Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Apr 2013
The impact of trauma centre designation on open tibial fracture management.
The British Orthopaedic Association/British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons guidelines for the management of open tibial fractures recommend early senior combined orthopaedic and plastic surgical input with appropriate facilities to manage a high caseload. The aim of this study was to assess whether becoming a major trauma centre has affected the management of patients with open tibial fractures. ⋯ The volume and management of open tibial fractures, independent of fracture grade, has been directly affected by the introduction of a trauma centre enabling early combined senior orthopaedic and plastic surgical input. Our data strongly support the benefits of trauma centres and the continuing development of trauma networks in the management of open tibial fractures.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Apr 2013
The diagnostic value of white cell count, C-reactive protein and bilirubin in acute appendicitis and its complications.
Inflammatory markers such as white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and, more recently, bilirubin have been used as adjuncts in the diagnosis of appendicitis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the above markers in acute and perforated appendicitis as well as their value in excluding the condition. ⋯ CRP provides the highest diagnostic accuracy for PA. Bilirubin did not provide any discriminatory value for AA and its complications. Normal inflammatory markers cannot exclude appendicitis, which remains a clinical diagnosis.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Apr 2013
Challenging boundaries: an enhanced recovery programme for radical cystectomy.
The implementation of enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) in colorectal surgery has seen improvements in the length of inpatient stay with no increase in complications. We investigated the role of ERP in radical cystectomy at our institution. ⋯ ERP in radical cystectomy is safe and not associated with any increase in complications or readmissions. It is associated with reductions in ICU stay, and could also reduce length of hospital stay and duration of postoperative ileus.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Apr 2013
Can the Ottawa and Pittsburgh rules reduce requests for radiography in patients referred to acute knee clinics?
Our aim was to study the role of the Ottawa and Pittsburgh rules to reduce the unnecessary use of radiographs following knee injury. We prospectively reviewed 106 patients who were referred to our clinic over a 3-month period. The Ottawa and Pittsburgh rules were applied to individual patients to evaluate the need for radiography. ⋯ Using the Pittsburgh rules, 32 radiographs (30%) could have been avoided. The Ottawa and Pittsburgh rules have a high sensitivity for the detection of knee fractures. Their use can aid efficient clinical evaluation without adverse clinical outcome and may reduce healthcare costs.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyEffect of cotton padding on the setting properties of plaster slabs.
Plaster of Paris (PoP) impregnated bandages have been used to maintain the position of bones and joints for over a century. Classically, wool dressing is applied to the limb before the PoP, which can then be moulded to the desired shape. A modification of this practice is to wrap the PoP bandages circumferentially in cotton before wetting and applying to the patient in an attempt to reduce inhalation of plaster dust and reduce mess. However, this may affect the water content of the cast and therefore also its setting properties and strength. This study compared the setting properties of PoP casts when used with and without cotton wrapping. ⋯ The initial decrease in strength and stiffness of the cast wrapped in cotton may comprise the ability of the backslab to hold the joint or bone in an optimal position. Any modification of the standard plaster slab application technique should allow for the potential adverse effects on the plaster setting properties.