Comparing MRI and arthroscopic appearances of common knee pathologies: A pictorial review.

Knee pathology, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, meniscal tears, articular cartilage lesions, and intra-articular masses or cysts are common clinical entities treated by orthopedic surgeons with arthroscopic surgery. Preoperatively, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now standard in confirming knee pathology, particularly detecting pathology less evident with history and physical examination alone. The radiologist's MRI interpretation becomes essential in evaluating intra-articular knee structures. Typically, the radiologist that interprets the MRI does not have the opportunity to view the same pathology arthroscopically. Thus, the purpose of this article is to illustratively reconcile what the orthopedic surgeon sees arthroscopically with what the radiologist sees on magnetic resonance imaging when viewing the same pathology. Correlating virtual and actual images can help better understand pathology, resulting in more accurate MRI interpretations. In this article, we present and review a series of MR and correlating arthroscopic images of ACL tears, meniscal tears, chondral lesions, and intra-articular masses and cysts. Short teaching points are included to highlight the importance of radiological signs and pathological MRI appearance with significant clinical and arthroscopic findings.

Exploring a Masters of Business Administration's Impact on Surgical Subspecialists.

Objectives and Study Design: As healthcare evolves, more physicians are taking on administrative roles and pursuing additional graduate education, particularly obtaining a Master's in Business Administration (MBA.) To facilitate a better understanding of these practitioners, we conducted a comparative study of MD/MBA clinicians in multiple surgical fields. Methods: This study aims to compare clinicians with MD/MBAs across multiple surgical subspecialties. Reported metrics include demographics, MBA program structure, salary changes, and professional pursuits. Nine studies were obtained from the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Four studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Results: The majority of MD/MBA degree holders in plastic surgery (95%), orthopedic surgery (89-96%), and ophthalmology (80%) are male. Ophthalmology (37%) demonstrates the highest number of subjects obtaining an MBA via a synchronous MD/MBA. Most clinicians return to clinical practice after degree completion and show high levels of non-clinical pursuits after receiving their MBAs. Conclusions: Though there appear to be differences across surgical subspecialties regarding how an MBA is applied, most maintain clinical duties. Of those that do not, the largest portion transition to administrative duties, consulting, entrepreneurial endeavors, or other professional opportunities. Despite the financial ambiguity of an MBA, physicians value the transformative experience it offers.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR BRAZILIAN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS.

Objective: To report on the experience and impressions of the Brazilian orthopedic trauma surgeons attending the Leadership Development Program (LDP) hosted by the Sociedade Brasileira do Trauma Ortopédico (SBTO) in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 4, 2022. Methods: Forty-eight orthopedic trauma surgeons from five different regions throughout Brazil were provided a link to complete The Big Five Test, a validated online personality assessment. The questionnaire was available in Portuguese and was intended to provide a background on individual personality traits and their influence on interpersonal interactions. The LDP integrated content from literature reviews specific to Latin America, established leadership programs from leading business schools, and various subject matter experts. Prior to the start of the LDP, participants received a pre-course survey evaluating demographic information, a needs assessment, and the prioritization of leadership topics utilizing a 5-point Likert-scale. Attendees participated in the one-day, interactive LDP focusing on the fundamental principles of leadership development, communication, personal development, emotional intelligence and negotiation. Following the LDP, a post-course evaluation was administered to determine the participants' overall experience, and suggestions for LDP improvement. Results: Forty-one of the forty-eight course participants completed the pre-course evaluation, whereas forty-six of the forty-eight participants completed the post-course evaluations. Overwhelmingly, the lack of opportunity was most prevalently reported as the main obstacle to attending a leadership course, as cited by 56% of respondents. Conclusion: Expanding the accessibility, diversity, and customizability of leadership programs can facilitate the development of personal tools needed to move healthcare forward. Critical topics include emotional intelligence and other differentiating leadership qualities that distinguish true transformational and servant leaders. Advancing leadership skills can stimulate networking, expose learners to experiential learning styles, inspire others to create positive change, and engender creative solutions for systematic improvements and health outcomes. Level of Evidence III; Individual Case-Control Studies.

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência e as impressões de cirurgiões de trauma ortopédico brasileiros participantes do Programa de Desenvolvimento de Liderança (PDL), organizado pela Sociedade Brasileira do Trauma Ortopédico (SBTO), em São Paulo, Brasil, em 4 de novembro de 2022. Métodos: Quarenta e oito cirurgiões de trauma ortopédico de cinco regiões diferentes do Brasil receberam um link para preencher o The Big Five Test, uma avaliação de personalidade on-line validada. O questionário estava disponível em português e pretendia fornecer informações básicas sobre traços de personalidade individuais e sua influência nas interações interpessoais. O PDL integrou conteúdo de análises de literatura específicas da América Latina, e programas de liderança estabelecidos pelas principais escolas de negócios e por vários especialistas no assunto. Antes do início do PDL, os participantes receberam uma pesquisa pré-curso solicitando informações demográficas, uma avaliação de necessidades e a priorização de tópicos de liderança utilizando uma escala Likert de 5 pontos. Os participantes participaram do PDL interativo de um dia com foco nos princípios fundamentais de desenvolvimento de liderança, comunicação, desenvolvimento pessoal, inteligência emocional e negociação. Após o PDL, foi realizada uma avaliação pós-curso para determinar a experiência geral dos participantes e sugestões para melhoria do PDL. Resultados: Quarenta e um dos quarenta e oito participantes do curso concluíram a avaliação pré-curso, enquanto quarenta e seis dos quarenta e oito participantes concluíram a avaliação pós-curso. A falta de oportunidade foi relatada com maior prevalência como o principal obstáculo para frequentar um curso de liderança, conforme citado por 56% dos entrevistados. Conclusão: Expandir a acessibilidade, a diversidade e a personalização dos programas de liderança podem facilitar o desenvolvimento de ferramentas pessoais necessárias para fazer avançar os cuidados de saúde. Os tópicos críticos incluem inteligência emocional e outras qualidades de liderança diferenciadas, que distinguem verdadeiros líderes transformacionais e servidores O avanço das competências de liderança pode estimular o networking, expor os alunos a estilos de aprendizagem experiencial, inspirar outros a criar mudanças positivas e gerar soluções criativas para melhorias sistemáticas dos resultados na saúde. Nível de Evidência III; Estudos de caso-controle individuais.

ASSESSMENT OF INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY FOR THE LETOURNEL AND JUDET CLASSIFICATION.

Introduction: The Judet and Letournel classification is the most widely used classification system for acetabular fractures. Some complex fractures couldn't be classified according to this classification. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Letournel and Judet classification system for acetabular fractures. Material and methods: 10 acetabular fractures were analyzed among 17 orthopedic surgeons. The surgeons were asked to classify the fractures according to the Judet and Letournel classification. Their experience, the number of surgeries, and the incision type that the surgeon uses for the anterior part of the acetabulum were recorded. Results: The overall interobserver agreement for the Letournel classification was found to be poor, with a Kappa value of 0.287. The Kappa value for interobserver agreement was 0.224 for plain radiographs, 0.293 for 2D-CT, and 0.321 for 3D-CT scans. There was no significant difference between the incision types used by the surgeons. The highest reliability was determined among the surgeons who operate on 10-20 acetabular fractures per year, with a Kappa value of 0.309. Conclusion: This results revealed that the Judet and Letournel Judet classification is not sufficient to classify acetabular fractures because of unclassified fractures and the complex algorithm of the system. Level of Evidence III; Comparative Retrospective Study.

Introdução: A classificação de Judet e Letournel é o sistema de classificação mais amplamente utilizado para fraturas acetabulares. Algumas fraturas complexas, porém, não puderam ser classificadas de acordo com esta classificação. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a confiabilidade do sistema de classificação de Judet e Letournel para fraturas acetabulares. Material e métodos: Foram selecionadas aleatoriamente 10 fraturas acetabulares de um banco de dados. Participaram do estudo 17 cirurgiões ortopédicos. Foi solicitado aos cirurgiões que classificassem as fraturas de acordo com a classificação de Judet e Letournel. Suas experiências, o número de cirurgias e o tipo de incisão que o cirurgião utiliza para a parte anterior do acetábulo foram registrados. Resultados: A concordância interobservadores geral para a classificação de Judet e Letournel foi considerada fraca, com um valor de Kappa de 0,287. O valor de Kappa para a concordância interobservadores foi de 0,224 para radiografias simples, 0,293 para tomografias computadorizadas em 2D e 0,321 para tomografias computadorizadas em 3D. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tipos de incisão utilizados pelos cirurgiões. A maior confiabilidade foi determinada entre os cirurgiões que operam de 10 a 20 fraturas acetabulares por ano, com um valor de Kappa de 0,309. Conclusão: Os resultados revelaram que a classificação de Judet e Letournel não é suficiente para classificar fraturas acetabulares devido a fraturas não classificadas e ao algoritmo complexo do sistema. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Comparativo Retorpectivo.

Treatment of Osteoporosis after Hip Fracture: Survey of the Korean Hip Society.

