The aim of the study was to evaluate the results after treating subcapital fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals with immediate mobilisation and without splinting or reduction. We undertook a prospective clinical evaluation of 36 subcapital fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpals treated with immediate mobilisation and without splinting or reduction during the period 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1992 in the accident and emergency department, Holstebro Central Hospital. After 4 weeks only 4 patients (11%) had restricted movement in the metacarpophalangeal joint (less than 0-80 degrees of movement). The fracture had healed in 33 patients (92%), and 31 of the patients (86%) were completely satisfied. We conclude that subcapital fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals can be treated without immobilisation or reposition.

Ulnar shortening is well accepted in the treatment of ulnar abutment but less so in patients with a shortened radius and ulnar-sided wrist pain as a result of a Colles fracture. Sixteen patients with pain and reduced range of movement (ROM) and a median preoperative ulnar positive variance of 5 mm (range 0.5-11) had 17 osteotomies. Nine were male and seven female with a median age of 35 (range 15-55) years were operated on. Fifteen patients with 16 osteotomies could be reached for follow-up. The ulna was shortened by a median of 4.5 mm (range 3-12). The median pain score was reduced by 3 points (range 0-5). Postoperative ROM was improved in nine, unchanged in six, and reduced in one wrists. There were four complications: one re-fracture, two transient paraesthesiae, and one superficial infection. Seven of the patients regarded the result as excellent, six as good, three as fair, and none regarded it as poor. Thirteen of the 16 would have chosen the operation again, three would not.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to compare the dosage requirements of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administered subcutaneously (SC) either one or three times weekly. Design A randomized, prospective study. .Setting: The patients were recruited from two university hospitals and five county hospitals. Patients Thirty-three anemic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment for endstage renal failure completed the study. Interventions Initially, all were treated with rHuEPOSC three times a week until hemoglobin blood levels (Hb) remained constant between 105 and 121 g/L for three months. Following randomization, 17 patients continued the same treatment schedule (group A), while 16 patients received the same dose, but administered only once weekly for three months (group B). Main Outcome Measures The Hb levels and rHuEPO doses at the start and at the end of the three-month study period. Results In group A the median Hb at randomization was 118 g/L (109 -119) (25 -75 percentiles) and, after three months, was 113 g/L (106 -119) (p = 0.13), while in group B the median Hb was 114g/L (108–119) and 114 g/L (106 -120), respectively (p = 0.50). In group A the weekly dose of rHuEPO remained virtually unchanged during the study period, 65 (55 -86) and 66.3 (55 -95) U/kg/week, respectively, while in group B it was increased from 60.2 (46–88) to 77 (60 90) U/kg/week. The 22% increase (p = 0.03) took place during the last two weeks. Conclusions Our findings indicate that a once-weekly SC dosing regimen of rHuEPO in anemic CAPD patients was equally effective in maintaining a stable hemoglobin level as a thrice-weekly dosing regimen.

No abstract

In the period 05.06.79 -31.12.91, 2037 primary total hip arthroplasties were performed, all in ultra-clean air, wearing body-exhaust system suits and all patients recieving Meticillin as prophylactic antibiotics. None of the non-cemented arthroplasties were infected and 0.61% of the cemented hip arthoplasties were infected giving a total incidence of deep infection after total hip arthroplasty in our clinic of 0.49%. The microorganism most commonly cultured was Staph. aureus, but in one hip Listeria was cultured, which is extremely rare. In the 10 patients with deep infection the infection reccurred in 30%. Patients with a revision prosthesis in situ at follow-up, had an average Harris-hip score of 79, and radiographs showed no signs of loosening or persistant infection. The rate of deep infection and the patients' condition after the revision procedures in our series are comparable to other published series.