Contribution of medical students to admission interviews

OBJECTIVE Medical students were included in 3-person interview panels selecting applicants for a 4-year medical programme for graduates and health professionals. We analysed student contributions to the interview panels. METHODS A total of 188 semi-structured interviews were carried out over 2 years. The scores of 17 student interviewers were compared with those of the other 2 members of the panels. RESULTS Students were positive about the interview process and their involvement. Overall interview scores did not differ between students and other interviewers. However, students gave lower scores overall and in a number of individual areas to those who had the highest consensus scores and were offered places on the programme. Students were more likely than other interviewers to be indecisive between 2 scores (25.2% versus 17.5%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Students can be integrated effectively into the interview process. However, they tend to be more reluctant to give high scores and less decisive about committing to a single score than more experienced interviewers. Students value the experience of participating in the selection process, especially when combined with an exploration of the literature related to selection procedures

Are intraspinal anomalies in early onset idiopathic scoliosis as common as once thought?:A two centre United Kingdom study

PURPOSE: Rates of neural axis abnormalities in infantile and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis may be as high as 50 %. We aimed to determine the rates of neural axis abnormalities in early onset idiopathic scoliosis patients in a British population. METHODS: This retrospective study at two British spinal deformity clinics identified 72 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria of: (1) age at diagnosis of 7 years and younger, (2) idiopathic scoliosis and (3) magnetic resonance imaging of the neuraxis. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 3.6 years and the mean Cobb angle was 47° with a near equal distribution of left (32) and right (36) sided curves. Eight (11.1 %) neural axis abnormalities consisting of two syrinxes, one Arnold–chiari Type I malformation and five combined (Arnold–chiari malformation Type I and syrinx) anomalies were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-centre study on the largest number of British subjects to date helps to establish the rates of neural axis abnormalities

Is Paranasal Sinus Computed Tomography Required before Every Septorhinoplasty Surgery?

Background: Septorhinoplasty is one of the most common surgical intervention for patients with nasal obstruction and nasal deformities. We aimed to determine the pathologies detected in the preoperative Paranasal Sinus Com- puted Tomography (PNS CT) in patients who have undergone septorhinoplasty, to compare the planned surgery with the surgical method performed after the CT scan and to determine the patients who should be preoperatively eval- uated with PNS CT. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 100 patients who performed septorhinoplasty who had PNS CT scan due to nasal obstruction and nasal discharge symptoms were enrolled. Results: According to PNS CT, nasal septal deviation was mild in 51 patients, moderate in 21 patients, and severe in 28 patients. Concha bullosa was detected in 36 patients, and paradox concha was detected in four patients. Inferior turbinate fracture, lateralization, and submucosal cauterization were performed in 23 of 51 patients with inferior turbi- nate hypertrophy. In nine of the patients (9%) (n ¼ 3, functional endoscopic sinus surgery; n ¼ 6, concha bullosa lateral lamellar resection), the surgery plan was changed according to findings in PNS CT. Conclusion: If a sinonasal vegetative mass lesion is detected in nasal endoscopy, or the nasal cavity and nasopharynx cannot be evaluated with the endoscope due to severe deviation, middle turbinate obstructing the nasal cavity, and a complication of chronic sinusitis, PNS CT can be applied

Weight-bearing in ankle fractures: An audit of UK practice.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this national study was to audit the weight-bearing practice of orthopaedic services in the National Health Service (NHS) in the treatment of operatively and non-operatively treated ankle fractures. METHODS: A multicentre prospective two-week audit of all adult ankle fractures was conducted between July 3rd 2017 and July 17th 2017. Fractures were classified using the AO/OTA classification. Fractures fixed with syndesmosis screws or unstable fractures (>1 malleolus fractured or talar shift present) treated conservatively were excluded. No outcome data were collected. In line with NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) criteria, "early" weight-bearing was defined as unrestricted weight-bearing on the affected leg within 3 weeks of injury or surgery and "delayed" weight-bearing as unrestricted weight-bearing permitted after 3 weeks. RESULTS: 251 collaborators from 81 NHS hospitals collected data: 531 patients were managed non-operatively and 276 operatively. The mean age was 52.6 years and 50.5 respectively. 81% of non-operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing as recommended by NICE. In contrast, only 21% of operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing. DISCUSSION: The majority of patients with uni-malleolar ankle fractures which are managed non-operatively are treated in accordance with NICE guidance. There is notable variability amongst and within NHS hospitals in the weight-bearing instructions given to patients with operatively managed ankle fractures. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates community equipoise and suggests that the randomized study to determine the most effective strategy for postoperative weight-bearing in ankle fractures described in the NICE research recommendation is feasible