The standard surgical procedures for the treatment of idiopathic varicocoeles are unsuccessful in, or show a recurrence rate of, up to 25%. An alternative method is transcutaneous embolisation using the Seldinger catheter technique. For this technique of transcutaneous catheter embolization, we have used the Gianturco spiral. The embolization is carried out following diagnostic transfemoral phlebography of the left testicular vein, which also provides the indications or contra-indications for this procedure. The method has been used on nineteen patients with varicocoeles requiring treatment; amonst these were three patients who had had unsuccessful operations. Follow-up period so far is six months. In all cases the varicocoele had disappeared, including one patient who had suffered complications following previous surgery.
Aims: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered one of the most successful surgical procedures in modern medicine. The success of THA is well documented, and includes high patient satisfaction rates, low morbidity rates and cost-effective surgery. Most publications come from THA performed in high-volume arthroplasty units, done in high-income countries. Limited data is available on THA performed in low-volume, low-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital templating in a low-volume, resource-constrained orthopaedic unit from 2016 to 2017. We introduced a standardised hip radiography programme, followed by a stepwise pre-operative templating method. We compared the implant sizes inserted during THA with the templated sizes determined pre-operatively. This was to deduct whether digital templating in a low-volume arthroplasty unit is accurate and of the same value as digital templating done in a high-volume unit. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted on all patients who received elective primary uncemented THA in a low-volume, resource-constrained orthopaedic unit. Pre-operative radiographs were done according to guidelines published by Scheerlinck followed by pre-operative templating using the Impax Orthopaedic tools® software and a stepwise technique described by Bono. Implanted prosthesis sizes, as recorded in operation notes, were retrospectively compared to pre-operative templating. Results: A total of 56 participants were included (30 females, 26 males), with a mean age of 55.5 (32-78) years. On the acetabular side, in 71% (n=40; p<0.001) there was a cumulative difference of one implant size between the templated cup size and the actual cup size used. On the femoral side, in 79% (n=44; p<0.001) there was a cumulative difference of one implant size between the templated stem size and the actual stem size used. Oversizing of the implants was more prevalent, with 20% (n=11) of the acetabular components oversized by two or more sizes and 13% (n=7) of the femoral components oversized by two or more sizes. Conclusion: With the introduction of a standardised radiology programme and a stepwise templating technique, the benefits and accuracy of pre-operative templating done in a low-volume, resource-constrained orthopaedic unit is comparable to published data done in high-volume arthroplasty units.
The arterial system can be demonstrated after intravenous contrast injection by means of DVSA. The abdominal aorta, pelvic and lower limb arteries were examined in this way in 152 patients. Occlusions, stenoses and areas of dilatation could be recognised. In 8% of the patients the aortic bifurcation or common iliac arteries were not adequately visualised. In other respects, the results of DVSA were comparable with conventional arteriography. Because of limited image size, DVSA is particularly indicated where the vascular changes can be localised accurately by clinical means. The method is well suited for observing the results of surgery or percutaneous angioplasty. The indications for arteriography have been reduced as a result of DVSA.
We carried out 1890 venous digital subtraction angiograms; this included 113 patients with hypertension in order to exclude renal artery stenosis. On four occasions it was used following surgery on a renal artery. Renal artery stenosis or occlusion was demonstrated in twelve patients, and other vascular diseases or anomalies were found in 24. Two abnormal renal arteries were found following renal artery surgery. The results are compared with smaller groups of patients examined by DSA, and with the results of conventional subtraction methods reported in the literature. In only eight patients (6.8%) DSA provided insufficient information and had to be supplemented by aortography. The method has proved to be a valuable and simple screening method for the investigation of hypertension.
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