Ortho News

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Mobile laminar air flow screen for additional operating roomventilation: reduction of intraoperative bacterial contamination during totalknee arthroplasty PDF

Congenital hip dysplasia treated by total hip arthroplastyusing cementless tapered stem in patients younger than 50 years old: resultsafter 12-years follow-up PDF

Late diagnosis of medial condyle fracture of the humeruswith rotational displacement in a child PDF

Multicentric tuberculosis at two rare sites in animmunocompetent adult PDF

Foot & Ankle Specialist [Epub ahead of print] Dec 2011

1. Closed Total Talar Extrusion After Ankle Sprain. Turhan Y, Cift H, Ozkan K, Ozkut A, Eren A. Foot Ankle Spec. 2011 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134439

2. The Relationship Between Knee Arthroplasty and Foot Loading. Voronov ML, Pinzur MS, Havey R, Carandang G, Gil J, Hopkinson WJ. Foot Ankle Spec. 2011 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134436

3. Long-Term Results of Neurectomy in the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma: More Than 10 Years' Follow-up. Lee KT, Kim JB, Young KW, Park YU, Kim JS, Jegal H. Foot Ankle Spec. 2011 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134434

The evaluation of the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on new bone formation obtained by distraction osteogenesis in terms of consolidation periods.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on vertical distraction osteogenesis procedure according to consolidation periods has been determined. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may increase the quality and the quantity of bone and shorten the consolidation period. Mutlu I, Aydintug YS, Kaya A, Bayar GR, Suer BT, Gulses A. Clin Oral Investig. 2011 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134666

Effects of seasonal Vitamin D deficiency and respiratory acidosis on bone metabolism markers in submarine crewmembers during prolonged patrols

The aim of the study was to determine the seasonal influence of vitamin D status on bone metabolism in French submariners over a 2-month patrol. Blood samples were collected as follows: pre-patrol, patrol days 20, 41 and 58 on crewmembers from both a winter (WP; n = 20) and a summer patrol (SP; n = 20), respectively. Vitamin D status was evaluated for WP and SP. Moreover, extended parameters for acid-base balance (pCO(2), pH and bicarbonate), bone metabolism (bone alkaline phosphatase or BAP and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen or ICTP) and mineral homeostasis (parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium and phosphorus) were scrutinized. Holy X, Collombet JM, Labarthe F, Granger-Veyron N, Begot L. J Appl Physiol. 2011 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134698

Lumbar Spine Fractures Within a Complete American Cohort: Epidemiology and Risk Factors Among Military Service Members.

This investigation is the first to document the incidence and postulate risk factors for lumbar spine fracture in an American population. In this study, males, whites, enlisted personnel, those serving in the Army and Marines, and individuals aged 20-24 or greater than 40 were found to be at an increased risk of lumbar fracture. Schoenfeld AJ, Romano D, Bader JO, Walker JJ. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2011 Nov 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22134730

Effect of diclofenac with B vitamins on the treatment of acute pain originated by lower-limb fracture and surgery.

Diclofenac plus B vitamins combination was more effective to reduce the pain than diclofenac alone. The results showed that the addition of B vitamins to diclofenac increased its analgesic effect. The novelty of this paper consists in that diclofenac and diclofenac plus B vitamins were useful for treatment of acute pain originated by lower-limb fracture and surgery. Ponce-Monter HA, Ortiz MI, Garza-Hernández AF, Monroy-Maya R, Soto-Ríos M, Carrillo-Alarcón L, Reyes-García G, Fernández-Martínez E. Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:104782. Epub 2011 Oct 31. PMID: 22135737 PDF

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Adoption of a wiki within a large internal medicine residency program: a 3-year experience

Objective
To describe the creation and evaluate the use of a wiki by medical residents, and to determine if a wiki would be a useful tool for improving the experience, efficiency, and education of housestaff.

Materials and methodsIn 2008, a team of medical residents built a wiki containing institutional knowledge and reference information using Microsoft SharePoint. We tracked visit data for 3 years, and performed an audit of page views and updates in the second year. We evaluated the attitudes of medical residents toward the wiki using a survey.

