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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Surgical decompression without transposition for ulnar neuropathy: factors determining outcome.

Fifty-one surgical decompressions without nerve transposition for ulnar neuropathy were performed in 46 patients. All of the patients were men with an average age of 59 years at the time of surgery. The follow-up range was between 5 and 32 months (average, 17.8 months). The disease involved the nondominant arm in 24 patients (52%) and was bilateral in 5 (11%). In 23 cases (50%), no predisposing condition could be identified, whereas 15 patients (33%) abused alcohol and 8 patients (17%) had diabetes mellitus. Fifty-seven percent of the patients helped by surgery had symptoms for less than 1 year, whereas only 30% of patients with symptoms for more than 1 year had symptomatic improvement. The relative magnitude of the slowing of ulnar nerve conduction velocity across the elbow was not significantly correlated with the success of decompression in relieving symptoms. Ulnar nerve conduction velocities across the elbow were 36.13 +/- 11.76 m/s in those responding to surgery and 38.97 +/- 13.91 m/s in those not responding (c = 0.06, dF = 50, P less than 0.3). A total of 37 patients showed symptomatic improvement after decompression. Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve was performed under local anesthesia without transposition of the nerve. In all of these cases, compression of the nerve occurred predominantly in the epicondylar groove. Narrowing of the nerve in the groove was present in 28 cases (55%); scar tissue was found adhering to the nerve in 21 cases (41%); and two pseudoneuromas were found (4%). Forty-one operations (80%) resulted in symptomatic improvement, typically noted by the patient within the first month postoperatively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Arthroscopy update #4. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Surgical technique.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is the arthroscopic equivalent of the standard open procedure. Although technically demanding, it facilitates early rehabilitation. The rotator cuff is inspected from the articular and bursal side. Initial results in 102 patients with one to three years of follow-up indicate a satisfaction rate of 84% in 67 patients with stage II disease, and 91% in 35 patients with stage III disease. For both stage II and selected stage III cases, 80% of the results were reported as excellent or good on the objective UCLA rating scale.

Arthroplasty↗

Surgical decompression for traumatic brain swelling: indications and results.

OBJECT: Decompressive craniectomy has been performed since 1977 in patients with traumatic brain injury. The authors assess the efficacy of this treatment and the indications for its use. METHODS: The clinical status of the 57 patients, their computerized tomography (CT) scans, and intracranial pressure (ICP) levels were documented prospectively in a standard protocol. At the beginning of the study, all patients older than 30 years were excluded. As of 1989 patients older than 40 years were excluded until 1991; since that time patients older than 50 years have been excluded. Primary brain or brainstem injury with fully developed bulbar brain syndrome, loss of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs), and/or oscillation flow in a transcranial Doppler ultrasound examination were contraindications to decompressive craniectomy. A positive indication for decompression was given in the case of progressive therapy-resistant intracranial hypertension in correlation with clinical (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score, decerebrate posturing, dilating of pupils) and electrophysiological (electroencephalography, somatosensory evoked potentials, and AEPs) parameters and with findings on CT scans. Unilateral decompressive craniectomy was performed in 31 patients and bilateral craniectomy in 26 patients. In all cases, a wide frontotemporoparietal craniectomy was followed by a dura enlargement covered with temporal muscle fascia. The outcomes of the treatment were surprisingly good. Only 11 patients (19%) died, three of whom died of acute respiratory disease syndrome. Five patients (9%) survived, but remained in a persistent vegetative state; six patients (11%) survived with a severe permanent neurological deficit, and 33 patients (58%) attained social rehabilitation. Two patients (3.5%) did not have a follow-up examination. The GCS score on the 1st day posttrauma and the mean ICP turned out to be the best predictors for a good prognosis. The results demonstrate the importance of decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of traumatic brain swelling. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decompression should be routinely performed when indicated before irreversible ischemic brain damage occurs.

Adolescent↗

Recovery of sensory function after surgical decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome.

The function of thick and thin sensory nerve fibers after surgical decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome were evaluated using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The thin nerve fibers were studied using tests for thermal thresholds, and the thick myelinated fibers by vibrametry. The tests were performed before surgery and at 6 weeks, 4 and 10 months after surgery. The improvement of function in thin nerve fibers came within 6 weeks (P = 0.001). The improvement of function in thick myelinated fibers continued to improve until 4 months after the operation (P = 0.0001). This difference in the time course of the recovery indicates that the thick myelinated nerve fibers were more affected than the thin nerve fibers. The function of both type sensory nerve fibers did also improve in the fifth finger (P = 0.05). The function in thin nerve fibers worsened somewhat between 6 weeks and 4 months after surgery, possibly due to postoperative scar tissue.

