[Translated article] Less superior adjacent syndrome and lower reoperation rate. Medium- and long-term results of cervical arthroplasty versus anterior cervical arthrodesis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To compare medium- and long-term postoperative surgical results, especially the adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, and reoperation rate, of patients operated on with cervical arthroplasty or anterior cervical arthrodesis in published randomized clinical trials (RCTs), at one cervical level.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs were selected. The clinical, radiological and surgical results were analyzed, taking the adjacent syndrome rate and the reoperation rate as the primary objective of the study.

RESULTS

Two thousand nine hundred and sixty three patients were analyzed. The cervical arthroplasty group showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome (P<0.001), lower reoperation rate (P<0.001), less radicular pain (P=0.002), and a better score of neck disability index (P=0.02) and SF-36 physical component (P=0.01). No significant differences were found in the lower adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, neck pain scale, or SF-36 mental component. A range of motion of 7.91° was also found at final follow-up, and a heterotopic ossification rate of 9.67% in patients with cervical arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

In the medium and long-term follow-up, cervical arthroplasty showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome and a lower rate of reoperation. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of inferior adjacent syndrome or in the rate of adverse events.

Less superior adjacent syndrome and lower reoperation rate. Medium- and long-term results of cervical arthroplasty versus anterior cervical arthrodesis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To compare medium- and long-term postoperative surgical results, especially the adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, and reoperation rate, of patients operated on with cervical arthroplasty or anterior cervical arthrodesis in published randomized clinical trials (RCTs), at one cervical level.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs were selected. The clinical, radiological and surgical results were analyzed, taking the adjacent syndrome rate and the reoperation rate as the primary objective of the study.

RESULTS

Two thousand nine hundred and sixty three patients were analyzed. The cervical arthroplasty group showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome (P<0.001), lower reoperation rate (P<0.001), less radicular pain (P=0.002), and a better score of neck disability index (P=0.02) and SF-36 physical component (P=0.01). No significant differences were found in the lower adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, neck pain scale, or SF-36 mental component. A range of motion of 7.91 degrees was also found at final follow-up, and a heterotopic ossification rate of 9.67% in patients with cervical arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

In the medium and long-term follow-up, cervical arthroplasty showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome and a lower rate of reoperation. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of inferior adjacent syndrome or in the rate of adverse events.

[Translated article] Risk of venous thromboembolism in thromboprophylaxis between aspirin and low molecular weight heparins after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin versus low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were selected. The risk of VTE, DVT and PE were analysed. Mortality, risk of bleeding and surgical wound complications was also analysed.

RESULTS

248,461 patients were included. 176,406 patients with thromboprophylaxis with LMWH and 72,055 patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis. There were no significant differences in the risk of VTE (OR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.69-1.26; p=0.64), DVT (OR=0.72; 95% CI: 0.43-1.20; p=0.21) or PE (OR=1.13; 95% CI: 0.86-1.49; p=0.38) between both groups. No significant differences were found in mortality (p=0.30), bleeding (p=0.22), or complications in the surgical wound (p=0.85) between both groups. These same findings were found in the sub-analysis of only randomised clinical trials (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No increased risk of PE, DVT, or VTE was found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis. There was also no greater mortality, greater bleeding, or greater complications in the surgical wound found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a single or double row technique: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

To compare the double row technique versus the single row technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, in order to assess whether there are clinical differences.

METHODS

Systematic review of randomized clinical trials comparing the clinical results of the double-row technique versus the single-row technique in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were analyzed, including functional scores, tendon healing rate, and re-tear rate.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized clinical trials were selected. 437 patients in the single row group (50.7%) and 424 patients in the double row group (49.3%) were analyzed. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age (P=.84), sex (P=.23) and loss to follow-up (P=.52). Significant differences were found for the better results of the double row technique at the UCLA level (P=.01). No significant differences were found on the Constant-Murley scale (P=.87) or on the ASES scale (P=.56). Similarly, there was a higher healing rate (P=.006) and less risk of rotator cuff re-tears with the double row technique (P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS

In rotator cuff repair, the double row technique was found to be superior to the single row technique in terms of better UCLA score, better tendon healing rate, and lower re-tear rate. No clinically significant differences were found on the Constant-Murley scale or on the ASES scale.

