3-Dimensional Printing for Hip Surgery: Current Landscape and Future Perspectives / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasing gradually in orthopedic surgery. Currently, the use of 3D printing in hip surgery is as follows: a bone model for preoperative planning or simulation, patient-specific instruments, surface treatment for stable fixation of implant, and customized implants tailored to the patient’s anatomical characteristics. Orthopedic surgeons can utilize 3D printing technology to improve the surgical techniques, minimize complications during surgery, and provide implants that are more suitable for patients in the correct position. In recent years, new materials for 3D printing are being explored, and the efficiency of cost and production time is improved by developing the production process. In addition, constant drug delivery by improving surface treatment, fusion with other new technologies, such as augmented reality, and tissue or organ regeneration using 3D bioprinting technology is being actively conducted. Above all, orthopedic surgeons should strive to provide the best treatment to patients by learning and researching these new trends, not just adhering to existing treatment methods.

Average 22-Year Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Harris-Galante Prosthesis in Patients under 50 Years

Background@#The Harris-Galante (HG) prosthesis is a first-generation, cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) prosthesis. Considering the recent increase in the demand for THA in young patients and their life expectancy, a study with a follow-up duration of longer than 20 years in a young population is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the long-term clinical and radiographic results after cementless THA using the HG prosthesis in patients younger than 50 years. @*Methods@#A total of 61 THAs performed using the HG with a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included. There were 38 men and 11 women with an average age of 46 years and the mean follow-up duration was 22 years. Clinical evaluation included modified Harris Hip Score (HHS) and radiographic analysis consisted of cup inclination, anteversion angle, component stability, osteolysis, liner wear rate, wear-through, liner dissociation, and heterotopic ossification. Complications included recurrent dislocation, periprosthetic femoral fracture, and periprosthetic joint infection. Survivorship analysis included cup and stem revision for aseptic loosening, as well as any revision. @*Results@#The HHS improved from 46.5 preoperatively to 81.8 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The average linear wear rate was 0.36 mm/yr. A total of 34 hips (56%) were revised: stem revision in 10 (16.4%), cup revision in 9 (14.8%), exchange limited to bearing surface in 8 (13.1%), and revision of all components in 7 (11.5%). Estimated survivorship at 34 years postoperatively was 90.9% for cup revision for aseptic loosening, 80.5% for stem revision for aseptic loosening, and 22.1% for any revision. @*Conclusions@#THA using the HG prosthesis showed satisfactory estimated survivorship of the acetabular and femoral components at 34 years postoperatively with good clinical outcomes. Bearing-related problems, such as osteolysis and liner dissociation, accounted for 56% of revision operations and were concerns in patients younger than 50 years.

Therapeutic drug monitoring on the use of transplacental digoxin in fetal tachyarrhythmia: a case report

Fetal tachycardia (FT) is a rare disorder and is associated with significant mortality of fetus. Digoxin is one of the antiarrhythmic agents used to treat FT via transplacental therapy. In this report, we describe a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) case of digoxin during the treatment of FT. A 40-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, hospitalized to control FT as the fetal heart rate (FHR) showed over 200 bpm on ultrasonography at 29 weeks of gestation. She did not have any medical or medication history and showed normal electrolytes level on clinical laboratory test results. For the treatment of FT loading and maintenance dose of intravenous digoxin (loading dose: 0.6 mg; maintenance dose: 0.3 mg every 8 hours) were administered. To monitor the efficacy and safety of the treatment, TDM was conducted with a target maternal serum trough digoxin concentration of 1.0 to 2.0 ng/mL, as well as ultrasonography and maternal electrocardiogram. The observed digoxin serum concentrations were 0.67, 0.83, and 1.05 ng/mL after 1, 2, and 5 days after the initiation of digoxin therapy, respectively. Although the serum digoxin concentrations reached the target range, the FHR did not improve. Therefore, digoxin was discontinued, and oral flecainide therapy was started. The FHR adjusted to the normal range within 2 days from changing treatment and remained stable. TDM of digoxin along with the monitoring of clinical responses can give valuable information for decision-making during the treatment FT.

Preoperative Iron Supplementation and Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Hip Fracture Surgery

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery (HFS) is often associated with perioperative blood loss, and it frequently necessitates transfusion. However, the hemoglobin (Hb) threshold for transfusion remains controversial in hip fracture patients. We evaluated the usefulness of the restrictive strategy and preoperative intravenous iron supplementation in HFS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,634 patients (> 60 years of age) who underwent HFS between May 2003 and June 2014 and were followed up for 1 year or more after surgery. We used the liberal transfusion strategy until May 2009 to determine the transfusion threshold; afterwards, we switched to the restrictive transfusion strategy. Patients with the restrictive transfusion strategy (restrictive group) received intravenous iron supplementation before surgery. We compared the transfusion rate, morbidity, and mortality of the restrictive group with those of the patients with the liberal transfusion strategy (liberal group). RESULTS: Preoperative intravenous iron supplementation was not associated with any adverse reactions. The transfusion rate was 65.3% (506/775) in the liberal group and 48.2% (414/859) in the restrictive group (p < 0.001). The mean hospital stay was shorter in the restrictive group (21.5 vs. 28.8 days, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the postoperative medical complications including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular event. Mortality at postoperative 30, 60, and 90 days was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our blood management protocol involving restrictive strategy combined with preoperative intravenous iron supplementation appears to be effective and safe in HFS of elderly patients.

Biomechanics of Hip and Hip Replacement Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The biomechanics study of the hip is aims to understand and explore the dynamic principles of weight transfer through the hip joint. This basic science knowledge can be applied in a variety of areas, including degenerative joint diseases and hip replacement arthroplasty. In particular, understanding of the biomechanics of the hip has led to the development of materials, design and fixation of implants, and it can be applied in various areas, such as the selection of surgical methods and the location of the implant. Moreover, it is essential to have good knowledge of the biomechanics of the hip to achieve better clinical results for patients. Therefore, this paper introduces the basic knowledge and biomechanical characteristics of a normal hip and hip replacement arthroplasty, which are needed to approach the biomechanics of the hip.

Atypical Femoral Fractures: What Do We Know about Them?

Recently, atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) have been found in patients who were prescribed bisphosphonate to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Although the occurrence of AFF is rare, there are some concerns, such as a higher risk of delayed or non-union of AFF. This paper reviews the treatment of AFF and suggests some considerations during surgery.