Adult↗

Cerebral hemodynamic changes gauged by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with posttraumatic brain swelling treated by surgical decompression.

OBJECT: The use of decompressive craniectomy has experienced a revival in the previous decade, although its actual benefit on patients' neurological outcome remains the subject of debate. A better understanding of the intracranial pressure dynamics, as well as of the metabolic and hemodynamic brain processes, may be useful in assessing the effect of this surgery on the pathophysiology of the swollen brain. The aim of this study was to use transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography to examine the hemodynamic changes in the brain after decompressive craniectomy in patients with head injury, in addition to examining the relationship between such hemodynamic changes and the patient's neurological outcome. METHODS: Nineteen patients presenting with traumatic brain swelling and cerebral herniation syndrome who had undergone decompressive craniectomy with dural expansion were studied prospectively. The TCD ultrasonography measurements were performed bilaterally in both the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and in the distal portion of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) immediately prior to and after surgical decompression. After surgery, the mean blood flow velocity (BFV) rose to 175 +/- 209% of preoperative values in the MCA of the operated side, while rising to 132 +/- 183% in the contralateral side; the difference between the mean BFV increase in in the MCA of both the decompressed and the opposite side reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). The mean BFV of the extracranial ICA increased to 91 +/- 119% in the surgical side and 45 +/- 60% in the opposite side. Conversely, the MCA pulsatility index (PI) values decreased, on average, to 33 +/- 36% of the preoperative value in the operated side and to 30 +/- 34% on the opposite side; the MCA PI value reductions were significantly greater in the decompressed side when compared with the contralateral side (p < 0.05). The PI of the extracranial ICA reduced, on average, to 37 +/- 23% of the initial values in the operated side and to 24 +/- 34%, contralaterally. No correlation was verified between the neurological outcome and cerebral hemodynamic changes seen on TCD ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: Decompressive craniectomy results in a significant elevation of cerebral BFV in most patients with traumatic brain swelling and transtentorial herniation syndrome. The increase in cerebral BFV may also occur in the side opposite the decompressed hemisphere; the cerebral BFV increase is significantly greater in the operated hemisphere than contralaterally. Concomitantly, PI values decrease significantly postoperatively, mainly in the decompressed cerebral hemisphere, indicating reduction in cerebrovascular resistance.

Adolescent↗

Surgical decompression of the first part of vertebral artery for ischemic brainstem dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic brainstem dysfunction can be caused by extrinsic compression or kinking of the proximal vertebral artery. This is a retrospective survey of operated patients comparing neurologic examinations done postoperatively with preoperative neurologic evaluation. No patient with arteriosclerotic obstruction of the proximal vertebral artery treated by endarterectomy is included in this series. METHODS: Over a 5 year period, 104 patients presented preoperatively with signs and symptoms of brainstem dysfunction, with negative computerized tomographic scans of the brain, and angiography which demonstrated radiographic findings compatible with impediment to and compromise of blood flow into the first part of the vertebral artery. All patients had surgical exploration of the proximal vertebral artery in the lower neck mainly under local infiltrative anesthesia. Extrinsic compression or kinking of the proximal vertebral artery was found in all patients and relieved by surgical decompression and arteriolysis. Thirty-eight (36%) of the 104 patients had staged bilateral vertebral artery decompression and arteriolysis. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality and only minimal morbidity in this series. Twenty four patients had postoperative aortic arch angiography which showed absence of any radiographic abnormalities seen preoperatively, and which further showed a more directly aligned flow path of the proximal vertebral artery with the subclavian artery. The one year postoperative results in the 104 patients were as follows: 71 (68%) had sustained partial restoration of lost neurologic function, 23 (22%) had no change in neurologic status, and 10 (10%) became worse in neurologic status. In the group of 71 patients who had sustained partial restoration of lost neurologic function for 1 year postoperatively, 19 patients were neurologically evaluated for from 16 to 20 years postoperatively and continued to exhibit sustained partial restoration of lost neurologic function over that time. CONCLUSIONS: A safe, effective surgical procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia, namely decompression and arteriolysis of the proximal vertebral artery, is available for the treatment of ischemic brainstem dysfunction caused by extrinsic compression or kinking of the proximal vertebral artery.

