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In this study, sinterability of WC-9% Co component with AISI 4340 steel insert was investigated using Inserted Powder Injection Molding (IPIM) method. Sintering experiments were performed at temperatures of 1200 °C to 1350 °C with dwell times of 120, 240, 360 min. Defects such as gaps, cracks and macro-porosities were observed in specimens, sintered at temperatures of 1200 °C and 1250 °C for all dwell times. It was proved that sintering temperature of 1350 °C was as high as it caused insert to get deformed and melted. As a result, the optimum sintering temperature and dwell time were determined to be 1300 °C and 240 min, respectively, at which the highest hardness, compression strength, and sintered density were obtained without any defects such as cracks or gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry and research centers have intensified the search for innovative solutions in the field of material technologies and have recently accelerated their work on thermoplastic based composites in line with their requirements. Thermoform method is used for rapid forming of thermoplastics and composites. In this process, mold design and especially molding parameters are important for part quality. Thermoplastic composite sheets take the shape of their final form by spring back after they come out of the mold as in sheet metals. Therefore, springback is a parameter that should be taken into account in the manufacturing process and product design. In this study, preliminary research was carried out to design the forming process in thermoform mold. The experiments were done on Nakajima test setup and according to ISO 12004 standard. In the deep drawing of thermoplastic composite laminates, the effects of different holding pressure (0.4; 0.6; 0.8 MPa), punch speed (90, 120, 150 mm/min), specimen temperature (129, 159, 169 oC) and piece depth (20, 25, 30 mm) parameters on the molding force were examined and the spring back amount of deep drawn specimens was determined. As a result of the experiments, as the specimen temperature increased the molding force decreased. The molding force increased as the holding pressure increased. Increasing punch speed caused an increase in required molding force. As a result of the experiments, it was concluded that deep drawing can be made up to a depth of 25 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ingrown toenail is a condition of the active young population that often seriously impairs the patient's comfort, causing distress to walk, which is seen in the second and the third decades. We aimed to compare two different treatment techniques for that disease. A total of 80 patients who underwent surgery, using the Winograd technique, due to an ingrown toenail were included. The mean age of the patients was 29 (21-44) years. There were 32 female (40.0%), and 48 male (60.0%) patients. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=40) is consisted of patients in whom electrocautery was applied during the surgery, whereas curettage was done in Group II (n = 40). Recurrence and infection rates were compared. The statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of recurrence, and infection rates (p> 0.005). Our results showed that there is no superiority of one of these methods to the other in terms of the recurrence, and infection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full article available online at Healio.com/Orthopedics. Search: 20121120-22 Intramedullary nailing, which is preferred in tibial diaphyseal fractures, is also frequently used in distal third tibial fractures. Various angular deformities, including varus/valgus deformity, may be observed during postintramedullary nailing. Orthopedic surgeons use several methods to prevent this problem. In this study, at least 2 static locking screws were placed proximal and distal to the nail during intramedullary nailing of distal third tibial fractures. No additional supportive methods were used. The efficacy of this technique in the prevention of postoperative angular deformities was retrospectively investigated. Thirty-four patients with distal third tibial fractures who were treated with intramedullary nailing were included in the study. Angulations were measured in the anteroposterior and lateral planes on plain radiographs obtained preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and after fracture union. Angulations measured on postoperative day 1 were compared with those measured after fracture union, and an increase was observed. Based on statistical analyses, the increase in the angulations was not significant. In distal third tibial fractures, when fixation was performed by placing 2 static screws distal and proximal to the intramedullary nail following adequate reduction, the angulations that developed during the period until union were not significant in terms of causing deformity, although additional fixation methods are not used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls from high places, such as from a building, are frequently encountered in suicides, in some accidents, and sometimes in homicides. In this study, we evaluated the demographic data, mortality rates, fall causes, and post-mortem findings of individuals who fell from heights.Our cases were collected retrospectively from the files of the Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine in Diyarbakir between 1996 and 2001.There were 431 accidental and 53 suicidal deaths due to blunt injury resulting from falls. Of the victims, 188 were female and 296 were male. The average age of the 484 victims was 27.05 years (range: 4 months–100 years). For buildings, the height ranged from 3 to 8 storeys for suicides and from 1 to 8 storeys for accidents. We proceeded to analyse the characteristics of accidental falls as follows. The majority of falls were from balconies or rooftops due to the tendency of people to sit and sleep on these places during the hotter months of the year. Some 54.5% of all falls occurred in May–August. The 53 suicidal jumps all occurred off buildings. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 70 years, and comprised 29 women and 24 men. One of the deceased jumped from the roof of a school in which he was boarding, and another from the seventh storey of a hospital in which he was receiving treatment. The remaining 51 jumped from heights ranging from 3 to 8 storeys. Psychiatric illness was reported in 18 (33.9%) of the suicide deaths, while 10 (18.8%) of the 53 suicides were single women.The results of this study were at variance with literature data with respect to the following: falls from heights were most common in the 0–5 year age group, females had a higher suicide rate than males, and the majority of accidental falls occurred at home rather than in the workplace. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Limb-salvage operations such as vascularised or non-vascularised osseous grafts and allograft and callus distraction methods have replaced amputations because of the increase in the life expectancy of patients with malignant tumours. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on distraction osteogenesis. For this purpose, 23 rabbits randomly divided into two groups were included in the study. The experimental group and the control group consisted of 12 rabbits and 11 rabbits, respectively. The experimental group were administered chemotherapeutic agents with the protocol identified in the osteogenic sarcoma regimen. All the subjects were corticotomised in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal region, and both groups underwent distraction with a circular ring fixator. X-ray films, bone scintigraphy and histopathological examination were performed three times during the study. No difference between the two groups was observed in radiological, scintigraphical and histopathological studies carried out before the distraction period and following the end of the distraction period. In this study, it was shown that the use of antineoplastic drugs has no significant negative effect on distraction osteogenesis applied for reconstruction in rabbits. We think that it can be an alternative treatment method in humans as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that affects the various developmental steps of hematopoietic cells and enhances the phagocytic activity of these cells. The effect of GM-CSF on acute osteomyelitis, developed in rats, was investigated. For this purpose, osteomyelitis was firstly developed through the direct inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus into rat tibial metaphysis. Twenty-four rats in which diagnosis of osteomyelitis was histopathologically established were divided into two groups. Antibiotic only was given to the first group, and antibiotic as well as GM-CSF to the second group. Rats were followed up for 3 months with plain radiographs and scintigraphic methods using 67Ga-citrate. Material obtained from the rats that had been killed at the end of the 3rd month were histopathologically investigated. One rat in the first group died. In another rat, chronic osteomyelitis developed and fracture was observed. In 12 rats of the second group, physical examination, plain radiographs, and histopathologic findings were normal. In scintigraphic studies with 67Ga-citrate, when the pre- and posttreatment value of the same groups were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney U-test, the mean values at 48 h after treatment were found to be significant (P < 0.05), indicating a decrease in the 2nd group (experimental group). In conclusion, the antibiotics were effective in the elimination of infection only together with neutrophils. In this manner, infections may be eliminated by strengthening the host's defense mechanism as well as by administering antibiotics. We believe that an adequate number of long-term studies will shed light on this issue. Besides we consider that this factor will be more important in the study of chronic osteomyelitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The callus distraction method was applied to nine patients who were referred to us because of a bone tumor. Their mean age was 17 years and 3 months (range 7–37 years). Three were female, and 6 were male. All of the tumors were localised on the femur, and the histological diagnosis was two chondrosarcomas, one Ewing’s sarcoma, three osteosarcomas, one giant cell bone tumor, and the remainder benign fibrous histiocytoma. The mean length of the defect after resection of the tumor was 11.5 (range 8–20) cm. Preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy were applied to patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. The patients were followed up for 22 (range 15–30) months on average. The mean period of use of the external fixator was 12.5 (range 8–18) months. One patient suffered a tumour recurrence and died after ¶20 months. Complications included one deep infection, one skin invagination, and one premature consolidation and bone bridge in the defect area. All of the complications were successfully treated. Functional evaluation gave excellent results in four patients, good in three, and fair in two. This method can be used without any need for massive autogenous bone graft in repairing defects of any length and diameter produced after excision of the lesion and thus can be considered as an alternative to other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In contrast to adults, traumatic glenohumeral dislocation is a rarely observed condition among children. In some cases, success in durable reduction with conservative methods, and achieving lasting treatment, may not be possible.Case Presentation: In this study, the case of a 7-year-old Turkish girl with a Salter-Harris type II fracture and glenohumeral dislocation of the proximal humerus due to a fall from a height of 1.5 meters who underwent open reduction surgery is presented along with a review of the literature.Conclusion: Orthopedic surgeons should consider glenohumeral dislocation which is an extremely rare condition when they encounter proximal humerus fractures in pediatric trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the methods used and demograohic data on women suicides in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Examination of the postmortem investigation and autopsy reports; Average age of the suicide victims; Preferred suicide method of the women.

