Rapid Recovery Pathway for Postoperative Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain protocols play a critical role in recovery and prognosis. Rapid recovery pathway (RRP) is a novel multimodal postoperative analgesic platform with accelerated rehabilitation. METHODS: A retrospective review of 44 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent posterior spinal fusion between 2014 and 2016 was conducted. Outcomes of a conventional postoperative pain pathway were compared with patients who received RRP postoperatively. RESULTS: RRP patients had shorter length of stay (3.3 vs 4.4 days, P < 0.0001), duration with Foley (1.4 vs 2.3 days, P = 0.01), and fewer days for physical therapy clearance (2.2 vs 3.5 days, P < 0.0001). Overall pain score for RRP patients was lower (1.6 vs 2.9, P = 0.0005). The number of days with patient-controlled analgesia was shorter (1.7 vs 2.6 days, P = 0.002), and daily pain scores were consistently lower in RRP. Overall narcotic use was not significantly different (P = 1). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a standardized RRP with multimodal pain management and early mobilization strategies resulted in reduced daily and overall pain scores, earlier clearance by physical therapy, decreased length of stay, and patient-controlled analgesia usage, but overall no difference in narcotic consumption. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Choosing the Optimal Wound Dressing for Bathing After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical dressings claim to be waterproof and safe for bathing postoperatively. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of commonly used dressings' ability to prevent water penetration while bathing. Additionally, a survey was used to determine satisfaction and cost analysis performed. METHODS: Four different dressings were applied to 17 subjects' knees: Aquacel, Opsite, Acticoat, and Tegaderm. A folded Medline Gauze Sponge was weighed and placed under each dressing before and after showering and bathing (submergence under water) in order to measure water penetration (change in weight of sponge in grams). A failure was defined as any dressing that allowed a sponge weight change greater than 1 standard deviation, or 3.9 g. All participants were additionally asked to complete a short survey after testing about the dressings. RESULTS: Tegaderm was found to have significantly less water penetration than all other dressings except Aquacel and demonstrated no failures with showering, significantly less than all other dressings. Tegaderm was also found to have significantly less water penetration than all other dressings except Acticoat with bathing and had significantly less failures than all other dressings. Furthermore, Tegaderm was found to be the most comfortable and lowest cost per dressing. CONCLUSION: Tegaderm was overall the most effective at preventing water penetration, most comfortable, and most cost-effective. Aquacel was found to be equally as effective at preventing water penetration while showering but overall had more water penetration, had more failures, caused more discomfort, and was more expensive.

Retraction: Is Refracture a Concern Following Closed Management of Tibia Shaft Fractures in Children?

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7206.].

Is Refracture a Concern Following Closed Management of Tibia Shaft Fractures in Children?

PURPOSE: Tibia shaft fractures account for 15% of all pediatric fractures. These fractures are often treated nonoperatively with closed reduction and long leg casting. In children treated nonoperatively, refracture can cause significant frustration to both the patient and their family in addition to a delay in resuming normal activities for several months. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of refracture of tibia shaft fractures treated nonoperatively at our institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients at one institution with the diagnosis of a tibia shaft fracture who were treated nonoperatively between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2016. Exclusion criteria included those without complete retrievable radiographs or without radiographic confirmation of healed fracture. Patients who sustained a proximal or distal metaphysical tibia fracture or a toddler fracture were also excluded. Additionally, those with less than three months of clinic follow-up or an underlying metabolic bone disease were excluded. Data such as age, sex, body mass index, mechanism of injury, location of fracture, initial displacement, angulation, treatment, length of immobilization, and complications were recorded. The primary outcome for our study was the presence of refracture. Refracture was defined as a repeat fracture of the tibia at the same location within 18 months of the original fracture. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Of the 64 patients, only one patient sustained a refracture. The refracture occurred eight months after the initial injury and required operative intervention. This rate of refracture is equated to roughly 1.5%. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of closed tibia shaft fractures with casting is an ideal treatment for pediatric fractures. Conservative management allows for avoidance of surgical intervention and low refracture rates. This study provides support regarding the adequacy of conservative management with limited complications. Although the rate of refracture still exists, patients and families should be counseled that the rate of healing without complications is about 98.5%.

Xanthoma disseminatum in a pair of blind, deaf male twins.

Xanthoma disseminatum (XD) is a rare normolipemic histiocytic disorder of non-Langerhans cell origin characterized by erythematous to tan/brown papules in flexor surfaces. Considered a generally benign, chronic disease of unknown etiology, XD typically affects the skin, mucous membranes, and less commonly, other organs. To date, there has been no typical or consistent inheritance pattern described, nor has it ever been considered as a component of any known syndrome. We describe, for the first time, two cases of XD in a pair of blind and deaf twin brothers.