International orthopaedics
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Much research is now being conducted in order to understand the role of cytokines in the development of the inflammatory response following trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum levels of certain cytokines, measured immediately after initial injury, can be used as potential biomarkers for predicting the development and the degree of severity of the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) in patients with moderate and severe trauma. ⋯ Secretion of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased level of anti-inflammatory cytokines during the acute phase of trauma may lead to the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in unstable polytraumatized patients. SIRS may result in life threatening conditions as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOF). High levels of IL-6, IL-8, TGFβ and low levels of IL-4 were found to be reliable markers for the existence of immune reactivity in trauma patients. More research is needed to study pattern of cytokine levels along the acute period of injury, after surgical interventions and during recovery.
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Restoring the joint line (JL) improves clinical and functional outcome in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, anatomical landmarks to approximate the JL have been published. So far, the natural deviation of the JL 90° to the mechanical tibial axis has not been considered. Thus, we designed this study to: (1) determine the natural JL of knees in healthy persons in respect to the mechanical tibial axis, (2) validate and double-check intra-operative bony landmarks already been published in respect to the natural JL and (3) find possible correlations between distances from bony landmarks to the JL and femoral and tibial width. ⋯ In TKA, the JL is usually altered due to the classic resection technique, which does not respect the natural deviation of the JL. Estimating the natural JL by adding absolute values to bony landmarks, as proposed in the literature, is not recommended. According to our data, the JL can be best estimated by adding the calculated value: 6.40 + (width femur [mm] × 0.49) to the AT.
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Increasing numbers of atypical femoral fractures have been reported among long-term bisphosphonate users. We evaluated clinical characteristics of atypical femoral fractures throughout Korean multicenter studies. ⋯ The longer bisphosphonates are used, the more the cases of delayed union and the more frequent the development of bilateral fractures following unilateral fractures. With regard to the delayed union, the methods of the acceleration of fracture healing may be beneficial in atypical femoral fracture patients who had been receiving long-term bisphosphonates therapy. Careful observation is required for contra-lateral femurs due to a high incidence of bilateral atypical femoral fractures.
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The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) who had been using narcotic medications prior to surgery to those who had not used them. ⋯ Patients who use narcotics prior to total hip arthroplasty may be more likely to suffer from opioid-induced hyperalgesia after surgery and have worse clinical outcomes. When possible, efforts should be made to use other modes of analgesia or wean patients from their use prior to total hip arthroplasty.
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the additional benefit of local prophylactic antibiotic therapy for infection rates in open tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nailing.
This analysis compared the rate of deep wound infections in patients with open tibia fractures, treated with intramedullary nails, receiving additional locally-delivered antibiotics to those receiving standard care. ⋯ Level III.