I went into the OR today thinking I would get to see an ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) of tibial plateau fracture (even spoke to the patient before the operation) but was soon whisked away to another OR (there were too many people) by the chief. 

At my new destination, was a patient about 40-50 yrs of age who had been shot multiple times (abdomen, neck, femur), had a colostomy tube, and was having surgery for his a comminuted fracture at the proximal aspect of his femur.  From what i could see on the xray on the screen, a long metal rod was driven through is femur (intramedullary rod, in the shaft) and a screw was then linked to that metal rod so that the screw covered went through the neck of the femur.  A few other screws (retention screws) were driven into the leg so that that they kept the metal rod in place.

The operation and terminology confused me a bit -- i was debating whether they were working on a car or a human through the whole time.  Even the tools... they looked like they were from a mechanic's workshop.