Tissue-sparing Procedure Research Articles

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy and microsurgical laminotomy : A prospective, randomized controlled trial of patients with lumbar disc herniation and lateral recess stenosis.

Sufficient decompression of the nerve root canal is still regarded as the method of choice when operating on patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with lumbar lateral recess stenosis; however, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more popular. Endoscopic techniques offer advantages and the benefits of rehabilitation, which have become the standard in many surgical operations when operating on the spine. Asignificant issue has been the upgrading of instruments to provide enough bone resection under continuous visual control. We examined patients who had LDH with lateral recess stenosis and compared the results of nerve root canal decompression using percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) with amicrosurgical laminotomy (ML) technique. In this study 40patients with full endoscopic decompression or microsurgery were followed up for 2years. In addition to general and specific parameters, the following two parameters were also used for the investigation: the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Except for 1patient in whom repair was done by fusion and 1 who was lost to follow-up, 38patients remained in the study over the 2years. The mean operating time in the PELD group was longer (p < 0.05), but intraoperative and postoperative blood loss was less than in the ML group (p < 0.05). The postoperative results were better than before surgery, and the VAS and ODI parameters indicated aclear improvement in leg pain and daily activities in both groups (p > 0.05). Of the patients three suffered increasing back pain (2ML, 1PELD). The results indicated that the PELD can provide an effective supplement and serve as an alternative for LDH with lateral recess stenosis compared with the ML technique when the indication criteria are fulfilled. The PELD also has the advantage of being aminimally invasive intervention.

Surgical options for chronic pancreatitis- resections or pancreatic tissue sparing procedures?

Surgical options for chronic pancreatitis- resections or pancreatic tissue sparing procedures?

Length of stay associated with posterior cervical fusion with intervertebral cages: experience from a device registry.

Using a multi-center medical device registry, we prospectively collected a set of perioperative and clinical outcomes among patients treated with tissue-sparing, posteriorly-placed intervertebral cage fusion used in the management of symptomatic, degenerative neural compressive disorders of the cervical spine. Cervical fusion utilizing posteriorly-placed intervertebral cages offers a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional instrumentation for the treatment of symptomatic cervical radiculopathy. A registry was established to prospectively collect perioperative and clinical data in a real-world clinical practice setting for patients treated via this approach. This study evaluated length of stay as well as estimated blood loss and procedural time in 271 registry patients. The median length of stay was 1.1, 1.1 and 1.2 days for patients having a stand-alone arthrodesis, revision of a pseudoarthrosis, and circumferential fusion (360°), respectively, and was not related to number of levels treated. Historical comparison to published literature demonstrated that average lengths of stay associated with open, posterior lateral mass fixation were consistently ≥4 days. Average blood loss (range, 32-75 mL) and procedural time (range, 51-88 min) were also diminished in patients having tissue-sparing, cervical intervertebral cage fusion compared to open posterior lateral mass fixation. Adoption of this tissue-sparing procedure may offer substantial cost-constraining benefits by reducing the length of post-operative hospitalization by, at least, 3 days compared to traditional lateral mass fixation.

Revision of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty to Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is It as Good as a Primary Result?

BackgroundUnicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is touted as a more conservative, bone- and tissue-sparing procedure than total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Similarly, revision of UKA to TKA is generally a simpler procedure than revision of TKA to TKA and can be accomplished with primary TKA components in most cases. The purpose of this study was to review a consecutive series of patients undergoing revision of failed UKA to TKA to determine if etiology is similar to that reported in recent literature and evaluate if the results align more with primary TKA vs revision of TKA to TKA. MethodsA query of our private practice registry from 1996 to 2015 revealed 184 patients (193 knees) who underwent revisions of failed UKA with minimum 2-year follow-up. The mean age was 63.5 (37-84) years, body mass index was 32.3 (19-57) kg/m2, and interval after UKA was 4.8 (0-35) years. The most prevalent indications for UKA revision were aseptic loosening (42%) arthritic progression (20%), and tibial collapse (14%). ResultsAt 6.1-year mean follow-up (2-20), 8 knees (4.1%) required re-revision, which is similar to what we reported at 5.5 years in a group of primary TKA patients (6 of 189; 3.2%) and much lower than what we observed at 6.0 years in a recent study of aseptic revision TKA patients (35 of 278; 12.6%). In the study group, Knee Society clinical and function scores improved from 50.8 and 52.1 preoperatively to 83.4 and 67.6 at the most recent evaluation. Re-revisions were for aseptic loosening (3), instability (2), arthrofibrosis (2), and infection (1). ConclusionsCompared to published individual institution and national registry data, re-revision rates of failed UKA are equivalent to revision rates of primary TKA and substantially better than re-revision rates of revision TKA. These data should be used to counsel patients undergoing revision UKA to TKA.

Bilateral Spinal Decompression of Lumbar Central Stenosis with the Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Versus Microsurgical Laminotomy Technique: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Background: Extensive decompression with laminectomy, where appropriate, is often still described as the method of choice when operating on degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the surgical advantages they offer and the benefits for rehabilitation. One key issue when operating on the spine was the development of instruments to provide sufficient bone resection under continuous visual control. This was achieved by using endoscopes for operations carried out in cases of spinal canal stenosis. Objective: This study of patients with degenerative lumbar central spinal stenosis compares the results of spinal decompression using the full-endoscopic interlaminar technique (FI) with a conventional microsurgical laminotomy technique (MI). Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Settings: 135 patients with microsurgical or full-endoscopic decompression were followed up for 2 years. Alongside general and specific parameters, the following measuring instruments were also used for the investigation: Visual Analog Scale (VAS), German version of the North American Spine Society Instrument (NASS), Oswestry Low-Back-Pain-Disability Questionnaire (ODI). Results: Postoperatively 72 % of the patients no longer had leg pain or the pain was almost completely reduced and 21.2 % experienced occasional pain. The clinical results were the same in both groups. The rate of complications and revisions was significantly reduced in the FI Group. The full-endoscopic techniques brought advantages in the following areas: operation, complications, traumatization, rehabilitation. Limitations: Lack of placebo control group. Conclusions: The recorded results demonstrate that the full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral decompression adopting a unilateral approach provides an adequate and safe supplement and alternative to the conventional microsurgical bilateral laminotomy technique when the indication criteria are fulfilled. At the same time, it offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention. Key words: Spinal stenosis, central stenosis, spinal decompression, endoscopic spinal decompression, minimally invasive spine surgery

Towards Laser Driven Hadron Cancer Radiotherapy: A Review of Progress

It has been known for about sixty years that proton and heavy ion therapy is a very powerful radiation procedure for treating tumors. It has an innate ability to irradiate tumors with greater doses and spatial selectivity compared with electron and photon therapy and, hence, is a tissue sparing procedure. For more than twenty years, powerful lasers have generated high energy beams of protons and heavy ions and it has, therefore, frequently been speculated that lasers could be used as an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) accelerators to produce the particle beams necessary for cancer therapy. The present paper reviews the progress made towards laser driven hadron cancer therapy and what has still to be accomplished to realize its inherent enormous potential.

Operation of Lumbar Zygoapophyseal Joint Cysts Using a Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar and Transforaminal Approach

In appropriate situations, extensive decompression with laminectomy often continues to be described as the method of choice for operations involving lumbar zygoapophyseal joint (z-joint) cysts. Tissue-sparing procedures are nevertheless becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard procedures in many areas because of the advantages they offer in terms of surgical technique and in rehabilitation. One key aspect in spinal surgery was the development of instruments for sufficient bone resection carried out under continuous visual control. This enabled endoscopes to be used when operating on z-joint cysts. The objective of this prospective study was to examine the technical possibilities for the full-endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal technique in lumbar z-joint cysts. A total of 74 patients were followed up for 2 years. The results show that 85% of the patients no longer have any leg pain or that the pain had been almost completely eliminated, and 11 % experience occasional pain. The complication rate was low. The full-endoscopic techniques brought advantages in the following areas: operation, complications, traumatization, and rehabilitation. The recorded results show that full-endoscopic resection of a z-joint cyst using an interlaminar and transforaminal approach provides an adequate and safe supplement, and is an alternative to conventional procedures when the indication criteria are fulfilled. It also offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention.

Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy with the Stripping Technique

Laparoscopy is considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of benign ovarian cysts. The stripping technique is the most commonly used for benign ovarian cystectomy. It encompasses the use of two atraumatic grasping forceps to pull the cyst wall and the normal ovarian parenchyma in opposite directions, thus developing the cleavage plane. The stripping technique has demonstrated to to be a tissue-sparing procedure. We present in this video a 22 year old G0P0 with left pelvic pain complaint and the finding of a persistent 6 cm left ovarian cyst with benign features on ultrasound. She underwent a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy using the stripping technique. The final pathology result was consistent with a serous cystadenoma.

Évaluation par échographie tridimensionnelle de la réduction du volume des ovaires après kystectomie des endométriomes

Objective The aim of our study was to assess ovarian tissue loss related to endometrioma cystectomy by 3D-ultrasonography. Patients and methods We have retrospectively included 15 women with no previous ovarian surgery who benefited from cystectomy of an unilateral endometrioma the diameter of which was superior to 30 mm. Cystectomy has been performed using an ovarian tissue-sparing procedure with no incision of the ovarian cortex. Patients underwent ultrasonography at least 9 months after the surgery. Several ovarian parameters, such as the area on longitudinal cross-section, the volume and the antral follicles count (AFC), were measured on both operated and contra lateral ovary, and then were compared using Mann and Whitney test. The relationship between the reduction of operated ovary volume and preoperative endometrioma diameter was evaluated by multiple regression. Results Operated ovary presented a significant reduction in area (mean reduction 229.8 mm 2 ± 47.6; P < 0.0001), volume (mean reduction 5.8 cm 3 ± 1.16; P < 0.0001) and AFC (mean reduction 5.1 ± 3.8, P = 0.002). No statistically significant correlation was found between operated ovary volume reduction and preoperative endometrioma diameter. Discussion and conclusion Endometrioma cystectomy leads to significant reduction in ovarian parenchyma volume and AFC, when compared to contra lateral ovary. This event must be taken into account in the choice of treatment strategy, especially in the case of enlarged, bilateral and recurrent endometriomas, recurrence, as well as in women presenting with other risk factor for ovarian failure.

Bilateral Operation of Lumbar Degenerative Central Spinal Stenosis in Full-endoscopic Interlaminar Technique With Unilateral Approach

Prospective study of the patients with degenerative spinal central stenosis, operated bilateral in a full-endoscopic unilateral technique. The objective of this prospective study was to examine the technical possibilities of full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral technique with unilateral approach in degenerative lumbar central spinal stenosis and predominant leg symptoms using new designed endoscopes and instruments. Extensive decompression with laminectomy where appropriate, is often still described as the method of choice in the operation of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the advantages they offer in surgical technique and in rehabilitation. At the spine, 1 essential point was the developing of the instruments for sufficient bone resection under continuous visual control. This enabled the use in the operation of spinal canal stenoses. A total of 72 patients with lumbar central spinal stenosis full-endoscopic unilateral decompression were followed for 2 years. In addition to general and specific parameters, these measuring instruments were used: VAS, German version North American Spine Society Instrument, Oswestry Low-back Pain Disability Questionnaire. The results show that 70.8% no longer have leg pain or it was nearly completely reduced and 22.2% have occasional pain. The decompression results were equal to those of conventional procedures. The complication rate was low. The full-endoscopic techniques brought advantages in these areas: operation, complications, traumatization, and rehabilitation. The recorded results show that the full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral decompression with unilateral approach is a sufficient and safe supplement and alternative to conventional procedures when the indication criteria are fulfilled. At the same time, it offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention.

