CC BY
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© Tan W., Chen J., Ran R., Zheng W., Oshmianska N., 2021
УДК 616.72-002.78-089-072.1
DOI 10.18019/1028-4427-2021-27-1-55-58
Опыт артроскопической хирургии при тофусной подагре: показания, результаты и осложнения
Experience of arthroscopic surgery in tophaceous gout: indications, results and complications
W. Tan, J. Chen, R. Ran, W. Zheng, N. Oshmianska
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu city, Sichuan Province, China
Актуальность. Подагра, развивающаяся в течение 5 лет и более, и высокие неконтролируемые уровни мочевой кислоты в крови приводят к образованию тофиподагрических камней, содержащих кристаллы УК, окруженные соединительной тканью. В результате образования тофусов в области сустава пациенты испытывают значительный дискомфорт и нередко полностью теряют трудоспособность. Цель. Определить показания к хирургическому лечению при подагре в Ревматологической больнице Чэнду, оценить результаты и осложнения, а также эффективность нового хирургического оборудования. Материалы и методы. Показания и результаты хирургического вмешательства при подагре, выполненного в Ревматологической больнице Чэнду в 2019-2020 гг., были исследованы у 63 пациентов мужского пола. Ретроспективный анализ был проведен на основании медицинских карт пациентов, которым была назначена уратснижающая терапия и выполнено артроскопическое или сложное хирургическое вмешательство, сочетающее артроскопическую обработку с процедурой открытой тофэктомии. Результаты. Наиболее частыми очагами поражения были суставы стопы и пальцев ног (49,41 %), голеностопный (39,68 %) и коленный сустав (34,92 %) с их ограниченной подвижностью. Среди распространенных жалоб были невозможность выполнять повседневную деятельность из-за увеличенных в размерах суставов (невозможность носить обувь), их дисфункция и боли. У более молодых пациентов в возрасте 20-44 лет до лечения уровень мочевой кислоты в сыворотке был значительно выше. В большинстве случаев показаниями к операции в этой группе пациентов были боли и дискомфорт в суставах, невозможность выполнять повседневную работу. После определения степени боли 38,46 % более молодых пациентов сообщили об уровне боли 6 или выше по шкале ВАШ, что было чаще, чем у пациентов в возрасте 45-55 лет (26,92 %) и старше 55 лет (10,0 %). После операции и уратснижающей терапии все пациенты отметили функциональное улучшение и уменьшение боли. Снижение уровня уратов в сыворотке было зарегистрировано у 96,83 % пациентов. Заключение. Результаты хирургического лечения функциональных нарушений (неспособность выполнять повседневную деятельность из-за ограниченного диапазона движений) и массивной трансформации суставов (невозможность носить обувь/одежду) у больных подагрой были положительными. Все пациенты сообщают о функциональном улучшении, уменьшении боли и минимальном риске осложнений. В дополнение к уратснижающей терапии мы рекомендуем проводить артроскопическую чистку осторожно даже у более молодых пациентов с подагрой в соответствии с вышеупомянутыми показаниями. Ключевые слова: подагра, гиперурикемия, тофусы, артроскопическая обработка
Background Gout, lasting 5 years or more, and high uncontrollable levels of uric acid in blood lead to the formation of tophi - gouty stones containing the UA crystals surrounded with connective tissue. As the result of tophi formation in the joint area patients felt extreme discomfort and quite often completely lose ability to work. Objectives To define indications for tophaceous gout surgery in the Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, evaluate surgical results and complications, as well as the effectiveness of a new surgery equipment. Materials and methods The indications and results of tophaceous gout surgery were investigated in 63 male gout patients of Chengdu Rheumatism hospital in 2019-2020. A retrospective analysis was carried out on the basis of medical records for all patients who were prescribed with urate lowering therapy and underwent arthroscopic intervention or complex surgical intervention combining arthroscopic shaving with open tophectomy procedure. Results The most common lesion site was foot joints: toes (49.41 %), ankle (39.68 %) and knee (34.92 %), with restricted mobility in the mentioned joints. Among common complaints were inability to perform daily routines due to enlarged joints (inability to wear shoes), joints' dysfunction and pain. Younger patients (aged 20-44) had significantly higher levels of uric acid in serum before treatment. In most cases, indications for surgery for this group of patients were pain and discomfort in joints, inability to perform daily work. After accessing pain levels, 38.46 % of younger patients reported pain leveled 6 