Pain Management for Periacetabular Osteotomy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Early post-operative pain control is essential to facilitate rapid recovery after orthopaedic surgery. Despite periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) being the gold standard treatment of prearthritic hip dysplasia, there is limited evidence assessing efficacy of early post-operative pain management strategies. Recent literature has focused on non-opioid supplemental treatments such as nerve blocks or local wound infiltration. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess efficacy of these interventions to reduce pain, facilitate mobilization, reduce length of stay after PAO surgery. Methods: A systematic review was created under the guidance of PRISMA from databases that included PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and clinicaltrials.gov from their creation dates to 12/21/23. These studies were screen based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of six studies were included in this analysis from independent institutions. Three investigated nerve blocks (fascia iliaca, pericapsular, transversus abdominis), one investigated local wound infiltration with ropivacaine, one investigated high-dose dexamethasone, and the last investigated removal of the epidural catheter on postoperative (POD) 1 compared to POD 2. There were heterogeneous outcomes that were measured from these studies. In general, nerve blocks decreased opioid use, pain, and length of hospital stay. The local wound infiltration decreased pain on POD 3 and 4. Removing the epidural catheter on POD1 compared to POD 2 decreased pain and length of stay. High-dose dexamethasone use decreased opioid use on POD 1, otherwise, there was no difference in pain. Conclusion: In summary, supplemental pain management strategies peri-operatively for PAO surgery can decrease pain, opioid use, and length of hospital stay, though there are few studies assessing these interventions. Limiting opioid use after surgery reduces known negative consequences of the medication and facilitates rapid recovery. Clinical trials are needed that assess efficacy of supplemental pain management strategies after PAO surgery. Level of Evidence: II.

The Evolution of Hand Injuries at a State's Only Level I Trauma Center: A Look From the 1980s Through the Global Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate any changes to hand trauma in the past three decades and through the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that improved consumer safety regulations, changes in access to care, and the impact of a global pandemic, among other variables, have significantly influenced the mechanisms and treatment of hand injuries between the 1980s, 2010s (pre-COVID-19), and 2020s (post-COVID-19). METHODS: A retrospective single-center review was performed at the only level I trauma center in Mississippi, identifying all hand trauma consultations between 2012-2019 and 2020-2021, compared to aggregated data from 1989. RESULTS: Car accidents, gunshots, saw injuries, door injuries, and falls increased in 2012-2019 and 2020-2021 compared to 1989, whereas knife injuries, glass injuries, industrial injuries, and burns decreased. Crush injuries, de-gloving injuries, and lacerations with irregular edges were increased in recent cohorts, corresponding with increased amputations and tissue loss. Skin and subcutaneous injuries decreased in modern cohorts, corresponding with a decreased ability for primary skin repair and the need for more flaps. Additionally, while hospitalizations have increased, patients have improved follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The nature of hand trauma has changed significantly over the past three decades. Increased numbers of cars and greater access to firearms might have led to increased rates of high-energy trauma, whereas burn and industrial injuries have decreased, potentially secondary to improved safety efforts. Despite increased overall hand trauma, time to treatment and follow-up have improved. Through this study, we can be more cognizant of the evolution of hand trauma in the modern era. This can allow improved access to care and further refine management to optimize functionality for hand injuries.