Impact of the Percentage of Overlapping Surgery on Patient Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 87,000 Surgical Cases.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the relationship of percentage of surgical overlap with patient outcomes to determine if a detrimental level of overlap exists. BACKGROUND: Overlapping surgery is defined as 1 attending physician supervising 2 or more operative cases simultaneously, without the critical portions of the cases occurring concurrently. To date, no study has examined the relationship of percent overlap, or the percentage of 1 case that is spent overlapping with another, to outcomes, efficiency, safety, and complications. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a large tertiary referral center. The primary outcomes of interest included operative duration, in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission, and patient safety indicators (PSIs). The Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate the outcomes of interest. P values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 87,426 cases were included in this study. There were 62,332 cases without overlap (Group 0), 10,514 cases with 1% to 25% overlap (Group 1), 5303 cases with 26% to 50% overlap (Group 2), 4296 cases with 51% to 75% overlap (Group 3), and 4981 cases with >75% overlap (Group 4). In-hospital mortality decreased as overlap increased ( Ptrend <0.0001). Operative time increased with increasing overlap ( Ptrend <0.0001) while readmission rates showed no statistical significance between groups ( Ptrend =0.5078). Rates of PSIs were lower for Groups 1, 2, and 3 (1.69%, 2.01%, and 2.08%) when compared to Group 0 (2.24%). Group 4 had the highest rate of PSIs at 2.35% ( P =0.0086). CONCLUSION: Overlapping surgery was shown to have reduced in-hospital mortality and similar PSI and readmission rates when compared to nonoverlapping cases. Operative time was shown to increase in overlapping surgeries when compared to nonoverlapping surgeries. The results from this study indicate that the percentage of surgical overlap does not detrimentally affect most patient outcomes, especially with overlap of <75%.

Ankle Fracture and Length of Stay in US Adult Population Using Data From the National COVID Cohort Collaborative.

BACKGROUND: The National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) is an innovative approach to integrate real-world clinical observations into a harmonized database during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when clinical research on ankle fracture surgery is otherwise mostly limited to expert opinion and research letters. The purpose of this manuscript is to introduce the largest cohort of US ankle fracture surgery patients to date with a comparison between lab-confirmed COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adults with ankle fracture surgery using data from the N3C database with patients undergoing surgery between March 2020 and June 2021. The database is an NIH-funded platform through which the harmonized clinical data from 46 sites is stored. Patient characteristics included body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and smoking status. Outcomes included 30-day mortality, overall mortality, surgical site infection (SSI), deep SSI, acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, time to surgery, and length of stay. COVID-19-positive patients were compared to COVID-19-negative controls to investigate perioperative outcomes during the pandemic. RESULTS: A total population of 8.4 million patient records was queried, identifying 4735 adults with ankle fracture surgery. The COVID-19-positive group (n=158, 3.3%) had significantly longer times to surgery (6.5 ± 6.6 vs 5.1 ± 5.5 days, P = .001) and longer lengths of stay (8.3 ± 23.5 vs 4.3 ± 7.4 days, P < .001), compared to the COVID-19-negative group. The COVID-19-positive group also had a higher rate of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with ankle fracture surgery had longer time to surgery and prolonged hospitalizations in COVID-19-positive patients compared to those who tested negative (average delay was about 1 day and increased length of hospitalization was about 4 days). Few perioperative events were observed in either group. Overall, the risks associated with COVID-19 were measurable but not substantial.Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Which surgical approach is optimal for joint preparation in talonavicular fusion - A cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: Fusion of the talonavicular joint has proven challenging in literature. The optimal surgical approach for talonavicular arthrodesis is still uncertain. This study compares the amount of physical joint preparation between dorsal and medial approaches to the talonavicular joint. METHODS: Twenty fresh frozen cadaver specimens were randomly assigned to receive either a dorsal or medial operative approach to the talonavicular joint. The joint surface was prepared, and the joint was disarticulated. Image analysis, using ImageJ, was performed by two blinded reviewers to assess the joint surface preparation and this was compared by surgical approach. RESULTS: The dorsal approach had a higher median percentage of talar and total talonavicular joint surface area prepared (75% vs. 59% (p = .007) and 82% vs. 70% (p = .005)). Irrespective of approach, the talus was significantly more difficult to prepare than the navicular (62% vs 88% (p = .001)). CONCLUSION: The dorsal approach provides superior talonavicular joint preparation. The lateral »th of the talar head was the most difficult surface to prepare, and surgeons performing double or triple arthrodesis may prepare the lateral talar head from the lateral approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Safety and Efficacy of Achilles Repair Using the Mini-Open Approach in Supine Versus Prone Position: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose Surgical repair of the Achilles tendon is a common procedure in cases of acute rupture. Open Achilles tendon surgery with a traditional extensile approach is most often performed in the prone position, but this can lead to numerous complications. The mini-open approach for repair in the supine position may avoid the risks of the prone position. The purpose of this study is to compare perioperative outcomes and differences in cost between patients undergoing acute Achilles rupture repair with mini-open approach, incision of approximately 3 cm, in the supine position versus traditional approach in the prone position. Methods Patients who underwent surgical repair of acute Achilles rupture at a single institution were retrospectively identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 27650. Complication rates and the total cost charged to the insurance companies of both the supine and prone groups were calculated. Results A total of 80 patients were included for analysis, 26 supine and 54 prone. The difference in average total time in the operating room was statistically significant. The prone position took approximately 15% more time (118.7 minutes) compared to the supine position (100 minutes) (p = 0.001). While not statistically significant, the total cost for the supine group ($19,889) was less than the for the prone group ($21,722) (p = 0.153) Average postoperative pain score, infection rate, dehiscence rate, sepsis rate, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rate were also similar between the two groups. No patient in either group experienced re-rupture of the Achilles tendon within the first year of primary repair. Conclusion The mini-open approach in the supine position may be advantageous in the repair of acute Achilles rupture in that it reduces total time in the operating room and total cost while maintaining positive patient outcomes. Prospective clinical studies are warranted to validate these assessments.

Do Geographic Region, Pathologic Chronicity, and Hospital Affiliation Affect Access to Care Among Medicaid- and Privately Insured Foot and Ankle Surgery Patients?

OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that patients enrolled in Medicaid have difficulty obtaining access to care compared with patients with private insurance. Whether variables such as geographic location, state expansion versus nonexpansion, and private versus academic affiliation affect access to care among foot and ankle surgery patients enrolled in Medicaid has not been previously established. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in access to care between patients who are privately insured and those with Medicaid in need of foot and ankle consultation. Secondary objectives include assessment of whether access to care for foot and ankle patients with Medicaid differs between those with acute and chronic conditions, Medicaid expanded and unexpanded states, geographic regions within the United States, and academic versus private practices. METHODS: Twenty providers from each of five Medicaid-expanded and five nonexpanded states in different US geographic regions were randomly chosen via the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society directory. One investigator contacted each office requesting the earliest available appointment for their fictitious relative's acute Achilles tendon rupture or hallux valgus. Investigator insurance was stated to be Medicaid for half of the telephone calls and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for the other half. Appointment success rate and average time to appointment were compared between private insurance and Medicaid. Results were further compared across geographic regions, between private and academic practices, and between urgent acute injury (Achilles rupture) and chronic nonurgent injury (hallux valgus). RESULTS: Appointments were successful for all 100 (100%) calls made with BCBS as the insurer, in comparison to 73 of 100 calls (73%) with Medicaid (P < 0.001). Both acute and chronic injury had significantly higher success rates with BCBS than Medicaid (P < 0.001). The appointment success rate was significantly lower with Medicaid than with BCBS (P ≤ 0.01) in all of the geographic regions. The success rate with Medicaid (66.7%) was significantly lower than with BCBS (100.0%, P < 0.001) for private practice offices, but not for academic practices. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Medicaid experience fewer options when obtaining appointments for common nonemergent foot and ankle problems and may experience less difficulty scheduling appointments at academic rather than private institutions. The medical community should continue to seek and identify potential interventions which can improve access to orthopedic care for all patients and increase the visibility of practices that accept Medicaid.

The Rotational Effect of Scarf Osteotomy With Transarticular Lateral Release on Hallux Valgus Correction.

