Months Of Follow-up Evaluation Research Articles

Factors Associated With Residual Pivot Shift After ACL Reconstruction: A Quantitative Evaluation of the Pivot-Shift Test Preoperatively and at Minimum 12-Month Follow-up.

Postoperative residual rotatory laxity remains despite improvement in surgical techniques for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). To evaluate factors associated with residual pivot shift after ACLR by quantitative measurement of the pivot shift before and after surgery. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. A total of 97 patients who underwent primary double-bundle ACLR between June 2016 and March 2021 and underwent surgery to remove staples, with at least 12 months of follow-up evaluation, were enrolled. Quantitative measurements were performed under general anesthesia immediately before ACLR (preoperatively), after temporary fixation of the ACL graft (intraoperatively), and immediately before staple removal (postoperatively). The laxity of pivot shift was assessed using inertial sensors to measure acceleration and external rotational angular velocity (ERAV). Descriptive data were assessed for associations with postoperative acceleration and ERAV in a univariate analysis. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with postoperative acceleration and ERAV. Anterior tibial translation, acceleration, and ERAV increased from intra- to postoperatively (P < .05). Factors significantly associated with postoperative acceleration were age (β = -0.238; P = .021), lateral posterior tibial slope (PTS) (β = 0.194; P = .048), and preoperative acceleration (β = 0.261; P = .008). Factors significantly affecting postoperative ERAV were age (β = -0.222; P = .029), ramp lesions (β = 0.212; P = .027), and preoperative ERAV (β = 0.323; P = .001). Greater preoperative laxity in the pivot shift was the factor having the most significant association with residual pivot shift after ACLR using quantitative measurements under general anesthesia. Younger age, higher lateral PTS, and concomitant ramp lesions were significant predictors of residual pivot shift. These findings can help pre- and intraoperative decision-making regarding whether an anterolateral structure augmentation should be added.

Mediastinal high-grade vasculogenic mesenchymal tumour with seminoma: a case report and literature review

Germ cell tumours with somatic-type solid malignancy (GCT-STM) are a rare disease of the mediastinum. Recently, a cohort of vasculogenic mesenchymal tumour (VMT)-nonseminoma cases with different prognoses were recognized and reported. Here, we report a case of mediastinal high-grade VMT with a seminoma. A 16-year-old male had a fever, chest tightness and fatigue. Chest CT showed a 7.5 cm×5.3 cm solid mass in the right anterior mediastinum. The serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were within the normal range. Tumorectomy was performed. The tumour was irregular, and no capsule was found. The cut surface was greyish white and greyish brown with medium consistency. There were foci of bleeding and necrosis. Microscopic histology showed prominent vascular proliferation, which was lined by mildly atypical endothelial cells in a cellular stroma with significant cytologic atypia. The vascular spectrum varied from crevice-like or antler-like thin- to thick-walled vessels. Beyond the tumour area, inside the remnant thymus tissues, there were small clusters of polygonal tumour cells with clear cytoplasm, distinct cell membranes, and round to polygonal nuclei with prominent nucleoli that were positive for Oct4, PLAP, SALL4 and CD117. The patient did not receive any treatments pre- or postoperation, and his condition was stable without progression after 14 months of follow-up evaluation. Here, we added a new entity of GCT-STM of the mediastinum composed of VMT and seminoma. A better understanding of the pathological features of GCT-VMT could help pathologists improve their awareness of these rare diseases.

Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance Correlates With Symptom Outcome When Acid Exposure Time Is Inconclusive on Esophageal Reflux Monitoring

Abnormal acid exposure time (AET) is associated with good outcomes of symptoms from antireflux therapy. Low esophageal mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) is an additional marker of reflux disease. We aimed to evaluate the value of MNBI when analysis of AET produces borderline or inconclusive results. We studied a retrospective cohort of 371 patients (mean age, 54.5 ± 0.7 y; 60.0% female) who had persistent reflux symptoms after treatment and underwent ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring off antisecretory therapy at 1 tertiary center in Europe or 1 in the United States. Total AET was determined from pH impedance studies (pathologic, >6%; physiologic, <4%; borderline or inconclusive, 4%-6%). Baseline impedance values were calculated at the 5-cm impedance channel at 3 nocturnal 10-minute periods and averaged to yield MNBI (abnormal, <2292 ohms). The primary outcome was response to antireflux therapy, defined as global symptom improvement of 50% or greater on patients' answers on standardized visual analog scales. Among the 371 patients, 107 (28.8%) had pathologic AET and 234 (63.1%) had abnormal MNBI. Low MNBI was concordant in 99.1% of patients with pathologic AET, in 91.2% with borderline AET, and in 33.7% with physiologic AET. During 38.7 ± 0.8 months of follow-up evaluation, 43.0% of patients had improved symptoms with medical therapy and 76.2% had improved symptoms with surgical antireflux therapy (P < .0001). When MNBI was low, response to medical therapy did not differ significantly between patients with borderline AET and patients with pathologic AET (P= .44), but did differ significantly when each group was compared with patients with physiologic AET, regardless of whether MNBI was normal or low (P < .0001 for each comparison). When low, MNBI identifies patients with pathologic and borderline AET who respond to antireflux therapy. MNBI analysis complements AET in defining esophageal reflux burden. MNBI correlates with response of symptoms to antireflux therapy.

