Titanium elastic intramedulary nailing in displaced forearm fractures in children: an experience of 154 cases

Diaphyseal forearm fractures in children are extremely common. They are mostly treated by conservative methods. The elastic intramedullary nail is a good solution owing to its advantages in the cases when surgery is needed

A total of 154 children with a forearm double fracture, who were surgically treated with the titanium elastic nail at the Department of Orthopedics, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015, were included in the study. Children aged more than 14 years with pathologic fractures, isolated radius, and isolated ulna fracture were excluded from the study. All cases were followed up for 1 year. All cases were treated first with closed reduction and casting. A surgical decision was taken for the cases that could not be reduced and had a shift in the fracture line in the follow-ups

The average union was radiologically for 5.9 weeks [4-9]. Pin tract infection was observed in two cases, skin irritation in seven cases, nail migration three cases, and refracture six cases. Nerve damage, tendon rupture, malunion, nonunion, and synostosis were not observed. Perfect results were obtained in 126 [82.7%] cases, and good results were obtained in 26 [15.9%] cases in the study

Elastic intramedullary nailing is a surgical technique primarily preferred for forearm fractures in children because it is easily applicable; is associated with a small incision and no need for a secondary operation; has a low complication risk; and yields good clinical and radiological results

Bilateral congenital absence of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle: a case report

Congenital absence of the abductor pollicis brevis is a very rare condition and is usually associated with other congenital anomalies. Here we report a case of bilateral congenital absence of the abductor pollicis brevis without any other abnormalities, which has not been previously reported. A 24-year-old Caucasian male patient presented to our clinic with flattening in the palmar region, pain and discomfort in writing, and weakness in both hands. USG and MRI revealed bilateral absence of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. Bilateral congenital absence of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle requires no treatment due to satisfactory hand function, and results in cosmetic problems. Congenital absence of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle should be kept in mind in patients with flattening of the thenar eminences

Cancer cachexia: pathophysiologic aspects and treatment options.

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized with progressive weight loss and abnormal wasting of fat and muscle tissue, and affects 40 to 85% of all terminally ill patients, accounting more than 20% of all cancer deaths. Current treatment for cancer cachexia principally depends on its prevention rather than reversing the present disease state, and the clinical results are far from being satisfactory. Although the exact mechanism and predisposing factors have yet to be clarified in detail, our growing knowledge about the pathophysiology and biochemical changes considering this life threatening condition should help in development of future therapeutic strategies. In the present paper, the current preclinical and clinical features considering the pathophysiology and treatment of cancer related cachexia are reviewed.