Related Articles

Automated Cobb angle measurement in scoliosis radiographs: A deep learning approach for screening

Dear Editor, Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common paediatric spinal deformity, impacting 1 in 300 children.1 In Singapore and other countries, national screening programmes have been established to detect scoliosis early, with the aim of using bracing to prevent progression to moderate or severe scoliosis, which may require surgical...

The emergence of otter attacks in Singapore: A case series and strategies for management

Dear Editor, Singapore is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata). Since 2017, the local otter population has more than doubled to at least 170. This has led to an increase in the number of otter-human attacks since 2021.1,2 While common animal attacks like dog...

Healthcare burden of cognitive impairment: Evidence from a Singapore Chinese health study

Individuals with cognitive impairment (CI) are predisposed to injuries, infections and treatment complications,1 have poorer treatment compliance, and face greater difficulties with post-discharge care.2 These challenges, exacerbated by comorbidities,3-6 lead to poorer ambulatory care management, reduced contacts with primary and outpatient care providers, and greater use of emergency department...

Outcomes of patients admitted for drowning

Dear Editor, According to the latest Utstein-style consensus, drowning is defined as the primary respiratory impairment resulting from submersion or immersion in a liquid medium.1 Patients may experience hypothermia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.1 The pathophysiology is poorly understood, but could relate to physiological responses to temperature, water swallowing...

Shock index: Easy to use, but can it predict outcomes following major abdominal emergency surgery?

Major abdominal emergency surgery (MAES) is commonly performed for various potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal surgical conditions with high perioperative mortality of up to 45%.1 Certain patient factors (e.g. advanced age, frailty, and presence of multiple comorbidities) and disease factors (e.g. perforated viscus and intra-abdominal sepsis) have been shown to predict...

Managing and preventing severe hand injuries among sugarcane juicer operators

Dear Editor, Of all hand injuries encountered at an emergency department, 54% are sustained in the workplace,1 in part contributed by occupational injuries among food and beverage operators that caused a loss of 16,197 man-hours in 2021 alone.2 Commonplace in Singapore and in parts of South and Southeast Asia is...

Real-world challenges when facilitating terminal discharge in Singapore

Dear Editor, During the Ministry of Health workplan seminar held on 2 June 2022, Minister Ong Ye Kung expounded the notion of a good death and outlined the Ministry’s vision and strategy for better care (and experience) for all near the end of life.1 Specifically, he aimed to reduce the...

Optimum follow-up period of arthroscopic and mini-open rotator cuff repairs

Dear Editor, Rotator cuff disorders are the most common cause of disability related to the shoulder,1 and rotator cuff repairs—via mini-open or arthroscopic techniques—are considered in patients with refractory symptoms.2 While there are multiple studies analysing short- and long-term follow-ups, there are no clear consensus regarding the minimum follow-up...

Telepalliative care during the pandemic: Lessons for the future

Dear Editor, Mok et al. gave hope for cautious optimism for the acceptance of telemedicine for palliative care—which will be referred to as “telepalliative care” in this article—during the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Properly organised, telepalliative care can save time, provide flexibility, improve access for patients2,3 and possibly reduce the need for...

Identifying high-risk hospitalised chronic kidney disease patient using electronic health records for serious illness conversation

In-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is shown to have lower survival1 and a higher proportion of survivors on maintenance haemodialysis were discharged to skilled nursing facilities.2 Despite that, haemodialysis patients still preferred CPR during cardiac arrest3 and there are lower do-not-resuscitate orders for the...

Death and cardiovascular outcomes in end-stage renal failure patients on different modalities of dialysis

End-stage renal failure (ESRF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including Asia.1 In Singapore, incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 has increased from 383.9 per million population (PMP) in 2010 to 414.8 PMP in 2015. Incidence of patients requiring dialysis has increased in tandem....

Survival outcome of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a challenging and growing health issue, with number of patients increasing globally. The use of dialysis has greatly improved the survival and life expectancy of ESRD patients. Haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are 2 broad dialysis modalities used for ESRD. Despite the advancement...

Anthropometry of Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Singaporean Chinese

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a technically precise and demanding operation. Attention to factors such as the tunnel position, graft selection, fixation and rehabilitation play an important role in determining the final outcome. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to...

Surgical Results of Open Reduction and Plating of Humeral Shaft Fractures

Management of humeral shaft fractures has been the subject of controversy (Böhler, Ekkernkamp and Muhr, Nast-Kolb and Schweiberer). The problem of non-union, wound infection and most important of all iatrogenic radial nerve palsy led many to favour a conservative approach. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click...

Operative Treatment of Displaced Talar Neck Fractures

Talus is a weight bearing bone with peculiar anatomy and blood supply. It forms the ankle joint with the medial and lateral malleoli, subtalar joint with the calcaneum and talonavicular joint with the navicular bone. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

Radiotherapy as Local Adjuvant Treatment for Endometrial Carcinoma—A Review of 45 Patients

Radiotherapy as an adjunct to surgery has long been used in the management of endometrial carcinoma with the intent to improve local tumour control as well as to achieve excellent survival rates. Over the years, however, the specific role and relative benefit of postoperative radiotherapy for this particular cancer...

