Ten-year follow-up of a bicondylar unlinked knee endoprosthesis with particular reference to mid-term results.

This analysis, submitted retrospectively, evaluates 603 PCA-type or Duracon-type knee endoprostheses implanted in 527 patients over a 10-year period. In addition, the X-rays available in a group of 138 patients (100 women and 38 men) from the entire patient population were analysed. All of these 138 patients were invited to come in for a follow-up examination. The invitation was accepted by 80 patients. As well as radiological and physical examination, these patients were asked about their subjective physical condition in a semi-open questionnaire. The data obtained by the questionnaire is discussed in the Results section. The average age of the 397 women, of whom 61 were operated on in both knees, and 130 men, of whom 15 were operated on in both knees, was 68 years at the time of the operation. The 76 bilateral patients had the knee endoprostheses implanted within a mean interval of 17 months. The most frequent indications for surgery were primary and secondary gonarthrosis, followed by rheumatoid arthritis. The evaluation of the X-rays from the above population of 138 patients revealed no radiological signs of loosening. No correlation between the time after implantation and the formation of radiolucent margins could be established. Those knee endoprostheses which were implanted with a varus deviation of more than 10 degrees did not yield a poorer result than those implanted perpendicular. In comparison with the cemented implants, the cementless implants produced slightly better results.

[Intraepithelial nerve endings in the lingual marginal papillae of newborn piglets]. / Intraepitheliale Nervenendigungen in den Zungenrandpapillen neugeborener Ferkel.

The structure and occurrence of nerve fibres and nerve terminals in the lingual marginal papillae of newborn piglets are investigated by means of the osmium-zinc-iodate method and by transmission-electron microscopy. Subepithelial nerve fibres primarily accompany the blood vessels. They cross the epithelium with an almost vertical course to terminate in the stratum superficiale or the stratum corneum. Due to rows of varicosities, the axons look like a 'string of pearls'. As a result of the superficial localization and the typical ultrastructure, they seem to have a sensory function. Therefore, the papillae marginales are considered to function as mechanoreceptors.

[Architecture and fine structure of the terminal blood vessels in the marginal papillae of the tongue in newborn piglets]. / Architektur und Feinstruktur der terminalen Blutgefässe der Zungenrandpapillen neugeborener Ferkel

The vascular architecture of the marginal papillae of the tongue was examined in one to five day old piglets by means of light and transmission electron microscopy and scanning microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The marginal papillae of the tongue exhibit a "rope ladder-like" principle of blood supply. Every papilla contains one ascending arteriole, which branches into single capillary loops each supplying a protrusion of the multiply branched base of the capillary body. The transition of the arteriole takes place on the tip of the papilla. Subsequently the capillary loops converge onto this venule. Precapillary sphincters are observed at the origin of the capillary loops. This type of vessel arrangement offers the opportunity to use the capillary system at maximum efficiency, thus allowing an erection of the papillae marginales during the process of suckling.