Functional and Clinical Outcomes of Combined Simultaneous Bilateral Anterior Distal Femoral Plate Hemiepiphysiodesis and Hamstrings Release in Management of Knee Flexion Contractures in Children With Neuromuscular Disorders.

BACKGROUND: We examined the clinical and functional outcomes of the simultaneous anterior distal femoral 8-plate hemiepiphysiodesis (ADF8PH) and hamstring release, for fixed knee flexion deformity in children with neuromuscular disease. To our knowledge, no published evidence is available that reports the outcomes of this combined techniques. METHODS: Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 19 consecutive children who underwent bilateral ADF8PH and concomitant hamstrings release in our institution from 2012 to 2019. Relevant demographics, Gross Motor Functional Classification Score and preoperative and postoperative knee flexion contractures and popliteal angles were documented. RESULTS: The average age at the time of operation was 12±2.1 years. There were 15 males and 4 females. Diagnoses included cerebral palsy (n=16), Cornelia de Lange syndrome (n=1), hereditary spastic paraplegia type 56 (n=1) and fructose-1,6 bisphosphonate aldose B deficiency (n=1). Mean length of follow-up was 3.8 years (range: 1.5 to 7 y). Mean fixed knee flexion deformity improved from 28.9 to 13.4 degrees (P<0.001) at an average correction rate of 0.94 degrees per month. Mean popliteal angle improved from 81.8 to 44.4 degrees (P<0.001) in the early postoperative phase and to 51.8 degrees (P<0.001) in latest clinic review. Mean time to correction was 18.9 months. The agreed treatment goals of maintaining or promoting the use of standing frame and spinal/postural symmetry was attained in 18 patients (94.7%). Postoperative knee pain was reported in 2 cases (10.5%). We report 2 complications; 1 case of neurapraxia and 1 case of sepsis because of respiratory infection. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous bilateral ADF8PH with hamstrings release is a promising effective technique for correction of knee flexion contractures in skeletally immature individuals with neuromuscular disabilities. Our findings demonstrate improvement in clinical outcomes and maintaining functional outcomes, indicating the validity of this approach as a satisfactory, less invasive alternative in the management of this deformity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic study.

Incidence, temporal trends and potential risk factors for aseptic loosening following primary unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis of 96,294 knees.

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening (AL) is among the major reasons for revision of failed primary unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). There is an ongoing temporal increase in the use of UKA with a resultant increase in the revision burden. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of, temporal trends and risk factors for AL. METHODS: Longitudinal studies reporting the incidence of AL following primary UKA were sought from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to 6th April 2020. Incidence and relative risks (RR) (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated. RESULTS: We identified 62 studies for inclusion. Overall, 96,294 primary UKA procedures accounting for 1752 AL cases were included. AL incidence ranged from 0.00% to 22.70% over a 7.7 year weighted mean follow-up. The pooled random effects incidence (95% CI) was 1.77% (1.34-2.25) in the same follow-up period. The annual rate of AL was 0.10% (0.02-0.22). AL incidence increased with length of follow-up, but there was a temporal decrease from the 1970s onwards. Tibial loosening was more common than femoral component loosening: incidence (95% CI) of 1.63% (0.96-2.44) and 0.58% (0.20-1.09) respectively over a weighted follow-up of 6.6 years. Fixed bearing implant design and cemented fixation were both associated with increased AL risk, whereas robotic-assisted surgery was associated with decreased risk. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of AL following primary UKA is primarily driven by tibial component loosening and there is a temporal decline in rates. The use of mobile bearing, uncemented implants inserted with robotic assisted surgery may reduce the risk of AL.

Hemiepiphysiodesis: when should it be considered a day-case procedure?

Hemiepiphysiodesis is usually planned as a day-case but patients may stay overnight for pain control. In this study, we assessed the required level of analgesia (LOA) and length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing hemiepiphysiodesis about the knee joint. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal femur or proximal tibia using hemiepiphysiodesis plates (eight-plates) for coronal plane deformities between January 2012 and October 2019. Demographics, type of procedure, anatomical site, anaesthetic time, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, and time of surgery were collected. Anterior hemiepiphysiodesis and permanent drill epiphysiodesis procedures were excluded. In this series of 79 patients, those with increased American Society of Anesthesiologists Score >1 and patients that were operated on >2 sites required increased LOA, (P < 0.05) and prolonged LOS (P < 0.05). The timing of surgery (morning vs. afternoon list) did not influence LOS or LOA. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was required in 8 of 14 (57%) patients with four growth plates operated on. All (n = 12) patients that received PCA remained in hospital for at least one night. The use of local infiltration intraoperatively played a significant role in early discharge of the patients and t lower the LOA postoperatively (P < 0.05). Parameters including the number of growth plates operated on, use of tourniquet and intraoperative local infiltration can independently influence LOS and LOA postoperatively and at discharge. These parameters should be taken into consideration when consulting with the patient and family and when planning the postoperative course.

Clinical Effectiveness of Treatment Strategies for Prosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Ankle Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total ankle replacement (TAR) is a challenging complication, which often requires debridement and implant retention (DAIR) with or without polyethylene exchange, revision surgery, implantation of a cement spacer, conversion to arthrodesis, or even amputation. The optimum treatment for ankle PJI is not well established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical effectiveness of various treatment strategies for infected ankle prostheses. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to December 2018 for studies evaluating the impact of treatment in patient populations with infected ankle prostheses following TAR. Binary data were pooled after arcsine transformation. Six citations comprising 17 observational design comparisons were included. The reinfection rates (95% confidence intervals) for DAIR with or without polyethylene exchange, 1-stage revision, 2-stage revision, cement spacer, and arthrodesis were 39.8% (24.4 to 56.1), 0.0% (0.0 to 78.7), 0.0% (0.0 to 8.5), 0.2% (0.0 to 17.9), and 13.6% (0.0 to 45.8), respectively. Rates of amputation for DAIR with or without polyethylene exchange and cement spacer were 5.6% (0.0 to 16.9) and 22.2% (6.3 to 54.7), respectively. Measures of function, pain, and satisfaction could not be compared because of limited data. One- and 2-stage revision strategies seem to be associated with the lowest reinfection rates, but these findings are based on limited data. Arthrodesis and DAIR with or without polyethylene exchange appear to be commonly used in treating infected ankle prosthesis, but are associated with poor infection control. Clear gaps exist in the literature, and further research is warranted to evaluate treatment strategies for infected ankle prosthesis.

Venous thromboembolism following 672,495 primary total shoulder and elbow replacements: Meta-analyses of incidence, temporal trends and potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND: There is wide variability in reported venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence following total shoulder replacement (TSR) or total elbow replacement (TER). It is uncertain which risk factors influence the risk of VTE following TSR or TER. We conducted a PRISMA compliant meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence, temporal trends and potential risk factors for VTE following primary TSR and TER. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to September 2019 for longitudinal studies reporting VTE outcomes after TSR or TER. Incidence and relative risks (RR) (95% confidence intervals) were estimated. RESULTS: We identified 43 articles with data on 672,495 TSRs and TERs (668,699 TSRs and 3796 TERs). The overall pooled 3-month VTE incidence following TSR was 0.85% (0.39-1.46). For TER, the 3-month incidence of VTE was 0.23% (0.08-0.44). Older age, body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2, and alcohol abuse were each associated with increased VTE risk following TSR. Comorbidities associated with increased VTE risk following TSR were chronic pulmonary disease, previous VTE, heart failure, anaemia, coagulopathy, arrhythmia, epilepsy, urinary tract infection, sleep apnoea, and fluid & electrolyte imbalance. Anatomic and outpatient TSR were each associated with decreased VTE risk. CONCLUSIONS: The average 3-month incidence of VTE following TSR or TER is <1%. High risk groups such as older patients, those with a previous VTE history and those undergoing reverse or inpatient TSR may need close monitoring. Modifiable factors such as high BMI, alcohol abuse, and comorbidities could be identified and addressed prior to surgery. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2019: CRD42019134096.

