Diagnostic utility of different types of somatosensory evoked potential changes in pediatric idiopathic scoliosis correction surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring and types of SSEP changes in predicting the risk of postoperative neurological outcomes during correction surgery for idiopathic scoliosis (IS) in the pediatric age group (≤ 21 years).

METHODS

Database review was performed to identify literature on pediatric patients with IS who underwent correction with intraoperative neuromonitoring. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of transient and persistent SSEP changes and complete SSEP loss in predicting postoperative neurological deficits were calculated.

RESULTS

Final analysis included 3778 patients. SSEP changes had a sensitivity of 72.9%, specificity of 96.8%, and DOR of 102.3, while SSEP loss had a sensitivity of 41.8%, specificity of 99.3%, and DOR of 133.2 for predicting new neurologic deficits. Transient and persistent SSEP changes had specificities of 96.8% and 99.1%, and DORs of 16.6 and 59, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative SSEP monitoring can predict perioperative neurological injury and improve surgical outcomes in pediatric scoliosis fusion surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Preoperative factors associated with 180°, 270°, and 360° labral tears

BACKGROUND

Large, circumferential glenoid labral tears are an uncommon injury affecting young, athletic patients. There are limited data describing the clinical presentation of patients with larger tears, especially 270° and 360° labral tears. Additionally, examination and imaging findings have poor reliability in diagnosing these tears. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical presentation among patients presenting with small (less than 180°), medium (180°-270°), and large (270°-360°) labral tears.

METHODS

This is a retrospective comparative study of consecutive patients surgically managed by a single shoulder surgeon for all glenoid labral tears from 2018-2022. The primary outcome was demographic and preoperative clinical risk factors. Demographic data including age, sex, hand dominance, body mass index, as well as clinical presentation (subluxation vs. dislocation, instability history, and participation in contact sports) were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 188 patients met the inclusion criteria: 101 of 188 (53.70%) patients with small tears, 43 of 188 (22.90%) patients with medium tears, and 44 of 188 (23.40%) patients with large tears. Individuals with large and medium-sized labral tears were more likely to have participated in contact sports compared to those with smaller labral tears (P = .003). Medium and smaller tears were more likely to present as dominant-side injury (P = .02). Furthermore, medium and large tears were more likely to present with anterior instability symptoms compared with smaller tears, which more frequently presented with posterior instability and pain (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Males participating in contact sports were the most common demographic population presenting with large, 270°-360° labral tears. Instability was the primary complaint rather than pain, and compared with small tears, medium and large tears were more likely to present with primary anterior instability. Although arthroscopic repair of 270°-360° labral tears can yield excellent clinical outcomes similar to smaller tears, identifying factors associated with larger glenoid labral tears may help in surgical planning and patient counseling.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis with restricted preoperative forward elevation demonstrates similar outcomes but faster range of motion recovery compared to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been increasingly utilized for a variety of shoulder pathologies that are difficult to treat with anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Few studies have compared the outcomes of TSA vs. RSA in patients with cuff intact glenohumeral osteoarthritis and poor preoperative forward elevation. This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in functional outcomes and postoperative range of motion (ROM) between TSA and RSA in these patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 116 patients who underwent RSA or TSA between 2013 and 2022 for the treatment of rotator cuff intact primary osteoarthritis with restricted preoperative forward flexion (FF) and a minimum 1-year follow-up. Each arthroplasty group was divided into 2 subgroups: patients with preoperative FF between 91° and 120° or FF lower than or equal to 90°. Patients' clinical outcomes, including active ROM, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale for pain, and subjective shoulder value were collected. Clinical and radiographic complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between RSA and TSA in terms of sex (58.3% male vs. 62.2% male, P = .692), or follow-up duration (20.1 months vs. 17.7 months, P = .230). However, the RSA cohort was significantly older (72.0 ± 8.2 vs. 65.4 ± 10.6, P = .012) and weaker in FF and (ER) before surgery (P < .001). There was no difference between RSA (57 patients) and TSA (59 patients) in visual analog scale pain score (1.2 ± 2.3 vs. 1.3 ± 2.3, P = .925), subjective shoulder value score (90 ± 15 vs. 90 ± 15, P = .859), or American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (78.4 ± 20.5 vs. 82.1 ± 23.2, P = .476). Postoperative active ROM was statistically similar between RSA and TSA cohorts in FF (145 ± 26 vs. 146 ± 23, P = .728) and ER (39 ± 15 vs. 41 ± 15, P = .584). However, internal rotation was lower in the RSA cohort (P < .001). This was also true in each subgroup. RSA led to faster postoperative FF and ER achievement at 3 months (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between cohorts.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis who have a structurally intact rotator cuff but limited preoperative forward elevation can achieve predictable clinical improvement in pain, ROM, and function after either TSA or RSA. Reverse arthroplasty may be a reliable treatment option in patients at risk for developing rotator cuff failure.

The Effect of Timing Between Traumatic Flexor Tendon Injury of the Hand and Surgical Intervention on Repair Failure Rates

Flexor tendon injuries of the hand, especially in zone II, pose a challenge for hand surgeons because of the region's intricate pulley mechanism and local avascularity, and post-surgical complications such as repair failure are not uncommon. One proposed predictor of outcomes following flexor tendon repair has been timing of surgery from initial injury. However, the effect of the timing of flexor tendon repair on failure rates remains controversial and understudied. The purpose of this study was to compare the failure rates of zone II flexor tendon repairs in patients at various time intervals from onset of injury. A retrospective chart review was conducted using data from hand surgery specialists at our level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2010, through May 31, 2020. This retrospective review included 407 zone II flexor tendon repairs. The primary outcome was failure of repair. Among 407 flexor tendon repairs, there were 12 reported repair failures. The failure rate was 2.9%. In the non-failure group, the mean number of days between the date of injury and the date of surgery was 7±13 days. For the failure group, this value was 14±17 days. Repairs occurring within 14 days had a failure rate of 2.3%, while repairs occurring beyond 14 days had a failure rate of 7.7%. This study demonstrates that there is a benefit to repairing the tendon within a 14-day window, as evidenced by a lower failure rate. More research is required to determine if other complications and overall health of the hand are also improved when a repair is performed in a more expedient manner. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):113-117.].

Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram Outperforms Standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2 Weeks After First Shoulder Dislocation for Labral Tear Diagnosis

PURPOSE

To determine the comparative accuracy and precision of routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus magnetic resonance (MR) arthrogram in measuring labral tear size as a function of time from a shoulder dislocation.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent primary arthroscopic stabilization between 2012 and 2021 in a single academic center. All patients completed a preoperative MRI or MR arthrogram of the shoulder within 60 days of injury and subsequently underwent arthroscopic repair within 6 months of imaging. Intraoperative labral tear size and location were used as standards for comparison. Three musculoskeletal radiologists independently interpreted tear extent using a clock-face convention. Accuracy and precision of MR labral tear measurements were defined based on location and size of the tear, respectively. Accuracy and precision were compared between MRI and MR arthrogram as a function of time from dislocation.

RESULTS

In total, 32 MRIs and 65 MR arthrograms (total n = 97) were assessed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that intraoperative tear size, early imaging, and arthrogram status were associated with increased MR accuracy and precision (P < .05). Ordering surgeons preferred arthrogram for delayed imaging (P = .018). For routine MRI, error in accuracy increased by 3.4° per day and error in precision increased by 2.3° per day (P < .001) from time of injury. MR arthrogram, however, was not temporally influenced. Significant loss of accuracy and precision of MRI compared with MR arthrogram occurred at 2 weeks after an acute shoulder dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with MR arthrogram, conventional MRI demonstrates time-dependent loss of accuracy and precision in determining shoulder labral tear extent after dislocation, with statistical divergence occurring at 2 weeks.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, retrospective radiographic diagnostic study.

Margin convergence vs. superior capsular reconstruction for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: outcomes are equivalent unless there is preoperative pseudoparesis

BACKGROUND

Margin convergence (MC) and superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) are common treatment options for irreparable rotator cuff tears in younger patients, although they differ in associated costs and operative times. The purpose of this study was to compare range of motion, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and reoperation rates following MC and SCR. We hypothesized superior outcomes after SCR relative to MC regarding functional outcomes, subjective measures, and reoperation rates.

METHODS

This was a multicenter retrospective review of 59 patients from 3 surgeons treating irreparable rotator cuff tears with either MC (n = 28) or SCR (n = 31) and minimum 1-year follow-up from 2014-2019. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), active forward flexion (FF), external rotation (ER), retear rate, and conversion rate to reverse shoulder arthroplasty were evaluated. t tests and χ2 tests were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively (P < .05).

