Staged Management for Distal Femur Fractures: Impacts on Reoperation, Stiffness, and Overall Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of staged management with external fixation (ex-fix) prior to definitive fixation of distal femur fractures. METHODS: Design: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Single Level I Trauma Center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Adults treated operatively between 2004 and 2019 for distal femur fractures (OTA/AO 33A/33C) were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Excluded cases were those with screw only fixation, acute distal femur replacement, 33B fracture pattern, no radiographs available, or did not have 6-months of follow-up. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Postoperative complication rates including surgical site infection [SSI], reoperation to promote bone healing, final knee arc of motion <90 degrees, heterotopic ossification formation, and reoperation for stiffness were compared between patients treated with ex-fix prior to definitive fixation and those not requiring ex-fix. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 27 months (median [IQR] of 12 [7,33] months), (range 6-192 months). Most patients were male (52%) with an average age of 48 [Range: 18-92] years. Ex-fix was utilized in 150 (37%) cases and 257 (63%) cases underwent primary definitive fixation. There was no difference in SSI rates (p=0.12), final knee arc of motion <90 degrees (p=0.51), and reoperation for stiffness (p=0.41) between the ex-fix and no ex-fix groups. The 150 patients requiring ex-fix spent an average of 4.2 days (SD 3.3) in the ex-fix before definitive fixation. These patients were further analyzed by comparing the duration of time spent in ex-fix, <4 days (n=82) and ≥4 days (n=68). Despite longer time spent in ex-fix prior to definitive fixation, there was again no significant difference in any of the complication and reoperation rates when comparing the two groups, including final knee arc of motion <90 degrees (p=0.63), reoperation for stiffness (p=1.00), and SSI (p=0.79). CONCLUSION: Ex-fix of distal femur fractures as a means of temporary stabilization prior to definitive ORIF does not increase the risk of complications such as SSI, final knee arc of motion <90 degrees, or reoperations for bone healing or stiffness when compared to single stage ORIF of distal femur fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Lower Extremity Amputation in Fracture-Related Infection.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze demographics, comorbidities, fracture characteristics, presenting characteristics, microbiology, and treatment course of patients with fracture-related infections (FRIs) to determine risk factors leading to amputation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Single Level I Trauma Center (2013-2020). PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Adults with lower extremity (femur and tibia) FRIs were identified through a review of an institutional database. Inclusion criteria were operatively managed fracture of the femur or tibia with an FRI and adequate documentation present in the electronic medical record. This included patients whose primary injury was managed at this institution and who were referred to this institution after the onset of FRI as long as all characteristics and risk factors assessed in the analysis were documented. Exclusion criteria were infected chronic osteomyelitis from a non-fracture-related pathology and a follow-up of less than 6 months. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Risk factors (demographics, comorbidities, and surgical, injury, and perioperative characteristics) leading to amputation in patients with FRIs were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were included in this study. The average age of the study group was 44±16 years. Most patients were men (63%) and White (71%). The overall amputation rate was 9.2%. There were significantly higher rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD; P = 0.039), open fractures (P = 0.034), transfusion required during open reduction internal fixation (P = 0.033), Gram-negative infections (P = 0.048), and FRI-related operations (P = 0.001) in the amputation cohort. On multivariate, patients with CKD were 28.8 times more likely to undergo amputation (aOR = 28.8 [2.27 to 366, P = 0.010). A subanalysis of 79 patients with either a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection showed that patients with MRSA were significantly more likely to undergo amputation compared with patients with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (P = 0.031). MRSA was present in all cases of amputation in the Staphylococcal subanalysis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study highlight CKD as a risk factor of amputation in the tibia and femur with fracture-related infection. In addition, MRSA was present in all cases of Staphylococcal amputation. Identifying patients and infection patterns that carry a higher risk of amputation can assist surgeons in minimizing the burden on these individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Effect of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Multiple Orthopaedic Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) plays a vital role in providing life support for patients with reversible cardiac or respiratory failure. Given the high rate of complications and difficulties associated with caring for ECMO patients, the goal of this study was to compare outcomes of orthopaedic surgery in polytrauma patients who received ECMO with similar patients who have not. This will help elucidate the timing and type of fixation that should be considered in patients on ECMO. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was collected from the electronic medical record of two level I trauma centers over an 8-year period (2015 to 2022) using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were matched with a similar counterpart not requiring ECMO based on sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, body mass index, injury severity score, and fracture characteristics. Outcomes measured included length of stay, number of revisions, time to definitive fixation, infection, amputation, revision surgery to promote bone healing, implant failure, bleeding requiring return to the operating room, and mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients comprised our ECMO cohort with a patient-matched control group. The ECMO cohort had an increased length of stay (40 versus 17.5 days, P = 0.001), number of amputations (7 versus 0, P = 0.011), and mortality rate (19% versus 0%, P = 0.024). When comparing patients placed on ECMO before definitive fixation and after definitive fixation, the group placed on ECMO before definitive fixation had significantly longer time to definitive fixation than the group placed on ECMO after fixation (14 versus 2.0 days, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ECMO is a lifesaving measure for trauma patients with cardiopulmonary issues but can complicate fracture care. Although it is not associated with an increase in revision surgery rates, ECMO was associated with prolonged hospital stay and delays in definitive fracture surgery when initiated before definitive fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Anatomical Structures at Risk in Percutaneous Distal Bunionette Correction.

