Articles from The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2003 November

J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2003

Perioperative complications of posterior lumbar decompression and arthrodesis in older adults.

Lumbar arthrodesis is commonly done in elderly patients to treat degenerative spine problems. These patients may be at increased risk for complications because of their age and associated medical conditions. In this study, we examined the rates of perioperative complications associated with posterior lumbar decompression and arthrodesis in patients sixty-five years of age or older. ⋯ Surgeons should be vigilant about perioperative complications in elderly patients treated with multi-level lumbar decompression and arthrodesis with instrumentation. Elderly patients should be made aware that they are at increased risk for surgical complications because of their age. Attention should be paid to controlling blood loss and limiting operative time.

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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2003

Efficacy of intraoperative blood collection and reinfusion in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty frequently require perioperative blood transfusion, increasing the risk for blood-borne disease and anaphylactic and hemolytic reactions. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative blood collection and reinfusion on net blood loss in patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty. ⋯ Intraoperative collection and reinfusion substantially decreased net perioperative blood loss in patients who had a revision of both components (Group C) and in those who had a revision of the acetabular component (Group B). The use of intraoperative blood collection and reinfusion appears to be a valuable method of preserving blood volume in the perioperative period.

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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2003

Intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures with a locking flexible nail.

Studies on intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures in the orthopaedic literature have shown mixed results. The purpose of this investigation was to document the clinical outcome and complications associated with the use of a new flexible, locking intramedullary nail that can be implanted in the humerus in either a retrograde or an antegrade manner without violating the rotator cuff mechanism or damaging the articular surface of the humeral head. ⋯ The flexible humeral nail allows both retrograde and antegrade implantation and static locking. Nail insertion can be accomplished without violating the rotator cuff or damaging the articular surface of the humeral head. Although the nail functioned well in most of our patients, the use of a small-diameter (7.5-mm) nail was associated with a higher complication rate. This implant should be used with caution in any patient with a medullary canal diameter of