Swim cast versus traditional cast in pediatric distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Purpose

Non-displaced distal radius fractures in children are traditionally treated in a forearm cast. However, a traditional cast does not tolerate getting wet, with skin lesions and bad smell as result. A Swim cast, which has the ability to dry quickly, is an airy cast that is applied using the MOKcast technique. We hypothesize that Swim casts contribute to higher patient satisfaction scores than traditional casts, without any adverse effects on fracture healing or skin condition.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, single-center, blinded study was conducted to compare traditional and Swim cast treatment in children aged 5–15 years with greenstick or torus fractures of the distal radius. Primary endpoint was the patient and parent satisfaction, as determined by a questionnaire. Secondary endpoints were radiographic and clinical bone healing and cast-related skin conditions.

Results

A total of 68 patients, divided into two treatment groups (traditional case and Swim cast; n = 34 per group). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The overall satisfaction score (0–10) reported by the patients was 8.6 in the Swim cast group versus 7.5 in the traditional cast group (p < 0.002); the overall satisfaction score reported by the parents was 8.3 and 7.7, respectively (p < 0.02). There was no difference in radiographic or clinical healing between groups, and skin conditions also did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

In our patient group, treatment of non-displaced, pediatric, distal radius fractures by Swim cast yielded better patient satisfaction results compared to treatment with the traditional, cotton-lined cast, without adverse effects on fracture healing or skin condition.     

The treatment of hand fractures by the application of casts and splints

The most frequently used method to treat fractures involving the hand is closed reduction and application of a cast orsplint to hold the reduction until healing occurs. This method of fracture treatment is effective and efficient. It does, however, have associated complications from improper application of the casting material. This article reviews basic casting techniques and frequent complications as well as methods to prevent their occurrence.     

A facile,semi-automatic protocol for the design and production of 3D printed,anatomical customized orthopedic casts for forearm fractures

Closed fractures of distal radius and ulna are one of the most common skeletal injuries, occurring at all ages. Temporary arm immobilization through cast is part of the standard treatments. However, traditional casting procedures are time consuming, operator's skill dependent and do not always guarantee a satisfactory outcome. From a clinical perspective, casts are often considered uncomfortable and can be associated to skin lesions. To overcome these limitations, the recent growth of 3D technologies has enabled new standardized casting procedures: additive manufacturing (AM) is a technique that creates highly customized cast models from anatomical 3D data by using digitally controlled and operated material laying tools. Compared with conventional casts, those produced with AM technique could potentially reduce skin complications and satisfy both mechanical and clinical requirements of functionality, comfort, and aesthetics.The objective of this study is to describe the new practical methodology to produce a 3D printable cast for upper arm immobilization. The parametric modelling tool, employed to develop a semi-automatic design system for generating the printable cast model, reduces the complex process of orthosis design to a few minutes and all the manufacturing operations remain unaffected by CAD skills of the operator. Specific hardware and software tools (3D scanner, modelling software and FDM technology) were chosen to mitigate design and production costs while guaranteeing suitable levels of data accuracy, process efficiency and design versatility. To highlight the effectiveness of the proposed solution, a finite element analysis simulation was performed on models with different geometry, highlighting the mechanical strength of generated structures.The final result is a personalized 3D printed cast with a highly ventilated structure that is lightweight but still maintains a high level of strength and provides hygienic benefits, reducing the risk of cutaneous complications, potentially improving treatment efficacy and increasing patient satisfaction.     

Spica cast as an alternative to general anesthesia for lower limb MRI in young children

Background

The conventional approach for MRI procedures in very young children is to use general anesthesia which comes with inherent risks. Non-pharmacological strategies to reduce anxiety in children have also been described, but they all require patient cooperation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability to complete diagnosis using temporary spica cast immobilization (TSCI) in children less than 3 years old undergoing MRI procedures for lower limb disorders.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review identified 14 children under 3 years old that had required an MRI for a lower limb disorder, using TSCI. The MRI procedure was performed for evaluation of hip dysplasia, bone infections, limping, evaluation of soft tissue tumor and femoral head osteonecrosis. A spica cast was fitted by the pediatric orthopedic team. The MRI procedure was subsequently performed.

