Influence of intermittent pneumatic compression devices on non-invasive blood pressure measurement of the ankle.

Background: It is rapidly becoming the standard of care to employ the perioperative use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices on the lower leg to prevent the development of deep venous thrombosis. There are instances when the anesthesiologist must apply a blood pressure cuff to the ankle in order to obtain a blood pressure reading. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of IPC devices on non-invasive blood pressure measurements of the ankle.

Double level fractures of the cervical spine.

Sixteen cases of double level fracture of the cervical spine treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic of Athens University from 1970 to 1983 are presented. These comprise 5.5% of all cervical fractures.

[Fractures of the atlas].

The authors present details of 22 fractures of the atlas treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic of the University of Athens between 1970 and 1982. After a brief survey of the basis of classification of the four types of fracture, the mechanism of injury, the clinical and radiological presentation and the treatment of these injuries, the authors analyse their own cases and examine their results. Such fractures may go unrecognised because of more obvious associated injuries at other levels in the cervical spine.