or higher on VAS score, which was more often, compared to patients aged 45-55 (26.92 %) and older than 55 (10.0 %). After surgery and following urate lowering therapy all patients noted functional improvement and reduction of pain. Decrease in serum urate levels were reported in 96.83 % of patients. Conclusion The results of surgical treatment for functional impairment of the joint (inability to perform daily work due to restricted range of motions) and massive joint transformation (inability to wear shoes/clothes) in gout patients are positive, with all patients reporting functional improvement and reduction of pain, and the risk of complications is low. In addition to urate lowering therapy we cautiously recommend performing arthroscopic shaving even in younger gout patients consistent with aforementioned indications. Keywords: gout, hyperuricemia, tophi, arthroscopic shaving
INTRODUCTION
Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by tissue deposits of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals secondary to hyperuricemia [1, 2]. The prevalence of gout is 1.14 % of the general population in China and 1-4 % in other countries [2]. Recurrent acute arthritis may result in the development of articular syndrome (especially in the first metatarsophalangeal joint with the auricle), stones and gout nephropathy [3].
Chronic polyarthritis develops in gout patients after several attacks of the acute arthritis and is characterized by longer attacks and other joints involvement in inflammation (so-called joints of the second line), and later development of tophi [4, 15]. Deformation of joints leads to restricted mobility, contractures, atrophy of muscles but rarely ankylosis. Patients felt extreme discomfort and quite often completely lose ability to work. Articular syndrome continues to develop against the background of
chronic gouty arthritis. The most unfavorable outcome is the development of "gout status" which is characterized by continuous exacerbation of arthritis caused by massive infiltration of uric acid (UA) crystals in the surrounding tissues with formation of chronic inflammatory reaction [5]. As a rule, lasting disease of 5 years or more and high uncontrollable levels of UA lead to the formation of tophi -the gouty stones containing UA crystals surrounded with connecting tissue [6, 7]. They might be localized on auricles, elbows, elbow joints, on feet, fingers, extensor surface of forearms, hips, shins, on a forehead, in the cartilaginous partition of a nose. Tophi often are accompanied by thinning of skin in the joint area, formation of fistulas from which contents may seep spontaneously in the form of pastelike white substance. Approximately 12-35 % of the gout patients develop tophi [3, 7, 15].
Ш Опыт артроскопической хирургии при тофусной подагре: показания, результаты и осложнения / W. Tan, J. Chen, R. Ran,
W. Zheng, N. Oshmianska // Гений ортопедии. 2021. Т. 27, № 1. С. 55-58. DOI 10.18019/1028-4427-2021-27-1-55-58 Ш Tan W., Chen J., Ran R., Zheng W., Oshmianska N. Experience of arthroscopic surgery in tophaceous gout: indications, results and complications. Genij Ortopedii, 2021, vol. 27, no 1, pp. 55-58. DOI 10.18019/1028-4427-2021-27-1-55-58
Due to the rarity of surgical treatment for gout, surgery is limited to isolated case reports and case series [8]. The most common surgical techniques are arthroscopic shaver and open tophectomy. The reported outcomes were generally positive with restoration
of function while the most common adverse outcome was delayed wound healing. This justifies the need of systematic research with the deep statistical analysis of indications, results and complications for tophaceous gout surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records of 63 male patients with gout who underwent joints surgery were included in the study. All patients were admitted to Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital in 2019-2020, prescribed with urate lowering therapy and underwent arthroscopic intervention or complex surgical approach combining arthroscopic shaving with open tophectomy procedure. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital. All participants provided written informed consents.
Data collection. In all patients anthropometrical parameters were measured, including waist circumference, body height and weight, body mass index (BMI). In addition, blood pressure at systolic and diastolic phases, blood levels of triglycerides, fasting serum glucose, and creatinine were measured. Serum UA was measured on the first day and after the end of treatment by standard ELISA
method. C-reactive protein (CRP) and other standard laboratory tests were performed on turbidimetry analyzer Mindray BC-5300.
