Aim:

An analysis of significant neuromonitoring changes (NMCs) and evaluation of the efficacy of multimodality neuromonitoring in spinal deformity surgery.

Introduction

The British Scoliosis Society published a document in 2008 which set out the minimum standards for paediatric spinal deformity services to achieve over a period of time. But how do the UK paediatric spinal deformity centres measure up to these benchmarks?

Purpose

Comparison between Aprotinin and Tranexamic acid on blood conservation in scoliosis surgery.

Purpose

Retrospective review of fusion rates using Grafton DBM/allografts only in AIS.

Purpose

Retrospective review of growth sparing spinal instrumentation.

Purpose

To evaluate efficacy of blood conservation strategies on transfusion requirements in adult scoliosis surgery and establish a protocol for cross matching.

Purpose of Study

To investigate current practice of thromboprophylaxis in major UK spinal centres for both trauma and elective surgery, and to asses compliance with NICE guidelines

Introduction: Authors aim to present an interesting series of calcaneal tumors accrued from Scottish Bone Tumor Registry. The available literature is largely limited to the case reports. Bony tumors of the foot account for approximately 3% of all osseous tumors (1), of which Calcaneal location is the second most common site after the metatarsals in the foot. This study describes tumors of varying aetiology with regard to epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatment modalities and outcome.

Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of the medical records and imaging modalities of forty patients with calcaneal tumors which were accrued from Scottish Bone Tumor Registry between January 1954 and December 2006. Patient demographics including presentation characteristics, and delay in the presentation from the onset of symptoms were noted. Plain radiographs followed by further imaging with CT, MR and Bone scanning were reviewed. Size, location and spread of the tumors were noted based on imaging modalities. The type of biopsy, histological diagnosis, type of resection and adjuvant therapy was noted. All patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically for a minimum of 2 yrs or until death

Results: There were 28 primary benign, 11 primary malignant and 1 secondary malignant tumors. In the cohot of 40 patients 26 were male and 14 females with mean age of 27 years. Pain (37/40), swelling (27/40) and restriction of movements (25/40) were the main presenting features. Pathological fractures were found in 4 patients. Mean duration of symptoms was 12 months. Histological diagnoses included Osteoid Osteoma (4/40), PVNS (4/40), Chondroblastoma (3/40), Simple bone cyst (3/40), ABC (3/40), GCT (3/40), Osteochondroma (2/40), Chondroblastoma, Enchondroma, Fibrous Histiocytoma and Glomus tumour (1 case each). Chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s and Paget’s sarcoma (2 cases each), Osteosarcoma, Spindle cell and Pleomorphic Sarcoma (1 case each). Thirty eight patients underwent operative management.

Summary: Current study is one of the largest reported series of calcaneal tumors. A wide variety of lesions seem to involve patients from different age groups and either sex. Presentation features include mainly pain and swelling aggravated by walking. Radiological features may differ than those reported for common locations for the given tumor type. The recurrence rate for benign bone forming as well as cartilage tumors seem to be low provided adequate curettage or excision has been carried out. Whereas most benign lesions can be managed with limb salvage, below knee amputation sees to be a standard operation for primary malignant tumors. Metastatic lesions have poor survival prognosis.

Purpose: To present results of a series of patients treated with Trapeziectomy, Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition for treatment of 1st CMC joint arthritis.

Methods: 59 patients (65 thumbs) from Single surgeons’ practice were prospectively followed by 2 independent observers who did not participate in the study. Patient demographics, occupation, handedness, symptoms and clinical findings were recorded. Objective assessment including pinch and grip strength was carried out by the Occupational therapists. Functional outcome assessment was done using questionnaire designed by senior author. Patients were asked to evaluate the operation using the subjective assessment component of Buck-Gramcko score. Radiographs were studied for Trapezial space and arthroplasty space. Analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software.

