"Body-brace" oesophagitis, a complication of kyphoscoliosis therapy

Biomechanical evaluation of the Boston brace system for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: relationship between strap tension and brace interface forces

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study to evaluate the association between strap tension and brace interface forces in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using the Boston brace system.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the strap tension associated with optimal brace interface forces.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Trim lines, pad placement, and areas of relief for the brace are guided by radiographic studies. However, optimal adjustment of strap tension is unclear and remains mostly empirical.

METHODS

Brace interface forces in all regions of the trunk were measured for 41 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at three standardized strap tensions (20 N, 40 N, and 60 N). The brace interface forces were assessed using a mat made of force-sensing transducers. Equivalent interface pressure for each trunk region was also calculated to estimate the distribution of the interface forces.

RESULTS

The brace interface forces and the corresponding effective areas increased along with the strap tension for all patients. For patients with a single right thoracic curve, the interface pressure tended to increase with increasing strap tension. This increase was significant in the left axillary, right thoracic, right pelvic, and sternal regions. For double right thoracic-left lumbar curves, the increase in interface pressure was significant in the left axillary, right pelvic, and sternal regions. However, most of this increase occurred between 20 N and 40 N of strap tension, with only slight increase or even a decrease in interface pressures between 40 N and 60 N.

CONCLUSIONS

The strap tension should be set as high as possible (up to 60 N) for right thoracic curves. For right thoracic-left lumbar curves, the optimal strap tension was approximately 40 N. However, clinicians should ensure that the prescribed strap tension does not cause excessive skin pressure or affect the compliance with the brace. A side opening in the right lumbar area may improve the effectiveness of the brace for double right thoracic-left lumbar curves, but care must be taken to avoid skin problems at the opening.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese reflux esophagitis patients as determined by Los Angeles classification

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that the number of patients with reflux esophagitis is increasing in Japan, but the prevalence and risk factors associated with reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients are not well defined.

METHODS

By using all endoscopic records in the Katta General Hospital from April through to September 1999, we identified 392 patients. We examined the Los Angeles classification, peptic ulcer, gastric mucosal atrophy, hiatal hernia and other medical variable factors for their contribution to esophagitis in the patients.

RESULTS

Patients (13.8%) were diagnosed as having reflux esophagitis with a mucosal break. In a multivariate analysis, reflux esophagitis was associated with hiatal hernia (odds ratio (OR) 2.276, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.164-4.450), with patients over 65 years of age (OR 2.521, 95% CI 1.238-5.134) and the open type of gastric mucosal atrophy (OR 0.420, 95% CI 0.225-0.785). There was no significant difference between esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that age, hiatal hernia and a lower rate of gastric mucosal atrophy were associated with the proportion of mucosal breaks accompanying esophagitis.