BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the results of intervention activities on the management of steam sterilizers and sterile items in out-patient clinics and clinical laboratories. METHODS: A checklist was developed and used to monitor and evaluate the adequacy of sterilizers and sterilized items at out-patient clinics and clinical laboratories in a tertiary-care hospital. The checklist consisted of 7 items: condition of the material used for packaging sterile items, maintenance of shelf-life records, sterilizer cleanliness, maintenance of expiry date details of sterilized items, sterilization conditions, use of chemical indicators, and the results of biological indicators. Monitoring and additional intervention activities were carried out once every week for 53 weeks from August 2007 to July 2008. The study period was divided into 2 terms, early and late intervention; the duration of each term was 6 months, and we compared the ratio of adequacy of management of sterilizer and sterilized items between the 2 terms. RESULTS: There were a total of 795 observations from 15 departments in 1 year. Sterility of the materials used for packaging increased from 87.4% in the first 6-month term to 97.9% in the second 6-month term. Records for shelf-life increased from 89.6% to 98.5% in the same period, while the figures for maintaining expiry date details of sterilized items and for steam sterilizer cleanliness increased from 92.6% to 99.2%, and from 91.9% to 98.5 (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our intensive checklist-based intervention was effective in improving the management of steam sterilizers and sterile items in out-patient clinics and clinical laboratories.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Checklist ; Humans ; Infertility ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Outpatients ; Product Packaging ; Steam ; Sterilization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results between open reduction and internal fixation with the plate and percutaneous reduction by towel clip and intramedullary fixation with Steinmann pin for clavicle shaft fractures in adult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied the results in 33 cases with the plate, 35 cases with the Steinmann pin among total 68 cases of clavicle shaft fracture. The patients were followed up over a period of at least 12 months. The final postoperative outcome was analyzed with the clinical outcomes using Kang's criteria, radiological union time and operation time. RESULTS: The clinical outcome that was good or excellent according to the Kang's criteria showed a distribution of 88% in the group using the plate with 29 cases out of total 33 cases, 91% in the group using the Steinmann pin with 32 cases out of total 35 cases. The mean radiological union time was 8.9 weeks in the group using the plate, 9.1 weeks in the group using Steinmann pin. The mean operation time was 72 minutes in the group using the plate, whereas was 18 minutes in the group using Steinmann pin. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of adult clavicle shaft fracture, two groups did not show a significant statistical difference in clinical and radiological outcomes. However, the operation time and postoperative functional recovery was significantly shorter and faster in the group using Steinmann pin. Additionally economic and cosmetic aspect was more satisfactory in the group using Steinmann pin.
Adult* ; Clavicle* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of lateral plate fixation using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique as a treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patient who were treated from March, 2002 to September, 2004, the cases of twenty patients with distal tibial metaphyseal fracture treated by lateral plate fixation using MIPO technique who were able to be followed up for at least one-year period were reviewed in this study. According to AO/OTA classification, five were type A1, twelve cases were type A2 and other three cases were type A3, and among them two cases were open fracture type I according to the Gustillo-Anderson classification. Radiologic studies and clinical assessment described by Daniel et al and complication following the treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: At a mean of 16.4 weeks (range 11 to 23), all fractures united without secondary procedures. According to clinical assessment, all cases had good and excellent result, and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: The lateral plate fixation using MIPO technique of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture is an efficient method of treatment with high functional recovery rate which minimize soft tissue damage, decreases the risk of infection and incidence of nonunion at the same time as the classic MIPO technique does, and it is a useful alternative method when there is a anteromedial soft tissue damage.
Classification ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Incidence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate usefulness of locking compression plate (LCP) as an open reduction technique by evaluating clinical results obtained from the patients with lateral malleolar fracture treated by internal fixation using LCP after open reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patients with lateral malleolar fracture, the 28 patients who were treated by internal fixation using Locking compression plate after an open reduction and were able to be followed up for more than 6 months were included in this study. Final postoperative evaluation was done based on the Meyer's clinical and radiologic evaluation system. RESULTS: All cases achieved anatomical reduction and fixation of the reduction postoperatively. 28 minutes were taken meaningly from the incision to the fixation of LCP plate after the anatomical reduction. Everage bony union time was 8.2 weaks, and the result was excellent in 23 cases (82%), good in 5 cases (17%) and poor result was abscent according to the criteria of Meyer et al. One case of post traumatic arthritis and one case of superficial infection on the operation site were found, but non-union, delayed union and malunion were not occurred. CONCLUSION: The internal fixation after open reduction using LCP is an effective treatment method in treating lateral malleolar fracture of the ankle since it offers advantages including easy application and a greater stability due to its capability of maintaining exact anatomical reduction even though the screw does not penetrate the medial cortex of fibular to add the stability and rigidity of the fixation.
Ankle ; Arthritis ; Humans

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of locking compression plate (LCP) and volar plating through anterior approach for distal radius fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed that 15 distal radius fracture, which would not be reduced by closed reduction or too comminuated to maintain reduction or articular surface inconguency, were treated by open reduction through anterior approach and volar plating using LCP. The results were evaluated by preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Functional results were analysed using the Modified Mayo Wrist Scoring System. RESULTS: All cases achieved anatomical articular surface reduction postoperatively. In terms of radiologic analysis, mean radial length (9.0 mm vs. 11.8 mm), radial inclination (14.7degrees vs. 20.9degrees ), volar tilt (-6.3degrees vs. 8.3degrees ) and articular step-off (1.4 mm vs. 0.3 mm) were improved. The average Modified Wrist Score was 89. Nonunion or malunion was not occurred. CONCLUSION: Open reduction through anterior approach and volar plating using LCP is a useful method that provides excellent results with few complications in the treatment of fracture of the distal radius.
Radius Fractures ; Radius* ; Retrospective Studies ; Wrist

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of surgical treatment of clavicle shaft fracture using a percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted for total 16 cases of patients who had no neurovascular injury and a few comminuted bone fragment among patients with clavicle shaft fracture from January 2002 to July 2003. The method of operation was percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation. The clinical and radiological results were evaluated. RESULTS: Radiologically, 15 cases showed bone unions and the average time was 9.1 weeks. According to Kang's criteria clinically, there were 14 cases which were more than an excellence. One case substituted open reduction and nailing fixation due to a medial migration of K-wire and re- displacement of fracture even in 1 week. However, there wasn't any other major complication. CONCLUSION: Due to its having no additional injury to soft tissues, no scar formations, and its short operation time, percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation will be very useful as one of the treatments of clavicular shaft fracture if it follows correct surgical indications.
Cicatrix ; Clavicle* ; Humans

A ganglion is the most common soft tissue tumor. But an intratendinous ganglion is a rare lesion of unknown etiology but with a natural history that originates within the tendon. A 52 year-old man complained of a palpable, non-tender mass in the dorsum of the right foot. We present a case of an intratendinous ganglion that developed in the extensor hallucis brevis tendon and which was treated successfully by excision.
Foot ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Natural History ; Tendons* ; Toes*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report the usability of autogenous bone graft with bone peg in total knee arthroplasty in the patients with tibial medial bone defect from osteoarthritis due to severe varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1998 to December 2000, fifteen total knee arthroplasties with autogenous bone graft were performed for the medial tibial bone defects. The proximal tibia was resected and then bone pegs which were prepared from resected portion of distal femur and proximal tibia were inserted into the defect site with the shape of peg in the anterior posterior view using press fitting method. Instead of applying screw or K-wire, we performed press-fitting method for early stability. For attaining the stability, we preserved the sclerotic rim and designed precisely the bony defect site. We reviewed the result using the HSS Knee Rating Scale and observed the radiologic change. RESULTS: In HSS Knee Rating Scale review, 52.4 of preoperative score was improved to 84.7 at postoperative 1 year. Tibio-femoral angle , the average 17.8 degrees of varus was improved to the average 5.8 degrees of valgus at 1 year postoperatively. The average union period was 5 months, and there was no evidence of the displacement of grafted bone and loosening of the inserted implants. CONCLUSION: The method of autogenous bone graft applied with bone peg could be supposed as the stable fixation method without using screws or K-wires.
Arthroplasty* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Tibia ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical result of two stage reimplantation of infected total knee arthroplasties, using an antibiotics impregnated articulating cement spacer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of total 7 cases with infected total knee arthroplasties, 4 cases treated with two stage reimplantation, using an antibiotics impregnated articulating cement spacer were included in this study. After the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasties, the treatment of infection was evaluated by physical examination, radiologic studies, and hematologic studies. The results were evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS). RESULTS: As results, 4 infected knee cases treated with two stage reimplantation did not have reinfection at the time of the follow up, and physical, laboratory, and radiologic studies were all within normal range. The range of motion of the reimplanted knees were from -5degrees in extension to 130 degrees in flexion, with an average of 117 degrees. The average score of the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score was 87. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, two stage arthroplasties, using antibiotics impregnated articulating cement spacer was an effective therapy not only for the treatment of the infection after the total knee arthroplasty but also effectiveness for recovery of the knee function.
Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Arthroplasty* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee* ; Physical Examination ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reference Values ; Replantation*