Volume-outcome relationship for adrenalectomy: analysis of an administrative dataset for the Getting It Right First Time Programme

BACKGROUND

A minimum volume threshold of at least six procedures per annum per surgeon has been set in UK and European guidelines for adrenal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes for adrenal surgery in England relative to annual surgeon and hospital trust volume.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for England. A 6-year period (January 2013 to December 2018 inclusive) for all adult admissions for unilateral adrenal surgery was used. The primary outcome measure was an emergency readmission within 30 days of discharge following surgery. Procedures were categorized as open or minimally invasive surgery for analysis. Multilevel modelling was used to adjust for hierarchy and potential confounders.

RESULTS

Data for 4189 adrenalectomies were identified. Only one third of surgeons (who operated on just over a half of all patients) performed at least six procedures in the year prior to the index procedure. For open surgery, emergency readmission rates fell significantly from 15.2 to 6.4 per cent for surgeons and from 13.2 to 6.1 per cent for trusts between the lowest- and highest-volume categories. Significant, but less dramatic falls were also seen for minimally invasive surgery.

CONCLUSION

A volume-outcome effect was identified for adrenal surgery in England. Minimum volume thresholds should be set, although these may need to be more ambitious than the current threshold if outcomes are to be optimized.

Litigation in breast surgery: unique insights from the English National Health Service experience

Background

The increase in medical negligence claims against the National Health Service (NHS) over the past decade has had a detrimental impact on limited financial and human resources that could otherwise be available for direct clinical care. The aim of this study was to review litigation claims in breast surgery as part of the national Getting It Right First Time quality improvement initiative, with the aim of identifying opportunities to improve clinical practice and patient safety.

Methods

All general and plastic surgical claims notified to NHS Resolution between April 2012 and April 2018 were reviewed. Claims related specifically to breast surgery were retrieved manually, and case summaries were analysed independently by two breast surgeons.

Results

From 6915 claims, 449 relating to breast surgery were identified and reviewed. The mean(s.d.) claimant age was 46(13) years. The median number of claims over the 6-year period per NHS trust was 2 (range 0–22). The most frequent causes of litigation were dissatisfaction with cosmetic outcome (121 claims, 26.9 per cent) and patient-reported delays in diagnosis (121, 26.9 per cent). A large proportion of claims related to breast implant surgery (78, 17.4 per cent), and issues regarding consent/communication were common (69, 15.4 per cent). The estimated annual cost of breast surgery litigation claims ranged from £5.57 to £9.59 million (€6.35–11.02 million).

Conclusion

Patient-reported delays in diagnosis and dissatisfaction with cosmetic outcome are the most common causes of litigation related to breast surgery. These key themes should be the focus for workforce learning, with the aim of improving patient care and experience.

Changes in COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in hospitalised adults in England over the first seven months of the pandemic: An observational study using administrative data

Background

Previous research by our team identified factors associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in England between March and May 2020. The aim of the current paper was to investigate the changing role of demographics and co-morbidity, with a particular focus on ethnicity, as risk factors for in-hospital mortality over an extended period.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study using the Hospital Episode Statistics administrative dataset. All patients aged ≥ 18 years in England with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who had a hospital stay that was completed (discharged alive or died) between 1st March and 30th September 2020 were included. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome of interest. Multilevel logistic regression was used to model the relationship between in-hospital mortality with adjustment for the covariates: age, sex, deprivation, ethnicity, date of discharge and a number of comorbidities.

Findings

Compared to patients in March-May (n = 93,379), patients in June-September (n = 24,059) were younger, more likely to be female and of Asian ethnicity, but less likely to be of Black ethnicity. In-hospital mortality rates, adjusted for covariates, declined from 33–34% in March to 11–12% in September. Compared to the March-May period, Bangladeshi, Indian and Other Asian ethnicity patients had a lower relative odds of death (compared to White ethnicity patients) during June-September. For Pakistani patients, the decline in-hospital mortality rates was more modest across the same time periods with the relative odds of death increasing slightly (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)) 1.24 (1.10 to 1.40) and 1.35 (1.08 to 1.69) respectively. From March-May to June-September the relative odds of death in patients with a diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma increased (1.90 (1.73 to 2.08) vs 3.01 (2.55 to 3.54)) but decreased for male patients (1.44 (1.39 to 1.49) vs 1.27 (1.17 to 1.38)) and patients with obesity (1.42 (1.34 to 1.52) vs 0.97 (0.83 to 1.14)) and diabetes without complications (1.14 (1.10 to 1.19) vs 0.95 (0.87 to 1.05)).