Bradley H Crotty, Arash Mostaghimi, Eileen E Reynolds. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association; doi:10.1136/amiajnl-2011-000391. Online First Dec 2011.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Journal of Hand and Microsurgery 3(2) Dec 2011 - Open Access

Use of Local Sliding Flaps to Manage Deep Localized Burns of the Hand PDF

Power Doppler Sonography and Clinical Monitoring for Hyaluronic Acid Treatment of Rhizarthrosis: A Pilot Study PDF

Surgical Excision Versus Aspiration Combined with Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection Plus Wrist Immobilization Therapy in the Treatment of Dorsal Wrist Ganglion; A Randomized Controlled Trial PDF

Versatility of Local Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Coverage of Soft Tissue Defects in Upper Extremity PDF

Pain and Disability Related to Osteoarthrosis of the Trapeziometacarpal Joint PDF

Reversed Posterior Interosseous Flap: Safe and Easy Method for Hand Reconstruction PDF

Microsurgical Soft-Tissue Hand Reconstruction: An Algorithm for Selection of the Best Procedure PDF

A High Bifurcation of the Dorsal Branch with Dominant Superficial Palmar Branch of the Radial Artery: A Case Report of an Aberrant Radial Artery with Traumatic Aneurysm PDF

An Unusual Monteggia Equivalent: A Case Report with Literature Review PDF

A Rare Syndrome of Five Finger Hands and Polydactyly of the Feet: A Case Report PDF

Free Osteoarticular Metatarsal Transfer for Giant Cell Tumor of Metacarpal—a Surgical Technique PDF

Siemens Kinect Based Hands-Free Radiological Image Browser

At RSNA 2011 Siemens was showing off a concept product for hands-free navigation through CT/MRI/Ultrasound images. The system utilizes Microsoft’s Kinect 3D camera for detection of hand gestures. MedGadget

How To Monitor Orthopaedic Implants Wirelessly ?

It has been always difficult to find the details and condition of the orthopedic devices which have been implanted within the subject’s feet, knee, hip, shoulder or elbow. The essential data for the physicians such as size, model, age, serial numbers or manufacturers are found by the harmful X-rays. How about Ortho-tagging ? The Rohan Aurora

Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs

Here's an abstract from a recent journal article around smartphone adoption in residency programs. Over 85% using smartphones and the iPhone is still the most popular device. No surprises here. Medical Smartphones

From: Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs.
J Med Syst. 2011 Nov 4

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Researchers find possible breakthrough to relieve pain following spinal cord injury

Fibronectin – a protein that exists naturally in humans – supports the survival, growth and communication of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The researchers discovered, through testing in an animal model, that an injection of fibronectin into the spinal cord activates specific signaling pathways and results in pain-curbing effects. MedicalXpress

JAMA using QR codes to make its content more interactive and accessible

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently moved to make its content more interactive, engaging, and accessible by inserting QR codes into its articles. QR codes (or quick response codes) were originally designed by a Toyota subsidiary for tracking cars throughout the manufacturing process, but have more recently found application as marketing tools for everyone from Walmart to small mom-and-pop shops. iMedicalApps

Buprenorphine Equals Morphine for Fracture Pain (CME/CE)

Buprenorphine is as effective as morphine in managing fracture pain in the emergency department, according to the results of a double-blind, double-dummy randomized controlled trial.

Adverse effects seen within the first 30 minutes following administration were nausea (14% for those receiving buprenorphine versus 12% for those receiving morphine, P=0.73), dizziness (14% versus 22%, P=0.32), and hypotension (4% versus 18%, P=0.02), the authors wrote online in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. MedPage Today

Surgeons perform better with eye movement training

Surgeons can learn their skills more quickly if they are taught how to control their eye movements. Research led by the University of Exeter shows that trainee surgeons learn technical surgical skills much more quickly and deal better with the stress of the operating theatre if they are taught to mimic the eye movements of experts. This research, published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, could transform the way in which surgeons are trained to be ready for the operating theatre. PDF Eurekalert!

Military Related Ortho Articles from PubMed

1. A Biomechanical Comparison of a Novel Thoracic Screw Fixation Method: Transarticular Screw Fixation vs Traditional Pedicle Screw Fixation. Yu Y, Xie N, Song S, Zhang W, Guo Q, Ni B, Luo J. Neurosurgery. 2011 Dec;69(2 Suppl Operative):ons141-6. PMID: 22051729

2. Management of the Schatzker VI fractures with lateral locked screw plating. Spagnolo R, Pace F. Musculoskelet Surg. 2011 Nov 27. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22120784
3. Practice of ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis and joint injection, including training and implementation in Europe: results of a survey of experts and scientific societies. Mandl P, Naredo E, Conaghan PG, D'Agostino MA, Wakefield RJ, Bachta A, Backhaus M, Hammer HB, Bruyn GA, Damjanov N, Filippucci E, Grassi W, Iagnocco A, Jousse-Joulin S, Kane D, Koski JM, Möller I, De Miguel E, Schmidt WA, Swen WA, Szkudlarek M, Terslev L, Ziswiler HR, Ostergaard M, Balint PV. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2011 Nov 24. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22120466
4. Hand reconstruction using heterotopic replantation of amputated index and little fingers. Zhang GL, Chen KM, Zhang JH, Wang SY. Chin J Traumatol. 2011 Oct 1;14(5):316-8. PMID: 22118490
5. Physical and psychological stressors linked with stress fractures in recruit training. Moran DS, Evans R, Arbel Y, Luria O, Hadid A, Yanovich R, Milgrom C, Finestone AS. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2011 Nov 23. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01420.x. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22107354
6. Foot salvage after loss of the first and second metatarsal rays with a free fibular osteocutaneous flap.

Salgado CJ, Lin CH, Fuller DA, Duncan AN, Camison L, Mardini S. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2011 Nov;101(6):531-6. PMID: 22106202

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

MRSA: From a nosocomial pathogen to an omnipresent source of infection

In German hospitals, each year 132 000 patients contract infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For more than a decade, different countries have reported an increasing incidence of MRSA infections in the general population ("community associated" [CA-] MRSA). In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Robin Köck from the Münster University Hospital and coauthors provide an overview of the epidemiological situation with regard to MRSA in Germany. They present the status quo in institutions within the healthcare sector, but also potential transmission routes in the general population (Dtsch Arztbl Int 2011; 108[45]: 761-7). (PDF) Eurekalert!

New hip implants no better than traditional implants

New hip implants appear to have no advantage over traditional implants, suggests a review of the evidence published on bmj.com today. (PDF)

And some evidence shows that new implants may be associated with higher rates of revision surgery. Eurekalert!

Body rebuilding: Researchers regenerate muscle in mice

A team of scientists from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and CellThera, a private company, have regenerated functional muscle tissue in mice, opening the door for a new clinical therapy to treat people who suffer major muscle trauma.

In the current study, the WPI/CellThera team combined two novel technologies to try to prevent scar formation and prompt muscle re-growth. The first was a method they had developed previously for reprogramming mature human skin cells without employing viruses or extra genes (Cloning, Stem Cells. 2009 Jul 21). The reprogrammed cells express stem cell genes and multiply in great numbers, but don't differentiate into specific tissues. The second was the use of biopolymer microthreads as a scaffold to support the cells. Developed by George Pins, associate professor of biomedical engineering at WPI, the threads--about the thickness of a human hair--are made of fibrin, a protein that helps blood clot. Eurekalert!

WSU researchers use a 3-D printer to make bone-like material

Washington State University researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis. Paired with actual bone, it acts as a scaffold for new bone to grow on and ultimately dissolves with no apparent ill effects.

The authors report on successful in vitro tests in the journal Dental Materials and say they're already seeing promising results with in vivo tests on rats and rabbits. It's possible that doctors will be able to custom order replacement bone tissue in a few years, says Susmita Bose, co-author and a professor in WSU's School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. Eurekalert!

Video of Bose discussing her work can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvkfMu76drE.

