PLAFOKON: a new concept for a patient-individual and intervention-specific flexible surgical platform

Background Research in the field of surgery is mainly driven by aiming for trauma reduction as well as for personalized treatment concepts. Beyond laparoscopy, other proposed approaches for further reduction of the therapeutic trauma have failed to achieve clinical translation, with few notable exceptions. We believe that this is mainly due to a lack of flexibility and high associated costs. We aimed at addressing these issues by developing a novel minimally invasive operating platform and a preoperative design workflow for patient-individual adaptation and cost-effective rapid manufacturing of surgical manipulators. In this article, we report on the first in-vitro cholecystectomy performed with our operating platform. Methods The single-port overtube (SPOT) is a snake-like surgical manipulator for minimally invasive interventions. The system layout is highly flexible and can be adapted in design and dimensions for different kinds of surgery, based on patient- and disease-specific parameters. For collecting and analyzing this data, we developed a graphical user interface, which assists clinicians during the preoperative planning phase. Other major components of our operating platform include an instrument management system and a non-sterile user interface. For the trial surgery, we used a validated phantom which was further equipped with a porcine liver including the gallbladder. Results Following our envisioned preoperative design workflow, a suitable geometry of the surgical manipulator was determined for our trial surgery and rapidly manufactured by means of 3D printing. With this setup, we successfully performed a first in-vitro cholecystectomy, which was completed in 78 min. Conclusions By conducting the trial surgery, we demonstrated the effectiveness of our PLAFOKON operating platform. While some aspects – especially regarding usability and ergonomics – can be further optimized, the overall performance of the system is highly promising, with sufficient flexibility and strength for conducting the necessary tissue manipulations.

Why and How to Use the Body’s Own Stem Cells for Regeneration in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Primer

Background: Recently, the management of musculoskeletal disorders with the patients' own stem cells, isolated from the walls of small blood vessels, which can be found in great numbers in the adipose tissue, has received considerable attention. On the other hand, there are still misconceptions about these adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) that contain vascular-associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells) in regenerative medicine. Methods: Based on our previous publications on this topic, we have developed a concept to describe the significance of the ADRCs/vaPS cells in the field of orthobiologics as briefly as possible and at the same time as precisely as possible. Results: The ADRCs/vaPS cells belong to the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells. Because the latter can both stimulate a patient’s body's localized self-healing power and provide new cells that can integrate into the host tissue during the healing response when the localized self-healing power is exhausted, this group of orthobiologics appears more advantageous than cell-free orthobiologics and orthobiologics that are based on allogeneic cells. Within the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells, enzymatically isolated, uncultured ADRCs/vaPS cells have several advantages over non-enzymatically isolated cells/microfragmented fat as well as over uncultured bone marrow aspirate concentrate and cultured cells (adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells). Conclusions: The use of ADRCs/vaPS cells can be seamlessly integrated into modern orthopedic treatment concepts, which can be understood as the optimization of a process which - albeit less efficiently - also takes place physiologically. Accordingly, this new safe and effective type of treatment is attractive in terms of holistic thinking and personalized medicine.

Why and How to Use the Body’s Own Stem Cells for Regeneration in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Primer

Recently, the management of musculoskeletal disorders with the patients' own stem cells, isolated from the walls of small blood vessels, which can be found in great numbers in the adipose tissue, has received considerable attention. The use of these autologous, unmodified stem cells can be seamlessly integrated into modern orthopedic treatment concepts, which can be understood as the optimization of a process which - albeit less efficiently - also takes place physiologically. Accordingly, this new safe and effective type of treatment is attractive in terms of holistic thinking and personalized medicine.

The ESTMJS (European Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons) Consensus and Evidence-Based Recommendations on Management of Condylar Dislocation

Although condylar dislocation is not uncommon, terminology, diagnostics, and treatment concepts vary considerably worldwide. This study aims to present a consensus recommendation based on systematically reviewed literature and approved by the European Society of TMJ Surgeons (ESTMJS). Based on the template of the evidence-based German guideline (register # 007-063) the ESTMJS members voted on 30 draft recommendations regarding terminology, diagnostics, and treatment initially via a blinded modified Delphi procedure. After unblinding, a discussion and voting followed, using a structured consensus process in 2019. An independent moderator documented and evaluated voting results and alterations from the original draft. Although the results of the preliminary voting were very heterogenous and differed significantly from the German S3 guideline (p < 0.0005), a strong consensus was achieved in the final voting on terminology, diagnostics, and treatment. In this voting, multiple alterations, including adding and discarding recommendations, led to 24 final recommendations on assessment and management of TMJ dislocation. To our knowledge, the ESTMJS condylar dislocation recommendations are the first both evidence and consensus-based international recommendations in the field of TMJ surgery. We recommend they form the basis for clinical practice guidelines for the management of dislocations of the mandibular condyle.

Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talar Dome: Review

Background. The relevance of the talar dome osteochondral lesions problem is assosiated with the difficulties of diagnosis, the lack of unified treatment algorythm and the great number of unsatisfactory clinical and functional results. In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in this topic in the literature, which is demonstrated by a great number of publications with series of observations or clinical cases. However, attempts to create the universal algorithm for this group of patients treatment are limited by the low level of existing studies evidence, high frequency of the new data publications, as well as the impossibility of using a number of surgical methods in different countries for legislative or other reasons. The aim is to determine the current state of the problem of the talar dome osteochondral lesions surgical treatment and to identify types of surgical interventions in patients with the studied pathology. Material and methods. 120 international articles published from 2000 to 2021, as well as 18 domestic publications for the period from 2007 to 2021 were selected for the literature analysis. The search for publications was carried out in the PubMed/MedLine and eLibrary databases. Results. The most widespread are surgical interventions aimed at stimulation of the bone marrow, and plastic surgery using osteochondral auto - and allografts. Currently, there is no consensus on the indications for different types of surgical methods, and the previously used indications are being questioned. This determines the need to improve diagnostic and treatment concepts. Conclusion. The studied literature cannot fully answer a number of questions related to the methods of surgical treatment of patients with symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talar dome and indications for them. A more detailed assessment of the medium- and long-term clinical outcomes of various surgical methods and the development of algorithms for this group of patients treatment, specific for different countries, are needed.

Case Report: Why Sleep and Dream Related Psychological Treatments, Such as Sleepcoaching (According to Holzinger&Klösch) and CBT-I Should Be Implemented in Treatment Concepts in the Public Health System—Description of the Nightmare Treatment Process in the Context of PTSD

In this case report, we explain the story of a woman diagnosed with severe PTSD, suffering from recurrent nightmares involving a traumatizing event. She participated in 6 week lucid dreaming training to help her reduce her nightmare frequency. Our descriptions include her dream reports as well as the results of the psychological assessment conducted. In only 6 weeks, she was able to begin to change her dream plots and to improve several of the psychological measures. In this case, we stated that paying more attention to sleep and, especially nightmares, not only in patients with PTSD, should be standard in treatment processes for psychiatric disorders. We, therefore, underpin our case with literature that explains the benefits of treatments, specifically for sleep problems that do not involve medication.

Molecular Pathogenesis of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Potential Molecular Targets for Treatment Approaches

Numerous examples in oncology have shown that better understanding the pathophysiology of a malignancy may be followed by the development of targeted treatment concepts with higher efficacy and lower toxicity as compared to unspecific treatment. The pathophysiology of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is heterogenous and complex but applying different research technologies have yielded a better and more comprehensive understanding of this disease. At the moment treatment for CMML is largely restricted to the unspecific use of cytotoxic drugs and hypomethylating agents (HMA). Numerous potential molecular targets have been recently detected by preclinical research which may ultimately lead to treatment concepts that will provide meaningful benefits for certain subgroups of patients.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome - management and treatment

The polycystic ovarian syndrome is an endocrine disorder with a high prevalence affecting reproductive-aged women and adolescent girls. The most common symptoms are infertility, numerous ovarian cysts, hyperandrogenism, menstrual cycle abnormalities. The disease has a great impact on patients, impairing their quality of life. Bearing that in mind, innovative therapeutic approaches are needed. We aim to describe current management and treatment concepts adopted in PCOS therapy. The analysis of previously published studies was conducted by using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases.Mentioned studies show that lifestyle changes may benefit PCOS therapy in multiple ways. Dietary and exercise interventions have a notable influence on women’s body composition as well as biochemical parameters. The reduction of body weight or BMI is a therapeutic achievement likewise patients’ contribution to managing PCOS. Pharmacotherapy provides plentiful treatment choices to adopt. Studies show that hormonal contraceptive has a significant impact on both hyperandrogenism and menstrual abnormalities. Metformin is proven to reduce BMI, improve LDL levels, and lower the risk of OHSS in women undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET. A meta-analysis proved metformin’s monotherapy superiority over clomifene citrate or their combination in treating infertility. However, both substances are not recommended as the first-line choice. Regrettably, many studies mention short of evidence, lack of larger sample sizes, or insufficient duration preventing further research.The conclusion we draw is that approaches of managing and treating PCOS are constantly advancing and updating. However, there is a necessity for future studies to expand their research by gathering more data and considering diverse cases.

The Many Faces of Sleep Disorders in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Update on Clinical Features and Treatment

Sleep disorders and nightmares are core symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationship seems to be bidirectional, and persistent disturbed sleep may influence the course of the disorder. With regard to sleep quality, insomnia and nocturnal anxiety symptoms, as well as nightmares and stressful dreams, are the most prominent sleep symptoms. Polysomnographic measurements reveal alterations of the sleep architecture and fragmentation of rapid eye movement sleep. In addition, sleep disorders, such as sleep-related breathing disorders and parasomnias are frequent comorbid conditions. The complex etiology and symptomatology of trauma-related sleep disorders with frequent psychiatric comorbidity require the application of multimodal treatment concepts, including psychological and pharmacological interventions. However, there is little empirical evidence on the effectiveness of long-term drug treatment for insomnia and nightmares. For nondrug interventions, challenges arise from the current lack of PTSD-treatment concepts integrating sleep- and trauma-focused therapies. Effective therapy for sleep disturbances may consequently also improve well-being during the day and probably even the course of PTSD. Whether early sleep interventions exert a preventive effect on the development of PTSD remains to be clarified in future studies.