Risk of malnutrition in orthopedic trauma patients with surgical site infections is associated with increased morbidity and mortality - a 3-year follow-up study

Evaluating the Impact of Nutritional Risk on Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia and Trauma Patient Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) and malnutrition are common in trauma patients and are linked to worse outcomes. This study examined the influence of nutritional status, determined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), on the incidence of SIH in trauma patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on adult trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center from 1 January 2009 to December 31, 2021. Patients were categorized into four groups: SIH, diabetic hyperglycemia (DH), diabetic normoglycemia (DN), and non-diabetic normoglycemia (NDN). Nutritional status was assessed using GNRI: high risk (GNRI < 82), moderate risk (82 ≤ GNRI < 92), low risk (92 ≤ GNRI ≤ 98), and no risk (GNRI > 98). Incidence of SIH and outcomes were analyzed across GNRI groups.

RESULTS

SIH was associated with higher mortality across all GNRI groups compared to NDN, with the highest rate (45.7%) in the high-risk group. Mortality decreased as GNRI increased in all glucose groups. NDN patients had the lowest mortality rates across GNRI groups. There was no correlation between GNRI and SIH incidence (p = 0.259).

CONCLUSION

SIH significantly influenced mortality across all nutritional status groups, with the highest impact in malnourished patients. Although malnutrition did not affect SIH incidence, both SIH and poor nutritional status independently contributed to worse trauma outcomes. Targeted management of hyperglycemia and nutritional deficiencies is crucial for improving survival.

Predictive Energy Equations Inaccurately Estimate Metabolic Demands of Older Adult Trauma Patients

INTRODUCTION

Suboptimal nutrition promotes unfavorable outcomes in trauma patients, particularly among those aged 60 and over. While many institutions employ predictive energy equations to determine patients' energy requirements, mounting evidence shows these equations inaccurately estimate caloric needs. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we sought to quantify the discrepancy between predictive equations and indirect calorimetry (IC)-the gold standard for determining energy requirements-in the older adult trauma population.

METHODS

This is a nested cohort study within a pilot randomized control trial in which 32 older adult trauma patients were randomized 3:1 to receive IC-guided nutrition delivery versus standard of care. IC requirements of patients in the intervention arm were compared to Mifflin St. Jeor (MSJ), Harris-Benedict (HB), and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition-Society of Critical Care Medicine (ASPEN-SCCM) predictive energy equations.

RESULTS

Twenty patients underwent IC to assess measured resting energy expenditure (mREE), yielding a mean (standard deviation) mREE of 23.1 ± 4.8 kcal/kg/d. MSJ and HB gave mean predictive resting energy expenditures of 17.5 ± 2.0 and 18.5 ± 2.0 kcal/kg/d in these patients, demonstrating that IC-derived values were 32.1% and 25.0% higher, respectively. When patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI), MSJ, and HB more severely underestimated caloric requirements in individuals with BMI <30 versus BMI 30-50. While the mean mREE fell within the mean predictive resting energy expenditure range prescribed by ASPEN-SCCM equations (21.4 ± 4.1 to 26.2 ± 4.3 kcal/kg/d), individuals' IC-derived values fell within their personal range in 8 of 20 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSJ and HB predictive energy equations consistently and significantly underpredict metabolic demands of older adult trauma patients compared to IC and perform worse in lower BMI individuals. ASPEN-SCCM equations frequently overpredict or underpredict resting energy expenditure. While these findings should be confirmed in a larger randomized control trial, this study suggests that institutions should prioritize IC to accurately identify the metabolic demands of older trauma patients.

Surgical site infection following fasciotomy in patients with acute forearm compartment syndrome: a retrospective analysis of risk factors

