Negligence claims following non-union and malunion of long bone fractures: An analysis of 15 years of data.

INTRODUCTION: Non-unions and malunions are recognised to be complications of the treatment of long bone fractures. No previous work has looked at the implications of these complications from a medicolegal perspective. METHODS: A complete database of litigation claims in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery was obtained from the NHS Litigation Authority. Two separate modalities of the treatment of long bone fractures were examined i) non-union and ii) acquired deformity. The type of complaint, whether defended or not, and costs were analysed. RESULTS: There were claims of which 97 related to non-union and 32 related to postoperative limb deformity. The total cost was £8.2 million over a 15-year period in England and Wales. Femoral and tibial non-unions were more expensive particularly if they resulted in amputation. Rotational deformity cost nearly twice as much as angulation deformities. CONCLUSIONS: The cosmetic appearances of rotational malalignment and amputation results in higher compensation; this reinforces an outward perception of outcome as being more important than harmful effects. Notwithstanding the limitations of this database, there are clinical lessons to be gained from these litigation claims.

Litigation costs of wrong-site surgery and other non-technical errors in orthopaedic operating theatres.

INTRODUCTION: This study reviews the litigation costs of avoidable errors in orthopaedic operating theatres (OOTs) in England and Wales from 1995 to 2010 using the National Health Service Litigation Authority Database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Litigation specifically against non-technical errors (NTEs) in OOTs and issues regarding obtaining adequate consent was identified and analysed for the year of incident, compensation fee, cost of legal defence, and likelihood of compensation. RESULTS: There were 550 claims relating to consent and NTEs in OOTs. Negligence was related to consent (n=126), wrong-site surgery (104), injuries in the OOT (54), foreign body left in situ (54), diathermy and skin-preparation burns (54), operator error (40), incorrect equipment (25), medication errors (15) and tourniquet injuries (10). Mean cost per claim was £40,322. Cumulative cost for all cases was £20 million. Wrong-site surgery was error that elicited the most successful litigation (89% of cases). Litigation relating to implantation of an incorrect prosthesis (eg right-sided prosthesis in a left knee) cost £2.9 million. Prevalence of litigation against NTEs has declined since 2007. CONCLUSIONS: Improved patient-safety strategies such as the World Health Organization Surgical Checklist may be responsible for the recent reduction in prevalence of litigation for NTEs. However, addition of a specific feature in orthopaedic surgery, an 'implant time-out' could translate into a cost benefit for National Health Service hospital trusts and improve patient safety.

Stewart-Treves syndrome following idiopathic leg lymphoedema: remember sarcoma.

Patients with skin complaints secondary to oedema are commonly encountered and can be a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present the case of a 78-year-old lady with Stewart-Treves syndrome, a rare cutaneous angiosarcoma. The histology showed angiocutaneous sarcoma with poorly defined margins. The prognosis remains extremely poor. A successful transfemoral amputation reduced the massive tumour burden and cleared a source of sepsis from this fungating tumour. Our aim is to highlight this rare but high-grade sarcoma which results from chronic lymphoedema. The red flag signs of sarcoma are masses greater than 5 cm, tumours which are rapidly growing, deep to fascia or painful, and tumours that recur after previous surgery. Non-healing or progressive ulceration in the background of chronic lymphoedema should raise the possibility of underlying malignancy. We need a low threshold for biopsy and early referral to an appropriate multidisciplinary team for the optimum management of the patient.

Use of diagnostic imaging during the 1997 Canada Summer Games.

OBJECTIVE: To document use of diagnostic imaging during a multi-sport games to assist in planning for future such competitions. METHODS: Medical records from the 1997 Canada Summer Games and from the Brandon General Hospital were reviewed. All uses of diagnostic imaging were compiled as were results of the imaging examinations. These data were correlated with demographic information. RESULTS: A total of 80 imaging examinations were performed during the 1997 Canada Summer Games. These were mainly plain radiographs (n = 77), with two nuclear medicine examinations and one computed tomography (CT) scan. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were available but not used. Use of imaging examinations correlated well with the risk category of the sports, and was almost identical between female and male athletes; women accounted for 42.5% of the imaging examinations and 42.7% of the participants. CONCLUSION: These data may be helpful in planning for other multi-sport competitions. The mix of sports is of greater predictive value than the ratio of female to male athletes when predicting the demand for diagnostic imaging services.

