Complications associated with open calcaneus fractures.

BACKGROUND: Literature on open calcaneus fractures is limited and inconsistent. This study's purpose was to report complications such as osteomyelitis, amputations, and soft tissue infections in open calcaneus fractures that were treated at a Level I Trauma Center. METHODS: From January 1995 through December 2007, 1,157 calcaneus fractures were identified with 127 fractures being open (11.0%). Average followup time was 9.1 (range, 2 to 53) months. All open fractures were treated by a similar protocol of intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics, emergent irrigation and debridement (I&D), initial fracture stabilization if possible, subsequent I&Ds as needed, and delayed definitive fixation. One hundred fifteen open calcaneus fractures in 112 patients had sufficient followup for study inclusion. For this study complications were classified into four categories: superficial infections, deep infections, osteomyelitis, and amputations. RESULTS: Medial based wounds occurred in 63 (54.8%) fractures. The overall complication rate was 23.5% with 16 fractures (13.9%) requiring a reoperation. Eleven (9.6%) fractures experienced superficial wound infection and 14 (12.2%) had deep wound infection. Six (5.2%) amputations were required with three being for either soft tissue infection or wound necrosis. Culture-positive osteomyelitis occurred in six (5.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a standardized protocol, open calcaneus fractures were found to have a lower complication rate than has been previously reported.

Treatment of large segmental bone defects with reamer-irrigator-aspirator bone graft: technique and case series.

Treatment of large segmental defects using conventional autogenous iliac crest bone graft can be limited by volume of cancellous bone and donor site morbidity. The reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) technique allows access to a large volume of cancellous bone graft containing growth factors with potency equal to or greater than autograft material from the iliac crest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of RIA-harvested autogenous bone graft for treating large segmental defects of long bones.

Working with cognitively impaired drivers: legal issues for mental health professionals to consider.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health professionals are gatekeepers of patient confidentiality. Yet, confidentiality held too strictly, by allowing a potentially dangerous driver to assume control of a car, endangers society. Recent court cases have mandated that mental health professionals must warn those who may be potentially harmed by patients. In spite of this, disagreements linger as to whether it is the responsibility of governmental agencies or mental health professionals to decide who is unfit to operate a vehicle because of cognitive impairment. METHODS: This article addresses the legally relevant considerations when working with cognitively compromised individuals who operate a motor vehicle. Legal issues surrounding confidentiality, patient rights, foreseeable risk, and the duty to warn and protect are presented in order to understand their relationship to recent court rulings. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The impact on the mental health care industry includes not only concerns about increased insurance premiums or costs due to alleged negligence or litigation expenses secondary to failure to ensure the safety of an impaired client under their care. Mental health care providers are aware that the welfare of clients with impairment to cognitive decision making ability may require unique considerations for safety such as ensuring safe and appropriate transportation.