Joint position statement on management of patient with osteoporosis during COVID-19 contingency from the AMMOM, CONAMEGER, FELAEN, FEMECOG, FEMECOT, and ICAAFYD.

Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. This joint position statement of Latin American Medical Societies provides an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis. BACKGROUND: Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. Characterized by high contagiousness, significative morbidity, and mortality in a segment of those infected, it has overwhelmed health services and forced to redirect resources to the emergency while impacting the attention of acute non-COVID-19 and many chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to provide an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis. METHODS: A task force, of bone specialists with a wide range of disciplines in the field of osteoporosis and fragility fracture, was convened with the representation of several professional associations, namely, the Mexican Association of Bone and Mineral Metabolism (AMMOM), the National College of Geriatric Medicine (CONAMEGER), the Latin American Federation of Endocrinology (FELAEN), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FEMECOG), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Orthopedics and Traumatology (FEMECOT), and the Institute of Applied Sciences for Physical Activity and Sports of the University of Guadalajara (ICAAFYD). Clinical evidence was collated, and an evidence report was rapidly generated and disseminated. After finding the gaps in the available evidence, a consensus opinion of experts was made. The resulting draft was reviewed and modified accordingly, in 4 rounds, by the participants. RESULTS: The task force approved the initial guidance statements, with moderate and high consensus. These were combined, resulting in the final guidance statements on the (1) evaluation of fracture risk; (2) stratification of risk priorities; (3) indications of bone density scans and lab tests; (4) initiation and continuation of pharmacologic therapy; (5) interruptions of therapy; (6) treatment of patients with incident fracture; (7) physical therapy and fall prevention; and (8) nutritional interventions. CONCLUSION: These guidance statements are provided to promote optimal care to patients at risk for osteoporosis and fracture, during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the low level of available evidence and the rapidly evolving literature, this guidance is presented as a "living document" and future updates are anticipated.

Latin America trauma systems-Mexico and Brazil.

In this brief review, the authors describe the main characteristics of trauma systems in Latin America's 2 most populous countries, Mexico and Brazil. Trauma is a common health problem and the major cause of death in the young populations in both countries. Mexico and Brazil have well-organized systems based on system designation and prehospital triage. The highest level trauma hospitals are only available in the biggest cities, with residents of the smaller cities having less access to quality care. Both countries can provide adequate musculoskeletal trauma and polytrauma care, but the systems are not universally equal and, therefore, not ideal. The lack of consistency and standardization of the systems across each country must be addressed to improve patient outcomes across each country.

[Mixed knee arthrodesis a rescue alternative in knee periprosthetic joint infection]. / Artrodesis mixta de rodilla: una alternativa de salvamento en infecciones periprotésicas de rodilla.

BACKGROUND: Knee arthrodesis is a rescue procedure for patients with knee periprosthetic joint infection who are not candidates for a revision surgery. The actual methods present a high complication rate with only moderate efectivity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 17 cases, of patients with knee periprosthetic joint infection and bone loss treated by intramedular expandable nail and monoplanar external fixator with a mínimum evolution of 1 year, evaluating the medical records and digitalized X-rays by 2 sub specialized doctors in osteoarticular rescue surgery. RESULTS: From the 17 patients, 88.2% were classified as Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute classification grade (III) and the 11.2% IIB. We obtained fusion in 82.5%, staged Hammer (I-II) in a mean time of 6.33 months. Achieving independent gait was reported in 88.2%. Our complication rate was 47.1%, most of them minor complications except for a supracondylar amputation. Our infection recurrence rate was 35.4%. Mean intervention rate was 2.47 surgeries, all without any operative room complication. CONCLUSIONS: We achieved a fusion rate similar to other available knee arthrodesis methods in a similar treatment time; with lower complication rate, making it a suitable rescue alternative for knee arthrodesis in patients with significant bone loss and knee periprosthetic joint infection.

Introducción: la artrodesis es una cirugía de salvamento para la infección periprotésica de rodilla; este procedimiento reporta moderada efectividad, alto índice de complicaciones y es la última alternativa antes de la amputación. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar si la artrodesis de rodilla con clavo expandible y fijador externo es un tratamiento seguro y efectivo. Métodos: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, en 17 pacientes con infección periprotésica y pérdida ósea importante, tratados mediante artrodesis con clavo centro-medular expandible autobloqueante y fijador externo monoplanar con evolución mínima de 1 año; la información se obtuvo del expediente clínico e imágenes de rayos X, siendo estas evaluadas por 2 ortopedistas especializados en rescate osteoarticular. Resultados: de 17 pacientes, con una pérdida ósea grado III en un 88.2% de los casos, se obtuvo una fusión en el 82.5%. Logrando la deambulación independiente en el 88.2%. Con un promedio de 2.4 intervenciones quirúrgicas por paciente. Sin complicaciones transquirúrgicas reportadas. Con un índice de complicaciones global del 47.1% incluyendo una amputación por sepsis. La evaluación inter-observador tuvo un valor de Kappa del 0.90 y la muestra alcanzó un poder estadístico del 60%. Conclusiones: se obtuvo una consolidación similar a otros métodos, en un tiempo promedio de 6.3 meses, con un menor índice de complicaciones al reportado con otras técnicas. Siendo esta una alternativa de salvamento para la realización de artrodesis de rodilla, antes de considerar la amputación de la extremidad.