Inter-rater agreement among shoulder surgeons on treatment options for proximal humeral fractures among shoulder surgeons

Background: The treatment approach for proximal humeral fractures is determined by various factors, including patient age, sex, dominant arm, fracture pattern, presence of osteoporosis, preexisting arthritis, rotator cuff status, and medical comorbidities. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the optimal treatment for displaced proximal humeral fractures. This study aimed to assess and quantify the decision-making process for either conservative or surgical treatment and the choice of surgical method among shoulder surgeons when treating proximal humeral fractures.Methods: Forty sets of true anteroposterior view, scapular Y projection view, and three-dimensional computed tomograms of proximal humeral fractures were provided to 12 shoulder surgeons along with clinical information. Surveys regarding Neer classification, decisions between conservative and surgical treatments, and chosen methods were conducted twice with an interval of 2 months. The factors affecting the treatment plans were also assessed.Results: The inter-rater agreement was fair for Neer classification (kappa=0.395), moderate for the decision between conservative and surgical treatments (kappa=0.528), and substantial for the chosen method of surgical treatment (kappa=0.740). The percentage of agreement was 71.1% for Neer classification, 84.6% for the decision between conservative and surgical treatment, and 96.4% for the chosen method of surgical treatment. The fracture pattern was the most crucial factor in deciding between conservative and surgical treatments, followed by age and physical activity.Conclusions: The decision between conservative and surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures showed good agreement, while the chosen method between osteosynthesis and arthroplasty showed substantial agreement among shoulder surgeons.

Clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis: 19 cases (2015–2019)

OBJECTIVE To report clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis. ANIMALS 19 rabbits. PROCEDURES Medical records for client-owned rabbits that had a histologic diagnosis of appendicitis were reviewed. RESULTS Median age of the rabbits at presentation was 24.0 months (range, 4 to 84 months). Seventeen cases occurred during the summer and fall seasons. Decreased appetite (17/19 rabbits), abnormal rectal temperature (hyperthermia, 9/16 rabbits; hypothermia, 4/16 rabbits), hypocalcemia (8/11 rabbits), and hypoglycemia (7/15 rabbits) were common signs. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT findings were suggestive of appendicitis in 6 of 8 rabbits and in 1 of 2 rabbits, respectively. Of the 6 rabbits that received medical treatment, 3 died at 48 hours, 1 died at 24 hours after hospitalization, and 1 died at 10 days after presentation; 1 rabbit was alive at 1,030 days after presentation. Of the 8 rabbits that underwent appendectomy, 3 died before discharge from the hospital and 1 died 113 days after surgery; 4 rabbits were alive at 315, 334, 1,433, and 1,473 days after presentation. The remaining 5 rabbits either died or were euthanized before treatment could be instituted. In each of the 19 rabbits, the appendix had evidence of severe inflammation with mucosal ulceration, heterophilic inflammation, and necrotic debris. CLINICAL RELEVANCE For rabbits with decreased appetite and an apparently painful abdomen, hyperthermia, hypocalcemia, or hypoglycemia, appendicitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Further comparisons of medical and surgical treatments are required to establish treatment recommendations for rabbits with appendicitis.

The Predictive Factor for Favorable Outcome after Surgical Treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Performed by Young Urologist: Is Surgical Modality Important in Beginner Urologists?

Objective: To identify predictive factors for favorable outcomes after surgical treatments that were performed by beginner urologists in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), we retrospectively evaluated outcomes after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) that were performed by two young urologists.Methods: Of 80 patients who were treated with HoLEP or TURP, 31 (HoLEP) and 36 (TURP) patients who were followed up for 3 months were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and perioperative variables were evaluated to identify predictive factors for favorable outcome after surgical treatment for BPH.Results: At 3 months postoperative after HoLEP or TURP, the median decrease in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was 13.0. Patients whose IPSS decreased by over 13 points were categorized into a favorable response group after HoLEP or TURP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of favorable outcomes at 3 months after HoLEP or TURP, and the preoperative IPSS was identified as an independent predictor for favorable outcomes.Conclusion: When young urologists plan to perform surgical treatment for BPH, they should consider that the severity of symptoms is the most important factor for favorable outcomes. The type of surgical modality for managing BPH is less important.

A Novel Case of Neglected Monteggia Fracture Dislocation

Background: The Monteggia fracture-dislocation is a rare condition among children, and its treatment is still controversial. The treatment can become quite complicated when the diagnosis is delayed. There is a broad range of surgical treatments with various complications like subluxations, degenerative changes, and radial head deformity. The present case was reported as a novel surgical treatment choice for neglected Monteggia fracture-dislocation. Case Report: A 16 year-old boy presented with left elbow severe range of motion (ROM) limitation and pain who was diagnosed with neglected Monteggia fracture-dislocation. The patient went through open reduction beside internal fixation of the ulnar shaft via Limited Contact Dynamic Compression Plate (LC-DCP) and radio-capitellar joint reduction and provisional fixation by a pin. The patient recovered after three months with a significant increase in elbow ROM without any complications. Conclusion: This method could be an appropriate treatment of choice for neglected Monteggia fractures which indeed had excellent outcomes without complication.