Practical application and decision-making in Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology

Mohs micrographic surgery for cutaneous malignancies is a tissue-sparing procedure that offers cure rates superior to that of other treatment options. Mohs surgery has evolved as the most reliable and cost-effective treatment modality for skin cancer, offering maximal preservation of normal tissue and therefore the lowest functional and cosmetic morbidity. It is a method of surgical excision with high intrinsic value that is cost-effective in comparison with traditional surgical excision. In this article, the main steps of this surgical procedure are outlined along with the tissue-processing concepts, the indications, limitations, and cost-effectiveness of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Primary breast lymphomas: a multicentric experience

BackgroundThe Primary Breast Lymphomas (PBL) represent 0,38-0,70% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), 1,7-2,2% of all extranodal NHL and only 0,04-0,5% of all breast cancer. Most frequent PBLs are the diffuse large B cell lymphomas; in any case-reports MALT lymphomas lack or are a rare occurrence. Their incidence is growing. From 1880 (first breast resection for "lymphadenoid sarcoma" carried out by Gross) to the recent past the gold standard treatment for such diseases was surgery. At present such role has lost some of its importance, and it is matter of debate.MethodsTwenty-three women affected by PBL underwent surgery. Average age was 63 years (range: 39-83). Seven suffered of hypothyroidism secondary to autoimmune thyroiditis. Fourteen patients underwent mastectomy, nine patients received quadrantectomy (average neoplasm diameter: 1,85 cm, range: 1,1-2,6 cm). In 10 cases axillary dissection was carried out. Pathologic examination revealed 16 diffuse large B cell lymphomas and 7 MALT lymphomas.ResultsSeven patients in the mastectomy group had a recurrence (50%), and all of them with diffuse large B cell lymphomas at stage II. Two of these had not received chemotherapy. No patient undergoing quadrantectomy had recurrence. In the mastectomy group disease free survival (DFS) at 5 and 10 years was 57 and 50%. Overall survival (OS) at 5 and 10 years was 71.4% and 57.1% respectively. All recurrences were systemic. DFS and OS at 5 and 10 years was 100% in the quadrantectomy group. In the patients with recurrence mortality was 85.7%. For stage IE DFS and OS at 5 and 10 years were 100%. For stage II DFS at 10 years was 62.5% and 56.2% respectively; OS at 5 and 10 years was 75% and 62.5% respectively. For MALT lymphomas DFS and OS at 5 and 10 years were 100%. For diffuse large B cell lymphomas DFS at 5 and 10 years was 62.5% and 56.2% respectively; OS at 5 and 10 years was 75% and 62,5% respectively.ConclusionsThe role of surgery in this disease should be limited to get a definitive diagnosis while for the staging and the treatment CT scan and chemio/radioterapy are repectively mandatory. MALT PBLs have a definitely better prognosis compared to large B cell lymphomas. The surgical treatment must always be oncologically radical (R0); mastectomy must not be carried out as a rule, but only when tissue sparing procedures are not feasible. Axillary dissection must always be performed for staging purposes, so avoiding the risk of under-staging II o IE, due to the possibility of clinically silent axillary node involvement.

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty –A Controversial History and a Rationale for Contemporary Resurgence

Treatment of isolated compartment osteoarthritis with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has had mixed reported results and still remains a controversial procedure. More recently, adherence to more stringent patient selection criteria and refined surgical technique has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and survivorship. The popularization of UKA as a more tissue-sparing procedure and minimally invasive alternative to total knee arthroplasty has also played an integral role in its recent resurgence. This review details the history, evolution, and varied results of UKA. Many different prostheses have emerged, some with exceptional long-term results. Long-term prospective analyses will be critical in determining the role of UKA as a mainstay in the treatment of single compartment knee degenerative joint disease.