Results

Diagnosis was achieved in all cases. The radiologist identified movement artifacts (14 %) that did not impair the image quality enough to prevent interpretation.

Conclusion

TSCI is a safe, effective and costless procedure avoiding general anesthesia for young patients under 3 years old who require MRI for pelvis or lower limb disorders.

Level of evidence

IV.     

Casting: Pearls and pitfalls learned while caring for children&rsquo;s fractures

Casting is a routine procedure used for fracture care in the pediatric population. The purpose of this review is to provide pearls and pitfalls that our institution has learned from previous literature. When applying the cast, we recommend using cotton padding for the liner and fiberglass or plaster depending on how much swelling is expected. A well-molded cast must be applied in order to prevent further fracture displacement. Cast valving is a valuable technique that allows a decrease in pressure which prevents discomfort and complications like compartment syndrome. Preventing thermal injuries, skin complications, and a wet cast are other important considerations when caring for casts. Appropriate use of a cast saw, avoiding pressure spots, and properly covering the cast are ways to respectively prevent those complications. Lastly, patient education remains one of the most valuable tools in ensuring proper cast maintenance.     

Does Thumb Immobilization Contribute to Scaphoid Fracture Stability?

Immobilization protocols for nondisplaced scaphoid fractures have included the elbow, wrist, and thumb. This study attempts to demonstrate whether or not immobilization of the thumb makes a difference in preventing motion at the scaphoid fracture site. Using six fresh frozen forearm specimens, a transverse waist scaphoid fracture was created through a dorsal approach. Metallic markers were imbedded on either side of the fracture. Sutures were secured to the flexor pollicus longus (FPL) and extensor pollicus longus (EPL). Each specimen was loaded in extension and flexion by attaching 50-g weights to the EPL and FPL, first with no casting, then with a short arm cast, and finally a short arm thumb spica cast. Angulation and displacement at the fracture site were measured in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes utilizing image reconstructions from computed tomography. One-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison test post hoc analysis were used for statistical evaluation. There was no significant difference in fracture angulation or rotation between spica and short arm casts. There was a significant difference in angulation and rotation in all three planes when comparing between casting and no casting, p < 0.05. In our cadaveric model, wrist immobilization is crucial for nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures, and short arm casting was just as effective as thumb spica casting in preventing fracture displacement.     

Determination of hip reduction in spica cast treatment for DDH: a comparison of radiography and ultrasound

Purpose  In this retrospective study we compared the efficacy of ultrasound and radiography for determining the position of the femoral head after closed or open reduction in DDH. Materials and methods  The ultrasound was performed using the van Douveren technique by a transinguinal approach through a perineal window of the spica cast. Sixty-eight a.p. radiographs of the pelvis were correlated to 68 ultrasound images. Results  Thirty-two radiographs were not useful for precisely determining the femoral head position, whereas the criteria described by van Douveren et al. could be identified in all ultrasound images. All ultrasound images in the study were useful and gave reliable information about the position of the femoral head. Conclusion  Consequently, standard radiographic documentation is no longer used as a standard in our clinic. MRI and CT are reserved for special cases. We recommend transinguinal ultrasound as a standard diagnostic method to determine the position of the femoral head in hip spica casts safely and reliably.     

