and operating time were obtained from questionnaires. During a 6-month follow-up after surgery, patients were interviewed to record variables such as Harris Hip Scores and complications. The patients were also interviewed on their final visit (between 9 and 31 postoperative months). The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: We discovered that the number of incidences of limb shortening and device failure was higher for patients treated with the LCP device (P = 0.048 and P = 0.014). Patients treated with the DHS device had higher Harris Hip scores for both the 6-month postoperative and the final evaluation visits (P = 0.01 and P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the complications of fixation with the DHS device, it remains the most successful for treatment of intertrochanteric fractures.

Endometrial carcinoma metastatic to the clitoris: a case report and review of the literature.

Endometrial cancer generally carries a good prognosis. Endometrial carcinoma more frequently metastasizes to the pelvic and para-aortic nodes. Visceral metastases usually occur in the vagina and ovaries. Distant metastases involve lungs and occur as a terminal event. This case report describes vulvalar metastasis of endometrial cancer to the clitoris. Metastatic tumors of the vulva are rare. Moreover, in the presence of metastatic endometrial carcinoma to the vulva, it is necessary to verify if other visceral metastases are present. Endometrial cancer can extend through direct dermatogens and lymphatic spread. We report a clitoral metastasis of an endometrial carcinoma and discuss whether the possible mechanism is vascular spreading or direct seeding.

Arthroscopic treatment of patients with anterolateral impingement of the ankle with and without chondral lesions.

Anterolateral impingement syndrome is defined as chronic pain in the ankle secondary to soft tissue impingement, hypertrophy, or tearing of the lateral and anterolateral ligaments of the ankle. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome and its association with chondral lesions. In this case series study, 23 patients with anterolateral impingement syndrome underwent arthroscopic debridement of the ankle. Simple radiography and magnetic resonance imaging were applied for all the patients to diagnose the spur condition and to exclude patients with other possible lesions. All the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at interval visits of 2, 4, and 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months postoperatively according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society criteria and Meislin score. The mean patient age was 38.13 ± 6.85 years. Significant differences were seen between the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, which was 59.21 before surgery and 83.56 and 88.13 at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. No significant differences were seen between the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores of the patients with or without chondral lesions. Arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral impingement syndrome is recommended as the treatment of choice and is still considerably effective in patients with chondral lesions.

Clinical presentation and operative repair of Morgagni hernia.

OBJECTIVES: Morgagni hernia (MH) is an uncommon type of diaphragmatic hernia. This study aimed to summarize clinically relevant data with respect to MHs in adults. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical repair of foramen due to MH at our hospitals between 1996 and 2010. Data were collected on patient demographics, presenting symptoms, modes of diagnosis, surgical procedures, surgery outcomes, recurrence of hernia and follow-up of the patients. RESULTS: We included 36 patients with the mean age of 50.2 years. Of these 66.7% (n = 24) were female. Thirty-one patients had MH on the right side and 1 patient had bilateral MH. Most of the patients experienced abdominal symptoms. 72.2% of patients underwent laparotomy (n = 26, 72.2%), (n = 6, 16.7%) thoracotomy (n = 6, 16.7%), and a thoraco-abdominal approach (n = 4, 11.1%). Resection of the hernia sac and insertion of a mesh were not done in any patients. No recurrence occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preoperative diagnosis and early diagnosis of MH by using laparotomy and thoracotomy is useful for safe and effective repair. Also we suggest that resection of the hernia sac and insertion of a mesh are not necessary.