Bunionette deformity is an incredibly pervasive issue in our society with almost a quarter of individuals being affected by it. As it is so common, there are numerous techniques and approaches to correct the deformity. Currently, there is a growing trend that favors percutaneous osteotomy of the bunionette. As there are multiple osteotomy sites, there are anatomical considerations that must be made at each one. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomic structures at risk during distal osteotomy of bunionette deformity using a Shannon burr. Using 11 fresh cadaver specimens, the fifth metatarsal was accessed through a carefully marked portal. A Shannon burr was employed for the osteotomy. Dissections were performed to assess potential damage to critical structures, including the lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve (LDCN), abductor digiti minimi (ADM), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Measurements were taken from the osteotomy site to each structure. The distal osteotomy site was on average greater than 8 mm from the EDL and ADM, whereas it was 1.64 mm from the LDCN. The Shannon burr made contact with and transected the LDCN on 2 occasions. However, previous studies have highlighted potential anatomical variations of the LDCN that arise distally. The study underscored the challenges posed by minimally invasive approaches to treating bunionette deformity and highlighted the need for cautious consideration when using percutaneous methods.Level of Clinical Evidence: 5.

A systematic review of randomized control trials looking at functional improvement of rotator cuff partial thickness tears following platelet-rich-plasma injection: a comparison of glenohumeral joint vs. subacromial bursa vs. intratendinous injection locations.

Background: Prior research has demonstrated that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown promising results in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylitis, and rotator cuff disease. However, there is a lack of standardization with PRP regarding its use for partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs). The primary objective of this review is to assess the location of PRP injections in the shoulder, and how it corresponds to shoulder functional outcomes in PTRCTs. Methods: Data sources included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between January 2010 and September 2021 with the terms PRP, partial thickness rotator cuff tears, intra-articular injections, subacromial injections, and intratendinous injections. Major inclusion criteria: partial thickness rotator cuff tears only, functional outcome scores pre-injection and post-injection, minimum 2-month follow-up time, and nonsurgical PRP injections only. Major exclusion criteria: PRP used as an adjunct therapy, full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and surgical intervention before treatment. Results: A total of 8 RCTs were included which utilized PRP injected into the shoulder for PTRCTs. Studies were grouped by the location of the injection with the following breakdown: 1 glenohumeral joint, 4 subacromial bursa, and 3 intratendinous as the site of injection of PRP. Intra-articular PRP showed a 46.2% improvement (P < .05) in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score at 12-month follow-up, however PRP compared to physical therapy had no statistical difference. For subacromial injections, one study showed no statistical difference between hyaluronic acid and PRP vs PRP, but both groups showed improvement compared to normal saline at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < .05). For intratendinous injections, PRP was found to be superior in the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores at 66.1% improvement (P < .05) at 3 months and 71.6% at 6 months (P < .05) after two PRP injections when compared to dry needling. Another study showed a statistically significant difference in ASES score when combining LP-PRP injection intratendinous and subacromial bursa when compared to corticosteroid at 3 months. Furthermore, at 6-month follow-up, the PRP group showed significant improvement in the Oxford Shoulder Score compared to a subacromial bursa corticosteroid group 53.8% vs 31.7% (P < .01). Conclusion: Based on our review of current literature, there is inconclusive evidence of the ideal location to inject PRP when partial rotator cuff tear is present. Despite PRP showing improved functional outcomes in patients diagnosed with PTRCT regardless of the injection site, more research is needed to figure out the optimal concentration of PRP, frequency of injection, and who are ideal candidates when utilizing PRP for PTRCTs.

