Trajectory of clinical outcomes following hip arthroscopy in female subgroup populations.

To describe the recovery trajectory in a group of relatively older borderline dysplastic female femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) patients following arthroscopic surgery, to determine if outcomes in this group differs from females with different age and bony morphology characteristics. Four subgroups were created to define (i) older females (>35 years), borderline dysplastic (lateral center edge angle [LCEA] ≤ 25 degrees) and anterior wall index (AWI) deficient (AWI ≤ 0.40) (older, borderline dysplastic, anterior wall deficient [ODD, reference]); (ii) younger (≤35 years), borderline dysplastic (LCEA ≤ 25 degrees) and deficient anterior wall (AWI ≤ 0.40) (younger, borderline dysplastic, anterior wall deficient [YDD]); (iii) older (>35 years), non-dysplastic (LCEA > 25 degrees) and non-deficient anterior wall (AWI > 0.40) (older, non-dysplastic, non-deficient anterior wall [ONN]); and (iv) younger (≤35 years), non-dysplastic (LCEA > 25 degrees) and non-deficient anterior wall (AWI > 0.40) (younger, non-dysplastic, non-deficient anterior wall [YNN]). One hundred and seventy-three female patients were included. Comparing mean scores, the ODD group reported significantly lower International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12) change scores compared with the ONN group [23.58 ± 9.73; P = 0.03] at 12 months. ODD group also demonstrated significantly lower iHOT-12 change scores compared with the ONN (27.62 ± 8.22; P < 0.01) and YNN (25.39 ± 7.68; P < 0.01) groups at 24 months. Relatively older females with borderline dysplasia and anterior acetabular wall deficiencies had poorer iHOT-12 outcomes at both 12 and 24 months post-operatively compared with other female subgroups. In the absence of hip dysplasia and anterior wall deficiencies, superior iHOT-12 outcomes were observed in both older and younger females post-operatively.

Do Arthroscopic Fluid Pumps Display True Surgical Site Pressure During Hip Arthroscopy?

PURPOSE: To report on the accuracy of 5 commercially available arthroscopic fluid pumps to measure fluid pressure at the surgical site during hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement were block randomized to the use of 1 of 5 arthroscopic fluid pumps. A spinal needle inserted into the operative field was used to measure surgical site pressure. Displayed pump pressures and surgical site pressures were recorded at 30-second intervals for the duration of the case. Mean differences between displayed pump pressures and surgical site pressures were obtained for each pump group. RESULTS: Of the 5 pumps studied, 3 (Crossflow, 24K, and Continuous Wave III) reflected the operative field fluid pressure within 11 mm Hg of the pressure readout. In contrast, 2 of the 5 pumps (Double Pump RF and FMS/DUO+) showed a difference of greater than 59 mm Hg between the operative field fluid pressure and the pressure readout. CONCLUSIONS: Joint-calibrated pumps more closely reflect true surgical site pressure than gravity-equivalent pumps. With a basic understanding of pump design, either type of pump can be used safely and efficiently. The risk of unfamiliarity with these differences is, on one end, the possibility of pump underperformance and, on the other, potentially dangerously high operating pressures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective block-randomized study.

Iliopsoas Bursa-Hip Capsule Connection Leading to Intra-abdominal Fluid Extravasation.

Intra-abdominal fluid extravasation is a rare complication of hip arthroscopy, with a reported incidence of 0.16%. Associated risk factors include recent acetabular fracture, extra-articular procedures, iliopsoas tenotomy, and high fluid pump pressure. These previously reported risk factors were not present in the 48-year-old woman reported in this article. The patient elected to undergo hip arthroscopy for mechanical hip pain that persisted for 18 months. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a "normal variant communication [between] the iliopsoas bursa" and the hip capsule. Postoperative examination showed a tense, distended abdomen. After extubation, the patient had severe abdominal and pleuritic chest pain. Postoperative imaging showed significant retro- and intraperitoneal fluid extravasation. Ultrasound-guided paracentesis was used to drain the intraperitoneal fluid collection, with a significant decrease in pain. The patient returned home less than 24 hours later, with no further complications. The authors believe that the preexisting connection between the hip capsule and the iliopsoas bursa allowed the arthroscopy fluid to easily track proximally within the tendon sheath, despite relatively low fluid pump pressure. Surgeons should be aware of this possible "normal variant communication," which may be considered a relative contraindication to hip arthroscopy, especially in patients with arthritic changes on preoperative imaging. This must be addressed with the patient preoperatively, with proper counseling and patient selection. If arthroscopy is pursued, the surgical and anesthesia teams must be vigilant for signs of intra-abdominal fluid extravasation and must be prepared to treat this potentially serious complication.