Purpose: To assess current practice in the treatment of osteoporosis in patients who underwent treatment for hip fracture in South Korea. Materials and Methods: A survey of 97 members of the Korean Hip Society, orthopedic hip surgeons who administer treatment for hip fractures in South Korea, was conducted. The survey was conducted for assessment of demographic data and perceptions regarding the management of osteoporosis in patients who have undergone treatment for hip fracture. Analysis of the data was performed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The majority of participants were between the age of 41 and 50 years, and 74% were practicing in tertiary hospitals. Testing for serum vitamin D levels (82%) was the most commonly performed laboratory test. Calcium and vitamin D were prescribed for more than 80% of patients by 47% and 52% of participants, respectively. Denosumab was the most commonly used first-line treatment option for osteoporosis in hip fracture patients. Bisphosphonate was most often perceived as the cause of atypical femoral fractures, and the most appropriate time for reoperation was postoperative 12 months. Teriparatide was most preferred after cessation of bisphosphonate and only prescribing calcium and vitamin D was most common in high-risk patients for prevention of atypical femoral fracture. Conclusion: The results of this study that surveyed orthopedic hip surgeons showed that most participants followed the current strategy for management of osteoporosis. Because the end result of osteoporosis is a bone fracture, active involvement of orthopedic surgeons is important in treating this condition.

Knowledge of the Mpox virus and conspiracy beliefs and their association with self-confidence in managing the virus among Israeli orthopedic surgeons.

In 2022, the Mpox viral outbreak signaled a global public health emergency. Infectious disease management and prevention are crucial tasks for healthcare workers. In their line of work, orthopedic surgeons could come across cases of the Mpox virus. The aim of the present study was to explore orthopedic surgeons' knowledge of the Mpox virus, their conspiracy beliefs regarding emerging viral infections, and their self-confidence in managing the Mpox virus. In this cross-sectional survey, 137 orthopedic surgeons completed an online questionnaire. The participants had low knowledge of the Mpox virus, providing on average 11.5 correct answers (SD = 2.68) of a possible 21. In addition, the participants tended to express moderate conspiracy beliefs and to have low self-confidence in managing the Mpox virus. Age 30 or older, a higher knowledge level, and lower conspiracy beliefs predicted greater self-confidence in managing the Mpox virus. In addition, a negative association was found between knowledge of the Mpox virus and conspiracy beliefs. Arab and younger orthopedic surgeons expressed stronger conspiracy beliefs. Interventions should include introduction of material regarding emerging tropical infections in medical curricula and in-service training programs. In addition, special attention should be paid to younger and Arab orthopedic surgeons, as these subgroups may endorse higher conspiracy beliefs.

Assessment of interobserver reliability for the letournel and judet classification / Avaliação da confiabilidade interobservadores para a classificação de letournel e judet

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Judet and Letournel classification is the most widely used classification system for acetabular fractures. Some complex fractures couldn't be classified according to this classification. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Letournel and Judet classification system for acetabular fractures. Material and methods: 10 acetabular fractures were analyzed among 17 orthopedic surgeons. The surgeons were asked to classify the fractures according to the Judet and Letournel classification. Their experience, the number of surgeries, and the incision type that the surgeon uses for the anterior part of the acetabulum were recorded. Results: The overall interobserver agreement for the Letournel classification was found to be poor, with a Kappa value of 0.287. The Kappa value for interobserver agreement was 0.224 for plain radiographs, 0.293 for 2D-CT, and 0.321 for 3D-CT scans. There was no significant difference between the incision types used by the surgeons. The highest reliability was determined among the surgeons who operate on 10-20 acetabular fractures per year, with a Kappa value of 0.309. Conclusion: This results revealed that the Judet and Letournel Judet classification is not sufficient to classify acetabular fractures because of unclassified fractures and the complex algorithm of the system. Level of Evidence III; Comparative Retrospective Study.

RESUMO Introdução: A classificação de Judet e Letournel é o sistema de classificação mais amplamente utilizado para fraturas acetabulares. Algumas fraturas complexas, porém, não puderam ser classificadas de acordo com esta classificação. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a confiabilidade do sistema de classificação de Judet e Letournel para fraturas acetabulares. Material e métodos: Foram selecionadas aleatoriamente 10 fraturas acetabulares de um banco de dados. Participaram do estudo 17 cirurgiões ortopédicos. Foi solicitado aos cirurgiões que classificassem as fraturas de acordo com a classificação de Judet e Letournel. Suas experiências, o número de cirurgias e o tipo de incisão que o cirurgião utiliza para a parte anterior do acetábulo foram registrados. Resultados: A concordância interobservadores geral para a classificação de Judet e Letournel foi considerada fraca, com um valor de Kappa de 0,287. O valor de Kappa para a concordância interobservadores foi de 0,224 para radiografias simples, 0,293 para tomografias computadorizadas em 2D e 0,321 para tomografias computadorizadas em 3D. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tipos de incisão utilizados pelos cirurgiões. A maior confiabilidade foi determinada entre os cirurgiões que operam de 10 a 20 fraturas acetabulares por ano, com um valor de Kappa de 0,309. Conclusão: Os resultados revelaram que a classificação de Judet e Letournel não é suficiente para classificar fraturas acetabulares devido a fraturas não classificadas e ao algoritmo complexo do sistema. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Comparativo Retorpectivo.

Leadership development training for brazilian orthopedic surgeons / Treinamento de desenvolvimento de liderança para cirurgiões ortopédicos brasileiros

ABSTRACT Objective: To report on the experience and impressions of the Brazilian orthopedic trauma surgeons attending the Leadership Development Program (LDP) hosted by the Sociedade Brasileira do Trauma Ortopédico (SBTO) in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 4, 2022. Methods: Forty-eight orthopedic trauma surgeons from five different regions throughout Brazil were provided a link to complete The Big Five Test, a validated online personality assessment. The questionnaire was available in Portuguese and was intended to provide a background on individual personality traits and their influence on interpersonal interactions. The LDP integrated content from literature reviews specific to Latin America, established leadership programs from leading business schools, and various subject matter experts. Prior to the start of the LDP, participants received a pre-course survey evaluating demographic information, a needs assessment, and the prioritization of leadership topics utilizing a 5-point Likert-scale. Attendees participated in the one-day, interactive LDP focusing on the fundamental principles of leadership development, communication, personal development, emotional intelligence and negotiation. Following the LDP, a post-course evaluation was administered to determine the participants' overall experience, and suggestions for LDP improvement. Results: Forty-one of the forty-eight course participants completed the pre-course evaluation, whereas forty-six of the forty-eight participants completed the post-course evaluations. Overwhelmingly, the lack of opportunity was most prevalently reported as the main obstacle to attending a leadership course, as cited by 56% of respondents. Conclusion: Expanding the accessibility, diversity, and customizability of leadership programs can facilitate the development of personal tools needed to move healthcare forward. Critical topics include emotional intelligence and other differentiating leadership qualities that distinguish true transformational and servant leaders. Advancing leadership skills can stimulate networking, expose learners to experiential learning styles, inspire others to create positive change, and engender creative solutions for systematic improvements and health outcomes. Level of Evidence III; Individual Case-Control Studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar a experiência e as impressões de cirurgiões de trauma ortopédico brasileiros participantes do Programa de Desenvolvimento de Liderança (PDL), organizado pela Sociedade Brasileira do Trauma Ortopédico (SBTO), em São Paulo, Brasil, em 4 de novembro de 2022. Métodos: Quarenta e oito cirurgiões de trauma ortopédico de cinco regiões diferentes do Brasil receberam um link para preencher o The Big Five Test, uma avaliação de personalidade on-line validada. O questionário estava disponível em português e pretendia fornecer informações básicas sobre traços de personalidade individuais e sua influência nas interações interpessoais. O PDL integrou conteúdo de análises de literatura específicas da América Latina, e programas de liderança estabelecidos pelas principais escolas de negócios e por vários especialistas no assunto. Antes do início do PDL, os participantes receberam uma pesquisa pré-curso solicitando informações demográficas, uma avaliação de necessidades e a priorização de tópicos de liderança utilizando uma escala Likert de 5 pontos. Os participantes participaram do PDL interativo de um dia com foco nos princípios fundamentais de desenvolvimento de liderança, comunicação, desenvolvimento pessoal, inteligência emocional e negociação. Após o PDL, foi realizada uma avaliação pós-curso para determinar a experiência geral dos participantes e sugestões para melhoria do PDL. Resultados: Quarenta e um dos quarenta e oito participantes do curso concluíram a avaliação pré-curso, enquanto quarenta e seis dos quarenta e oito participantes concluíram a avaliação pós-curso. A falta de oportunidade foi relatada com maior prevalência como o principal obstáculo para frequentar um curso de liderança, conforme citado por 56% dos entrevistados. Conclusão: Expandir a acessibilidade, a diversidade e a personalização dos programas de liderança podem facilitar o desenvolvimento de ferramentas pessoais necessárias para fazer avançar os cuidados de saúde. Os tópicos críticos incluem inteligência emocional e outras qualidades de liderança diferenciadas, que distinguem verdadeiros líderes transformacionais e servidores O avanço das competências de liderança pode estimular o networking, expor os alunos a estilos de aprendizagem experiencial, inspirar outros a criar mudanças positivas e gerar soluções criativas para melhorias sistemáticas dos resultados na saúde. Nível de Evidência III; Estudos de caso-controle individuais.

THE USE OF ADHESIVE RADIOPAQUE GRIDS IN GENICULAR NERVE BLOCK BY RADIOSCOPY.

The performance of genicular nerve block requires an imaging method to guide the procedure. Radioscopy has the disadvantage of being radiation dependent. Objective: To assess whether the use of adhesive radiopaque grids reduce radiation exposure in these cases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 23 orthopedists in which needles were positioned in a model with and without the use of adhesive radiopaque grids. The number of fluoroscopy shots necessary for proper positioning in three points (superior lateral, superior medial, and inferior medial) were registered. Results: A statistical difference was observed in the three blocking points studied. The number of radioscopies required for these three points were 12.1 ± 2.5 in the group without grid and 5.0 ± 1.8 in the group with grid. The superior medial point presented the greatest numerical difference and the inferior medial point the smallest. Conclusion: The use of adhesive radiopaque grids led to a statistically significant reduction in the number of radioscopies/fluoroscopies required to perform the genicular block. The use of this device increases the safety of the physician and patient by reducing radiation exposure in this procedure. Level of Evidence III, Level of Evidence II, Random Clinical Trial.

Para a realização do bloqueio de nervos geniculares é necessário guiar o procedimento por um método de imagem. A radioscopia possui a desvantagem de ser dependente de radiação. Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso de máscaras localizadoras diminui a exposição à radiação nesses casos. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 23 ortopedistas, que realizaram o posicionamento de agulhas em um modelo com e sem o uso da máscara localizadora. Foi registrado o número de escopias necessárias para o posicionamento adequado em três pontos: superior lateral, superior medial e inferior medial. Resultados: Foi observada diferença estatística nos três pontos de bloqueio analisados. O número de radioscopias necessárias nos três pontos somados foi de 12,1 ± 2,5, no grupo sem máscara, e 5,0 ± 1,8, no grupo com máscara. O ponto superior medial foi o que apresentou a maior diferença numérica, e o inferior medial a menor. Conclusão: O uso da máscara localizadora reduziu de forma estatisticamente significativa o número de escopias necessárias para a realização do bloqueio genicular. O uso desse dispositivo aumenta a segurança do médico e do paciente por diminuir a exposição à radioscopia nesse procediment. Nível de Evidência III, Ensaio clínico randomizado aberto - Nível de recomendação B - nível de evidência 2b.

Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Reimbursement in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for ankle osteoarthritis has increased in the Medicare population by approximately 16.37% each year. This study examines the patient perception of orthopedic surgeon reimbursement for TAA by Medicare. METHODS: A total of 78 patients were surveyed anonymously at 2 foot and ankle clinics within an academic health care setting. The surveys were given anonymously before the patients were seen by an orthopedic surgeon. Surveys were returned to office staff who placed them in a collection box to ensure confidentiality. RESULTS: The average estimate of how much orthopedic surgeons should be reimbursed for TAA was $19 506 and the average estimate of how much orthopedic surgeons were actually reimbursed was $20 772. Fifty patients believed that orthopedic surgeons were under reimbursed, 9 believed that they were reimbursed appropriately, and 19 were unsure. Demographic variables such as age, sex, education level, income, and insurance status had no significant effect on the results. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients believed orthopedic surgeons are under reimbursed for TAA and that there is a lack of health care transparency regarding orthopedic reimbursement for TAA by Medicare.Levels of Evidence: Level V: Expert opinion.

Medical Malpractice Among Orthopedic Surgeons in Greece: An Analysis of Court Decisions.

Introduction Medical malpractice occurs when a physician, through incorrect medical action or omission, causes the patient to suffer physical harm or loss of life. Orthopedics is a high-risk medical specialty. Orthopedic surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, including joint replacements, fracture repairs, and spinal surgeries. While orthopedic surgeons strive to provide optimal care to their patients, medical liability claims are a reality they must face. The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological data of judicial decisions and cases in Greece for the Specialty of Orthopedics. Material and methods Published court decisions involving medical liabilities of orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists, or only orthopedic surgeons were searched, in the period between 1985 and 2021. The judicial decisions were analyzed by an experienced anesthesiologist and an orthopedic surgeon based on medical knowledge and experience. Patients' age, gender, date of operation and the causes that led to the doctors' persecution were also recorded. Results Seventy court decisions of the first, second, and third degree were found. These decisions related to 34 cases: seven convictions for manslaughter, 18 convictions for bodily harm, and nine acquittals - exempting compensation. They involved 11 men and 13 women. The claims mainly related to intraoperative and postoperative complications in 20 (83.3%) of the 24 cases. Complications in elective spinal and lower extremity surgeries represent 50% (n = 12) of cases, while postoperative complications account for 16.7% of cases (n = 4). Conclusions The present study concluded that an accumulation of experience in large orthopedic centers is needed to improve the performance of orthopedic surgeons during surgery and patient monitoring. Many legal cases are due to the mismatch between patient expectations and the limitations in medicine. Thorough preoperative control and better preoperative communication with the patient are needed, in order to improve the performance of orthopedic surgeons and prevent a significant part of the claims.

