Tourniquet Practice Among Orthopaedic Surgeons in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of tourniquet use among orthopedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia and assess the practical aspects of their use of tourniquets and the complications they have experienced in their practices. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to February 2023. An online questionnaire was distributed among orthopedic surgeons and trainees in Saudi Arabia, and the surgeons' knowledge of tourniquet use was assessed using 17 questions. To investigate tourniquet usage, the participants were divided into three groups: orthopedic residents, specialists, and consultants. An upper limb cuff pressure (CP) of 200 mmHg and a lower limb CP of 250 mmHg were chosen as the cut-off values, and the doctors' choices were compared against literature recommendations using these measures. Result A total of 205 participants filled out the questionnaires; 130 residents, 15 consultants, and 60 specialists, with more males (175/205) than females responding. One hundred and twenty-one surgeons placed the cuff on patients by themselves, while 50 (24.3%) surgeons asked nurses for aid; 135 (65.6%) of them work in teaching hospitals, while 50 (24.3%) work in community hospitals. The incidence of post-tourniquet syndrome was unrelated to expertise (p=0.12). Conclusion When applied properly, tourniquets prevent excessive bleeding and keep the operative field clean during limb surgeries. This study aims to inspire the orthopedic community to reconsider long-held practices, especially regarding tourniquet pressure. The addition of ligature safety education to orthopedics training and outlining the settings and procedures for applying pressure should also be considered. The orthopedic community should set CP and process criteria to avoid complications. This study showed the importance of modifying the training of orthopedic residents to raise awareness and prevent unpleasant events from occurring.

Neutral Mechanical Alignment and Prevalence of Constitutional Varus Knees Among the Saudi Population at King Saud University Medical City.

Background Various studies have described the restoration of the neutral mechanical alignment of the lower limb in total knee replacement (TKR) as a key factor of knee implant durability. Mechanical alignment of the knee requires that the tibial and femoral cuts are perpendicular to the mechanical axis of each bone in the coronal plane. Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate mechanical knee alignment and the prevalence of constitutional varus knee among the Saudi population at a single tertiary center with no history of musculoskeletal abnormalities. Methodology This is a retrospective cross-sectional study involving patients with no musculoskeletal abnormality who had their lower limb X-ray Centigram using the universal viewer zero footprint system made between 2015 and 2021. The study took place at King Saud University Medical City. The X-rays were obtained from patients' electronic medical records retrospectively. A total of 728 knees of 370 males and 358 females were included in this study. Results The results showed that 165 male knees (44.4%) and 218 female knees (60%) had constitutional varus alignment with the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle of ≤3° or less. The average HKA angle was smaller in males than in females: -3.69° versus -1.98°, respectively. Conclusion We have identified variables and factors that can help surgeons detect the constitutional varus on a full leg radiograph preoperatively at the time of TKA, regardless of the osteoarthritic changes of the knee. We encourage the scientific community to look for causes and risk factors for developing constitutional varus.

A Retrospective Study on Traumatic Elbow Dislocation in Adults in a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background This retrospective chart review aimed to ascertain the frequency and characteristics of radial head fractures in adults who presented to our emergency department with elbow dislocation. Methodology This study was conducted in a single tertiary trauma center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between July 2015 and July 2020 to identify traumatic elbow dislocation in adults. Patients were identified after thoroughly examining the hospital's electronic X-ray database. In addition, computed tomography (CT) was used to assess complete ulnohumeral joint dislocation. In total, 80 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 were evaluated for a radial head fracture. Various variables were examined. Results Of the 80 patients included, the mean age with standard deviation was 36.9 ± 8.8 years, and all patients were males. Nearly all patients with elbow dislocation had some form of posterior dislocation, including posterolateral (81.3%), posterior (10%), and posteromedial (7.5%) dislocation. The radial head fracture was identified in 48 (60%) cases. Radiographs were sufficient to diagnose 91.3% of radial head fractures, while the remaining 8.8% required additional CT. Conclusions Based on X-ray or CT findings, radial head fractures were found in more than half of traumatic elbow dislocations. In addition, most cases were diagnosed as an elbow dislocation and radial head fracture using only plain radiography, while some required additional CT. Based on these findings, we recommend routine CT to detect suspected elbow dislocation and avoid missing subtle injuries.

Correction: A Retrospective Study on Traumatic Elbow Dislocation in Adults in a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37554.].

Traumatic fracture of the polyethylene tibial post and cone in a posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Very few reports addressed polyethylene tibial post and cone fractures requiring revision surgery. Up to our knowledge, this particular pattern of wear, involving 2 fracture areas simultaneously, has not been previously described. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70 year-old female developed a fracture involving both the tibial insert post and cone after a minor trauma after undergoing posterior-stabilized total knee replacement 4 years prior. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This unique pattern of wear may occur even after minor trauma. CONCLUSION: We recommend having a low threshold to investigate minor trauma in this patient population, even years after undergoing primary knee arthroplasty.

Combined injury of femoral artery and femoral nerve after blunt trauma to the proximal femur: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Combined femoral arterial and nerve injury does not often occur in cases of proximal femur fracture (hip fracture) and is often overlooked in the emergency medical setting. Physicians should be aware of this rare but possible combination of injuries, which can lead to devastating and disabling patient outcomes. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 42-year-old Ethiopian male was struck by a steel pipe, rushed to the emergency room, and diagnosed with a left subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. Although promptly taken to surgery for fixation and exploration of the femoral artery, it became necessary to amputate his leg 1 week later. DISCUSSION: Blunt injuries to the femoral nerve and femoral arterial tree are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. These injuries should not be overlooked when diagnosing patients with blunt trauma to the femur. CONCLUSION: When treating patients presenting with blunt trauma to the femur, several factors may obfuscate the clinician's need to perform a thorough examination of the femoral artery and femoral nerves. Among other things, the patient may not immediately present with signs of hemodynamic instability, similar to our reported case. The clinician may also be invested in treating the patient according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. When treating blunt hip trauma patients, clinicians should recognize that even blunt trauma to the femur may critically damage the femoral artery and nerve.