Orthopedics
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Patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The long-term sequelae of VTE, such as post-thrombotic syndrome or pulmonary hypertension, can be debilitating with severe morbidity. ⋯ The development of new anticoagulants has focused on 2 classes of compounds: direct thrombin inhibitors and direct factor Xa inhibitors. These new oral agents have shown efficacy in large randomized clinical trials and offer new, more convenient options for anticoagulation.
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The 1986 National Institutes of Health consensus conference Prevention of Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism emphasized the high rates of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), associated with orthopedic surgery of the lower extremity when performed without thromboprophylaxis. Total joint arthroplasty patients treated with placebo or as controls have, based on studies conducted between 1908 and 2002, a total DVT prevalence of 41% to 85% and a proximal DVT prevalence of 5% to 36% when examined by venography at 7 to 14 days. Prevalence of PE is less certain, but clinical studies have reported a range of 0.9% to 28% for all PE and 0.1% to 2% for fatal PE in control or placebo patients. ⋯ Methods of preventing VTE are either pharmacologic or mechanical. Guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians make evidence-based recommendations for both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic prophylaxis in the settings of total hip and total knee arthroplasty. These recommendations and their underlying rationale are discussed herein.
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Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a serious although rare occurrence that was sparsely documented in the orthopedic literature until Schwartz et al reported on a series of 21 cases. Although classically associated with high-energy femur fracture, thigh contusion, or the use of military anti-shock trousers, compartment syndrome of the thigh has recently been diagnosed in seemingly low-energy injuries. A complete hamstring avulsion from its ischial origin during routine ambulation and rupture of the quadriceps tendon after a low-energy fall have been shown to result in compartment syndrome. ⋯ Specifically, the time to fasciotomy was found to be linearly related to indemnity payment, and a fasciotomy performed within 8 hours was uniformly associated with a successful defense. This article describes a case of a 29-year-old healthy man who developed posterior thigh compartment syndrome as a result of an intrasubstance tear of the biceps femoris muscle sustained while attempting a lay-up during a recreational basketball game. His posterior thigh compartment pressure measured 70 mm Hg and he required emergent posterior thigh compartment fasciotomy.
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Case Reports
Surgical treatment of an acetabular fracture and labral tear with suture anchors in a 10-year-old child.
This article presents a case of a 10-year-old boy with a right acetabular fracture secondary to a direct blow to the pelvis and back. He sustained a right hip dislocation and transverse with posterior wall acetabular fracture with a nonconcentric hip joint after reduction. ⋯ This technique reduced the fracture and labrum, relocated the hip joint, and obviated the need for hardware removal that is typically needed in the pediatric population. This case is distinctive due to the patient's young age and treatment method, which has not been described previously for the treatment of this rare pediatric fracture.