COMPARISON OF LOCAL METHYLCOBALAMINE INJECTION VERSUS LOCAL BUPIVACAINE INJECTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE HERPETIC NEURALGIA

Objective: To compare the reduction in mean pain score with local Methylcobalamin injection versus local Bupivacaine injection in patients with acute herpetic neuralgia. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Outpatient Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Jun to Dec 2019. Methodology: Total 100 patients, having pain score more than 3, fulfilling the selection criteria were divided into two groups. Group A was treated with daily subcutaneous injection Bupivacaine, whereas Group B was treated with daily subcutaneous injection Methycobalamin at the site of neuralgia. Patients were followed up for 4 weeks. The pain score was noted. All the data was entered and analyzed on SPSS version 21. Results: In this study mean age of patients in group A was 43.82 ± 15.76 years and in group B was 44.76 ± 16.92 years. The mean visual analogue pain score at 4th week in the group A patients was 1.14 ± 0.32 and in group B was 1.90 ± 0.97. Statistically significant difference was found in group A (local Bupivacaine) with visual analogue score (VAS) at 4th week (pvalue=0.002). Conclusion: The local Bupivacaine injection showed significant reduction in mean pain score than local Methylcobalamin injection in patients with acute herpetic neuralgia.

The efficacy of wrapping the neurorrhaphy site utilizing dura substitute: A case series

Background: Different procedures have been developed to improve the surgical outcome of peripheral nerve injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of wrapping the neurorrhaphy site utilizing dura substitute graft as an alternative conduit in the management of peripheral nerve injury. Methods: This retrospective clinical case series included 42 patients with a single peripheral nerve injury. The mean age was 26.8 ± 11 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 3 ± 1.8 months. The visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) grading for motor power were used to evaluate the functional outcome among our patients. All patients were operated on for primary microscopic end-to-end repair, followed by wrapping the neurorrhaphy site with dura substitute graft as a conduit. Patients were followed in the outpatient clinic with regular visits for average of 6 months. Results: Thirty-seven patients (83%), showed functional improvement in all aspects, the VAS for pain and the MRC for motor power, as well as the functional state. One patient (2.3%) developed a postoperative hematoma collection, which needed immediate evacuation. Superficial wound infection, reported in two patients (4.7%), was treated conservatively. No postoperative neuroma was observed among our patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Wrapping the neurorrhaphy site utilizing dura substitute as conduit appears to be safe and might prove effective in managing peripheral nerve injury.

Hyaluronic Acid injections for Chronic Tennis Elbow

Background For most patients, tennis elbow (TE) resolves within six months of onset. For those with persistent and painful TE, nonsurgical treatment options are limited. Thousands of studies have tried to find effective treatment for TE, but usually fail. In this study, we test the hypothesis that injections with hyaluronic acid (HA) are effective at treating chronic pain from TE. Methods Patients with a minimum of six months of pain from TE were randomized equally into one of two groups, injection with HA or saline control, and followed for one year. Outcome measures included Visual Analogue Score (VAS pain), the shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) and patient rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE). Results Seventeen of the 18 HA-injected patients (94%) completed the study. The average age was 51.9 years and 10 were male. Patients had an average of 28.1 months of pain before entering the study. VAS in the HA group improved from a baseline of 76.4 to 14.3 at 12 months. All 17 patients in the HA group showed VAS improvement above minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of at least 18. PRTEE improved from 67 to 28.1. QuickDASH improved from 53.7 to 22.5. To our knowledge, this improvement is greater than can be seen in any other non-surgical treatment for TE. Conclusions HA injections showed significant success in pain relief by three months. Patients continued to improve for the 12-month duration of the study. This study indicates that patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis may benefit from injections of hyaluronic acid rather than having to undergo surgery.