Pneumoperitoneum.

Pneumoperitoneum results from perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in the majority of instances and the necessity of operative treatment is implied. In patients where peritonitis is not a problem, nonoperative treatment is successful. Surgical treatment is not required for those in whom the condition results from barotrauma. The decision to enjoin or withhold operative intervention in individual cases is judgmental.

Gastric emptying and myoelectric activity following Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

The purpose of this study was to compare gastric emptying and Roux myoelectric activity in a canine model. Four dogs underwent truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, and 40 cm Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, with placement of serosal electrodes. Following recovery, gastric emptying was determined scintigraphically with a radiolabeled solid meal, and fasting and fed small-bowel myoelectric activity was obtained. Gastric emptying was markedly slowed compared to control unoperated animals (202 +/- 91 versus 46 +/- 12 min; P less than 0.05). Slow wave frequency declined in the Roux limb compared to the duodenum (14.2 +/- 0.4 versus 18.0 +/- .06 counts per minute; P less than 0.01). No gradient in slow wave frequency was observed in the Roux limb, although one animal was noted to have reversed propagation of slow waves in the proximal Roux limb. Migrating myoelectric complexes (MMCs) were coordinated between the Roux limb and jejunum distal to the enteroenterostomy, but not with the duodenum. Periodicity of the MMCs was different in the Roux limb and duodenum (98.6 +/- 6.3 versus 138 +/- 17.5 min; P less than 0.05). None of the animals converted to the fed myoelectric pattern with a 272 kcal meal (MMC periodicity in the Roux limb = 99 +/- 10 min postprandially, P = N.S.). These quantitative and qualitative alterations in myoelectric activity may contribute to the observed delay in gastric emptying following Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

Myoelectric effects and histology after stapled occlusion of the small bowel.

Braun enteroenterostomy with stapled occlusion of the afferent limb has been advocated to treat bile gastritis and to avoid the motility effects of Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. However, the motility effects of stapled occlusion are unknown. Myoelectric activity and histologic features were studied after stapled occlusion of the small bowel in a canine model. A 35 cm "recirculating loop" was created with a side-to-side anastomosis, beginning 25 cm from the ligament of Treitz. Serosal electrodes were placed at 5 cm intervals on the loop; at a second operation in one dog and simultaneously in three dogs, the bowel was occluded midway between two electrodes with 4.8 mm staples. Fasting recordings were obtained at weekly intervals to 6 months after surgery and were analyzed for slow wave frequency proximal and distal to the staple line and for propagation time of phase 3 of the migrating myoelectric complex across the staple line. The side-to-side anastomosis did not alter myoelectric activity. However, after stapled occlusion of the small bowel, the slow wave frequency dropped from a mean of 18.2 +/- 0.4 cpm proximally to 15.4 +/- 1.0 cpm distally (p less than 0.05). This correlated with loss of myogenic continuity in three of four animals. Propagation of phase 3 slowed across the staple line (115 +/- 27 seconds versus 47 +/- 9 seconds) (p less than 0.02). The bowel lumen recannulated in all animals. Stapling across the small bowel alters myoelectric activity, and occlusion of the bowel lumen may not be permanent.

Gastric dysrhythmias following pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Possible mechanism for early delayed gastric emptying.

Transient delayed gastric emptying is reported as a frequent complication following pancreas-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPW). We placed serosal electrodes on the stomach of a patient undergoing PPW. Myoelectric recordings were obtained postoperatively and correlated with simultaneous radionuclide liquid gastric emptying studies. The patient developed early postoperative gastric atony, associated with frequent gastric dysrhythmias. These dysrhythmias may have been exacerbated by a perihepatic abscess. The gastric dysrhythmias correlated with alterations in liquid gastric emptying. Gastric dysrhythmias may be a mechanism for gastric dysfunction in the early postoperative period.

APUD update.

Apudomas are a diffuse group of tumors that have interested surgeons for a long time. With recent developments in their radiological localization and pharmacological control, they are now treated in a truly multidisciplinary approach. In this chapter, recent developments in the radiological, surgical, and medical approaches to these tumors are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on how non-surgical developments have affected the surgical treatment of specific apudomas. Resulting changes in surgical philosophy are also reviewed.

Glacier surge mechanism: 1982-1983 surge of variegated glacier, alaska.

