OBJECTIVE: In patients with monocompartmental knee osteoarthritis, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can be performed. This study compared the medial versus lateral UKA in patients with monocompartimental knee arthroplasty. It was hypothesised that both implants achieve a similar outcome in OKS.
METHODS: The UKAs were fixed-bearing medial PPK (Zimmer-Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana, USA) and fixed-bearing lateral Zuk (Lima Corporate, Udine, Italy). An intraarticular drain was placed and removed on the first postoperative day. Enoxaparin sodium 4000 units subcutaneously daily for 45 days was used as thromboembolic prophylaxis. The Italian version of the OKS was used for the clinical assessment. The following complications were also recorded: anterior knee pain, infection and revision surgeries.
RESULTS: Data from 203 patients were collected. The mean age of the patients was 68.9 ± 6.7 years and the mean BMI was 28.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2. The mean OKS on admission was 22.1 ± 4.5 points. On admission, women, patients older than 70 years, and those with a BMI lower than 28 kg/m2 who underwent lateral UKA evidenced lower OKS. At the last follow-up, 26.7 and 26.9 months for the lateral and medial UKA, respectively, no between groups difference in OKS was evidenced. No patients experienced complications.
CONCLUSIONS: Medial and lateral UKA achieve similar outcomes in OKS at a minimum of two years of follow-up.

UNASSIGNED: Airway management in children is always challenging and becomes a concern if required in the lateral position. We evaluated the efficacy of orotracheal intubation using the Air-Q intubating laryngeal Airway (Air-Q ILA) in supine and lateral positions in children.
UNASSIGNED: This study included 100 children weighing 7-30 kg, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia. They were randomized into the supine (S) group or lateral (L) group. After anesthesia induction, the child was placed in a standard sniffing position for conventional laryngoscopy in the S group, and the child was turned into the lateral position in the L group. Both Air-Q ILA and endotracheal tube were placed blindly in the supine position in the S group and lateral position in group L. The grading of glottic view, success rate, insertion time of the Air-Q ILA, and endotracheal intubation were noted in both the groups.
UNASSIGNED: The Air-Q ILA was successfully placed at the first attempt in 47 children in group S and 48 in group L. The overall blind orotracheal intubations, including first and second attempts, were successful in 45 children in the S group and 47 in the L group (P = 0.715). Eighty percent of patients in group L and 70% in group S had glottis grade 1 or 2 compared to grade 3, 4,5 (P = 0.249). The mean time of Air-Q ILA placement in groups S and L was 15.73 ± 5.64 s and 14.42 ± 4.16 s (P = 0.195). The mean duration of blind endotracheal intubation through the Air-Q ILA was 24.88 ± 14.75 s in group S and 17.57 ± 5.35 s in group L (P = 0.002). In both the groups, none of the children had bronchospasm, laryngospasm, desaturation, or aspiration. The airway trauma evident by blood staining on the Air-Q ILA on removal was revealed in 2 cases in group S, and 3 cases in group L. None of the children in group S and 4 children in group L had postoperative stridor. Postoperative hoarseness was reported in 3 children in group S and none in group L within 24 hours.
UNASSIGNED: The Air-Q ILA can be used as a conduit for blind orotracheal intubation in children in both supine and lateral positions while maintaining an effective airway seal.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures are commonly treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws. Unplanned return to theatre is common, in many cases to extract prominent osteosynthesis material from the lateral malleolus as swelling subsides. We hypothesised that patients operated with a posterolateral plate placement on the lateral malleolus would have fewer reoperations, and fewer complications, compared to patients with a lateral plate placement.
METHODS: From a prospectively collected database of all orthopaedic surgery performed at our institution, we identified 664 ankle fractures undergoing plate fixation between 2008-01-01 and 2012-04-30. Radiographs were analysed to only include AO/OTA 44-B-fractures (n = 453), and to define study groups based on plate positioning. Hospital files were assessed to identify possible confounding factors, and any unplanned reoperation or complication. Complications were classified according to Dindo-Clavien.