Non-inferiority of The Cementless Total TKA Compared to The Cemented TKA, A m-Metanalysis

Objective: Cemented total knee arthroplasty still represents the reference standard in the field of prothesis knee replacement; but since cementless total knee arthroplasties were introduced there have been strong discussions over the years among cemented and non-cemented total knee arthroplasties to establish which gives the best benefits for the patient and for the surgeon. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically analyze the use of cemented and cementless total knee arthroplasties by investigating clinical and radiological outcomes and rate of complications, in order to assess which techniques confers more benefits to the patient and the surgeon. Materials and Methods: The current systematic review has been written in accordance to the Cochrane handbook and the PRISMA statement for reporting of systematic reviews incorporating network. Results: Six randomized controlled trials were finally included in this systematic review. The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in all clinical scores of interest (Knee Society Score, clinical and functional, Oxford Knee Score, Visual Analogue Score) and a similar revision rate. Conclusion: the results of the current metanalysis suggest the non-inferiority of cementless fixation with respect to cemented total knee arthroplasties in terms of clinical outcomes and survival rates of the implants.

Gouty tophus as a rare cause of a Hepple stage V osteochondral lesion of the talus

Background Talus osteochondral lesion is commonly associated with trauma, avascular necrosis or even genetic factors, but gouty tophus as a cause of Hepple stage V type talus osteochondral lesion is rare. Case presentation Here, we report a case of an 18-year-old man who complained of left medial deep ankle pain on ambulation. This young man had an extreme liking of sea food rich in purines and also sugar-sweetened drinks. He was diagnosed with a Hepple stage V type talus osteochondral lesion and was treated with medial malleolus osteotomy and an osteochondral graft. The talus osteochondral lesion was found to be a gouty tophus and was completely removed. Hypouricemic therapy was prescribed for 2 months, which allowed the patient to walk with a visual analogue score (VAS) score of 1. He was followed up for 12 months. Conclusions Young people with an extreme liking of sea food rich in purines and also sugar-sweetened drinks may be at a risk of developing gout. Acute onset of ankle atraumatic pain, swelling with a high level of serum uric acid and a talus osteochondral lesion with cyst formation should make physicians consider a diagnosis of gout.

SP10.2.9 An audit of consenting practice for elective surgical procedures and patients overall satisfaction

Introduction We evaluated our consenting practice for surgical procedures and patients’ satisfaction. Patients and Methods 100 patients were evaluated for the timing, details, understanding and satisfaction with the consenting process. Procedures were elective general and colorectal operations. Patients’ overall satisfaction level was rated on visual analogue score. Results 54 males and 46 females were included, median age was 65 (16-93) years. The mean time between consenting and surgery was 29 (0-358) ± SD 73 days. Legible writings in 88% with completed details in 51%. The names of the responsible surgeon were missing in 49%. All patients fully understood the intended procedure and its possible outcomes. 99% were comfortable with the consenting environment. One patient preferred a different setting and an earlier date. Two patients felt the consenting process was performed in a hurry, but all patients submitted that they had enough time to reflect on the consent and the procedure before surgery. The overall satisfaction levels were excellent in 93% (9&10), good in 5% (7&8) and fair in 2% (5&6). One patient with low satisfaction score was unhappy with the anaesthetist. Conclusion Improvement in the legibility and completeness of the consent form are to be encouraged. The overall patients’ satisfaction was good to excellent.

The outcome of hydrodilation in frozen shoulder patients and the relationship with kinesiophobia, depression, and anxiety

Purpose The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the effect of hydrodilatation in frozen shoulder patients on objective indices of shoulder functionality and subjective outcomes of pain, mobility, kinesiophobia, depression, and anxiety, and (2) progress knowledge about the reciprocal temporal relationship between psychological parameters at baseline and objective and subjective outcomes at 3-month follow-up. Methods We evaluated the clinical and psychological status of 72 patients with a frozen shoulder before and after hydrodilatation, using the Constant Murley score, the Visual Analogue score, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Shoulder Pain And Disability Index. Results We noted a significant improvement in functionality, pain and disability (p < .001). Depression and anxiety improved significantly (p < .001) between baseline and 3-month follow-up. Prospective analyses demonstrated that psychological factors are more likely to predict outcomes of hydrodilatation than vice versa. Conclusion Hydrodilatation followed by physiotherapy is an excellent way to treat patients with recalcitrant frozen shoulder, resulting in a continuous improvement of ROM and pain. Physiotherapists and physicians should be aware that psychological factors might have an impact on the treatment outcome.

