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Study Design: Multicenter prospective cohort study., Objective: To analyse therapeutical strategies applied to osteoporotic thoracolumbar OF 4 injuries, to assess related complications and clinical outcome., Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study (EOFTT) including 518 consecutive patients who were treated for an Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). For the present study, only patients with OF 4 fractures were analysed. Outcome parameters were complications, Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Timed Up & Go test, EQ-5D 5L, and Barthel Index after a minimum follow-up of 6 weeks., Results: A total of 152 (29%) patients presented with OF 4 fractures with a mean age of 76 years (range 41-97). The most common treatment was short-segment posterior stabilization (51%; hybrid stabilization in 36%). Mean follow up was 208 days (±131 days), mean ODI was 30 ± 21. Dorsoventral stabilized patients were younger compared to the other groups ( P < .001) and had significant better TuG compared to hybrid stabilization ( P = .049). The other clinical outcomes did not differ in the therapy strategies (VAS pain: P = 1.000, ODI: P > .602, Barthel: P > .252, EQ-5D 5L index value: P > .610, VAS-EQ-5D 5L: P = 1.000). The inpatient complication rate was 8% after conservative and 16% after surgical treatment. During follow-up period 14% of conservatively treated patients and 3% of surgical treated patients experienced neurological deficits., Conclusions: Conservative therapy of OF 4 injuries seems to be viable option in patients with only moderate symptoms. Hybrid stabilization was the dominant treatment strategy leading to promising clinical short-term results. Stand-alone cement augmentation seems to be a valid alternative in selected cases.

Study Design: Multicenter prospective cohort study., Objective: The study aims to validate the recently developed OF score for treatment decisions in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF)., Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study (EOFTT) in 17 spine centers. All consecutive patients with OVCF were included. The decision for conservative or surgical therapy was made by the treating physician independent of the OF score recommendation. Final decisions were compared to the recommendations given by the OF score. Outcome parameters were complications, Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Timed Up & Go test, EQ-5D 5 L, and Barthel Index., Results: In total, 518 patients (75.3% female, age 75 ± 10) years were included. 344 (66%) patients received surgical treatment. 71% of patients were treated following the score recommendations. For an OF score cut-off value of 6.5, the sensitivity and specificity to predict actual treatment were 60% and 68% (AUC .684, P < .001). During hospitalization overall 76 (14.7%) complications occurred. The mean follow-up rate and time were 92% and 5 ± 3.5 months, respectively. While all patients in the study cohort improved in clinical outcome parameters, the effect size was significantly less in the patients not treated in line with the OF score's recommendation. Eight (3%) patients needed revision surgery., Conclusions: Patients treated according to the OF score's recommendations showed favorable short-term clinical results. Noncompliance with the score resulted in more pain and impaired functional outcome and quality of life. The OF score is a reliable and save tool to aid treatment decision in OVCF.

Rotavirus NSP3 is a translational surrogate of the PABP-poly(A) complex for rotavirus mRNAs. To further explore the effects of NSP3 and untranslated regions (UTRs) on rotavirus mRNAs translation, we used a quantitative in vivo assay with simultaneous cytoplasmic NSP3 expression (wild-type or deletion mutant) and electroporated rotavirus-like and standard synthetic mRNAs. This assay shows that the last four GACC nucleotides of viral mRNA are essential for efficient translation and that both the NSP3 eIF4G- and RNA-binding domains are required. We also show efficient translation of rotavirus-like mRNAs even with a 5'UTR as short as 5 nucleotides, while more than eleven nucleotides are required for the 3'UTR. Despite the weak requirement for a long 5'UTR, a good AUG environment remains a requirement for rotavirus mRNAs translation.

Because of the increasing number of patients with surgically treated injuries of the spine we more often have to answer the question of indication for hardware removal. In the cervical spine and after anterior instrumentations of the thoracic and lumbar spine hardware removal is only indicated as part of the management of postoperative complications. After dorsal instrumentation for fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine, implant-associated discomfort is possible. In addition, in non-fusion procedures there is the risk of implant failure. In these cases the hardware should be removed. If the consolidation of the fracture is in doubt, a preoperative CT scan is useful.

Refractures of long bones after implant removal are a rare but serious complication, which in most cases make a reoperation necessary. We analysed our own cases and reviewed the scarce literature on this subject. As a result we found that it is possible to reduce this complication by performing thorough preoperative preparation, observing an adequate interim time between initial osteosynthesis and hardware removal, cautiously exposing the weakened bone to force for a certain time period after implant removal and taking the character of the fracture healing into consideration. It is not possible to entirely eradicate this complication because a lot of patients demand the implant removal even though it is known that demineralisation and residual screw holes both induce a reduction of energy-absorbing capacity and therefore predispose the patient to refracture. In some cases the surgeon should recommend that the implants remain in situ.

Background: Pelvic ring fractures are considered as rare injuries. Minimally invasive sacroiliac screw fixation has been used increasingly in recent years as an operative strategy for the treatment of these injuries, if the dorsal pelvic ring needed to be addressed. Treatment options for the anterior pelvic ring comprise plates, screws or external fixation., Method: Based on the limited number of publications on this subject and our own experience with 80 patients who suffered pelvic ring B- or C-type injuries during a period of 8 years we are able to show that the indication for hardware removal in the pelvic ring should be strictly defined., Results: In some cases like external fixation, implant-associated infection, malpositioning, allergic implant reaction, critical soft tissue covering, palpable hardware and consolidated juvenile fractures implant removal is certainly indicated. In patients without symptoms and in patients with trauma-associated symptoms which are not definitely associated with the hardware, the removal should be only indicated after thorough consideration of the risks versus the benefits and additionally by taking the initial injury pattern into account. If despite all these objections the hardware removal has been indicated it should always be considered that hardware removal may be challenging with several possible severe complications.

Background: Before 1985, corrective surgical procedures for patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers were performed using long incisions through diseased skin and subcutaneous tissues. The procedure, involving ligation of incompetent perforator veins, known as "the Linton operation," often was complicated by wound infections and poor healing. This changed in 1985 when G. Hauer demonstrated a new surgical technique for direct visual identification of the incompetent perforator veins using an endoscope in the subfascial space. This seminal contribution marked the advent of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS)., Methods: From 1996 to 2004, the authors group prospectively collected data on 110 patients with chronic venous insufficiency who underwent a SEPS procedure. Preoperative assessment of the limb's vascular status consisted of color-flow duplex ultrasound imaging and ascending and descending phlebography to locate vein valve incompetence, along with venous mapping. The ages of the patients ranged from 42 to 82 years (mean, 60 years). A total of 128 limbs underwent the SEPS procedure in the cohort of 110 patients. According to CEAP classification for venous limb disease, 60 limbs belonged to group C5 (skin changes, pigmentation, venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, healed ulcer) and 68limbs to group C6 (skin changes and active ulceration)., Results: The 110 patients underwent 128 SEPS procedures without significant morbidity. Of the 68 limbs in class C6, 54 showed ulcer healing within the follow-up period of 12 weeks. The remaining 14 limbs in class C6 achieved ulcer healing within 24 weeks. In this latter group, 10 patients had venous ulcers larger than 4 cm in diameter. These patients underwent a split-thickness skin graft at the time the SEPS procedure was performed. The grafts remained healed during a 2-year follow-up period., Conclusions: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the SEPS procedure when incorporated into the overall treatment strategy for patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Minimal postoperative complications accompanied by ulcer healing and relief of lower extremity symptoms were achieved for all the patients, underscoring the important role of incompetent perforator veins in the formation of chronic venous insufficiency.

