Zirconia as a ceramic biomaterial Piconi, C.; Maccauro, G.
Biomaterials,
1999, 1999-Jan, 1999-1-00, 19990101, Letnik:
20, Številka:
1
Book Review, Journal Article
Recenzirano
Zirconia ceramics have several advantages over other ceramic materials, due to the transformation toughening mechanisms operating in their microstructure that can give to components made out of them, ...very interesting mechanical properties. The research on the use of zirconia ceramics as biomaterials started about twenty years ago, and now zirconia (Y-YZP) is in clinical use in THR, but developments are in progress for application in other medical devices. Recent developments have concentrated on the chemistry of precursors, in forming and sintering processes, and on surface finish of components. Today’s main applications of zirconia ceramics is in THR ball heads. This review takes into account the main results achieved up to now, and is focused on the role that microstructural characteristics play on the TZP ceramics behaviour in ball heads, namely mechanical properties and their stability, wear of the UHMWPE paired to TZP, and their influence on biocompatibility.
Purpose
Pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) is a potentially life-threatening infection burdened by high morbidity rates. Despite the rising incidence, the proper management of PS is still controversial. ...Aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of PS and to evaluate the prognostic factors and the long-term outcomes of a large population of patients.
Methods
207 cases of PS treated from 2008 to 2016 with a 2-year follow-up were enrolled. Clinical data from each patient were recorded. The primary outcome was the rate of healing without residual disability. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, healing from infection, death, relapse, and residual disability. Binomial logistic regression and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate prognostic factors.
Results
Median diagnostic delay was 30 days and the rate of onset neurological impairment was 23.6%. Microbiological diagnosis was established in 155 patients (74.3%) and the median duration of total antibiotic therapy was 148 days. Orthopedic treatment was conservative for 124 patients and surgical in 47 cases. Complete healing without disability was achieved in 142 patients (77.6%). Statistically confirmed negative prognostic factors were: negative microbiological culture, neurologic impairment at diagnosis and underlying endocarditis (
p
≤ 0.05). Healing from infection rate was 90.9%, while residual disabilities occurred in 23.5%. Observed mortality rate was 7.8%.
Conclusion
The microbiological diagnosis is the main predictive factor for successful treatment. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are also needed to identify underlying aggressive conditions and to avoid neurological complications associated with poorer long-term outcomes. Despite high healing rates, PS may lead to major disabilities still representing a difficult challenge.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary material.
Silver coating has demonstrated good antimicrobial activity and low toxicity. Silver-coated megaprostheses have been introduced in oncological musculoskeletal surgery considering the high rate of ...infection. We conducted a retrospective analysis on 68 cases of primary or metastatic bone tumors, affecting the proximal femur, treated between 2005 and 2016 with wide margins resection and tumor implants reconstruction. All patients were treated by the same surgeon, with antibiotic prophylaxis according to a standard protocol. In 55.9% of patients silver-coated hip hemiarthroplasty was implanted; in the remaining 44.1% uncoated megaprostheses were implanted. Patients were reevaluated recording the complications and focusing the analysis on infective complications. The average follow-up was 46.5 months. No patient has shown any sign of local or general silver toxicity. A SEM analysis was conducted on the 3-silver-coated hip hemiarthroplasty explanted confirming a severe degradation with a small amount of residual silver on the coating surface. Silver-coated hip prostheses have a lower rate of early infection than traditional implants but showed a reduction of antimicrobial activity for silver coating wear. We recommend using silver-coated prosthesis as primary implants for limb salvage surgery, in primary or metastatic bone tumors affecting the proximal femur, considering the absence of signs of toxicity and the lower rate of early infection.
The IlluminOss® System (IS) based on photodynamic bone stabilization (PBS) is a recent option in between the minimally invasive surgical techniques available to treat bone metastases when medical or ...radiation therapy is neither effective nor indicated, and major surgery is not possible. In this study, the results obtained using IS in the treatment of impending fractures or bone metastases of the upper limb have been analyzed in terms of improvement in pain, quality of life and recovery of function.
Between January 2017 and October 2019, 8 patients over 65 years old with impending fractures or pathological fractures or myeloma of the upper limb have been treated in our institute with IS. All patients were assessed about pain, general health and function of the affected limb before surgery and 1, 3, 6 (consistent with survival) months after the procedure.
Mean VAS score improved from 8.88 before surgery to 1.00 six months after surgery, mean Karnofsky index improved at 1 and 3 months post-operative follow-up, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) raised from 44.6 before surgery to 74.7 six months after surgery. Moreover, good reduction and stable fixation of the osteolytic lesion were achieved in all patients, and no complications were found.
Numerous studies have been reported in the literature on the use of this system in osteoporotic elderly fractures, whereas only few articles are currently available regarding its use in the treatment of bone metastases or pathological fractures. From our study PBS seems to be an effective solution in the management of bone metastases or myeloma in both pathological fractures and impending upper limb fractures in patients with low life expectancy.
Obesity represents an epidemic of rising numbers worldwide year after year. In the Orthopedic field, obesity is one of the major causes leading to osteoarthritis needing Total Joint Arthroplasty ...(TJA). Still, contextually, it represents one of the most significant risk factors for joint replacement complications and failures. So, bariatric Surgery (BS) is becoming a valuable option for weight control and mitigating obesity-related risk factors. This review of the literature and meta-analysis aims to evaluate periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) and surgical site infections (SSI) rates in patients who underwent TKA after BS compared to obese patients without BS.
Systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines up to October 2023. We included longitudinal studies comparing obese patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty after bariatric surgery (study group) and obese patients who underwent TKA (control group). The surgical site infection and Periprosthetic joint infection rate were compared among groups using a meta-analytical approach.
The online database and references investigation identified one hundred and twenty-five studies. PJI rate differed significantly among groups, (z = -21.8928, p < 0.0001), with a lower risk in the BS group (z = -10.3114, p < 0.0001), for SSI, instead, not statistically significance were recorded (z = -0.6784, p = 0.4975).
The current Literature suggests that Bariatric Surgery can reduce infectious complications in TKA, leading to better outcomes and less related costs treating of knee osteoarthritis in obese patients.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Among the choices for surgical treatment the most commonly used implants are the locking-compression plate and the intramedullary nailing.•The authors performed a clinical and radiographic follow-up ...in patients underwent antegrade intramedullary blocked nailing for proximal or diaphyseal humeral fractures.•Intramedullary nailing with a straight nail of the humerus shows good clinical and radiographic outcomes at 18 months of follow up.
Humerus fractures are frequent, accounting for about 3-4% of all fractures in adults. Treatment for fractures of the diaphyseal and proximal meta-epiphyseal regions remains controversial: there is no unanimity in the scientific community about the superiority of surgical treatment over non-surgical treatment and which is the best between possible surgical treatments. Among the choices for surgical treatment the most commonly used implants are the locking-compression plate and the intramedullary nailing. The purpose of this study was to perform a clinical and radiographic follow-up in patients who underwent surgical procedures for reduction and osteosynthesis of proximal or diaphyseal humeral fractures by means of anterograde intramedullary nailing with a straight-shaped nail.
A clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed in 56 patients who underwent surgical procedures for reduction and osteosynthesis of proximal or diaphyseal humeral fractures by means of antegrade intramedullary nailing using Synthes MultiLoc® system. Clinical data were collected using subjective quality of life assessment forms (SF12-v2), quality of life related to specific disabilities assessment forms (Quick-DASH, ASES score, WORC) and objective functional assessment forms (Constant-Murley score). The radiographic Follow-Up was performed at 30, 90 and 180 days from the date of the surgery.
Almost all patients were able to return to a satisfactory quality of life, comparable with the one before the traumatic episode. The functional results were assessed as excellent or good with almost complete recovery of the range of motion and moderate recovery of strength. The residual pain encountered was moderate or zero. The average QuickDASH score was 17.7 ± 4.3 (range 9.1 - 27.3). The average ASES score was 73.8 ± 8.1 (range 58.3 - 88.3). The average WORC score was 543.3 ± 100 74% ± 4.8% (range 310 - 740). The mean Constant-Murley score was 69.6 ± 4.6 (range 61 - 84). All patients had a fair or good consolidation of the fracture on radiographic examinations. The calculated RUST score was 4.2 ± 0.4 (range 4-5) 30 days after surgery, 6.1 ± 0.9 (range 4- 8) 90 days after surgery and 9.8 ± 1.5 (range 7-12) to 180 days after surgery. No major complications were found.
Treatment of the diaphyseal and proximal meta-epiphyseal humeral fractures with antegrade intramedullary nail provides excellent subjective and objective clinical results and good radiographic results. However, clinical studies with larger number of patients and longer follow-up are necessary.
•Treatment of DFFs still represent a challenge, especially in elderly patients.•Knee megaprosthesis allows immediate weight bearing and early functional recovery with low complication rate.•Knee ...megaprosthesis represents a safe and reliable option for treating complex DFFs.
Distal femur fractures (DFFs) are unusual and difficult to deal, especially in elderly patients. A consensus about a gold-standard treatment has not been reached yet. Available options include both conservative and surgical management. In elderly patients a prosthetic replacement could be a valid treatment option. Literature is lacking about the use of mega-prosthesis in this type of fractures. The purpose of the present systematic review is to examine which fracture, both acute and chronic, involving distal femur should be treated by using a mega-prosthesis.
Studies were identified by searching electronic databases. All studies that enrolled people of any age affected by a DFFs treated by using a megaprosthesis were included. Primary outcomes of the present reviews were: ROM, functional assessment and complications. Two review authors independently selected eligible trials. Disagreements at any stage were resolved by consensus or a third party adjudication. Descriptive statics was used to summarize the data.
Thirteen article were finally included in the review. One hundred-four patients were treated with knee megaprosthesis. Three categories of patients were identified: 29 patients were affected by supracondylar femur fracture; 51 patients occurred with a periprosthetic fracture; 24 patients suffered a non-union of a previous supracondylar fracture. The follow-up varied between 6 months to 58 months. All studies showed good results in terms of improving quality of life, resuming activities of daily living (ADLs), early mobilization, ROM, shorter hospital stay. Although not frequent, the only reported complications were infection and aseptic loosening.
The present review showed that the use of knee megaprosthetic implants could represent a valid treatment option aiming to reduce patients’ immobilitazion and hospital stay. Good clinical outcomes with low rate of complications were reported by all included studies. Literature is lacking about long-term outcomes and complications. Moreover studies comparing knee prostheses and other types of surgical treatment (intramedullary nails, plate fixation system) are needed.
Megaprosthesis represent a viable treatment option in patients affected by DFFs (either acute, periprostethic or non-union) because they allow immediate weight-bearing, shorter hospital stay, a fast recovery of knee function and ADLs.
Acrometastasis: a literature review Stomeo, D; Tulli, A; Ziranu, A ...
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences,
08/2015, Letnik:
19, Številka:
15
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Acrometastases are a rare observation, and account for approximately 0.1% of metastases. Every age can be affected, with a male predominance. The most common primary cancer site is the lung, followed ...by the colo-rectal, breast and genito-urinary tract. They are most commonly seen in pre-terminal patients with wide-spread disseminated disease. Rarely, they may be the first presentation of occult silent cancer, mimicking a benign condition. There is no standard treatment. We reviewed last 20 years literature in order to describe the most common sites of primary tumours and the more commonly used treatments.
We searched the Cochrane Central Library (CENTRAL), MEDLINE/PubMed (from 1940 to February 2014), SCOPUS database, and EMBASE/Ovid using a combination of controlled vocabulary and text word terms.
Lung cancer was the first most common cause of acrometastases both in hands and feet, with 32.9% of all the cases; 20% of cases were renal cell cancer (RCC) metastases, followed by breast (12.9%) and colon (10%). Primary malignancies and site of metastasis (hand vs foot) suggest that the tumour cells reach the bones through the circulation and not the lymphatic system; in foot acrometastases Batson's plexus may play a fundamental role in dissemination.
Treatment depends on staging and tumor extent. Amputation or disarticulation is the most common approach. It allows a wide margin resection and pain control. In some cases palliative treatment with radiation therapy, bisphosphonates and chemotherapy have been attempted with good results. The prognosis of the patients with acrometastases is poor; the mean survival time after diagnosis is 7 (±7) months. Special reference needs to be made to metastasis from renal cell carcinoma; if treated with radical surgical resection and nephrectomy a better outcome and survival rate shall be expected.
•Euthyroid Sick Syndrome is strictly realated to an increased risk of post-operative anemia.•This is the first study that links ESS to proximal femur fracture.•A pre-operative diagnostic screening ...for ESS in fragile elderly patients affected by proximal femur fracture could become a mandatory preoperative step
Incidence of hip fractures is increasing with upward estimates representing one of the most current health problems. According to some authors this condition is associated with an early mortality rate ranging between 20% and 35% and low outcomes. One of the predictive factors of poor outcome after hip fracture is anaemia. In fragile patients, hormonal changes due to fracture and surgical trauma, may occur in the hypophyseal hypothalamus axis which may lead to the Euthyroid Sick Syndrome (ESS). This pathological condition is characterized by a reduction in the concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) with normal or slightly reduced thyrotropin (TSH) values and with or without a reduction (cancellata) of thyroxine (T4). ESS has been associated to an increased mortality in elderly patients.
Inclusion criteria were: age > 65y, X-ray diagnosis of proximal femoral fracture classified as AO 31A or 31B requiring surgical treatment, admittance to the emergency room within 72 hours from trauma. Exclusion criteria were: any thyroid-related pathology, concomitant acute coronary syndrome, active pneumonia, concomitant neoplastic disease, assumption of medications able to affect thyroid function, refusal to undergo surgical treatment. All patients underwent routine blood testing and a complete thyroid-hormone profile dosage before surgical operation. The same blood tests performed before surgical operation were repeated on the first and third post-operative days.
Thirtytwo patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled after they accepted to participate to the study. Sixteen patients presented with ESS on admission and 16 patients did not. The mean age was 82,5 yo. There was no statistically significant difference in bleeding risk factors among the two groups. In the ESS group there was a number of blood transfusions of 1.06 units higher than the control group (p=0.01).
We have demonstrated that patients with ESS have a higher need of red blood cells transfusion compared to patients without ESS and, thus they have a higher risk to develop
anemia in the peri-operative period. We believe it would be useful to diagnose ESS in fragile patients at their arrival to the emergency room and apply a peri-operative therapeutic protocol to prevent anemia.
Genetics in orthopaedic practice Aicale, R; Tarantino, D; Maccauro, G ...
Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents,
03/2019, Letnik:
33, Številka:
2 Suppl. 1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
DNA holds genetic information in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells; and has three different functions: replication, storage of hereditary information, and regulation of cell division. Most studies ...described the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) to common orthopaedics diseases and the susceptibility to develop musculoskeletal injuries. Several mutations are associated with osteoporosis, musculoskeletal ailments and other musculoskeletal deformity and conditions. Several strategies, including gene therapy and tissue engineering with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), have been proposed to enhance healing of musculoskeletal tissues. Furthermore, a recent technique has revolutionized gene editing: clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) technology is characterized by simplicity in target design, affordability, versatility, and high efficiency, but needs more studies to become the preferred platform for genome editing. Predictive genomics DNA profiling allows to understand which genetic advantage, if any, may be exploited, and why a given rehabilitation protocol can be more effective in some individual than others. In conclusion, a better understanding of the genetic influence on the function of the musculoskeletal system and healing of its ailments is needed to plan and develop patient specific management strategies.