BACKGROUND

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a crucial procedure for restoring knee stability and functionality, especially in active individuals. While various surgical techniques and graft options are available, preferences among surgeons vary based on regional factors, patient demographics and institutional resources. This study aimed to explore the current practices and preferences of Filipino orthopedic surgeons in ACL reconstruction.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among fellowship-trained Filipino orthopedic surgeons. Data were collected via structured questionnaires focusing on demographics, preoperative protocols, surgical techniques, graft selection and postoperative practices. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to summarize and identify trends.

A total of 68 surgeons participated in the study. The majority (91.2%) preferred hamstring tendon grafts and single-bundle reconstruction techniques. Most respondents opted for anteromedial portal femoral tunnel creation and button fixation for the femoral tunnel, while interference screws were commonly used for tibial tunnel fixation. Immediate weight-bearing post-surgery was allowed by 94.1% of respondents, with varying timelines for returning to sports activities. Younger surgeons were more likely to adopt augmentation techniques and clear patients for earlier return to activity.

The study highlights prevailing trends in ACL reconstruction practices among Filipino orthopedic surgeons, emphasizing the preference for hamstring grafts and single-bundle techniques. Regional limitations, such as the unavailability of allografts, significantly influence these choices. These findings underscore the need for localized guidelines and further research to standardize care and optimize patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The primary limitation to kidney transplantation is organ shortage. Recent progress in gene editing and immunosuppressive regimens has made xenotransplantation with porcine organs a possibility. However, evidence in pig-to-human xenotransplantation remains scarce, and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major obstacle to clinical applications of xenotransplantation. METHODS: We conducted a kidney xenotransplantation in a brain-dead human recipient using a porcine kidney with five gene edits (5GE) on March 25, 2024 at Xijing Hospital, China. Clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were employed, and the observation period lasted 22 days. We collected and analyzed the xenograft function, ultrasound findings, sequential protocol biopsies, and immune surveillance of the recipient during the observation. RESULTS: The combination of 5GE in the porcine kidney and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens prevented hyperacute rejection. The xenograft kidney underwent delayed graft function in the first week, but urine output increased later and the single xenograft kidney maintained electrolyte and pH homeostasis from postoperative day (POD) 12 to 19. We observed AMR at 24 h post-transplantation, due to the presence of pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies and cytotoxicity before transplantation; this AMR persisted throughout the observation period. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment mitigated the AMR. We observed activation of latent porcine cytomegalovirus toward the end of the study, which might have contributed to coagulation disorder in the recipient. CONCLUSIONS 5GE and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were sufficient to prevent hyperacute rejection during pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies predisposed the xenograft to AMR. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin were safe and effective in the treatment of AMR after kidney xenotransplantation.
Transplantation, Heterologous/methods* ; Kidney Transplantation/methods* ; Heterografts/pathology* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Sus scrofa ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gene Editing ; Species Specificity ; Immunosuppression Therapy/methods* ; Plasma Exchange ; Brain Death ; Biopsy ; Male ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To prepare decellularized nerve grafts from alpha-1, 3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-edited pigs and explore their biocompatibility for xenotransplantation. METHODS: The sciatic nerves from wild-type pigs and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs were obtained and underwent decellularization. The alpha-galactosidase (α-gal) content in the sciatic nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was detected by using IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA method to verify the knockout status of the GGTA1 gene, and using human sciatic nerve as a control. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy observation were used to observe the structure of the nerve samples. Immunofluorescence staining and DNA content determination were used to evaluate the degree of decellularization of the nerve samples. Fourteen nude mice were taken, and subcutaneous capsules were prepared on both sides of the spine. Decellularized nerve samples of wild-type pigs ( n=7) and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs ( n=7) were randomly implanted in the subcutaneous capsules. Blood was drawn at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after implantation to detect neutrophil counting. RESULTS: IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA detection showed that GGTA1 gene was successfully knocked out in the nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs. HE staining showed that the structure of the decellularized nerve from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was well preserved; the nerve basement membrane tube structure was visible under scanning electron microscopy; no cell nuclei was observed, and the extracellular matrix components was retained in the nerve grafts by immunofluorescence staining; and the DNA content was significantly reduced when compared with the normal nerves ( P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that the number of neutrophils in the two groups were similar at 1, 3, and 7 days after implantation, with no significant difference ( P>0.05); only at 5 days, the number of neutrophils was significantly lower in the GGTA1 gene-edited pigs than in the wild-type pigs ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The decellularized nerve grafts from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs have well-preserved nerve structure, complete decellularization, retain the natural nerve basement membrane tube structure and components, and low immune response after xenotransplantation through in vitro experiments.
Animals ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Galactosyltransferases/genetics* ; Sciatic Nerve/immunology* ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Gene Editing ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Heterografts/immunology* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Poster Fusion Cage combined with xenogeneic bone graft augmentation for bone defect management in distal radius fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients with bone defects complicating distal radius fractures who met the selection criteria and were treated between June 2022 and June 2024. The cohort comprised 2 males and 18 females, aged 54-87 years (mean, 63.3 years). Etiologies included falls in 17 cases, traffic accidents in 2 cases, and crush injury in 1 case. According to AO classification, there were 5 cases of type A, 8 cases of type B, and 7 cases of type C. The interval from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 10 days (mean, 5.8 days). All patients underwent volar plate fixation augmented with Poster Fusion Cage and demineralized xenogeneic bone matrix grafting. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were recorded. Radiographic parameters, including radial height, volar tilt, and ulnar deviation, were measured on standardized X-ray films obtained immediately postoperatively and at last follow-up, and whether secondary reduction loss occurred was judged. At last follow-up, wrist range of motion (extension, flexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, pronation, and supination) and grip strength (expressed as a percentage of the contralateral side) were measured. Wrist function was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. RESULTS: The operation time was 70-200 minutes (mean, 116.4 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 10-80 mL (mean, 36.5 mL). All surgical incisions healed by first intention, with no neurovascular complications documented. All patients were followed up 9-12 months (mean, 11.6 months). All fractures healed normally, with a healing time of 8-14 weeks (mean, 9.95 weeks). No significant difference was observed in radial height, volar tilt, or ulnar deviation between immediate postoperatively and last follow-up ( P>0.05). All fractures achieved satisfactory reduction, with no secondary loss of reduction or implant failure occurring during follow-up. At last follow-up, the range of motion of the affected wrist joint was 60°-65° (mean, 62.5°) in extension, 67°-75° (mean, 71.1°) in flexion, 18°-23° (mean, 20.4°) in radial deviation, 28°-33° (mean, 30.1°) in ulnar deviation, 69°-80° (mean, 74.7°) in pronation, and 69°-82° (mean, 75.6°) in supination. Grip strength recovered to 75%-85% (mean, 80%) of the contralateral side. Functional scores showed a DASH score of 5-15 (mean, 9.4) and PRWE score of 8.0-12.5 (mean, 10.2). CONCLUSION The combination of Poster Fusion Cage and xenogeneic bone graft augmentation provides a safe and effective treatment for bone defects in distal radius fractures.
