The validity of the distress thermometer in patients with musculoskeletal tumors.

Background: Visits to an outpatient cancer clinic represent a challenging situation for patients, which can trigger anxiety and helplessness in those affected. It is important to identify patients with high psychological distress as early as possible in order to provide them with supportive psychological interventions. The aim of this study was to validate the Distress Thermometer (DT), a widely used screening for distress, in a cohort of patients with musculoskeletal tumors and to explore associations between distress, treatment satisfaction and health literacy. Methods: All patients presenting to a University outpatient clinic for musculoskeletal cancers were asked to complete a set of questionnaires including the DT), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a comparison scale, the Patient Satisfaction with Comprehensive Cancer Care (SCCC) and European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16).To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the DT in a cohort of patients with musculoskeletal tumors, we compare the performance of the DT in relation to an established screener for anxiety and depression using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses. Results: A total of 120 patients (age 58 ± 18, 51% female) were analyzed. Patients reported a mean DT of 5.0 (SD 2.3, range, 0 to 10). Eighty-six patients (71.7 %) had a DT score ≥ 5 indicating moderate or severe psychological distress.The mean total HADS score (scale 0 to42 points) was 11.7 (SD 7.6, range, 0 to 32) with a HADS score of ≥ 15 in 29.2% of patients. The DT correlated moderately with anxiety and depression (HADS total r = 0.48, p < 0.001), while the correlation with depression (HADS-D, r = 0.47, p < 0.001) was stronger than with anxiety (HADS-A, r = 0.38, p < 0.001).For a DT score ≥ 5, ROC analysis yielded a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 75.3% for detecting moderate or severe psychological distress (HADS ≥ 15, AUC 0.782).The REPERES-G, collected from a subgroup (n = 49), showed high treatment satisfaction with a median score of 132 (min 90, max 163). Especially the "satisfaction with medical aspects of treatment" (REPERES-G medical aspects) showed a moderate correlation with the DT (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) a strong correlation with anxiety and depression (HADS total, r = 0.69, p < 0.001). Conclusion: About three in four patients with musculoskeletal tumors have relevant psychological distress. A visual analogue scale can only be a rough guide for identifying patients in need of psychological support, with a sensitivity of 71.4 % and a specificity of 75.3 %. A strong relationship between patient and care team was associated with lower patient psychological distress.Consequently, screening tools cannot replace detailed discussion and personal contact, especially in the treatment of malignant diseases.

Risk factors for intraoperative greater trochanteric fractures in hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular femoral neck fractures.

PURPOSE: Hemiarthroplasty is widely accepted as the treatment of choice in elderly patients with a displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture. Intraoperative greater trochanteric fractures thwart this successful procedure, resulting in prolonged recovery, inferior outcome, and increased risk of revision surgery. Hence, this study analyzed factors potentially associated with an increased risk for intraoperative greater trochanteric fracture. METHODS: This retrospective study included 512 hemiarthroplasties in 496 patients with a geriatric intracapsular femoral neck fracture from July 2010 to March 2020. All patients received the same implant type of which 90.4% were cemented and 9.6% non-cemented. Intra- and postoperative radiographs and reports were reviewed and particularly screened for greater trochanteric fractures. RESULTS: Female patients accounted for 74% and mean age of the patients was 82.3 (± 8.7) years. 34 (6.6%) intraoperative greater trochanteric fractures were identified. In relation to patient-specific factors, only a shorter prothrombin time was found to be significantly associated with increased risk of intraoperative greater trochanteric fracture (median 96%, IQR 82-106% vs. median 86.5%, IQR 68.8-101.5%; p = 0.046). Other factors associated with greater trochanteric fracture were a shorter preoperative waiting time and changes in perioperative settings. Outcome of patients with greater trochanteric fracture was worse with significantly more surgical site infection requiring revision surgery (17.6% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Prolonged prothrombin time, a shorter preoperative waiting time, and implementing new procedural standards and surgeons may be associated with an increased risk of a greater trochanteric fracture. Addressing these risk factors may reduce early periprosthetic infection which is strongly related to greater trochanteric fractures.

Megaendoprostheses in the management of malignant tumors of the lower extremities-risk factors for revision surgery.

BACKGROUND: Improved oncological and surgical measures now enable curative treatment of malignant lower extremity tumors in majority of cases. Complication rates associated with surgical resection of lower extremity tumors and replacement with megaendoprostheses are high. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that predispose to revision surgery following the use of megaimplants in curative treatment of malignant tumors of the lower extremities. METHODS: this retrospective study included patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent implantation of a megaendoprosthesis for tumors or metastatic lesions of the lower extremities between January 2010 and December 2020. Baseline characteristics and information on adjuvant treatment, hospitalization time, comorbidities, mobility, complications, and revision surgery were considered. Primary outcomes were revision surgery and reasons for revision. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital complications and the duration of hospitalization. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients (48% female, age 63 years, SD 15) were available for final analysis. Surgeries were performed at hip level in 37 patients (68.5%) and at knee level in 17 patients (31.5%). Revision for wound-related causes was performed in 12 cases (22.2%), with microbiological proof of infection in 8 cases (14.8%). Revision for hip joint instability was carried out in 4 cases (7.4%) and for disconnection between components of the megaimplant in 2 cases (3.7%). Those patients requiring a wound-related revision had undergone a longer primary surgical intervention than those who required an implant-related revision (276 vs 134 min, p = .002). Wound drains after the primary implantation remained longer in situ in patients who later required revision surgery for wound-related complications (5 vs 3 days, p = .020). An ASA > 3 was associated with an increased likelihood for in-hospital complications in general (p = .041), and in-hospital death in particular (p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: The management of malignant tumors of the lower extremities with megaendoprostheses is associated with a high rate of wound-related complications. Swift surgical performance and early postoperative removal of wound drains minimize the risk of complications in general and the necessity of revision surgery in particular. Patients with more comorbidities were more likely to suffer in-hospital complications.

Metaphyseal sleeves in arthroplasty of the knee : A suitable tool in management of major metaphyseal bone loss.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the clinical outcome following revision arthroplasty of the knee joint and severe arthrosis with metaphyseal bone defects and instability using metaphyseal sleeves. We analyzed the results based on established scores and recorded the complications occurring on revision arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with revision arthroplasty of the knee and metaphyseal bone defects grade III according to the Anderson Orthopedic Research Institute (AORI) classification were included (16 patients, 9 females and 7 males). In all cases, surgery was performed using an endoprosthesis COMPLETE™ revision knee system with metaphyseal sleeves. RESULTS: All patients had a significant reduction in pain level after revision surgery. The median HSS score in the cohort with primary arthroplasty was 84 and in the cohort with revision arthroplasty 73 and the KSS was 83 and 55, respectively. According to the HSS an excellent result was achieved by 50% of the patients in the primary arthroplasty group and 25% in the revision group. Only three patients were considered to have an insufficient result. Postoperative pain was significantly reduced in both groups. The median ROM was 112° flexion in the primary arthroplasty group and 95° in the revision group. An extension deficit was observed in three patients and four patients showed prolonged wound healing postoperatively (25%), which was treated conservatively and did not lead to septic changes. CONCLUSION: The use of metaphyseal sleeves in patients with bone defects is a suitable instrument with no negative impact on the outcome both in primary and revision arthroplasty. Further studies with larger study groups and analysis of long-term results after use of such endoprosthetic components should be conducted.

Evaluation of the Fall Risk of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Patients by Establishing a Fall Risk Score and a Procedure Instruction in Clinical Routine. / Evaluation des Sturzrisikos orthopädisch-unfallchirurgischer Patienten durch Etablierung eines Sturzrisikoscores und einer Verfahrensanweisung im klinischen Alltag.

This article examines the risk of falls of orthopaedic surgery patients on admission to hospital. For this purpose, an internal clinical fall risk score was developed, which divides the patients into three risk categories. Subsequently, the validity of the score was recorded and possibilities for reducing the individual risk of falling were pointed out. The results show that the score can identify patients at high risk of falling on admission.

Risk factors for early infection following hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with a femoral neck fracture.

PURPOSE: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) after hemiarthroplasty for geriatric femoral neck fractures are a devastating complication that results in serious morbidity and increased mortality. Identifying risk factors associated with early infection after HA for hip fractures may offer an opportunity to address and prevent this complication in many patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative risk factors for early PJI after HA in hip fracture patients. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2015, 312 femoral neck fractures (AO/OTA 31-B) in 305 patients were included in this single-center, retrospective study. PJI was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition of deep incisional surgical site infection. Early infection referred to a postoperative period of 4 weeks. Binary univariable and multivariable regression analysis with backward elimination was applied to identify predictors of PJI. RESULTS: Median age of all patients was 83.0 (IQR 76-89) years. We identified 16 (5.1%) early PJI which all required surgical revision. Median length of in-hospital stay (LOS) was 20.0 (IQR 10-36) days after PJI compared to 10.0 (8-15) days without deep wound infection. In-hospital mortality was 30.8 vs. 6.6%, respectively. Preoperative CRP levels (OR 1.009; 95% CI 1.002-1.018; p = 0.044), higher BMI (OR 1.092; 95% CI 1.002-1.189; p = 0.044) and prolonged surgery time (OR 1.013; 95% CI 1.000-1.025; p = 0.041) were independent risk factors for PJI. Excluding infection following major revision due to mechanical complications identified preoperative CRP levels (OR 1.012; 95% CI 1.003-1.021; p = 0.007) and chronic glucocorticoid therapy (OR 6.314; 95% CI 1.223-32.587; p = 0.028) as risk factors, a clear trend was seen for higher BMI (OR 1.114; 95% CI 1.000-1.242; p = 0.051). A cut-off value at CRP levels ≥ 14 mg/l demonstrated a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 70% with a fair accuracy (AUC 0.707). CONCLUSION: Preoperative serum CRP levels, higher BMI and prolonged surgery time are independent predictors of early PJI. Excluding PJI secondary to major revision surgery revealed chronic glucocorticoid use as a risk factor apart from preoperative CRP levels.

Endoscopic Removal of a Scapular Osteophyte Using Scapulothoracic Arthroscopy.

This article describes the removal of a scapular osteophyte from the subscapular space by scapulothoracic arthroscopy. The endoscopic technique allows a gentle approach to the subscapular space without causing a large amount of surgical trauma and therefore leads to good cosmetic and functional results.