Monocanalicular Stents in Eyelid Lacerations: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

To determine the efficacy and complication rates of monocanalicular stents in the setting of canalicular lacerations. A literature search was performed in May 2018 in the PubMed database to identify all English-language reports of monocanalicular stenting to address canalicular lacerations. Studies that did not include at least 10 patients with at least 3 months of follow-up evaluation after surgery were excluded. Ninety-nine articles were identified, and 15 of these met criteria for data abstraction and were included in this assessment. The panel methodologist (V.K.A.) evaluated the quality of evidence and assigned a level-of-evidence rating to each of these studies. All 15 studies were rated as level III evidence. Anatomic and functional success rates after surgery ranged from 68% to 100% and 79% to 100%, respectively. Stents were generally well tolerated, although extrusion rates varied from 0% to 29%. Only level III evidence was available, and studies were not powered to detect differences between groups for rare complications or failure. Monocanalicular stents seem to be efficacious and well tolerated in the management of canalicular lacerations. Potential complications include extrusion (most commonly), tube displacement, granuloma, ectropion, slit punctum, fistula, and infection. Further comparative studies would help to identify the optimal time for device removal and to directly compare monocanalicular with bicanalicular stents.

Clinical outcomes of otitis media with effusion following palatoplasty in patients with incomplete cleft palate

Background: Diagnosis and treatment strategies for CP with OME and the timing of ear tube insertion remain controversial.Objectives: To analyze the clinical outcomes of otitis media with effusion in children with incomplete cleft palate after palatoplasty prospectively.Methods: A total of 30 children (10 months–2 years old) with incomplete CP were enrolled in this study and received at least 6 months of follow-up evaluations after palatoplasty.Results: The overall improvement rate of OME was as high as 26% in this group. Average air conduction hearing threshold was significantly better than that before surgery in the 8 patients with improved OME (p < .05). Among the 8 children with improved OME, 7 (87.5%) were found to have middle ear effusion that improved within 6 months after CP repair. There was no significant difference in the improvement rate between the severe degree II group and the mild group.Conclusion: A 6-month follow-up period is recommended. The severity of incomplete CP is not fully related to the function of the eustachian tube.Significance: The overall improvement rate was as high as 26%, and effusion in the tympanic cavity subsided in 7 out of 8 cases within 6 months after the CP repair.

Superficial flexor tendon of ring transfer to reconstruct thumb opponensplasty: a long-term following up

Objective To evaluate the long term results of tendon transfer using superficial flexor tendon of ring to reconstruct thumb opponensplasty. Methods Eleven patients were treated by using superficial flexor tendon of ring to reconstruct thumb opponensplasty in hand surgery department of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from September, 2008 to December, 2010. The effect of thumb opponensplasty after operation by subjective and objective evaluation, and the data were analyzed retrospectively. Results The preoperative DASH score of 11 patients was 34.0±2.0, and postoperative DASH score was 19.7±1.9(P<0.05) after 67(64-71) months; the functional grade of thumb opponensplasty was excellent in 8 cases, good in 3 cases. Conclusion Through 67 months of follow-up evaluation, that the superficial flexor tendon of ring transferring to reconstruct of thumb opponensplasty is an accurate and reliable surgical method is confirmed. Key words: Thumb; Opponensplasty; Superficial flexor tendon; Transfer; Follow-up

Similar Efficacy of Proton-Pump Inhibitors vs H2-Receptor Antagonists in Reducing Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding or Ulcers in High-Risk Users of Low-Dose Aspirin

It is not clear whether H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in aspirin users at high risk. We performed a double-blind randomized trial to compare the effects of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) vs a H2RA antagonist in preventing recurrent upper GI bleeding and ulcers in high-risk aspirin users. We studied 270 users of low-dose aspirin (≤325 mg/day) with a history of endoscopically confirmed ulcer bleeding at 8 sites in Hong Kong and Japan. After healing of ulcers, subjects with negative results from tests for Helicobacter pylori resumed aspirin (80 mg) daily and were assigned randomly to groups given a once-daily PPI (rabeprazole, 20 mg; n= 138) or H2RA (famotidine, 40 mg; n= 132) for up to 12 months. Subjects were evaluated every 2 months; endoscopy was repeated if they developed symptoms of upper GI bleeding or had a reduction in hemoglobin level greater than 2 g/dL and after 12 months of follow-up evaluation. The adequacy of upper GI protection was assessed by end points of recurrent upper GI bleeding and a composite of recurrent upper GI bleeding or recurrent endoscopic ulcers at month12. During the 12-month study period, upper GI bleeding recurred in 1 patient receiving rabeprazole (0.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1%-5.1%) and in 4 patients receiving famotidine (3.1%; 95% CI, 1.2%-8.1%) (P= .16). The composite end point of recurrent bleeding or endoscopic ulcers at month 12 was reached by 9 patients receiving rabeprazole (7.9%; 95% CI, 4.2%-14.7%) and 13 patients receiving famotidine (12.4%; 95% CI, 7.4%-20.4%) (P= .26). In a randomized controlled trial of users of low-dose aspirin at risk for recurrent GI bleeding, a slightly lower proportion of patients receiving a PPI along with aspirin developed recurrent bleeding or ulcer than of patients receiving an H2RA with the aspirin, although this difference was not statistically significant. ClincialTrials.gov no: NCT01408186.

Association Between Colonic Diverticular Disease and Colorectal Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

We investigated whether a diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease is associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a nationwide population-based retrospective study. We identified 41,359 individuals diagnosed with colonic diverticular disease as inpatients from 2000 through 2009 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (study cohort) and collected data for 165,436 randomly selected additional subjects, matched by sex, age, and baseline year (comparison cohort). Data were collected until individuals developed CRC or withdrew from the National Health Insurance system, or until December 31, 2010. Cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) of CRC development were determined. To assess for ascertainment bias, we conducted an analysis excluding the first 12 months of follow-up evaluation. The risk of CRC was significantly higher in the study cohort than in the comparison cohort (HR adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities, 4.54; 95% confidence interval, 4.19-4.91; P < .0001). In a sensitivity analysis, we excluded the first 12 months of follow-up evaluation after a diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease; subsequent incidence rates for CRC in the study and comparison cohorts were 15.13 and 15.74 per 10,000 person-years, respectively (adjusted HR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.11). Colonic diverticular disease is not associated with an increased risk of subsequent CRC after the first year of diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease. An increased risk was observed in the first year, possibly owing to misclassification and screening effects.

Nerve Transfers From Branches to the Flexor Carpi Radialis and Pronator Teres to Reconstruct the Radial Nerve

To present our method and results for transferring branches of the median nerve for radial nerve palsy or posterior cord lesions. We transferred 1 branch to the pronator teres to the branch to the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle and transferred the branch to the flexor carpi radialis to the posterior interosseous nerve. We carried out these transfers in 6 patients with radial nerve palsy or posterior cord lesions. We reviewed functional outcomes, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores, and Patient Evaluation Measure scores. After 20 months of follow-up evaluation, all patients had recovered extensor carpi radialis longus activity of M4. Activity of the extensor carpi ulnaris was M3 in 2 patients and M4 in 4 patients. Extensor pollicis longus activity was M4 in all 6 cases. Metacarpophalangeal extension was M4 in 4 cases and M3 in 2 cases. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 26 (range, 7-43), and the mean Patient Evaluation Measure score was 34 (range, 24-53). Selective independent synergistic transfer of median nerve fascicles to the radial nerve branches has shown excellent results in the treatment of severe lesions of the radial nerve. Therapeutic IV.

