Baris Kocaoglu

The use of screw at the fracture level in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Study Design In this prospective randomized study, the results of treating unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures by pedicle instrumentation with and without fracture level screw combination were given. Objective Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of fracture level screw combination in achieving and maintaining correction in the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. Summary of Background Data Most authors reported that intraoperative correction of sagittal deformity is important for the maintenance of fracture reduction and is one of the most consistent predictor of satisfactory functional outcome. Methods Seventy-two patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were randomized into 4 groups with equal number of patients. In group 1, patients were treated by segmental posterior instrumentation with 2 levels above and 2 levels below the fracture level fixation, in group 2 they were treated as in group 1 with fracture level screw incorporation. In group 3, patients were treated by short-segment posterior instrumentation with 1 level above and 1 level below, in group 4 they were treated by short-segment posterior instrumentation with fracture level screw incorporation. Clinical and radiologic parameters were evaluated before surgery, after surgery, and at follow-up. Results The average follow-up was 50 months. Fracture level screw combination provided better intraoperative correction and maintenance in the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures, which was more prevalent in short-segment fixation group. Conclusions Reinforcement with fracture level screw combination can help to provide better kyphosis correction and offers immediate spinal stability in patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture.

Single-row versus double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in small- to medium-sized tears

HYPOTHESIS Double-row rotator cuff repair leads to superior cuff integrity and clinical results compared with single-row repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study enrolled 68 patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear who were divided into 2 groups of 34 patients according to repair technique. The patients were followed-up for at least 2 years. The results were evaluated by Constant score. DISCUSSION Despite the biomechanical studies and cadaver studies that proved the superiority of double-row fixation over single-row fixation, our clinical results show no difference in functional outcome between the two methods. It is evident that double-row repair is more technically demanding, expensive, and time-consuming than single-row repair, without providing a significant improvement in clinical results. RESULTS Comparison between groups did not show significant differences. At the final follow-up, the Constant score was 82.2 in the single-row group and 78.8 in the double-row group. Functional outcome was improved in both groups after surgery, but the difference between the 2 groups was not significant. CONCLUSIONS At long-term follow-up, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the double-row technique showed no significant difference in clinical outcome compared with single-row repair in small to medium tears.

Open Versus Minimal Invasive Repair With Achillon Device

Background: We prospectively analyzed and compared the functional and clinical results of patients with standard open and minimally invasive repair with the Achillon suture system at mid-term followup. Materials and Methods: From February 2004 to May 2007, 40 consecutive patients were operated for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture with two different methods. None of the cases required adjunctive procedures like plantaris, flexor hallucis longus or gastrocnemius augmentation (Lindholm, Bosworth) to allow for acceptable end to end apposition. The patients were divided equally into two groups. In Group 1, only Krakow end-to-end suturing technique and in Group 2, Minimal invasive repair with Achillon suture system (Integra Life Sciences Corporation, Plainsboro, NJ) was used respectively. The average age of the patients was 40 years. Patients in study groups were followed up at mean of 22.4 (range, 10 to 48) months after surgery. At the end of the followup time, functional outcome scores and complications were evaluated. Results: The AOFAS hindfoot clinical outcome scores were 98.7 in Group 1, 96.8 in Group 2. Although there was a numerical increase in AOFAS Scores in Group 1, there was no significant difference. The surgical outcome concerning local tenderness, skin adhesions, scar and tendon thickness was better in Group 2 than in Group 1 with statistical significance. Conclusion: Although functional outcomes of both treatment groups were the same, minimally invasive repair with the Achillon suture system provided safe, reliable and practical treatment with low risk of complications in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.

Incidence of Chondral Lesions of Talar Dome in Ankle Fracture Types

Background: Although the surgical treatment of ankle fractures is well known, a paucity of literature exists correlating chondral lesions with ankle fracture types. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of patients with absence or presence of chondral lesions that underwent arthroscopically assisted open reduction and internal fixation between June 2002 and April 2005. There were 38 female and 48 male patients (mean age, 41.4 years; mean followup, 33.9 months), and all had an Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score. The relationship between fracture types and presence of lesions was evaluated. Results: Four of 27 fractures with chondral lesions consisted of the bimalleolar type, 6 of 15 fractures with chondral lesions consisted of the trimalleolar type, and 14 of 20 distal fibula fractures had chondral lesions. There was significant greater incidence of chondral lesions associated with distal fibula fractures. The mean AOFAS score was 95.6 among all fractures. Conclusion: There is clear evidence that despite anatomic reduction, postoperative results of ankle fracture repair are not free of complications. We believe inspection of the talar dome should be routinely considered in the surgical repair ankle fractures.

