1,721,015 research outputs found
Subjective perception of spinal deformity after selective versus non-selective fusion of Lenke 1C curves
Full text linkPurpose: To assess the self-image perception and the Quality-of-Life (QoL) in female adolescents, with Lenke 1C scoliosis curves, treated with selective versus non-selective posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSF). Methods: Patients undergoing PSF for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (AIS) were recruited and divided into two groups: patients managed with selective thoracic fusion (STF) were included in Group A, whereas patients treated with non-selective fusion (N-STF) in Group B. Each patient completed the Italian version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22R questionnaire (SRS-22R), the Quality-of-Life Profile for Spinal Deformities questionnaire (QLPSD) and the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ), before surgery and at 24-month follow-up. Results: One hundred and fifty seven female patients (mean age 16.38) were included in this study. 80 patients underwent STF, while 77 patients received N-STF. At 24-month follow-up, patients managed with N-STF showed better SRS-22R self-image mean score (p =.012), SRS-22R satisfaction mean score (p =.033), QLPSD body image mean score (p =.005), but worse SRS-22 function mean score (p =.006) and QLPSD back flexibility mean score (p =.007), compared with patients who underwent STF. In terms of self-image perception, patients undergoing STF showed significantly worse SAQ total mean score (p =.002), SAQ appearance mean score (p =.001) and SAQ expectation (p =.001). We found a significant correlation between SAQ appearance mean score and SRS-22R self-image (R = − 0.721), SRS-22 mental health (R = − 0.8), QLPSD psychosocial functioning (R = 0.7) and QLPSD back flexibility (R = 0.8). Conclusion: Although the STF of Lenke 1C curves provides better functional outcomes, in the present study, female patients receiving STF revealed a worse perceived body image, compared with patients treated with N-STF, at 24-month follow-up. Particular attention should be addressed to the preoperative patient’s mental health and body image perception, when choosing between STF and N-STF
Multi-omics analysis of synovial fluid: a promising approach in the study of osteoarthritis
No full textOsteoarthritis (OA), affecting 250 million individuals worldwide, is a significant social health problem. Therefore, the search for synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers that could anticipate the diagnosis of OA is gaining increasing importance in orthopaedics. This review summarizes the recent progresses preformed in the multi-omics approach to OA, mainly focusing on proteome and metabolome analysis of SF. Proteomics of the SF has shown the up-regulation of several components of the classic complement pathway in OA samples, including C1, C2, C3, C4A, C4B, C5 and C4 C4BPA, thus depicting that complement is involved in the pathogenesis of OA. Moreover, proteomics has displayed that some pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely IL-6, IL-8 and IL-18, have a role in OA. The metabolomic profiling of the SF in OA has identified some metabolites as potential biomarkers of OA and has shown the existence of metabolically different OA subgroups. However, further studies with larger samples sizes and matched-control groups are needed to identify SF biomarkers that could be useful in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of OA
Plasma Technology Reduces Blood Loss in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Full text linkStudy Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of PEAK Plasmablade (PPB), compared with bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery, in the posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSF) surgery performed for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Ninety-three patients undergoing PSF surgery for AIS were randomized in 2 groups: group-A patients (n = 45) underwent PSF surgery using PPB; group-B patients (n = 48) were treated with bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery. Demographic and surgical data was recorded. All the patients underwent serial blood tests on the day before surgery (T0) and at 24 (T1), 48 (T2), 72 (T3), and 96 (T4) hours postoperatively. Visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) score, the percentage of paracetamol assumption, and the blood transfusion rate were recorded in the time-lapse T1 to T4. Intergroup variability was assessed. Pearson correlation test was performed. A P value <.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A, a significantly shorter total operative time (P =.0087), a significantly lower total intraoperative blood loss (TBL) (P =.001), and a higher postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) (P =.01) were recorded. A significant higher mean Hb concentration and mean albumin value was recorded in group A at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. A significant correlation between TBL and hospital stay was recorded in both groups (group A, P =.00 001; group B, P =.00 006); moreover, in both groups, a significant correlation was observed between TBL and mean VAS at 72 hours postoperatively (group A, P =.0009; group B, P =.0001) and at 96 hours postoperatively (group A, P =.000 044; group B, P =.00 001). Conclusions: PPB reduces the intraoperative blood loss in PSF performed for AIS, thus allowing a patient’s faster recovery
Vertebral fragility fractures: clinical and radiological results of augmentation and fixation—a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials
No full textAIM: To assess the outcome of augmentation techniques, i.e., percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), vertebral body stenting (VBS) and fixation techniques in the management of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs).
METHODS: OVID-MEDLINE®, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Springer Link, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from January 2009 to February 2019 to identify relevant studies. The methodological qualities of the studies were evaluated and relevant data were extracted.
RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials, recruiting 1963 patients, were included. PVP, compared with conservative management (CM), showed a greater pain relief and an improved vertebral body height (VBH) restoration. Moreover, PVP revealed superior to a sham procedure for pain relief in acute VFFs. BKP, compared with CM, rapidly reduces pain and improves quality of life without increasing the risk of additional VFFs. BKP, compared with PVP, has fewer cement leakage rates and is more effective in VBH restoration. BKP should also be preferred to VBS, since it is associated with less material-related complications. Pedicle screw fixation associated with PVP, compared with PVP alone, revealed effective in preventing secondary VFFs.
CONCLUSIONS: BKP showed better clinical and radiological outcomes compared with CM and PVP. BKP revealed as effective as VBS in VBH restoration with less material-related complications
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Gait analysis in the postoperative assessment of intertrochanteric femur fractures
No full text: Proximal femur fractures (PFFs) are an increasing public health concern. Improving gait and mobility after surgical fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures (IFFs) is the most important target of research efforts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of gait analysis in the functional assessment of over-65 patients with stable and unstable IFFs, at a minimum 6-month follow-up. Fourteen patient's over-65 with IFFs (AO/OTA 31-A) treated with intramedullary nailing (EBA-2, Citieffe Srl, Italy) were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to the fracture stable or unstable pattern, according to AO/OTA classification. At follow-up appointments, clinical outcomes [Harris Hip Score (HHS)], Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) and gait parameters were assessed. Radiographs were analyzed at the time of surgery and at each follow-up visit. At 3-month follow-up, both groups showed a significantly different gait patterns, compared with control subjects. At 6-month follow-up, a significant improvement of both mean HHS score (p=0.43) and mean WOMAC score was observed (p=0.43) within groups. Nonetheless, patients with stable fractures showed a comparable gait pattern, compared with control subjects, while patients with unstable fractures still presented a worse gait pattern, compared with control subjects. Therefore, in presence of an unstable IFF, a more aggressive rehabilitative program is needed. The data provided by postoperative gait analysis, therefore, could be useful to customize the patients' rehabilitative protocol, to quickly improve their walking ability and autonomy, thus reducing the post-operative re-fall risks
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Box-loop technique in the management of complex elbow instability: A prospective controlled trial
No full textIntroduction: Chronic elbow instability is a disable complication. This prospective study reports our experience with the box-loop reconstruction technique, compared with traditional Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) and eventual Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) reconstruction, showing its functional outcome at 12-month follow-up. Methods: From January 2013 to February 2017, 27 patients with complex elbow instability were recruited. Group-A patients were managed using box-loop technique; in Group-B patients LCL reconstruction was performed and MCL lesions were always intraoperatively tested, under fluoroscopy, and eventually treated. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline (T0) and at 1- month (T1), 6-month (T2) and 12-month (T3) follow- up. X-rays were performed at T0 and T3. Intergroup and intragroup variability was assessed. Results: In all the patients, an improvement of both the range of movement and the joint stability was observed after surgery. The mean increase in flexion-extension arch was 52° in Group-A patients at 12-month follow-up. A significant improvement (p<0.05) of Mayo Elbow Performance Score, Oxford Elbow Scores and Visual Analogue Scale was observed at 12-month follow-up in both groups. Conclusion: Box-loop technique revealed safe and effective in the management of multidirectional elbow instability
The Masquelet technique in the treatment of a non-infected open complex fracture of the distal tibia with severe bone and soft tissue loss: A case report.
No full textThe treatment of open distal tibia fractures remains challenging, particularly when the fracture involves severe soft tissue damage and segmental bone loss. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman who sustained an open distal tibia fracture type 43-A3.3, with segmental bone loss, and a closed bifocal fibular fracture. The fractures were initially fixed with a temporary external fixator. The open distal tibial fracture underwent an intramedullary nailing on day six post-trauma, while the segmental bone loss was refilled with a temporary cement spacer, in order to create a biologic chamber, according to the technique by Masquelet et al. At three months post-trauma, the temporary cement spacer was removed and the bone loss was filled with an autologous bone graft obtained with the Reaming Irrigation Aspiration (RIA) system. The fracture successfully healed at 13 months post-trauma. Masquelet technique, in association with the RIA system, represents a valid strategy in the treatment of non-infected open complex fracture of the distal tibia with severe bone and soft tissue loss
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