The purpose of this study was to explore the rotational effect of scarf osteotomy with transarticular lateral release (TALR) on hallux valgus correction. From January 2016 to January 2018, 28 consecutive patients (30 feet) were included in this study. The first intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), and round-shaped lateral edge of the first metatarsal head (R sign), and sesamoid rotation angle (SRA) were recorded prior to and 3 months after the surgery. The rotation of the capital fragment of the first metatarsal was termed the capital rotation angle (CRA) and was measured intraoperatively after the completion of scarf osteotomy. The IMA, HVA, and SRA were significantly reduced from 13.9 ± 4.9°, 34.6 ± 7.4°, and 28.7 ± 9.8° to 2.4 ± 2.3°, 7.3 ± 4.7°, and 13.4 ± 8.8°, respectively (p < .01 for all). The mean CRA was 7.0 ± 3.4° and was not significantly correlated with the reduction of IMA and SRA (p > .05 for all); nor was it significantly correlated with IMA preoperatively and postoperatively (p > .05 for all) or the reduction of SRA and IMA (p > .05). The R sign was positive in 40% (12/30) of the feet preoperatively compared to 13.3% (4/30) postoperatively (p < .001). Scarf osteotomy produced a supination effect on the capital fragment of the first metatarsal and supinated the sesamoids via lateral translation of the first metatarsal head. These changes may contribute to the correction of the pronation component of hallux valgus deformity.

Predictors of Malreduction in Zone II and III Fifth Metatarsal Fractures Fixed With an Intramedullary Screw.

BACKGROUND: Proper implant selection and placement is crucial during fixation of zone II and III fifth metatarsal fractures to avoid postoperative complications. This study examined the effects of screw parameters and placement on malreduction, delayed union, nonunion, and refracture rate. METHODS: A retrospective review of zone II and proximal zone III fifth metatarsal fractures managed with intramedullary screw fixation was conducted. Comparisons were made between cortex distraction (gap) and ratios of screw length, diameter, and entry point. Further analysis was carried out between time to union and distraction in the lateral and plantar cortices. RESULTS: The plantar and lateral gaps were both associated with the mean entry point ratio on the lateral and anteroposterior (AP) views (P < .001 for both views). No association between the plantar and lateral gaps and the screw diameter ratio (P = .393 for AP and P = .981 for lateral) or the screw length ratio (P = .966 for AP and P = .740 for lateral) was identified. The ratio of postoperative to preoperative apex height on AP and lateral views was correlated with the presence of lateral and plantar fracture gaps (P < .001). The presence of a plantar gap was associated with increased time to union (P = .022). A majority of fractures showed radiographic union at 12 weeks (38/43). Only 5 of 38 patients had delayed union. There were no refractures or nonunions as per available records. CONCLUSION: Plantar or lateral fracture site distraction (gap) was not influenced by screw diameter ratio or screw length ratio. The entry point ratio had a significant effect on plantar and lateral gaps on postoperative radiographs, with lateral and inferior placement leading to fracture site distraction. Patients with a plantar gap did have an increased risk of delayed union. The results of this study emphasize the significance of the entry point when managing zone II and III fifth metatarsal base fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Factors affecting the outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal fusion.

AIMS: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion is used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the ankle and subtalar joint, including osteoarthritis (OA), Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus, failed total ankle arthroplasty, and severe deformity. The prevalence of postoperative complications remains high due to the complexity of hindfoot disease seen in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between preoperative conditions and postoperative complications in order to predict the outcome following primary TTC fusion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 101 patients who underwent TTC fusion at the same institution between 2011 and 2019. Risk ratios (RRs) associated with age, sex, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, preoperative ankle deformity, and the use of bone graft during surgery were related to the postoperative complications. We determined from these data which pre- and perioperative factors significantly affected the outcome. RESULTS: Out of the 101 patients included in the study, 29 (28.7%) had nonunion, five (4.9%) required below-knee amputation (BKA), 40 (39.6%) returned to the operating theatre, 16 (15.8%) had hardware failure, and 22 (21.8%) had a postoperative infection. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of Charcot arthropathy and non-traumatic OA had significantly higher nonunion rates of 44.4% (12 patients) and 39.1% (18 patients) (p = 0.016) and infection rates of 29.6% (eight patients) and 37% (17 patients) compared to patients with traumatic arthritis, respectively (p = 0.002). There was a significantly increased rate of nonunion in diabetic patients (RR 2.22; p = 0.010). Patients with chronic kidney disease were 2.37-times more likely to have a nonunion (p = 0.006). Patients aged over 60 years had more than a three-fold increase in the rate of postoperative infection (RR 3.60; p = 0.006). The use of bone graft appeared to be significantly protective against postoperative infection (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: We were able to confirm, in the largest series of TTC ankle fusions currently in the literature, that there remains a high rate of complications following this procedure. We found that patients with a Charcot or non-traumatic arthropathy had an increased risk of nonunion and postoperative infection compared to individuals with traumatic arthritis. Those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or aged over 60 years had an increased risk of nonunion. These findings help to confirm those of previous studies. Additionally, our study adds to the literature by showing that autologous bone graft may help in decreasing infection rates. These data can be useful to surgeons and patients when considering, discussing and planning TTC fusion. It helps surgeons further understand which patients are at a higher risk for postoperative complications when undergoing TTC fusion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J. 2020;102-B(3):345-351.

