Progression of infantile scoliosis after thoracotomy and sternotomy for the treatment of congenital cardiac abnormalities.

Purpose: To determine whether the rate of progression of scoliosis is higher following thoracotomies and sternotomies in children.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of 1744 patients from a tertiary paediatric referral unit who had sternotomies or thoracotomies from 2005 to 2010 to identify those with scoliosis and to determine where possible, the pre- and post-operative rate of scoliosis progression. A secondary objective was to assess the risk factors for progression after surgery through Chi-square analysis.

Biomechanical comparison of 3 types of transdiscal fixation implants for fixing high-grade L5/S1 spine spondylolisthesis.

Background Context: There are several options for the stabilization of high-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis including transdiscal screws, the Bohlman technique (transdiscal fibular strut) and the modified Bohlman technique (transdiscal titanium mesh cage). The choice of an optimum construct remains controversial; therefore, we endeavoured to study and compare the biomechanical performance of these 3 techniques.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare 3 types of transdiscal fixation biomechanically in an in vitro porcine lumbar-sacral spine model.

Challenges to the orthopaedic arthroplasty enhanced recovery programme.

We performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty on an enhanced recovery programme, to identify pre- and postoperative factors contributing to an increased length of hospital stay. Of 109 patients, only 61 (56%) were ready for discharge on the fifth postoperative day. The three most common reasons for delays were oozing wounds, postoperative medical problems and failure to reach physiotherapy goals.

Injection versus Decompression for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Pilot trial (INDICATE-P)-protocol for a randomised feasibility study.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the commonest peripheral nerve disorder in the UK, with over 52,996 carpal tunnel decompressions performed in 2011. By 2030, this figure is estimated to double. Whilst evidence supports conservative measures for mild symptoms, and early surgery for severe symptoms, controversy remains over the most appropriate management for patients that present with moderate disease, with regard to early surgery or late surgery following steroid injection.

Barriers to becoming a female surgeon and the influence of female surgical role models.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the reasons that medical students and junior doctors who are women are less likely to pursue a career in surgery compared with their male counterparts.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to female final year medical students and female junior doctors in two UK hospitals between August and September 2012. Topics included career choice, attitudes to surgery, recognition of female surgical role models and perceived sexual discrimination.

The role of arthroscopy in the treatment of functional instability of the ankle.

Background: Ankle sprains are common, the majority resolving with functional rehabilitation. Some patients are left with symptoms of functional instability (FI). Ankle arthroscopy in those with symptoms of FI is not well covered in the literature.

Time delay between diagnosis and arthroscopic lavage in septic arthritis. Does it matter?

Purpose: Septic arthritis is a life-threatening emergency with high mortality of up to 11 %. We investigated if delay of arthroscopic lavage of infected major joints would have a bearing on the mortality and morbidity such as admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients presenting with septic arthritis to two regional hospitals over a period of seven years from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011.

Prospective outcome assessment of the therapeutic benefits of arthroscopy and arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint.

Patients who fail to respond to routine conservative measures to treat pain, restriction, and locking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may have therapeutic arthroscopy or arthrocentesis, both of which are associated with symptomatic improvement in 86% of patients. To our knowledge there are no current data on improvements in mouth opening and lateral deviations after these procedures. This prospective audit includes 244 patients treated between 2005 and 2010 from one surgeon's practice, who were followed up at least once at 6 weeks after arthroscopy or arthrocentesis.

Claustrophobia: a proxy for psychological distress in patients with back pain.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the levels of psychological distress in patients with back pain who expressed claustrophobia at the time of their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, compared with sex and age-matched normal controls who did not exhibit claustrophobia. The secondary aim was to document the level of disability and intervention rates in this group.

Scarf-Akin osteotomy correction for hallux valgus: short-term results from a district general hospital.

This study assessed the radiological measurements, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and patient satisfaction associated with performance of the scarf osteotomy, combined with an Akin osteotomy, for the treatment of hallux valgus in patients at a general hospital. Thirty-five patients were assessed before surgery, and at 6 months following performance of the scarf first metatarsal osteotomy plus Akin osteotomy. The mean first intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles reduced from 14.

Sharps injury reporting amongst surgeons.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of sharps injury reporting amongst surgeons.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 164 surgeons completed a questionnaire on the reporting of sharps injuries, on the reasons for not reporting and their practise of universal precautions.

Results: Out of 164 surgeons, only 25.