Initial Graft Research Articles

Quantification of Fat Graft Retention in the Translabyrinthine Approach Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetric Analysis.

To characterize the viability and volume of autologous free fat grafts over time, determine clinical/patient factors that may affect free fat graft survival and assess the clinical impact of free fat graft survival on patient outcomes in the translabyrinthine approach for lateral skull base tumor resection. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary neurotologic referral center. Forty-two adult patients who underwent translabyrinthine craniotomy for resection of a lateral skull base tumor with the mastoid defect filled by autologous abdominal fat graft and subsequently underwent more than one postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. Mastoid obliteration with abdominal fat after craniotomy, postoperative MRI. Rate of fat graft volume loss, fraction retention of original fat graft volume, initial fat graft volume, time to steady-state fat graft retention, rate of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and/or pseudomeningocele formation. Patients were followed postoperatively with MRI for a mean of 31.6 months with a mean of 3.2 postoperative MRIs per patient. Initial graft size was a mean of 18.7 cm3 with a steady-state fat graft retention of 35.5%. Steady-state graft retention (<5% loss per year) was achieved at a mean of 24.96 months postoperatively. No significant association was found in multivariate regression analysis of clinical factors impact on fat graft retention and CSF leak/pseudomeningocele formation. In the use of autologous abdominal free fat graft for filling mastoid defects after translabyrinthine craniotomy, there is a logarithmic decline in fat graft volume over time, reaching steady state in 2 years. Rates of CSF leak or pseudomeningocele formation were not significantly affected by initial volume of the fat graft, rate of fat graft resorption, nor the fraction of original fat graft volume at steady state. In addition, no analyzed clinical factors significantly influenced fat graft retention over time.

The effect of late-onset CMV infection on the outcome of renal allograft considering initial graft function.

Delayed graft function (DGF) increases the renal allograft failure risk. Late-onset Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection's effect on the association between DGF and allograft failure has not been determined. In this retrospective cohort, we included all renal allograft recipients at London Health Sciences Centre from January 1, 2014 to December 30, 2017, and continued clinical follow-up until February 28, 2020. We determined whether late-onset CMV infection affects the association between DGF and allograft failure in stratified and Cox proportional hazard analyses. Of 384 patients (median age [interquartile range]: 55 [43.3-63]; 38.7% female), 57 recipients (14.8%) were diagnosed with DGF. Patients with DGF were at a greater risk of CMV infection than patients without DGF (22.8% vs. 11.3%, p = .017). Late-onset CMV infection (odds ratio [OR]: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.07-10.68) and rejection (OR: 9.59, 95% CI: 4.15-22.16) significantly increased the risk of allograft failure in recipients with DGF. Patients with DGF had a significantly greater risk of graft failure than those without DGF (17.5% vs. 6.1%, p = .007). In the adjusted Cox hazard model, CMV infection significantly increased the risk of allograft failure (aHR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.49-6.84). Late-onset CMV infection considerably increased the risk of graft failure in patients with DGF. A hybrid preventive model including prophylaxis followed by CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity monitoring may decrease the risk of allograft failure in recipients with DGF.

