Abstract Objectives: To determine the frequency, the clinical and radiological features of lumbar spondylolisthesis in a rheumatological practice in Lomé. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the rheumatology department of the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lomé between January 1997 and December 2019. Medical records of patients with sympto matic spondylolisthesis with radiographic confirmation were reviewed. The Meyerding classification system was used for grading. Results: Of the 350 patients contacted, 118 consented to participate in the study, making a response rate of 33.71%. Of the 118, 104 (88.1%) were females. 109 (92.4%) presented with radicular pain and 9 (7.6%) presented low back pain. The mean age of the patients was 54.24 ± 11.19 years. The average duration of the pain was 4.56 ± 1.32 years. The spondylolisthesis level most involved was the L4 - L5 (92/118), followed by L5 - S1 (23/118). 106 (89.8%) patients had anterolis thesis only, seven (5.9%) combination anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis. The spondylolisthesis was associated with spondylosis in 110 (93.2%) patients. Spondylosis was found at level L4 - L5 in 38.98% patients, followed by L5 - S1 (24.58%), L3 - L4 (18.64%). Grade I slip was found in 108 (91.53%) patients and Grade II slips 10 (8.47%). Isthmic lysis was found in 40 (33.9%) patients and it was located at L4 in 30 (75.0%). Conclusion: Lumbar spondylolisthesis appears to be expected in Lomé patients with nonspecific back pain and mainly affects females.

Abstract This study aims to develop collagen-based hemostatic materials. The sheet shaped collagen sponge was manufactured by freeze-vacuum drying the aqueous solution of collagen (Col) and heat-denatured collagen (Col’) at a composition ratio of 2/1. The both sides or one side of sponge was treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 15 minutes to introduce intermolecular crosslinks between collagen molecules. The elution behavior of collagen sponge was investigated by immersing the sponge in water for a predetermined time and then by measuring the weight change. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge showed very slow elution properties. On the other hand, the single-sided UV-irradiated sponge showed initially fast elution and subsequent very slow elution properties. Such initially fast elution of collagen molecules from the surface without UV-irradiation allows an adhesion of collagen sponge to the wound surface and results in hemostatic effect. In addition, the water absorption and retention properties of sponge were investigated by placing the hydrated sponge on a mesh for a predetermined time and then by measuring the weight change. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge absorbed 81 times more water than own weight and showed a value of 45 times even after 7 days. The single-sided UV-irradiated sponge absorbed 80 times more water than own weight and showed a value of 39 times even after 7 days. The sponge with high water absorption and retention properties allows a wound healing effect because such sponge can absorb large amounts of blood plasma and exudates containing various cell growth factors. The double-sided UV-irradiated sponge is a good candidate for the wound dressing. On the other hand, the single-sided UV irradiated sponge is a good candidate for the hemostatic material.