Objective To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of treating early-middle stage avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) with core decompression and bone grafting. Methods Between January 2000 and December 2006, 87 ANFH patients (114 hips) were treated with core decompression and bone grafting, including 54 cases (62.1%) of alcohol-induced ANFH, 26 cases (29.9%) of steroid-induced ANFH, and 7 cases (8.0%) of idiopathic ANFH. There were 74 males (97 hips) and 13 females (17 hips), aged 20-56 years (mean, 38 years). The disease duration was 3-46 months (mean, 18 months). According to Ficat staging, 16 hips were at stage I, 68 hips at stage II, and 30 hips at stage III. The Harris score and Ficat stage were compared between pre- and post-operation to assess the outcomes clinically and radiologically. The hip survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Eighty-seven patients were followed up 5 years to 11 years and 10 months (mean, 8 years and 9 months). The Harris hip score was significantly increased from 73.13 ± 7.17 at preoperation to 81.59 ± 13.23 at postoperation (t= — 9.318, P=0.000). The clinical success rate was 69.3% (79/114) and the radiological success rate was 54.4% (62/114). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate was 84.2% (96/114); the survival rates of Ficat stage I [100% (16/16)] and stage II [91.2% (62/68)] were higher than that of stage III [60.0%(18/30)] (P lt; 0.01); there was no significant difference between Ficat stage I and II (χ2=1.520, P=0.218). Conclusion Core decompression with bone grafting is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of Ficat stages I-II (early stage) ANFH, and the long-term effectiveness is satisfactory. But the long-term effectiveness is unsatisfactory for the patients at the Ficat stage III (middle stage).
Objective To retrospectively analyze the long-term effectiveness of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) in treatment of cervical spondylosis. Methods Between March 2003 and June 2005, 156 patients with cervical spondylosis were treated with PLDD. There were 74 males and 82 females with an average age of 55.4 years (range, 31-74 years). The disease duration varied from 2 months to 15 years. Fifty-nine patients were classified as cervical spondyloticradiculopathy, 48 as vertebral-artery-type cervical spondylosis, 19 as cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and 30 as mixed type spondylosis. The lesions were located at the levels of C3,4 in 32 discs, C4,5 in 66 discs, C5,6 in 89 discs, and C6,7 in 69 discs, and including 71 one-leve lesion and 85 multi-level lesions. All cases were followed up to study the long-term effectiveness and correlative factors. Results A total of 117 (75%) patients’ symptoms were l ightened or eased up immediately after operation. Discitis occurred in 1 case at 3 days after operation and was cured after 3 weeks of antibiotic use. All patients were followed up 5 years to 7 years and 3 months (5 years and 6 months on average). According to Macnab criteria, the long-term effectiveness was excellent in 60 cases (38.46%), good in 65 cases (41.67%), fair in 19 cases (12.18%), and poor in 12 cases (7.69%); the excellent and good rate was 80.13%. No significant difference was observed in the wedge angels and displacements of the intervertebral discs between before and after operations (P gt; 0.05). Multiple-factors logistic regression showed that the disease duration and patient’s age had obvious relationship with the effectiveness of treatment (P lt; 0.05), while the type of cervical spondylosis, disc protrusion degree, mild cervical instabil ity, and lesion scope had no correlation with the effectiveness of treatment (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion PLDD is safe and effective in treatment of cervical spondylosis with less compl ication. There is no impact on the stabil ity in cervical spinal constructs. The disease duration and patient’s age have obvious impact on the long-term effectiveness of treatment. The type of cervical spondylosis, disc protrusion degree, cervical instabil ity, and lesion scope are not the correlative factors.
ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term effectiveness of microgenia treatment with natural coral, and the volume relationship between the implant and the new bone. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the cl inical data of 12 patients with microgenia treated by horizontal genioplasty with natural coral implantation between October 1998 and September 2004. There were 7 males and 5 females with the average age of 18.5 years (range, 15-28 years). The cephalometric data on the photo and X-ray films were collected at pre-operation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up. The vertical distance between lower lip point and inferior mental point, the vertical distance between inferior alveolar point and inferior mental point, the vertical distance of the osteotomic gap, and the distance between pogonion and the line between nasion and inferior alveolar point were measured, and the recurrence rates were caculated. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 8-12 years (mean, 9.2 years). X-ray films showed that the natural coral was replaced by new bone formation in the mental osteotomic gap; the new bone had good strength and firmly attached to the mentalis and periosteum. At last follow-up, the vertical distance between lower lip point and inferior mental point, the vertical distance between inferior alveolar point and inferior mental point, and the vertical distance of the osteotomic gap were decreased when compared with the ones at immediate after operation, and the mean recurrence rates were 6.1%, 22.9%, and 31.7%, respectively; and no obvious change was observed in the vertical distance between pogonion and the line between nasion and inferior alveolar point. Nine patients were satisfied with operation effectiveness; chin morphology was adjusted again in 3 patients. ConclusionNatural coral is a safe and effective bone substitute with enough stable new bone and good long-term effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effectiveness of lunate excision and vascularized capitate osteotomy transposition for advanced Kienböck's disease. MethodsBetween June 2004 and January 2008,16 patients with Kienböck disease in Lichtman stages ⅢB-IV were treated with lunate excision and vascularized capitate osteotomy transposition.There were 10 males and 6 females at the age of 27-59 years (mean,38.8 years).The disease was caused by trauma in 10 cases,and unknown reason in 6 cases.The main clinical symptoms were pain and limited