How accurately do finite element models predict the fall impact response of ex vivo specimens augmented by prophylactic intramedullary nailing?

Hip fracture prevention approaches like prophylactic augmentation devices have been proposed to strengthen the femur and prevent hip fracture in a fall scenario. The aim of this study was to validate the finite element model (FEM) of specimens augmented by prophylactic intramedullary nailing in a simulated sideways fall impact against ex vivo experimental data. A dynamic inertia-driven sideways fall simulator was used to test six cadaveric specimens (3 females, 3 males, age 63-83 years) prophylactically implanted with an intramedullary nailing system used to augment the femur. Impact force measurements, pelvic deformation, effective pelvic stiffness, and fracture outcomes were compared between the ex vivo experiments and the FEMs. The FEMs over-predicted the effective pelvic stiffness for most specimens and showed variability in terms of under- and over-predicting peak impact force and pelvis compression depending on the specimen. A significant correlation was found for time to peak impact force when comparing ex vivo and FEM data. No femoral fractures were found in the ex vivo experiments, but two specimens sustained pelvic fractures. These two pelvis fractures were correctly identified by the FEMs, but the FEMs made three additional false-positive fracture identifications. These validation results highlight current limitations of these sideways fall impact models specific to the inclusion of an orthopaedic implant. These FEMs present a conservative strategy for fracture prediction in future applications. Further evaluation of the modelling approaches used for the bone-implant interface is recommended for modelling augmented specimens, alongside the importance of maintaining well-controlled experimental conditions.

Posterior Hip Pericapsular Block (PHPB) with pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for hip fracture: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) for femoral neck fracture (FNF) can be severe, potentially leading to serious complications. PENG block has become an optional local analgesic strategy in hip fracture surgery, but it cannot provide effective pain relief for the posterior capsule of the hip joint. Therefore, we modified the traditional sacral plexus nerve block and named it Posterior Hip Pericapsule Block (PHPB) to complement the blockade of the relevant nerves innervating the posterior hip capsule region. Thereby, we detail the analgesic effect of PHPB combined with PENG block on five hip fracture patients and the effect on their hip motor function. METHODS: This case series was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024. We performed ultrasound-guided PHPB combined with PENG block on five patients with hip fractures. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores at rest and maximum NRS pain scores during limb movement of the five patients were recorded within 48 h after surgery. Their hip flexion, abduction, adduction, keen flexion and quadriceps muscle strength were also recorded. Serious postoperative complications, including wound infection, hematoma formation, or nerve injury, were recorded. RESULTS: They experienced effective pain control within 48 h postoperatively, with NRS pain scores at rest decreasing from 3.0 (3.0, 4.5) to 0.0 (0.0, 1.0) and maximum NRS pain scores during limb movement from 8.0 (7.5, 8.5) to 1.0 (0.5, 2.0). They can autonomously perform hip flexion, abduction, adduction, and knee flexion within 48 h postoperatively without any signs of movement disorders or quadriceps muscle weakness. No severe postoperative complications, such as wound infections, hematoma formation or nerve damage, were observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided PENG block combined with PHPB provided effective analgesia for hip fracture patients in the perioperative period. It maintained hip joint motor function and quadriceps muscle strength within 24 h after THA.

Surgical Treatment of Non-Displaced Subcapital Hip Fracture: Femoral Neck System vs. Cannulated Screws. Comparative Study. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de fractura subcapital de cadera no desplazada: Femoral Neck System vs Tornillos canulados. Estudio Comparativo.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of using the Femoral Neck System (FNS) (DePuy Synthes®) versus the use of cannulated screws (CS) in the surgical treatment of non-displaced subcapital hip fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on non-displaced subcapital hip fractures treated with CS or FNS between 2020 and 2023, with a minimum follow-up of one year. A total of 28 patients were included, 14 treated with CS and 14 with FNS. Demographic, radiological, clinical, and functional variables were analyzed. RESULTS: In the CS group, 64% were male, with a mean age of 66.5 years (SD 14.9) and an average follow-up of 22 months (range, 12-36 months). In the FNS group, 57% were male, with a median age of 60.8 years (SD 13.78) and an average follow-up of 16 months (range, 12-24 months). Regarding functional outcomes, no significant differences were found between FNS and CS in the Harris scale: 94.21 ± 11.55 for FNS and 96.50 ± 6.9 for CS (p=0.618). The total postoperative complications (FNS/CS) were 7.1% versus 43%, and implant failure with conversion to total hip replacement was 0% versus 43%, both significantly higher in the CS group (p=0.047; p=0.016, respectively). The FNS also presented a lower rate of avascular necrosis (0% versus 11.1%, p=0.391) and nonunion (0% versus 20%, p=0.163), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Although both treatment methods, cannulated screws and the Femoral Neck System (FNS), showed similar short-term functional outcomes in the management of undisplaced subcapital femoral fractures, the FNS demonstrated a significantly lower rate of complications and reoperations. These results suggest that the FNS could be considered a safer and more effective option compared to cannulated screws.

Author Response: Nocturnal Infusion of Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Delirium Prevention.

How to cite this article: Ekkapat G, Chokengarmwong N. Author Response: Nocturnal Infusion of Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Delirium Prevention. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):896.

Nocturnal Infusion of Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Prevention of Delirium Occurring in the ICU after Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients.

