Lumbar Puncture in the prone position for Low Birth Weight Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position will make the neonates uncomfortable and is likely to cause position change and unstable vital signs, and the application of sedative drugs will cause adverse effects. This study explored a novel method for lumbar puncture in the prone position for low weight neonates. METHODS: The neonates were randomly assigned into the standard position group receiving lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position; and the improved position group receiving lumbar puncture in the prone position. The success rate of first time attempts and the overall success rate of lumbar puncture, incidence of adverse effects, NIAPAS scores were collected and compared between these two groups. The difference in success rate and adverse effects incidence rate was analysed through Chi-square. Student's t-test was used for the test of NIAPAS rating. RESULTS: The improved position group had a higher success rate of first attempt and overall success rate, significantly lower incidence of adverse effect and lower NIAPAS scores than those of the standard position group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This lumbar puncture in the prone position is safer, more effective, and more comfortable for preterm neonates and those with low birth weight. Thus, this method is worth of further promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number, ChiCTR2100049923; Date of Registration, August 11, 2021; Retrospectively registered.

Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPPO) Combined with Onionskin-Like Autologous Bone Grafting: A New Technique for Treatment of Tibial Nonunion.

BACKGROUND Established tibial nonunions rarely heal without secondary intervention; revision surgery is the most common intervention. Herein, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with tibial nonunion treated with a new technique - minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) - combined with a new onionskin-like autologous bone grafting method. MATERIAL AND METHODS From 2010 to 2013, 18 patients with tibial nonunions (average bone defect: 9.5 mm) were treated with MIPPO technology combined with onionskin-like autologous bone grafting. Indices for clinical evaluation included operative time, fluoroscopy time, blood loss, hospital stay, healing time, postoperative complaints, radiographic performances, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire, and the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. RESULTS The average operation and fluoroscopy times for tibial nonunion were 65 min and 15.5 s, respectively, with a total blood loss of 107.7 mL. The mean duration of hospital stay was 12.8 days. The mean follow-up time was 11.9 months, and all patients achieved radiologically confirmed bony healing in an average time of 13.1 weeks. No lower-leg deformity, fixation failure, infection, and vascular, or nerve injuries were recorded in any patient, and only 4 patients complained of slight limb pain upon total weight-bearing at the end of follow-up. The SMFA and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores of patients were graded excellent in 14 (77.8%) and good in 4 (22.2%), indicating high functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS MIPPO technology combined with onionskin bone grafting is an efficient method to treat patients with tibial nonunion, especially for patients with poor soft tissue condition.

Congenital Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Very Low Birth Weight Neonate: A Case Report.

Congenital tuberculosis is rare and carries a high mortality rate. In this study, we report a case of congenital pulmonary tuberculosis in a very low birth weight of 1310g neonate born at the gestational age of 30 weeks 4 days. The mother of the patient had a fever a week before the delivery, and her symptoms improved after taking antibiotics. At the 9th day after birth, the neonate developed a fever, there was no improvement after the administration of antibiotics. Considering the maternal history and clinical suspicion of tuberculosis, we performed a series of screening tests and congenital pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed. After anti-tuberculosis treatment, the patient improved and was discharged.

InterTan nail versus Gamma3 nail for intramedullary nailing of unstable trochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: Trochanteric fractures (TF) have become a major source of morbidity and mortality in elderly. We conducted this study to compare the outcomes of unstable trochanteric fractures treated with the InterTan nail and Gamma3 nail. METHODS: Between January 2008 and May 2013, patients aged 60 years or older with a diagnosis of unstable TF treated with InterTan nail or Gamma3 nail were included. Patients treated with InterTan nail were pair-matched to patients treated with Gamma3 nail in a 1:2 ratio. Radiographs were obtained at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up, and all implant position changes, complications, fixation failures and functional scores were recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included in the InterTan nail group, and 174 pair-matched patients were included in the Gamma3 nail group. Preoperative scores were similar between the 2 groups. There are significant improvements postoperatively in both groups. The incidence of cut-out and femoral shaft fracture were significantly higher in the Gamma3 nail group than the InterTan nail group (P=0.024 and P=0.044, respectively). Patients treated with the InterTan nail experienced longer fluoroscopy and operative times. CONCLUSIONS: The InterTan nail may have a tendency in better outcomes for patients with unstable TF. However, the limited period of follow-up and inherent defects of nonrandomized trials indicate that better-designed randomized controlled trials will be required. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2014_191.