Popliteal venotomy during posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the setting of a popliteal artery bypass graft

Tranexamic acid use in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is an effective and safe adjunct to improve visualization: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Although tranexamic acid (TXA) is being increasingly used in orthopedic arthroplasty and lower-extremity arthroscopic procedures, its use in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is less widely reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of TXA administration in ARCR.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to compare clinical outcomes in patients who underwent ARCR with or without TXA. Literature was retrieved using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase electronic databases. The primary outcome of this study was visual clarity. Secondary outcomes contained total operative time, postoperative pain score, amount of blood loss, shoulder swelling (change in shoulder circumference), volume of irrigation fluid, number of adjustments of the pump pressure for irrigation, and adverse cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

Seven studies (3 and 4 with level I and II evidence, respectively), which included 272 and 265 patients who underwent arthroscopy with and without TXA, respectively, met the eligibility criteria. Pooled analysis showed significant improvements in visual clarity (mean difference, 9.10%; 95% CI, 4.05-14.15; P = .0004) and total operative time (mean difference, -11.24 minute; 95% CI, -19.90 to -2.57) associated with perioperative TXA application. None of the trials reported adverse events and complications associated with TXA.

CONCLUSION

The best available evidence indicates that TXA administration could significantly improve arthroscopic visual clarity and effectively save operative time in ARCR without increasing the incidence of adverse events. Furthermore, the optimal dose, route, and timing of TXA application in ARCR surgery remains to be validated by future high-level evidence studies.

Scoping review of complications associated with epinephrine use in arthroscopy fluid

Purpose: To identify if addition of epinephrine to irrigation fluid can result in any intra-operative or post-operative complications. It was hypothesized that significant adverse events would be identified with the use of epinephrine in arthroscopic fluid.Methodology: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines (Appendix 2), an electronic database search was conducted, from inception to February 2019 including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CENTRAL, and Scopus (MeSH search). All English-language studies that addressed complications associated with arthroscopic use of epinephrine were included. Defined outcome measures were any reported intra- or post-operative adverse events secondary to epinephrine use. Data collection included: patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical intervention, epinephrine concentration in irrigation fluid, reported complications, and details of the associated clinical prodrome.Results: Three hundred and ninety-three abstracts were screened with 22 studies identified and reviewed in detail. Of these seven case reports and four randomized trials met the inclusion criteria (1999-2017). The case reports encompassed nine patients (seven females and two males) with an average age of 38.8 years (range 19 to 52 y). Five had shoulder arthroscopies, two had knee scopes and two had hip scopes. A pattern of reported complications was noted in all reports in association with epinephrine including hypertension, tachycardia with or without evolving arrhythmia and/or pulmonary edema. One patient died. Of the four randomized trials, three did not report any adverse events in relation to epinephrine with one trial associating epinephrine to the occurrence of hypotensive bradycardic events in the setting of shoulder arthroscopy in the beach-chair position.Conclusion: While a causal association cannot be established, Anesthetists and Orthopedic Surgeons should be aware of the noted pattern of symptoms in patients undergoing epinephrine-assisted arthroscopy.Clinical relevance: While the incidence of epinephrine-related complications is rare, this review raises awareness to the pattern of reported symptoms, as it could help with identification and treatment should this rare complication be encountered.

Four-Tunnel Double-Bundle Anatomical Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Without Remnant Preservation

Double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction has long been attempted to obtain better clinical results than single-bundle PCL reconstruction. In most previous reports regarding double-bundle PCL reconstruction, one tibial tunnel and various kinds of grafts were used. We introduce a two-tibial tunnel, double-bundle PCL reconstruction technique with ultra-strong grafts. The critical points of this technique are proper creation of the tibial tunnels and the protection of the posterior neurovascular structures. Our clinical experience indicates this technique can lead to satisfactory stable outcomes. We believe that this technique will provide a reasonable choice for PCL reconstruction without remnant preservation.