Interpretation

In-hospital mortality rates for patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 have fallen substantially and there is evidence that the relative importance of some covariates has changed since the start of the pandemic. These patterns should continue to be tracked as new variants of the virus emerge, vaccination programmes are rolled out and hospital pressures fluctuate.

Funding

None.

Patient factors and temporal trends associated with COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in England: an observational study using administrative data

Background

Analysis of the effect of COVID-19 on the complete hospital population in England has been lacking. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive account of all hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in England during the early phase of the pandemic and to identify the factors that influenced mortality as the pandemic evolved.

Methods

This was a retrospective exploratory analysis using the Hospital Episode Statistics administrative dataset. All patients aged 18 years or older in England who completed a hospital stay (were discharged alive or died) between March 1 and May 31, 2020, and had a diagnosis of COVID-19 on admission or during their stay were included. In-hospital death was the primary outcome of interest. Multilevel logistic regression was used to model the relationship between death and several covariates: age, sex, deprivation (Index of Multiple Deprivation), ethnicity, frailty (Hospital Frailty Risk Score), presence of comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index items), and date of discharge (whether alive or deceased).

Findings

91 541 adult patients with COVID-19 were discharged during the study period, among which 28 200 (30·8%) in-hospital deaths occurred. The final multilevel logistic regression model accounted for age, deprivation score, and date of discharge as continuous variables, and sex, ethnicity, and Charlson Comorbidity Index items as categorical variables. In this model, significant predictors of in-hospital death included older age (modelled using restricted cubic splines), male sex (1·457 [1·408–1·509]), greater deprivation (1·002 [1·001–1·003]), Asian (1·211 [1·128–1·299]) or mixed ethnicity (1·317 [1·080–1·605]; vs White ethnicity), and most of the assessed comorbidities, including moderate or severe liver disease (5·433 [4·618–6·392]). Later date of discharge was associated with a lower odds of death (0·977 [0·976–0·978]); adjusted in-hospital mortality improved significantly in a broadly linear fashion, from 52·2% in the first week of March to 16·8% in the last week of May.

Interpretation

Reductions in the adjusted probability of in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients over time might reflect the impact of changes in hospital strategy and clinical processes. The reasons for the observed improvements in mortality should be thoroughly investigated to inform the response to future outbreaks. The higher mortality rate reported for certain ethnic minority groups in community-based studies compared with our hospital-based analysis might partly reflect differential infection rates in those at greatest risk, propensity to become severely ill once infected, and health-seeking behaviours.

Funding

None.

Fixation Method and Subsequent Revision Rates for Elective Primary Hip Arthroplasty in People Aged 70 Years and Older: Analysis of National Administrative Data Sets by the UK Getting It Right First Time Program

BACKGROUND

We aimed to understand the role of fixation method in predicting subsequent revision rates in people aged 70 years and older undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) within the UK National Health Service (NHS).

METHODS

Data on elective primary THAs conducted in people aged 70 years and older between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2018, and subsequent revisions conducted up to March 31, 2019, were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database for all NHS procedures in England. A flexible parametric competing risks model was used to identify the role of fixation method in predicting revision and adjust for age, sex, frailty, year of surgery, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Data were available for 190,656 procedures. Crude revision rates at 1-7 years follow-up in those who had cemented, hybrid/reverse hybrid, and uncemented fixation were 1.8%, 1.8%, and 2.3%, respectively. There was a high level of variation between NHS trusts in the proportionate use of fixation method. The differences in the hazard of revision between uncemented and cemented fixation (hazard ratio, 1.238 [95% confidence interval, 1.148-1.336]) and hybrid/reverse hybrid fixation (hazard ratio, 1.184 [95% confidence interval, 1.082-1.297]) were both significant. In secondary analysis, there was evidence that revision rates in trusts where uncemented fixation predominated were not significantly lower for uncemented fixation compared to all other fixation methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Revision rates were significantly higher for elective primary THA in people aged 70 years and older who have uncemented fixation, compared to those who had cemented and hybrid/reverse hybrid fixation.

