Subclavian vessels injury:An underestimated complication of clavicular fractures

Clavicle fractures are frequent orthopedic injuries,often resulting from direct trauma or a fall.Most clavicle fractures are treated conservatively without any complications or adverse effects.Concomitant injuries of the subclavian vein or artery are rarely encountered and most commonly associated with high-energy trauma or comminuted clavicle fractures.They are potentially life-threatening conditions leading to hemorrhage,hematoma,pseudoaneurysm or upper limb ischemia.However,the clinical presentation might be obscure and easily missed,particularly in closed and minimally displaced clavicular fractures,and timely diagnosis relies on early clinical suspicion.Currently,computed tomography angiography has largely replaced conventional angiography for the assessment of subclavian vessel patency,as it demonstrates high accuracy and temporal resolution,acute turnaround time,and capability of multiplanar reconstruction.Depending on the hemodynamic stability of the patient and the severity of the injury,subclavian vessel lesions can be treated conservatively with observation and serial evaluation or operatively.Interventional vascular techniques should be considered in patients with serious hemorrhage and limb ischemia,followed by stabilization of the displaced clavicle fracture.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence,clinical presentation,diagnostic approaches,and current management strategies of clavicle fractures associated with subclavian vessel injuries.

Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy using Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine System technique: Pitfalls that a beginner should avoid

Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy(TPED) is a minimally invasive technique mainly used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation from a lateral approach. Performed under local anesthesia, TPED has been proven to be a safe and effective technique which has been also associated with shorter rehabilitation period, reduced blood loss, trauma, and scar tissue compared to conventional procedures. However, the procedure should be performed by a spine surgeon experienced in the specific technique and capable of recognizing or avoiding various challenging conditions. In this review, pitfalls that a novice surgeon has to be mindful of, are reported and analyzed.

Surgical treatment outcome of painful traumatic neuroma of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve during total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Development of infrapatellar saphenous neuroma(ISN)is a well-recognized reason for knee pain following total knee arthroplasty(TKA).So far,very few studies have addressed the development of painful ISN after TKA and its impact on functional outcome and patient satisfaction.AIM To present the results of surgical treatment for ISN after primary TKA,the level of pain relief,and the improvement of knee motion and function.METHODS Fifteen patients(13 women,2 men)with persistent medial pain for more than six months after primary TKA,due to osteoarthritis,underwent surgical excision of ISN.ISN diagnosis was confirmed with the presence of Tinel’s sign along the course of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve and with pain relief after selective nerve block using local anesthetic.Component loosening,malalignment,instability and infection were excluded systematically in all patients as a source of pain.Pain relief in terms of visual analog scale(VAS),active knee range of motion(ROM),and the Knee Society Score(KSS)for pain and function were evaluated preoperatively and at least six months postoperatively.RESULTS The mean patients’age was 71.3±5.4 years old.The mean interval between TKA and neuroma excision was 10 mo(range,6 to 14 mo),while the mean follow-up was 8 mo(range:6 to 11 mo).All 15 patients experienced almost complete immediate pain relief and resolution of allodynia and hyperesthesia after surgery.Pain on the VAS scale improved from 8.6±1.3 preoperatively to 0.8±0.9 at the final follow-up(P=0.001).KSS pain and function scores were improved from 49.3±5.9 and 62.7±12.8 before surgery to 91.8±4.2 and 75.3±11.3 after surgery,respectively(P=0.001 and P=0.015).Active knee ROM was also increased postoperatively from 96±4 to 105±6 degrees(P=0.001).There were no complications and no further operations required.CONCLUSION ISN should be considered a potential cause of persistent pain following TKA.Neuroma excision not only provides immediate pain relief and resolution of symptoms but may also improve the knee range of motion.