Hayati Öztürk

Does Kinesio taping in addition to exercise therapy improve the outcomes in subacromial impingement syndrome? A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Kinesio taping (KT) application added to the exercise treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS Thirty-eight (25 female, 13 male) patients with SIS were randomly divided into therapeutic KT (n=19) and sham KT (n=19) groups. All patients received the same exercise therapy in addition to therapeutic or sham KT at 3-day intervals for 12 days. The groups were compared according to pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength and DASH and Constant scores before treatment and at the 5th and 12th treatment days. RESULTS Within group comparisons showed significant improvements in both groups at the 5th and 12th day evaluations (p<0.05). In comparisons between the groups, pain with movement and DASH scores in the therapeutic group were significantly lower at the 5th day (p<0.01). There were significant improvements in night pain, pain with movement, DASH score, shoulder external rotation muscle strength, and pain free shoulder abduction ROM in the therapeutic group at the 12th day (p<0.05). Passive shoulder flexion ROM increased more in the sham group at the 12th day (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of KT application to the exercise program appears to be more effective than the exercise program alone for the treatment of SIS.

Effects of Adding Dexmedetomidine to Levobupivacaine in Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

BACKGROUND Although several studies have described effects of dexmedetomidine on peripheral nerve blocks, to date there is limited knowledge available on the impact of dexmedetomidine adjunct to levobupivacaine in axillary brachial plexus block. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine for an axillary brachial plexus block. METHODS A total of 64 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II scheduled to undergo forearm and hand surgery, in which an axillary block was used, were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: in group L patients (n = 32), an axillary block was performed with 39 mL levobupivacaine 5% plus 1 mL of isotonic sodium chloride. In group D patients (n = 32), an axillary block was performed with 39 mL levobupivacaine 5% and 1 mL dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg(-1) plus isotonic sodium chloride. Demographic data, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (Spo2), sensory and motor block onset times and block durations, time to first analgesic use, total analgesic need, intraoperative verbal analog scale, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) data, and side effects were recorded for each patient. RESULTS There were no significant differences in patient and surgery characteristics between the 2 groups. Sensory block onset time was shorter in group D (P < 0.05). Sensory and motor block duration and time to first analgesic use were significantly longer in group D (P < 0.05), and the total need for analgesics was lower in group D (P < 0.05). Intraoperative 5- and 10-minute verbal analog scale values and postoperative VAS value at 12 hours were significantly lower in group D (P < 0.05). Intraoperative MAP and HR values, except at 5 minutes and postoperatively at 10 and 30 minutes and 1 and 2 hours, were significantly lower in group D (P < 0.01). Bradycardia, hypotension, hypoxemia, nausea, vomiting, and any other side effects were not seen in any patients. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded in our study that adding dexmedetomidine to axillary brachial plexus block shortens sensory block onset time, increases the sensory and motor block duration and time to first analgesic use, and decreases total analgesic use with no side effects. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier ISRCTN67622282.

Long segment instrumentation of thoracolumbar burst fracture: fusion versus nonfusion.

OBJECTIVE The treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture is a controversial issue. Although spinal fusion has been a touchstone of spinal fixation, nonfusion technique have become raising its popularity recently. Some studies suggested that nonfusion had several advantages over fusion. The aim of this prospective study was to compare long segment posterior instrumentation with fusion versus long-segment posterior instrumentation without fusion. METHODS For this purpose, 42 consecutive patients were assigned to two groups. Group 1 included 21 patients treated by long segment instrumentation with fusion (WF), whereas Group 2 included 21 patients treated by long segment instrumentation without fusion (WOF). Long segment instrumentation was hook fixation (claw hooks attached to second upper vertebra and infralaminar hooks attached to first upper vertebra) above and pedicle fixation (pedicle screws attached to first and second lower vertebrae) below the fractured vertebra. RESULTS Measurements of local kyphosis, sagittal index and anterior vertebral height compression showed that both group had similar outcome at final follow-up. Moreover, there was no difference between the two groups according to low back outcome score. Also, implant failure rate (4.7%) was quite low in both groups. However, WF group had prolonged operative time, increased blood loss and donor site morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Radiological and clinical parameters demonstrated that spinal fusion is not necessary in long segment posterior instrumentation for the management of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Addition of dexmedetomidine or lornoxicam to prilocaine in intravenous regional anaesthesia for hand or forearm surgery: a randomized controlled study.

AbstractBackground and objectives: Intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) is a simple and cost-effective technique that is ideally suited for surgery involving the distal arm. This study compared the effect of lornoxicam or dexmedetomidine in IVRA with prilocaine in patients who underwent hand or forearm surgery. Methods: This randomized, double-blind study enrolled 75 patients scheduled for hand or forearm surgery. IVRA was achieved with 2% prilocaine 3 mg/kg in the control group (n = 25), 2% prilocaine 3 mg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg in the dexmedetomidine group (n = 25), and 2% prilocaine 3 mg/kg plus lornoxicam 8 mg in the lornoxicam group (n = 25). In all groups, 0.9% NaCl solution was added to make up a total volume of 40 mL. Sensory and motor block onset and recovery times, haemodynamic variables, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain and sedation scores, duration of analgesia, total analgesic consumption over 24 hours, adverse effects and quality of anaesthesia were recorded. Results: Sensory block onset was shorter and sensory block recovery time longer in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the lornoxicam and control groups (p < 0.05). Sensory and motor block recovery times and duration of analgesia for tourniquet were prolonged in the dexmedetomidine and lornoxicam groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Median VAS scores for tourniquet pain in the dexmedetomidine and lornoxicam groups were lower than that of the control group at 15 and 30 minutes (p < 0.05). Postoperatively, the duration of analgesia time was longer and median VAS scores were lower during the first 12 hours in the dexmedetomidine and lornoxicam groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Total analgesic consumption over 24 hours was lower in the dexmedetomidine and lornoxicam groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Anaesthesia quality as determined by the anaesthesiologist was better in the dexmedetomidine and lornoxicam group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine or lornoxicam to prilocaine in IVRA decreased VAS pain scores, improved anaesthesia quality and decreased analgesic requirement. We suggest that addition of dexmedetomidine or lornoxicam at the doses used in this study to IVRA with prilocaine in this setting can be useful without causing adverse effects. No hypotension, bradycardia or hypoxia requiring treatment was seen in any of the patients. Addition of dexmedetomidine had a more potent effect, shortening sensory block onset time and prolonging sensory block recovery time more than lornoxicam.

Extreme complications of Fixion nail in treatment of long bone fractures.

The authors present their experience related to extreme complications in treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the long bones with application of the Fixion expansion intramedullary nail in a total of 48 surgeries. We have encountered six (12.5%) extreme complications in the management of fractures of 3 humeral, 2 tibial, and 1 femoral bones during its application procedure and postoperative follow-up. Of six cases, two with humeral and tibial fractures developed nonunion and rotational instability because of failure of inflation of the Fixion nail. One of the Fixion nail in humerus was broken spontaneously, and one of the Fixion nail deflated at the follow-up and pseudoarthrosis developed in this patient. In a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta, during the inflation of the nail for the treatment of femur fracture, a new longitudinal fracture occurred and conventional non-locking intramedullary nail was inserted. In a patient with a tibia fracture that was treated with the Fixion nail, new fracture occurred due to its bending after weight bearing in the postoperative period. The Fixion nail application is a new technique for the intramedullar fixation of long bones. It is considered as an effective method for the selective fracture types of long bones. Application may need special training. Since the Fixion has not got rotational stability and rigidity as conventional nailing systems, bending and breaking of the nail may occur during postoperative period in patients with over obesity and hyperactivity. In patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, it may not be the first choice as a nailing system.

School screening for scoliosis in Sivas, Turkey

OBJECTIVES We investigated the prevalence of scoliosis among primary school students in Sivas, Turkey. METHODS To determine the prevalence of scoliosis among primary school students in the age bracket of 10 to 15 years, 11 primary schools were selected with systematic sampling. A total of 3,175 students (1,538 girls, 1,637 boys) of grades 6 to 8 were selected from 16,103 students using a stratified sampling method. Examination for scoliosis was made by the forward bend test and palpation of the spine. RESULTS Fifteen children (0.47%) were found to have scoliosis, including 10 girls (66.7%) and five boys (33.3%). The prevalence of scoliosis was significantly higher in girls (0.65% vs. 0.31%; p<0.05). The mean lateral curvature of the spine was 6.9 degrees (range 5 degrees to 20 degrees ), being 7.9 + or - 4.6 degrees in girls, and 5.4 + or - 0.9 degrees in boys. The mean age was 13.5 + or - 1.2 years (range 12-15 years). The severity of the curvature showed no significant relationship with gender and age groups (p>0.05). The levels of involvement were lumbar vertebrae in 73.3% (n=11), thoracic vertebrae in 13.3% (n=2), and thoracolumbar vertebrae in 13.3% (n=2). Spinal curvature was to the right side in 12 cases (80%), and to the left in three cases (20%). Girls and boys did not differ significantly with respect to the severity and direction of the curvature (p>0.05). During a two-year follow-up of children with scoliosis, no progression of the curvature was observed, including one child who wore a Milwaukee brace. CONCLUSION School screenings may be performed as part of prevalence studies; however, routine school screening for scoliosis is debatable.

Hydatid bone disease of the femur

Osseous hydatid disease is caused by the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus. The species most responsible for hydatid disease is Echinococcus granulosus, endemic especially in sheep-rearing districts like Mediterranean countries and Australia. In Turkey, the exact incidence of human hydatid disease is not known, but < or =34% of asymptomatic farmers have positive serology. Bone hydatidosis is rare, making up 0.5% to 4% of all cases. Patients usually present with pain, swelling, or pathological fracture. There are no specific radiographic signs in affected bone. In the later stages, lytic lesions with a trabeculated pattern, with or without sclerosis, may be seen. Computed tomography (CT) is still the best method for diagnosis and posttherapy follow-up of osseous hydatidosis. On CT, skeletal cystic hydatidosis appears as one or several closely related, well-defined, osteolytic lesions. There may be bone expansion, cortical thinning, cortical destruction, sclerosis, honeycomb appearance, and extension into adjacent soft tissues.

The Importance of Needle Echogenity in Ultrasound Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Objective: In this study we aimed to compare the echogenic needles and the nerve stimulation addition to non-echogenic needles in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgery. Methods: 90 patients were enrolled to the study. The patients were allocated into three groups randomly: Group E (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using echogenic needle, Group N (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using non-echogenic needle, Group NS (n=30): ultrasound guided axillary block using non-echogenic needle with nerve stimulator assistance. Duration of block procedure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulse-oximetry, onset time of sensory and motor block, duration of sensory and motor block, time to first analgesic use, total need for analgesics, postoperative pain scores, patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were recorded. Results: Duration of block procedure values were lower in group E and NS, sensory and motor block durations, were significantly lower in group N. Sensorial and motor block onset time values were found lower in group NS but higher in group N. Patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were found lower in group N. Conclusion: We conclude that ultrasound guided axillary block may be performed successfully using both echogenic needles and nerve stimulation assisted non-echogenic needles.

Biomechanical properties of ciprofloxacin loaded bone cement

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of bone cement used in joint replacement surgery after the addition of ciprofloxacin. METHODS The first group received bone cement only and served as a control for the 4 groups where 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1500 mg and 2000 mg of ciprofloxacin were added to yield 40 g of bone cement. Axial compression tests were conducted using a 50,000 Newton capacity tension-compression testing device. RESULTS While axial compression strength at failure was 80.2±4.3 MPa in the control group, values in the ciprofloxacin-treated groups decreased with rising concentration of ciprofloxacin to 74.5±5.4 MPa, 70.6±4.8 MPa, 70.5±4.7 MPa, and 69.3±3.4 MPa. CONCLUSION Bone cement with addition of 500 to 1500 mg ciprofloxacin maintained mechanical axial strength values above 70.0 MPa recommended by American Society for Testing and Materials and can be safely used in joint replacement surgery.

Investigation of mechanical strength of teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin impregnated bone cement on Day 1 and Day 15

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical effects of different concentrations of teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin addition in bone cement. METHODS In an experimental design, 3 different doses of teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin (800, 1600 and 3200 mg) were added to bone cement. Mechanical tests using compression and four-point bending tests were performed on Day 1 and after antibiotic leaching in water at 37°C on Day 15. Specimens that contained no antibiotics served as controls. Mechanical strength for each antibiotic concentration on Day 1 and Day 15 were evaluated. RESULTS Both teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin significantly decreased the mean strength values in compression and four-point bending tests at Days 1 and 15 (p<0.05). While teicoplanin significantly decreased the mean strength values at high doses in both tests at Days 1 and 15 (p<0.05), ciprofloxacin did not significantly change these values. When the effects of two drugs compared, there were significant differences at the 3200 mg dose at Day 1 and at 1600 and 3200 mg doses at Day 15 in the compression testing and at 3200 mg at Day 15 in the four-point bending test. CONCLUSION Teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin addition may adversely affect the biomechanical strength of bone cement. Ciprofloxacin addition seems to have less of a negative effect on strength than teicoplanin.