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Background: Chondrosarcoma is regarded as the second most common primary bone malignancy following osteosarcoma. Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the epidemiology, incidence, and survival rate of chondrosarcoma in the Iranian population, according to the Iran National Cancer Registry (INCR). Methods: In an epidemiological study, patients with limb chondrosarcoma were evaluated based on INCR data between 2008 and 2015. Data included patients’ demographic characteristics, date of diagnosis, location of the tumor, patient’s survival, and type of tumor based on the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3; first revision, third edition) were collected and analyzed. Results: Out of 732 enrolled patients, 425 patients (58.06%) were male and 307 (41.94%) were female with a mean age of 44.08 (SD = 19.31) and 45.06 (SD = 18.72), respectively. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) were 1.73 and 1.27 per 1 million person-years for males and females, respectively. Conventional chondrosarcoma was the most common subtype with ASIR 1.28 and constituted 84.7% of patients with chondrosarcoma. About 71.03% of all Chondrosarcoma patients (70.35% of males and 71.99% of females) were between 20 to 59 years old. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates of patients were 0.87, 0.73, 0.57, and 0.47, respectively. Also, the mean survival time was 6.12 years (95% CI: 5.85 - 7.39). Conclusions: The incidence of chondrosarcoma in Iran is not as high as in other countries, but as patients are younger in Iran, the survival rate is worse compared to other countries. Therefore, better case findings and better care are needed to improve the patients' outcomes in Iran.

Background: COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and potentially affects every person, including fracture patients. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate our primary months’ experience of surgical treatment of fractures in COVID-19 infected patients in order to assist in better decision-making in the next waves of the infection. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 patients with orthopedic trauma and COVID-19 infection were included from 2 trauma centers during February and March 2020 Results: Most of the patients were younger than 40 year of age. The most common COVID-19 related symptom at presentation was malaise, and a hypoxia rate of 85.7% was detected among the patients. Two-thirds of the fractures were in the lower extremities. One patient expired, but all others were discharged with no follow-up complications. Conclusion: Surgical management of fractures in COVID-19 patients is inevitable. To achieve this, sensitive screening techniques and standard protection measures are essential.

This study compares the outcomes of consecutive of patients with Sanders II and III and IV calcaneal fractures that were stabilized by either close reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Group I (N = 49) underwent close reduction internal fixation (CRIF). Group II (N = 39) underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). The clinical outcomes included time to operation, operative duration, visual analog score (VAS), length of hospital stay, wound-related complications and AOFAS SF-36 score. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic measures also were compared. The duration of operation in the CRIF group was considerably shorter than in ORIF group (P = 0.0001). Postoperatively, at seventh day, the VAS in the CRIF group (4.2 ± 1.1) was meaningfully lower than those of the ORIF patients group (4.7 ± 1.2, P = 0.04). Totally, the prevalence of wound complications in CRIF group was significantly lower than in ORIF group. In final follow-up visit after one year, AOFAS scores and SF-36 scores between groups were comparable. Comparable radiographic measures were found in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups regarding preoperative radiographic measures (P > 0.05), while in postoperative imaging acceptable calcaneal fracture reduction was found in both groups. We believed that for treatment of various types of calcaneal fracture compared with ORIF the percutaneous reduction and screw fixation may lead to shorter hospital stay, decreased subtalar joint stiffness and earlier weight bearing along with much favorable patients’ satisfaction.

CASE We present a 36-year-old man with L1 burst fracture after a sneeze. He was in follow-up for indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM), and osteoporosis was treated with bisphosphonate. Owing to neurologic impairment, posterior decompressive laminectomy and thoraco-lumbar fusion with cemented screws were performed. CONCLUSION Vertebral fractures in young patients affected by ISM required a multidisciplinary approach and a careful preoperative planning to achieve acceptable results. These fractures are so rare that even an experienced spine surgeon may not come across them during his whole career. Nevertheless, diagnostic tool improvement makes its diagnosis more frequent, that is why every spine surgeon should know this disease.

