Management of tibial plateau fractures: a fresh review.

Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries which carry significant morbidity and economic burden. They can present complex geometry depending upon the direction of the force and position of the limb and are often associated with significant soft-tissue injury. While the goals of adequate reduction, stable fixation, and early mobilization remain unchanged, the management of these injuries can be challenging even to experienced orthopaedic surgeons. Lacking consensus, this review aims to provide a summary of current state of orthopaedic practice in the face of tibial plateau fractures. A PubMed search for relevant recent articles as well as a reading of classical articles on tibial plateau fractures was carried out. The focus remained on articles concerned with management modalities and recent advances. A review of some classification systems was also done and included. A great majority of these fractures need operative fixation while respecting the soft tissues. Numerous methods have been reported in the literature including but not limited to plates, screws, external fixators, arthroscopy assisted methods, balloon-cement tibioplasty, or a combination thereof. There is a shortage of randomized controlled trials comparing various operative methods. This article provides a review of various techniques and latest advances made in the management of tibial plateau fractures. The key to achieving optimal functional outcome is using a tailored approach to the individual patient accounting for factors related to the injury pattern, type of host, surgical skills and experience, and local availability of implant devices while taking care of soft tissue. While there is no gold standard, a staged procedure is recommended with early spanning and definitive fixation at later stage by any appropriate methods while respecting the soft tissue, achieving anatomical reduction and adequate fixation and, early rehabilitation.

Patient Preferences Regarding Telemedicine to In-person Consultation: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Introduction: Telemedicine has been evolving over the last two decades; however, with the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic, its utility and acceptance have drastically increased. Most studies report increasing acceptability and satisfaction rates. This study aimed to assess patient preferences regarding telemedicine to in-person consultations and to attempt to assess the factors driving these preferences. Material and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted for patients who had both teleconsultation and in-person consultation in the orthopedic outpatient. After obtaining consent to participate in the study, the patients were divided into broad clinical categories and responses were recorded regarding the treatment of illness by the doctor and opinions regarding telemedicine. Most questions were in yes/no or a Likert-based questionnaire. Mean, median, percentage and proportions were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: The study group included 264 patients, with the majority with fractures and dislocations. Most patients (55.7%) were comfortable using the software for teleconsultation, and half the respondents found telemedicine convenient. A large percentage of the study group preferred in-person consultation to teleconsultation (58.7%), and the primary reasons for discontinuing teleconsultation were dissatisfaction during the interaction with the doctor and poor connectivity to telecommunication networks. Conclusion: Telecommunication has high acceptance and satisfaction, but many factors limit its acceptance in developing countries.

Adverse cutaneous drug reactions--a clinico-demographic study in a tertiary care teaching hospital of the Kashmir Valley, India.

BACKGROUND: Adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) are caused by a wide variety of agents. The aim was to study the incidence and clinico-demographic profile of ACDRs to identify any potential risk factors and compare the results with other studies. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over a period of one year from October 2012 to October 2013 in the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital of the Kashmir valley in India and various ACDRs were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of ACDRs was 0.16%. The mean age of patients was 39.36 ± 16.77 years. The male: female ratio was 0.97:1. The most frequently reported cutaneous reactions were with antimicrobials (57.33%) followed by NSAIDs (21.33%) and antiepileptic drugs (17.33%). Less common groups involved were steroids, antipsychotics and bisphosphonates (1.33% each). Fixed drug eruptions (FDEs) were the commonest (45.33%) followed by maculopapular (17.33%), photoallergic (8%), erythema multiforme (6.66%), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (5.33%) and lichenoid eruptions (4%). Less common patterns were urticaria, Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) and acneform eruptions (2.66% each) followed by angioedema, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), exfoliative dermatitis and toxic epidermal necrolysis (1.33% each). CONCLUSION: Physicians should have adequate knowledge of adverse drug reactions, especially of newer drugs which are increasing every year in order to minimize such events.

Impact of caffeic acid on aluminium chloride-induced dementia in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Literature favours the in vitro neuroprotective role of caffeic acid, a naturally derived polyphenolic compound. This study was aimed to investigate the role of caffeic acid in experimental model of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Firstly, caffeic acid was tested for in vitro anticholinesterase potential using rat brain homogenate. Later, in vivo antidementia activity of caffeic acid was assessed against aluminium chloride (AlCl3 )-induced dementia in rats. Behavioural (Morris water maze test) and brain biochemical parameters (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, glutathione (GSH) and nitrite levels) were assessed to correlate the cognitive function with cholinergic transmission and oxidative stress. KEY FINDINGS: Rats administered with caffeic acid showed improved cognitive function in Morris water maze test. The antidementia activity of caffeic acid was confirmed by the reduction in brain AChE activity and nitrite levels. Further, caffeic acid corrected the diminished level of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, GSH and GST in brain. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the antidementia activity of caffeic acid against AlCl3 -induced dementia in rats. The outcome of present study offers a wider scope to screen caffeic acid against neurodegeneration associated disorders.