Results: A total of 59 patients at an average age of 62 years were followed up for an average of 25 months. Six patients had bilateral procedures. Average follow up was 3.5 years with minimum follow up being 3 years. Osteoarthritis was the commonest diagnosis accounting for 53 (91%) patients and rheumatoid arthritis in 6 (9%) of patients. 48 cases (82%) were Stage IV and 15 cases (18%) Stage V. Mean duration of symptomsbefore the surgical intervention was 36 months. 3 patients developed superficial wound infection and 4 patients developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The results suggested pinch strength and grip strength improved to 50% and 22.5% respectively, as compared to pre-operative value.

Conclusion: Treatment options for 1st CMC joint arthritis have evolved over time. Many prospective randomized studies have shown lack of advantage of LRTI as compared to trapeziectomy alone, but these studies are not free from limitations. The present study is one of the largest reported single surgeon series and benefits from aprospectively maintained database with minimum 3 years follow up. The study rises above the existing limitations in the literature and reinforces concept of Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition.

Level of Evidence: Level II (Prospective study)

Background: Smaller versions of threaded lumbar cages were developed for cervical spine to obviate the need for allograft, iliac autograft use and to provide initial stability before fusion. Clinical trials of threaded cervical fusion cages have shown higher fusion rates and lower rates of graft-donor site complications.

Study design/Aims: Prospective. Radiological and clinical outcomes of an age, sex and diagnosis matched patient population who underwent cervical fusion with (A) BAK/C cages filled with autograft reamings (Center-pulse Spine-tech Inc., Minneapolis, MN) (N=50) were compared with (B) Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF, N=50).

Methods: Patients with symptomatic cervical discogenic radiculopathy were treated with either anterior cervical discectomy with uninstrumented bone-only fusion (ACDF) or BAK/C fusion cage(s). Independent radiographic assessment of fusion was made and patient-based outcome was assessed by a Short Form (SF)-36 Health Status Questionnaire. All patients had minimum follow up of at least 2 years.

Results: Similar outcomes were noted for duration of surgery, hospital stay, improvements in neck pain and radicular pain in the affected limb, improvements in the SF-36 Physical Component subscale and Mental Component subscale, and the patients’ perception of overall surgical outcome. Symptom improvements were maintained at 2 years. Iliac crest harvesting was carried out as a standard procedure in all cases of ACDF whereas only 2 cases in BAK/C group required the same. Average operative time of 115 minutes and 145 minutes, blood loss of 110ml and 175ml and hospital stay of 1.5 and 3.5 days were noted for BAK/C and ACDF groups respectively. Successful fusion was achieved in 49 cases in BAK/C and 46 patients in ACDF group. None of the patients in the BAK/C group had reappearance of symptoms while 3 patients in ACDF group had developed symptomatic adjacent level disc disease. The complication rate for the ACDF group was 9% compared with an overall complication rate of 3% with BAK/C. Complications that necessitated a second operative procedure included

Graft dislodgement (N=3) and

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that outcomes after a cervical fusion procedure with a threaded cage are the same as those of a conventional uninstrumented bone-only anterior discectomy and fusion with a low risk of complications, less operative time and rare need for autogenous bone graft harvest.

Introduction: There is an increased risk of revision for aseptic loosening with a transgluteal approach as described in the Swedish Hip Register. Femoral component malpositioning is itself associated with a poor outcome. A cuff of posteriorly situated glutei during the direct lateral approach may result in levering the proximal stem anteriorly and the tip of the stem posteriorly and does not allow the entry point of the stem to be placed posteriorly at the level of neck resection resulting in possible malpositioning.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant difference in femoral component alignment when the posterior and direct lateral approaches are compared.

Materials and methods: Forty patients underwent an direct lateral approach and forty a posterior approach (n = 80). Inclusion criteria included primary hip arthroplasty using a cemented Exeter femoral component. At 6 weeks a standard AP and a modified lateral radiograph were taken. Measurements were taken from digitized radiographs as follows:

1. AP radiograph

Component alignment was defined as A – B and C – D.