Autonomy with responsibility ¿Is informed consent just a signature on a paper? Evaluation in patients who underwent spine's surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate the information that patients undergoing spine surgery truly receive and assimilate when they sign their informed consent documents.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study on patients who underwent spine arthrodesis or spine discectomy. Patients were given a full explanation of the surgical technique to be employed and its potential risks before they were included on the surgical waiting list. Before surgery, they were asked to sign an informed consent form. The studied variables included whether patients read the informed consent form, whether they recalled the surgical technique used or the spinal segment operated, whether they were aware of the surgical risks involved, and if they had looked for information about their procedure elsewhere. Answers were analyzed by age and educational level.

RESULTS

Of a total of 458 total patients, only 51.9% answered all the questions. Sixty-three percent of patients said they had read the informed consent document before surgery. Although 91.6% of patients were aware of the spine segment operated, only 73.5% remembered the surgical technique employed. A total of 63.9% of patients could recall the vertebral levels operated. 39.1% were not aware of the surgical risks involved, and only 16.0% of patients admitted having looked for additional information. A statistically significant correlation was found between the search for additional information and young age (p < 0.001) on the one hand, and high educational level on the other (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Even though obtaining informed consent is an important procedure before spinal surgery, almost 40% of the patients in this study underwent surgery without reading the informed consent document or being aware of the risks posed by the procedure.

Total hip arthroplasty associated with transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy and conical stem fixation in Crowe type IV hip dysplasia

PURPOSE

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in high-dislocated hip dysplasia is a surgical challenge, presenting difficulties in the biomechanical reconstruction of the hip. The purpose of the present study is to analyze clinical and radiological outcomes of a series of patients with Crowe type IV hip dysplasia who underwent a THA with transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy and conical stem fixation in our Hip surgery unit.

METHODS

This non-interventional retrospective study included all patients diagnosed with Crowe type IV hip dysplasia who underwent a THA using a subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy and uncemented conical stem fixation between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015. Demographic, clinical and radiologic data were analyzed, including Harris Hip Score and Oxford Hip Score.

RESULTS

Seventeen hips in 13 patients were included in the final analysis. All patients were women and mean age was 39 years (range 35-45). Mean follow-up was 5.6 years (range 1-8). Average length of the osteotomy was 3.4 cm (range 3-4.5) and mean lowering of the center of rotation was 5.67 cm (range 3.8-9.1). Mean time for bone union was 5.5 months. No nerve palsy or non-union was detected at the end of follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The use of cementless conical stem fixation associated with a transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy for treating Crowe type IV hip dysplasia permits to correct the rotational alterations of the femur and provides good stability of the osteotomy, with very low risk of nerve palsy and non-union rates.

Hypoalbuminemia increases the risk of failure following one-stage septic revision for periprosthetic joint infection

PURPOSE

Malnutrition is a potentially modifiable risk factor of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of nutritional status as a risk factor for failure after one- stage revision hip or knee arthroplasty for PJI.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-center, case-control study. Patients with PJI according to the 2018 International Consensus Meeting criteria were evaluated. Minimum follow-up was 4 years. Total lymphocyte count (TLC), albumin values, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, white blood cell (WBC) count and glucose levels were analyzed. An analysis was also made of the index of malnutrition. Malnutrition was defined as serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL and TLC < 1500/mm3. Septic failure was defined as the presence of local or systemic symptoms of infection and the need of further surgery as a result of persistent PJI.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between increased failure rates after a one-stage revision hip or knee arthroplasty for PJI and TLC, hemoglobin level, WBC count, glucose levels, or malnutrition. Albumin and C-reactive protein values were found to have a positive and significant relationship with failure (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified only hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL) (OR 5.64, 95% CI 1.26-25.18, p = 0.023) as a significant independent risk factor for failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the model yielded an area under the curve of 0.67.

