Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation of Extremity Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating surgical-site infection have had conflicting results with respect to the use of alcohol solutions containing iodine povacrylex or chlorhexidine gluconate as skin antisepsis before surgery to repair a fractured limb (i.e., an extremity fracture). METHODS: In a cluster-randomized, crossover trial at 25 hospitals in the United States and Canada, we randomly assigned hospitals to use a solution of 0.7% iodine povacrylex in 74% isopropyl alcohol (iodine group) or 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (chlorhexidine group) as preoperative antisepsis for surgical procedures to repair extremity fractures. Every 2 months, the hospitals alternated interventions. Separate populations of patients with either open or closed fractures were enrolled and included in the analysis. The primary outcome was surgical-site infection, which included superficial incisional infection within 30 days or deep incisional or organ-space infection within 90 days. The secondary outcome was unplanned reoperation for fracture-healing complications. RESULTS: A total of 6785 patients with a closed fracture and 1700 patients with an open fracture were included in the trial. In the closed-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 77 patients (2.4%) in the iodine group and in 108 patients (3.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 1.00; P = 0.049). In the open-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 54 patients (6.5%) in the iodine group and in 60 patients (7.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odd ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.27; P = 0.45). The frequencies of unplanned reoperation, 1-year outcomes, and serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with closed extremity fractures, skin antisepsis with iodine povacrylex in alcohol resulted in fewer surgical-site infections than antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate in alcohol. In patients with open fractures, the results were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; PREPARE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03523962.).

Outcomes with spinal versus general anesthesia for patients with and without preoperative cognitive impairment: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of spinal versus general anesthesia on the risk of postoperative delirium or other outcomes for patients with or without cognitive impairment (including dementia) is unknown. METHODS: Post hoc secondary analysis of a multicenter pragmatic trial comparing spinal versus general anesthesia for adults aged 50 years or older undergoing hip fracture surgery. RESULTS: Among patients randomized to spinal versus general anesthesia, new or worsened delirium occurred in 100/295 (33.9%) versus 107/283 (37.8%; odds ratio [OR] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 1.19) among persons with cognitive impairment and 70/432 (16.2%) versus 71/445 (16.0%) among persons without cognitive impairment (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.71 to 1.47, p = 0.46 for interaction). Delirium severity, in-hospital complications, and 60-day functional recovery did not differ by anesthesia type in patients with or without cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Anesthesia type is not associated with differences in delirium and functional outcomes among persons with or without cognitive impairment.

Pediatric T-Condylar Humerus Fractures: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The pediatric T-condylar humerus fracture is different from its adult counterpart, and its rarity makes general consensus for treatment algorithms difficult to define. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons tend to think of this fracture as a supracondylar humerus fracture with intra-articular extension. The transition age at which this injury resembles the adult distal humerus fracture and less so the pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture with intra-articular extension is unclear. The goal of this study is to synthesize the literature and identify factors associated with good and poor outcomes of these problematic injuries in children and adolescents. METHODS: We searched EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Medline computerized literature databases from the earliest date available in the database to 2014 using the following search term including variants and pleural counterparts: pediatric T-condylar humerus fracture. A final database of individual patients was assembled from the literature. Outcomes were rated using the method described by Jarvis and colleagues. Where possible the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification was used to stratify outcomes. Univariate and multivariate statistical tests were applied to the assembled database to assess differences in outcomes. RESULTS: Patients with a triceps-splitting approach had improved Jarvis outcome scores compared with the other operative approaches as well as the best arc of motion at follow-up. In addition, 6/25 triceps split patients were 10 years old or younger compared with 3/38 Bryan-Morrey patients and 0/23 osteotomy patients. No patients with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association C3 fractures were treated with a triceps-splitting approach. When an articular approach was used, the Morrey Slide led to similar range of motion and functional outcomes as an olecranon osteotomy (P=0.616). However, the olecranon osteotomy resulted in more approach-related complications (P<0.001). An approach-related complication was associated with a poor outcome in 42% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric T-condylar humerus fractures requiring an open approach may benefit from less invasive approaches such as the triceps split approach where the fracture pattern allows. Younger children are more amenable to less invasive means of fracture reduction and fixation. If an articular reduction is required, the aggregated literature suggests that the Morrey slide offers equivalent results to the olecranon osteotomy but with fewer approach-related complications. An olecranon osteotomy can be considered in cases of articular comminution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.

