Injury
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A prospective randomised study comparing TightRope and syndesmotic screw fixation for accuracy and maintenance of syndesmotic reduction assessed with bilateral computed tomography.
The accuracy and maintenance of syndesmosis reduction are essential when treating ankle fractures with accompanying syndesmosis injuries. The primary aim of this study was to compare syndesmosis screw and TightRope fixation in terms of accuracy and maintenance of syndesmosis reduction using bilateral computed tomography (CT). ⋯ Syndesmotic screw and TightRope had similar postoperative malreduction rates. However, intraoperative CT scanning of ankles with TightRope fixation was misleading due to dynamic nature of the fixation. After at least 2 years of follow-up, malreduction rates may slightly increase when using trans-syndesmotic screw fixation, but reduction was well maintained when fixed with TightRope. Neither the incidence of ankle joint osteoarthritis nor functional outcome significantly differed between the fixation methods.
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Computed tomography (CT) scan has increasingly become the diagnostic modality of choice for the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. CT scan is highly sensitive in the detection of small amounts of free intraperitoneal air (FIA). We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of FIA detected by CT scan in diagnosing bowel perforation in blunt trauma patients. ⋯ Our study which stemmed from a community-based hospital showed that free intraperitoneal air found on abdominal CT scan of blunt trauma patients was an unreliable radiological finding for bowel perforation. The decision for laparotomy should be based on combined clinical and radiological findings. Conservative management with active observation may avoid unnecessary laparotomy.
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Review Meta Analysis
Is early hip fracture surgery safe for patients on clopidogrel? Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Hip fracture is a common presentation in the elderly population, many of whom will be taking the antiplatelet clopidogrel, which has the potential to increase perioperative bleeding. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to answer the questions: (1) is early hip fracture surgery for patients on clopidogrel associated with worse postoperative outcomes compared to patients not on clopidogrel? (2) is early versus delayed surgery for these patients associated with worse postoperative outcomes? ⋯ Early surgery appears safe for patients with hip fracture though there may be a small increase in the rate of blood transfusion. However, larger prospective trials are required to confirm these findings.
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Phalangeal neck fractures are uncommon and are almost exclusively seen in children. Most paediatric hand fractures are treated conservatively and an excellent outcome is expected in almost all cases. Paediatric phalangeal neck fractures are different mainly because they are unstable and have a high risk of complications. ⋯ Furthermore, complications such as persistent deformity, nonunion, and avascular necrosis are commonly seen following management of phalangeal neck fractures; such complications are extremely rare in other paediatric hand fractures. The current paper aims to review the diagnosis, classification, management and complications of these fractures in children. The paper also aims to introduce an extended classification of phalangeal neck fractures and to explain the clinical relevance of the extended classification.