Adolescent↗

Surgical decompressive procedures for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. A study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Twenty-two patients who underwent a surgical decompressive procedure for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were studied with magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the effectiveness of their decompressive procedures. Twelve patients were judged as adequately decompressed by magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Ten patients exhibited evidence of residual cord indentation. This along with cord atrophy, gliosis, and abnormal spine curvature presumably contributed to residual deficit in several patients. One patient underwent a second decompressive procedure for residual cord indentation, which subsequently improved, as seen on his second postoperative magnetic resonance image. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in distinguishing mechanical problems from intrinsic cord damage or atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging should be used after operation in patients with residual deficit to detect patients who may be considered for a second decompressive procedure.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

Efficacy of surgical decompression in the setting of complete thoracic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: An assessment of neurological improvement after surgical intervention in the setting of traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of a nonconsecutive cohort of patients with a thoracic SCI from T2 to T11. The analysis included a total of 12 eligible patients. The neurologic and functional outcomes were recorded from the acute hospital admission to the most recent follow-up. Data included patient age, level of injury, neurologic examination according to the Frankel grading system, the performance of surgery, and the mechanism of the time-related SCI decompression. RESULTS: All patients had a complete thoracic SCI. The median interval from injury to surgery was 11 days (range, 1-36 days). Decompression, bone fusion, and instrumentation were the most common surgical procedures performed. The median length of follow-up was 18 months after surgery (range, 9-132 months). Motor functional improvement was seen in 1 patient (Frankel A to C). CONCLUSION: Surgical decompression and fusion imparts no apparent benefit in terms of neurologic improvement (spinal cord) in the setting of a complete traumatic thoracic SCI. To better define the role of surgical decompression and stabilization in the setting of a complete SCI, randomized, controlled, prospective studies are necessary.

Adolescent↗

Studies on cerebral oxygen metabolism, blood flow, and blood volume, in patients with hydrocephalus before and after surgical decompression, using positron emission tomography.

Cortical oxygen utilization, oxygen extraction, blood flow, and blood volume, have been measured in patients with hydrocephalus before and after surgical decompression using positron emission tomography (PET). The hydrocephalus subjects fell into two categories: patients with recent-onset obstructive hydrocephalus and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure due to obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage by posterior fossa or third ventricular cerebral tumours, and patients with hydrocephalus of more insidious onset that was associated either with congenital abnormalities, or which was idiopathic. The hydrocephalus subjects had a significantly reduced level of mean cortical oxygen utilization (rCMRO2) and mean cortical blood flow (rCBF) compared with age-matched normal controls. Patients with recent-onset obstructive hydrocephalus associated with cerebral neoplasia had inappropriately low levels of cortical blood flow compared with their levels of cortical oxygen utilization, all having elevated levels of cortical oxygen extraction (rOER). Levels of cortical blood flow in the group of patients with more insidious-onset hydrocephalus matched levels of cortical rCMRO2, all these subjects having normal levels of rOER. All those hydrocephalus subjects who had a raised cortical oxygen extraction preoperatively increased their cortical blood flow following cerebral decompression. No improvement, however, was noted in their mean cortical oxygen utilization. By contrast, those hydrocephalus subjects with normal baseline levels of cortical extraction showed no improvement in mean cortical blood flow, oxygen utilization, or cognitive function after surgical intervention. It is concluded that if cortical oxygen extraction is elevated, hydrocephalic patients are likely to improve their cortical blood flow following cerebral decompression.

Adult↗

Late surgical decompression for compartment syndrome of the forearm.

Two cases are reported of the late diagnosis of compartment syndrome secondary to alcohol and drug overdose. Surgical decompression at two and a half days and at six days, respectively, produced worthwhile recovery. Other reports are reviewed and a case is made for the value of decompression even when performed late, and for delayed and minimal excision of apparently necrotic muscle.

Adult↗

Treatment of experimental brain oedema following sudden decompression, surgical wound, and cold lesion with vasoprotective drugs and the proteinase inhibitor "Trasylol".

The study was performed on 81 cats with three models of experimental brain oedema: sudden decompression, surgical wound, and cold injury. During the experiments blood pressure, central venous pressure, and intracranial pressure were recorded. The blood-brain-barrier was tested with Evans blue solution. The gray and white matter tissue was sampled at the end of the experiment, and the water content and sodium and potassium concentrations were determined. The animals with the same experimental model were divided into three groups: untreated, treated with the vasoprotective agents, and treated with the protease inhibitor Trasylol. In the sudden decompression model after balloon deflation, white matter haemorrhages and oedema development were found in gray matter and basal nuclei. In animals treated with the vasoprotective drugs, haemorrhages were not observed, and oedematous changes were less pronounced. The Trasylol effect on oedema development was not significant in this model. In the surgical wound model, oedematous changes were observed after 24 hours following the lesion. Oedema occurred in the white matter, as in the animals with cold lesions. In both models--surgical wound and cold lesion--the beneficial effect of Trasylol was shown, while the effect of Aescorin was less evident. The results obtained seemed to testify to the usefulness of both Trasylol and vasoprotective drugs in the prevention and treatment of brain oedema in neurosurgical patients.