Paired Comparison Survey Analysis Utilizing Rasch Methodology of the Relative Difficulty and Estimated Work Relative Value Units of CPT Code 0202T.

BACKGROUND: In anticipation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Total Posterior Spine (TOPS) system, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) conducted a study to estimate the work relative value units (RVUs) for facet arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to establish a valuation of work RVU for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Code 0202T in the interim until the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) can determine an appropriate value. The valuation established from this survey will assist surgeons to establish appropriate procedure reimbursement from third-party payers. METHODS: A survey was created and sent to 52 surgeons who had experience implanting the TOPS system during the investigational device exemption clinical trial. The survey included a patient vignette, a description of CPT Code 0202T along with a video of the TOPS system, and a confirmation question about the illustration's effectiveness. Respondents were asked to compare the work involved in CPT Code 0202T to 8 lumbar spine procedures. A Rasch analysis was performed to estimate the relative difficulty of CPT 0202T using the work RVUs of the comparable procedures. RESULTS: Forty-one surgeons responded to the survey. Of all the procedures, CPT Code 0202T received the most responses for equal work compared with posterior osteotomy (46%) followed by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (41%). The results of the regression analysis indicate a work RVU for CPT 0202T of 39.47. CONCLUSION: The study found an estimated work RVU of 39.47 for CPT Code 0202T using Rasch analysis. As an alternative to this Rasch methodology, one may consider a crosswalk methodology to the work RVUs for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedurally, not as an alternative code. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These recommendations are not a substitute for RUC methodology but serve as a reference for physicians and third-party payers to understand work RVU similarities for charge and payment purposes temporarily until RUC methodology provides accurate RVUs for the procedure.

Resilience Improves Patient-Reported Outcomes After Orthopaedic Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between patient resilience and patient-reported outcomes after orthopaedic trauma. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Single Level 1 Trauma Center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients were selected based on completion of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) surveys 6 months after undergoing operative fracture fixation following orthopaedic trauma. Patients were excluded if they did not complete all PROMIS and BRS surveys. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Resilience, measured by the BRS, was analyzed for its effect on patient-reported outcomes, measured by PROMIS Global Physical Health, Physical Function, Pain Interference, Global Mental Health, Depression, and Anxiety. Variables collected were demographics (age, gender, race, body mass index), injury severity score, and postoperative complications (nonunion, infection). All variables were analyzed with univariate for effect on all PROMIS scores. Variables with significance were included in multivariate analysis. Patients were then separated into high resilience (BRS >4.3) and low resilience (BRS <3.0) groups for additional analysis. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients were included in the analysis. Most patients were male (53%) with an average age of 47 years. Postoperative BRS scores significantly correlated with PROMIS Global Physical Health, Pain Interference, Physical Function, Global Mental Health, Depression, and Anxiety ( P ≤ 0.001 for all scores) at 6 months after injury on both univariate and multivariate analyses. The high resilience group had significantly higher PROMIS Global Physical Health, Physical Function, and Global Mental Health scores and significantly lower PROMIS Pain Interference, Depression, and Anxiety scores ( P ≤ 0.001 for all scores). CONCLUSIONS: Resilience in orthopaedic trauma has a positive association with patient outcomes at 6 months postoperatively. Patients with higher resilience report higher scores in all PROMIS categories regardless of injury severity. Future studies directed at increasing resilience may improve outcomes in patients who experience orthopaedic trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Characteristics of Femoral Shaft Fractures That Predict Ipsilateral Femoral Neck Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to characterize radiographic features and fracture characteristics in femoral shaft fractures with associated femoral neck fractures, with the goal of establishing predictive indicators for the presence of ipsilateral femoral neck fractures (IFNFs). METHODS: A retrospective cohort was collected from the electronic medical record of three level I trauma centers over a 5-year period (2017 to 2022) by current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. Current CPT codes for combined femoral shaft and IFNFs were identified to generate our study group. CPT codes for isolated femur fractures were identified to generate a control group. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients comprised our IFNF cohort, and 280 comprised the control cohort. On univariate, there were significant differences in mechanism of injury (P < 0.001), Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA)/Arbeitsgemeinshaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification (P = 0.002), and fracture location (P < 0.001) between cohorts. On multivariate, motor vehicle crashes were more commonly associated with IFNFs compared with other mechanism of injuries. OTA/AO 32A fractures were more commonly associated with IFNFs when compared with OTA/AO 32B fractures (adjusted odds ratio = 0.36, P < 0.001). Fractures through the isthmus were significantly more commonly associated with IFNFs than fractures more proximal (adjusted odds ratio = 2.52, P = 0.011). DISCUSSION: Detecting IFNFs in femoral shaft fractures is challenging. Motor vehicle crashes and motorcycle collisions, OTA/AO type 32A fractures, and isthmus fractures are predictive of IFNFs.

