Trial of Vancomycin and Cefazolin as Surgical Prophylaxis in Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The addition of vancomycin to beta-lactam prophylaxis in arthroplasty may reduce surgical-site infections; however, the efficacy and safety are unclear.

METHODS

In this multicenter, double-blind, superiority, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned adult patients without known methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization who were undergoing arthroplasty to receive 1.5 g of vancomycin or normal saline placebo, in addition to cefazolin prophylaxis. The primary outcome was surgical-site infection within 90 days after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 4239 patients underwent randomization. Among 4113 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (2233 undergoing knee arthroplasty, 1850 undergoing hip arthroplasty, and 30 undergoing shoulder arthroplasty), surgical-site infections occurred in 91 of 2044 patients (4.5%) in the vancomycin group and in 72 of 2069 patients (3.5%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 to 1.73; P = 0.11). Among patients undergoing knee arthroplasty, surgical-site infections occurred in 63 of 1109 patients (5.7%) in the vancomyin group and in 42 of 1124 patients (3.7%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.23). Among patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, surgical-site infections occurred in 28 of 920 patients (3.0%) in the vancomyin group and in 29 of 930 patients (3.1%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.63). Adverse events occurred in 35 of 2010 patients (1.7%) in the vancomycin group and in 35 of 2030 patients (1.7%) in the placebo group, including hypersensitivity reactions in 24 of 2010 patients (1.2%) and 11 of 2030 patients (0.5%), respectively (relative risk, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.08 to 4.49), and acute kidney injury in 42 of 2010 patients (2.1%) and 74 of 2030 patients (3.6%), respectively (relative risk, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of vancomycin to cefazolin prophylaxis was not superior to placebo for the prevention of surgical-site infections in arthroplasty among patients without known MRSA colonization. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12618000642280.).

Three-year functional outcome of transosseous-equivalent double-row vs. single-row repair of small and large rotator cuff tears: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The trial aimed to prospectively compare the functional outcomes of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using transosseous-equivalent double-row (TEDR) or single-row (SR) suture anchor techniques at 3 years postoperatively for both large (>3 cm) and small (<3 cm) tears.

METHODS

Eighty patients with a symptomatic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-proven full-thickness rotator cuff tear, who had failed conservative management of at least 6 months' duration and who had a complete passive range of motion of the affected shoulder, were enrolled in the trial. Patients were randomized to TEDR repair (n = 40) or SR repair (n = 40). Subgroup analysis was conducted for tears <3 cm (TEDR n = 17, SR n = 19) and tears >3 cm (TEDR n = 23, SR n = 21). Primary outcomes included the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and the Constant-Murley score (CMS). The secondary outcomes included a 0-100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, range of motion (ROM), and EQ-5D scores. All patients completed a follow-up of 3 years.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the mean OSS postoperative score for tears >3 cm (P = .01) and mean improvement from baseline in the TEDR group (P = .001). For tears >3 cm, mean postoperative scores were also significantly higher in the TEDR group for UCLA (P = .015) and CMS (P = .001). Post hoc testing showed that the differences between these groups was statistically significant (P < .05). For tears <3 cm, a significant postoperative difference in favor of SR repair was seen in the mean CMSs (P = .011), and post hoc testing showed that the difference was statistically significant (P = .015). No significant difference was seen with mean postoperative OSS or UCLA, and post hoc testing did not show a statistically significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

TEDR repair showed improved functional outcomes for tears >3 cm compared with SR repair. For tears <3 cm, no clear benefit was seen with either technique.

Arthroscopic repair of isolated subscapularis tears: clinical outcome and structural integrity with a minimum follow-up of 4.6 years

BACKGROUND

After isolated subscapularis repair, improvement in shoulder function has been reported at short-term review. The purpose of this study was to determine whether arthroscopic subscapularis repair provides durable improvement in objective and subjective shoulder function with a low structural retear rate.