Presents a correction regarding the misnamed author of the article "Occurrence and Treatment of Nonunion in Long Bone Fractures in Children," previously published in the journal "Archives of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery."

Patient: Male, 46 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Akkaptonuria Symptoms: Hip pain Medication: - Clinical Procedure: Total hip replacement Specialty: Orthopedics and Traumatology., Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment., Background: Ochronosis is an inherited metabolic disease in which there is an accumulation of excessive amounts of homogentisic acid in the connective tissue. As the disease progresses, the chronic inflammation in the damaged tissue can cause degeneration and osteoarthritis. There is no specific treatment for ochronosis because it is a rare disease and arthroplasty is seldom performed., Case Report: We report the case of a 46-year-old male patient with ochronosis, who underwent an arthroplasty of the right hip due to osteoarthritis. The problems encountered during surgery are reported and discussed., Conclusions: Arthroplasty is a highly effective procedure for ochronotic patients. Particular attention to the surgical step is highly advised.

Hemophilic pseudotumor is a rare complication of hemophilia. We describe a 14-year-old young male with hemophilic pseudotumor in the second and fifth fingers of the left hand. We treated him only with radiotherapy. A total dose of 2000 cGy in 10 fractions was administered in 2 weeks. Factor VIII was not given. After 4 months, complete healing was seen. The patient was followed up at 24 months, and there was no evidence of recurrence and no bone growth disturbance. Based on our experience and a review of the literature, radiotherapy can be an effective alternative modality in treating hemophilic pseudotumor.

This study describes the clinical features, radiological appearance, and treatment of 11 new cases of osseous lipoma and reviews 301 other cases in the literature. Osseous lipomas are classified by the site of origin: either within bone (intraosseous lipoma) or on the surface of bone (juxtacortical). Intraosseous lipomas include intramedullary and intracortical lesions. Surface lipomas include subperiosteal and parosteal lesions. The authors added their cases to those found in the literature. Intramedullary osseous lipoma (n=262) : the most common presenting symptoms were pain and swelling (69%). The most frequent localisations were the calcaneus (24%) and the femur (22%). On plain radiographs, these lesions consisted of a well-circumscribed radiolucent area with central calcification and a sclerotic rim, occasionally with cortical expansion. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the lesions had attenuation values and a signal intensity identical to that of adipose tissue. In symptomatic lesions and in cases with impending fracture, operative treatment was indicated. Parosteal lipoma (n=47): the most common presenting symptoms were local swelling and pain (58%). This lesion was most frequent in the radius (31%) and in the femur (23%). The classic radiographic appearance of parosteal lipoma was that of an exostosis-like bony prominence capped with a radiolucent layer of fat. CT-scan and MRI showed similar features. Intracortical (n=2) and subperiosteal lipomas (n=11): only a few cases were found in the literature. Their localisation differs from that of the other osseous lipomas. The differential diagnosis of osseous lipoma in general is extensive and should include benign and malignant tumours. Combination of radiological and histological data is essential to determine whether an osseous lipoma is actually present.

Electrical burns are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, and are usually preventable with simple safety measures. We conducted a retrospective study of non-lightening electrocution deaths in Diyarbakir, Turkey between 1996 and 2002. All 123 deaths investigated were accidental. The age range was 2 to 63 years with a mean age of 20.7 +/- 15.3 years. Eighty-six victims (69.9%) were male. The upper extremity was the most frequently involved contact site in 96 deaths (48%). No electrical burn mark was present in 14 (11.4%) cases. Home accidents were responsible for 56 cases deaths (45.5%). Deaths were caused most frequently by touching an electrical wire (52 cases, 42.3%). There was an increase in electrocution deaths in the summer (47 cases, 38.2%). One hundred one cases (82.1%) were dead on arrival at hospital. The unique findings of our study include younger age (0-10 years) of victims (39 cases, 31.7%) and a means of electrocution (electrical water heaters in bathroom) in 23 cases (18.7%). Rate of deaths due to electrocution among all medicolegal deaths was found higher in our study than in previous studies. The public should be educated to prevent children to play near electrical appliances and to avoid electrical heaters in the bathroom.

Various types of external fixators have been used to treat Ruedi and Allgöwer Type III pilon fractures, as serious complications can occur using conventional treatment principles. However, insufficient reduction and loss of reduction are two of the main disadvantages of external fixator treatments. We conducted a retrospective review of 14 patients with severe highly comminuted closed fractures of the distal tibia (Ruedi type III) treated using cross-ankle external fixators. Five patients underwent closed reduction, while the others required open reduction using minimal incision techniques. The reduction score, reduction loss, early and late complications, and ankle symptoms and functions were evaluated. The patients were followed for an average of 48 months (range: 31 to 84); superficial wound infection developed in one case and minimal angular deformity in another. In ten cases, the reduction of the articular surface was anatomical; in the other four cases, it was non-anatomical. Except for one case which developed an angular deformity, no loss of reduction was observed. On radiological control, only one case did not display osteoarthrosis; in the other 13 cases, osteoarthrosis was diagnosed at different levels. The most important disadvantage of this technique is retarded joint movement. Nevertheless, for such fractures, we consider cross-ankle circular external fixators as an alternative treatment method because it combines the advantage of a minimal risk of deep infections with better stabilisation of the limb, while providing early mobilisation.