Edema results in pain and may lead to reduced functional mobility. High voltage pulsed direct current (HVPC) has recently been advocated for edema control. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of HVPC on edema formation in frogs. Hind limbs of 20 anesthetized frogs were injured by dropping a 450-g weight onto the plantar aspects of the feet. One hind limb of each frog was randomly selected to receive continuous 120-Hz HVPC at voltages 10% lower than those needed to evoke muscle contraction. Four 30-minute treatments were administered at 1.5-hour intervals beginning 10 minutes after trauma. Limb volumes were measured by water displacement. An analysis of variance for repeated measures and a Newman-Keuls post hoc test were used to determine the significance of treatment effects. The HVPC significantly (p less than .01) reduced edema formation. We hypothesize that HVPC may also be effective in controlling edema formation after impact injuries in humans. [Bettany JA, Fish DR, Mendel FC: Influence of high voltage pulsed direct current on edema formation following impact injury.

can reduce the important cosmetic deformity of rib prominence in scoliosis but there are few objective reports of correction. We recorded the results of three objective methods of assessing back shape before and after short-segment costoplasty in 55 patients. We showed that significant improvement was maintained over a two-year follow-up period. Primary costoplasty at the time of scoliosis surgery (n = 35) achieved greater proportional correction than secondary costoplasty performed after fusion of the spine (n = 20). The rib segments removed at primary surgery provided enough bone for the autogenous graft; harvesting from the pelvis was unnecessary. We report a new classification of rib morphology which helps in planning the site and extent of costoplasty, and in predicting the possible correction.

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