Growth hormone increases bone formation in obese women

In a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), growth hormone replacement for six months was found to increase bone formation in abdominally obese women.

"This is the first time that the effects of growth hormone on bone have been studied in obesity," said the study's lead author, Miriam A. Bredella, M.D., a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "Growth hormone is extremely important for bone health, and women with increased belly fat have weaker bones and reduced growth hormone levels." Eurekalert!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Hip International [epub ahead of print]

1. Atypical pseudotumour after metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty causing deep venous thrombosis. Picardo NE, Al-Khateeb H, Pollock RP. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117263

2. Dual-mobility cup and cemented femoral component: 6 year follow-up results. Prudhon JL. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117262

3. Arthroscopic repair of delaminated acetabular articular cartilage using fibrin adhesive. Results at one to three years. Stafford GH, Bunn JR, Villar RN. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117261

4. Fluid extravasation during hip arthroscopy. Stafford GH, Malviya A, Villar RN. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117260

5. Wound problems following hip arthroplasty before and after the introduction of a direct thrombin inhibitor for thromboprophylaxis. Gill SK, Theodorides A, Smith N, Maguire E, Whitehouse SL, Rigby MC, Ivory JP. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117258

6. Troponin T in hip fracture patients: prognostic significance for mortality at one year. Spurrier E, Wordsworth D, Martin S, Norris R, Parker MJ. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117257

7. Immediate changes of bone density caused by the implantation of a femoral stem - a DEXA study.

Leichtle UG, Leasure J, Martini F, Leichtle CI. Hip Int. 2011 Nov 24:0. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22117256

Sunday, November 27, 2011

International Orthopaedics - Online First

Polyethylene thickness is a risk factor for wear necessitating insert exchange

Combined PCL and PLC reconstruction in chronic posterolateral instability

Patella baja after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Functional outcome following aseptic single-stage revision knee arthroplasty (PDF)

Reconstructive surgery using autologous bone–patellar tendon graft for insertional Achilles tendinopathy

Surgery for anterior cruciate ligament deficiency: a historical perspective

Mass-like extramedullary hematopoiesis: imaging features

Minimally invasive Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty in a patellectomized patient

Revision ACL reconstruction: influence of a lateral tenodesis

Saturday, November 26, 2011

2 Research Related Ortho Articles from PubMed

1. Post-Vertebral Augmentation Back Pain: Evaluation and Management. Kamalian S, Bordia R, Ortiz AO. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2011 Nov 24. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22116104

2. Current Concepts in Clinical Research: Web-Based, Automated, Arthroscopic Surgery Prospective Database Registry. Lubowitz JH, Smith PA. Arthroscopy. 2011 Nov 22. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22115540

Research Reveals How Physicians Learn - Or Not

When seeking a physician, you should look for one with experience. Right? Maybe not. Research on physicians' decision-making processes has revealed that those who pay attention to failures as well as successes become more adept at selecting the correct treatment.

"We found that all the physicians in the study included irrelevant criteria in their decisions," said Read Montague, Ph.D., director of the Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, who led the study. "Notably, however, the most experienced doctors were the poorest learners." (PDF) NewsWise

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

1. [The prevalance of Orthopedic disabilities in the district of Cay, Afyon, Turkey]. Maralcan G, Kuru I, Aydin UY, Altinel L, Bozan ME, Ellidokuz H. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2004;38(5):343-7. Turkish. PMID: 15724116; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Free Article Related citations

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Joint Commission: not acceptable to text patient orders

"No it is not acceptable for physicians or licensed independent practitioners to text orders for patients to the hospital or other healthcare setting. This method provides no ability to verify the identity of the person sending the text and there is no way to keep the original message as validation of what is entered into the medical record". Joint Commission

DARPA calls for antibiotic replacement

As noted in the RFP, the military has seen firsthand the problems with current antibiotics; soldiers experiencing wounds in war, especially those involved in fires, that develop bacterial infections now require triple the amount of hospital time to recover as doctor’s plow through a host of antibiotics in trying to find the one that will work. Clearly frightened at the prospect of sending soldiers into battle where they may encounter bioengineered bacterial agents, the top brass has decided it’s time to take another approach and to get on it now.

