Utilizing reamer irrigator aspirator (RIA) autograft for opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: A new surgical technique and report of three cases

Corrective Osteotomies in Severe Non-Idiopathic Lower Limb Alignment Disorders in the Aspect of Future Joint Endoprosthesis-A Perspective Study

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of corrective osteotomies in lower limb axis disorders at different levels of non-idiopathic (post traumatic, developmental, post-septic) etiology. A total of 50 patients were divided into three groups: A-thigh segment alignment disorder (24 patients); B-tibia segment alignment disorder (18 patients); C-thigh and tibia segment alignment disorder (8 patients). Radiological evaluation of digital lower limb postural X-ray was performed laterally and for AP, and included mLPFA, mLDFA, MAD, CORA coronal and sagittal plane parameters for the femur segment and mMPTA, mLDTA, MAD, CORA coronal and sagittal plane for the tibia segment. Clinical assessment was based on the LLFI. The mean follow-up was 55.8 months (12-86). Improvements in the radiological parameters and statistical significance were achieved for all measurements in all groups (p < 0.05). The most common plane of deformation was the coronal plane (varus/valgus), followed by the transverse (rotational) and sagittal planes (procurvatum/recurvatum). In this study, we examined 29 post-traumatic deformities and 21 other etiologies. Improvements in the LLFI score performance after corrective osteotomies were observed in all three groups. Corrective osteotomies are a safe and useful but challenging method of preserving joints in cases of post-traumatic, developmental or post-septic lower limb alignment disorders.

Complications associated using the reamer-irrigator -aspirator (RIA) system: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Complications associated with the application of the Reamer-irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) system are described in the literature. However, to date a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess prevalence of complications associated with the use of the RIA system have not been conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021269982). MEDLINE, the Web of Science Core Collection, and Embase were searched from the inception to 10 August 2021. The primary objective was to assess complications and blood loss associated with the use of the RIA system.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies involving 1834 procedures performed with the RIA system were finally included. A total of 105 complications were reported, with a pooled estimated overall prevalence of 1.7% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.40 to 3.60, with cortex perforation being the largest reported complication with a total of 34 incidences. A significant subgroup difference was observed (p = 0.02). In subgroup 1 (bone graft harvesting), complication prevalence was 1.4% (95% CI 0.2-3.4); in subgroup 2 (clearance intramedullary canal) it was 0.7% (95% CI 0.00-6.30) and in subgroup 3 (reaming with RIA system prior to nail fixation) 11.9% (95% CI 1.80-26.40). No statistically significant difference for tibia and femur as RIA system application site was observed (CI 0.69-4.19). In studies reporting blood loss, a mean volume of 803.29 ml, a mean drop of hemoglobin of 3.74 g/dl and a necessity of blood transfusion in 9.72% of the patients were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate a low overall prevalence rate of complications associated with the RIA system. However, especially the risk of cortical perforation and the frequently reported relevant intraoperative blood loss are complications that should be anticipated in perioperative management and ultimately considered when using the RIA system.

The challenges of a comprehensive surgical approach to Blount's disease

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a surgical technique that aims to address the multi-planar deformities occurring in early onset Blount's disease.

METHODS

Seven patients (eight lower limbs) with early onset Blount's disease were treated with a surgical technique that used an external fixator to simultaneously address all aspects of deformity. Presenting radiographic parameters including mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and medial plateau angle (MPA) were compared with final follow-up and the unaffected limb. Data was also collected on surgical complications and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

After a mean interval of 4.6 years (2.2 to 9), the MAD of the affected limb improved from 4.85 cm to 1.88 cm, MPTA from 43.58° to 75.46° and MPA from 43.41° to 20.71°. The mean time in the external fixator was 5.6 months (3.5 to 10.4). Recurrence was noted in three patients; two had evidence of nerve injury and one patient had premature fibular consolidation.

CONCLUSION

The surgical technique described in this study has attempted to address the complex multiaxial deformity that is encountered in Blount's disease. It identifies difficulties and limitations in developing a comprehensive surgical protocol and highlights complications associated with this approach.

Extended applications of the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) system

While the RIA system was initially designed for reaming and clearing the femoral canal contents in preparation for femoral nailing, it has since been used in various other applications in the field of orthopaedic surgery. The RIA is an ideal device for accessing large quantities of autogenous bone graft, to be used in the treatment of nonunions, segmental bone loss, or arthrodesis. The RIA has also been used for treatment of intramedullary infections and osteomyelitis, as well as intramedullary nailing of long bones with metastatic lesions, as it allows for clearing the canal of infectious/tumour burden, and lowers the risk of dissemination into the soft tissues and systemic circulation. There is also some limited evidence that the RIA may be used for clearing the femoral/tibial canal of cement debris. Despite multiple applications, the use of RIA has a risk of eccentric reaming and iatrogenic fractures. RIA is also a costly procedure, and its routine use may not be advantageous in the setting of limited health care resources.

High tibial osteotomy

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a widely accepted and performed procedure to treat medial knee arthrosis. The aim of this review is to evaluate the different surgical options in medial knee arthrosis, focusing on indications, patient's selection, long-term follow-up and survival analysis of HTO. Comparison and pooling of results are challenging because of different evaluation systems, small cohort number, and different surgical techniques. No differences have been described between opening and closing wedged HTO in terms of outcomes. Excellent early survivorship and good clinical outcomes were reported also with concomitant procedures. Correct indications, preoperative workup/planning, and technique selection are essential in achieving good results. The choice between opening and closing wedge osteotomy, graft selection in opening wedge HTO, comparison between HTO and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, and the results of revised HTO to total knee replacement are currently under debate and will be discussed in the present review.