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Biomedical subjects

Panayotis N Soucacos

Publications and source records attributed to Panayotis N Soucacos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Eight years' clinical experience with the Orthofix tibial nailing system in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures.

Intramedullary nailing has become a popular and effective procedure for the treatment of most tibial fractures. However, concerns regarding difficulties with reduction, the use and extent of intramedullary reaming, and hardware failure are probably the only constraints to its widespread use. In this prospective study, we present the clinical and radiographic results of the Orthofix tibial nailing system used in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. One hundred and fifteen fresh tibial fractures in the same number of patients with a mean age of 37.5 years (17-85 years) were treated with operative stabilisation using the Orthofix tibial nailing system. All of the operations took place in a conventional operating theatre, on a simple tranlucent operating table and with manual reduction of the fracture. In the majority of the cases closed reduction and conventional reaming were performed and the mean duration of the operation was 38 min. Fracture healing occurred at 16 weeks (11-30 weeks) and was confirmed both clinically and radiographically. In six cases (two severely comminuted and four segmental fractures) delayed union occurred, however there were no tibial non-unions necessitating re-operation. There were no substantial differences in time to fracture union or in the rate of complications related to minimal open reduction. In addition, there seem to be more benefits than risks in the use of power intramedullary reaming during intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures. In conclusion, most tibial shaft fractures can effectively and safely be treated using this type of locking intramedullary nailing device, with relatively few complications, and with satisfactory long-term clinical results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Vascularised bone grafts for the management of non-union.

Non-union of the long bones may have severe consequences, particularly when combined with other post-traumatic sequelae, such as tendon adhesions, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and infection, among others. In these cases, it is important to treat the delayed union or non-union first or at the same time with the other problems in order to achieve adequate function. Once the normal bony healing process has been slowed or stopped, it is necessary to provide both stability to the fracture site, as well as a biological stimulus for the fibrocartilagenous callus to finish the healing process. Vascularised grafts, such as the free fibula, offer not only structural support, but also promote bone healing. The later is achieved by trabecular bone formation, as well as vascular sprouting from pedicle vessels.

Bone Transplantation↗
PubMed2006

Current trends in the management of extra-abdominal desmoid tumours.

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumours are slow-growing, histologically benign tumours of fibroblastic origin with variable biologic behaviour. They are locally aggressive and invasive to surrounding anatomic structures. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for the diagnosis and the evaluation of the tumours. Current management of desmoids involves a multidisciplinary approach. Wide margin surgical resection remains the main treatment modality for local control of the tumour. Amputation should not be the initial treatment, and function-preserving procedures should be the primary treatment goal. Adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended both for primary and recurrent lesions. Chemotherapy may be used for recurrent or unresectable disease. Overall local recurrence rates vary and depend on patient's age, tumour location and margins at resection.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Management of nonunion with distraction osteogenesis.

Nonunions of long bone fractures represent a clinical entity that is commonly perpetuated by a high velocity injury. There are both bony and soft tissue factors responsible for the nonunion. This paper is focused on the reported clinical and radiographic outcomes whenever treatment protocols pertaining to distraction osteogenesis are implemented.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Isolated dislocation of the scaphoid.

Isolated dislocation of the carpal scaphoid is an extremely rare injury. The authors report herein a case of a 28-year-old man managed with open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation. The aim of this study is to comprehensively present this unusual injury along with its treatment and to attempt to merge the available experience in the literature in a suggested algorithm that will guide the surgeon confronted with this rare problem to treat it promptly and effectively.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Neuroanatomy of the brachial plexus: the missing link in the continuity between the central and peripheral nervous systems.

The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves which extends from the neck to the axilla and which supplies motor, sensory, and sympathetic fibers to the upper extremity. Generally it is formed by the union of the ventral primary rami of the spinal nerves, C5-C8 and T1, the so-called "roots" of the brachial plexus. The goal here is to examine the neural architecture of the brachial plexus. The most constant arrangement of nerve fibers will be delineated, and then the predominant variations in neural architecture will be defined, particularly the prefixed and postfixed plexus, as well as the microanatomy and anatomy of the major terminal branches of the plexus. Multiple tracts connect many parts of the nervous system, and multiple ascending and descending tracts connect the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and lower spinal centers with the brain. This reflects that the nervous system is able to extract different pieces of sensory information from its surroundings and encode them separately, and that it is able to control specific aspects of motor behavior using different sets of neurons. Examination of the major sensory or motor pathways reveals a highly and tightly organized nervous system. In particular, at each of many levels, we see fairly exact maps of the world within the brain. In an effort to understand the functional neuroanatomy of the brachial plexus, this paper will focus briefly on the nervous connections of the nerves of the upper extremity with the brain. The goal here is to better understand "what the brain sees" after nerve injury and repair.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed2006

