[Management of hip fractures in the elderly. A national survey among Chilean orthopaedic surgeons]. / Controversias en el manejo de la fractura de cadera en el adulto mayor. Encuesta nacional a Traumatólogos especialistas en cirugía de cadera.

BACKGROUND: As the population ages, patients exposed to osteoporotic fractures increase, especially hip fracture, which is the most severe and costly. AIM: To characterize surgical practices in the management of hip fractures in older patients through a nationwide survey of specialized hip surgeons dedicated to the care of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey composed of 32 questions was formulated, including demographic factors, preoperative evaluation, definitive treatment, and postoperative management. It was sent to 140 specialists. 84 of them replied (61%), and 71 answers were included. RESULTS: Eighty six percent of respondents agreed that orthogeriatric management is fundamental in the outcome of these patients, but only 73% had the collaboration of an internist or a geriatrician. Although 97% considered 72 hours or less the ideal time to perform surgery, only 52% of the respondents declared performing surgery within that timeframe, with differences between private and public system. Regarding surgical treatment, 94-98% of femoral neck fractures are treated with an arthroplasty and 98-99% of per-subtrochanteric fractures are treated with internal fixation and osteosynthesis. Osteoporosis treatment is only carried out by 51% of the respondents and with significant variation. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that there is agreement in surgical practice between specialists treating these patients, but clear differences in preoperative optimization, treatment timeframe, and post fracture medical treatment.

The influence of the CT scan in the evaluation and treatment of nondisplaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The management of nondisplaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs) has evolved, with emphasis in radiographic features such as posterior displacement. However, the role of advanced imaging in this scenario is still not well defined. Therefore, our objective is to assess the impact of a computed tomography scan (CT) on interobserver agreement (IA) of fracture classification, posterior tilt measurement, and treatment decisions in nondisplaced FNF in elderly patients. METHODS: Eleven patients with a nondisplaced (Garden 1-2) FNF were assessed by six hip surgeons. On a first stage, fracture classification, posterior tilt, and treatment plan (fixation/arthroplasty) were determined only with clinical information and X-rays. On a second stage, a CT was added. The kappa coefficient ( κ) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to determine IA. RESULTS: IA for Garden classification was only slight in X-rays and with the addition of a CT, with a κ = 0.13 (0-0.28) and 0.18 (0.03-0.33), respectively. Conversely, posterior tilt measurement agreement was excellent in both schemes, with an ICC = 0.92 (0.83-0.98) and 0.92 (0.82-0.98). The IA for the proposed treatment was slight with X-rays ( κ = 0.44; 0.29-0.6), but moderate with the addition of a CT scan ( κ = 0.67; 0.52-0.82). Changes in surgical decision where made in 14 of 66 evaluations with an OR = 1.4 (0.62-3.2) for choosing an arthroplasty if a CT was used. CONCLUSION: IA for fracture classification and posterior tilt evaluation in nondisplaced FNF was not altered by the usage of a CT. There is improvement in treatment agreement when a CT scan is added to conventional imaging, with changes in treatment in 21% of cases.

Controversias en el manejo de la fractura de cadera en el adulto mayor. Encuesta nacional a Traumatólogos especialistas en cirugía de cadera / Management of hip fractures in the elderly. A national survey among Chilean orthopaedic surgeons

Background: As the population ages, patients exposed to osteoporotic fractures increase, especially hip fracture, which is the most severe and costly. Aim: To characterize surgical practices in the management of hip fractures in older patients through a nationwide survey of specialized hip surgeons dedicated to the care of these patients. Material and Methods: A survey composed of 32 questions was formulated, including demographic factors, preoperative evaluation, definitive treatment, and postoperative management. It was sent to 140 specialists. 84 of them replied (61%), and 71 answers were included. Results: Eighty six percent of respondents agreed that orthogeriatric management is fundamental in the outcome of these patients, but only 73% had the collaboration of an internist or a geriatrician. Although 97% considered 72 hours or less the ideal time to perform surgery, only 52% of the respondents declared performing surgery within that timeframe, with differences between private and public system. Regarding surgical treatment, 94-98% of femoral neck fractures are treated with an arthroplasty and 98-99% of per-subtrochanteric fractures are treated with internal fixation and osteosynthesis. Osteoporosis treatment is only carried out by 51% of the respondents and with significant variation. Conclusions: This survey shows that there is agreement in surgical practice between specialists treating these patients, but clear differences in preoperative optimization, treatment timeframe, and post fracture medical treatment.

Surgical dislocation of the hip without trochanteric osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical dislocation of the hip remains an important alternative in hip preservation surgery, especially when a dynamic access to the hip is needed and arthroscopy is not a suitable option. We describe a novel technique for operative dislocation of the hip without trochanteric osteotomy and the clinical results of our patients. METHODS: Surgical dislocation of the hip without trochanteric osteotomy was done through a modified lateral approach in all of the cases. A review of demographic, clinical, and radiological data was done in all of the patients operated with this technique between 2010 and 2015. Complications, walking aids, weight-bearing status, and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) were also recorded. RESULTS: Six surgical dislocations of the hip were carried out. Indications were tumor resection in five and bulletectomy in one hip. There were two women (four hips) and two men. Mean age was 19 ± 3.8 years. Median follow-up was 2.5 years (range 2-4.5 years). Median mHHS was 92 (90-96). There were no intraoperative nor postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical dislocation of the hip without trochanteric osteotomy through a modified lateral approach appears to be a safe, simpler, and effective alternative.

Optimización perioperatoria del paciente anciano con fractura osteoporótica de cadera / Perioperative care of older patients with hip fractures

The number of osteoporotic fractures is increasing along with population aging. Most patients with these type of fractures are older than 65 years, with multiple chronic conditions and different degrees of disability. Hip fracture is the most relevant osteoporotic fracture due to its frequency, costs, severity and complications. Multidisciplinary management is of the utmost importance to obtain good therapeutic results. We herein review the management of this fracture. Orthogeriatric joint management should be incorporated in fragility fracture treatment. We contribute with general recommendations for the perioperative management, which can be homologated for the management of older patients with other type of fragility fractures.

Do Orthopaedic Oncologists Agree on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cartilage Tumors of the Appendicular Skeleton?

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing a benign enchondroma from a low-grade chondrosarcoma is a common diagnostic challenge for orthopaedic oncologists. Low interrater agreement has been observed for the diagnosis of cartilaginous neoplasms among radiologists and pathologists, but, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated inter- and intraobserver agreement among orthopaedic oncologists grading these lesions using initial clinical and imaging information. Determining such agreement is important since it reflects the certainty in the diagnosis by orthopaedic oncologists. Agreement also is important as it will guide future treatment and prognosis, considering that there is no gold standard for diagnosis of these lesions. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) to determine inter- and intraobserver agreement among a multinational panel of expert orthopaedic oncologists in diagnosing cartilaginous neoplasms based on their assessment of clinical symptoms and imaging at diagnosis. (2) To describe the most important clinical and imaging features that experts use during the initial diagnostic process. (3) To determine interobserver agreement for proposed initial treatment strategies for cartilaginous neoplasms by this panel of evaluators. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with intramedullary cartilaginous neoplasms of the appendicular skeleton of various histopathologic grades were selected and classified as having benign, low-grade malignant, or intermediate- or high-grade malignant neoplasms by 10 experienced orthopaedic oncologists based on clinical and imaging information. Additionally, they chose the three most important clinical or imaging features for the diagnosis of these neoplasms, and they proposed a treatment strategy for each patient. The Kappa coefficient (κ) was used to determine inter- and intraobserver agreement. RESULTS: Inter- and intraobserver agreements were only fair to good, κ = 0.44(95% CI, 0.41-0.48) and κ = 0.62 (95% CI, 0.52-0.72), respectively. The three factors most frequently identified as helpful in making the diagnosis by our panel were cortical involvement in 65% of evaluations (253/390), neoplasm size in 51% (198/390), and pain in 50% (194/390). The interobserver agreement for the proposed initial treatment strategy after diagnosis was poor (κ = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.18-0.24). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed barely fair interobserver and fair to good intraobserver agreement for grading of intramedullary cartilaginous neoplasms by orthopaedic oncologists using initial clinical and imaging findings. These results reflect the insufficient guidance interpreting clinical and imaging features, and the limitations of the systems we use today when making these diagnoses. In the same way, they generate concern for the implications that this may have on different treatment strategies and the future prognosis of our patients. Future studies should build on these observations and focus on clarifying our criteria of diagnosis so that treatment recommendations are standardized regardless of the treating institution or oncologist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

