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Biomedical subjects

V Forin

Publications and source records attributed to V Forin.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Botulinum toxin type A in children: evaluation of indications with a review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to review the literature to indications of botulinum toxin type A in children. METHOD: We review the international literature from 1990 to 2002 by querying the Pubmed database with the keywords "children" and "botulinum toxin". RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-eight articles are retrieved. We selected the most relevant 64 articles among them. Several questions remain pending: which optimal dose, which periodicity for injections, which optimal age to prolong efficiency? The main criteria to estimate efficiency is functional ability improvement. No significant side effects are noted. The main use of botulinum toxin is the management of the spastic lower limb in cerebral palsy. DISCUSSION: This review of the literature makes it possible to specify the interests and the operational limits of botulinum toxin in the child. Its effectiveness with the upper limb is not proven. The other indications remain to be studied in a more precise way. CONCLUSION: This review shows many studies give the indications of botulinum toxin in children. The main indication is the lower limb spaticity in cerebral palsy. New prospective and double-blind studies should be performed with larger samples.

Adolescent↗

Function of the upper limb after surgery for obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

We reviewed a consecutive series of 33 infants who underwent surgery for obstetric brachial plexus palsy at a mean age of 4.7 months. Of these, 13 with an upper palsy and 20 with a total palsy were treated by nerve reconstruction. Ten were treated by muscle transfer to the shoulder or elbow, and 16 by tendon transfer to the hand. The mean postoperative follow-up was 4 years 8 months. Ten of the 13 children (70%) with an upper palsy regained useful shoulder function and 11 (75%) useful elbow function. Of the 20 children with a total palsy, four (20%) regained useful shoulder function and seven (35%) useful elbow function. Most patients with a total palsy had satisfactory sensation of the hand, but only those with some preoperative hand movement regained satisfactory grasp. The ability to incorporate the palsied arm and hand into a co-ordinated movement pattern correlated with the sensation and prehension of the hand, but not with shoulder and elbow function.

Arm↗

[Pickrell intervention in children for anal incontinence secondary to anorectal malformation].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to report the results of unilateral Pickrell procedure in children with fecal incontinence secondary to anal atresia. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty three children were operated between 1975 and 1997. The mean age at the time of the operation was 8.5 years. Functional results were systematically evaluated by Kelly's clinical score and by anal sphincter electromyography and anal manometry for some patients. RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality. One colostomy was performed for recurrent local sepsis. The functional result with a mean follow-up of 6 years was estimated to be good in 25%, intermediate in 45% and poor in 30%. Clinical improvement of continence was obtained in 70% of cases. CONCLUSION: The improvement of continence after Pickrell procedure essentially depends on the patient selection criteria, pre- and postoperative rehabilitation and regular enemas. In the case of poor results, the authors propose bilateral Pickrell procedure which improved the results in eight out of nine children in this group.

Adolescent↗

[Acute urine retention: a rare mode of revelation of cervico-dorsal syringomyelia caused by cyproheptadine].

BACKGROUND: Syringomyelia is rare in children aged less than 10 years, and bladder dysfunction is an unlikely first manifestation. This report describes a case of repeated episodes of acute urinary retention in a young girl revealing syringomyelia and Arnold-Chiari malformation. CASE REPORT: A 2.5 year-old girl was admitted because she was suffering from acute urinary retention. Her poor appetite had been treated with cyproheptadine, a histamine type I blocking drug. Clinical investigation revealed no local cause for this bladder dysfunction except moderate spasticity of the legs. Cystography showed no vesicoureteral reflux. Because the episodes of urinary retention recurred each day, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed; this showed the typical features of syringomyelia extending from C5 to T11 plus Arnold-Chiari malformation. The cyproheptadine was discontinued and the urinary retention disappeared. CONCLUSION: Cyproheptadine may have revealed latent neurogenic bladder in this case, although urodynamic studies, performed 3 months later, detected no bladder dysfunction.

Acute Disease↗

Lumbosacral agenesis. Three cases of reconstruction using Cotrel-Dubousset or L-rod instrumentation.

Three patients with lumbosacral agenesis underwent surgery to lock the lumbopelvic instability. All three patients had an unstable sitting position and a kyphotic bearing that impaired intestinal transit or hampered further colostomy or ureterostomy. Luque instrumentation with iliac fixation performed according to Galveston was used in one patient. Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation was used for the two other patients. Autografts plus allografts provided sufficient bone for fusion without requiring lower leg amputations. Increased hip flexion was obtained after pelvic stabilization, but knee flexion contracture remained the same. All patients showed improved intestinal transit or decreased urinary infections, and two patients attained a stable sitting position without aid.

Adolescent↗