We performed this systematic overview on the overlapping meta-analyses that analyzed autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an adjuvant in the repair of rotator cuff tears and identify the studies which provide the current best evidence on this subject and generate recommendations for the same. We conducted independent and duplicate electronic database searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects on September 8, 2021, to identify meta-analyses that analyzed the efficacy of PRP as an adjuvant in the repair of rotator cuff tears. Methodological quality assessment was made using Oxford Levels of Evidence, AMSTAR scoring, and AMSTAR 2 grades and used the Jadad decision algorithm to generate recommendations. 20 meta-analyses fulfilling the eligibility criteria were included. The AMSTAR scores of the included studies varied from 6–10 (mean:7.9). All the included studies had critically low reliability in their summary of results due to their methodological flaws according to AMSTAR 2 grades. The initial size of the tear and type of repair performed do not seem to affect the benefit of PRPs. Among the different preparations used, leucocyte poor (LP)-PRP possibly offers the greatest benefit as a biological augment in these situations. Based on this systematic overview, we give a Level II recommendation that intra-operative use of PRPs at the bone-tendon interface can augment the healing rate, reduce re-tears, enhance the functional outcomes and mitigate pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Various chemicals are commonly used as adjuvant treatment to surgery for giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone. The comparative effect of these solutions on the cells of GCT is not known. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of sterile water, 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% hydrogen peroxide (H. 2. O. 2. ) and 50% zinc chloride (ZnCI. 2. ) on GCT monolayer tumour cultures which were established from six patients. The DNA content, the metabolic activity and the viability of the cultured samples of tumour cells were assessed at various times up to 120 hours after their exposure to these solutions. Equal cytotoxicity to the GCT monolayer culture was observed for 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% H. 2. O. 2. and 50% ZnCI. 2. The treated samples showed significant reductions in DNA content and metabolic activity 24 hours after treatment and this was sustained for up to 120 hours. The samples treated with sterile water showed an initial decline in DNA content and viability 24 hours after treatment, but the surviving cells were viable and had proliferated. No multinucleated cell formation was seen in these cultures. These results suggest that the use of chemical adjuvants other than water could help improve local control in the treatment of GCT of bone

Chordoma of the cervical spine is a rare but life-threatening disease with a relentless tendency towards local recurrence. Wide en bloc resection is recommended, but it is frequently not feasible in the cervical spine. Radiation therapy including high-energy particle therapy is commonly used as adjuvant therapy. The goal of this study was to examine treatment and outcome of patients with chordoma of the cervical spine. Patients affected by cervical spine chordoma who underwent surgery at the Rizzoli Institute and University Hospital of Modena, between 2007 and 2021 were identified. The clinical, pathologic, and radiographic data were reviewed in all cases. Patient outcomes including local recurrence and disease-specific survival (DSS) were analyzed using chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Characteristics of the 29 patients (10 females; 19 males) included: median age at surgery 52.0 years (IQR 35.5 - 62.5 years), 10 (35%) involved upper cervical spine, 16 (55%) with tumors in the mid cervical spine, and 4 in the lower cervical spine (10%). Median tumor volume was 16 cm. 3. (IQR 8.7 - 20.8). Thirteen patients (45%) were previously treated surgically while 9 patients (31%) had previous radiation therapy. All patients underwent surgery: en bloc resection was passible in 4 patients (14 %), seventeen patients (59%) were treated with gross total resection while 8 patients (27%) underwent subtotal resection. Tumor volume was associated with a significantly higher risk of intraoperative complications (p < 0.01). Nineteen patients (65%) received adjuvant high-energy particle therapy. The median follow-up was 26 months (IQR 11 - 44). Twelve patients (41%) had local recurrence of disease. Patients treated with adjuvant high-energy particle therapy had a significant higher local control than patients who received photons or no adjuvant treatment (p = 0.01). Recurrence was the only factor significantly associated with worse DSS (p = 0.03 – OR 1.7), being the survival of the group of patients with recurrent disease 58.3% while the survival of the group of patients with no recurrent disease was 100%. Post-operative high-energy particle therapy improved local control in patients with cervical chordoma after surgical resection. Increased tumor volume was associated with increased risk of intraoperative complications. Recurrence of the disease was the only factor significantly associated with disease mortality