Results: A–B was 0.71 for the modified direct lateral approach and 2.56 for the posterior approach. C–D was 1.47 for the direct lateral approach and 1.21 for the posterior approach. This difference was not statistically different using paired t tests as p > 0.05(P=0.69) for lateral views measurements.

Discussion: This study demonstrates that there is no significant difference between direct lateral and posterior approaches as far as femoral component alignment is concerned. The increased revision rate noted by the Swedish Hip Register when a transgluteal approach is likely to be multifactorial, but not likely to be due to femoral component malalignment.

Introduction: The centre provides hand services to remote hospitals which require patients to travel long distances at odd hours for assessment and consenting to their operation only to be done at a later date in day surgery unit unless otherwise indicated.

Aims: Compare video conferencing to patient and surgeon ‘face to face’ consultation in counselling of patients prior to surgery.

Methods: Four injuries (Nail bed, extensor tendon, nerve repair, wrist laceration) were identified for which operative management was clear. 10 plastic surgery SHOs were shown photographs of the patients injury and asked to ‘counsel’ the ‘patient’(played by consultant plastic surgeon) with regards to the intended benefits, risks and complications of surgery.

The assessment was done for all four scenarios both in person and over a video conference link (AHMS). The order of each case was varied to minimise ‘rehearsal’ of the consent. The consent process was scored on a number of points followed by rating. SHOs acted as their own controls removing bias of differing levels of knowledge.

Results: The mean counselling time was 6 minutes/session. Equipments functioned reliably with audio and speed rated as excellent. Quality of councelling sessions using telemedicine was considered by consultants as good (32/40) to satisfactory (8/40) and was found comparable to in person councelling in obtaining consent.

Conclusion: Telemedicine is as effective as specialist-on site counselling for non-controversial hand injuries and thereby reduces the movement of patients from remote A& E departments to plastic surgery units for consent and booking of their surgery.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis of thumb CMC joint is a common pathology. Several non-prosthetic surgical options exist. There is abundant literature both in favour of and against combining trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and/or tendon interposition (LRTI). This study provides qualitative and quantitative outcomes assessment of a single surgeon series of consecutively operated 65 patients with trapezio-metacarpal joint arthritis using Trapeziectomy with LRTI.

Methods: 50 female and 15 male patients at an average age of 63 at the time of surgery were followed up for a mean of 3 years, 4 months. Radial half of flexor carpi radialis is dissected using a Carroll tendon retriever and passed through a transosseous hole in the thumb metacarpal base to exit on its dorsum. Patients were put in a full below elbow cast for a period of 4 weeks following which hand therapy was instituted. Patients were evaluated using quick DASH score and objective data like thumb opposition, radiographic scaphometacarpal mobility and gap, pinch and grasp strength. All operations were carried out by senior author.

Results: Good to excellent results were obtained in 59 cases with satisfactory opposition. Pinch strength was 4.3 Kg being 1 to 2 Kg less than reference range. Scoring with quick DASH did not decrease with the longevity of follow up. No complications were encountered. No correlation was found between variables like age, sex, dominance, occupation, primary diagnosis, reduced space on follow up radiographs, severity of arthritic changes and final outcome.

Discussion: Present study is one of the largest consecutive single surgeon series reported recently. All efforts were made to eliminate confounding factors like multi surgeons, modifications of technique, different patient populations etc. The study supports the concept of interposition arthroplasty in the treatment of basal joint arthritis of thumb provided strict attention to the details of surgical technique is observed.

Introduction: The C-Stem was introduced in the endeavour to achieve greater stability, improved fixation, minimise subsidence and improve loading of the proximal femur to maintain bone quality and avoid stress shielding. Since promising early results in 2001, no studies including a large patient population from a single surgeon series have been published.

