Predicting Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Adverse Outcomes by Imaging Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20-30% of ischemic strokes are caused by internal carotid artery stenosis. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death in the United States. Second generation transcarotid arterial revascularization (TCAR) stenting, using the ENROUTE flow reversal technology to prevent embolic stroke during the stenting process, has demonstrated stroke and death outcomes equivalent to carotid endarterectomy with reduced cranial nerve injury. However, at present, it is not known whether imaging characteristics obtained preoperatively can predict outcomes of TCAR procedures. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent TCAR with flow reversal at three hospitals within a single hospital network who had computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging angiography, or preoperative diagnostic angiogram to determine whether carotid and lesion characteristics could predict patients who experienced major adverse critical events (MACE) versus those who did not. MACE was defined as myocardial infarction at 30 days, restenosis/persistent stenosis (peak systolic velocity within the stent >230 cm/sec by postoperative ultrasound), stroke within any time of follow-up, or death within 1 year of TCAR. Student's t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to compare imaging characteristics, such as presence of pinpoint stenosis, calcification within the common carotid artery at the take-off from the aorta, and plaque length in millimeters. Binomial logistic regression was used to examine the likelihood that imaging characteristics were associated with MACE. RESULTS: Of 220 patients who underwent TCAR in our network, seven were excluded because flow reversal was not used or appropriate imaging had not been performed prior to TCAR. Of the 213 patients who were included in analysis, the median length of follow-up was 10.8 months (interquartile range: 3.4-33.1 months). Twelve percent (26/213) experienced MACE and a model based on imaging characteristics was statistically significant in predicting MACE with 68% accuracy (P = 0.005). The presence of pinpoint stenosis was highly predictive of MACE (hazards ratio: 3.34, confidence interval: 1.2 to 9.3, P = 0.021). A shorter clavicle to carotid bifurcation distance was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing MACE (P = 0.009) but it was weakly predictive (hazards ratio: 1.03, confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative imaging characteristics, such as pinpoint stenosis and clavicle to carotid bifurcation distance, can be used to predict adverse outcomes in TCAR placement.

Combined MPFL reconstruction and tibial tubercle osteotomy for patellar instability: A retrospective review of 23 patients.

The primary objective of this retrospective study is to compare patient outcomes following a combined approach (MPFL reconstruction and TTT) to outcomes reported in the literature by patients who required either only an isolated TTT procedure to treat pathologic lateral patellar instability or isolated MPFL reconstruction to treat patellar dislocation due to MPFL insufficiency. Twenty-three patients (74%) were available for follow-up and are included in our analysis. MPFL reconstruction combined with TTT has a high rate of success for patients presenting with patellar instability and extensor mechanism mal-alignment. The risk of recurrence with this technique was low (4.3%).

Distal Mononeuropathy Before and After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Investigation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the occurrence of distal mononeuropathy (DMN) in patients before and after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) as well as resolution of the symptoms. METHODS: One hundred one patients over the age of 18 undergoing arthroscopic RCR +/- concurrent procedures completed a questionnaire regarding the presence of a symptomatic DMN. Patients with history of diabetic neuropathy, cervical radiculopathy, brachial plexopathy, or Spurling sign were excluded. All patients underwent physical examination to determine the characteristics and location of symptoms. Postoperatively, patients underwent repeat examination at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 19% (19/101) of RCR patients described DMN symptoms (9 median nerve symptoms, 5 ulnar nerve symptoms, 4 nonspecific symptoms, one with both ulnar and median nerve symptoms). Ninety percent (17/19) patients with preoperative DMN symptoms described resolution within the final 12 weeks of follow-up. A portion of previously asymptomatic RCR patients (12/82) developed new DMN symptoms (6 nonspecific symptoms, 3 ulnar nerve symptoms, 2 median nerve symptoms, one radial sensory nerve symptoms) postoperatively, with 92% (11/12) having resolution by the final 12-week follow-up. At the final 12 weeks, 3 RCR patients had DMN symptoms with 2 of those 3 patients having their symptoms existing preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the hypothesis that DMN can be a preexisting finding in patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR. Similarly, it is common for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR to develop new DMN symptoms following their procedure. Regardless, there is good evidence to show that a large majority of both groups of patients will go on to have resolution of their symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prospective case series.

Surgical Cost Disclosure May Reduce Operating Room Expenditures.

Health care expenditures are rising in the United States. Recent policy changes are attempting to reduce spending through the development of value-based payment systems that rely heavily on cost transparency. This study was conducted to investigate whether cost disclosure influences surgeons to reduce operating room expenditures. Beginning in 2012, surgeon scorecards were distributed at a regional health care system. The scorecard reported the actual direct supply cost per case for a specific procedure and compared each surgeon's data with those of other surgeons in the same subspecialty. Rotator cuff repair was chosen for analysis. Actual direct supply cost per case was calculated quarterly and collected over a 2-year period. Surgeons were given a questionnaire to determine their interest in the scorecard. Actual direct supply cost per rotator cuff repair procedure decreased by $269 during the study period. A strong correlation (R2=0.77) between introduction of the scorecards and cost containment was observed. During the study period, a total of $39,831 was saved. Of the surgeons who were queried, 89% were interested in the scorecard and 56% altered their practice as a result. Disclosure of surgical costs may be an effective way to control operating room spending. The findings suggest that providing physicians with knowledge about their surgical charges can alter per-case expenditures. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e269-e274.].

Arthroscopic Transosseous and Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair: An Analysis of Cost, Operative Time, and Clinical Outcomes.

The incidence of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) continues to rise. Given the changing healthcare climate, it is becoming increasingly important to critically evaluate current practice and attempt to make modifications that decrease costs without compromising patient outcomes. We conducted a study of the costs associated with arthroscopic anchorless (transosseous [TO]) RCR and those associated with the more commonly performed anchor-based TO-equivalent (TOE) method to determine whether there are any cost savings with the TO-RCR method. Twenty-one consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic TO-RCR were prospectively enrolled in the study and matched on tear size and concomitant procedures with patients who underwent arthroscopic TOE-RCR. The groups' implant costs and operative times were obtained and compared. Outcome measures, including scores on the VAS (visual analog scale) for pain, the SANE (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation), and the SST (Simple Shoulder Test), recorded at 3, 6, and >12 months after surgery, were compared between the TO and TOE groups. Mean implant cost was $946.91 less for the TO group than the TOE group-a significant difference. Mean operative time was not significantly different between the TO and TOE groups. There was significant improvement on all outcomes measures (VAS, SANE, SST) at >12 months, and this improvement was not significantly different between the groups. Arthroscopic TO-RCR provides significant cost savings over TOE-RCR with no significant difference in operative time or short-term outcomes.

Accuracy of Athletic Trainer and Physician Diagnoses in Sports Medicine.

It is standard practice in high school athletic programs for certified athletic trainers to evaluate and treat injured student athletes. In some cases, a trainer refers an athlete to a physician for definitive medical management. This study was conducted to determine the rate of agreement between athletic trainers and physicians regarding assessment of injuries in student athletes. All high school athletes who were injured between 2010 and 2012 at 5 regional high schools were included in a research database. All patients who were referred for physician evaluation and treatment were identified and included in this analysis. A total of 286 incidents met the inclusion criteria. A total of 263 (92%) of the athletic trainer assessments and physician diagnoses were in agreement. In the 23 cases of disagreement, fractures and sprains were the most common injuries. Kappa analysis showed the highest interrater agreement in injuries classified as dislocations and concussions and the lowest interrater agreement in meniscal/labral injuries and fractures. In the absence of a confirmed diagnosis, agreement among health care providers can be used to infer accuracy. According to this principle, as agreement between athletic trainers and physicians improves, there is a greater likelihood of arriving at the correct assessment and treatment plan. Athletic trainers are highly skilled professionals who are well trained in the evaluation of athletic injuries. The current study showed that additional training in identifying fractures may be beneficial to athletic trainers and the athletes they treat. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(5):e944-e949.].

Levels of Evidence in Orthopaedic Trauma Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To review and critically assess trends observed regarding the levels of evidence in published articles in orthopaedic traumatology literature. DATA SOURCES: The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American, and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. STUDY SELECTION: All articles from the years 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT) and orthopaedic trauma-related articles from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American (JBJS-A) and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) were analyzed. Articles were categorized by type and ranked for level of evidence according to guidelines from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. DATA EXTRACTION: Study type and standardized level of evidence were determined for each article. Articles were subcategorized as high-level evidence (I, II), moderate-level evidence (III), and low-level evidence (IV, V). DATA SYNTHESIS: During the study period, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American reduced its low-level studies from 80% to 40% (P = 0.00015), Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research decreased its low-level studies from 70% to 27%, and Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma decreased its low-level studies from 78% to 45%. Level IV and V therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies demonstrated significant decreases during the study period (P = 0.0046, P < 0.0001, P = 0.026). The percentage of high-level studies increased from 13% to 19%; however, this was not significant (P = 0.42). There was a trend showing an increase in level I and II studies for therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a statistically significant decrease in lower level of evidence studies published in the orthopaedic traumatology literature over the past 15 years.

Economic analysis of athletic team coverage by an orthopedic practice.

OBJECTIVE: Coverage of high school football by orthopedic sports medicine specialists is considered standard of care in many localities. Determining the economic viability of this endeavor has never been investigated. The primary purpose of the present investigation was to perform an economic analysis of local high school sports coverage by an orthopedic sports medicine practice. METHODS: From January 2010 to June 2012, a prospective injury report database was used to collect sports injuries from five high school athletic programs covered by a single, private orthopedic sports medicine practice. Patients referred for orthopedic care were then tracked to determine expected cost of care (potential revenue). Evaluation and management codes and current procedure terminology codes were obtained to determine the value of physician visits and surgical care rendered. Overhead costs were calculated based on historical rates within our practice and incorporated to determine estimated profit. RESULTS: 19,165 athletic trainer contacts with athletes playing all sports, including both those 'on-field' and in the training room, resulted in 473 (2.5%) physician referrals. The covering orthopedic practice handled 89 (27.9%) of the orthopedic referrals. Of orthopedic physician referrals, 26 (5.4%) required orthopedic surgical treatment. The covering team practice handled 17/26 (65%) surgical cases. The total revenue collected by the covering team practice was $26,226.14. The overhead cost of treatment was $9441.41. Overall estimated profit of orthopedic visits and treatment during this period for the covering practice was $16,784.73. CONCLUSIONS: The covering team practice handled 28% of the orthopedic referrals, 65% of the surgical cases and captured 59% of the potential profit. An increase in physician referrals could increase the benefit for orthopedic surgeons.