Tibial periprosthetic fracture is an important complication of the Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (OUKR). Primary fixation of cementless OUKR tibial components relies on the interference-fit of the ‘keel’ and a slot in the proximal tibia. Clinically used double blade keel saws (DKS) create slots with two grooves, generating stress concentrations where fractures may initiate. This study aimed to investigate slot factors that may influence incidence of tibial periprosthetic fractures. Slots were made in PCF20 polyurethane foam using the DKS plus/minus adjuvant rasping, single blade keel saw (SKS), and rasp-only. Round and square slots were machined with milling cutters. Compact tensile tests were conducted per ASTM E399 to determine tensile load to fracture (TLTF) and results were validated using bovine tibia. Cementless OUKR components were implanted into slots in custom polyurethane blocks and compressed to failure to determine anatomical load to fracture (ALTF). A custom MATLAB program calculated slot roundness from cross-sectional images. Round slots had higher TLTF (29.5N, SD=2.7) than square (25.2N, SD=1.7, p<0.05) and DKS slots (23.3N, SD=2.7, p<0.0001). Fractures occurred at the round slot apices, square slot corners, and deepest DKS slot grooves. ALTF was not significantly different between square and round slots. Adjuvant rasping made DKS slots significantly rounder, resulting in significantly higher TLTF, but rasping did not increase ALTF. ALTF was significantly higher for SKS (850N, SD=133, p<0.01) and rasp-only (912N, SD=100, p<0.001) slots compared to standard DKS slots (703N, SD=81). Round keel slots minimise stress concentrations and increase TLTF but do not increase ALTF. The SKS and rasp-only slots retain material at slot ends and have significantly higher ALTF. Future studies should assess saw blades that retain material and round slot ends to evaluate if their use may significantly reduce the incidence of tibial periprosthetic fracture

Infections represent a devastating complication in orthopedic and traumatological surgery, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. An early intervention is essential, and it includes a radical surgical approach supported by targeted intravenous antimicrobial therapy. The availability of parenteral antibiotics at the site of infection is usually poor, so it is crucial to maximize local antibiotic concentration using local carriers. Our work aims to describe the uses of one of these systems, Stimulan®, for the management and prevention of infections at our Institution. Analysing the reported uses of Stimulan®, we identified two major groups: bone substitute and carrier material for local antibiotic therapy. The first group includes its application as a filler of dead spaces within bone or soft tissues resulting from traumatic events or previous surgery. The second group comprehends the use of Stimulan® for the treatment of osteomyelitis, post-traumatic septic events, periprosthetic joint infections, arthroplasty revision surgery, prevention in open fractures, surgery of the diabetic foot, oncological surgery and for all those patients susceptible to a high risk of infection. We used Stimulan® in several complex clinical situations: in PJIs, in DAPRI procedure and both during the first and the second stage of a 2-stage revision surgery; furthermore, we started to exploit this antibiotic carrier also in prophylaxis of surgical site infections, as it happens in open fractures, and when a surgical site remediation is required, like in osteomyelitis following ORIF. Stimulan® is an extremely versatile and polyhedric material, available in the form of beads or paste, and can be mixed to a very broad range of antibiotics to better adapt to different bacteria and their antibiograms, and to surgeon's needs. These properties make it a very useful adjuvant for the management of complex cases of infection, and for their prevention, as well

Stiffness is reported in up to 16% of patients after total knee replacement (TKR). 1. Treatment of stiffness after TKR remains a challenge. Manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) accounts for between 6%-36% of readmissions following TKR. 2,3. The outcomes of MUA remain variable/unpredictable. Post-operative CPM is used as an adjuvant to MUA, potentially offering improved ROM, however, remains the subject of debate. We report a retrospective study comparing MUA with and without post-operative CPM. In our institution patients undergoing MUA to receive CPM post-operatively. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic hospital admissions were limited. During this period MUA procedures were undertaken without CPM. Two cohorts were included: 1) MUA + post-operative CPM 2) Daycase MUA. Patients’ demographics, pre-manipulation ROM, post-MUA ROM, and ROM at final follow-up were recorded. Between 2017-2022 126 patients underwent MUA and were admitted for CPM and 42 had daycase MUA. The median Age was 66.5 and 64% were female. 57% had extension deficit (>5. o. ), 70% had flexion deficit (< 90. o. ), and 37% had both. The mean Pre-operative ROM was 72.3. o. (SD:18.3. o. ) vs. 68.5. o. (19.0. o. ), ROM at MUA was 95.5. o. (SD:20.7. o. ) vs 108.3. o. (SD:14.1. o. ) [p< 0.01], and at final follow-up 87.4. o. (SD:21.9. o. ) vs. 92.1. o. (SD:18.2. o. ) for daycase and CPM groups respectively. At final follow-up for the daycase and CPM groups respectively 10% vs. 7% improved, 29% vs. 13% maintained, and 57% vs. 79% regressed from the ROM achieved at MUA. The mean percentage of ROM gained at MUA maintained at final follow-up was 92%(SD:17) and 85%(SD:14)[p=0.03] for daycase and CPM groups respectively. There was no significant difference in ROM achieved at final follow-up despite the significantly greater improvement in ROM achieved at MUA for the CPM group. The CPM group lost a greater ROM after MUA (15% vs. 8%). We conclude that post-operative CPM does not improve ROM achieved after MUA

Fracture related infections (FRI) are debilitating complications of musculoskeletal trauma surgery that can result in permanent functional loss or amputation. This study aims to determine risk factors associated with FRI treatment failure, allowing clinicians to optimise them prior to treatment and identify patients at higher risk. A major trauma centre database was retrospectively reviewed over a six-year period. Of the 102 patients identified with a FRI (66 male, 36 female), 29.4% (n=30) had acute infections (onset <6 weeks post-injury), 34.3% (n=35) had an open fracture. Open fractures were classified using Gustilo-Anderson (GA) classification (type 2:n=6, type 3A:n=16, type 3B:n=10, type 3C:n=3). Patients with periprosthetic infections of the hip and knee joint, those without prior fracture fixation, soft tissue infections, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sore infections, patients who died within one month of injury, <12 months follow-up were excluded. FRI treatment failure was defined as either infection recurrence, non-union, or amputation. Lifestyle, clinical, and intra-operative data were documented via retrospective review of medical records. Factors with a P-value of p<0.05 in univariate analysis were included in a stepwise multivariate logistic regression model. FRI treatment failure was encountered in 35.3% (n=36). The most common FRI site was the femoral shaft (16.7%; n=17), and 15.7% (n=16) presented with signs of systemic sepsis. 20.6% (n=21) had recurrent infection, 9.8% (n=10) had non-union, and 4.9% (n=5) required an amputation. The mean age at injury was 49.71 years old. Regarding cardiovascular risk factors, 37 patients were current smokers (36.3%), 31 patients were diabetics (30.4%), and 32 patients (31.4%) were obese (BMI≥30.0). Average follow-up time was 2.37 (range: 1.04-5.14) years. Risk factors for FRI treatment failure were BMI>30, GA type 3c, and implant retention. Given that FRI treatment in 35.3% (36/102) ended up in failure, clinicians need to take into account the predictive variables analysed in this study, and implement a multidisciplinary team approach to optimise these factors. This study could aid clinicians to redirect efforts to improve high risk patient management, and prompt future studies to trial adjuvant technologies for patients at higher risk of failure

Open limb fractures are typically due to a high energy trauma. Several recent studied have showed treatment's superiority when a multidisciplinary approach is applied. World Health Organization reports that isolate limb traumas have an incidence rate of 11.5/100.000, causing high costs in terms of hospitalization and patient disability. A lack of experience in soft tissue management in orthopaedics and traumatology seems to be the determining factor in the clinical worsening of complex cases. The therapeutic possibilities offered by microsurgery currently permit simultaneous reconstruction of multiple tissues including vessels and nerves, reducing the rate of amputations, recovery time and preventing postoperative complications. Several scoring systems to assess complex limb traumas exist, among them: NISSSA, MESS, AO and Gustilo Anderson. In 2010, a further scoring system was introduced to focus open fractures of all locations: OTA-OFC. Rather than using a single composite score, the OTA-OFC comprises five components grades (skin, arterial, muscle, bone loss and contamination), each rated from mild to severe. The International Consensus Meeting of 2018 on musculoskeletal infections in orthopaedic surgery identified the OTA-OFC score as an efficient catalogue system with interobserver agreement that is comparable or superior to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. OTA-OFC predicts outcomes such as the need for adjuvant treatments or the likelihood of early amputation. An orthoplastic approach reconstruction must pay adequate attention to bone and soft tissue infections management. Concerning bone management: there is little to no difference in terms of infection rates for Gustilo-Anderson types I–II treated by reamed intramedullary nail, circular external fixator, or unreamed intramedullary nail. In Gustilo-Anderson IIIA-B fractures, circular external fixation appears to provide the lowest infection rates when compared to all other fixation methods. Different technique can be used for the reconstruction of bone and soft tissue defects based on each clinical scenario. Open fracture management with fasciocutaneous or muscle flaps shows comparable outcomes in terms of bone healing, soft tissue coverage, acute infection and chronic osteomyelitis prevention. The type of flap should be tailored based on the type of the defect, bone or soft tissue, location, extension and depth of the defect, size of the osseous gap, fracture type, and orthopaedic implantation. Local flaps should be considered in low energy trauma, when skin and soft tissue is not traumatized. In high energy fractures with bone exposure, muscle flaps may offer a more reliable reconstruction with fewer flap failures and lower reoperation rates. On exposed fractures several studies report precise timing for a proper reconstruction. Hence, timing of soft tissue coverage is a critical for length of in-hospital stay and most of the early postoperative complications and outcomes. Early coverage has been associated with higher union rates and lower complications and infection rates compared to those reconstructed after 5-7 days. Furthermore, early reconstruction improves flap survival and reduces surgical complexity, as microsurgical free flap procedures become more challenging with a delay due to an increased pro-thrombotic environment, tissue edema and the increasingly friable vessels. Only those patients presenting to facilities with an actual dedicated orthoplastic trauma service are likely to receive definitive treatment of a severe open fracture with tissue loss within the established parameters of good practice. We conclude that the surgeon's experience appears to be the decisive element in the orthoplastic approach, although reconstructive algorithms may assist in decisional and planification of surgery

Introduction and Objective. Management of bone loss associated with bone contamination or infection represents a double biological and clinical challenge frequent in traumatology. The advent of new biomaterials can allow a different approach in the treatment of bone gap. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic effectiveness of addition of a new absorbable bone substitute (BS) eluting different antibiotics in reconstruction of bone defects after infections and fractures with soft tissue damage. Materials and Methods. We conducted a review of patients with contaminated or infected bone defects treated using a new biomaterial, a porous composite of collagen matrices and Beta tricalcium phosphate (β TCP), able to provide a long-term release of different antibiotics. We have included treatment of osteomyelitis and osteosynthesis of exposed fracture (Gustilo Anderson 1–3b) or fractures with soft tissue damage and high risk of contamination. Surgical technique included debridement filling bone defect with BS eluting antibiotics, osteosynthesis (plate, nail, external fixator, kirschner wire), soft tissue coverage, and systemic antibiotic therapy. Radiographic and clinical data including complications (wound dehiscence, superficial or deep infection, osteomyelitis) were collected. Results. We treated 25 patients (21 male, 4 female) with mean age 47 yrs. (range 21–83). The locations treated (for incidence) was: 9 femurs (7 plates, 2 nail), 7 calcanei (one bilateral), 3 tibias, 2 forearms, 2 metatarsi, 2 hands, 1 elbow. 6 patients had large bone loss. 7 patients had bone infections (4 were Cierny Madern 4); 8 patients had osteosynthesis of exposed fractures Gustilo Anderson 1–3b (9 plate, one bilateral calcaneus). 8 patients had treatment for pseudoarthrosis of exposed fractures (6 femurs, 1 forearm, 1 metatarsus) and 3 patients a prophylactic treatment for calcaneal fractures with soft tissue damage. 4 deep infection were treated with multiple surgical debridement and new filling bone defect with BS eluting antibiotic with infection eradication. We have used a combination of vancomycin and gentamicin on 15 cases, vancomycin alone on 4 cases, combination of vancomycin and amikacin on 1 case and amikacin and Linezolid in a targeted multi drug resistance. At final follow-up functional outcome was good in all cases with bone healing. Conclusions. Extensive debridement is a fundamental requisite for eradication of bone infections and contamination. Filling of the bone void with loaded bio-composite eluting diversifiable local antibiotics with synergistic anti-biofilm activity is desirable. Treatment of this bone defects are advantaged when combining his reconstruction with BS and the possibility of release high antibiotic concentration at least for 10 days. This is an important complementing prophylactic and therapeutic antimicrobial option with adjuvant role to systemic therapy that enlarges the success rate