Methods: Health records and imaging modalities of 260 patients, operated between 2001 and 2004 were retrospectively evaluated by 2 independent reviewers. All patients had antero-lateral approach in supine position. Clearing of the calcar was carried out to allow adequate cement mantle proximally and posteromedially. Tip of the stem was allowed to penetrate in to the intramedullary bone block. All patients were followed up regularly with clinical and radiological information being updated.

Results: 90 men and 170 women, 30 bilateral cases were identified. Mean age at the time of surgery was 61.8 years (50–91). Commonest diagnosis was primary OA (56%) followed by secondary OA due to AVN or childhood pathology (30%) and previous trauma. 43 patients had previous operations in the form of failed internal fixation, osteotomy or hemiarthroplasty. Assessment included oxford hip score. Radiographs digitalised on DICOM software were analysed for subsidence (0.7 mm), alignment (94% satisfactory), bone-cement interface changes (35% progressive improvement) and proximal femur stress shielding (2.1%). At the time of final follow up 89% were independently mobile. 4 % thigh pain, 3 revisions for recurrent dislocations, 3 nonfatal and 2 fatal pulmonary embolism. Taking death or revision for any reason as endpoints, 97.8% survivorship was noted using Kaplan-miere analysis.

Discussion: The strength of the study includes large patient population, completeness of follow up and single surgeon series eliminating compounding factors. Bone cement interface improvement was noted in younger patients with high activity level. The study consolidates the soundness of the concept of C-Stem.

Introduction: Pigmented villonodular synovitis is an uncommon, benign, proliferative, neoplastic process of the synovial membrane presumed to be of histiocytic origin and is likely to cause diagnostic dilemma. We present 4 cases with varied presentations in the form of increasing groin pain, inguinal mass, co-existing osteoarthritis which were subsequently confirmed to have PVNS.

Methods and results: Clinical records and imaging modalities of 4 patients with histologically confirmed Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the hip, accrued from Scottish Bone Tumour Registry between 1969 and 2000 were reviewed.

Discussion: PVNS of the hip is an important differential diagnosis when osteoarthritis is associated with atypical clinical picture or lytic lesions. Although it remains confined to the joint, soft tissue masses extending beyond the capsule in to retroperitoneum or anterior and posterior aspects of hip have been reported as shown here. Radiographs in early stages are normal or include a concentric joint space narrowing. MR is an important non-invasive modality for surgical planning and to define the size and extent of the lesion, recurrence, delineating between synovial proliferations and periarticular or intra-abdominal organs. The role of arthroscopy, both diagnostic and therapeutic, is rapidly emerging, although, it has its own limitations. A carefully performed total excision often prevents recurrence as can be seen in this series.

Introduction: There is an increased risk of revision for aseptic loosening with a transgluteal approach as described in the Swedish Hip Register. Femoral component malpositioning is itself associated with a poor outcome. A cuff of posteriorly situated glutei during the direct lateral approach may result in levering the proximal stem anteriorly and the tip of the stem posteriorly and does not allow the entry point of the stem to be placed posteriorly at the level of neck resection resulting in possible malpositioning.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant difference in femoral component alignment when the posterior and direct lateral approaches are compared.

Materials and methods: Forty patients underwent a direct lateral approach and forty a posterior approach (n = 80). Inclusion criteria included primary hip arthroplasty using a cemented Exeter femoral component. At 6 weeks a standard AP and a modified lateral radiograph were taken. Measurements were taken from digitized radiographs as follows:

AP radiograph

Tip of stem to outer medial cortex.

Component alignment was defined as A – B and C – D.

Results: A–B was 0.71 for the modified direct lateral approach and 2.56 for the posterior approach. C–D was 1.47 for the direct lateral approach and 1.21 for the posterior approach. This difference was not statistically different using paired t tests as p > 0.05(P=0.69) for lateral views measurements.

Discussion: This study demonstrates that there is no significant difference between direct lateral and posterior approaches as far as femoral component alignment is concerned. The increased revision rate noted by the Swedish Hip Register when a transgluteal approach is likely to be multifactorial, but not likely to be due to femoral component malalignment.

