Background Surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel is considered the method of choice for its treatment with satisfactory results documented. Various methods and suturing materials have been used for closure of the surgical wound. In the present study, we compared interrupted mattress closure by means of nylon suture to running subcuticular closure with vicryl rapide suture. As far as we know, there is no similar study in the literature. Methods A total of twenty patients were included in the study. Ten of them had their surgical wound closed with 3.0 nylon suture in an interrupted fashion and for the rest, a running subcuticular 3.0 vicryl rapide was used. All patients filled in a questionnaire about VAS perceived pain and a Quick DASH score sheet, preoperatively, at two and six weeks postoperatively. The cosmesis of the scar was assessed using the POSAS v2.0 system at two and six weeks after surgery and overall incidence of infections was noted as well. Results There was no statistically important difference between the two groups of patients in regards to postoperative VAS pain levels at two and six weeks. Likewise, no statistically significant difference was evident as far as Quick DASH score, POSAS score and infections were concerned. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of running subcuticular vicryl rapide suture is an attractive alternative to interrupted nylon sutures for closure after open carpal tunnel decompression, lacking any significant drawbacks. Lay Summary Surgery for carpal tunnel decompression is considered the method of choice for its treatment with documented satisfactory results. Various methods and suturing materials have been used for closure of the surgical wound. In the present study, we compared the use of a non-absorbable suture, placed intermittently to an absorbable continuous intradermal suture. A total of twenty patients were included in the study. Half of them had their wound closed with the absorbable suture and the other half with the non-absorbable suture, as described above. All patients were evaluated as far as pain, scar characteristics, functional outcomes of the operated hand and incidence of infection, at two and six weeks after surgery. After analysis of the data, no significant differences were found between the two groups, suggesting that both of these techniques are equally safe and efficacious.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common congenital defects with an incidence of around 2 cases per 1000 births, affecting the development of the acetabulum and the femoral head. Etiopathogenesis remains unclear but certain risk factors have been associated with DDH including the female gender, postmaturity, primiparity, oligohydramnios and breech presentation. If left untreated, hip dysplasia is considered a main cause of early osteoarthritis. Reviewing the literature, the purpose of the current study is to present current evidence regarding the anatomical abnormalities of DDH during infancy, childhood and adulthood. Using the searching tools on the internet, a thorough search, evaluation and selection of recent published articles in reliable international electronic libraries was conducted regarding the anatomical variations in developmental dysplasia of the hip. The results, extracted from these manuscripts, were the basic source of the current study. It was found that hip anatomy is affected in many different ways which range from sole acetabular dysplasia and stability to subluxation and dislocation. Acetabular defects along with femoral head and soft tissue abnormalities are usually present, making surgery a very challenging process. Dominant symptoms in infancy involve length discrepancy and limited abduction while groin pain and abnormal gait appear later in life. In cases of early diagnosis, DDH can be treated efficiently. Therefore, careful examination of all infants should be performed using the Barlow and Ortolani tests along with ultrasound, when there is a high clinical suspicion. It would be advisable though to screen all infants in order to avoid delayed diagnosis. In later life, radiographs are considered the primary diagnostic tool, whereas a considerable advancement to treating adult DDH is the growing use of personalized (custom-made) implants.