Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4-1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3-4.8), 3.9 (2.6-5.1) and 3.6 (2.0-5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9-2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2-8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4-3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6-2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.

SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri-operative or prior SARS-CoV-2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub-study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was defined as peri-operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1-6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre-operative anti-coagulation for baseline comorbidities was not available. Postoperative venous thromboembolism rate was 0.5% (666/123,591) in patients without SARS-CoV-2; 2.2% (50/2317) in patients with peri-operative SARS-CoV-2; 1.6% (15/953) in patients with recent SARS-CoV-2; and 1.0% (11/1148) in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with peri-operative (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-2.0)) and recent SARS-CoV-2 (1.9 (95%CI 1.2-3.3)) remained at higher risk of venous thromboembolism, with a borderline finding in previous SARS-CoV-2 (1.7 (95%CI 0.9-3.0)). Overall, venous thromboembolism was independently associated with 30-day mortality ). In patients with SARS-CoV-2, mortality without venous thromboembolism was 7.4% (319/4342) and with venous thromboembolism was 40.8% (31/76). Patients undergoing surgery with peri-operative or recent SARS-CoV-2 appear to be at increased risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism compared with patients with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Optimal venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment are unknown in this cohort of patients, and these data should be interpreted accordingly.

Introduction Femoral anteversion is the anterior inclination of the femoral neck and head in relation to the shaft of the femur. Femoral anteversion provides torsional stability of the hip - an important clinical factor for conditions such as trauma, arthroplasty, developmental dysplasia of the hip, and Legg-Calve Perthes disease. Precise measurement is important to avoid instability in pathological conditions of the hip. Computed tomography (CT) measures the angle more accurately as compared to plain radiography and is considered the gold standard procedure for measurement. Patients are exposed to significantly more ionizing radiation in CT, especially the pediatric population, which is more susceptible. Material and methods A prospective study of 25 individuals was undertaken wherein the femoral anteversion angle was comparatively measured by clinical, radiographic, and CT methods. Results The radiological evaluation depicted mean values that were far from those of the CT evaluation as compared to the clinical evaluation. Conclusion The clinical method (trochanter prominence angle test) can be used to measure femoral anteversion to avoid exposure to ionizing radiation and cases where CT is unavailable.

The effect of several plasma-assisted oxide removal techniques prior to metallization of p-type GaSb was investigated. Compared to conventional chemical methods, the plasmaassisted oxide removal resulted in significant improvement of the specific contact resistivities, obtained from transfer length method measurements. Very low specific contact resistivities of less than 5 × 10 -8 Ω cm 2 were observed after surface pre-treatment by H2/Ar sputter etching and low-ion-energy argon irradiation. By eliminating sample exposure to air, in-situ Ar irradiation becomes a promising technique for high performance GaSb-based semiconductor diode lasers.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar a eficácia dos protocolos de reabilitação acelerada precoce e de reabilitação conservadora retardada após reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento cruzado anterior, em termos da escala do International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), da dor (segundo a Escala Visual Analógica), da frouxidão e da rigidez no pós-operatório de um ano para determinar o melhor desfecho. Materiais e Métodos Um total de 80 participantes foram divididos em dois grupos (grupo da acelerada precoce e grupo da conservadora retardada), que foram analisados pelos testes do Qui-quadrado de Pearson e da soma dos postos de Wilcoxon. Resultados A frouxidão do joelho no pós-operatório de 1 ano foi significativamente mais alta (p = 0,039) no grupo da acelerada precoce do que no grupo da conservadora retardada. Em termos de dor pós-operatória (pela Escala Visual Analógica) e pontuações no IKDC, ambos os grupos apresentaram resultados similares. A amplitude de movimento pós-operatória foi melhor no grupo da acelerada precoce, mas isso não foi estatisticamente significativo (p = 0,36). Conclusão O protocolo de reabilitação acelerada precoce foi associado com uma frouxidão significativa do joelho em um ano de pós-operatório em comparação com o protocolo de reabilitação conservadora retardada.

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High-energy open fractures are often associated with significant soft tissue damage and can have contamination. Infection of a fracture can be the most detrimental factor for fracture union. Control of infection and soft tissue coverage over exposed bone plays a vital role in its overall outcome. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) assisted closure has depicted encouraging results for helping control of infection and wound closure. NPWT assisted closure promotes reduction of bacterial load in the wound, facilitates removal of secretion from the wound, promotes the formation of granulation tissue, and decreases wound size. We present a case of open fracture femur with severe infection and exposed bone. Along with infection and comminution of fracture, there was collection of necrotic tissue at the fracture site. Infection settled with debridement of wound and application of NPWT. With the application of NPWT, there was formation of granulation tissue and a decrease in wound size. The wound healed completely following application of secondary sutures. Any form of plastic procedures, such as muscle pedicle graft and split-thickness skin grafting, was not required for wound closure. NPWT-assisted closure is a promising mode of wound management in grossly infected wounds and obviates the need for further plastic procedures. The effect can be extrapolated to all open wounds with infection but must follow a thorough debridement and lavage.

The periosteum covers the surface of long bone except at the joints. During fracture fixation, we found the periosteum is ragged and damaged. Our objective is to determine the microscopic picture of traumatized periosteum in terms of the degree of damage, cell type, stromal tissue, and vascularity. Periosteum of 1cm*1cm is harvested at 1cm, 3cm, and 5cm proximal and distal to fracture site following fracture of a long bone in 20 humans. Ragged and damaged periosteum mainly consists of an outer fibrous layer with many hemorrhagic tissue and neovascularization. Osteoprogenitor cells were seen only in 12 out of 97 samples, mostly harvested 5 cm from the fracture site. The innermost layer of the periosteum remains attached to the bone surface after separating the fibrous layer following a fracture. The use of a periosteal elevator on the bone surface further damages the inner layer of the periosteum. Using a scalpel to separate the periosteum or merely pulling it away from the bone surface will decrease damage to the inner cambium layer. Fracture reduction can be achieved by indirect means at least 5 cm away from the fracture site.