PURPOSE

Fasciotomy, a standard therapy for acute forearm compartment syndrome (AFCS), can prevent serious complications, but there may be significant postoperative consequences. Surgical site infection (SSI) may cause fever, discomfort, and potentially fatal sepsis. This study aimed to identify risk factors for SSI in AFCS patients who had undergone fasciotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with AFCS who had fasciotomies between November 2013 and January 2021 were recruited. We collected demographic information, comorbidities, and admission laboratory results. Analyses of continuous data were conducted using the t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis, while analyses of categorical data were conducted using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Sixteen AFCS patients (13.9%) suffered infections that need further therapy. Using the logistic regression analysis, we identified that patients with a history of diabetes (p = 0.028, OR = 16.353, 95% CI (1.357, 197.001)), open fractures (p = 0.026, OR = 5.239, 95% CI (1.223, 22.438)), and a higher level of TC (p = 0.004, OR = 4.871, 95% CI (1.654-14.350)) were the best predictors of SSI, while ALB levels (p = 0.004, OR = 0.776, 95% CI (0.653-0.924)) were protective for SSI in AFCS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that open fractures, diabetes, and TC levels were relevent risk factors for SSI following fasciotomy in patients with AFCS, allowing us to personalize the risk assessment and apply early targeted interventions.

Effects of malnutrition on outcomes of patients with femoral head osteonecrosis undergoing total hip arthroplasty: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of malnutrition on in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODS

This population-based retrospective study extracted data of patients undergoing THA for ONFH in the US National Inpatient Sample between 2005 and 2018. Factors associated with in-hospital mortality, medical and surgical complications, unfavorable discharge, and prolonged hospital stay were determined by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 72,304 adults ≥18 years old with nontraumatic ONFH admitted for primary THA were included. Malnutrition was detected in 7152 (9.9%) patients using validated discharge codes. In-hospital mortality was 0.8% vs 0.1% for patients who were malnourished vs nonmalnourished. After adjusting for confounders, malnutrition was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.67; 95% CI, 2.43-8.97), medical complications (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.32-1.68), surgical complications (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.61-1.96), unfavorable discharge (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.39), and prolonged hospital stay (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.67-2.16) compared with adequate nutrition. Malnutrition was also associated with higher total hospital costs (adjusted β = $9620; 95% CI, 7.87-11.36). Furthermore, the association between malnutrition, any medical or surgical complications, and unfavorable discharge was stronger in patients younger than 50 years than those ≥50 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

In US patients undergoing primary THA for ONFH, malnutrition increases the risk of unfavorable in-hospital outcomes. This patient subgroup may require special attention and better strategies to improve perioperative care.

Assessment of Nutrition Status and Its Effect on Outcomes in Patients With Limb Injuries Using the Subjective Global Assessment as a Screening Tool

Background Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is a significant problem. This study aimed to assess the utility of the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in predicting the association between serum biomarkers and malnutrition in patients with limb injuries as well as the impact of malnutrition on clinical and radiological bone healing. Methodology This prospective study included 93 patients with limb injuries. Basic demographic details, serum biomarker levels, nutritional status assessed using the SGA, and the correlation of the Radiological Union Shaft Tibia (RUST) score with nutrition status were assessed along with the secondary outcomes. Results According to the SGA, patients were classified into Group A (well-nourished), Group B (moderately malnourished), and Group C (severely malnourished). Serum biomarkers (albumin, hemoglobin, platelets, and total leucocyte count) were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B + C (p < 0.0001). The nutritional status of patients from admission up to six months in Group A was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) compared to Group B + C. The radiological healing according to the RUST score had a negative correlation with C-reactive protein and a positive correlation with various parameters at six months. Conclusions The serum biomarker levels and the clinical and radiological bone healing, as measured by the RUST scoring system, showed a positive correlation with the nutritional status of the patients. Malnutrition significantly increases the chance of developing complications such as wound infection, decubitus, and infected implants.

The modified 5-item frailty index determines the length of hospital stay and accompanies with mortality rate in patients with bone and implant-associated infections after trauma and orthopedic surgery

BACKGROUND

Bone and implant-associated infections are severe complications after trauma and orthopedic surgery. The modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5) is an easily applicable score to predict adverse outcome after surgery. The current literature regarding mFI-5 is focused on a period of 30-days postoperative.

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the impact of frailty in orthopedic trauma patients with bone and implant-associated infections. mFI-5 was calculated from a database, which prospectively collects data about factors potentially correlated with peri- and postoperative complications since 2014.

METHODS

In a level I trauma center a total of 345 patients with surgical site infections were enrolled in this study. Hereof, patients with fracture-related infections after osteosynthesis, periprosthetic joint infections of the hip and knee and post-operative osteomyelitis were included. Extensive medical baseline examination was performed in 2013/14, a three-year follow-up was organized as a telephone interview. The mFI-5 score was calculated based on the 5 factor-principle as established by Subramaniam. The nutritional status was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002).

