Background: Surgical treatment is usually required for malignant foot and ankle tumors. In this study, we sought to review factors in treatment that may be associated with morbidity and mortality. Methods: All malignant foot and ankle tumors at our institution between April 1988 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical modalities used and clinical outcomes of patients according to the anatomic location (Kirby zone) and clinical stage (Enneking system) of each tumor were described. Extent of surgical resection required, recurrence, and death rates were assessed. Results: Between April 1988 and April 2018, 80 patients with malignant tumors of the foot and ankle were treated at out institution. Mean age of patients was 42.6 (range, 3-89) years. Mean follow-up was 30.2 months (range, 24-120). Tumors were primary in 75 patients (94%) and metastatic from another organ in 5 patients (6%). Tumors originated from bone in 18 patients (22%) and from soft tissue in 63 patients (78%). Synovial sarcoma was the most common soft tissue tumor, and osteosarcoma was the most common osseous tumor. All patients had surgery to resect their tumor. Twenty-one (26%) had unplanned surgical procedures without initial biopsy at an outside institution prior to referral. Those patients were more likely to be treated with amputation or wide excison and free flap surgery ( P < .01). The recurrence rate was 50% for the unplanned surgery group and 22% for the planned surgery group. Mortality rate was 10% for the unplanned group and 6% for the planned group. The recurrence and mortality rate was higher in the unplanned group ( P = .03). Conclusion: Our study suggests that unplanned initial surgeries are associated with higher recurrence and mortality rates and reinforces the notion that these patients should be referred for treatment at a center with specialized expertise in tumor management. Level of Evidence: Level III, IV – retrospective case series.
Objectives: Calcaneal fractures are the most common tarsal fractures following a foot-ankle trauma. The Böhler’s angle is an important measurable angle before, during, and after surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate correlation between Böhler’s angle, calcaneal strength, and subtalar joint stress using a finite element analysis (FEA).
Patients and methods: Between January 2016 and December 2016, computed tomography (CT) scans were used with MIMICS® software for FEA. The ankle and foot of a 23-year-old male person with a height of 180 cm and weighing 80 kg was modeled as reference. Raw coronal CT images were obtained in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format with the resolution of 512X512 pixels and 0.3-mm slice intervals in 135 kV. The structures including tibia, fibula and 26 other bones (talus, calcaneus, cuboid, navicular, three cuneiforms, five metatarsals, and 14 components of phalanges), cartilage and ligamentous tissues were modeled to form ankle joint. After determining Böhler’s angle as 35 degrees for the reference model, a fracture line was created on calcaneus. Calcaneus was remodeled with the Böhler’s angle of 45, 40, 30, 25, 20, 10, and 0 degrees respectively. All models were transferred to ANSYS software for FEA and the loads on the lower extremities with normal posture were applied on models.
Results: Analysis of all models based in the reference model revealed that maximum tension values on calcaneus increased, while the Böhler’s angle decreased, indicating a statistically significant difference. The decreased Böhler’s angle indicated statistically significantly higher maximum tension values (p=0.04). Action force in subtalar joint was evaluated by comparing with the forces in reference model. The increased Böhler’s angle was found to be associated with statistically significantly decreased amount of load on subtalar joint. The decreased Böhler’s angle was related to the statistically significantly increased amount of load on subtalar joint.
Conclusion: Our study results suggest that decreased Böhler’s angle increases the possibility of subtalar arthrosis, although overcorrection of the Böhler’s angle seems not to increase the risk of subtalar arthrosis.
Osteomyelitis of the phalanx caused by Candida species are rare. A 49-year-old female patient was admitted to an external center with a splinter injury of the third phalanx of the middle finger of her left hand about 45 days ago. She was referred to our clinic with persistent pain and discharge, despite four-week antibiotherapy. Debridement and curettage were performed and partial excision of the distal phalanx at an appropriate level was done. Her complaints gradually resolved postoperatively with prescribed antibiotics for the pathogen identified as Candida lusitaniae based on the intraoperative cultures. At her three-month follow-up visit, treatment yielded near-excellent results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx caused by Candida lusitaniae in the literature, highlighting the importance of definitive diagnosis and pathogen-specific treatment, rather than empirical treatment, to achieve favorable results with cure.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of cross fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) following closed reduction of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children. Materials and Methods: Between December 2012 and June 2015, a total of 32 patients with suprachondral humerus fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic data, causes and types of fracture, associated injuries, postoperative complications, radiological parameters, and cosmetic and functional outcomes were recorded. Results: Of the patients, 24 (75%) were male and eight (25%) were female with a mean age of 6.5 years (range: 2 to 12 years). The mean follow-up was 19 months (range: 13 to 26 months). None of the patients developed iatrogenic vascular or nerve injuries. No postoperative complications were observed during follow-up. The functional result according to the Flynn criteria was excellent in 93.4% and good in 6.6% patients, while cosmetic results were excellent in 93.4%, good in 5.2%, and fair in 1.4%. Conclusion: Percutaneous fixation with K-wire following closed reduction of displaced supracondylar humerus is a reliable method which can be applied with high success rates in pediatric cases.
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