Animals↗

Surgical decompression of posterior tibial neurovascular complex in treatment of certain chronic plantar ulcers and posterior tibial neuritis in leprosy.

Seventy-one cases of posterior tibial neurovascular surgical decompression in leprosy are analyzed and reviewed. Thirteen had chronic refractory posterior tibial neuritis while 58 had chronic nonhealing plantar ulcers. The plantar ulcers were associated with posterior tibial neuritis and/or vascular insufficiency. The clinical and operative findings together with the results are presented and the physiopathology of neurovascular compression is discussed. The operative procedure is described. The presence of pale granulation tissue in a nonhealing ulcer seems to be a characteristic finding in these cases. Neurovascular compression in the tunnel, behind and also below the malleolus, was present in all. In operative procedures, the importance of incising the inferior calcaneal bands is stressed. The results show that the neuritis was cured in all cases, while in 53 of 58 cases the plantar ulcers healed in a short period after the decompression. This stresses the value of this procedure. The prophylactic potential of this procedure needs to be evaluated.

Adolescent↗

Epidural haematoma requiring surgical decompression following repeated cervical epidural steroid injections for chronic pain.

We report a case of epidural haematoma following a steroid injection into the cervical epidural space. The complication occurred on the seventh such injection over a 2 year period for chronic spinal pain. Surgical decompression over the seventh cervical and the upper 3 thoracic vertebrae was required to alleviate the symptoms of paralysis and anaesthesia. The patient subsequently required skin grafting to the surgical site and two trans-urethral resections of the prostate gland during his 6 week hospital admission. He made a full recovery.

Chronic Disease↗

Combination treatment of venous thoracic outlet syndrome: open surgical decompression and intraoperative angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Residual subclavian vein stenosis after thoracic outlet decompression in patients with venous thoracic outlet syndrome is often treated with postoperative percutaneous angioplasty (PTA). However, interval recurrent thrombosis before postoperative angioplasty is performed can be a vexing problem. Therefore we initiated a prospective trial at 2 referral institutions to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined thoracic outlet decompression with intraoperative PTA performed in 1 stage. METHODS: Over 3 years 25 consecutive patients (16 women, 9 men; median age, 30 years) underwent treatment for venous thoracic outlet syndrome with a standard protocol at 2 institutions. Twenty-one patients (84%) underwent preoperative thrombolysis to treat axillosubclavian vein thrombosis. First-rib resection was performed through combined supraclavicular and infraclavicular incisions. Intraoperative venography and subclavian vein PTA were performed through a percutaneous basilic vein approach. Postoperative anticoagulation therapy was not used routinely. Venous duplex ultrasound scanning was performed postoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Intraoperative venography enabled identification of residual subclavian vein stenosis in 16 patients (64%), and all underwent intraoperative PTA with 100% technical success. Postoperative duplex scans documented subclavian vein patency in 23 patients (92%). Complications included subclavian vein recurrent thrombosis in 2 patients (8%), and both underwent percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, with restoration of patency in 1 patient. One-year primary and secondary patency rates were 92% and 96%, respectively, at life-table analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Residual subclavian vein stenosis after operative thoracic outlet decompression is common in patients with venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Combination treatment with surgical thoracic outlet decompression and intraoperative PTA is a safe and effective means for identifying and treating residual subclavian vein stenosis. Moreover, intraoperative PTA may reduce the incidence of postoperative recurrent thrombosis and eliminate the need for venous stent placement or open venous repair.

Adult↗

Tension pneumoperitoneum after blast injury: dramatic improvement in ventilatory and hemodynamic parameters after surgical decompression.

Tension pneumoperitoneum is a known although rare complication of barotrauma, which can accompany blast injury. We report two patients who suffered from severe pulmonary blast injury, accompanied by tension pneumoperitoneum, and who were severely hypoxemic, hypercarbic, and in shock. After surgical decompression of their pneumoperitoneum, respiratory and hemodynamic functions improved dramatically. Several mechanisms to explain this improvement are suggested. In such cases the release of the tension pneumoperitoneum is mandatory, and laparotomy with delayed closure can be contemplated.

Adult↗