Oxidative stress status in normal ovarian cortex surrounding ovarian endometriosis

Expression levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a sensitive indicator of DNA damage resulting from oxidative stress, were significantly higher in samples of normal ovarian cortex surrounding endometriotic cysts when compared with ovarian cortex surrounding dermoid and serous ovarian cysts. These findings suggest that the normal ovarian cortex surrounding endometriotic tissues is more severely affected by oxidative stress than ovarian cortex adjacent to other benign ovarian cysts.

Surgical treatment for lumbar lateral recess stenosis with the full-endoscopic interlaminar approach versus conventional microsurgical technique: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

Extensive decompression with laminectomy where appropriate is often still described as the method of choice in surgery for lateral recess stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the advantages they offer in surgical technique and in rehabilitation. Transforaminal and interlaminar access provide 2 full-endoscopic (FE) techniques for lumbar spine surgery. The goal of this prospective randomized controlled study was to compare the surgical results for the FE technique via the interlaminar approach with those of the conventional microsurgical technique in patients with degenerative lateral recess stenosis. A total of 161 patients with FE or microsurgical decompression underwent follow-up for 2 years. In addition to general and specific parameters, the following measuring instruments were used: visual analog scale, German version of the North American Spine Society instrument, and the Oswestry low-back pain disability questionnaire. The results show that 74.5% of patients reported no longer having leg pain, and 20.5% had only occasional pain. The clinical results were the same in both groups. The rate of complications and revisions was significantly reduced in the FE group. The FE techniques brought advantages in the following areas: operation, complications, traumatization, and rehabilitation. The clinical results of the FE interlaminar technique are equal to those of the microsurgical technique. At the same time, there are advantages in the operation technique, such as reduced traumatization. The FE interlaminar spinal decompression procedure is a sufficient and safe supplement and alternative to microsurgical procedures.

Transanal Open Hemorrhoidopexy

Despite all developments in the recent years, the choice of an adequate treatment for hemorrhoids remains a problem. The hemorrhoidopexy as described by Longo and the Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation follow a concept different from the excision and destruction techniques from earlier years. In both techniques, the hemorrhoidal tissue is preserved, as it may be important for anal sensation and continence. The high costs of the circular stapler gun and the Doppler methods can probably be overcome by the proposed technique, a transanal open hemorrhoidopexy, while simultaneously preserving hemorrhoidal tissues. Between November 2006 and May 2007, 38 patients with third-degree hemorrhoids were treated with open transanal hemorrhoidopexy. All patients were positioned in the lithotomy position and operated under general anesthesia; the anal mucosa was stitched to the rectal wall with four Z-stitches after removal of a small rectal mucosa flap about 4 cm from the dentate line. The four stitches were circumferentially positioned at equal distances. Postoperatively, the patients followed a fiber-rich diet for one week. Most patients (n = 32, 84 percent) were without any complaint upon follow-up at one week. Six patients (16 percent) experienced pain and were treated with oral analgesics. One patient (3 percent) experienced minor bleeding that stopped spontaneously. After one month follow-up, 34 patients (89 percent) had no symptom complaints. Two patients (5 percent) experienced segmental prolapse and two patients (5 percent) had remaining pruritus. No patient needed another intervention. The proposed operation, transanal open hemorrhoidopexy, appears to be an effective technique. The procedure can be performed under direct vision and is very cost effective compared to the other hemorrhoidal tissue-sparing procedures.