Incidence, temporal trends and potential risk factors for prosthetic joint infection after primary total shoulder and elbow replacement: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence, temporal trends and potential risk factors for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following primary total shoulder replacement (TSR) and elbow replacement (TER). METHODS: Longitudinal studies reporting infection outcomes following primary TSR or TER were sought from MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library up to June 2019. Incidence rates and relative risks (with 95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The search identified 105 eligible articles (108 non-overlapping studies). There were 631,854 TSRs (1,751 PJIs) and 17,485 TERs (525 PJIs). The pooled PJI incidence following TSR was 0.61% (0.34-0.93) over a follow-up period of 1.1 years. The corresponding incidence following TER was 2.53% (1.99-3.12) over a follow-up period of 3.3 years. Shoulder and elbow PJI incidence declined from the 1990s to 2010 and beyond. Males, younger age (<75 years), previous shoulder surgery, reverse TSR, rotator cuff arthropathy and inpatient TSR increased shoulder PJI risk. For TER, high body mass index, psychiatric illness, and previous elbow surgery increased PJI risk. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder and elbow PJI may be on a temporal decline. Caution should be taken for patients at high PJI risk following primary TSR such as younger males and patients with a previous shoulder surgery.

Trochanteric spurs and surface irregularities on plain radiography are not predictive of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

PURPOSE: Surface irregularities of the greater trochanter have been described as a potential radiographic sign of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). We report a diagnostic accuracy study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of trochanteric surface irregularities on plain radiographs in the diagnosis of GTPS. METHODS: We retrospectively identified the anteroposterior pelvic radiographs of a consecutive group of 38 patients (representing a 27.5% series prevalence) diagnosed with GTPS (mean age 69.5 years ± 16.1 [standard deviation], 27 females, 11 males) based on clinical symptoms and a positive response to a local anaesthetic and steroid injection. A control group consisted of 100 patients (mean age 73 years ± 17.1 [standard deviation], 67 females, 33 males) with either hip osteoarthritis listed for hip arthroplasty (n = 50), or with an intracapsular neck of femur fracture (n = 50) both presenting between January and July 2017. Radiographs were cropped to blind observers to the presence of hip osteoarthritis or intracapsular fracture but included the trochanteric region. The radiograph sequence was randomised and separately presented to 3 orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate the presence of trochanteric surface irregularities. RESULTS: The inter-observer correlation coefficient agreement was acceptable at 0.75 (95% CI, 0.60-0.84). Trochanteric surface irregularities including frank spurs protruding ⩾2 mm were associated with a 24.7% positive predictive value, 64.0% sensitivity, 25.7% specificity, 74.3% false-positive rate, 36.0% false-negative rate, and a 65.3% negative predictive value for clinical GTPS. CONCLUSION: Surface irregularities of the greater trochanter are not reliable radiographic indicators for the diagnosis of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Host-related factors for venous thromboembolism following total joint replacement: A meta-analysis of 89 observational studies involving over 14 million hip and knee replacements.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism, a potential complication of total joint replacement, is associated with preventable mortality and morbidity and is likely to be influenced by host-related factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, medical and surgical histories, as well as circulating biomarkers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the associations between host-related factors and venous thromboembolism risk following total hip and knee replacements. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to March 2018 for longitudinal studies reporting these associations. Summary measures of association were relative risks (95% confidence intervals). RESULTS: We identified 89 studies with data on 14,763,963 joint replacements and 150,086 venous thromboembolism events. Comparing males to females, age ≥70 to <70 years, and blacks to whites, relative risks for venous thromboembolism were 0.83 (0.75-0.91), 1.24 (1.03-1.50), and 1.26 (1.20-1.31) respectively. Comparing body mass indices ≥25 vs. <25; ≥30 vs. <30; and ≥50 vs. <50 kg/m2, relative risks were 1.40 (1.24-1.57); 1.65 (1.23-2.22); and 1.72 (1.10-2.67) respectively. Histories of venous thromboembolism; cardiovascular disease; congestive heart failure; cardiac arrhythmia; chronic pulmonary disease; renal disease; neurological disease; fluid & electrolyte imbalance; bariatric surgery; and comorbidity indices were associated with increased venous thromboembolism risk. Comparing a total knee with a hip replacement, the relative risk for venous thromboembolism was 1.69 (1.32-2.15). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be considered in those with nonmodifiable risk factors such as older black female knee replacement patients. Modifiable risk factors such as high body mass index and fluid & electrolyte imbalance should be addressed prior to elective surgery. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2018: CRD42018089625.

Risk factors for dislocation after primary total hip replacement: meta-analysis of 125 studies involving approximately five million hip replacements.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation following total hip replacement (THR) is associated with repeated hospitalisations and substantial costs to the health system. Factors influencing dislocation following primary THR are not well understood. We aimed to assess the associations of patient-, surgery-, implant- and hospital-related factors with dislocation risk following primary THR. METHODS: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of all longitudinal studies reporting these associations. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to March 8, 2019. Summary measures of association were calculated using relative risks (RRs) (with 95% confidence intervals, CIs). The review is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42019121378. FINDINGS: We identified 149 articles based on 125 unique studies with data on 4 633 935 primary THRs and 35 264 dislocations. The incidence rates of dislocation ranged from 0·12% to 16·13%, with an overall pooled rate of 2·10% (1·83-2·38) over a weighted mean follow-up duration of 6 years. Using median year of data collection, there was a significant decline in dislocation rates from 1971 to 2015. Comparing males vs females, age ≥70 vs <70 years, and high vs low income, RRs (95% CIs) for dislocation were 0·97 (0·88-1·08), 1·27 (1·02-1·57), and 0·79 (0·74-0·85) respectively. White ethnicity, drug use disorder, and social deprivation were each associated with an increased dislocation risk. Comparing body mass index (BMI) ≥30 vs. <30 kg/m2, the RR (95% CI) for dislocation was 1·38 (1·03-1·85). Medical and surgical history-related factors associated with dislocation risk included neurological disorder, psychiatric disease, comorbidity indices, previous surgery including spinal fusion, and surgical indications including avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and osteonecrosis. Surgical factors such as the anterolateral, direct anterior, or lateral approach and posterior with short external rotator and capsule repair were each associated with reduced dislocation risk. At the implant level, larger femoral head diameters, elevated acetabular liners, dual mobility cups, cemented fixations and standard femoral neck lengths reduced the risk of dislocation. Hospital-related factors such as experienced surgeons and high surgeon procedure volume each reduced the risk of dislocation. INTERPRETATION: Dislocation following primary THR is on a temporal decline. Surgical approaches that reduce dislocation risk can be used by clinicians when performing primary THR. Alternative bearings such as dual mobility can be used in individuals at high risk of dislocation. Modifiable risk factors such as high BMI and comorbidities may be amenable to optimisation prior to surgery. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

