Traditional Versus Water-resistant Short Leg Casting: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Introduction: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing fiberglass short leg casts with traditional cast padding to similar casts with water-resistant cast padding and recorded the opinion of the patient/caregiver and Orthopaedic Technicians (Ortho Techs) that applied and removed the casts.

Methods: Subjects with an injury that would be treated with a short leg cast were enrolled and randomized into a traditional cast or a water-resistant cast. Following cast application, the Ortho Tech that applied the cast completed a questionnaire asking their opinion on ease of application, moldability, padding level, and time taken for application.

The Creation and Validation of an Ankle Bone Age Atlas and Data Predicting Remaining Ankle Growth.

Background: The purpose of the current study was 2-fold: (1) to create and validate an ankle bone age atlas spanning the pediatric and adolescent years and (2) to utilize this atlas in conjunction with distal tibia/fibular growth data as measured on serial radiographs to develop a predictive growth model for the lower extremity.

Methods: Radiographs were surveyed to identify distinguishable, reproducible, radiographic features. Radiographic features of the tibia, fibula, hindfoot, and midfoot from 270 patients were identified and a "standard" for each age/sex was selected to create an atlas.

Factors influencing choice of medical vs. surgical treatment of pediatric appendicitis.

Purpose: To examine what proportion of caregivers, if given a choice, would choose medical versus surgical treatment of appendicitis and what factors would be important in their decision.

Methods: A survey was devised and given to the caregivers of children presenting to the pediatrician for a routine visit in community and academic pediatric clinics. The survey presented a summary of outcomes after medical (non-operative) and surgical treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis.

Cardiac transplantation--first year experience in a community hospital: a three year follow-up.

This is a report of ten consecutive patients with end-stage cardiac disease treated with orthotopic cardiac transplantation in a community hospital, during the first year of its heart transplantation program. All patients were followed for a minimum of 33 months and a maximum of 45 months with 100% survival at two years and 90% at three years. All survivors are presently in N.

Two episodes of cytomegalovirus-associated colon perforation after heart transplantation with successful result.

A patient with end-stage heart disease was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7 after orthotopic heart transplantation. Three weeks from the day of operation, he developed sigmoid colon perforation, which required Hartmann's procedure, and 2 weeks later he had cecal disruption. A pathologic specimen showed underlying diverticular disease with associated cytomegalovirus colitis.