Sungwook Choi

Factors associated with clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with a suture bridge technique in medium, large, and massive tears

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes, maintenance of repair integrity, and retear rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by a suture bridge technique among patients with medium, large, and massive rotator cuff tears. METHODS We evaluated 147 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed with the Constant and University of California-Los Angeles scores. All patients were confirmed to have magnetic resonance imaging evidence of tendon healing at least 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS The average postoperative time to follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was 23.4 months (range, 12-48 months). A total of 25 (17.0%) retears were observed. All clinical outcome scores were improved significantly at follow-up. Larger intraoperative tear sizes were correlated with higher retear rates. The incidence of retear was also higher in cases in which the preoperative fatty degeneration grade was higher. The incidence of retear increased with age and in the heavy worker group (e.g., farmers, carriers, car mechanics) but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by a suture bridge technique yields improvements in clinical outcome measures and a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction despite the fact that repair integrity is not maintained in many cases.

Technical tips: dualplate fixation technique for comminuted proximal humerus fractures.

The authors report dualplate fixation technique for providing stable fixation in comminuted proximal humerus fractures. This technique has been used for proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal comminution and provides excellent anatomical reduction and neck shaft angle (NSA). The recently locking plate is clinically more widely used due to its small size, low rigidity, high elasticity, and biomechanical properties such as fixed initial angle and rotational stability. However, in severely comminuted complex type proximal metaphyseal humerus fractures, the use of locking plate alone does not provide stable fixation, leading to complications such as varus collapse, anterior-posterior angulation, screw cutout, nonunion, malunion, and metal failure. Therefore, a more robust and enhanced fixation method, the dual plating technique using the locking compression plate (Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System and Variable Angle Locking Compression Plate) was developed.

Modified tension band fixation and coracoclavicular stabilisation for unstable distal clavicle fracture

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to report a new surgical technique for the treatment of unstable distal clavicle fracture with modified tension band fixation (MTBF) and coracoclavicular (CC) stabilisation, and evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcome of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirteen patients who had a fracture of the distal clavicle (Neer classification type IIb) were treated with MTBF and CC stabilisation. After the CC stabilisation was performed with a suture anchor or flip button, internal fixation using MTBF was carried out. Each patient was followed up for a minimum of 12 months and their clinical and radiological results were analysed. RESULTS The mean period required for fracture union was 12.6 (range, 8-24) weeks and union was successfully completed in all cases. The mean Constant score at the final follow-up was 94.7 (88-100); the modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale was 31.3 points (range, 22-35). All patients returned to normal daily activities at an average of 3.7 months postoperatively (range, 3-5 months). One patient had a new fracture around drilled holes for CC stabilisation by inappropriate tunnelling. CONCLUSION MTBF and CC stabilisation is a useful technique for treating an unstable distal clavicle fracture. This procedure provides minimal incision and stable fixation without causing any further acromioclavicular joint injury to those with distal clavicle fractures.

Three Cases of Postoperative Septic Arthritis Caused by Mycobacterium conceptionense in the Shoulder Joints of Immunocompetent Patients

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium conceptionense is a species member of Mycobacterium fortuitum complex, a potential pathogen of increasing clinical importance among opportunistic infections. This species causes a wide spectrum of cutaneous and extracutaneous diseases. In this report, we describe three patients who underwent shoulder surgery with postoperative joint infection by M. conceptionense.

A Case of Fungal Arthritis Caused by Hansenula Anomala

Hansenula anomala (H. anomaly) is part of the normal flora in the alimentary tract and throat. It has been reported to be an organism causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. However, cases of fungal arthritis caused by H. anomala are rare. We encountered a case of H. anomala arthritis in a 70-year-old man who was treated with an empirical antibiotic treatment and surgery under the impression of septic arthritis. However, the patient did not improve after antibiotic therapy and surgery. Consequently, knee joint aspiration was performed again, which identified fungal arthritis caused by H. anomala. It was treated successfully with amphotericin B and fluconazole. When treating arthritis patients with diabetes, it is important to consider the possibility of septic arthritis by H. anomala and provide the appropriate treatment.

Autologous Bone Marrow Cell Stimulation and Allogenic Chondrocyte Implantation for the Repair of Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects in a Rabbit Model

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of autologous bone marrow cell stimulation and allogenic chondrocyte implantation using 3-dimensional gel-type fibrin matrix in an animal model. Design: Eighteen rabbits were divided into 2 treatment groups. One group was treated with a microfracture and covering of it with gel-type fibrin (AutoBMS; n = 9), and the other group was treated with allogenic chondrocytes mixed gel-type fibrin at the cartilage defect (AlloCI; n = 9). The control group was untreated cartilage defect at the other side knee of each object. Twelve weeks after treatment, the cartilage was evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scoring system, immunohistochemical staining, and modified O’Driscoll grading system. Results: The ICRS scores were similar in the AutoBMS (9.44 ± 2.44) and the AlloCI (9.33 ± 1.67) groups (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining confirmed higher expression of cartilaginous collagen for both groups. The average difference (AutoBMS, 31.89 ± 6.54; AlloCI, 32.89 ± 5.25) in the modified O’Driscoll scores appeared to be nonsignificant (P > 0.05); however, both treatment groups showed significantly higher scores with respect to their control group (18.45 ± 1.65; 18.97 ± 1.58) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This experimental study suggests autologous bone marrow cells stimulation and implantation of allogenic chondrocytes are both useful methodologies for regenerating hyaline-like cartilage in full-thickness cartilage defects in animal model.

A case of unusual septic knee arthritis with Brucella abortus after arthroscopic meniscus surgery.

We present a 51-year-old male patient with Brucella abortus septic arthritis in the right knee following arthroscopic meniscus surgery. He had eaten a traditional dish of raw minced cattle conceptus (bovine fetus) that was prepared after the cow was slaughtered. Despite treatment with empirical antibiotics and debridement of the postoperative surgical wound, the infection persisted without improvement. Polymerase chain reaction sequencing identified Brucella abortus from tissue samples obtained from the patient. After confirmation of the diagnosis of brucellar infection, antibiotics were replaced with doxycycline and rifampin, which were used for 4 months. In patients with a non-specific arthralgia who eat raw meat or live close to animals, it is important to consider the possibility of septic arthritis due to infection with Brucella spp.

Intra-operative effect of interscalene brachial plexus block to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery

IntroductionTo determine whether the placement of an interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) with general anaesthesia before shoulder arthroscopy would be effective in establishing a clear visual field and in shortening the surgical procedure.MethodThis prospective randomized control trial study included 152 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Group A received IBPB and group B did not receive IBPB. A visual clarity scale (VCS) was determined by arthroscopic visualization. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), duration of surgical procedure, VCS, and medication that was administered for haemodynamic stability were recorded. Results: The VCS was improved in group A at stages 2 and 3 of the surgical procedures (p < 0.05), but there were no significant difference at stages 1 (p = 0.288) and 4 (p = 0.062). SBP, DBP, and HR were higher in group B during surgery (p < 0.05). The administered analgesics were higher in group B (p = 0.003), but there were no differences in hypotensive agents (p = 0.287). No significant difference was observed for the duration of surgery (p = 0.704).ConclusionsPre-operative IBPB with general anaesthesia for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was beneficial in maintaining haemodynamic stability and improving the VCS during surgery.

Clinical and arthroscopic outcome of single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Comparison of remnant preservation versus conventional technique

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings of remnant preservation technique with those of conventional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in single bundle ACL reconstructions. METHODS One hundred sixty two consecutive patients underwent ACL reconstruction by one surgeon, with 93 patients receiving remnant preservation technique (Group A) and 69 patients receiving conventional ACL reconstruction (Group B). The mean follow-up was 15months. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Lysholm scores and the International Knee Documentation Committee form (IKDC form) evaluation. Post-operative knee stability was evaluated through manual knee laxity evaluation, pivot-shift test, and a Telos device. RESULTS Differences in post-operative stability (manual knee laxity, pivot shift test and Telos device) were not significant between the groups (p=0.681, p=0.610, p=0.696). And also no significant differences were noted with respect to the IKDC form and the latest Lysholm scores. But in the second-look arthroscopic findings, synovial coverage was confirmed to be excellent in 36% (22/61) of Group A patients and 23% (7/30) of Group B patients. CONCLUSIONS ACL reconstruction with both techniques was found to result in acceptable stability, clinical outcomes and second-look arthroscopic findings. With regard to synovial coverage, the remnant reservation techniques were found to be superior to conventional ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective comparative study.

PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone inhibits migration and invasion by downregulating Cyr61 in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists have anti‐inflammatory properties that reduce inflammatory cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cysteine‐rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) is associated with diseases related to chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of PPARγ agonists on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐induced fibroblast‐like synoviocyte (FLS) invasion and migration, as well as Cyr61 production, in RA‐FLS.