51 Relationship of Early Dressing Change, Ambulation, and Early Discharge in Lower Extremity Grafted Burn Wounds

Abstract Introduction Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) healing follows the imbibition, inoculation, and revascularization healing model. The stage of imbibition takes approximately 48-72 hours and requires direct contact with the wound for success. Prior to revascularization the graft is at increased risk for damage from shear stress. Many of the protocols in place are based on pathophysiology of wound healing and few published data exist on the timing and logistics of mobilization after lower extremity STSG for burns. There is discordance in the Burn community as to when it is safe to start ambulation with patients after lower extremity skin grafting. The timing of the first dressing change may accelerate or delay ambulation and increase time to hospital discharge. Methods Retrospective chart review of burn patients regardless of age, admitted to burn service with grafted burns to lower extremities, whether they had other concomitant burns with/without grafting to determine if earlier first postoperative dressing changes (≤ 3 days) to grafted lower extremity burns lead to earlier ambulation and shorter hospital stays. Secondary endpoints will be evaluation of the ideal time to change the dressing after initial STSG grafting of the lower extremity without increasing graft failure rates. Results The groups were even in time from surgery to 1st dressing change (1st DC) (167 had a 1st DC in ≤3 days post-op, and 163 had a 1st DC &amp;gt;3 days post-op). Demographics and medical history were nearly identical between the two groups, indicating there may be no association between the demographics or medical history collected and earlier dressing change. Median time from surgery to the 1st DC was 3 days (IQR: 3-5) in the entire sample, and from surgery to staple removal was 5 days (IQR: 4-6). The median length of hospital stay in the entire sample was 10 days, and this slightly differed between groups: those with a 1st DC of ≤3 days had a shorter hospital stay (9 days [IQR: 6-13]) than those with a 1st DC of &amp;gt;3 days (11 days [IQR: 7-16]), this is exemplified in Figure 2. 80.3% of patients were discharged home in the sample, with a greater proportion of patients discharged to a facility when they had a 1st DC &amp;gt;3 days post-op (24.5%) than if they had a 1st DC ≤3 days post-op (15%). A greater proportion of patients were discharged walking (47.6% vs 32.7%) when they had an earlier 1st DC than those who did not. Graft failure was seen in 6 patients with 5 of them needing re-STSG. Four due to graft loss and two due to cellulitis. Conclusions Patients who had 1st DC ≤ 3 days after surgery saw an earlier hospital discharge by 2 days without risk of graft loss due to hematoma or seroma regardless of comorbidities. Applicability of Research to Practice The data gathered will be used to establish a clinical based approach to lower extremity dressing changes. We hope to delineate a timeline based on tailored patient factors that can be used as guideline to safely expedite ambulation and minimize hospital stays without increasing graft failure rates.

Using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging to Quantify Perfusion Quality in Kidney and Pancreas Grafts on Vascular Reperfusion: A Proof-of-Principle Study.

This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04202237). The Moor FLPI-2 blood flow imager was used in 4 patients (1 Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney, 2 deceased, and 1 living donor kidney transplants) during reperfusion to capture reperfusion data. The following parameters were measured: flux (average speed × concentration of moving red blood cells in the sample volume), doppler centroid, total and valid pixels, valid rate, and total and valid area. Flux data were analyzed with Moor FLPI analysis software. The perfusion characteristics and flux images correlated with initial graft function. LSCI is a safe, noncontact imaging modality that provides real-time, accurate, high-resolution, full field blood flow images and a wide range of flux data to objectively quantify organ reperfusion intraoperatively in kidney/kidney-pancreas transplantation. This modality could be used to develop a robust numerical quantification system for the evaluation and reporting of intraoperative organ perfusion, and aid intraoperative decision-making. Perfusion data could be combined with biomarkers and immunological parameters to more accurately predict graft outcomes.

Liver Transplantation in Rescue Allocation: Comparison of the Donor Risk Index, Balance of Risk Score and Graft Function After Liver Transplantation

Background: In the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) system, the use of livers from rescue allocation (RA), those refused for the first five of the ranking, have conflicting results in the literature. Objective: Analysis of the characteristics of the different simulated patterns of allocation (pattern vs. rescue), using the donor risk index (DRI), the balance of risk score (BAR) and its impact on the graft function. Method: Cohort of 233 liver transplants in adults, performed between 2015 and 2022. Results: General characteristics, age 50.3 ± 11.8 years; 64.81% CHILD C; MELD in allocation 22.4 ± 7.6. Initial graft dysfunction in 12.45% and primary nonfunction (PNF) in 8.15%; with DRI 1.41 ± 0.32. Transplants in RA occurred in 18.03% (n = 42) of cases, in patients with significantly lower MELD (18.4 ± 4.8) and BAR (7.1 ± 3.2) compared to standard allocation (23.2 ± 7.9; 9.2 ± 4.2 respectively). The DRI was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in the RA (1.58 ± 0.37). Age (p = 0.23) and body mass index (p = 0.85) of the donor, cold ischemia time (CIT) (p = 0.10) showed no differences between the groups. RA organs came more often from out-of-state (50% vs. 2.62%) and less harvested by our surgical team (38.1% vs. 79.0%). Early graft dysfunction (EGD) in 16.67% (n = 7); 14.29% (n = 6) of primary nonfunctioning in the RA group, percentage higher than in the standard allocation group with 11.52% (n = 22) and 6.81% (n = 13) respectively; however, there was no difference with statistical significance (p = 0.052). There was no difference in survival (73.81% vs. 72.25%; p = 0.83). Conclusion: A strategy more frequently employed in patients with less severe conditions according to BAR score, liver grafts in a RA rescue allocation system had higher DRI scores and did not provide a difference in short-term survival.

