Do All Postoperative Vancouver B2 Fractures Require Revision Arthroplasty With Cementless Stems?

Background: Management of periprosthetic fractures has been guided by the Vancouver classification, which recommends revision for fractures around a loose femoral implant (B2). New studies have challenged this approach, demonstrating acceptable outcomes with internal fixation. This study evaluates our experience with Vancouver B2 fractures, comparing internal fixation to femoral revision. We hypothesized that in select cases with cementless stems, internal fixation would provide acceptable results with reduced morbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of periprosthetic hip fractures treated at our institution between 1 January 2012 and 4 November 2022. We excluded patients who did not have prior radiographs and evidence of stem subsidence, suggestive of a Vancouver B2 fracture. Thirteen patients were included in the analysis. Results: Four patients (31%) underwent revision of the femoral component, 4 patients (31%) underwent plating, and 5 patients (38%) underwent internal fixation with cerclage cabling. The average operative duration was 158 minutes, 203 minutes, and 62 minutes for the revision, plating, and cabling cohorts, respectively (P = .009). Blood loss was 463 cc, 510 cc, and 90 cc for the revision, plating, and cabling cohorts, respectively (P = .036). Three patients in both the revision and plating cohorts each received a transfusion (75%), whereas no patients in the cabling cohort required a transfusion (P = .033). All patients demonstrated fracture healing on the postoperative radiographs. No patients required additional surgery during the follow-up period. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that Vancouver B2 periprosthetic fractures with intact lateral cortices may be treated with internal fixation with cerclage cabling with excellent results.

Dexamethasone, Glycemic Control, and Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Elective, Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Dexamethasone (DEX) has been shown to reduce pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We investigated the impact of DEX on glycemic control and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing elective primary TJA. Methods: All patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing primary elective TJA between January 2016 and December 2021 at 4 sites within 1 hospital system were identified. Propensity scores were calculated to match patients receiving or not receiving DEX. Primary outcomes were perioperative blood glucose levels and the incidence of hyperglycemia. Secondary outcomes were the amount of insulin administered, the occurrence of 30-day postoperative surgical site infections, hospital readmission, and mortality. Results: After matching, we identified 1372 patients. DEX administration was associated with a significant increase in mean blood glucose levels in mg/dL on postoperative days (PODs) 0 to 2: POD 0 (28.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 24.6-32.1), POD 1 (14.4, 95% CI: 10.1-18.8), POD 2 (12.4, 95% CI: 7.5-17.2) when comparing patients who did or did not receive DEX. Additionally, patients receiving DEX, compared to patients who did not receive DEX, had increased odds of experiencing hyperglycemia on POD 0 (odds ratio: 4.0, 95% CI: 3.1-5.2). DEX was not associated with a significant difference in insulin administration, surgical site infections, hospital readmission, or mortality. Conclusions: In our review of 1372 patients with propensity-matched type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing elective, primary TJA, we found that DEX administration was associated with an increased risk of elevated mean glucose on POD 0-2, hyperglycemia on POD 0, but was not associated with an increase in total insulin dose administered nor occurrence of surgical site infections, hospital readmission, or mortality within 30 days of surgery in patients who received DEX compared to patients who did not receive DEX. Level of Evidence: IV.

Patient specific implants versus conventional implants in primary total knee arthroplasty: No significant difference in patient reported outcomes at 5 years.

Background: Patient specific implants (PSI) represent a novel innovation aimed to improve patient satisfaction and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, longitudinal patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for PSI are not well described. We sought to primarily evaluate PROMs of patients undergoing TKA with either PSI or off-the-shelf (OTS) implants at mid-term follow-up. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively collected cohort of 43 primary, cruciate-retaining TKAs performed with PSI (n = 23) and OTS implants (n = 20) by a single surgeon. Patient demographics, operative characteristics, range of motion (ROM) return, reoperations, and outcomes [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) T-score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), and Knee Society Score-Function (KSS-F)] were compared. Mean follow-up was 5 years. Results: TKA performed with either PSI and OTS implants demonstrated no difference in obtaining ROM by 3 months (extension 3° short of full extension vs. 0°, p = 0.16) or flexion (114° vs. 115°, p = 0.99) and final ROM was identical [0° extension to 120° flexion (p = 1)]. Although not significant (p = 0.42), 5 (22%) PSI TKA and 2 (10%) OTS implant patients required manipulation under anesthesia. KSS-F and PROMIS T-scores were higher in the PSI versus OTS TKA patients, respectively (90 vs. 73, p = 0.002; 51.6 vs. 44.5, p = 0.01). However, after multivariable analysis, none of these continuous outcome measures were significantly different (p = 0.28 for KSS and p = 0.45 for PROMIS T-score) between the groups. Conclusion: In a series of TKAs performed with PSI, no difference existed in postoperative ROM, reoperations, or patient-reported outcomes compared to OTS implants at 5 years. Surgeons may utilize the equivocal midterm results during TKA preoperative patient discussion of implant technologies.

Transplant selection simulation: Liver transplantation for alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) remains controversial due to concerns about candidate selection subjectivity, post-LT alcohol relapse, and the potential exacerbation of LT disparities. Our aim was to design, perform, and examine the results of a simulated selection of candidates for LT for AH. Medical histories, psychosocial profiles and scores, and outcomes of 4 simulation candidates were presented and discussed at 2 multidisciplinary societal conferences with real-time polling of participant responses. Candidate psychosocial profiles represented a wide spectrum of alcohol relapse risk. The predictive accuracy of four psychosocial scores, Dallas consensus criteria, sustained alcohol use post-LT, Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant, and QuickTrans, were assessed. Overall, 68 providers, mostly academic transplant hepatologists, participated in the simulation. Using a democratic process of selection, a significant majority from both simulations voted to accept the lowest psychosocial risk candidate for LT (72% and 85%) and decline the highest risk candidate (78% and 90%). For the 2 borderline-risk candidates, a narrower majority voted to decline (56% and 65%; 64% and 82%). Two out of 4 patients had post-LT relapse. Predictive accuracies of Dallas, Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant, and Quicktrans scores were 50%, while sustained alcohol use post-LT was 25%. The majority of voting outcomes were concordant with post-LT relapse in 3 out of 4 patients. When defining "success" in LT for AH, providers prioritized allograft health and quality of life rather than strict abstinence. In this simulation of LT for AH using a democratic process of selection, we demonstrate its potential as a learning model to evaluate the accuracy of psychosocial scores in predicting post-LT relapse and the concordance of majority voting with post-LT outcomes. Provider definitions of "success" in LT for AH have shifted toward patient-centered outcomes.

Patient survey augments detection of harmful alcohol relapse after liver transplant for alcohol-associated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Predicting the risk of alcohol relapse after a liver transplant for alcohol-associated liver disease is critical to guide candidate selection and optimize alcohol use disorder management. We aimed to use patient survey to augment the detection of alcohol relapse and its risk factors and to understand patient perceptions of the importance of alcohol abstinence. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we used a telephone survey and chart review to assess the incidence of post-transplant harmful alcohol relapse, risk factors, and long-term outcomes for patients transplanted for alcohol-associated cirrhosis at our center from 2002 to 2016. RESULTS: Over the median follow-up of 5.9 years, 20.4% relapsed, with 9.3% harmful relapse after median of 4.0 years. The survey response rate was 44.0% (n=110). Of survey responders, 44.3% did not recall discussing alcohol in post-transplant clinics, and 17.6% of relapses were identified by the survey alone. In univariate analysis, shorter pretransplant sobriety (OR: 0.96 per month, p=0.02) and history of pretransplant relapse (OR: 2.99, p=0.02) were associated with post-transplant harmful relapse. After adjusting for these factors, High-risk Alcoholism Relapse score ≥4 predicted harmful relapse (OR: 3.43, p=0.049). A total of 27.3% of patients with both pretransplant relapse and High-risk Alcoholism Relapse score ≥4 relapsed to harmful use compared with 5.2% of those with 1 or neither risk factor (p < 0.001). Harmful relapse was associated with increased graft loss (30.4% vs. 17.4%) and inferior 10-year post-liver transplant survival (61.5% vs. 80.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating patient survey data allowed the detection of relapses otherwise unreported to clinicians, highlighting the need for novel strategies to detect relapse. Utilizing this augmented data, we identified pretransplant sobriety length, pretransplant relapse, and High-risk Alcoholism Relapse score ≥4 as risk factors that should be evaluated pretransplant to guide candidate selection and peritransplant alcohol use disorder management.