Comparing Perceived Radiograph Quality Between Radiologic Technologists and Orthopedic Surgeons.

PURPOSE: To determine if there is a discrepancy between how orthopedic surgeons perceive the quality of plain radiographs compared with that of radiologic technologists. METHODS: A prospective survey was developed including 42 deidentified plain radiographs. Included radiographs were of varying anatomical regions, patient positioning, and radiographic parameters. Participants were requested to score each radiograph on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 100 (very good) based on their overall subjective definition of radiographic quality. RESULTS: Multiple analyses of variance showed that out of the 42 radiographs evaluated, 13 images had significant differences in how they were scored by each group. Technologists provided lower image quality scores for 11 images compared with the orthopedic residents and attending surgeons. Two images were scored significantly higher by the attendings compared with the technologists or residents. Of the 42 images, 29 were scored similarly by the 3 groups. DISCUSSION: This study is novel because it explored perceived radiograph quality between attending orthopedic surgeons, orthopedic surgery residents, and radiologic technologists. Review of current literature revealed comparisons of radiography quality assessments between radiologic technologists and radiologists. Like the findings of the authors of the current report, the literature analysis demonstrated that radiologic technologists and radiologists appear to agree on what was considered a quality image, but technologists were more reluctant to accept images of lower quality than were radiologists. These authors believe the present study helps further establish that orthopedic surgeons typically order repeat imaging for reasons other than image quality. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic surgeons and radiologic technologists appear to agree in a subjective manner on a quantitative scale. Radiologic technologists tended to be more critical than were orthopedic surgeons in judging radiograph quality, contrary to the authors' original hypothesis.

Identifying Key Factors for Burnout Among Orthopedic Surgeons Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process Method.

Objectives: To develop an evaluation model for, and identify key factors contributing to, burnout in orthopedic surgeons, providing a reference for the management of burnout among orthopedic surgeons in hospitals. Methods: We developed an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model with 3 dimensions and 10 sub-criteria based on an extensive literature review and expert assessment. We used expert and purposive sampling and 17 orthopedic surgeons were selected as research subjects. The AHP process was then used to obtain the weights and to prioritize the dimensions and criteria for burnout in orthopedic surgeons. Results: The dimension of C 1 (personal/family) was the key factor affecting burnout in orthopedic surgeons, and in the sub-criteria, the top four sub-criteria were C 11 (little time for family), C 31 (anxiety about clinical competence), C 12 (work-family conflict), and C 22 (heavy work load). Conclusion: This model was effective in analyzing the key factors contributing to job burnout risk, and the results can inform improved management of the levels of burnout affecting orthopedic surgeons in hospitals.

The need for non-technical skills education in orthopedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The issue of surgical safety has increased significantly over the last few decades. Several studies have established that it is linked to non-technical performance, rather than clinical competencies. Non-technical skills can be blended with technical training in the surgical profession to improve surgeons' abilities and enhance patient care and procedural skills. The main goal of this study was to determine orthopedic surgeons' requirements of non-technical skills, and to identify the most pressing issues. METHODS: We conducted a self-administered online questionnaire survey in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was piloted, validated, pretested, and clearly stated the study's purpose. After the pilot, minor wording and questions were clarified before starting the data collection. Orthopedic surgeons from the Middle East and Northern Africa were invited. The questionnaire was based on a five-point Likert scale, the data were analyzed categorically, and variables were summarized as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the 1713 orthopedic surgeons invited, 60% completed the survey (1033 out of 1713). The majority demonstrated a high likelihood of participating in such activities in the future (80.5%). More than half (53%) of them preferred non-technical skills courses to be part of major orthopedic conferences, rather than independent courses. Most (65%) chose them to be face-to-face. Although 97.2% agreed on the importance of these courses, only 27% had attended similar courses in the last three years. Patient safety, infection prevention and control, and communication skills were ranked at the top as topics to be addressed. Moreover, participants indicated they would most likely attend courses on infection prevention and control, patient safety and teamwork, and team management. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need for non-technical skills training in the region and the general preferences regarding modality and setting. These findings support the high demand from orthopedic surgeons' perspective to develop an educational program on non-technical skills.

