Objective To observe the long-term effectiveness of tendon allograft to repair tendon defect. Methods Between October 1996 and September 1999, 24 patients with tendon defect were treated with tendon allograft which was cultured with deoxyguanosine and preserved at low-temperature or ultra-deep-low-temperature. There were 19 males and 5 females, aged from 12 to 46 years with an average of 25.9 years. These patients included 7 cases of total extensor tendon defect of 2nd-5th fingers, 7 cases of index finger extensor tendon defect, 3 cases of deep flexor tendon defect of 2nd- 5th fingers, 1 case of ring finger deep flexor tendon defect, 3 cases of long extensor tendon defect of 2nd-5th toes, 2 cases of long extensor hallucis tendon defect, and 1 case of shoulder adduction missing. The sizes of tendon defect ranged from 5 to 15 cm. The mean time from injury to operation was 1.3 months (range, 2 hours to 3 months). Results Incisions healed by first intention. No deep infection, infectious diseases, and obvious immune rejection occurred. All patients were followed up from 10 to 12 years with an average of 10.8 years. When compared with contralateral sides, at 10 years of follow-up, 1 patient lost 6-10° flexion function; after 10.6 years, flexion tendon releasing was performed; allografted tendon had normal color and elasticity with decreased diameter and with mild and moderate adherence; and after releasing, function was improved. According to Hand Surgery Association assessment standard, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 6, and poor in 6; the excellent and good rate was 75%. Conclusion Tendon allograft which is cultured with deoxyguanosine and preserved at low-temperature or ultra-deep-low-temperature is safe to use in cl inical, which has good long-term effectiveness in treating tendon defect.
Objective To explore the cl inical appl ication of rib autograft for reconstructing il iac crest by anterior approach of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and to observe the short-term and long-term effects. Methods From September 2004 to September 2007, 54 cases of thoracic and lumbar injuries were treated by the surgery of anterior approach of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.There were 39 males and 15 females with an average age of 42 years old (range, 27-59 years old), including 4 cases of tuberculosis of spine and 50 cases of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae bursting fracture. All cases underwent the surgery of anterior approach of thoracic or lumbar and il iac crest was used as autograft. Fifty-four patients wererandomized into the reconstruction group (RG, n=25) and the non-reconstruction group (NRG, n=29). The patients of RGgroup were treated with rib autograft for reconstructing il iac crest. There were no statistically significant differences in general data between two groups (P gt; 0.05). The visual analogue scores (VAS) was used to estimate pain degree of treated hip after 2 weeks, and 3, 12 months. The extenion satisfaction grade of il iac crest and the comfort degree of action while bundl ing waist belt were estimated after 12 months. It was observed whether or not anterior superior il iac spine avulsion fracture occurred on the premise of non-accidental trauma within 1 year. The occurrence of fracture and the union status of reconstructed il iac crest were observed by X-ray after 1 year. Results All wounds achieved primary heal ing. No compl ication was found at early stage. All patients were followed up 1 year. There was no significant difference in the VAS of the treated hip under conditions of cl inostatism rest between two groups after 2 weeks and 3 months (P gt; 0.05). But there was significant difference in the VAS under conditions of action after 2 weeks and 3 months, under conditions of cl inostatism rest after 12 months (P lt; 0.05), and the VAS of RG was lower than that of NRG. The exterior satisfaction grade of il iac crest and comfort degree of action while bundl ing waist belt in RG were higher than those in NRG after 1 year, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). No anterior superior il iac spine avulsion fracture occurred after 1 year. And in RG group no fracture of reconstructed il iac crest occurred after 1 year. The X-ray film showed that the two ends of rib reconstructed by il iac crest were blur, and that the rib healed well with il iac bone. Conclusion Rib autograft for reconstruction of il iac crest by anterior approach of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae was economic and convenient. It could improve local appearance, reduce the local pain, and improve patients’ l ife quality.