RESULTS

130 patients were included, whereof seven had died, resulting in 123 patients. A grouping of our patients was performed in mFI-5 = 0 (n = 46; 36,4%), mFI-5 = 1 (n = 41; 33,3%) or mFI-5 ≥ 2 (n = 36; 29,3%). Sex distribution showed 69,1% male and 30,9% female patients. Frailty did neither impact on the re-admission (p = 0,433) nor the reoperation (p = 0,327) rate in our cohort. The mortality risk nearly doubled (1,7 times) in frail patients, but did not reach significance. In hospital stay was prolonged due to frailty (12,1 ± 11,8; p = 0,004) compared to those with a mFI-5 = 0 (5,9 ± 5,1) or mFI-5 = 1 (6,9 ± 5,9). Frailty goes along with a risk of malnutrition and increases with age.

CONCLUSION

The modified 5-item frailty index is not a suitable screening tool for predicting revision rate, re-admission rate, and mortality in our orthopedic trauma patient population with bone and implant-associated infections. Nevertheless, frailty is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition and increases with age.

Surgical site infection in upper extremity fracture: Incidence and prognostic risk factors

Upper extremity fractures (UEF) occurred in about 0.67% of males and females at some point in their lifetime. Surgical treatment has the advantage of good functional recovery, however, the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) affects the clinical outcome of operation. Currently, there are few studies focused on SSI of UEF. Consecutive patients with UEF and underwent surgeries from January 2010 to February 2021 were recruited. Demographic data, surgical related variables and laboratory test index of these patients were extracted and collected from the electronic medical records and picture archiving and communication system by well-trained investigators. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to detect the optimum cut-off value for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors of SSI. In total, 286 patients with a mean age of 44.4 ± 16.6 years were identified for inclusion, 59.8% patients diagnosed with fracture of radius and ulna and 40.2% fractures located in the humerus, closed and open fractures were occurred in 252 and 34 adult patients respectively. 7.3% UEF patients were encountered with SSI, incidence of superficial and deep infection was 6.3% and 1.0%. Open fracture (OR, 8.33; P, .000), operation time longer than 122 minutes (OR, 3.12; P, .036), intraoperative blood loss more than 135 mL (OR, 3.98; P, .009) and albumin (ALB) lower than 40.8 g/L (OR, 3.60; P, .015) were demonstrated as independent risk factors of SSI. Adequate preoperative evaluation, careful intraoperative manipulation, and timely and appropriate postoperative interventions should be formulated to reduce the incidence of SSI in patients with the above perioperative high-risk factors.

Empirical Analysis of the Nursing Effect of Intelligent Medical Internet of Things in Postoperative Osteoarthritis

In order to analyze the effect of postoperative nursing for bones and joints, this paper combines the intelligent medical Internet of Things technology to construct a postoperative nursing system for bones and joints and conducts research on postoperative nursing methods for bones and joints. Moreover, this paper realizes the integration of "voice data + video data + software data" and the integration of "wired network + RFID sensor network + WIFI wireless network." In this paper, this paper constructs an intelligent medical IoT nursing analysis system, combines actual cases to analyze the effect of postoperative nursing of bones and joints, and selects an intelligent IoT system and statistical software SPSS23.0 to complete statistical processing.

Which Factors Predict 30-Day Readmission After Total Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery?

Background

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services enacted the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program to impose penalties for diagnoses with high readmission rates. Despite several elective orthopedic procedures being included in this program, readmission rates have not declined, and associated costs have reached critical levels for total knee and total hip arthroplasty. Readmissions drastically impact patient outcomes. There are many known contributors to patient readmission rates, including infection, pain, and hematomas. However, evidence is inconclusive regarding other aspects, such as demographics, insurance, and discharge disposition. The purpose of this manuscript is to 1) measure hospital readmission rates for total knee and total hip arthroplasty, 2) evaluate the causes of readmissions, and 3) provide a predictive profile of risk factors associated with hospital readmissions.

Methods

Patients who underwent total knee or total hip arthroplasty were identified through a retrospective database review. An electronic chart review extracted data concerning patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical information, 30-day outcomes, and reasons for 30-day readmissions. Continuous and categorical variables were assessed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the Chi-square test, respectively.

