Forty children treated non-operatively for fractures of the femoral shaft were reviewed with regard to differences in limb length after treatment. Follow up duration ranged from two to seven years. The average femoral overgrowth was 0.85cm (range 0 - 2.5cm) and was influenced by age at the time of fracture. We were not able to find any association between the quantity of overgrowth and race, gender, level or configuration of the fracture.
Acromioclavicular injuries are common in sports medicine. Surgical intervention is generally advocated for chronic instability of Rockwood grade III and more severe injuries. Various methods of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and augmentation have been described. The objective of this study is to compare the biomechanical properties of a novel palmaris-longus tendon reconstruction with those of the native AC+CC ligaments, the modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction, the ACJ capsuloligamentous complex repair, screw and clavicle hook plate augmentation.
In West Malaysia RA appears to be less common than in temperate climates, but more common than in tropical Africa; furthermore, the incidence of gout and SLE is comparable. The clinical manifestations of RA are milder than those seen in more temperate climates. Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules have not been observed. Positive serological tests for RF are significantly higher than in the general Malaysian population, but still lower than those reported for patients with RA in temperate climates. Of the three main ethnic groups, the highest incidence of positive results is found in the Chinese.
Study site: Arthritis Clinic, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (University Malaya Medical Centre, UMMC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative organisms (GN) are associated with a high mortality rate and present an increasing challenge to the healthcare system worldwide. In recent years, increasing evidence supports the association between the healthcare environment and transmission of MDRGN to patients and healthcare workers. To better understand the role of the environment in transmission and acquisition of MDRGN, we conducted a utilitarian review based on literature published from 2014 until 2019.
To review cases of giant cell tumour of bone or osteoclastoma managed at the University Malaya Medical Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, from January 1990 to December 1999.
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, causing million of deaths each year globally. Conventional anti-cancer therapies are non-targeted and have systemic toxicities limiting their versatile applications in many cancers. So, there is an unmet need for more specific therapeutic options that will be effective as well as free from toxicities. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are suitable alternatives with the right potential and improved therapeutic index for cancer therapy. The ADCs are highly precise new class of biopharmaceutical products that covalently linked a monoclonal antibody (mAb) (binds explicitly to a tumor-associated surface antigen) with a customized cytotoxic drug (kills cancer cells) and tied via a chemical linker (releases the drug). Due to its precise design, it brings about the target cell killing sparing the normal counterpart and free from the toxicities of conventional chemotherapy. It has never been so easy to develop potential ADCs for successful therapeutic usage. With relentless efforts, it took almost a century for scientists to advance the formula and design ADCs for its current clinical applications. Until now, several ADCs have passed successfully through preclinical and clinical trials and because of proven efficacy, a few are approved by the FDA to treat various cancer types. Even though ADCs posed some shortcomings like adverse effects and resistance at various stages of development, with continuous efforts most of these limitations are addressed and overcome to improve their efficacy. In this review, the basics of ADCs, physical and chemical properties, the evolution of design, limitations, and future potentials are discussed.
Bone defect following en bloc resection of primary bone tumor around the knee can be reconstructed by allograft or prothesis or combination of both. Resection-arthrodesis is an alternative option for young vigorous patients facing circumstances of financial constrain or limited supply of allograft. This study was undertaken to determine the outcome and complications associated with resection-arthrodesis of 22 primary bone tumors (13 giant cell tumors and 9 osteosarcomas) around the knee treated between 1990 and 2003 at the University Malaya Medical Center. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 1-13 years). hree patients with osteosarcoma died of lung metastasis, 3 required above knee amputation and 2 defaulted follow-up. Local complications of the procedure include infection in 8 cases (36.4%), non-union 7 (31.8%) and mal-union. Of 14 patients who returned for final evaluation, 79.8% had satisfactory outcomes according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society grading system. In conclusion, resection-arthrodesis of the knee is a viable treatment option for selected patients with primary bone tumor around the knee, and good functional outcome can be expected in the presence of short-term local complications.
Patients treated with external fixation for limb reconsturciton or fracture stabilization equire regular and prolongedperiod of pin-tract care involving frequent visits to clinic and dressing traditionally carried out by trained nurses or medical assistants. A simple method of do-it-yourself dressing was introduced in our institution and this study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the protocol. Sixty patients (40 trauma-related problems and 20 congenital or developmental disorders) were enrolled into the study. Following application of external fixation, the patients and/or their caretakers were taught on how to do pin-site dressing using normal saline or drinking water as cleansing solution on daily basis. Patients were discharged on the second or third post-operative day and were followed-up every two weeks for an average 182 days (range 66 to 379 days) with special attention on identifying pin-tract infection. A simple grading system for pin-tract infections was proposed. Of 40 patients with trauma-related problems. 65% were post-traumatic infections. There were 788 metal-skin interfaces (239 half-pin fixations and 549 tensioned wire fixations. A total 143 metal-skin interface infections (18.1%) involving half-pin sites (41.3%) and tensioned wire sites (58.7%) was noted. Majority were grade I infections (79.7%), 18.8% grade II and only 1.4% grade III. Most infections (81%)were caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Grade I infections were successfully treated with frequent dressing, grade II by adjunctive oral antibiotic but grade III infections required removal of fixator. All eventually healed. Do yourself non-sterile dressing of metal-skin interfaces is a cost-effective method of pin-site care with a low infection rate. The infections were sucessfully treated using guidelines according to the proposed classification of pin-tract infections.
Although all types of tumour and tumour-like conditions have been described to occur in the clavicle, they only contribute to less then 0.5% of all skeletal tumours. The incidence of primary chondrosarcoma of the clavicle is extremely rare. To our knowledge it has not been reported in Malaysia. We would like to highlight the possibility of chondrosarcoma as a differential diagnosis for a clavicular lesion.
132 consecutive cases of supracondylar fractures of the humerus admitted between July, 1997 and February, 1999 were included in a prospective study. There were 93 boys and 39 girls. The age ranges from one to 14 years old. The non-dominant arm was more often injured. Ethnic Malay constituted the majority. Accidents mainly occurred at home with a peak between 4 pm and 8 pm. Majority was presented within 24 hours of injury. Type III fracture with distal fragment in extension predominated. Nerve injuries occurred in 9 cases in which median nerve was the most commonly affected. There was only one open fracture and it was complicated by absent radial pulse and median nerve injury.
We are describing 21 limb reconstruction procedures performed in 18 patients with the use of external fixators from 1996 to 1998. The average age of patients was 21, ranging from 1 to 50 years old. Indications for surgery included short limb, non-union, pseudoarthrosis and bone or soft tissue deformities. Average length obtained for cases of limb lengthening was 6 cm. All the seven clubfoot deformities in five children were fully corrected. Equinus deformity recurred in one foot and was treated with supramalleolar osteotomy. Out of the seven cases with infected nonunion and bone loss, three failed to achieve union and required additional bone grafting procedures. One patient with unilateral external fixator for the correction of tibia shortening developed valgus deformity.
To conduct a prospective randomised controlled study to compare the stability and risk of nerve injury between fractures treated by medial-lateral pin fixation and those treated by 2-lateral pin fixation.
Yaws, a spirochetal infection that is endemic in certain tropical countries, including Malaysia, may present with various orthopedic problems. As the condition is relatively unknown, diagnosis is often missed, which leads to poor management. There are initial, early, and late phases of the disease process. By involving skin, bone, and joints, yaws can produce deep ulcerations, joint deformities, and bone destruction. Within a ten-year period in Malaysia, 14 cases of serologically proven yaws have been treated for chronic ulcers, gross joint deformities, and pathologic fractures.