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory degenerative disease that affects every fourth person with irreversible damage to the articular. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to affect host cells by paracrine stimulation in regenerative environments. Here we apply hyaluronic acid (HA), an essential part of the extracellular matrix in cartilage, for MSC immobilization. The aim was to investigate long-term MSC survival and paracrine effect on chondrocytes in an inflammatory co-culture environment. We hypothesized that MSCs immobilized in a HA hydrogel could provide a long-term immunomodulatory effect on chondrocytes in vitro. Human MSCs were seeded in a HA hydrogel and co-cultured with non-osteoarthritic human chondrocytes in biphasic wells inhibiting cellular contact. An inflammatory environment was induced by IL1-beta and compared with standard culture medium. Relative gene expressions of collagen types I, II and X, aggrecan, SOX9, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5) were examined at day 3,7,14 and 28. Significant up-regulation of SOX9 at day 7, 14 and 28 and a significant down-regulation of ADAMTS-5 (day 14 and 28) was observed with co-culture of HA-immobilized MSCs and MSCs compared with controls with or without HA (without MSCs)No changes in expression was observed for aggrecan and collagen type 1. We showed that MSC affect the expression of SOX9 and ADAMTS-5 in a paracrine manner when co-cultured with chondrocytes in an inflammatory environment. MSCs immobilized in HA hydrogels survived and were contained in the hydrogel for up to 28 days. This suggests that HA-immobilized MSCs could potentially be used as adjuvant treatment of OA

Surgery is considered to be the most effective treatment for cartilaginous tumours. In recent years, a trend has emerged for patients with low-grade tumours to be treated less invasively using curettage followed by various forms of adjuvant therapy. We investigated the potential for phenol to be used as an adjuvant. Using a human chondrosarcoma-derived cartilage-producing cell line OUMS-27 as an in vitro model we studied the cytotoxic effect of phenol and ethanol. Since ethanol is the standard substance used to rinse phenol out of a bone cavity, we included an assessment of ethanol to see whether this was an important secondary factor with respect to cell death. The latter was assessed by flow cytometry. A cytotoxic effect was found for concentrations of phenol of 1.5% and of ethanol of 42.5%. These results may provide a clinical rationale for the use of both phenol and ethanol as adjuvant therapy after intralesional curettage in low-grade central chondrosarcoma and justify further investigation

Curettage and packing with polymethylmethacrylate cement is a routine treatment for giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone. We performed an in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic effect of a combination of cement and methotrexate, doxorubicin and cisplatin on primary cell cultures of stromal GCT cells obtained from five patients. Cement cylinders containing four different concentrations of each drug were prepared, and the effect of the eluted drugs was examined at three different time intervals. We found that the cytotoxic effect of eluted drugs depended on their concentration and the time interval, with even the lowest dose of each drug demonstrating an acceptable rate of cytotoxicity. Even in low doses, cytotoxic drugs mixed with polymethylmethacrylate cement could therefore be considered as effective local adjuvant treatment for GCTs

Spinal infections are rare diseases, whose management highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Although treatment is based on antibiotics, always selected on coltural and antibiogram tests, surgery is required in case of development of spinal instability or deformity, progressive neurological deficits, drainage of abscesses, or failure of medical treatment. The first step of the algorithm is diagnosis, that is established on MRI with contrast, PET/CT scan, blood tests (CRP and ESR) and CT-guided needle biopsy. Evaluation of response to the specific antibiotic therapy is based on variations in Maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. In selected cases, early minimally invasive surgery was proposed to provide immediate stability and avoid bed-rest. From 1997 to 2014, 182 patients affected by spinal infections have been treated at the same Institution (Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli – Bologna, Italy) according to the proposed algorithm. Mean age was 56 years (range 1 – 88). Male to female ratio was 1.46. Minimum follow-up was 1 year. Infections were mostly located in the lumbar spine (57%) followed by thoracic (37%) and cervical spine (6%). Conservative treatment based on antibiotics needed surgery (open and/or percuteneous minimally invasive) as an adjuvant in 83 patients out of 182 (46%). Management of spinal infections still remains a challenge in spinal surgery and a multisciplinary approach is mandatory. This algorithm represents the shared decision- making process from diagnosis to the most appropriate treatment and it led to successful outcomes with a low-complication rate. We present this algorithm developed to organize the various professionals involved (orthopaedic surgeons, nuclear medicine and infective disease specialists, interventional radiologists and anaestesiologists) and set a shared pathway of decision making in order to uniform the management of this complex disease

