Clinical Effect of Suture Anchor and Double-Pulley Technique in the Treatment of Inferior Patellar Fracture

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of suture anchor combined with double-pulley technique for subpatellar comminuted fractures compared with wire vertical suture and Krachow in the treatment of subpatellar fractures. Methods. Retrospectively selected 48 patients with subpatellar pole comminuted fracture admitted in our hospital from February 2013 to July 2019, 25 patients with double-pulley technique (group A), and 23 patients with vertical wire suture with Krachow suture. Patient age, gender, AT/OTA typing, injury mechanism, follow-up time, surgical time, bleeding volume, mean fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were recorded. The Insall-Salvati index immediately and 6 weeks after surgery. Bostman scores and knee activity were recorded at each follow-up, and month 12 was taken as the final result. Results. Time of surgery in group A (46.52 min) was significantly shorter than in group B (76.30 min). Intraoperative bleeding in group 15.1 ml, B, group 15.9 ml. Both incisions healed in stage I, averaging clinical healing of patella fracture within 10 weeks. There was no significant difference in mean Bostman score and knee activity at month 12 (group A: 28.4, 124.8°; group B: 28.1, 125.7°). There was no significant statistical difference in the Insall-Salvati index immediately or 6 weeks between the two groups. Group B patients had two wire fractures, fracture healing and the wire removed one year after surgery, and the remaining patients had no complications such as internal fixation loosening, fracture, delayed healing, or nonhealing of fracture. Conclusion. Compared with the treatment of subpatellar fracture with wire vertical suture and Krachow method, suture anchor with double-pulley technique has short operation time, reliable fixation, and less complications. Patients can have early functional exercise and good knee function recovery without secondary surgery. It can be considered as an alternative therapy for this fracture and deserves clinical adoption and promotion.

Risk Analysis of Re-displacement After Conservative Treatment of Pediatric Unstable Fractures of Middle and Distal Forearm

Background: Fractures of the middle and distal diaphysis of the forearm are common in children. Conservative treatment is effective in this regard. Some studies have discussed the risk factors and predictive indicators of re-displacement; however, the objects of the study are all fixed with tubular plaster or double sugar splint. Objectives: This study was performed to determine the risk factors of re-displacement after closed reduction and double splint plaster fixation of unstable pediatric fractures of the middle and distal diaphysis of the forearm. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 57 patients undergoing closed reduction and plaster fixation after unstable diaphyseal fractures of the middle and distal forearm in Wuxi Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University within May 2014 to May 2020. A total of 35 male and 22 female subjects aged 6 - 9 years (average: 7.3 years) participated in this study. They were followed up for more than 6 weeks after fracture healing. According to whether experiencing a secondary displacement within 2 weeks after the fracture, the subjects were divided into two groups, namely displacement, and non-displacement. Gender, age, double fracture, reduction quality, and plaster fixation type were analyzed as relevant, effective factors. Results: All 57 patients were followed up, and all fractures reached clinical healing standards at the last follow-up. Moreover, 20 and 37 cases were in the shift and non-shift groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference was reported in gender (c2 = 0.168; P = 0.780), age (t = 1.003; P = 0.217), double fracture (c2 = 0.021; P = 1), and plaster fixation type (c2 = 0.416; P = 0.699) between the two groups. The reduction quality (c2 = 7.480; P = 0.025) showed a statistically significant difference. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that reduction quality was a risk factor for fracture relocation providing a predictive value. Conclusions: Good reduction quality can reduce the risk of fracture displacement.

Mechanisms of allergen-specific B cell tolerance in children with cow’s milk-oral immunotherapy and natural outgrowth of milk allergy

Antigen-specific memory B cells play a key role in the induction of immune tolerance to food allergens and clinical healing. Here, we characterized the role of allergen-specific B cells in immune tolerance induced by oral allergen-specific immunotherapy (OIT) and natural tolerance that developed in children who spontaneously outgrew cow’s milk allergy. Increased frequency of circulating milk allergen αS1-casein -specific B cells was observed after OIT and natural tolerance (NT). Milk desensitized subjects showed partial acquisition of tolerance phenotypic features induced tolerance, suggesting that desensitization is an earlier stage of tolerance. Immunoregulatory genes such as IL10RA and IGHG4 are significantly upregulated after OIT (desensitized and tolerance) versus NT. Secreted proteins from allergen-specific B cells revealed higher amounts of regulatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β after OIT and NT. Taken together, allergen-specific B cells are essential elements in regulating food allergen tolerance in both OIT-received and naturally-resolved individuals.

