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Biomedical subjects

S Kirschner

Publications and source records attributed to S Kirschner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Operative management in axillary brachial plexus blocks: comparison of ultrasound and nerve stimulation].

Given a case-by-case accounting system, the analysis of medical performance becomes increasingly important. Quality of treatment and the time effort attached play an important role. Anaesthesia procedures require a high level of quality and safety. Moreover, they are personnel intensive. In the area of regional anaesthesia, new procedures such as the use of high definition ultrasonography for nerve blocks, allow a possible time gain as well as improved quality. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the impact on time and results when using ultrasonography or nerve stimulation for axillary brachial plexus blocks. Therefore, over a time period of 9 months, the ultrasound-guided plexus anaesthesia (Sono) and the neurostimulation methods (NStim) were investigated based upon the anaesthesia documentation of patients undergoing hand surgery. Only those cases were included where an axillary brachial plexus block had been performed, incomplete protocols were excluded and 1.5% mepivacaine was used as medication. Overall, a total of 130 cases fulfilled these criteria. The success rates, time consumption and timelines were evaluated. All data was stored on an Excel-sheet and statistically evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase in the success rate for the patient group where ultrasound was used (98.2% Sono vs 83.1% NStim) and the operation could begin 15 min earlier in the Sono group (5 min vs. 20 min, p<0.001). Furthermore, the duration of anaesthesia was significantly shorter (85 min vs. 120 min, p<0.001) and the necessity for post-operative observation was less (5.4% vs. 32.4%, p<0.001). The data provided in the study indicate that the use of ultrasound for the identification of the nerves can clearly improve quality and time-scales of axillary brachial plexus blocks.

Adult↗

[Revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Despite the good midterm survivorship reported for unicondylar knee arthroplasty, an increase in revision surgery has to be expected due to increased replacement rates. The reasons for failure as well as distribution are different for unicondylar knee arthroplasty compared to total knee arthroplasty. The main reasons for revision are aseptic loosening and the progression of osteoarthritis. In most cases, unicondylar knee arthroplasty will be revised to total knee arthroplasty. To obtain good revision results, the cause of implant failure has to be analysed carefully. In the case of contained bone defects, the reconstruction can be supported with bone grafting. For those cases with uncontained defects, implants with augmentation and, in some cases, stem extensions are needed. The modularity of the revision implant should cover different intraoperative requirements.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

[Necrosis of the femoral head in late pregnancy. Necessity of early diagnosis].

Limping and groin pain can issue diagnostic problems during late pregnancy. Differential diagnosis of two idiopathic syndromes, transient osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the femoral head, is made possible by MRI in the early stages. This case is reported to demonstrate the need to distinguish between those syndromes early so as to prevent further joint damage.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the Extra Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire XSMFA-D in patients with musculoskeletal disorders and surgical or medical in-patient treatment].

AIM: The present study had the objective of evaluating the psychometric characteristics of the shortened 16-item version of the German Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire (XSMFA-D), which was designed for routine assessment of functional capacity in patients with various orthopaedic disorders treated either surgically or medically. METHODS: A total of 382 patients from seven different samples with either osteoarthritis of the knee, osteoarthritis of the hip, rheumatoid arthritis or rotator cuff tear treated either in surgical hospitals or rehabilitation settings were assessed both before and after treatment. The XSMFA-D was compared with both questionnaires measuring similar constructs and widely accepted indicators of health status in musculoskeletal disorders. Psychometric characteristics were computed. RESULTS: The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) exceeded 0.90 in most cases for the function index and was between 0.80 and 0.90 in most cases for the bother index of the XSMFA-D. Retest-reliability was between 0.80 and 0.95 for the function index and between 0.60 and 0.92 for the bother index. Correlations between the XSMFA-D subscales and the other questionnaires were substantial, showing construct validity. Criterion validity was also demonstrated as significant relationships with accepted external parameters such as function tests, judgements by physicians, pain self-ratings by patients and disease severity scores were found. Sensitivity to change was as high as for the other assessment instruments used in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The XSMFA-D, a very short assessment instrument, proved to be practical, reliable, valid and sensitive to change among the various patient samples studied. It may be recommended for the assessment of patients' state as well as the evaluation of treatments.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Proposal for a histopathological consensus classification of the periprosthetic interface membrane.

