Singap Med J
-
Comparative Study
Minimally invasive unicondylar versus total condylar knee arthroplasty--early results of a matched-pair comparison.
Fifty consecutive patients with isolated medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). An equal number of patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in the same period were selected and matched with respect to age, pre-operative range of motion and radiological grade of knee arthrosis. ⋯ Comparison of the two groups at six months show that patients with minimally invasive UKA have less blood loss, quicker rehabilitation, earlier ambulation, shorter hospitalisation stay and better post-operative range-of-motion with reduced hospitalisation cost. Reflecting on a six-month follow-up and immediate post-operative events, we conclude that minimally invasive UKA is a relatively more cost effective procedure than TKA for these patients.
-
FFP is often inappropriately used despite existence of guidelines. An audit was conducted with the aim of making recommendations to reduce inappropriate use. ⋯ Our results showed significant proportion of FFP used outside of established international criteria. There may be many reasons for this and we suggest that a continual system of staff education and administrative intervention may help to reduce the inappropriate usage.
-
To identify the clinical factor(s) that identify obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in children. ⋯ Snoring every night is an important risk factor in identifying OSAS in children. Priority for an overnight sleep polysomnogram should be given to those with this symptom.
-
Computed tomography (CT) is the initial radiological investigation of patients with an acute neurological event. A 64-year-old woman presenting with generalised weakness and headache for two days was diagnosed on CT to have subarachnoid haemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed the cause to be a ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm. ⋯ The CT features of subarachnoid haemorrhage are discussed. Accurate CT interpretation is essential to direct appropriate investigations and management in patients with stroke, particularly as acute cerebral infarction may occasionally mimic subarachnoid haemorrhage. The role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluation of cerebral infarct is also discussed.