Specialist Spinal Services provide operative and non-operative management strategies for a variety of conditions ranging from simple pathologies to complex disabling conditions. The existing spinal hub and spoke model implemented in 2015 nationally across the NHS. We aim to assess the effectiveness and pitfalls of the Spinal hub and spoke model in this questionnaire-based study. We conducted a prospective questionnaire-based study in the Northwest England and attendees of the BOA conference in 2021. Questionnaires included from the hospitals with no local spinal services and those with on-site services were excluded. Questions specific to initial assessment, referrals process, MRI availability, and awareness of Spine Hub and Spoke model.Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Different surgical sub specialities rely on fixed number of porters each morning to bring patients to operating theatre. In daily morning trauma meetings usual practice is to present the whole list of one theatre and then move on to next theatre list. Once all the theatres trauma list are presented, porters are sent to get patients to theatre. With different sub-specialities starting simultaneously and competing for fixed numbers of porters, this can cause significant delay in getting the patients to anaesthetic room. Retrospective pilot project in level 1 major trauma centre were more that two trauma list a day is a common norm. Pilot project: First (Golden) patient for every trauma list would be presented at the start of the trauma meeting Meeting would pause and consultant chairing the meeting would request the trauma theatre representative to send for these patients Once this is done the meeting would recommence as usualAbstract
Background
Methods
Most of current literatures advise on thromboprophylaxis with injectable LMWH for trauma patients. Injectable anticoagulants have got inherent problems of pain, bruising and difficulty in administering the drug, which leads to low compliance. Clexane is derived from a pig's intestinal mucosa, hence could be objectionable to certain proportion of patients because of their religious beliefs. Oral anticoagulants have been used as thromboprophylactic agents in hip and knee arthroplasty. However there is not enough literature supporting their use as thromboprophylactic agent in ambulatory trauma patients with ankle fracture being managed non-operatively as out-patient. This study looks into the efficacy of oral anticoagulant in preventing VTE in ambulatory trauma patients requiring temporary lower limb immobilisation for management of ankle fracture. The end point of this study was symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (either proximal or distal) and pulmonary embolism. Routine assessment with a VTE assessment risk proforma for all patients with temporary lower limb immobilisation following lower limb injury requiring plaster cast is done in the fracture clinic at this university hospital. These patients are categorised as low or high risk for a venous thromboembolic event depending on their risk factor and accordingly started on prophylactic dose of oral anticoagulant (Rivaroxaban - Factor Xa inhibitor). Before the therapy is started these patients have a routing blood check, which includes a full blood count and urea and electrolyte. Therapy is continued for the duration of immobilisation. Bleeding risk assessment is done using a proforma based on NICE guideline CG92. If there is any concern specialist haematologist advice is sought. A total of 200 consecutive patients who presented to the fracture clinic with ankle fracture, which was managed in plaster cast non-operatively, were included in this study. They were followed up for three months following injury. This was done by checking these patients’ radiology report including ultrasound and CT pulmonary scan (CTPA) test on hospital's electronic system. Fracture of the lateral malleolus which include Weber-A, Weber-B and Weber-C fractures were included in the study. Also included were bimalleolar fractures and isolated medial malleolus fractures. Complex pilon fractures, polytrauma and paediatric patients were excluded from the study. Only one case of plaster associated isolated distal deep vein (soleal vein) thrombosis was reported in this patient subgroup. There was no incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. No significant bleeding event was reported. Injectable low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) rather than oral anticoagulant has been recommended by most of the studies and guidelines as main thromboprophylactic agent for lower limb trauma patients.
The aim of our study was to assess the outcome of caudal epidural injection for patients with low back pain in relation to fatty infiltration of spinal muscle. This is a prospective study. The spinal muscles were graded on sagittal section T1 MRI at the lower border of lumber 4 vertebra from 3 to 12 depending on the severity of fatty infiltration. The outcome of the intervention was assessed by improvement in pre and post intervention oswestry disability index score as well as visual analog pain score. Patients with significant fatty changes don't respond well to the caudal epidural injection.
