Computer-assisted navigation in ACL reconstruction improves anatomic tunnel placement with similar clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: While the use of navigation systems in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction theoretically improves tunnel placement accuracy and clinical outcomes, the existing literature remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of navigated ACL reconstruction on tunnel placement and clinical outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated a cohort of patients who underwent conventional or navigated (OrthoPilot system) primary ACL reconstruction at our institution from June 2004 to October 2009. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographic knee assessments were evaluated to assess postoperative tunnel positioning. Clinical outcomes, including the International Knee Documentation Committee classification, Lysholm score, and Tegner score, were evaluated preoperatively and 1-year postoperatively. Radiographic and clinical outcomes were compared and analysed using independent 2-sample t-tests and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Sixty patients met the inclusion criteria and were included for analysis, comprising of 26 navigated and 34 conventional reconstructions. Postoperative radiographs showed no differences in tibial tunnel position between both groups, but a significantly smaller deviation from the recommended position in the navigated group (navigated: 5.96 %; conventional: 7.92 %; p = 0.008). Femoral tunnel placements in the navigated group were significantly more perpendicularly away from the Blumensaat line (navigated: 38.90 %; conventional: 31.94 %; p = 0.001), with a greater deviation from recommended position (navigated: 11.00 %; conventional: 6.94 %; p = 0.009). There were no differences in 1-year postoperative clinical outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Navigated ACL reconstruction resulted in a more anatomic femoral tunnel placement and similar clinical outcomes as conventional reconstruction. Further research should be conducted to clarify the potential biomechanical and clinical impacts of navigated ACL reconstruction.

Outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients compared to the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often leads to mortality. Outcomes of patients with COVID-19-related ARDS compared to ARDS unrelated to COVID-19 is not well characterized. AREAS COVERED: We performed a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and MedRxiv 11/1/2019 to 3/1/2021, including studies comparing outcomes in COVID-19-related ARDS (COVID-19 group) and ARDS unrelated to COVID-19 (ARDS group). Outcomes investigated were duration of mechanical ventilation-free days, intensive care unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and mortality. Random effects models were fit for each outcome measure. Effect sizes were reported as pooled median differences of medians (MDMs), mean differences (MDs), or odds ratios (ORs). EXPERT OPINION: Ten studies with 2,281 patients met inclusion criteria (COVID-19: 861 [37.7%], ARDS: 1420 [62.3%]). There were no significant differences between the COVID-19 and ARDS groups for median number of mechanical ventilator-free days (MDM: -7.0 [95% CI: -14.8; 0.7], p = 0.075), ICU LOS (MD: 3.1 [95% CI: -5.9; 12.1], p = 0.501), hospital LOS (MD: 2.5 [95% CI: -5.6; 10.7], p = 0.542), or all-cause mortality (OR: 1.25 [95% CI: 0.78; 1.99], p = 0.361). Compared to the general ARDS population, results did not suggest worse outcomes in COVID-19-related ARDS.

Teaching health care innovation to medical students.

BACKGROUND: To identify the efficacy of a design thinking and health care innovation course in improving medical students' self-awareness regarding design thinking metrics. METHODS: The assessment of the design thinking mindset was measured pre- and post-course. The target population included medical students at our institution participating in the Innovation & Design Thinking (IDT) course. A paired t-test was used to compare scores from before and after taking the course with p-value set at <0.05. RESULTS: Students reported significantly improvements in the domains of tolerance for uncertainty, embracing risk, human-centeredness, mindfulness and awareness of process, team knowledge, experimentation, transforming in something tangible, abductive thinking, envisioning new things, and creative confidence (p < 0.05). The greatest improvements were in tolerance for uncertainty (0.48), mindfulness and awareness of process (0.47), and creative confidence (0.40). No significant change was observed in constructs such as empathy, problem reframing, team member's interaction, multidisciplinary collaborative teams, openness to diversity, being learning oriented, learning from mistakes, bias for action, critical thinking, desire to make a difference, and optimism to have an impact. DISCUSSION: Instructing medical students on the principles of design thinking and their applications in health care improves their self-awareness regarding the design thinking mindset.

Charlson Comorbidity Index Predicts 5-Year Survivorship of Surgically Treated Hip Fracture Patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the correlation of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) with 5-year mortality in a surgically treated hip fracture population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 1057 patients aged 60 years and above who underwent surgery for hip fracture with a minimum of 5-year follow-up (92.2% 5-year follow-up rate) in a tertiary hospital. Manual review of patients' electronic hospital records was performed to record demographic data, comorbidities, and length of stay. Mortality data were extracted from the hospital's electronic medical records and corroborated with the National Electronic Health Record. RESULTS: Of the 1057 patients, 283 (26.8%) were male. The majority of patients were 80 years of age and above (42.5%), with the oldest patient operated on age 102 with a mean age of 77.8 (8.6) years. Four hundred eighteen (39.5%) patients sustained extracapsular intertrochanteric fractures. The mean follow-up duration was 8 years and 3 days with an overall survivorship of 37.2%. A multiple regression model constructed with ACCI, age, gender, and fracture pattern demonstrated satisfactory predictive ability with a concordance statistic of 0.68. Patients with a higher ACCI category (≥6) had an increased 5-year mortality rate (41.8%) with an odds ratio of 13.6 (6.7-31.8, P < .001) compared to those with an ACCI category of 3 and below (89.3%). DISCUSSION: The study demonstrates that ACCI correlated with 5-year mortality after surgical treatment of hip fracture. This information is pertinent in the counseling of patients with regard to their midterm survival following hip fracture surgery and may inform policy makers of the varied midterm survival rates in patients with differing ACCI scores and educate the allocation of health-care resources. CONCLUSION: The ACCI correlates with 5-year mortality after surgical treatment of hip fracture.

End-Stage Renal Failure Is an Independent Risk Factor for 1-Year Mortality After Hip Fracture Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal failure (ESRF) with its associated comorbidities increase postoperative mortality in hip fracture patients. This study investigated the association of ESRF with various comorbidities in patients on dialysis and assessed rates ESRF as an independent risk factor for all-cause postoperative 1- year mortality rates. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients aged 55 years and older who underwent their first nonpathological, low-energy hip fracture surgery at an Asian tertiary hospital from June 2007 to 2012. Patients were identified as cases with ESRF on dialysis (study group) or non-ESRF patients (controls). Various comorbidity factors and postoperative 1-year mortality status were obtained from institutional electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify significant risk factors for all-cause, 1-year mortality. RESULTS: With no loss to follow-up, the 1-year postoperative mortality rate was 19.6% for the 46 patients with ESRF on dialysis and 8.4% for non-ESRF controls (P = .028). Fisher exact test showed that hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes mellitus (DM), anemia, cerebrovascular disease, and vascular disease were significantly associated with ESRF (P < .05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified ESRF (adjusted odds ratio[AOR] = 2.85, P = .021), cancer (AOR = 3.04, P = .003), IHD (AOR = 2.07, P = .020), DM (AOR = 2.03, P = .022), and age (AOR = 1.08, P <.0001) as independent risk factors for 1-year mortality following hip fracture surgery. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) for the multivariable predictor of 1-year mortality was 0.75 (0.60-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Although associated with multiple comorbidities, ESRF was found to be independently predictive of 1-year mortality in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, second to cancer in terms of magnitude of risk posed. As ESRF is a negative prognostic factor for 1-year mortality after hip fracture surgery, its importance should be recognized with implications on preoperative counseling to patients about the increased risk and implications on fracture prevention.

Using the Medial and Lateral Humeral Lines as an Adjunct to Intraoperative Elbow Arthrography to Guide Intraoperative Reduction and Fixation of Distal Humerus Physeal Separations Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Cubitus Varus.

BACKGROUND: Distal humerus physeal separations are rare pediatric elbow fractures that are often misdiagnosed and difficult to treat. Adequate reduction is often technically challenging and up to 71% of children develop postoperative cubitus varus. We propose using the medial and lateral humeral lines as an adjunct to elbow arthrography in order to guide intraoperative fixation of distal humerus physeal separations to reduce the incidence of postoperative cubitus varus. METHODS: From 2009 to 2014, all pediatric patients under the age of 3 diagnosed with a distal humerus physeal separation and treated surgically at our institution were included for analysis. Two senior pediatric orthopaedic surgeons separately reviewed the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative images of all patients and measured the position of the ulnar axis relative to the medial and lateral humeral lines. The medial and lateral humeral shafts were defined as parallel lines drawn along the medial and lateral humeral diaphysis. Adequate reduction was defined by reduction of the ulnar axis within the boundaries of the medial and lateral humeral lines. Patients were assessed at latest follow-up for cubitus varus and any other surgical complications. RESULTS: Thirteen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were on average 1.70 years old, ranging from 0.62 to 3 years old. Intraoperatively and immediately postoperatively, all 13 patients (100%) were noted to have adequate reduction of the ulnar axis within the boundaries medial and lateral humeral lines. None of the patients required intraoperative arthrography (0%). At the date of latest follow-up, 12 patients (92.3%) had no angular deformities compared with the contralateral limb and 1 patient (7.7%) had developed cubitus varus. No surgical complications were noted (0%). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative reduction of the ulnar axis within the boundaries of the medial and lateral humeral lines is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative cubitus varus in the treatment of distal humerus physeal separations in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy vs Open Radiofrequency Microtenotomy for Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: Although usually self-limiting, around 10% of patients develop recalcitrant plantar fasciitis despite conservative treatment. In such cases, operative intervention can be offered. Traditionally, plantar fasciotomy has been the treatment of choice, but recently, there has been a push for more minimally invasive approaches. Radiofrequency microtenotomy has also been increasingly used as a treatment option. In this study, we compare the outcomes of endoscopic plantar fasciotomy and open radiofrequency microtenotomy. METHODS: Patients treated in our institution with either procedure between 2007 and 2015 were included and interviewed at baseline and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and 36-item Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36) questionnaires. They were asked questions to evaluate their expectation and satisfaction postoperatively. Demographic and clinicopathological data were prospectively collected from clinical charts and electronic records. RESULTS: There was no difference in either treatment arms preoperatively and an overall improvement in all functional outcomes postoperatively. However, patients who had endoscopic plantar fasciotomy fared better at 3 months compared to patients who underwent open microtenotomy with the visual analog score component of the AOFAS hindfoot score (HINDVAS) and the social functioning and role-functioning-emotional reaching statistical significance ( P = .027, P = .03, and P = .03, respectively). There was no difference in functional outcomes at 6 or 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy was associated with an earlier improvement in functional outcome in our study. However, both treatments had equivalent outcomes at 1-year follow-up, suggesting that either method is reasonable in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative study.

Radiofrequency microtenotomy is as effective as plantar fasciotomy in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency microtenotomy (RM) is effective for treating plantar fasciitis. No studies have compared it to the plantar fasciotomy (PF). We hypothesized that RM is equally effective and provides no additional benefit when performed with PF. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2014, all patients who underwent either or both procedures concurrently at our institution were analyzed. Data collected included demographics, SF-36 Health Survey, AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, and two questions regarding satisfaction and expectations, all of which were assessed pre-operatively and post-operatively at 6-months and 1-year. ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used to compare scores at each interval. Logistic regression was used to identify pre-operative factors that predicted for satisfaction and expectations. RESULTS: There were no differences in patient outcomes. No pre-operative factors predicted for satisfaction and expectations. CONCLUSIONS: RM is as effective as PF in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Patients who underwent both procedures experienced no benefit and a higher rate of complications.

The Use of C-reactive Protein as a Guide for Transitioning to Oral Antibiotics in Pediatric Osteoarticular Infections.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of pediatric osteoarticular infections, early transition to oral antibiotics is desirable to shorten hospital stays and complications of prolonged intravenous therapy. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant with a short half-life and is utilized at our institution to monitor progress and determine the transition to oral antibiotics. We hypothesized that patients can be safely transitioned from parenteral antibiotics to oral antibiotics when patients improve clinically and CRP halves over a period of 4 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all pediatric patients between the ages of 1 month and 18 years admitted and treated for acute bacterial osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis at the authors' institution. We recorded all relevant data, inpatient progress, and outpatient follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients fulfilled the selection criteria and were reviewed for this study. Patients were an average of 8.37±4.91 years old. Surgery was performed in 33 patients (89.2%). The average duration of intravenous antibiotics was 11.00±5.61 days and the average duration of oral antibiotics was 28.76±8.69 days, with an average total duration of antibiotics of 39.16±9.08 days. The average peak CRP was 156.91±97.81 mg/L and the average CRP at discharge was 24.94±22.36 mg/L. Thirty-four patients (91.89%) experienced a 50% decline in CRP over 4 days. Of these patients, only 1 (2.94%) went on develop complications in the follow-up period. The average hospitalization period was 11.50±6.55 days. The average duration of follow-up was 7.83±6.56 months. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the combination of clinical improvement and a specific reduction of 50% in CRP levels over 4 days, or 5 CRP half lives, could be used to determine when to transition children with osteoarticular infections from parenteral to oral therapy. Complicated outcomes were associated with negative cultures, longer hospitalizations, and persistently elevated CRP levels.

Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy Improves Early Postoperative Results: A Retrospective Comparison of Outcomes After Endoscopic Versus Open Plantar Fasciotomy.

Plantar fasciotomy is offered to patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Few studies have characterized the functional outcomes over time for the endoscopic approach compared with the open approach. We hypothesized that patients undergoing endoscopic surgery will have better postoperative functional outcomes early in the postoperative period but equivalent long-term outcomes compared with patients undergoing open surgery. We analyzed the prospectively collected data of all patients undergoing plantar fasciotomy at our institution from December 2007 to August 2014. A total of 42 feet of 38 patients were included in the analysis. The clinical data were collected preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months and 1 year. The functional outcomes analyzed included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot scale, the Medical Outcomes Study, Short-Form, 36-item Health Survey, and patient satisfaction and expectations. Patients undergoing endoscopic surgery had significantly greater American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot and SF-36 Health Survey scores and lower pain scores at the 3-month period. They were also significantly more likely to be satisfied with and have had their expectations met by surgery. Compared with the open approach, the patients who had undergone endoscopic plantar fasciotomy experienced significantly greater improvements in the subjective and objective functional outcomes, with less pain and greater satisfaction, and had had their expectations met earlier in the recovery period, with equivalent long-term outcomes, compared with the patients who had undergone open plantar fasciotomy.

Bone cross-sectional geometry is not associated with atypical femoral fractures in Asian female chronic bisphosphonate users.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical femoral fractures (AFF) tend to occur in Asian women with prolonged bisphosphonate exposure. Hip geometry is thought to contribute to the risk of AFF formation. We examined the hip structural geometry parameters in Asian female chronic bisphosphonate users who sustained an AFF and compared them to chronic bisphosphonate users who did not sustain any femoral fracture (NFF) and bisphosphonate-naïve patients who sustained an osteoporotic femoral fracture (OFF). MATERIALS & METHODS: Thirty-one patients with AFFs were gender and age-matched to 31 patients with NFFs and 49 patients with OFFs. The Hip Structural Analysis parameters analyzed were bone mineral density (BMD), cross-sectional area (CSA; a metric of resistance to axial compression), section modulus (SM; a metric of resistance to tensile loads), average cortical thickness (ACT; mean thickness of the femoral cortices), buckling ratio (BR; an index of likelihood of local buckling), and neck shaft angle (NSA; the angle between the neck and shaft axes). The regions analyzed were three cross-sections measured at the narrowest femoral neck diameter, the intertrochanteric area, and the proximal femoral shaft. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons was used to compare parameters between the three patient groups, with statistical significance defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in parameters between patients with AFFs and patients with NFFs at all measured regions. Patients with AFFs and NFFs had statistically higher BMD, CSA, ACT, SM values and lower BR values at the NN and IT regions than patients with OFFs. Additionally, patients with NFFs had statistically higher SM values at the IT region than patients with OFFs, while patients with AFFs had statistically higher BMD, CSA, and ACT values at the FS region. All other measured parameters were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic bisphosphonate users with and without AFFs had similar femoral structural geometries. Unlike in other populations, varus neck shaft angles were not found to be associated with AFFs in Asian female chronic bisphosphonate users. Thus, bone cross-sectional geometry is not likely to be associated with AFFs in Asian female chronic bisphosphonate users. Hip Structural Analysis does not show an increased predilection for tensile failure in AFFs.

Are patients more satisfied and have better functional outcome after bilateral total knee arthroplasty as compared to total hip arthroplasty and unilateral total knee arthroplasty surgery? A two-year follow-up study.

This study aims to review the quality of life and physical improvement achieved by total joint arthroplasty surgery, namely unilateral TKA, bilateral TKA and THA. We hypothesize that patients who undergo bilateral TKA should have greater improvement in patient-reported outcome measures, as compared to patients who had unilateral TKA, and their outcomes may be comparable to that of THA. We analyzed prospectively collected data of all patients who underwent unilateral TKA, bilateral TKA and THA (5291, 187 and 529 patients respectively) for end-stage osteoarthritis at a tertiary hospital during the 5-year period. Patients who underwent bilateral TKA had a greater degree of improvement in SF-36 and Knee Society Scores as compared to unilateral TKA at 6 months and 2 years follow-up. Bilateral TKA had the highest proportion of patients who were satisfied and had expectations met by surgery.