CONCLUSION

TLC, hemoglobin; WBC count; glucose levels; and malnutrition, understood as the combination of albumin and TLC, were not found to be statically significant risk factors for failure after single-stage revision for PJI. However, albumin < 3.5 g/dL, alone was a statically significant risk factor for failure after single-stage revision for PJI. As hypoalbuminemia seems to influence the failure rate, it is advisable to measure albumin levels in preoperative workups.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in thromboprophylaxis between aspirin and low molecular weight heparins after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin versus low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were selected. The risk of VTE, DVT and PE were analyzed. Mortality, risk of bleeding and surgical wound complications was also analyzed.

RESULTS

248,461 patients were included. 176,406 patients with thromboprophylaxis with LMWH and 72,055 patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis. There were no significant differences in the risk of VTE (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.69-1.26; P = .64), DVT (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.43-1.20; P = .21) or PE (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.86-1.49; P = .38) between both groups. No significant differences were found in mortality (P = .30), bleeding (P = .22), or complications in the surgical wound (P = .85) between both groups. These same findings were found in the sub-analysis of only randomized clinical trials (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No increased risk of PE, DVT, or VTE was found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis. There was also no greater mortality, greater bleeding, or greater complications in the surgical wound found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis.

Local infiltration analgesia does not have benefits in fast-track hip arthroplasty programmes: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Multimodal analgesia regimes including local infiltration analgesia (LIA) have been successfully applied in fast-track hip arthroplasty programmes. LIA's contribution to the analgesic effect in hip arthroplasty has been questioned. Our study sought to determine the analgesic efficacy of LIA in THA surgery in a fast-track programme.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis scheduled for arthroplasty were randomised to receive LIA (120 ml ropivacaine 0.2% plus epinephrine 0.5 µ/ml) or saline as a part of a multimodal analgesia regime. The surgical team, the nursing staff, and patients were all blinded regarding patient allocation throughout the study. The primary outcome was pain assessed as a continuous variable using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the amount of analgesic rescue consumption, complications and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 63 patients were interviewed and agreed to participate in the study. No statistically significant differences were found between groups for pain measurements at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after surgery. There were also no differences in rescue medication consumption, complications, or length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest LIA (ropivacaine plus epinephrine, single shot) has no effect in pain management and has not shown benefits for early ambulation in primary THA surgery. Further research is needed to establish the optimal multimodal analgesia regime for THA fast-track programmes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03513276).

Outcomes of cervical arthroplasty versus anterior cervical arthrodesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials with a minimum follow-up of 7-year

PURPOSE

Compare the outcomes of randomized clinical trials of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF), with a minimum follow-up of 7 years.

METHODS

Nine randomized clinical trials were selected. The clinical, radiological, and surgical outcomes were analyzed, including functional and pain scores, range of motion, adjacent segment degeneration, adverse events, and need for reoperation.

RESULTS

2664 patients were included in the study. Pooled results indicated that the CDA group had a significantly higher overall success rate (p < 0.001), a higher improvement in the neck disability index (NDI) (p = 0.002), less VAS arm pain (p = 0.01), and better health questionnaire SF-36 physical component (p = 0.01) than ACDF group. Likewise, the pooled results indicated a significantly higher motion rate (p < 0.001), less adjacent syndrome (p < 0.05), and a lower percentage of reoperation (p < 0.001) in the CDA group. There were no significant differences between the CDA and ACDF groups in the neck pain scale (p = 0.11), the health questionnaire SF-36 mental component (p = 0.10), and in adverse events (p = 0.42).

CONCLUSION

In long-term follow-up, CDA showed a better overall success rate, better improvement in NDI, less VAS arm pain, better health questionnaire SF-36 physical component, a higher motion rate, less adjacent syndrome, and less reoperation rate than ACDF. No significant differences were found in the neck pain scale, SF-36 mental component, and in adverse events.