[Perioperative care of older patients with hip fractures]. / Optimización perioperatoria del paciente anciano con fractura osteoporótica de cadera.

The number of osteoporotic fractures is increasing along with population aging. Most patients with these type of fractures are older than 65 years, with multiple chronic conditions and different degrees of disability. Hip fracture is the most relevant osteoporotic fracture due to its frequency, costs, severity and complications. Multidisciplinary management is of the utmost importance to obtain good therapeutic results. We herein review the management of this fracture. Orthogeriatric joint management should be incorporated in fragility fracture treatment. We contribute with general recommendations for the perioperative management, which can be homologated for the management of older patients with other type of fragility fractures.

[Vitamin D levels among Chilean older subjects with low energy hip fracture]. / Prevalencia de insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en adultos mayores con fractura de cadera en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is a common condition affecting 40-100% of geriatric population. AIM: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in geriatric population surgically treated for hip fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of a database of patients aged over 60 years operated for a low energy hip fracture in a three years period. Vitamin D was measured in identified patients, using a blood sample obtained on admission to the hospital. A logistic regression was carried out to evaluate age, gender, morbidity index and season as predictors of vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-eight patients aged 84 ± 7 years (82% females), were included in the analysis. One hundred eighty-three patients (80%) presented vitamin D levels below 20 ng/dl (deficiency) and 39 patients (18%) presented with levels between 20 and 30 ng/dl (insufficiency), totaling 98% of patients with hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D deficiency was especially common among patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System and during winter-spring period. A negative correlation between age and the proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency was found. There was no relation between gender and vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is especially prevalent in older subjects with hip fracture, reaching 98% in the studied population.

Prevalencia de insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en adultos mayores con fractura de cadera en Chile / Vitamin D levels among Chilean older subjects with low energy hip fracture

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common condition affecting 40-100% of geriatric population. Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in geriatric population surgically treated for hip fracture. Patients and Methods: Analysis of a database of patients aged over 60 years operated for a low energy hip fracture in a three years period. Vitamin D was measured in identified patients, using a blood sample obtained on admission to the hospital. A logistic regression was carried out to evaluate age, gender, morbidity index and season as predictors of vitamin D deficiency. Results: Two hundred and twenty-eight patients aged 84 ± 7 years (82% females), were included in the analysis. One hundred eighty-three patients (80%) presented vitamin D levels below 20 ng/dl (deficiency) and 39 patients (18%) presented with levels between 20 and 30 ng/dl (insufficiency), totaling 98% of patients with hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D deficiency was especially common among patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System and during winter-spring period. A negative correlation between age and the proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency was found. There was no relation between gender and vitamin D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is especially prevalent in older subjects with hip fracture, reaching 98% in the studied population.

Surgical light handles: a source of contamination in the surgical field.

