ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between hematimetric variation and the presence of clinical symptoms of hypoperfusion for indicating blood transfusion in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on data gathered from the medical files of 55 patients with a diagnosis of gonarthrosis, who underwent total knee arthroplasty at a hospital orthopedics and traumatology service between February 2011 and December 2012. The patients studied presented unilateral joint degeneration and fitted into the indications for surgical treatment. All the patients underwent a preoperative cardiological evaluation, presenting a pattern of ASA I–III and absence of blood dyscrasia, and preoperative hemoglobin measurements were made. However, no minimum hematimetric value was established for the surgical treatment; there were only clinical criteria for blood perfusion.ResultsAmong the 55 patients, 35 were female and 20 were male, and the mean age was 68 years. Six patients underwent homologous blood transfusion, because of their clinical condition of tissue hypoperfusion, persistent hypotension, loss of consciousness, sweating and coercible vomiting. They presented postoperative hemoglobin of 7.5–8.8 g/dL.ConclusionFor patients with falls in hemoglobin counts greater than 20% and values lower than 9 g/dL after the surgery, there is a possible need for blood transfusion, which should only be indicated when accompanied by major symptoms of tissue hypoperfusion.
ObjectiveTo compare the analgesic effect of intra-articular administration of morphine and levobupivacaine (separately or in combination) with intrathecal administration of morphine in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using autologous grafts from the patellar tendon.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis on data gathered from the medical files of 60 patients aged 20 to 50 years who underwent knee video arthroscopy for ACL reconstruction. The patients were divided into four groups of 15 individuals (A, B, C and D) according to the agent administered into the joint and around the incision: 20 mL of saline solution with 5 mg of morphine in A; 20 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine solution in B; 10 mL of solution with 2.5 mg of morphine plus 10 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine solution in C; and morphine administered intrathecally in D.ResultsAll the groups presented low pain scores during the first 12 h after the surgery. Groups B and C presented significantly greater pain scores than shown by group D (control), 24 h after the surgery. There was no statistical difference in pain scores between group A and group D.ConclusionThe patients in group A presented analgesia comparable to that of the patients in group D, whereas the procedure of group C was no capable of reproducing the analgesic effect observed in group D, as observed 24 h after the surgery. Further studies are needed in order to show the exact mechanism of action, along with the ideal dose and concentration for applying opioids to joints.
Objective
To compare efficiency of external fixator in modular form with unilateral and uniplanar intramedullary locked seeking definitive treatment of fractures of the tibia diaphysis.
Methods
Orthopedic surgical treatments were compared to 50 patients with definite diafisaria fracture of the tibia, through the use of the external fixator, modular and intramedullary locked. The fractures were treated at emergency hospital school of External fixators Orthopedics and Traumatology service in the period from January 2007 to January 2011, Locked Intramedullary Nail with a variation of 15 to 48 weeks.
Results
this study has proven functional results and Tibial fractures/therapy excellent consolidation when locked intramedullary rods were used and the versatility and speed of application of external fixator reaching the necessary stabilization of bony fragments. Consolidation of fractures was obtained in 95 cases when using the intramedullary locked and 90 cases undergoing external fixation.
Conclusions
the definitive treatment of tibial diaphysis fractures by external fixator modular presented themselves as valid alternative treatment in patients who could not be submitted for early conversion to internal osteosynthesis or when the intramedullary nails are not available to the surgeon.
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