Is routine blood typing and screening necessary for degenerative cervical spine surgery patients in specialty surgical hospitals?

BACKGROUND

Blood loss warranting transfusion is a relatively rare requirement for degenerative cervical spine surgery. Despite this rarity, pretransfusion testing (blood typing, screening, and cross-matching) has become routine in most parts of the world. We sought to determine if such routine testing is necessary for patients who undergo degenerative cervical spine surgery patients in specialty surgical hospitals by (1) measuring the current rate of intraoperative transfusions in degenerative cervical spine surgery and (2) identifying risk factors for transfusions.

STUDY METHODS

Retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent degenerative cervical spine surgery in two institutions. Demographic and baseline clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed to identify predictors of transfusion. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify perioperative transfusion risk factors.

RESULTS

Overall transfusion rate was 1.9% (7/372), with no emergent transfusions. Decreases between preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit were 1.4 (SD 1.1) g/dL and 7.2 (SD 4.1) %, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression identified preoperative Hgb lower than 12 gr/dl (OR 27.62; 95% CI 4.31-176.96; p < 0.001) as significant independent transfusion risk factor. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the model showed a very good discriminatory power with an area under the curve of 0.91.

DISCUSSION

Our study suggests that pretransfusion testing for all patients undergoing degenerative cervical spine surgery is unnecessary. We recommend that only patients with preoperative Hgb lower than 12 gr/dl would routinely need pretransfusion testing.

Can we trust combined anteversion and Lewinnek safe zone to avoid hip prosthesis dislocation?

INTRODUCTION

Dislocation is one of the most common complications after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Combined anteversion (CA) is currently considered one of the most important measures of stability for THA. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the association between a correct CA after THA and hip prosthesis dislocation, and to analyze the reliability of the Lewinnek safe zone parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a non-interventional retrospective study, carried out at a tertiary hospital in Spain. 2489 primary THA in 2147 patients between January 2008 and December 2014 were identified. Clinical, biological and radiographic data, including cup inclination and cup and femoral anteversion, were analyzed of all patients who developed a hip prosthesis dislocation.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients met the eligibility criteria to be analyzed. In 73.5% (25/34) of cases, acetabular anteversion (AV) was correct, with a mean AV of 15.1° ± 9.4°. Femoral anteversion (FA) was considered correct only in 38.2% (13/34) of the dislocated THA, with a mean FA of 8.4° ± 17.2°. Sixteen of these 34 patients (47.0%) presented a correct CA, with a mean CA of 24.2° ± 21.0°. Nineteen hips (55.8%) were within the Lewinnek safe zone. Moreover, eleven patients (32.3%) developed a dislocation even though components were within the Lewinnek safe zone and presented a correct CA.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that even when the THA components are positioned within a correct CA and in the Lewinnek safe zone, hip prosthesis dislocations can occur in a not inconsiderable percentage of the cases. Thus, further radiological and clinical analysis should be done to identify potential reasons for hip prosthesis dislocation.

Nosocomial infection with SARS-CoV-2 and main outcomes after surgery within an orthopaedic surgery department in a tertiary trauma centre in Spain

Aims

The purpose of the present study is to analyse clinical data of a series of cases who developed nosocomial infection with SARS-CoV-2 in an orthopaedic and traumatology department.

Patients and methods

In this non-interventional retrospective study, carried out at a tertiary hospital within the Spanish National Health System, all adult patients who were admitted in the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Department between March 9th and May 4th, 2020, were included. Clinical, biological and radiological data, as well as mortality rates, were collected from hospital medical records.

