Kirschner wire fixation for scaphoid fractures: an experimental study in synthetic bones.

We have studied the biomechanical stability in vitro of three different Kirschner (K) wire configurations in three types of simulated scaphoid waist fractures. The fractures were created with a saw in Sawbones models. There were three fracture patterns: perpendicular to the long axis of the scaphoid model; and 30° and 20° oblique to that. Two 1.2 mm. K-wires were used in each scaphoid. The three configurations were: parallel; 20° oblique; and crossing. The oblique or crossing configurations of K-wires were the most stable depending on the fracture pattern.

Outcome of significant functional tricuspid regurgitation late after mitral valve replacement for predominant rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the severity of preoperative functional TR and late adverse outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement (MVR). The study group comprised 68 patients (54 women, 14 men; mean age 45 +/-10 years) with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) who had undergone MVR without tricuspid valve surgery between 4 and 13 years (mean 8.1 +/-2.6 years) before their last clinical examination. All patients underwent a complete preoperative and late postoperative color-Doppler echocardiographic examination. The severity of TR was assessed echocardiographically by using color-Doppler flow images and flow direction in the inferior vena cava or hepatic veins. Patients were classified into 2 groups; 42 with mild (62%) and 26 with significant (38%) TR. Patients with significant TR showed longer preoperative symptomatic period and more atrial fibrillation than those with mild TR. All patients had medical treatment. Functional capacity and NYHA class of the patients in both groups improved significantly after MVR. Freedom from symptomatic heart failure (functional class III or IV) was higher (86% vs 54%) and the need for hospitalization was significantly lower for the mild TR group. Significant preoperative functional TR diagnosed by echocardiography was associated with an adverse outcome. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of concomitant tricuspid valve repair on the late outcome of patients undergoing mitral valve surgery in order to prevent significant late morbidity.

A case with severe rhabdomyolysis and renal failure associated with cerivastatin-gemfibrozil combination therapy--a case report.

Gemfibrozil-statin combination therapy is a well-known risk factor for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Cerivastatin is a currently available statin with dual elimination; it is therefore expected to cause less drug-drug interaction. This case is the second reported case with severe rhabdomyolysis caused by cerivastatin-gemfibrozil combination. Moreover, in this case, the rhabdomyolysis was more severe and caused severe renal failure and death. The authors discuss how these drugs cause rhabdomyolysis and how rhabdomyolysis can cause renal failure.