RESULTS

Baseline demographics, range of motion, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were similar between groups. Average follow-up was 31.5 months and 17.8 months for the MC and SCR groups, respectively (P < .001). The MC and SCR groups had similar postoperative FF (151° ± 26° vs. 142° ± 38°; P = .325) and ER (48° ± 12° vs. 46° ± 11°; P = .284), with both groups not improving significantly from their preoperative baselines. However, both cohorts demonstrated significant improvements in VAS score (MC: 7.3 to 2.5; SCR: 6.4 to 1.0) and SSV (MC: 54% to 82%; SCR: 38% to 87%). There were no significant differences in postoperative VAS scores, SSV, and rates of retear or rates of conversion to arthroplasty between the MC and SCR groups. In patients with preoperative pseudoparesis (FF < 90°), SCR (n = 9) resulted in greater postoperative FF than MC (n = 5) (141° ± 38° vs. 67° ± 24°; P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Both MC and SCR demonstrated excellent postoperative outcomes in the setting of massive irreparable rotator cuff tear, with significant improvements in PROs and no significant differences in range of motion. Specifically for patients with preoperative pseudoparesis, SCR was more effective in restoring forward elevation. Further long-term studies are needed to compare outcomes and establish appropriate indications.

Current Practices for Rehabilitation After Meniscus Repair: A Survey of Members of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Background

There is no consensus among sports medicine surgeons in North America on postoperative rehabilitation strategy after meniscus repair. Various meniscal tear types may necessitate a unique range of motion (ROM) and weightbearing rehabilitation protocol.

Purpose

To assess the current landscape of how sports medicine practitioners in the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) rehabilitate patients after the repair of varying meniscal tears.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

A survey was distributed to 2973 AOSSM members by email. Participants reviewed arthroscopic images and brief patient history from 6 deidentified cases of meniscus repair-in cases 1 to 3, the tears retained hoop integrity (more stable repair), and in cases 4 to 6, the tear patterns represented a loss of hoop integrity. Cases were shuffled before the presentation. For each case, providers were asked at what postoperative time point they would permit (1) partial weightbearing (PWB), (2) full weightbearing (FWB), (3) full ROM, and (4) ROM allowed immediately after surgery.

Results

In total, 451 surveys were completed (15.2% response). The times to PWB and FWB in cases 1 to 3 (median, 0 and 4 weeks, respectively) were significantly lower than those in cases 4 to 6 (median, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively) (P < .001). In tears with retained hoop integrity, the median time to PWB was immediately after surgery, whereas in tears without hoop integrity, the median time to PWB was at 4 weeks postoperatively. Similarly, the median time to FWB in each tear with retained hoop integrity was 4 weeks after surgery, while it was 6 weeks in each tear without hoop integrity. However, regardless of tear type, most providers (67.1%) allowed 0° to 90° of ROM immediately after surgery and allowed full ROM at 6 weeks. Most providers (83.3%) braced the knee after repair regardless of hoop integrity and utilized synovial rasping/trephination with notch microfracture-a much lower proportion of providers utilized biologic augmentation (9%).

Conclusion

Sports medicine practitioners in the AOSSM rehabilitated meniscal tears differently based on hoop integrity, with loss of hoop stresses triggering a more conservative approach. A majority braced and utilized in situ adjuncts for biological healing, while a minority added extrinsic biologics.

Pseudoparesis and pseudoparalysis in the setting of massive irreparable rotator cuff tear: demographic, anatomic, and radiographic risk factors

BACKGROUND

The primary purpose of this study was to identify demographic, anatomic, and radiographic risk factors for active forward elevation (AFE) <90° in the setting of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear (miRCT). The secondary purpose was to identify characteristics differentiating between patients with pseudoparalysis (AFE <45°) and pseudoparesis (AFE >45° but <90°).

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study reviewing patients with miRCTs at a single institution between January 12, 2016 and November 26, 2020. Patients were separated into 2 cohorts based on presence or absence of preoperative AFE <90° with maintained passive range of motion. Demographics, RCT pattern, and radiographic parameters were assessed as risk factors for AFE <90°. A secondary analysis was conducted to compare patients with pseudoparalysis and pseudoparesis.

RESULTS

There were 79 patients in the AFE <90° cohort and 50 patients in the control cohort. Univariate analysis confirmed significant differences between the AFE <90° and control cohort in age (71.9 ± 11.0 vs. 65.9 ± 9.1 years), arthritis severity (34.2% vs. 16.0% grade 3 Samilson-Prieto), acromiohumeral distance (AHD; 4.8 ± 2.7 vs. 7.6 ± 2.6 mm), fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus (3.3 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8) and subscapularis (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 1.5 ± 1.0), and proportion of subscapularis tears (55.7% vs. 34.0%). On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, P = .014), decreased AHD (OR 0.67, P < .001), severe arthritis (OR 2.84, P = .041), and subscapularis tear (OR 6.29, P = .015) were independent factors predictive of AFE <90°. Secondary analysis revealed tobacco use (OR 3.54, P = .026) and grade 4 fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus (OR 2.22, P = .015) and subscapularis (OR 3.12, P = .042) as significant predictors for pseudoparalysis compared to pseudoparesis.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with miRCT, increased age, decreased AHD, severe arthritis, and subscapularis tear are associated with AFE <90°. Furthermore, patients with AFE <90° tend to have greater supraspinatus and subscapularis fatty infiltration. Lastly, among patients with AFE <90°, tobacco use and grade 4 fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus and subscapularis are associated with pseudoparalysis compared with pseudoparesis.

Bipolar bone loss and distance to dislocation

Studies have shown that glenoid- and humeral-sided bone loss may be present in up to 73-93% of individuals with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. As such, bone loss must be addressed appropriately, as the amount of bone loss drives surgical decision making and influences outcomes. Methods to describe and measure bone loss have changed over time. Originally, glenoid and humeral bone loss were viewed separately. However, the concepts of bipolar bone loss, the glenoid track (GT), and "on/off-track" lesions arose, highlighting the interplay between the two entities in contributing to recurrent instability. Classically, "off-track" lesions have been described as those Hill-Sachs interval (HSI) greater than the GT, and have been shown to result in higher rates of re-instability when addressed nonoperatively or with Bankart repair alone. More recently, further attention has been given to "on-track" lesions (HSI < GT). The new concept of "distance to dislocation" (DTD) has gained popularity. DTD is calculated as the difference between the GT and HSI, and literature evaluating DTD suggests that not all "on-track" lesions should be treated in the same manner. The purpose of this concept review article is twofold: (I) describe glenoid, humeral, and bipolar bone loss in the setting of anterior shoulder instability; and (II) elaborate on the new concept of "DTD" and its use in guidance of management.

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction May Serve as a Useful Adjunct to Conventional Culture in The Detection of Cutibacterium acnes in the Glenohumeral Joint: A Study of 100 Consecutive Patients

Objectives

Synovial fluid or tissue culture is the current gold standard for diagnosis of infection, but Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a frequent cause of shoulder PJI and is a notoriously fastidious organism. The purpose of this study was to compare quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to standard culture as a more rapid, sensitive means of identifying C. acnes from the glenohumeral joint. We hypothesized that qRT-PCR would be more effective than standard culture at identifying C. acnes and would have greater sensitivity and specificity for detecting infection.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study with 100 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic or open shoulder surgery with known positive and negative controls. Intraoperatively, synovial fluid and tissue was obtained for C. acnes qRT-PCR and results were blinded to the gold standard microbiology cultures.

Results

Clinical review demonstrated 3 patients (3%) with positive cultures, none of which were positive for C. acnes. Of the samples tested by the C. acnes qRT-PCR standard curve, 12.2% of tissue samples and 4.5% of fluid samples were positive. Culture sensitivity was 60.0%, specificity was 100.0%, PPV was 100.0%, and NPV was 97.9%. C. acnes qRT-PCR standard curve sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV was 60.0%, 90.3%, 25.0%, and 97.7% respectively for tissue specimens and 0%, 95.2%, 0%, and 95.2% respectively, for fluid specimens. For combination of culture and tissue qRT-PCR, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV was 100%, 90.3%, 35.7%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

We report that qRT-PCR for C. acnes identified the organism more frequently than conventional culture. While these findings demonstrate the potential utility of qRT-PCR, the likelihood of false positive results of qRT-PCR should be considered. Thus, qRT-PCR may be useful as an adjuvant to current gold standard workup of synovial fluid or tissue culture for the diagnosis of infection.

Defining Critical Humeral Bone Loss: Inferior Craniocaudal Hill-Sachs Extension as Predictor of Recurrent Instability After Primary Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

BACKGROUND

The glenoid track concept for shoulder instability primarily describes the medial-lateral relationship between a Hill-Sachs lesion and the glenoid. However, the Hill-Sachs position in the craniocaudal dimension has not been thoroughly studied.

HYPOTHESIS

Hill-Sachs lesions with greater inferior extension are associated with increased risk of recurrent instability after primary arthroscopic Bankart repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of patients with on-track Hill-Sachs lesions who underwent primary arthroscopic Bankart repair (without remplissage) between 2007 and 2019 and had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Recurrent instability was defined as recurrent dislocation or subluxation after the index procedure. The craniocaudal position of the Hill-Sachs lesion was measured against the midhumeral axis on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using either a Hill-Sachs bisecting line through the humeral head center (sagittal midpoint angle [SMA], a measure of Hill-Sachs craniocaudal position) or a line tangent to the inferior Hill-Sachs edge (lower-edge angle [LEA], a measure of Hill-Sachs caudal extension). Univariate and multivariate regression were used to determine the predictive value of both SMA and LEA for recurrent instability.

