Background: Fall risk assessment and preventive interventions are important for preventing secondary fractures after hip fracture. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and characteristics of Fall Risk Index-21 (FRI-21) scores based on prefracture living conditions in patients with fall-related unilateral hip fracture. Methods: This study included 95 people who had suffered a hip fracture after a fall and had undergone surgery. FRI-21, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and hip structure analysis/trabecular bone score based on DXA were performed within 1 week after surgery. We compared bone parameters between the two groups, which were divided according to the cutoff value of the FRI-21. We also performed cluster analysis on the components of the FRI-21 and compared the characteristics of the subgroups via analysis of variance and multiple comparison tests. Results: All participants had experienced a fall-related fracture, but 47 (49.5%) of the patients were judged to have low scores (<10) on the FRI-21. Moreover, cluster analysis revealed that the subjects were classified into three subgroups, and the characteristics of the items that constitute fall risk, namely, physical function, disease or geriatric syndrome, and environmental factors, were diverse. Conclusions These results suggest that caution is needed when interpreting the FRI-21 total score based on preoperative living conditions in post-fracture patients, as it may not adequately reflect fall risk. Considering the characteristics of the FRI-21 score in patients with hip fractures, identifying appropriate fall prevention strategies and healthcare professionals involved may be important for preventing future re-fractures.

In Western countries, the gold-standard therapeutic strategy for rectal cancer is preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) following total mesorectal excision (TME), without lateral lymph node dissection (LLND). However, preoperative CRT has recently been reported to be insufficient to control lateral lymph node recurrence in cases of enlarged lateral lymph nodes before CRT, and LLND is considered necessary in such cases. We performed a literature review on aspects of pelvic anatomy associated with rectal surgery and LLND, and then combined this information with our experience and knowledge of pelvic anatomy. In this review, drawing upon research using a 3-dimensional anatomical model and actual operative views, we aimed to clarify the essential anatomy for LLND. The LLND procedure was developed in Asian countries and can now be safely performed in terms of functional preservation. Nonetheless, the longer operative time, hemorrhage, and higher complication rates with TME accompanied by LLND than with TME alone indicate that LLND is still a challenging procedure. Laparoscopic or robotic LLND has been shown to be useful and is widely performed; however, without a sufficient understanding of anatomical landmarks, misrecognition of vessels and nerves often occurs. To perform safe and accurate LLND, understanding the landmarks of LLND is essential.

We reported a rare case of aorto-left ventricular fistula with the unruptured aneurysm of the Valsalva sinus due to the infective endocarditis. Preoperatively trans-echocardiographic examination revealed the ruptured left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm protruded toward the left ventricule. Aorto-left ventricular fistula contiguous to the unruptured aneurysm of the right valsalva sinus, however, was detected at operation. Granulation tissue resembling healed infective vegetation was detected in the margin among the orifices of this fistula and Valsalva aneurysm. Pathological examination showed excessive accumulation of white blood cells, which suggested infective endocarditis.