Results

A total of 6,065 patients were included, with 269 (4.4%) having at least one surgery-related 30-day readmission. No differences in readmission were noted with age, sex, or ethnicity; however, differences were found in weight and body mass index. Statistically significant comorbidities were heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dialysis, and alcohol use or abuse.

Conclusion

Our research indicated that surgery type, length of stay, and heart failure most significantly impacted 30-day readmission rates. By assessing readmission rates, we can take steps to optimize care for non-elective surgeries that will improve patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Erhöhtes Alter, kardiovaskuläre Nebenerkrankungen, COPD und Diabetes mellitus bedingen eine Übersterblichkeit in der septischen Unfallchirurgie

Hintergrund Die konstante Überalterung der Bevölkerung in Deutschland führt u.a. zu einer Zunahme des durchschnittlichen Alters hospitalisierter Patienten. Hiermit einher gehen eine reduzierte physiologische Reserve und ein reduzierter körpereigener Abwehrmechanismus und folglich eine gesteigerte Infekt- und Komplikationsanfälligkeit. Die Altersentwicklung der septischen Unfallchirurgie ist im Vergleich zur Unfallchirurgie wenig erforscht. Zudem ist der Einfluss des Alters, verschiedener Vorerkrankungen, aber auch der des Alkohol- und Nikotinkonsums auf die Mortalität in der septischen Unfallchirurgie unzureichend untersucht.

Methode 2014/15 (Exam1) wurden 345 Patienten der septischen Unfallchirurgie in die Studie eingeschlossen. 2017/18 (Exam2) erfolgte das 3-Jahres-Follow-up. Die Befragungen (Exam1 und 2) umfassten demografische Parameter, Nebenerkrankungen, die Medikamenteneinnahme, Alkohol- und Nikotinkonsum sowie verschiedene Parameter zur Morbidität. Hieraus wurde das Sterberisiko in der septischen Unfallchirurgie in Abhängigkeit von den verschiedenen Risikofaktoren (Alter, Nebenerkrankungen, Medikamenteneinnahme und Noxen) berechnet. Zudem wurde die Entwicklung des Patientenalters in der Unfallchirurgie sowie speziell in der septischen Unfallchirurgie zwischen 2010 und 2019 ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse 2014/15 (Exam1) wurden 345 Patienten in die Studie eingeschlossen. Hiervon konnten 2017/18 274 (79,4%) telefonisch erreicht werden. 36 (10,4%) lehnten eine Nachbefragung ab. 20 (8,4%) der 238 verbleibenden Probanden waren bereits verstorben, 218 (63,2%) nahmen erneut teil. Zwischen 2010 (n = 492) und 2019 (n = 885) nahm die Patientenzahl der septischen Unfallchirurgie in unserer Abteilung um 79,9% zu, wobei besonders der Anteil der unter 65-Jährigen anstieg. Ab dem 60. Lebensjahr stieg die Sterbewahrscheinlichkeit (60. Lj: 0,0377 vs. 70. Lj: 0,1395) sprunghaft an; wobei in der septischen Unfallchirurgie die eines 60-Jährigen der Sterbewahrscheinlichkeit eines 80-Jährigen der Normalbevölkerung entsprach. Nikotin- (p = 0,93) und Alkoholkonsum (p = 0,344) zeigten keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Sterblichkeit, während kardiale Vorerkrankungen (p = 0,01), die COPD (p = 0,01), der Diabetes mellitus (p = 0,05) und die pAVK (p = 0,01) mit einer signifikant erhöhten Sterblichkeit einhergingen.

Schlussfolgerung Das Alter, kardiale Vorerkrankungen, aber auch die COPD, der Diabetes mellitus und die periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit gehen mit einer signifikant erhöhten Sterblichkeit in der septischen Unfallchirurgie einher. Eine exponentielle Zunahme des Sterblichkeitsrisikos besteht zwischen dem 50. und 60. Lebensjahr, wobei das Risiko zu versterben eines 60-jährigen Patienten der septischen Unfallchirurgie dem eines 80-jährigen aus der Normalbevölkerung entspricht.

