Orthopedics
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Acute carpal tunnel syndrome is an uncommon diagnosis most often related to blunt trauma requiring immediate surgical decompression to avoid serious sequelae. Patients who present with bleeding-related acute carpal tunnel syndrome tend to have severe pain, rapid onset of swelling, and neurologic symptoms that appear early and progress rapidly secondary to mass effect. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in anticoagulated patients spontaneously or after minor trauma. ⋯ Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have effects similar to dabigatran and may increase the risk of bleeding problems. Should acute carpal tunnel syndrome occur, the authors recommend prompt surgical decompression rather than conservative management. The modification of anticoagulant therapy should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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The literature is inconclusive on the development of adjacent-level vertebral fracture after initial cement augmentation. A preliminary hypotheses is that cement injection exaggerates force transmission to the adjacent vertebral bodies, thereby predisposing those levels to future fractures. A sandwich vertebra is an intact vertebral body located between 2 previously cemented vertebrae. ⋯ Only preoperative kyphotic angulation was the variable positively associated with sandwich vertebral fracture at follow-up (P=.021). Although subjected to double load shifts, the sandwich vertebra was not prone to structural failure. Thus, cement augmentation protocol does not increase the incidence of adjacent vertebral fracture.
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Case Reports
Arthroscopically assisted percutaneous fixation and bone grafting of a glenoid fossa fracture nonunion.
Arthroscopy is commonly used for evaluating intra-articular fracture patterns and assessing postfixation reduction; however, the use of arthroscopy for the definitive treatment of articular fracture nonunion has not been reported. This article describes a case of symptomatic glenoid fossa fracture nonunion that was successfully treated with arthroscopically assisted percutaneous screw fixation and bone grafting. A 48-year-old laborer sustained a glenoid fossa fracture following a fall from a height. ⋯ A computed tomography scan 4 months postoperatively showed osseous union at the fracture site. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of definitive arthroscopically assisted bone grafting and percutaneous fixation of a diarthrodial joint nonunion. Advantages of arthroscopic fixation of glenoid fossa fracture nonunion include avoiding potential axillary nerve injury and preserving the native subscapularis insertion, which may be important if subsequent procedures require access to the anterior access to the joint.
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Perioperative management of antiplatelet agents is a common challenge with the increased number of patients requiring long-term therapy following coronary stenting. Debate currently exists regarding if and when to discontinue antiplatelet therapy prior to elective surgery. The delicate balance between decreasing the risk of bleeding intraoperatively and minimizing the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who are already at a high thrombotic risk is a major concern. This article summarizes the information available for perioperative management of common antiplatelet agents, as well as antiplatelet agents in development.