Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and neck of femur fractures: Standardising the perioperative management and time to surgery.

Demographic projections for hip fragility fractures indicate a rising annual incidence by virtue of a multimorbid, ageing population with more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are characterised by slow progression and long duration ranging from ischaemic cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to various cancers. Management of this disease burden often involves commencing patients on oral anticoagulants to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in clinical practice has increased due to their rapid onset of action, short half-life and predictable anticoagulant effects, without the need for routine monitoring. Safe and timely surgical intervention relies on reversal of anticoagulants. However, the lack of specific evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of patients on DOACs with hip fractures has proved challenging; in particular, the accessibility of DOAC-specific assays, justification of the cost-benefit ratio of targeted reversal agents and indications for neuraxial anaesthesia. This has led to potentially avoidable delays in surgical intervention. Following a literature review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of commonly used DOACs in our region including the role of surrogate markers, we propose a systematic, evidence-based guideline to the perioperative management of hip fractures DOACs. We believe this standardised protocol can be easily replicated between hospitals. We recommend that if patients are deemed suitable for a general anaesthesia, with satisfactory renal function, optimal surgical time should be 24 h following the last ingested dose of DOAC.

When Marriage Hurts: A Literature Review of Embedded Jewellery Ring Injuries.

A ring is traditionally worn as a symbol of love and affection or as decorative ornamental jewellery. However, rings are not without risk. The spectrum of danger can range from debilitating avulsion injuries to simple contact dermatitis. Unknown to many, an unusual rarity exists; previous authors have termed this entity 'embedded ring syndrome'. We sought to review the literature and collate evidence on the common features of this syndrome. A literature review was performed on cases reported from 1947 to 2017 accessed through the healthcare database advanced search (HDAS). A total of 28 cases were analysed for demographics, symptomatology and operative techniques. Overall, 64.3% were females, and 50% had a psychiatric comorbidity. There was a causative event preceding the injury in 35.7% of cases; 71.4% had a reduced range of movement or reported a stiff finger and 32.1% had reduced sensation. The majority of patients underwent ring removal and primary closure, without documentation as to whether neurovascular bundles and tendons were visualised. Embedded ring injuries are rare. Consequently, information is sparsely available regarding its natural history and management. The hand surgeon's approach requires an understanding that the chronicity of these injuries can have a significant traumatic impact on the structures of the finger.

Thromboprophylaxis in Ambulatory Trauma Patients With Foot and Ankle Fractures: Prospective Study Using a Risk Scoring System.

UNLABELLED: Lower-limb immobilization has been implicated as an etiological factor for venous thromboembolic events (VTEs). However, there is no patient-centered scoring system available for risk assessment in ambulatory trauma patients with temporary lower-limb immobilization. A patient questionnaire scoring system has been developed for ambulatory patients with foot and ankle fracture being managed nonoperatively as outpatients by temporary lower-limb immobilization. Patients are classed as either high or low risk for developing a VTE and offered low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) accordingly. This is a prospective study of 150 patients with a follow-up of 6 months. Only 3 patients developed VTEs: one was noncompliant with medicine, one was started on LMWH 2 days after getting a plaster cast, and the third was not started on LMWH in spite of family history of VTEs. This study showed that using this scoring system, LMWH can be used safely and effectively as a thromboprophylactic agent for ambulatory trauma patients requiring temporary lower-limb immobilization to manage foot and ankle fractures. It is a step toward developing a validated clinical prediction score to enable risk assessment in ambulatory trauma patients who are managed non-operatively with temporary lower limb immobilization. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level IV: Case series.

The effect of isotonic saline on the strength of bone cement during the polymerisation period.

It is common practice to irrigate the wound in hip and knee replacement surgery during the working and setting phases of cement polymerisation. We sought to establish whether the addition of normal saline during the various stages of polymerisation would affect bone cement strength. Cement specimens were moulded to the dimensions defined in ISO 5833: 2002 and tested in an electro-mechanical test machine with a calibrated 50 kN load cell at a compression rate of 24 mm/min. The results suggest that the compressive strength of bone cement is not affected by the presence of saline following the initiation of polymerisation. However, saline added to the mix prior to the initiation of polymerisation increased its porosity and significantly decreased its strength. This may explain why vacuum mixing is important as it removes water vapour.