Biomedical subjects
R N Villar
Publications and source records attributed to R N Villar.
Tissue reaction and loosening of carbon-reinforced polyethylene arthroplasties.
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The bacteriology of bone allografts.
We report the contamination rate in the Cambridge bone bank of 35 consecutive allograft specimens, all harvested in a clean-air environment, using a strict aseptic technique and antibiotic cover. Five of 27 femoral heads taken from living donors and three of eight massive allografts taken from cadavers were found to be contaminated. The contaminated femoral heads were discarded. All massive allografts were rendered sterile by gamma-irradiation. It is important to exclude bacteriological contamination of harvested and banked bone.
Seasonal variation in the incidence of congenital talipes equinovarus.
A review of 77 neonates who presented with congenital talipes equinovarus over a seven-year period revealed an increase in the condition amongst babies born in the winter quarter. This finding was particularly apparent among the less severe cases of club-foot. Possible reasons for this seasonal variation are discussed.
Splinting for CDH: temporary splinting for the neonate.
A simple method of maintaining hip abduction in the neonate with suspected congenital hip instability is described. Clinical observations and parental impressions are initially favourable.
Postero-lateral subluxation of the superior tibio-fibular joint.
Foot drop resulting from subluxation of the superior tibio-fibular joint is described in a female dancer. Spontaneous resolution of the nerve injury occurred over two months with no residual joint instability. Expectant management is recommended for this injury. The potential for this unusual injury, in a wide variety of sports, is pointed out.
Knee surgery and the Indian knee. The importance of the preservation of flexion.
The pattern of knee pathology seen in an Indian mission hospital following the introduction of knee clinics is described. This paper reports the results of the first 200 consecutive patients seen at these clinics, relating the findings to anticipated treatments. The occurrence of degenerative disease was high. The importance of knee flexion, in order to be able to squat, is highlighted. The necessity to adopt this position materially alters the types of treatment that can be offered to this group of people. It is concluded that treatments common to the West are not always suitable for patients in the Third World.
Hip arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy has become an established part of orthopaedic surgery but arthroscopy of the hip is new. It is being increasingly performed in the USA and Japan, and its use now in the UK has highlighted its advantages in the treatment of many diverse orthopaedic conditions.