Repair of the main nerve trunk of the upper limb with end-to-side neurorrhaphy: an experimental study in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of reinnervation using end-to-side neurorrhaphy in the upper extremity of the rabbit. The cut right ulnar nerve was repaired and sutured to the side of the median nerve about 3 cm above the elbow joint. The extent of reinnervation was quantitatively evaluated, as well as the integrity of the intact donor nerve in 36 rabbits randomly treated with fresh or delayed nerve repair with or without perineurotomy. Evaluations included nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of both the ulnar and medial nerves, dry muscle weight, and histologic examination (neurofilament stain and morphometric assessment) at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. NCV recovery rates were 79% and 87% for the ulnar nerve, and 89% and 94% for the median nerve compared to contralateral intact nerves, at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Flexor carpi ulnaris muscle mass measurements revealed a recovery in dry muscle weight of about 81% and 88% at 3 and 6 months, respectively, compared to the intact contralateral flexor carpi ulnaris. Histologic studies with neurofilament staining reveal numerous axonal sprouts at the distal end of the median nerve, indicative of myelinated axonal regeneration. Morphometric analysis demonstrated no difference between fresh and delayed repairs. These results indicate that in the upper extremity of rabbits, end-to-side neurorrhaphy permits axonal regeneration from the intact donor nerve, and is associated with satisfactory recovery. The effect of the procedure on the donor nerve was negligible.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Long-term evaluation of rabbit peripheral nerve repair with end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rabbits.

This study was designed to quantitatively assess long-term end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rabbits. The cut right ulnar nerve was repaired and sutured to the median nerve, in which a perineurial window was created in an end-to-side fashion 3 cm above the elbow joint. Both the extent of the reinnervation and the integrity of the intact donor nerve were evaluated in 36 rabbits randomly treated with fresh or delayed nerve repair. Evaluations included motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), dry muscle weight (DMW), and histological examinations at 9 and 12 months postoperatively. The recovery rates of MNCV were 90.1% and 92.8% for the ulnar nerve, and 95.7% and 96.8% for the median nerve, compared to intact contralateral nerves at 9 and 12 months, respectively. MNCV was not detectable for the ulnar nerve in control animals, while it was normal for the median nerve. Recoveries of flexor carpi ulnaris dry muscle weight of about 90.7% and 94.5% were observed at 9 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. However, muscle mass measurements revealed a recovery of only 31.3% and 27% for control groups at 9 and 12 months postoperatively. The differences between experimental groups and control groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Neurofilament and silver stains showed numerous sprouting axons originating from the median nerve to the ulnar nerve. The results indicate that end-to-side neurorrhaphy could induce axonal sprouting from the main nerve trunk of upper limbs in rabbits, leading to useful functional recovery.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phrenic nerve neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with end-to-side neurorrhaphy: a short report in a rabbit model.

This experimental study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of end-to-side coaptation between the musculocutaneous nerve and the phrenic nerve for brachial plexus injuries with nerve-root avulsions. In an experimental rabbit model, neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with the phrenic nerve was compared using end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Preliminary results from electrophysiologic and histologic examinations indicate that end-to-side neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with the phrenic nerve is an effective means for musculocutaneous nerve repair. The effectiveness of the phrenic nerve is attributed to its large number of motor axons.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Sciatic and peroneal nerve injuries.

In the past, the attitude toward surgical repair of sciatic and peroneal nerve lesions was excessively pessimistic. Refinements of microsurgical technique, nerve conduction studies, and the establishment of indications and optimal timings for surgical interventions have led to significant improvements in outcomes, making repair worthwhile in most cases. Tendon transfers can augment functional outcomes, and are performed as secondary procedures or (in selected cases) in combination with the initial repair. Developments in the basic sciences, bioengineering, and medical imaging may further improve the results of management of these serious nerve injuries.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Restoration of shoulder function with nerve transfers in traumatic brachial plexus palsy patients.

Shoulder stabilization is of utmost importance in upper extremity reanimation following paralysis from devastating injuries. Although secondary procedures such as tendon and muscle transfers have been used, they never achieve a functional recovery comparable to that following successful reinnervation of the supraspinatus, deltoid, teres minor, and infraspinatus muscles. Early restoration of suprascapular and axillary nerve function through timely brachial plexus reconstruction offers a good opportunity to restore shoulder-joint stability, adequate shoulder abduction, and external rotation function. Overall, in our series, 79% of patients achieved good and excellent shoulder abduction (muscle grade, +3 or more), and 55% of patients achieved good or excellent shoulder external rotation after reinnervation of the suprascapular nerve. The best results were seen when direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve from the distal spinal accessory nerve or neurotization by the C5 root was carried out. Concomitant neurotization of the axillary nerve yields improved outcomes in shoulder abduction and external rotation function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Musculocutaneous neurotization to restore elbow flexion in brachial plexus paralysis.

