Surgery of cicatricial stage of choroidal neovascular membrane with autologous conditioned plasma

Purpose. To estimate the effectiveness of the cicatricial stage of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNM) surgery with retina fixation after retinotomy of paracentral areas with autologous conditioned platelet rich plasma (ACP) and without endolaser photocoagulation and silicone oil tamponade. Material and methods. 17 CNM patients aged 49 to 82 with visual acuity from 0.02 eccentric to 0.08 were operated. The operation consisted in 25-, 27+-gauge vitrectomy, removal of the posterior hyaloid membrane and the inner limiting membrane (in the presence of an epiretinal membrane), paracentral retinotomy, removal of the choroidal neovascular membrane via retinotomy, pneumoretinopexy, 2–3 layer instillation of ACP in the retinotomy area without endolaser photocoagulation and silicone oil tamponade, seamless closure of sclera- and conjunctivotomy with a layer of autologous conditioned plasma. Results. Full retinal reattachment and closure of the retinotomy opening in the late postoperative period was noted in all patients. No case of recurrent retinal detachment was recorded. Complete closure of sclera- and conjunctivotomy with no additional suture fixation was achieved in all cases. In the long-term period after the removal of the cicatricial choroidal membrane, visual acuity was 0.03–0.2. Conclusion. The modern surgery of the cicatricial stage of CNM using ACP to close the retinotomy defect after removal of cicatricial CNV without endolaser coagulation of the retina and silicone tamponade, followed by seamless blocking of the sclero- and conjunctivotomy with ACP produces excellent anatomical and functional results, minimizing the risk of postoperative complications.

Continuous-Loop Tape Technique Has Greater Stiffness and Less Elongation Compared With Tied-Suture Fixation of Full-Thickness All–Soft Tissue Quadriceps Tendon Autografts

Background: Many graft fixation techniques are utilized for full-thickness soft tissue quadriceps tendon autografts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose: To determine the tensile properties of all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon graft fixation using a tied-suture versus continuous-loop tape technique. It was hypothesized that the continuous-loop tape technique would have less cyclic elongation and greater ultimate load to failure and stiffness compared with a commonly used tied-suture technique. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixteen fresh-frozen human knee specimens were used to harvest a full-thickness all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon graft; half were secured using a Krackow suture technique with 2 braided sutures, and half were secured using a continuous-loop tape suspensory fixation button with a rip-stop stitch. Cyclic and permanent elongation, toe- and linear-region stiffness, and ultimate load were determined. Statistical analysis was performed at P <.05. Results: The tied-suture fixation group demonstrated significantly higher permanent elongation (11.7 ± 3.6 vs 4.2 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001) and cyclic elongation (5.9 ± 1.3 vs 2.0 ± 0.4 mm, P < .001) compared with the continuous-loop tape fixation group. There was a significantly higher linear-region stiffness with continuous-loop tape fixation compared with tied-suture fixation (98.8 ± 12.7 vs 85.5 ± 7.5 N/mm, P = .022). No significant difference in ultimate load between groups (517.1 ± 149.2 vs 465.6 ± 64.6 N) was found. The mode of failure was tendon pull-through for the continuous-loop tape group and suture breakage in the tied-suture group ( P < .001). Conclusion: Continuous-loop tape fixation is superior to tied-suture fixation in regard to elongation and stiffness for all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon grafts, but there was no significant difference in ultimate load. Clinical Relevance: Continuous-loop tape fixation of all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon grafts for ACLR is a valid technique with superior tensile properties.

