VAS Pain Score Research Articles

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh with fascial repair (IPOM plus) for ventral and incisional hernia

Abdominal wall surgery for ventral hernia is one of the commonest procedures performed by the surgeons. The aim of the study is to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic IPOM plus approach. Materials and methods. This study describes 70 patients who underwent laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair plus (IPOM plus) for ventral and incisional hernia. These were then followed up for a period of a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 5 years. Results. Of the 70 patients, 8 (11.43 %) linea alba hernias, 28 (40.00 %) umbilical hernias, 34 (48.57 %) had incisional hernias. The distribution based on ASA score: I – 23 (32.86 %) patients, II – 39 (55.71 %), III – 8 (11.43 %). The mean age was 50.21 ± 0.89 years (M ± m). Male to female ratio was 1.19:1.00. Average defect size was 4.77 ± 0.21 cm (M ± m). Mean operating time was 58.27 ± 0.52 minutes (M ± m). Mean post-op hospital stay was 1.84 ± 0.06 days (M ± m). Intensity of pain by VAS pain score was 5.11 ± 0.92, 4.47 ± 0.31, 2.90 ± 0.72, 0.92 ± 0.81 (M ± m) after 6 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, 6 weeks respectively. No conversion to open laparotomy was required. Reported complications were port-site seroma 3 (4.29 %), port-site hematoma 1 (1.43 %) over one year of follow-up. 62 (88.57 %) patients were evaluated over 21 months follow-up period, no complications have been reported. Conclusions. Obtained results showed that the IPOM plus repair is safe and may be used for routine laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair, the closure of fascial defect appears to give chance for good fixation of the mesh and decrease postoperative morbidity.

At Low Temperature Plasma Preoperative and Postoperative of Chronic Tonsillitis Tonsillectomy

Objective to explore the clinical efficacy of low-temperature plasma tonsillectomy in the treatment of patients with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy. Methods: 100 patients with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from August 2021 to August 2023 were randomly selected as the research subjects. Based on the voluntary principle and different treatment plans, The patients were divided into two groups. 50 patients who underwent dissection tonsillectomy treatment were selected into the control group, and 50 patients who underwent low-temperature plasma tonsillectomy were selected into the observation group. The differences in clinical indicators between the two groups of patients were compared, The pain levels of patients at different postoperative periods were evaluated, and the differences in serum inflammatory factor levels were detected. Results: Compared with the control group, after surgical treatment, the operation time, and intra-operative bleeding volume of the blood observation group were significantly shorter, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after surgery in the observation group. The Visual analogue scale VAS pain scores at 7 days were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); after surgery in the observation group, the patient's high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (14.18±0.51) mg/L, Tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) (4.23±0.31) pg/ml was significantly less, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); 5 patients in the observation group suffered from postoperative bleeding and complications The incidence rate was 16.00%, which was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.588, P<0.05). Conclusion: From our study it was able to show that tonsillectomy for adults and children with recurrent tonsillitis were widely used which improves health and quality of life and reduces the need to consume medical resources. When low-temperature plasma tonsillectomy is used in the clinical treatment of patients with chronic tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy, the inoperative blood loss of the patients is significantly reduced, the clinical pain of the patients is further relieved, and the serum inflammatory factor levels of the patients are adjusted.

Topical Chinese patent medicines for chronic musculoskeletal pain: systematic review and trial sequential analysis

PurposeChronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is defined as persistent or recurrent pain that occurs in the joints, musculo-soft tissue, spine or bones for more than three months and is not completely curable. Although topical Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is the most extensively utilized medication in Asia and is widely used for pain management, its efficacy remains controversial. This article presents a systematic review of clinical studies on the therapeutic properties of topical CPM for CMP patients to better inform clinical decision-making and provide additional and safer treatment options for patients with CMP.MethodWe performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, web of science and Chinese databases (CNKI and WanFang data) from 2010 to 2022. In all the studies, knee osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, low back pain, and periarthritis of shoulder met the International Pain Association definition of chronic musculoskeletal pain. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using topical CPM primarily for chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. To determine the effect of topical CPM on clinical symptoms, we extracted the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, range 0–10) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index pain scores (WOMAC pain, range 0–20), in which the lower the score, the better the results. We also accepted the comprehensive outcome criteria developed by the Chinese National Institute of Rheumatology as an endpoint (total effectiveness rate, range 0–100%, higher score = better outcome), which assesses the overall pain, physical function and wellness. Finally, trial sequential analysis of VAS pain score and total effectiveness rate was performed using TSA software.ResultsTwenty-six randomized controlled trials (n = 3180 participants) compared topical CPM with oral Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (n = 15), topical NSAIDs (n = 9), physiotherapy (n = 5), exercise therapy (n = 4), and intra-articular Sodium hyaluronate injection (n = 2). Sixteen studies found that topical CPM was statistically significant in improving CMP pain (measured by VAS pain and Womac pain scores)(p < 0.05), and 12 studies found topical CPMs to be more clinically effective (assessed by ≥ 30% reduction in symptom severity) in treating patients with CMP (p < 0.05). Trial sequential analysis indicates that the current available evidence is robust, and further studies cannot reverse this result. In most of the studies, randomisation, allocation concealment and blinding were not sufficiently described, and no placebo-controlled trials were identified.ConclusionMost studies showed superior analgesic effects of topical CPM over various control treatments, suggesting that topical CPM may be effective for CMP and is an additional, safe and reasonable treatment option. These reported benefits should be validated in higher-quality RCTs.

Inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Related Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Moderate to Severe Pain.

Pain in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients is closely associated with psychological factors, including anxiety, stress, and depression, and is a critical determinant of patient daily functionality and overall quality of life. The present study evaluated the effects of inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens (geranium) essential oil (GEO) on pain and related psychological factors in LSS patients. Fifty-nine patients, categorized as having mild or moderate to severe pain based on pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were randomly assigned to inhalation of 1% GEO or placebo control (PC). No significant differences between GEO and PC were observed in patients with mild pain, whereas differences in anxiety-VAS and stress-VAS scores were observed in patients with moderate to severe pain. Anxiety-VAS and stress-VAS scores decreased significantly after GEO but not after PC inhalation. Regardless of the severity of pain, post-intervention pain-VAS scores were significantly lower in the GEO group than in the PC group. In summary, GEO reduced pain and improved anxiety and stress, particularly among patients with moderate to severe pain. These findings suggest that GEO inhalation may have potential as an adjunct therapy for improving pain management and alleviating anxiety and stress in LSS patients with insufficient responses to pharmacological pain control.

Positive outcomes following Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) in the treatment of retropatellar chondral lesions: a retrospective analysis of a patient registry

BackgroundThe patellofemoral joint is a challenging environment for treating chondral defects. Among the surgical options for the treatment of chondral defects, the single-stage Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) procedure uses a porcine collagen I/III membrane to enhance bone-marrow stimulation. However, longer term outcomes data are rare for this specific indication. In order to provide real-world information, an ongoing registry has been established to record patient data and outcomes when AMIC is used to treat chondral and osteochondral lesions.MethodsPatient data were retrieved from an ongoing, prospective, multisite registry of patients who had undergone AMIC treatment of chondral defects. We identified 64 patients who had undergone AMIC for patellofemoral chondral defects and for whom pre-operative and at least 1 post-operative score were available were included in this retrospective data analysis. Outcomes were assessed via the KOOS, VAS pain, and the Lysholm scores. Outcomes at the post-operative time-points were analysed using a factorial ANOVA with post-hoc testing while linear regression was used to assess associations between the change in the Lysholm score and lesion size.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in Lysholm, VAS pain, and KOOS scores from pre-operative to the 1st year post-operative (p < 0.001), and this was maintained during the follow-up.ConclusionsThe forces exerted on the patellofemoral joint make this a challenging scenario for chondral repair. Our data demonstrates that the AMIC procedure with a collagen I/III membrane is an effective treatment for retropatellar cartilage lesions, and provides reliable results, with decreased pain and improved function. Importantly, these improvements were maintained through the follow-up period.