Instead of working to develop new antibiotics, DARPA proposes the development and use of so-called nanoparticles to deliver gene altering chemicals directly to the cells of bacteria to kill them. MedicalXpress

New Ortho Books Soon to be Released

Atlas of Emergency Ultrasound John Christian Fox (Dec 31, 2011)

External Fixation in Orthopedic Traumatology David Seligson, Cyril Mauffrey and Craig S. Roberts (Dec 28, 2011)

Normal Ultrasound Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System: A Practical Guide Enzo Silvestri, Alessandro Muda and Luca Maria Sconfienza (Dec 28, 2011)

Practical Procedures in Elective Orthopaedic Surgery: Pelvis and Lower Extremity Peter V. Giannoudis (Dec 28, 2011)

Practical Procedures in Orthopaedic Surgery: Joint Aspiration/Injection, Bone Graft Harvesting and Lower Limb Amputations Peter V. Giannoudis (Dec 28, 2011)

Joint Replacement Arthroplasty: Basic Science, Hip, Knee, and Ankle Bernard F. Morrey, Daniel J. Berry MD, Kai-Nan An PhD and Harold B. Kitaoka (Dec 19, 2011)

Presentation, Imaging and Treatment of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions Expert Consult: MRI-Arthroscopy Correlation Mark D. Miller MD and Timothy G. Sanders MD (Dec 15, 2011)

The Textbook of Spinal Surgery (2 Volume Set) Keith H. Bridwell and Ronald L. DeWald (Dec 5, 2011)

MRI of the Whole Body Dr. Nikhil Bhuskut, Dr. Edward Hoey and Dr. Kshitij Mankad (Dec 1, 2011)

Manual of Definitive Surgical Trauma Care, 3rd edition Kenneth Boffard (Dec 1, 2011)

Atlas of Human Anatomy on MRI: Spine Extremities Joints Hariqbal Singh (Nov 30, 2011)

Text and Atlas of Complications of Fractures John Ebnezar (Nov 30, 2011)

Imaging in Percutaneous Musculoskeletal Interventions (Medical Radiology / Diagnostic Imaging) Afshin Gangi, Stephane Guth, Ali Guermazi and V. Baert (Nov 29, 2011)

Military Related Ortho Articles from PubMed

1. Foot salvage after loss of the first and second metatarsal rays with a free fibular osteocutaneous flap. Salgado CJ, Lin CH, Fuller DA, Duncan AN, Camison L, Mardini S. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2011 Nov;101(6):531-6. PMID: 22106202

2. Fracture Patterns on the Infant Porcine Skull Following Severe Blunt Impact(*). Powell BJ, Passalacqua NV, Baumer TG, Fenton TW, Haut RC. J Forensic Sci. 2011 Nov 21. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22103781

3. Sonographic evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries following the Wenchuan earthquake. Tang P, Wang Y, Zhang L, He C, Liu X. J Clin Ultrasound. 2011 Nov 21. doi: 10.1002/jcu.20895. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22102338

4. Complications associated with military spine injuries. Possley DR, Blair JA, Schoenfeld AJ, Lehman RA, Hsu JR; the Skeletal Trauma Research Consortium (STReC). Spine J. 2011 Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22100207 5.

Military penetrating spine injuries compared with blunt. Blair JA, Possley DR, Petfield JL, Schoenfeld AJ, Lehman RA, Hsu JR; Skeletal Trauma Research Consortium (STReC). Spine J. 2011 Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22100206

6. San antonio military and civilian hand transplantation program: a case report. Tuder D, Pederson WC, Abrahamian GA, Ingari JV, Bagg MC, Person DW, Martyak GG. Transplant Proc. 2011 Nov;43(9):3561-2. PMID: 22099842

7. Utilization profile of the trauma intensive care unit at the Role 3 Multinational Medical Init at Kandahar Airfield between May 1 and Oct. 15, 2009. Shah K, Pirie S, Compton L, McAlister V, Church B, Kao R.

