Use of an Irrigation Pump System in Arthroscopic Procedures.

Since its inception, arthroscopic surgery has become widely adopted among orthopedic surgeons. It is therefore important to have an understanding of the basic principles of arthroscopy. Compared with open techniques, arthroscopic procedures are associated with smaller incisions, less structural damage, improved intra-articular visualization, less pain in the immediate postoperative period, and faster recovery for patients. Pump systems used for arthroscopic surgery have evolved over the years to provide improved intraoperative visualization. Gravity flow systems were described first and are still commonly used today. More recently, automated pump systems with pressure or dual pressure and volume control have been developed. The advantages of automated irrigation systems over gravity irrigation include a more consistent flow, a greater degree of joint distention, improved visualization especially with motorized instrumentation, decreased need for tourniquet use, a tamponade effect on bleeding, and decreased operative time. Disadvantages include the need for additional equipment with increased cost and maintenance, the initial learning curve for the surgical team, and increased risk of extra-articular fluid dissection and associated complications such as compartment syndrome. As image quality and pump systems improve, so does the list of indications including diagnostic and treatment modalities to address intra-articular pathology of the knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, elbow, and ankle joints. This article reviews the current literature and presents the history of arthroscopy, basic science of pressure and flow, types of irrigation pumps and their functions, settings, applications, and complications. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):e474-e478.].

Local application of free antibiotic powder in the treatment of osteomyelitis in a rat model.

To date, several strategies have been developed to provide local antibiotic therapy in the treatment of osteomyelitis, such as antibiotic-loaded bone cement, antibiotic-impregnated collagen sponges, polymethylmethacrylate beads, antibiotic-loaded bone graft, antibiotic-loaded synthetic bone substitutes, and antibiotic-coated implants. The optimum carrier for local antibiotic therapy has not been identified. Tibial osteomyelitis using methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was created in a rat model. Rats were assigned to 3 treatment groups: group A, systemic antibiotics only; group B, systemic antibiotics plus surgical debridement; and group C, systemic antibiotics, surgical debridement, and application of cefazolin. Infection was assessed using gross tissue analysis, radiographs, quantitative bacteriology, and histopathology. One-half of the rat tibias were randomly chosen for histological evaluation and the other half were used for microbiological analysis. Radiographs were reviewed and graded by 4 blinded board-certified radiologists. Histology slides were reviewed and graded by a blinded board-certified pathologist. Gross tissue analysis of treatment groups B and C demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in soft tissue infection clearance compared with group A (P<.05). No difference was found between treatment groups B and C. No significant difference existed in gross tissue, radiographic, microbiologic, or histopathologic analyses among the 3 groups for osteomyelitis. The results of this study demonstrated that the local application of free antibiotic powder is as effective as local debridement alone in treating soft tissue infection associated with tibial osteomyelitis in a rat model.

Submuscular bridge plating for complex pediatric femur fractures is reliable.

BACKGROUND: Complex, high-energy pediatric femur diaphyseal fractures cannot be treated reliably by conventional methods: casting is not suitable for polytrauma and large children, external fixation is associated with a high rate of malalignment and refractures, elastic nails are unsuitable for unstable fractures and metaphyseal areas, and lateral trochanteric entry rigid nails cannot address proximal and distal fragments and need relatively large medullary canals. A few centers have reported that submuscular bridge plating (SBP) is associated with minimal complications, but these findings require confirmation. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether SBP (1) reproducibly leads to union in unstable fractures with a low complication rate, (2) leads to reasonable alignment and leg length equality (3), is unaffected by age, weight, or location of fracture, and (4) is associated with no or minimal refracture after hardware removal. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 60 fractures in 58 patients with pediatric diaphyseal femoral fractures treated with SBP from 1999 to 2011. The average age was 9 years. Forty (67%) of the fractures were unstable. Minimum followup was 2.4 months (average, 15.5 months; range, 2.4-50.6 months). RESULTS: All fractures healed well and all patients returned to full activity. Two of the 58 patients (3%) had major complications leading to unplanned surgeries: one implant failure and one deep infection in an old open fracture. None of the patients developed clinically important malalignment or leg length discrepancy. Implant removal was performed in 49 patients without complications. CONCLUSIONS: SBP provided reliable fixation and healing for complex pediatric femur fractures and can have a broader application in the orthopaedic community. SBP is our preferred method for unstable fractures or fractures of the proximal and distal shaft.

Combat wounds in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 to 2009.

BACKGROUND: There have been no large cohort studies examining the wounding patterns and injury mechanisms in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 to 2009. This investigation sought to characterize the incidence and epidemiology of combat-related injuries for this period. METHODS: Using the Joint Theater Trauma Registry, a detailed description of the combat casualty care statistics, distribution of wounds, and injury mechanisms sustained by all US service members for wounds (DRG International Classification of Diseases-9th Rev. codes 800-960) during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars from 2005 to 2009 was performed. RESULTS: Among the 1,992,232 military service members who were deployed, there were 29,624 distinct combat wounds in 7,877 combat casualties. The mean age of the combat casualty cohort was 26.0 years old. The combat casualties were predominantly male (98·8%), Army (77·5%), and junior enlisted (59·0%). The distribution of combat wounds was as follows: head/neck, 28·1%; thorax, 9·9%; abdomen, 10·1%; and extremities, 51·9%. Explosive injury mechanisms accounted for 74·4% of all combat casualties, which was significantly higher than those caused by gunshot wounds (19·9%) (p < 0.0001). From 2005 to 2007, explosive mechanisms of injury were significantly more common in Iraq than in Afghanistan (p < 0.001). The percentage of explosive mechanisms increased significantly in Afghanistan between the years 2007 (59·5%) and 2008 (73·6%) (p < 0.0003). CONCLUSION: The wounding patterns observed in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 to 2009 differ from previous conflicts. Explosive mechanisms accounted for 74·4% of combat casualties, which is a higher percentage than in previous US conflicts. A progressive increase in the use of explosive mechanisms in Afghanistan, eventually equaling that in Iraq, was observed during the study period.

