Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Comparative Study
Functional outcome and quality of life in patients with Type B ankle fractures: a two-year follow-up study.
To compare a specific score designed for ankle fractures with a general quality-of-life instrument as an outcome measure, and to describe the two-year results for patients with Type B ankle fractures. ⋯ Our results suggest that the SF-36 Health Survey may be useful in measuring outcome after an ankle fracture, that disability, i.e., self-perceived limitations in everyday life, is common after B-type ankle fractures.
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Comparative Study
Computed tomographic scanning of cervical spine fractures: does it influence treatment?
To determine whether the superior sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) results in changes in treatment plans for cervical spine fractures that have been diagnosed on plain films alone. ⋯ CT scanning afforded additional information for all observers. Experienced observers can reliably determine treatment plans for cervical spine trauma diagnosed on plain films alone, whereas inexperienced observers are less reliable. For the experienced observers, interobserver agreement on treatment plans increased after the addition of CT.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of castile soap, benzalkonium chloride, and bacitracin as irrigation solutions for complex contaminated orthopaedic wounds.
The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of cleaning a contaminated orthopaedic wound with different classes of wound irrigation solutions. ⋯ The rate of positive wound cultures due to P. aeruginosa is effectively reduced by irrigation with CS alone or by the sequential irrigation treatment. When used alone, the antiseptic BzC results in a higher rate of positive wound cultures and wound complications. The wound complications seen with irrigation with BzC alone are prevented by the sequential irrigation treatment (BzC followed by CS and NS). The rate of positive wound cultures in this model due to S. aureus is not decreased by irrigation with CS; however, the rate of positive wound cultures is safely and effectively decreased with the use of BzC.