Efficacy of patient information concerning casts applied post-fracture

Introduction: Serious complications can result when casts are used for bone immobilization following fracture. Adequate patient information regarding cast care and possible complications is vital for prevention. This study examines the effectiveness of verbal and written patient information regarding cast safety. Methods: Patients (n= 109; age ≥18 years) from three Western Australian teaching hospitals were interviewed using a custom‐designed questionnaire. Patients' understanding of cast care and possible complications were tested by recall of seven categories of information, notably: pain, swelling, cast care, itching, neural signs, vascular signs/symptoms, exercise/rest. A follow‐up phone call (3–8 weeks after initial interview) was conducted to elicit complications and determine information recall. Results: Written information was received by 62% of patients; however, overall, only 35% claimed to have read the information provided. Of these, the highest recall was in four of seven information categories. A high proportion of those given only verbal information had poor recall (≤2 categories, defined a priori). In contrast, patients who also received written information had better recall (three or more categories, defined a priori, P= 0.031). Four of the 109 patients developed complications attributable to the cast (three had pressure ulcers and one had a deep vein thrombosis). Conclusion: Patient recall of information concerning cast care and possible complications was no more than 60%. The provision of written information was associated with a significantly higher awareness of possible complications. The results indicate that for fracture care, the delivery and use of information protocols can be greatly improved.     

The efficacy of blood conservation technique for coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

To evaluate the efficacy of blood conservation technique at our center, 144 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting were studied between Jan. 1988, and Dec. 1990. Combined intraoperative and postoperative autotransfusion technique reduced the requirement of homologous blood to a half and 24% of the patients were without homologous transfusion. With more use of dilutional autotransfusion, 41% of the patients were without homologous transfusion. Intraoperative and postoperative autotransfusion technique is effective and dilutional autotransfusion is also a relatively effective method to reduce homologous transfusion.     

Use of profound hypothermia induced by surface cooling in open-heart surgery.

Profound hypothermia with body-surface cooling for use in open-heart surgery is considered a difficult anesthetic technique because of the problems of controlling ether anesthesia. This paper describes our hypothermia technique in detail, with emphasis on its particular usefulness in open-heart procedures in neonates and infants. The results are based on our experience with 281 consecutive patients. Guidelines for safe and effective performance of this technique were established on the basis of continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, and arterial blood pressure. We conclude from our experience that open-heart operation under profound hypothermia is a safe, effective, and extremely promising method.     

Zinner综合征一例报告并文献复习

目的 报告1例Zinner综合征病例,分析其诊治经过,并复习相关文献,提高对于本病的认识。方法 回顾性分析1例Zinner综合征病例,患者为18岁男性,因“反复尿频、尿痛、会阴区疼痛不适1年,加重伴发热1 d”入院。经影像学及实验室检查诊断为Zinner综合征。结果 入院后给予抗感染治疗7 d后临床症状消失,血常规、降钙素原、C反应蛋白感染指标正常,继续抗感染治疗1周出院。3个月后再次入院复查有轻度尿频,无尿痛症状,检查血常规无异常。行腹腔镜下左侧精囊囊肿切除术,术后病理明确精囊囊肿壁炎症浸润。术后5 d顺利出院。术后6个月内随访尿频、尿痛、会阴区疼痛等不适症状未再发。结论 彩超、CT、MRI检查是诊断Zinner综合征的重要手段,病理检查是明确精囊囊肿炎症浸润的依据。急性精囊囊肿感染伴同侧肾缺如、输尿管发育畸形是Zinner综合征的表现形式之一,感染控制后行腹腔镜精囊囊肿切除术安全有效。     

错畸形患者的Howes值测量分析

目的:本研究采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量的协调性,探讨其在正畸临床诊断与矫治设计确定拔牙与非拔牙中的应用价值。方法:选取第四军医大学口腔医学院正畸门诊患者80人,男、女拔牙与非拔牙各20例。测量牙量(TM)、双尖牙弓宽径(PMD)、双尖牙根尖基骨宽径(PMBAW)、基骨弓长度(BAL),并计算PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值,对其进行统计学处理与分析。结果:男女两组比较TM、PMD、PMBAW、BAL值有显著性差异,男性大于女性;但PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值无统计学意义;拔牙组与非拔牙组比较,PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值有显著性差异。结论:采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量对正畸临床的诊断和拔牙与非拔牙矫治设计有一定的指导意义。     

Blind percutaneous renal access

We describe a technique of blind percutaneous renal access when retrograde/intravenous imaging is not possible. We present the surgical technique, the patient population, and situations in which the technique is used. Following a review of 40 accesses, we concluded that this technique is safe, simple, and effective. It also allows the urologist to act autonomously in obtaining renal access.     

