Symmetrical peripheral gangrene is a severe condition marked by symmetric acral necrosis without obstruction of the major blood vessels. This case report examines the critical decisions involved in choosing between early and delayed amputation, as well as determining the extent of the necessary amputation. We present three cases: one involving antiphospholipid syndrome, another with disseminated intravascular coagulation, and a third associated with diabetes mellitus. All three cases ultimately required amputation due to symmetrical peripheral gangrene. In the first two cases, amputation was delayed, which is typically advantageous as it allows for the clear demarcation of necrotic tissue. However, in the third case, where infection was evident, immediate amputation was necessary despite the patient's overall poor health.

Objectives: Conservative treatment for distal radius fractures typically involves closed reduction and immobilization with a plaster cast. However, no consensus exists regarding the best method and duration for immobilization. This study investigated the functional outcomes associated with different plaster cast application techniques in the treatment of stable distal radius fractures.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for studies in the last 5 years. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that investigated non-operative treatments for distal radius fractures. We excluded studies with short-term follow-up (less than 3 months), ongoing trials, those that did not directly address fractures, and studies involving the use of sugar-tong splints or non-circular immobilization. The outcomes evaluated included subjective measures (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score; Mayo Wrist Score; and visual analog scale) and objective outcomes (complication rate and radiological parameters).

Results: We included seven articles from 2017 to 2022. These studies reported a total of 542 fractures, predominantly in women, with a mean age of over 50 years. Both short and long arm casts demonstrated similar functional and radiological outcomes. A longer immobilization period (>3 weeks) should be considered to prevent re-displacement.

Conclusion: In stable fractures treated conservatively, the use of both short and long arm casts resulted in comparable functional outcomes in older patients. Immobilization for at least 3 weeks is recommended, as it provided similar clinical and radiological outcomes compared to longer periods of immobilization (level of evidence: 2A).

Objectives: Accurately targeting distal nail holes and placing distal interlocking screws pose challenges during intramedullary nailing. This study proposes a straightforward technique for distal locking screw insertion using a Steinmann pin, eliminating the need to reposition the pin or drill bit.

Methods: We utilized 18 Sawbones femur models and intramedullary femur nails. A first-year resident created two distal locking holes on each model, employing both the conventional freehand technique and a novel method involving a Steinmann pin and hammer under image intensification. These techniques were evaluated based on three parameters: (1) the time required to create distal locking holes, measured from the moment the pin was positioned at the center of the hole until the far cortex was drilled through the interlocking hole; (2) the radiation dose (in mrem/h), as estimated with a personal gamma radiation dosimeter; and (3) the number of failures, defined as the creation of more than one hole in the near and far cortex.

Results: The new technique was associated with a lower radiation dose (P=0.0268) and fewer failures (P=0.0367) than the conventional approach. Additionally, the time required to establish distal holes was shorter using the new technique compared to the conventional method (P=0.0217).

Conclusion: The creation of distal interlocking holes with a Steinmann pin and hammer is accurate, efficient, and cost-effective.

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• Unresolved policy on the new placement of 2,000 entrants at Korean medical schools and this issue of Ewha Medical Journal
  Sun Huh
  The Ewha Medical Journal.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef