Use of monofilament sutures and triclosan coating to protect against surgical site infections in spinal surgery: a laboratory-based study.

Purpose: We investigated bacterial propagation through multifilament, monofilament sutures and whether sutures coated with triclosan would exhibit a different phenomenon.

Methods: One centimetre (cm) wide trenches were cut in the middle of Columbia blood Agar plates. We tested a 6 cm length of two Triclosan-coated (PDS plus®, Vicryl plus®) and two uncoated (PDS ®, Vicryl ®) sutures.

Spring ligament insufficiency and hallux valgus as an independent risk factors for first ray instability.

Introduction: First ray instability (FRI) arising from failed plantar/interosseous ligaments is strongly associated with planovalgus, leading to synovitis and deformity. Our hypothesis is that proximal spring ligament insufficiency (SLI) drives secondary FRI in the absence of hallux valgus (HV) and may be an independent risk factor.

Methods: Patients with FRI, screened by Klaue's test, were recruited.

Trauma or tumour: giant cell tumour of distal biceps tendon sheath, an unusual cause of elbow pain.

We report the case of a middle-age lady who presented following minor trauma, with dominant-sided anterior elbow pain and swelling of 6 months in duration. She was assessed clinically, and underwent investigations, which confirmed features consistent with giant cell tumour (GCT) of distal biceps tendon sheath. She underwent uneventful en-bloc excisional surgery.

Spontaneous Bilateral Sternoclavicular Joint Septic Arthritis and Lumbar Discitis: An Unusual Case in a Healthy Adult.

Introduction: Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a rare condition. Typically, it presents in patients with risk of infection and is usually unilateral. In this report, we describe a case of spontaneous bilateral sternoclavicular joint infection of an otherwise healthy adult.

Venous thromboembolism in adult elective spinal surgery: a tertiary centre review of 2181 patients.

Aims: To evaluate the incidence of primary venous thromboembolism (VTE), epidural haematoma, surgical site infection (SSI), and 90-day mortality after elective spinal surgery, and the effect of two protocols for prophylaxis.

Patients And Methods: A total of 2181 adults underwent 2366 elective spinal procedures between January 2007 and January 2012. All patients wore anti-embolic stockings, mobilised early and were kept adequately hydrated.