Elbow arthodesis with ao external fixator in war injuries

Objective: To analyze the surgical technique of Elbow arthodesis in term of its indications and functional outcome in war injured elbow joints

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Peshawar and CMH Quetta, from Apr 2007 to Sep 2013

Material and Methods: Twenty patients all young males who had complex high velocity elbow joint injuries were selected for the study. Plan X-Rays were done for assessment and planning. Surgical technique for arthodesis involved use of AO external fixator 4mm alone in 15 cases and combination of external fixator with minimal internal fixation using K wires in 5 cases

Results: Average duration of bony alkalosis and complete elbow arthodesis was achieved in 8 months [range 7 to almost 10 months]. Almost 90% of the patients had pain free and stable elbow joint with satisfactory level of daily life activities and personal care hygiene

Conclusion: Elbow joint is a commonly involved body part in the battle field resulting in extensive bone and soft tissue damage along with heavy contamination. In these extensive injuries no surgical reconstruction is possible, therefore, early wound debridement and elbow arthodesis at an appropriate angle with external fixation and vascularized soft tissue coverage whenever required is an effective method of treating such injuries

Frequency of seropositivity of Hepatits C in Thalasemia major patients

Thalassemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. Children suffering from beta thalassemia major, due to various genetic defects, have deficient synthesis of beta globin chain of Hemoglobin. They need frequent blood transfusions, so they are at increased risk of transfusion transmitted infections especially HCV. To evaluate frequency of hepatitis C in thalassemia major patients. Prospective descriptive study. This study was conducted at the Thalassemia care Center Nawabshah, Sindh from 1[st] January 2011 to 31[st] December 2011. Children ages from 3 months to 14 years with Beta thalassemia major were included. Patients were scrutinized for anti HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA technique. Total of 126 patients of thalassemia major studied in this series, 59 [46.82%] were males and 67 [53.17%] females. Out of these 18 [14.26%] were hepatitis C positive. HCV infection is an important cause of viral infection among thalassemic children with a prevalence of 14.26% in our study population