Performance test of different 3.5 mm drill bits and consequences for orthopaedic surgery.

Introduction: Drilling of bones in orthopaedic and trauma surgery is a common procedure. There are yet no recommendations about which drill bits/coating should be preferred and when to change a used drill bit.

Materials And Methods: In preliminary studies typical "drilling patterns" of surgeons concerning used spindle speed and feeding force were recorded.

Clamshell thoracotomy and open heart massage--A potential life-saving procedure can be taught to emergency physicians: An educational cadaveric pilot study.

Aims: Selected patients in traumatic cardiac arrest may benefit from pre-hospital thoracotomy. Pre-hospital care physicians rarely have surgical training and the procedure is rarely performed in most European systems. Limited data exists to inform teaching and training for this procedure.

The risk of injury to the anterior tibial artery in the posterolateral approach to the tibia plateau: a cadaver study.

Background: Posterolateral tibial plateau shear fractures often require buttress plating, which can be performed through a posterolateral approach. The purpose of this study was to provide accurate data about the inferior limit of dissection.

Methods: Forty unpaired cadaver adult lower limbs were used.

Anatomical structures at risk with the proud retrograde femoral nail.

Background: Post-operative knee pain is common following retrograde nailing, with its etiology often multifactorial although a well-established cause is nail protrusion from the intercondylar notch. The aim of this study was to assess the structures at risk if the nail is left proud of the femoral articular surface.

Methods: A retrograde femoral nail (Synthes Distal Femoral Nail) was inserted into the distal femur of 15 cadaveric lower limbs using the standard technique.

The risk of nerve injury with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of distal fibula fractures: an anatomic study.

Aim: The aim of our study was to identify the structures which may be at risk of injury when using a minimally invasive technique for the osteosynthesis of the lateral malleolus and the influence of the size of the implant on the frequency of injury to these structures.

Method: Forty plates were percutaneously inserted in 20 cadaveric legs. The region around the plate was then dissected to examine the relation of nerves and soft tissues to the plate.

Morphology of the tibialis anterior muscle and its implications in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of tibial fractures.

We examined the variation in the origin of the tibialis anterior muscle from the lateral aspect of the tibial shaft and interosseous membrane as well as the variation in the morphology of its musculotendinous junction. Forty cadaveric lower leg specimens (20 right and 20 left) were dissected to reveal the anterior compartment. The origin of the tibialis anterior muscle and its relation to the lateral tibial shaft and interosseous membrane were determined.

Anatomical basis of the risk of radial nerve injury related to the technique of external fixation applied to the distal humerus.

Purpose: Stabilization of humeral shaft and elbow fractures can be achieved with an external-fixator. Reports about nerve injuries associated with this procedure are rare in literature. Purpose of this anatomical study was to examine the relation of the radial nerve to distal humeral half pins.

The percutaneous antegrade scaphoid fracture fixation--a safe method?

Introduction: The object of this study was to assess the risk of injury to tendons, nerves and vessels in percutaneous antegrade scaphoid fracture fixation.

Methods: Forty cadaveric forearms were used in this study. A guide wire for cannulated headless compression screws was inserted percutaneously in each scaphoid according to established surgical technique.

Various circular arc radii of the distal volar radius and the implications on volar plate osteosynthesis.

The purpose of this anatomical study was to explore the different circular arc radii of the distal volar radius and provide more detailed anatomic information that will further the understanding of volar plate osteosynthesis. The profiles of the volar distal radii of 100 cadaver specimens were measured with a common profile gauge. Profiles were copied onto paper and then matched to a best-fit circular arc template to determine the radius of curvature on the radial and ulnar sides of the distal volar radius.

Morphometric analysis of lister's tubercle and its consequences on volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to measure the size and shape of Lister's tubercle and the depth of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) groove to assess the risk of injury to the EPL tendon when performing volar plating of distal radius fractures.

Methods: The length and height of Lister's tubercle and the depth of the EPL groove were measured in 100 cadavers.

Results: The size of Lister's tubercle varied from 2 to 6 mm (average, 3.

The anatomy of the proximal ulna.

The posterior border of the ulna is the most important bony landmark for all dorsal surgical approaches and the guideline for open reduction, internal fixation of displaced comminuted fractures of the proximal ulna. We examined 74 cadaveric specimens to evaluate the anatomy of the proximal ulna, especially the course of the posterior border, the point of varus angulation, the width of the shaft, and the relationship of the posterior border to the interosseous and anterior ones. In 63 specimens, the mean point of varus angulation was 85.

Anatomy of the greater femoral trochanter: clinical importance for intramedullary femoral nailing. Anatomic study of 100 cadaver specimens.

Background: Fossa piriformis is considered the correct point of entry for a straight femoral nail. A trochanteric overhang may make the access to fossa piriformis difficult. We investigated the anatomy of the trochanteric region, paying special attention to the entry point for antegrade intramedullary femoral nailing.

A morphometrical study of the medullary cavity of the ulna referred to intramedullary nailing.

Intramedullary fixation is preferred for osteosynthesis in the case of long bone fractures; but the problem of the nails' adjustment to the anatomical needs remains. About 80 cadaveric ulnae were examined to elucidate the curvature of the medullary cavity, the point of varus angulation, the thickness of the radial and ulnar cortical bone and the diameter of the medullary cavity at that point. Furthermore, the point of varus angulation of the posterior border was compared to that of the medullary cavity, to evaluate if it allows any conclusion to the curvature of the medullary cavity.

Anatomic variations of the musculotendinous junction of the soleus muscle and its clinical implications.

The soleus muscle, like the gastrocnemius, is a powerful plantarflexor muscle in the lower limb. The soleus muscle joins the aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius muscle to form the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. While the basic anatomy of the soleus muscle has been previously described, no study has addressed the anatomical variations of its distal attachment.

The triceps brachii muscle and its insertion on the olecranon.

Background: The purpose of this anatomical study was to define the insertion of the tendon of the triceps brachii muscle and the course of the lateral cubital retinaculum (LCR) as an enhancement of the triceps tendon.

Material/methods: One hundred cadaver specimens were assessed and the widths of the triceps tendon and the olecranon and the expansion of the LCR were determined.

Results: The width of the tendon ranged between 1.

Anatomical variations of the flexor hallucis longus muscle and the consequences for tendon transfer. A cadaver study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of anatomical variations of the musculotendinous junction of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. Eighty cadaver specimens preserved according to Thiel's method were assessed. Following careful dissection, the distance between the musculotendinous junction and the bone-cartilage border of the distal tibia was determined.