Influence of Fondaparinux Versus Nadroparin Calcium Thromboprophylaxis on Clinical Parameters Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Fondaparinux has been shown to be as effective as low molecular weight heparin in orthopedic surgery, with no cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia proven until today. The main goal of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to define whether thromboprophylaxis in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influences clinical parameters in the same manner in patients receiving fondaparinux as in those receiving nadroparin during the first 7 postoperative days. Sixty patients with primary knee osteoarthritis underwent unilateral TKA performed by the same surgeon and were randomized into two groups of 30 patients receiving either fondaparinux or nadroparin thromboprophylaxis. Patients were compared according to the duration of operation, perioperative blood loss, laboratory results and clinical evaluation of the edema during the early postoperative period. No differences were found between the groups in the mean duration of surgery, perioperative blood loss, and most of laboratory results. The level of urea was significantly lower in the nadroparin group on the first and second postoperative day. No cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were noted during the study. Study results showed both fondaparinux and nadroparin to have the same influence on clinical parameters during the first 7 postoperative days in patients undergoing TKA.

USEFUL TECHNIQUE FOR ALLOGRAFT BONE HARVEST.

Although regarded as a gold standard, harvesting of autologous bone graft is associated with donor site morbidity and a number of complications. An alternative is allograft with limited availability as the main shortcoming. Femoral heads as allografts are now routinely obtained during total hip arthroplasty. A small but valuable amount of pure cancellous bone graft of high quality can be obtained in addition. An additional harvest site is the proximal metaphyseal region of femur. We present a simple, useful and inexpensive technique for one harvest that can be performed utilizing ordinary instruments.

Current concept in dysplastic hip arthroplasty: Techniques for acetabular and femoral reconstruction.

Adult patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip develop secondary osteoarthritis and eventually end up with total hip arthroplasty (THA) at younger age. Because of altered anatomy of dysplastic hips, THA in these patients represents technically demanding procedure. Distorted anatomy of the acetabulum and proximal femur together with conjoined leg length discrepancy present major challenges during performing THA in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. In addition, most patients are at younger age, therefore, soft tissue balance is of great importance (especially the need to preserve the continuity of abductors) to maximise postoperative functional result. In this paper we present a variety of surgical techniques available for THA in dysplastic hips, their advantages and disadvantages. For acetabular reconstruction following techniques are described: Standard metal augments (prefabricated), Custom made acetabular augments (3D printing), Roof reconstruction with vascularized fibula, Roof reconstruction with pedicled iliac graft, Roof reconstruction with autologous bone graft, Roof reconstruction with homologous bone graft, Roof reconstruction with auto/homologous spongious bone, Reinforcement ring with the hook in combination with autologous graft augmentation, Cranial positioning of the acetabulum, Medial protrusion technique (cotyloplasty) with chisel, Medial protrusion technique (cotyloplasty) with reaming, Cotyloplasty without spongioplasty. For femoral reconstruction following techniques were described: Distraction with external fixator, Femoral shortening through a modified lateral approach, Transtrochanteric osteotomies, Paavilainen osteotomy, Lesser trochanter osteotomy, Double-chevron osteotomy, Subtrochanteric osteotomies, Diaphyseal osteotomies, Distal femoral osteotomies. At the end we present author's treatment method of choice: for acetabulum we perform cotyloplasty leaving only paper-thin medial wall, which we break during acetabular cup impacting. For femoral side first we peel of all rotators and posterior part of gluteus medius and vastus lateralis from greater trochanter on the very thin flake of bone. This method allows us to adequately shorten proximal femoral stump, with possibility of additional resection of proximal femur. Furthermore, several advantages and disadvantages of this procedure are also discussed.

Patient satisfaction after revision hip arthroplasty or resection hip arthroplasty due to periprosthetic infection.

In this retrospective study we have analysed 10-year period results of all type periprosthetic hip joint infection treatments at our Department. Data for 73 patients were analysed and functional status for 41 patients evaluated. A smaller proportion of patients (45%) with resection arthroplasty as the definitive solution were satisfied. These were mostly females with numerous comorbidities and lower functional demands. Much better results were achieved in 2-stage revision arthroplasty group. In conclusion whenever possible revision arthroplasty should be done because probability of re-infection is much lower than was previously believed, and the functional status of patients and their general life satisfaction is much higher.

Quality of life in Croatian metastatic melanoma patients.

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life (QoL) in 40 Croatian metastatic melanoma patients who had completed at least first-line treatment and to see if there was a correlation between QoL parameters and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). LDH levels were measured and all patients clinically examined between April and September 2013. Two QoL questionnaires were used for patient self-evaluation: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Research Network and the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies, and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (COOP/WONCA) charts. The average EORTC QLQ-C30 score for global health status (GHS) was 41.204. The average scores for functional scales were high, with the exception of emotional functioning (65.02). Blood LDH levels positively correlated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status (r = 0.415; p < 0.01) and pain (r = 0.345; p < 0.05), but not with any functional or COOP/WONCA scores. Global health status (GHS) positively correlated with patient age at the time of evaluation (r = 0.386; p < 0.05) and age at the time when metastatic disease had been diagnosed (r = 0.366; p < 0.05). Quality of life for the studied group of metastatic melanoma patients in Croatia can be considered generally good, with the exception of emotional functioning and symptoms of fatigue, dispnoea, insomnia, and financial difficulties.

Failure of bulk bone grafts after total hip arthroplasty for hip dysplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Bulk bone grafts are used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) when adequate acetabular cup coverage cannot be achieved. Data from literature show mainly good short-term and mid-term results with contradictory long-term results. The aim of this study was to investigate acetabular cup stability and graft integrity after dysplastic adult hip reconstruction with total hip endoprosthesis and bulk bone graft for acetabular deficiency. METHODS: Seventy-two hips in 64 patients that underwent THA with bone autograft or allograft were assessed immediately after operation, 6 months and 1, 2, 3 and 10 years after operation. Acetabular angle, acetabular cup coverage, bone graft width, and bone graft height were measured and questionnaire was designed to determine acetabular cup stability and grade graft integrity. Four investigators graded grafts and inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the questionnaire was tested. RESULTS: All measured parameters in all patients and in patients with autograft and those with allograft separately showed significant changes consistent with graft failure and acetabular cup instability when level of significance was set at p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study show significant decrease in acetabular cup stability when either autograft or allograft is used for cemented acetabular reconstruction of dysplastic hip. Further, allografts showed twice as rapid failure as autografts. Although these results contradict both good short-term and long-term results in published literature, they present warning for future use of free bulk bone grafts in reconstructive hip surgery.

Bifocal stress fracture of pubic Rami after contralateral total hip arthroplasty and longstanding ipsilateral hip fusion.

In this case report we present a patient with bifocal pubic rami stress fractures after contralateral total hip arthroplasty for congenital hip dysplasia and longstanding ipsilateral hip fusion. Treatment protocol for patients with various degrees of hip arthritis on one side and contralateral longstanding hip fusion are proposed based on the literature and our and previously published cases.