Said Saghieh

Seven‐year experience of using Repiphysis® expandable prosthesis in children with bone tumors

Results of the use of the non‐invasive expandable endoprosthetic device Repiphysis® in limb salvage surgery for skeletally immature children with bone cancer have been promising.

Microvascular soft-tissue coverage and distraction osteosynthesis for lower-extremity salvage

In our attempts to salvage massive lower‐extremity injuries, even in the presence of severe peripheral vascular pathology, adequate soft‐tissue coverage is no longer a limiting factor due to recent advances in microvascular composite tissue transfer. Restoration of tibial continuity without shortening has emerged as the last obstacle in the formidable task of salvaging lower extremities with grade III B and III C defects. Proposed solutions to this problem include conventional free cancellous bone‐grafting applicable to small defects only, vascularized bone grafts, or shortening of the leg with subsequent elongation using the Ilizarov technique. We present our experience with 3 consecutive cases of lower‐limb salvage, utilizing a new approach in which microsurgical soft‐tissue reconstruction has been combined with bony reconstruction by distraction osteosynthesis. Bone transport by distraction osteosynthesis under a free flap performed while preserving the initial limb length throughout the treatment period proved to be superior to other methods in selected cases and is presented as a new technique for the management of problematic lower‐limb injuries.

Distraction Histogenesis in Ankle Burn Deformities

Burn injuries involving the joints around the lower extremity often lead to debilitating postburn contractures that frequently compromise extremity functions. Treatment of such injuries, especially involving the ankle and foot area, is very challenging. Conservative management has limited efficiency in correcting the deformities, whereas open surgical treatment is often coupled with high complication rates because of poor soft-tissue coverage and poor vascularity around the burnt areas. The use of the Ilizarov fixator has the advantage of tackling these deformities without the need for extensive open surgical procedures, which will minimize complications and recurrences. The authors present a series of three patients, two adults and one pediatric patient, who were treated successfully with minimally invasive surgery and soft-tissue distraction with the Ilizarov apparatus.

The impact of inherited thrombophilia on surgery: A factor to consider before transplantation?

This article mainly reviews hypercoagulability—and specifically inherited thrombophilia—in different types of surgery including kidney transplantation, simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and other categories of surgical procedures, with a major focus on its associated complications and the need to screen or not. A search was conducted using Medline and cross-referencing for articles related to thrombophilia, screening for it, and its association with surgical complications post-op. Thrombosis associated predisposing entities like factor V Leiden, Prothrombin and Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutations, in addition to Protein C and S deficiencies, are discussed. In addition, common and relatively uncommon complications of thrombophilia in the above mentioned surgeries will be covered in length, as well as the necessity to screen for thrombophilia prior to the surgical step. This topic is gaining more and more importance for both surgeons and internists (especially Hematologists) and we, herein, present a general review of the published literature as an update on the subject.

The impact of zoledronic acid on regenerate and native bone after consolidation and removal of the external fixator: An animal model study

We investigated the role of zoledronic acid on the regenerate and native bone after consolidation and removal of the external fixator in a rabbit model of distraction osteogenesis using 28 New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were randomly distributed into two groups. The first group received three doses of zoledronic acid (ZA) 0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously at weekly intervals while the second group received injections of sterile saline. Distraction started on day 7 at a rate of 0.8 mm/day for 12 days. At week 3 the average lengthening, regenerate density, and regenerate continuity were comparable between the two groups. At week 11 the regenerate in the treated group had a significant increase in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) compared to the placebo group. On axial compression, the regenerate showed an increase in the peak load and a higher modulus of elasticity in the treated group. At 6 months, radiographs demonstrated signs of osteopenia of the proximal metaphysis in the control group, and failure of new bone formation around the pin sites in the treated group. BMC and BMD value differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Histologically, there was persistence of more bone trabeculae in the medullary canal of the regenerate with the persistence of the pin-holes in the treated group. Mechanically, the regenerates in the treated group remain stronger in resisting the axial compression. The proximal fragment in the treated group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in the peak load, toughness and efail %. In conclusion, bisphosphonate-treated rabbits have a stronger regenerate during distraction, and directly after removal of the fixator. They do not develop disuse osteopenia in their lengthened tibia. This treatment may shorten the time in the external fixator and prevent fragility fractures in the treated extremity. However, its long-term safety has not yet been established.

The Association of Anemia and Its Severity with Cardiac Outcomes and Mortality After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Noncardiac Patients

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to assess whether an association exists between preoperative anemia and postoperative cardiac events or death in patients undergoing unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with no prior cardiac history. METHODS Data from the 2008-2012 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were analyzed. Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing unilateral primary TKA were included. We divided the patients into 4 groups: no anemia, any anemia, mild anemia, and moderate-severe anemia. Associations between anemia and different characteristics as well as cardiac outcomes and death were studied, after adjusting for all potential confounders. RESULTS In the nonanemic group, the occurrence of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death were 61 of 34,661 (0.18%), 23 of 34,661 (0.07%), and 30 of 34,661 (0.09%), respectively. The numbers in the anemia group were 23 of 6673 (0.34%), 9 of 6673 (0.13%), and 14 of 6673 (0.21%). These were not statistically different. The anemic group had higher odds for respiratory and renal morbidities and for receiving transfusions. CONCLUSION We found no association between preoperative anemia or its severity and myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or death up to 30 days postoperatively. This could potentially lower the bar for safe preoperative hematocrit levels for elective TKA, theoretically increasing the percentage of anemic patients undergoing the procedure. This, however, is at the expense of potential respiratory and renal insults.

The correction of the relapsed club foot by closed distraction.

Correction of a relapsed clubfoot deformity by distraction with an external fixator is a recognized alternative to open surgery. Most published series report a good outcome but none are prospective observational studies using the scoring system of the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG). We present a series of 9 relapsed club feet treated with closed gradual distraction using this scoring method.

Generalized dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica with contralateral sacro-iliac joint involvement

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (or Trevor’s disease) is a rare developmental bone dysplasia characterized by benign osteocartilaginous overgrowth involving one or multiple epiphyses, usually of a single lower extremity. It is classified as localized form, classical form (most common), and generalized form. In this report we describe a case of generalized form of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica with involvement of the contralateral sacroiliac joint, which is an extremely rare presentation.

Medium to long-term follow-up following correction of pes cavus deformity.

Pes cavus is a multiplanar deformity that involves the 3 foot-joint complexes. Description of the deformity is not well standardized and the surgical management does not have a comprehensive algorithm to follow. Treatment should be tailored to the patients requirements, foot condition, and the potential for future progression of the deformity. This study describes a heterogeneous group of patients treated surgically and followed for 5 to 28 years. The benefits and risks are discussed, together with pitfalls encountered.

Outcome of Ewing sarcoma in a multidisciplinary setting in Lebanon

Treatment of Ewing sarcoma (ES) necessitates coordinated multi‐disciplinary care. We analyzed outcome for 39 patients treated at a single institution in Lebanon, a developing country with available multidisciplinary treatment modalities, where financial barriers to care are overcome by a fundraising system. Median follow‐up was 58 months. Five‐year overall and event‐free survival were 76% and 58%, respectively, for localized disease, and 40% and 38%, respectively, for metastatic disease. We conclude that, in a country with emerging economy, by following international protocols and ensuring availability of needed resources, outcome of patients with ES is similar to that in developed countries. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1472–1475.