Evaluación del Curso de liderazgo para cirujanos ortopédicos en Cuba

Se requiere de estrategias e infraestructuras sostenibles, así como del perfeccionamiento en la gestión y la forma de dirigir las organizaciones sanitarias, para mejorar la atención traumatológica ortopédica. Sin embargo, hay pocas oportunidades para el desarrollo formal del liderazgo, especialmente en América Latina; por ello, la Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas realizó un Programa de Desarrollo de Liderazgo adaptado a los cirujanos ortopédicos latinoamericanos. El primer curso se realizó en México en 2019, y esta experiencia se trasladó a La Habana en febrero de 2022. Este documento informa sobre las necesidades para el desarrollo del liderazgo entre los cirujanos ortopédicos cubanos y los estudiantes, el plan de estudio del curso y las impresiones de sus asistentes.

Sustainable strategies and infrastructures, as well as improvements in management and governance of health organizations, are required to improve orthopedic trauma care. However, there are few opportunities for formal leadership development, especially, in Latin America. For this reason, the Association of Traumatologist Surgeons of the Americas carried out a Leadership Development Program adapted to Latin American orthopedic surgeons. The first course was held in Mexico in 2019. This experience was transferred to Havana in February 2022. This document reports on the needs for leadership development among Cuban orthopedic surgeons and students, the course curriculum, and impressions of the attendees.

Characteristics of needlestick and sharps injuries of the hands in the operating room among orthopedic surgeons in Japan.

Among the reports on needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs), many are orthopedic-related due to the frequent use of sharp devices such as pins and wires. This study aimed to identify high-risk instruments, the most common injury sites for each instrument, and the circumstances of NSIs of the hand during orthopedic surgeries in Japan. Incidents of exposure to blood or bodily fluids among physicians during orthopedic surgeries reported to the Japan-EPINet between 2000 and 2015 were included in this study. The four most common devices were identified and the associations among years of experience, equipment users, and injured sites were analyzed. We identified 666 cases of NSIs affecting orthopedic surgeons in the operating room. The instrument most frequently responsible for NSIs was suture needles, which were involved in 265 cases (39.7%). The second most common instrument was pins/wires, which was involved in 111 cases (16.6%). NSIs of the hands of orthopedic surgeons were frequently caused by suture needles used in all surgeries, but relatively often caused by orthopedic devices. Orthopedic surgeons must be aware that they are at risk of NSIs and must take appropriate measures and always be cautious when performing surgery, regardless of their years of experience.

Shoulder Pain and Disability Scores and the Factors Influencing Them among Orthopedic Surgeons Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Musculoskeletal pain is common among orthopedic surgeons. Their common musculoskeletal issues include shoulder pain and disability. Many associated factors could lead to this pain and disability; by identifying these, we can prevent orthopedic surgeons' pain and improve their functional capacity. (2) Methods: This study aimed to gather quantitative data regarding the shoulder pain and disability experienced by orthopedic surgeons. It also aimed to explore the potential correlations between demographic characteristics and work-related factors and their pain and disability. This study interviewed 150 orthopedic surgeons working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, asking questions on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scale and about their demographic characteristics. (3) Results: All interviewed orthopedic surgeons were male, married, and nonsmokers. Their SPADI pain subsection score was 25.24%, their SPADI disability subsection score was 21.25%, and their total SPADI score was 22.79%. Among the examined demographic characteristics, total SPADI scores have a significant positive correlation with body weight (Spearman's ρ = 0.432; p < 0.05) and body mass index (BMI; ρ = 0.349; p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate that all orthopedic surgeons generally suffer from moderate shoulder pain and disability. Body weight and body mass index are important factors that may influence shoulder pain and disability among orthopedic surgeons.

The use of adhesive radiopaque grids in genicular nerve block by radioscopy / O uso de máscara localizadora no bloqueio de nervos geniculares por radioscopia

ABSTRACT The performance of genicular nerve block requires an imaging method to guide the procedure. Radioscopy has the disadvantage of being radiation dependent. Objective: To assess whether the use of adhesive radiopaque grids reduce radiation exposure in these cases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 23 orthopedists in which needles were positioned in a model with and without the use of adhesive radiopaque grids. The number of fluoroscopy shots necessary for proper positioning in three points (superior lateral, superior medial, and inferior medial) were registered. Results: A statistical difference was observed in the three blocking points studied. The number of radioscopies required for these three points were 12.1 ± 2.5 in the group without grid and 5.0 ± 1.8 in the group with grid. The superior medial point presented the greatest numerical difference and the inferior medial point the smallest. Conclusion: The use of adhesive radiopaque grids led to a statistically significant reduction in the number of radioscopies/fluoroscopies required to perform the genicular block. The use of this device increases the safety of the physician and patient by reducing radiation exposure in this procedure. Level of Evidence III, Level of Evidence II, Random Clinical Trial.

