Rod-through-plate fixation of canine diaphyseal fractures.

UNLABELLED: Efficacy of the rod-through-plate fixation for fracture repair was evaluated in six clinical cases of canine long bone fractures. This fixation incorporates principles of intramedullary and extramedullary osteosynthesis for transverse and short oblique fractures of long tubular bones. The plate-through-rod device is comprised of one pair of curved rods, a connecting plate and two bone screws. The connecting plate has both a hole and a channel on each end. Curved rods have a long curved part and a straight part with a hole in it for screw fixation. All components are made up of medical stainless steel. Clinical and radiographical examinations were performed from week seven to18 months after the operation. Functional abnormalities were not observed at this period in five patients and all fractures were healed. In one patient screw stripping in the proximal fragment of the femur was detected radiologically and minimal implant dislocation was noted at seven weeks after the initial repair. The rod-through-plate fixation method gives strong fixation of bone fragments with minimal traumatization of soft tissue during the operation. The design of the rod-through-plate is intended to reduce pressure of the plate on the cortex in the area of the fracture, whereas the dynamic fixation provided by the intramedullary rods may allow micromotion, thus stimulating callus formation and avoiding implant-induced osteoporosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The rod-through-plate fixator has a simple construction and its use expands the treatment possibilities for diaphyseal fractures of long bones.

Impaction bone-grafting increases the holding power of cancellous screws in the femoral head. A pull-out study in human cadaver hips.

We studied the effect of impaction of fresh cancellous bone or demineralized bone matrix (DBM) around cancellous screws in 25 cadaver femoral heads. The bone mineral content (BMC) of femoral heads was measured to determine if greater relative increase in holding power will be achieved by impaction-grafting, as the BMC of the specimen decreases. A 60% (p < 0.001) relative increase in the pull-out force was achieved by impaction-grafting with DBM, compared to non-grafted controls. The augmenting effect of fresh cancellous bone graft and DBM did not differ significantly. The relative improvement in holding power was not inversely correlated to femoral head BMC, but was inversely related to the pull-out resistance of non-grafted control screws. These findings suggest that impaction-grafting provides significantly better hold of cancellous screws in femoral heads.

Controlled, double-blind study of iosimide, a new, nonionic, monomeric contrast medium, and ioxaglate in cerebral angiography.

Iosimide is a new synthetic, nonionic, monomeric contrast medium in which a new substance, triiodine-trimesine acid, is used. It has definite advantages compared with the basic substances used in the past, diaminobenzoic acid and monoaminoisophthalic acid. Due to the high stability, the possibility of the formation of toxicologically questionable, free nuclei amino compounds disappears. Only the slightest probability of a cross-reaction with present antibodies exists, because of the low frequency in the environment. On the basis of the hydrophilic structure of the side chains, there is only a slight chemotoxicity. In a controlled, double-blind study on 100 randomized patients iosimide was tested in cerebral angiography against ioxaglate. Ioxaglate is an ionic contrast medium, popular because of its low osmolality. In this study iosimide exhibited no differences in comparison with ioxaglate with respect to the contrast, the neurological status or the liver or renal tolerance. In examining cardiovascular tolerance there is only a slight tendency toward liver changes with iosimide. Examination of the general tolerance, however, shows a statistically significant lower incidence of sensation of heat and pain with iosimide than with ioxaglate.

[The single daily dose of gentamicin in the treatment of urinary tract infections (author's transl)]. / Die tägliche Einmaldosis von Gentamicin bei der Behandlung von Harnwegsinfektionen.

Gentamicin was administered intravenously or intramuscularly to 165 patients with non-obstructive urinary tract infections. 3 prospectively randomised groups were formed in which gentamicin was given either once daily (120 mg), twice daily (40/80 mg) or three times daily (40 mg). Clinically and bacteriologically an equally good improvement of the condition appeared in all groups. The mode of application selected had no influence on the therapeutic success in 86--95%. Since with the single daily injection of 120 mg gentamicin the proportion of side effects did not increase, this therapeutic plan can be recommended for outpatient treatment in urological and internal medical practice.

[Clinical evaluation of cefazedon on patients with urinary tract infections (author's transl)]. / Klinische Prüfung von Cefazedon bei Patienten mit Harnwegsinfektionen.

The efficacy and tolerance of Cefazedon, a new antibiotic, was investigated clinically on 90 patients with urinary tract infections who also required surgical treatment. Good clinical results were achieved in over 90% of patients after 6 to 7 days of treatment. The bacteriological examination revealed complete elimination of the initially identified pathogens in 89 cases. No difference in treatment results could be established when applying the dose 2 or 3 times daily. On the third day of treatment skin reactions were observed in one case which necessitated discontinuation of treatment. Laboratory blood values as well as control of liver and kidney function before treatment, after and one week past treatment showed no negative influence due to the drug. In approximately 27% a new colonisation mainly with Pseudomonas could not be prevented.