Pediatric Infectious Prepatellar Bursitis with Kingella kingae.

We present the first reported case of septic prepatellar bursitis with Kingella kingae in a 2-year-old female. Although it is a well-established cause of osteoarticular infections in the pediatric population, K. kingae has never been reported as the etiology for septic bursitis. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis given that this organism is difficult to culture and isolate using standard laboratory methods. Our diagnosis was established through bursal fluid analysis, though oropharyngeal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be also be considered. Our case also builds upon prior literature suggesting that the pathophysiology of septic bursitis in children differs from that of the adult and may be more comparable to that of pediatric osteomyelitis. As an organism of increasing prevalence, K. kingae should remain high on the differential for osteoarticular or periarticular infections when cultures fail to isolate a distinct pathogen. Early diagnosis and a formal irrigation and debridement, if warranted, are crucial in preventing devastating complications of untreated septic bursitis.

Anatomical structures at risk in the arthroscopic Broström-Gould procedure: A cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: The Broström Gould procedure is the gold standard for repair of lateral ankle ligament injury and ankle instability. This procedure has demonstrated excellent short- and long-term outcomes in the orthopedic literature. Arthroscopic Broström Gould techniques have become increasingly popular among some foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons. Typically, this technique requires standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals along with an accessory lateral working portal. The exact location of this portal is variable within the available described surgical techniques. The objective of this cadaveric study is to establish a standard entry point for and to assess the safety of the accessory lateral portal with respect to nearby anatomical structures. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen below-knee cadaver specimens were used. The location of the accessory lateral portal was created 1.5 cm anterior to the distal tip of the fibula. A small vertical incision was made at this point, followed by insertion of a Kirschner wire into the joint. The wire was then gently impacted into the fibula. Superficial dissection was subsequently carried out around the entry point to identify the peroneal tendons, superficial peroneal nerve branches, and sural nerve branches. Structures were marked with colored push pins, and distance was measured between the nearest edge of the Kirschner wire and each of the three anatomic structures listed. Any instances of structural contact or damage were documented. RESULTS: The average distance from the Kirschner wire to the peroneal tendon was 16.1 (±4.41) mm. The average distance from the wire to the superficial peroneal nerve and sural nerve was 13.11 (±6.79) mm and 12.33 (±4.08) mm, respectively. There were no instances of injury to any of the studied structures. However, there was a notable amount of variability in the proximity of structures in question for each cadaver. A branch of the superficial peroneal nerve was measured as close as 2 mm and as far as 24 mm in separate cadaver specimens. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic Broström Gould procedures are a safe and effective method for lateral ankle ligamentous repair but are not without risk. Accessory lateral portal placement is relatively safe but should be meticulously executed to avoid damage to nearby anatomical structures.

Postoperative aspirin use and its effect on bone healing in the treatment of ankle fractures.

