Orthopedics
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Pain relief following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging because early mobilization and rehabilitation are essential for a successful outcome. Postoperative pain can limit recovery, leading to reduced mobility and prolonged hospitalization. There are potential benefits of infiltrating high volumes of local anesthetics around the soft tissues of replaced hip and knee joints. ⋯ There are few reports of complications, including falls and delayed mobilization, when femoral nerve blocks are used. Wound infiltration analgesia should be used at the preference of the surgeon and anesthetist provided regular review of their practice is undertaken to identify any untoward side effects. Further randomized trials with sufficient sample size comparing each outcome, including pain scores, opiate consumption, and length of hospital stay, should be undertaken.
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Comparative Study
Coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction: coracoid tunnel diameter correlates with failure risk.
The current study compared tunnel diameter as an independent risk factor for fixation failure from the coracoid after transcoracoid coracoclavicular reconstruction. The effect of variation in coracoid size and scapular bone density on fixation failure was also studied. Sixty-two cadaveric scapulae were randomized into 1 of 4 groups: a control group with no coracoid hole, a group with a 4-mm transcoracoid tunnel, a group with a 6-mm transcoracoid tunnel, and a group with a socket technique using a 6-mm hole superiorly with a 4-mm hole inferiorly. ⋯ Although it was not statistically significant, a very strong trend was seen toward increased strength of the 6-4 socket over the 6-mm tunnel (P=.051). The study results show that when employing a transcoracoid reconstruction technique, a 4-mm tunnel technique is significantly stronger than a 6-mm tunnel technique. None of the coracoids drilled with the various tunnels approached the strength of the native coracoid controls using a looped wire technique.
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Postoperative anemia is a significant risk factor in total hip arthroplasty, leading to increased length of hospital stay and delayed mobility and rehabilitation, and is poorly tolerated by patients with peripheral vascular and cardiovascular disease. Intravenous tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic drug, has been shown to reduce postoperative anemia in total joint replacement. Intra-articular administration eliminates the risk of systemic effects, the most concerning of which is thrombosis. ⋯ No significant difference was found between the number of patients transfused (P=.777) or the number of units used (P=.993). No clotting events were seen in either group. Overall, the study demonstrates that intra-articular tranexamic acid in primary total hip arthroplasty is associated with a significant improvement in postoperative hemoglobin decrease without systemic hypercoagulability.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Operative versus nonoperative treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Whether operative treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures has a greater benefit over nonoperative treatment is uncertain. The authors conducted a meta-analysis to include all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the advantages and disadvantages of operative vs nonoperative treatment. Multiple databases, online registries of RCTs, and proceedings from major meetings were systematically searched up to November 2012. ⋯ However, sensitivity analysis showed a higher additional surgery rate at 12-month follow-up remained unstable. On the basis of current evidence, both operative and nonoperative treatment can achieve a similar treatment effect on complex proximal humeral fractures, but operative treatment may increase the occurrence of additional surgery. However, due to some limitations, the result of this meta-analysis should be cautiously interpreted, and further studies are needed.