Accelerometer-Based, Portable Navigation (KneeAlign) vs Conventional Instrumentation for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Trial.

Background: Accelerometer-based, portable navigation devices have been introduced as a less invasive and simpler technique to perform navigated surgical implantation of knee prostheses. They have been postulated to have better accuracy than conventional instruments in restoration of alignment in total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: A total of 190 patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized controlled trial and underwent total knee arthroplasty using either the KneeAlign or conventional guides.

Socio-economic disparities in access to assisted reproductive technologies in Australia.

Women from disadvantaged socio-economic groups access assisted reproductive technology treatment less than women from more advantaged groups. However, women from disadvantaged groups tend to start families younger, making them less likely to suffer from age-related subfertility and potentially have less need for fertility treatment. Whether socio-economic disparities in access to assisted reproductive technology treatment persist after controlling for the need for treatment, has not been previously explored.

Intravenous vs Intra-Articular Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is commonly used in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, the most appropriate route of administration is still debated. This study was conducted to compare the 2 most commonly used routes of TXA administration, intravenous (IV) and intra-articular (IA).

Methods: This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized, noninferiority trial and included patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA.

Safety and efficacy of vertebroplasty for acute painful osteoporotic fractures (VAPOUR): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: We hypothesised that vertebroplasty provides effective analgesia for patients with poorly controlled pain and osteoporotic spinal fractures of less than 6 weeks' duration. The effectiveness of vertebroplasty, using an adequate vertebral fill technique, in fractures of less than 6 weeks' duration has not been specifically assessed by previously published masked trials.

Methods: This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vertebroplasty in four hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

Long-term survival following open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Long-term results for patients being managed for ruptured compared to elective abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are unclear. We hypothesize that patients who survive 30 days or more following repair of ruptured AAA (RAAA) performed by open technique have a life expectancy no different to those patients surviving 30 days or more following elective AAA repair, or compared to a general age-matched population.

Methods: Between 1987 and December 2014, 620 consecutive patients were treated by the principal author for aortic aneurysmal disease.

Investigating Nutritional Deficiencies in a Group of Patients 3 Years Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a single-stage procedure has shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss and resolving obesity-related co-morbidities. However, its nutrition consequences have not been extensively explored. This study aims to investigate weight loss and evolution of nutritional deficiencies in a group of patients 3 years post LSG.

Clinical and financial benefits of intra-articular tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To determine whether intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) results in decreased postoperative blood transfusion and length of hospital stay.

Methods: Medical records of 1981 patients (mean age, 69.2 years) who underwent primary TKA with (n=1006) or without (n=975) TXA use by any of 4 knee arthroplasty surgeons were reviewed.

Infection rates with use of intra-articular pain catheters in total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Intra-articular pain catheters effectively reduce postoperative pain in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by delivering analgesia to the surgical site. However, concerns exist regarding the potential for increasing deep infections. This study tested the hypothesis that intra-articular pain catheters in TKA increase the rate of deep surgical site infections.

Is there a need for routine post-operative hemoglobin level estimation in total knee arthroplasty with tranexamic acid use?

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can result in significant blood loss, leading to a need for blood transfusion. The major indication of transfusion is post-operative hemoglobin (Hb) levels in association with symptomatic anemia. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of eliminating routine post-operative Hb tests in patients undergoing TKA with intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) use based on the predictability of pre-operative factors.

Energy Adaptations Persist 2 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass.

Non-surgical weight loss induces a greater than expected decrease in energy expenditure, a phenomenon known as 'metabolic adaptation'. The effects of different bariatric surgery procedures on metabolic adaptation are not yet known and may partially contribute to weight loss success. We compared resting energy expenditure (REE) in 35 subjects (nine males; age = 46 ± 11 years; BMI = 42.

The Immune Phenotype of Patients with CHARGE Syndrome.

Background: Recurrent sinopulmonary infections are common in children with CHARGE (Coloboma, Heart disease, choanal Atresia, growth/mental Retardation, Genitourinary malformations, Ear abnormalities) syndrome, but no prospective studies on immune function have been conducted.

Objective: This study aims to examine and compare the immune phenotype of patients with CHARGE syndrome to those with 22q11.2 deletion and healthy controls.

Proteomic Analysis of Urine to Identify Breast Cancer Biomarker Candidates Using a Label-Free LC-MS/MS Approach.

Introduction: Breast cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease and is a leading cause of death in women. Early diagnosis and monitoring progression of breast cancer are important for improving prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify protein biomarkers in urine for early screening detection and monitoring invasive breast cancer progression.

Total knee arthroplasty using patient-specific guides: Is there a learning curve?

Background: Patient specific guides (PSG) have been reported to improve overall component alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). With more surgeons likely to consider this method of TKA in the future, this study was performed to establish whether there is a learning curve with use of PSG in TKA.

Methods: Eighty-six consecutive PSG TKAs performed by one surgeon were retrospectively analyzed in two groups.

Vertebroplasty for acute painful osteoporotic fractures (VAPOUR): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: With increasing human longevity there is increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Most vertebral fractures do not require medical therapy for pain, but a minority are associated with severe pain and disability. Vertebroplasty has been used increasingly for painful acute osteoporotic fractures.

Are Fast-Bowlers Prone to Back Injuries? Prevalence of Lumbar Spine Injuries in Fast-Bowlers: Review of MRI-Based Studies.

Background: Fast-bowlers in cricket subject their spines to repetitive stress.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the prevalence of lumbar spine injuries among fast-bowlers.

Materials And Methods: Medline and embase searches were performed.

Bone scans are reliable for the identification of lumbar disk and facet pathology.

Study Design Surgeon survey. Objective To evaluate the reliability of bone single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) versus bone SPECT images co-registered with computed tomography (bone SPECT-CT) by analyzing interobserver agreement for identification of the anatomical location of technetium(99m)-labeled oxidronate uptake in the lumbar disk and/or facet joint. Methods Seven spine surgeons interpreted 20 bone scans: 10 conventional black-and-white tomograms (bone SPECT) and 10 color-graded bone SPECT-CT scans.

A standardized and reproducible urine preparation protocol for cancer biomarkers discovery.

A suitable and standardized protein purification technique is essential to maintain consistency and to allow data comparison between proteomic studies for urine biomarker discovery. Ultimately, efforts should be made to standardize urine preparation protocols. The aim of this study was to develop an optimal analytical protocol to achieve maximal protein yield and to ensure that this method was applicable to examine urine protein patterns that distinguish disease and disease-free states.

Radiographic outcome of limb-based versus knee-based patient specific guides in total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Patient specific guides (PSG's) were developed to improve overall component alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this study was to undertake a comparative radiographic study of two commonly used PSG and determine whether the radiographic technique used to construct the PSG had a significant effect on overall alignment.

Methods: This prospective cohort study examined the accuracy of limb-based (n=112) versus knee-based (n=105) MR PSG in restoring the mechanical axis in three planes according to post-operative Perth CT scan protocol.

Intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss after total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) on blood loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Medical records of 73 men and 93 women (mean age, 68 years) who underwent primary TKA for osteoarthritis and received intra-articular TXA 1500 mg (n=56) or 3000 mg (n=56) or not at all (n=54) were reviewed. Reduction in haemoglobin levels on days 1 and 2 was measured, as were the rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and blood transfusion.