METHODS

All patients treated with arthroscopic repair of an isolated subscapularis tear between August 2003 and December 2012 with a minimum follow-up period of 4.6 years were identified from our database. A number of patients in our study cohort underwent a prior complete midterm assessment, which allowed a subgroup analysis to detect changes in structural integrity and corresponding function. Clinical and radiographic outcomes, including outcomes on conventional radiography and magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, were assessed.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 36 shoulders with a mean patient age of 57.7 years (range, 31-75 years; standard deviation, 10.6 years). The mean follow-up period was 8.6 years (range, 4.6-13.9 years; standard deviation, 2.44 years). Internal rotation to the thoracic vertebrae was achieved in 94% of cases and was significantly improved (P < .001) compared with the preoperative situation. The mean relative Constant score improved from 68% preoperatively to 93% at final follow-up (P < .001). Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation showed a rerupture rate of 2.7% (1 of 36 shoulders). Twenty patients underwent previous complete midterm assessment (mean, 2.9 years; range, 1-4.5 years), with comparisons between midterm and long-term follow-up showing comparable results without statistically significant deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional and subjective improvements in shoulder function are maintained at a mean follow-up of more than 8 years after isolated subscapularis repair and are associated with a low structural failure rate of the repair.

Efficacy of Primary Repair in Professional Athletes with Chronic Radial Collateral Ligament Injuries of Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Background: Management of grade III injuries of the radial collateral ligament (RCL) of the thumb is controversial. These injuries are often treated with early surgery. However, early surgery may not be practical for the professional athlete. We report on the outcome of delayed primary repair of chronic RCL injuries without the use of tendon grafts or tendon transfers. Methods: Twelve elite professional athletes with 15 soft tissue RCL injuries who underwent delayed surgery (greater than 6 weeks) were included in this study. Athletes were managed with splinting and ongoing play during the sporting season, and underwent surgery at the conclusion of the season. Mean duration from injury to surgery was 5 months. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years after surgery. Patient-report outcome measures including pain, satisfaction rating, and disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores were collected. Examination findings including range of motion, laxity, and grip and pinch strength were also measured. Return-to-play data were collected for all athletes. Results: The RCL was able to be primarily repaired with suture anchors in all cases. All twelve patients were able to return to competitive play at the same pre-injury professional level. Post-operative joint function such as range of motion and laxity were comparable to the unaffected contralateral side, as were grip and lateral pinch strengths. Tip-pinch strength is lower compared to the unaffected side, but is comparable to age and sex-matched reference group. Conclusions: Delayed primary repair of the RCL is a viable option and results in satisfactory long-term outcomes. This option may be more preferable to the professional athlete who wishes to avoid surgery during the sporting season.

Posterior Acromial Morphology Is Significantly Associated with Posterior Shoulder Instability

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this paper was to determine whether acromial morphology influences anteroposterior shoulder stability. We hypothesized that a more horizontal and higher position of the acromion in the sagittal plane would be associated with posterior instability.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients with unidirectional posterior instability were age and sex-matched to a cohort of patients with unidirectional anterior instability. Both cohorts were compared with a control group of patients with no instability and no degenerative glenohumeral (rotator cuff and/or joint surface) or acromial changes. Measurements on radiographs included posterior acromial tilt, anterior and posterior acromial coverage (AAC and PAC), posterior acromial height (PAH), and the critical shoulder angle (CSA).

RESULTS

The number of patients enrolled in each instability group was 41, based on a priori power analysis. The control group consisted of 53 shoulders. Of the measured anatomic factors, PAH showed the most significant association with posterior instability (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; p < 0.001) in the logistic regression model. PAH was significantly greater in the posterior instability group compared with the anterior instability group (30.9 versus 19.5 mm; p < 0.001). With a cutoff value of PAH of 23 mm, the OR for posterior instability was 39. Shoulders with posterior instability were also significantly different from normal shoulders with regard to PAH (p < 0.001), AAC (p < 0.001), and PAC (p < 0.001) whereas, in the shoulders with anterior instability, all of these values except the AAC (p = 0.011) did not differ from those of normal shoulders.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific acromial morphology is significantly associated with the direction of glenohumeral instability. In shoulders with posterior instability, the acromion is situated higher and is oriented more horizontally in the sagittal plane than in normal shoulders and those with anterior instability; this acromial position may provide less osseous restraint against posterior humeral head translation. A steep "Swiss chalet roof-type" acromion virtually excluded recurrent posterior instability in an albeit relatively small cohort of patients. Additional investigation is needed to determine the relevance of these findings for future treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Restriction of Passive Glenohumeral Abduction Combined With Normal Passive External Rotation Is a Diagnostic Feature of Calcific Tendinitis

Background:

Passive glenohumeral range of motion may be characteristically limited to specific shoulder pathologies. While pain associated with loss of range of passive external glenohumeral rotation is recognized as a salient feature in adhesive capsulitis, restriction of glenohumeral range of motion in calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon has never been studied.