A Case Report of Atasoy Antenna Procedure

The hook nail deformity is a relatively common problem after fingertip amputations. It is usually ignored but can be quite disabling. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

A Retrospective Study of Near-drowning Victims Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Drowning victims suffocate from submersion. This may lead to immediate death or, if they survive, brain damage if significant cerebral hypoxia is present. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Subclavian-oesophageal Fistula as a Complication of Foreign Body Ingestion: A Case Report

Ingested foreign bodies are a common condition in the practice of Otolaryngology. In particular, there is no doubt a greater tendency in the local community to consume fish without it being de-boned. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the...

Double Level Fractures of the Femur Treated with Closed Intramedullary Nailing

Closed locked intramedullary nailing of the femur has become the accepted means of treating fractures of the femur. The use of locking nails has extended the technique from stable diaphyseal fracture patterns to nearly all fractures of the femur except for fractures at the very end of the bone...

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Singapore

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus (“wolf” in Latin) in short, is an autoimmune disorder of unknown aetiology(ies) and characterised by diverse clinical manifestations as well as a plethora of autoantibodies in the sera of patients. The clinical features of SLE vary in different population groups. Ethnic and genetic...

Osteoid Osteoma after a Stress Fracture of the Tibia: A Case Report

A 24-year-old man complained of left leg pain following 3 months of infantry training 6 years ago. There was no previous complaint of pain over his left leg and there was no trauma. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view...

Reconstruction of a Supinated Hypoplastic Thumb with Combined Huber Transfer and Derotation Osteotomy: A Case Report

A 6-year-old Chinese girl presented with a deformity of the left thumb since birth. Her father has a similar deformity. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Extraarticular Villonodular Synovitis of the Tendoachilles: A Case Report

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a progressive synovial lesion of uncertain aetiology associated with synovial-lined tissues of the joints, tendon sheaths and bursae. The incidence was 1.8 patients per million population. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Embolisation of a Leaking Pseudoaneurysm of the Main Artery Supplying a Replanted Arm: A Case Report

Pseudoaneurysms are conventionally treated by surgery. In recent years, non-surgical methods are being considered, including embolisation with wires, coils or gelfoam and anticoagulation. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Bilateral Caudate Infarct—A Case Report

The head of caudate nucleus forms a prominent bulge in the lateral wall of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle. Its blood supply is from the deep penetrators from the middle cerebral and anterior cerebral arteries. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF”...

Comparison of First Carpometacarpal Joint Arthrodesis with Contralateral Excision Arthroplasty in a Patient with Bilateral Saddle Joint Arthritis: A Case Report

The carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb is commonly afflicted with degenerative arthritis. Of the patients seeking surgical treatment, post-menopausal women outnumber men by a ratio of 15 to 1. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

9th Chapter of Surgeons’ Lecture: The Orthopaedic Surgeon: Historical Perspective, Ethical Considerations and the Future

The legacy of caring and humanitarianism has been the mission of the medical profession since the founding of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819. To this small fishing village in the Riau Archipelago on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula came traders and entrepreneurs from China, India...

Current Therapeutic Strategies in Glomerulonephritis

Twenty years ago, the therapy of glomerulonephritis (GN) was relatively simple as it was believed that treatment with prednisolone should be confined to patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and lupus nephritis. For those patients who failed to respond, they were treated with oral cyclophosphamide. This article is available only...

A Study of Joint Mobility in a Normal Population

Joint mobility varies between individuals and factors such as age, sex, race and heredity influence the range of motion of a joint. Excessive mobility of a joint(s) or hypermobility is a feature found in normal individuals as well as in patients with connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome,...

Delayed Amputation in Lower Limb Trauma: An Analysis of Factors Leading to Delayed Amputation

The decision whether to amputate or to attempt a limb salvage procedure in a mangled extremity is a difficult one. Numerous protocols have been published in the literature to help surgeons in the decision making. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

Effect of Antiangiogenic Agents on Experimental Animal Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Metastatic spread is the principal reason of treatment failure in solid tumours. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not manifestly altered the prognosis for metastatic tumours. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Establishment of Animal Models Using Experimental Rats for Allogeneic Tissue Transplantation and Quantitative Flow Cytometric Detection of Immunochimera

Allogeneic tissue and organ transplantation has long been an important medical issue, as it provides an effective treatment alternative for a broad spectrum of medical problems. It is essential to establish the animal models used for a specific type of allogeneic tissue or organ transplantation prior to its clinical...

The Effect of Storage at -70°C and -150°C on the Torsion Properties of the Canine Femur

Allograft transplantation of bone has been established as a viable and useful reconstructive procedure when limb salvage is the option of choice. For bone allografts, this is thought to be due to the relatively avascular structure and that low-freezing or freeze-drying for periods beyond three months reduces cellular immunogenicity. This...

