Publications by authors named "Malcolm E Dombrowski"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the differences in outcomes for males and females undergoing revision surgeries for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), based on data from patients treated at a specific institution between 2010 and 2021.
  • - Of the 470 patients analyzed, both males and females showed an equal disease-free rate of 80% after one year post-revision surgery, indicating no significant difference in outcomes based on sex.
  • - The analysis found that factors like nicotine use and diabetes were significant predictors of surgery failure, while sex itself did not influence the results, suggesting a need for more research on how PJI presents and affects different sexes.
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  • This study assessed how effective fondaparinux is in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in high-risk patients after elective lumbar spine surgery.
  • Researchers compared patients who received fondaparinux starting on the second day after surgery with those who did not receive it, focusing on outcomes like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • Results showed fewer DVT cases in the fondaparinux group (0%) compared to the control group (2.9%), along with a favorable complication profile, although the study's retrospective nature limits strong conclusions.
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  • The study investigates how rabbit annulus fibrosus (AF) cells produce neuropeptide Y (NPY) when subjected to mechanical and inflammatory stress, with the aim of understanding its role in intervertebral disc health.
  • Researchers exposed lumbar AF cells from young rabbits to different levels of tensile stress and inflammatory markers, finding that inflammatory conditions significantly increased NPY expression, while mechanical strain alone had minimal effect.
  • The presence of NPY receptor-type 1 (NPY-1R) in rabbit AF cells was confirmed, suggesting that increased NPY production in response to stress could be linked to intervertebral disc degeneration and associated low back pain.
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  • The study investigates the effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) on outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), focusing on its impact on periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).
  • TXA administration led to a 50% reduction in PJI rates and decreased revision surgeries, as well as significantly lower blood transfusion rates and shorter hospital stays.
  • Overall, the study concluded that TXA is safe and improves surgical outcomes in TKA without increasing the risk of thromboembolic complications.
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Article Synopsis
  • Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious issue in total joint replacement, and recent studies help with diagnosis, treatment, and post-op care for these patients.
  • Diagnosis uses traditional tests for serum and synovial fluid alongside newer biomarkers and molecular tests, while surgical options vary based on infection duration and patient factors.
  • Effective management requires a team approach involving various medical specialists, and antibiotic treatment is tailored to the specific circumstances of the infection to minimize recurrence.
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  • The study investigates how lumbar fusion surgery affects the movement (kinematics) of the vertebrae adjacent to the fused area, since altered biomechanics are thought to contribute to adjacent segment disease.
  • Seven patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis underwent a series of torso flexion tests, and their spinal movements were tracked using advanced imaging before and after their surgery.
  • Findings reveal that while changes in movement patterns varied among patients, all showed maintained or increased movement at the adjacent segment post-surgery, indicating that individual responses to fusion surgery can differ significantly.
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  • The study is a retrospective cohort design aimed at comparing a new two-step algorithm for recommending CTA in cervical spine fracture cases with existing guidelines from the American College of Surgeons and Denver Criteria.
  • It evaluated the ability of these screening criteria to accurately identify blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) and strokes in patients admitted to a trauma center over a four-year period.
  • The novel algorithm detected similar rates of BCVI and strokes as the established criteria but significantly reduced the number of unnecessary scans needed, suggesting it could be a more efficient method for identifying at-risk patients.*
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  • The article details a consensus reached by 75 international experts on cartilage repair of the ankle, particularly focusing on Conservative Management and Biological Treatment Strategies.
  • The experts utilized the Delphi method to review literature, draft statements, and achieve agreement on best practices, with 12 statements reaching consensus.
  • The resulting guidelines aim to help clinicians effectively manage and treat osteochondral lesions in the ankle based on the best available evidence.
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  • Postoperative C5 palsy is a common complication after cervical surgeries, especially posterior laminectomy and fusions, and there is currently no known medication to prevent it.
  • This study aims to evaluate whether using prophylactic dexamethasone (DEX) before and during surgery can lower the occurrence of C5 palsy in patients undergoing multilevel posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion.
  • The researchers reviewed 189 patients who received DEX during their surgeries from 2012 to 2017 to compare the rate of C5 palsy with previous rates before DEX was used.
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  • Recent studies suggest that some patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and lumbar spinal stenosis may not need spinal fusion, as decompression alone can yield similar outcomes.
  • The study aimed to see if standard static radiographs can identify dynamic instability in DS patients compared to healthy controls, using advanced imaging techniques during torso flexion.
  • Results showed that static images underestimate movement instability, with DS patients exhibiting more diverse motion patterns during dynamic activities than the control group.
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  • The study aimed to examine the lateral capsule of the knee using high-quality MRI to see if a distinct lateral capsular ligament could be identified, comparing MRI findings with surgical dissection results.
  • Ten fresh-frozen human knee specimens were analyzed both through MRI and dissection, revealing no consistent discrete lateral capsular ligament among the specimens, though some thickening was noted.
  • Results showed variations in the morphology of the lateral capsule, indicating that further research is necessary to understand the clinical implications of these anatomical structures.
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