The effect of army vest design on the occurrence of stress fractures and overuse injuries in female military recruits.

INTRODUCTION: Stress fractures (SFs) occur when microdamage caused by repetitive mechanical load exceeds the biological load-bearing capacity of the bone. The study objective was to test whether a vest specifically designed and manufactured for female recruits, compared with the standard vest used on a regular basis by Border Police recruits, would reduce the incidence of SF in female Border Police recruits. Data based on reports of military personnel show that women are more likely to sustain SFs. METHODS: A follow-up of 240 female Border Police infantry recruits, divided into two trial groups, was conducted from 2007 to 2009. Two different vests were evaluated-the standard special unit fighting vest, which was conventionally used by both men and women during basic training, and the new fighting vest, specially design for female body shape. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted in the number of SFs between the two groups which may be attributed to increased weight of the new vest. There was a lower incidence of long bone SFs which may have been due to the superior vest design. The female Border Police Infantry recruits expressed great satisfaction with the new vest. CONCLUSIONS: Increased effort should be invested to further reduce the weight of female combat gear, alongside efforts to improve fit and comfort.

[Intrapleural marcaine for postoperative analgesia].

Intrapleural marcaine has been described as an effective method of analgesia following upper abdominal and thoracic operations and is no longer regarded as experimental. We have shown that the same quality of analgesia can be achieved by injecting the drug through a catheter inserted intraoperatively through the surgical incision. In our method, applied in 9 cases, there is no risk of pneumothorax as a result of piercing the chest wall, since intraoperative placement of the intrapleural catheter is very easy. We therefore suggest it as the method of choice for postoperative analgesia in kidney operations. It is especially recommended in elderly patients with chronic pulmonary disease who do not tolerate narcotics well.

Cross over ileo-popliteal bypass through the obturator foramen: an additional route for extra-anatomic limb blood supply.

Complications and morbidity associated with vascular graft infections continue to be a major clinical problem. Ischemia and gangrene are consequences of limb circulation failure, especially in extra-anatomic, occluded and infected bypass prostheses. Infection of the tissue bed of such prostheses should be prevented. When it occurs, the use of the contralateral obturator foramen represents an alternative route in cases in which it is impossible to use the ipsilateral vessels. Prosthetic crossover reconstruction through the obturator foramen may be considered a safe and effective solution for patients with a limb threatening infection of the extra-anatomic graft and a damaged blood supply.