Epidemiological characteristics of bone sarcomas are variant in different populations, however, there is no previous study on primary bone sarcomas among Iranian population. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, age, sex distribution, histologic type, and location of malignant bone sarcomas, based on the Iran National Cancer Registry (INCR).This was a national population-based study using INCR data from March 20, 2008, to March 20, 2015, on patients who were diagnosed with primary bone sarcomas of the appendicular (C-code:40) and axial skeleton (C-code 41), excluding skull and face bones. Primary bone sarcomas were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3: C40-C41).A total of 4112 patients (59.5% males and 40.5% females) with a mean age of 36 years were included in the study. 60.38% of patients were between 10 to 44 years old. The overall age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) was 8.23 (males=9.67 and females=6.80) per million person-years. Osteosarcoma chondrosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma were the three main histology subtypes with the ASIR of 2.36, 1.26, and 1.08 per million person-years. Long bones of the lower limb were the most affected area, with the ASIR of 3.18 (95% CI: 3.02-3.33) per million. We found an increasing trend in the incidence of bone sarcomas in Iran from 8.59 in 2007 to 11.37 per million person-year in 2015.This study provided the epidemiological features of bone sarcomas, including the histological type of sarcoma, tumors' location, and patients' age and gender in the Iranian population for the first time.

BACKGROUND: The effect of race and ethnicity on some kind of malignant bone tumors including Ewing sarcoma has been proven in different studies. In order to evaluate the latter, national cancer registries may help to increase understanding about potential cancer causes, prevention and control strategies, and apply these findings to control health problems among populations with similar characteristics. METHODS: A national population-based cancer registry study based on all patients affected by Ewing Sarcoma was registered in the Iran National Cancer Registry (INCR) between 2008 and 2015 was designed. Demographic data of microscopically confirmed cases of bone Ewing sarcoma were registered. Patients with Ewing sarcoma were divided in groups to describe the primary site of the tumor (including axial or appendicular bones) and analyzed. In order to analyze the survival rate, randomized selection of the patient through the INCR data-base was performed. RESULTS: A total of 678 cases of malignant Ewing sarcoma of the bone were identified through the INCR. The mean age of Ewing sarcoma in Iran was 21.53 years. Nearly half of patients were observed at the age group of 15-24. The total crude incidence rate of Ewing sarcoma was 1.29 in 1 million. The mean 5 year survival rate was 47%. The Mean survival rate for study population was 5.53. CONCLUSION: The crude incidence rate of Ewing sarcoma in Iran is relatively lower with respect to other registries. The majority of patients are in 15-25 years group and shows affection by Ewing sarcoma in an older age. Socioeconomic factors had direct influence on survival rate.

BACKGROUND: Surgery in the time of COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging issue while treatment of affected fracture patients is inevitable. The present study summarizes the challenges that an orthopedic surgeon is confronting during the surgical treatment of fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Demographic and fracture related data of 13 fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection who were treated with surgery was collected from three trauma centers in Tehran and Kermanshah cities from 21, February 2020 to April 3, 2020. RESULTS: All patients were male with mean age of 38.6±19.5 years. Eight patients had high energy fracture and seven patients had multiple fractures and trauma. Wrist and hand were the common sites of fracture following hip and pelvis. The mean interval time period between the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and surgery was 2.3±1.5 days. Before surgery, all patients except one had been admitted to the corona dedicated wards, while two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). One of the ICU admitted patients died. All the 12 alive patients remained in home isolation after discharge. CONCLUSION: Fracture surgery in COVID-19 patients has many challenges such as lack of medical resources, delay of surgery, medial staff fear, and patient isolation. However, a multidisciplinary approach using all potential hospital resources would lead to successful operation and acceptable outcome.

This paper offers a comprehensive systematic review of biomechanical research on the spine and on in vitro and numerical methods of investigation. This review focuses on interventions on the ligaments, on the facets, and on the lamina (facetectomies, laminectomies, and laminoplasties). Surgical interventions on the facets and lamina in some cases yield dissatisfactory clinical follow-up. Patient outcome is strongly related to the effects that such interventions have on the biomechanical functionality of the spine. The papers examined include those addressing the untreated spine (range of motion and stiffness), but the focus is on experimental and numerical investigations studying the role of the ligaments and of the posterior structures (including their role in granting spine stability and the biomechanical behavior of each ligament). The papers were classified based on the different investigation approaches. In vitro experiments exploit dedicated biomechanical spine testers to measure the mechanical properties of physical specimens. Numerical modeling (multibody dynamics, finite-element analysis) allows predicting the effect of different conditions. All the papers indicate that interventions on the ligaments, facets, and lamina increase range of motion and decrease stability. The quantitative results show great variability across studies. This review shows how it is possible to use in vitro and numerical methods to investigate the biomechanical effects of surgical interventions.

