Chris Lavy is an orthopaedic surgeon in Oxford (UK) who lived and worked in Malawi for ten years. There he helped build an orthopaedic hospital and research unit. He was also one of the founders of COSECSA, the regional college of surgeons for East and Central Africa in 1999.

Richard Carey Smith is an orthopaedic oncology surgeon with fellowship training in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada, and has worked in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Papa New Guinea. David Wood is head of the University Department of Orthopaedics in Perth, Western Australia. He did his masters in Africa, and first experienced Papa New Guinea on his medical elective, starting a lifelong commitment to medical aid work there.

This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of open tibia shaft fractures at a level one trauma center in a developing world setting. Specific objectives were to determine the association of time delay to antibiotic administration, surgical debridement, definitive skeletal stabilisation and soft tissue reconstruction, and the development of fracture-related infection (FRI). A retrospective cohort study included all adult patients with open tibia shaft fractures from July 2014 to June 2016 and January 2018 to December 2019. Patients who were skeletally immature at the time of injury, those with pathological fractures and who did not complete follow-up of at least three months were excluded. Patients were identified from hospital records. Data was captured in Microsoft Excel and analysed using STATISTICA. A Chi-squared was used to detect significant differences between groups. No association between infection and antibiotic administration was observed when patients were treated within or after 3 hours (p=0.625) or if patients had their first surgical debridement in theatre before or after 24 hours (p=0.259). Patients who waited more than five days for definitive skeletal fixation or soft tissue reconstruction had a significant increase in FRI (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0 – 10.9 and OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0 – 11.0, respectively). Patients who underwent more than two formal debridements had a higher risk of developing FRI (OR 15.6, 95% CI 5.8 – 41.6). Whilst administration of antibiotics within 3 hours of presentation to the emergency unit had no impact on the development of FRI, time delays in managing open tibia shaft fractures are associated with an increased risk for FRI. Definitive soft tissue reconstruction and skeletal stabilization should not be delayed for more than five days

Introduction. Over the past 30 years multiple wars and embargos have reduced healthcare resources, infrastructure, and staff in Iraq. Subsequently, there are a lack of physiotherapists to provide rehabilitation after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The implementation of home-based rehabilitation programmes may provide a potential solution to this problem. This study, set in in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, describes the epidemiology and outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) followed by home-based rehabilitation alone. Methods. A cohort observational study of patients aged ≥ 16 years with an ACL rupture who underwent an ACLR under a single surgeon. This was performed arthroscopically using a hamstring autograft (2 portal technique). Patients completed a home-based rehabilitation programme of appropriate simplicity for the home setting. The programme consisted of stretching, range of motion and strengthening exercises based on criterion rehabilitation progressions. A full description of the programme is provided at: . https://ngmvcharity.co.uk/. . Demographics, mechanisms of injury, operative findings, and outcome data (Lysholm, Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), and revision rates) were collected from 2016 to 2021. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results. The cohort consisted of 545 patients (547 knees), 99.6% were male with a mean age of 27.8 years (SD 6.18 years). The mean time from diagnosis to surgery was 40.6 months (SD 40.3). Despite data attrition Lysholm scores improved over the 15-month follow-up period, matched data showed the most improvement occurred within the first 2 months post-operatively. A peak score of 90 was observed at nine months. Post-operative TAS results showed an improvement in level of function but did not reach pre-injury levels by the final follow-up. At final follow-up, six (1.1%) patients required an ACLR revision. Conclusion. Patients who completed a home-based rehabilitation programme in Kurdistan had low revision rates and improved Lysholm scores 15 months post-operatively. To optimise resources, further research should investigate the efficacy of home-based rehabilitation for trauma and elective surgery in low- to middle-income countries and the developed world

While the demand for orthopaedic surgical expertise in the developing world is in critically short supply, short-term remedy from visiting doctors cannot solve this long-term healthcare problem. Capacity building by senior and training orthopaedic surgeons from established Western training programmes can offer a significant contribution to the orthopaedic patient in the developing world and the gains for those visiting are extremely valuable. We report on several visits by a UK orthopaedic team to a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan and discuss the operative and non-operative case mix and the benefits in terms of local capacity building and the unique experience of those visiting