The Development and Early Experience of a Destination Center of Excellence Program for Total Joint Arthroplasty.

High-volume total joint arthroplasty centers are becoming designated as destination centers of excellence to ensure quality of care while containing costs. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical patient journey through a new destination center of excellence program, review acute perioperative course trajectories, and report clinical outcomes. Our institution developed and implemented a destination center of excellence program to integrate into the existing total joint arthroplasty practice. A retrospective record review and analysis were performed for the first 100 destination center of excellence total knee arthroplasties and total hip arthroplasties enrolled in the program to evaluate program efficacy at a minimum 1-year follow-up. The study initially screened 213 patients, of whom 100 (47%) met program criteria and completed surgery (67 total knee arthroplasties and 33 total hip arthroplasties). The complication rate was 2%, and five patients (7.5%) required manipulation under anesthesia for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty. Two reoperations were needed: a neurectomy after total knee arthroplasty and a revision after total hip arthroplasty. The early experience of a destination center of excellence program has been favorable, with low complication rates and excellent outcomes.

Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Solid Organ Transplant Patients: Perioperative Optimization and Outcomes.

The success of renal, liver, cardiac, pulmonary, and other solid organ transplantation (SOT) has resulted in increasing volume of transplant procedures and recipient survivorship. Subsequently, many SOT patients develop end-stage degenerative joint disease and are presenting for total hip or total knee arthroplasty more frequently. Surgeons must be aware of the medical complexities and prepare for the perioperative risks associated with these immunocompromised patients. Preoperative evaluation should be conducted in coordination with transplant specialists to ensure optimization, including appropriate surgical timing and advanced, organ-specific medical assessments. Although often unable to be modified, the transplant patient's antirejection medication regimens should be reviewed with understanding of inherent risks of poor wound healing or acute infection. Despite higher rates of complications, revision surgeries, and mortality compared with the general population, SOT recipients continue to demonstrate markedly improved pain relief, function, and quality of life. An ongoing multidisciplinary approach is required throughout the perioperative process and beyond to deliver successful outcomes after total joint arthroplasty in the SOT population.

Skeletal Sarcomas: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up from the Orthopedic Oncologist Perspective.

This article focuses on skeletal sarcomas, a group of rare, heterogenous malignant tumors. We present information on the multi-disciplinary approach to the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of these complex tumors that are critical to enhancing function and improving survival.

Soft Tissue Tumors: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up from the Orthopedic Oncologist Perspective.

This article focuses on soft tissue sarcomas, including the workup, management, and potential complications in dealing with these rare mesenchymal tumors. We present the information that is critical in the decision-making process for orthopedic oncologists to help facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to these complex cases.

A Prospective Evaluation of Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography for Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative wound complications after resection of soft-tissue sarcomas are challenging. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has previously been used to predict wound complications, but not for soft-tissue sarcomas. We aimed to evaluate whether this technology could help lower wound complications after soft-tissue sarcoma resections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study from 10/2017 to 9/2019 using ICG angiography during sarcoma resection surgery. Rates of wound complications were compared with a historical control consisting of surgeries before utilization of ICG angiography. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were included in the study. We found significantly lower rates of infection (11.8% versus 38%; P = 0.03) and wound dehiscence (11.8% versus 42.3%; P = 0.02) in the ICG angiography cohort compared with the historical controls. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography use during soft-tissue sarcoma resections is promising technology and warrants further investigation to help reduce postoperative complications.

Immersive Virtual Reality Used as Adjunct Anesthesia for Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty in a 100-Year-Old Patient.

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is an adjunctive form of anesthesia intended to distract patients from their intraoperative environment and reduce other side effects of sedating or narcotic agents. While this technology has been applied sparingly in various orthopedic procedural environments, its clinical utility has not been widely evaluated in major, nonelective surgical settings. The use of IVR in the geriatric hip fracture population represents a novel indication with potential benefit to reduced cognitive dysfunction and delirium. We report a case of a 100-year-old patient who received IVR adjunctive to neuraxial anesthesia during conversion total hip arthroplasty via posterolateral approach for treatment of failed peritrochanteric hip fracture fixation.

