PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETERS IN ORTHOPEDIC PATIENTS: EXPERIENCE FROM 1023 PROCEDURES.

Objectives: The advantages of using a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in hospitalized patients make this device very important for intravenous therapy. This study describes the use of PICCs at the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo over the last 10 years.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 1,057 medical records and included 1,023 medical files with complete information on the punctured vein, diagnosis, duration of catheterization, complications, and catheter tip positioning.

The strategic role of the nurse in the selection of IV devices.

Use of vascular devices represents one of the most common procedures used as a complementary measure in the treatment of patients. An indication algorithm was established to serve as a guideline for nurses in choosing the best intravenous device, considering the main variables of drug therapy. A protocol approved by the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), where the authors work, was subsequently established and the nurse carried out the evaluation for the indication of both the peripheral device and the central device, whether a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) or other device inserted by the physician.

Massage application for occupational low back pain in nursing staff.

This is a clinical trial which aims to evaluate the efficiency of massage in the reduction of occupational low back pain, and its influence on the performance of work and life activities for the nursing team. The sample consisted of 18 employees who received seven to eight sessions after their work period. From the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, significant improvements were found between the 3rd and 1st evaluations (p=0.

Histological study of fresh versus frozen semitendinous muscle tendon allografts.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to histologically analyze allografts from cadaveric semitendinous muscle after cryopreservation at -80 degrees C in comparison to a control group kept at only -4 degrees C to test the hypothesis that the histological characteristics of the tissue are maintained when the tendons are kept at lower temperatures.

Methods: In a tissue bank, 10 semitendinous tendons from 10 cadavers were frozen at -80 degress C as a storage method for tissue preservation. They were kept frozen for 40 days, and then a histological study was carried out.

Comparative study of cryopreserved bone tissue and tissue preserved in a 98% glycerol solution.

Objective: To compare the bone graft cryopreservation method (at -80 degrees C) with a preservation method using a 98% glycerol solution at room temperature (10 degrees C-35 degrees C), by testing the antibacterial and fungal effects of 98% glycerol and comparatively analyzing the observed histological changes resulting from the use of both methods.

Method: This study was of 30 samples of trabecular bone tissue from 10 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Each femoral head provided 3 samples that were randomized into 3 groups, namely, the control group, the cryopreserved group, and the group preserved in a 98% glycerol at room temperature for 1 year.