The effects of different dressings on the skin temperature of the knee during cryotherapy.

Aim: To assess the effect of different dressing types on the efficiency of cryotherapy.

Methods: Eighteen normal volunteers were divided equally into group 1-no dressing, group 2-thin adhesive dressing (tegaderm), and group 3--bulky dressing ("wool and crepe"). Cryotherapy (cryocuff and autochill) was applied to one knee with the other knee serving as control.

The new consent form: is it any better?

Background: The UK Department of Health (DoH) introduced a new consent form into the National Health Service (NHS) in April 2002 following the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of the new consent form with the old on the quality of consent.

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 11 questions was distributed to two groups of 100 patients before and after the introduction of the new consent form in the pre-assessment clinic at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

Can knee position save blood following total knee replacement?

Previous research showed knee flexion at 70 degrees for 6 h following total knee replacements (TKR) reduced wound drainage by 30%. However, wound drainage may not represent total blood loss and obstruction of the drain in flexion or the relative elevation of the knee could have caused the reduction in drainage. We wished to confirm that this simple, cheap method not only reduced wound drainage but also total haemoglobin loss and determine what part elevation or drain obstruction may play.