Four-part displaced proximal humeral fractures: treatment with hemiarthroplasty.

Between 1996 and 2000 a total of 25 hemiarthroplasties of the shoulder in just as many patients were carried out. A total of 15 were followed-up (minimum 1 year, maximum 5 years, mean 2.5 years; mean age 75.

Tuberculous spondylitis: a retrospective study on a series of 12 patients operated on in a 25-year period.

Background: The incidence of tuberculous spondylitis, which had declined steadily for over 40 years in our countries, started increasing again in the eighties, paralleling the resurgence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore it has become a matter of discussion in contemporary literature, because it can be a diagnostic challenge and, in spite of its severe neurological complications, it is a potentially curable illness.

Methods: In this retrospective study the authors report their experience concerning 12 patients operated on in a 25-year period because of serious cord compression from thoracic (9 cases) and cervical (1 case) tuberculous spondylitis or from thoracic tubercular epidural lesion (2 cases).

Clinical valutation of late results of surgical therapy for protruded lumbar intervertebral disc.

After examining various clinical reports and investigations on 107 patients operated on for hernia of the lumbar disc and having compared them with the surgical pathological and anatomical picture, the authors evaluate late results which in 83% are excellent. In 16% of the cases there was a return of sciatic pain and the results of reoperation are noted.