Is a Suction Drain Necessary in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of suction drain use following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early pain score and range of motion (ROM) between groups with and without suction drains. METHODS: The study included 153 patients with rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic repairs at our clinic from April 2014 to March 2015. Following surgery, a suction drain was used in 85 patients (group D) and not used in 68 patients (group ND). There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, or total operation time. The clinical outcome with regard to pain (assessed by pain scores and analgesic requests) and passive ROM was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Immediate postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly higher in group D (p=0.001), although there was no difference in pain outcomes between the groups during the 3-month follow-up period. A statistically significant difference in passive ROM was observed at the postoperative 2- and 6-week follow-ups (p=0.036, 0.035, and 0.034 in forward elevation (FE), external rotation at the side (ER) and 90 ER at weeks 2, respectively; 0.045 and 0.009 in FE and ER at weeks 6, respectively); however no significant difference was observed at the end of 3 months. During the study period, no complication was reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of suction drains after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provided little benefit in terms of ROM or pain in the early postoperative period (up to 3 months).

Is a Suction Drain Necessary in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of suction drain use following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early pain score and range of motion (ROM) between groups with and without suction drains. METHODS: The study included 153 patients with rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic repairs at our clinic from April 2014 to March 2015. Following surgery, a suction drain was used in 85 patients (group D) and not used in 68 patients (group ND). There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, or total operation time. The clinical outcome with regard to pain (assessed by pain scores and analgesic requests) and passive ROM was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Immediate postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly higher in group D (p=0.001), although there was no difference in pain outcomes between the groups during the 3-month follow-up period. A statistically significant difference in passive ROM was observed at the postoperative 2- and 6-week follow-ups (p=0.036, 0.035, and 0.034 in forward elevation (FE), external rotation at the side (ER) and 90 ER at weeks 2, respectively; 0.045 and 0.009 in FE and ER at weeks 6, respectively); however no significant difference was observed at the end of 3 months. During the study period, no complication was reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of suction drains after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provided little benefit in terms of ROM or pain in the early postoperative period (up to 3 months).

Hip Arthroplasty for Failed Internal Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fractures / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and radiological results of hip arthroplasty following the failed internal fixation of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the reasons for failure in 29 cases of hip arthroplasty from January 1997 through December 2008 in which the hip arthroplasty was necessary due to failed internal fixation of an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur. Furthermore, we tried to find pitfalls encountered when performing the operations. We assessed those patients and drew both clinical (Harris hip score, HHS) and radiological results. The follow-up period was 34.2 months(12-96 months), on average. RESULTS: The average operating time was 174 min.(115-205 min.) and the mean amount of perioperative bleeding was 1,335 ml(759-2,450 ml). The amount of packed RBC transfusion was 2.8 units(0-10 units) on average. We could see prolonged operation time and a large amount of blood loss as we performed both the removal of the previously fixed implant and reduction of the displaced bone fragment simultaneously. The mean Harris hip score of the patients was improved from the preoperative score of 43 to the postoperative score of 85.7. No cases showed any radiological signs of loosening of acetabular cups or femoral stems, although an articular dislocation and a postoperative joint infection occurred. CONCLUSION: Although hip arthroplasties performed because of a failure in internal fixation could provide relatively satisfactory outcomes, as they result in extended surgery time and greater blood loss, a requirement for higher-level surgical skills, and greater consideration required for the systemic conditions of patients before performing surgery.

Treatment of Infected Hip Arthroplasty with Antibiotic-Impregnated Calcium Sulfate Cement

PURPOSE: To analyze the effectiveness of inserting beads made of calcium sulfate cement that were also impregnated with Vancomycin after debridement of an acute-immediate stage infected hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008, the cases of 13 patients with documented acute-immediate stage infections of hip arthroplasty were reviewed and followed for at least two years postoperatively (average 4.3 years). The preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiologic findings and blood laboratory work of the cases were checked. All cases were performed through retention of the implant and massive debridement and saline irrigation. Next, vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate cement beads were inserted. RESULTS: After the first operation, the average interval to wait before performing a second operation was 27.7 days (17~37 days). During the second operation, the erythrocyte sediment rate and C-reactive protein were 150.97 mm/hr (34.6~339.7 mm/hr) and 76.4 mg/L (41~132 mg/L), respectively. Infectious organisms were cultured and isolated. There were 5 cases of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, the results of an antibiotics sensitivity test revealed 8 cases of Vancomycin and 5 cases of 3rd generation Cephalosporin. Radiologic results showed 10 cases with a stable fixation on the last follow-up (femoral stem), and 1 case of hip joint space narrowing, called acetabular erosion. CONCLUSION: Inserting beads made of calcium sulfate cement that were also impregnated with Vancomycin proved to be a useful treatment for an acute immediate infection of hip arthroplasty.