Understanding volume-outcome relationships in nephrectomy and cystectomy for cancer: evidence from the UK Getting it Right First Time programme

OBJECTIVES

To investigate volume-outcome relationships in nephrectomy and cystectomy for cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were extracted from the UK Hospital Episodes Statistics database, which records data on all National Health Service (NHS) hospital admissions in the England. Data were included for a 5-year period (April 2013-March 2018 inclusive) and data on emergency and paediatric admissions were excluded. Data were extracted on the NHS trust and surgeon undertaking the procedure, the surgical technique used (open, laparoscopic or robot-assisted) and length of hospital stay during the procedure. This dataset was supplemented by data on mortality from the UK Office for National Statistics. A number of volume thresholds and volume measures were investigated. Multilevel modelling was used to adjust for hierarchy and confounding factors.

RESULTS

Data were available for 18 107 nephrectomy and 6762 cystectomy procedures for cancer. There was little evidence of trust or surgeon volume influencing readmission rates or mortality. There was some evidence of shorter length of hospital stay for high-volume surgeons, although the volume measure and threshold used were important.

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence that further centralization of nephrectomy or cystectomy for cancer surgery will improve the patient outcomes investigated. It may be that length of stay can be optimized though training and support for lower-volume centres, rather than further centralization.

A novel ceramic coating for reduced metal ion release in metal-on-metal hip surgery

An ovine total hip arthroplasty model was developed to evaluate metal ion release, wear, the biological response and adverse tissue reaction to metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing materials. The performance of an advanced superlattice ceramic coating (SLC) was evaluated as a bearing surface and experimental groups divided into; (1) MoM articulating surfaces coated with a SLC coating (SLC-MoM), (2) uncoated MoM surfaces (MoM), and (3) metal on polyethylene (MoP) surfaces. Implants remained in vivo for 13 months and blood chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) metal ion levels were measured pre and postoperatively. Synovial tissue was graded using an ALVAL scoring system. When compared with the MoM group, sheep with SLC-MoM implants showed significantly lower levels of chromium and cobalt metal ions within blood over the 13-month period. Evidence of gray tissue staining was observed in the synovium of implants in the MOM group. A significantly lower ALVAL score was measured in the SLC-MoM group (3.88) when compared with MoM components (6.67) (p = 0.010). ALVAL results showed no significant difference when SLC-MOM components were compared to MoP (5.25). This model was able to distinguish wear and the effect of released debris between different bearing combinations and demonstrated the effect of a SLC coating when applied onto the bearing surface. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1760-1771, 2019.

Isolated tuberculosis of the calcaneum in a constitutionally well patient

A 66-year-old Caucasian man presented with a 9-month history of a painful left heel with associated soft tissue swelling. Pitting oedema was present to the upper shin. Plain radiograph showed a sclerotic calcaneum with lucent patches and the CT scan revealed bony destruction at the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneus with a moth-eaten appearance. To obtain a more definitive diagnosis, the patient underwent a CT-guided biopsy, which showed caseating granulomatous inflammation strongly suggestive of Mycobacterium infection. A Ziehl-Neilson stain did not show any microorganisms. Microbiology confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus aureas. A diagnosis of tuberculosis with concomitant Staphylococcus superinfection was made based on the histology and clinical context. The patient was treated with curettage and cementing of the lesion in order to debride the infected tissue and provide structural support to the bone. A 9-month course of quadruple antituberculous therapy was also initiated.

The outcome of resection of the distal ulna for tumour without soft-tissue or prosthetic reconstruction

In patients with a tumour affecting the distal ulna it is difficult to preserve the function of the wrist following extensive local resection. We report the outcome of 12 patients (nine female, three male) who underwent excision of the distal ulna without local soft-tissue reconstruction. In six patients, an aggressive benign tumour was present and six had a malignant tumour. At a mean follow-up of 64 months (15 to 132) the mean Musculoskeletal Tumour score was 64% (40% to 93%) and the mean DASH score was 35 (10 to 80). The radiological appearances were satisfactory in most patients. Local recurrence occurred in one patient with benign disease and two with malignant disease. The functional outcome was thus satisfactory at a mean follow-up in excess of five years, with a relatively low rate of complications. The authors conclude that complex reconstructive soft-tissue procedures may not be needed in these patients.

How safe is curettage of low-grade cartilaginous neoplasms diagnosed by imaging with or without pre-operative needle biopsy?

The pre-operative differentiation between enchondroma, low-grade chondrosarcoma and high-grade chondrosarcoma remains a diagnostic challenge. We reviewed the accuracy and safety of the radiological grading of cartilaginous tumours through the assessment of, first, pre-operative radiological and post-operative histological agreement, and second the rate of recurrence in lesions confirmed as high-grade on histology. We performed a retrospective review of major long bone cartilaginous tumours managed by curettage as low grade between 2001 and 2012. A total of 53 patients with a mean age of 47.6 years (8 to 71) were included. There were 23 men and 30 women. The tumours involved the femur (n = 20), humerus (n = 18), tibia (n = 9), fibula (n = 3), radius (n = 2) and ulna (n = 1). Pre-operative diagnoses resulted from multidisciplinary consensus following radiological review alone for 35 tumours, or with the addition of pre-operative image guided needle biopsy for 18. The histologically confirmed diagnosis was enchondroma for two (3.7%), low-grade chondrosarcoma for 49 (92.6%) and high-grade chondrosarcoma for two (3.7%). Three patients with a low-grade tumour developed a local recurrence at a mean of 15 months (12 to 17) post-operatively. A single high-grade recurrence (grade II) was treated with tibial diaphyseal replacement. The overall recurrence rate was 7.5% at a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (1.2 to 12.3). Cartilaginous tumours identified as low-grade on pre-operative imaging with or without additional image-guided needle biopsy can safely be managed as low-grade without pre-operative histological diagnosis. A few tumours may demonstrate high-grade features histologically, but the rates of recurrence are not affected.

A review of the surgical management of sacral chordoma

BACKGROUND

Sacral chordomas are rare low-to-intermediate grade malignant tumours, which arise from remnants of the embryonic notochord. This review explores prognostic factors in the management of sacral chordomas and provides guidance on the optimal treatment regimens based on the current literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Electronic searches were performed using MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane library to identify studies on prognostic factors in the management of sacral chordomas published between January 1970 and December 2013. The literature search and review process identified 100 articles that were included in the review article. This included both surgical and non-surgical studies on the management of sacral chordomas.

RESULTS

Sacrectomy with wide resection margins forms the mainstay of treatment but is associated with high risk of disease recurrence and reduced long-term survival. Adequate resection margins may require sacrifice of adjacent nerve roots, musculature and ligaments leading to functional compromise and mechanical instability. Large tumour size (greater than 5-10 cm in diameter), dedifferentiation and greater cephalad tumour extension are associated with increased risk of disease recurrence and reduced survival. Chordomas are poorly responsive to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Operative resection with wide resection margins offers the best long-term prognosis. Inadequate resection margins, large tumour size, dedifferentiation, and greater cephalad chordoma extension are associated with poor oncological outcomes. Routine long-term follow-up is essential to enable early detection and treatment of recurrent disease.

