Modification of the ilioinguinal approach

The classic ilioinguinal approach has become well established in the treatment of acetabular fractures. However, in certain cases with extensive low anterior column or anterior wall fractures less than optimal exposure may be obtained. The authors present a modification of the ilioinguinal approach by combining it with a Smith-Petersen approach with a modified skin incision. This provides improved visualization and access, especially in comminuted low anterior column and anterior wall fractures, may facilitate reduction maneuvers to the quadrilateral surface, and allows the option of intraarticular inspection. In addition, the risk of iatrogenic lateral femoral cutaneous nerve damage is diminished. In this article the technique of this modification is described and illustrated.     

Clozapine use and risk of diabetes mellitus

Recent reports have raised the concern that clozapine increases the risk for diabetes mellitus. Accurate pharmacoepidemiologic data on whether such a hazard exists and its magnitude are needed to enable clinicians and patients to make proper treatment decisions about clozapine. The authors performed a case-control study involving 7,227 cases of newly treated diabetes and 6,780 controls, all with psychiatric disorders. Cases and controls were older than 20 years and enrolled in government-sponsored drug benefit programs in New Jersey. The authors measured the use of clozapine or other antipsychotic medications and additional covariates. They developed logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, clinical, and health care use characteristics to identify whether clozapine users were at increased risk to begin treatment for diabetes. Clozapine use was not significantly associated with developing diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-1.31). There was no suggestion of relationships between larger dosages or longer durations of clozapine use and increasing risks of diabetes. On the other hand, nonclozapine antipsychotic medication use was associated with a modest but significantly increased risk of developing diabetes (adjusted OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22). Among individual nonclozapine antipsychotics, significantly elevated risks were observed for two phenothiazine agents: chlorpromazine (adjusted OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09-1.56) and perphenazine (adjusted OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.11- 1.62). In contrast to earlier reports, these results provide some reassurance that clozapine does not increase the risk of developing diabetes. Additional data from pharmacoepidemiologic studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to exclude the possibility of residual confounding and ensure the appropriate use of this agent.     

Revision surgery in pelvic discontinuity: an analysis of seven patients

The technical aspect and clinical outcome of seven patients with pelvic discontinuities in acetabular revision surgery after a mean followup of 96 months were analyzed. The surgical treatment consisted of three consecutive steps beginning with mechanical stabilization of the two acetabular columns, followed by bony acetabular reconstruction by filling the osteolytic defect with allograft chips covered with autologous bone to achieve a contained defect after healing of the autograft, and anchorage of the cup using an acetabular reinforcement ring (five with a hook, two without a hook). Complications included a partial ischial nerve lesion, one intraoperative femoral shaft fracture, and one recurrent dislocation. One patient had revision surgery 12 months after the first revision surgery because of aseptic loosening, and in one patient two prominent screws had to be removed. The clinical improvement according to the Harris hip score was 40.1 points on average (preoperative, 33 points; postoperative, 73.1 points). At the final followup all acetabular components were stable and the pelvic discontinuity had healed. Despite the technical feasibility of such revisions and the acceptable clinical results, the complication rate is high. Early diagnosis of acetabular loosening to minimize the osteolytic loss of bone stock is important.     

Quality of Life Across the Continuum of Breast Cancer Care

This article examines the quality of life concerns for women across the continuum of breast cancer care-from screening and high-risk status through palliative care. The psychosocial and quality of life concerns of women regarding breast cancer have been extensively studied, with much information available about these issues. Better awareness of these issues will facilitate the optimum care of women as they face screening, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.