AIMS: The introduction of clearly defined histopathological criteria for a standardised evaluation of the periprosthetic membrane, which can appear in cases of total joint arthroplasty revision surgery. METHODS: Based on histomorphological criteria, four types of periprosthetic membrane were defined: wear particle induced type (detection of foreign body particles; macrophages and multinucleated giant cells occupy at least 20% of the area; type I); infectious type (granulation tissue with neutrophilic granulocytes, plasma cells and few, if any, wear particles; type II); combined type (aspects of type I and type II occur simultaneously; type III); and indeterminate type (neither criteria for type I nor type II are fulfilled; type IV). The periprosthetic membranes of 370 patients (217 women, 153 men; mean age 67.6 years, mean period until revision surgery 7.4 years) were analysed according to the defined criteria. RESULTS: Frequency of histopathological membrane types was: type I 54.3%, type II 19.7%, type III 5.4%, type IV 15.4%, and not assessable 5.1%. The mean period between primary arthroplasty and revision surgery was 10.1 years for type I, 3.2 years for type II, 4.5 years for type III and 5.4 years for type IV. The correlation between histopathological and microbiological diagnosis was high (89.7%), and the inter-observer reproducibility sufficient (85%). CONCLUSION: The classification proposed enables standardised typing of periprosthetic membranes and may serve as a tool for further research on the pathogenesis of the loosening of total joint replacement. The study highlights the importance of non-infectious, non-particle induced loosening of prosthetic devices in orthopaedic surgery (membrane type IV), which was observed in 15.4% of patients.

Adult↗

Cementless acetabular reconstruction and structural bone-grafting in dysplastic hips.

BACKGROUND: Studies of acetabular reconstruction with use of cement and bulk bone graft have demonstrated increasing rates of cup failure in patients with dysplastic hips seven years after total hip arthroplasty. Comparable data on the long-term results of bulk bone-grafting done in conjunction with cementless implants are limited. The aim of this study was to review the clinical and radiographic results of autologous bulk bone-grafting in conjunction with a cementless cup. METHODS: From 1987 to 1992, forty-seven patients (forty women and seven men, with an average age of 50.4 years) who had developmental dysplasia of the hip underwent fifty-six total hip arthroplasties and received a structural graft in combination with a cementless Harris-Galante type-I cup. All patients were followed prospectively. In fifty-five hips, implant migration was measured with single-image radiographic analysis. RESULTS: After an average duration (and standard deviation) of 10.2 +/- 2.9 years, three patients (four hips) had died. In the surviving patients, four implants had been revised and two had radiographic evidence of loosening. With use of revision and loosening as end points, the eleven-year survival rates were 91.6% and 88.9%, respectively. Of the fifty implants that had no loosening, fourteen had measurable cup migration, thirty-five had no migration, and one implant could not be measured. All migrations but one were progressive. With loosening used as the end point, the survival rate at eleven years was 100% for the implants with no migration; however, the survival rate for the cups that had migrated was 69.3% (p = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: The eleven-year survival rate for the spherical press-fit cups in combination with bulk bone-grafting is satisfactory, given the complexity of these reconstructions. However, the difference between the survival of the implants that had migrated and those that had not was significant. We expect that the thirteen implants with progressive acetabular migration at the time of the latest follow-up are at risk for loosening, which will increase the revision rate for this series in the coming years.

Acetabulum↗

The German Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire: reliability, validity, responsiveness, and comparison with the Short Form 36 and Constant score--a prospective evaluation of patients undergoing repair for rotator cuff tear.

In a prospective clinical trial, first the German Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire (SMFA-D) was tested for reliability, validity, and responsiveness in 23 patients with rotator cuff tears, and secondly the Short Form (SF)-36, and the Constant score were evaluated comparatively in 45 patients with rotator cuff tear undergoing open repair. Retest reliability was excellent for the functional index of the SMFA-D and satisfactory for the bother index. The SMFA-D showed good validity and responsiveness. All three instruments demonstrated significantly the positive effect of rotator cuff repair at 12-month follow-up. Using comparable scales, effect sizes were bigger with the SMFA-D than with the SF-36 and as big as the Constant score. Significant correlations of the SMFA-D indices with the SF-36 scales and the Constant score could be shown preoperatively. At 12-month follow-up, all correlations between SMFA-D indices, SF-36 scales, and Constant score function scales were still significant. We recommend use of the SMFA-D to assess changes in functional status concerning patients with rotator cuff tear undergoing open repair.