We describe a case series using calcium sulphate bio composite with antibiotics (Cerament/Stimulan) in treating infected metalwork in the lower limb. Eight patients aged 22–74 (7 males, 1 female) presented with clinical evidence of infected limb metal work from previous orthopaedic surgery. Metal work removal with application of either cerement in 5 cases (10–20ml including 175mg–350mg gentamycin) or stimulan in 3 cases (10–20ml including either 1g vancomycin or clindamycin 1.2g or 100mg tigecycline) into the site was performed. Supplemental systemic antibiotic therapy (oral/intravenous) was instituted based on intraoperative tissue culture and sensitivity. Four patients had infected ankle metalwork, 2 patients infected distal tibial metalwork and 2 had infected external fixators. Metal work was removed in all cases. The mean pre operative CRP was 15.8mg/l (range 1–56mg/l). The mean postoperative CRP at 1 month was 20.5mg/l (range 2–98mg/l). The mean pre op WCC was 7.9×10. 9. (range 4.7–10.5 ×10. 9. ). Mean post op WCC at 1 month was 7.1×10. 9. (range 5.0–9.2×10. 9. ). The organisms cultured included enterobacter, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis, staphylococcus cohnii, stenotrophomonas, acinetobacter, group B streptococcus, enterococcus and escherichia coli. No additional procedures were required in any case. All surgical wounds went on to heal uneventfully. Infection control and union was achieved both clinically and radiologically in all cases. Our results support the use of a calcium sulphate bio composite with antibiotic as an adjuvant for effective local infection control in cases with implant related bone sepsis. The technique is well tolerated with no systemic or local side effects. We believe that implant removal, debridement and local antibiotic delivery can minimise the need for prolonged systemic antibiotic therapy in such cases

The purpose of our study was to identify possible risk factors of patients with GCT of the long bones after curettage and packing the bone cavity with bone cement or bone allografts. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 249 patients with GCT of the limbs treated at Musculoskeletal Oncology Department of our institution between 1990 and 2013, confirmed histologically and recorded in the Bone Tumor Registry. We reviewed 219 cases located in the lower limb and 30 of the upper limb. This series includes 135 females and 114 males, with mean age 32 years (ranging 5 to 80 yrs). According to Campanacci's grading system, 190 cases were stage 2, 48 cases stage 3, and 11 cases stage 1. Treatment was curettage (intralesional surgery). Local adjuvants, such as phenol and cement, were used in 185 cases; whereas in the remaining 64 cases the residual cavity was filled with allografts or autografts only. Oncological outcome shows 203 patients alive and continuously disease-free (CDF), 41 patients NED1 after treatment of local recurrence (LR), 2 patients NED1 after treatment of lung metastases, 2 AWD with lung metastases. One patient died of unrelated causes (DOD). LR rate was 15.3% (38 pts). Lung metastases rate was 1.6% (4 pts). In patients treated by curettage and cement (185 cases) LR was 12% (22 pts). Conversely, in patients treated curettage and bone allografts it was higher (16/64 cases), with an incidence of 25% of cases (p=0.004). Oncological complications seemed to be related with site, more frequently occurring in the proximal femur (p=0.037). LR occurred only in stage 2 or 3 tumors without statistical significance (p>0.05). The mean interval between the first surgical treatment and LR was 22 months (range: 3–89 mos). However, in the multivariate analysis no significant statistical effect on local recurrence rate could be identified for gender, patient's age, Campanacci's grading, or cement vs allografts. The only independent risk factor related to the local recurrence was the site, with a statistical significance higher risk for patients with GCT of the proximal femur (p= 0.008). Our observation on the correlation of tumor location and risk of local recurrence is new. Therefore, special attention must be given to GCTs in the proximal femur. In fact, primary benign bone tumors in the proximal femur are difficult to treat due to the risk of secondary osteonecrosis of the femoral head or pathologic fracture. Numerous methods of reconstructions have been reported. Among these, total hip arthroplasty (THA) or bipolar hip arthroplasty (BHA) should be avoided when possible as more cases are observed in young patients. Therefore, we do not suggest different approach for the proximal femur. GCT in the proximal femur is much more difficult to treat than in other sites, but if curettage is feasible, the best way is to save the joint with a higher risk of local recurrence, knowing that the sacrifice of the hip articulation in case of recurrence is always possible with THA or BHA

