International orthopaedics
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Comparative Study
Comparison of headless screws used in the treatment of proximal nonunion of scaphoid bone.
Screws with different levels of compression force are available for scaphoid fixation and it is known that the Acutrak screw generates greater compression than the Herbert screw. We retrospectively compared two types of headless compression screw for their effectiveness in the repair of scaphoid nonunion. Twenty-nine cases of proximal scaphoid nonunion were surgically treated with non-vascularised bone graft: the Acutrak screw was used in 17 patients and the cannulated Herbert screw in 12 patients. ⋯ Statistically, there was no significant difference between the Acutrak and Herbert screw types in terms of functional evaluation and time required for consolidation. Greater compression did not influence the functional outcome, consolidation rate or time to consolidation. The need for greater compression in the treatment of proximal scaphoid nonunions is thus questionable because it may increase the risk of proximal fragment communition.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of >100° via posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release. From December 2003 to August 2006, 121 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated in our hospital; among them, 29 patients with curves over 100° were included in this study. From December 2003 to June 2005, group A included the first 12 patients who underwent combined anterior release followed by two-week halo-femoral traction and then posterior instrumentation. ⋯ There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, type of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, preoperative coronal major curve values, major curve flexibility, or final follow-up major curve correction rate. The average operative time, blood loss and hospital stay in group B were less than those in group A. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb >100°, posterior-only surgery with strong halo-femoral traction and posterior wide release can provide comparable curve correction with shorter operative time, less blood loss and shorter hospital stay when compared to combined anteroposterior surgery.
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The aim of this study was to assess sporting and physical activities in patients who had undergone hip resurfacing. Our study included 117 patients who underwent hip resurfacing between 2003 and 2008. University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity level and Oxford hip scores (OHS) were used. ⋯ There was statistically significant improvement in UCLA activity scores from 4.4 to 6.8 (p < 0.05) and Oxford hip scores from 43.4 to 17.7 following surgery. Eighty-seven percent of patients continued to take part in sporting activities following hip resurfacing. Our study has demonstrated that hip resurfacing can allow patients to remain extremely active.
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Clinical Trial
Role of early Ilizarov ring fixator in the definitive management of type II, IIIA and IIIB open tibial shaft fractures.
We evaluated the results of patients with Gustilo types II, IIIA and IIIB open tibial fractures managed early with the Ilizarov external fixator (IEF). Sixty patients (51 males, nine females; age range 20-62 years; mean age 32.8 years) with type II (11 patients), type IIIA (13) and type IIIB (36) tibial diaphyseal fractures underwent emergency debridement and minimal bone fixation (with external fixator), followed by definite fixation with the IEF after three to five days. Average duration of the hospital stay was 8.6 days. ⋯ Most of the patients were able to achieve good knee and ankle range of motion. Early application of the Ilizarov fixator constitutes an excellent management of open tibial fractures, especially types II, IIIA and IIIB, due to good functional and radiological results. Despite the technical difficulties and some complications (which are mostly minor) IEF may be the preferred method in open tibial fractures, especially types II and III.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends routine use of a surgical safety checklist prior to all surgical operations. The aim of this study was to prospectively audit checklist use in orthopaedic patients before and after implementation of an educational programme designed to increase use and correlate this with early complications, mortality and staff perceptions. Data was collected on 480 patients before the educational program and 485 patients after. ⋯ Seventy-seven percent thought the checklist improved team communication. Checklist use was not associated with a significant reduction in early complications and mortality in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Education programs can significantly increase accurate use and staff perceptions following implementation.