Anconeus pedicle olecranon flip osteotomy: an approach for the fixation of complex intra-articular distal humeral fractures.

In order to achieve satisfactory reduction of complex distal humeral fractures, adequate exposure of the fracture fragments and the joint surface is required. Several surgical exposures have been described for distal humeral fractures. We report our experience using the anconeus pedicle olecranon flip osteotomy approach. This involves detachment of the triceps along with a sliver of olecranon, which retains the anconeus pedicle. We report the use of this approach in ten patients (six male, four female) with a mean age of 38.4 years (28 to 51). The mean follow-up was 15 months (12 to 18) with no loss to follow-up. Elbow function was graded using the Mayo Score. The results were excellent in four patients, good in five and fair in one patient. The mean time to both fracture and osteotomy union was 10.6 weeks (8 to 12) and 7.1 weeks (6 to 8), respectively. We found this approach gave reliably good exposure for these difficult fractures enabling anatomical reduction and bicondylar plating without complications.

Formulation and evaluation of famotidine floating tablets.

The purpose of this investigation was to prepare a gastroretentive drug delivery system of famotidine. Floating tablets of famotidine were prepared employing two different grades of methocel K100 and methocel K15M by effervescent technique; these grades of methocel were evaluated for their gel forming properties. Sodium bicarbonate was incorporated as a gas-generating agent. The floating tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, drug content, in vitro buoyancy and dissolution studies. The effect of citric acid on drug release profile and floating properties was investigated. The prepared tablets exhibited satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics. All the prepared batches showed good in vitro buoyancy. The tablet swelled radially and axially during in vitro buoyancy studies. It was observed that the tablet remained buoyant for 6-10 hours. Decrease in the citric acid level increased the floating lag time but tablets floated for longer duration. A combination of sodium bicarbonate (130mg) and citric acid (10mg) was found to achieve optimum in vitro buoyancy. The tablets with methocel K100 were found to float for longer duration as compared with formulations containing methocel K15M. The drug release from the tablets was sufficiently sustained and non-Fickian transport of the drug from tablets was confirmed.