activity of the wrist joint,and the disease duration was 5-32 months (mean,26.5 months).The carpal height index was 0.88±0.05; the radioscaphoid angle was (63.8±9.1)°.The visual analogue scale (VAS) score,range of motion (ROM),grip strength,Evans score,and radiographic changes were used to assess the effectiveness during follow-up. ResultsAll patients obtained healing of incision by first intention and were followed up 5 years and 4 months to 9 years (mean,5.8 years).VAS score was 2.0±1.5 at the final follow-up.The ROM of the flexion and extension of the wrist joint at the affected side were significantly less than those at the normal side (P<0.05).However,no significant difference was found in the grip strength and Evans score between the affected side and normal side (t=-0.997,P=0.327; t=-1.852,P=0.077).Postoperative radiographs showed that the carpal height index was 0.94±0.03,and the radioscaphoid angle was (48.4±4.8)°,which were improved significantly when compared with preoperative ones (t=-3.927,P=0.000; t=5.987,P=0.000).Osteophyte at the dorsal side of the radius and scaphoid rotation occurred in 6 cases and 2 cases,respectively. ConclusionLunate excision and vascularized capitate osteotomy transposition is a reliable method for advanced Kienböck's disease,with favorable improvement in wrist pain and grip strength for long-term follow-up.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of transverse carpal ligament release for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with arthroscopic "two-portal" technique under local anesthesia. MethodsTransverse carpal ligament was released with arthroscopic "two-portal" technique in 31 patients with CTS between November 2002 and August 2008. There were 4 males and 27 females, aged 24-71 years (mean, 52 years). The disease duration was 1 month to 14 years (mean, 42 months). According to the guidelines of Bin Tian, 20 sides were rated as grade I, 16 sides as grade Ⅱ, and 5 sides as grade Ⅲ before operation. The sensation was S2+ in 7 cases, S3 in 19 cases, and S3+ in 5 cases. The muscle strength of the abductor pollicis brevis and opponens pollicis muscles was grade 2 in 5 cases, grade 3 in 14 cases, and grade 4 in 7 cases. Michigan hand function scoring system (MHQ) was used to evaluate the function of the hand before and after operation. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily, and no complications of median nerve injury and adhesion occurred. All of the 31 patients were followed up 6-11.8 years (mean, 9.6 years). After operation, numbness and paresthesia of fingers were relieved (S4); the muscle power returned to grade 4 in 8 cases, and to grade 5 in 23 cases. The MHQ scores of function, daily life, work, pain, appearance, and satisfaction were improved significantly at 6 months postoperatively when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). There was no relapse. ConclusionArthroscopic "two-portal" technique is an effective surgical procedure for relieving the compression symptoms on the median nerve from carpal canal, so it is helpful to functional recovery of the median nerve. The long-term effectiveness is definite.
ObjectiveTo assess the long-term efficacy of extended thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis(MG) and the factors influencing the results. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 45 MG patients who underwent extended thymectomy in our hospital from January 2005 through December 2010. There were 11males and 34 females at age of 32.6(16-50) years. The overall effective rate was calculated. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the risk factors including sex, age, Osserman classification, and pathological type for outcomes. ResultsAll the patients were followed up for a mean of 58.3 months(ranged from 36 to 108 months). The overall effective rate was 80.0%(36/45) and rose with the extention of time. Age(P=0.019), pathological type(P=0.024) of thymus and Osserman classification(P=0.043) of MG were the main factors influencing the outcomes of the treatment except sex(P=0.666). ConclusionExtended thymectomy in the treatment of MG has better outcomes. And the overall effective rate rises with the extention of time.
ObjectiveTo assess the long-term effectiveness of the transplantation of iliac bone flap pedicled with deep iliac circumflex vessels for treating avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH) at Ficat stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ. MethodsThirty-two cases (43 hips) of ANFH underwent iliac bone flap transplantation pedicled with deep iliac circumflex vessels between October 2000 and February 2006, and the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Of 32 cases, 27 were male (38 hips), and 5 were female (5 hips), aged 21-52 years (mean, 36.6 years); there were 8 cases (11 hips) of hormone ANFH, 18 cases (23 hips) of alcoholic ANFH, and 6 cases (9 hips) of idiopathic ANFH. The disease duration ranged from 2-52 months (mean, 8.2 months). According to Ficat staging criteria, 26 hips were classified as stage Ⅱ and 17 hips as stage Ⅲ. The preoperative Harris hip score (HSS) was 68.2±8.4. The HHS scores and X-ray photograph were compared between at pre-and post-operation to assess the outcomes clinically and radiologically. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. Two cases had numbness of the lateral femoral skin. Four patients (6 hips) failed to be followed up, and the other 28 cases were followed up 98-187 months (mean, 129.3 months). Five patients (6 hips) showed aggravation or no relief with progression to stage Ⅳ at 8-69 months, who received total hip arthroplasty. The 10-year survival rate was 83.78% (31/37). The HHS score was significantly increased to 86.7±9.0 at last follow-up (t=-48.313, P=0.000). The hip function was excellent in 9 hips, good in 13 hips, and fair in 9 hips, and the success rate was 75.68%. Radiographic examination showed signs of bone remodeling at 6-8 weeks. After bone healing, the femoral head density gradually became uniform. Until last follow-up, ANFH progressed from Ficat stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ in 5 hips, from Ficat stage Ⅱ to Ⅳ in 3 hips, and from Ficat stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ in 3 hips; complete hip shape, continuous Shenton line, and normal joint space were observed in the other 26 hips, and the radiographic success rate was 70.27% (26/37). ConclusionThe pedicled iliac bone flap transplantation for ANFH at Ficat stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ can provide good osteogenesis and vascular reconstruction of the femoral head. The long-term follow-up effectiveness is satisfactory.