Mortality of patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy appears to be high. In particular, the long-term prognosis was poor for patients with hypoalbuminemia, and this procedure is probably not preferred for patients with recurrent aspiration pneumonia.

A common problem after proximal tibia prosthetic reconstruction is insufficient extensor mechanism or extensor lag. Maintaining the reconstructed patellar tendon length is an important way to minimize extensor lag. We measured the patellar tendon length and extensor lag serially. From 1994-2003, seven consecutive patients with malignant bone tumors of the proximal tibia had prosthetic reconstruction. The extensor mechanism was reconstructed by reattachment of the patellar tendon to the prosthesis with a synthetic material and augmented by a gastrocnemius flap. The patellar tendon length was measured according to the Insall-Salvati ratio. The ratios at 30 degrees knee flexion decreased immediately postoperatively, and reverted to almost the same preoperative values within 18 months. The mean ratios at 60 degrees knee flexion are significantly greater than 30 degrees at 6 months postoperatively. These findings indicate that the patellar tendon stretched, whereas the extensor lag improved continuously for 12 months postoperatively. In the revision at 22 months postoperatively, although the patellar tendon was not reattached to the replaced prosthesis, the ratio and the extensor lag had not worsened. These results show that providing strong continuity of the patellar tendon, gastrocnemius flap, and leg extensors can decrease the extensor lag, although the patellar tendon stretches.

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Introduction: Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit is a rare benign lesion of subcutaneous tissue that typically arises in the parabone site of the proximal phalanx in young adult females. The lesion is histopathologically characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and osteoid formation. Good prognosis following complete surgical excision of the tumor has been reported, with a very low recurrence rate and no reports of malignant transformation. Despite its benign clinical behavior, the lesion can be mistaken for a malignant neoplasm, such as an extraskeletal or parosteal osteosarcoma, in case of rapid growth, thereby rendering the diagnosis challenging. Patient concerns: We report the case of a 30-year-old right-handed male who presented to our hospital with a rapidly growing mass on the dorsal aspect of the right little finger. Diagnosis: The patient was suspected to have soft tissue tumor of the little finger. The lesion could be considered a malignant tumor on the basis of clinical findings. Interventions: The patient underwent surgery for exploration and excision of the mass. Outcomes: The excised mass was diagnosed to be fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit upon histological assessment. Postoperatively, the wound healed without complications. At postoperative 6 months, there were no signs or symptoms of recurrence, and the patient returned to his premorbid functional status. Conclusion: Following the detection of a soft tissue mass with clinicopathological features of pseudomalignancy in the digit, clinicians should consider fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit as a possible diagnosis, thereby avoiding unnecessary aggressive surgery.