Introduction. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) can be detected by sputum cultures. However, Extra Pulmonary Spinal Tuberculosis (EPSTB), diagnosis is challenging as it relies on retrieving a sample. It is usually discovered in the late stages of presentation due to its slow onset and vague early presentation. Difficulty in detecting Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria from specimens is well documented and therefore often leads to culture negative results. Diagnostic imaging is helpful to initiate empirical therapy, but growing incidence of multidrug resistant TB adds further challenges. Methods. A retrospective analysis of cases from the Infectious Disease (ID) database with Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) between 1. st. of January 2015 to 31. st. of January. Two groups were compared 1) Culture Negative TB (CNTB) and 2) Culture Positive TB (CPTB). Audit number was. Results. 31 cases were identified with EPSTB. 68% (n=21) were male. 55% (n=17) patients were Asian, (19% (n=6) were black and 16% (n=5) were of white ethnicity. 90.4% (n=28) patients presented with isolated spinal TB symptoms. No patient had evidence of HBV/HCV/HIV infections. CPTB Group was 51.6% (n=16) compared to CNTB Group with 48.4% (n=15) 48% (15) lumbar involvement, 42% (13) thoracic and 10% (3) cervical. 38.7% (12) patients presented with late neurology, equally in both groups. 56% CPTB patients showed signs of vertebral involvement on plain radiograph compared to 13.3% in CNTB patients. 68.7% CPTB patients had pathological changes or paraspinal collections seen on CT scan compared to 53.3% of CNTB patients. 81% of CPTB showed positive MRI findings compared to 86% in CNTB. Both groups were treated with Anti-TB medications according to local guidelines. 83% patients were followed up till the end of the treatment course. 22.5% (n=7) patients had Ultrasound guided aspiration. 29% (n=9) patients underwent surgical intervention. 3 patients had Laminectomy for decompression. 6 patients underwent Spinal Decompression and Fixation due to extensive bone destruction. No mortality occurred. Conclusion. TB continues to be a growing problem in the developed world with high numbers of patients travelling from endemic regions. 75% of our cases were from Asian or Black ethnicity. The thoracolumbar region was most commonly effected (90%). Approximately 50% of cases of extrapulmonary spinal TB were culture negative. Neurological deficit occurred in 40% patients and 30% of patients required surgery. Standard anti-TB treatment was however effective in all cases with no significant drug resistant variants noted. MRI and CT imaging remain the superior diagnostic tests in the presence of high CN EPSTB

Aims and methods. We present a review of our use of the Ilizarov apparatus in a non-acute NGO hospital in Cambodia specialising in limb reconstruction. Frames are applied without on table image intensification. A retrospective case-note analysis of Ilizarov apparatus use for all indications was conducted. 53 frames were applied between November 2005 and October 2011. Indications for application were chronic open fracture, osteomyelitis, fracture malunion, infective and non-infective non-union, bone lengthening, primary bone tumour resection, ankle fusion, congenital deformity or pseudarthrosis, chronic hip dislocation, or a combination of the above. Results. Median delay in presentation was 104 weeks for all indications (range 4–864). Median treatment length was 21 weeks (3–76). The most frequent complication was pin-site infection. This occurred in 18 patients (34%). Return to theatre occurred in 21 patients (40%). Indications were frame adjustment, pin addition or removal, addition of bone graft or re-osteotomy. Failure of union occurred in three patients. These rates are comparable with those published in both Asian and Western literature. Conclusions. Our data demonstrate the versatility of the Ilizarov apparatus and its importance in limb reconstruction in a developing world setting. Our centre relies on it as a cost-effective tool for traditional and novel indications. In our centre the apparatus is applied without x-ray control and is maintained without a dedicated outreach pin-site care programme. Despite this our complication rates are comparable with western literature. We therefore recommend it as a safe and cost-effective tool for use in other developing world settings

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has included low back pain in its list of twelve priority diseases. Notably, Degenerative disc disease (DDD) presents a large, unmet medical need which results in a disabling loss of mechanical function. Today, no efficient therapy is available. Chronic cases often receive surgery, which may lead to biomechanical problems and accelerated degeneration of adjacent segments. Our consortium partners have developed and studied mesenchymal stem cell-based, regenerative therapies trials. In previous phase 2 trial, patients exhibited rapid and progressive improvement of functional and pain indexes after 1 year with no significant side effects. To develop the world's first rigorously proven, effective treatment of DDD, EUROSPINE aims to assess, via a multicentre, randomized, controlled, phase 2b clinical trial including 112 patients with DDD, the efficacy of an allogenic intervertebral mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy. This innovative therapy aims to rapidly and sustainably (at least 24 months) reduce pain and disability. In addition, the consortium aims to provide new knowledge on immune response & safety associated with allogeneic BM-MSC intradiscal injection. This simple procedure would be cost-effective, minimally invasive, and standardised. At the end of the RESPINE trial, we aim to propose a broadly available and clinically applicable treatment for DDD, marketed by European SMEs

Gap defects in the tibial shaft can arise as a consequence of auto-sequestrectomy in chronic osteomyelitis. Whilst bone transport techniques can be utilised to treat defects, the skills and equipment necessary for such procedures are seldom available in the developing world. An alternative, and more freely available method of reconstruction is to use ipsilateral vascularised fibular transfer. Approach to the fibula is postero-lateral. Muscle attachments to the lateral and antero-medial surfaces of the bone are released but care is taken to maintain the posterior proximal vascular pedicle, arising from the peroneal artery and to keep the periosteum intact. The fibula is then osteotomised proximally and distally and then transposed, by translation and rotation into a pre-prepared graft bed spanning the tibial defect. Some form of fixation and stabilisation may then be required and cancellous bone graft applied. Over the past 12 months 5 cases of ipsilateral vas-cularised fibular transfer have been performed. Mean age of the patients was 6.4. In three cases stabilisation was by a trans-calcaneal, intramedullary K-wire. In the remainder interfragmentary screws were used at the proximal and distal ends of the graft, supplemented by external fixation. Cancellous bone grafting was only performed in those cases also undergoing external fixation. In all cases the graft united satisfactorily at both the proximal and distal ends. No further procedures were necessary to effect this union. Particularly in the younger patients compensatory hypertrophy of the fibula, in response to the increased weight-bearing demand, was both marked and rapid. All five cases have completed treatment and need no mobility aids when walking. In conclusion we feel that the ipsilateral vascular-ised fibular graft is a useful method for treating tibial gap defects of osteomyelitic origin. Few specialised resources are required and thus it is a suitable technique for the developing world

