Blood-containing aerosols generated by surgical techniques: a possible infectious hazard.

The aerosols generated in an operating room during surgery were simulated in the laboratory by using a variety of common surgical power tools. A Stryker bone saw, a Hall drill, and a Shea drill were used on bone, and a Bovie electrocautery was used in both the cutting and coagulation modes on tendon, all in the presence of a thin film of blood. A 10-stage, low-pressure cascade impactor was used to determine the particle size distribution of each aerosol, and Hemastix was used to assess the hemoglobin content of each particle size fraction.

AIDS and arthroscopic surgery.

There are an estimated 8 to 10 million people worldwide infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The true extent of infection in the population is unknown, and many are unaware of their HIV status. Arthroscopic and arthroscopically assisted surgery is less invasive and bloody than other orthopaedic procedures, and seemingly less hazardous to surgeons.

Simple method of documenting metatarsus adductus.

A simple, accurate, and inexpensive method of documenting metatarsus adductus involves taking photocopies of the foot in the weightbearing position. Subsequently, treatment progress can be assessed objectively by reviewing serial photocopies. Some caution is urged because the strength of the glass copying surface of photocopying machines is unknown.

Treatment of comminuted femoral subtrochanteric fractures using the Russell-Taylor reconstruction intramedullary nail.

Seven patients with comminuted subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were treated with Russell-Taylor reconstruction intramedullary nails. Six of the seven fractures were AO/ASIF Type C and had resulted from high-energy trauma. The average time to clinical union was 10.