How to cite this article: Cong N, Wang D, Xue F. Nocturnal Infusion of Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Prevention of Delirium Occurring in the ICU after Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(9):894-895.

Vitamin D and hip protectors in osteosarcopenia: a combined hip fracture preventing approach.

Osteosarcopenia is an emerging clinical condition highly prevalent in the older people. Affected subjects due to their intrinsic skeletal fragility and propensity to falls are at elevated risk of hip fractures which can increase morbidity and mortality. Strategies for attenuating the impact of predisposing factors on hip fractures are not yet well defined and should derive from multidisciplinary care and collaborations. Our aim was to narratively review available data on the preventive role of vitamin D and hip protectors on hip fractures in older patients with sarcopenia. Older subjects are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency and of falls due to several concomitant factors besides osteosarcopenia. Vitamin D protective actions against hip fractures may be mediated by both skeletal (increased mineralization) and extra-skeletal (reduced risk of falls) actions. Hip protectors may act downstream attenuating the effects of falls although their use is still not yet enough widespread due to the suboptimal compliance obtained by traditional hard devices. Concomitant use of vitamin D and hip protectors may represent an effective strategy in the prevention of hip fractures which need to be tested in ad hoc designed clinical trials.

Impact of Different Volumes of Pericapsular Nerve Group Block on Pain During Spinal Anesthesia Positioning and Postoperative Opioid Requirements in Femoral Fracture Surgeries; Randomized Prospective Study.

Introduction: Hip fracture surgeries in patients present significant challenges, particularly in managing pain during spinal anesthesia positioning. The Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG) has shown promise in addressing this issue, but the ideal volume of local anesthetic for PENG is still uncertain. In our study, we aimed to analyze the effects of administering PENG block with two different volumes on analgesic quality for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, the effects of administering a PENG block with 20 mL versus 30 mL of local anesthetic in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery under spinal anesthesia were compared. The primary outcome was pain during spinal anesthesia positioning, and secondary outcomes included postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Results: A total of 60 patients were analyzed, with 30 in each group. Critical parameters such as the time of spinal anesthesia administration and the satisfaction of the anesthesiologist showed no significant differences (p=0.918; p=0.741, respectively). NRS scores recorded before, during, and after the positioning for spinal anesthesia exhibited similar patterns (p=0.290; p=0.247; p=0.288, respectively). The cumulative opioid requirements did not exhibit a statistically significant difference at 24 hours (p = 0.098). Quadriceps weakness was significantly more in the PENG-30 group 6 hours after surgery but had recovered by the 9th hour (p= 0.004). Conclusion: In patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, the effects of applying the PENG block with 20 mL or 30 mL of local anesthetic are comparable in terms of positioning for spinal anesthesia and postoperative analgesic requirements.

The role of C-reactive protein as a risk marker of postoperative delirium in older hip fracture patients: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and serious neuropsychiatric syndrome that leads to higher morbidity and mortality. We investigated the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the occurrence of POD in older hip fracture patients, and whether CRP predicted POD better than a clinical model. METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 75 years admitted for surgical repair of an acute hip fracture were recruited. We compared serum CRP levels between patients with and without POD. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, of whom 21 (35%) developed POD. Serum CRP levels were significantly higher in patients who developed delirium (p = 0.011). In a multiple regression model including clinical variables and CRP, cognitive impairment (p = 0.003) and infection (p = 0.001) were the best predictors of POD. CONCLUSIONS: Although higher levels of serum CRP were significantly associated with POD in older hip fracture patients, pre-existing cognitive impairment and infections were the most important risk factors for POD.

Effects of adjunctive esketamine on depression in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a prevalent perioperative psychiatric complication among elderly hip fracture patients. Esketamine has rapid and robust antidepressant effects. However, it is unknown whether it can alleviate depressive symptoms in elderly patients who undergo hip fracture surgery. This study aimed to explore whether the adjunctive esketamine in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) could improve depressive symptoms in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, double-blind and randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out from July 2022 to August 2023 at the Wenzhou People's Hospital among 90 patients, aged ≥ 65 years with hip fracture undergoing elective surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to either the esketamine group (group S) or the control group (group C). In Group S, patients were administered 0.5 mg/kg of esketamine as a PCIA adjuvant for 48 h, while the control group received saline. The primary outcome was the assessment of depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) on postoperative day 2. The secondary outcomes were assessments of depressive symptoms on postoperative day 7 and postoperative day 30, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), postoperative pain intensity, the number of effective PCIA presses, sufentanil consumption, and adverse events. RESULTS: The prevalence and GDS-15 scores of depression were significantly lower in group S on postoperative day 2 (28.6% vs. 53.5%; 3.5 ± 1.8 vs. 4.3 ± 1.7, P < 0.05). In group S, the number of effective PCIA presses was significantly lower on postoperative day 2 than that in group C [2(1-4) vs. 1(0-2), P<0.05]. Higher levels of BDNF (23.8 ± 1.7 ng/mL vs. 25.3 ± 2.0 ng/mL, P < 0.05) and 5-HT (219.5 ± 19.5 ng/mL vs. 217.0 ± 22.2 ng/mL, P < 0.05) in the blood were observed on postoperative day 2 in group S. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years undergoing hip fracture surgery, the administration of adjunctive esketamine in PCIA could improve depressive symptoms and increase levels of BDNF and 5-HT in the blood. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200061956 (Date: 13/07/2022).