Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures: a comparison of the deltoid split and deltopectoral approaches

INTRODUCTION

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a common treatment for three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures. RSA is commonly performed through a deltopectoral (DP) surgical approach; however, a deltoid split (DS) approach has been described. The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing RSA for proximal humerus fractures through a DP and DS approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients who underwent RSA for proximal humerus fractures at our level 1 trauma center was performed. Patients were evaluated at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Intraoperative outcomes as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed. Postoperative complications, reoperation rates, and radiographic outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included in the DP group and 13 patients in the DS group. The average follow-up was 28.6 months in the DP group and 21.1 months in the DS group. There were no significant differences in patient demographics or injury characteristics. Operative time was significantly shorter in the DS group (103 min) compared to the DP group (123 min). Tuberosity repair was performed in 81.3% of patients in the DP group and 92.3% of patients in the DS group. No significant differences were found in PROMs at final follow-up. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications. Three patients in the DP group and one patient in the DS group required reoperation. Lastly, 81.8% of patients achieved tuberosity union in the DS group and 66.7% in the DP group; however, this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that RSA for proximal humerus fractures performed through a DS or DP approach may result in similar intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, with no difference in reoperation or complication rates.

Patients of Obese Representation Require Longer Operative Times: An Evaluation of Acetabular and Pelvic Ring Operative Duration

Recent literature has determined that operative times for the obese population are greater for both elective and nonelective orthopedic procedures. If time allotted for a given surgical procedure is used as a measure of procedural difficulty, then consideration can be given for using an additional coding modifier (i.e., Modifier 22) for the increased skill and effort associated with longer procedures. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent surgical treatment for an acute fracture about the pelvis at an urban level-1 trauma center from October 1, 2010 through October 31, 2018. After allowing for both inclusion and exclusion criteria, 102 patients with acetabular fractures and 55 patients with pelvic ring injuries were included in this investigation. The obese population within the acetabular fracture cohort demonstrated significantly longer mean times for the duration of surgery, total time in spent in the operating room, and duration under anesthesia (P values of 0.038, 0.05 and 0.035, respectively). Similar results were observed with the pelvic ring injury cohort, with significantly longer procedural times (P = 0.019), total time in the operating room (P = 0.034), and total duration under anesthesia (P = 0.0395). A trend towards a greater risk of infection was found in obese patients (7%) when compared with nonobese patients (1.6%) within the acetabular fracture subset (P = 0.093). Operative duration for acetabular fractures and pelvic ring injuries is significantly longer in the obese population. Furthermore, this indicates that a Modifier 22 may be justified for the surgical treatment of these injuries in the obese and morbidly obese patient populations.

Venothromboembolism following shoulder arthroscopy: a systematic review

Background

Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) following orthopedic surgery may lead to serious morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, VTEs following upper extremity procedures are uncommon. However, the true incidence is likely underreported. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review, excluding large database studies, to report on the incidence of VTEs following shoulder arthroscopic procedures.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, a systematic review of multiple databases was performed. A comprehensive search of several databases from inception to September 1, 2021, limited to English language and excluding animal studies, was designed and conducted. Studies were screened by 2 independent reviewers. A decision to exclude studies from large surgical or insurance claim databases was made to minimize the risk of including overlapping data points in this systematic review.

Results

Thirteen studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria and form part of this systematic review. A total of 32,407 patients were included in this study. Among these patients, the deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and overall VTE rates were 0.15%, 0.08%, and 0.21%, respectively. Among the patients specified to have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, the rate of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and overall VTE was 0.71%, 0.37%, and 1.04%, respectively.

Conclusion

While symptomatic VTEs are rare following shoulder arthroscopic procedures, surgeons must be aware that they still account for a certain number of postoperative complications. Factors such as operative time, open procedures, obesity, and altitude may increase the risk of postoperative VTE although conflicting data exist. Current literature supports the idea that chemical antithrombotic prophylaxis likely provides no significant advantage over early mobilization in reducing VTEs following shoulder arthroscopy in low-risk patients.

Preemptive multimodal analgesia and post-operative pain outcomes in total hip and total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Use of multimodal analgesia (MMA) prior to orthopedic surgery has been adopted by many practitioners as a strategy to minimize use of opioid medications. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the effect of a preemptive three-drug regimen (acetaminophen, celecoxib, and gabapentin) in terms of post-operative opioid consumption and pain control in the field of total joint arthroplasty.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 1691 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and stratified by whether they received a preemptive three medication analgesic therapy (acetaminophen, celecoxib, and gabapentin) within 30 to 60 min prior to entering the operating room. Post-operative opioid consumption as well as subjectively reported patient pain scores were assessed throughout their hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 1416 eligible patients were identified with 485 undergoing THA and 931 undergoing TKA. Statistically significant reductions in oral morphine equivalents were shown on post-operative day zero and two within the TKA cohort, and non-significant reductions were demonstrated in other intervals for both procedure types. Statistically significant reductions in patient reported pain scores were shown in nearly every time interval in both procedure types.

CONCLUSION

The receipt of preemptive acetaminophen, celecoxib, and gabapentin 30-60 min prior to total joint arthroplasty demonstrated modest reductions in opioid requirements post-operatively. Patients receiving preemptive MMA reported lower pain scores throughout nearly every time interval during their admission after surgery. Further investigations are warranted regarding optimal preoperative medication therapies to promote adequate post-operative pain control-and ultimately diminished opioid consumption-in the setting of total joint arthroplasty.

Increased length of stay following total joint arthroplasty based on insurance type

BACKGROUND

Increased length of stay after total joint arthroplasty has been shown to be a risk factor for peri-operative complications. The purpose of this study was to determine if Medicaid insurance would be a risk factor for increased length of stay after total joint arthroplasty.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon's practice of 428 total hip and total knee arthroplasties who had insurance status of Medicaid, Medicare, Private or none. After exclusion criteria there were 400 patients. Patients with insurance status of Medicaid, Medicare or Private were then compared based on length of stay ≤ 2 days and length of stay > 2 days and then further analyzed using demographic, operative data, and total length of stay.

RESULTS

Medicaid patients had an increased length of stay compared to patients with Medicare or Private insurance [1.98 days versus 1.73 days, p = .037, 95% confidence intervals (1.78-2.18) and (1.61-1.85), respectively]. The greatest predictor of a less than two-night stay post-operatively was private insurance status (p = 0.001). Medicaid patients had a higher incidence of prescribed narcotic use pre-operatively (p = 0.013). Although not significant, a trend was noted in the Medicaid population with higher incidence of smoking (p = 0.094) and illicit drug abuse (p = 0.099) pre-operatively in this sample subset.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with Medicaid insurance undergoing total joint arthroplasty have increased length of stay compared to patients with Medicare or Private insurance and have higher incidence of pre-operative narcotic use.

Cartilage Plating in Flail Chest Fixation

INTRODUCTION

Operative stabilization of flail chest has been shown to have several benefits over nonoperative management. Often, flail chest injuries will involve the anterior ribs and their associated costal cartilage. In certain cases, operative fixation with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of anterior rib fractures involving the costal cartilage may be warranted. Currently, there is scant literature regarding the surgical approach and clinical outcomes of ORIF involving the costal cartilage. The purpose of this study is to describe the surgical approach and first reported clinical series for patients undergoing anterior rib ORIF involving the costal cartilage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, a retrospective case series was performed at a single urban level 1 trauma center including patients 18 years of age or older who underwent ORIF of anterior rib fractures involving the costal cartilage. All surgical approaches were performed with muscle-sparing techniques. Patients were followed during their hospitalization period and postoperatively as routinely scheduled. Data collection including patient demographics, injury characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty patients, with a mean age of 54.4 years, were included in this study. All patients had a flail chest injury and were treated with ORIF on average 4.1 days following injury. There were no intraoperative complications reported. Total hospital length of stay averaged 22.8 days with an intensive care unit stay averaging 6.1 days; total ventilator time averaged 5.2 days. Six patients were diagnosed with postoperative pneumonia and no postoperative superficial infections, deep infections, or seromas were noted. Eight patients required tracheostomy postoperatively. Only 1 patient had evidence of radiographic malunion, and a separate patient had evidence of screw loosening; no patients required or requested implant removal. Union rate was 100% and one-year mortality was 0%.

