Preliminary Experience with Conservative Sharp Wound Debridement by Nurses in the Outpatient Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Safety, Efficacy, and Economic Analysis.

Background: Treatment of diabetes costs the United States an estimated $245 billion annually; one-third of which is related to the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We present a safe, efficacious, and economically prudent model for the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated DFUs.

Methods: 77 patients (mean age = 54 years, range 31 to 83) with uncomplicated DFUs prospectively enrolled from September 2008 through February 2012.

Biomechanical comparison of a proximal humeral locking plate using two methods of head fixation.

Hypothesis: Locking plates have emerged as the implant of choice for stabilization of proximal humeral fractures. The biomechanical properties of a locked plating system using smooth pegs vs threaded screws for fixation of the humeral head were compared to test the hypothesis that there would be no biomechanical difference between pegs and threaded screws.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric humeri were randomized to have a surgical neck gap osteotomy stabilized with a locked plate using threaded screws (n=8) or smooth pegs (n=8).

Predicting transfusion in shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of transfusion in shoulder arthroplasty, determine clinical factors associated with increased risk for transfusion, and develop an algorithm to assist the surgeon in preoperative planning with regards to blood management.

Material And Methods: The study had 2 phases: (1) development of a clinical prediction rule for transfusion using 280 procedures and (2) a validation study of the algorithm applied to 109 new patients. Phase 1 consisted of a retrospective record review of 280 consecutive shoulder arthroplasties to determine risk factors for transfusion.