Arthroscopic repair of radial lateral menicus tear by double horizontal sutures with inside–outside technique

The purpose of this prospective study is to report the outcome of arthroscopic repair of radial lateral meniscus tears at the junction of the anterior horn and body. Five patients with an average age of 27 years were treated. The repair was performed with double horizontal sutures by inside-out technique, using zone-specific, curved cannulae with no enhancement technique. A mean of 2.4 superior and 2.8 inferior stitches were performed. Reduction was obtained in all cases. Patients were evaluated using Lysholm functional knee scores. All patients were clinically and radiologically examined using MRI to assess meniscus integrity at the repair site, over an average follow-up period of 31 months. All patients were able to return to their former level of activity. In all cases, MRI showed a fully healed meniscus at the repair sites, with no further disruption of the debrided area. The mean Lysholm scores improved from 62 preoperatively to 94 postoperatively. The difference between preoperative and postoperative values was found to be statistically significant (p=0.029). No cases of postoperative extra or intra-articular complications were encountered. We found that repairing rather than resecting radial lateral meniscus tears that extend into capsular zone, improves activity level.

Tuberculous spondylitis of the lumbosacral region: long-term follow-up of patients treated by chemotherapy, transpedicular drainage, posterior instrumentation, and fusion.

Objective: Tuberculosis spondylitis of the lumbosacral region has rarely been documented in the literature. We present an 87-month follow-up study of 7 of 62 patients with tuberculous spondylitis of the lumbosacral region treated by chemotherapy, transpedicular drainage, posterior instrumentation, and fusion. The purpose was to prove the hypothesis that chemotherapy with transpedicular drainage and single-stage posterior instrumentation-fusion is enough for the prevention of lumbar kyphosis and sagittal offset in selected cases. Methods: There were four men and three women, with average age of 53 years. All patients underwent transpedicular debridement, posterior fusion, and instrumentation. We studied the following data for consideration in these patients: most involved vertebra, vertebral body loss, progress of kyphosis, and sagittal offset. Results: The fourth lumbar vertebra was the most commonly involved vertebral segment. The average preoperative kyphosis was 17.5° and decreased to 5.4° postoperatively. Mean preoperative and postoperative sagittal offset was 0.34 mm and −5 mm, respectively. The average postoperative sagittal offset was increased from −5 to −2 mm at the third month and henceforth remained unchanged. There was no recurrent infection. Conclusion: We consider that transpedicular drainage, posterior instrumentation, and fusion constitute a less demanding operative technique for lumbosacral tuberculous spondylitis for the prevention of lumbar kyphosis and sagittal offset in patients without neurologic deficit and major vertebral body loss. This is the only lumbosacral tuberculous spondylitis series in which the patients were operated on with single-stage posterior surgery and merits a brief report in the light of the larger series.

Capitellar cartilage injuries concomitant with radial head fractures.

PURPOSE To evaluate the incidence and types of capitellar cartilage injuries associated with higher-grade radial head fractures. METHODS Fifty-one consecutive patients with operatively treated, unstable, displaced Mason type II to III radial head fractures were identified. Ten of 51 patients had capitellar cartilage injuries concomitant with these fractures. All cartilage injuries were identified at the time of surgery except in 1 patient whose injury was determined via computed tomography. There were 8 men and 2 women with an average age of 33 years (range, 24-39 years). Lesions were seen with direct inspection and recorded by location, size, and thickness. RESULTS The incidence of capitellar chondral lesions concomitant with operatively treated Mason type II to III radial head fractures appeared in 10 of 51 patients. The average size was 5 x 5 mm (range, 2 x 2 mm to 10 x 10 mm). Four patients had Mason type II and 6 had Mason type III radial head fractures. The average surface of the cartilage injury was 6 x 7 mm (range, 3 x 6 mm to 10 x 10 mm) for Mason type II fractures and 4 x 4 mm (range, 2 x 2 mm to 5 x 10 mm) for Mason type III fractures. Two Mason type III fractures had full-thickness cartilage lesions, and 4 Mason type III fractures had partial-thickness cartilage lesions. Two Mason type II fractures had full-thickness cartilage lesions and the other 2 had partial-thickness cartilage lesions. CONCLUSIONS Capitellar cartilage lesions frequently occurred concomitantly with higher-grade radial head fractures. The incidence of these lesions increased with greater severity of radial head fractures. Low-grade radial head fractures created higher-grade cartilage lesions as the intact radial head can cause more damage to the capitellum. Careful evaluation of the joint should be performed for these subtle injuries. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic IV.