RESULTS

In total, 176 patients were included with a mean age of 20.6 years, mean follow-up of 5.9 years, and contact sport participation of 69.3%. Of these patients, 42 (23.9%) experienced recurrent instability (30 dislocations, 12 subluxations) at a mean time of 1.7 years after surgery. Recurrent instability was found to be significantly associated with LEA >90° (ie, Hill-Sachs lesions extending below the humeral head equator), with an OR of 3.29 (P = .022). SMA predicted recurrent instability to a lesser degree (OR, 2.22; P = .052). Post hoc evaluation demonstrated that LEA >90° predicted recurrent dislocations (subset of recurrent instability) with an OR of 4.80 (P = .003). LEA and SMA were found to be collinear with Hill-Sachs interval and distance to dislocation, suggesting that greater LEA and SMA proportionally reflect lesion severity in both the craniocaudal and medial-lateral dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Inferior extension of an otherwise on-track Hill-Sachs lesion is a highly predictive risk factor for recurrent instability after primary arthroscopic Bankart repair. Evaluation of Hill-Sachs extension below the humeral equator (inferior equatorial extension) on sagittal MRI is a clinically facile screening tool for higher-risk lesions with subcritical glenoid bone loss. This threshold for critical humeral bone loss may inform surgical stratification for procedures such as remplissage or other approaches for at-risk on-track lesions.

Criteria-based return to sport testing after open Latarjet reveals residual deficits and can be utilized for sports clearance with excellent outcomes at mean 3.6 year follow-up: A small case series of competitive athletes

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of a criteria-based return to sport (CBRTS) test to evaluate readiness for return to play (RTP) in competitive athletes that underwent open Latarjet.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Ten competitive athletes (mean age 19.9 years) treated with open Latarjet for recurrent glenohumeral instability underwent CBRTS testing at a mean of 5.3 months postoperatively. Testing consisted of four components: 1. isometric strength, 2. isokinetic strength, 3. endurance, and 4. function. Patients failing 0 or 1 component of the test were cleared to RTP. Patients failing multiple components underwent additional deficit-based rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Of the 10 patients that tested, 4 passed their overall CBRTS test and were cleared to RTP. The remaining 6 patients failed the overall CBRTS test. Seven patients (70%) failed at least one section of the strength testing, two patients (20%) failed endurance testing, and two patients (20%) failed functional testing. At final follow-up (mean 3.6 years), 1 patient had recurrent instability (10%) and 9 patients returned to play (90%).

CONCLUSIONS

CBRTS testing may be clinically useful for return to play clearance decisions after open Latarjet procedure, as it can reveal deficits that may not be identified with time-based clearance alone.

Posterior Glenoid Bone Block Reconstruction: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

Posterior shoulder instability is of particular therapeutic interest, as it typically affects patients with high functional demands such as young athletes and active adults. Although posterior capsulolabral repair has high return-to-sport rates, it is associated with recurrent instability of up to 11%. Posterior glenoid bone loss and significant glenoid retroversion have been identified as risk factors for recurrent instability and failure after primary arthroscopic soft-tissue repair. Therefore, posterior glenoid bone block reconstruction may be indicated for glenoid bone loss 20% or greater (as measured by the perfect circle technique) or greater than 10% in the setting of pathologic glenoid, failed primary posterior labral repair, incompetent posterior capsular tissue, or significant risk factors for failure of soft-tissue repair. This procedure may be performed arthroscopically or with a posterior open approach using distal tibial allograft, iliac crest autograft, or scapular spine autograft. Although short-term to midterm outcomes have been promising, there remain concerns regarding long-term outcomes, with potentially high rates of late recurrence, revision, and secondary osteoarthritis.

Reversing chronic pseudoparesis secondary to massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear: superior capsular reconstruction vs. reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have defined pseudoparesis as limited active forward elevation between 45° and 90° and maintained passive range of motion (ROM) in the setting of a massive rotator cuff tear (RCT). Although pseudoparesis can be reliably reversed with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) or superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), the optimal treatment for this indication remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of RSA to SCR in patients with pseudoparesis secondary to massive, irreparable RCT (miRCT).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients aged 40-70 years with pseudoparesis secondary to miRCT who were treated with either RSA or SCR by a single fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon from 2016 to 2021 with a minimum 12-month follow-up. Multivariate linear regression modeling was used to compare active ROM, visual analog pain scale (VAS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) score between RSA and SCR while controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were included in the RSA cohort and 23 patients were included in the SCR cohort with similar mean follow-up times (26.2 ± 21.1 vs. 21.9 ± 14.7 months, respectively). The patients in the RSA group were significantly older than those in the SCR group (65.2 ± 4.4 vs. 54.2 ± 7.8 years, P < .001) and had more severe arthritis (1.8 ± 0.9 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5 Samilson-Prieto, P = .019). The pseudoparesis reversal rate among the RSA and SCR cohorts was 96.3% and 91.3%, respectively. On univariate analysis, the RSA cohort demonstrated significantly greater mean improvement in active FF (89° ± 26° vs. 73° ± 30° change, P = .048), greater postoperative SSV (91 ± 8% vs. 69 ± 25%, P < .001), lower postoperative VAS pain scores (0.6 ± 1.2 vs. 2.2 ± 2.9, P = .020), and less postoperative internal rotation (IR; 4.6° ± 1.6° vs. 6.9° ± 1.8°, P = .004) compared with SCR. On multivariate analysis controlling for age and osteoarthritis, RSA remained a significant predictor of greater SSV (β = 21.5, P = .021) and lower VAS scores (β = -1.4, P = .037), whereas SCR was predictive of greater IR ROM (β = 3.0, P = .043).

CONCLUSION

Although both RSA and SCR effectively reverse pseudoparesis, patients with RSA have higher SSV and lower pain scores but less IR after controlling for age and osteoarthritis. The results of this study may inform surgical decision making for patients who are suitable candidates for either procedure.

Dual Versus Single Plate Fixation of Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have highlighted lower rates of reoperation if fixation of a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture is performed with dual plating (DP) compared with single plating (SP). Despite higher initial costs associated with the DP construct, the observed reduction in secondary surgeries compared with the SP construct may make it a more cost-effective treatment option. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of DP compared with SP in patients with operatively indicated displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.

METHODS

We developed a decision tree to model the occurrence of postoperative complications (acute hardware complications, wound healing issues, deep infection, nonunion, and symptomatic hardware) associated with secondary surgeries. Complication-specific risk estimates were pooled for both plating techniques using the available literature. The time horizon was 2 years, and the analysis was conducted from the health-care payer's perspective. The costs were estimated using direct medical costs, and the benefits were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). We assumed that DP would be $300 more expensive than SP initially. We conducted probabilistic and 1-way sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

The model predicted reoperation in 6% of patients in the DP arm compared with 14% of patients in the SP arm. In the base case analysis, DP increased QALYs by 0.005 and costs by $71 per patient, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $13,242 per QALY gained. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the cost-effectiveness of DP was driven by the cost of the index surgery, risk of symptomatic hardware, and nonunion complications with SP and DP. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained, 95% of simulations suggested that DP was cost-effective compared with SP.

CONCLUSIONS

When indicated, operative management of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures using DP was found to be cost-effective compared with SP. Despite its higher initial hardware costs, DP fixation appears to offset its added costs with greater health utility via lower rates of reoperation and improved patient quality of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic and Decision Analysis Level II . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials as a Predictive Modality for Postoperative Deficit in Cervical Spine Decompression Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) alarms can predict postoperative neurologic complications in patients undergoing cervical spine decompression surgery.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of the literature was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase to retrieve published reports on intraoperative TcMEP monitoring for patients undergoing cervical spine decompression surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), of overall, reversible, and irreversible TcMEP changes for predicting postoperative neurological deficit were calculated. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare anterior vs posterior approaches.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies consisting of 4608 patients were analyzed. The overall incidence of postoperative neurological deficits was 2.58% (119/4608). Overall TcMEP changes had a sensitivity of 56%, specificity of 94%, and DOR of 19.26 for predicting deficit. Reversible and irreversible changes had sensitivities of 16% and 49%, specificities of 95% and 98%, and DORs of 3.54 and 71.74, respectively. In anterior procedures, TcMEP changes had a DOR of 17.57, sensitivity of 49%, and specificity of 94%. In posterior procedures, TcMEP changes had a DOR of 21.01, sensitivity of 55%, and specificity of 94%.

CONCLUSION

TcMEP monitoring has high specificity but low sensitivity for predicting postoperative neurological deficit in cervical spine decompression surgery. Patients with new postoperative neurological deficits were 19 times more likely to have experienced intraoperative TcMEP changes than those without new deficits, with irreversible TcMEP changes indicating a much higher risk of deficit than reversible TcMEP changes.

Dual Mini-Fragment Plate Fixation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures Reduces Risk of Reoperation Compared With Single-Plate Fixation Techniques

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have highlighted dual plating as a method of reducing high rates of postoperative complication after operative management of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. However, few studies have reliably characterized reoperation rates and magnitude of risk reduction achieved when using dual versus anterior and superior single-plate techniques.