Before 1985, surgery on incompetent perforator veins in patients with severe, chronic, venous insufficiency and venous ulcerations was generally performed utilizing long skin incisions through diseased skin and subcutaneous tissues. Known as "the Linton operation," wound infections and poor healing complicated this procedure. In 1985 G. Hauer demonstrated a new surgical technique for identifying and ligating incompetent perforator veins using an endoscopic approach in the limbs' subfascial space. This seminal contribution marked the advent of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS). From 1996 to 2003 our group prospectively collected data on 86 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) who underwent a SEPS procedure. Preoperative assessment consisted of color-flow duplex ultrasound scanning and ascending and descending phlebography. The patient's ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (mean 60). A total of 98 limbs underwent the SEPS procedure from the cohort group of 86 patients. The CHEAP classification of the limb disease was used: 45 limbs were classified as group C5, 53 limbs group C6. Ninety-eight SEPS procedures were performed without significant morbidity on 86 patients. Of the 53 limbs in class C6, 41 had ulcer healing within 12 weeks. The remaining 12 limbs in class C6 had ulcer healing within 6 months. In this latter group, 9 had ulcers greater than 4 cm in widest diameter. These patients underwent a split-thickness skin graft at the time the SEPS procedure was performed. The grafts have remained intact after 2 years in this cohort group. The results of this study demonstrate that the SEPS procedure incorporated into the overall treatment plan for patients with CVI produces excellent healing with minimal postoperative complications. The study also underscores the important role incompetent perforator veins have in the formation of venous ulcers.

Background: Previously, subfascial ligation of perforator veins to treat venous ulceration in the lower extremities required long skin incisions through diseased skin and subcutaneous tissue. This was known as "the Linton operation." In 1985, Hauer described an endoscopic technique for ligating incompetent perforator veins; this seminal contribution marked the advent of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS)., Methods: From 1996 to 1998, we prospectively collected data on 41 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) who underwent a SEPS procedure at our institution. Preoperative assessment consisted of color-flow duplex ultrasound scanning, as well as ascending and descending phlebography., Results: Some 45 SEPS procedures were performed on the 41 patients. Ages ranged from 42 to 84 years (mean, 60). Active venous ulcers were present in 37 legs; healing occurred within 9 weeks in 33 of them. No new ulcers developed in the follow-up period, a mean of 44 weeks., Conclusion: The results suggest that the SEPS procedure incorporated into the overall treatment plan for patients with CVI produces active healing with a minimum of postoperative complications. The study demonstrates the safety and efficiency of this procedure; it also underscores the important role incompetent perforator veins have in the formation of venous ulcers.

Iliac vein compression syndrome (May-Thurner syndrome) is caused by compression of the left iliac vein against the pelvic rim by the right iliac artery. Serious vascular sequelae to the leg can result if this is not recognized and corrected in a timely fashion. The condition, often underdiagnosed, is thought to be present in approximately 20 per cent of the adult population. Previously, a major vascular operation with a significant hospital stay was required to correct this compression. As a nonsurgical option, we elected balloon dilation of the stenosed iliac vein, with insertion of a venous stent to maintain the restored lumen. Two patients who had this procedure have been followed for 12 months; venograms show continued patency of the iliac vein with no pressure gradient present. This procedure is safe and cost effective, and it requires a minimal hospital stay.

An 85-year-old-woman presenting with low back pain developed shortness of breath and right-sided chest pain. She was found to have perfusion defects indicative of pulmonary embolus (PE). Heparin was at first employed, but had to be discontinued because of gastrointestinal bleeding. Caval filtration was the obvious course, but it was found on computed tomography (CT) scan that the suprarenal portion of the inferior vena cava was 55 mm in diameter, and the infrarenal portion 44 mm. These measurements were too large for insertion of a Greenfield filter, for which the maximum diameter should be 28 mm. The right common iliac vein was 28 mm in diameter, and the left external iliac vein 25 mm. Two filters were inserted percutaneously in these vessels. The patient was followed for 9 months. No clinical evidence of recurrent PE or venous insufficiency occurred.

