Comparison of functional outcome of cemented total hip replacement versus cemented dual-mobility cup total hip replacement for the management of displaced femoral neck fractures in the active elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines recommend treating displaced femoral neck fractures with a total hip replacement in fit and active elderly patients. Dislocation remains the main complication. Dual-mobility cup (DMC) hip replacements maybe a solution to decrease dislocation, with the benefit of increasing stability, achieving better range of motion and functional outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective randomised controlled trial which included 62 patients with Garden III and IV femoral neck fractures. The mean age was 67.2 years. 30 males and 32 females were included, randomised and allocated to 2 treatment groups; a cemented DMC replacement group, or a cemented 32-mm head total hip replacement (THR). The posterior approach was used in all patients. Postoperative functional outcome was assessed using Harris Hip Score (HHS). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean HHS for the DMC group at 4, 6 and 12 months were higher than mean HHS scores for the THR group (p < 0.001). The range of motion at 1 year was statistically better in the DMC group compared to the THR group (p < 0.001). The DMC showed a statistically better effect on the HRQoL measurements as compared to the THR group. There were no dislocations in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: DMC hip replacements provide better functional, patient reported outcomes, and range of motion than the conventional THR. Combined with its stability, DMC replacements are a useful solution in managing femoral neck fractures in active elderly patients.Trial serial number 020841 (IRB Number 00007555).

Diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain: a pragmatic approach for the non-specialist.

Ulnar-sided wrist pain is often unfairly labelled as the 'back pain' of the wrist. This reputation comes from the complexity of diagnosing problems related to this area of the wrist. This article summarizes the anatomy and biomechanics of the wrist and presents a logical approach to diagnosing the aetiology of the pain. The problems are categorised based on the anatomical structure from which the pain arises: either bony, soft tissue-related or arising from nerves or vascular structures. The article also outlines the relevant examination findings and the most appropriate investigation that would yield a diagnosis with any given presentation. A linked article detailing the imaging of ulnar-sided wrist pain is included in this issue (10.12968/hmed.2019.80.8.461).

Hallux valgus interphalangeus: reliability of radiological assessment.

BACKGROUND: Reliable radiographic measurement of hallux valgus interphalangeus (HVI) deformity has a role in guiding surgical management. HVI can be assessed using: The aim of the study is to investigate the reliability of these radiological parameters. METHODS: Seventy foot radiographs in patients pre and post hallux valgus corrective surgery were assessed by 3 observers. HVI was assessed using the radiological measurements described above. Two-way random, single measure intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to assess agreement. RESULTS: Inter-observer reliability showed good agreement for DASA [ICC=0.77(0.61-0.88)], and excellent for HIA [ICC=0.92(0.85-0.96)] and PDPA [ICC=0.91(0.84-0.96)]. Intra-observer reliability was excellent for all angles; DASA [ICC=0.88 (0.76-0.95)], HIA [ICC=0.94(0.86-0.97)] and PDPA [ICC=0.83(0.65-0.92)]. CONCLUSIONS: Reliability is good to excellent among these three radiological techniques for assessing HVI. The HIA and PDPA are slightly more reliable.

Functional outcome and health related quality of life after dual mobility cup total hip replacement for displaced femoral neck fractures in middle aged Egyptian patients.

AIM: This study was done to assess the functional and clinical results after one year of cemented THR with dual mobility cup for the treatment of fracture neck femur in active middle-aged patients in Egypt (Middle Eastern population). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 31 patients (32 hips) with displaced femoral neck fractures that were admitted to El Hadara University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Their mean age was 66.4 ±â€¯5.9 years. Fifteen patients were females. All the patients were treated with total hip replacement using a cemented dual mobility cup (Ecofit® 2 M, Implantcast GmbH, Germany) total hip replacement through the standard posterior approach. Functional assessment was done using Harris Hip Score (HHS), SF-36 questionnaire for health related quality of life (HRQoL) with assistance of a physiotherapist. RESULTS: The mean HHS improved over the follow up period from 79.04 ±â€¯7.9 at 12 weeks to an average of 92.8 ±â€¯11.1 at 1 year follow up. HRQoL measures showed a pattern of initial drop at 3 months postoperatively, then a steady rise to be restored at 1 year as compared to the preoperative baseline measures. There were no dislocations encountered in this series over one year follow up. The following complications were encountered; 1 deep infection, 2 deep vein thrombosis, 2 heterotopic ossifications, and 1 patient died within one year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Dual mobility cup total hip replacement is an acceptable method for treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture in active middle aged patients in Egypt as it provides pain relief and good function without compromising the stability.

