The proximal humeral locking plate positioning to the pectoralis major tendon in achieving the proper calcar screw location: a cadaveric study

Background Proximal humeral fracture is the third most common of osteoporotic fracture. Most surgical cases were treated by fixation with anatomical locking plate system. The calcar screw plays a role in medial support and improving varus stability. Proximal humerus fracture in elderly patients are commonly seen with greater tuberosity (GT) fracture. The GT fragment is sometimes difficult to use as an anatomic landmark for proper plate and screw position. Therefore, the insertion of pectoralis major tendon (PMT) may be used as an alternative landmark for appropriate plate and calcar screw position. The purpose of study is going to identify the vertical distance from PMT to a definite point on the position of locking plate. Methods 30 cadaveric shoulders at the department of clinical anatomy were performed. Shoulders with osteoarthritic change (n = 5) were excluded. Finally, 25 soft cadaveric shoulders were recruited in this study. The PHILOS™ plate was placed 2 mm posterior to the bicipital groove. A humeral head (HH) was cut in the coronal plane at the level of the anterior border of the PHILOS plate with a saw. A calcar screw was inserted close to the inferior cortex of HH. Distance from the upper border of elongated combi-hole (UB-ECH) to the upper border of pectoralis major tendon (UB-PMT) was measured. The plate was then moved superiorly until the calcar screw was 12 mm superior to the inferior border of HH and the distance was repeatedly measured. Results The range of distance from UB-PMT to the UB-ECH was from − 4.50 ± 7.95 mm to 6.62 ± 7.53 mm, when calcar screw was close to inferior border of HH and when the calcar screw was 12 mm superior to the inferior border of HH, respectively. The highest probability of calcar screw in proper location was 72% when UB-ECH was 3 mm above UB-PMT. Discussion and conclusion The GT fragment is sometimes difficult to use as an anatomic landmark for proper plate and screw position. PMT can be used as an alternative anatomic reference. UB-PMT can serve as a guide for proper calcar screw insertion. UB-ECH should be 3 mm above UB-PMT and three-fourths of cases achieved proper calcar screw location.

Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Ankle Block versus Anatomical Landmark Guided Ankle Block in Minor Ankle and Foot Surgeries

Background: Regional anesthesia has increasingly expanded its role in perioperative care of patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery. The use of regional anesthesia has been widely implemented among anesthesiologists and pain providers. Multiple approaches for sephanous nerve blockade have been used including nerve stimulation, anatomical landmarks and ultrasound. It has been observed in previous studies that USG ankle block is more successful as compared to conventional anatomical landmark guided nerve block; so this study was planned to get precise and reliable results regarding both techniques in our local population. Objective: To compare the methods of surgical anesthesia of Ultrasound-guided ankle block versus conventional anatomic landmark-guided techniques in lower limb surgery under regional anesthesia. Materials and methods: This randomized control was carried out at Department of Anesthesia Mayo Hospital Lahore. After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria 50 patients (25 in each group ) were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups using lottery method. Group A patients underwent USG ankle block while group B patients underwent conventional anatomic landmark guided ankle block. Results: Mean age of patients was 46.96±11.578 years; 40(80%) patients were male and 10(20%) patients were females. Successful anesthesia was achieved in 42 (84%) patients; in which in USG block group the successful anesthesia was achieved in 22(88%) patients and in ALG block group successful anesthesia was achieved in 20(80%) patients (p value =0.702) Conclusion : Findings of this study conclude that both techniques have statistically insignificant difference in terms of success rate , however USG ankle block for surgical anesthesia showed higher success rate as compared to anatomic landmark guided technique in lower limb surgery under regional anesthesia. Keywords: Ultrasound-guided Ankle Block, Anatomic Landmark-guided Ankle Block, Lower limb surgery.

Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in orthodontics: a scoping review

Introduction This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing evidence on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in orthodontics, its translation into clinical practice, and what limitations do exist that have precluded their envisioned application. Methods A scoping review of the literature was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed was searched until July 2020. Results Sixty-two articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 43 out of the 62 studies (69.35%) were published this last decade. The majority of these studies were from the USA (11), followed by South Korea (9) and China (7). The number of studies published in non-orthodontic journals (36) was more extensive than in orthodontic journals (26). Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were found to be the most commonly utilized AI/ML algorithm (13 studies), followed by Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Support Vector Machine (SVM) (9 studies each), and regression (8 studies). The most commonly studied domains were diagnosis and treatment planning—either broad-based or specific (33), automated anatomic landmark detection and/or analyses (19), assessment of growth and development (4), and evaluation of treatment outcomes (2). The different characteristics and distribution of these studies have been displayed and elucidated upon therein. Conclusion This scoping review suggests that there has been an exponential increase in the number of studies involving various orthodontic applications of AI and ML. The most commonly studied domains were diagnosis and treatment planning, automated anatomic landmark detection and/or analyses, and growth and development assessment.