Rheumatologische Arthrose, Computernavigation und minimalinvasive Operationstechnik in der Knieendoprothetik

Schlechte Knochenqualität, hochgradige knöcherne und ligamentäre Deformitäten stellen bei Patienten mit rheumatologischer Grunderkrankung eine Herausforderung in der Knieendoprothetik dar. Die Computer navigierte Implantation kann hilfreich sein um eine neutrale frontale mechanische Achse zu erzielen. Bei der Weichteilbalancierung und Rotationsbestimmung der Prothesenkomponenten ergeben sich jedoch keine Vorteile im Vergleich zur konventionellen Technik. Beim rheumatologischen Patienten wäre eine gewebeschonendere Operationstechnik mit schnellerer Rehabilitation wünschenswert. Die neuen minimalinvasiven Operationstechniken zeichnen sich durch einen kleineren Hautschnitt aus. Der obere Rezessus wird nicht eröffnet, eine komplette Entfernung der entzündlichen Synovia ist nicht möglich. Schlechte Knochenqualität, hochgradige Deformitäten oder insuffiziente Bändern sind schlechte Voraussetzungen für die minimalinvasive Operation. Die rheumatologisch bedingte Arthrose gilt als Kontraindikation in der minimalinvasiven Knieendoprothetik.

Is the stripping technique a tissue-sparing procedure in large simple ovarian cysts in children?

Background Stripping of the cystic wall is performed by gynecologists to treat large ovarian cysts. Information in the pediatric population is poor. We prospectively evaluated the pathologic specimens of large ovarian cyst to determine whether the stripping technique is a tissue-sparing procedure even in this age. Methods We evaluated 5 patients. Samples were taken from the intermediate part of the cystic wall and from the layer covering the cyst during excision. The presence of ovarian tissue adjacent to the cyst wall, and the morphological features of the surrounding tissue were both evaluated. Pelvic ultrasound follow-up was also performed. Results Patients' mean age was 4.5 years (7 days to 12 years). All cysts were removed because all were symptomatic. The mean diameter was 86.6 mm (74-100 mm). Cysts were follicular in 2 cases, serous in other two, and endometriotic in 1 case. Adjacent ovarian tissue was present in 1 of 5 specimens and was approximately 1 to 2 mm in thickness. The layer adjacent to the cystic wall always appeared as normal ovarian tissue. Ultrasound scans at follow-up revealed presence of ovarian tissue. Conclusion The stripping procedure for large ovarian cyst excision allows to spare the adjacent normal ovarian tissue even in pediatric age because ovarian tissue is rarely excised with the cyst wall during the procedure.

Primary Cutaneous Zygomycosis in an Immunodeficient Infant

We report a case of primary cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus species in an infant with a hematological malignancy. Multiple surgical debridements, skin grafting, and intravenous antifungal therapy were necessary to ultimately eradicate the infection. Zygomycotic infections are an emerging concern in immunocompromised patients because of their increased incidence as well as their potential to cause substantial morbidity through both emotional distress and impaired functionality. Because resection is a cornerstone of treatment for zygomycosis, the authors anticipate a growing need for plastic surgery involvement for both surgical debridement with limb and tissue-sparing procedures, and for reconstructive options that effectively treat the disease while preserving both function and esthetics. The plastic surgery literature is reviewed regarding surgical and reconstructive options for this population of patients. This case demonstrates the important role plastic surgeons play in the multidisciplinary treatment of zygomycotic and other opportunistic cutaneous infections.

Laparoscopic removal of endometriomas: sonographic evaluation of residual functioning ovarian tissue

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether and to what extent laparoscopic removal of ovarian endometriotic cysts is a tissue-sparing procedure. Study design At the University Hospital, 77 women of reproductive age with endometriomas and 55 with dermoid cysts underwent laparoscopic removal of the ovarian disease by stripping. Within 1 month before and within 36 months after surgery all patients underwent transvaginal sonographic evaluation of ovarian volume of the endometriomas or dermoid cysts and measurement of the residual ovarian tissue. Results The residual ovarian volume after surgery was significantly less for the endometrioma group than for the dermoid group. Comparison of the volume of the treated ovary with that of the untreated contralateral ovary showed a significant difference (4.3±2.3 cm 3 vs 9.7±3.9 cm 3) only in the endometrioma group. Conclusion Ovarian stripping of endometriomas, but not of ovarian dermoids, is associated with a significant decrease in residual ovarian volume which may result in diminished ovarian reserve and function.