Revision cartilage cell transplantation for failed autologous chondrocyte transplantation in chronic osteochondral defects of the knee

The management of failed autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) for the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral defects in the knee represents a major challenge. Patients are young, active and usually unsuitable for prosthetic replacement. This study reports the results in patients who underwent revision cartilage transplantation of their original ACI/MACI graft for clinical or graft-related failure. We assessed 22 patients (12 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 37.4 years (18 to 48) at a mean of 5.4 years (1.3 to 10.9). The mean period between primary and revision grafting was 46.1 months (7 to 89). The mean defect size was 446.6 mm(2) (150 to 875) and they were located on 11 medial and two lateral femoral condyles, eight patellae and one trochlea. The mean modified Cincinnati knee score improved from 40.5 (16 to 77) pre-operatively to 64.9 (8 to 94) at their most recent review (p < 0.001). The visual analogue pain score improved from 6.1 (3 to 9) to 4.7 (0 to 10) (p = 0.042). A total of 14 patients (63%) reported an 'excellent' (n = 6) or 'good' (n = 8) clinical outcome, 5 'fair' and one 'poor' outcome. Two patients underwent patellofemoral joint replacement. This study demonstrates that revision cartilage transplantation after primary ACI and MACI can yield acceptable functional results and continue to preserve the joint.

In vivo roughening of retrieved total knee arthroplasty femoral components

BACKGROUND

Joint registry data highlights the higher rates of cumulative revision for younger patients undergoing TKR. One of the reasons associated with this higher revision rate may be due to the wear of the UHMWPE leading to loosening. Alternate bearing surfaces have been developed to address this problem; however, roughening of the metal bearing surface has not been demonstrated in vivo.

METHOD

We recorded roughness measurements of retrieved femoral components.

RESULTS

Average lateral condyle roughness was 0.032 μm, compared to control values of 0.020 μm, p=0.002; average medial condyle roughness was 0.028 μm, compared to a control value of 0.019, p<0.001.

CONCLUSION

There was a small but statistically significant roughening of femoral components in vivo compared to controls. This may have important implications for aseptic loosening of knee arthroplasty components and the decision to use scratch resistant components.

Identification of the biopsy track in musculoskeletal tumour surgery: a novel technique using India ink

Local recurrence along the biopsy track is a known complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of malignant musculoskeletal tumours. In order to completely excise the track with the tumour its identification is essential, but this becomes increasingly difficult over time. In an initial prospective study, 22 of 45 patients (48.8%) identified over a three-month period, treated by resection of a musculoskeletal tumour, had an unidentifiable biopsy site at operation, with identification statistically more difficult after 50 days. We therefore introduced the practice of marking the biopsy site with India ink. In all 55 patients undergoing this procedure, the biopsy track was identified pre-operatively (100%); this difference was statistically significant. We recommend this technique as a safe, easy and accurate means of ensuring adequate excision of the biopsy track.

Custom-made rotating hinge total knee replacement in a patient with congenital tibial deficiency avoids the need for amputation

We report a unique case of a patient with type 2 congenital tibial deficiency and disabling knee osteoarthritis in whom a custom-made rotating hinge knee replacement was successfully performed, allowing continued mobilisation with a below-knee prosthesis, thereby avoiding the need for an above-knee amputation. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level IV.

Custom rotating-hinge total knee replacement in patients with spina bifida and severe neuromuscular dysfunction

Spina bifida (SB) is a congenital disorder which may result in a number of musculoskeletal problems. Total knee replacement (TKR) in this patient group is technically demanding due to bone deformity, soft tissue contracture, muscle tone abnormality and ligament insufficiency. This is a retrospective review of three patients with SB and disabling knee arthritis who were managed with a custom rotating-hinge (RHK) total knee system. All patients reported an improvement in knee pain and stability at mean follow-up 47 months (43-53). Mean Oxford Knee score improved from 21 preoperatively to 32 at final follow-up. One patient required revision of tibial and patella components at 37 months for lateral patella instability and excessive wear. Custom RHK for patients with SB, severe neuromuscular dysfunction and bone deformity relieves pain, restores stability and improves early knee function; however there is a significant risk of extensor mechanism complications and functional outcome is worse than primary TKR in the general population.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for osteochondral lesions in the knee using a bilayer collagen membrane and bone graft: a two- to eight-year follow-up study

