Non-Inferiority of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Compared to Radiography to Diagnose Upper Extremity Fractures in Children.

Conventional X-ray imaging for fracture diagnosis is time-consuming and exposes patients to ionizing radiation. Additionally, the positioning of the injured limb for standardized X-ray imaging is painful. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly available in medical offices and emergency rooms.

Failed preoperative vacuum bell therapy does not affect outcomes following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

Purpose: It is unknown if failed preoperative vacuum bell (VB) treatment in patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE), delays repair and/or affects postoperative outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective data analysis including all consecutive patients treated at one single institution undergoing MIRPE was performed between 2000 and 2016. Patients were stratified into preoperative VB therapy versus no previous VB therapy.