Andrzej Kotela

Blood Vessel Matrix Seeded with Cells: A Better Alternative for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction—A Long-Term Study

Purpose. The aim of this study was to present abdominal wall reconstruction using a porcine vascular graft seeded with MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) on rat model. Material and Methods. Abdominal wall defect was prepared in 21 Wistar rats. Acellular porcine-vascular grafts taken from aorta and prepared with Triton X were used. 14 aortic grafts were implanted in place, of which 7 grafts were seeded with rat MSC cells (Group I), and 7 were acellular grafts (Group II). As a control, 7 standard polypropylene meshes were used for defect augmentation (Group III). The assessment method was performed by HE and CD31 staining after 6 months. The mechanical properties have been investigated by Zwick&Roell Z0.5. Results. The strongest angiogenesis and lowest inflammatory response were observed in Group I. Average capillaries density was 2.75, 0.75, and 1.53 and inflammatory effect was 0.29, 1.39, and 2.72 for Groups I, II, and III, respectively. The means of mechanical properties were 12.74 ± 1.48, 7.27 ± 1.56, and 14.4 ± 3.7 N/cm in Groups I and II and control, respectively. Conclusions. Cell-seeded grafts have better mechanical properties than acellular grafts but worse than polypropylene mesh. Cells improved mechanical and physiological properties of decellularized natural scaffolds.

Cytokines in the pathogenesis of hemophilic arthropathy

Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) is one of the most common and typical manifestation in the course of recurrent bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia. Clinical and subclinical joint bleeding episodes gradually lead to irreversible changes manifesting themselves as pain, progressing ankylosis, marked limitation of the range of motion, muscle atrophy and osteoporosis commonly concomitant with joint deformity resulting from chronic proliferative synovitis and both cartilage and bone degeneration leading to the final functional impairment of the joint. In spite of numerous studies, the pathophysiology of HA has not been fully elucidated, especially as regards immunopathological mechanisms which are associated with the subclinical and early stage of the disease and to be more precise, with chronic joint inflammation. It needs to be emphasized that the pathophysiological processes occurring in a joint with HA are most probably highly mediated by interactions within the cytokine network and other inflammatory mediators present in the tissues of affected joint. Among numerous compounds participating in the induction of an inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of HA, cytokines seem to play a leading role. The most important group controlling the disease seems to be well known inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6. The second group with antagonistic effect is formed by anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10. The role of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of HA with respect to cellular and intracellular signaling pathways is still under investigation. This review, summarizes and discusses the current knowledge about cytokine network in the pathogenesis of HA, indicating possible molecular and cellular mechanisms that may provide potential new therapeutic directions.

The outcomes of cementless total ankle arthroplasty - pilot study.

BACKGROUND Since new generation ankle endoprostheses came into common use, total ankle arthroplasty has become an alternative to arthrodesis in the treatment of advanced osteoarthritis. The aim of paper was present preliminary results of cementless total ankle arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2012-2014, 12 cementless total arthroplasties of the ankle joint with a Mobility implant were conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Warsaw. The patients were 7 women and 5 men aged 27-72 years. Nine of the patients had the arthroplasty procedure due to severe post-traumatic degenerative changes while 3 patients had haemophilic arthropathy. Clinical assessment was based on the AOFAS scale and the VAS pain scale. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS All patients improved considerably. After surgery, the AOFAS score improved by 43.0 (± 7.5) points against baseline while the VAS score improved by 5.2 (± 0.8) points. Imaging studies revealed an anatomical position of the endoprosthesis in all patients and no evidence of implant loosening. CONCLUSIONS 1. Cementless total ankle arthroplasty currently seems to be an optimal solution in the treatment of osteo arthritis of the ankle joint. 2. Correct qualification for surgery is a prerequisite for successful treatment.

Orthopedic procedures in patients with congenital coagulation disorders: single center experience.

BACKGROUND Spontaneous intraarticular bleeds in congenital coagulation disorders result in early and extensive damage to the joints and periarticular structures. Total arthroplasty is the only effective method of treating these defects. Interim surgical procedures (arthroscopy, osteotomy, etc.) exist that can postpone arthroplasty, especially considering the fact that the condition affects young people. The aim of this paper is to discuss the range of trauma care and orthopedic procedures performed in patients with congenital coagulation disorders. Also presented are early results of joint arthroplasty in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 168 trauma care and orthopedic procedures were performed in patients with congenital coagulation disorders at the Clinical Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Warsaw in the years 2010-2013. Among them were total arthroplasties (79 arthroplasties of the knee, 30 of the hip, 3 of the ankle and 1 of the elbow), arthroscopies, filling bone cysts with grafts and trauma procedures. The HHS, KSS, AOFAS and MEPS scales were used to evaluate the respective clinical results of hip, knee, ankle and elbow arthroplasty procedures. A VAS was used to evaluate pain intensity. In knee arthroplasty patients, quality of life parameters were evaluated with the WOMAC index. RESULTS In patients post hip arthroplasty, HHS scores increased by 50.22 points and VAS scores increased by 6.34 points. An increase of 116.41 points in KSS scores and 6.67 points in VAS scores was recorded in patients after knee arthroplasty. Also, WOMAC scores improved by 53.8 points after surgery. Evaluation of early results of ankle arthroplasty in the AOFAS scale showed a mean improvement of 35.5 points and a 5-point improvement in VAS scores. MEPS scores, used for evaluation of elbow arthroplasty results, improved from 15 to 70 points, with an improvement from 6 to 2 points in VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS 1. Orthopedic procedures in patients with congenital coagulation disorders require thorough preparation of the patient and close cooperation between the orthopedic and hematological teams. 2. Early clinical outcomes are promising. 3. Decreased pain intensity, increased joint range of motion and improved quality of life post-surgery are observed.