Effect of Closed Suction Drain on Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Study

PURPOSE: Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with excessive blood loss and morbidity arising from postoperative reduction in hemoglobin (Hb). The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to determine if drains have any effect on blood loss, postoperative reduction in Hb levels and transfusion rates compared to no drainage in simultaneous bilateral TKAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA by a single surgeon were randomly allotted to drain or no-drain group (n=115 in each group). Postoperative Hb level, blood loss volume and transfusion rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean postoperative Hb level (p=0.38), blood loss volume (p=0.33) and transfusion rate (p=0.52) in the drain group were not significantly different compared to the no-drain group. No statistical difference was found in terms of complications, readmissions and mortality rates between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was observed in the two groups with respect to blood loss and blood transfusion. Non-drainage does not offer an advantage over drainage with respect to conserving blood in simultaneous bilateral TKA.

Partial-limb salvage after persistent infection in the distal femoral prosthesis: straight-plasty - a novel technique

A 35 years old female had giant cell tumour [GCT] of the distal femur for which wide resection and distal femoral endoprosthetic replacement was performed. Massive infection of prosthesis required removal and replacement of the prosthesis with nail antibiotic cement spacer, which also proved to be futile. Ultimately the whole of the infected thigh had to be excised. The limb could be preserved partially using straight-plasty instead of amputation. Patient is well rehabilitated and doing well at a follow-up of 3 years

Limited Laminectomy and Restorative Spinoplasty in Spinal Canal Stenosis

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PURPOSE: Evaluation of the clinico-radiological outcome and complications of limited laminectomy and restorative spinoplasty in spinal canal stenosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: It is critical to achieve adequate spinal decompression, while maintaining spinal stability. METHODS: Forty-four patients with degenerative lumbar canal stenosis underwent limited laminectomy and restorative spinoplasty at our centre from July 2008 to December 2010. Four patients were lost to follow-up leaving a total of 40 patients at an average final follow-up of 32 months (range, 24-41 months). There were 26 females and 14 males. The mean+/-standard deviation (SD) of the age was 64.7+/-7.6 years (range, 55-88 years). The final outcome was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. RESULTS: At the time of the final follow-up, all patients recorded marked improvement in their symptoms, with only 2 patients complaining of occasional mild back pain and 1 patient complaining of occasional mild leg pain. The mean+/-SD for the preoperative claudication distance was 95.2+/-62.5 m, which improved to 582+/-147.7 m after the operation, and the preoperative anterio-posterior canal diameter as measured on the computed tomography scan was 8.3+/-2.1 mm, which improved to 13.2+/-1.8 mm postoperatively. The JOA score improved from a mean+/-SD of 13.3+/-4.1 to 22.9+/-4.1 at the time of the final follow-up. As for complications, dural tears occurred in 2 patients, for which repair was performed with no additional treatment needed. CONCLUSIONS: Limited laminectomy and restorative spinoplasty is an efficient surgical procedure which relieves neurogenic claudication by achieving sufficient decompression of the cord with maintenance of spinal stability.

Pseudoarthrosis of medial tibial plateau fracture----role of alignment procedure / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Nonunion in tibial plateau fractures is very rare. Limited literature is available on Pubmed search on intraarticular tibial nonunion. Most of the cases reported have been following failed surgical treatment and none was neglected fractures. Three patients of isolated and neglected medial tibial plateau nonunion with almost similar demographic profile are reported in this paper. All the three patients were managed by minimally invasive compression fixation using lag screws supplemented with limb realignment procedure of high tibial osteotomy. We discussed the injury mechanism, management and rehabilitation in such cases and reviewed the available literature regarding such a presentation.

Traumatic anterior hip dislocation in a 12-year-old child / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Hip dislocation in children can occur congenitally in isolation or in conjunction with other congenital abnormalities. Traumatic hip dislocations in children are relatively uncommon and anterior dislocation of hip joint is even rarer. We report such a case following unusual mode of injury in a 12-year-old child. The patient underwent successful emergent closed reduction of left hip. The clinical course and follow-up assessment of the patient was otherwise uneventful. At 2 years' follow-up there was no evidence of osteoarthritis, coxa magna, heterotrophic calcification, in congruency of the joints or avascular necrosis of the head of femur.

