Revision total hip arthroplasty in the setting of severe acetabular bone loss is a challenging problem that is becoming more common. Kirschner wires are often used during acetabular revision for temporary fixation of trial components. We describe an intraoperative migration of a Kirschner wire through the acetabulum into the peritoneal cavity, requiring acute laparoscopic removal.

This edition of “Ask the Author” features a discussion with Andrew Martin, who is a professor of law and chair of the political science department at Washington University in St. Louis. Andrew has done some very influential work on the Supreme Court, including co-authoring a paper on ideological drift of Supreme Court Justices, see [1] here, that will appear in issue four of the Northwestern Un...

A graph G = (V,E) is a threshold tolerance graph if each vertex v ∈ V can be assigned a weight wv and a tolerance tv such that two vertices x, y ∈ V are adjacent if wx +wy ≥ min(tx, ty). Currently, the most efficient recognition algorithm for threshold tolerance graphs is the algorithm of Monma, Reed, and Trotter which has an O(n) runtime. We give an O(n) algorithm for recognizing threshold tol...

In [8], Swinnerton-Dyer considered the proportion of twists of an elliptic curve with full 2-torsion that have 2-Selmer group of a particular dimension. Swinnerton-Dyer obtained asymptotic results on the number of such twists using an unusual notion of asymptotic density. We build on this work to obtain similar results on the density of twists with particular rank of 2-Selmer group using the na...

We compared fibrin sealant, polydioxanone (PDS) pins and Kirschner wires in the fixation of osteochondral fractures in rabbit knees. Standardised osteochondral fractures of the right medial femoral condyle were made in 56 adult New Zealand white rabbits. There were equal groups of control knees, and those which had Kirschner-wire, fibrin-sealant or PDS-pin fixation. No external immobilisation w...

The aim of this study was to find out whether discharging pin sites following Kirschner-wire fixation of distal radial fractures warrant early wire removal. In a prospective study of 50 patients with a closed distal radial fracture treated by manipulation and either percutaneous or mini-incision Kirschner-wiring, we identified 14 patients (28%) with discharging pin sites. All of the cases were ...

INTRODUCTION: Surgical simulation provides resident physicians the opportunity to improve their operative skills in a safe environment. Placement of Kirschner wires for hand fractures is a deceptively difficult technique which requires significant experience to master. A simulator to aid in visualizing the anatomy would help trainees more rapidly advance their skills. We describe the design, cr...

In most cases it is an advantage to provide means of skeletal traction before attacking the fracture-site. Femur. 1. Thomas splint. Kirschner wire extension via tibial crest. 2. Brauns splint and skeletal traction. 3. Sliding-bed traction. Tibia and fibula. 1. Watson Jones apparatus. 2. Thomas splint and flexion-piece, with Kirschner wire extension via os calcis. 3. Brauns splint and skeletal t...