Adult↗

Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis in children.

BACKGROUND: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) in children is a chronic non-suppurative inflammation involving multiple sites. Some children affected by chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) do not have multiple lesions or a recurrent course. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the long term outcome of children with the full spectrum of CNO. METHODS: 30 children diagnosed with CNO were followed up for a mean of 5.6 years and their disease assessed using a clinical score, multiple imaging, and a diagnostic biopsy, including extensive microbial analysis. RESULTS: 9 patients had unifocal non-relapsing disease, 3 unifocal lesions with relapses, 9 multifocal lesions without relapses, and 9 multifocal lesions with relapses (CRMO). Granulocytes were present significantly more often in CRMO than in unifocal and non-recurrent lesions. Pustulosis was more common in multifocal cases regardless of recurrence. Mean duration of treatment in 15 children with a single occurrence was 9.2 months. Naproxen treatment was generally effective. Naproxen treatment in 12 patients with relapses lasted 25 months. However, 7 of these were not effectively treated with naproxen alone. Five were treated with oral glucocorticoids for 27 days in addition to naproxen, which induced remission in four, lasting for at least 1.5 years. Longitudinal growth of affected bones was not altered, except for the development of hyperostosis. CONCLUSION: CNO is a spectrum of inflammatory conditions, with CRMO being the most severe. Most children with CNO have a favourable outcome of the disease. Oral glucocorticoids may be necessary in severe recurrent cases.

Adolescent↗

The effect of suture materials and techniques on the outcome of repair of the rotator cuff: a prospective, randomised study.

In a prospective, randomised study on the repair of tears of the rotator cuff we compared the clinical results of two suture techniques for which different suture materials were used. We prospectively randomised 100 patients with tears of the rotator cuff into two groups. Group 1 had transosseous repair with No. 3 Ethibond using modified Mason-Allen sutures and group 2 had transosseous repair with 1.0 mm polydioxanone cord using modified Kessler sutures. After 24 to 30 months the patients were evaluated clinically using the Constant score and by ultrasonography. Of the 100 patients, 92 completed the study. No significant statistical difference was seen between the two groups: Constant score, 91% vs 92%; rate of further tear, 18% vs 22%; and revision, 4% vs 4%. In cases of further tear the outcome in group 2 did not differ from that for the intact repairs (91% vs 91%), but in group 1 it was significantly worse (94% vs 77%, p = 0.005). Overall, seven patients had complications which required revision surgery, in four for pain (two in each group) and in three for infection (two in group 1 and one in group 2).

Adult↗

[Preliminary clinical experience with the Ventrica automatic distal anastomosis system in coronary surgery].

The surgical treatment of coronary lesions is based on bypassing the anatomical lesions with autologous vascular grafts. This procedure has traditionally been "invasive", requiring a micro-surgery technique, institution of extra-corporeal circulation, as well as temporary cardiac arrest with a cardioplegic solution. Recently, an automatic distal anastomosis procedure has been developed (Ventrica, Medtronic Inc.), based on a magnetic coupling with two implanted intravascular magnets, allowing easy connection between the graft and the coronary artery. The immediately obvious advantages are the time saved, ease of use, reproducibility and reliability. The learning curve is fast. Furthermore, the use of this automatic process does not compromise a manual anastomosis in case of implantation failure. The immediate post-operative results, as well as angiography immediately and at 6 months are all satisfactory. This technique is applicable for multiple revascularisations, all types of autologous grafts, terminal or sequential bypasses, as well as nearly all types of coronaries. The contribution to beating heart, closed thorax coronary surgery seems equally promising.

Aged↗

Magnetic Vascular Port in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) is a well-established operative procedure. However, it is technically demanding and is therefore somewhat underused. We evaluated the clinical and angiographic outcome of patients undergoing a MIDCAB procedure with the Ventrica Magnetic Vascular Port (MVP) system. METHODS AND RESULTS: A Ventrica MVP system was used in 10 of 11 selected MIDCAB patients. The system consists of 6 magnetic clips, with 3 clips forming a set. One magnetic clip set is positioned at the arteriotomy of the target artery and of the bypass graft using a preloaded delivery system. These ports then form an anastomosis by magnetic coupling. The mean age of the 10 patients (6 male) was 60.3+/-11.0 years. Three patients had an angiogram at the time of discharge and 8 returned for a 6-month angiogram. The total procedure time was 128.2+/-12.2 minutes. The mean anastomotic time was 199 seconds. The mean ischemic time during the anastomosis was 146+/-146 seconds. There were no in-hospital complications and no device-related adverse events. All 3 predischarge and all 8 6-month angiograms showed patent anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: The magnetic vascular port facilitates the MIDCAB procedure significantly and reduces the ischemic time during the anastomosis. This minimally invasive procedure has the potential to be an alternative to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting in proximal left anterior descending (LAD) stenosis. It may expand the acceptance of hybrid procedures in which a left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-to-LAD graft optimally supplies the anterior wall and the septum while the circumflex and right coronary artery may be treated interventionally.

Aged↗

Magnetic resonance imaging criteria of successful core decompression in avascular necrosis of the hip.

To identify imaging criteria that determine the outcome of core decompression (CD) in femoral-head avascular necrosis (AVN). Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 65 hips with early stage AVN treated by core decompression between January 1990 and December 2000 for AVN were reviewed. All hips were categorized into two groups according to the result of CD using total hip arthroplasty (THA) as an end point. Hips that had no THA at follow-up were allocated to group I; those treated with a THA were allocated to group II. CD results were calculated for each group using THA as an end point. The parameters analyzed were the presence or absence of edema associated with the double-line sign on the preoperative MRI, the type of epiphyseal scar (ES) according to Jing, and the type of necrosis according to Mitchell. On follow-up, 45 hips had no THA (group I); 20 patients had a THA (group II). Patients with a radiographic crescent sign and those with edema associated with the double-line sign progressed to THA significantly more frequently. The extent of the necrosis had less discriminatory effect between the two groups. ES and necrotic tissue types had no prognostic value. In regard to the success of CD, it is important to differentiate on MRI between a double line sign plus bone marrow edema and a double-line sign only.

Adult↗

[False aneurysm of the lateral superior genicular artery. A complication after the implantation of a knee prosthesis].

Arterial complications after total knee arthroplasty are rare. If the formation of a false aneurysm does occur, it usually affects the popliteal artery. We report the case of an 77 year old female with a false aneurysm of the lateral superior genicular artery. The patient was suffering from gonarthrosis and received a duocondylar knee replacement without resurfacing of the patella. Postoperatively, she reported anterior knee pain and a revision of the joint with lateral release was carried out. In the third postoperative week, a painful swelling in the lateral and superior aspect of the knee occurred. A scintigraphic investigation with enrichment in the early period was misinterpreted as infection. Ultrasonographic and angiographic investigations gave the right diagnosis of a false aneurysm. In the same angiographic investigation, the aneurysm could be cured by coil embolisation. The interval between the operation leading to the problem and the formation of the aneurysm, as well as the low incidence of this complication, made it hard to diagnose. Ultrasonographic and angiographic examinations allow for proper diagnosis in cases of unclear painful swellings. When dealing with an arterial complication following total knee arthroplasty, a specialized radiologist or vascular surgeon should be consulted immediately.

Aged↗

[Proposal for the classification of the periprosthetic membrane from loosened hip and knee endoprostheses].

After 10 years, loosening of total joint endoprostheses occurs in about 3 to 10 percent of all patients, requiring elaborate revision surgery. A periprosthetic membrane is routinely found between bone and loosened prosthesis. Further histomorphological examination allows determination of the etiology of the loosening process. Aim of this study is the introduction of clearly defined histopathological criteria for a standardized evaluation of the periprosthetic membrane. Based on histomorphological criteria and polarized light microscopy, four types of the periprosthetic membrane were defined: periprosthetic membrane of wear particle type (type I), periprosthetic membrane of infectious type (type II), periprosthetic membrane of combined type (type III), periprosthetic membrane of indifferent type (type IV). Periprosthetic membranes of 268 patients were analyzed according to the defined criteria. The correlation between histopathological and microbiological diagnosis was high (89%, p<0,001), the inter-observer reproducibility was sufficient (95%). This classification system enables a standardized diagnostic procedure and therefore is a basis for further studies concerning the etiology of and pathogenesis of prosthesis loosening.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

[Evaluating the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the german short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire, SMFA-D, in inpatient rehabilitation of patients with conservative treatment for hip osteoarthritis].

BACKGROUND: Modern patient based outcome measures like the SMFA-D (German Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire) are able to detect the impairment and functional capacity of patients with musculoskeletal extremity disorders. The SMFA-D was successfully evaluated in several cohorts treated operatively for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, rotator cuff tears and rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the SMFA-D in patients with conservative treatment for hip osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 69 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip were enrolled in a prospective controlled clinical trial. All patients completed the SMFA-D, SF-36, WOMAC, FFbH-OA. A standardized test of walking speed and the functional status of the patient as judged by the physician were recorded. Statistical analysis were done for the following: re-test reliability (ICC), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), validity and responsiveness. RESULTS: Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was alpha = 0.89 and alpha = 0.97 for the SMFA-D scales. The retest reliability (ICC, unjust, mixed effect) was 0.91 (p < 0.001) for the function index and 0.73 (p < 0.001) for the bother index. Both indices correlated significantly with the FFbH-OA (r = 0.66 to r = 0.84), the WOMAC (r = 0.55 to r = 0.86) and the scales of the SF-36 (r = - 0.34 to r = - 0.85) on all three time points, which supports construct validity. There was mainly a significant correlation between the SMFA-D scales and the functional status of the patient (r = 0.21 to r = 0.44), pain reported by the patient (r = 0.43 to = 0.54) and the self selected walking speed (r = 0.28 to r = 0.51), which supports external validity. We were able to differentiate operatively and conservatively treated patients (discriminant construct validity). At the end of the rehabilitation program we were able to demonstrate small to medium treatment effects in SMFA-D and SF-36. The WOMAC and FFbH-OA were not able to demonstrate these treatment effects. CONCLUSION: Even in patients with conservative treatment of hip osteoarthritis the SMFA-D represents a reliable, valid and responsive measure. The use of the SMFA-D can be recommended as a patient based outcome measure.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Transient marrow edema syndrome of the hip: results after core decompression. A prospective MRI-controlled study in 22 patients.

BACKGROUND: Transient marrow edema syndrome (TMES) of the hip is a disease of acute onset and severe functional disability. There is histological evidence for an ischemic etiology of TMES of the hip. Core decompression as applied for avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip is therefore a therapeutic alternative to conservative therapy, the latter leading only to a reduction of symptoms but never a shortening of the course of the disease. METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 2000, 22 hips with TMES were treated with core decompression in our department. TMES was diagnosed by exclusion. MRI was done preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. The postoperative MRI result was classified into three categories. RESULTS: After an average of 7.2 (range 1-30) days, all patients were pain-free after core decompression. In 2 patients, TMES progressed to AVN despite core decompression. All others had no signal alterations of the head of the femur on MRI after 6 months. The postoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS) in patients with TMES was on average 93.7 (range 77-95); in patients with AVN, the postoperative HHS was 47 (range 45-49). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that core decompression of the hip significantly shortens the natural course of disease of TMES of the hip.

Adult↗

Treatment of transient bone marrow oedema of the hip--a comparative study.

Between 1990 and 2000, we treated 43 patients with transient bone marrow oedema of the hip. Five were treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and limited weight bearing, and 38 by core decompression followed by limited weight bearing. At follow-up 2-10 years later, all patients were assessed by a structured interview as well as the Harris hip score (HHS) and the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Both groups reached the same clinical outcome (HHS and WOMAC). Core decompression enabled a significantly faster recovery. There were no complications, but progression to avascular necrosis was seen in both groups. Core decompression induced fast pain relief, making it the preferable treatment.

Adolescent↗