Results

A total of 293 periods of hospitalization were analysed in 288 patients. Mean age was 66.1 years old and 57.3% were females. Nineteen patients (6.48%) met the inclusion criteria to be categorized as a nosocomial infection with SARS-CoV-2. In a comparison between patients with and without nosocomial infection, age, mortality and hospital length of stay were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The median time from admission to diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our cohort was 16 days (6–86 days). No statistically significant differences were found in sex, living situation, reason of admission or period of admission (even if we observed that most of the nosocomial infections (78.9%) occurred in March).

Conclusion

We have found a 6.48% of nosocomial infection with SARS-CoV-2, but with an important reduction of it after undergoing preventing protocols that included screening RT-PCR test for COVID-19. Age and hospital length stay were statistically significant risk factors for nosocomial infection with SARS-CoV-2. For the progressive restoration of the surgical activity, we recommend to correctly select the patients in elective surgery and to encourage fast-track programs and early discharge of patients with fractures.

Outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Peruvian Military Personnel Undertaking Training Activities in the Amazon Basin, 2010

Military personnel deployed to the Amazon Basin are at high risk for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). We responded to an outbreak among Peruvian Army personnel returning from short-term training in the Amazon, conducting active case detection, lesion sample collection, and risk factor assessment. The attack rate was 25% (76/303); the incubation period was 2-36 weeks (median = 8). Most cases had one lesion (66%), primarily ulcerative (49%), and in the legs (57%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (59/61 = 97%) and L. (V.) guyanensis (2/61 = 3%). Being male (risk ratio [RR] = 4.01; P = 0.034), not wearing long-sleeve clothes (RR = 1.71; P = 0.005), and sleeping in open rooms (RR = 1.80; P = 0.009) were associated with CL. Sodium stibogluconate therapy had a 41% cure rate, less than previously reported in Peru (~70%; P < 0.001). After emphasizing pre-deployment education and other basic prevention measures, trainees in the following year had lower incidence (1/278 = 0.4%; P < 0.001). Basic prevention can reduce CL risk in deployed militaries.

A FRET-based real-time PCR assay to identify the main causal agents of New World tegumentary leishmaniasis

In South America, various species of Leishmania are endemic and cause New World tegumentary leishmaniasis (NWTL). The correct identification of these species is critical for adequate clinical management and surveillance activities. We developed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and evaluated its diagnostic performance using 64 archived parasite isolates and 192 prospectively identified samples collected from individuals with suspected leishmaniasis enrolled at two reference clinics in Lima, Peru. The real-time PCR assay was able to detect a single parasite and provided unambiguous melting peaks for five Leishmania species of the Viannia subgenus that are highly prevalent in South America: L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) panamensis, L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (V.) peruviana and L. (V.) lainsoni. Using kinetoplastid DNA-based PCR as a gold standard, the real-time PCR had sensitivity and specificity values of 92% and 77%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of conventional tests such as microscopy, culture and the leishmanin skin test (LST). In addition, the real-time PCR identified 147 different clinical samples at the species level, providing an overall agreement of 100% when compared to multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data performed on a subset of these samples. Furthermore, the real-time PCR was three times faster and five times less expensive when compared to PCR - MLST for species identification from clinical specimens. In summary, this new assay represents a cost-effective and reliable alternative for the identification of the main species causing NWTL in South America.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease with more than two million new human infections annually worldwide. Tegumentary leishmaniasis, cutaneous and mucocutaneous, is mainly caused by five Leishmania species of the Viannia complex in South America. Different species can cause disease with similar symptoms but have dissimilar prognoses and may need different therapeutic regimens. Identification of Leishmania species traditionally relies on the multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) assay, but it can only be applied to culture-positive samples and takes at least six weeks of intense laboratory work. A reliable and rapid assay for species identification can be a valuable tool. Molecular assays are the fastest and most accurate way to identify the etiological agents causing leishmaniasis. This paper describes a novel real-time PCR assay for identification of the five main species that cause tegumentary leishmaniasis in the New World. The assay correctly identified each of these five species of Leishmania directly from clinical samples. Because of its reliability, speed and simplicity, this assay could be used for species identification in routine laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis in endemic regions.