Publications by authors named "Zavras A"

Background: Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) is an excellent surgical option for patients with recurrent patellar instability. This technique has demonstrated significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes, high rates of return to sport, and low rates of failure. However, there is debate regarding the use of isolated MPFLR in the setting of concomitant pathoanatomic features such as patella alta, trochlear dysplasia, or a lateralized tibial tubercle.

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Background Context: Cervical Disc Arthroplasty (CDA) has been shown to be an effective and safe alternative to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting non-inferior or even favorable outcomes to ACDF. However, the current literature of large RCTs reporting long-term outcomes of CDA primarily comprises of the industry sponsored Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trials. As a result, CDA has yet to be universally accepted by surgeons due to concerns of bias in the current literature.

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Article Synopsis
  • Proximal femoral replacement (PFR) is a surgical technique used after tumor removal or failed hip replacements, but the risk of prosthetic instability is higher when there’s significant bone or soft tissue loss.
  • This study analyzed the outcomes of PFR among 106 patients over 15 years, categorizing them by the type of implant used: bipolar, constrained, or dual mobility.
  • Results showed that dual mobility implants had a longer time to dislocation and that smoking history and BMI differed among the groups, but all types had similar rates of early dislocation overall.
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Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To determine whether there are significant differences in postoperative dysphagia when using table-mounted versus self-retaining retractor tools.

Summary Of Background Data: Retraction of prevertebral structures during anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is commonly associated with postoperative dysphagia or dysphonia.

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  • Internal hemipelvectomy is a surgery used to remove tumors from the pelvic area without losing a limb, but it can be tricky due to the complex areas involved.
  • The study looked at patients who had this surgery and how well they did afterward, focusing on issues like complications and recovery.
  • Researchers also reviewed other studies to gather more information on patient outcomes after this type of surgery.
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Background And Aim: Effective strategies and practices can assist in forming future initiatives and policies to improve oral health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This manuscript aims to describe the Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF), a university-state collaboration providing sustained statewide access to comprehensive oral health care for individuals with IDD.

Program Description: The TDF program was established in 1976 as the result of a class action lawsuit to improve medical and dental care for individuals with IDD residing at state institutions in Massachusetts.

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Objectives: This study compared outcomes of locked plating (LP) versus intramedullary nailing (IMN) techniques for treatment of extra-articular proximal-third tibia fractures.

Methods: Data Sources: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they compared LP and IMN fixation for proximal one third tibial shaft fractures without articular extension or with simple articular extension into the tibial plateau. Minimum 1 year of clinical and radiographic follow up was used.

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Article Synopsis
  • * 3D printing technology has advanced in orthopedic surgery, aiding in preoperative planning and providing effective constructs for complex trauma cases.
  • * A 47-year-old woman with a malunited complex distal humerus fracture was successfully treated with a custom 3D-printed elbow prosthesis, demonstrating the potential of this technology for complex fractures.
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  • Clinical trials indicate that cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a safe, effective alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treating cervical degenerative disc disease, with various CDA devices available that differ in constraint levels.
  • The study utilized a systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing outcomes of ACDF versus CDA across different constraint levels in a sizable patient sample over at least two years.
  • Results showed that both semiconstrained and unconstrained CDA types had a lower risk of adjacent segment degeneration and subsequent surgeries compared to ACDF; semiconstrained CDA also had a lower risk of reoperation at the index level.
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Study Design: Case report and literature review.

Objective: To report the relatively rare complication of delayed infection after cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Background: Delayed infection of the M6 device has been a rarely reported complication, with all cases described outside of the United States.

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Objective: Mental health disorders (MHDs) have been linked to worse postoperative outcomes after various surgical procedures. Past studies have also demonstrated a higher prevalence of dysphagia in both acute and community mental health settings. Dysphagia is among the most common complications following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS); however, current literature describing the association between an established diagnosis of an MHD and the rate of dysphagia after ACSS is sparse.

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Objectives: To create optimal oral and overall community health, dental public health (DPH) specialists must be competent and appropriately skilled to deal with contemporary and emergent public health issues. This study aims to evaluate the current job market demands related to the DPH profession and suggest contemporary skills and qualities that would enable DPH professionals to address emerging issues more effectively in their field.

Methods: A multimethod qualitative study was conducted involving two distinct groups: employers and potential employees.