The Effect of Irrigation Solution at Different Temperatures on Articular Cartilage Metabolism

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of saline solution at different temperatures on the metabolism of chondrocytes. METHODS Porcine osteochondral explants were precultured under laboratory conditions. The cartilage explants were placed in saline solution. Twenty-four explants were randomly divided into 4 groups. Explants were immersed at 4°C group I, at room temperature (24°C) in group II, at normal knee temperature (32°C) in group III, and at near-core body temperature (37°C) in group IV. All specimens were immersed for 2 hours. Lactate and proteoglycan production and RNA yield analysis were performed to evaluate the changes in cartilage metabolism at different temperatures. RESULTS Explants immersed in cold (4°C) saline solution showed the significantly lowest RNA yields, lactate production, and proteoglycan content. Explants immersed in cold solutions (4°C and 24°C) showed significantly lower RNA yields, lower lactate production, and lower proteoglycan content than explants in warmer solution groups (32°C and 37°C). CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that short-term exposures to cold including room temperature may have markedly detrimental effects on chondrocyte function. Our findings also indicate that exposures to cold saline solution suppress chondrocyte metabolism and RNA synthesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Using warmer irrigation solution that is closer to body temperature is more physiologic and causes less ultrastructural damage than colder solution.

Comparison of palmar locking plate and K-wire augmented external fixation for intra-articular and comminuted distal radius fractures

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to compare the results of palmar locking plate and K-wire augmented external fixation in the treatment of intra-articular comminuted distal radius fractures. METHODS The study included 30 patients with intra-articular comminuted distal radius fractures. Sixteen patients (11 men, 5 women; mean age 49 ± 16 years) underwent open reduction and palmar locking plate fixation, and 14 patients (11 men, 3 women; mean age 35 ± 10 years) underwent closed reduction and K-wire augmented external fixation. In both groups, eight patients had accompanying injuries. According to the AO/ASIF classification, there were four C1, 10 C2, and two C3 fractures in the locking plate group, and three C1, eight C2, and three C3 fractures in the external fixation group. For functional assessment, joint range of motion and grip strength were measured. The patients were assessed using the Gartland-Werley scale. Subjective functional assessment was made using the QuickDASH scale. On final radiographs, the presence of osteoarthrosis in the radiocarpal joint was assessed according to the Broberg-Morrey criteria. The follow-up period was at least 12 months (26.1 ± 6.1 months in the locking plate group, and 62.7 ± 16.8 months in the external fixation group). RESULTS Wrist flexion (p=0.012) and supination (p=0.003) degrees at final follow-up were significantly greater in the locking plate group. Other range of motion parameters were similar in the two groups. On final radiographic measurements, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to losses in palmar angulation, radial length, and radial inclination, and change in ulnar variance. The mean Gartland-Werley scores did not differ significantly (2.4 ± 2.4 with plate fixation, and 2.0 ± 2.8 with external fixation; p>0.05). The results were excellent in 11 patients (68.8%) and good in five patients (31.3%) with plate fixation. The results of external fixation were excellent in 11 patients (78.6%), good in two patients (14.3%), and moderate in one patient (7.1%). The mean QuickDASH scores and time to return to work were similar in patients treated with a locking plate and external fixator (QuickDASH score 2.4 ± 3.0 and 2.9 ± 5.4; 1.9 ± 0.5 months and 2.1 ± 0.7 months, respectively; p>0.05). The mean loss of strength compared to the healthy side at final follow-up was 3% in the locking plate group, and 5% in the external fixation group. Radiographic findings of stage 1 osteoarthrosis were observed in four patients (25%) in the plate group, and in 11 patients (78.6%) in the external fixation group. There were no complications in the locking plate group. In the external fixation group, two patients (14.3%) had regional pain syndrome, three patients (21.4%) had superficial pin and wire tract infections, and one patient complained of adherence at entry sites of the fixator. Overall, nine patients (64.3%) expressed dissatisfaction with the external fixator. CONCLUSION Our results showed no superiority between the two treatment methods with respect to objective and subjective tools of evaluation. Palmar locking plate fixation was associated with full patient satisfaction. K-wire augmented external fixation can be used as a safe method in selected cases in which the severity of distal radius fracture would not allow palmar locking plate fixation.

Effect of mitomycin-C on post-operative adhesions in tendon surgery: an experimental study in rats.

We investigated the effect of mitomycin-C on the reduction of the formation of peritendinous fibrous adhesions after tendon repair. In 20 Wistar albino rats the tendo Achillis was cut and repaired using a modified Kessler technique. The rats were divided into two equal groups. In group 1, an injection of mitomycin-C was placed between the tendon and skin of the right leg. In group 2, an identical volume of sterile normal saline was injected on the left side in a similar fashion. All the rats received mitomycin-C or saline for four weeks starting from the day of operation. The animals were killed after 30 days. The formation of peritendinous fibrous tissue, the inflammatory reaction and tendon healing were evaluated. The tensile strength of the repaired tendons was measured biomechanically. Microscopic evidence of the formation of adhesions and inflammation was less in group 1. There was no significant difference in the tensile load required to rupture the repaired tendons in the two groups. Mitomycin-C may therefore provide a simple and inexpensive means of preventing of post-operative adhesions.