Revisional versus primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a case-matched analysis

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has been a widely performed bariatric procedure. Unfortunately, revisional surgery is required in 20-30% of cases. Data comparing revisional and primary gastric bypass procedures are scarce. This study compared revisional malabsorptive laparoscopic very very long limb (VVLL) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with primary VVLL RYGB and tested the hypothesis that one-stage revisional laparoscopic VVLL RYGB is an effective procedure after failed LAGB. In this study, 48 revisional VVLL RYGBs were matched one-to-one with 48 primary VVLL RYGBs. The outcome measures were operating time, conversion to open surgery, excess weight loss (EWL), and early and late morbidity. Surgical and medical morbidities did not differ significantly. No conversions occurred. The revisional group showed an EWL of 41.8% after 12 months of follow-up evaluation and 45.1% after 24 months based on the pre-revisional weight. The total EWL based on the weight before the LAGB was calculated to be 54.3% after 12 months and 57.2% after 24 months. The EWL in the primary RYGB group was significantly higher for both types of calculation: 41.8%/54.3% versus 64.1 % (p < 0.001 and <0.01) after 12 months and 45.1%/57.2% versus 70.4% (p < 0.001 and <0.002) after 24 months. Revisional laproscopic VVLL RYGB can be performed as a one-stage procedure by experienced bariatric surgeons but shows less effective EWL than primary RYGB procedures.

Effects of Inferior Mesenteric Vein Flow in Patients With Cirrhosis

The inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) is detected in more than 90% of computed tomography images. Little is known about the hemodynamic features of IMV as a collateral vessel in portal hypertension, or its effects in clinical presentation and outcome. We investigated the roles of the IMV in portal hemodynamics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis. We performed a prospective study of 467 patients with cirrhosis (274 men; age, 64.6 ± 10.9 y). We assessed hemodynamics in the IMV using Doppler sonography and compared these data with patients' clinical presentation and patient outcome. IMV was detected in 94 patients (20.1%); 51 patients had hepatopetal flow, 33 patients had hepatofugal flow, and 10 patients had to-and-fro flow. Those with hepatofugal flow had a significantly greater number of ascites than those with hepatopetal flow, higher Child classification (P = .004), and a higher incidence of decompensated liver (51.5% vs 27.5%; P = .015) and rectal varices (56.3% vs 13.3%; P = .013). The incidence of gastroesophageal varices was lower among those with hepatofugal flow (51.5%; P = .005) or to-and-fro flow (40%; P = .008) than those with hepatopetal flow (80.4%). IMV had similar effects after adjustment for liver function. There were no differences in the cumulative rates of survival during the median 17.2 months of follow-up evaluation, when the patients with and without IMV were stratified by Child classification. In patients with cirrhosis, hepatofugal flow of the IMV appears to increase the risk of ascites and liver decompensation but reduce the risk for gastroesophageal varices. Although IMV is associated with reduced liver function, it does not affect survival.

Laparoscopic gastrointestinal anastomoses using knotless barbed sutures are safe and reproducible: a single-center experience with 201 patients

Intestinal anastomosis is a complex procedure during laparoscopy, mainly due to the difficulties knotting the sutures. Unidirectional barbed sutures have been proposed to simplify wall and mesentery closure, but the results for intestinal anastomosis are not clear. This study aimed to establish the feasibility and the safety of laparoscopic intestinal anastomosis using barbed suture. Between June 2011 and May 2012, 15-cm-long unidirectional absorbable barbed sutures (V-Loc; Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) were used for all laparoscopic intestinal anastomoses: one suture for closure of intestinal openings after mechanical anastomoses and two sutures for hand-sewn anastomoses. Over a 1-year period, 201 consecutive patients required 220 laparoscopic anastomoses for gastrojejunostomy (n=177; 172 during Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 5 after gastrectomy), ileocolostomy (n=15), colocolostomy (n=1), esophagojejunostomy (n=5), and jejunojejunostomy (n=22; 4 after small bowel resection and 18 during gastric bypass or gastrectomy). Senior and training surgeons performed 209 closures of intestinal openings and 11 hand-sewn anastomoses. There was no conversion to usual sutures. One fistula occurred in an esophagojejunostomy and was managed conservatively. One self-limited anastomotic bleeding occurred, and no anastomotic stenosis occurred during 6months of follow-up evaluation. The use of knotless barbed suture for laparoscopic intestinal anastomosis is safe and reproducible.