The hundredfold speedup in glacier motion in a surge of the kind the kind that took place in Variegated Glacier in 1982-1983 is caused by the buildup of high water pressure in the basal passageway system, which is made possible by a fundamental and pervasive change in the geometry and water-transport characteristics of this system. The behavior of the glacier in surge has many remarkable features, which can provide clues to a detailed theory of the surging process. The surge mechanism is akin to a proposed mechanism of overthrust faulting.

Treatment of canine low pressure pulmonary edema. Nitroprusside versus hydralazine.

In canine oleic acid pulmonary edema, we investigated acute cardiopulmonary effects of different doses of nitroprusside and compared the results with those obtained after intravenously administered hydralazine. Oleic acid increased (p less than 0.05) intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt), increased (p less than 0.01) systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and reduced (p less than 0.05) cardiac output (CO). In the presence of low-pressure pulmonary edema, low-dose nitroprusside (NP1) reduced (p less than 0.01) mean blood pressure (BP) approximately 8%, but with the exception of a small fall in ventricular filling pressure, other parameters remained constant. Compared with control values, a higher dose of nitroprusside (NP2) reduced mean BP 20%, and despite a fall (p less than 0.01) in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, CO increased (p less than 0.05) 20%. Corresponding to the increase in flow, mean Qs/Qt increased (p less than 0.05) from 26 to 36% with NP2 and arterial O2 tension fell (186 to 166 mmHg, p less than 0.05). Compared with NP2, intravenously administered hydralazine caused a larger (p less than 0.01) change in CO. Despite increased CO and increased (p less than 0.01) mixed venous O2 tension, there was no deterioration in gas exchange with hydralazine. Mean Qs/Qt remained constant and arterial O2 tension, (PaO2) increased (p less than 0.05) from 174 mmHg to 217 mmHg. The increased CO with NP2 and hydralazine is probably explained by the large reduction in systemic vascular resistance. Because Qs/Qt remained constant with hydralazine, the increase in PaO2 is most likely due to the increase in PvO2, which increased because CO increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mediation of subacute anthracycline cardiotoxicity in rabbits by cardiac histamine release.

We tested the hypothesis that cardiac histamine release mediates subacute doxorubicin (DXR) cardiotoxicity in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits given DXR 20 mg/kg i.v. over 30 min developed myocardial damage 24 h later that was similar to that observed in humans. In isolated heart preparations, DXR produced dose-related cardiac histamine release at DXR concentrations of 1, 5, and 25 micrograms/ml given as 1-min exposures. Prior exposure of isolated hearts to 10 microM cromolyn sodium completely prevented histamine release from 5 micrograms/ml DXR. Pretreatment of animals with cromolyn produced significant protection against DXR-mediated subacute cardiotoxicity. We conclude that the release of cardiac histamine may be involved in the pathogenesis of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Role strain and burnout in child-protective service workers.

Social workers in child-protective services have always been called on to fulfill complex and demanding roles. In recent years dramatic increases in public and professional awareness of child neglect and abuse have produced new patterns of service delivery and rapidly expanding expectations for protective-service workers. At the same time, the problem of job dissatisfaction and burnout among these workers has received increased attention and may be becoming more widespread. This article reports on a study which applies the role conflict and ambiguity theory developed by Kahn and others to the problem of job dissatisfaction among protective-service social workers.

Two dimensional echocardiographic quantification of infarct size alteration by pharmacologic agents.

In 27 closed chest dogs left ventricular wall motion abnormalities assessed quantitatively with two dimensional echocardiography were used as a measure of myocardial infarct size, and the change in extent of segmental wall motion abnormalities due to drug intervention early after infarction was evaluated. The extent of wall motion abnormalities was measured with echocardiography before and at 20 and 40 minutes and 5 1/2 hours after coronary occlusion. Three subgroups of dogs received, respectively, an infusion of nitroglycerin, phenylephrine or saline solution. Infarct size was measured with technetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy of the excised left ventricle. The infarct size correlated well with the extent of wall motion abnormalities before death. Wall motion was initially similar among the three groups but was significantly improved after treatment with nitroglycerin (P less than 0.025), remained stable with continued saline infusion and worsened significantly (P less than 0.05) after treatment with phenylephrine. Two dimensional echocardiography can be used to quantify experimental canine myocardial infarction and assess the effect of nitroglycerin.