Bone marrow aspirate: a viable source of stem cells for bone regeneration. A systematic review

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of bone marrow aspirate (BMA) to enhance bone repair in humans. Comprehensive survey of ramdomized clinical trials published up to June 2021 and listed in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Two reviewers independently searched eligible studies, made a final article selection, and extracted the data of the selected studies to evaluate it qualitatively. Overall, 13 studies were included in the review. Experimental models involved Posttraumatical aseptic nonunions of long bones of the upper limb, alveolar ridges following tooth extraction, atrophic mandibular fracture, benign bone lesions, bilateral tibial lengthening, fracture of intracapsular neck femur, maxillary horizontal ridge augmentation, non-traumatic femoral head necrosis, and sinus maxillary augmentation. The analyses included radiography, tomography, biopsies, and clinical evaluations. Ten studies reported enahanced bone formation (primary outcome) with combined use or not of BMA with other biomaterials and three studies found no benefit resulting from the use of BMA to treat bony defects. Secundary outcomes related to the healing process were also evaluated and positive, such as postoperative complications and pain visual analogue score. Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that BMA can improve the early stages of bone healing process.

Role of artificial tears with and without hyaluronic acid in controlling ocular discomfort following PRK: a randomized clinical trial

AIM: To compare outcomes of applying preservative free artificial tears (PFAT) with and without hyaluronic acid (HA) in early postoperative course following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: In this triple-blinded randomized clinical trial, PRK procedure was performed on both eyes of 230 patients. Following PRK, patients were divided into three groups: the HA+ group, 44 patients PFAT containing HA; the HA- group, 71 patients PFAT without HA were administered 5 times per day (every 4h); the third group, 115 patients received no PFAT before lens removal. On the 1st and 4th postoperative day, Visual Analogue Score (VAS) was utilized to evaluate patient’s level of pain. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about the severity of eye discomfort ranked from 0 to 10 (0=no complaint; 10=most severe complaint experienced). RESULTS: In eyes receiving PFAT with or without HA (Drop group), mean scores for epiphora, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision on the 1st postoperative day were statistically lower (P<0.05). Filamentous keratitis (FK) was detected in 11 (4.7%) eyes, and recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) was observed in 5 (2.1%) eyes. In the control group, FK was noted in 16 (6.9%) eyes while 13 (5.6%) eyes had RCE and 5 (2.1%) eyes had corneal haze. The rate of complications was statistically lower in Drop group (P=0.009). However, the aforementioned scores were not statically different between HA+ and HA- group one and two (P=0.29). CONCLUSION: Following PRK, applying PFAT with and without HA yields faster visual recovery, decreases postoperative ocular discomfort and haze formation; however there is no additive effect for HA.

A novel vertebral trench technique (VTT) involving transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF) for very highly up-migrated lumbar disc herniation above L5

Background Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has become popular for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The very highly up-migrated lumbar disc herniation (VHUM-LDH) is difficult to remove under PELD. The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility, clinical efficacy and operative nuances of a novel VTT involving TELF for this type of herniation. Methods Eleven patients with very highly up-migrated LDH who underwent VTT involving TELF discectomy from May 2016 to May 2019 were included in this study. The operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Pre-and postoperative radiologic findings were investigated. All the patients were followed more than 1 year. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess surgical efficacy. Results All the 11 patients underwent successful surgery. We compared the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores before and after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 10 patients were assessed as “excellent”, 1 patient was assessed as “good” at the last follow up. Conclusion The novel VTT involving TELF discectomy is a supplement to the traditional PELD. This technique enables the endoscope with working cannula to get closer the sequestrated nucleus pulposus without irritating the exiting nerve root, and facilitates the nucleus pulposus be removed successfully under direct visualization. The VTT involving TELF discectomy can be a safe, effective and feasible surgical procedure for the treatment of LDH with very highly up-migrated.