Left Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy Used as Primary Therapy for a Young Child With Intractable Long QT Syndrome

A 3-year-old boy with familial long QT syndrome type 2 presented with recurrent syncope despite adequate beta-blocker therapy. Two family members had experienced sudden cardiac arrest, and one other relative had experienced sudden cardiac death. Given the high risk for ventricular arrhythmia/syncope, the decision was made to perform primary cardiac denervation therapy through a minimally invasive approach without concomitant automatic cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, the left-sided sympathetic ganglia from T2-T5 were identified, and dissection along the sympathetic chain with transection of the corresponding rami along T2-T5 in addition to the lower half of the stellate ganglion was performed. The chest tube was removed on day 1 after surgery, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 4. During 14 months of follow-up evaluation, no intervening episodes of ventricular arrhythmia or syncope and no symptoms of Horner's syndrome were noted.

Current surgical approach to Paget's disease

BackgroundPaget's disease constitutes between 1% and 3% of all breast malignancies, which makes defining standard surgical therapy difficult. We sought to identify preoperative factors that would select patients for successful breast conservation. MethodsFifty-one patients with Paget's disease underwent surgical therapy between October 1998 and January 2010. Clinical presentation of Paget's disease, preoperative imaging, pathologic tumor characteristics, as well as surgical, radiation, and adjuvant therapies were reviewed. ResultsThirty-seven percent underwent breast conservation whereas 63% underwent mastectomy. Twelve patients presented with a palpable mass, and all were treated with mastectomy. Twenty-two patients underwent a mammogram, identifying extensive abnormality requiring mastectomy. Magnetic resonance imaging added to surgical planning in 52% of patients who participated in the study. None of our patients had a local/regional recurrence at 29 months of follow-up evaluation. ConclusionsPaget's disease of the breast can be treated with breast conservation in a properly selected subset of patients. Successful breast conservation was achieved in patients without a palpable finding, a benign mammogram, and a normal magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Prophylactic Cefuroxime Axetil Administered in Relation to a Liposuction Procedure

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Moschcowitz's syndrome is characterized by platelet and von Willebrand factor (vWF) deposition in arterioles and capillaries throughout the body, which results in organ ischemia. The diagnostic pentad characterizing TTP consists of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), fever, neurologic manifestations, and renal insufficiency. In terms of type, TTP can be either idiopathic or secondary. The causes of secondary TTP include pregnancy, infections, pancreatitis, collagen vascular disease, cancer, bone marrow transplantation, and drugs (including cephalosporins). Postoperative TTP has been reported after vascular surgery, renal and liver transplantations, and orthopedic, urologic, and abdominal surgical procedures. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) therapy has reduced the mortality rates, but sometimes patients may have to receive immunosuppressive drugs including vincristine (VCR). This report describes a 42-year-old woman with TTP after prophylactic usage of cefuroxime axetil in relation to a liposuction procedure who was treated successfully with plasma exchange and VCR. The patient fully recovered after 17 TPEs and three doses of VCR. At this writing, her TTP still is in remission after 6months of follow-up evaluation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the literature describing a patient with TTP after cefuroxime axetil administered in relation to a surgical procedure who was treated successfully with TPE and VCR.

Donor Race Does Not Predict Graft Failure After Liver Transplantation

Donor race has been proposed to predict graft failure after liver transplantation. We evaluated the extent to which the center where the transplantation surgery was performed and other potential confounding factors might account for the observed association between donor race and graft failure. We analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (January 2003-December 2005) for adult patients undergoing primary liver transplantation in the United States. We examined the association between graft failure and the donor races of African American (AA), Caucasian, Asian/Pacific Islander (API), or those classified as other. Of 10,874 livers that were donated for transplantation, 7631 came from Caucasians, 1579 from AAs, 243 from APIs, and 1421 from others. After 36 months of follow-up evaluation, 2687 grafts failed. Without any adjustments, AA donors (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.24), API donors (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12-1.77), and other donors (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.29) were associated with graft failure. After stratification by center and adjustments for age, height, and hepatitis B core antibody status of donors as well as serum creatinine and hepatitis C status of recipients, donor race was no longer statistically significant for AA (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95-1.20) and API (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.89-1.49) donors. However, livers donated from members of other race still had an increased risk of graft failure (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35), although the effect was not uniform across donor-recipient pairs. Donor race is not a uniform predictor of graft failure and should not be construed as an indicator of donor quality.

What is the True Frequency of Carditis in Acute Rheumatic Fever? A Prospective Clinical and Doppler Blind Study of 56 Children with up to 60 Months of Follow-Up Evaluation

This study aimed to evaluate prospectively clinical and echocardiographic findings of patients who had rheumatic fever with and without clinical features of cardiac involvement. For this study, 56 consecutive patients (mean age, 11.4 years) with acute rheumatic fever diagnosed according to the 1992 modified Jones criteria were evaluated at diagnosis, after 3 and 6 months, then at 2 and 5 years. All assessments were performed blindly and included physical and cardiac examination, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and two-dimensional color-flow Doppler echocardiography. Initial clinical carditis was observed for 27 patients (48.2%), all of whom had positive echocardiographic abnormalities. Echocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 11 patients who had arthritis or chorea presentation without initial clinical carditis. Persistence of the abnormalities was observed at a late follow-up evaluation in 72.7% of the cases. Sydenham's chorea was present in 8 patients with clinical carditis and in 10 without this disorder, 8 of whom had echocardiographic abnormalities. Patients who had acute rheumatic fever without clinical signs of carditis showed acute and late follow-up echocardiographic abnormalities suggestive of cardiac involvement. Clinicians should be attentive for the presence of cardiac involvement among patients with chorea.

Alternative to the Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis: Lateral Approach and Plate Fixation

Several fixation techniques for distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint arthrodesis have been described, with good clinical results and complication rates between 10% and 20%. We propose an alternative technique and fixation method using a lateral approach and 1.3-mm plate and screws fixation. Between March and September 2005, 11 patients, totaling 15 fingers, had DIP joint arthrodesis by the described technique. The indications were posttraumatic arthritis in 8 fingers, degenerative or rheumatoid arthritis in 5 fingers, and isolated flexor digitorum profundus tendon lesions in 2 fingers. Patients were analyzed for osseus union, pain relief, and functional mobility of the finger. Arthrodesis relieved pain and restored stability at the 12th week, on average, with osseous union in all patients. All patients maintained full proximal interphalangeal joint motion with pulp-to-palm distance of zero at 6 months of follow-up evaluation. There were no rotational or angular deformities, nail bed lesions, or skin complications. The lateral approach with plate and screws fixation is an option for DIP joint arthrodesis. Therapeutic IV.

Systematic review of the role of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in palliating the pain of patients with chronic pancreatitis

The management of opiate-dependent intractable abdominal pain caused by chronic pancreatitis remains challenging. The published series on the role, safety, feasibility, and efficacy of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy are reviewed. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PREMEDLINE databases were searched, and relevant English language publications were systematically retrieved. Data were pooled by two independent reviewers. Between 1994 and 2006, 302 patients were featured in 16 reports. The reports described 202 procedures as bilateral and 100 as unilateral. These procedures were associated with rates of 16.6% for morbidity, 1.3% for conversion to thoracotomy, 1.3% for reoperation to manage complications, and 0% for mortality. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.7 days. The mean success rate was 90% up to 6 months of follow-up evaluation, 75% at >6 to 15 months of follow-up evaluation, and 49% at >15 months to 5.7 years of follow-up evaluation. Further intervention for pain relief was required for 12.9% of the patients. Splanchnicectomy reduces pain and improves quality of life for patients with chronic pancreatitis. Patient selection determines success rates, but the early good results achieved decline with time elapsed after thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy.

Controlling Nasal Length with Extended Spreader Grafts: A Reliable Technique in Primary Rhinoplasty

The short nose characterized by a reduced distance from the nasal radix to the tip represents a challenging deformity in facial plastic surgery. Several techniques have been described in the literature for augmentation of the short nose, but none emphasizes the surgical maneuvers necessary to preserve nasal length in primary rhinoplasty and to avoid the development of a short nose deformity. The authors present a surgical technique for avoiding postoperative nasal shortness and for controlling nasal length in primary rhinoplasty. The procedure uses caudally extended bilateral spreader grafts, which prevent postoperative cephalic tip rotation and allow control of tip rotation. The grafts should be placed electively in noses that have the potential to become overshortened postoperatively. By doing so, surgeons can perform any of the common surgical maneuvers in rhinoplasty without risking short nose deformity. The study included 41 patients with a mean age of 27 years who were considered to be at high risk for the development of postoperative short nose deformity. All the patients were treated with bilateral extended spreader grafts via the open nasal approach. The follow-up period was up to 12 months, with regular evaluation of the surgical outcome comprising measurement of the nasal length and photographic analysis. All the patients showed preserved nasal length after surgery with well-proportioned facial features. There was no evidence of postoperative nasal shortening after 12 months of follow-up evaluation. No operative or postoperative complications were detected. All the patients were pleased with the surgical results achieved. The use of extended spreader grafts during primary rhinoplasty for selected patients represents a valuable tool for preventing short nose deformity after primary rhinoplasty.