Outcomes Following Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures (ORIF) By Podiatric Surgeons.

Open reduction internal fixation of closed ankle fractures is a common procedure performed by podiatric surgeons. This is the first study to specifically evaluate complication rates of this procedure among podiatric surgeons using a large patient cohort. The rates of podiatric surgical complications were also compared to the complication rates reported in the orthopedic literature. There was no significant difference between podiatric surgeons and orthopedic surgeons with regards to surgical site infection. However, complication rates, including 1-year postsurgery deep vein thrombosis (DVT), malunion, and unplanned revision surgery within 90-day, were lower in our study, compared to the average rates reported in the orthopedic literature. The authors believe that the most important determinant for post ankle surgical complications is related to surgical volume and experience, rather than professional degree type.

Outcomes of Wound Healing and Limb Loss After Transmetatarsal Amputation in the Presence of Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is the procedure of choice in treating forefoot gangrene and infection. Foot and ankle and vascular surgeons work closely together in limb salvage, but little is known about the timing of vascular intervention to achieve a healed amputation site. This study retrospectively looked at 153 patients with peripheral vascular disease who underwent TMA with a minimum of a 3-year follow-up. A total of 102 patients received vascular intervention: 79 endovascular and 23 open bypass. The primary focus of this study was to look at the timing of vascular intervention, incidence of wound healing, and incidence of limb loss. There was an overall 44% rate of limb loss. Patients who underwent open bypass did better than those who underwent endovascular intervention with a lower incidence of limb loss (87% compared with 51%), and quicker time to wound healing. The timing of vascular intervention, performed either before or after TMA, had no association with wound healing or limb loss. Similarly, the time interval between vascular intervention and TMA had no association with wound healing or limb loss. Comorbidities, including end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure, showed a significant association with TMA stump nonhealing and limb loss. Body mass index ≥30, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, and hyperlipidemia were all risk factors for limb loss.

A critical review on different roughness geometries and their effect on heat transfer and friction factor.

Solar air heater (SAH) is simple and the greatest effective approach to utilize and convert solar energy into thermal energy for heating utilizations. The employment of artificial roughness under side of the observer surface is the key technique for augmenting heat transfer with minimal friction factor penalty. Current paper summarized different kinds of artificial roughness used in SAH, which augments its performance. In this review article, 96 research papers are cited, which provide detailed information about the effect of different geometrical parameters on heat transfer and friction factor. This paper also brings the information about the optimum roughness parameters and heat transfer and friction factor correlation developed by different investigators in tabular form. Optimum roughness parameters and empirical correlations are used for comparative analysis of heat transfer, friction factor, and thermo-hydraulic performance parameter (THPP) of different roughness geometries. The best performing roughness geometry is reported on the basis of comparative analysis. Mathematical model is developed for predicting the thermal efficiency (ηth) of roughened SAH duct.