Anatomical Structures at Risk in Percutaneous Preparation Talonavicular Fusion.

BACKGROUND: The stability of the hindfoot greatly relies on the integrity of the talonavicular joint. Pathologies affecting this joint often necessitate fusion. Our study explores the risks posed to neurovascular and tendon structures during simulated percutaneous talonavicular joint preparation for fusion. METHODS: In 9 fresh cadaver specimens, the talonavicular joint was accessed through two portals. A 2-mm Shannon burr was employed for joint surface preparation with distraction provided by a pin-based distractor. Dissections were performed to assess potential damage to critical structures, including the dorsalis pedis artery, superficial and deep peroneal nerves, extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and tibialis anterior (TA) tendons. RESULTS: The dorsal portal site was found to be significantly closer to important structures compared to the medial portal site. The Shannon burr made contact with various structures, with a single transection identified for both deep and superficial peroneal nerve branches. During the dorsal portal site approach, potential injury to the EHL tendon was identified as concern. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the potential risks associated with percutaneous dorsal and medial joint preparation approaches using a Shannon burr.Level of Evidence:Level V, mechanism-based reasoning..

Femoral stem taper geometry and porous coating in cementless direct anterior primary total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes and complications between a fully coated, dual-tapered hip stem versus a proximally coated, triple-tapered hip stem in patients undergoing cementless direct anterior (DA) primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent primary THA with either a fully coated, dual-tapered hip stem or a proximally coated, triple-tapered stem with at least a 1-year follow up. Exclusion criteria included any patients that did not receive either femoral stem, those undergoing bilateral THA, those with a surgical approach other than DA, those with an indication other than osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis (AVN), or femoral neck fracture, and those that had a cemented femoral component. Complications and clinical outcomes were assessed. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify significant differences between the groups. Results: A total of 95 patients were included in the study. The average ages for the dual-tapered and triple-tapered stem cohorts were 63.6 and 59.5, respectively (p = 0.168). At 1-year follow-up, no significant differences were seen between the groups in terms of ambulatory status, ROM, and patient satisfaction (p = 0.414, p = 0.106, and p = 0.126). 6 (18 %) of the patients receiving the dual-tapered, fully coated hip stem had at least one complication while 8 (13 %) of the triple-tapered, proximally coated hip stem patients did (p = 0.550). Conclusion: Both hip stem cohorts demonstrated comparable clinical outcomes and complication rates in patients undergoing primary DA THA and we believe that either hip stem may be a reasonable choice for patients. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to validate these findings.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with orthopaedic fracture surgery in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C).

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of COVID-19-positive patients undergoing orthopaedic fracture surgery using data from a national database of U.S. adults with a COVID-19 test for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using data from a national database to compare orthopaedic fracture surgery outcomes between COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients in the United States. Participants aged 18-99 with orthopaedic fracture surgery between March and December 2020 were included. The main exposure was COVID-19 status. Outcomes included perioperative complications, 30-day all-cause mortality, and overall all-cause mortality. Multivariable adjusted models were fitted to determine the association of COVID-positivity with all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The total population of 6.5 million patient records was queried, identifying 76,697 participants with a fracture. There were 7,628 participants in the National COVID Cohort who had a fracture and operative management. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was higher in the COVID-19-positive group (n = 476, 6.2 %) than the COVID-19-negative group (n = 7,152, 93.8 %) (2.2 vs 1.4, p<0.001). The COVID-19-positive group had higher mortality (13.2 % vs 5.2 %, p<0.001) than the COVID-19-negative group with higher odds of death in the fully adjusted model (Odds Ratio=1.59; 95 % Confidence Interval: 1.16-2.18). CONCLUSION: COVID-19-positive participants with a fracture requiring surgery had higher mortality and perioperative complications than COVID-19-negative patients in this national cohort of U.S. adults tested for COVID-19. The risks associated with COVID-19 can guide potential treatment options and counseling of patients and their families. Future studies can be conducted as data accumulates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Nationwide Analysis of Biomechanics of Motor Vehicle Collisions Involving Passenger Vehicle and Associated Outcomes: Towards Improving Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations.

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) pose significant mortality and economic burden on the United States. Biomechanics research may guide future vehicle innovation. The objective of this study is to investigate the biomechanics of two-vehicle MVCs involving passenger vehicle (PV) to evaluate associated injury patterns and outcomes including mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases from the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database was performed to evaluate the biomechanics (angle of impact, seatbelt use, and airbag deployment) of two-vehicle MVCs involving at least one PV from 2005-2015. RESULTS: Out of 629 MVCs evaluated, lateral collisions were most common (49.5%), followed by head-on (41.3%) and rear-end (9.2%) collisions. Thoracic injuries accounted for 30.1%, 31.4%, and 31.1% of injuries in lateral, head-on, and rear-end collisions, respectively, and were the most common body region injured for all collision types. Seatbelt use was associated with shorter ICU stay (10.9 vs 19.1 days, P = .036) and mortality (Cramer's V = .224, P < .001), but a greater average number of injuries (10.2 injuries vs 8.6 injuries, P = .011). CONCLUSION: Passenger vehicle are commonly involved in MVCs nationwide and efforts are needed to prevent occupant injuries and fatalities. The incorporation of energy-absorbing material into common points of contact within the vehicle interior may decrease the severity of these injuries. Seatbelt use remains a protective factor against MVC-fatalities but is associated with collateral injuries and should be a focus of further innovation.

Analysis of Biomechanics of Motor Vehicle Collisions for Passenger Cars: Implications for Passenger Vehicle Safety and Future Car Design Innovations.

INTRODUCTION: Investigating biomechanics of injury patterns from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) informs improvements in vehicle safety. This study aims to investigate two-vehicle MVCs involving a passenger car and specific injury patterns associated with sources of injury, collision biomechanics, vehicle properties, and patient outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study conducted to evaluate the biomechanics of specific injury patterns seen in MVCs involving passenger cars using the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database between the years 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: A total of 631 MVC cases were included from 2005 to 2015. The majority of cases involved injuries to the head or neck, the thorax, and the abdomen (80.5%). Head/neck injuries from the steering wheel were associated with significantly higher injury severity score compared to those from seatbelts (26.11 versus 18.28, P < 0.001) and airbags (26.11 versus 20.10, P = 0.006), as well as a >6-fold higher fatality rate (P = 0.019). Thoracic injuries caused by the center console were twice as likely to be fatal than those caused by the seatbelt (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Occupants suffering injuries to the head/neck, the thorax, and the abdomen had higher injury severity score and fatality rates compared to other body regions, demonstrating that manufacturing and safety guidelines should focus on minimizing these injury patterns. Head/neck injuries caused by the steering wheel were associated with worse outcomes compared to those caused by seatbelts and airbags, further emphasizing the benefits of these critical safety features. Integration of innovative safety features like center-mounted airbags may improve occupant safety.

Analysis of Surgical Residents' Salaries and Associated Funding During Eight Residency Training Cycles: Toward Improving Future Residents' Benefits and Compensation.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the trends in surgical residents' salaries across the nation and by region from 2014-2015 to 2021-2022 to identify areas for improvement in resident benefits and compensation. METHODS: This is a retrospective study investigating the trends in US medical resident salaries from 2014-2015 to 2021-2022. Residency salary was analyzed over time, by region, and between surgical specialties both unadjusted and adjusted for cost of living. Salary by surgical specialty was collected from available years 2014-2015 to 2019-2020. Trends in residency salaries were also compared to the trends in graduate medical education (GME) Medicare funding. RESULTS: The average resident salary/cost of living ratio did not significantly change over the study period (2014-2015: 0.96, 2020-2021, 0.96, P = 0.654). The South and Midwest had significantly higher average resident salaries than the Northeast (P < 0.001) and West (P < 0.001) after adjusting for the cost of living. The average total GME Medicare funding per resident increased significantly more than the average resident salary ($12,278 versus $4540, P < 0.001). The average general surgery resident salary (2014-2015: $57,000, 2019-2020: $61,500, Δ = $4500) increased significantly less than the average salary of all specialties (2014-2015: $51,586, 2019-2020: $57,191, Δ = $5605, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Residency salaries have increased marginally from 2014-2015 to 2021-2022 and remain below the average US cost of living. Residency salaries vary significantly between surgical specialties and by region. Discussions aimed at reformulating GME compensation that takes into consideration regional differences in cost of living are needed.

Trends of Cancer Screenings, Diagnoses, and Mortalities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications and Future Recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screenings and care has yet to be determined. This study aims to investigate the screening, diagnosis, and mortality rates of the top five leading causes of cancer mortality in the United States from 2019 to 2021 to determine the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening, diagnoses, and mortality rates of the top five leading causes of cancer death (lung/bronchus, colon/rectum, pancreas, breast, and prostate), as determined by the National Institute of Health (NIH) utilizing The United States Healthcare Cost Institute and American Cancer Society databases from 2019 to 2021. RESULTS: Screenings decreased by 24.98% for colorectal cancer and 16.01% for breast cancer from 2019 to 2020. Compared to 2019, there was a .29% increase in lung/bronchus, 19.72% increase in colorectal, 1.46% increase in pancreatic, 2.89% increase in breast, and 144.50% increase in prostate cancer diagnoses in 2020 (all P < .01). There was an increase in the total number of deaths from colorectal, pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers from 2019 to 2021. CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in the screening rates for breast and colorectal cancer, along with an increase in the estimated incidence and mortality rate among the five leading causes of cancer deaths from 2019 to 2021. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with impaired cancer screening, diagnosis, and care, and further emphasizes the need for proactive screening and follow-up to prevent subsequent cancer morbidity and mortality.

National analysis of whole blood and component versus component transfusions in civilian trauma patients who underwent a thoracotomy or laparotomy: Toward improving patient outcomes and quality of care.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the associations of whole blood and component versus component transfusions with in-hospital mortality, complication rates, intensive care unit length of stay, and packed red blood cells transfusion volumes in adult civilian trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File 2016 to 2019 dataset. Adult civilian trauma patients (aged >18 years) sustaining injuries of at least moderate severity who received whole blood and component or component within 4 hours of arrival and underwent thoracotomy or laparotomy were included. Multivariable regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between whole blood and component and component groups. RESULTS: A total of 37,384 patients met eligibility criteria, of which 218 received whole blood and component and 37,166 received component. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between whole blood and component and component groups for those who underwent thoracotomy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.408, P = .413) or laparotomy (adjusted odds ratio = 1.046, P = .857). Thoracotomy patients who received whole blood and component had no difference in 4-hour or 24-hour pack red blood cell volumes (3336 mL vs 3106 mL, P = .754; 3 658mL vs 3,636mL, P = .982), intensive care unit length of stay (10.68 days vs 8.63 days, P = .542), or complications rates compared to those who received component. Laparotomy patients who received whole blood and component had no difference in 4 hour or 24-hour packed red blood cell volumes (2,758 mL vs 2,721mL, P = .927; 3,538 mL vs 3,385 mL, P = .754), intensive care unit length of stay (11.78 days vs 9.90 days, P = .177), or complications rates compared to those who received component. CONCLUSION: Study findings have indicated that a combined resuscitation with whole blood and component transfusion in adult civilian trauma patients is a viable alternative to component transfusion alone.