Use of Titanium Prosthesis to Bridge a Vertebral Gap in the Spine—A Preliminary Experimental Study

Bridging a vertebral gap in the spine is one of the commonest problems facing the spine surgeon after dealing with a tumour, infection or a fracture. The gold standard today is still the autogenous graft, though other solutions are the allograft, bone cement fashioned as a block, ceramics and...

The Results of Autogenous Tibial Periosteal Transplants for Full Thickness Cartilage Defects in the Knee Joints of Pigs

Articular cartilage injuries to the knee are commonly seen by team doctors, sports physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. Despite many clinical as well as experimental studies on the healing of such defects, the ability to regenerate mature hyaline cartilage capable of withstanding daily functional stresses in the knee remains a...

Extended Resection of Locally Advanced (T4) Stomach Cancer

Cancer is the most common cause of death in Singapore. Although there is a gradual decline in incidence of stomach cancer over the years, it is the third (10.1%) most common cancer in males and the fifth (6.5%) most common cancer in females in Singapore. This article is available only...

Use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Total Knee Arthroplasty—A Study of its Efficacy in an Asian Population

The role of thromboprophylaxis in total knee replacement (TKR) remains controversial. In several reports, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been significant. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Deep Vein Thrombosis after Total Knee Replacement

Western literature reports a very high incidence of deep vein thrombosis in its population especially after orthopaedic surgery. In total knee replacement without prophylaxis, its incidence is quoted between 46% and 84% in various studies. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

Management of Growth Arrest with Tissue-engineered Cells

Before I go on to the scientific aspects of my talk, I would like to pay tribute to Dr Yahya Cohen. Dr Cohen was born in Singapore of Jewish parents. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Surgical Results of Intercondylar Fractures of the Adult Femur

Fractures of the intercondylar region of the femur often resulted from high velocity accidents. This would lead to increased comminution and involvement of the articular surfaces, making them a complex group of injuries to treat. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

A Case Report of Total Finger Joint Replacement Arthroplasty After Traumatic Amputation

A 41-year-old Chinese man had his dominant thumb, index and middle fingers caught by a wood-cutting machine while at work. He sustained a near-amputation of his middle finger through the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ), with an intra-articular comminuted fracture of the head of the proximal phalanx (Fig. 1a) and...

Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients in Singapore by Anatomic Subsite: A Population-based Study

Colorectal cancer incidence rates rank second in most developed countries and have been rising rapidly in urban societies of East Asia. Despite much effort to detect early-stage disease and to explore more effective treatment methods, the overall 5-year survival rate has remained around 40% based on the reports from...

Re: Rikhraj I S, Tan C T, Tan S K, Teoh S H, Hastings G W. Use of Titanium Prosthesis to Bridge a Vertebral Gap in the Spine–A Preliminary Experimental Study. Ann Acad Med Singapore 1999; 28:20-4

In a recent issue of the Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore the above-mentioned paper was published. Figures 6 and 7 of the paper plot the displacement of bovine lumbar motion segments under torsion. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view...

Biomechanical Study of C2 (Axis) Fracture: Effect of Restraint

In human, the occipito-atlanto-axial (C0-C1-C2) joint complex is an important region of the spine and often susceptible to impact injury in trauma. Traffic accidents frequently produce a distinct variety of fracture (or fracture-dislocation) of the upper cervical spine, characterised by a bilateral avulsion-fracture through the neural arch of C2...

Results of Distal Radial Fractures Treated by Intra-focal Pin Fixation

Unstable fractures of the distal radius remain a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons. Unsatisfactory results are often associated with significant malunion. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors of Intensive Care

Intensive care has undergone rapid technological advancement in recent years enabling complex treatment of patients of advanced age and/or with advanced chronic diseases underlying their acute medical problems. New interventions have been introduced with success determined by their ability to save lives. This article is available only as a PDF....

Limitation of Life Support in the Critically Ill: The Hong Kong Perspective

Technological advances over the last 30 years have had an enormous impact on the way in which medicine is delivered today. This is particularly so in the specialty of intensive care where intensivists possess the necessary knowledge and tools to prolong life in many situations where patients would previously...

Primary Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: Clinical Features and Results of Surgical Therapy in Singapore—A Case Series

Malignant melanoma arising from the anal canal was first described in 1857. It is uncommon, comprising only about 1% of all anal canal tumours. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

An Introduction to Biodegradable Materials for Tissue Engineering Applications

The concept of tissue engineering arises from the need to develop an alternative method of treating patients suffering from tissue loss or organ failure. Current therapies in use today are not only expensive but often do not adequately fulfil their intended purpose. This article is available only as a PDF....

Galeazzi-Equivalent Fracture in Children Associated with Tendon Entrapment—Report of Two Cases

A 12-year-old boy fell whilst running. On examination, there was swelling and deformity of the wrist and there was local tenderness of the distal third of the radius and the distal end of the distal ulna. Movement of all the fingers and thumb were limited by pain. This article is...

Intravenous Adrenaline or Vasopressin in Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Literature Review

Of the approximately 15,000 deaths that occur in Singapore every year, about 25% are from cardiac causes; of which, some 30% to 40% occur suddenly, outside of a hospital. The mechanism of death is usually a fatal arrhythmia, most often ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. This article is available only as...