Hypothesis:

On the basis of clinical observation, we hypothesized that calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon is associated with loss of passive glenohumeral abduction without loss of external rotation.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Ranges of passive glenohumeral rotation and abduction, which are measured with a standardized protocol in our institution, were retrospectively reviewed and compared for patients diagnosed with either adhesive capsulitis or calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon. A total of 57 patients met the inclusion criteria for the calcific tendinitis, and 77 met the inclusion criteria for the adhesive capsulitis group.

Results:

When compared with the contralateral, unaffected shoulder, glenohumeral abduction in the calcific tendinitis group was restricted by a median of 10° (interquartile range [IQR], –20° to –5°) as opposed to glenohumeral external rotation, which was not restricted at all (median, 0°; IQR, 0° to 0°). The adhesive capsulitis group showed a median restriction of glenohumeral abduction of 40° (IQR, –50° to –30°) and a median restriction of passive glenohumeral external rotation of 40° (IQR, –60° to –30°).

Conclusion:

Calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus does not typically cause loss of external rotation but is frequently associated with mild isolated restriction of abduction. This finding can be used to clinically differentiate adhesive capsulitis from calcific tendinitis.

The incidence of noise generation arising from the large-diameter Delta Motion ceramic total hip bearing

Noise generation has been reported with ceramic-on-ceramic articulations in total hip replacement (THR). This study evaluated 208 consecutive Delta Motion THRs at a mean follow-up of 21 months (12 to 35). There were 141 women and 67 men with a mean age of 59 years (22 to 84). Patients were reviewed clinically and radiologically, and the incidence of noise was determined using a newly described assessment method. Noise production was examined against range of movement, ligamentous laxity, patient-reported outcome scores, activity level and orientation of the acetabular component. There were 143 silent hips (69%), 22 (11%) with noises other than squeaking, 17 (8%) with unreproducible squeaking and 26 (13%) with reproducible squeaking. Hips with reproducible squeaking had a greater mean range of movement (p < 0.001) and mean ligament laxity (p = 0.004), smaller median head size (p = 0.01) and decreased mean acetabular component inclination (p = 0.02) and anteversion angle (p = 0.02) compared with the other groups. There was no relationship between squeaking and age (p = 0.13), height (p = 0.263), weight (p = 0.333), body mass index (p = 0.643), gender (p = 0.07) or patient outcome score (p = 0.422). There were no revisions during follow-up. Despite the surprisingly high incidence of squeaking, all patients remain satisfied with their hip replacement.

An unusual presentation of tibial plafond fracture post-removal of diastasis screws

Removal of internal fixation is a common procedure with recognized complication of re-fracture. Bone integrity is known to be compromised by even a single screw hole. After screw removal and return to weight bearing, the advent of minor pain is not uncommon, and with the absence of new X-ray findings, it is rarely investigated further. We present the case of an acute, non-traumatic fracture of the tibial plafond following ankle diastasis screw removal not seen on X-ray.

Hepatic hydrothorax. Cause and management

Significant pleural effusions are infrequently noted in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. A large effusion (hepatic hydrothorax) occasionally appears during the course of the disease. The fluid in the pleural space is believed to be derived from ascitic fluid that may accompany hepatic cirrhosis. Although the exact mechanism is somewhat controversial, it appears that the ascitic fluid is transported directly into the pleural space. A therapeutic thoracentesis, usually accompanied by a paracentesis, may be necessary to relieve acute symptoms. Long-term management, however, centers around eliminating or reducing the formation of ascites. When this is not successful, tube thoracostomy followed by chemical pleurodesis, primary repair of diaphragmatic defects with pleural sclerosis, or peritoneovenous shunting in conjunction with chemical pleurodesis may be attempted. These interventions may or may not be successful. Management of hepatic hydrothorax remains a clinical challenge.