HYPOTHESIS

There would be lower rates of reoperation among patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures via dual plating.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent ORIF for a displaced midshaft clavicular fracture between 2010 and 2021 at a level 1 trauma center with a minimum 12-month follow-up. Patients were separated into 3 cohorts based on fixation type: (1) orthogonal dual mini-fragment plate fixation, (2) superior plate fixation, and (3) anterior plate fixation. Data on patient characteristics, fracture pattern, and reoperations were documented. All-cause reoperation rates and hazard ratio (HR) estimates of dual, superior, and anterior plating were calculated using a multivariate multilevel mixed-effects parametric survival model. Significant confounders including high-risk fracture morphology and smoking status were controlled for in the final model.

RESULTS

A final cohort of 256 patients was identified with mean follow-up of 4.9 ± 3.8 years. In total, 101 patients underwent superior plating, 92 underwent anterior plating, and 63 underwent dual plating. Overall, 31 reoperations took place (18 in superior, 12 in anterior, 1 in dual plating) among 22 patients. Major contributors to reoperation included symptomatic hardware (n = 11), nonunion (n = 8), deep infection (n = 7), and wound dehiscence (n = 2). Superior plating revealed the highest reoperation rate of 0.031 per person-years, followed by anterior plating with 0.026 per person-years and dual plating with 0.005 per person-years. Overall, single plating (either anterior or superior placement) had a nearly 8-fold greater risk of reoperation than dual plating (HR, 7.62; 95% CI, 1.02-56.82; P = .048). Further broken down by technique, superior plating had an 8-fold greater risk of reoperation than dual plating (HR, 8.36; 95% CI, 1.10-63.86; P = .041), but anterior plating did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference compared with dual plating (HR, 6.79; 95% CI, 0.87-52.90; P = .068).

CONCLUSION

Dual-plate fixation represents an excellent treatment for displaced midshaft clavicular fractures, with low rates of nonunion and reoperation. When compared with single locked superior or anterior plate fixation, dual mini-fragment plate fixation has a nearly 8-fold lower risk of reoperation.

Utility of transcranial motor-evoked potential changes in predicting postoperative deficit in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether TcMEP alarms can predict the occurrence of postoperative neurological deficit in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. The secondary aim was to determine whether the various types of TcMEP alarms including transient and persistent changes portend varying degrees of injury risk.

METHODS

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase regarding outcomes of transcranial motor-evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring during lumbar decompression and fusion surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of TcMEP alarms for predicting postoperative deficit were calculated and presented with forest plots and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included, consisting of 4923 patients. The incidence of postoperative neurological deficit was 0.73% (36/4923). The incidence of deficits in patients with significant TcMEP changes was 11.79% (27/229), while the incidence in those without changes was 0.19% (9/4694). All TcMEP alarms had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 63 and 95% with a DOR of 34.92 (95% CI 7.95-153.42). Transient and persistent changes had sensitivities of 29% and 47%, specificities of 96% and 98%, and DORs of 8.04 and 66.06, respectively.

CONCLUSION

TcMEP monitoring has high specificity but low sensitivity for predicting postoperative neurological deficit in lumbar decompression and fusion surgery. Patients who awoke with new postoperative deficits were 35 times more likely to have experienced TcMEP changes intraoperatively, with persistent changes indicating higher risk of deficit than transient changes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

Diagnostic Systematic Review.

Standardized Opioid Counseling Is Underperformed Before and After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PURPOSE

To characterize contemporary pain management strategies after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) within the US and international orthopaedic community.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey-based study disseminated to a consortium of expert orthopaedic surgeons in the management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The survey was a 27-question, multiple choice-style questionnaire with question topics ranging from demographic characteristics and practice characteristics to surgeon-specific pain management strategies in the postoperative period after ACLR. Specific topics of interest included the use of preoperative opioid education and/or counseling sessions, implementation of standardized pain management regimens, use of pain tracking systems, and use of any adjunct non-narcotic analgesic modalities.

RESULTS

A total of 34 completed surveys were collected, representing a 73.9% response rate. Over 85% of respondents reported prescribing opioids as a standardized postoperative regimen after ACLR. Surgeons reported prescribing 5- to 10-mg doses, with the tablet count ranging anywhere from fewer than 10 tablets to more than 20 tablets, often instructing their patients to stop opioid use 2 to 4 days postoperatively. Prescribed dosages remained stable or decreased over the past 6 months with increased use of non-narcotic adjuncts. Only one-third of respondents reported using standardized preoperative opioid counseling, with even fewer discussing postoperative discontinuation protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 85% of respondents prescribe opioids as a standardized postoperative regimen after ACLR, with only 15% providing non-narcotic pain regimens. However, prescribed dosages have remained stable or decreased over the past 6 months with increased use of non-narcotic adjuncts. Only one-third of respondents use standardized preoperative opioid counseling, with even fewer discussing postoperative discontinuation protocols.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The ongoing opioid epidemic has created an urgent need to identify the most effective pain management strategies after orthopaedic procedures, especially ACLR. This study provides important information about current pain management practices for patients who have undergone ACLR.

A Pilot Study of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and 177Lu-PSMA-617 for Oligometastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used for oligorecurrent prostate cancer (OPC). Despite excellent local control, distant metastasis free survival rates are more modest. We hypothesized SBRT outcomes could be optimized with improved staging imaging and integration of a well-tolerated targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy (RLT) for microscopic disease. We report initial results of a prospective, single-institution pilot (NCT05079698) of a novel, PSMA-based theranostic strategy for OPC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Men with castrate sensitive OPC and 1-3 sites of PSMA PET avid disease ("index lesions") and no PSMA non-avid sites were eligible. No androgen deprivation therapy was permitted. Subjects first received 2 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617 RLT (7.47±0.14 GBq) spaced 6 weeks apart. In vivo dosimetry was performed during cycle 1. Four weeks post-cycle 2, patients were restaged with 68Ga-PSMA PET for an interim (post-RLT) response assessment. Index lesions were then consolidated with SBRT (9 Gy x 3) irrespective of post-RLT PET response. The primary outcome was feasibility defined as successful completion of protocol-mandated therapy without intercurrent distant failure on post-RLT PET.

RESULTS

Six men were treated with nine total index lesions (5 nodal, 3 osseous, 1 visceral). The study met its primary endpoint; all completed required interventions and no distant progression was seen on interim PSMA PET. Treatment was well tolerated; no grade 3+ toxicities, 2/6 had grade 2 toxicities (transient anemia and hyperbilirubinemia) and 5/6 had grade 1 toxicities. Median baseline lesion-level PSMA SUVmax was 16.8±8.7. Median interim SUVmax was 6.2±2.5 and declined for all but one lesion post-RLT (median -65%). Median SUVmax at 3-mos post-SBRT was 3.3±2.5 and decreased for all evaluable lesions (median -80%). Median baseline PSA was 2.01 ng/mL (range: 0.72-4.56) which declined in 5/6 post-RLT. The 6th patient experienced biochemical rise with interim PET showing only greater avidity in the known index lesion and SBRT was completed per protocol. All 4 evaluable patients with at least one post-SBRT follow-up have improved PSA at last visit (range 5.5-12 mos from cycle 1), and 2/4 have undetectable PSA. Composite dosimetry, correlatives and quality of life studies are forthcoming.

CONCLUSION

Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel PSMA anchored theranostic strategy combining SBRT with targeted RLT for OPC. Preliminary data suggests promising outcomes, including the possibility of achieving an undetectable biochemical disease state without hormone therapy.

Diagnostic arthroscopy for periprosthetic shoulder arthroplasty infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Periprosthetic joint infection of the shoulder (PJI) is a devastating complication with a reported incidence of 1%-15.4% and is often difficult to diagnose with current diagnostic tools including serologic tests and arthrocentesis. This systematic review evaluates the reliability and validity of arthroscopic biopsy in the current literature for the diagnosis of shoulder PJI.

Methods

MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were queried electronically from inception to June 2022 for publications reporting diagnostic accuracy of shoulder arthroscopic biopsy for detecting infection after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty, shoulder hemiarthroplasty, or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. This systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results

After exclusion, our meta-analysis consisted of 7 articles with a total of 112 patients. The estimated pooled sensitivity and specificity of arthroscopic biopsy for confirmation of shoulder periprosthetic infection were 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-0.95) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.67-0.88), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 4.15 (95% CI: 2.57, 6.70) and 0.17 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.36), respectively. The aggregate positive predictive value was 73.58% (95% CI: 63.29%-81.82%), and aggregate negative predictive value was 89.83% (95% CI: 80.59%-94.95%). The diagnostic odds ratio of arthroscopic biopsy was 19.92 (95% CI: 4.96-79.99).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic biopsy in patients suspected of shoulder PJI has good diagnostic accuracy, with high sensitivity and specificity. Given the various biopsy protocols (such as devices, numbers, locations, etc.), further prospective studies are necessary to define the future role of arthroscopic biopsy in diagnosis and treatment.

rTSA With Humeral Head Autograft Glenoid Reconstruction

Background:

Untreated chronic massive rotator cuff tears and primary osteoarthritis can lead to conditions of significant retroversion, posterior bone loss, and humeral head subluxation.

Indications:

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with humeral head autograft glenoid reconstruction may be indicated in patients with advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis and/or severe glenoid retroversion/bone loss due to rotator cuff arthropathy, trauma, primary, or inflammatory osteoarthritis.

