A kinetic survey of US hemodialysis prescriptions.

Recent reports indicate increasing mortality correlated to reduced treatment time (t) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. HD prescriptions for 101 patients visiting our unit were subjected to kinetic analysis to assess the amount of dialysis prescribed (Kt/V) and its relationship to t. The analysis showed (1) 98% of the prescriptions were empirical; (2) Kt/V was strongly correlated to protein intake (normalized protein catabolic rate [NPCR], g/kg/d), r = 0.

Free serratus anterior muscle transplantation for hand reconstruction.

Free transplantation of the serratus anterior muscle has allowed salvage or reconstruction of difficult hand injuries with advantages compared to traditional methods. Free muscle tissue adds vascularity to poorly vascularised and potentially infected wounds and allows hand elevation and early mobilisation. Dynamic reinnervation is possible with segmental preservation of the long thoracic nerve.