Risk factors for dislocation after primary total hip replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 125 studies involving approximately five million hip replacements.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation following total hip replacement is associated with repeated admissions to hospital and substantial costs to the health system. Factors influencing dislocation following primary total hip replacement are not well understood. We aimed to assess the association of various factors with dislocation risk following primary total hip replacement. METHODS: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies reporting associations of patient-related, surgery-related, implant-related, and hospital-related factors with dislocation risk after primary total hip replacement. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for all relevant articles published up to March 8, 2019. Summary measures of association were calculated with relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42019121378. FINDINGS: We identified 149 articles based on 125 unique studies with data on 4 633 935 primary total hip replacements and 35 264 dislocations. The incidence of dislocation ranged from 0·12% to 16·13%, with an overall pooled incidence of 2·10% (95% CI 1·83-2·38) over a weighted mean follow-up duration of 6 years. Based on the median year of data collection, a significant decline in dislocation rates was observed from 1971 to 2015. The risk of dislocation did not differ significantly between male versus female patients (RR 0·97; 95% CI 0·88-1·08), was higher in those aged 70 years and older than in those younger than 70 years (1·27; 1·02-1·57), and was lower in those from high versus low income groups (0·79; 0·74-0·85). White ethnicity (only when compared with Asian ethnicity), drug use disorder, and social deprivation were significantly associated with increased dislocation risk. The risk of dislocation was higher in patients with body-mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher than in those with BMI lower than 30 kg/m2 (RR 1·38; 95% CI 1·03-1·85). Medical factors and those related to surgical history that were significantly associated with increased dislocation risk included neurological disorder, psychiatric disease, comorbidity indices, previous surgery including spinal fusion, and surgical indications including avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and osteonecrosis. Surgical factors such as the anterolateral, direct anterior, or lateral approach, and posterior approach with short external rotator and capsule repair were significantly associated with reduced dislocation risk. At the implant level, larger femoral head diameters, elevated acetabular liners, dual mobility cups, cemented fixations, and standard femoral neck lengths significantly reduced the risk of dislocation. Hospital-related factors such as experienced surgeons and high surgeon procedure volume significantly reduced the risk of dislocation. INTERPRETATION: Dislocation following primary total hip replacement has declined over time. Surgical approaches that reduce dislocation risk can be used by clinicians during primary total hip replacement, and alternative bearings such as dual mobility can be used in individuals at high risk of dislocation. Modifiable risk factors such as high BMI and comorbidities might also be amenable to optimisation before surgery. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

Consolidation and reconsolidation of memory in black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus).

Multiple phases of protein synthesis are necessary for the synaptic modifications that consolidate long-term memory. The reconsolidation hypothesis supposes that information in long-term memory becomes labile and subject to change when retrieved and must be reconsolidated into long-term memory. The current study used the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin to examine memory consolidation in birds and to test the reconsolidation hypothesis. Black-capped chickadees store food and usually remember which of their caches they have emptied and which they have left full. In Experiment 1, anisomycin was injected either immediately and 2 hr after food caching, or 4 and 6 hr after food caching. Inhibition of protein synthesis impaired memory for cache sites 24 and 48 hr later. In Experiment 2, it was hypothesized that long-term memory for food caches becomes labile as predicted by the reconsolidation hypothesis when birds search for caches. Anisomycin was administered immediately after chickadees had searched for their caches. Inhibition of protein synthesis should disrupt memory for caches left full if these sites are retrieved from long-term memory and require reconsolidation. Control birds were later more likely to revisit full caches than caches they had emptied. Birds given anisomycin revisited both kinds of caches and did not distinguish between them. This result shows that reconsolidation of full caches into long-term memory is not necessary following search for cache sites, but also shows that protein synthesis-dependent consolidation is required for updating the status of emptied caches.

The TRITON Project: Design and Implementation of an Integrative Translational Research Information Management Platform.

Multi-site consortia have become the preferred setting for team-based translational research programs. Such consortia are able to facilitate increased breadth and depth of basic science and clinical research activities, but also present numerous challenges related to data collection, analysis, storage, and exchange. The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Research Consortium (CRC), a s a prototypical instance of such a consortia, uses numerous loosely coupled web applications to address its informatics needs. Over a decade of operations have allowed the CRC to identify usability and computational limitations relative to the preceding information management architecture. In response, the CRC has launched the TRITON project, with the ultimate objective of developing an open-source, extensible, and fully integrative translational research information management platform. In this manuscript, we describe the architecture, design processes, and initial implementation of thatplatform.