Cross-sectional study. To describe oral health and hygiene as a risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI). This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients over 18 years of age who were candidates for elective spinal surgery. The exclusion criteria were immunodeficiency, history of cancer, history of previous infection at the surgical site, cutaneous diseases and long-term use of corticosteroids. Questionnaires were filled out for patients via an interview in order to collect the demographic data of patients. Oral and dental examinations were performed using DMFT (D: decayed, M: missing, F: filled, T: total) and PUFA (P: pulp, U: ulcer, F: fistula, A: abscess) indices. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and Mann–Whitney test. A total of 78 patients were evaluated. There were 59 females (75.6%) and 19 males (24.6%). Eight patients were positive for SSI. Teeth caries (P = 0.016) and periodontal disease (P = 0.049) were significantly correlated with SSI. No significant association was noted between PUFA and SSI (P > 0.05). Sixty-five patients (83.3%) had a history of dental infection before surgery. Fifty% of patients being positive for SSI had a history of dental abscess (P = 0.023). A significant association exists between SSI and caries, gingivitis/periodontitis and history of dental abscess.

Scheuermann kyphosis is the most common structural kyphosis among adolescence and young people. Surgical treatment may be performed through combined anterior and posterior or posterior-only approaches; to our knowledge, the efficacy of posterior-only approach as less invasive procedure is not well studied in case of severe rigid Scheuermann kyphosis. Eighteen patients with severe rigid Scheuermann kyphosis operated through only posterior approach from 2013 to 2016 were evaluated. All information regarding demographic data, curve size before and after the surgery, surgical time, amount of blood loss, correction loss during follow-up and also complications was collected. There were six females and 12 males. Mean age of the patients was 22.4 years (range 17–38). Mean kyphosis angle before surgery was 87.2° (range 85–105), and that reduced to 47.4° (range 45–55) after the surgery. Mean curve size in hyperextension view was 73.8°. Mean postoperative Cobb angle was 50–55 percent of preoperative curves. Mean hospital admission duration was 3.5 days after the index surgery (range 3–5 days). Mean blood loss during the surgery was 250 ml. Mean surgical duration time was 150 min. Mean follow-up period was 9 months (range 8–48 months). No complication was found among the patients. Posterior-only approach using advanced osteotomy techniques and posterior release is a safe and reliable approach for treatment of patients suffering from severe rigid Scheuermann kyphosis and provides acceptable deformity correction.

Background: Primary osseous sarcomas of the mobile spine are rare bony tumors. Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, chordoma and osteosarcoma constitute the majority of primary bone sarcomas of the spine; however, other rare sarcoma tumors may also affect the spine. In order to perform an epidemiological study of theses tumors, national registries may help to evaluate data for populations with similar characteristics. Methods: A population-based study was designed based on data from the Iran National Cancer Registry (INCR). All morphology codes (M-Code) of primary osseous sarcomas of the mobile spine (C-code 41.2) were derived and analyzed. Results: Among 186 patients with primary osseous sarcomas of the mobile spine, 67.2% were men and 32.8% were women. The median (IQR) age was 37.0 (20.0–59.0) years and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 0.37 per million. The majority of cases of Ewing sarcoma (29.5%) were observed in the age group 20–25 years. Among male patients with chondrosarcoma, the median age was 39.0 (30.0–50.0), while females showed a median age of 56.0 (50.0–59.0). The median age of patients with chordoma was 54.0 (47.0–63.0) years. The crude incidence rate of mobile spine osteosarcoma was 0.04 per million. Conclusion: Ewing sarcoma was the most frequent primary osseous sarcoma of the mobile spine. A male predilection was observed among all major sarcomas of the mobile spine. Ewing sarcoma in Iran affects the mobile spine in slightly older ages compared to other studies. Myxoid chondrosarcoma is the most frequent subtype of the mobile spine chondrosarcoma. Chordoma affects male in older ages compared to females. In contrast with other studies which showed a bimodal distribution of osteosarcoma of the spine including young adult and older age groups, 86% of cases in Iran were in the age group of 10–40 years.

