Tips and tricks for writing a scientific manuscript.

An original scientific manuscript is the target for any researchers whose aim is to show the innovative results arising from the original intuitions that drove all their experiments. Time and patience are essential to decide how to present the data, how to conceive the tables and figures representing the main outcomes of the research, and how to read and mention the necessary references. Few basic rules may help in this difficult task.

Peroneal tendoscopy.

Peroneal tendoscopy is an innovative technique that allows visualization of the tendons from the myotendinous junction to the peroneal tubercle, together with adjacent anatomic structures such as the recently unveiled vincula. Through a minimally invasive approach, it is possible to diagnose and treat several disorders, such as common tenosynovitis, accessory muscles, hypertrophic bony prominences, and thickened vincula, that can cause pain and tendon catching. Surgical morbidity and postoperative pain are significantly reduced when compared with open procedures.

Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis: a review.

Presently, tibiotalar fusion remains a valid treatment option in patients affected by end-stage arthritis of the ankle that is unresponsive to other treatments. Over the years, many different surgical techniques have been described to make this kind of surgery less invasive and invalidating. Consequently, the last two decades have seen arthroscopic ankle fusion gain in popularity with many studies aiming to understand its advantages compared with open surgery, indications, and contraindications.

Can we improve the reliability of the Constant-Murley score?

Hypothesis: The Constant-Murley score (CMS) is one of the most used scales for shoulder dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine whether the reliability of the CMS can be improved by enhancing the standardization of the items.

Methods: Two consecutive series of 55 patients with shoulder dysfunction were enrolled in a test-retest study and examined by 2 orthopedic surgeons with different levels of expertise.

Contribution of the supraspinatus to the external rotator lag sign: kinematic and electromyographic pattern in an in vivo model.

Hypothesis: The external rotation lag sign (ERLS) is a test designed to assess the integrity of the supraspinatus (SSP) and infraspinatus tendons. This study intends to determine the electromyographic pattern of shoulder girdle muscles during a series of ERLS tasks conducted at full adduction and 20 degrees of elevation to figure out the better way to perform the test. The second aim is to assess the final contribution of the SSP to the ERLS by measuring the amount of lag after an SSP block induced by botulinum toxin.

Quality of life evaluation in patients affected by osteoarthritis secondary to congenital hip dysplasia after total hip replacement.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to congenital hip dysplasia (CHD) and treated by hip arthroplasty.

Methods: We prospectively treated 40 patients admitted to our hospital between 2001 and 2006. Each patient was asked to answer to two questionnaires: WOMAC and MOS SF-36.

[Difference between arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension during surgery of lumbar herniated disk in general anesthesia].

Objective: To determine the correlation of PaCO2 and ETCO2 during operations for lumbar disk herniation in prone position: the influence of position and deliberate hypotension.

Design: Prospective, to compare PaCO2, ETCO2, pH, SBE, Pa max, in a group of 10 patients undergoing elective intervention for lumbar disk herniation in prone position and in a control group of 10 patients undergoing interventions for elective non traumatologic orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs in supine position.

Setting: Orthopaedic department of a non teaching hospital.

Karyology of the Savi pine vole, Microtus savii (De Sélys-Longchamps, 1838) (Rodentia, Arvicolidae): G-, C-, DA/DAPI-, and AluI-bands.

Specimens of the Savi pine vole (Microtus savii) were collected from three localities in central (Pisa and Viterbo) and southern Italy (Rosarno, Calabria) and were karyotyped using G-, C-, DA/DAPI-, and AluI-banding. All karyotypes had 2n = 54 chromosomes and seemingly identical autosomal banding. The sex chromosomes of the southern Italian specimens, M.