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament: An Anthropometric Study in Asians and Evaluation of Safe Limits for Bony Tunnel Creation During Reconstruction

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) provides the main restraint to posterior translation of the tibia on the femur and is stronger than its anterior counterpart. Indeed, it has been regarded by some authors as the primary stabiliser of the knee. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click...

Advances in Surgical Treatment of Osteoporotic Fractures of the Spine

Osteoporosis is an important cause of fractures in the elderly. In the USA alone, at least 1.3 million fractures are attributed to osteoporosis a year. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010

With the ageing population, degeneration of joints and osteoporosis and the resultant disability pose big public health problems in many countries of the world. These, together with the more disabling infective and inflammatory diseases of joints and the all-pervasive trauma damage joints in hundreds of millions of people in...

Magnetic Resonance Arthrography of the Labral-Ligamentous Complex of the Shoulder: An Update

Shoulder instability is a frequently encountered clinical problem in young active people following injury, particularly in athletes. The labral-ligamentous complex is increasingly recognised as being an important structural component that contributes to shoulder instability. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to...

A Deceptive Cervical Lymph Node: A Solitary Spinal Osteochondroma

Osteochondromas are cartilage-capped bony exostoses that arise mainly from the metaphyses of long bones from a lateral displacement of the epiphyseal growth cartilage, but any bone formed by endochondral ossification (bones that develop from cartilage) may give rise to osteochondromas. Osteochondromas may arise in a solitary form or in...

Limited Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and the Occult Hip Fracture

Worldwide, in the past decade, the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has increased tremendously in the management of musculoskeletal trauma. Not least is its application as a valuable diagnostic tool in occult hip fracture evaluation. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on...

Extremity Osteosarcoma—A Southeast Asian Experience

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant bone cancer occurring primarily in young patients. Although rare, it is still the commonest primary bone cancer seen in Southeast Asia. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Towards a Splint-free Repair for Flexor Tendon Injuries

The most problematic area in flexor tendon injuries is zone two. This zone is prone to injury as it is in the grasping part of the hand. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Biomechanics of the Shoulder

The shoulder is a complex of 5 articulating surfaces that together form the shoulder girdle. The glenohumeral joint together with the scapulothoracic articulation form the main components of the girdle. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Instrumentation in Spinal Surgery

Spinal instrumentation is defined as the use of mechanical devices that enhance or restore the segmental stability of the spine. Internal fixation of the spine began more than a hundred years ago and initially consisted of wires, and/or rods attached to the spine. This article is available only as a...

The Growth and Development of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine in Singapore

Orthopaedic sports medicine in Singapore took form as a subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery over a number of years. Several individuals contributed to it being set up as an orthopaedic subspecialty. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Paediatric Orthopaedics in Singapore

The name “Orthopaedic Surgery” is derived from the words “orthos” (meaning straight or to straighten) and “paido” (meaning child). Thus, it is not unexpected that paediatric orthopaedics was the first discipline within Orthopaedics to develop as a subspecialty. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download...

Addresses at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University of Singapore on 5 April 2002

Over 200 guests were gathered at the Fullerton Hotel Ballroom on the 5th of April 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University of Singapore. The event was dedicated to the teachers, past and present, for their commitment to education. This article is available...

History of the Singapore Orthopaedic Association

The University of Malaya in Singapore was established in 1949. With this, the King Edward VII College of Medicine became the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

History of the Orthopaedic Specialty in Singapore

When the practice of orthopaedic surgery first began in Singapore, it was not a specialty in itself. There are no records as to when the first orthopaedic cases were managed, but it must have been when modern medicine was introduced into Singapore, at the beginning of the twentieth century...

50th Anniversary Celebrations—Golden ……. but all is not gold

On an occasion such as this—the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of orthopaedic surgery as a specialty service in Singapore—acclaim, commendations, praise and endorsement of our achievements will be the order of the day. This issue of the Annals carries 13 articles representing the different facets of our achievement. This...

Paediatric Extracranial Germ Cell Tumours: A Retrospective Review

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) in children account for 2% to 3% of childhood malignancies. They arise from primordial germ cells and constitute a heterogeneous group of tumours. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

A Case Report of Neurologically Unstable Fracture of the Lumbosacral Spine in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with progressive ossification of the spinal ligaments and ankylosing of the facet joints leading to a totally stiff spine. It is often associated with osteoporosis due to chronic inflammation and disuse. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

Differentiation of Malignant Vertebral Collapse from Osteoporotic and Other Benign Causes Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An elderly patient presenting with backache and vertebral collapse on plain X-ray is a common clinical scenario and a diagnostic challenge. It is difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant causes for the vertebral collapse. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top...

Osteoporotic Hip Fractures in Singapore—Costs and Patient’s Outcome

Singapore is facing a rapidly ageing population. Osteoporosis, which is an age-related illness, will become an increasing problem. Osteoporotic hip fracture, because of the need for hospitalisation and surgery, represents an important economic burden to society, in addition to its medical morbidities and social implications upon the patient and...

