Hyung Jin Chung

Comparative study of balloon kyphoplasty with unilateral versus bilateral approach in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

This study analyses the radiological and clinical results according to the two techniques of unilateral and bilateral balloon kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Fifty-two patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures occurring at the thoracolumbar junction were enrolled in this study. All patients were classified into two groups; group I was treated with a unilateral approach and group II with a bilateral approach. The Cobb angle was measured each time to evaluate the kyphotic angle during the pre- and post-operative periods and at last follow-up, and a 10-point visual analog scale for pain was recorded at the same time. We found that the bilateral approach had a greater advantage in the reduction of kyphosis and the loss of reduction was less than the unilateral approach for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.RésuméCette étude analyse les résultats cliniques et radiologiques de deux techniques de kyphoplastie après fracture vertébrale ostéoporotique avec tassement. 52 patients ont été inclus dans l’étude. Tous les patients ont été classés en deux groupes. Le groupe 1 traité par abord unilatéral et le groupe 2 par un abord bilatéral. L’angle de Cobb a permis d’évaluer l’angle de cyphose pré et post-opératoire et au dernier recul. De même, une analyse de la douleur en 10 points a été utilisée sur la même période. En conclusion, nous pouvons indiquer que la kyphoplastie bilatérale permet une meilleure réduction vertébrale et diminue le tassement secondaire que l’on observe dans les abords unilatéraux.

Effects of Beraprost Sodium on Subjective Symptoms in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background This study evaluated the effects of Beraprost sodium (Berasil) on subjective leg symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease caused by diabetes mellitus. Methods Ninety-four diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease were treated with Beraprost in a fixed-dose, prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Beraprost (40 µg) was administered orally 3 times daily (120 µg/day) for 12 weeks. We developed a new disease-specific symptom questionnaire, which evaluated the effect of peripheral arterial disease on leg discomfort in daily life and assessed therapeutic responses to treatment. Patients were asked for their subjective assessment of symptoms on a written questionnaire before treatment and after 12 weeks of therapy. Results There was significant improvement in all estimated subjective symptoms (burning, coldness, edema, exertional pain, stabbing, and paresthesias) in the lower extremities at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). There were 18 patients with neuropathy in whom significant improvement was noted for 6 subjective symptoms at 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Adverse events considered to be drug-related were observed in 4 patients (4.3%), all of which were mild and resolved with discontinuation of the medication. Conclusions Beraprost is effective as a treatment for improving various subjective symptoms in the lower extremities, such as burning, coldness, edema, exertional pain, stabbing, and paresthesias, in diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes of Ollier Approach with Screw Fixation for Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures – Comparative Study with Extensile Lateral Approach with Lateral Plating

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: This study aims to assess the detailed radiologic outcomes which used uninjured side weight-bearing radiograph as a template as well as clinical results to compare the Ollier approach with screw fixation and the extensile lateral approach with lateral plating. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated operatively in our hospital from January 2009 to November 2014. Radiologic outcomes were assessed using radiologic parameters such as Böhler angle, calcaneal height, and talar sagittal angles represent calcaneal deformation by the comparison of the final follow-up bilateral weight-bearing lateral radiograph. Functional outcome was assessed through the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores. Postoperative complications were investigated. Results: Ninety-seven unilateral fractures were appeared to match our inclusion criteria: forty-six fractures were treated by using the extensile lateral approach with lateral plating (the ELP group), and fifty-one fractures were treated with the Ollier approach and screw fixation (the OS group). The operation time was significantly shorter in the OA group (p<0.05). There were no significant difference of the final follow-up radiologic parameters between two groups. The mean AOFAS scores were significantly higher in the OS group (p = 0.020) and both groups showed similarity in the VAS pain scores (p = 0.175). Overall soft-tissue complications were 28.3% in the ELP group and 9.8% in the OS group (p = 0.034). Conclusion: No difference could be shown in the postoperative and final follow-up radiological outcomes between the Ollier approach and the extensile lateral approach, but the Ollier approach had better functional score and lower soft tissue complication rate with shorter operative time.

Comparative Study of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis for Sanders Type IV Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: To compare clinical outcome of Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus ORIF and primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA). Methods: Between March 2003 and November 2013, 22 patients with 22 Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in this study. Of these, 11 feet were treated with ORIF (ORIF group), 11 feet were treated with ORIF and PSTA (PSTA group). The mean follow-up periods was 34.6 months (range, 18-72 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed along with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society’s Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS score), the Visual Analog Scale Pain score (VAS score) at 6-, 12 month, and last follow-up. The patient satisfaction, returning to previous occupation and postoperative complications were also investigated. Results: Complete bone union were achieved in all patients. No statistical difference was found between the results for ORIF compared with PSTA: the mean preoperative Bohler angle were, respectively, -3.2±9.2 and -6.6±12.7 degrees (p=0.475); the mean last follow-up AOFAS scores were 73.8±14.9 and 80.5±4.6 (p=0.795); the mean VAS last follow-up VAS scores were 29.7±20.6 and 23.4±10.0 (p=0.986). Secondary subtalar arthrodesis were conducted in 5 patients (45.5%) of ORIF group due to subtalar osteoarthritis symptom within 2 years, postoperatively. Conclusion: We were unable to demonstrate a significant difference of clinical outcomes between ORIF and PSTA however, the patient satisfaction was higher in the PSTA group. PSTA may be considerable choice for patients who need fast recovery to daily activity and to prevent the need for secondary subtalar arthrodesis.