Interdisciplinary Surgical Treatments and Long-Term Outcomes of Lumbar Spinal Tumors With Retroperitoneal Involvements: A Retrospective Case Series Study

PurposeSurgical treatments are technically challenging for lumbar spinal tumor (LST) with extensive retroperitoneal involvements. Our study aimed to report the experience and outcomes concerning interdisciplinary surgical collaborations in managing such LSTs.Patients and MethodsNine patients underwent interdisciplinary surgical treatments which were performed by specialists, namely, spinal, vascular, and urinary surgeries. Data on clinical characteristics were collected, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOAS) were used in the evaluation before and after surgery. The postoperative complications and the long-term outcomes were reported as well.ResultsThe interdisciplinary work included double J catheter indwelling (n = 9), nephrostomy (n = 5), replacement of the common iliac vein (n = 2), abdominal aorta repair (n = 3), and vital vessel repair (n = 8). The early-stage complications included complaints of moderate low back pain and slight implant shift (n = 1, 11.1%) and tardive ureterodialysis (n = 1, 11.1%). The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 76.2 ± 14.8 and 50.8 ± 23.0%, respectively, during the mean follow-up of 34.6 ± 17.9 months (range, 9.5–68.7). Besides this, more blood loss was associated with recurrent and metastatic tumor status (p = 0.043) and surgery time >5 h (p = 0.023). Remarkable pain relief and favorable quality of life were achieved based on the postoperative VAS (3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) and JOAS (16.6 ± 0.5, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe treatments of LSTs with wide-range retroperitoneal involvements require interdisciplinary surgical collaborations to lower the risks and improve the long-term outcomes. High-quality prospective cohort studies with large samples are warranted to establish general surgical protocols in managing LSTs with extensive retroperitoneal involvements.

A Combined Approach of Syntonic Phototherapy along with Vision Therapy in Treatment of Rod-Cone Dystrophy: A Ray of Hope - Case Series Report

Background: Rod-Cone Dystrophies (RCDs) are characterized by the dominant clinical features of rods manifestation predominantly over the cones such as night blindness and peripheral vision worsening that leads to restricted activities of daily living. There are no medical or surgical treatments available for this disease. A combined approach of syntonic phototherapy along with the vision therapy may be a viable treatment option for the improvement in visual efficiency skills and visual function of RCD patients. Case Reports: Case 1: A female, aged 47 years old, diagnosed with severe RCD and complained of poor sight and difficulty in seeing at night in both eyes along with progressive diminution of vision for the past ten years. Case 2: A boy, 11 years of age, diagnosed with severe RCD and presented with major complaints of progressive vision loss, photophobia and falling short in school performance. Both patients were recommended for a combined treatment approach of syntonic phototherapy combined with vision therapy to be completed in our centre. Conclusion: These two patients showed significant improvement in visual acuity, oculomotor motility and visual field. Further research is recommended to enrich our understanding on the use of syntonic phototherapy along with vision therapy in managing patients with RCD which otherwise lacks in specific medical or surgical treatment.

Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Modern Endoscopic Methods of Treatment of BPH

Lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia are the most common urological problem among men, affecting about a third of men over the age of 50 Of all surgical treatments, monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), in which enlarged prostate tissue is resected piece by piece using a monopolar electrode, has been the standard method since the 1970s. It can significantly improve maximum flow rate (Qmax), urination-related symptoms (based on the International Prostate Symptom Assessment Scale (IPSS)), and health-related quality of life with long-term efficacy compared to medications or other minimally invasive treatments [4]. Since the 2000s, new energy systems for surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia have rapidly become popular, including systems using bipolar energy and various laser systems such as holmium laser, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser, thulium laser and diode laser Over the past 10 years, the trend in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia has shifted from monopolar TURP to laser therapy and bipolar TURP. Based on the data on the effectiveness of the HoLEP technique, it becomes clear that HoLEP is ready to replace all these methods as a new standard, based on almost two decades of data that consistently demonstrate its better results and lower complication rate. This review summarizes the available literature by comparing HoLEP and traditional BPH treatments that are widely used and have long-term efficacy data. Despite the fact that there is such a wide arsenal of surgical treatment of BPH, each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. This review article contains a significant portion of the best randomized data directly comparing HoLEP with alternative surgical treatments.