Posttransplantation cyclophosphamide expands functional myeloid-derived suppressor cells and indirectly influences Tregs.

Posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy), given on days+3 and+4, reduces graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), but its immunologic underpinnings are not fully understood. In a T-cell-replete, major histocompatibility complex-haploidentical murine HCT model (B6C3F1→B6D2F1), we previously showed that PTCy rapidly induces suppressive mechanisms sufficient to prevent GVHD induction by non-PTCy-exposed donor splenocytes infused on day+5. Here, in PTCy-treated mice, we found that depleting Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the initial graft but not the day+5 splenocytes did not worsen GVHD, yet depleting Tregs in both cellular compartments led to fatal GVHD induced by the day+5 splenocytes. Hence, Tregs were necessary to control GVHD induced by new donor cells, but PTCy's impact on Tregs appeared to be indirect. Therefore, we hypothesized that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a complementary role. Functionally suppressive granulocytic and monocytic MDSCs were increased in percentages in PTCy-treated mice, and MDSC percentages were increased after administering PTCy to patients undergoing HLA-haploidentical HCT. PTCy increased colony-stimulating factors critical for MDSC development and rapidly promoted the generation of MDSCs from bone marrow precursors. MDSC reduction via anti-Gr1 treatment in murine HCT did not worsen histopathologic GVHD but resulted in decreased Tregs and inferior survival. The clinical implications of these findings, including the potential impact of expanded MDSCs after PTCy on engraftment and cytokine release syndrome, remain to be elucidated. Moreover, the indirect effect that PTCy has on Tregs, which in turn play a necessary role in GVHD prevention by initially transplanted or subsequently infused T cells, requires further investigation.

Therapeutic Strategies and Future Directions of Management for Patients with a History of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Who Require Secondary Coronary Revascularization

Secondary coronary revascularizations can be required due to the progression of coronary artery lesions and degeneration of bypass grafts in the long term after initial coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It is therefore necessary to clarify the clinical characteristics of these patients and how to improve their prognosis. Optimal medical treatments, including medications, smoking cessation, and cardiac rehabilitation, are essential baseline management to prevent the progression of native coronary atherosclerosis and degradation of bypass grafts among all post-CABG patients who undergo secondary coronary revascularization as well as those who undergo initial CABG surgery in order to avoid situations requiring secondary coronary revascularization. All coronary revascularization procedures should be built upon these firm optimal medical treatments. Percutaneous coronary intervention is the current mainstay of secondary coronary revascularization approaches for patients who have symptoms of heart failure or angina pectoris because of the low invasiveness of the technique and no need for re-sternotomy. Redo-CABG is an option, especially for young patients without patency for internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery graft. The individualization of these approaches and improvements in medications and coronary revascularization procedures may improve the clinical outcomes and prognosis of this subgroup.

Lateral meniscal status, chronicity of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency, and initial graft tension were associated with abnormal knee laxity after anatomical ACL reconstruction

PurposeGraft failure or recurrence of instability without obvious trauma remains one of the problems following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors for abnormal knee laxity after anatomical ACL reconstruction. MethodsA total of 291 patients who underwent primary anatomical ACL reconstruction were included in this study. Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), time to surgery, medial meniscal status, lateral meniscal status, graft materials, initial graft tension protocol, preoperative and postoperative pivot shift test and side-to-side differences in anterior tibial translation using the arthrometer were reviewed. Abnormal knee laxity was defined as constituting one or both of the following criteria: (i) a side-to-side difference of ≥3 mm by arthrometer; and (ii) a positive pivot shift test, being “glide,” “clunk”, or “gross”. ResultsAbnormal knee laxity occurred in 30 patients (10.3%) at a median follow-up of 25 months. Results of univariate analysis indicated that a higher likelihood of abnormal knee laxity was associated with female sex, greater BMI, longer time to surgery, higher initial graft tension protocol, and lateral meniscus resection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal knee laxity was significantly associated with time to surgery [1-month increase; odds ratio (OR), 1.01], higher initial graft tension protocol (vs. lower tension; OR, 3.5), and lateral meniscus resection (vs. intact and repaired lateral meniscus; OR, 12.8). ConclusionHigher initial graft tension protocol, chronicity of ACL deficiency, and lateral meniscus resection were risk factors for abnormal knee laxity after anatomical ACL reconstruction. Level of evidenceLevel III retrospective prognostic study.