BACKGROUND: There is hesitancy to administer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) within the postoperative period following fracture care due to concern for delayed union or nonunion. However, aspirin (ASA) is routinely used for chemoprophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is gaining popularity for use after treatment of ankle fractures. The current study examines the incidence of nonunion of operative ankle fractures and risk of DVT in patients who did and did not receive postoperative ASA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients treated between 2008 and 2018 for ankle fractures requiring operative fixation by three Foot and Ankle fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons at a single institution. Demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative medical and surgical complications were compared between patients who did and did not receive ASA postoperatively. For both groups, union was evaluated by clinical exam as well as by radiograph, for those with 6-week, 12-week, or 24-week follow-up. RESULTS: Five-hundred and six patients met inclusion criteria: 152 who received ASA and 354 who did not. Radiographic healing at six weeks was demonstrated in 95.9% (94/98) and 98.6% (207/210) respectively (p-value .2134). There was no significant difference in time to radiographic union between groups. The risk of postoperative DVTs in those with and without ASA was not significantly different (0.7% (1/137) vs 1.2% (4/323), respectively; p-value .6305). CONCLUSION: Postoperative use of ASA does not delay radiographic union of operative ankle fractures or affect the rate of postoperative DVT. This is the first and largest study to examine the effect of ASA on time to union of ankle fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Reamed Versus Unreamed Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures, Is It Time?

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of the traditional technique of femoral canal reaming to placement of an unreamed 10-mm nail. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic Level I Trauma Center, Southeastern US. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Intertrochanteric femur fractures treated with a CMN (January 2016-December 2018) were retrospectively identified. Inclusion criteria were as follows: low-energy mechanism, at least 60 years of age, and long CMN. Exclusion criteria were as follows: short CMN, polytrauma, and subtrochanteric fractures. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Records were reviewed for demographics, hematologic markers, transfusion rates, operative times, and postoperative complications. Variables were assessed with a χ or Student T-test. Significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included (37 reamed and 28 unreamed), with a mean age of 76.2 years and mean body mass index of 25.1. Between the reamed and unreamed groups, respectively, mean nail size was 11.0 (SD 1.1) and 10.0 (SD 0.0), P < 0.001; mean blood loss was 209.1 mL (SD 177.5) and 195.7 mL (SD 151.5), P = 0.220; 55% (21/38), and 43% (12/28) were transfused, P = 0.319; operative time was 98.2 (SD 47.3) and 81.5 minutes (SD 40.7); P = 0.035. Changes in hemoglobin/hematocrit were not significant between the study groups. Two patients from the reamed group experienced implant failure due to femoral head screw cut out and returned to the operating room. Two patients from the unreamed group returned to operating room for proximal incision infection, without implant removal. One reamed patient and 2 unreamed patients died before 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Unreamed CMNs for geriatric intertrochanteric femur fractures provide shorter operative times with no difference in perioperative complications. Both reamed and unreamed techniques are safe and effective measures for fixation of these fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the Midfoot Presenting as Charcot Arthropathy: A Case Report.

CASE: Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare soft tissue malignancy that very seldomly presents in the foot or ankle and as a result is not commonly in the differential of patients presenting with foot pain. We cite a case of EMC presenting in the atypical location of the midfoot. Because of its location and similarities, this tumor was initially misdiagnosed and mistreated by multiple medical providers as midfoot Charcot arthropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Neoplastic etiologies, including EMC, should remain in the differential for atypical, refractory foot pain that presents in a manner similar to Charcot foot.

A Case Report of Congenital Hallux Valgus from an Incomplete Preaxial Polydactyly without a Supernumerary Digit.

INTRODUCTION: While hallux valgus is a common deformity occurring in adults and adolescents, congenital hallux valgus is rare. There is a paucity of information available about the deformity and even less information about its cause. In fact, discrepancies exist within literature as to its etiology. This is a case report of bilateral congenital hallux valgus that appears to have been caused by preaxial polydactyly of the great toe, without a supernumerary digit, which to date has not been reported in literature. Markedly increased intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles were present in both feet. Furthermore, bilateral interval improvement of the angulation occurred spontaneously without operative or non-operative intervention. This case reveals another potential cause of congenital hallux valgus not previously described. Our patient demonstrates that preaxial polydactyly could be another possible etiology of congenital hallux valgus. This case also demonstrates that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required for accurate diagnosis. CASE REPORT: The subject of this case report is a 6-month-old boy who presented with what appeared to be severe bilateral congenital hallux valgus. However, an MRI was suggestive of preaxial polydactyly without a supernumerary digit. At 26 months of age, clinical follow-up demonstrated that the deformity had improved and the patient was doing well clinically without intervention. CONCLUSION: Congenital hallux valgus is an uncommon deformity. Our patient demonstrates that the etiology may be incomplete preaxial polydactyly without a supernumerary digit. Overtime, even without treatment, the deformity appeared to improve, and the patient had no clinical complaints. The lack of an accessory ossicle or supernumerary digit makes our patient's case unique.

Radiographic and Postoperative Outcomes of Plate Versus Screw Constructs in Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Calcaneus Fractures via the Sinus Tarsi.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus are a common injury to the hindfoot following high-energy trauma to the lower extremity. Treatment of these fractures has evolved. Due to the concern of wound complications associated with extensile open treatment, smaller incision techniques, such as the sinus tarsi approach, are increasing in popularity. A number of fixation strategies are utilized with this approach, and it is unknown which most accurately restores radiographic alignment. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative radiographic outcomes of a plate and screw construct versus a cannulated screw construct when using the sinus tarsi approach for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of calcaneus fractures. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, records for all patients treated surgically at our institution for calcaneus fractures from 2012 to 2017 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were intra-articular calcaneus fractures, patients aged 18 years or older, and use of the sinus tarsi approach. Exclusion criteria were open fractures and fractures with less than 6 weeks of postoperative weightbearing, which were excluded for radiographic outcomes. A total of 51 fractures underwent ORIF using cannulated screws alone (group 1), and 23 fractures underwent ORIF using a sinus tarsi plate (group 2). Sixty-one fractures (41 vs 20, respectively) met criteria for radiographic comparison. The primary outcomes of interest included pre- and postoperative Bohler and Gissane angles, wound complications, unplanned return to the operating room (OR), and cost comparison. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative Bohler angles for group 1 (14.4 degrees) versus group 2 (12.2 degrees) (P = .44), nor was there a significant difference between postoperative Bohler angles for group 1 (30.1 degrees) versus group 2 (27.1 degrees) (P = .14). Similarly, preoperative Gissane angles for group 1 (130.5 degrees) and group 2 (133.4 degrees) (P = .54) and postoperative Gissane angles for group 1 (118.2 degrees) and group 2 (119.8 degrees) (P = .44) showed no statistically significant difference. There were a total of 3 wound complications in group 1 versus 2 wound complications in group 2 (P = .66). There was no statistically significant difference in operative duration (P = .97) or the number of unplanned returns to the OR between the 2 groups (P = .68). Based on the implants used at this institution, and depending on the number of screws used, the estimated cost range of a plate construct was $1070 to $1235, while the estimated cost range of a cannulated screw construct was $717 to $1264. CONCLUSION: When comparing the cannulated screw and plate and screw fixation techniques, there was no difference in restoration of the Bohler and Gissane angles. Furthermore, the amount of angular correction achieved by initial reduction showed no statistically significant difference between groups, and the amount of reduction lost between initial and final postoperative radiographs showed no statistically significant difference between groups. With regard to the 2 techniques, there was no statistically significant difference in rates of postoperative complications and return to the OR. Our data suggest that fixation using cannulated screws alone versus sinus tarsi plate provides similar radiographic outcomes and risk of complications. The 2 techniques were also similar in terms of implant costs. Our results indicate that either technique effectively improved radiographic parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Clinical manifestations and molecular aspects of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase superactivity in females.

Objectives: Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (PRPS1) superactivity is an X-linked disorder characterized by urate overproduction Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) gene reference 300661. This condition is thought to rarely affect women, and when it does, the clinical presentation is mild. We describe a 16-year-old African American female who developed progressive tophi, nephrolithiasis and acute kidney failure due to urate overproduction. Family history included a mother with tophaceous gout who developed end-stage kidney disease due to nephrolithiasis and an affected sister with polyarticular gout. The main aim of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations of PRPS1 superactivity in women. Methods: Whole exome sequencing was performed in affected females and their fathers. Results: Mutational analysis revealed a new c.520 G > A (p.G174R) mutation in the PRPS1 gene. The mutation resulted in decreased PRPS1 inhibition by ADP. Conclusion: Clinical findings in previously reported females with PRPS1 superactivity showed a high clinical penetrance of this disorder with a mean serum urate level of 8.5 (4.1) mg/dl [506 (247) µmol/l] and a high prevalence of gout. These findings indicate that all women in families with PRPS1 superactivity should be genetically screened for a mutation (for clinical management and genetic counselling). In addition, women with tophaceous gout, gout presenting in childhood, or a strong family history of severe gout should be considered for PRPS1 mutational analysis.