IntroductionThe outcomes of total hip replacement in patients suffering from residual poliomyelitis are poorly covered in the literature. In this retrospective study we posed the question of whether total hip replacement performed for degenerative hip diseases in limbs with residual poliomyelitis could determine satisfactory mid-term clinical and radiographic results, with a reasonable complication rate.MethodsA retrospective study was carried out to assess the results of 14 total hip replacements performed on 14 patients with residual poliomyelitis on the involved limb from June 1999 to September 2011. Average age at the time of surgery was 51 years (range 26-66 years). Mean duration of follow-up was 92 months (range 52-156 months). Surgery was performed through a direct lateral approach on all hips. All but one were cementless implants.Results2 implants failed, 1 due to traumatic acetabular fracture 6 days after surgery, and 1 due to aseptic cup loosening 13 years after surgery. Surgery was uneventful in all patients except 1 (7%), who experienced a transient sensory sciatic nerve palsy. At the latest follow up Harris Hip Score was 83.3 (range 72-91) with a marked improvement when compared to preoperative score (average 52, range 32-78). No dislocations had occurred.ConclusionsTotal hip replacement can be considered a feasible option for hip osteoarthritis in patients with limbs affected by residual poliomyelitis. Longer follow-up studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of unconstrained total hip replacement in polio patients.

Introduction Cervical degenerative pathology can produce pain and disability and, in case of failure of conservative treatment surgery is indicated. Materials and methods 107 patients affected by single level cervical degenerative pathology were surgically treated by Cloward procedure. On radiographs, the sagittal segmental alignment (SSA) of the affected level and sagittal alignment of the cervical spine were measured. Results Preoperatively, mean SSA was 0.6° and at the last follow-up 1.8°. In particular, adjacent-level degeneration occurred more frequently in Group A than in Group B. Conclusion Lordotic SSA angle can be considered a protective factor against adjacent-level degeneration.

Learning objectives • To explain the pathophysiology of herniated disc. • To show the clinical appearance, physical examination and surgical indication for S1 root radiculopathy. • To learn anatomy and surgical technique related to lumbar discectomy. • To explain surgical tricks when performing an open lumbar discectomy.

Background Congenital hip dysplasia may lead to severe acetabular and femoral abnormalities that can make total hip arthroplasty a challenging procedure. We assessed a series of patients affected by developmental hip dysplasia treated with total hip arthroplasty using cementless tapered stem and here we report the outcomes at long-term follow-up. Materials and methods Twenty-eight patients (24 women and 4 men) aged between 44 and 50 years (mean 47 years) were observed. Clinical evaluation was rated with the Harris Hip Score. Radiographic evaluation consisted in standard anteroposterior and axial view radiographs of the hip. According to Crowe’s classification, 16 hips presented dysplasia grade 1, 14 grade 2, and 4 grade 3. All patients were treated with total hip arthroplasty using a cementless tapered stem (Wagner Cone Prosthesis). Six patients were operated bilaterally, with a totally of 34 hips operated. After surgery, the patients were clinically and radiographically checked at 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter until an average follow-up of 12 years (range 10–14 years). Results Average Harris Hip Score was 56 ± 9 (range 45–69) preoperatively, 90 ± 9 (range 81–100) 12 months after surgery, and 91 ± 8 (range 83–100) at last follow-up. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated excellent osteointegration of the implants. Signs of bone resorption were present in 6 hips, nevertheless no evidence of loosening was observed and none of the implants has been revised. Conclusions Even in dysplasic femur, the tapered stem allowed adequate stability and orientation of the implant. We consider tapered stem a suitable option for total hip arthroplasty in developmental hip dysplasia, also in case of young patients, thanks to the favourable long-term results.

