Differences between proximal bone remodeling in femoral revisions for aseptic loosening and periprosthetic fractures using the Wagner SL stem.

BACKGROUND: Monoblock taper fluted stems have been reliably used to treat proximal femoral periprosthetic fractures (PFF) and femoral aseptic loosening (AL). Although proximal femoral remodeling has been observed around the Wagner Self-Locking (SL) stem, the exact characteristics of this process are yet to be established. Our aim was to compare the remodeling that takes place after femoral revisions for PFF and AL. METHODS: Consecutive patients between January 2015 and December 2017 undergoing femoral revision using the Wagner SL stem for PFF or AL without an extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) or bone grafting were selected from our database. Radiological follow-up was performed using plain antero-posterior hip radiographs taken postoperatively and at 3, 6, 12 months and at 24 months. The Global Radiological Score (GRxS) was utilized by four blinded observers. Intra and interobserver variability was calculated. Secondary outcome measures included the Oxford Hip Score and the Visual Analog Scale for pain. RESULTS: We identified 20 patients from our database, 10 PFF and 10 AL cases. The severity of AL was Paprosky 2 in 2 cases, Paprosky 3A in 2 cases and Paprosky 3B in 6. PFF were classified as Vancouver B2 in 7 cases and Vancouver B3 in 3 cases. Patients undergoing femoral revision for PFF regained 89% (GRxS: 17.7/20) of their bone stock by 6 months, whilst patients with AL, required almost 2 years to achieve similar reconstitution of proximal femoral bony architecture 86% (GRxS: 17.1/20). Inter-observer reproducibility for numerical GRxS values showed a "good" correlation with 0.68, whilst the intra-observer agreement was "very good" with 0.89. Except immediate after the revision, we found a significant difference between the GRxS results of the two groups at each timepoint with pair-wise comparisons. Functional results were similar in the two groups. We were not able to show a correlation between GRxS and functional results. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal femoral bone stock reconstitutes much quicker around PFF, than in the cases of AL, where revision is performed without an ETO. The accuracy of GRxS measurements on plain radiographs showed good reproducibility, making it suitable for everyday use in a revision arthroplasty practice.

The DePuy Proxima™ short stem for total hip arthroplasty - Excellent outcome at a minimum of 7 years.

PURPOSE: Metaphyseal, proximally anchored uncemented stems for total hip arthroplasty provide bone preservation and decrease the incidence of proximal stress shielding and thigh pain. Our study investigated the clinical and radiological outcome of the DePuy Proxima™ short stem at a minimum of 7 years. METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive patients (86 procedures) under the age of 70 undergoing primary total hip replacement at two arthroplasty centres were enrolled. Follow-up was clinical (Harris Hip Score (HHS), thigh pain and satisfaction) and radiological (subsidence, malalignment and loosening) at 6 months and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Average age was 50 (range 32-65) with 79% (68 of 86) being male. Preoperative diagnosis included primary osteoarthritis (OA) 36%, avascular necrosis of femoral head 51%, dysplasia 9% and post-traumatic OA 4%. HHS improved 51 points at latest follow-up (from 40 to 91). We had 3.5% (3 of 86) periprosthetic fractures, one requiring revision. We had one dislocation, no infections and no thigh pain. Malalignment rate (≥5° off neutral) was 12% (10 of 86), not affecting clinical results. CONCLUSION: Overall stem survival was over 97% at 7 years. The DePuy Proxima provides excellent clinical results at a minimum of 7 years post-operatively.

[Effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and soft-tissue swelling following cemented total hip replacement]. / A tranexámsav vérvesztést és kis vérzéses szövodményeket befolyásoló hatása cementes csípoprotézis beültetése után.

INTRODUCTION: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used during elective joint replacement to reduce blood loss and decrease the transfusion requirement. AIM: This study assessed the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing minor bleeding complications following primary cemented total hip replacement, when rivaroxaban is used as thromboprophylaxis, the complicated wound healing effect of which has been published recently. METHOD: Consecutive patients undergoing hip replacement were studied. Patients receiving tranexamic acid perioperatively between January 2014 and November 2014 were designated as the TXA-group. We compared these data with those of a group of patients who underwent the same procedure between February 2012 and December 2012 (control group), before the introduction of tranexamic acid. The authors investigated the effect of tranexamic acid on surgical wound bleeding and discharge, area of hematoma on the skin surface, thigh volume changes, calculated perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirement. RESULTS: 168 patients, 81 in the TXA-group and 87 in the control group were included. The extent of postoperative thigh swelling was significantly less in the TXA-group, 270.3 mL (129.1-449.0) as compared with the control group, 539.8 mL (350.0-864.8, p<0.001). Tranexamic acid significantly reduced wound bleeding during the first 24 hours postoperatively (p<0.001). The amount of calculated blood loss was significantly less in the TXA-group (1150 mL [780-1496] versus 1579 mL [1313-2074] in the control group, p<0.001). Transfusion requirement was remarkably lower in the TXA-group than in the control group (15% versus 39%). CONCLUSIONS: Tranexamic acid reduces postoperative thigh volume, wound bleeding and area of hematoma on the skin surface when rivaroxaban is used as the anticoagulant. Further large scale studies could help establish the clinical relevance and long-term outcome of minor bleeding complications. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(12): 456-463.

Comparison of minor bleeding complications using dabigatran or enoxaparin after cemented total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Orally administered chemical thromboprophylactic agents for total hip replacement (THR) have become popular in recent years. Certain clinical trials suggest that the efficacy and the risk of major bleeding after administration of direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate are equivalent to the clinical trial comparator, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin. Our aim was to compare and evaluate the incidence of minor haemorrhagic and soft-tissue adverse effects of enoxaparin and dabigatran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 122 patients who were treated by elective cemented primary THR were enrolled in our quasi-randomised study. Two groups were formed according to which perioperative thromboprophylactic agent was used: 61 patients in enoxaparin group versus 61 patients in dabigatran group. Thigh volume changes, calculated perioperative blood loss, area of haematoma, wound bleeding, duration of wound discharge and intensity of serous wound discharge on postoperative day 3 and day 7 were recorded. RESULTS: The duration and intensity of serous wound discharge differed significantly between the two groups. Duration of wound discharge after drain removal was 2.2 (±2.7) days in the dabigatran group and 1.2 (±1.9) days in the enoxaparin group (p < 0.05). Significant increase in serous discharge was found in the dabigatran group (p < 0.05) on third and seventh postoperative days compared to the enoxaparin group. CONCLUSION: Both thromboprophylactic agents were found to have appropriate antithrombotic effects after THR. However, dabigatran was associated with an increased incidence of prolonged serous wound discharge, which might cause longer hospitalization and might instigate the use of prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis.