Measurement of safe acetabular medial wall defect size in revision hip arthroplasty with a porous cup.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of acetabular revisions can be performed with an uncemented, porous acetabular component with or without bone grafting. These are contained acetabular defects, with an intact acetabular rim (Paprosky type I and II). As defects of the medial wall of the acetabulum are a challenge situation revision surgery, we performed this biomechanical study on a pig pelvis model with contained acetabular defects to determine the size of medial wall defect at which the acetabular cup will have sufficient primary stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 24 pig pelvis models, different diameter of medial wall defects were created, followed by acetabular component placement. The acetabulum externally loaded, and the force at a level in which the acetabular component remains stable for each diameter of defect, or at which point the acetabular cup moves into the pelvis for >2 mm. RESULTS: In the models with acetabular medial wall defects of 10 and 20 mm, 2 mm acetabular displacement occurred under a force between 1000 and 1500 N. In those with a medial wall defect of 25 mm, the force that caused acetabular instability was between 700 and 1000 N. In the models with 30 mm of medial wall defect all acetabular components were unstable under a force of 700 N. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, acetabular component should be stable if the defect of the medial wall of the acetabulum is less than 68% of the diameter of the acetabular component or if the uncovered surface area of the acetabular component is not greater than 27%, and the force <700 N. For a load of 1000 N, the medial wall defect should not exceed 45% of acetabular component diameter or 18% of uncovered acetabular component surface.

Revision of Acetabular Component with a Debonded Porous Coating in an Elderly Patient.

Debonding of the porous coating from the acetabular component of a total hip endoprosthesis is a rare complication. Revision total hip arthroplasty for an unstable acetabular component with a debonded porous coating strongly fixed to the bone can be challenging, especially in elderly patients of poor overall health. In such patients, revision procedures should be as simple and safe as possible. We present our technique of solving that problem in a case of an 82-year-old female with bad general condition and unstable acetabular component of hip endoprosthesis. Because of extremely deficient bone stock, a well-fixed porous coating was left in acetabulum to serve as a "cage", allowing cemented acetabular component placement. This procedure can reduce the risk of intraoperative bone fracture, blood loss, and duration of surgery, which is important in elderly patients with poor overall health.

Elevated CRP level could herald less efficient autologous conditioned serum (ACS) treatment.

Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is a biologically based local treatment aiming to influence the cytokine imbalance and is used in a variety of orthopedic diseases and conditions. The ACS contains elevated levels of various anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 RA (receptor antagonist), IL-4 and IL-10 and several growth factors. It contains a combination of cytokines and growth factors, and their specific contribution to clinical effects have yet to be determined. Serum conditioned in that specific way does not always have the same content and concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. We hypothesize that ACS should not be prepared and administered if elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are present at the moment of obtaining the patient's blood because of the potential detrimental effect of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the same blood, namely IL-1 and TNF. We propose introduction of CRP measuring before any ACS treatment. The cut off value would be set at 5mg/dL as an usual value suggesting inflammation. Avoidance of collecting and administering ACS if elevated CRP is present would potentially eliminate low quality ACS.

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.

[POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY FOLLOWING TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT].

Total hip replacement in patients with osteoarthritis significantly reduces pain and enhances the quality of life (QoL). Sexual activity is an important component of QoL about which doctors rarely discuss with patients even though it is a matter of concern to many patients. In fact, patients who have previously had impaired sexual function due to preoperative hip pain and/or stiffness find that after surgery their hips are pain free and have better motion. After total hip arthroplasty range of hip motions is usually limited by surgeon's reccomendation in order to prevent dislocation of prosthesis. This creates limitations in activities of daily living, sport activities and also sexual activities. The aim of this paper is to give guidelines for safe sexual intercourse to patients following total hip replacement. During rehabilitation, patients should be educated on what positions are and are not recommended in the context of sexual activity.

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.

Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy After Distal Radius Fracture Malunion: Review of Literature.

Malunion of distal radius fracture is often complicated with shortening of the radius with disturbed radio- ulnar variance, frequently associated with lesions of triangular fibrocartilage complex and instability of the distal radioulnar joint. Positive ulnar variance may result in wrist pain located in ulnar part of the joint, limited ulnar deviation and forearm rotation with development of degenerative changes due to the overloading that occurs between the ulnar head and corresponding carpus. Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) is the standard procedure for correcting positive ulnar variance. Goal of this procedure is to minimize the symptoms by restoring the neutral radio - ulnar variance. In this paper we present a variety of surgical techniques available for ulnar shorthening osteotomy, their advantages and drawbacks. Methods of ulnar shortening osteotomies are divided into intraarticular and extraarticular. Intraarticular method of ulnar shortening can be performed arthroscopically or through open approach. Extraarticular methods include subcapital osteotomy and osteotomy of ulnar diaphysis, which depending on shape can be transverse, oblique, and step cut. All of those osteotomies can be performed along wrist arthroscopy in order to dispose and treat possibly existing triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries. At the end we described surgical procedures that can be done in case of ulnar shorthening osteotomy failure.

Halogravity traction in the preoperative treatment of scoliosis in twins with Marfan syndrome.

We report on the influence of the duration of halogravity traction for achieving curve correction in monozygotic twins with Marfan syndrome who underwent posterior spinal fusion. Review of the medical charts and standard radiograph analysis of twin girls treated at our department was performed. Halogravity traction with a four-pin skull construct was applied for 3 weeks in twin A and for 2 weeks in twin B with a maximum of 20% body weight used. Both were on a 24-hours-day halogravity traction regime. Achieved thoracic curve correction after halogravity traction was 31% in twin A and 18% in twin B. Although less curve correction after traction was achieved in twin B, this had no significant implications on final postoperative curve correction. Halogravity traction can be a useful tool in the preoperative treatment of scoliosis in patients with Marfan syndrome if applied for 3 weeks. In order to avoid complications, we propose that lower weights be used with a starting weight of 1.5 kg increased by 1 kg daily until 20% body weight is reached.

Dislocated trial femoral head during total hip arthroplasty: review of the literature and the new algorithm for treatment.

Dislocation of the trial femoral head is a rare and unpleasant event that can compromise the success of the total hip arthroplasty. A 62-year-old Caucasian woman with osteoarthritis was admitted to our Department and underwent an elective total hip arthroplasty. While performing the dislocation manoeuver the trial femoral head dissociated from the taper in the superior and anterior direction in the soft tissue and could not be retrieved immediately. The operation was then executed and finished in an ordinary manner. Three months after discharge from our department patient presented with the pain in the hip and groin and periprosthetic joint infection was diagnosed. The successful second operation for the retrieval of the dislocated trial femoral head was conducted through ilioinguinal approach. In this paper we reviewed the published literature and developed the algorithm for the decision-making while dealing with the dislocated and lost trial femoral head.

Antibiotics in frozen bone grafts can cause allergic reactions in recipient patients.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is a routine procedure during total hip arthroplasty (THA), and the vast majority of cadavers within the multitissue procurement receive one or more antibiotics. Upon harvesting, bone grafts are stored in the bone banks on the temperature as low as -80°C for up to 5 years. It is shown in the literature that the antibiotics remain active and viable in the bone grafts even after being exposed to extremely low temperatures in the prolonged periods. Possibility of remnant antibiotic concentrations in the bone grafts and the fact that these antibiotic remnants maintain active even after being exposed to extremely low temperatures create the environment in which the possibility for the allergic reaction in sensitive patient receiving bone graft exists. We hypothesize that harvested bone grafts containing active antibiotic substance have the potential for local and systemic allergic reaction in sensitive recipient patients thus increasing morbidity and the costs of the treatment. Allergic reactions can mimic surgical site infections as well with the consequent substantial pitfalls in the treatment. Following that, in the setting of an assumed but not confirmed surgical site infection, the immunological evaluation on antibiotics for recipients of bone grafts could be added to the standard diagnostic algorithms. In addition, bone banks should be obliged to provide information of all potential drugs that can be found in every specific bone graft to the end users.

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.

A simple new technique for the removal of fractured femoral stems: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The removal of broken femoral stems has become a major issue in revision surgery, and is a technically difficult and time-consuming procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a fracture of a cementless long femoral stem in a 65-year-old, white Caucasian man. The distal part was removed with a special longitudinal osteotomy through the anterior cortex extending distally for 10 cm. It was then followed by a transversal osteotomy 2 cm below the tip of the femoral stump to allow enough space for two locking pliers. Simultaneously using a lamina spreader on the distal part, the broken stem was extracted while hammering on two locking pliers. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple and easy technique for the removal of a broken femoral stem that can be applied to all kinds of femoral stems and intramedullary nails regardless of their cross section. We used ordinary surgical instruments and spared the remaining bone stock.

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.

Cefazolin should be administered maximum 30 min before incision in total knee arthroplasty when tourniquet is used.

Periprosthetic infection is regarded as one of the most feared complications following total knee arthroplasty, developing in 0.4-2% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are credited for more than half of all infections. Cefazolin is the most commonly used antibiotic drug in arthroplasty antibiotic prophylaxis worldwide. Guidelines and studies recommend that prophylactic antibiotics should be completely infused within 60 min before the surgical incision. Cefazolin achieves highest peak bone concentrations 40 min after parenteral application with serum half-life of 108 min and bone half-life of 42 min. Respecting the given pharmacokinetics of cefazolin and theoretical mathematical model we hypothesise that parenteral application of cefazolin should be in time period not longer than 30 min before incision (tourniquet inflation) and not less than 10 min before tourniquet inflation if given in bolus. This new regime would provide maximal blood concentration of the cefazolin and almost maximal bone concentration of the cefazolin at the beginning of the operation and at the beginning of the tourniquet inflation.

Treatment of postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty: comparison between metamizol and paracetamol as adjunctive to opioid analgesics-prospective, double-blind, randomised study.

INTRODUCTION: Metamizole use has been limited because of its risk of agranulocytosis. However, more recent literature seems to support its safety. This prospective, randomised, double-blind study was conducted to compare the analgesic effects of intravenous metamizole or intravenous paracetamol in combination with morphine PCA during the first 24 h following total hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred ten consecutive patients were selected for study. The two study groups were (A) metamizole, (B) paracetamol. Postoperative pain therapy was provided by Morphine PCA pump. In the first treatment group (A group), all patients received intravenous metamizole 1.5 g every 8 h during the first 24 postoperative hours. In the second treatment group (B group), all patients received intravenous paracetamol 1 g every 8 h during the first 24 postoperative hours. Postoperative pain intensity was measured 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22 h after the end of surgery by a VAS. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in VAS pain values favoring metamizole were reported at 6-h (p = 0.038), 8-h (p = 0.036), 14-h (p = 0.011), 18-h (p < 0.001) and 22-h (p = 0.025) post-baseline. Mean cumulative pain values were 17.9 for metamizole and 30.6 for paracetamol. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have also shown excellent efficacy of paracetamol and metamizole combined with opioids, but metamizole proved to be a better analgesic than paracetamol. It is also necessary to mention the financial aspect considering that intravenous paracetamol is about ten times more expensive than an equivalent analgesic doses of intravenous metamizole.