Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: comparison of outside-in and all-inside techniques. (1/1491)

The aim of this prospective study was to compare two arthroscopic techniques for reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament, the "outside-in" (two incisions) and the "all-inside" (one incision) techniques. The results obtained for 30 patients operated on using the "outside-in" technique (group I) were compared with those for 29 patients operated on using the "all-inside" technique (group II). Before surgery, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, patellofemoral pain score, or knee laxity. Both groups displayed significant improvements in Lysholm score after 24 months, from 69 (16) to 91 (9) in group I and from 70 (17) to 90 (15) in group II (means (SD)). There were also significant improvements in patellofemoral pain scores in both groups, from 13 (6) to 18 (5) in group I and from 14 (6) to 18 (4) in group II after 24 months. No difference was found between the groups in knee stability at the 24 month follow up. The IKDC score was identical in both groups at follow up. The operation took significantly longer for patients in group I (mean 94 (15)) than for those in group II (mean 86 (20)) (p = 0.03). The mean sick leave was 7.7 (6.2) weeks in group I and 12.3 (9.7) weeks in group II (p = 0.026), indicating that there may be a higher morbidity associated with the "all-inside" technique. It can be concluded that there were no significant differences between the two different techniques in terms of functional results, knee laxity, or postoperative complications. The results were satisfactory and the outcome was similar in both treatment groups.  (+info)

Soft tissue cover for the exposed knee prosthesis. (2/1491)

This study assess the use of muscle flaps to cover exposed knee prostheses and emphasises the need for early plastic surgery consultation. In five of the six patients studied the wound was successfully covered and the knee prosthesis salvaged with a reasonable functional outcome.  (+info)

Permanent implantation of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is safe for pelvic surgery. United States Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Reproductive Surgery Study Group. (3/1491)

Clinical trials have shown the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane to be a highly effective adhesion barrier in gynaecological reconstructive surgery, but the material has not gained wide acceptance because of uncertainty about long-term safety. We conducted a prospective, observational multicentre study to determine if permanent implantation of the ePTFE membrane in the pelvis caused any adverse effects. The subjects were 146 women in whom the membrane was implanted permanently during peritoneal reconstruction in 1991-1996. Postoperatively, patients were examined at regular intervals. The mean postoperative observation time was 3.5 years. No long-term complications occurred. There were 10 births by Caesarean section and 12 by vaginal delivery. All of the pregnancies before these 22 births were uneventful, including 10 in which the women had uterine implantation sites. There were two ectopic pregnancies and three spontaneous abortions. Since the primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term safety of ePTFE, early second-look laparoscopy was not performed routinely. Nevertheless, 24 women had a subsequent operation. Adhesions were present at 8/21 of the membrane sites in these women, a significant decrease compared with adhesions at 17/21 sites during the initial procedure (P = 0.005). This large, multicentre study confirmed the long-term safety of the ePTFE membrane in pelvic reconstruction. Removal of the barrier is not necessary.  (+info)

Laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in congenital agenesis of vagina and uterine cervix. (4/1491)

In patients with agenesis of the vagina and cervix but with a functional endometrium, the traditional treatment is hysterectomy with construction of a neovagina. We report successful treatment by laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in a patient with congenital agenesis of the vagina and uterine cervix concomitant with haematometra and ovarian endometrioma in a 12 year old girl. Postoperatively, the vaginal skin graft healed well, and menstruation first appeared 4 weeks later. In our opinion, a combined laparoscopic and vaginal procedure with full thickness skin graft is an efficacious alternative in managing such genital defects.  (+info)

Multi-bracket appliance in management of mandibular reconstruction with vascularized bone graft. (5/1491)

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used tool for maxillo-mandibular fixation to the patient who underwent reconstruction using a vascularized bone graft after mandibular resection is a dental arch-bar. However, the occlusal relationship achieved by this method is not ideal. Different from the dental arch-bar, the multi-bracket appliance which is frequently used in orthodontic treatment can control the position of each individual tooth three dimensionally. Thus, this appliance was applied for maxillo-mandibular fixation to patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using a vascularized bone graft. METHODS: A multi-bracket appliance was applied to three patients. Prior to the surgery, standard edgewise brackets were bonded to the teeth in the maxilla and in the remaining mandible. After mandibular resection, wires for maxillo-mandibular fixation were applied. The harvested bone was then carefully fixed with miniplates to maintain the occlusion. The multi-bracket appliance was worn for 3 months when the wound contraction became mild. RESULTS: All three cases demonstrated stable and good occlusion. They also demonstrated satisfactory post-surgical facial appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional dental arch-bars, a multi-bracket appliance offers improved management of mandibular reconstruction. Firstly, its properties are helpful in maintaining occlusion of the remaining dentition accurately in bone grafting procedure as well as protecting against postsurgical wound contraction. Secondly, the multi-bracket appliance keeps the oral cavity clean without periodontal injury. As a result, stable occlusion of the residual teeth and good facial appearance were obtained.  (+info)

Cervical vertebral and subclavian artery reconstructions. (6/1491)

At our institution, endovascular treatment of subclavian artery (SA) or vertebral artery (VA) occlusive disease has been used as the treatment of first choice during the last years. Open procedures were performed only in cases of failed or unfeasible endovascular treatment or total occlusion of the proximal VA or SA, respectively. Nineteen open procedures were performed between 1992 and 1996. Proximal reconstructions included SA to common carotid artery (CCA) transpositions or bypasses and VA to CCA transpositions. Distal reconstructions included transposition techniques or direct reconstruction in a few cases of traumatic lesions. The operative procedure used two-channel transcranial Doppler monitoring for cases involving simultaneous CCA and SA or VA cross clamping. There was one technical failure of a distal VA reconstruction. No surgical complications occurred. The recent pertinent literature with regard to indications and techniques of SA and VA reconstructions is discussed.  (+info)

New concepts and advances of immobilization of long bones. (7/1491)

OBJECTIVE: To present some new concepts in the treatment of fractures and bone defects of long bones with internal fixation. METHODS: Animal experiments, mechanical tests and clinical analyses were done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of fracture should be perfect, bone defect can be reconstructed by intramedullary and extramedullary bone graft. Relatively rigid fixation at the early stage and elastic fixation at the later stage are beneficial not only for fracture healing, but also for bone remodeling. In order to avoid complications including non-union, immobilization syndrome of the bone and joint, and implant failure, radiographs should be taken periodically; if there is any bone resorption, weight-bearing should be restricted.  (+info)

A large maxillofacial prosthesis for total mandibular defect: a case report. (8/1491)

We successfully fabricated a large maxillofacial prosthesis for replacement of a total mandibular defect resulting from surgical failure to reconstruct the mandible. Although a number of reports have described procedures for fabricating midfacial prostheses, there is little information on prostheses to compensate for total loss of the mandible. A 54-year-old woman was referred to the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Division of the National Cancer Center Hospital with total loss of the mandible and the surrounding facial soft tissue. The facial prosthesis we used to treat this patient is unique in that it is adequately retained without the use of extraoral implants and conventional adhesives. This prosthesis is retained by the bilateral auricles and the remaining upper front teeth. We present details of the design of this large silicone maxillofacial prosthesis, with which we successfully rehabilitated the patient.  (+info)