Brachial plexus injuries may result in devastating paralysis, especially if they involve all the roots. The upper roots are often traumatized, and therefore elbow flexion is usually lost. The prognosis of these injuries is grave if root avulsions are present and the paralysis includes the hand as well. The current management of brachial plexus injuries should be early, aggressive microsurgical reconstruction of the plexus, combining various neurotizations with intraplexus and extraplexus nerve donors. Following this principle, we present the results of musculocutaneous neurotization in our unit, as well as a review of the literature on this subject. Our results are comparable to those reported in the literature, and indicate that the strongest function is achieved after neurotization via intraplexus donors, while some extraplexus donors (i.e., phrenic and accessory nerve) can offer equally strong elbow flexion, especially if they are used in combination. Neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve should be one of the primary goals in the reconstruction of the injured plexus, since the return of elbow flexion is of paramount importance in daily activity. The restoration of function is ensured if the stronger and healthier motor donors are dedicated to the neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve. Sometimes in order to match the axonal number of the target to the lower number of axons offered by the donors, two or more donor nerves may be driven to the same target, such as the musculocutaneous nerve.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Secondary reanimation procedures in late obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients.

The varying degrees of spontaneous reinnervation that occur in untreated obstetrical brachial plexus palsy leave characteristic deformities of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Common sequelae are internal rotation and adduction deformity of the shoulder, elbow flexion contractures, forearm supination deformity, and lack of wrist extension and finger flexion. Early microsurgical reconstruction of the affected plexus leads to a more rewarding overall function of the upper arm, but residual deformities might appear later which are similar, although less serious, than those observed in untreated cases. Secondary procedures of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and hand will improve the appearance and function of the upper extremity in late cases of obstetrical brachial plexus. Careful preoperative planning is mandatory and a multistage approach should be applied, depending on the type of palsy and the age of the patient.

Arm↗
PubMed2006

Arthroscopic debridement and irrigation of periprosthetic total elbow infection.

We report on a case of arthroscopic treatment of septic arthritis of the elbow joint in a 65-year-old man with an elbow endoprosthesis. Two months after arthroplasty of the elbow joint, the patient developed acute septic arthritis of the right elbow. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the causative organism. Six days after the onset of symptoms, the patient was treated with a single arthroscopic procedure of the infected periprosthetic joint, including irrigation with 5 L of Ringer's lactate solution, debridement, and partial synovectomy with a 4.5-mm curved shaver. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was also used for 3 months including rifampicine and fucidic acid according to the intraoperative cultures. The acutely infected total elbow arthroplasty could be cured without removal of the endoprosthesis of the elbow. Ten months postoperatively, the patient remains free of symptoms and his blood rates are within normal limits.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Current concepts and techniques in posttraumatic arthritis.

Posttraumatic arthrosis is a commonly encountered clinical problem, but the pathoetiology of its development is not yet clarified. Many contributing mechanical biologic factors interplay with the traumatic event that necessarily precedes the posttraumatic syndrome. New biologic concepts involving the ability of the cartilage to repair and how such healing can be promoted are being realized in new modalities of treatment. The traumatic event as such and the resulting pathomechanical consequences require new ways of evaluation.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Outcome of partial medial epicondylectomy for cubital tunnel syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Partial medial epicondylectomy aims to eliminate potential drawbacks of total epicondylectomy for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. In this series, we retrospectively evaluated 80 patients (80 elbows) who had partial medial epicondylectomies for established cubital tunnel syndrome. Our main purpose was to compare clinical outcomes among partial, minimal, and total epicondylectomies. Specific attention was given to the functional outcome in severely impaired patients, and potential postoperative complications of total epicondylectomy, such as elbow instability, and medial elbow pain. Preoperatively, 16 patients were classified as having McGowan Grade I lesions, 40 had Grade II lesions, and 24 had Grade III lesions. The mean followup was 32 months (range, 26 months-4.2 years). There was improvement of at least one McGowan grade in 86.2% of the patients, with a 66.7% improvement in severely impaired patients (McGowan Grade III lesions). There was no ulnar nerve palsy, no ulnar nerve subluxation, or medial elbow instability. However, 45% of patients reported mild pain at the 6-month followup. Partial medial epicondylectomy seems to be safe and reliable for treatment of cubital compression neuropathy at the elbow. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adult↗