Molecular differences of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells between non-responders and responders in treatment of transphincteric perianal fistulas

Background Injection of autologous adipose tissue (AT) has recently been demonstrated to be an effective and safe treatment for anal fistulas. AT mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) mediate the healing process, but the relationship between molecular characteristics of AT-MSCs of the injected AT and fistula healing has not been adequately studied. Thus we aimed to characterize the molecular and functional properties of AT-MSCs isolated from autologous AT injected as a treatment of cryptogenic high transsphincteric perianal fistulas and correlate these findings to the healing process. Methods 27 patients (age 45 ± 2 years) diagnosed with perianal fistula were enrolled in the study and treated with autologous AT injected around the anal fistula tract. AT-MSCs were isolated for cellular and molecular analyses. The fistula healing was evaluated by MRI scanning after 6 months of treatment. AT-MSC phenotype was compared between responders and non-responders with respect to fistula healing. Results 52% of all patients exhibited clinical healing of the fistulas as evaluated 6 months after last injection. Cultured AT-MSCs in the responder group had a lower short-term proliferation rate and higher osteoblast differentiation potential compared to non-responder AT-MSCs. On the other hand, adipocyte differentiation potential of AT-MSCs was higher in non-responder group. Interestingly, AT-MSCs of responders exhibited lower expression of inflammatory and senescence associated genes such as IL1B, NFKB, CDKN2A, TPB3,TGFB1. Conclusion Our data suggest that cellular quality of the injected AT-MSCs including cell proliferation, differentiation capacity and secretion of proinflammatory molecules may provide a possible mechanism underlying fistula healing. Furthermore, these biomarkers may be useful to predict a positive fistula healing outcome. Trial registration: NTC04834609, Registered 6 April 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04834609

Sensitivity of the Wound Edge Gene Signature “WD14” in Responding to Clinical Change: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Introduction: WounD14 (WD14) gene signature is a recently developed tool derived from genetic interrogation of wound edge biopsies of chronic venous leg ulcers to identify heard-to-heal wounds and enable clinicians to target aggressive therapies to promote wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate if changes in wound clinical healing status were detected by the WD14 gene signature over time as this is currently poorly understood. Material and methods: WD14 was developed through gene screening and subsequent validation in 3 patient cohorts involving 85 consecutive patients with chronic venous leg ulcers referred to a tertiary wound healing unit. Patients underwent a wound edge biopsy to interrogate for a “healing” or “non-healing” genotype. A smaller cohort (18%) underwent a second biopsy, which comprised this pilot cohort reported herein. Twelve weeks following biopsy, wounds were clinically assessed for healing status based on reduction in size and compared to WD14 genotype. Results: Sequential biopsies and WD14 scores were derived from 16 patients. WD14 signature predicted wound healing status among this cohort at either visit (32 wound edge biopsies) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.2% (95% CI 74.1%-92.0%) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.0% (95% CI 34.2%-96.9%). A total of 6 wounds underwent altered clinical status between the 2 visits. In this cohort, WD14 has a PPV of 66.7% (95% CI 47.3%-81.7%) and NPV of 100%. Conclusion: Although the WD14 gene signature did change with wound healing status, larger studies are required to precisely clarify its role and ability to prognosticate wounds of differing clinical status over time.

Local Antibiotic Delivery Systems in Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: A Brief Review

Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a severe, difficult to treat infection. Local antibiotic delivery has been studied as a potential therapeutic adjunct following surgery for DFO. This review aims to summarize the evidence on local antibiotic delivery systems in DFO. PubMed database was searched up to March 2020. Overall, 16 studies were identified and included: 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 retrospective studies (RSs), and 10 case series. In the RCTs, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges significantly improved clinical healing rates and slightly improved duration of hospitalization. In the RSs, antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads non-significantly improved all healing parameters, but did not reduce post-operative amputation rates or time of healing. The majority of case series used calcium sulfate beads, achieving adequate rates of healing and eradication of infection. In conclusion, evidence for add-on local antibiotic delivery in DFO is still limited; more data are needed to assess this therapeutic measure.

Use of Autologous Leucocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-PRP) in the Treatment of Aural Hematoma in Dogs

Leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) can accelerate the healing process by providing increased concentrations of platelet-derived growth factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of L-PRP in the treatment of canine aural hematomas associated with otitis externa. Twenty mL of citrated whole blood was collected from each of the 17 dogs included and autologous L-PRP was produced. The aural hematoma was drained and 0.5–1 mL of L-PRP was injected. The dogs were examined weekly until 7 days after complete clinical healing. A final clinical follow-up was performed 6 weeks after the first treatment with L-PRP. If there was recurrence of the aural hematoma at the first follow-up, the treatment was repeated. In total, 2/17 cases were lost after the first follow-up. In 5/17 dogs, a short-term recurrence occurred. In 12/15 cases, complete clinical resolution was achieved with a single L-PRP application (Group A1) and in 3/15 with two treatments (Group A2). The mean time to complete clinical resolution was 16 ± 8.7 days (A1) and 23.3 ± 4 days (A2), respectively. No side effects were reported. The in situ administration of autologous L-PRP resulted in a complete resolution of the aural hematoma in all dogs that completed the clinical trial.