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is an established technique used to treat osteochondral lesions in the knee. For larger osteochondral lesions (> 5 cm(2)) deeper than approximately 8 mm we have combined the use of two MACI membranes with impaction grafting of the subchondral bone. We report our results of 14 patients who underwent the 'bilayer collagen membrane' technique (BCMT) with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (2 to 8). There were 12 men and two women with a mean age of 23.6 years (16 to 40). The mean size of the defect was 7.2 cm(2) (5.2 to 12 cm(2)) and were located on the medial (ten) or lateral (four) femoral condyles. The mean modified Cincinnati knee score improved from 45.1 (22 to 70) pre-operatively to 82.8 (34 to 98) at the most recent review (p < 0.05). The visual analogue pain score improved from 7.3 (4 to 10) to 1.7 (0 to 6) (p < 0.05). Twelve patients were considered to have a good or excellent clinical outcome. One graft failed at six years. The BCMT resulted in excellent functional results and durable repair of large and deep osteochondral lesions without a high incidence of graft-related complications.

The role of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the treatment of symptomatic chondromalacia patellae

PURPOSE

Chondromalacia patella is a distinct clinical entity of abnormal softening of the articular cartilage of the patella, which results in chronic retropatellar pain. Its aetiology is still unclear but the process is thought to be a due to trauma to superficial chondrocytes resulting in a proteolytic enzymic breakdown of the matrix. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte implantation on patients with a proven symptomatic retropatellar lesion who had at least one failed conventional marrow-stimulating therapy.

METHODS

We performed chondrocyte implantation on 48 patients: 25 received autologous chondrocyte implantation with a type I/III membrane (ACI-C) method (Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhusen, Switzerland), and 23 received the Matrix-assisted Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) technique (Genzyme, Kastrup, Denmark).

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up period of 40.3 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in subjective pain scoring using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and objective functional scores using the Modified Cincinnati Rating System (MCS) in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Chondromalacia patellae lesions responded well to chondrocyte implantation. Better results occurred with MACI than with ACI-C. Excellent and good results were achieved in 40% of ACI-C patients and 57% of MACI patients, but success of chondrocyte implantation was greater with medial/odd-facet lesions. Given that the MACI procedure is technically easier and less time consuming, we consider it to be useful for treating patients with symptomatic chondral defects secondary to chondromalacia patellae.

FREE FIBULAR GRAFT RECONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING RESECTION OF CHONDROSARCOMA IN THE FIRST METACARPAL

Chondrosarcoma is most frequently present in the pelvis and long bones and rarely seen in the bones of the hand. Traditionally the treatment of choice for involvment of the hand is ray amputation, however this causes significant functional deficit if there is thumb involvement. There are limited cases in literature of resection of thumb chondrosarcoma with restoration of function. We present a case of high grade chondrosarcoma of the first metacarpal treated with resection and free fibular graft reconstruction. We report excellent functional outcome with this procedure.

Deep soft tissue leiomyoma mimicking fibromatosis in a 5-year-old male

Leiomyomas of the deep soft tissue in the extremities of children are very rare. These benign soft tissue tumors occur more frequently in adults between the fourth and sixth decades of age. Women are more commonly affected than men, with the uterus the most common location. We present a rare case of deep soft tissue leiomyoma in the foot of a 5-year-old male. The tumor was misdiagnosed as a desmoid-type fibromatosis from the findings of both magnetic resonance imaging and needle biopsy. The unusual age of presentation, atypical location, and failure of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound-guided needle biopsy in diagnosing the lesion make the case interesting. The case also highlights the importance of treating such patients at specialist tertiary centers with a multidisciplinary setting.

