Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Apr 2012
Influence of trabecular microstructure and cortical index on the complexity of proximal humeral fractures.
Poor bone quality increases the susceptibility to fractures of the proximal humerus. It is unclear whether local trabecular and cortical measures influence the severity of fracture patterns. The goal of this study was to assess parameters of trabecular and cortical bone properties and to compare these parameters with the severity of fractures and biomechanical testing. ⋯ In our study population local trabecular bone structure and cortical index could not predict the severity of proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. Complex fractures do not necessarily imply lower bone quality compared to simple fractures.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Apr 2012
Case ReportsUnexpected injury of the orthopaedic surgeon: a case report of a hammer splinter.
Sharps injuries have become one of the most important occupational injuries and they are common during surgery, with rates between 1.7 and 6.9% of all surgical procedures. This case report, however, revealed an extremely rare and unexpected condition, which could not be prevented by the reasonable safety precautions against injury. Closed reduction and closed intramedullary fixation was planned for the patient with humeral shaft fracture. ⋯ Sharps injuries continue to be a serious concern for all healthcare workers. In some studies however, reporting of sharps injuries by healthcare workers remains a problem with reporting levels cited as low as 15% and as high as 90% (Kerr H-L, Stewart N Ann R Coll Surg Engl 91:430-432, [6]). Guo et al. pointed out the most recent sharps injuries at work, and syringe needles was by far the most important items causing injuries, followed by glass products, suture needles, and intravenous catheters.