Outcomes after spine surgery among racial/ethnic minorities: a meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Prior research has identified disparities in access to care, resource utilization, and outcomes in members of racial and ethnic minorities. However, the role that race/ethnicity may play in influencing outcomes after spine surgery has not been previously studied. PURPOSE: To characterize the effect of race and ethnicity on outcome after spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: Of 11 investigations selected in the initial analysis, four reported results in a fashion that enabled their inclusion in the meta-analysis. These four studies included a total of 128,635 patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: "Favorable" or "unfavorable" postsurgical outcomes were determined based on parameters described in each included investigation. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed to identify all studies documenting outcomes, complications, or mortality after spine surgical procedures. Eligible studies had to include raw data that enabled separate analysis of white and nonwhite patients. Outcome was categorized as "favorable" or "unfavorable" based on scales included in each investigation. The Q-statistic was used to determine heterogeneity, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess the relative risk for unfavorable outcome among nonwhite patients after spine surgery. RESULTS: Eleven studies met initial selection criteria but only four were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 128,635 patients among whom 12,194 (9.5%) had unfavorable outcomes. Among white patients, 9.4% sustained an unfavorable outcome as compared with 10.4% of nonwhites. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the small number of studies able to be included in the meta-analysis, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of race/ethnicity on outcome after spinal surgery. There is a pressing need for more robust research regarding spine surgical outcomes among different racial and ethnic minority groups.

Effects of supplemental oxygen and hyperbaric oxygen on tendon healing in a rat model.

Systemic supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have been shown to positively impact wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SOT and HBOT on tendon healing in a rat tendon model. The right patellar tendon of 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats was completely sectioned. Animals were randomized to receive HBOT, SOT, or room air therapy. Animals were sacrificed at 3- and 6-weeks postoperatively. The ultimate tensile strength in axial extension was compared between groups. Statistical significance was calculated using the Student's t-test. The SOT group exhibited the highest tensile strength at both time-points, although HBOT was the only treatment that exhibited a statistically significant increase in tensile strength between time-periods (p = 0.006). There was no statistical difference in ultimate tensile strength when the three groups were compared at the 3- or 6-week time-points. Results presented here cannot support the premise that intermittent HBOT or SOT significantly increases the healing of tendon repairs.

Radiographic evaluation of the modified Brunelli technique versus the Blatt capsulodesis for scapholunate dissociation in a cadaver model.

PURPOSE: A variety of soft tissue surgical procedures have been developed for treatment of scapholunate (SL) dissociation. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of correction obtained (as measured on preoperative and postoperative radiographs) when performing the modified Brunelli technique (MBT) with that of the more commonly performed Blatt capsulodesis (BC) and to evaluate each technique after simulated wrist motion. METHODS: Five cadaver wrists were used for this study. The SL interval, SL angle, and radiolunate angle were recorded radiographically, with the SL ligament intact, for each wrist in several loaded positions: neutral, flexion, extension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, and clenched fist. The SL interosseous ligament was then completely incised, and the radiographic measurements were repeated to demonstrate SL instability. The radiographic measurements were then repeated after MBT reconstruction and after BC reconstruction. Additional radiographic measurements were taken after simulated wrist motion. RESULTS: Sectioning of the SL ligament resulted in radiographic evidence of SL dissociation. Use of the MBT demonstrated improved correction of the SL interval and the SL angle in the clenched fist position, which was statistically significant when compared with BC. The correction for the SL angle was maintained on the MBT specimens with simulated wrist motion. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that in this cadaver model, the MBT better restores the normal carpal relationship of the SL interval and SL angle when compared to the BC, as measured on radiographs. This correction might correlate with improved carpal dynamics and improved clinical outcomes.

Comparison of operative times between pressure and flow-control pump versus pressure-control pump for ACL reconstruction.

Evidence suggests that a pressure and flow-control pump provides better visualization than a pressure-control pump alone. Increased visualization may lead to decreased operative time. We sought to perform a direct comparison in terms of operative times in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery using these 2 automated pump systems. We retrospectively studied all ACL reconstruction procedures performed at our institution over an 8-month period. During the first 4-month period, a pressure-driven pump was used (HydroFlex Multipurpose Irrigation Pump; Davol, Warwick, Rhode Island). During the second 4-month period, a pressure and flow-control pump was used (FMS Duo+; DePuy Mitek, Raynham, Massachusetts). Procedures that involved multiligament reconstruction or meniscal repair were excluded. Surgical time was defined as the time from incision to skin closure. The data were analyzed with the Student t test with significance set at P<.05. Forty-four procedures met our inclusion criteria, with 21 surgeries performed using the pressure-control pump and 23 surgeries performed using the pressure and flow system. Mean operative time using the pressure-control pump was 126 minutes (95% CI 118.9, 133.3), while mean operative time using the pressure and flow-control system was 111 minutes (95% CI 104.1, 117.9). This difference was significant (P=.004). These results indicate that the use of pressure and flow-control pump system results in time savings compared with the pressure-control pump.