PMID: 9444920Jan 28, 1998Paper

Evaluation of critical postoperative situations in orthopedic patients

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi
C H Chang, C C Jiang

Abstract

Most orthopedic surgery is elective. Even in the severely traumatized patient, orthopedic surgery is carried out after the patient's general condition stabilizes. Critical postoperative situations are still problems in orthopedic surgery. From November 1992 through May 1995, 7,325 patients were admitted to the orthopedic ward at the National Taiwan University Hospital and underwent surgery. We present a retrospective study of 78 postoperative orthopedic patients who were admitted to a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) during this period. Fourteen of these became vegetative or died. The patients admitted to an ICU were categorized into four groups, based on the type of surgery: arthroplasty (13 patients), spinal surgery (50), fracture other than spine (13), and others (2). The causes of ICU admission in each group were analyzed. The following operations were found to carry a high risk of postoperative complications: revisional total hip arthroplasty (one of four ICU-admitted patients died); debridement for infected total hip arthroplasty (two of two died); bilateral total knee arthroplasty (two of four died); and debridement of spinal infection (three of five died). The associated risk factors for ICU admission were: old age, u...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.