A comparison of three methods of pain control for posterior spinal fusions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine alone, a single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection and PCA (IT/PCA), and epidural catheter infusion without PCA (EPI) for postoperative pain control after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and segmental spinal instrumentation (SSI) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative pain control after PSF and SSI in AIS can be managed in different ways. EPI provides for a longer period of pain relief but is reliant on the correct placement and maintenance of the catheter in the epidural space. A single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection also provides for long acting analgesia. No direct comparison of these 3 methods of postoperative pain control has been reported. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective chart review was performed at 2 institutions from 1997 to 2005. The medical record was reviewed to determine pain scores after surgery at multiple time periods. The 3 groups were compared using Student t test and chi and significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the gender, age, magnitude of curve, or number of levels fused in the IT/PCA (N = 42), PCA (N = 41), or EPI (N = 55) groups. Postoperative pain scores were lowest in the IT/PCA group in the first 8 hours (P < 0.05) but the pain scores in the EPI group were then lower through 24 hours (P < 0.05). Total morphine use (mg/kg) was lower in the IT/PCA group compared with the PCA group at 12 hours and 24 hours (P = 0.0001). Return to solid food ingestion was quickest in the EPI group (2.0 days) followed by the IT/PCA (2.6 days) and PCA alone (3.2 days) (P < 0.002). Respiratory depression and transient neurologic change occurred most frequently in the EPI group (EPI 11/55 pts vs. 1/42 IT/PCA vs. 0/41 PCA P < 0.001). Pruritus was greatest in the epidural group (11/55 P < 0.05). There were no intraoperative somatosensory-evoked potential changes or permanent neurologic injury recorded in any group. CONCLUSION: An EPI controls postoperative pain for the longest period of time and allows for a quicker return to consumption of solid foods. However, a single preoperative intrathecal morphine injection controls the pain equally for the first 24 hours with less pruritus and with less adverse events thus requiring less nursing and physician intervention after PSF and SSI in AIS. All methods were safe with no neurologic injury recorded.

MRI evaluation of the tibial tunnel/screw/tendon interface after ACL reconstruction using a bioabsorbable interference screw.

This article describes the complex relationship between graft, bone, and biologic interference screw. Orthopedic surgeons have just begun to understand this complex biologic relationship. Clinical outcome measurements tell very little about the biology in bone tunnels.

Open hindfoot injuries.

Successful management of open talar and calcaneal injuries of the hindfoot is a formidable orthopaedic challenge. The soft-tissue disruption associated with these high-energy traumatic injuries adds to treatment complexity. Extensive fracture comminution and cartilage damage are often present with calcaneal fracture. Osteonecrosis is commonly associated with talar injury. Treatment may be divided into acute and reconstructive phases. Successful outcome is dependent on several variables--accurate fracture reduction, timing of intervention, prevention of infection, and meticulous soft-tissue handling. Anatomic fracture or joint reconstruction may not be possible. Joint stiffness and posttraumatic arthritis are common and may be debilitating. Complications, such as infection and osteonecrosis, also can be devastating. Long-term outcomes are frequently unsatisfactory. Chronic ambulatory dysfunction and persistent neurogenic pain may result despite appropriate management. With severe complex open fractures and extended soft-tissue injury, limb amputation may be the best treatment option.

Failure of primary anterior cruciate ligament surgery using anterior tibialis allograft.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction via anterior tibialis tendon allograft. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 125 consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction via an anterior tibialis tendon allograft. Of these patients, 69 were available for follow-up at a mean of 55 months (range, 42 to 74 months); their mean age was 31.7 years (range, 19 to 69 years). Clinical evaluation consisted of the Lysholm knee score, activity level assessment, and International Knee Documentation Committee assessment. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients, 16 (23.1%) required revision ACL reconstruction for graft failure. In addition, 26 patients (37.7%) required repeat surgery, including 16 revision ACL reconstructions, 9 arthroscopic meniscal surgeries, and 1 total knee arthroplasty. The mean age of those patients in whom failure occurred was 22.8 years compared with 34 years in those in whom failure did not occur (P = .0039). The failure/reoperation rate of those aged 25 years or under was 55% (17/31), as compared with 24% (9/38) in those aged over 25 years. The mean Lysholm knee score was 85.6 (range, 15 to 100), and the mean activity score was 4.36 (range, 0 to 9). Of the 52 patients who did not require revision ACL surgery, 86.2% rated their knee as normal or nearly normal. CONCLUSIONS: A reoperation rate of 38% after primary ACL surgery is high. We do not recommend the use of anterior tibialis allograft in young patients (aged < or =25 years) or those who participate frequently in level I ACL-dependent sports. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.