A pilot study of intraoperative application of cooled radiofrequency to reduce post-operative pain following total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundTotal Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful treatment for end stage knee osteoarthritis (OA), but can be associated with significant pain in the early post-operative period. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has reported to reduce knee OA pain by targeting the periarticular nerves. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of intra-operative CRFA for reducing pain and opiate use after TKA. MethodsThis was a non randomised prospective study with control group. Participants were sequentially recruited preoperatively and underwent TKA, with CRFA to 6 targeted sites prior to cementing of implants, and were compared to controls who underwent TKA without CRFA. The primary outcome was Day 3 pain scores, and secondary outcomes included week one pain scores, and opiate use up to six weeks post-operative. Results17 participants were recruited to the control group and 12 were recruited to the CRFA group. There was no significant difference in demographics or baseline pain scores between the groups. On day 2 the CRFA group had a lower mean pain VAS score of 3.2 compared to 4.4 in the control group (p = 0.03). The mean post operative VAS pain score did not differ between the groups for Day 1, 3, 4, or any other time points up to 6 weeks. There were no significant reduction in opiate use in the CRFA group compared to the control group. There were no adverse events. ConclusionThis study demonstrated intra-operative CRFA was not effective in reducing pain by 50% after TKA in a pilot study.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Shut Down Did Not Adversely Affect Outcomes of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Introduction We investigated whether patients who received an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) in January-March 2020 had a difference in outcomes compared to patients who received it the previous year. Materials and Methods Institutional records were queried to identify patients who underwent an arthroscopic RCR between 1/1/19 to 3/17/19 and 1/1/20 to 3/17/20. The 2020 patients were contacted by phone in October 2022 for follow-up. Patients were divided into cohorts based on year of surgery. Demographic information, range of motion (ROM), and physical therapy were analyzed using inferential statistics. Results This study identified 50 and 51 patients in 2020 and 2019, who had a minimum of 1 year follow-up. Rotator cuff repairs done in 2019 had improvements in forward elevation (FE) (135º to 161º; p&lt;0.01) and internal rotation (IR) (L4 to L1; p-value&lt;0.01) whereas those done in 2020 did not improve their forward elevation (146º to 151º; p=0.42) or internal rotation (L3 to L2; p=0.29). Patients in 2019 completed more physical therapy sessions (2019: 25.0; 2020: 16.7; p&lt;0.01). Patients in 2020 also experienced a significant delay from date of surgery to date of first physical therapy session (2019: 28.5 ± 11.9 days; 2020: 35.0 ± 16.5 days; p-value=0.03). Of the 2020 patients, 8% (4/50) patients did not initiate physical therapy after RCR, 16% (8/50) reported a delay in physical therapy while 44% (22/50) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic affected their recovery following RCR. At final follow up, patients reported a SANE score of 78.2 ± 12.1 on the affected shoulder, 91.3 ± 10.4 on the unaffected shoulder, a mean VAS pain score of 2.3 ± 1.8. Discussion Patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR in early 2020 had a longer delay to starting PT, did less PT overall, but still had comparable range of motion and strength at final follow-up.

Radiological and Functional Outcomes of Conservatively Managed Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures at the Thoracolumbar Junction: A Cross Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE This study examined how osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) patients treated conservatively at a multi-specialty hospital were progressing clinically and radiologically. METHODS This cross sectional, observational study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India during the period of July 2021 to October 2021. Cases with at least a 6-month follow-up were evaluated. VAS pain score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and local kyphotic angle (COBB’s angle) at the time of fracture and at the latest follow-up were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS There were 30 patients (female: male = 2.75:1) with a mean age of 67.37 years (45-85). The average VAS score at the time of fracturewas 8 (6 to 10) and at the time of final follow-up was 2 (1 to 6) (p = 0.001). The average ODI score at the time of fracture was 44 (35 to 62) and at the time of final follow up was 5 (4 to 40) (p = 0.001). The average Cobb’s angle at the time of fracture was 14.31o and at the final follow up was 15.66o (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Conservative management of OVF can lead to an increase in the local kyphotic angle. The fact that the patients experienced significant decreases in VAS pain scores and ODI scores by the final follow-up leads to the conclusion that patients can have a good quality of life even with conservative management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. KEYWORDS conservative management, osteoporotic, thoracolumbar, vertebral fracture

Published- Comparison between supra-scapular nerve block combined with axillary nerve block and interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia following shoulder arthroscopy