Factors Influencing the Initial Constraint Level of the Knee Joint and Its Effect on Clinical Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction With Hamstring Graft.

A force-based tension protocol that uses a certain amount of tension at graft fixation could still give rise to variations in initial constraint levels of the knee joint in terms of side-to-side difference (SSD) in anterior translation. To investigate the factors influencing the initial constraint level in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstructed knees and compare outcomes according to the level of constraint in terms of anterior translation SSD. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Included were 113 patients who underwent ipsilateral ACL reconstruction using an autologous hamstring graft and had minimum 2-year follow-up outcomes. All grafts were tensioned and fixed at 80 N using a tensioner at the time of graft fixation. The patients were classified into the following 2 groups according to the initial anterior translation SSD, measured using the KT-2000 arthrometer: a physiologic constraint group with restored anterior laxity ≤2 mm (group P; n = 66) and a high-constraint group with restored anterior laxity >2 mm (group H; n = 47). Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, and preoperative and intraoperative variables were evaluated to identify factors affecting the initial constraint level. Between group P and group H, generalized joint laxity (P = .005), posterior tibial slope (P = .022), and anterior translation measured in the contralateral knee (P < .001) were found to differ significantly. Measured anterior translation in the contralateral knee was the only significant predictor of high initial graft tension (P = .001). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding clinical outcomes and subsequent surgery. Greater anterior translation measured in the contralateral knee was an independent predictor of a more constrained knee after ACL reconstruction. The short-term clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction were comparable, regardless of the initial constraint level in terms of anterior translation SSD.

Impact of Induction Therapy on Clinical Outcomes of Kidney Transplant Recipients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs based on the type of induction therapy given to kidney transplant recipients, and determine the occurrence of graft dysfunctions or rejections. We compared the safety and efficacy of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and basiliximab (BAS) in high-risk patients and analyzed the cumulative incidence of immediate, slow, and delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients to determine their initial short-term graft function. Evaluation of the long-term efficacy after 3 years post-transplantation by assessment of patients and graft survival, incidence of infections, and risks of rejection were the primary end-points. Patients with stable graft survival were observed more with ATG (85%) than BAS (70%); in contrast, graft dysfunctions, graft nephrec-tomy, rejection episodes, and patient deaths were more prevalent with BAS than ATG, with statistically significant differences in long-term graft functioning. Patient survival at 3 years in ATG group was 90.4%, compared to 88% in BAS group, and graft survival was 90.4% in the ATG group and 81.3% in the BAS group (P &lt; 0.001). The use of both induction therapies resulted in good patient and graft survival outcomes than placebo, and the results showed that there was a significant difference in both patient and graft survival after 3 years between induction of ATG and BAS, suggesting that ATG can be safer, effective, and preferable drug over BAS for high-risk recipients.

Application of the 3D-MRI on post-operative graft assessment in adolescent patients with ACL reconstruction: A minimal 2-year follow-up.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the prognostic morphological changes of the reconstructed hamstring auto-grafts by using reconstructed three-dimensional MRI (3D-MRI) in adolescent patients with ACLR. 22 adolescent patients (less than 17 years old) were retrospective included between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2020, in our department. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups: subgroup A (<14 years old) and subgroup B (≥14 years old). 3D-MRI was used to detect thetotal cross-sectional area (TCA) and long-to-short axis (LSA) ratio of the reconstructed ACL graft at the proximal, mid-point, and distal regions. The minimal follow-up was 2 years. The averaged follow-up of subgroup A and B was 37.8 ± 5.6 and 37.6 ± 6.5 months, respectively. Comparing to the initial graft (ACLR operation), the TCA of reconstructed ACL was increased by 30.6% on average, and the TCAs at proximal, mid-point, and distal regions were increased by 56.4%, 50.0%, and 17.7%, respectively, inner-group comparisons showed that the TCAs of the 3 region in subgroup A were all increased at the follow-up (P = 0.002) (P < 0.001) (P < 0.001), however, only increased mid-point (P = 0.024) and distal TCAs (P < 0.001) were found in subgroup B. Comparing to the native ACL, the proximal LSA ratio in subgroup A was comparable, while it was lower in subgroup B than the native ACL (P = 0.004), the distal LSA ratios in the 2 subgroups were both lower than the native ACL (P = 0.004) (P = 0.006). 3D-MRI assessment can exactly identify the morphological changes of the graft in adolescent patients with ACLR, the TCA of the constructed ACL was increased compared to the initial graft, however, the LSA ratio was still lower than the native ACL. Younger adolescent patients may have a better potential on the ligamentization after ACLR than the older adolescent patients.

Is "Initial Size of the Graft the Real Culprit behind Primary Contraction of Full-Thickness Skin Graft"? - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Primary contraction of full-thickness graft has been traditionally quoted to be 40%. There are lacunae in literature to elaborate on the factors influencing it ever since. Methods About 75 subjects who underwent full-thickness grafting procedures to resurface small defects were included in the study. The initial and final graft dimensions after primary contraction were traced on X-ray templates and the percentage of contraction was evaluated using the graphical method. This was further correlated with age, collagen, elastic matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and -2 content along with dermal thickness of the skin specimen sent from the graft. Results The primary contraction of the graft had a very significant correlation only with the initial size of graft harvested with a linear regression of 33.3% and a Spearman's correlation of 0.587 significant at a p -value of 0.001. Conclusion This study though preliminary tries to highlight an important factor that primary contraction of grafts is a physical phenomenon independent of its contents like collagen, elastin, or MMP-1 and -2 or age and dependent on its initial size of harvest instead.

Direct Quantitative Characterization of Polymer Brushes Obtained by Surface-Initiated ATRP on Silicon

With respect to the increasing need for fully characterizing surface-tethered polymer brushes, the capacity of quantitative IR-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy using a multiple-internal-reflection Si prism as the attenuated total reflection (ATR) element is investigated to directly characterize the surface chemical modifications occurring during a surface-initiated controlled polymerization. A simple two-step strategy is used involving first the covalent grafting of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiators on a hydrogenated silicon surface and the subsequent polymerization of styrene. Three prefunctionalized surfaces designated Si-Br1, Si-Br2, and Si-Br3 are obtained by different procedures. The initiator grafting densities obtained by quantitative IR are 1.7 ± 0.3 nm–2 for Si-Br1, 1.5 ± 0.3 nm–2 for Si-Br2, and 0.9 ± 0.2 nm–2 for Si-Br3. After the polymerization of styrene under the same experimental conditions (grafting from without sacrificial initiators) and a careful Soxhlet rinse to remove physisorbed polymers formed in solution, almost no polymerization is observed using Si-Br1 with a value of the density in polymerized styrene units of 12 ± 2 nm–2, which is probably due to the chelating effect of the amino linkers used for grafting the initiators in Si-Br1. In contrast, the densities in styrene units are 54 ± 11 nm–2 using Si-Br2 and 141 ± 28 nm–2 using Si-Br3. The degree of polymerization (DP) has been evaluated by measuring the polymer thickness (by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy, AFM) and using a scaling law relating the latter to DP for dry polymer brushes. High DP values of 200 and 1000 are found in the case of Si-Br2 and Si-Br3, respectively. The fraction of active polymerization initiators is found to be 15–18%, independent of the initiator surface density. In contrast, polymerization kinetics appear affected by steric hindrance and conformational disorder among grafted initiators. This approach for determining surface densities of grafted initiators and grafted polymer chains and DPs is fully generalizable to any other polymer system.

Long-term outcomes of retransplantation after live donor liver transplantation: A Western experience

BackgroundDespite most liver transplants in North America being from deceased donors, the number of living donor liver transplants has increased over the last decade. Although outcomes of liver retransplantation after deceased donor liver transplantation have been widely published, outcomes of retransplant after living donor liver transplant need to be further elucidated. MethodWe aimed to compare waitlist outcomes and survival post-retransplant in recipients of initial living or deceased donor grafts. Adult liver recipients relisted at University Health Network between April 2000 and October 2020 were retrospectively identified and grouped according to their initial graft: living donor liver transplants or deceased donor liver transplant. A competing risk multivariable model evaluated the association between graft type at first transplant and outcomes after relisting. Survival after retransplant waitlisting (intention-to-treat) and after retransplant (per protocol) were also assessed. Multivariable Cox regression evaluated the effect of initial graft type on survival after retransplant. ResultsA total of 201 recipients were relisted (living donor liver transplants, n = 67; donor liver transplants, n = 134) and 114 underwent retransplant (living donor liver transplants, n = 48; deceased donor liver transplants, n = 66). The waitlist mortality with an initial living donor liver transplant was not significantly different (hazard ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–1.10; P = .08). Both unadjusted and adjusted graft loss risks were similar post-retransplant. The risk-adjusted overall intention-to-treat survival after relisting (hazard ratio = 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.44–1.32; P = .30) and per protocol survival after retransplant (hazard ratio:1.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–4.19; P = .40) were equivalent in those who initially received a living donor liver transplant. ConclusionPatients requiring relisting and retransplant after either living donor liver transplants or deceased donor liver transplantation experience similar waitlist and survival outcomes.

Biomechanical Analysis of Posterior Open-Wedge Osteotomy and Glenoid Concavity Reconstruction Using an Implant-Free, J-Shaped Iliac Crest Bone Graft

Background: Posterior open-wedge osteotomy and glenoid reconstruction using a J-shaped iliac crest bone graft showed promising clinical results for the treatment of posterior instability with excessive glenoid retroversion and posteroinferior glenoid deficiency. Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical performance of the posterior J-shaped graft to restore glenoid retroversion and posteroinferior deficiency in a cadaveric shoulder instability model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A posterior glenoid open-wedge osteotomy was performed in 6 fresh-frozen shoulders, allowing the glenoid retroversion to be set at 0°, 10°, and 20°. At each of these 3 preset angles of glenoid retroversion, the following conditions were simulated: (1) intact joint, (2) posterior Bankart lesion, (3) 20% posteroinferior glenoid deficiency, and (4) posterior J-shaped graft (at 0° of retroversion). With the humerus in the Jerk position (60° of glenohumeral anteflexion, 60° of internal rotation), stability was evaluated by measuring posterior humeral head (HH) translation (in mm) and peak translational force (in N) to translate the HH over 25% of the glenoid width. Glenohumeral contact patterns were measured using pressure-sensitive sensors. Fixation of the posterior J-graft was analyzed by recording graft micromovements during 3000 cycles of 5-mm anteroposterior HH translations. Results: Reconstructing the glenoid with a posterior J-graft to 0° of retroversion significantly increased stability compared with a posterior Bankart lesion and posteroinferior glenoid deficiency in all 3 preset degrees of retroversion (P < .05). There was no significant difference in joint stability comparing the posterior J-graft with an intact joint at 0° of retroversion. The posterior J-graft restored mean contact area and contact pressure comparable with that of the intact condition with 0° of retroversion (222 vs 223 mm2, P = .980; and 0.450 vs 0.550 MPa, P = .203). The mean total graft displacement after 3000 cycles of loading was 43 ± 84 µm, and the mean maximal mediolateral graft bending was 508 ± 488 µm. Conclusion: Biomechanical analysis of the posterior J-graft demonstrated reliable restoration of initial glenohumeral joint stability, normalization of contact patterns comparable with that of an intact shoulder joint with neutral retroversion, and secure initial graft fixation in the cadaveric model. Clinical Relevance: This study confirms that the posterior J-graft can restore stability and glenohumeral loading conditions comparable with those of an intact shoulder.

Effects of Initial Graft Tension and Patient Sex on Knee Osteoarthritis Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial With 10- to 12-Year Follow-up

Background: The initial graft tension applied during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft fixation may promote posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Purpose/Hypothesis: This study sought to assess the effect of initial graft tension and patient sex on PTOA outcomes at 10 to 12 years after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The hypothesis was that there would be no group- or sex-based differences in outcomes. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive ACLR with a low or high initial graft tension. Outcomes were evaluated at 10 to 12 years postoperatively and compared with a matched, uninjured control group. Outcomes included clinical assessments (anteroposterior [AP] knee laxity measurement, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] examination score), a functional assessment (single-leg hop for distance), patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Tegner activity level, patient satisfaction), and PTOA imaging (Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] radiographic score and Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score [WORMS]). Two-way mixed-model analyses of variance were used to evaluate differences in outcomes between tension groups and the control group and between female and male patients. Results: Both tension groups scored worse than the control group for the IKDC examination (P≤ .021), KOOS (Pain, Activities of Daily Living, Sport/Recreation, and Quality of Life subscales) (P≤ .049), and WORMS difference score (P≤ .042). The low-tension group scored worse than the control group for KOOS Symptoms (P = .016) and the OARSI difference score (P = .015). The index limb had worse scores than the contralateral limb within the high-tension group for AP laxity (P = .030) and hop deficit (P = .011). This result was also observed within both tension groups for the WORMS (P≤ .050) and within the low-tension group for the OARSI score (P = .001). Male patients had higher Tegner scores (mean ± SE) relative to female patients (male, 5.49 ± 1.88; female, 4.45 ± 1.65) and worse OARSI difference scores (male, 1.89 ± 5.38; female, 0.244 ± 0.668) (P = .007 and .034, respectively). However, no significant differences were detected between tension groups for any of the outcomes measured. Conclusion: Overall, ACLR failed to prevent PTOA regardless of initial graft tension. However, male patients treated with a low initial graft tension may be at greater risk for PTOA. These results do not support the hypothesis of no sex differences in outcomes at 10 to 12 years after ACLR.