Technique:

Besides routine radiography and preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, 3-dimensional (3D) planning software is often performed as a routine part of preoperative planning. A 3D printed model of the glenoid can also be helpful in cases of significant bone deformity. Patients are placed in a 45° modified beach chair position. Using a standard deltopectoral approach, the glenoid is exposed. An anatomic humeral head resection is made. The contour of the articular margin of the humeral head should match the glenoid bone deficiency anatomically as it has been chronically resting within the glenoid defect. Three dimensional preoperative planning and the 3D printed model are used to make an asymmetric humeral head autograft which should match the deficiency perfectly. The articular cartilage is removed with a burr. The graft and baseplate are coupled together (metaphyseal bone facing the baseplate and prepared articular side of the graft facing native bone) and measurements are performed with the preoperative planning software to fashion a graft with the appropriate dimension and with the desired amount of lateralization. The bone graft is then compressed with the baseplate to the native glenoid and fixed with screws.

Results:

In select patients with careful preoperative planning, excellent outcomes can be achieved with careful gradual resumption of range of motion and strength with physical therapy. Sequential radiographic imaging is performed up to 6 months and beyond to confirm solid union of graft to native glenoid bone and incorporation into the baseplate.

Discussion/Conclusion:

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) with humeral head autograft glenoid reconstruction is an excellent option to address severe glenoid bone loss and restore the native joint line for both primary osteoarthritis and rotator cuff arthropathy. Using 3D CT scans, 3D preoperative planning software and 3D printing of the glenoid can help achieve a good outcome.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Arthroscopic Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair With Box Configuration

Background:

Arthroscopic transosseous-equivalent (TOE) techniques may offer additional advantages, including a more efficient surgery with a self-reinforcing construct with equivalent clinical results to medial knotted TOE repair for rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Indications:

An arthroscopic knotless double-row (DR) rotator cuff repair (RCR) using FiberTak RC anchors for medial row fixation with box configuration may be an appropriate construct for operatively indicated small-to-moderate full-thickness RCTs.

Technique:

Our modified technique uses TOE repair principles to address RCTs too small for traditional 4.75-mm anchors using medial row fixation and too large to apply a single medial to lateral anchor repair. The patient is placed in a beach chair position. In addition to standard anterior and posterior portals, a lower lateral working portal and a higher posterolateral viewing portal are made. Subsequent to supraspinatus footprint visualization/preparation, two 2.6-mm FiberTak RC anchors each loaded with 1 LabralTape and 1 FiberWire are placed medially. The 4 sets of sutures for one anchor are placed through the rotator cuff tendon together in 1 spot and the process is repeated for the second anchor. One FiberWire from each anchor is then tied extracorporeally and then a double pulley technique is used to compress the medial aspect of the repair at the footprint in a box configuration. Finally, 1 limb of LabralTape from each of the medial anchors along with the corresponding FiberWire is secured through 2 lateral-row 4.75-mm anchors anteriorly and posteriorly to restore the lateral footprint and secure the rotator cuff in TOE box configuration. This modified technique can provide anatomical compression of the rotator cuff tendon at the footprint with additional medial compression achieved by the box configuration while taking advantage of knotless fixation.

Results:

Postoperatively, a sling is worn for 4 weeks, passive range of motion (ROM) is initiated at 2 weeks, active ROM is begun at 6 weeks, and strengthening at 3 months. Patients may return to full unrestricted activities around 5 to 6 months.

Discussion/Conclusion:

A modified arthroscopic DR RCR with box configuration is an excellent treatment option for patients with small-to-moderate full-thickness RCT who fail conservative treatment.

Patient Consent Disclosure Statement:

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Outpatient shoulder arthroplasty in the COVID-19 era: 90-day complications and risk factors

BACKGROUND

With the COVID-19 pandemic placing an increased burden on health care systems, shoulder arthroplasties are more commonly being performed as outpatient procedures. The purpose of this study was to characterize the 90-day episode-of-care complications of consecutive shoulder arthroplasties defaulted for outpatient surgery without using a prior algorithm for patient selection and to assess for their risk factors. We hypothesized that outpatient shoulder arthroplasty would be a safe procedure for all patients, regardless of patient demographics and comorbidities.

METHODS

A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent planned outpatient anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between March 2020 and January 2022 with 3-month follow-up was performed. All patients were scheduled for outpatient surgery regardless of medical comorbidities. Patient demographics; pre/postoperative patient-reported outcomes including visual analog scale, subjective shoulder value, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; pre/postoperative range of motion; and complications were collected from medical chart review. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the following outcomes: 1. Unplanned overnight hospital stay, 2. 90-day unplanned emergency department (ED)/clinic visit, 3. 90-day hospital readmission, 4. 90-day complications requiring revision.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-seven patients (47% male, 17% tobacco users, 18% diabetics) with a mean age 69 ± 9 years were identified, of whom 92 underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and 35 underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. All patient-reported outcomes and range of motion were significantly improved at 3 months. There were 15 unplanned overnight hospital stays (11.8%) after the procedure. Within 90 days postoperatively, there were 17 unplanned ED/clinic visits (13.4%), 7 hospital readmissions (5.5%), and 4 complications requiring revision (3.1%). Factors predictive of unplanned overnight stay included age above 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 36.80 [95% confidence interval [CI], 2.20-615.49]; P = .012), tobacco use (OR, 12.90 [95% CI, 1.23-135.31]; P = .033), and American Society of Anesthesiologists status of 3 (OR, 13.84 [95% CI, 1.22-156.57]; P = .034). The only factor predictive of unplanned ED/clinic visit was age over 70 years old (OR, 7.52 [95% CI, 1.26-45.45]; P = .027). No factors were predictive of 90-day hospital readmission or revision.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient shoulder arthroplasty is a safe procedure with excellent outcomes and low rates of readmissions and can be considered as the default plan for all patient undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. Patients who are above 70 years of age, use tobacco, and have ASA score of 3, however, may be less suitable for outpatient arthroplasty and should be counseled regarding the higher risk of unplanned overnight hospitalization.

Arthritis Severity and Medical Comorbidities Are Prognostic of Worse Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients With Concomitant Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis

Purpose

To assess demographic factors, comorbidities, radiographic variables, and injury patterns as potential prognostic indicators of poor functional and patient-reported outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients with concomitant glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis who underwent arthroscopic supraspinatus repairs between 2013 and 2018 with a minimum of 1-year follow up was performed. Demographic variables included age, tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes, sex, hypercholesterolemia, and body mass index while injury patterns included partial- versus full-thickness tear, bicep tendon involvement, and osteoarthritis severity. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of visual analog pain scale (VAS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score as well as active range of motion (ROM) in forward flexion (FF) and external rotation (ER). Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of repair failure as well as postoperative strength in FF and ER.

Results

In total, 91 patients (mean age 61.48 ± 9.4 years) were identified with an average follow up of 26.3 ± 5.7 months. Repair failures occurred in 9.9% (9/91 patients) of the total cohort. Postoperative outcomes were significantly improved with regards to visual analog pain scale, subjective shoulder value, ASES score, ROM in FF, FF strength, and external rotation strength compared with preoperative baseline. Obesity (P = .023) and diabetes (P = .010) were significant independent predictors of greater pain scores postoperatively. Obesity (P = .029) and tobacco use (P = .007) were significant predictors of lower ASES scores postoperatively. Finally, moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis was a significant risk factor for poor ROM and strength in FF postoperatively compared to mild osteoarthritis (P = .029). No variables were predictive of repair failure.

Conclusions

Tobacco use, obesity, and diabetes are associated with worse pain and patient-reported outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the context of glenohumeral OA. In addition, moderate-to-severe OA is associated with worse strength and forward flexion compared to those with mild OA.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Clinical outcomes of rotator cuff repair in patients with concomitant glenohumeral osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) is a common comorbidity in patients with rotator cuff tears. However, the efficacy of rotator cuff repair in patients with concomitant glenohumeral OA is still heavily debated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcome measures following arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs in patients with concomitant glenohumeral OA vs. those without glenohumeral OA.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 206 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic supraspinatus repairs (both isolated and with accompanying infraspinatus and/or subscapularis involvement) between 2013 and 2018 with a minimum of 1-year follow-up was performed. Patients were separated into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of concomitant glenohumeral OA. The primary outcome was failure of repair, defined as the need for revision repair or a retear confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcome measures including the visual analog scale pain score, Subjective Shoulder Value, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; active range of motion (ROM); and strength testing. Within the OA cohort, a subgroup analysis was conducted to compare outcomes between patients with mild OA and patients with moderate to severe OA.

RESULTS

There were 91 patients in the glenohumeral OA group and 115 patients in the control group. Significant differences in postoperative forward flexion (FF) ROM (153.55° ± 21.07° vs. 160.14° ± 17.26°, P = .001) and external rotation (ER) ROM (46.91° ± 11.95° vs. 52.25° ± 11.60°, P = .001) were observed between the glenohumeral OA and control groups. There were no significant differences between groups in revision repairs, retears, postoperative internal rotation ROM, all preoperative ROMs, all patient-reported outcome measures, and all strength parameters (all P > .05). For the subgroup analysis, there were 70 patients in the mild OA group and 21 patients in the moderate to severe OA group. We found a significant difference in postoperative FF strength (88.4% vs. 61.9% with 5 of 5 strength, P = .010) and ER strength (89.9% vs. 71.4% with 5 of 5 strength, P = .046) between the mild OA group and moderate to severe OA group. There were no significant differences between the groups in all other outcome measures.