National Analysis of Recent Trends in Organ Donation and Transplantation in the United States: Toward Optimizing Care Delivery and Patient Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: In 2021, over 100 000 people were awaiting solid organ transplantation, yet only 44 634 transplants were performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate trends in donor availability, waitlist additions, and transplants performed in the United States from 2001 to 2021. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis to evaluate trends in donor availability, waitlist additions, and solid organ transplants for the 4 most common organs requiring transplants (kidney, liver, heart, and lung) between 2001 and 2021 according to OPTN data. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2021, the overall number of transplants performed, donors available, and waitlist additions increased by 71%, 61%, and 54%, respectively. The number of kidney transplant waitlist additions significantly increased compared to other organs (P < .001). For each kidney transplant performed, there was a 2.25 increase in waitlist additions throughout the study period (P < .001). For each liver and heart transplant performed, there was a .92 and .80 increase in waitlist additions, respectively (P < .001). Lung transplants increased the most by 138% and there was an increase in waitlist additions for every transplant by 1.0 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: There was an absolute increase in the annual number of transplants, donor recruitment, and patients added to the waitlist between 2001 and 2021. Kidney transplant waitlist additions are increasing at a rate outpacing the rates of donor recruitment and transplantation.

Nationwide analysis of proximity of American College of Surgeons-verified and state-designated trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and associated prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities.

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of trauma-related deaths. We aim to investigate the relationship between the proximity of trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities at the county level nationwide. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between the distance of trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities between the years 2014 and 2019. Prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were obtained from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mapping software was used to determine the distance of trauma center to the nearest highway exit and transport time. Linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 2,019 American College of Surgeons-verified and/or state-designated trauma centers were included (211 Level 1, 356 Level 2, 491 Level 3, and 961 Level 4 trauma centers). Prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were positively correlated with the distance of trauma center to the nearest highway exit for counties with trauma centers located ≤5 miles from the nearest highway exit (r = 0.328; P < .001). In the 612 counties with a 10% increase in prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities from 2014 to 2019, prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were also positively correlated with distance to the nearest highway exit (r = 0.302; P < .001). The counties with more dispersed distributions of trauma centers were significantly associated with motor vehicle collision fatalities (Spearman's rank coefficient = 0.456; 95% confidence interval, 0.163-0.675; P = .003). CONCLUSION: Shorter distances between trauma centers and the nearest highway exit are associated with fewer prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities for counties with trauma centers ≤5 miles of the nearest highway exit. Further enhancement of existing highway infrastructure and standardization of emergency medical services transport protocols are needed to address the burden of prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities in the United States.

AGENT ORANGE-INDUCED Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) with Cutaneous Involvement.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30 + lymphoproliferative disorder that may manifest with skin involvement.1 We present a rare case of Agent Orange-induced ALCL with cutaneous involvement of the hand, surgical excision, and follow-up treatment.

Comparative analysis of the lateral and posterolateral trajectories for fixation of the sacroiliac joint-a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: A number of minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion solutions for placing implants exist, with reduced post-operative pain and improved outcomes compared to open procedures. The objective of this study was to compare two MIS SI joint fusion approaches that place implants directly across the joint by comparing the ilium and sacrum bone characteristics and SI joint separation along the implant trajectories. METHODS: Nine cadaveric specimens (n = 9) were CT scanned and the left and right ilium and sacrum were segmented. The bone density, bone volume fraction, and SI joint gap distance were calculated along lateral and posterolateral trajectories and compared using analysis of variance between the two orientations. RESULTS: Iliac bone density, indicated by the mean Hounsfield Unit, was significantly greater for each lateral trajectory compared to posterolateral. The volume of cortical bone in the ilium was greater for the middle lateral trajectory compared to all others and for the top and bottom lateral trajectories compared to both posterolateral trajectories. Cortical density was greater in the ilium for all lateral trajectories compared to posterolateral. The bone fraction was significantly greater in all lateral trajectories compared to posterolateral in the ilium. No differences in cortical volume, cortical density, or cancellous density were found between trajectories in the sacrum. The ilium was significantly greater in density compared with the sacrum when compared irrespective of trajectory (p < 0.001). The posterolateral trajectories had a significantly larger SI joint gap than the lateral trajectories (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of the lateral approach for minimally invasive SI fusion allows the implant to interact with bone across a significantly smaller joint space. This interaction with increased cortical bone volume and density may afford better fixation with a lower risk of pull-out or implant loosening when compared to the posterolateral approach.