Traumatic hemipelvectomy associated with contralateral hip dislocation: case report.

A case of a 28-year-old man surviving traumatic hemipelvectomy is presented. This patient is the first reported survivor in Australia of traumatic hemipelvectomy and one of few survivors reported in the world literature. Accurate and rapid early management including good resuscitation, rapid transport to the operating room and an aggressive team surgical approach all contributed to survival. Acute complications can be kept to a minimum by adhering to the approach of rapid resuscitation and early intervention by a team of surgeons. Associated dislocation of the contralateral hip with sciatic nerve damage and subsequent heterotopic calcification has not been previously reported and presents a significant obstacle to rehabilitation. Early attention to the psychological status of the patient and early involvement of rehabilitation specialists is advocated.

Antibiotics in the management of inflammatory lesions of the intervertebral discs in young children.

A review of 35 cases of inflammatory lesions of the intervertebral discs in young children has failed to establish a role for antibiotics in management. There is a tendency to overinvestigate and overtreat this benign, self-limiting malady, for which a period of six weeks of immobilization in a double hip spica is recommended.

Bennett's fracture.

A new method of conservative treatment of Bennett's fracture is presented, the thumb being immobilised in moderate adduction rather than radial abduction. Anatomical dissections are outlined to demonstrate the rationale of this procedure.