Outcomes of Acute Arthroscopic Repair and Conservative Treatment Following First Traumatic Dislocation of the Shoulder Joint in Young Patients

Traumatic dislocation of the shoulder is a serious problem especially in active and young patients. Shoulder instability and recurrent dislocation hinder patient activities. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

A Palliative Care Approach to End-stage Neurodegenerative Conditions

A syndrome of total functional dependence, poor mobility, lack of meaningful communication and incontinence of bowels and bladder appears to be the final common pathway for many neurodegenerative conditions such as the dementias, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and motor neurone disease (MND). In the United States, the National Hospice Organisation...

From Genesis to Genes

I would like to thank the Singapore Orthopaedic Association (SOA) for inviting me to deliver this year’s SOA lecture. When your President, Dr AK Mitra first asked me to deliver the lecture, I felt deeply honoured but was rather hesitant about accepting it – honoured as this annual lecture...

Measuring Quality of Life in Chinese Cancer Patients: A New Version of the Functional Living Index for Cancer (Chinese)

Health-related quality of life (QOL) is recognised as an important aspect of patient care. In oncology studies, it may stand as the primary end-point. Most QOL instruments are developed in English, although about one-fifth of the world’s population is ethnic Chinese. This article is available only as a PDF. Please...

Book Review

A lot of young orthopaedic surgeons embark on research projects with little guidance. This book is especially directed towards young investigators in the Southeast Asian region. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Significance of the Lateral Epiphysis of the Acetabulum to Hip Joint Stability

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) remains one of the most difficult disorders to understand and treat in Paediatric Orthopaedics. The aetiology have not been clearly understood and therefore the management remains controversial. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view...

Condensing Osteitis of the Medial Clavicle – An Intermediate-term Follow-up

Condensing osteitis of the clavicle is an idiopathic condition affecting the medial end of the clavicle, and is characterised by sclerosis and expansion of the inferior part of the clavicular head. The rarity of this disorder is highlighted by the experience of the senior author (SN Bell). This article is...

Patients who Talk and Deteriorate: A New Look at an Old Problem

Patients who talk after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and then subsequently deteriorate into a coma are defined as those with an initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) verbal score of 3 or greater, and then deteriorate to a GCS of 8 or less. Less than 10% of patients with minor...

High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein is Predictive of Medium-term Cardiac Outcome in High-risk Asian Patients Presenting With Chest Pain Syndrome Without Myocardial Infarction

Patients with chest pain often pose a diagnostic conundrum to the attending physician especially when symptoms are not typical of angina and the electrocardiogram nondiagnostic. Troponin levels are frequently measured at presentation to prognosticate the patient. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on...

Plantar Dislocation of Lateral Tarsometatarsal Joint: A Case of Subtle Lisfranc Injury

Lisfranc fracture dislocations are uncommon injuries and the diagnosis may be easily missed. There are several variations and we present one such variant. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Thoracic Myelopathy Secondary to Ligamentum Flavum Ossification

Acquired thoracic spinal canal stenosis is an uncommon condition compared to myelopathy and radiculopathy frequently seen in the cervical and lumbar spine, respectively. Because the rib cage restricts its movement, the thoracic spine is less prone to degenerative changes in the disc and facet joints, which result in loss...

Rising Trend of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Females in a Regional Hospital

Female athletes are at a greater risk for injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than their male counterparts in high schools and colleges in the United States. Noyes et al reported that 78% of all ACL injuries were non-contact in nature and they most often occurred on landing...

Profunda Femoris Artery Pseudoaneurysm Presenting with Triad of Thigh Swelling, Bleeding and Anaemia

Pseudoaneurysms of the profunda femoris artery have been reported following blunt and penetrating trauma to the thigh, and orthopaedic procedures of the proximal femur. These pseudoaneurysms can present in various forms, such as a painful pulsatile mass, or even thigh compartment syndrome. This article is available only as a PDF....

Cancellous Screw Fixation for Femoral Neck Fractures: One Hundred and Sixteen Patients

The incidence of hip fractures rises with increasing age, doubling for each decade beyond 50 years of age. With the increase in life expectancy and the accompanying ageing population, there has been an increase in the incidence of hip fractures from 1.17 per 1000 females >60 years old in...

Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Hip Fracture and Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinaemia in the Elderly

Western literature reports a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after hip surgery in the absence of prophylaxis. It is reported to be as high as 50% of which 20% to 30% are in the proximal vein. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download...

Septic Arthritis after Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Arthroscopic-guided reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is now recognised as the preferred reconstructive option in restoring anterior knee joint stability. According to a report by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on ACL reconstruction in October 2000, approximately 50,000 ACL surgeries were performed each year in the...

Morbidity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Autograft

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) impairs the stability of the knee, resulting in difficulty with athletic performance, increased risk of subsequent meniscal injury and increased risk of degenerative joint disease. Reconstruction of the ACL is a frequently performed procedure used to restore functional stability in ACL-deficient knees,...

