Are Suture Tape Knots as Secure as Standard Suture? A Biomechanical Study.

Background: Few studies have investigated the biomechanical performance of flat-braided suture tapes versus round-braided sutures after being knotted.

Purpose: To compare the loop security and knot strength of a standard round-braided suture with 3 commercially available flat-braided suture tapes using 2 types of arthroscopic knots.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Venous Thromboembolism After Shoulder Arthoplasty and Arthroscopy.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the orthopaedic literature largely focuses on lower extremity trauma and arthroplasty, with relatively few investigations of VTE after shoulder surgery. Because the rate of shoulder surgery, especially arthroplasty, continues to expand, it is important for practicing surgeons to understand the magnitude of risk, potential consequences, and prevention methods with regard to VTE. VTE after shoulder surgery has been a topic of increasing interest over the past decade, and the purpose of this review is to examine the recent literature on pathophysiology, risk factors, incidence, diagnosis, sequelae, prevention, treatment, and current recommendations regarding VTE after shoulder surgery.

Fire in the operating room: a previously unreported ignition source.

Surgical fires are a serious threat to the patient and surgical team in the operating room. Burns have been reported at, and distant to, the operating site, as well as within the body. The essential point to remember is that at least 1 arm of the fire triangle-an oxidizer, fuel, and an ignition source-must be completely controlled to prevent an intraoperative fire.

The effects of load carriage on spinal curvature and posture.

Study Design: This is a repeated-measures design where the subjects acted as their own controls. Curvature of the spine, as well as mean trunk and head flexion were noted twice during 21 minutes of load carriage: in rested and fatigued conditions.

Objective: To determine if spinal curvature and posture were affected by mild fatigue in load carriage.