Effect of Skeletal Maturity on Fixation Techniques for Tibial Eminence Fractures

Background: Several fixation methods have been reported for the operative treatment of tibial eminence fractures. Previous biomechanical studies have demonstrated that suture fixation may be a stronger construct; however, the maturity status of these specimens was not scrutinized. Purpose: To examine if suture fixation remains a biomechanically superior fixation method to screw fixation in both skeletally mature and immature specimens. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixteen total matched porcine (Yorkshire) knees (8 skeletally immature knees and 8 skeletally mature knees) were procured, and a standardized tibial eminence fracture was created. In each age-matched group of knees, 4 knees underwent randomization to fixation with 2 screws while 4 knees were randomized to fixation using a dual-suture technique. Once fixation was complete, the specimens underwent cyclic loading (200 cycles) in the anteroposterior plane of the tibia and load-to-failure testing, both with the knee positioned at 30° of flexion. Relevant measurements were recorded, and data were analyzed. Results: Among mature specimens, load to failure was 1.9 times higher in the suture fixation group compared with the screw fixation group (1318.84 ± 305.55 vs 711.66 ± 279.95 N, respectively; P = .03). The load to failure was not significantly different between the groups in immature specimens (suture: 470.00 ± 161.91 N vs screw: 348.79 ± 102.46; P = .08). Conclusion: These findings suggest that suture fixation may represent a better construct choice for fixation of tibial eminence fractures in the skeletally mature population. However, in the skeletally immature population, fixation with screws or suture may be equivalent. Displacement after cyclic loading did not appear to differ by fixation method, nor did stiffness. Clinical Relevance: A stronger fixation construct may be beneficial and allow for earlier range of motion to help potentially decrease postoperative stiffness. Clinical studies are warranted to see if these results may be replicated in humans.

Arthroscopic Two-Point Suture Bridge Fixation Technique for the Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fractures

This study aimed to present and evaluate a new arthroscopic technique that uses two-point suture fixation for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fractures. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with ACL tibial avulsion fracture underwent arthroscopic suture fixation from November 2018 to October 2019 and were treated using two-point suture fixation. The patients were followed up and evaluated according to Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores, Tegner activity level scales, anterior drawer testing, and KT-1000 arthrometer testing. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (12 to 24). All patients had a negative Lachman test and anterior drawer test at final follow-up and showed the radiological union of avulsion fracture at 12-week postoperative radiograph. The Lysholm score improved significantly postoperatively with a mean score of 94.26±3.63 (87 to 98; p < 0.001). The Tegner score improved significantly postoperatively from 3.61 ±1.37 to 7.14±1.51 (P < 0.001). The KT-1000 measured value decreased significantly postoperatively from 7.3±1.5 to 1.4 ±1.2 (P < 0.001). The IKDC category was abnormal or severely abnormal preoperatively, and all patients improved to normal or nearly normal at final follow-up. Arthroscopic treatment using the two-point suture fixation technique is effective for ACL avulsion fracture and can restore the function and stability of the knee joint.

The influence of intraocular lens dislocation surgical correction method on corneal endothelium

BACKGROUND:Intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation is a rare but serious complication of surgical treatment of patients with cataract. Among the factors contributing to its development, the main ones are pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), high axial myopia, chronic uveitis, history of eye injury and age. There is no universal IOL dislocation correction technique. PURPOSE:To evaluate the impact on corneal endothelium of two different methods of IOL dislocation correction: IOL repositioning with transscleral suture fixation or IOL exchange to iris-claw one. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Within the study, 78 patients were examined and operated. All patients were divided into two groups: in the first group, IOL was repositioned with transscleral suture fixation, and in the second group IOL was exchanged to iris-claw IOL. Groups were equal by gender and age. Key estimated indicators were endothelial cell density and coefficient of variation reflecting the degree of polymegatism. RESULTS:Endothelial cell density was significantly lower both before surgery and at any term after it, in the group with IOL exchange, and coefficient of variation was significantly higher in the group with IOL exchange throughout this study. CONCLUSION:The choice of technique for IOL dislocation correction is the basis of success in surgical treatment. Certain preoperative examination data should be definitely considered, including the degree of dislocation, IOL type, IOP level, endothelial cell density and presence of concomitant ocular conditions.