Retrospective Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Treatment Outcome ; Wrist Fractures/surgery* ; Heterografts ; Transplantation, Heterologous/methods* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Operative Time ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Radius/surgery* ; Fracture Healing ; Time Factors ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Internal Fixators ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anthropometric parameters that can accurately predict the diameter of the hamstring tendon graft, and to examine the correlation between disease etiology, duration, and graft diameter. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 166 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts (semitendinosus and gracilis tendon) between January 2013 and December 2023. The cohort conprised 135 males and 31 females;the age ranged from 14 to 62 years old with an average of (28.87±10.46) years old. Pearson correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were utilized to elucidate the relationship between the outcome variable (diameter of hamstring tendon grafts) and predictive variables (e.g., height). RESULTS: Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between the diameter of hamstring tendon grafts and height (r=0.379, P<0.001), weight (r=0.225, P=0.002), male gender (r=0.302, P<0.001), age(r=-0.218, P=0.002), and sports injury etiology (r=0.167, P=0.016). No significant correlations were found with surgical side, body mass index (BMI), or injury duration (P>0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis using a backward elimination method indicated that height was the sole significant predictive variable (R²=0.144, P<0.001), with the optimal predictive equation being:Graft size =2.636+0.029×Height (cm). Partial correlation analysis, after controlling for height, showed no significant association between age, gender, weight, and injury etiology with graft diameter. CONCLUSION Height is an effective predictive factor for the diameter of autologous hamstring tendon grafts. Factors such as gender, age, surgical side, body weight, and BMI are not influential to the diameter of the hamstring tendon grafts. Under the condition of the same height, there is no significant difference in the influence of these factors on the graft diameter. Preoperative physical activity level and the duration of injury do not significantly affect the diameter of the hamstring tendon grafts obtained during surgery. It is recommended to use the formula 'Graft Diameter=2.636 + 0.029 × Height (cm)' for preoperative prediction.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Anthropometry ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Tendons/anatomy & histology* ; Autografts ; Hamstring Tendons/transplantation* ; Quadriceps Muscle/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the healing degree of graft in patients who underwent over-the-top reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) using autologous tendon 1 year postoperatively to find out possible risk factors. METHODS: From January 2017 to March 2023, 207 patients with more than 1 year of follow-up and 1-year postoperative MRI were selected from that receiving ACL autograft tendon over-the-top reconstruction surgery including 137 males and 70 females, with a mean age of (28.01±9.71) years rangeding 12 to 56 years old;time from trauma to surgery was (5.80±3.78) months. All patients had intra-operative pivoshift tested asⅠtoⅡdegree. The 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were categorized by Howell's method, classifying degreesⅠandⅡas group BHD (better healing degree), while degrees Ⅲ and Ⅳ as group PHD (poorer healing degree). Potential influencing factors such as age, gender, whether it was a sports injury, time from injury to surgery, time to return to sports after surgery, body mass index (BMI), Beighton score, knee hyper-extension, diameter of the graft, whether it was remnant-preserving or not, whether the medial and lateral meniscus were resected, sutured or not, posterior lateral tibial slope, intercondylar notch width ratio (ICNWR), and lateral femoral condyle depth ratio (LFCDR) were analyzed by univariate analysis and Logistic regression to find the influencing factors. RESULTS: All patients were follow-up time for (18.59±4.63) months, and all the patients had good wound healing without any infection after surgery. There were 3 cases of re-ruptrure and 2 cases with secondary medial meniscus barrel handle-like tear 1 year after surgery, which received arthroscopic surgical treatment. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant difference in time from injury to surgery, time from surgery to return to sports, ICNWR, posterior lateral tibial slope, and BMI between the two groups(P<0.05). Multi-factorial regression analysis showed that smaller ICNWR, OR=0.684, 95%CI(0.528, 0.886), P=0.004; larger posterior lateral tibial slope, OR=1.557, 95%CI(1.222, 1.984), P<0.001;larger BMI, OR=1.724, 95%CI(1.369, 2.172), P<0.001;and shorter return-to-sport time<6 months vs. 6 to 12 months, OR=0.167, 95%CI(0.041, 0.672), P=0.012;<6 months vs.>12 months, OR=0.022, 95%CI(0.004, 0.108), P<0.001 might be risk factors for poor MRI healing degree 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION In patients received ACL autograft tendon over-the-top reconstruction, smaller ICNWR, larger posterior lateral tibial slope, larger BMI, and shorter time to return to sports may all be high-risk factors for poor graft healing degree on MRI 1 year postoperatively, and the surgical technique and the postoperative rehabilitation are supposed to be individualized for such patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Tendons/transplantation* ; Child ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/diagnostic imaging* ; Autografts ; Wound Healing