RESULTS: The risk of reoperation was 13% after posterolateral plating, compared with 24% after lateral plating; absolute risk reduction 10% (95% CI: 2.5-18), p = 0.02. After adjusting for possible confounders, the odds ratio of undergoing reoperation after lateral plating was 2.2 (95% CI: 1.17-4.1), p = 0.01. The two surgical methods did not differ with regard to complication frequency: 31% vs 34%, p = 0.6, but complications following lateral plate fixation were more serious, p = 0.03. Plate positioning depended on surgeon preference.
CONCLUSIONS: The two studied methods are both considered standard treatment of ankle fractures, and relatively simple surgical procedures. High rates of secondary surgery after plate fixation have been reported, but no study comparing plate positioning has been previously published to our knowledge. AO Sweden has recently switched to teaching posterolateral plating in group exercises during the AO Basic Fracture Surgery course, based on the belief that it may be safer than lateral plating. Our findings support this change in practice.
CONCLUSIONS: Posterolateral plate positioning on the lateral malleolus in AO/OTA 44-B-fractures may be preferential to lateral plate positioning, due to a large difference in unplanned secondary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA) constitutes only 5-10% of all unicompartmental replacements performed. Whilst the short and medium term benefits are well documented, there remains concern regarding the higher revision rate when compared with total knee replacement. We report the long term clinical outcome and survivorship of a large series of lateral UKA.
METHODS: Between 1974 and 1994, 71 patients (82 knees) underwent a lateral fixed-bearing St Georg Sled UKA. Prospective data was collected pre-operatively and at regular intervals post-operatively using the Bristol Knee Score (BKS), with later introduction of the Oxford Knee (OKS) and Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) scores. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used, with revision, or need for revision, as end point. 85% of the patients were female. No patients were lost to follow-up.
RESULTS: Functional knee scores improved post-operatively up to 10 years, at which point they demonstrated a steady decline. Survivorship was 72% at 15 years, and 68% at 20 and 25 years. Nineteen knees were revised, with progression of disease in another compartment the commonest reason. There were two revisions due to implant fracture. In patients aged over 70 years at time of index procedure, 81% died with a functioning prosthesis in situ.
CONCLUSIONS: This represents the longest follow-up of a large series of lateral UKA. Results of this early design of fixed bearing UKA demonstrate satisfactory long term survivorship. In elderly patients, further intervention is rarely required. More contemporary designs or techniques may show improved long term survivorship in time.

UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the novel lateral transfer assist robot facilitates easier transfers compared with a wheelchair in post-stroke hemiparesis patients.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional study enrolled 20 post-stroke hemiparesis patients, and the task difficulty of transfers was compared between a wheelchair and lateral transfer assist robot. All participants were asked to transfer from either wheelchair or lateral transfer assist robot to a platform table and back. The primary outcome was the transfer score of the Functional Independence Measure. The secondary outcome was the time required for transfer.
UNASSIGNED: The transfer score of the Functional Independence Measure was significantly higher with lateral transfer assist robot than with wheelchair (p < .001). The transfer times from these devices to a platform table and back showed no significant differences (to device from platform table: 7.8 s, lateral transfer assist robot vs 7.6 s, wheelchair, p > .05: device to platform table: 7.1 s, lateral transfer assist robot vs 8.0 s, wheelchair, p > .05).
UNASSIGNED: Transfer with a lateral transfer assist robot is easier than with wheelchair and facilitates independence in post-stroke hemiparesis patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTransfer skill influences the functional independence and quality of life of a wheelchair userA novel structural mobility device-the lateral transfer assist robot (LTAR)-can facilitate transfersThe LTAR could improve the degree of independence for transfers than the wheelchair, without any time loss, in post-stroke hemiparesis patientsThe LTAR could potentially reduce the risk for falls in various medical and care facilities.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the risk factors of revision operation after the treatment of distal femoral fracture with lateral locking plate (LLP).
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 152 cases with distal femoral fracture treated in our hospital from March 2005 to March 2019. The SPSS 26.0 software (univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis) was used to analyze the general condition, fracture-related factors, operation-related factors, and construct characteristics of internal fixation.
RESULTS: Sixteen of 152 patients who were included in the study underwent revision surgery, with a revision rate 10.5%. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), fracture type, supracondylar involved or not, type of incision, quality of reduction, ratio of length of plate/fracture area (R1), the ratio of the length of the plate/fracture area above the condylar (R2), ratio of distance between proximal part of fracture and screw/working length of proximal plate (R3) between the two groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age [OR for age > 61.5 group is 4.900 (1.071-22.414)], fracture type [OR for A3 fracture is 8.572 (1.606-45.750), the OR for periprosthetic fracture after TKA is 9.073 (1.220-67.506)], poor reduction quality [OR is 7.663 (1.821-32.253)], and the ratio of the length of the plate/fracture area above the condylar were the possible risk factors (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Age, fracture type (A3 and periprosthetic fracture after TKA), poor reduction quality, and the ratio of the length of the plate/fracture area above the condylar were the possible risk factors of the revision in distal femoral fractures treated with lateral locking plate. The appropriate application of the locking plate and operation strategy are the key to reduce the revision rate in distal femoral fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate lateral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) progression after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and identify factors affecting the progression that were not identified previously.
METHODS: We evaluated 146 patients who underwent medial UKA between 2009 and 2014. Kellgren-Lawrence grading of lateral and patellofemoral OA was performed on preoperative and final follow-up knee radiographs. Radiographic and clinical characteristics, SF-36, and Oxford knee scores were compared between the OA progressed and non-progressed groups. Risk factors for lateral and patellofemoral OA progression were evaluated.
RESULTS: The lateral OA progressed and non-progressed groups significantly differed in side, preoperative flexion contracture, preoperative joint line convergence angle, postoperative tibiofemoral angle, insert size, revision status (P < 0.05), and the patellofemoral OA progressed and non-progressed groups significantly differed in age, pre- and postoperative flexion contracture, postoperative tibiofemoral angle and pre- and postoperative patellofemoral OA grade (P < 0.05). At the final follow-up, Visual Analogue Scale, Oxford Knee Scores, and SF-36 sub-scores were significantly better in the lateral OA non-progressed group (P < 0.001). Dominant leg (odds ratio (OR): 2.759), insert size (>4, OR: 2.219), revision status (+, OR: 6.692), and postoperative tibiofemoral angle (>5.5°, OR: 1.177) were independent risk factors for lateral OA progression, whereas age (>60 years, OR: 3.222), preoperative patellofemoral OA grade (>1, OR: 2.085), and postoperative flexion contracture (>10°, OR: 1.919) were those for patellofemoral OA progression.
CONCLUSIONS: Mild radiographic progression of 1 KL grade is frequently seen five to 10 years after medial UKA. Postoperative outcomes are significantly affected by lateral compartment OA progression but not by patellofemoral OA progression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared to lidocaine as a tenotomy adjuvant for people with elbow tendinopathy.
METHODS: Our study was a parallel-group, double-blind, randomized trial involving 71 patients with recalcitrant elbow tendinopathy who received two sessions of ultrasound-guided tenotomy with either PRP or lidocaine in a tertiary public hospital. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with an improvement exceeding 25% reduction in disability (Spanish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaires-DASH-E) at 6 and 12 months; the secondary outcome was the percentage of patients exceeding 25% reduction in pain (VAS-P).
RESULTS: There was no evidence of significant differences in the proportion of patients who experienced clinically relevant improvements. After 6 months, 18 patients (78.59%) in the lidocaine group and 19 patients (73.08%) in the PRP group showed improved function above 25% (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 (0.17 to 4.60)); 21 patients (72.21%) in the lidocaine group versus 22 patients (84.62%) in the PRP group achieved more than 25% pain reduction (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.10 to 2.37). After 12 months, 17 patients (70.83%) in the lidocaine group versus 19 patients (76%) in the PRP group had improved function (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.13 to 3.84), and 19 patients (76%) in the lidocaine group versus 20 patients (90.91%) in the PRP group had improved pain above 25% (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.06 to 2.51). Hypercholesterolemia and baseline vascularization influenced outcomes. There were no differences between groups in the adjusted odds ratios.
CONCLUSIONS: PRP results in similar improvements to those obtained with lidocaine. Selecting patients according to their pretreatment status can improve treatment efficacy.
BACKGROUND: NCT01945528 , EudraCT 2013-000478-32. Registered 18 August 2013, enrolment of the first participant 10 March 2014.

Very limited informations are currently available about the best approach to perform retroperitoneoscopic surgery. This multicentric international study aimed to compare the outcome of lateral versus prone approach for retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in children.
The records of 164 patients underwent RPN in 7 international centers of pediatric surgery over the last 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-one patients (42 girls and 19 boys, average age 3.8 years) were operated using lateral approach (G1), whereas 103 patients (66 girls and 37 boys, average age 3.0 years) underwent prone RPN (G2). The two groups were compared in regard to operative time, postoperative outcome, postoperative complications, and re-operations.
The average operative time was significantly shorter in G2 (99 min) compared to G1 (160 min) (p = 0.001). Only 2 lateral RPN required conversion to open surgery. There was no significant difference between the two groups as for intraoperative complications (G1:2/61, 3.3%; G2:6/103, 5.8%; p = 0.48), postoperative complications (G1:9/61, 14.7%; G2:17/103, 16.5%; p = 0.80), and re-operations (G1:2/61, 3.3%; G2:4/103, 3.8%; p = 0.85). Regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of symptomatic residual distal ureteric stumps (RDUS) was significantly higher in G2 (7/103, 6.8%) compared to G1 (1/61, 1.6%) (p = 0.001). Most re-operations (4/6, 66.6%) were performed to remove a RDUS .
Both lateral and prone approach are feasible and reasonably safe to perform RPN in children but the superiority of one approach over another is not still confirmed. Although prone technique resulted faster compared to lateral approach, the choice of the technique remains dependent on the surgeon\'s personal preference and experience. Our results would suggest that the lateral approach should be preferred to the prone technique when a longer ureterectomy is required, for example in cases of vesico-ureteral reflux into the affected kidney moiety, in order to avoid to leave a long ureteric stump that could become symptomatic and require a re-intervention.

BACKGROUND: Lateral internal anal sphincterotomy (LIS) is considered the treatment of choice for chronic anal fissure. This study aimed to compare the outcome of standard LIS and posterolateral internal sphincterotomy (PLIS) at 5 o\'clock position as regards healing of anal fissure, improvement in symptoms, and complications.
METHODS: Patients with chronic anal fissure were randomly allocated to one of two groups; group I underwent PLIS and group II underwent LIS. Patients were compared regarding the duration of healing of anal fissure, improvement in anal pain as recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS), complications, particularly fecal incontinence (FI) and changes in the anal pressures.
RESULTS: Eighty (49 females) patients were included to this trial. The mean age of patients was 35.5 years. The duration of healing was significantly shorter in group I than in group II (4.1 ± 1.7 vs 5.8 ± 1.4 weeks; p < 0.0001). Group I achieved significantly lower pain score at 1 month postoperatively than group II (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.7 ± 0.98; p = 0.005). Two (2.5%) of group I patients and six (10%) of group II patients experienced minor FI postoperatively. The postoperative reduction in the mean resting anal pressure in group I was significantly higher than that in group II.
CONCLUSIONS: Time to complete healing was significantly shorter and pain score was significantly lower after PLIS than after LIS which can be due to more reduction in the resting anal pressure after PLIS. Continence disturbances occurred after PLIS less frequently than after LIS; however, no significant differences between the two techniques were noted.
BACKGROUND: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03426449.