Feasibility study of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for soft-tissue sarcoma.

In a nonrandomized trial, postoperative, adjuvant, combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given to 17 patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas. All patients had undergone conservative limb-sparing surgery. Soft-tissue sarcomas were localized in the extremities (13 patients), superficial trunk (3), and neck (1). In all, 13 patients received 50 mg/m2 doxorubicin and 5 g/m2 ifosfamide with mesna uroprotection for a total of 6 cycles and 4 patients received CYVADIC (cyclophosphamide/vincristine/doxorubicin/dacarbazine). Chemotherapy was started immediately after wound healing. Irradiation using the shrinking-field technique was commenced 3-7 days following chemotherapy; a total dose of 65 Gy was applied. The major side effects of chemotherapy were nausea and vomiting [17 of 17 patients, 5 experiencing World Health Organization (WHO) grade 3 toxicity and 1, WHO grade 4], leukopenia of <3.0 x 10(9)/l (17 patients), and leukopenia of <1.0 x 10(9)/l (7 patients). The median leukocyte nadir was reached on day 11 (range, days 7-16). The duration of critical leukopenia did not exceed 1 week. Reversible alopecia occurred in all patients. Temporary cardiomyopathy was recorded in 1 patient. Following radiotherapy, 11 episodes of epitheliolysis and 1 case of moderate lymphedema were documented. There was no life-threatening condition. After a follow-up of 58 months, the outcome was as follows: disease-free survival, 9 patients; distant metastases, 7; local recurrence, 1. Excluding 3 patients who entered the study after undergoing surgery for local relapse, the rate of distant metastases was 36%. In summary, the postoperative use of chemotherapy/radiotherapy is feasible, producing relevant but manageable toxicity. This combination results in effective local tumor control with good functional results following limb-sparing surgery. The incidence of distant metastases, however, is high.

[Results of corrective surgery in juvenile cyphosis (scheuermann's disease) using Harrington's compressive rods (author's transl)]. / Mittelfristige ergebnisse von dorsalen aufrichtungsoperationen juveniler kyphosen mit dem Harrington-Instrumentarium.

The authors present the results of 20 corrective procedures for juvenile cyphosis using Harrington compressive rods and Hibbs spondylodesis. 16 procedures date back more than one year (average 3 years, 4 months). 10 cases of pure dorsal cyphosis. The pre-operative Cobb-angles for cyphosis averaged 52 degrees, postoperatively an average of 24 degrees was measured. This reflects a 57 p.c. average immediate correction (41 p.c. for pure dorsal cyphosis, 71 p.c. for dorso-lumbar cyphosis) following surgery nearly all cases showed a significant loss of correction (average 43 p.c., dorsal 37 p.c., dorso-lumbar 49 p.c.). Three main reasons for this loss of correction are discussed and documented in detail. 1. Mal-centered and too short a length of spondylodesis; 2. insufficient corrective growth of wedge shaped vertebral bodies post surgery and 3. frequent lumbar decompensation into total round back deformity of the pure thoracic spondylodesis. The following changes in procedure to solve the problem of loss of correction are proposed. 1. Combined posterior and anterior fusions and 2. upper lumbar dorsal fusion together with extended thoracic spondylodesis. The changing indication is discussed. The main but not fatal complication was postoperative wound infection (15 p.c.).

[The alumina oxide ceramic-metal composite endoprosthesis. A new hip endoprosthesis for partially cement free implantation (author's transl)]. / Die Aluminiumoxidkeramik-Metall-Verbundprothese. Eine neue Hüftgelenktotalendoprothese zur teilweise zementfreien Implantation

The favorable combination of properties of dense, pure Al2O3-ceramics as a material for endoprostheses of the high load bearing joints have been confirmed in more than 4 years of experimental work with different types of animals. During this period Al2O3-ceramic parts for total hip replacement have already been developed and tested as well as the special instrumentation and the technique of the surgical procedure concerned. Based on these experiences a new total hip endoprostheses together with its complete technique for the operation is presented with which an improved alternative for replacements of Weber-Huggler-prostheses is offered and the application of total hip replacements can be extended to patients below 60 years of age.