Prospective randomized study after the use of drains in total knee arthroplasty with implant.

Objective: to compare the laboratorial results of opening suction drainage 6 hours and 12 hours after total knee arthroplasty surgery.

Methods: prospective and randomized study in 88 patients undergoing with total knee arthroplasty in two groups: in one group the opening suction drainage was performed 6 hours (n = 45) after the surgery and in the other 12 hours (n = 43) after the surgery.

Results: the outcome was a significant fall in the three laboratorial variables (hemoglobin, red blood cells and hematocrit) between the pre and post-operative in the total sample and in the six and 12 hour opening suction drainage groups.

FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL EXTREMITY OF THE TIBIA TREATED WITH INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL OR BRIDGE PLATE: COMPARISON OF RADIATION EXPOSURE DURATION BETWEEN THE TWO METHODS.

Objective: To compare the duration of exposure to radiation among patients with fractures of the distal third of the tibia treated with an intramedullary nail or with a bridge plate.

Methods: Intramedullary nails were used for 33 fractures, and bridge plates were used for 41 fractures. In the nail group, according to the AO classification, 14 patients had type A fractures, 15 had type B and four had type C.