Early and Mid-Term Outcomes of the Inverted Limb Configuration Below Fenestrated and Branched Endografts: Experience from Two European Centers

Purpose: To report a European experience on the use of the Inverted Limb (IL) below fenestrated and branched endografts (FB-EVAR) for the treatment of juxta/pararenal (JP-AAAs), thoracoabdominal (TAAAs), and para-anastomotic aortic aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Between 2016 and 2020, all FB-EVAR with distal IL due to previous open (OSR) or endovascular repair (EVAR) or infrarenal aortic length <76 mm at two European university centers were retrospectively analyzed. Technical success, early and mid-term iliac complications (occlusion; type Ib endoleak [EL]), IL-related complications (type III EL), and reinterventions were assessed as primary endpoints; 30-day mortality, survival and freedom from (FF) overall complications/reinterventions were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results: Forty-one high-risk patients (male 30%–73%; mean age 71±10 years; ASA 3–4, 41%–100%) underwent FB-EVAR with distal IL for 8 (19.5%) J/P-AAAs and 33 (80.5%) TAAAs. Sixteen (39%) patients with previous aortic treatment (8 OR, 8 EVAR) were included. Preoperative computed tomographic angiography showed infrarenal aortic length <76 mm in all cases. Custom-made endografts were configured as 31 (75.6%) fenestrated-only, 6 (14.6%) branched-only, and 4 (9.8%) fenestrated+branched for an overall of 158 target visceral vessels (TVVs; 3.8±0.7 TVVs/case). The IL main body was planned with 1-stent, 2-stents, and 3-stents in 6 (14.6%), 23 (56.1%), and 12 (29.3%) cases, respectively. Technical success and 30-day mortality were 97.6% (40/41) and 0%. Thirty-day complications occurred in 2 (4.9%) patients: 1 limb occlusion, requiring reintervention, 1 type III EL, spontaneously resolved. Mean follow-up was 21±16 months. Three After 30-day, 3 (7.3%) iliac complications (2 occlusions; 1 type Ib EL) were successfully managed by endovascular reinterventions; no IL-related complications were observed. The patency of TVVs was 96.8%. No correlation between anatomical characteristics, endograft configuration, and primary outcomes was observed, except for 1-stent IL and type III EL (log rank p=0.01). At 1- and 2-year follow-up survival, FF overall iliac/IL-related complications and FF reinterventions were 90% and 80%, 90% and 84%, and 92% and 87%, respectively. Conclusion: The IL configuration allows a safe endovascular treatment of challenging aortic lesions in high-risk patients although needing a number of adjunctive procedures. A short main body of IL could be associated with intraoperative and perioperative type III EL. Clinical Impact Bifurcated endograft with inverted limb configuration increases the feasibility of a total endovascular approach in patients with challenging anatomy. The use of inverted limb overcomes the anatomical limitations of short-body initial grafts and short distance between lowest target artery and the aortic bifurcation, leading the fixation inside the endograft. Although technically demanding, this advanced technology could avoid surgical reinterventions in previous open or endovascular repair that are burdened with higher rates of morbidities and complications.

THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF ARTHROSCOPIC ACL RECONSTRUCTION WITH SEMITENDINOUS GRAFT SECURED WITH ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION BUTTON PROXIMALLY AND INTERFERENCE SCREW DISTALLY USING IKDC SCORING

Background:Arthroscopic anterior cruciate reconstruction has become one of the most successful surgical techniques in sports medicine however initial secure graft xation is essential for the success of any ACL reconstruction. Objective: The study was done to evaluate the functional outcome of arthroscopic ACLreconstruction using hamstring graft xed with suspension button for femur and interference screw for tibial xation. Material And Methods: From 2017 to 2018 January in Sree Gokulam Medical College Venjaramoodu, Trivandrum, 48 patients underwent ACL reconstruction using semitendinous graft xed with suspension button at femur and interference screw at tibial site. 8 patients were excluded from the study. The age group in our study was between 20-50 years of age. We assessed the patients preoperatively and postoperatively with 6 and 24 months interval by IKDC knee score 2000. Results: Our study showed that Arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction could effectively improve stability and function of knee joint. In our study IKDC score was done at pre op and post-op with 6 and 24 months interval. Mean average IKDC score was 38.995 during the preoperative period, at 6 months was 55.253 and 24 months was 88.111. On comparison of the mean values for IKDC scoring for (a) preoperative period to 6 months was 16.258, (b) preoperative period to 24months was 49.116 and (c) 6 months to 24 months postoperative period was 32.858. The P values for all these comparisons were &lt;0.001, hence signicant. There were eleven Isolated ACL injuries who had pre-op , six and twenty forth month post-op functional score of 44.04,63.35 and 90.259 respectively. Ten ACL with lateral meniscus injuries had pre-op , six and twenty forth month post-op functional score of 35.62, 53.85 and 88.348 recpectively. Nineteen ACL with medial meniscal injuries had pre-op , six and twenty forth month post-op functional score of 37.85, 51.30 and 86.74 respectively. Conclusion: Isolated ACL had better functional score. The improvement in the IKDC score was during the 6-24 month range. When ACL with meniscal injuries were compared, the one with ACLreconstruction and lateral meniscetomy showed better outcome.

Dynamic Parameters of Hypothermic Machine Perfusion-An Image of Initial Graft Function in Adult Kidney Transplantation?

Kidney allografts are subjected to ischemia reperfusion injury during the process of transplantation. Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) of deceased donor kidneys from organ procurement until transplantation is associated with a superior outcome when compared to static cold storage (SCS). Nevertheless, cold ischemia time (CIT) remains an independent risk factor for delayed graft function (DGF) in HMP-preserved kidney allografts as well. We performed a retrospective single-center study including all adult recipients who underwent deceased donor kidney-only transplantation at our center between January 2019 and December 2020. Beside the clinicopathological donor and recipient data, flow and resistance data during HMP were assessed. Short- and long-term kidney allograft outcome after end-ischemic HMP and SCS were analyzed and compared. Organ preservation consisted of either SCS (n = 88) or HMP (n = 45). There were no differences in recipient demographics and donor details between groups. CIT was significantly longer in the HMP group (16.5 [8.5–28.5] vs. 11.3 [5.4–24.1], p < 0.0001). The incidence of DGF as well as serum creatinine at discharge and at 1 year post transplant were comparable between groups. Duration of SCS prior to HMP was comparable among grafts with and without DGF. Flow rate and organ resistance at the start of HMP were significantly worse in DGF-kidney grafts (arterial flow 22.50 [18.00–48.00] vs. 51.83 [25.50–92.67] ml/min, p = 0.0256; organ resistance 123.33 [57.67–165.50] vs. 51.33 [28.17–111.50] mmHg/mL/min, p = 0.0050). Recipients with DGF had significantly worse creatinine levels at discharge (2.54 [1.08–7.64] vs. 1.67 [0.90–6.56], p < 0.0001) and at 1 year post transplant (1.80 [1.09–7.95] vs. 1.59 [0.87–7.40], p = 0.0105). In conclusion, baseline HMP parameters could be applied as a predictive tool for initial graft function, which in turn determines long-term outcome.

Zirconia surface polymer grafting via dopamine-assisted co-deposition and radical photopolymerization

Zirconia surfaces were functionalized by polymer grafting according to a simple and successful two-steps procedure. In the first step, the initiator bearing a N,N-dimethyl amine group was grafted on the surface by co-deposition with dopamine. Secondly, different monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate and styrene sulfonate were polymerized on the surface using photochemical activation. The efficiency of the two steps, initiator grafting and photopolymerization, were checked by several analytical techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and water contact angle measurements. Theses characterizations highlighted the surface chemical change after each step and the possibility to modulate surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity by grafting-from polymerizations.