Abstract: Ampicillin-sulbactam combination is the most frequently prescribed antibiotic in diabetic foot ulcers. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria isolated to this antibiotic. In 33 patients with diabetic foot ulcer (September 2008-March 2009), 67% were culture positive in which Citrobacter spp accounted for 36% of these isolates. The rest isolated included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Proteus spp (18%), Acinetobacter spp (9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5%), Escherichia coli (5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (5%). These isolates were more likely to be ampicillin-resistant (n=18) than were ampicillin-sensitive isolates (n=4). Ampicillin resistance has raised our concern about current practice of prescribing ampicillin/ sulbactam as monotherapy for majority of our patients with such ulcers.
Background: Circumcision though not mentioned in the Quran is believed to be a compulsory practice among the Muslims. In Malaysia, although there are several methods of circumcision available and traditional circumcision is still popular.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a small fishing village of Kedah to study the methods of circumcision available to the villagers. This was followed with an in-depth interview conducted with ‘Tok Mudim’, a practitioner of traditional method of circumcision.
Results: Forty three of the eligible 71 subjects participated in the study giving the response rate as 60.5%. The most common age for circumcision was 9 years old. Despite private clinics being the most common place of circumcisions, there was an increasing number of boys going to the ‘Tok Mudim’ for circumcision. A Mass Circumcision Ceremony is traditionally practiced. The ‘Tok Mudim’ described the procedure in detail and was of the opinion that the reason traditional method is still popular was because of the fear of injections and impotency among the parents. Most common complication faced by the ‘Tok Mudim’ was bleeding and infection.
Discussion and Conclusion: Till the community shifts entirely to using modern medicine, there is a need to integrate traditional practitioners into the system. Training the ‘Tok Mudim’ to use modern instruments and aseptic techniques should be considered.
MeSH terms: Adult; Circumcision, Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Islam; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Population; Interview; Qualitative Research
Background: The World Health Organization recommends the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 months after birth. The objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence and the factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding. The perceptions of mothers about breastfeeding in an urban slum area of Western India were also enquired.
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted over six months amongst 200 mothers of children in the age group of 6 – 12 months attending the growth and development clinic in one of the urban health centres. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire on breastfeeding practices. Factors related to exclusive breastfeeding were analysed using bivariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding reported by the participants was 61.5%. Having a male child, maternal age < 30 years, level of education of mother parity, receiving infant feeding advice, initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and administration of colostrum to the baby were associated with exclusive breastfeeding (p
MeSH terms: Ambulatory Care Facilities; Breast Feeding; Colostrum; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India; Infant; Male; Maternal Age; Mothers; Parity; Poverty Areas; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Health; World Health Organization; Prevalence; Multivariate Analysis; Parturition; Growth and Development; Biological Processes; Physiological Processes
Background: To assess the effect of cement vertebroplasty on the activity of daily living of elderly patients who have sustained a vertebral osteoporotic fracture.
Patients and Methods: Seven patients with clinically significant and radiologically proven osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures suitable to be treated with percutaneous cement vertebroplasty were recruited. Evaluation was based on pre- and postprocedure activity by clinical documentation (including interview) and by a self-developed questionnaire (including quality of life).
Results: Following the procedure, 54% of patients resumed their activities of daily living with minimal pain while 46% of patients were able to do so without any pain (p
MeSH terms: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Bone Cements; Documentation; Humans; Pain; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Spinal Fractures; Fractures, Compression; Vertebroplasty; Osteoporotic Fractures
Gestational breast cancer (GBC) or pregnancy-associated breast cancer was defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and within 1 year of delivery. Breast cancer is the second commonest cancer after cervical seen in pregnancy and lactation. Nevertheless, the incidence is low and accounts for approximately 1 in 3000 of pregnancies. A delay in diagnosis is common and 70% to 89% of patients with operable primary lesions already have positive axillary lymph nodes. Breast cancer identified during pregnancy can be extremely distressing for the mother despite it has similar course of disease and prognosis seen in non-pregnant women of the same age and stage of disease. Diagnostic and treatment options should be carefully decided to prevent further harm to the mother or any potential risk to the developing fetus.
MeSH terms: Breast Feeding; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Fetus; Humans; Lactation; Lymph Nodes; Mothers; Prognosis; Risk; Incidence
It is ironical to realize that a perfect and free nutritional product, individually produced and naturally distributed to all families, is not universally used. This product is of course breast milk that nurtures the optimal health, growth and development of the human young. Breast milk also protects infants and young children from and prevents diseases in the short and long term. (Copied from article)
Osteosarcoma occurring in the humerus is often confined to the proximal part, in which case, reconstruction after excision is less daunting. When the tumour spreads down the medullary cavity distally, a total humeral replacement is often required. This is costly and beyond the means of the average patient in a developing country. An amputation is often the procedure of first resort. We report a 13-year-old boy with osteosarcoma originating from the left proximal humerus, with involvement of the marrow reaching down to the distal diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction, leaving only 6 cm of the distal humerus intact after wide resection. Reconstruction of the defect was done with a composite cement-autoclaved autograft fixed to the remaining humerus with a plate. At 40 months of follow-up, the patient is well with normal function of the elbow, wrist and hand. Salvaging the limb despite near total involvement of the humerus by high grade osteosarcoma is possible using material available in the average orthopaedic operating room.
