Background Radial head excision has historically been a common surgical procedure for the operative management of radial head fractures and post-traumatic conditions. With recent advances in other surgical techniques, controversy exists regarding its indications. This review evaluates the indications and outcomes of radial head excision in traumatic and non-traumatic elbow pathology. Methods Multiple databases were searched for studies involving radial head excision. Screening and data abstraction were conducted in duplicate. Only studies reporting outcomes for radial head excision were included. Results Twenty-seven studies with 774 radial head excision patients were included. The most common indications involved acute excision of comminuted radial head fractures (n = 347) and rheumatoid arthritis (n = 201). Post-operative functional scores after acute excision were reported to be good to excellent. In the chronic setting of rheumatoid disease, radial head excision resulted in improved range of motion, although pain was not effectively relieved. Discussion Outcomes of radial head excision for acute fracture are good to excellent; however, it should not be performed when concurrent or ligamentous injuries are present. Although some studies compared excision to open reduction and internal fixation or replacement, more data are needed to make proper conclusions. The strength of these conclusions is limited by the quality of included literature.

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Three-dimensional (3D) scanning and printing technology has allowed for the production of anatomical replicas at virtually any size. But what size optimizes the educational potential of 3D printing models? This study systematically investigates the effect of model size on nominal anatomy learning. The study population of 380 undergraduate students, without prior anatomical knowledge, were randomized to learn from two of four bone models (either vertebra and pelvic bone [os coxae], or scapula and sphenoid bone), each model 3D printed at 50%, 100%, 200%, and either 300% or 400% of normal size. Participants were then tested on nominal anatomy recall on the respective bone specimens. Mental rotation ability and working memory were also assessed, and opinions regarding learning with the various models were solicited.The diameter of the rotational bounding sphere for the object ("longest diameter") had a small, but significant effect on test score (F(2,707) = 17.15, p < 0.05, R 2 = 0.046).Participants who studied from models with a longest diameter greater than 10 cm scored significantly better than those who used models less than 10 cm, with the exception of the scapula model, on which performance was equivalent across all sizes.These results suggest that models with a longest diameter beyond 10 cm are unlikely to incur a greater size-related benefit in learning nominal anatomy. Qualitative feedback suggests that there also appear to be inherent features of bones besides longest diameter that facilitate learning.

T he potential for disasters and public health emergencies is increasing globally, 1 requiring expertise and capacity to mitigate and manage such events. The critical importance of emergency planning has been made even more apparent by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 In Canada, emergency preparedness and response is one of the core competencies of public health professionals. 3 To mitigate the threat of the pandemic, Canada implemented a "whole-of-government" approach that included simultaneous actions in economic, social and health sectors. Public health has led the collaborative decision-making within the different levels of government by placing measures to increase and protect health care capacity. Public health also progressively implemented strict physical distancing measures, masking, lockdowns, quarantine measures, travel restrictions and bans on nonessential travel. 4 Despite these measures, the pandemic has put health care workers in an unprecedented situation, and they work under extremely stressful and unpredictable conditions. 5 Given the current pandemic and the inevitability of future disasters, it is important to consider opportunities for developing disaster and emergency response expertise within the Canadian health workforce. Thus, it is critical for the broader health care sector to collaborate with public health teams and effectively deliver medical services during emergencies.