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INTRODUCTION: Human factors in surgery relate to the environmental, organisational, and human factors that can impact performance in the operating theatre. This study assesses whether various factors such as music, counting backwards, and attempting to do simultaneous tasks impact surgical time and performance. METHODS: Ten orthopaedic surgical staff were asked to guide a metal loop around a metal maze in a 'don't buzz the wire' game. The primary outcomes were the course completion time and the number of times the loop touched the wire. They were asked to do the course four times: one control run, with music, whilst counting backwards from a hundred in increments of three, and whilst simultaneously verbalising the steps of a dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation. RESULTS: The average time to complete the course for the control was 33.8 seconds. This was similar to when music was played (33.4 seconds) but increased when counting backwards (38.7 seconds) and verbalising the steps of a DHS (69.8 seconds, p = 0.0039). The average number of touches for the control was 4.3. Similar findings were obtained when counting backwards (four touches), but the number of touches decreased when music was played (2.2 touches). The average number of touches increased to 10.6 when verbalising the steps of a DHS (p = 0.0078). CONCLUSION: Human factors can affect surgical performance, and an awareness of this is vital to take necessary steps to minimise the impact this has on behaviour and performance in the operating theatre.
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Patella fractures usually occur as a result of direct trauma to the anterior knee joint, indirect injury as a result of eccentric muscle contraction, or rapid knee flexion against a contracted quadriceps muscle. The patella functions as part of the extensor mechanism of the knee, where large forces are transmitted, and its subcutaneous nature has made treatment of patella fractures a challenge. In this review article, we evaluate how the management of these fractures has evolved over time and the advantages associated with the various treatment techniques. There are few comparative studies looking at the different treatment types for fractures of the patella, with the goal of achieving a functional extensor mechanism with low rates of post-traumatic arthritis and metal-work irritation.
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BACKGROUND: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) consists of an anteromedial bundle and a posterolateral bundle giving anteroposterior and rotational stability to the knee. An ACL tear might lead to secondary changes in the knee joint if not operated in time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and functional results in patients with ACL tears treated by arthroscopic reconstruction using the anatomic single-bundle technique. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted between June 2015 and December2017 at a teaching institute in Kolkata, India, on patients who underwent single-bundle arthroscopic reconstruction of an ACL tear. A minimum follow-up of nine months was considered for all patients. The functional outcome was assessed via the Lysholm knee score. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were included in this study, of which 34 (75.56%) and eight (17.78%) patients showed excellent and good results, respectively, at the final follow-up. The mean age in this study was 29.88±9.02 years. No complication was seen in 95.6% of patients. The mean Lysholm score by the end of nine months was 95.31±6.55. At the time of the final follow-up, all the patients returned to their same activity status prior to injury. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction using hamstring autograft is an effective treatment modality for ACL injuries. It restores the stability of the knee and is associated with good recovery of joint function with an early return to active lifestyle and sports activities. This procedure achieves excellent clinical and functional outcomes without any long-term disability.
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BACKGROUND: Lumbar radiculopathy, a common and debilitating condition, often necessitates a multimodal approach for effective management. Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (LTFESI) has emerged as a valuable therapeutic option when conservative measures fall short. Recent interest in long-acting and non-particulate steroids prompts a critical examination of their impact on LTFESI outcomes. This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of LTFESI in improving pain and functional outcomes in patients with lumbar radiculopathy, focusing on long-acting and non-particulate steroids, and analyse the associated economic burden. METHODS: The study, conducted from October 2017 to April 2019, involved 52 patients with lumbar radiculopathy meeting specific criteria. LTFESI was administered using a hospital-based prospective design. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores at various intervals. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of successful outcomes. RESULTS: Participants (average age 43.22 years, 27 (51.92%) male) exhibited diverse Michigan State University (MSU) grade profiles and predominantly had pathology at the L4-5 level. The study demonstrated a significant and lasting functional improvement in 43 (82.69%) of patients after LTFESI. Patients with 2AB-type intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP) showed lower response rates, emphasizing subtype influence. The efficacy of LTFESI was sustained for up to six months in almost 82.69% of patients, highlighting its potential for long-lasting benefits. The difference in the mean ODI score pre-injection and six months post-injection is statistically significant (p<0.0001). A total of four patients (7.69%) underwent surgical treatment for lumbar radiculopathy as their symptoms did not improve after injection. For all four patients (7.69%), surgery was done one month after injection. Five patients (9.61%) had ODI scores of more than 40, indicating severe disability at the end of six months. So, in nine patients (17.3%), the injection given was not effective at the end of six months, four (7.69%) of whom were operated on and five (9.61%) patients received conservative treatment. Thus, 43 (82.69%) of patients had a good outcome. DISCUSSION: The study reinforces LTFESI as an effective and safe intervention, providing substantial and lasting benefits for lumbar radiculopathy. The majority experienced immediate relief, supporting its role as an intermediate option between conservative management and surgery. Identified predictors of decreased success underscore the importance of early intervention and tailored treatment plans. The study emphasizes LTFESI's diagnostic and therapeutic potential, with economic benefits and safety highlighted. CONCLUSION: LTFESI emerges as a safe and effective intervention for lumbar radiculopathy, offering substantial and enduring pain relief. The study contributes valuable insights into the nuanced outcomes of LTFESI, including the impact of IVDP subtypes, factors influencing success, and the procedure's cost-effectiveness. While acknowledging limitations, this work adds to the growing evidence supporting LTFESI as a crucial component in the management of lumbar radiculopathy.