Ipsilateral dislocation of the radial head associated with fracture of distal end of the radius: a case report and review of the literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Dislocation of the radial head in adults is uncommon. A simultaneous dislocation of the radial head and fracture of the ipsilateral distal end of radius with no other associated injuries is extremely rare. As far as we know, such an injury after an unusual mode of injury has been seldom reported in the English literature. We report such a case without any associated injuries or comorbidity. Closed reduction was performed within two hours after injury and results were satisfactory. Immobilisation was continued for 3 weeks. Gradual mobilisation was started after removal of the plaster under the supervision of a physiotherapist. At 6 months'follow-up, the patient had no residual pain at the elbow with full flexion and extension. Almost full supination with a restriction of last 10 degrees of pronation was achieved. There was no evidence of instability of the elbow.

Locking plates in distal humerus fractures: study of 43 patients / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The treatment of multi-fragmentary, intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus is difficult, even in young patients with bone of good quality. Small distal fragment, diminished bone mineral quality and increased trauma-associated joint destruction make stable joint reconstruction more problematic. The anatomically preshaped locking plates allow angular stable fixation for these complex fractures. We evaluated functional results of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation with distal humerus locking plates for complex distal humerus fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-three consecutive patients with articular fractures of the distal humerus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with AO distal humerus plate system and locking reconstruction plates. Forty patients were available for the final outcome analysis. According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 2 cases of type A2, 4 cases of type A3, 1 case of type B1, 1 case of type B2, 14 cases of type C1, 7 cases of type C2 and 11 cases of type C3. Open reduction with triceps splitting technique was used in all patients. The clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed and outcome measures included pain assessment, range of motion, and Mayo elbow performance score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty patients were available for the final outcome analysis. There were 29 males and 11 females with an average age of 38.4 years (18-73 years). Clinical and radiological consolidation of the fracture was observed in all cases at an average of 11.6 weeks (9-14 weeks). The average follow-up was 12 months (10-18 months). Using the Mayo elbow performance score the results obtained were graded as excellent or good results in 33 patients (82.5%). One patient had superficial infection, and 4 had myositis ossificans. There were no cases of primary malposition or secondary displacement, implant failure or ulnar neuropathy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Anatomically preshaped distal humerus locking plate system is useful in providing stable fixation for complex distal articular fracture and facilitating early postoperative rehabilitation. The low rate of implant failure in the present study indicates that the technique is promising and warrants further investigation.</p>

Antihistamines quality of life studies to assess the efficacy and safety in allergic rhinitis in Punjab, India

Allergic rhinitis impairs social life, but it is not known whether quality of life may be improved when patient are treated with H 1 blockers. The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy and safety of cetirizine, loratidine and astemizole in patients of allergic rhinitis. The design was open, randomized, parallel group comparison of three active treatment groups over a six week period. Sixty patients of either sex in the age group of 16 - 45 years, suffering from allergic rhinitis were selected randomly. The effect of cetirizine, loratidine and astemizole were observed on various parameters i.e., sneezing, nasal obstruction, watering of eyes, sedation and overall well being of the patients over a period of six weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] was utilized as a quantitative measure of symptom relief. An improvement in patient's discomfort as assessed by VAS was observed in all treatment groups, with cetirizine 10mg daily being significantly more effective than loratidine 10mg and astemizole 10mg. Cetirizine resulted in a significant reduction in sneezing and nasal obstruction as compared to loratidine and astemizole [p<0.05]. Cetirizine and loratidine both were equally efficacious in relieving watering of eyes but cetirizine as well as loratidine were more efficacious as compared to astemizole [p<0.05]. Sedation was found to be maximum with cetirizine followed by astemizole and loratidine over six weeks of study period. Cetirizine has been found to be most effective in relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis followed by loratidine and astemizole and it can also improve quality of life for patients with allergic rhinitis

Simultaneous anterior and posterior dislocation of hips: a case report and review of literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

The presence of anterior hip dislocation along with contralateral posterior hip dislocation in the absence of other major traumas is a distinctly rare injury pattern. We report such a case, along with a review of previous cases. A 40-year-old male patient after motorcycle skidding had posterior dislocation of the left hip and anterior dislocation of the right one without other associated injuries. The patient underwent successful closed reduction of both hips. The clinical course and follow-up assessment of the patient was uneventful.