SARS in Singapore – Predictors of Disease Severity

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a recently defined illness caused by a novel coronavirus. The outbreak in Singapore originated from Hong Kong via mainland China. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Necrotising Fasciitis and Traditional Medical Therapy – A Dangerous Liaison

The first case was a 54-year-old lady, with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia, who presented with bilateral hand pain and stiffness of 4 days’ duration. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

2005 Galloway Memorial Lecture: Breast Phyllodes Tumours – Morphology and Beyond

The clinical behaviour of phyllodes tumours (PTs) of the breast is difficult to predict.1-5 While histological features have been traditionally used as predictors of clinical outcome, specific parameters that define recurrent likelihood are still not universally agreed upon.2 Though grade,6,7 stromal overgrowth,8,9 tumour necrosis and heterologous stromal elements,10 or...

A Review of Clinical Pathway Data of 1663 Total Knee Arthroplasties in a Tertiary Institution in Singapore

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been established as an effective treatment modality for patients with symptomatic knee arthritis. It provides predictable decrement in pain, correction of deformity and improved functional outcomes. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full...

Assessment of Medical Graduates Competencies

Medical professional proficiency comprises a set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to efficiently accomplish the practice of medicine. The major aim of undergraduate medical education in the region is to produce doctors who are competent and able to meet the health needs of the community while also being...

“Bone Block” and Congenital Spine Deformity

A 14-year-old female who presented with a limited range of neck motion with various congenital vertebral anomalies that included improper segmentation or extensive “fusion” of the cervical spine, hemivertebrae, and a right rigid convex thoracolumbar scoliosis (Figs. 1 and 2). She was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) with congenital...

Autologous Bone Marrow Plasma Injection after Arthroscopic Debridement for Elbow Tendinosis

Elbow tendinosis is a term used to describe a syndrome of pain involving the extensor or flexor tendon origin of the forearm musculature. It is a common problem in adults and it is called “medial” or “lateral epicondylitis” depending on the site of involvement. This article is available only as...

Primary Hydatid Disease of the Humerus

Hydatid disease is a parasitic tapeworm infection caused by Echinococcus species. E.granulosus and E.alveolaris are the most common causes of hydatid disease in humans. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Recurrent Patellar Dislocation: Reappraising our Approach to Surgery

Traumatic patellar dislocations affect mainly adolescents and young adults. Up to 44% of patients will develop recurrent dislocation. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Triple Endobuttton Technique in Acromioclavicular Joint Reduction and Reconstruction

Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation is a common injury often affecting young athletes. Cyclist, ice hockey players, weight lifters, rugby players and martial exponents are the most common athletes sustaining the injuries. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full...

Return to Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction – A Review of Patients with Minimum 5-year Follow-up

Complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture results in a mechanically unstable knee. ACL reconstruction is recommended in athletes to help restore knee stability for return to pivoting sports. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Clinical Evaluation of Arthroscopic-assisted Allograft Meniscal Transplantation

The menisci of the knee are fibro-cartilaginous structures essential for the normal biomechanic of the knee joint. They play a critical role in shock absorption, load transmission, joint lubrication and congruency, nutrition, stability of the knee and facilitating the rotation of the opposing articular surfaces of the joint. This article...

Renal Cell Carcinoma Bony Metastasis Treatment

Patellar metastases are extremely rare, ironically, primary tumours of the patella are more common than metastatic disease. A Medline search from 1960 to the present yielded only 23 reported cases of patellar metastases. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view...

Internationally, it is Time to Bridge the Gap between Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services for the Dying

Around two-thirds of people with incurable diseases in economically developed countries wish to die at home, but less than one third succeed in doing so. Developing primary care-based services for the dying in the community is essential to reach and serve the whole population, and to provide care where...

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are a known cause of chronic ankle pain. They are frequently found in the active population after ankle sprains. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

MMP-2, TIMP-2 and CD44v6 Expression in Non-small-cell Lung Carcinomas

Studies have provided data that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) facilitate tumour invasion, the establishment of metastases. On the other hand, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors have been shown to inhibit tumour growth and dissemination in non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on...

The Role of Surgery in High-grade Glioma – Is Surgical Resection Justified? A Review of the Current Knowledge

High-grade glioma (malignant glioma) is the most common primary intra-axial tumour of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite recent therapeutic advances in glioma treatment, the outcome for high-grade glioma has been disappointing. The first reported case of glioma resection was performed by Rickman Godlee in 1884.1 More than a...

Survival of Small-cell Lung Cancer and its Determinants of Outcome in Singapore

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality around the world.1 Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) constitutes about 15% to 25% of all lung cancer cases in North America and Europe.2,3 In contrast, SCLC constitutes a smaller percentage of lung cancer cases in Asian countries. In a Taiwanese hospital,...

Recovery and Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury: A Review and Summary of Recent Literature

Spinal cord injury (SCI), whether of traumatic or non-traumatic aetiology, often results in significant and catastrophic dysfunction and disability. It physically and psychologically affects not only the individual, but also the family and society. Early rehabilitation in an organised multidisciplinary SCI care system has been shown to be beneficial,...

