Baransel Saygi

The effect of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase in the treatment of experimental implant-related infection

BACKGROUND Infection around an implanted orthopaedic device is a devastating complication, and the treatment of infections involving slime-forming bacteria is especially difficult. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a proteolytic enzyme, serratiopeptidase, in the eradication of a periprosthetic infection in an in vivo animal model. METHODS In sixty Sprague-Dawley rats, the medullary canal of the right femur was drilled through the intercondylar notch and was inoculated with a Staphylococcus epidermidis strain (ATCC 35984) with a high slime-producing capacity. The cavity was filled with polymethylmethacrylate cement, and a Kirschner wire that had contact with the knee joint was inserted. None of the animals received any treatment for two weeks. Twenty rats were killed at two weeks after the inoculation in order to determine if the infection had become established. The remaining forty rats were randomized into two groups. One group received serratiopeptidase enzyme injections into the knee joint in addition to antibiotic therapy for four weeks, and the other group received intra-articular saline solution injections together with the same antibiotic therapy. The animals from both groups were killed two weeks after the end of therapy (on Day 56). The knee specimens were evaluated bacteriologically and histologically to determine the prevalence of persistent infection and the effects of the enzyme on local tissue. RESULTS At two weeks, inoculated bacteria grew on culture of specimens from twelve (63.2%) of nineteen animals in the no-treatment group. Microbiological testing suggested that infection persisted in only one (5.6%) of eighteen animals in the serratiopeptidase-and-antibiotic group, whereas it was present in six (37.5%) of sixteen animals in the antibiotic-only group (p = 0.001). Histological evaluation showed similar results (kappa = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS Serratiopeptidase was effective for eradicating infection caused by biofilm-forming bacteria in this experimental animal model. The antibiofilm property of the enzyme may enhance antibiotic efficacy in the treatment of staphylococcal infections.

Accessory lateral discoid meniscus

The lateral meniscus tends to have more developmental variation than the medial counterpart. This is a report of an accessory discoid layer of lateral meniscus. All arthroscopic, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological views are presented.

Factors affecting postoperative mortality in patients older than 65 years undergoing surgery for hip fracture.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting postoperative mortality in patients older than 65 years of age undergoing surgery for hip fracture. METHODS A total of 308 patients (219 males and 89 females) were included into the study. Spinal-epidural anaesthesia was administered in 203 patients and general anaesthesia in 105 patients. In the evaluation of the patients regarding ASA, two groups were determined ASA 1-2 and ASA 3-4. Systemic diseases present in the patients were determined preoperatively. RESULTS Seventy-seven (25%) of the total 308 patients died. In addition, patients with preoperative cardiac disease, patients on whom general anaesthesia was administered, patients in the ASA 3-4 group, and age were found to be significantly higher in mortality. When logistic regression analysis was performed for these four efficient factors, age, general anaesthesia, presence of cardiac disease were effective in mortality. However, ASA score changed depending on the age and cardiac disease. CONCLUSION In case of presence of multiple risk factors, it is necessary to determine which factor is, in fact, more effective. Age, ASA score, type of anaesthesia, and presence of cardiac disease are effective in mortality. However, ASA score affects mortality depending on the cardiac disease and age.

Congenital Absence of the Lateral Sesamoid

Congenital absence of the lateral sesamoid is an extremely rare condition. We present a case of congenital absence of the lateral sesamoid in which magnetic resonance imaging was performed. The literature is reviewed regarding the clinical significance of this anomaly.

The effect of dehydration and irrigation on tendon adhesion formation after tendon exposure

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dehydration due to tendon exposure on adhesion formation on the tendon surface. METHODS Achilles tendons of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically exposed and evaluated. In the control group (Group 1), the wound was closed immediately; and in the remaining two groups, Achilles tendons were exposed to air for 60 minutes without (Group 2) or with (Group 3) regular saline irrigation. After undergoing clinical examination, 50% of rabbits in each group were sacrificed 3 weeks postoperatively and 50% at the 6th postoperative week. RESULTS All tendons exposed to air exhibited mild or moderate degrees of adhesion. Compared to the control group, the incidence of adhesion formation was significantly higher in the groups where tendons had been exposed to air for 60 minutes, whereas no significant difference was found between the irrigated and non-irrigated groups. No limitations or contractures were detected in the hind limbs of the animals at the clinical examination. CONCLUSION Regardless of irrigation, tendons are not prone to form clinically apparent adhesions during operations under 60 minutes of duration.