Background &amp; objective: Inter-scalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard for postoperative pain management in shoulder surgery. Although, this method has its side-effects and possibly complications. Supra-scapular nerve block and axillary nerve block have also been used in upper limb procedures. We compared ISB with the blockade of supra-scapular and axillary nerves (called shoulder block) for postoperative analgesia after shoulder arthroscopic surgical operation under ultrasound guidance (USG) and nerve stimulators.&#x0D; Methodology: It was a prospective, randomized, comparative study.&#x0D; Results: The VAS pain scores at different times postoperatively were not significantly different between the ISB and ShB groups (P = t 0.071, 0.28, 0.378, 0.358, 0.451 at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h respectively. VAS 0 was significantly difference (P = 0.029) but still the VAS score was less than 3, so no pain killers were given.&#x0D; Conclusion: Ultrasound guided supra-scapular and axillary nerve blocks ae equally effective as inter-scalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia in shoulder arthroscopic surgery with less side-effects.&#x0D; Abbreviations: ANB: Axillary Nerve Block; ISB: Interscalene Block; MAC: Minimum OR: Operating Room; REC: Research Ethics Committee; ShB: Shoulder Block; SSB: Supra-scapular Nerve Block; VAS: Visual Analogue Scale&#x0D; Citation: Elbermway MS, Elshantory SF, Aly RM, Mahran MG. Comparison between supra-scapular nerve block combined with axillary nerve block and interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia following shoulder arthroscopy. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2022;26(5):674−680; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v26i5.2026&#x0D;

#196 : Office Hysteroscopy Results in Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure at Tam Anh General Hospital

Background and Aims: To describe the clinical characteristics and evaluate the results of office hysteroscopy in patients with recurrent implantation failure at Tam Anh General Hospital. Methods: A descriptive study on 151 patients at Tam Anh General Hospital who had failed embryo transfer twice or more consecutively was carried out from January 2021 to March 2023. Results: 151 patients were included in the study, 41,1% of which had unexplained infertility. The mean age and duration of infertility were 34,5 ± 5,2 years and 5,7 ± 3,4 years, respectively. 55,0% of patients exhibited uterine cavity abnormalities during office hysteroscopy, with the most common is endometritis accounting for 29.8%. The median time to perform the procedure was 3 (2) minutes, the mean VAS pain score was 3,2 ± 1,1 points. No complications related to office hysteroscopy were noted. Conclusions: A office hysteroscopy was able to detect intrauterine pathologies which were missed by other investigative modalities. In individuals who have experienced repeated implantation failure, office hysteroscopy is a safe and practical approach that should be recognized as a crucial tool for intrauterine evaluation.

Ten-Year Outcomes of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion : A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and comparative retrospective cohort studies. The purpose of this study is to compare the 10-year outcomes of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) with those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). ACDF is the gold standard for the treatment of CDDD. However, the loss of motion at the operative level may accelerate adjacent segment disease (ASD). The preservation of motion with CDA attempts to prevent this complication of cervical fusion. Short-term and mid-term data reveal comparable results for CDA versus ACDF; however, long-term results are unknown. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to determine if CDA had improved outcomes compared with ACDF at 10-year follow-up. PubMed and Web of Science database searches through 2023 were performed to identify randomized controlled trials and comparative retrospective cohort studies involving treatment of one-level or two-level CDDD. Six studies were eligible for analysis. CDA had significantly improved neck disability index and visual analog scale scores but lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores compared to ACDF at 10-year follow-up ( P < 0.05). None of these results met minimal clinically important differences. CDA had significantly fewer secondary surgeries and adverse events compared to ACDF ( P <0.05). There were no significant differences in neurological success. The authors found that significantly fewer secondary surgeries and adverse events were seen after CDA than after ACDF at 10-year follow-up. CDA had statistically, but not clinically, improved neck disability index and visual analog scale scores but lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores in comparison to ACDF. CDA was not significantly different from ACDF in terms of a successful neurological outcome.

Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and the impact of postoperative intravenous dexamethasone supplementation.

