Comparison of Several Combinations of Suture Tape Reinforcement and Suture Button Constructs for Fixation of Unstable Syndesmosis.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to arthroscopically evaluate syndesmotic stability after fixation with several combinations of suture buttons (SBs) and suture tape reinforcement in a completely unstable cadaver model.

Methods: Fifteen cadaver above-knee specimens underwent sequential ligament transection and fixation to create six experimental models: (1) intact model, (2) after complete disruption of the syndesmotic ligaments, and after repair with either suture tape reinforcement (3), suture tape reinforcement with a single SB (4), suture tape reinforcement with two diverging SBs (5), or two diverging SBs alone (6). Instability measurements included anterior and posterior tibiofibular spaces measured arthroscopically under 100 N coronal stress, tibiofibular anteroposterior and posteroanterior translation in sagittal plane measured arthroscopically under sagittal stress of 100 N, and anterior tibiofibular space measured directly with a caliper under external rotation torque of 7.

A case series of rapidly growing mycobacterial catheter-related bloodstream infections among immunocompetent patients.

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) are ubiquitous in the environment and can cause a variety of human infections. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) caused by RGM have been reported predominantly among immunocompromised patients. Removal of central lines and antimicrobial therapy with at least 2 active agents are generally recommended for immunocompromised patients.