DISCUSSION

Rotator cuff repair remains an excellent treatment option in patients with concomitant glenohumeral OA. The data in this study demonstrate that rotator cuff repairs in patients with concomitant glenohumeral OA have similar clinical and functional outcomes to repairs in patients without OA with the exception of slightly decreased postoperative FF and ER ROM. Patients with moderate to severe OA may have slightly decreased FF and ER strength outcomes compared with patients with mild OA.

Triggered Electromyography is a Useful Intraoperative Adjunct to Predict Postoperative Neurological Deficit Following Lumbar Pedicle Screw Instrumentation

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES

Malposition of pedicle screws during instrumentation in the lumbar spine is associated with complications secondary to spinal cord or nerve root injury. Intraoperative triggered electromyographic monitoring (t-EMG) may be used during instrumentation for early detection of malposition. The association between lumbar pedicle screws stimulated at low EMG thresholds and postoperative neurological deficits, however, remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess whether a low threshold t-EMG response to lumbar pedicle screw stimulation can serve as a predictive tool for postoperative neurological deficit.

METHODS

The present study is a meta-analysis of the literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase identifying prospective/retrospective studies with outcomes of patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion with t-EMG testing.

RESULTS

The total study cohort consisted of 2,236 patients and the total postoperative neurological deficit rate was 3.04%. 10.78% of the patients incurred at least 1 pedicle screw that was stimulated below the respective EMG alarm threshold intraoperatively. The incidence of postoperative neurological deficits in patients with a lumbar pedicle screw stimulated below EMG alarm threshold during placement was 13.28%, while only 1.80% in the patients without. The pooled DOR was 10.14. Sensitivity was 49% while specificity was 88%.

CONCLUSIONS

Electrically activated lumbar pedicle screws resulting in low t-EMG alarm thresholds are highly specific but weakly sensitive for new postoperative neurological deficits. Patients with new postoperative neurological deficits after lumbar spine surgery were 10 times more likely to have had a lumbar pedicle screw stimulated at a low EMG threshold.

Thread Delamination in 4.5 mm AO Cannulated Screws: A Small Case Series in the Pediatric Trauma Population

BACKGROUND

Thread delamination associated with cannulated screws have been reported but likely represent an under-recognized complication in the orthopaedic literature. The purpose of this study is to report the occurrence of repeated hardware failures through thread delamination in the setting of a commonly used orthopaedic cannulated screw implant in a small cohort involving pediatric fracture care at a single academic level I trauma center.

METHODS

Between August 2015 and December 2020, 9 cases of hardware failure associated with 4.5 mm arbeitsgemeinschaft für osteosynthesefragen cannulated stainless-steel screws were identified within a pediatric orthopaedic division at a single academic level I trauma center. Three cases were excluded, and 6 cases of thread delamination were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Six cases of thread delamination comprised a cohort of patients with a mean age of 13.7 years (range: 12 to 15 y). All cases involved 4.5 mm arbeitsgemeinschaft für osteosynthesefragen cannulated screws, including 5 partially threaded and 1 fully threaded screw. Five cases involved open reduction and internal fixation of incarcerated medial humeral epicondylar fragments and the other case was an open reduction and internal fixation of a displaced medial malleolar fracture. Five of these occurred within a recent 18-month period of time. There were 4 cases of partial, distal thread delamination, 1 case of partial proximal thread delamination and another case of complete thread delamination which had unwound into the tibiotalar joint and required an anterior ankle arthrotomy to retrieve the thread. None of the 5 patients in this series who currently harbor a retained thread have experienced symptoms because of this issue.

CONCLUSIONS

Thread delamination associated with cannulated screw implantation likely represents an under-reported phenomenon in orthopaedic surgery. In cases where retained, delaminated threads exist, these do not appear to cause short-term concern.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV-case series.

Conflict of interest disclosure in orthopaedic and general surgical trauma literature

SIGNIFICANCE

Financial relationships between industry and physicians are a key aspect for the advancement of surgical practice and training, but these relationships also result in a conflict of interest with respect to research. Financial payments to physicians are public within the United States in the Open Payments Database, but the rate of accurate financial disclosure of payments has not previously been studied in trauma surgery publications.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rate of accurate financial disclosure in major surgical trauma journals compared with the Open Payments Database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The names of all authors publishing in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Injury, and The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery between 2015 and 2018 were obtained from MEDLINE. Non-physicians, physicians outside of the United States, physicians without payments in the Open Payments Database, and physicians with payments types of only "Food and Drink" were excluded. Financial disclosure statements were obtained from the journal websites and manually compared against Open Payments Database entries the year prior to submission and during the year of submission up until 3 months prior to publication for each individual physician. Main outcomes were accuracy of disclosure published with each article, total amount of payments received (disclosure or undisclosed), surgical subspecialty of the reporting physician. Statistical comparisons were made using Chi-square testing with significance defined as p<0.05.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2018, 5070 articles were published involving 28,948 authors. 2945 authors met inclusion criteria. 490 authors accurately disclosed their financial relationships with industry (16.6%). The median value of undisclosed payments was $22,140 [IQR $6465, $77,221] which was significantly less than the medial value of disclosed payment of $66,433 [IQR $24,624, $161,886], p<0.001 Orthopaedic surgeons disclosed at a higher rate (26.3%, 479/1818) than general surgeons (4.8%, 47/971), p<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician-industry relationships are key for advancing surgical practice and providing training to physicians. These relationships are not inherently unethical, but there is consistently high inaccuracy of financial disclosure across multiple trauma surgery journals which may indicate the need for further education on financial disclosures during surgical training or active obtainment of publicly available financial disclosures by journals.

Relaxin Inhibits Ventricular Arrhythmia and Asystole in Rats With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular cardiomyopathy and cardiac dysfunctions where in the clinical setting, cardiac arrest is the likely cause of death, in ~70% of PAH patients. We investigated the cardiac phenotype of PAH hearts and tested the hypothesis that the insulin-like hormone, Relaxin could prevent maladaptive cardiac remodeling and protect against cardiac dysfunctions in a PAH animal model. PAH was induced in rats with sugen (20 mg/kg), hypoxia then normoxia (3-weeks/each); relaxin (RLX = 0, 30 or 400 μg/kg/day, n ≥ 6/group) was delivered subcutaneously (6-weeks) with implanted osmotic mini-pumps. Right ventricle (RV) hemodynamics and Doppler-flow measurements were followed by cardiac isolation, optical mapping, and arrhythmia phenotype. Sugen-hypoxia (SuHx) treated rats developed PAH characterized by higher RV systolic pressures (50 ± 19 vs. 22 ± 5 mmHg), hypertrophy, reduced stroke volume, ventricular fibrillation (VF) (n = 6/11) and bradycardia/arrest (n = 5/11); both cardiac phenotypes were suppressed with dithiothreitol (DTT = 1 mM) (n = 0/2/group) or RLX (low or high dose, n = 0/6/group). PAH hearts developed increased fibrosis that was reversed by RLX-HD, but not RLX-LD. Relaxin decreased Nrf2 and glutathione transferases but not glutathione-reductase. High-dose RLX improved pulmonary arterial compliance (measured by Doppler flow), suppressed VF even after burst-pacing, n = 2/6). Relaxin suppressed VF and asystole through electrical remodeling and by reversing thiol oxidative stress. For the first time, we showed two cardiac phenotypes in PAH animals and their prevention by RLX. Relaxin may modulate maladaptive cardiac remodeling in PAH and protect against arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.

Repair of high-grade partial thickness supraspinatus tears after surgical completion of the tear have a lower retear rate when compared to full-thickness tear repair

PURPOSE

High-grade partial thickness rotator cuff tears (i.e., those involving at least 50% of the tendon thickness) are especially challenging to treat and various treatment strategies have been described. Prior studies have demonstrated equivalent outcomes between in situ tear fixation and tear completion repair techniques. However, it is unknown how repair of completed high-grade partial thickness tears to full tears compares to repair of full-thickness tears. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcome measures at least 1 year postoperatively between patients who had completion of a high-grade partial thickness supraspinatus tear to a full-thickness tear (PT) and those who had an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear (FT). The hypothesis of this study was equivalent retear rates as well as equivalent clinical and patient-reported outcomes between the two groups.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 100 patients who underwent isolated arthroscopic supraspinatus repair between 2013 and 2018 with a minimum of 1 year follow-up was performed. Patients were separated into two groups based on their treatment: 56 had completion of a partial thickness supraspinatus tear to full-thickness tear with repair (PT) and 44 had isolated full-thickness supraspinatus repairs (FT). The primary outcome was rotator cuff retear, which was defined as a supraspinatus retear requiring revision repair. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) including visual analog pain scale (VAS) and subjective shoulder value (SSV), range of motion (ROM) and strength in forward flexion (FF), external rotation (ER), and internal rotation (IR).

