Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic and open ankle arthrodeses. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 30 patients undergoing unilateral ankle arthrodesis between January 2008 and January 2011. Of 30 patients, 14 underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (arthroscopic group), and 16 underwent open ankle arthrodesis (open group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, lesion type, disease duration, and preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization days, postoperative AOFAS score, and bony union rate were observed to evaluate the effectiveness. Results The operation time of arthroscopic group was significantly longer than that of open group (P lt; 0.05); the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospitalization days of arthroscopic group were significantly less than those of open group (P lt; 0.05). Superficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case of open group, and healing of incision by first intention was obtained in the other patients. All patients were followed up 12 months. No screw breakage was observed. The X-ray films showed bony fusion in 13 cases (92.86%) of arthroscopic group and in 10 cases (62.50%) of open group at 3 months after operation, showing significant difference (χ2=3.850, P=0.049); but no significant difference was found (χ2=0.910, P=0.341) in bony fusion rate between the arthroscopic group (14/14, 100%) and open group (15/16, 93.75%) at 12 months after operation. The AOFAS scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were significantly higher than preoperative score in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS score between 2 groups at 1 and 3 months (P gt; 0.05), but significant differences were found at 6 and 12 months (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The overall effectiveness of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is better than that of open ankle arthrodesis, which can decrease intraoperative blood loss, shorten hospitalization days, get higher bony fusion rate, and obtain good ankle function recovery.
Objective To summarize the anatomic features of the posterior septum of the knee joint and its application in posterior trans-septal portal for arthroscopic surgery. Methods The literature related to posterior septum of the knee joint and arthroscopic surgery was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The posterior septum of the knee joint has more mechanoreceptors and blood vessels in the upper part, which are close to arteria popliteal at the tibial plateau level; the posterior compartment is divided into wider posteromedial and narrower posterolateral compartments. A safe arthroscopic trans-septal portal is established, in the knee flexion of 90°, in a lateral-to-medial direction, and with an inserting location below the middle of posterior septum. Conclusion The establishment method of posterior trans-septal portal is not uniform and all the features of posterior septum should be considered to decrease the complications.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical results of arthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis for malunion of calcaneal fractures. Methods Between July 2006 and December 2008, 12 cases of malunion of calcaneal fractures were treated witharthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis, inculding 10 males and 2 females with an age range of 38-54 years (44.8 years on average). The location was left side in 5 cases and right side in 7 cases. The injury was caused by fall ing from height in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 3 cases, and other in 1 case. It was 3-7 months from injury to operation. All cases were classified as Stephens type II. The total score was 35.68 ± 10.35 and the pain score was 8.14 ± 1.83 before operation according to Hindfoot scores system of American Orthopaedic Foot amp; Ankle Society (AOFAS). Results All incisions achieved parimary heal ing and the patients were all followed up 14-32 months (18 months on average). The X-ray films showed bony fusion after 10-14 weeks (11.5 weeks on average). The total score was 76.45 ± 9.83 and the pain score was 1.52 ± 1.48 after operation according to Hindfoot scores system of AOFAS, showing significant difference when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Arthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis can get satisfactory fusion rate with few compl ications for malunion of calcaneal fractures.
Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of early feeding after arthroscopic surgery with general anesthesia. Methods One hundred patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery with general anesthesia between January and December 2017 were randomly divided into the routine feeding group and the early feeding group, with 50 cases in each group. In the routine feeding group, patients were feeding after anus gas passage or 6 hours after surgery. Under full assessment, patients in the early feeding group could drink or eat when recovered from anesthesia. The nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and thirst incidences and the comfort degree 6 hours after surgery, the time of first stand up on foot, and the length of hospital stay between the two groups were compared. Results There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) in the incidence of disgusting (10.0%vs. 22.0%), vomiting (6.0% vs. 16.0%), abdominal distention (4.0% vs. 12.0%) or length of hospital stay [(6.44±2.28) vs. (6.34±0.94) days]. The difference in the incidence of postoperative thirst (14.0% vs. 40.0%), the comfort degree 6 hours after surgery (2.36±1.21 vs. 4.14±1.53), the time of the first stand up on foot [(17.30±10.32) vs. (20.84±3.92) hours] were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Early feeding is safe and feasible for the postoperiative arthroscopic surgery after general anesthesia, and can improve the patients’ comfort degree.