Management of anticoagulation in hip fractures: A pragmatic approach.

Hip fractures are common and increasing with an ageing population. In the United Kingdom, the national guidelines recommend operative intervention within 36 hours of diagnosis. However, long-term anticoagulant treatment is frequently encountered in these patients which can delay surgical intervention. Despite this, there are no set national standards for management of drug-induced coagulopathy pre-operatively in the context of hip fractures.The aim of this study was to evaluate the management protocols available in the current literature for the commonly encountered coagulopathy-inducing agents.We reviewed the current literature, identified the reversal agents used in coagulopathy management and assessed the evidence to determine the optimal timing, doses and routes of administration.Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists (VKA) can be reversed effectively using vitamin K with a dose in the range of 2 mg to 10 mg intravenously to correct coagulopathy.The role of fresh frozen plasma is not clear from the current evidence while prothrombin complex remains a reliable and safe method for immediate reversal of VKA-induced coagulopathy in hip fracture surgery or failed vitamin K treatment reversal.The literature suggests that surgery should not be delayed in patients on classical antiplatelet medications (aspirin or clopidogrel), but spinal or regional anaesthetic methods should be avoided for the latter. However, evidence regarding the use of more novel antiplatelet medications (e.g. ticagrelor) and direct oral anticoagulants remains a largely unexplored area in the context of hip fracture surgery. We suggest treatment protocols based on best available evidence and guidance from allied specialties.Hip fracture surgery presents a common management dilemma where semi-urgent surgery is required. In this article, we advocate an evidence-based algorithm as a guide for managing these anticoagulated patients. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:394-402. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160083.

Reintervention following endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair is uncommon after five-years: results of greater than a decade follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair offers improved perioperative morbidity and mortality compared to open repair, counterbalanced by a higher incidence of graft-related complications and re-interventions. Randomized studies comparing EVAR to open repair are yet to report greater than ten-year outcomes. This study reports the outcomes of patients who underwent EVAR greater than ten years ago. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data of all patients who underwent EVAR between 1997 and 2001, supplemented with case-note review, interrogation of imaging and correspondence with general practitioners and coroners' offices. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients underwent EVAR. Technical success was 100% and 30-day mortality was 0%. The re-intervention rate was 27.3%, including 5 elective open conversions, 2 emergency open repairs, 5 embolizations of endoleaks and 3 extensions. Median time to primary re-intervention was 30 months (1-98). Four graft related complications occurred beyond 5 years however only one reintervention was performed beyond this time point. Four patients died from ruptured AAA. CONCLUSIONS: Stable long-term aneurysm exclusion was achieved in the majority of patients with most re-interventions occurring early in the follow up period. Whilst life-long surveillance should be continued, these data raise the question of the appropriate duration of CT surveillance and suggest that EVAR should be considered for patients with longer life expectancy and favourable anatomy who traditionally would have undergone open repair.

Mechanical removal of dendritic cell-generating non-classical monocytes via ex vivo lung perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a novel procedure designed to rapidly assess and recondition unusable donor lungs for transplantation (LTx). EVLP may reduce graft immunogenicity and allorecognition via removal of passenger leukocytes. We aimed to explore this hypothesis using human EVLP and in vitro analysis. METHODS: Explanted human lungs (n = 7) underwent standard EVLP. Perfusate samples and the leukocyte filter were collected, and cells characterized via flow cytometry. Isolated alveolar monocytes (from post-LTx bronchoalveolar lavage) were differentiated to dendritic cells and characterized (n = 10). An in vitro (air epithelial-liquid endothelial) lung model was utilized to evaluate monocyte migration and differentiation within the lung. RESULTS: Non-classical monocytes (NCM, normally <1% of total white blood cell repertoire) mobilized within 30 minutes of EVLP and represented 80.04% of the passenger leukocyte population. This subset readily differentiated to dendritic cells and secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon-γ and interleukin-2) after stimulation. NCM rapidly diapedesed from the vascular bed to the alveolus and, when cultured on the alveolus, differentiated to dendritic cells with inflammatory phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The lung possesses a reservoir of NCM, which can readily diapedese to the alveolus or mobilize in the circulation. After activation, NCM differentiate to inflammatory dendritic cells with T-cell co-stimulatory capacity. EVLP may impart additional benefits after LTx via the removal of passenger monocytes, which may represent a previously unidentified beneficial mechanism of action.