Factors Predictive of Outcome in Childhood Stroke in an Asian Population

Strokes in childhood are generally considered to be rare with an incidence of about 2.7 per 100 000 children per year.1 The aetiologies of stroke in children differ considerably from adults and multiple risk factors commonly co-exist. A large stroke registry in North America reported that a large proportion...

Retinoblastoma: A Recent Experience at the National University Hospital, Singapore

Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in infants and children.1 Worldwide, the incidence is 1 in 18,000 to 34,000 live births with an estimation of 5000 to 8000 new cases.2,3 The Singapore Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR), a hospital based cancer registry that includes all children less than...

Opioid Use amongst Cancer Patients at the End of Life

Opioid use in terminally ill cancer patients at the end of life has been a source of concern amongst many for fear of its perceived life shortening effects, despite evidence to the contrary. This fear has, in fact, contributed to the reluctance in utilising these drugs to provide adequate...

The Natural History and Prognosticative Factors of Adult Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas: An Asian Perspective

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are extremely rare tumours, making up about 1% of all malignancies. In Singapore, they accounted for 0.7% of all cancers in males and 0.5% of all cancers in females with 217 case presentations in the period between 1998 and 2002. This article is available only as...

An Unexpected Outcome following Radial Head Excision for Jeffrey Type II Fracture-Dislocation of the Proximal Radius in a Child

We present a case of a 10-year-old child who sustained a traumatic fracture-dislocation of his proximal radius and subsequently underwent surgical removal of the radial head. At 3 years of follow-up, he had regained full painless flexion and extension with loss of pronosupination. This article is available only as a...

Primary Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of the Lung Presenting as Left-sided Shoulder Pain

Primary angiosarcoma of the lung is a rare, often difficult to diagnose disorder with non-specific respiratory manifestations. Angiosarcoma involving the lung is usually a result of metastatic disease. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Surgical Metastasectomy in AJCC Stage IV M1c Melanoma Patients with Gastrointestinal and Liver Metastases

The prognosis of patients with stage IV melanoma or recurrent melanoma is poor with an estimated median survival period of 6 months. The recent revised version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for cutaneous melanoma has further sub-divided melanoma metastatic sites to 3 specific categories;...

Effect of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Biological Healing of Allografts in Critical-sized Tibial Defects Simulated in Adult Rabbits

Bridging of large bone defects is a challenging problem in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery. Options include vascularised bone autografts, non-vascularised bone autografts, allografts, bioceramics and custom-made prostheses. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Are New Resuscitation Guidelines Better? Experience of an Asian Metropolitan Hospital

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a substantial public health burden that has poor prognosis. Patients who receive “good” and “high-quality” cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have better outcomes. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

An Eight Year Review of Exercise-related Cardiac Arrests

Exercise-related cardiac arrest is uncommon, however it is devastating when it occurs in otherwise healthy adults. In young adults, vigorous physical exercise trigger cardiac arrest in those affected by silent congenital cardiovascular conditions. In older adults, sudden vigorous physical exercise increases the incidence of acute coronary events in those...

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is Expressed During Articular Cartilage Growth and Re-expressed in Osteoarthritis

Growth factors are polypeptides that direct cells to proliferate, differentiate, migrate or produce matrix. They exert their effects by interacting with specific receptors on the surfaces of cells. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.

Effectiveness of Vacuum-assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy in the Healing of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetes mellitus is a common problem in Singapore, with an incidence of 8.2% in the local population aged between 18 and 69 in 2004. Ten per cent to 25% of diabetics developed foot ulcerations. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to...

Novel Use of Baclofen in Cancer Patients for the Treatment of Hiccups

A hiccup is a result of an involuntary, intermittent spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm and the inspiratory intercostal muscles, resulting in a sudden inspiration and ends with an abrupt closure of the glottis. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view...

rTSβ as a Novel 5-fluorouracil Resistance Marker of Colorectal Cancer: A Preliminary Study

Although colorectal cancer is common in Western countries, in the past, it has been uncommon in Asian countries. However, its prevalence has gradually been increasing. Since 1982, malignant cancers have been the leading cause of death in Taiwan. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download...

Profile of Hospitalisation and Death in the First Year after Diagnosis of End-stage Renal Disease in a Multi-ethnic Asian Population

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is reaching epidemic proportions and is increasingly a public health issue due to the cost of providing care to these patients. There are many kidney disease databases and registries tracking and studying trends in the epidemiology and care of ESRD patients. This article is available only...

Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture Treated with Two Turndown Flaps and Flexor Hallucis Longus Augmentation – Two-year Clinical Outcome

Chronic Achilles tendon rupture is a disabling condition resulting in ankle pain, weakened ankle plantarflexion and abnormal gait. Management of chronic ruptures is technically challenging with generally poorer outcomes and higher complication rates than that of acute repair. Current literature suggests this problem is still better tackled surgically although...

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C as a Predictor of Early Recurrence and Poor Prognosis of Resected Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival of around 15%. Approximately 20% of patients present with stage I disease (T1N0M0 or T2N0M0) and undergo potentially curative surgical resection. However, approximately 30% to 40% of patients with stage I NSCLC after...