Clinical Research of Orthopedic Trauma Based on Computer 3D Image Analysis

In order to improve the clinical research effect of orthopedic trauma, this paper applies computer 3D image analysis technology to the clinical research of orthopedic trauma and proposes the BOS technology based on FFT phase extraction. The background image in this technique is a "cosine blob" background image. Moreover, this technology uses the FFT phase extraction method to process this background image to extract the image point displacement. The BOS technology based on FFT phase extraction does not need to select a diagnostic window. Finally, this paper combines computer 3D image analysis technology to build an intelligent system. According to the experimental research results, the clinical analysis system of orthopedic trauma based on computer 3D image analysis proposed in this paper can play an important role in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic trauma and improve the diagnosis and treatment effect of orthopedic trauma.

The risk factors and predictive nomogram of human albumin infusion during the perioperative period of posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a study based on 2015-2020 data from a local hospital

BACKGROUND

Perioperative hypoalbuminemia of the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) can increase the risk of infection of the incision site, and it is challenging to accurately predict perioperative hypoproteinemia. The objective of this study was to create a clinical predictive nomogram and validate its accuracy by finding the independent risk factors for perioperative hypoalbuminemia of PLIF.

METHODS

The patients who underwent PLIF at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and December 2020 were selected in this study. Besides, variables such as age, gender, BMI, current and past medical history, indications for surgery, surgery-related information, and results of preoperative blood routine tests were also collected from each patient. These patients were divided into injection group and non-injection group according to whether they were injected with human albumin. And they were also divided into training group and validation group, with the ratio of 4:1. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training group to find the independent risk factors. The nomogram was developed based on these independent predictors. In addition, the area under the curve (AUC), the calibration curve and the decision curve analysis (DCA) were drawn in the training and validation groups to evaluate the prediction, calibration and clinical validity of the model. Finally, the nomograms in the training and validation groups and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of each independent risk factor were drawn to analyze the performance of this model.

RESULTS

A total of 2482 patients who met our criteria were recruited in this study and 256 (10.31%) patients were injected with human albumin perioperatively. There were 1985 people in the training group and 497 in the validation group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed 5 independent risk factors, including old age, accompanying T2DM, level of preoperative albumin, amount of intraoperative blood loss and fusion stage. We drew nomograms. The AUC of the nomograms in the training group and the validation group were 0.807, 95% CI 0.774-0.840 and 0.859, 95% CI 0.797-0.920, respectively. The calibration curve shows consistency between the prediction and observation results. DCA showed a high net benefit from using nomograms to predict the risk of perioperative injection of human albumin. The AUCs of nomograms in the training and the validation groups were significantly higher than those of five independent risk factors mentioned above (P < 0.001), suggesting that the model is strongly predictive.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative low protein, operative stage ≥ 3, a relatively large amount of intraoperative blood loss, old age and history of diabetes were independent predictors of albumin infusion after PLIF. A predictive model for the risk of albumin injection during the perioperative period of PLIF was created using the above 5 predictors, and then validated. The model can be used to assess the risk of albumin injection in patients during the perioperative period of PLIF. The model is highly predictive, so it can be clinically applied to reduce the incidence of perioperative hypoalbuminemia.

Chylous retroperitoneum following 720 degree anteroposterior-combined corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity with split vertebral fracture subluxation: a case report

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical case report.

PURPOSE

To report the rare case with post-operative chylous retroperitoneum after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity.

METHODS

We present a case of a 73-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease. She sustained a severe split fracture subluxation of the L3 vertebra with AO Spine Thoracolumbar classification type CN2M2, resulting in severe kyphoscoliosis in global alignment. She underwent a two-stage 720-degree anteroposterior-combined corrective surgery with anterior vertebral column resection of L3 and posterior fusion from T4 to the pelvis. On post-operative day 1, milky fluid in the drainage tube was noted, which was diagnosed as post-operative chylous retroperitoneum.

RESULTS

Oral intake was discontinued immediately and peripheral parenteral nutrition was started. A low-fat, high-protein diet was started on post-operative day 4, and drainage was removed on day 6. A low-fat diet was continued until 3 months post-operatively, with dietary counselling by a nutritionist. The chylous retroperitoneum resolved without recurrence at the final follow-up evaluation at 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Surgeons should recognize this rare complication, which might be induced by direct damage to the lymphatic flow during an operative maneuver anterior to the lumbar vertebral body and indirect damage due to shearing force during correction of a subluxated vertebra, especially in cases with a severe deformity.