Affected joints were assessed by X-ray and in some cases magnetic resonance imaging, size of lesions was measured using X-ray images.
Statistical analysis Baseline characteristics of participants were evaluated by descriptive statistics and results were presented in the form of mean ± standard deviation. Comparisons in the means of continuous variables with a normal distribution were performed by using Student's t-test. Comparisons in medians of continuous variables with a skewed distribution were performed by using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. All reported probability values (P-values) were based on two-sided tests and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM IPSS statistics software (version 23, IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA).
A total of 63 patients with gout were included in this study, all patients of male gender. The mean age of gout patients was 47.24 ± 11.81 years, with CRP values varying from 0.35 to 193.04 (mean 19.365 ± 35.51) and the mean serum UA before treatment was 503.35 ± 124.35pmol/L. The most common lesion site was foot joints: toes (49.41 %), ankle (39.68 %) and knee (34.92 %), with restricted mobility in the mentioned joints. Among common complaints were inability to perform daily routines due to enlarged joints (inability to wear shoes), joints' dysfunction and pain. Other general characteristics of study patients are described in Table 1.
Sepsis control was indication for surgery only in 4.76 % of patients. All of them were of older age, with a long history of gout and in considerable amount of joints pain (scored 6 in VAS).
Younger patients (aged 20-44) had significantly higher levels of UA in serum before treatment. In most cases, indications for surgery for this group of patients were pain and discomfort in joints, inability to perform daily work. After accessing pain levels, 38.46 % of younger patients reported pain leveled 6 or higher on VAS score, which was
RESULTS
more often, compared to patients aged 45-55 (26.92 %) and older than 55 (10.0 %).
It is important to note, that despite gout being considered the disease of older generation, there was a reasonable amount of younger patients in our hospital with disabling deformations of joints and tophi site 6 cm or more in diameter (Fig. 1), who benefited from the surgical treatment.
Table 1
General characteristics of gout patients, who underwent surgery
Factor Value (M ± m)
Age, years 47.24 ± 11.81
Serum UA before treatment, pmol/L 503.35 ± 124.35
Serum UA after treatment, pmol/L 306.49 ± 89.37
ESR 20.098 ± 19.98
CRP 19.365 ± 35.51
Lesion localization % of pts
Toes (including 1st joint) 46.03
Ankle 39.68
Knee 34.92
Other 46.03
Fig. 1 Massive deforming tophus of toe joint in 31 years old patient: a - before surgery, large tophus sized 5 * 4 sm; b - 24 hours after surgery, wound healing without complications
Most patients aged 45-55 had slightly elevated levels of CRP, with 50 % of those patients having CRP > 5 mg/L. Indications for surgery in this age group included big deforming tophi lesions, often in the region of ankle and elbow, which was reported significantly more often compared to younger patients (see Table 2). Hyperuricemia in this group was less pronounced, with mean serum UA of 461.44 ± 118.57 pmol/L.
Majority of patients underwent surgery in one or two sessions. Patients younger than 45 were less likely to have surgery carried out on two or more joints (61.54 % compared to 72.73 % in patients older than 55). Extracted mass size ranged from 1.0 to 7.0 cm in diameter, mean size almost the same for all age groups.
Two patients reported elevation of serum UA after surgery intervention up to 410.1 pmol/L (349.3 before surgery) and 445.6 pmol/L (313.6 before surgery). One of them was 20 y.o., another one 53 y.o., both had a relatively small (to 2 cm in diameter) lesion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, in both cases removed by
arthroscopic shaving. Most likely serum UA elevation was not related to the performed surgery, but long-term follow up needed to exclude the possibility of post-surgical complications.
Wound healing was 1.5 weeks on average; in older patients with multiple lesions, diabetes or other concomitant disorders it took up to 3 weeks.
Majority of patients aged over 55 (60 %) reported hypertension, but only one had diabetes. Indications for surgery in this age group included multiple tophi lesions, often in the region of wrist and fingers (see Fig. 2). Functional impairment and drastically restricted range of motions in the hand joints was more of a concern to those patients than pain.
