15 research outputs found

    Fluid lavage in patients with open fracture wounds (FLOW): an international survey of 984 surgeons

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although surgeons acknowledge the importance of irrigating open fracture wounds, the choice of irrigating fluid and delivery pressure remains controversial. Our objective was to clarify current opinion with regard to the irrigation of open fracture wounds.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a cross-sectional survey and a sample-to-redundancy strategy to examine surgeons' preferences in the initial management of open fracture wounds. We mailed this survey to members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association and delivered it to attendees of an international fracture course (AO, Davos, Switzerland).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1,764 surgeons who received the questionnaire, 984 (55.8%) responded. In the management of open wounds, the majority of surgeons surveyed, 676 (70.5%), favoured normal saline alone. Bacitracin solution was used routinely by only 161 surgeons (16.8%). The majority of surgeons, 695 (71%) used low pressures when delivering the irrigating solution to the wound. There was, however considerable variation in what pressures constituted high versus low pressure lavage. The overwhelming majority of surgeons, 889 (94.2%), reported they would change their practice if a large randomized controlled trial showed a clear benefit of an irrigating solution – especially if it was different from the solution they used.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The majority of surgeons favour both normal saline and low pressure lavage for the initial management of open fracture wounds. However, opinions varied as regards the comparative efficacy of different solutions, the use of additives and high versus low pressure. Surgeons have expressed considerable support for a trial evaluating both irrigating solutions and pressures.</p

    Nonoperative treatment of closed displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.

    Get PDF
    none7BACKGROUND: closed displaced midshaft clavicle fractures used to be treated nonoperatively, and many studies have reported that nonoperative treatment gave good results. However, more recent studies have reported poorer results following nonoperative treatment, whereas the results of operative treatment have improved considerably. The aim of this paper was to report the results of treating closed displaced midshaft clavicle fractures nonoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: one hundred Edinburgh type 2B clavicle fractures (69 type 2B1 and 31 type 2B2) in 100 patients (78 males and 22 females) aged between 18 and 67 ears (mean 32 years) were treated. All patients were treated using a figure-of-eight bandage. Clinical and radiographic assessment was performed at the time of trauma, 1, 2 and 3 months after the trauma, and then at an average follow-up of 3 years (range 1-5 years). The outcome was rated at the last follow-up using the DASH score. RESULTS: ninety-seven of the 100 fractures healed. Three nonunions were observed. Average healing time was 9 weeks (range 8-12 weeks). No statistically significant correlation between the type of fracture and the healing time was observed. The average DASH score was 24 (range 0-78) and, based on this score, 81 patients presented excellent results, 12 good, 5 fair, and 2 poor. No statistically significant correlation between the type of the fracture and the score was observed. CONCLUSIONS: we believe that nonoperative treatment is still appropriate in most cases, as it yields good results without incurring the potential complications of surgery.noneFaldini C.; Nanni M.; Leonetti D.; Acri F.; Galante C.; Luciani D.; Giannini S.Faldini C.; Nanni M.; Leonetti D.; Acri F.; Galante C.; Luciani D.; Giannini S
    corecore