RESULTS

There was a significantly lower rate of retear between the PT versus FT groups (3.6% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.040). There were no significant differences between groups for all PROs, all ROM parameters, and all strength parameters (all n.s.).

DISCUSSION

The data from this study demonstrated that the PT group had a significantly lower retear rate at 1 year follow-up than the FT group, while PROs, ROM, and strength were similar between the two groups. Patients with PT supraspinatus tears can have excellent outcomes, equivalent to FT tears, after completion of the tear, and subsequent repair with low retear rates. These findings may aid the treating surgeon when choosing between in situ fixation of the PT supraspinatus tear or completion of the tear and subsequent repair, as it allows the treating surgeon to choose the procedure based on comfort and experience level.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

What is the predictive value of intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential monitoring for postoperative neurological deficit in cervical spine surgery?-a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Cervical decompression and fusion surgery remains a mainstay of treatment for a variety of cervical pathologies. Potential intraoperative injury to the spinal cord and nerve roots poses nontrivial risk for consequent postoperative neurologic deficits. Although neuromonitoring with intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) is often used in cervical spine surgery, its therapeutic value remains controversial.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether significant SSEP changes can predict postoperative neurologic complications in cervical spine surgery. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare the predictive power of SSEP changes in both anterior and posterior approaches.

STUDY DESIGN

The present study was a meta-analysis of the literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase to identify prospective/retrospective studies with outcomes of patients who underwent cervical spine surgeries with intraoperative SSEP monitoring.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The total cohort consisted of 7,747 patients who underwent cervical spine surgery with intraoperative SSEP monitoring.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria for study selection were as follows: (1) prospective or retrospective cohort studies, (2) studies conducted in patients undergoing elective cervical spine surgery not due to aneurysm, tumor, or trauma with intraoperative SSEP monitoring, (3) studies that reported postoperative neurologic outcomes, (4) studies conducted with a sample size ≥20 patients, (5) studies with only adult patients ≥18 years of age, (6) studies published in English, (7) studies inclusive of an abstract.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and likelihood ratios of overall SSEP changes, reversible SSEP changes, irreversible SSEP changes, and SSEP loss for predicting postoperative neurological deficit were calculated.

RESULTS

The total rate of postoperative neurological deficits was 2.50% (194/7,747) and the total rate of SSEP changes was 7.36% (570/7,747). The incidence of postoperative neurological deficit in patients with intraoperative SSEP changes was 16.49% (94/570) while only 1.39% (100/7,177) in patients without. All significant intraoperative SSEP changes had a sensitivity of 46.0% and specificity of 96.7% with a DOR of 27.32. Reversible and irreversible SSEP changes had sensitivities of 17.7% and 37.1% and specificities of 97.5% and 99.5%, respectively. The DORs for reversible and irreversible SSEP changes were 9.01 and 167.90, respectively. SSEP loss had a DOR of 51.39, sensitivity of 17.3% and specificity 99.6%. In anterior procedures, SSEP changes had a DOR of 9.60, sensitivity of 34.2%, and specificity of 94.7%. In posterior procedures, SSEP changes had a DOR of 13.27, sensitivity of 42.6%, and specificity of 94.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

SSEP monitoring is highly specific but weakly sensitive for postoperative neurological deficit following cervical spine surgery. The analysis found that patients with new postoperative neurological deficits were nearly 27 times more likely to have had significant intraoperative SSEP change. Loss of SSEP signals and irreversible SSEP changes seem to indicate a much higher risk of injury than reversible SSEP changes.

Long-term cognitive decline and mortality after carotid endarterectomy

OBJECTIVES

To date no studies have evaluated long term cognitive decline after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We evaluated whether participants who had CEA were at increased risk of cognitive decline over participants who didn't undergo CEA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patients in the study were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a study of 5201 men and women over the age of 65 who were recruited from four communities (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Sacramento, California; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Hagerstown, Maryland) in 1988-89. The outcomes measured were 1) Decline in 3MSE and digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores after CEA compared to before CEA. 2) All-cause mortality in CHS cohort among participants who did and did not have CEA.

RESULTS

CEA patients had significantly greater annual decrease in the DSST scores -2.43 (SD 4.21) compared to those who did not have a CEA -1.1 (SD 2.57) (p < 0.001) but this was not seen in the 3MSE scores. CEA patients had increased the risk of decline in DSST (OR 2.41, 95 % CI 1.49, 3.88) and 3MSE (OR 2.17, 95 % CI 1.35, 3.48) scores after adjusting for age, gender, race and educational status. CEA was associated with all-cause mortality in the long term with a HR of 2.72 (95 % CI 2.22, 3.34) after adjusting for covariates. Participants with lower baseline 3MSE scores HR 1.39 (1.27, 1.51), lower DSST scores <34 HR 1.69(1.54, 1.85) were more likely deceased.

CONCLUSIONS

CEA patients are at increased risk of lower scores on 3MSE and DSST testing in the long term. Mortality in the CHS cohort was higher in participants who underwent CEA. Further, lower 3MSE and DSST scores increased the risk of mortality.

Relaxin reverses maladaptive remodeling of the aged heart through Wnt-signaling

Healthy aging results in cardiac structural and electrical remodeling that increases susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Relaxin, an insulin-like hormone, suppresses atrial fibrillation, inflammation and fibrosis in aged rats but the mechanisms-of-action are unknown. Here we show that relaxin treatment of aged rats reverses pathological electrical remodeling (increasing Nav1.5 expression and localization of Connexin43 to intercalated disks) by activating canonical Wnt signaling. In isolated adult ventricular myocytes, relaxin upregulated Nav1.5 (EC₅₀ = 1.3 nM) by a mechanism inhibited by the addition of Dickkopf-1. Furthermore, relaxin increased the levels of connexin43, Wnt1, and cytosolic and nuclear β-catenin. Treatment with Wnt1 or CHIR-99021 (a GSK3β inhibitor) mimicked the relaxin effects. In isolated fibroblasts, relaxin blocked TGFβ-induced collagen elevation in a Wnt dependent manner. These findings demonstrate a close interplay between relaxin and Wnt-signaling resulting in myocardial remodeling and reveals a fundamental mechanism of great therapeutic potential.

Association between perioperative stroke and 30-day mortality in carotid endarterectomy: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Perioperative stroke is a known complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST) has shown that stroke following CEA is associated with nearly a 3-fold increase in the 4-year mortality compared to patients without such an event. However, no studies to date can establish whether the stroke was the cause of the short term mortality. Thus, our objective is to evaluate if perioperative stroke after CEA increases the risk of 30-day mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of the literature from PubMed and the World Science Database on studies reporting perioperative strokes and 30-day mortality in symptomatic and asymptomatic CEA patients. 3400 articles were retrieved, and abstracts were further screened using the inclusion criteria to obtain a final set of 83 randomized controlled trials and retrospective/prospective studies.

RESULTS

A total of 123,507 CEA procedures were included among the 83 studies. The 30-day perioperative stroke rate for all included studies was 2.15%. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 0.93%. In patients with perioperative strokes, the 30-day mortality rate was found to be 17.01%. Among patients without perioperative strokes, the 30-day mortality rate was much lower at 0.57%. The summary odds ratio of perioperative stroke and 30-day mortality was 39.86 (95% CI, 29.30-54.23, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with perioperative stroke have an almost 40 times increased risk of 30-day stroke-related mortality. This study highlights the importance of developing a preoperative risk assessment and neuroprotective treatment trial for perioperative stroke.

Hyperintense Optic Nerve due to Diffusion Restriction: Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Abnormal signal intensity of the optic nerve due to diffusion restriction may be seen in traumatic optic neuropathy. In addition to evaluating optic nerve hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging, we compared the group differences of ADC values between the injured and uninjured contralateral nerve and identified the relation between measured ADC values and admission visual acuity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 29 patients with traumatic optic neuropathy who underwent MR imaging with DWI. Uninjured contralateral optic nerves were used as controls. Two attending radiologists, blinded to the side of injury, independently reviewed the DWI for the presence of signal-intensity abnormality and obtained ADC values after manually selecting the ROI.

RESULTS

Hyperintensity of the optic nerve was demonstrated in 8 of the 29 patients, with a sensitivity of 27.6% (95% CI, 12.8-47.2) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 87.9-100). ADC values were obtained in 25 patients. The mean ADC in the posterior segment of the injured nerve was significantly lower than that in the contralateral uninjured nerve (Welch ANOVA, F = 9.7, P = .003). There was a moderate-to-strong correlation between low ADC values and poor visual acuity in 10 patients in whom visual acuity could be obtained at admission (R = 0.7, P = .02). Patients with optic nerve hyperintensity presented with worse visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperintensity of the optic nerve due to diffusion restriction can serve as a specific imaging marker of traumatic optic neuropathy. When paired with reduced ADC values, this finding may be an important surrogate for visual acuity.

