Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Complex articular fractures of the distal humerus represent a real challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The complexity of the anatomy, fracture patterns, the presence of multiple fragments, and low bone density in the elderly represent some difficulties to address. The relatively low frequency of these fractures directly undermines training and systematization of the surgical procedure and therefore has an impact on the final functional outcome and complication rate. The aim of this article is to provide practical tools to the novel surgeon, through the review of the literature and the author´s experience, to reduce complications and optimize the treatment of these fractures.          

An 8-year-old female patient consulted for a slightly painful tumor in the forearm of 1 year of evolution. On the physical examination, a stony, slightly mobile lesion was palpated, without pain upon movement. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the elbow and ultrasound were requested.  

Introduction: The stability of the femoral component and its resistance to subsidence are critical factors to achieve correct osseointegration and subsequent clinical success in cementless total hip arthroplasty. Few studies have evaluated the results of nationally manufactured stems, even in the short and medium term. Our objective is to clinically and radiologically analyze patients undergoing a total hip replacement with a nationally manufactured femoral component (Cementfree® stem). Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study on patients who had undergone a total hip replacement with the Cementfree® stem between January 2015 and August 2020 by the same surgeon and at the same institution. Results: 46 uncemented stems were implanted in 42 patients with an age range between 60 and 81 years. The average follow-up was 3 years, with a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. There was an evident improvement in the Harris Hip Score (an average of 47 preoperatively vs. 93 after surgery). The revision of the stem for aseptic loosening, in the Kaplan Meier analysis, demonstrated a 100% survival rate at 5 years. Conclusion: According to the results obtained in this research, hip arthroplasty with the nationally manufactured Cementfree® stem has proven to be an option comparable to other imported stems in terms of short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes. An evaluation of the outcomes in the medium and long term is pending.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of a consecutive series of patients with proximal humerus fractures (PHF) treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), with and without anatomical healing of the tuberosities. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 113 patients >65 years old with PHF treated with RSA. Seventy patients presented anatomical healing of the tuberosities and 43 presented absence of healing. Range of motion (ROM), Constant score, ASES score, visual analog scale (VAS) and the score of the numerical evaluation of single evaluation (SANE) were evaluated. Results: The mean follow-up was 56 months (range, 24-96 months) and the mean age was 73 years (range, 65-83 years). Mean postoperative active elevation and internal rotation were 131° (±14) and 27° (±5), respectively. The mean postoperative external rotation in abduction and adduction was 27° (±1) and 15° (±6) respectively. The mean postoperative VAS was 1.7 (±0.8). The mean ASES, Constant and SANE scores were 76 (±6), 62 (±11) and 74% (±7), respectively. Anterior elevation, external rotation, and final mean ASES and Constant functional scores were significantly better in the group with tuberosity healing than in the group without healing. Conclusions: In patients >65 years old with PHF treated with RSA, both postoperative ranges of motion and functional scores were significantly better in patients where anatomic tuberosity healing was achieved than in those where it was not achieved.

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injury is the main cause of motor disability in developed and underdeveloped countries, being a priority interest to the WHO. The effect of hypothermia on the expression of CIRBP (cold-activated protein) in the anterior grey column of 60-day-old male albino Sprague-Dawley rats was studied at the structural and biochemical levels and proposed as a possible therapeutic approach. Materials and Methods: 24 rats were randomly divided into two groups; normothermia (n = 6), at 24º C, and hypothermia, (n = 18) at 8º C for 180 minutes and euthanized at 12, 24, and 48 h post-treatment. Western blot and immunohistochemistry for CIRBP were used. Results: A progressive increase in the expression of CIRBP was observed from 12 to 48 hours, with statistically significant values after 24 and 48 hours compared to controls. Conclusion: This experimental model demonstrated efficacy, accessibility, and economy to generate systemic hypothermia, which provides a novel range of therapeutic strategies. The increase in the expression of cold-inducible proteins in the rats’ spinal cords allows us to study the benefit of hypothermia at the molecular level for the first time, being of utmost importance for therapeutic studies in spinal cord injuries.

We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient who consulted for high radial nerve palsy, with pain and positive Tinel test on the lateral side of the dominant arm, of sudden onset after great repetitive muscular efforts, without clinical improvement after three months of evolution. A decompressive surgical treatment was performed, presenting a rapid recovery since the 7th day and full recovery after 25 postoperative days. Conclusion: The entrapment of the radial nerve in the arm is a rare pathology and its clinical presentation may vary. We consider that in the face of no remission or favorable evolution of paralysis within the first three months of conservative treatment, surgery should be performed.

Introduction: Spine surgery has one of the highest morbimortality rates in the pediatric population. Pain management has not been standardized on said population. Multimodal analgesia (MMA) was developed to resolve that problem. Objective: To develop, based on a systematic review, a detailed and original pain management multimodal pharmacology protocol for pre and postoperative (intra and extra-hospital) periods for the pediatric population undergoing spine surgery. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of full texts in English and Spanish from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LiLacs Database from 2000 to 2021. We used the PRISMA flow diagram. Results: From a total of 756 papers, 38 were included in the final evaluation. Considering the bioethical difficulties to develop a manuscript from clinical trials with drugs and drug combinations in the pediatric population, we developed an original and detailed pain management protocol for pre and post-operative (intra and extrahospital) periods for the pediatric population undergoing spine surgery. Conclusion: Based on a systematic review, we succeeded in developing a simple and easily reproducible perioperative multimodal pain management protocol (intra and extra-hospital), intending to expedite the patient’s functional recovery and reduce global socioeconomic costs.Level of Evidence: II

Introduction: Few questionnaires to quantify and categorize subjective and objective functional limitations in shoulder pathology have been translated into Argentine Spanish. Objective: To carry out the standardization, translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Constant-Murley Score into Argentine Spanish. Materials and Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation was carried out following the steps proposed in the guide of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic and Outcomes Research which establishes the guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures. Results: The version resulting from the translation process into Spanish was evaluated through cognitive interviews in two stages. Subsequently, the questions were reformulated for a better understanding of the elements and their response options, and specific modifications were made. Conclusion: We carried out the cross-cultural adaptation of the Constant-Murley score, obtaining a useful tool for the population of Argentina with shoulder pathologies.

The pathology is presented and described as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue tumor, and the differential imaging diagnoses are detailed.