Presentation and Outcome Amongst Older Singaporeans Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS): Does Age Alone Drive Excess Mortality?

Singapore is a country of high income with a low level human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, the yearly incidence of disease currently standing at 121.7 new infections per million population per year. Certain features of Singapore’s HIV epidemic are notable. Firstly, despite active screening programmes amongst high-risk populations and...

Male Breast Cancer in Singapore: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Tertiary Institution

Male breast cancer is a rare disease entity, traditionally said to represent <1% of all diagnosed breast cancers. Recent statistics, however, suggest that its incidence may be on the rise, although the clinical significance of this is unknown. This rarity has precluded large randomised controlled trials, and most treatment...

Assessment of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th Edition Staging for Localised Prostate Cancer in Asia Treated with External Beam Radiotherapy

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, with a worldwide incidence of approximately 900,000 in 2008. Internationally, there is marked variation in incidence, ranging from 104.2 per 100,000 in some Western populations, to 4.1 per 100,000 in South and Central Asia. However, there has...

Neonatal and Paediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in a Single Asian Tertiary Centre

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a cardiopulmonary bypass technique (CPB) introduced by Bartlett in 1972, which provides life-saving support in patients with refractory yet reversible cardiorespiratory failure until organ recovery or organ transplantation. Since the first report of successful ECMO support in an adult was published by Hill in...

Singapore Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) Experience: Shall We Change Our Practice?

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) constitutes nearly 4% of all children diagnosed with cancer in the ethnically diverse small island city of Singapore. It is the most common primary soft tissue malignancy of childhood and one which is highly sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy leading to excellent overall survivals. In KK...

Lemierre’s Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Calf Abscess

Dear Editor, Lemierre’s syndrome is a rare disease caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacillus that is associated with oropharyngeal infections. We describe a case of a 16-year-old male presenting with acute calf abscess caused by an unusual organism, Fusobacterium necrophorum. Based on our review, this is the first...

Electrocardiograph Changes, Troponin Levels and Cardiac Complications After Orthopaedic Surgery

Following orthopaedic surgery, approximately 5% of patients sustain cardiac complications which leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The mortality rate after hip fracture is as high as 10% to 26% at 6 months and cardiac-related death are common. Cardiac injury is potentially treatable and therefore early detection of myocardial...

How do English-speaking Cancer Patients Conceptualise Personhood?

Understanding the way personhood or “what makes you, you” is conceptualised is pivotal to the practice of medicine. Conceptions of personhood determine the moral and legal status of an individual, is central to the protection of rights and privileges and is pivotal to the maintenance of the distinctiveness of...

Unipolar versus Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in the Elderly: Is There a Difference?

Hip hemiarthoplasties are commonly performed for displaced femoral neck fractures. The advantages of hemiarthroplasty over internal fixation include earlier mobility, less reoperations and better functional outcome at 1 year. Considerable differences of opinion exists regarding the choice between unipolar and bipolar designs. The main theoretical advantage of a bipolar over...

Use of the Sole Flap to Convert an Above Knee Amputation to a Below Knee Amputation in Trauma

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) are performed for decompression of the spine when the primary compressive pathology lies anterior to the spinal cord – prolapsed intervertebral discs (PID), ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), spondylodiscitis and retropulsion of fractured bony fragments. More...

Single-level Anterior Corpectomy with Fusion versus 2-level Anterior Cervical Decompression with Fusion: A Prospective Controlled Study with 2-year Follow-up Using Cages for Fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) are performed for decompression of the spine when the primary compressive pathology lies anterior to the spinal cord – prolapsed intervertebral discs (PID), ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), spondylodiscitis and retropulsion of fractured bony fragments. More...

Schizophrenia as a Lifelong Illness: Implications for Care

The management of schizophrenia has advanced considerably since the term was first coined in 1911, with Kraepelin’s early pessimism tempered by more recent evidence examining outcome. The discovery of antipsychotics represented a major breakthrough in the treatment of schizophrenia, while more recently we have witnessed promising initiatives such as...

Optimum early orthopaedic surgery in COVID-19 patients

Multiple guidelines have been established regarding the management of COVID-19 patients. However, there remains a paucity regarding specific guidelines on the optimal timing for surgeries in COVID-19 patients requiring early orthopaedic surgery. This paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the timing to proceed with early orthopaedic surgeries in...

Survival and Predictors of Mortality in Acute Kidney Injury Patients Treated with Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis

Approximately one in ten patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) develops acute kidney injury (AKI), an important complication of ICU patients, and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). It is well known that AKI contributes to mortality and chronic kidney diseases which result in health and economic burdens....

Obesity in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is established that increasing age and comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases are associated with risk of infection, more severe disease and adverse outcomes. Obesity is an epidemic globally, causing...

Transscaphoid Perilunate Fracture/Dislocations—Results of Surgical Treatment

Transscaphoid perilunate fracture/dislocations are relatively uncommon injuries of the wrist, constituting about 3% of all carpal injuries. However, it accounts for more than half of perilunate dislocations, the dorsal variant being by far the more prevalent. This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on...