Calcaneal Tuberosity Fracture (Beak Fracture) Fixation Using a Pre-contoured “L-form” Hook Plate: A Retrospective Study

Background: The treatment of calcaneal tuberosity fracture (beak fracture) is very tricky. Patients’ ankle function may be badly affected by skin flap necrosis and internal fixation failure. This study presented a simple, and safe internal fixation technique which is to fix the fracture fragment with a pre-contoured “L-form” hook plate.Methods: A retrospective study was done to analyze patients with calcaneal tuberosity fracture who were treated with pre-contoured “L-form” hook plate fixation from January 2015 to February 2020. When the patients could complete single-legged heel raise tests, and when they achieved clinical healing criteria were reviewed. Functional assessment was performed according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot (AOFAS-AH) scores and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was recommended for assessment of pain intensity (PI).Results: There were a total of 15 patients of calcaneal tuberosity fracture (beak fracture) treated with the pre-contoured “L-form” hook plate fixation technique, among which eight patients were female and the others were male, with the age ranging from 35 to 69 years (average of 55.3±9.0 years). And the mean duration of follow-up was 22.53±5.78 months (range: 12 to 36 months). 11 cases underwent emergency surgery. After the operation, there were no complications such as wound dehiscence, poor wound healing, infections, or plate exposure, no sural nerve injuries or venous thromboembolic events. Also, there was no loss of reduction or fixation failure in the follow-up. All 15 cases achieved clinical healing at 8-13 weeks (average 10.5±1.4 weeks) postoperatively. They were able to perform the test on their affected leg after 3.7±0.7 months (3-5 months) on average. The preoperative VAS and AOFAS-AH scores were 5.7±0.6 and 24.0±9.9 respectively, while the postoperative VAS and AOFAS-AH scores at the last follow-up were 1.3±0.5 and 93.8±5.2 (p<0.001).Conclusion: Emergency open reduction and internal fixation should be provided as soon as possible. For patients with Beavis type II beak fractures, the pre-contoured “L-form” hook plate fixation technique helps them restore normal ankle function. This simple, safe, and strong internal fixation technique can be one of the treatment options for avulsion fractures of the calcaneal tuberosity.

The Effect of Integrity of Lateral Wall on the Quality of Reduction and Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Intertrochanteric Fracture: A Controlled Study

Objective. The study is aimed at evaluating the effect of the integrity of lateral wall on the quality of reduction and outcome in intertrochanteric fracture treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). Methods. Medical record systems for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture treated with PFNA were included. The patients were divided into incompetent and intact lateral wall groups. Patients’ baseline characteristics, quality of reduction, and Harris Hip scores (HHS) were collected. Results. The study included 115 patients with intertrochanteric fractures, with 59 in the incompetent lateral wall group and 56 in the intact group. Lateral wall thickness was 16.47 ± 2.46 mm and 23.68 ± 1.59 mm in the incompetent group and intact group ( t = − 18.766 , P < 0.001 ), respectively. There was no significant difference in the quality of reduction ( P = 0.646 ) between intact and incompetent groups. Mean HHS at final follow-up were 83.02 ± 13.89 in the incompetent group and 86.04 ± 3.39 in the intact group, with no significant difference ( P = 0.123 ). In addition, there was no significant difference in weight-bearing or clinical healing between intact and incompetent groups. The partial weight-bearing with crutches was allowed at 2.71 ± 0.93 and 2.66 ± 1.01 weeks after the operation in the incompetent and intact groups. Time to clinical healing was 5.83 ± 0.99 and 6.00 ± 0.92 months in the incompetent and intact groups, respectively. However, the operative time in the incompetent group ( 58.54 ± 18.14 mins) were longer than that in the intact group ( 51.79 ± 17.77 mins). Conclusions. In conclusion, it seems that lateral wall thickness does not affect the quality of reduction and outcome in patients with intertrochanteric fracture receiving PFNA.

Pre- and peri-operative factors influence autogenous tooth transplantation healing in insufficient bone sites

Background The amount of bone remaining at the transplant site for autogenous tooth transplantation can facilitate successful healing. Therefore, this retrospective study evaluated the factors influencing the healing of 50 successful autogenous tooth transplantations with insufficient bone support at the transplanted site without a bone graft. Methods The factors were classified as pre- and peri-operative factors, and the healing outcomes were clinical and radiographic observations. The factors were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test to identify correlations between the pre- and peri-operative factors and the clinical and radiographic outcomes. The T-test or one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the percent bone change in each factor. Results The results indicated that gingival healing was delayed in the intra-arch transplantations, and pulp obliteration was seen earlier when transplanted in the maxilla. Patients under 18-years-old demonstrated a greater percent bone change than the over 18-year-old patients, while the peri-operative variables did not have a relationship with clinical healing and the amount of bone change over 12 months. Furthermore, the percent bone change significantly increased during the first three months. Conclusions In conclusion, pre-operative factors, age and transplant site, influenced the healing rate of autogenous transplanted teeth. In contrast, the peri-operative factors were not related with the clinical and radiographic outcomes. Generating the least trauma to the periodontal ligament cells is the most important concern.