The value of radiographs obtained during forced traction under general anaesthesia in predicting flexibility in idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb angles exceeding 60 degree.

Our aim in this prospective radiological study was to determine whether the flexibility rate calculated from radiographs obtained during forced traction under general anaesthesia, was better than that of fulcrum-bending radiographs before corrective surgery in predicting the extent of the available correction in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. We evaluated 33 patients with a Cobb angle > 60 degrees on a standing posteroanterior radiograph, who had been treated by posterior correction. Pre-operative standing fulcrum-bending radiographs and those with forced-traction under general anaesthesia were obtained. Post-operative standing radiographs were taken after surgical correction. The mean forced-traction flexibility rate was 55% (SD 11.3) which was significantly higher than the mean fulcrum-bending flexibility rate of 32% (SD 16.1) (p < 0.001). We found no correlation between either the forced-traction or fulcrum-bending flexibility rates and the correction rate post-operatively (p = 0.24 and p = 0.44, respectively). Radiographs obtained during forced traction under general anaesthesia were better at predicting the flexibility of the curve than fulcrum-bending radiographs in curves with a Cobb angle > 60 degrees in the standing position and may identify those patients for whom supplementary anterior surgery can be avoided.

Functional outcome study of patients after surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: effects of concomitant pathology.

The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with poor outcome in the medium (2-5 years) postoperative period following lumbar stenosis surgery. Fifty-six consecutive patients who underwent decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed using chart and radiologic review, questionnaire using American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeon's MODEM questionnaire containing disability, symptoms, and illness rating, as well as Short Form-36 questionnaires. Postoperatively, there was 98% partial or total relief in leg pain, 85% had partial or total relief in back pain, and 69% had partial or total recovery of neurologic deficit. Functional outcome according to the Short Form-36 was comparable with the age-adjusted population when other comorbidities were taken into account. We found a direct relationship between poor outcome and coexisting medical conditions (p <0.001). Accompanying comorbid conditions have a significant impact on outcome after surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Evaluation of the role of pin fixation versus collar and cuff immobilisation in supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

Long term results of children with supracondylar humeral fractures treated with manipulation and strapping and manipulation followed by pin fixation were evaluated. Forty patients were regarded as Gartland type II injuries. 33 of these were treated with closed reduction and collar and cuff immobilisation and 7 with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Two cases of cubitus varus were reported one from each treatment modality. Forty-four patients were included as Gartland type III injuries. Of these 14 were treated with closed reduction and collar and cuff immobilisation, 25 with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and five with open reduction and pinning. There were two cases of cubitus varus and one case of cubitus valgus following pin fixation. In addition one case of extension lag and one significant ulnar nerve neurapraxia was recorded following pin fixation. One case of cubitus varus was seen following manipulation and collar and cuff treatment. There was no statistical difference between either treatment modality in terms of predicting a better outcome (p0.05). We conclude that pin fixation has no advantages over simple immobilisation in certain Gartland II and III type injuries. Although pin fixation is beneficial in unstable injuries collar and cuff immobilisation continues to have an important role in the treatment of stable supracondylar fractures.

[Rupture of the excretory urinary tract due to a lithiasis of the pelvic ureter]. / Rupture de la voie excrétrice urinaire sur lithiase de l'uretère pelvien.

A case of rupture of the urinary tract related to lithiasis of the pelvic ureter is reported. Outcome was favorable after percutaneous drainage of the urinoma and removal of the stone using a Dormia catheter. Clinical diagnosis was readily established on the patient's history and on ultrasound and intravenous urogram findings.

[Dosage adjustment of drugs during continuous hemofiltration. Results and practical consequences of a prospective clinical study]. / Dosisanpassung von Pharmaka während kontinuierlicher Hämofiltration. Ergebnisse und praktische Konsequenzen einer prospektiven klinischen Studie.

In 43 ICU patients undergoing continuous volume constant hemofiltration (CVHF), the pharmacokinetics of 12 drugs were investigated to ensure correct dosage adjustments. Under conditions of CVHF, maximum doses were defined for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, digoxin, digitoxin, imipenem, metronidazole++, netilmicin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, theophylline, tobramycin, and vancomycin. For the estimation of sufficient doses without blood level measurements, sieving coefficients (S) were calculated by a new method. In addition, S was integrated as a CVHF-specific factor into a common equation for drug dose adjustment in patients with renal insufficiency. The regression of dosage received from kinetics on blood-level-independent equation adjustment was r = 0.9923. Since the volumes of distribution in ICU patients are variable, it is suggested that further drug monitoring is necessary for toxic drugs.