Objective: To analyse long term outcome of pedicled patellar implantation in treating the defect of the knee joint after the excision of giant cell tumor of distal femur.

Methods: The geometry of patella has lead to its use for condylar reconstruction following resection for giant cell tumour around knee. 15 such patients were treated at our institute and followed up for a mean period of 7.3 years. Average age at presentation was 14.8 years. All patients had plain x-rays, angiography as needed, CT scan and MRI to check integrity of articular cartilage and ACL. Size of lesion was measured on CT. Predominant lateral condyle involvement was found in 6 and medial in 9 patients. The patella was dissociated with a slip of quadriceps attached to its proximal superior-medial pole and rotated to place it horizontally in the zone of resection. Firm osteosynthesis to intact condyle and autogenous bone grafting was carried out.

Results: Grafts consolidated at a mean of 10.8 months. All joints were fairly stable and 70% had movement of 90 degrees without pain. 11 patients had excellent outcome with ability to carry on occupations involving manual labour. There were reoperations for 2 deep infections, 1 recurrence leading to arthrodesis, 1 supracondylar fracture, 2 arthrolysis and 1 valgus osteotomy. 4 patients had arthritic changes and extensor leg at 6 years follow up. No AVN changes or extensor mechanism problems occurred. Using chi square test for log rank analysis significant relationship was found between size of lesion and range of motion (P=0.03) as well as articular cartilage grading and development of arthrosis. The rate of healing was faster than other series reporting free patella grafting.

Conclusion: Patellar implantation is a suitable way to repair the defect of the knee with better immediate functional results subsequently delaying eventual prosthesis surgery.

Between 1948 and 2004, we report 34 patients with Ewing’s sarcoma of pelvis accrued from Scottish Bone Tumour Registry, aiming to identify the prognostic factors and the influence of various treatment modalities on outcome. There were 19 male and 15 female patients at a mean age of 19 years (range, 3 to 48 years). The Pain was main presenting symptom in 30, swelling in 12 and restriction of hip movements in 11 patients. The commonest anatomical site was ilium. Local control was achieved by surgery, radiotherapy (n=25), chemotherapy (n=23) or a combination. The survival correlated significantly with chemotherapy protocols in favour of the group that received ifosamide (p< 0.01). Metastases at presentation was the most important factor determining survival (P< 0.01). Among the patients who presented without metastases (n=25), there was no statistically significant difference in survival based on the anatomical location of the tumour, age or sex. The mean time to lung metastases from the date of presentation was 13 months, while bone metastases presented at an average of 20 months. None of the patients with the metastasis or local recurrence survived. There were 5 local and 17 systemic (metastatic) relapses. The mean duration of survival was 13 months.

With advances in imaging, aggressive chemotherapy, surgery and conformal radiotherapy which can deliver high dose of radiation with precision, it is possible to achieve a cure rate of more that 50% in non-metastatic pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma. The results of this study favour a middle-path regime combining all treatment modalities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether duration of surgery correlates with the survival and final outcome of the patient with metastatic bone disease.

Between 1999 and 2002, 23 consecutive patients with impending or complete pathological fractures of the femur due to metastatic bone disease caused by variety of malignancies or an unknown primary were reviewed. These fractures were treated with intramedullary fixation in the form of long intramedullary hip screw, long Gamma nail or AO nail. These patients were followed up clinically and radiologically until death from the primary disease.

The results obtained demonstrate a mean survival time between 9 days to 12 months. Pain relief was achieved in 90% patients. Ambulatory status was improved in 47% patients. The postoperative course was complicated by four technical and five systemic complications. Intramedullary nailing is a safe and effective method in the treatment of metastatic bone disease. It provides good functional result with pain relief and improved mobility. The operating time does not predictably correlate with the survival and final outcome of the patient.