Shoulder & elbow
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Cerclage wire is the current standard for circumferential bone fixation. Advances in technology have improved modern sutures, allowing for expanded utility and broader application. The present study compared the strength and durability of cerclage fixation between modern suture materials and monofilament wire. ⋯ High-performance sutures achieve superior results in biomechanical testing under cyclic and quasi-static load compared to monofilament wire, suggesting that they provide an alternative to wire for cerclage fixation with select clinical application. Biomechanical security of suture cerclage is dependent on suture material, although it is not altered significantly by choice of knot. An ex-vivo study with clinical application would further reinforce whether suture cerclage offers a valid alternative to wire cerclage.
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Nerve injury is an acknowledged complication of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Although the incidence of postoperative neurological deficit has been reported to be between 1% and 16%, the true incidence of nerve damage is considered to be higher. The present study aimed to identify the rate of intraoperative nerve injury during total shoulder arthroplasty and to determine potential risk factors. ⋯ The incidence of intraoperative nerve damage may be more common than previously reported. However, the loss of SEP signal is reversible and does not correlate with persisting clinical neurological deficits. The median nerve appears to be most at risk. Monitoring SEPs in the operated limb during TSA may be a valuable tool during TSA.