Can J Surg. 2011 Dec;54(6):S130-4. PMID: 22099326 Free Article

8. Open pelvic fractures: the university of tennessee medical center at knoxville experience over ten years. Black EA, Lawson CM, Smith S, Daley BJ. Iowa Orthop J. 2011;31:193-8. PMID: 22096441 Free PMC Article

9. Current Concepts Review: Carpal Injuries - Fractures, Ligaments, Dislocations. Neuhaus V, Jupiter JB. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2011;78(5):395-403. PMID: 22094152

Radiation exposure during 3D fluoroscopy of the knee: an experimental study

Radiation exposure during 3D fluoroscopy of the knee decreases with increasing distance from the focus point. A higher number of scans in the high-resolution mode causes greater radiation exposure. In isocentric 3D fluoroscopy of the knee, a safe zone is located at least 1.5 m away from the focus point. T. Tharmviboonsri, K. Riansuwan, A. Nitising and B. Mahaisavariya. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery; Nov 2011 [epub ahead of print]

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

3D4Medical.com brings popular NOVA series to the Mac App Store

The apps now available are:

Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma [epub ahead of print] - link here onsite

Use Athens login offsite

Outcome in Patients With an Infected Nonunion of the Long Bones Treated With a Reinforced Antibiotic Bone Cement Rod

Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) versus Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) in Treating Proximal Femoral Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Study

Locking Plates in Osteoporosis: A Biomechanical Cadaveric Study of Diaphyseal Humerus Fractures

Anterior Knee Pain After Tibial Intramedullary Nailing Using a Medial Paratendinous Approach

Osteonecrosis of the Distal Tibia Metaphysis After a Salter-Harris I Injury: A Case Report

Reimplantation of an Extruded Osteoarticular Segment of the Distal Tibia in a 14-Year-Old Girl. Case Report and Review of the Literature

Oblique Distraction External Pelvic Fixation

The Surgical Treatment of Isolated Mason Type 2 Fractures of the Radial Head in Adults: Comparison Between Radial Head Resection and Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

A Simple Technique for Removing a Locking Compression Plate With a Stripped Locking Screw

Surgery Outcomes Better With Some Fat on the Bones

Compared with patients with a BMI of 26.3 to 29.6, those with a value below 23.1 had a significantly higher risk of death (adjusted OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.58), according to an analysis of 189,533 surgeries performed in 2005 and 2006 and recorded in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Patients with higher BMI values above 23.1 -- including the morbidly obese -- had about the same risk of 30-day mortality as the moderately overweight, George J. Stukenborg, PhD, of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and colleagues, reported online in Archives of Surgery. MedPage Today

Improved method of electrical stimulation could help treat damaged nerves

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) was developed to help return lost function to patients with upper and lower extremity injuries and spinal cord injuries, among other applications. However, the devices, which work by stimulating neuronal activity in nerve-damaged patients, have a potential shortcoming in that the electrical currents needed for the treatment to work can also send errant signals to surrounding nerves, resulting in painful side effects.

Earlier this fall, a plastic surgery research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and an engineering team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), described a new method of nerve stimulation that reduces the device's electrical threshold by 40 percent, compared with traditional FES therapy. Reported in the October 23 Advance On-line issue of the journal Nature Materials, the findings could help researchers develop a safer, more efficient FES therapy with fewer side effects. Eurekalert!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Tweaking a Gene Makes Muscles Twice as Strong

An international team of scientists has created super-strong, high-endurance mice and worms by suppressing a natural muscle-growth inhibitor, suggesting treatments for age-related or genetics-related muscle degeneration are within reach.

The scientists found that a tiny inhibitor may be responsible for determining the strength of our muscles. By acting on a genome regulator (NCoR1), they were able to modulate the activity of certain genes, creating a strain of mighty mice whose muscles were twice a strong as those of normal mice. NewsWise

Nathan Promoted to Navy Surgeon General

Rear Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, commander of Navy Medicine for the National Capital Area, officially received his third admiral's star Nov. 18, during his promotion to Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy. Military.com

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