Lateral meniscal failure and secondary valgus with lateral compartment arthrosis is quite common in the developed world. The varus knee is the common phenotype of the ‘jock’ of both genders, while the valgus knee is a common consequence of lateral meniscal tear, skiing or ‘catwalk’ life. Occurring more commonly in ‘flamingo’ phenotypes, lateral meniscal failure can be disabling, entirely preventing high heels being worn for instance. Indications. Lateral UKA is indicated for most valgus knees, and is substantially safer than TKA. ACL integrity is not essential in older people, as the patello-femoral mechanism is in line with the lateral compartment. Severe valgus with substantial bone loss is not a contraindication, if the deformity is simply angular. As long as there is not marked subluxation, fixed flexion deformity invariably corrects after notch osteophyte removal from femur and tibia. Combinations. Lateral UKA can be combined safely with PFJA: performed through a lateral approach, this is a safe and conservative procedure. ACL integrity is not essential – reconstruction can be undertaken simultaneously, if necessary. Combining lateral UKA with medial UKA is only rarely needed, and sometimes needs ACL reconstruction too. Adding a medial UKA in under 5 years usually results from overcorrection of the valgus. Mid Term Results, at a median of 7 years postop: Between 2005 to 2009, 64 knees in 58 patients had a lateral UKA using a device designed for the lateral compartment. This included 41 females and 17 males with a mean age of 71 years at the time of surgery (range 44–92). Thirty-nine patients underwent surgery on the right knee and 6 underwent bilateral procedures, of which four were performed under a single anesthetic. Primary lateral compartment osteoarthritis was the primary diagnosis in 63 cases with secondary osteoarthritis to a lateral tibial plateau fracture the indication in one patient. At 119 months follow up, the predicted cumulative survival was 0.97. With re-operation as an endpoint, 11% of patients within the study had undergone re-operation with a predicted cumulative survival of 0.81 at 119 months. This compares well with historic fixed bearing series. Preoperative OKS scores were available for 50 knees, scores were available for 63 knees at 9–48 months and 52 knees at 61–119 months post index operation. There was a significant improvement in the OKS between the preoperative scores (median 26 range 9–36) and early postoperative time points of 9–48 months, (median 42 range 23–48) (p<0.001). At the later postoperative time point of 61–119 months the score had been maintained (42 range 10–48). Conclusion. Lateral UKA is a small and safe procedure, with clinical outcomes that are equivalent to a medial UKA and are maintained at a median of 7 years postoperatively

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently identified musculoskeletal care as a major global health issue in the developing world. However, little is known about the quality and trends of orthopaedic research in resource-poor settings. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of orthopaedic research in low-income countries (LIC). The primary objective was to determine the quality and publication parameters of studies performed in LIC. Secondary objectives sought to provide recommendations for successful strategies to implement research endeavors in LIC. A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching MEDLINE (1966-November 2014), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library to identify peer-reviewed orthopaedic research conducted in LICs. The PRISMA guidelines for performing a systematic review were followed. LIC were defined by the WHO and by the World Bank as countries with gross national income per capita equal or less than 1045US$. Inclusion criteria were (1) studies performed in a LIC, (2) conducted on patients afflicted by an orthopaedic condition, and (3) evaluated either an orthopaedic intervention or outcome. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were used to objectively rate the overall methodological quality of each study. Additional data collected from these studies included the publication year, journal demographics, orthopaedic subspecialty and authors' country of origin. A total of 1,809 articles were screened and 277 studies met our inclusion criteria. Eighty-eight percent of studies conducted in LIC were of lower quality evidence according to the GRADE score and consisted mostly of small case series or case reports. Bangladesh and Nepal were the only two LIC with national journals and produced the highest level of research evidence. Foreign researchers produced over 70% of the studies with no collaboration with local LIC researchers. The most common subspecialties were trauma (42%) and paediatrics (14%). The 3 most frequent countries where the research originated were the United States (42%), United Kingdom (11%), and Canada (8%). The 3 most common locations where research was conducted were Haiti (18%), Afghanistan (14%), and Malawi (7%). The majority of orthopaedic studies conducted in LIC were of lower quality and performed by foreign researchers with little local collaboration. In order to promote the development of global orthopaedic surgery and research in LIC, we recommend (1) improving the collaboration between researchers in developed and LIC, (2) promoting the teaching of higher-quality and more rigorous research methodology through shared partnerships, (3) improving the capacity of orthopaedic research in developing nations through national peer-reviewed journals, and (4) dedicated subsections in international orthopaedic journals to global healthcare research