RESUMO Para a realização do bloqueio de nervos geniculares é necessário guiar o procedimento por um método de imagem. A radioscopia possui a desvantagem de ser dependente de radiação. Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso de máscaras localizadoras diminui a exposição à radiação nesses casos. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 23 ortopedistas, que realizaram o posicionamento de agulhas em um modelo com e sem o uso da máscara localizadora. Foi registrado o número de escopias necessárias para o posicionamento adequado em três pontos: superior lateral, superior medial e inferior medial. Resultados: Foi observada diferença estatística nos três pontos de bloqueio analisados. O número de radioscopias necessárias nos três pontos somados foi de 12,1 ± 2,5, no grupo sem máscara, e 5,0 ± 1,8, no grupo com máscara. O ponto superior medial foi o que apresentou a maior diferença numérica, e o inferior medial a menor. Conclusão: O uso da máscara localizadora reduziu de forma estatisticamente significativa o número de escopias necessárias para a realização do bloqueio genicular. O uso desse dispositivo aumenta a segurança do médico e do paciente por diminuir a exposição à radioscopia nesse procediment. Nível de Evidência III, Ensaio clínico randomizado aberto - Nível de recomendação B - nível de evidência 2b.

Building better pediatric surgeons: A sentiment analysis of online physician review websites.

Purpose: Physician review websites are a heavily utilized patient tool for finding, rating, and reviewing surgeons. Natural language processing such as sentiment analysis provides a comprehensive approach to better understand the nuances of patient perception. This study utilizes sentiment analysis to examine how specific patient sentiments correspond to positive and negative experiences in online reviews of pediatric orthopedic surgeons. Methods: The online written reviews and star ratings of pediatric surgeons belonging to the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America were obtained from healthgrades.com. A sentiment analysis package obtained compound scores of each surgeon's reviews. Inferential statistics analyzed relationships between demographic variables and star/sentiment scores. Word frequency analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed on key terms. Results: A total of 749 pediatric surgeons (3830 total online reviews) were included. 80.8% were males and 33.8% were below 50 years of age. Male surgeons and younger surgeons had higher mean star ratings. Surgeon attributes including "confident" (p < 0.01) and "comfortable" (p < 0.01) improved the odds of positive reviews, while "rude" (p < 0.01) and "unprofessional" (p < 0.01) decreased these odds. Comments regarding "pain" lowered the odds of positive reviews (p < 0.01), whereas "pain-free" increased these odds (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Pediatric surgeons who were younger, communicated effectively, eased pain, and curated a welcoming office setting were more likely to receive positively written online reviews. This suggests that a spectrum of interpersonal and ancillary factors impact patient experience and perceptions beyond surgical skill. These outcomes can advise pediatric surgeons on behavioral and office qualities that patients and families prioritize when rating/recommending surgeons online. Level of evidence: IV.

What is the degree of variability in formal training for pediatric orthopedic surgeons performing scoliosis surgery? / ¿Cuál es el grado de variabilidad en la educación formal de los cirujanos ortopédicos pediátricos que realizan intervenciones quirúrgicas de escoliosis?

Abstract: Introduction: although pediatric orthopedic surgeons worldwide perform scoliosis surgery, the training received is variable and poorly understood. By surveying the European Pediatric Orthopedic Society (EPOS) and the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Ortopedia (SLAOTI), we aim to characterize this variability. Material and methods: in 2021, we distributed an anonymous online questionnaire to EPOS and SLAOTI. Results: 43% EPOS and 22% SLAOTI perform scoliosis procedures (p < 0.05). 18% EPOS and 2% SLAOTI performed > 35 procedures annually (p < 0.05). 70% EPOS and 27% SLAOTI received formal training in spinal deformity surgery (p < 0.005). Conclusions: results show significant differences in training and performance of scoliosis procedures between societies.

Resumen: Introducción: aunque muchos cirujanos ortopédicos pediátricos alrededor del mundo realizan cirugías para la escoliosis, el entrenamiento es variable y poco conocido. A través de encuestar a la Sociedad Europea de Ortopedia Pediátrica (EPOS) y a la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Ortopedia (SLAOTI) queremos caracterizar esta variabilidad. Material y métodos: distribuimos un cuestionario anónimo en 2021 a los miembros de EPOS y SLAOTI. Resultados: realizan las cirugías de escoliosis 43% de EPOS, en comparación con 22% de SLAOTI (p < 0.05); 18% de EPOS realizó > 35 cirugías al año, en comparación con 2% de SLAOTI (p < 0.05); 70% de EPOS y 27% de SLAOTI recibieron capacitación formal en cirugía de deformidades de la columna (p < 0.005). Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio subrayan las diferencias en el entrenamiento de las cirugías de escoliosis entre diferentes sociedades.