Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association
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Comparative Study
Vascularized fibular graft for bone defects after wide resection of musculoskeletal tumors.
In reconstruction by vascularized fibular graft (VFG) after wide resection of musculoskeletal tumors, there are problems such as the method of fixing the fibular graft, the period of achieving bone union, and the avoidance of postoperative fractures. We have performed VFG on 19 cases over a 30-year period. We have investigated these problems and now report the results. ⋯ Vascularized fibular graft is a useful reconstructive procedure for long-bone defects after wide excision of musculoskeletal tumors. The method of fixation can be selected according to the situation; although times required for bone union are long, it is possible to prevent postoperative fractures by a combined approach with treated bone and/or double barrel fibular grafts.
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The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has varied among studies of patients undergoing elective spine surgery. This may be because of differences in prophylaxis for VTE and differences in methods of observation. Furthermore, some studies have reported symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary thromboembolism (PE), whereas others have included asymptomatic DVT or PE, making comparisons difficult. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic PE in patients undergoing elective spine surgery and to evaluate therapeutic methods for these conditions. ⋯ Mechanical prophylaxis and early ambulation may be effective in reducing the incidence of symptomatic PE after spine surgery. Asymptomatic PE developed in 18% of patients who received mechanical prophylaxis, but the incidence of symptomatic PE was only 0.2%. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required for patients who develop symptomatic PE.
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Comparative Study
Reoperation for recurrent lumbar disc herniation: a study over a 20-year period in a Japanese population.
Many studies have been reported on recurrent lumbar disc herniations covering several pathological conditions. In those studies, reoperation rate of revised disc excisions was calculated by simple division between the number of reoperations and that of the total primary disc excisions. To determine the real reoperation rate, strict definition of pathologies, a large number of patients, a long observation period, and survival function method are necessary. ⋯ Reoperation rate of real recurrent herniations calculated using survival function method gradually increased year by year, from 0.5% at 1 year after primary surgery to 2.8% at 15.7 years.