Audit-induced change reduces complications of the Ganz trochanteric flip approach

INTRODUCTION

The Ganz trochanteric flip approach aims to avoid the potential risk of avascular necrosis in hip conserving surgery and may reduce the risk of femoral neck fractures, neck thinning and femoral head implant migration in hip resurfacing. Our initial audit revealed the complications of non-union and trochanteric screw irritation to be associated with this approach. We, therefore, modified our selection criteria and re-audited our results.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The initial audit (IA) ran between January 2003 and November 2007 after which an age limit of 50 years was recommended. The re-audit (RA) ran between November 2007 and December 2008 where one of the senior authors stopped using the approach in the over 50 year age group whilst the other senior author continued on selected patients over 50 years.

RESULTS

There were 545 hips in the IA and 152 hips in the RA group. The incidence of non-union decreased in the RA after the change of selection criteria (6.2% [IA] vs 1.3% [RA]). In both audit groups, the incidence of non-union increased with age, and in the RA no non-unions were observed under the age of 50 years. The incidence of screw irritation and the necessity for removal remained relatively unchanged (20.7% [IA] vs 28.3% [RA]) with a combined incidence of 22.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The trochanteric flip approach to the hip can be used safely with an acceptable complication rate in young adult impingement and resurfacing surgery. Caution must, however, be exercised in patients over 50 years of age as they have a higher incidence of trochanteric non-union. In addition, all patients should be consented for the possibility of screw removal as a second procedure.

Cognitive behavior therapy for stuttering: a case series

The present investigation was aimed at studying the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing the symptoms of stuttering and dysfunctional cognitions and in enhancing assertiveness and quality of life in clients with stuttering. Five clients with stuttering who met the inclusion criteria (male clients with diagnosis of stuttering) and exclusion criteria (clients with brian damage), substance abuse or mental retardation were enrolled for the study. A single-case design was adopted. The pre-, mid- and post-assessment were carried out using Stuttering Severity Scale (SSI), Perception of Stuttering Inventory (PSI), Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Dysfunctional Attitude (DAS), Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE), Assertiveness Scale (AS), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and World Health Organization - Quality of Life Scale (WHO-QOL). Five clients received cognitive behavioral intervention comprising of psycho-education, relaxation, deep breathing, humming, prolongation, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving strategies and assertiveness. At post-treatment assessment, there was improvement. The findings of the study are discussed in the light of available research work, implications, limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.

Studies on exhaust emissions of mahua oil operated compression ignition engine

The world is confronted with fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The energy demand and pollution problems lead to research for an alternative renewable energy sources. Vegetable oils and biodiesel present a very promising alternative fuel to diesel. In this work, an experimental work was carried out to study the feasibility of using raw mahua oil (MO) as a substitute for diesel in dual fuel engine. A single cylinder diesel engine was modified to work in dual fuel mode and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was used as primary fuel and mahua oil was used as pilot fuel. The results show that the performance of the dual fuel engine at the injector opening pressure of 220 bar and the advanced injection timing of 30 degrees bTDC results in performance close to diesel base line (DBL) operation and lower smoke and oxides of nitrogen emission.

Health metrics improve childhood immunisation coverage in a rural population of Andhra Pradesh

Infant and child mortality, including deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases, remains high in the rural areas of India. In Andhra Pradesh, the immunisation coverage of children in the 12-23 month age-group has progressively declined to 43%, indicating the immediate need for taking corrective steps. The Rural Effective Affordable Comprehensive Healthcare (REACH) project, based on the health metrics strategy was initiated to improve childhood immunisation coverage. Information on the immunisation status of children was recorded and each child was tracked with the help of a computerised database to provide timely immunisation. The health metrics strategy resulted in complete immunisation (96%) of all the 698 children in the 12-23 month age-group residing in the villages of the Medchal Mandal in the year 2007, as compared to 43% reported by the National Family Health Survey-3. Action oriented health metrics coupled with information technology can thereby improve childhood immunisation significantly.

Study of the safety, immunogenicity and seroconversion of a hepatitis-B vaccine in malnourished children of India

Sixty rural children who were seronegative for HBV markers received three doses of 10 microgram of a new Hepatitis-B vaccine, Revac-B (1 ml of vaccine contains 20 microgram recombinant surface antigen) that was formulated from hepatitis-B surface antigen expressed in a recombinant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Vaccines were administered on a 0, 30 and 60-day schedule. Levels of anti-HBs titres were determined on the 30th, 60th and 90th days following the initial injection. None of the participants in the trial had serious adverse reactions and the frequencies of minor side effects were minimal. No clinically important adverse effects which could be considered as directly related to the vaccination were recorded. The volunteers showed a very good immune response and were seroprotected on the 30th day after the first dose of vaccination. The present study revealed that the new vaccine, Revac-B is highly immunogenic and is well tolerated.

Prospective observational study of primary angioplasty of the infarct-related artery for acute myocardial infarction

Primary angioplasty has been shown to reduce rates of in-hospital mortality, recurrent ischaemia and infarction. However, the role of primary stenting and abciximab is presently undergoing evaluation. This study attempted to examine the feasibility, safety and outcomes of primary angioplasty in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Data in 100 patients who underwent primary angioplasty for evolving acute myocardial infarction was prospectively analysed to assess the safety and efficacy of various modalities. Twenty patients were in Killip class III and above. Multivessel (2 or more vessels) disease was noted in more than 52 cases. Procedural success was 99 percent; 86 patients received primary stenting, majority of them had Kalam-Raju stent implantation. Adjunct treatment included abciximab infusion in 22 and intra-aortic balloon pump support in 12. Overall mortality rate was six percent with a mortality of 2.2 percent in non-cardiogenic shock patients. Recurrent ischaemic events were noted in five, three of them had successful reperfusion with repeat angioplasty. None of the patients had emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. It is concluded that primary angioplasty is safe and effective with high procedural success. Recurrent ischaemic events are low, possibly due to routine use of stenting and selective use of abciximab.

Clinical evaluation of new balloon mountable coil stent: in-hospital and follow-up results

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of elective deployment of a new coil-stent (KR stent) in patients with coronary artery disease. KR stent deployment was attempted in 100 patients (135 lesions) enrolled prospectively at a single centre from December 1996 to March 1997. Ten, 15, 18, 24, and 32 mm long KR stents were manually crimped onto balloons and deployed in native coronary artery lesions. Majority of the patients had recent acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina 30% and post-myocardial infarction angina 56%). Diabetes was present in 34 percent of the patients. Fifty-six percent had single-vessel and 44 percent multi-vessel disease. In 38 percent, the lesions were located in proximal segments and 40 percent of lesions were long. KR stents were successfully deployed in 98 percent of patients. Mean minimal luminal diameter increased by 2.89 +/- 0.63 mm (from 0.57 +/- 0.38 mm before to 3.45 +/- 0.56 mm after the procedure). Mean percent diameter stenosis decreased from 83.33 +/- 10.84 percent before to 3.38 +/- 5.74 percent after the stent deployment. Mean reference vessel diameter was 3.45 +/- 0.56 mm. There were occasional technical complications including balloon rupture (1), stent migration (2) and distal embolisation of atheromatous material (1). One patient developed subacute stent thrombosis. There were no other major in-hospital cardiovascular events. At the end of six-month follow-up, there were no myocardial infarction or death. Six patients presented with recurrence of symptoms within six-months of the procedure, four of whom underwent target vessel revascularisation procedure. In conclusion, the in-hospital and six-month follow-up clinical results were highly encouraging with KR stent. Successful deployment rates were high despite unfavourable clinical and angiographic background. Low clinical events on follow-up will make it suitable for elective stenting.

Matrix metalloproteinase activities in avian tibial dyschondroplasia

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in poultry is a disorder of growth plate cartilage that fails to resorb and consequently prevents bone formation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) contribute to the process of resorption through the degradation of extracellular matrices and facilitating vascularization, growth plate remodeling, and maturation. In order to understand the cause of the failure of cartilage degradation in TD, the gelatinase and collagenase activities, and the levels of collagen and glycosaminoglycans of conditioned media derived from cartilage-explant cultures of normal and TD growth plates were measured. Substrate zymography exhibited two prominent gelatinolytic and collagenolytic bands corresponding to MW 63, 59, and a broad but fuzzy band of activity between 100 and 200 kDa. On treatment with 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate, a compound that converts proenzyme forms of MMP, the 63 kDa MW gelatinolytic band migrated as a approximately 60 kDa band and contributed to the broadening of the 59 kDa band. The TD-growth plate-conditioned media had significantly lower collagenolytic-gelatinolytic activities. The sulfated glycosaminoglycans, but not the collagen contents of the conditioned media from TD-explant cultures, were also reduced significantly. It is likely that the decreased matrix metalloproteinase activities of growth plate chondrocyte may contribute to a reduced turnover of extracellular matrices (ECM), leading to the retention of cartilage and its lack of vascularity in TD-affected growth plates.

The natural history of cervical spondylotic myelopathy

This is a retrospective study of twenty-two patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who were admitted to the hospital for surgical treatment of their neurological condition. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the presenting symptoms, factors affecting the diagnosis and the course of the disease prior to surgical intervention. The earliest consistent symptom in all of our patients was a gait abnormality. The course of the disease was one of progressive deterioration. Spontaneous regression did not occur in any of the cases. The vagueness of the initial complaints led to considerable delay in the diagnosis (average of 6.3 years). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was the most useful test in confirming the diagnosis.