CONCLUSION

Open reduction and internal fixation of anterior rib fractures involving the costal cartilage is a safe procedure with low complication rates and favorable postoperative outcomes including hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, postoperative pneumonia, need for tracheostomy, and mechanical ventilation time.

Primary Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation of the Knee Versus Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation After Failed Marrow Stimulation: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Marrow stimulation (MST) surgery, which includes microfracture, subchondral drilling, and abrasion arthroplasty, and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) are 2 surgical options to treat articular cartilage lesions in the knee joint. Recent studies have suggested worse outcomes when ACI is used after failed MST.

PURPOSE

To investigate the failure rates and clinical outcomes of primary knee ACI versus ACI after failed MST surgery (secondary ACI).

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies evaluating clinical outcomes of patients undergoing primary versus secondary ACI of the knee joint. The search terms used were as follows: "knee" AND ("autologous chondrocyte implantation" OR "osteochondral allograft") AND (microfracture OR "marrow stimulation"). Patients undergoing primary ACI (group A) were compared with those undergoing secondary ACI (group B) based on treatment failure rates and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

RESULTS

Seven studies (2 level 2 studies, 5 level 3 studies) were identified and met inclusion criteria, including a total of 1335 patients (group A: n = 838; group B: n = 497). The average patient age in all studies was 34.2 years, and the average lesion size was 5.43 cm². Treatment failure occurred in 14.0% of patients in group A and 27.6% of patients in group B (P < .00001). Four studies reported PROs. One study found significantly better Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee scores (P = .011), visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores (P = .028), and VAS function scores (P = .005) in group A. Another study found significantly better Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Pain scores (P = .034), KOOS Activities of Daily Living scores (P = .024), VAS pain scores (P = .014), and VAS function scores (P = .032) in group A. Two studies found no significant difference in PROs between groups A and B (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Patient-reported improvement can be expected in patients undergoing primary or secondary ACI of the knee joint. Patients undergoing secondary ACI have a significantly higher risk of treatment failure and may have worse subjective outcomes compared with patients undergoing primary ACI.

Isolated Volar Dislocation of the Distal Radioulnar Joint Treated With Successful Closed Reduction

We report the case of A 34-year-old right-hand-dominant male who presented with an isolated left volar dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) without any associated fractures. The patient had sustained the injury in an altercation in the evening prior to the presentation and had woken up the next morning with left wrist pain and restricted wrist motion. Closed reduction was successful under conscious sedation and the patient was treated conservatively with splint immobilization without needing operative intervention.

This report highlights a rare injury pattern - an isolated volar DRUJ dislocation - that was successfully closed reduced, despite reports that this injury pattern frequently requires open reduction.

Far posterior rib plating: Preliminary results of a retrospective case series

INTRODUCTION

Far posterior, or paraspinal rib fractures, defined as fractures that are medial to the medial border of the scapula (and may involve the costovertebral articulation), are often treated nonoperatively. However, in certain cases, including severe displacement, persistent pain, nonunion, or persistent respiratory distress, stabilization with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) may be warranted. There is a paucity of literature regarding the surgical approach and clinical outcomes following ORIF for far posterior rib fractures and fracture-dislocations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the surgical approach and to report the first collection of clinical outcomes for patients undergoing paraspinal rib ORIF.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective case series was performed at a single urban level 1 trauma center. Patients 18 years of age or older who underwent ORIF of far posterior rib fractures were included in this study. Far posterior rib fractures were defined as fractures that occurred medial to the medial border of the scapula underneath the paraspinal musculature. Data collection including patient demographics, injury characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients, with a mean age of 50.7 years, who underwent paraspinal rib ORIF were included in this study. The mean follow-up was 12.1 months. 80.8% of patients had a flail chest injury. On average, 3.4 ribs were instrumented posteriorly with 22.8% of patients requiring fixation spanning the costotransverse articulation. No intraoperative complications occurred. Only one patient required a repeat procedure. Total hospital length of stay averaged 17.3 days with an intensive care unit stay averaging 6.2 days. Total ventilator time averaged 4 days. 7 patients were diagnosed with postoperative pneumonia and 6 patients required tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION

Open reduction and internal fixation for far posterior, or paraspinal rib fractures and fracture-dislocations is a safe procedure with low complications rates and favorable postoperative outcomes including hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, need for tracheostomy, postoperative pneumonia, and mechanical ventilation time.

The Effect of Obesity on Operative Time and Postoperative Complications for Peritrochanteric Femur Fractures

Introduction The high prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States presents significant challenges to orthopedic surgeons. Obesity has been shown to increase operative time and complications in both elective and nonelective orthopedic surgeries. Despite this, there is a lack of literature evaluating the effect obesity has on operative time and postoperative complications following peritrochanteric fracture surgery. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent isolated operative stabilization of a peritrochanteric femur fracture at our urban level one trauma center between 2010 and 2018. Patients were divided into an obese group, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2, and a nonobese group, as defined by a BMI less than 30 kg/m2. Operative timing variables including time to surgery, operative time, total operating room (OR) time, anesthesia time, and fluoroscopy time were collected. Postoperative variables evaluated including the presence of a major postoperative complication within 90 days of surgery, the need for repeat surgery within 90 days, and the need for surgery due to an infection within 90 days were collected. Results A total of 175 patients were included in this retrospective review. Thirty-seven patients were included in the obese group, and 138 were included in the nonobese group. Obesity was associated with a significantly (p = 0.002) longer operative time, total OR time (p = 0.0001), anesthesia time (p = 0.00006), and fluoroscopy time (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in postoperative variables between the obese and nonobese group. The 90-day major postoperative complication rate was 10.8% in the obese group and 10.9% in the nonobese group. Both repeat surgery and surgery for infection within 90 days were 2.7% in the obese group and 1.4% in the nonobese group. Conclusion The treatment of peritrochanteric femur fractures in obese patients is associated with a significantly longer operative time, total OR time, anesthesia time, and fluoroscopy time, but no difference in major postoperative complications when compared to nonobese patients.

Sex-Based Differences in Recurrence Rates Following Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Systematic Review

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effect that sex has on recurrence of anterior shoulder instability following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization.

Methods

A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies reporting recurrence rates following arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Patient demographics as well as preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative findings, including patient-reported outcomes and recurrence rates, were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Recurrence was defined as an episode of dislocation, subluxation or instability following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Study methodological quality was evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS). Risk bias was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS score). Descriptive statistics are presented.

Results

Ten studies (1 Level I, 1 Level II, 5 Level III, and 3 Level IV), including a total of 7,102 patients with primary traumatic and/or recurrent traumatic shoulder instability without previous procedures who underwent primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization, were included (mean follow-up, 34.6 months; mean age, 25.4 years). There was a total of 5,097 males (71.8%) and 2,005 females (28.2%). There was a higher recurrence rate in males (6%-37%) compared to females (0-32%). Clinical outcomes were inconsistently reported, so no quantitative analysis of clinical outcomes or return-to-sport between sexes was possible. The average MCMS of all 10 studies was 76.8 ± 8.0, indicating good methodology.

Conclusions

Males may have higher recurrence rates than females following primary arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization; however, the heterogeneity of the included studies precludes any definitive conclusions.

Level of evidence

IV, Systematic Review of Level I-IV.

Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autografts for Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses

Background:

Previous meta-analyses have compared bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) with hamstring tendon (HT) autografts for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose:

To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing BPTB with HT autografts for ACLR to determine which meta-analyses provide the best available evidence.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Search words included “anterior cruciate ligament” AND “patellar tendon” AND “hamstring tendon” AND “meta-analysis.” Results were reviewed to determine study eligibility. Patient outcomes and postoperative complications were extracted from the included meta-analyses. Meta-analysis quality was assessed using the Oxman-Guyatt and Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) scores. The Jadad decision algorithm was then utilized to determine which meta-analyses provided the best level of evidence.

Results:

Sixteen meta-analyses containing an average of 1396 patients met the eligibility criteria. Most studies found BPTB autografts to provide superior stability but more postoperative complications, such as anterior knee pain and kneeling pain. Studies by Gabler et al (2016), Mohtadi et al (2011), and Xie et al (2015) received the highest Oxman-Guyatt and QUOROM scores, and therefore, these meta-analyses proved to provide the highest level of evidence. Additionally, Xie et al was selected as the highest-quality study in this systematic review based on the Jadad decision algorithm.

Conclusion:

The current best evidence suggests that ACLR with BPTB autografts provides superior static knee stability and that there are fewer postoperative complications in ACLR with HT autografts.

Early Versus Delayed Motion After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Previous meta-analyses have been conducted to compare outcomes of early versus delayed motion after rotator cuff repair.

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing early versus delayed motion rehabilitation protocols after rotator cuff repair to determine which meta-analyses provide the best available evidence.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Search terms included "rotator cuff repair," "early passive motion," "immobilization," "rehabilitation protocol," and "meta-analysis." Results were reviewed to determine study eligibility. Patient outcomes and structural healing were extracted from these meta-analyses. Meta-analysis quality was assessed using the Oxman-Guyatt and Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) systems. The Jadad decision algorithm was then used to determine which meta-analyses provided the best level of evidence.

RESULTS

Seven meta-analyses containing a total of 5896 patients met the eligibility criteria (1 Level I evidence, 4 Level II evidence, 2 Level III evidence). None of these meta-analyses found immobilization to be superior to early motion; however, most studies suggested that early motion would increase range of motion (ROM), thereby reducing time of recovery. Three of these studies suggested that tear size contributed to the choice of rehabilitation to ensure proper healing of the shoulder. A study by Chan et al in 2014 received the highest QUOROM and Oxman-Guyatt scores, and therefore this meta-analysis appeared to have the highest level of evidence. Additionally, a study by Riboh and Garrigues in 2014 was selected as the highest quality study in this systematic review according to the Jadad decision algorithm.

CONCLUSION

The current, best available evidence suggests that early motion improves ROM after rotator cuff repair but increases the risk of rotator cuff retear. Lower quality meta-analyses indicate that tear size may provide a better strategy in determining the correct rehabilitation protocol.

Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation in the Knee: A Systematic Review of Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes

Background:

Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) is a surgical treatment option for articular cartilage lesions of the knee joint.

Purpose:

To investigate mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of MACT in the patellofemoral (PF) and tibiofemoral (TF) joints.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to find studies evaluating minimum 5-year clinical outcomes of patients undergoing MACT in the knee joint. Search terms used were knee, matrix, and autologous chondrocyte. Patients were evaluated based on treatment failure rates, magnetic resonance imaging, and subjective outcome scores. Study methodology was assessed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS).

Results:

Ten studies (two level 1, one level 2, one level 3, and six level 4 evidence) were identified that met inclusion and exclusion criteria, for a total of 442 TF patients and 136 PF patients. Treatment failure occurred in 9.7% of all patients, including 4.7% of PF patients and 12.4% of TF patients (P = .037). Weighted averages of subjective outcome scores, including Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Short Form–36 Health Survey, and Tegner scores, improved from baseline to latest follow-up in both TF and PF patients. The mean MCMS was found to be 57.4, with a standard deviation of 18.5.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing MACT in the knee show favorable mid- to long-term clinical outcomes. A significantly higher treatment failure rate was found in patients undergoing MACT in the TF joint compared with the PF joint.