Preference signaling in orthopaedic surgery: applicant perspectives and opinions.

CONTEXT: Orthopaedic surgery has become increasingly competitive over the years, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating additional challenges for applicants and programs. To promote an equitable match experience, the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) introduced a formal preference signaling (PS) system into the 2022-2023 application cycle. PS allows applicants to indicate their heightened interest in specific programs, which improves the likelihood of receiving an interview and ultimately matching at their desired residency program. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this anonymous survey is to assess applicants' opinions and perspectives toward PS in orthopaedic surgery prior to the 2022-2023 match results. Additionally, we sought to evaluate the signaling strategies being utilized by applicants. METHODS: An anonymous 22-question survey was distributed to applicants of an orthopaedic surgery residency program (34.2 % response rate). Responses were collected after the application submission deadline but before the match lists and results were available. This survey included questions germane to demographics, signal utilization, signaling reasons and strategies, and opinions toward PS. Descriptive statistics were calculated utilizing R (version 4.2.1) and RStudio. RESULTS: Most respondents (96.1 %) participated in PS, and 96.7 % utilized all 30 signals. Signaling encouraged 24.2 % of applicants to apply to fewer programs. In accordance with guidelines, 83.2 % of respondents signaled each away rotation program; however, only 53 % signaled their home program. Applicants commonly signaled 1-10 "reach" and "safety" programs each. Proximity to Family and Perceived Operative Experience were the most important reasons for signaling, whereas Program Prestige was the least. A program's social presence and virtual interview option did not influence many applicants' decisions for signaling. Most applicants believe that the COVID-19 pandemic and pass/fail licensure examinations influenced PS adoption. Sixty-seven of 149 respondents (45 %) claimed that applicants and programs benefit equally from PS, while 41 % believe programs benefit more. Nearly half (40.94 %) knew very little or nothing about PS. CONCLUSIONS: During the inaugural introduction of PS in orthopaedic surgery, nearly every applicant utilized all 30 signals, prioritizing factors like family proximity and perceived operative experience over program prestige. This shift reflects the importance of geographic location and presumed training quality. Despite unfamiliarity toward PS, personalized signaling strategies were implemented, accompanied by a slight decrease in application volumes. The 30 allotted signals in orthopaedic surgery may serve as an informal application cap due to the necessity of signaling a program for an interview invite. However, improved educational efforts are needed to enhance the understanding and maximize the benefits of PS for both applicants and programs.

Inadequate harms reporting among randomized controlled trials cited as supporting evidence in the AAOS management of hip fractures in older adults clinical practice guideline recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations within clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are heavily influenced by results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Therefore, it is imperative that all RCT outcomes are reported thoroughly to ensure CPGs are created using accurate information. Here, we evaluate the quality of harms reporting using the CONSORT Extension for Harms in RCTs underpinning recommendations in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Management of Hip Fractures in Older Adults CPG. METHODS: Each RCT cited as evidence for recommendations in the AAOS Management of Hip Fractures in Older Adults CPG was evaluated using the CONSORT Extension for Harms to determine the quality of harms reporting. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, 95 % confidence intervals) were used to summarize adherence to CONSORT Harms items. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the CONSORT Harms influence on the quality of reporting over time. RESULTS: Among the 156 RCTs identified, there were a total of 31,848 participants. Most RCTs were conducted at a single center (137; 87.8 %) and in a single-blind manner (130; 83.3 %). Fifty-four (34.6 %) RCTs did not provide funding statements. Trials adequately reported an average of 6.65 out of 18 CONSORT Extension for Harms items (37.0 %). One RCT adequately reported all items, while five reported zero items. Forty-seven RCTs (30.1 %) reported ≥ 50 % of items and 73 (46.8 %) reported ≤ 33.3 % of items. The linear regression model demonstrated no significant increase in mean adherence over time (adjusted R2 = -0.006; p = 0.563). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight inadequate harms reporting among RCTs in the AAOS Management of Hip Fractures in Older Patients CPG. While the CONSORT Harms Extension was intended to enhance reporting, the linear regression model did not demonstrate significant improvements over time.

Cemented vs Uncemented hemiarthroplasties for femoral neck fractures: An overlapping systematic review and evidence appraisal.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study is to assess the methodology of overlapping systematic reviews related to cemented vs uncemented hip hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of femoral neck fractures to find the study with the best evidence. Also, we assess the gaps in methodology and information to help with direction of future studies. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in September 2022 using Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Clinical outcome data and characteristics of each study were extracted to see which treatment had better favorability. The outcomes and characteristics extracted from each study includes, first author, search date, publication journal and date, number of studies included, databases, level of evidence, software used, subgroup analyses that were conducted, and heterogeneity with the use of I2 statistics Methodological quality information was extracted from each study using four different methodologic scores (Oxford Levels of Evidence; Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR); Quality of reporting of meta-analyses (QUROM); Oxman and Guyatt. After that, the Jadad decision algorithm was used to identify which studies in our sample contained the best available evidence. Finally, overlap of each systematic review was assessed using Corrected Covered Area (CCA) to look at redundancy and research waste among the systematic reviews published on the topic. RESULTS: After screening, 12 studies were included in our sample. For the Oxford Levels of Evidence, we found that all the studies were Level I evidence. For the QUORUM assessment, we had 1 study with the highest score of 18. Additionally, we did the Oxman and Guyatt assessment, where we found 4 studies with a maximum score of 6. Finally, we did an AMSTAR assessment and found 2 studies with a score of 9. After conducting the methodological scores; the authors determined that Li. L et al 2021 had the highest quality. In addition, it was found that the CCA found among the primary studies in each systematic review calculated to .22. Any CCA above .15 is considered "very high overlap". CONCLUSIONS: The best available evidence suggests that Cemented HAs are better at preventing Prosthesis-related complications. Conversely, the best evidence also suggests that Cemented HA also results in longer operative time and increased intraoperative blood loss. When conducting future systematic reviews related to the topic, we ask that authors restrict conducting another systematic review until new evidence emerges so as not to confuse the clinical decision-making of physicians.

Network meta-analysis: What is its purpose in Orthopaedic literature?

Systematic reviews, of level-I primary literature, are the gold standard for the formation of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Orthopaedic Surgery. When systematic reviews have multiple groups of data, meta-analyses can be conducted to analyse the direct comparison of the data points (pairwise meta-analysis). Over recent years, statisticians have created a new statistical model called network meta-analyses that can be applied to systematic reviews. network meta-analyses allow for comparison of different treatment outcomes that may or may not have been directly assessed through level-I primary studies. network meta-analyses are appearing more and more in Orthopaedic Surgery literature; therefore, in this article, we discuss what a Network Meta-analysis is and its application in Orthopaedics.

Complication and revision rates after reverse total shoulder revision from hemiarthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: Thus, the purpose of the present study was to (1) characterize common postoperative complications and (2) quantify the rates of revision in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty revisional surgery. We hypothesize that hardware loosenings will be the most common complication to occur in the sample, with the humeral component being the most common loosening. Methods: This systematic review adhered to PRISMA reporting guideline. For our inclusion criteria, we included any study that contained intraoperative and/or postoperative complication data, and revision rates on patients who had undergone revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty due to a failed hemiarthroplasty. Complications include neurologic injury, deep surgical site infections, hardware loosening/prosthetic instability, and postoperative fractures (acromion, glenoid, and humeral fractures). Results: The study contained 22 studies that assessed complications from shoulders that had revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty from a hemiarthroplasty, with a total sample of 925 shoulders. We found that the most common complication to occur was hardware loosenings (5.3%), and of the hardware loosenings, humeral loosenings (3.8%) were the most common. The revision rate was found to be 10.7%. Conclusion: This systematic review found that revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for failed hemiarthroplasty has a high overall complication and reintervention rates, specifically for hardware loosening and revision rates.

Reoperation and Complication Rates Following Patellar Fracture Repair with Plates: A Retrospective Analysis with Patient-Reported Outcomes at More than 1 Year of Follow-up.

Recent work has suggested good clinical and functional results with dorsal surface plating of patellar fractures. The primary outcome measurement of this study was reoperation rates for patellar fractures that had been treated with dorsal plating. Methods: This work consists of a retrospective review of clinical and functional outcome data following repair of patellar fractures with dorsal plates. We obtained institutional review board approval for this study and conducted a review of 9 consecutive years of our group's trauma practice. We also contacted patients to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after 12 months. Results: Eighty-five patellar fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) via plating over 9 years. Eight (9.41%) of the patients required reoperation. Of the 72 patients with complete follow-up of ≥12 weeks, 3 (4.17%) had nonunion of the fracture site and 4 (5.56%) had loss of reduction of the fracture. The average Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score among our sample was 18.84 (slight symptoms); 72.41% of the patients in our sample had slight or no symptoms at ≥12 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Our results indicated that plating of comminuted patellar fractures is a safe, viable treatment strategy. The PROs at ≥12 months of follow-up data were promising. Additionally, dorsal plating may allow for early return of function and less postoperative bracing. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Evaluation of spin in the abstracts of orthopedic trauma literature: A cross-sectional review.

OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional analysis of orthopedic trauma randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts to assess the frequency and manifestations of spin, the misrepresentation or distortion of research findings, in orthopedic trauma clinical trials. METHODS: The top 5 orthopedic trauma journals were searched from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. RCTs with nonsignificant endpoints (p > .05) were analyzed for spin in the abstract. The primary endpoint of our investigation was the frequency and type of spin. The secondary endpoint was to assess whether funding source was associated with the presence of spin. Due to the low reporting of funding sources no statistics were able to be computed for this outcome. RESULTS: Our PubMed search yielded 517 articles. Primary screening excluded 303 articles, and full text evaluation excluded an additional 161. Overall, 53 articles were included. Spin was identified in 35 of the 53 (66.0%) abstracts analyzed. Evidence of spin was found in 21 (39.6%) abstract results sections and 22 (41.5%) abstract conclusion sections. Of the 21 RCTs reporting a clinical trial registry, 3 (14.3%) had evidence of selective reporting bias. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic trauma RCTs from highly ranked journals with nonsignificant endpoints published from 2012 to 2017 frequently have spin in their abstracts. Abstracts with evidence of spin may influence a reader's perception of new drugs or procedures. In orthopedic trauma, the implications of spin may affect the treatment of patients with orthopedic trauma, so efforts to mitigate spin in RCT abstracts must be prioritized.

Treatments, cost and healthcare utilization of patients with segmental bone defects.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of large segmental defects in skeletal long bones is challenging. Heterogeneity in patient presentation further increase the difficulty in designing and running randomized trials, hence the paucity of published data with large patient numbers. This study was designed to help understand patient presentation, costs and outcomes, using real world data sources. METHODS: Two data sources (Premier healthcare database (PHD) and IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Medicaid databases) were utilized, PHD for intraoperative and cost analyses, MarketScan for payer costs and longitudinal (2-year) outcomes. Patients were included in the analysis if they had diagnoses of osteomyelitis, non-union or open (acute) fractures, treated with bone graft and/or spacers, using either the Masquelet or external frames. Patient cohorts were defined by diagnosis at index (acute fracture, osteomyelitis, non-union) and descriptive statistics were conducted for patient variables (demographic, comorbidities) and outcomes. Risk of complications were estimated using logistic regression models. Hospital and payer costs for index and follow-up periods, were estimated using least means square estimators from generalized linear model outputs. All costs and payments were adjusted for inflation to 2019 consumer price-index. RESULTS: 904 patients were identified in PHD (414 fractures, 388 osteomyelitis and 102 nonunion patients). Main comorbidities at time of initial surgery were hypertension (32.7%) followed by obesity (22.1%), diabetes with complications (20.9%) and chronic pulmonary disease (20.6%). Significant variability in surgical operating room time and length of stay were observed, with averages of 484.7 minutes and 11.7 days, respectively. Two-year postoperative infection rates ranged from 33.1% - 58.5%, the highest infection rates being reflective of ongoing infections in patients initially treated for osteomyelitis. Amputation rates ranged from 10.0% in patients with bone loss due to acute factures to 14.5% in patients with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis patients were also the costliest, with 12-months hospital costs averaging US$ 156.818 (95%CI: 112,970-217,685). CONCLUSION: This study identified high complication rates and costs of segmental bone repair surgery. All patients with segmental bone defects had high costs and risks but patients with osteomyelitis were at significant risk for increased cost and complications, including amputation. Medical innovation is particularly important for this high-risk patient group.

The induced membrane technique for bone defects: Basic science, clinical evidence, and technical tips.

The clinical management of large bone defects continues to be a difficult clinical problem to manage for treating surgeons. The induced membrane technique is a commonly employed strategy to manage these complex injuries and achieve bone union. Basic science and clinical evidence continue to expand to address questions related to the biology of the membrane and how interventions may impact clinical outcomes. In this review, we discuss the basic science and clinical evidence for the induced membrane technique as well as provide indications for the procedure and technical tips for performing the induced membrane technique.

Readmission Rates After Hip Fracture: Are There Prefracture Warning Signs for Patients Most at Risk of Readmission?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate known and yet unknown risk factors associated with readmission to the hospital within 30 days after hip fracture. METHODS: In this study, we used the Cerner Health Facts Electronic Health Record database data from January to August 2015. The univariate association of each variable (discharge location, demographic details, and comorbidities) against the 30-day readmission status was evaluated using the Chi-square test or the Fisher exact test. The significant variables (P < 0.05) obtained by the univariate analysis were used to build the multivariate logistic regression model to evaluate the multivariate associations of the variables. RESULTS: Thirty-four thousand seven hundred ninety index admissions of 33,740 unique patients were included in the study cohort. The overall 30-day readmission rate for patients with hip fractures was 10.7%. We demonstrated a new variable not discussed in previous articles on this topic: patients with previous inpatient/emergency visits within the past year were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days after the hip fracture surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For patients with hip fractures, particular efforts should be taken to optimize outcomes in those with recent hospitalizations and/or discharge to a location other than home.

The use of systematic reviews to justify orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials: A cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Orthopaedic trauma is one of the largest surgical fields in medicine, and as such, requires the latest evidence to ensure the best standard of care. Systematic reviews are an invaluable resource that compiles an exhaustive summary of the most current evidence on a given clinical question. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the use of systematic reviews as justification in conducting randomized controlled trials published in high impact orthopaedic trauma journals. METHODS: We analyzed randomized controlled trials published in the top three high impact orthopaedic trauma journals between 2015 and 2018. We performed data extraction blind, independent, and in duplicative manner to ensure the validity of the findings. For each trial, data was extracted by the number of systematic reviews cited in each clinical trial and whether or not the study used a systematic review as justification for conducting the trial. A subgroup of general orthopaedic clinical trials were included for comparison. RESULTS: Of 144 articles retrieved, 128 were included. Overall, 71.1% (91/128; [95% CI, 63.2-78.9]) of included orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials referenced a systematic review and 28.9% (37/128) of studies did not cite a systematic review. Of the 91 trials that referenced a systematic review, 33.0% (30/91; [95% CI, 23.3-42.6]) of RCTs cited a systematic review as trial justification, whether that be "verbatim" or "inferred". "Verbatim" justifications occurred in 20.0% (6/30; [95% CI, 5.7-34.3]) of included trauma RCTs that cited a systematic review as justification for conducting the trial and "inferred" justifications occurred in 80.0% (24/30; [95% CI, 65.7-94.3]). CONCLUSION: Systematic reviews are frequently cited in orthopaedic trauma RCTs but are not commonly cited as justification for conducting a clinical trial. Ideally, evidentiary uncertainty regarding a research question should be established by existing literature through a systematic review to reduce research waste.

Prevalence of Deep Surgical Site Infection After Repair of Periarticular Knee Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Surgical management of periarticular knee fractures can be challenging, and adverse outcomes may be severe. Recent literature indicates that the rate of periarticular knee surgical site infection (SSI) may range from 2% to 88% depending on the fracture site. Objective: To examine the prevalence of deep SSI and the rate of septic arthritis after surgical repair of fractures around the knee. Data Sources: The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception to July 1, 2018. Study Selection: Eligible studies had to specifically report deep SSI rates and include fractures in the distal femur, patella, tibial plateau, or proximal tibia. Risk factors that were associated with increased the risk of deep SSI were also examined. Data Extraction and Synthesis: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Data were extracted by multiple investigators. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used for the pooling of data, using either random-effects or fixed-effects models, with respect to the degree of statistical heterogeneity present. Data analyses were conducted in October 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was overall prevalence of deep SSI after periarticular knee fracture repair. The secondary outcomes were the overall prevalence of septic arthritis, risk factors associated with deep SSI, and the most commonly cultured bacteria specimens found periarticular knee infections. Results: Of 6928 articles screened, 117 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in analysis. Among 11 432 patients included in analysis, 653 patients (5.7%) experienced deep SSIs, most commonly among patients with proximal tibia fractures (56 of 872 patients [6.4%]). Among studies that included information on septic arthritis, 38 of 1567 patients (2.4%) experienced septic arthritis. The 2 most commonly reported bacteria were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, found in 67 SSIs, and methicillin-susceptible S aureus, found in 53 SSIs. Sixty-two studies (53.0%) in the sample received a Coleman Methodological Score of poor (<50 points). Conclusions and Relevance: Deep SSIs occurred in nearly 6% of periarticular knee fracture repairs, and 2.4% of SSIs were associated with septic arthritis. Surgeons managing these injuries should be vigilant when wounds are not pristine. Efforts should be made to elevate the quality of research conducted not only in this subject but also in orthopedic surgery as a whole.

Effects of a proposal to alter the statistical significance threshold on previously published orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: A recent proposal suggests changing the threshold for statistical significance from a P value of .05 to .005 to minimize bias and increase reproducibility of future studies. P values less than .05 but greater than .005 would be reclassified as "suggestive", whereas P values less than .005 would be considered significant. The present study explores how lowering the P value threshold would affect the interpretation of previously published orthopaedic trauma randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and whether outcomes from these trials would maintain statistical significance under the proposed P value threshold. METHODS: All RCTs published between January 01, 2016 and January 31, 2018 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Injury, and Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery were screened by at least 2 authors. Data from included trials were extracted in blinded and duplicate fashion. All P values for primary endpoints were included from each study. RESULTS: We identified 124 primary endpoints from 48 trials: 39.5% (49/124) of endpoints had a P value less than .05 and 60.5% (75/124) had a P value greater than .05. Overall, 51.0% (25/49) of statistically significant primary endpoints were less than .005, while 49.0% (24/49) would be reclassified as suggestive. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, adopting a lower threshold of significance would heavily alter the significance of orthopaedic trauma RCTs and should be further evaluated and cautiously considered when viewing the effect such a proposal on orthopaedic practice.

Absolute Versus Relative Fracture Fixation: Impact on Fracture Healing.

The goals of all orthopaedic surgeons treating fractures are, and will remain, obtaining union of the fracture with a well-aligned and functional limb while minimizing the risk of complications. This requires us to understand how the biomechanical environment of the fracture affects healing and to be able to discern which mechanical environment is preferred over another. Understanding the spectrum of stability imparted by our current surgical devices is paramount to giving our patients the best opportunity to heal and recover from their injury. Gone are the simplistic views of plates and screws being applied for absolute stability and nails and external fixators being applied for relative stability. This review sheds new light on how the use of different implants provides the appropriate stability to encourage fracture healing and limit the risk of complication and loss of function.

Critical-Size Bone Defects: Is There a Consensus for Diagnosis and Treatment?

There is a significant burden of disease associated with bone defects, and their management is challenging. These injuries have a profound clinical and economic impact, and outcomes are limited by high rates of complication and reoperation, as well as poor functional outcomes. There remains a lack of consensus around definitions, reliable models, and best practices for the surgical management of bone defects. The current state of the literature on bone defects is reviewed here, with a focus on defining critical-size bone defect, the use of the induced membrane technique, the role of biologics, and the management of infected bone defects.

Biomechanical analysis of a novel femoral neck locking plate for treatment of vertical shear Pauwel's type C femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the biomechanical stability of a novel prototype femoral neck locking plate (FNLP) for treatment of Pauwels type C femoral neck fractures compared with other current fixation methods. METHODS: Forty femur sawbones were divided into groups and a vertical femoral neck fracture was made. Each group was repaired with one of the following: (CS) three parallel cancellous screws; (XCS) two cancellous lag screws into the head and one transverse lag screw into the calcar; and (FNLP) a novel FNLP with two 5.7 mm locking, one lag screw into the calcar and two screws into the shaft; and (AMBI) a two-hole, 135° AMBI plate with a derotation screw. All groups were tested for change in axial stiffness over 20000 cycles, and rotational stiffness was measured before and after cyclic testing. A maximum load to failure test was also conducted. Results were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher protected least significant difference (PLSD). RESULTS: Results for axial stiffness show that AMBI, CS, XCS and FNLP are 2779.0, 2207.2, 3029.9 and 3210.7 N-m mm(-1), respectively. Rotational rigidity results are 4.5, 4.1, 17.1 and 18.7 N-m mm(-1). The average cyclic displacements were 0.75, 0.88, 0.80 and 0.65 mm, respectively. Destructive failure loads for AMBI, CS, XCS and FNLP were 2.3, 1.7, 1.6 and 1.9 kN, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment show statistically significant increases in axial stiffness for the FNLP compared with three traditional fixation methods. The FNLP demonstrates increased mechanical stiffness and combines the desirable features of current fixation methods.

Kinetic and thermodynamic evaluation of the reversible N-heterocyclic carbene-isothiocyanate coupling reaction: applications in latent catalysis.

Using stopped flow and other spectroscopic techniques, the thermodynamic parameters of the coupling reaction between 1,3-dimesitylimidazolylidene and phenyl isothiocyanate were determined (H(o) = -96.1 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(o) = -39.6 J mol(-1) K(-1)). On the basis of these data which indicated that the reaction was reversible (K(eq) = 5.94 × 10(14) M(-1) at 25 °C; k(f) = 252 M(-1) s(-1); k(r) = 4.24 × 10(-13) s(-1)), the adduct formed from the two aforementioned coupling partners was used as a latent catalyst to facilitate the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of phenyl isocyanate and the polymerization of DL-lactide.