A Comparison of Interobserver Reliability Between Orthopedic Surgeons Using the Centers for Disease Control Surgical Wound Class Definitions.

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) created a classification to help stratify surgical wounds based on contamination and risk of developing a surgical site infection. The classification includes four options (I to IV) depending on the level of contamination present. Although universally applied to a variety of surgical specialties, it is unknown whether the current system is reliable when considering orthopaedic surgeries. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of interobserver reliability between orthopaedic surgeons using the current CDC wound class definitions. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 30 clinical vignettes was completed by 39 orthopaedic surgeons at our institution. After each vignette, respondents were asked to determine the appropriate wound class based on information provided in the vignette. The overall interobserver agreement among all participants was analyzed. In addition, respondents were queried about the adequacy of the current classification system in describing orthopaedic surgical wound class. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was poor at 66%, with a coefficient of concordance of 0.48. Only six physicians (15.4%) thought that the current wound classification system adequately covered orthopaedic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There is poor interobserver reliability using the CDC surgical wound class definitions for orthopaedic surgeries. Alternate definitions are needed to improve the validity of the system for subspecialty procedures.

Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty Via the Direct Anterior vs Alternative Approaches for Acute Femoral Neck Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed for displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) is becoming a more frequent treatment in the active elderly population. The complication profiles associated with THA surgical approaches in the fracture setting are unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare a series of THA for FNF performed via the direct anterior (DA) approach vs alternative approaches (anterolateral and posterolateral). METHODS: A retrospective review identified 52 patients who underwent primary THA for FNF between 2009 and 2018, including 20 via the DA approach and 32 by alternative approaches. All procedures were exclusively performed by high-volume arthroplasty surgeons. Perioperative results, complications, and clinical outcomes were compared with those of routine statistical methods. Mean follow-up duration was 3 years (range, 1-8). RESULTS: The average age was 74 years (range, 57-92) with similar baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (P = .09). The DA cohort demonstrated significantly shorter length of stay (3 days vs 5 days, P < .01) and discharge to home vs skilled nursing facility (40.0% vs 9.4% P = .014). There was a trend toward decreased complications (0% vs 16%, P = .08). There were no dislocations or fractures in either cohort. Final Harris Hip Scores (94 vs 81, P = .07) and return to community ambulation (96%) were similar between DA and alternative approach groups. CONCLUSION: The DA approach to THA performed for FNF appears safe with improved outcomes compared with alternative approaches. Larger studies are needed to verify these results.

Disseminated Legionella micdadei infection in a liver transplant patient presenting as pulmonary nodules and a laryngeal lesion.

We report a liver transplant patient with disseminated Legionella micdadei infection with pulmonary, laryngeal, and suspected muscle involvement. This organism, which stains weakly acid-fast, primarily affects immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis is difficult to make; in this case, the organism was identified via molecular diagnostics on laryngeal and pulmonary biopsy tissue.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography Is Sensitive for Predicting Postoperative Wound Complications in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography is a novel technology that has been predictive of postoperative wound complications. It is unknown whether this technology can successfully predict complications after sarcoma resection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ICG angiography in predicting postoperative wound complications after soft-tissue sarcoma resection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 23 patients was performed beginning October 2017 at our institution. Patients who underwent soft-tissue sarcoma resection were included. After tumor resection and wound closure, evaluation of tissue perfusion in skin edges was performed with ICG angiography. Wound complications were recorded in the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Eight patients developed postoperative wound complications. Six patients were predicted to have wound complications on the final ICG scans. The accuracy of ICG angiography was dependent on the anatomic location, with improved accuracy in the lower extremity. ICG angiography had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity and a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 70% for wound complications after soft-tissue sarcoma resections located in the lower extremity. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography has a high predictive value in the lower extremity for postoperative wound complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Diagnostic.

Provider Attitudes and Practices for Alcohol Screening, Treatment, and Education in Patients With Liver Disease: A Survey From the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Special Interest Group.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: While abstinence-promoting behavioral and pharmacotherapies are part of the therapeutic foundation for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), these therapies, along with alcohol screening and education, are often underutilized. Our aim was to examine provider attitudes and practices for alcohol screening, treatment and education in patients with liver disease. METHODS: We conducted a survey of primarily (89%) hepatology and gastroenterology providers within (80%) and outside the United States (20%). Surveys were sent to 921 providers with 408 complete responses (44%), of whom 343 (80%) work in a tertiary liver transplant center. RESULTS: While alcohol screening rates in liver disease patients was nearly universal, less than half of providers reported practicing with integrated addiction providers, using alcohol biomarkers and screening tools. Safe alcohol use by liver disease patients was felt to exist by 40% of providers. While 60% of providers reported referring AUD patients for behavioral therapy, 71% never prescribed AUD pharmacotherapy due to low comfort (84%). Most providers (77%) reported low addiction education and 90% desired more during GI/hepatology fellowship training. Amongst prescribers, baclofen was preferred, but with gaps in pharmacotherapy knowledge. Overall, there was low adherence to the 2019 AASLD practice guidance for ALD, although higher in hepatologists and experienced providers. CONCLUSIONS: While our survey of hepatology and gastroenterology providers demonstrated higher rates of alcohol screening and referrals for behavioral therapy, we found low rates of prescribing AUD pharmacotherapy due to knowledge gaps from insufficient education. Further studies are needed to assess interventions to improve provider alignment with best practices for treating patients with AUD and ALD.

A Crossover Cohort of Direct Anterior vs Posterolateral Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: What Does the Patient Prefer?

BACKGROUND: The utilization of the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) continues to markedly increase. Despite proposed advantages, there are limited data regarding outcomes of staged bilateral THA via 2 different approaches in the same patient. The purpose of this study was to elucidate patient perspective on the THA approach in a crossover cohort of patients who underwent consecutive THAs via the posterolateral approach (PLA) followed by a contralateral DAA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review and telephone interview were performed on 37 patients who underwent both THA approaches by a single surgeon from 2009 to 2019. Perioperative outcomes, complications/reoperations, and the patient-preferred approach were collected. The mean clinical follow-up was 105 and 44 months after PLA and DAA, respectively. RESULTS: After DAA THA, patients demonstrated lower postoperative day 1 visual analog scale pain scores (1.8 vs 2.9, P = .016) and ambulation (239 feet vs 31 feet, P < .001). The length of stay was significantly less (P < .001) for the DAA (1.9 days) compared with the PLA (3.1 days). There were no major complications or reoperations in either cohort. Most patients (26/37, 70%) preferred the DAA and stated that it was easier to recover from (30/37, 81%). CONCLUSION: In the same patient direct comparison, the DAA for THA may lead to less pain and improved ambulation in the early postoperative period. Furthermore, most patients prefer the DAA and believe it is easier to recover from than the PLA.

Robotic-Assisted versus Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Crossover Cohort: What Did Patients Prefer?

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty represents an increasingly utilized surgical technology; however, there remains clinical question whether the technique produces improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate early clinical outcomes and patient preference of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) versus manual TKA (mTKA) in a direct crossover cohort of patients who underwent consecutive TKAs by each technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review and telephone interview was performed on 36 patients who underwent both rTKA and mTKA by a single surgeon between 2012-2018. Perioperative outcomes-complications/reoperations and patient-preferred technique-were collected with mean clinical follow up of 4.8 and 2.0 years for mTKA and rTKA, respectively. RESULTS: mTKA were performed significantly (p<0.01) more quickly than rTKA, including shorter tourniquet time (56 versus 73 minutes) and total operating room time (93 versus 116 minutes). rTKA patients length of stay (LOS) was significantly (p<0.01) decreased (1.8 days) compared to mTKA (2.3 days). For rTKA and mTKA, respectively, there was no difference in final range of motion (119 versus 122 degrees), Visual Analog Scale (1.6 versus 0.9), or Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Jr (85 versus 87). Twenty (56%) reported rTKA as the preferred technique over mTKA. CONCLUSION: In same patient direct comparison, rTKA required longer operative time but improved LOS compared to mTKA. There was no difference in final outcomes with only slightly more patients preferring rTKA.