A 53-year-old female presented with a 2-year history of an enlarging hyperpigmented plaque on her left foot, which was later accompanied by yellowish, foul-smelling discharge, tenderness, and pain (5/10). A biopsy in Thailand confirmed acral lentiginous melanoma. Following surgical site dehiscence and lesion recurrence, she underwent further examination at Southern Philippines Medical Center. A skin punch biopsy revealed atypical melanocytes, leading to Mohs micrographic surgery. After confirming negative tumor margins, a successful skin punch graft was performed, resulting in full wound healing with no recurrence.

Acral lentiginous melanoma, though rare, is most common in Asians and often presents in areas like the soles, palms, and subungual regions. Mohs micrographic surgery, offering precise margin control, ensures cure rates comparable to traditional excision while sparing more tissue, crucial for areas like the foot. Skin punch grafting, in this case, provided faster wound healing and a high graft survival rate, highlighting its effectiveness in dermatologic surgery.

In conclusion, acral lentiginous melanoma’s subtle presentation often delays diagnosis, but combining Mohs surgery with skin punch grafting offers significant therapeutic benefits—ensuring tissue preservation, faster recovery, and improved graft outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although the need for consolidation chemotherapy after successful induction therapy is well established in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1), the value of consolidation chemotherapy before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the effect of the number of pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapies on outcomes of human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling stem cell transplantation (MSDT) for patients with AML in CR1 in multicenters across China. In our study, we analyzed data of 373 AML patients in CR1 from three centers across China. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 969 days, patients with ≥ 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy had higher probabilities of leukemia-free survival (LFS) (85.6% vs . 67.0%, P < 0.001) and overall survival (89.2% vs . 78.5%, P  = 0.007), and better cumulative incidences of relapse (10.5% vs . 19.6%, P  = 0.020) and non-relapse mortality (4.2% vs . 14.9%, P  = 0.001) than those with ≤ 2 courses of consolidation chemotherapy. Pre-transplantation minimal residual disease-negative patients with AML in CR1 who received MSDT with ≥ 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy had a higher probability of LFS (85.9% vs . 67.7%, P  = 0.003) and a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (9.6% vs . 23.3%, P  = 0.013) than those with ≤ 2 courses. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that patients with AML in CR1 who received MSDT might benefit from pre-transplant consolidation chemotherapy.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Consolidation Chemotherapy/methods* ; Siblings ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/etiology* ; HLA Antigens ; Allografts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of allogeneic femoral head as strut allograft combined with proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) in the treatment of proximal humeral Neer grade Ⅳ fracture with humeral head collapse. METHODS: From January 2018 to November 2020, 18 patients with Neer grade Ⅳ fracture with humeral head collapse were treated with strut allograft with PHILOS, including 4 males and 14 females, aged from 55 to 78 years old, with an average of (68.11±7.20) years old. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage volume, fracture healing time, neck-shaft angle and the height of the humeral head, failure of internal fixation the shoulder function at the last follow-up was assessed using Neer's scoring system. RESULTS: All 18 patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 10 to 12 months, with an average of (11.08±0.65) months. The operation time was (66.44±5.06) min, the intraoperative bleeding volume was (206.67±36.14) ml, the postoperative drainage volume was (76.11±9.63) ml, and the fracture healing time was (17.28±3.92) weeks. At the last follow-up, the degree of loss of neck-shaft angle was (5.44±0.86) ° and the loss of the height of humeral head was (1.43±0.27) mm. All 18 patients had healing without complications such as fracture, withdrawal, penetration of internal fixation and necrosis of humeral head. According to Neer's evaluation standard, the total score was (89.61±5.60), 10 cases got an excellent result, 6 good, 2 fair. CONCLUSION Allogeneic femoral head combined with PHILOS is an appropriate treatment for the four-part proximal humerus fractures with humeral head collapse, exhibiting good clinic outcome.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Humeral Head ; Shoulder ; Treatment Outcome ; Bone Plates ; Retrospective Studies ; Humerus ; Shoulder Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects* ; Humeral Fractures ; Allografts

OBJECTIVE: To review the advances in methods for reconstructing nipple projection based on tissue graft support. METHODS: The literature related to nipple projection reconstruction based on tissue graft support was reviewed and summarized in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of various tissue grafts and the improved nipple projection results. RESULTS: Loss of nipple projection is a common cause of decreased patient's satisfaction. Reconstructing nipple projection based on tissue graft support is a more common clinical method and can be done with autologous and allogeneic tissues. Autologous tissue grafts include dermis, adipose tissue with dermis, adipose tissue, ear cartilage, rib cartilage, and contralateral nipple tissue. Autologous tissue grafts are easy to obtain and have no immune rejection, but may lead to donor area damage and prolong the surgical time for tissue collection. Allogeneic tissue grafts include acellular dermal matrix, lyophilized rib cartilage, and extracellular matrix collagen, and decellularized nipple tissue. Allogeneic tissue grafts do not cause additional donor area damage, are highly malleable, and can be designed to be utilized according to the recipient area, but the high cost often limits the development of this technique. CONCLUSION There is no gold standard regarding tissue graft-assisted nipple projection reconstruction techniques, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both autologous and allogeneic tissue grafts. Surgeons should choose the appropriate graft based on the actual condition of the patient.
Humans ; Adipose Tissue ; Autografts ; Costal Cartilage ; Nipples/surgery* ; Transplants