Postoperative care pathways for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion have demonstrated decreases in postoperative opioid consumption, improved pain control, and lead to decreased lengths of stay. Our objective was to implement postoperative steroids to reduce acute postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and length of stay. Dosing consisted of intravenous dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg up to 4 mg per dose for a total of three doses at 8, 16, and 24 h postoperatively. As part of a quality initiative, we compared three cohorts of patients. The initial retrospective epidural cohort (EPI) (n = 59) had surgeon placed epidural catheters with infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% postoperatively for 18-24 h. Following an institutional change in postoperative care, epidural use was discontinued. A second cohort (n = 149), with prospectively collected data, received a surgeon placed erector spinae plane block and wound infiltration with a combination of liposomal and plain bupivacaine (LB). A third cohort (n = 168) was evaluated prospectively. This cohort received a surgeon placed erector spinae plane block and wound infiltration with liposomal and plain bupivacaine and additionally received postoperative dexamethasone for three doses (LB + D). Compared to the LB cohort, the LB + D cohort demonstrated statistically significant decreases in oral milligram morphine equivalents per kilogram at 0-24, 24-48, and 48-72 h. There was a statistically significant difference in median pain scores at 24-48 and 48-72 h in LB + D versus LB. The LB + D cohort's median length of stay in hours was significantly less compared to the LB cohort (52 h vs. 70 h, p < 0.0001). Postoperative intravenous dexamethasone was added to an established postoperative care pathway for patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis resulting in decreased VAS pain scores, opioid consumption, and shorter length of stay.

Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided versus Landmark-based Glucocorticoid Injection in the Treatment of First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis is a debilitating degenerative disease more pronounced in elderly affecting many joints. The first carpometacarpal joint (CMC1) is commonly affected. Pain is the major complaint, which can impact patient’s daily activities. Intra-articular glucocorticoid injection can be considered if conservative measures fail and ultrasound guided injection might be superior to the traditional anatomic landmark-guided technique. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus landmark-based approach to intra-articular CMC1 injection using the Australian Canadian osteoarthritis hand index (AUSCAN). Methods: Adult patients diagnosed with symptomatic CMC1 osteoarthritis who failed conservative measures were enrolled. In this prospective observational cohort study, utilizing a convenience sample, intra-articular corticosteroid injection was administered either by ultrasound-guided technique or landmark-based approach. Pain, stiffness and function in 10-points scale at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: There were 33 patients enrolled. Mean age was 63 years, with females making up the majority of participants (n = 28, 84.8%). Mean duration of CMC1 pain was 10 months (SD=2.5) up to the point of receiving the injection. Ultrasound guided injection was performed in 60.6% (n=20), while 39.4% (n=13) had the landmark approach. Both groups achieved a statistically and clinically significant level of change in AUSCAN score at week 6 (P≤ 0.05) but with a recurrence of symptoms at week 12 (P ≤ 0.05). At both intervals the AUSCAN scores were better than baseline (P ≤ 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding baseline pain VAS score (mean ultrasound group= 6.6 vs landmark group= 7.5; P = 0.18). No significant differences were identified between two groups in terms of changes from baseline to 6, 12 and between 6 to 12 weeks in pain, stiffness and hand function (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: No difference was found between the ultrasound-guided and landmark-based approaches for CMC1 injection on pain score, stiffness, or function.

Preoperative Indicators of the Effectiveness of Surgical Release in Patients with de Quervain Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

A significant proportion of patients report persistent pain after surgical release for de Quervain disease (DQ). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a surgical release for DQ and to identify the preoperative factors associated with pain after a surgical release for DQ. This prospective cohort study included 707 patients who underwent surgical release and completed a visual analogue scale questionnaire (VAS; range 0 to 100). We used a paired t test to analyze the effectiveness of the surgical release on pain at 3 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative measure. A hierarchical multivariable linear regression model was created to investigate the contribution of patient-related and disease-related characteristics to postoperative pain. All VAS domains showed improvement after surgical release. On average, the mean VAS pain decreased by 44 points (95% CI, 42, 46). Smoking (B = 6.37; P < 0.01), younger age (B = -0.35; P < 0.01), longer duration of complaints (B = 0.13; P < 0.01), concomitant surgery (B = 14.40; P < 0.01), and higher VAS pain scores at intake (B = 0.15; P < 0.01) were associated with worse VAS pain scores postoperatively. Together, the variables explained 11% of the variance in mean VAS pain score at 3 months follow-up. This study confirms that surgical treatment for DQ significantly reduces patient-reported pain. Smoking, younger age, concomitant surgery, duration of complaints, and higher VAS pain scores at intake are associated with worse patient-reported pain 3 months after surgical release. However, the small effects suggest that these factors should not be considered the only important factors. Risk, III.

