[Functional results of a rapid recovery program compared to the usual protocol in total knee arthroplasty]. / Resultados funcionales de un programa de recuperación rápida comparado con el protocolo habitual en artroplastía total de rodilla.

INTRODUCTION: rapid recovery programs in joint replacement surgery are effective in developed countries; The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of a rapid recovery program in our population and to compare them with the results of the usual protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a randomized single blinded clinical trial was conducted with patients who were candidates for total knee arthroplasty (n = 51) recruited from May 2018 to December 2019. group A (n = 24) received a rapid recovery program and group B (n = 27) received the usual protocol, with follow-up for 12 months. For statistical analysis, the Student's t test (parametric continuous variables), Kruskal-Wallis (nonparametric continuous variables) and the chi-square test (categorical variables) were used. RESULTS: statistically significant differences were found between groups in pain at two months (group A 3.4 ± 1.3 vs group B 4.2 ± 1.4, p = 0.04) and six months (1 ± 0.8 vs 1.7 ± 1.2, p = 0.01), with the WOMAC questionnaire at two months (group A 74.5 ± 7.2 vs group B 67.2 ± 7.5, p 0.01), six months (88.7 ± 5.3 vs 83.0 ± 4.8, p 0.01) and 12 months (90.1 ± 4.5 vs 86.7 ± 4.3, p 0.01), and with the IDKC questionnaire at two months (group A 62.9 ± 7.0 vs group B 55.9 ± 6.1, p 0.01), six months (74.3 ± 2.7 vs 71.1 ± 3.9, p 0.01) and 12 months (75.4 ± 3.0 vs 72.6 ± 3.5, p 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: the results obtained in this study suggest that the implementation of these programs can be a safe and effective alternative in terms of reducing pain and functional capacity in our population.

INTRODUCCIÓN: los programas de recuperación rápida en cirugía de reemplazo articular son eficaces en países desarrollados; el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los resultados funcionales de un programa de recuperación rápida en nuestra población y comprarlos con los resultados del protocolo habitual. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se realizó un ensayo clínico no ciego simple aleatorizado con pacientes candidatos a artroplastía total de rodilla (n = 51) reclutados de Mayo de 2018 a Diciembre de 2019. El grupo A (n = 24) recibió un programa de recuperación rápida y el grupo B (n = 27) recibió el protocolo habitual, con seguimiento durante 12 meses. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba de t de Student (variables continuas paramétricas), Kruskal-Wallis (variables continuas no paramétricas) y la prueba de 2 (variables categóricas). RESULTADOS: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre grupos en el dolor a los dos meses (grupo A 3.4 ± 1.3 versus grupo B 4.2 ± 1.4, p = 0.04) y seis meses (1 ± 0.8 versus 1.7 ± 1.2, p = 0.01), con el cuestionario WOMAC a los dos meses (grupo A 74.5 ± 7.2 versus grupo B 67.2 ± 7.5, p 0.01), seis meses (88.7 ± 5.3 versus 83.0 ± 4.8, p 0.01) y 12 meses (90.1 ± 4.5 versus 86.7 ± 4.3, p 0.01) y con el cuestionario IDKC a los dos meses (grupo A 62.9 ± 7.0 versus grupo B 55.9 ± 6.1, p 0.01), seis meses (74.3 ± 2.7 versus 71.1 ± 3.9, p 0.01) y 12 meses (75.4 ± 3.0 versus 72.6 ± 3.5, p 0.01). CONCLUSIONES: los resultados obtenidos en este estudio sugieren que la implementación de estos programas puede ser una alternativa segura y eficaz en cuanto a la disminución del dolor y a la capacidad funcional en nuestra población.

Microbiological water purification without the use of chemical disinfection.

OBJECTIVE: Point-of-use (POU) water treatment systems are self-contained units that can be used by recreational enthusiasts who normally obtain drinking water from untreated sources (i.e., rivers, lakes, etc). Microbiological water purifier units are capable of removing all waterborne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new technology (Structured Matrix) capable of micro-biologically purifying the water without the use of chemical disinfectants or an external power requirement. METHODS: Each of 3 identical portable water filtration units were evaluated for their ability to remove Klebsiella terrigena, poliovirus type 1, rotavirus SA-11, and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Units were operated according to the manufacturer's instructions to process 378 L of water. Each unit was challenged with test organisms after 0, 94, 190, 227, 284, 340, and 378 L had passed through it. For the 227-L and 284-L challenges, a "worst-case" water quality (4 degrees C, pH 9, and turbidity 30 NTU) was used that contained 1500 mg/L dissolved solids and 10 mg/L humid acid. At 340-L and 378-L challenges, worst-case water quality was adjusted to pH 5.0. Units were tested after stagnation for 48 hours following passage of 190, 340, and 378 L of water. RESULTS: The geometric average removal exceeded 99.9999% for bacteria, 99.99% for viruses, and 99.9% for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. CONCLUSION: These units comply with the criteria guidelines for microbial removal under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's "Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers."