The efficiency of vancomycin powder and rifampicin for deep surgical site infections in spinal instrumentation surgery

Objective: Infection after spinal surgery always increases the hospital stay in the clinic and can cause serious patient morbidity. This study aimed to show the difference between sprinkling vancomycin powder and washing with rifampicin during debridement surgery in deep infections seen after spinal instrumentation surgeries. Material and methods: This present study was conducted on 179 cases of infection after spinal instrumentation surgeries. The patients were divided into three groups: those receiving topical vancomycin, rifampicin irrigation, and only normal saline irrigation. The preoperative and postoperative CRP levels, hospitalization time, operation length, bone involvement, second operation for infection, impact removal surgeries, and mortality rates have been examined. Results: The CRP decrease on the 5th day was faster in the rifampicin group (p<0.001). On the 30th day, vancomycin and rifampicin decreased CRP values and had a similar effect on hospitalization time but were more effective than the normal saline group (p<0.001). In patients with bone involvement, the rifampicin group was superior to vancomycin and reduced implant removal surgery (p<0.001). Conclusions: Vancomycin powder and rifampicin application during debridement in deep spinal surgical site infections can reduce hospital stays and prevent secondary surgeries. In addition, rifampicin can be effective in infections with bone involvement

Results of external fixator treatment in distal radius intra-articular fractures

Objectives: Assessing the outcomes of treatment of the radius distal end joint fractures by using the closed reduction external fixation method. Methods: 41 intra-articular distal radius fractures of 38 patients treated in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology in the Medical Faculty of Trakya University between September 1997 and December 2004 were retrospectively examined. All of the fractures were treated by using closed reduction and uniplanar radiocarpal external wrist fixator. The affected limbs were assessed functionally and radiologically during the follow-up period. Results: Mean duration of external fixation application was 7.3 weeks. Mean follow-up time was 41.6 months. From the functional aspect, very good outcomes were obtained in 10 cases, good outcomes in 14 cases, medium outcomes in 15 cases, and bad outcomes in 2 cases. In radiologic scoring, very good outcomes were reported in 3 cases, good outcomes in 28 cases, medium outcomes in 8 cases, and bad outcomes in 2 cases. In total, 22 complications were observed. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy was observed in 15 cases, pain in the distal radioulnar joint in 8 cases, pain in distal radioulnar joint, and eburnation in 4 cases. In some cases, multiple complications were observed. There were also cases with early-stage sensation disorder and nail tip sensitivity. However, the complaints ended after the removal of the fixator. Conclusion: In intra-articular distal radius fractures, successful outcomes might be achieved by treating with external fixation without opening the fracture line

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T).

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T)

Conclusion: This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies in children and adolescents in Turkey. Our results partly higher than, and partly comparable to previous national and international studies. It also contributes to the literature by determining the independent predictors of psychopathologies in this age group

Prevalence of Childhood Affective disorders in Turkey: An epidemiological study

Aim: To determine the prevalence of affective disorders in Turkey among a representative sample of Turkish population. Methods: This study was conducted as a part of the "The Epidemiology of Childhood Psychopathology in Turkey" (EPICPAT-T) Study, which was designed by the Turkish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. The inclusion criterion was being a student between the second and fourth grades in the schools assigned as study centers. The assessment tools used were the K-SADS-PL, and a sociodemographic form that was designed by the authors. Impairment was assessed via a 3 point-Likert type scale independently rated by a parent and a teacher. Results: A total of 5842 participants were included in the analyses. The prevalence of affective disorders was 2.5 % without considering impairment and 1.6 % when impairment was taken into account. In our sample, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder was lacking, thus depressive disorders constituted all the cases. Among depressive disorders with impairment, major depressive disorder (MDD) (prevalence of 1.06%) was the most common, followed by dysthymia (prevalence of 0.2%), adjustment disorder with depressive features (prevalence of 0.17%), and depressive disorder-NOS (prevalence of 0.14%). There were no statistically significant gender differences for depression. Maternal psychopathology and paternal physical illness were predictors of affective disorders with pervasive impairment. Conclusion: MDD was the most common depressive disorder among Turkish children in this nationwide epidemiological study. This highlights the severe nature of depression and the importance of early interventions. Populations with maternal psychopathology and paternal physical illness may be the most appropriate targets for interventions to prevent and treat depression in children and adolescents