Tranexamic Acid Benefits Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients Regardless of Preoperative Hemoglobin Value.

While tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces transfusion in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), it remains unclear whether there is a preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) threshold above which it is no longer beneficial. 2100 primary TJA patients were retrospectively categorized by preoperative Hgb; 1161 (55%) received TXA. Transfusion rates decreased with TXA in all groups; with Hgb>15 the transfusion rate was 0.5% with TXA and 4.5% without (P=0.0086); with Hgb>11 the transfusion rate was 4.7% with TXA and 18.7% without (P<0.0001). Patients receiving TXA had a shorter LOS by 0.51 days (P<0.0001). Patients receiving a postoperative transfusion had a longer LOS by 0.69 days (P<0.0001). TXA should be considered in all TJA patients independent of preoperative Hgb level.

Preliminary results suggest tranexamic acid is safe and effective in arthroplasty patients with severe comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces blood loss and transfusion after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) but concerns remain that patients with severe medical comorbidities might be at increased risk for thromboembolic complications. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Among patients undergoing primary TJA with severe systemic medical disease, (1) was TXA associated with increased symptomatic thromboembolic events; (2) was TXA associated with decreased blood transfusion rates; and (3) were there differences in symptomatic thromboembolism or transfusions in the subset of patients with a history of, or risk factors for; thromboembolic disease? METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 1131 primary TJAs in 1002 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists score III or IV. Of these, 402 had at least one of seven risk factors for thromboembolic events and were designated as high risk; 240 of those patients received TXA. Outcome measures included 30-day postoperative symptomatic thromboembolic events and postoperative transfusion. RESULTS: There were no differences in symptomatic thromboembolic events within 30 days of surgery between patients who received TXA and those who did not (2.5% versus 2.6%, p = 0.97). Fewer patients treated with TXA received transfusions (11% with versus 41% without; p < 0.0001). In high-risk patients, TXA was not associated with an increase in symptomatic thromboembolic events (6.7% with versus 4.3% without; p = 0.27) and was associated with a decrease in transfusion rates (17% with versus 48% without; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although TXA seemed safe and effective in this database review of patients with severe medical comorbidities, a larger prospective trial is warranted to confirm these results.

Locked transsacral screw fixation of bilateral injuries of the posterior pelvic ring: initial clinical series.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of using a cannulated transsacral screw having a novel locking capability for pelvic fracture fixation. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a treatment protocol, patient series. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Beginning in 2001, 10 patients with bilateral injury to the posterior pelvic ring were treated using a cannulated transsacral screw having a novel locking capability. Patients ranged in age from 21 to 64 years. Follow-up averaged 2 years (range, 1-5 years). Preoperative and postoperative radiographic evaluation included anteroposterior, inlet and outlet pelvic x-rays, and two-dimensional computerized tomography with 3-mm slice thickness. Candidates for this fixation required adequate space estimated on computerized tomography across either the first or second sacral body. INTERVENTION: Locked transsacral screw fixation of bilateral injuries of the posterior pelvic ring consisting of a long 7.0-mm cannulated screw inserted over a washer from the near ilium, across one sacroiliac joint, through the body of the sacrum, and across the other sacroiliac joint, exiting the far iliac cortex. A self-locking nut was placed on the distal end of the screw. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Intraoperative iatrogenic nerve root injuries, postoperative screw position, and maintenance of the fixation construct until fracture healing. RESULTS: There were no iatrogenic nerve injuries. Satisfactory screw position was documented on the postoperative computerized tomography in all cases. Fixation failure did not occur and satisfactory pelvic ring position was maintained in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Locked transsacral screw fixation is a safe and effective technique that should be added to our surgical armamentarium. Indications include bilateral posterior injury as well as any situation in which routine transsacral screw fixation might otherwise be considered such as the presence of pelvic osteopenia or insufficient space for a second point of posterior fixation.