Costo-transversectomy for tuberculous spondylitis

Thirteen cases of tuberculosis of the dorsal spine with paravertebral abscess and weakness of both lower limbs were treated between July 1993 to July 1995. Eight cases were male [62%] and five female [38%]. Age ranged from 11 years to 65 years. Costotransversectomy was selected as the spinal decompression procedure. Ninety two percent of the patients improved and were able to walk within three to nine months of surgery

Sugarcane juicer injuries: a retrospective study and plan of management

The subject of wringer-roller arm and hand injuries has been relegated to the background in the litera-ture and standard textbooks of surgery of the past couple of decades. One device that continues to produce considerable mutilation by its wringer or roller action in this part of the world is the common sugarcane juicer. Hand injuries produced include skin avulsion, crushed tendons, nerves and vessels and comminuted fractures of small bones of hands and wrist. Surgical care of such hands should be carrid out in a properly equipped operating room. Observance of principles of surgical toilet, adequate debridement, periodic inspection of the wounds, elevation of the Limb, early resurfacing of lost skin, reconstruction of tendons, nerves and bones and intensive physical therapy are needed to obtain the best results in a hand injured by sugercane juicer Amongst 59 mutilated hands seen during 28 months, 39% were due to roller machine injuries, 74% of these being sugarcane juicers. Half of the patients were between the ages of 14-24 years. Only 4 of 23 hands [17%] functioned normally after treatment while 44% became practically useless as assessed at the end of 2 months to 2/2 years of follow-up