Orthopedics
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Orthopedists who use prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in total joint arthroplasty are often called on to care for trauma patients. Much less is known or published about the effects of such prophylaxis in the trauma patient than in the arthroplasty patient. The questions to ask are: what is the incidence of DVT in trauma patients; what are the benefits of DVT prophylaxis; and what are the risks of DVT prophylaxis, and do the risks outweigh the benefits?
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This article reviews the available literature on the surgical options for the correction of kyphosis in ankylosing spondylitis and presents the radiologic appearance of the post-operative spine. In the postsurgical evaluation of the spine, the focus is on appreciation of the patterns of correction, early and late determination of angular correction, recognition of various complications (infection, nonunion, improper location, or breakage of hardware), and alertness to the possibility of complications at all levels of the spine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effect of postoperative wound drainage reinfusion in reducing the need for blood transfusions in elective total joint arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study.
A prospective, randomized study was conducted in 24 patients using the Solcotrans Orthopaedic Drainage Reinfusion System (Smith & Nephew Richards Inc, Memphis, Tenn) for postoperative blood salvage in total joint arthroplasty. The amount of postoperative autologous blood salvage averaged 946 mL. ⋯ There were no transfusion reactions, infectious complications, or coagulopathies. Postoperative blood salvage is a safe, reliable, and effective source of autologous blood.