Introduction:. The developing world often lacks the resources to effectively treat the most serious injuries, potentially resulting in severe complications of orthopaedic trauma, including osteomyelitis following open fractures or surgical fracture treatment. Antibiotic cement beads are now a widely accepted method of delivering antibiotics locally to the infected area following trauma. This study is based in Cambodia, a low income country struggling to recover from a recent genocide. Aims:. This project studied the effectiveness of locally made antibiotic beads, analysing their effectiveness after being gas sterilised, packaged and kept in storage. Methods:. Different antibiotic beads were manufactured locally using Simplex cement and tested against MRSA bacteria grown from a case of osteomyelitis. Each antibiotic was tested before and after a process of gas sterilisation as well as later being tested after storage in packaging up to 42 days. Results:. The gentamicin, vancomycin, amikacin and ceftriaxone beads all inhibited growth of the MRSA on the TSB and agar plates, both before and after gas sterilisation. All four antibiotics continued to show similar zones of inhibition after 42 days of storage, with slight fluctuations from week to week. Conclusion:. The four antibiotic beads manufactured using limited resources and in the austere environment were all effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. The growth of MRSA was inhibited by the antibiotic beads. Gas sterilisation or storage at room temperature for up to 42 days did not adversely deteriorate the efficacy of the beads. The results show significant promise to produce beads with locally obtainable ingredients in an austere environment and improve cost effectiveness by storing them in a sterilised condition

HIV and musculoskeletal trauma have reached epidemic proportions in the developing world especially in sub Saharan Africa. The epidemic has adversely affected health care delivery in limited resource settings. We assessed the outcome of HIV+ patients following spinal surgery for fractures and dislocations. Forty seven HIV+ patients were treated surgically over the past three years. The mean age was 32 years (19–53 years) and included 39 males. The dorsolumbar region was affected in 28 patients and the cervical spine in 19. Motor vehicle collisions (34) accounted for 72% of the injuries. Neurology occurred in 49% of patients (23). The mean CD4 count was 426 (range 98–742). The albumen was 29 gm/d? (range 26–34) and the lymphocyte count was 1.6c/cumm range 1.4–1.9). Twenty eight patients had generalized lymphadenopathy and recent weight loss was noted in 11 patients. Fifteen patients were treated for pulmonary TB and seven patients were on ARVs. The dislocations at the cervical spine commonly occurred at C5/6 (8). Three patients required a posterior cervical release with facetectomy prior to anterior cervical plating which was performed in all patients. The dislocations and unstable burst fractures of the dorsolumbar spine were treated by a one/two level posterior fusion. Post-operative sepsis due to S. aureus occurred in 8 (17%) patients. In four patients with deep infection vacuum dressings were used to clear the sepsis. Post-operative sepsis is best avoided by optimization of patients and meticulous surgery

Aim. Following successful adoption of the Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment, a team of physiotherapists and orthotists and one surgeon in Jalalabad, Afghanistan have begun to treat Congenital Vertical Talus (CVT) by the technique described by Dodds et al, adapted to locally available resources. We have reviewed the outcome. Method. Since 2010, 38 feet in 31 patients have been treated. Diagnosis of CVT is confirmed with a stress radiograph. The underlying conditions are diverse. The technique involves serial passive stretches and plaster of Paris casts. Once the talo-navicular joint is judged to be reduced, the joint if fixed with a percutaneous pin under local anaesthetic and an Achilles tenotomy performed. Post-operative treatment is as per the Iowa technique with night-time bracing and an AFO for ambulant patients. Results. There have been no major complications and no complete relapses. The result was compromised in 6 patients at the beginning of the series by omission of talo-navicular fixation or tenotomy, since which time the protocol has been followed more closely with improved results. All patients are reported to be wearing normal footwear with no complaints of pain. Conclusion. Specialist surgical treatment for children is not readily available in Afghanistan and the risk of postoperative infection is very high. Effective physiotherapy and orthotic services are available however, typically supported by foreign NGOs, and the Ponseti technique for clubfoot treatment is now successfully applied across the country. This case series from Jalalabad shows that the outcome of treatment of CVT in an out-patient setting can be very good and a significant improvement on the alternatives available. It also demonstrates that this treatment method can be adapted for use in the developing world

Fracture neck of femur with delayed presentation in young patients can be a surgical challenge. Such scenarios are rare in the developed world but not uncommon in developing countries. To present the medium term results of open reduction and internal fixation accompanied by Quadratus Femoris muscle pedicle grafting in young patients who presented with a delay after sustaining a fracture neck of femur, 42 patients with fracture neck of femur with delayed presentation were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and supplemented with Quadratus Femoris muscle pedicle graft. A posterior approach was used in all cases. The patients were advised not to bear weight until there was clinical and radiological union. Functional recovery was assessed by gait and ability to squat on the floor. The age of the patients, predominantly male, ranged from 24 yrs to 50 yrs. Radiological union occurred on average at 6 months. Thirty-six patients proceeded to union; six patients had non-union and needed revision surgery. Complications included varus union in 9 cases; shortening greater than 2 cms occurred in 6 cases. Quadratus Femoris muscle pedicle grafting described by Meyer in the 1970s is useful in treating fracture neck of femur. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture neck of femur when supplemented with Quadratus Femoris muscle pedicle graft fixation promoted the union of fracture and preserved the head the femur

Lower limb injuries are the main cause of temporary and permanent disability among motorcyclists in the developing world of the Asia –Pacific region. They cause non-fatal but serious injuries requiring hospitalisation. This study presents computer simulation of the crash behaviour of the carry basket of a small-engined motorcycle with the lower limb using finite element (FE) methods. The results suggest that the extensive deformation of the motorcycle basket may reduce the risk of injury to the lower limb. The behaviour of the basket during collision is analogous to the crumple zone of automobiles. The use of these deformable baskets is recommended for all small engined motorcycles

The increasing rate of fragility fractures in the developed world is now well- documented and presents a significant challenge to Orthopaedics. Although guidelines exist for the management of osteoporosis, both before and after fracture events, little work has yet been done to measure the effect of interventions on reducing the rate of second fractures in the at-risk population. The longitudinal study, begun at The Canberra Hospital, aims to compare rates of second fractures in two populations of patients over 40 years who have sustained a low-impact, minor trauma fracture. A retrospective study of medical records provides baseline information on current intervention rates for osteoporosis. Secondly, a prospective study population is recruited from patients presenting to Fracture Clinic at The Canberra Hospital. Patients presenting to clinic will, after consent, undergo a screening process including blood test and DEXA scans, to confirm or reject a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Those diagnosed will be referred for medical management as well as non-pharmacological interventions. Follow-up will be conducted at 12 months with repeat testing for bone density to determine whether the interventions have produced measurable improvement and patients will be followed up for five years to establish the rate of re-fracture. A progress report will be presented to the conference advising on findings from the retrospective arm, scheduled for completion in September 2009, and results to date of the prospective arm. The study is a current work-in-progress, and will provide a basis for future research in this area

A high volume of trauma and limited resources means that traditional methods of bone reconstruction are not feasible in parts of Africa. We present the management and outcomes of using Masquelet's concept, of an induced membrane and secondary morcellised cancellous bone grafting, in patients with severe lower limb trauma. Eleven patients were treated in an orthopaedic department in rural southern Africa between 2011 and 2012. This is a subgroup that is part of a larger study of open fractures that received ethical approval. All patients were male, with ten aged between 20 and 35 and one aged 70. Two were HIV positive. There were three open femur and eight open tibia fractures. Three required fasciocutaneous flaps and one required a muscle flap to achieve adequate soft tissue coverage. Eight cases were performed as the primary treatment and three were to treat septic non-unions. Bone defects ranged from 4 to 10 cm. Definitive bony stabilisation was maintained by mono-lateral external fixator in three patients. In other cases this was converted to a circular frame or internal fixation. The results have been mixed. In three patients bone grafting was delayed due to wound or pin site problems. In one case the bone graft was lost due to infection but repeating the procedure produced a good result. Time to bony union in each case is difficult to quantify. However, there is clear evidence of new bone forming in most cases. Four patients are weight bearing with external fixation removed, as are five patients with internal fixation. In a few cases bony union appears to be taking significantly longer, if at all. Masquelet technique is a welcome addition to the options available in bone reconstruction. However, time to achieve bony union is unpredictable. Refinement of the technique for use in the developing world is needed

Summary. open tibia fractures are best treated in an orthopaedic-plastic surgical multidisciplinary setting. Introduction. Open fractures of the leg represent a severe trauma. It is often stated that combining the skills of Plastic and Orthopaedic surgeons can optimise the results of limb salvage in complex limb injury. The multidisciplinary approach, shared between plastic and orthopaedic surgeons, is likely to provide the optimal treatment of these injuries, although this mutidisciplinary simultaneous treatment is not routinely performed. Given the relatively low incidence of these traumas, a multicentric recruitment of these patients can contribute in providing an adequately numerous cohort of patients to be evaluated through the long process of soft tissue and bone healing following an open tibia fracture. We compared three centres with different protocols for management of these challenging cases. Patients & Methods. The following trauma centres, either orthoplastic or orthopaedic, were involved in a prospective observational study: Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute/University of Bologna (leading centre) and Maggiore Hospital (Bologna), Frenchay Hospital (Bristol, Regno Unito), Jinnah Hospital (Lahore, Pakistan), a centre in the developing world who have adopted an Ortho-Plastic approach. From 01/01/2012, all patients consecutively hospitalised in the mentioned centres due to Gustilo grade 3 tibial open fractures were included in the study and propspectively followed. Demographics, mechanism of the trauma, type of lesion, timing and way of transfer to the trauma centre, as well as timing and techniques of bone and soft tissue treatment were recorded. The considered outcome measures were duration of hospitalization (main outcome measure), rate of reintervention, Enneking score at 3, 6 and 12 months, the incidence of osteomyelitis, non union, amputation and other complications. Results. The number of patients included in the first 6 months was 42. Mechanism, severity of injury and techniques regarding definitive bone reconstruction were similar accross the three centres. The main difference occured in soft-tissue management with VAC therapy being utilised by the Italian centre compared to vascularised tissue transfer in Pakistan and Britain. The mean duration of hospital stay in the Italian centre was 72 days compared with 24 days in Pakistan and 25 days in Britain. Patients treated in a centre with an orthoplastic team, therefore, spent an average of 46 fewer days in hospital (P<0.005, 95% CI −69 to −24days). Discussion. From an initial analysis of data, the duration of hospitalization is strongly influenced by the fact that a plastic procedure is performed or not. The first evaluations on the hospital management of these injuries show a relevant advantage deriving from a combined orthoplastic approach, evenwhen applied into a comparatively hostile cohort

Introduction. The resurgence of TB worldwide has several underlying causes, but HIV infection has undoubtedly been a key factor in the current TB epidemic. Since TB is endemic in the developing world the influence of HIV is of concern, particularly with the emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains. The remarkable susceptibility of patients with AIDS to develop TB has shown the critical role of CD4 lymphocytes in protective immunity. In the absence of immunological surveillance by CD4 cells, 5-10% of persons with latent foci of TB reactivate each year. Aim. This paper highlights the presentation and outcome following treatment in HIV patients with spinal TB. Methods. 81 HIV+ve patients with spinal tuberculosis were prospectively evaluated between 2006 and 2007. The mean age was 31 years and 63% were females. The thoracic spine was affected in 45, lumbar (33) and cervical (3). Non-contiguous lesions were noted in six patients. Sixty-six (81%) patients had neurological deficit. The mean Hb was (10.1gm/dl), mean WCC 4.9, mean lymphocyte count was 1.8, mean ESR 79mm/h and the mean CD4 count was 268 cell/cumm. Co-morbidities were seen in 68% of patients. All patients were optimised prior to treatment. Posterolateral decompression was performed in 29 cases, anterior decompression (25), needle biopsy (13), incision and drainage 5 and 9 were treated non-operatively. Medication included ARV (72 patients) and anti-TB in all patients. Results. The mean follow-up was 21 months. Eleven (13.5%) patients developed wound infection and one child died. Complete recovery occurred in 23 patients (35%). The mean CD4 count was 341 cell/cumm. Conclusion. The short term results are encouraging. These patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary team to monitor potential complications from dual therapy, to ensure compliance and adequate nutrition