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Biomedical subjects

T M Lawrence

Publications and source records attributed to T M Lawrence.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Tension band suturing for the treatment of displaced type 2 lateral end clavicle fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Non-operative treatment of Neer type 2 lateral end clavicle fractures presents a difficult problem due to the high incidence of non-union, delayed union and resulting shoulder girdle instability. Operative techniques described may require extensive soft tissue reconstruction, implant removal or lead to implant failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a modified tension band suturing technique for the treatment of these lateral end displaced clavicle fractures that avoids these problems of extensive soft tissue dissection, implant removal or implant failure. Ten patients were reviewed clinically, radiologically and with Constant assessment score outcomes using the tension band suture for the treatment of these fractures. RESULTS: All the fractures had healed at a mean follow-up of 9.2 weeks (range 6-16 weeks) with a mean Constant score of 91 and the power was comparable to the normal shoulder using the Nottingham Myometer. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study for treatment of Neer's type 2 lateral end clavicle fractures are very encouraging. We do recommend the need for a prospective larger study of this technique for the treatment of Neer type 2 lateral end clavicle fracture to evaluate this technique further.

Adolescent↗

Preservation of the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel: does it improve the outcome of carpal tunnel surgery? A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that preserving a layer of gliding tissue, the parietal layer of the ulnar bursa, between the contents of the carpal tunnel and the soft tissues incised during carpal tunnel surgery might reduce scar pain and improve grip strength and function following open carpal tunnel decompression. METHODS: Patients consented to randomization to treatment with either preservation of the parietal layer of the ulnar bursa beneath the flexor retinaculum at the time of open carpal tunnel decompression (fifty-seven patients) or division of this gliding layer as part of a standard open carpal tunnel decompression (sixty-one patients). Grip strength was measured, scar pain was rated, and the validated Patient Evaluation Measure questionnaire was used to assess symptoms and disability preoperatively and at eight to nine weeks following the surgery in seventy-seven women and thirty-four men; the remaining seven patients were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, sex, hand dominance, or side of surgery. Grip strength, scar pain, and the Patient Evaluation Measure score were not significantly different between the two groups, although there was a trend toward a poorer subjective outcome as demonstrated by the questionnaire in the group in which the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel had been preserved. Preserving the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel did, however, result in a lower prevalence of suspected wound infection or inflammation (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients, preservation of the ulnar bursa around the median nerve during open carpal tunnel release produced no significant difference in grip strength or self-rated symptoms. We recommend incision of the ulnar bursa during open carpal tunnel decompression to allow complete visualization of the median nerve and carpal tunnel contents.

Bursa, Synovial↗

An assessment of the tensile properties and technical difficulties of two- and four-strand flexor tendon repairs.

This study compares the mechanical properties of locking Kessler and four-strand flexor tendon repairs and examines for difficulties related to technical ability. Two trainee surgeons each carried out 10 locking Kessler and 10 four-strand single-cross flexor tendon repairs on an in vitro porcine model. Outcome measures included gap formation and ultimate forces, operative time and repair bulk. Ultimate force was 81% greater for the four-strand repair compared to the Kessler (52 N, SD 5, versus 29 N, SD 6). Operating times were similar between the two techniques (Kessler 10.0 minutes, four strand 10.1 minutes). Rupture force and operating times improved slightly during the study for the Kessler repairs, but in the four strand repairs results remained stable throughout the study. We conclude that the single-cross four-strand repair tolerates superior loads yet is no more technically demanding than the modified Kessler, and can be reliably performed without additional operating time.

Animals↗

Topical anaesthesia to reduce pain associated with carpal tunnel surgery.

This randomized, double-blinded study assessed the effectiveness of a topical anaesthetic, eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA), in reducing pain associated with carpal tunnel release performed under local anaesthetic. Fifty-six patients undergoing carpal tunnel release under local anaesthetic were randomized into either EMLA (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27) groups. Visual analogue pain scores were obtained for needle insertion, injection of anaesthetic and surgery itself. Pain scores were significantly less for needle insertion (P = 0.001) and injection of anaesthetic (P = 0.0005). Scores related to surgery were also lower in the EMLA group, but this did not reach statistical significance.

Adult↗

Components of adult Class II open-bite malocclusion.

In an effort to identify the frequency and distribution of the dental and skeletal components of adult Class II malocclusion with and without open-bite, 124 adults, half of whom had an anterior open-bite, were evaluated. Significant differences (P less than 0.05) between the open-bite and non-open-bite groups were found for the following measurements: the posterior maxilla exhibited vertical excess in the open-bite group; the maxillary occlusal plane was less steep in the open-bite group; the mandibular occlusal plane was more steep in the open-bite group; the gonial angle was higher in the open-bite group; the mandibular plane angle was higher in the open-bite group; the mandibular ramus was positioned in a more downward and backward (clockwise) location in the open-bite group; the total and lower anterior facial height were increased in the open-bite group; and the mandible was less protrusive in the open-bite group. No significant intergroup differences were noted in the cranial base, the anteroposterior position of the maxilla or of the upper and lower incisors, the palatal plane, posterior facial height, mandibular ramus height, or mandibular body length. The results of this analysis indicate that the average Class II open-bite malocclusion is characterized by aberrations in both the maxilla and the mandible. Therapy, therefore, may frequently require surgical intervention in both jaws to successfully correct this deformity.

Adolescent↗