After surgery and following urate lowering therapy all patients noted functional improvement and reduction of pain. Decrease in serum urate levels were reported in 96.83 % of patients. The longer follow-up period is needed to fully evaluate functional outcome (6-month follow-up examinations were scheduled for all patients).
Table 2
Localization of tophi and number of joints demanded surgical intervention
Group 1 (< 45), n = 26 Group 2 (45-55), n = 26 Group 3 (> 55), n = 11
One joint involved 38.46 30.77 27.27
Two or more joints involved 61.54 69.23 72.73
Lesion localization
- Toe joints/ first toe 57.69 42.31 27.27
- Ankle 26.92 46.15 54.54
- Knee 50.00 26.92 18.18
- Elbow 30.77 34.62 9.09
- Wrist 7.69 7.69 18.18
- Fingers 23.08 30.77 45.45
Fig. 2 Multiple tophi lesions of wrist and fingers in 70 years old patient: a - before surgery; tophi restricting function and mobility of hand; b - before surgery; X-ray demonstrates diffuse crystallization in almost every hand joint; c - during surgery; large tophaceous masses are being extracted by open tophectomy
DISCUSSION
The lack of controlled clinical studies in the published literature makes it harder to determine when, or if, surgery needs to be recommended to a specific patient.
In our hospital 2 most common indications for surgery were functional impairment of the joint (inability to perform daily work due to restricted range of motions) and massive joint transformation (inability to wear shoes/clothes). 26.98 %
of all patients underwent surgery for pain control, majority of them being younger than 45 years old. Important to note, that pain control wasn't the sole complain, it always accompanied the functional impairment. Sepsis control and local infection was indication for surgery only in 4.76 % of patients.
There is no clear "metabolic indication" for the surgical removal of tophi as the mechanical removal of tophus does
not appreciably decrease total body urate burden [9]. Our patients, in addition to surgery, all were prescribed with urate lowering therapy and 96.83 % reported reduced hyperuricemia at the end of treatment.
Surgery can potentially restore function faster compared to medical therapy and prevent complications in some individuals with persistent tophi [10]. However, in considering surgical intervention for tophaceous gout, it is often challenging to balance these potential advantages against the risks associated with surgery [11].
Based on our experience, arthroscopic shaving is affective technique to access smaller tophi and softer lesions, in patients of all ages (including younger gout patients with a functional impairment). For the excision
of large tophi, complex surgical approach is needed, combining open tophectomy and aspiration of tophaceous masses.
In the published literature, the best reported surgical outcomes seem to be for patients who have failed, or are intolerant of medical treatment for tophaceous gout, but have not yet developed substantial loss of function, infection, or skin ulcerations [12]. Unfortunately, some of the same circumstances that lead to medical treatment failure may be associated with surgical treatment failure. These include poor adherence to therapeutic recommendations (such as post-operative physiotherapy), adherence with post-surgical medications, and necessary medical monitoring in the post-operative period [13, 14].
CONCLUSION
The results of surgical treatment for functional impairment of the joint (inability to perform daily work due to restricted range of motions) and massive joint transformation (inability to wear shoes/clothes) in gout patients are positive, with all patients reporting functional
improvement and reduction of pain, and the risk of complications is low. In addition to urate lowering therapy, we cautiously recommend performing arthroscopic shaving even in younger gout patients consistent with aforementioned indications.
Conflict of interest statement None of the authors have any conflict of interest regarding this manuscript.
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Received: 31.08.2020
Information about the authors:
1. Wei Tan, M.D., Ph.D.,
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu, China, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8560-1870, Email: [email protected]
2. Jianchun Chen, M.D.,
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu, China, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2538-2132, Email: [email protected]
3. Ran Ran, M.D.,
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu, China, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9835-1188, Email: [email protected]
4. Wuyan Zheng, M.D.,
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu, China, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5133-9472, Email: [email protected]
5. Nataliia Oshmianska, M.D.,
Chengdu Rheumatism Hospital, Chengdu, China, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8027-5693, Email: [email protected]
