Background
Cobalt toxicity-related cardiomyopathy in hip arthroplasty has recently been reported in the literature. The purpose of this review is to identify and assess available published evidence of cardiomyopathy in hip arthroplasty patients and to derive recommendations for management.
Methods
We evaluated 23 cases reported until October 2018 and stratified them into 3 categories, based upon pre-existing risk factors for cardiomyopathy, histological confirmation, and evidence of systemic signs of cobalt toxicity.
Results
Cobalt toxicity was considered to be the definite cause of cardiomyopathy in 8 cases, and probably contributory in 13 cases. Two cases were considered to have developed cardiomyopathy secondary to pre-existing risk factors. Majority of the patients had a good recovery of cardiac function after hip revision and cardiac management, but 5 cases deteriorated and died.
Conclusions
Although cobalt-related cardiomyopathy has been reported in a small number of cases of hip arthroplasty, a delay or missed diagnosis may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis, removal of causative implant, and avoidance of metal articulations in revision for fractured ceramic implants may help in an effective management.
IntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of shoulder morbidity in our cohort of patients with latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction after mastectomy.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of 72 patients using validate Oxford shoulder score for function and quickDASH score for disability. Scores were collected preoperatively and at time of final review or study. We also reviewed patient records for patients who had a formal diagnosis of shoulder pathology. Results were analysed with student t-test.ResultsAnalysis of scores showed a statistically significant worsening of both oxford shoulder score (p < 0.005) and quickDASH score (p < 0.005), when pre and post-operative scores were compared. Seven patients had a formal diagnosis of shoulder pathology, and all of them recovered well. There was no significant difference in oxford shoulder score or quickDASH scores between patients with or without shoulder pathology. About 40% patients had some functional loss or disability at 4 years after the surgery.ConclusionOur study shows a high incidence of significant shoulder functional morbidity following latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction but number of patients requiring specific treatment is low.Level of evidenceLevel IV, therapeutic study.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.