Introduction. Amino acids like arginine and lysine have been suggested to hasten the process of fracture healing by improving the local blood supply, supplementing growth factors, and improving collagen synthesis. We studied the role of lysine and arginine in the fracture repair process with regard to the rate of healing, probable mechanisms involved in the process, and mutual synergism between these agents. Materials and methods. In an experimental study, 40 rabbits were subjected to ulnar osteotomy. They were distributed in control (14) and test groups (26). Twenty-six animals in the test group were fed with a diet rich in lysine and arginine. Both the groups were followed radiologically and histologically till union. Results. Ten weeks postoperatively, there was difference evident radiologically between those supplemented with lysine and arginine, indicating that these components enhance the healing in the later part of bone remodeling, canal restoration, and medullary as well as cortical continuity and repair. X-rays obtained at weeks 9, 10, and 12 in both the groups showed statistical significance. These findings showed that healing is better in the test group in terms of increased vascularity in the early part of healing, i.e., at approx. 2–3 weeks and in terms of bone matrix, Haversian system formation, and cortical repair in the later part of healing, i.e., at approx. 9–12 weeks between the two groups. There was better healing of osteotomy in terms of better vascularization, callus formation, and mineralization in the test group. The time of healing in the test group was reduced by a period of 2 weeks. Discussion. NO is expressed during fracture healing in rats and humans, as after fracture, mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity iNOS have been identified at the fracture callus with maximum activity at day 15. Thus, the initial better healing, by 3 weeks, in the test group rabbits can be explained by the fact that the iNOS activity mediates an increased vascularity at the fracture site. The mRNA activity for eNOS and bNOS was induced slightly later than that for iNOS, which was consistent with a temporal increase in the calcium-dependent NOS activity that gradually increased up to day 30. All calcium-dependent processes like collagen recruitment for Haversian system formation, better bone matrix, and cortical repair were significantly better at any point of time, in the rabbits that were supplemented with arginine; however, lysine has also an important role in these processes. Arginine may influence bone formation by enhancing local IGF-I production. Nitric oxide (NO), an EC mediator, has been reported to be antigenic as well as proangiogenic in different models of in vivo angiogenesis. Arginine being nitric oxide donor increases angiogenesis. Summary. Amino acids like arginine and lysine may hasten fracture healing. Adjuvant amino acid treatment is having inherent advantage in being nontoxic, inexpensive, and a simple oral therapy

Summary Statement. In this study it has been considered an alternative therapeutic approach to bone resorption diseases by using plant decoctions to improve adherence from patients to the treatment. In this context, Hemidesmus indicus represents a possible therapeutic or adjuvant natural compound. Introduction. The acceleration of bone remodelling, with an excessive osteoclastogenesis or activation of mature osteoclasts, causes the loss of bone mass which is implicated in bone resorption diseases. Conventional therapies are expensive and limited by systemic toxicity and low drug bioavailability. Alternative treatments that are not only effective but also administered employing formulations and dosages different from conventional ones, may improve adherence to therapy, having a positive influence on clinical outcomes. Experimental evidence have attributed antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing activity on different cell lines (including osteoclast precursors or mature osteoclasts) to four plants used in Ayurvedic medicine: Asparagus racemosus (AR), Emblica officinalis (EO), Hemidesmus indicus (HI) and Rubia cordifolia (RC) These properties could be helpful in the treatment of some bone resorption diseases. In order to clarify the possible therapeutic effects of these compounds, the anti-osteoclast activity of their decoctions were evaluated. Methods. The anti-osteoclast activity of natural compounds was evaluated on primary cultures of human osteoclasts generated by isolating peripheral blood monocytes from buffy coat and treating cells with medium supplemented with differentiating factors. To evaluate the effect on osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast precursors were treated with different concentrations of plant decoctions and characterised by the formation of multinucleated cells and the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. To evaluate the osteoclasts apoptosis inducing activity mature osteoclasts were treated with the compounds and stained with Hoechst 33258, to make clear the possible nuclear pyknosis, and phalloidin-TRITC to highlight the structure of the typical osteoclast actin ring. The toxicity of compounds on osteogenic precursors was evaluated by the Alamar Blue assay after 7 days of cells treatment with bioactive concentrations of decoctions. Results. At the higher concentrations, all the decoctions had inhibited osteoclastogenesis with an effect similar to that of alendronate (positive control), but only HI was effective like alendronate at lower concentrations. The percentage of apoptotic osteoclasts was very low in control cultures (30 ± 2%), but increased significantly when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of EO (P < 0.001), HI (P < 0.001), and RC (P < 0.05). It was not observed the same effect when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of AR. At the highest concentrations AR has completely inhibited the proliferation of osteogenic precursors, EO was toxic at all tested concentrations, while RC was toxic only at the highest ones. On the contrary, HI showed absence of toxicity on osteogenic precursors at all tested concentrations. Conclusion. An ideal anti-resorption drug should exert an anti-osteoclastic activity without interfering with the proliferative capacity of osteogenic precursors. For these reasons, among all the plants evaluated in this study, HI represents a possible therapeutic candidate. In fact, it demonstrated the greater effectiveness of anti-osteoclast activity, both in terms of inhibition of osteoclastogenesis that induction of apoptosis, but showed no toxicity on osteogenic precursors

We evaluated the possible induction of a systemic immune response to increase anti-tumour activity by the re-implantation of destructive tumour tissue treated by liquid nitrogen in a murine osteosarcoma (LM8) model. The tumours were randomised to treatment by excision alone or by cryotreatment after excision. Tissue from the tumour was frozen in liquid nitrogen, thawed in distilled water and then re-implanted in the same animal. In addition, some mice received an immunological response modifier of OK-432 after treatment. We measured the levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 cytokines and the cytotoxicity activity of splenocytes against murine LM8 osteosarcoma cells. The number of lung and the size of abdominal metastases were also measured.

Re-implantation of tumour tissue after cryotreatment activated immune responses and inhibited metastatic tumour growth. OK-432 synergistically enhanced the anti-tumour effect. Our results suggest that the treatment of malignant bone tumours by reconstruction using autografts containing tumours which have been treated by liquid nitrogen may be of clinical value.

We undertook a study of the anti-tumour effects of hyperthermia, delivered via magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs), on local tumours and lung metastases in a mouse model of osteosarcoma. MCLs were injected into subcutaneous osteosarcomas (LM8) and subjected to an alternating magnetic field which induced a heating effect in MCLs. A control group of mice with tumours received MCLs but were not exposed to an AMF. A further group of mice with tumours were exposed to an AMF but had not been treated with MCLs. The distribution of MCLs and local and lung metastases was evaluated histologically. The weight and volume of local tumours and the number of lung metastases were determined. Expression of heat shock protein 70 was evaluated immunohistologically. Hyperthermia using MCLs effectively heated the targeted tumour to 45°C. The mean weight of the local tumour was significantly suppressed in the hyperthermia group (p = 0.013). The mice subjected to hyperthermia had significantly fewer lung metastases than the control mice (p = 0.005). Heat shock protein 70 was expressed in tumours treated with hyperthermia, but was not found in those tumours not exposed to hyperthermia.

The results demonstrate a significant effect of hyperthermia on local tumours and reduces their potential to metastasise to the lung.

We used a goat model of a contaminated musculoskeletal defect to determine the effectiveness of rapidly-resorbing calcium-sulphate pellets containing amikacin to reduce the local bacterial count. Our findings showed that this treatment eradicated the bacteria quickly, performed as well as standard polymethylmethacrylate mixed with an antibiotic and had many advantages over the latter. The pellets were prepared before surgery and absorbed completely. They released all of the antibiotic and did not require a subsequent operation for their removal. Our study indicated that locally administered antibiotics reduced bacteria within the wound rapidly. This method of treatment may have an important role in decreasing the rate of infection in contaminated wounds.