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of bone: clinical management of a series of 22 cases

We describe 22 cases of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation, or Nora's lesion. These are surface-based osteocartilaginous lesions typically affecting the hands and feet. All patients were identified from the records of a regional bone tumour unit and were treated between 1985 and 2009. Nine lesions involved the metacarpals, seven the metatarsals, one originated from a sesamoid bone of the foot and five from long bones (radius, ulna, tibia, and femur in two). The mean age of the patients was 31.8 years (6 to 66), with 14 men and eight women. Diagnosis was based on the radiological and histological features. The initial surgical treatment was excision in 21 cases and amputation of a toe in one. The mean follow-up was for 32 months (12 to 162). Recurrence occurred in six patients (27.3%), with a mean time to recurrence of 49 months (10 to 120). Two of the eight patients with complete resection margins developed a recurrence (25.0%), compared with four of 14 with a marginal or incomplete resection (28.6%). Given the potential surgical morbidity inherent in resection, our data suggest that there may be a role for a relatively tissue-conserving approach to the excision of these lesions.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in the adolescent knee

BACKGROUND

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been shown to have favorable results in the treatment of symptomatic chondral and osteochondral lesions. However, there are few reports on the outcomes of this technique in adolescents.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess pain relief and functional outcome in adolescents undergoing ACI.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Thirty-five adolescent patients undergoing ACI or matrix-assisted chondrocyte implantation (MACI) were identified from a larger cohort. Four patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 31 patients (24 ACI, 7 MACI). The mean age was 16.3 years (range, 14-18 years) with a mean follow-up of 66.3 months (range, 12-126 months). There were 22 male and 9 female patients. All patients were symptomatic; 30 had isolated lesions and 1 had multiple lesions. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, the Bentley Functional Rating Score, and the Modified Cincinnati Rating System. At 1 year postoperatively, patients were recalled for a diagnostic biopsy, which was successfully attained in 21 patients.

RESULTS

The mean pain scores improved from 5 preoperatively to 1 postoperatively. The Bentley Functional Rating Score improved from 3 to 0, while the Modified Cincinnati Rating System improved from 48 preoperatively to 92 postoperatively with 84% of patients achieving excellent or good results. All postoperative scores exhibited significant improvement from preoperative scores. One patient underwent graft hypertrophy and 1 patient's graft failed and was revised. Biopsy results revealed hyaline cartilage in 24% of cases, mixed fibro/hyaline cartilage in 19%, and fibrocartilage in 57%.

CONCLUSION

Results show that, in this particular group who received ACI, patients experienced a reduction in pain and significant improvement in postoperative function after ACI or MACI. The authors believe that ACI is appropriate in the management of carefully selected adolescents with symptomatic chondral and osteochondral defects.

The use of massive endoprostheses for the treatment of bone metastases

Purpose. We report a series of 58 patients with metastatic bone disease treated with resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction over a five-year period at our institution. Introduction. The recent advances in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in cancer treatment have resulted in improved prognosis of patients with bone metastases. Most patients who have either an actual or impending pathological fracture should have operative stabilisation or reconstruction. Endoprosthetic reconstructions are indicated in patients with extensive bone loss, failed conventional reconstructions, and selected isolated metastases. Methods and Results. We identified all patients who were diagnosed with metastatic disease to bone between 1999 and 2003. One hundred and seventy-one patients were diagnosed with bone metastases. Metastatic breast and renal cancer accounted for 84 lesions (49%). Fifty-eight patients with isolated bone metastasis to the appendicular skeleton had an endoprosthetic reconstruction. There were 28 males and 30 females. Twelve patients had an endoprosthesis in the upper extremity and 46 patients had an endoprosthesis in the lower extremity. The mean age at presentation was 62 years (24 to 88). At the time of writing, 19 patients are still alive, 34 patients have died, and 5 have been lost to follow up. Patients were followed up and evaluated using the musculoskeletal society tumour score (MSTS) and the Toronto extremity salvage score (TESS). The mean MSTS was 73% (57% to 90%) and TESS was 71% (46% to 95%). Mean follow-up was 48.2 months (range 27 to 82 months) and patients died of disease at a mean of 22 months (2 to 51 months) from surgery. Complications included 5 superficial wound infections, 1 aseptic loosening, 4 dislocations, 1 subluxation, and 1 case, where the tibial component of a prosthesis rotated requiring open repositioning. Conclusions. We conclude that endoprosthetic replacement for the treatment of isolated bone metastases is a reliable method of limb reconstruction in selected cases. It is associated with low complication and failure rates in our series, and achieves the aims of restoring function, allowing early weight bearing and alleviating pain.