This study reviewed the medical records of 90 patients with lipomas (47 patients) and atypical lipomatous tumors (ALT)/well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDL) (43 patients) of the extremities treated from 2006 to 2012. All patients had preoperative biopsy and postoperative histologic analysis of the tumors; surgical margins were marginal in all cases. Histologic sections of the tissue blocks from the excised specimens were re-reviewed for all patients; a consensus with postoperative histologic analysis was confirmed. Molecular chromosome analysis was performed on fluorescence in situ hybridization in tissue sections from the tissue blocks in all cases for the purpose of this study; a ratio greater than 2 was considered to represent murine double-minute 2 (MDM2) amplification consistent with a diagnosis of ALT/WDL. Mean follow-up was 52 months (range, 14–96 months). Local recurrence and metastasis rates and the relationship of patient age and sex with tumor size and location were evaluated. None of the patients with lipomas experienced local recurrence compared with 6 patients (13.9%) with ALT/WDL who experienced local recurrence within a mean of 48 months (range, 33–96 months); this difference was statistically significant. None of the patients in either group experienced metastasis prior to the study period. Local recurrence did not correlate statistically with patient age or sex, or with tumor size or location. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e610–e614.]

To analyze the role of spine alignment in post-traumatic paraplegic patient as a potential cause of late Charcot spine disease (CSD). A retrospective review of three cases in which the disease appeared more than 15 years after a spinal cord injury treated by posterior fusion. A review of the literature concerning spine balance in sitting position, especially referred to paraplegic patients, is done to validate this hypothesis. Lumbar kyphosis in paraplegic patients during the sitting position may increase the mechanical load on disks and ligament below the previously fused area. This phenomenon, in combination with lack of protective mechanism because of poor muscular support and lack of sensitivity can speed up and amplify the normal degenerative changes in the disk and ligaments. More investigations are required to fully understand all the mechanisms underlying CSD pathogenesis to prevent it. Until then, a systematic long-term clinical and radiological follow-up in all post-trauma paraplegic patients is suggested. Combined anterior and posterior fusion, when feasible, can restore the sagittal balance providing a better quality of life in these patients.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to avoid the morbidity associated with autogenous bone graft harvesting, cervical cages in combination with allograft bone are used to achieve fusion. The goal of the current study was to assess the reliability and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) using a PEEK anatomical cervical cage in the treatment of patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative pathology between C4 and C7 were enrolled in this study. The clinical findings were assessed using the Neck Disability Index and the Visual Analog Scale. Surgical outcomes were rated according to Odom's criteria at last follow-up. Fusion was graded as poor, average, good or excellent by assessing the radiographs. Cervical spine alignment was evaluated by sagittal segmental alignment and sagittal alignment of the whole cervical spine preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent ACDF using a PEEK anatomical cervical cage. All patients had a minimum 2 years of follow-up. The operative levels were C4-C5 in 5 patients, C5-C6 in 12 patients and C6-C7 in 8 patients. Preoperatively, average NDI was 34, 13 at 6 months, and 10 at latest follow-up. The mean preoperative VAS was 7; the mean postoperative VAS at latest follow-up was 3. Good or excellent fusion was achieved in all patients within 10 months (mean 5 months). Preoperatively, average sagittal segmental alignment (SSA) was 0.2° and average sagittal alignment of the cervical spine (SACS) 15.8°. Six months after surgery, average SSA was 1.8° and average SACS 20.9°, and at last follow-up, average SSA was 1.6° and average SACS 18.5°. CONCLUSION: Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using PEEK anatomical cervical cages can be considered a safe and effective technique to cure cervical disc herniation with intractable pain or neural deficit in cases where conservative treatment failed.

Objective: The purpose is to demonstrate that endoscopy resection can be used safely and effectively for the treatment of benign bone tumors. Methods: Ten benign bone tumors were treated by curettage using arthroscopy instruments, a new surgical technique that we called “Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technique”. The curettage was performed by curette and high speed burr through a small bone window in all cases using arthroscopy instruments. The tumor cavity was packed finally with bone cement or bone allografts. Results: Endoscopic curettage allowed to remove benign bone tumor tissue under video-endoscopic view with good magnification and minimal damage to the cortical bone. All patients had relief of symptoms and rapid function restoration, without any complication. At mean follow-up of 24 months no local recurrence was observed. Conclusions: Minimally invasive technique using an endoscope seems to be a well suited method for access to lesions in difficult juxta-articular locations. In fact, direct video-endoscopic view allows safer and less destructive excision. The extra-articular technique enters the tumor cavity via a tunnel drilled through the medullary canal, allowing to visualize possible residual tumor tissue or defects of the articular surface, without violating the joint and without taking away a much bigger cortical window.