Saudi orthopedic residency program: a comparison of the Riyadh training center with other Saudi training centers

To evaluate the training quality of the Saudi Orthopedic Residency Program in general, and to compare the Riyadh training center with other training centers in Saudi Arabia. A group of 38 residents from Riyadh and 32 residents from other centers in Saudi Arabia were surveyed in a cross-sectional manner. The participants completed carefully designed questionnaires pertaining to the most critical issues of their training. Reading peer-reviewed, scholarly articles was more popular with trainees in Riyadh compared with trainees working outside Riyadh, for whom textbooks were the dominant educational resource [P = 0.028]. The data revealed insufficiencies in surgical training in the trauma discipline in Riyadh and relative deficiencies of surgical experience in subspecialties outside of Riyadh. In contrast to residents trained outside of Riyadh, Riyadh trainees denied having a weak level of training [P = 0.021]. Examination scores did not reflect the actual level of resident competency according to the residents' responses. The program's capacity could not accommodate the growing number of trainees. Both groups reported similar levels of expertise with regard to the basic orthopedic operative skills. Educational resources should be within the reach of all residents. Senior supervisors should not compromise resident training. The number of trainees should be proportional to program capacity. Resident feedback should not be neglected, and the program committee must recognize delinquent trainers and protect the trainees from them. Deficient areas of training should be identified and rectified. A case logbook may be used as an indicator of surgical exposure. Frequent changes to examination formats, dates and locations should be avoided

Delayed Horner's syndrome following ultrasound- guided interscalene brachial plexus block

We describe a case of Horner's syndrome that occurred shortly after post-operative bolus administration of interscalene brachial plexus analgesia

Radiological evaluation of hallux valgus after application of mini tightrope: short-term results

Hallux valgus is the most common deformity of the great toe. Many traditional forms of osteotomy are available, but none has proven to be superior, despite their aggressiveness. The Mini TightRope[registered] [Arthrex Inc.] procedure appears to be a less invasive alternative, and the objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the procedure is an effective surgical option for reducing the intermetatarsal angle [IMA] and hallux valgus angle [HVA] in cases of hallux valgus of mild-to-moderate severity. Four patients [four feet] with hallux valgus underwent the Mini TightRope procedure. All the patients were women, and their mean age was 30.5 years. All patients were reviewed before and after the procedure, with an average post-operative follow-up of 1 year. The IMA, HVA and sesamoid bone position were the radiological indicators of correction. In the four operated patients, the mean IMA decreased from 15.75[degree] to 4.5[degree] and the mean HVA from 31.25[degree] to 5.75[degree]. The Mini TightRope procedure is a simpler, more effective, less invasive surgical option than other procedures and seems to correct IMA and HVA satisfactorily in cases of hallux valgus of mild-to-moderate severity. In view of the small number of cases and short follow-up, further studies with more cases and longer follow-up are needed.