Management of open tibial fractures - a regional experience.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of soft-tissue injuries associated with tibial diaphyseal fractures presents a clinical challenge that is best managed by a combined plastic and orthopaedic surgery approach. The current study was undertaken to assess early treatment outcomes and burden of service provision across five regional plastic surgery units in the South-West of England. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective 6-month audit of open tibial diaphyseal fracture management in five plastic surgery units (Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Swansea) with a collective catchment of 9.2 million people. Detailed data were collected on patient demographics, injury pattern, surgical management and outcome followed to discharge. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 55 patients (40 male, 15 female). Twenty-two patients presented directly to the emergency department at the specialist hospital (primary group), 33 patients were initially managed at a local hospital (tertiary group). The mean time from injury to soft tissue cover was significantly less (P < 0.001) in the primary group (3.6 ± 0.8 days) than the tertiary group (10.8 ± 2.2 days), principally due to a delay in referral in the latter group (5.4 ± 1.7 days). Cover was achieved with 39 flaps (19 free, 20 local), eight split skin grafts. Nine wounds closed directly or by secondary intention. There were 11 early complications (20%) including one flap failure and four infections. The overall mean length of stay was 17.5 ± 2.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary management of severe open tibial diaphyseal may not be feasible at presentation of injury depending on local hospital specialist services available. Our results highlight the need for robust assessment, triage and senior orthopaedic review in the early post-injury phase. However, broader improvements in the management of lower limb trauma will additionally require further development of combined specialist trauma centres.

Motor coordination assessment in practicing surgeons and medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Manual and motor coordination skills are commonly believed to be necessary for the surgical profession. AIM OF STUDY: To assess motor coordination skills in medical students, surgical residents and attending surgeons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 17 surgeons and 44 medical students. All participants were tested with a number of tests for motor coordination. Statistical analysis with ANOVA/MANOVA methods, contrast analysis and post-hoc test as appropriate. RESULTS: There were no gender related differences in coordination skills. The group of students had significantly lower results in comparison to surgeons. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was observed in perception diversity test, and Perception-Diversity-Orientation Index. There was no statistically significant difference between residents and attending surgeons CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that coordination skills are not related to gender. They may serve as one of the selection criteria to surgical profession. The level of coordination skills is helpful in designing of individual training program.

Role of computed tomography before lumbar puncture: a survey of clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: It is becoming increasingly common to request computed tomography (CT) to rule out space occupying lesions before lumbar puncture (LP), even in patients with no clinical signs. Imaging trends within a busy district general hospital in Oxfordshire, UK were analysed with results used to clarify when imaging should be considered mandatory. METHOD: A retrospective six month sample was obtained comprising all adults considered for LP. Observed frequencies of abnormal examination findings compared with abnormal investigations were used to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values to assess the validity of using a normal clinical examination as a basis for excluding CT. RESULTS: 64 patients were considered for LP. In total, 58 patients underwent LP, with a single patient receiving two. After an abnormal CT scan, six patients did not undergo a planned LP. In all six of these cases subarachnoid haemorrhage was detected, and in all cases this was considered a probable diagnosis. In no case was an LP precluded by an unsuspected space occupying lesion. Neurological examination showed a sensitivity of 0.72 (0.52 to 0.93), specificity 0.78 (0.64 to 0.91), positive predictive value 0.61 (0.41 to 0.83), and negative predictive value 0.85 (0.73 to 0.97). DISCUSSION: The high sensitivity and negative predictive values support normal neurological examination as an effective predictor of normal CT scan. This permits the recommendation in cases where subarachnoid haemorrhage is not suspected, a CT scan can be avoided provided there are no abnormal findings on physical or fundoscopic examination.