Calculation of pediatric femoral fracture rotation from direct roentgenograms

BackgroundRadiologic determination of pediatric femoral fracture rotation has been debated. Measuring the antetorsion angle of the fractured femur by computed tomography and comparing it with the opposite side has been the method of choice for this purpose. However, no simple method for direct measurement of femoral fracture rotation exists in the literature. In this study, our aim was to test a mathematical method of measuring the axial plane malrotation from direct roentgenograms.Materials and methodsA pediatric femoral shaft fracture model was produced. The bone was secured to a wooden frame that allowed the distal part of the fracture to rotate around an axis. Radiographs were taken at known intervals of rotation ranging from the neutral position to 60° external rotation and to 60° internal rotation in 5° increments of rotation. Five independent, blinded observers measured the radiographs and calculated the fracture rotation according to a standard formula. Calculated rotation values were compared with known rotation values.ResultsCalculated rotation values were close to actual rotation values throughout the arc of rotation. The mean absolute error of five observers for all measurements of external and internal rotation was 3.97° (±0.83). The correlation coefficient between calculated and actual rotation values was 0.9927. The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for calculated rotation was 0.997.ConclusionsAbsolute error and correlation coefficient values indicate that this method is accurate and reliable in determining the fracture rotation.

Bicortical versus unicortical pedicle screws in direct vertebral rotation: an in vitro experimental study.

Study Design: In vitro experimental study. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical properties of bicortically placed and laterally oriented screws, which may represent an alternative approach for challenging sites during direct vertebral rotation (DVR). Summary of Background Data: DVR corrects the transverse plane deformity and the thoracic hump in idiopathic scoliosis. However, instrumentation of the convex side of the scoliosis apex may pose a challenge, not allowing the placement of suitable sized screws in adequate direction. Methods: Forty‐eight calf vertebrae were used and each vertebral body was instrumented with 1 pedicle screw as follows: unicortical group (n=16), a short screw was unicortically placed and directed laterally; bicortical group (n=16), a short screw was bicortically placed again in lateral direction; control group (n=16), a screw with ideal length and direction was placed. Vertebral bodies were rigidly anchored in a custom device. Each screw was rotated using a constant length lever arm while collecting “force to failure” data. Results: Significantly better results were obtained with bicortical screwing when compared with unicortical screwing (335.4±45.6 vs. 239.5±58.50 N, P<0.001). However, mean “force to failure” was significantly higher in the controls than in the bicortical group (415.8±49.2 vs. 335.4±45.6 N, P<0.001). Conclusions: Bicortical screw placement may provide a biomechanically superior construct than unicortical screw placement for resisting DVR maneuver during scoliosis correction. This technique may represent an effective and safe approach, particularly for the convex side of the scoliosis apex, with increased resistance to derotational forces and decreased risk of bone failure. Further clinical studies are warranted for firmer conclusions.

Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation of the Little Toe

A 19-year-old woman presented with pain at the lateral side of the fifth toe of her left foot, which was separated from the adjacent toe. Initial examination suggested dislocation of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint due to a past fracture. Radiographs showed a mass arising from the proximal phalanx of the little toe, with no medullary and cortical continuity. Excisional biopsy of the mass was performed, and a histologic diagnosis of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of bone (Noras lesion) was made.

A comparison of full arthroscopic and arthroscopic-assisted mini-open repair methods in rotator cuff tears 1–3 cm in size

Introduction Retrospective evaluation of rotator cuff repair with arthroscopic or arthroscopic-assisted mini-open methods for a diagnosis of non-retracted rotator cuff tear. Materials and methods A total of 45 patients underwent rotator cuff repair; Group 1 (n = 24) with arthroscopic-assisted mini-open method and Group 2 (n = 21) with full arthroscopic method. Results Within both Group 1 and Group 2, a statistically significant results is p = 0.001. The patients of Group 2 were seen to return to daily life earlier than those of Group 1 (p = 0.001). Conclusions Patients where full arthroscopic repair was applied, there was evidence of an earlier return to daily life. Level of evidence IV, retrospective comparative study.

Accessory Lesser Metatarsal Sesamoids in All of the Metatarsophalangeal Joints

Lesser metatarsal sesamoids are one of the most common accessory bones of the foot and are most commonly seen at the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint. They are rarely seen in other metatarsophalangeal joints. In the literature, there are reports of solitary accessory sesamoid bones seen at lesser metatarsophalangeal joints. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with lesser metatarsal sesamoids accompanying all of the metatarsophalangeal joints.