Repair of Subacute Intrasubstance Rupture of the Biceps Brachii in a 16-Year-Old Patient.

A 16-year-old boy sustained a complete, closed, intrasubstance rupture of both heads of the biceps brachii after a rope swing accident. The patient was managed with open direct repair of the muscle belly. After the surgery, he underwent an extensive physical therapy regimen and regained full range of motion and strength. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported case of a subacute intrasubstance rupture of the biceps brachii muscle treated surgically in the literature. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal management of these injuries. Given the satisfactory outcome, we suggest that open direct repair of the muscle belly is a reasonable option for the pediatric population.

Methamphetamine Intoxication and Perioperative Complications Following Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures.

Background Methamphetamine use is increasing in prevalence. There is a theoretical increased risk of complication postoperative due to catecholamine depletion. When presented with an urgent surgical problem, there are little data to help counsel the patient on the risks of undergoing surgery in the setting of a positive methamphetamine test result. Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to examine the perioperative complication rate for patients who underwent emergent orthopaedic procedures in the setting of a positive methamphetamine drug screen. Additional data were collected in an attempt to further stratify risk factors for perioperative complications in this patient population. Design and methods A retrospective case series of 110 patients. Patients were identified by querying the medical record for patients with a positive methamphetamine result within 24 hours of the surgery start time. Data were collected on each patient, including the nature of the surgery, the type of injury sustained, disposition from the operating room, among other data points. The primary outcome was the presence of a perioperative cardiopulmonary complication, as determined by a new diagnosis made in the chart. The secondary outcome was whether the patient needed an increased level of care postoperatively. Results Of the 110 charts reviewed, three patients sustained complications during their hospitalization; an overall complication rate of 2.7%. One patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), while two others developed surgical site infections. Of the 19 patients who went to the intensive care unit (ICU) postoperatively, none were because the patient required a higher level of care than the preoperative level. Conclusions Patients who underwent emergent surgical intervention in the setting of a positive methamphetamine drug test had a low complication rate. While the dogma is to delay surgery in the setting of methamphetamine use, the true risk of undergoing surgery in this setting is not fully understood. We advocate for continued research in this poorly studied group of patients. Larger studies will need to be done in order to fully understand the risks associated with operating in the setting of a positive methamphetamine drug screen.

Foley catheters are not routinely necessary in children treated with patient-controlled analgesia following perforated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is often used in children with perforated appendicitis. To prevent urinary retention, some providers also routinely place Foley catheters. This study examines the necessity of this practice. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all children (≤18 years old) with perforated appendicitis and postoperative PCA from 7/2015 to 6/2016 at two academic children's hospitals. Urinary retention was defined as the inability to spontaneously void requiring straight catheterization or placement of a Foley catheter. RESULTS: Of 313 patients who underwent appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (Hospital 1: 175, Hospital 2: 138), 129 patients received an intraoperative Foley (Hospital 1: 22 [13%], Hospital 2: 107 [78%], p < 0.001). Age, gender, and BMI were similar between those with an intraoperative Foley and those without. There were no urinary tract infections in either group. Urinary retention rate in patients with an intraoperative Foley following removal on the inpatient unit (n = 3, 2%) and patients without an intraoperative Foley (n = 10, 5%) did not reach significance (p = 0.25). On univariate analysis, demographics, intraoperative findings, PCA specifics, postoperative abscess formation, and postoperative length of stay, were not significant risk factors for urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of urinary retention in this population is low despite the use of PCA. Children with perforated appendicitis do not require routine Foley catheter placement to prevent urinary retention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.