OBJECTIVE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common and generally safe procedure; however, among the most devastating complications associated with THA is periprosthetic infection (PPI). The origin of bacteria causing PPI is not completely understood. The aims of the present study were to identify bacterial contamination of light handles with up-to-date culture methods and to determine the safety in using these handles in hip arthroplasty surgery. METHODS: A total of 36 surgical handles randomly selected from primary hip arthroplasty procedures were screened for bacterial contamination using 2 different culture methods, including 1 with high sensitivity. Two types of controls were used. Cultures were kept for up to 10 days, and retrieved bacteria were identified. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the light handles yielded positive cultures, demonstrating a bacterial presence on surgical light handles during hip arthroplasty. The most frequently identified bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: A large number of positive bacterial cultures were found in manipulated light handles during hip replacement surgery, representing a potential contamination source that could eventually lead to infection in hip arthroplasty.

Comparison of complications and length of hospital stay between orthopedic and orthogeriatric treatment in elderly patients with a hip fracture.

Hip fractures in the elderly individuals are a complex problem. Our objective was to determine whether orthogeriatric treatment is effective in terms of reducing length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality of elderly patients with a hip fracture compared with orthopedic (traditional) treatment. From July 2009 to May 2011, patients older than 65 years with a hip fracture were followed prospectively. They were co-treated by geriatric and orthopedic teams. This cohort was compared with a retrospective cohort followed from January 2007 to June 2009 that was managed by the orthopedic surgery team only. Epidemiology, pre- and postoperative hematocrit, and renal function were registered. Also, in-hospital and distant mortality data (determined by consulting the national registry), mortality-associated factors, postoperative complications, hospital stay length, and transfers to other services were registered. One hundred and eighty-three patients in the retrospective group and 92 in the prospective group were included in this study with a median follow-up of 26 months (interquartile range: 13-41). The average age was 84 years and 74% of patients were female. Intertrochanteric fracture accounted for 51% of the cases. There was no difference between groups with regard to hospital stay length, hematocrit at discharge, in-hospital mortality, long-term survival, or transfers to internal medicine or the intensive care unit. It did show differences in the transfer to the intermediate care unit, prolonged hospitalizations (>20 days), and diagnosis of delirium and anemia requiring transfusion. In the present study, orthogeriatric treatment is slightly more effective than traditional treatment in terms of morbidity, but there is no difference in hospital stay length or mortality. Further studies and longer follow-up are needed to draw more conclusions.

[Bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip]. / Síndrome de edema de la médula ósea de cadera.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a rare clinical condition. Its etiology is unknown and it can be seen in different locations. In the case of the hip, avascular necrosis is the main differential diagnosis. AIM: To present our experience of BMES of the hip and a review of the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with hip pain that met clinical, radiological, and magnetic resonance imaging criteria for BMES. Clinical outcome and clinical and radiological follow up are presented. RESULTS: Two men and two women (one of them pregnant) aged 42, 48, 36 and 26 years old, fulfilled criteria. Treatment included limited weight bearing, non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, intranasal calcitonin and physical therapy. Complete remission of symptoms was observed within five to seven months. At an average follow up of 36 months, all patients presented complete function of the hip, returning to their previous activity levels, with no new episodes of BMES. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of this condition as part of the differential diagnosis of hip pain to avoid aggressive and unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

[Total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Artroplastia total de rodilla en pacientes con artritis reumatoide.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will have one or both knees involved during the course of the disease. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) allows restoring function and relieving pain satisfactorily, but these patients perform in a different way than those with primary knee osteoarthritis. AIM: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of TKA in patients with RA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the data of 25 posterior stabilized total knee prostheses in 19 patients, available to an average follow-up of 6 years. The scores of Hospital for Special Surgery and of the Knee Society were used for clinical assessment. RESULTS: The mean Hospital for Special Surgery score increased from 44 points (range 27-58) preoperatively to 80 points (range 58-91) at the final follow-up examination. Two prostheses required revision and removal of the implants because of deep infection, and two had clinical failure as defined by the Knee Society score. There were no cases of implant loosening. DISCUSSION: Even though it is not free of complications, TKA is a good choice in patients with RA in the medium term follow up, with 80% of excellent and good results in our series.