MeSH terms: Amputation; Bone Marrow; Bone Neoplasms; Developing Countries; Elbow; Elbow Joint; Follow-Up Studies; Health Resorts; Humans; Humerus; Male; Operating Rooms; Orthopedics; Osteosarcoma; Wrist; Wrist Joint; Autografts
Chance fracture is an unstable vertebral fracture, which usually results from a high velocity injury. An elderly lady with a previously healed osteoporotic fracture of the T12 and L1 vertebra which resulted in a severe kyphotic deformity subsequently sustained a Chance fracture of the adjacent L2 vertebrae after a minor fall. The previously fracture left her with a deformity which resulted in significant sagittal imbalance therefore predisposing her to this fracture. This case highlights the importance of aggressive treatment of osteoporotic fractures in order to prevent significant sagittal imbalance from resultant (i.e. kyphotic) deformity.
Objectives: To study the prevalence and the risk factors for surgical site infection in patients who underwent posterior instrumented surgery for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methodology: Retrospective review of cases operated between year 2006 and 2007. The final end point is the detection of surgical site infection within one year. Results: A total of 38 cases were reviewed. Surgical site infection occurred in 5 cases. Only one had deep infection. The onset of infection occurred within one month in all cases. The risk factors studied were smoking, timing of surgery, duration of surgery, neurological deficit, associated injuries and high dose methylprednisolone administration. None of them were statistically significant as risk factors for surgical site infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of surgical site infection in patients who underwent posterior instrumented surgery for thoracolumbar burst fractures was 13%.
Objective: To compare the fusion rate between autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft and hydroxyapatite block graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. Methodology: Retrospective review of cases that underwent ACDF surgery between 2005 and 2008. They were divided into two groups based on the graft material used. Assessment of fusion at 6 months post-surgery was carried out based on the static lateral cervical radiograph. Results: 32 cases were reviewed; 16 in each arm. There were 29 discectomies performed in the hydroxyapatite group as compared to 22 in the iliac crest group. 18 levels in the hydrxyapatite group showed radiological fusion while in the iliac crest group there were 21 levels fused. Seven patients had donor site pain. Conclusion: The fusion rate for autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery was 95%, a more superior fusion rate than that of hydroxyapatite block graft which was 62.1%.
Objective: To evaluate the early results of patients in a single institution who underwent total knee arthroplasty using an implant system. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 76 total knee replacements using the Genesis II prosthesis (Smith and Nephew, Memphis) in 60 patients (16 were bilateral cases) performed between February 2005 andFebruary 2008. Patient related outcomes and clinical evaluations were done by an independent observer. Knee function and patient satisfaction were evaluated using the American Knee Society (ASK) score and the Western Ontario and Mac Master University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 63.5years. The mean follow up period was 1 year 5 months. At the final follow up, the mean Knee Society Knee Score was 87.9 with 77.3% (58 knees) rated excellent, 21.3% (16 knees) rated good and1.3% (1 knee) rated fair; none were rated poor. The mean Function Score was 87.1 with 64% (48 knees) rated excellent, 29.3% (22 knees) rated good, 6.7% (5 knees) rated fair, no knee was rated poor. The mean WOMAC Score was 94.4 (standard deviation 6.59). Conclusion: Most patients treated for knee osteoarthritis with total knee replacement showed high rates of excellence and good early functional outcomes.
According to recently reported outcome studies, functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair are reasonable and comparable to open or mini-open techniques. We report the functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of 10 consecutive patients. The average age was 53.9(range 46-59) years. There was a significant improvement of the function of the shoulder when the preoperative scores were compared with those at the time of at least six months follow-up (range of 6 months to 18 months). With the UCLA rating scale, the average total score increased from preoperative 9.8 (range, 6-15) to postoperative 32.6 (range,23-35). With the use of ASES shoulder index, the average total score improved from 14.6 range, 1.6-35) to 92.3 (range,66.6 to 100). We concluded that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a treatment method in selective patients with symptomatic rotator cuff pathology to alleviate shoulder pain and improve function.
Current available implants for total knee replacement are based on the mormphometry of the Caucasian knee. We believe there are significant morphometric differences in the Asian knee that will be relevant in future implant designs. Sixty-nine consecutive patients (80 knees) underwent computer navigated primary total knee arthroplasty. The anterior-posterior (AP) length, and the medial-lateral (ML) width of the distal femur, were analyzed, with respect to the final sizing details of four implants (femoral component) commonly used locally. The mean AP length was 59.9 (SD4.8) mm, and the mean ML width was 65.0 (SD 5.0) mm. The overall mean aspect ratio (ML/AP) was 1.09 (SD 0.07). The mean aspect ratio for females was 1.08 (SD 0.07). Both were smaller than the aspect ratio of the implants - which ranged from 1.11 to 1.13. All four implants tend to overhang at the medial-lateral width of the distal femur. This is more obvious in females. Future implant designs should provide more ML wdth sizes for a given AP length, in addition to gender differences, for this population.
