PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of displaced transverse patellar fractures using a tensioned anterior figure-eight wire placed through two cannulated screws MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 patients with displaced transverse patellar fractures treated with cannulated screws and figure-eight wiring were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 53 years (range, 22 to 68 years). Controlled passive range of motion exercise were started on the first postoperative day. Full weight bearing was allowed as tolerated. The patients were evaluated with radiographs, clinical examination and Levack's scoring system. RESULTS: All fractures healed and mean time elapsed for union was 9.4 weeks (range, 8 to 12 weeks). All patients regained full knee range of motion. Clinical results according to the Levack's scoring system were excellent in 8 cases and good in 1 case. We found no complications like loss of reduction and soft tissue irritation caused by the wire and screw, loosening or migration of hardware. CONCLUSION: Anterior figure-eight wiring through paired cannulated screws is appropriate for transverse patellar fractures, is possible early knee motion exercise and weight bearing.
Humans ; Knee ; Patella ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight-Bearing

Arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) and pH are basic indices of the adequacy of ventilation in anesthetized patients. Previous reports by us and by Frances et al indicate that peripheral venous Pco2 and pH approach values arterial blood during general anesthesia. The present study compares the arterial venous difference for Pco2 and pH during diethyl ether, methoxyflurane and halothane anesthesia in 20 cases each. After induction with thiopental, succinylcholine, the patient was intubated and maintained with N2O-O2 and one of above volatile agents. Venous blood was drawn from the back of the hand and an arterial sample was obtained from the radial artery of the other hand. The results were as follows: 1) The mean arteriovenous Pco2 differences in ether, methoxyflurane and halothane groups were -l. 25, -1. 425 and -0. 065 torr respectively. 2) The mean arterovenous pH differences in each group were 0. 031, 0, 017and 0. 014 respectively. We conclude from above results that the differences for the arteriovenous Pco2 and pH during halothane anesthesia were less than that of the ether or methoxyflurane groups.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Carbon Dioxide ; Ether* ; Halothane* ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Methoxyflurane* ; Partial Pressure ; Radial Artery ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly of eosinophils, is one of the characteristic features of asthma. Several mechanisms for the recruitment of eosinophil is focused on the CD4+ T lymphocyte for the preferential production of Th2-derived cytokines. Interleukin-10(IL-10) is identified cytokine with potent antiinflammatory activity. This molecule has been shown to inhibit the release of cytokine from inflammatory cells including Th2 cell, and also to inhibit eosinophil survival. We therefore attempted to determine whether decreased synthesis of IL-10 in the lung of bronchial asthma may contribute to inflammation that is characteristics of this dease. METHOD: Subjects were patients with bronchial asthma(n=23) and normal controls(n=11). IL-10 produced from peripheral mononuclear cell(PBMC) and in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid was measured by ELISA method. Degree of bronchial inflammation was assessed by total cell counts and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid, eosinophil infiltration on bronchial biopsy tissue and PC20 for methacholine. RESULTS: The IL-10 level produced by PBMC and in BAL fluid from patient with bronchial asthma were not different with normal controls(respectively, 901.6+/-220.4 pg/ml, 810.9+/-290.8pg/ml for PBMC, 24.5+/-9.5pg/ml, 30.5+/-13.5 pg/ml for BAL fluid p>0.05). There were significant negative correlation between IL-10 in BAL fluid and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid or degree of eosinophil infiltration in bronchial biopsy(respectively r=-0.522, r=-0.4486 p<0.05). However there was no difference of IL-10 level according to PC20 for methacholine. There were no correlation between IL-10 production by PBMC and peripheral blood eosinophil counts or serum eosinophilic cationic protein levels(respectively r=0.1146, r=0.0769 p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These observation suggest that IL-10 may participate but not acts the crucial role in regulation of the airway inflammation in bronchial asthma.
Asthma* ; Biopsy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Cell Count ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-10* ; Lung ; Lymphocytes ; Methacholine Chloride ; Th2 Cells