Treatment Effect of Zoledronic Acid in Chronic Non-bacterial Osteomyelitis of the Jaw: A Case Series

Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory, osteolytic bone disorder sometimes localized to a unifocal site in the jaw, causing long-term pain and reduced function. The aim of this study was to describe the patients with CNO of the jaw, focusing on treatment with zoledronic acid for pain relief. An analysis of medical records of 24 patients with CNO of the jaw, including treatment with zoledronic acid and effects on pain relief. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to describe the population and compare treatment effects, respectively. The average treatment period was 33.4 months (median 23; Q1 11.5; Q3 42.0) with an average of 4.1 infusions (median 3; Q1 2; Q3 5) of zoledronic acid. The average pain VAS score (visual analogue scale) was significantly reduced from 7.7 (median 8; Q1 6.5; Q3 8.5) to 2.5 points (median 2; Q1 0.5; Q3 4.5) (p < 0.001). At final visit, 46% of patients reported no pain and 38% reported a reduction of pain. At least 67% of patients had at least one episode of pain recurrence, and most patients experienced the first recurrence within a year of initial treatment. Four patients (16%) had no pain relief from the treatment. In this group of patients with CNO of the jaw, there was a positive response to treatment with zoledronic acid on pain relief, averaging 5.2 points on a pain VAS score, with 84% of patients treated experiencing either a partial or a total reduction in pain after about 2.5 years.

Tubeless PCNL versus standard PCNL for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones: a propensity score matching analysis

PurposeIn this study, the feasibility of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones was investigated.MethodsFrom January 2021 to December 2022, the clinical data of 273 patients who received tubeless PCNL (Group A) were studied. The control group includes clinical data from 302 patients (from January 2019 to October 2022) who received standard PCNL (Group B). The baseline characteristics were consistent between the two groups after using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Compare the preoperative clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, residual stones, catheterization time, and hospital stay between the two groups.Results146 pairs of patients were successfully paired through PSM. There was no statistically significant difference in operative time, blood leukocyte counts, haemoglobin decrease, fever, urinary extravasation, sepsis, bleeding, blood transfusion rates, embolism, and residual stones after surgery between the two groups; Postoperative day 1 and discharge day, the VAS pain score in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B. The catheterization time and hospitalization time of patients in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B.ConclusionAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, selecting suitable patients for tubeless PCNL is safe and effective, while significantly alleviating pain and reducing catheterization time and hospital stay.

Radiologic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes in stemless reverse shoulder arthroplasty at a mean of 46 months

BackgroundThe humeral stem can be a cause of problems in shoulder arthroplasty, for example loss of bone stock, intraoperative and postoperative periprosthetic fractures or postoperative infections involving the medullary canal. Therefore, stemless reverse shoulder arthroplasty (slRSA) has gained popularity, particularly in terms of preserving bone stock. However, there is limited data available on the mid-term outcomes of slRSA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and patient-reported outcomes of slRSA at a minimum follow-up period of two years. MethodsData on all stemless reverse shoulder prostheses implanted between January 2016 and October 2020 were collected. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively. Clinical and radiological data as well as patient-reported outcomes measures (PROM) were assessed with validated questionnaires (UCLA, ASES, Quick-Dash, VAS pain, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Constant-Murley Score (CS)). All patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. ResultsDuring the observation period, 26 shoulders in 25 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 46.8 (range 25 -66) months. The mean age was 70.1 years (range 59.9 – 86.4 years). At most recent follow-up, a significant improvement was noted in the ASES score (55.9±19.9 vs. 85.6±10.7, p<0.001), SSV (44.3±18.7 vs. 85.3±10.4, p<0.001), Quick-Dash-Score (40.6±22.0 vs. 17.8±13.9, p<0.001), VAS pain score (4.6±3.2 vs. 0.9±1.2, p<0.001) and ROM in flexion (66±53 vs. 154±22, p<0.001) as well as in the absolute (44.1±18.7 vs. 83.1±10.1, p<0.001) and relative CS (62.1±27.8 vs. 111.9±13.3, p<0.001). Scapular notching was observed in 16% of cases, and radiolucent lines were detected in 28% of cases without symptoms of implant loosening. No revision was necessitated by any causes related to the stemless humeral component. ConclusionsWith an ASES score showing a 30-point improvement and thus exceeding the MCID of 21 points and no revisions due to the stemless component, these results indicate that slRSA is a viable option, providing good to excellent mid-term outcomes that are comparable to those of stemmed reverse shoulder prostheses, with the added advantage of bone stock preservation.

Autologous Fat Grafting for Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Fat grafting has been described as a potential treatment for post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS)following oncological breast surgery. The study's aim was to compare and contrast the current literature using a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the evidence. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Databases, including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), were searched. Data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK), with 95% confidence intervals. All randomised controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies comparing lipofilling for PMPS were included. A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria with five articles being used in data analysis for the mean percentage reduction in visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The primary outcome measure was the mean percentage reduction in the VASpain score. Secondary outcomes included the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) and the quality of life assessments post treatment. Overall, a total of 266 patients received fat transfer for PMPS, and 164 were in the control group. The mean percentage reduction in VAS score was 19.8 (10.82, 28.82;p < 0.0001). Secondary outcomes, including health-related quality of life, showed good outcomes post fat transfer. This involved breast softness, cosmesis, and psychosocial well-being. The results from this meta-analysis suggest that autologous fat grafting is an efficacious treatment for reducing pain caused by PMPS. The authors suggest more high-quality trials are needed to enhance the current evidence base.

Preliminary report on a novel technique for endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy: a case-control study.

Endoscopic transaxillary approaches to thyroidectomy have been well described and gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy (GTET) is the most popular method. However, this require a single long axillary incision which is longer than most remote access thyroidectomy procedures. The authors improved the GTET and provided a novel way to access the thyroid. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of our novel transaxillary thyroidectomy procedure and to attempt to reduce the size of the scar and reduce the flap creation area. One hundred sixteen patients who underwent our novel transaxillary thyroidectomy procedure were compared with the patients who underwent open and GTET procedures. The patients' demographics, outcomes, and complications were analyzed. Although the operation time (121.48±23.91mins) was longer in the novel endoscopic group compare to the open group, it was shorter than GTET group. Intraoperative blood loss was similar between the groups. However, the novel procedure group had more drainage volume within 48 postoperative hours compare to other two groups. Despite the VAS pain score did not reveal a difference between the open and novel endoscopic procedure, it was lower in the novel procedure than GTET. The hospital stay days did not show a difference between the two groups. The number of resected central lymph nodes was similar between the groups. Differences did not reveal between the groups regarding to the complications rate. Our results showed that our novel transaxillary thyroidectomy procedure is feasible and safe. This procedure can be an alternative endoscopic transaxillary method for thyroidectomy.

Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Independently Tensioned Suture Tape Augmentation at 5-Year Follow-up

Background: Reconstruction using autograft remains the gold standard surgical treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, up to 10% to 15% of patients will suffer a graft failure in the future. Cadaveric studies have demonstrated that the addition of suture tape augmentation to ACL autograft constructs can increase graft strength and reduce elongation under cyclical loading. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and rerupture rates after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with suture tape augmentation. We hypothesized that augmentation with suture tape would lead to lower rerupture rates. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients undergoing primary ACLR using hamstring or patellar tendon autografts augmented with suture tape between 2015 and 2019 were recruited prospectively. Patients with multiligament injuries or a concomitant lateral extra-articular procedure were excluded. Patients were observed in person for 6 months, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. All patients were contacted, and records were reviewed to determine the incidence of graft failure. PROMs collected were as follows: Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Tegner and Marx activity scores, and visual analog scale for pain (VAS). Results: A total of 97 patients, with a mean age of 34.7 (±13.4) years, were included (76% men; 52 hamstring and 45 patellar tendon grafts). The mean graft diameter was 8 (±1) mm. There was 1 rerupture (1.1%) out of the 90 patients who were contactable at a mean of 5 years postoperatively. Median KOOS scores at 2 years were as follows: Pain, 94; Symptoms, 86; Activities of Daily Living, 99; Sport and Recreation, 82; and Quality of Life, 81. The postoperative scores were significantly higher than the preoperative scores (P < .001). The VR-12 Physical score improved from 43 preoperatively to 55 at 2 years and remained at 56 at 5 years. The VAS pain, Tegner, and Marx scores were 0, 6, and 9, respectively, at 2 years postoperatively. There was no difference in PROMs between graft types. Conclusion: This study demonstrates encouraging results of suture tape augmentation of autograft ACLR for both hamstring and patellar tendon grafts. The failure rate of 1.1% at a mean follow-up of 5 years is lower than published rates for reconstruction, and PROMs results are satisfactory. The technique is safe to use and may permit a return to the preinjury sporting level with a lower chance of reinjury.