In reconstructive surgery of the arteries, the inflow tract is as important as the distal runoff. Since information about the hemodynamic significance of either cannot be obtained from an arteriogram , accurate assessment of flow within the arterial segment to be reconstructed must be obtained by other means. A functional pharmacologic test, consisting of the intra-arterial injection of 30 milligrams of papaverine hydrochloride which, under normal circumstances, can usually induce a 100 per cent increase, or more, in basal blood flow has been used to define theoretic maximum flow capacity by means of a linear quantitative relationships. The test also can unmask any undetected lesions in the inflow tract or technical errors occurring at the time of operations. From the results of this study, it is apparent that the use of a pharmacologic test for flow rate has demonstrated that profundaplasty makes a significant contribution to relieving symptoms of ischemia in the lower limb. This, in turn, brings about the resolution of certain types of tissue necrosis distally and safely improves the quality of life.

Varicose veins and venous insufficiency are causes of significant morbidity. In North America 10% to 17% of the adult population is affected, an incidence 10 times that of arterial disease. Despite this, origin and mechanism of disease remain obscure. This study was designed to illustrate the presence of patent arteriovenous shunts in the varicosed limb and to assess their role. Twenty-eight women and twenty-one men with primary varicose veins were studied. Thirty-six men and seven women without venous disease served as a control group. Blood samples were collected from an arm vein and a limb varicosity in the study group along with an arterial blood sample. Blood samples were also drawn from an arm vein and the femoral vein in the control group along with an arterial blood sample. Venous partial oxygen pressure (PVO2) and hemoglobin saturation (HbSat) were measured and venous oxygen content (CVO2) calculated. Mean values were then obtained and statistical comparisons made between each group. A statistically significant increase (p less than 0.001) in all three parameters--PVO2, HbSat, and CVO2--was demonstrated in the patients' limbs with varicose veins, consistent with a functioning arteriovenous shunt.

Nine hundred twelve patients received continuous epidural analgesia administered through an indwelling plastic catheter while undergoing vascular reconstruction of a lower extremity. During a portion of the operative event, the patients were totally, transiently anticoagulated with heparin. None of the patients had an untoward neurologic event that could be attributed to an epidural hematoma. Our results and those of others show that this form of regional analgesia is safe and far outweighs theoretic contraindications when anticoagulation with heparin is planned as a part of the operative event. In the patients with impaired pulmonary ventilation or a cardiac disorder, this method of analgesia offers many advantages over a general anesthetic, such as obviating aspiration pneumonitis and averting prolonged support in the recovery period after completion of the surgical procedure. The regional vasodilation ensuing from the epidural blockade is an additional advantage in patients undergoing vascular reconstruction for lower extremity ischemia.

Hemometakinesia, the borrowing of blood by one part of the body for use by other parts or tissues, is a well regulated physiologic mechanism involving selective vasodilation and vasoconstriction. It has been shown, however, that diversion of blood flow following vascular reconstruction may impoverish tissues from which the blood flow is borrowed, causing ischemia in these vascular beds. Observations on 12 patients out of a group of 100 who had undergone vascular reconstruction of a limb deterioration. It is suggested that the type and site of the vascular disorder and the expected diminution of blood flow in other involved arterial circuits should be considered in selecting the most appropriate vascular surgical procedure. Searching for and recognizing the hemodynamic significance of a silent lesion in the carotid or gastrointestinal circuit or in a contralateral limb may avert a vascular crisis after the primary lesion has been successfully treated.

Lower extremity blood pressure, an accurate indicator of peripheral arterial disease and a sensitive means of evaluating therapy, is easily determined by the Doppler detector either at the bedside or in the physician's office. In conjunction with the exercise tolerance test and the ankle to arm ratio, it permits the physician to follow the course of the disease and assess the results of therapy. The test may also detect and determine the extent of presymptomatic arteriosclerosis obliterans when present in the opposite limb.