Evolving evidence in the treatment of primary and recurrent posterior cruciate ligament injuries, part 2: surgical techniques, outcomes and rehabilitation

Isolated and combined posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are associated with severe limitations in daily, professional, and sports activities as well as with devastating long-term effects for the knee joint. As the number of primary and recurrent PCL injuries increases, so does the body of literature, with high-quality evidence evolving in recent years. However, the debate about the ideal treatment approach such as; operative vs. non-operative; single-bundle vs. double-bundle reconstruction; transtibial vs. tibial inlay technique, continues. Ultimately, the goal in the treatment of PCL injuries is restoring native knee kinematics and preventing residual posterior and combined rotatory knee laxity through an individualized approach. Certain demographic, anatomical, and surgical risk factors for failures in operative treatment have been identified. Failures after PCL reconstruction are increasing, confronting the treating surgeon with challenges including the need for revision PCL reconstruction. Part 2 of the evidence-based update on the management of primary and recurrent PCL injuries will summarize the outcomes of operative and non-operative treatment including indications, surgical techniques, complications, and risk factors for recurrent PCL deficiency. This paper aims to support surgeons in decision-making for the treatment of PCL injuries by systematically evaluating underlying risk factors, thus preventing postoperative complications and recurrent knee laxity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Epinephrine in irrigation fluid for visual clarity in arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate whether epinephrine in irrigation fluid improves visual clarity in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the surgical outcomes of patients who did and did not receive epinephrine during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase for relevant RCTs. We used the Cochrane Collaboration's tool to assess the risk of bias and adopted random-effects model meta-analysis to combine data. We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to evaluate the overall quality of the body of the retrieved evidence. The primary outcome was visual clarity. The secondary outcomes were operative time, amount of irrigation fluid, the need for increased pump pressure, and adverse cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

This study included three RCTs with a total of 238 participants (124 in the epinephrine group and 114 in the non-epinephrine group). The use of epinephrine in irrigation fluid for shoulder arthroscopy achieved better visual clarity (standardized mean difference, 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to 1.39; p < 0.0001) and less need for increased pump pressure (risk ratio, 0.40; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.64; p = 0.0001) compared to the non-epinephrine group. No significant differences were noted in operative time (mean difference - 5.08; 95% CI - 14.46 to 4.31; p = 0.29) and amount of irrigation fluid (mean difference - 1.04; 95% CI - 2.38 to 0.39; p = 0.12) between the two groups. No adverse events were recorded in any of the included trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence shows that the use of epinephrine in arthroscopic shoulder surgery may improve visualization and does not appear to have any major disadvantages.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I.

Major vascular injuries complicating knee arthroscopy

Starting with a case report, we made a detailed review of the literature, with the purpose of identifying and analyzing the type of iatrogenic vascular lesion following knee arthroscopy and the method of vascular repair. A PubMed literature search was undertaken to locate all reported cases of major vascular iatrogenic injuries during arthroscopic knee procedures. We identified 39 papers which report a total of 62 cases of major iatrogenic popliteal lesions after knee arthroscopy, between 1985 and 2014. The type of arthroscopic intervention performed, the type of iatrogenic vascular lesion encountered, the time passed until its discovery and treatment, the method of vascular reconstruction, and the postoperative course are presented. Postarthroscopy vascular complications are infrequent but potentially disastrous for the condition of the affected inferior limb. An early diagnosis and reintervention are mandatory for a good postoperative outcome.

Popliteal artery injury during posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This study reports a case of popliteal artery injury during arthroscopic reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament. The evolution of the injury is described and comments are made regarding the anatomy of this artery and potential risks of this surgical technique. This study had the aims of alerting the medical community, especially knee surgeons, regarding a severe surgical complication and discussing the ways of preventing it.

Surgeon-rated visualization in shoulder arthroscopy: a randomized blinded controlled trial comparing irrigation fluid with and without epinephrine

PURPOSE

The objective of the current study was to compare surgeon-rated visualization in shoulder arthroscopy using irrigation fluid with and without epinephrine.

METHODS

Eighty-three patients were randomized to receive irrigation fluid with (44 patients) or without (39 patients) epinephrine during their arthroscopic shoulder procedures. After each procedure, the blinded senior author (G.F.C.) evaluated visualization based on a visual analog scale (VAS), and all clinically important procedure variables were recorded.

RESULTS

Eighty-three arthroscopic shoulder procedures were included in the study. Fifty-four of these procedures were arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, allowing a subset analysis of this specific procedure. There was a significant difference, with improved visualization in the epinephrine group versus the group without epinephrine when comparing all procedures (P < .0001) and when comparing only rotator cuff repairs (P < .0001). However, there was no statistical difference in other clinically important variables, including operative time and amount of irrigation fluid used.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of epinephrine to irrigation fluid significantly improves surgeon-rated visualization in shoulder arthroscopy. Without an observed significant difference in operative time or volume of irrigation fluid used, the clinical significance of this improved visualization is unclear, and the use of irrigation fluid without epinephrine remains a viable option in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, high-quality randomized controlled trial with statistically significant difference.

A simple method to minimize vascular lesion of the popliteal artery by guidewire during transtibial posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a cadaveric study

PURPOSE

To compare the outside-in transtibial lateral and medial approaches for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction regarding the guidewires and popliteal artery integrity.

METHODS

Twenty-two human cadaveric knees were used. A PCL tibial aimer was arthroscopically placed within the PCL footprint through the anteromedial portal for the medial approach and through the anterolateral portal for the lateral approach. For the medial approach, the drill guide was introduced through the anteromedial tibial cortex and the guidewire was advanced with the reamer beyond the posterior tibial cortex. For the lateral approach, the drill guide was introduced through the anterolateral tibial cortex and the guidewire was advanced with the reamer beyond the posterior tibial cortex. After this, the knee was dissected. The depth distance (DD) was defined as the distance between the popliteal artery and the tibial posterior cortex projected at the tibial level at which the guidewire intersected or passed by the artery. The guidewire travel distance was calculated as the distance the guidewire had to advance beyond the tibial cortex to intersect the popliteal artery or pass by it.

RESULTS

With the medial approach, the popliteal artery was intersected in all knees with a mean DD of 12.20 mm and a mean guidewire travel distance of 15.90 mm. With the lateral approach, the popliteal artery was not intersected in any knee; its mean medial distance from the artery was 4.8 mm at a DD of 10.05 mm. There was a significant difference in the popliteal artery intersection incidence and DD between both groups (P < .0001 and P = .0003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The transtibial lateral approach for PCL reconstruction was a safer method than the medial approach regarding popliteal artery injury by a guidewire.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study presents a slight modification of the most frequently used PCL reconstruction technique, intending to minimize guidewire injury to the popliteal artery.

Popliteal pseudoaneurysm after arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This report presents the case of a 30-year-old motocross (BMX) cyclist with a third-degree posterior cruciate ligament rupture. The technique used for reconstruction was the transtibial single-bundle autologous hamstring technique. Unfortunately, the procedure was complicated by a popliteal pseudoaneurysm, which was located in line with the tibial canal. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with an end-to-end anastomosis and the patient recovered without further complaints. In this case, the popliteal artery was damaged most probably by the edge of the reamer or the guide wire during removal. Vascular complications can be limb- and life-threatening. This case report aims to increase the awareness of this serious complication with a review of the literature.

Delayed compartment syndrome of leg and foot due to rupture of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm following posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction carries some risk of complications, including injury to the neurovascular structures at the popliteal region. We describe a delayed presentation of the right leg and foot compartment syndrome following rupture of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm, which presented 9 days after an arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstructive surgery. Fasciotomy, surgical exploration, repair of an injured popliteal vein and revascularisation of the popliteal artery with autogenous great saphenous vein interposition graft were performed. Owing to the close proximity of vessels to the tibial tunnel, special care should be taken in patients who undergo arthroscopic PCL reconstruction, especially if there is extensive scarring of the posterior capsule following previous injury. Emergency fasciotomy should not be delayed and is justified when the diagnosis of compartment syndrome is clinically made.