A simple and effective technique of femoral tunnel bone grafting in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Restoring the bone stock in the femoral tunnel during revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is vital for better surgical results and to avoid potential complications. The technique must be easy, effective, simple, reproducible and cost effective. We describe a new, simple and inexpensive technique of femoral tunnel bone grafting in revision ACL reconstruction using universally available materials.     

错(牙合)畸形患者的Howes值测量分析

目的:本研究采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量的协调性,探讨其在正畸临床诊断与矫治设计确定拔牙与非拔牙中的应用价值。方法:选取第四军医大学口腔医学院正畸门诊患者80人,男、女拔牙与非拔牙各20例。测量牙量(TM)、双尖牙弓宽径(PMD)、双尖牙根尖基骨宽径(PMBAW)、基骨弓长度(BAL),并计算PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值,对其进行统计学处理与分析。结果:男女两组比较TM、PMD、PMBAW、BAL值有显著性差异,男性大于女性;但PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值无统计学意义;拔牙组与非拔牙组比较,PMD/TM、PMBAW/TM、BAL/TM值有显著性差异。结论:采用Howes法评估牙弓骨量与牙量对正畸临床的诊断和拔牙与非拔牙矫治设计有一定的指导意义。     

The open abdomen. The Marlex mesh and zipper technique: a method of managing intraperitoneal infection

In conclusion, a zipper technique has been outlined that allows effective continuing drainage of the septic abdomen, permits early diagnosis of organ damage, is rapid and cost effective, minimizes ventilator dependency and gastrointestinal complications, is well tolerated by the patients, and has produced a modest 65 per cent survival rate in the first 34 critically ill patients in whom it was used. Selection of patients is critical. It is a technique that must not be undertaken lightly but that appears to have life-saving potential.     

Evolution of casting techniques in early-onset and congenital scoliosis

Casting is being utilized as a therapeutic strategy in some mild to moderate cases obviating surgical intervention for management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Bracing, another conservative modality, applies comparable correcting forces on chest wall and axial skeleton. But cast application carries additional advantage of sustained restorative force which bypasses issue of compliance seen with brace wear. There is no specific blanket treatment, conservative or surgical, for the early-onset spinal deformities. Serial cast application provides near total correction of less severe curves (less than 50⁰ to 60⁰) if treatment is initiated before age of 2 yrs. In this review article, we will assess the evolution of plaster cast application in management of EOS and also describe technique of EDF (Elongation- Derotation- Flexion) casting.     

Waterproof cast liners in paediatric forearm fractures: a randomized trial

Purpose

Waterproof casts have been shown to provide adequate support and immobilization in fractures. This study evaluated two waterproof cast liners, namely, Wet or Dry^® and Delta Dry^®, in terms of ease of application/removal, durability, longevity, and patient satisfaction using patient- and technician-reported outcome measures.

Methods

A total of 105 children were enrolled in a randomized trial and received a below-elbow synthetic cast with either of the two cast liners.

Results

The two groups were comparable with regards to age, gender, side of cast, and hand dominance. Assessment was carried out at application and removal. In the patient-reported outcomes, the Wet or Dry^® group was rated significantly better in the odor and water resistance categories. In the technician-reported application and removal outcome measures, the Delta Dry^® group was rated significantly higher.

Conclusions

The use of waterproof cast liners appears to be safe in children with forearm fractures, with some differences in outcome between the two products trialed.     

Commentary and critique of Maurice Camey's enterocystoplasty

The search for a means to create a functioning, continent urinary bladder following cystoprostatectomy is more than a century old. The Camey enterocystoplasty offers an effective solution. The evolution of this technique is reviewed and the surgical technique described.