Purpose:To investigate the feasibilty of using processed human amniotic membrane (HAM) to support the attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro which it turn can be utilised as a cell delivery vehicle in tissue engineering applications. Methods: Fresh HAM obtained from patients undergoing routine elective ceasarean sections was harvested., processed and dried using either freez drying (FD) or air drying (AD) methods prior to sterilisation by gamma irradiation. Isolated, processed and characterised rabbit autologous chondrolytes were seeded on processsed HAM and cultured for up to three weeks. Cell attachment and proliferation were examined qualitatively using inverted brightfield microcospy. Results: Processed HAM appeared to allow cell attachment when implanted with chrondocytes. Although cells seeded on AD and FD HAM did not appear to attach as strongly as those seeded on glycerol preserved intact human amniotic membrane, these cells to be proliferated in cell culture conditions. Conclusion: Prelimanary results show that processed HAM chondrocyte attachment and proliferation.
Synovial sarcoma of the extremities is an uncommon type of soft tissue sarcoma occuring predominantly in young adults at the para-articular regions. We present a series of 10 patients with an average age of 44 years and include a follow-up of 39 months. Eight patients had a surgical procedure for a mistaken benign lesion. In contrast to other soft tissue sarcomas, the swellings were associated with pain and most were fixed to the underlying structures. Five patients had a local reccurence after many years, stressing the necessity for close and long-term follow-up in these patients.
The aim of this descriotive study is to determine the incidence of injuries among recreational badminton players. We evaluated 86 recreational badminton players in the city of Malacca; 35 were excluded for fitting the exclusion criteria. The average recreational badminton player was 36.13 years old and had been playing badminton for the past 17.84 years at a frequency of 2.11 times per week. 39.21% of the recreational badminton players complained of recent injuries in relation to playing badminton. Our data showed that the most common injury sustained by recreational badminton players was pain and stiffness at the shoulder joint. None of the injuries sustained by the players in our data were serious enough to warrant any form of surgical intervention. We conclude that badminton is a sport of relatively low risk and that the majority of related injuries were chronic overuse injuries.
Intrarticular Hyaluronic Acid was administered to 45 patients with various grades of osteoarthritis in the knee. Following 3 fortnightly injections, these patients were reviewed at 6 weeks and 3 months with regard to their knee pain. We found the most patients (84.4%) has decreased knee pain following these injections. Patients who had severe grade osteoarthritis based on knee radiographs before the injections were less likely to have pain reduction compared to those with milder grade osteoarthritis. Only 4 (8.9%) patients showed no improvement and were subsequently considered for surgery. Many patients did not require any further treatment (24.4%) and the remaining were given analgesia (64.4%) to aid in their pain. One patient required another course of this injection. there were no complications recorded in this study. We concluded that Intrarticular Hyaluronic acid is an easy and safe method to treat osteoarthritis. The short-term outcome with regard to knee pain is good in patients with milder grades of osteoarthritis.
Study site: Private orthopaedic clinic, Johor, Malaysia
Melioidosis is an infectious disease which is associated with high rate of mortality. We reviewed 33 patients treated in our hospital over a period of 14 months. About half (55%) of these patient presented with one focus of infection while the rest had multifocal infections. 81% require drainage of abscess or arthrotomy. Four patients (12%) died as a result of septicaemia and the rate is lower than those reported in literature. We conclude that mortality of melioidosis can reduce with early diagnosis followed by appropriate and prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Regenerative medicine using stem cell therapy has sparked much interest in this 21st century not only because of the controversies that surround the ethics involving pluripotent stem cells but their potential for use in the clinic. The ability of stem cells to repair and regenerate new tissues and organs holds tremendous promise for the treatment of many serious diseases and injuries. This review provides a brief summary of the current status of research in stem cells with special emphasis on where we are in terms of the possible clinical application of stem cell therapy in orthopaedic surgery. We look at the available evidence and examine the ethical issues and considerations associated with the clinical use of stem cells.
The posterior slope of the tibial plateau is an important feature to preserve during knee replacement. The correct slope aids in the amount of flexion and determines if the knee will be loose on flexion. This is a study on the posterior tibial plateau slope based on preoperative and postoperative radiographs of 100 consecutive patients who had total knee replacements. The average posterior slope of the tibia plateau was 10.1 degrees. There is a tendency for patients with higher pre-operative posterior tibial plateau slope to have higher post-operative posterior tibial plate slope.
MeSH terms: Bone Plates; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Tibia; Range of Motion, Articular; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee