METHODS: Retrospective data of patients treated for NF were collected from two tertiary care hospitals in Central Malaysia between January 2014 and December 2018.
RESULTS: A total of 469 NF patients were identified. More than half of the NF patients were males (n = 278; 59.28%). The highest number of cases was found among age groups between 30 and 79, with mean age of 56.17. The majority of the NF cases (n = 402; 85.72%) were monomicrobial. Streptococcus spp. (n = 89; 18.98%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 63; 13.44%) and Staphylococcus spp. (n = 61; 13.01%) were identified as the top three microorganisms isolated. Among the 469 NF cases, 173 (36.8%) were amputated or dead while 296 (63.1%) recovered. Proteus spp. (n = 19; 12.93%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 18; 12.24%) and Escherichia coli (n = 14; 9.52%) were associated with all types of amputations. The most common antibiotic prescribed was unasyn (n = 284; 60.56%), followed by clindamycin (n = 56; 11.94%) and ceftazidime (n = 41; 8.74%). A total of 239 (61.8%) recovered while 148 (38.2%) were either amputated or dead when managed with the unasyn, clindamycin or ceftazidime.
CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest NF cases series in Malaysia highlighting the causative agents and management.
METHODS: A comprehensive review of the WALANT technique is provided, focusing on injection strategies, including buffered lidocaine with epinephrine, proper needle placement and generous volume of tumescent anesthesia. Specific injection protocols and surgical approaches are discussed for various nerve decompression procedures such as carpal tunnel, lacertus, cubital tunnel, radial tunnel and lateral intermuscular septum releases.
RESULTS: WALANT eliminates sedation-related risks such as nausea, aspiration pneumonia and thromboembolism, making it suitable for high-risk patients (ASA 4). It reduces healthcare costs by decreasing the need for post-anesthesia care units and operating in minor procedure rooms. The technique fosters greater surgeon-patient interaction, reduces hospital stays and avoids preoperative fasting and testing. WALANT has demonstrated positive outcomes across multiple nerve decompression procedures.
CONCLUSION: WALANT provides a transformative approach in nerve decompression surgery, offering enhanced safety, cost-effectiveness and improved patient-centered care. It significantly contributes to positive surgical outcomes, making it a valuable technique for both patients and healthcare providers.
METHODS: Using Web of Science and PubMed databases, systematic reviews and meta-analyses comparing outcomes of biceps tenodesis and tenotomy were identified. Abstracts were evaluated for the nine most severe types of spin as described by Yavchitz et al. and appraised using the AMSTAR 2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews). Study characteristics were extracted, including adherence to PRISMA guidelines,funding status, and impact metrics such as journal impact factor, total number of citations, and average annual citations.
RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were included, with spin detected in 81.3% of the abstracts. Type three spin was the most frequent (56.3%), followed by types six (43.8%), five (37.5%), nine (25.0%), two (12.5%), and four (6.3%). Spin types one, seven, and eight were not observed. AMSTAR 2 appraised 75% of the studies as 'low' quality, and 25% as 'critically low' quality. All studies had at least one critical flaw, with item 15 (investigation of publication bias) being the most frequent (93.8%). A strong positive correlation was found between AMSTAR 2 scores and citation counts (r = 0.821, p