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Background And Objectives: Wide margin resection for pelvic tumors via internal hemipelvectomy is among the most technically challenging procedures in orthopedic oncology. As such, surgeon experience and technique invariably affect patient outcomes. The aim of this clinical study was to assess how an individual surgeon's experiences and advancements in technology and techniques in the treatment of internal hemipelvectomy have impacted patient outcomes at our institution.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates clinical outcomes of one-level vs. two-level minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) for herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), focusing on the success perceived by patients post-surgery.
  • - A total of 293 patients were analyzed, with 250 undergoing one-level and 43 undergoing two-level discectomies, showing variations in demographics and slightly different surgical outcomes but similar PROM results overall.
  • - The analysis revealed a slightly higher reoperation rate for the two-level group (11.6%) compared to the one-level group (6.80%), but this difference wasn't statistically significant (p = 0.270).
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Background: This study sought to quantify radiographic differences in psoas morphology, great vessel anatomy, and lumbar lordosis between supine and prone intraoperative positioning to optimize surgical planning and minimize the risk of neurovascular injury.

Methods: Measurements on supine magnetic resonance imaging and prone intraoperative computed tomography with O-arm from L2 to L5 levels included the anteroposterior and mediolateral proximity of the psoas, aorta, inferior vena cava (IVC), and anterior iliac vessels to the vertebral body. Psoas transverse and longitudinal diameters, psoas cross-sectional area, total lumbar lordosis, and segmental lordosis were assessed.

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Radiolucent implants in have demonstrated promising results for both extremity and spine oncologic procedures. However, questions persist about whether the superiority in surveillance imaging justify the increased cost and technical challenges. In this review, we present the current body of literature for the use of radiolucent implants in musculoskeletal oncology, with a focus on implant complications, including screw loosening, breakage, malposition, and loss of reduction.

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Objective: Total disc arthroplasty (TDA) has been established as a safe and effective alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical spine pathology. However, there remains a paucity of studies in the literature regarding the amount of disc height distraction that can be tolerated, as well as its impact on kinematic and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients who underwent 1- or 2-level cervical TDA with a minimum follow-up of 1 year with lateral flexion/extension and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were included.

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Background: Historically, humeral shaft fractures have been successfully treated with nonoperative management and functional bracing; however, various surgical options are also available. In the present study, we compared the outcomes of nonoperative versus operative interventions for the treatment of extra-articular humeral shaft fractures.

Methods: This study was a network meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which functional bracing was compared with surgical techniques (including open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF], minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis [MIPO], and intramedullary nailing in both antegrade [aIMN] and retrograde [rIMN] directions) for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures.

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Introduction: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion is a surgical treatment option for SIJ pathology in select patients who have failed conservative management. More recently, minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques have been developed. This study aimed to determine the trends in procedure volume and reimbursement rates for SIJ fusion.

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Study Design: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.

Objective: This study sought to compare patient-reported outcomes, success, complications, and radiographic outcomes directly and indirectly between different cervical total disc arthroplasty (TDA) devices and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods: Patients of prospective randomized controlled trials of 1-level cervical TDA with a minimum of 2 years follow up were identified in the literature.

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Purpose: To identify risk factors for patient election to proceed with cartilage transplant after staging chondroplasty.

Methods: This study retrospective reviewed patients prospectively enrolled at the time of staging chondroplasty, with early election defined as patient decision to proceed to cartilage transplantation within 6 months of chondroplasty. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine univariate predictors of conversion, and a predictive calculator, the Cartilage Early Return for Transplant score, was formulated using stepwise regression employing the Akaike information criterion.

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Purpose: To describe the morphology of the adductor tubercle (AT), medial epicondyle (ME), and gastrocnemius tubercle (GT); to quantify their relationships to the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) footprint location; and to classify the reliability of each landmark based on measurement variability.

Methods: Eight cadaveric specimens were dissected to expose the following landmarks on the femur: MPFL footprint, AT, ME, and GT. Using the MicroScribe 3D digitizer, each landmark was projected into a 3-dimensional coordinate system and reconstructed into a complex, closed polygon.

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Objective: To describe current Dental Public Health diplomates and list the competency domains that diplomates considered either essential or optional elements of their practice.

Methods: The American Board of Dental Public Health administered an electronic survey to active and life member diplomates during September 2021. The survey included 101 items in three sections: (1) Education and Work Experience; (2) Dental Public Health Tasks; and (3) Demographics.

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Background: Tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a risk factor for recurrent patellar dislocation and is often included in algorithmic treatment of instability. The underlying factors that determine TT-TG have yet to be clearly described in orthopaedic literature.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of our study was to determine the underlying anatomic factors contributing to TT-TG distance.

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Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) commonly involves a transpsoas approach. Despite the association between LLIF, postoperative iliopsoas weakness, and iatrogenic neuropraxia, no study has yet examined the effect of psoas or multifidus muscle quality on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

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