Diagnosing Infection in Patients Undergoing Conversion of Prior Internal Fixation to Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Criteria for diagnosis of infected internal fixation implants at the time of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not clear. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for infection in patients undergoing conversion to THA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients at a single institution who underwent conversion to THA from 2009 to 2014. Patients were diagnosed with infection preoperatively using Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria or postoperatively if they were found to have positive cultures intraoperatively at the time of conversion surgery. Medical comorbidities and preoperative inflammatory markers were compared between infected and noninfected groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify independent risk factors for infection. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to determine test performance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). A post hoc power analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study. Six patients (18%) were diagnosed with infection. We found no association between comorbidities and infection in this cohort. The mean ESR and CRP were higher in infected (ESR = 41.6 mm/h, CRP = 2.0 mg/dL) vs noninfected (ESR = 19.3 mm/h, CRP = 1.3 mg/dL) groups (both P < .01). ESR >30 mm/h (odds ratio 28.8, 95% confidence interval 2.6-315.4, P = .001) and CRP >1.0 mg/dL (odds ratio 11.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6-85.2, P = .01) were strongly associated with infection. Receiver operating characteristic curves for ESR (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.89) and CRP (AUC = 0.89) demonstrated good fit. CONCLUSION: We report a high incidence of infection in patients who underwent conversion to THA. Preoperative ESR and CRP are effective screening tools though occult infections may still be missed. Patients with borderline or elevated inflammatory markers should raise strong suspicion for infection.

Divergent elbow dislocation with radial shaft fracture, distal ulnar deformation, and distal radioulnar joint instability: an unclassifiable Monteggia variant.

Originally described by Monteggia and later classified by Bado, elbow dislocations with concurrent radial and ulnar shaft fractures with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) disruption are considered operative cases with high-energy injurious etiologies. Here, we present an unclassifiable Monteggia variant fracture suffered through a high axial load mechanism in a 47-year-old female. The fracture pattern initially exhibited included a divergent elbow dislocation, a radial shaft fracture, plastic deformation of the distal ulna, and DRUJ instability. Here we describe the pattern in detail, along with definitive treatment and clinical outcome at 1 year follow-up.

The hip fracture assessment tool: A scoring system to assess high risk geriatric hip fracture patients for post-operative critical care monitoring.

INTRODUCTION: Intensive care unit risk stratification models have been utilized in elective joint arthroplasty; however, hip fracture patients are fundamentally different in their clinical course. Having a critical care risk calculator utilizing pre-operative risk factors can improve resourcing for hip fracture patients in the peri­operative period. METHODS: A cohort of geriatric hip fracture patients at a single institution were reviewed over a three-year period. Non-operative patients, peri­implant fractures, additional procedures performed under the same anesthesia period, and patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) prior to surgery were excluded. Pre-operative laboratory values, Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were calculated. Pre-operative ambulatory status was determined. The primary outcome measure was ICU admission in the post-operative period. Outcomes were assessed with Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, logistic regression, and ROC curve. RESULTS: 315 patient charts were analyzed with 262 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Age ≥ 80 years, ASA ≥ 4, pre-operative hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and a history of CVA/TIA were found to be significant factors and utilized within a "training" data set to create a 4-point scoring system after reverse stepwise elimination. The 4-point scoring system was then assessed within a separate "validation" data set to yield an ROC area under the curve (AUC) of 0.747. Score ≥ 3 was associated with 96.8 % specificity and 14.2 % sensitivity for predicting post-op ICU admission. Score ≥ 3 was associated with a 50 % positive predictive value and 83 % negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: A hip fracture risk stratification scoring system utilizing pre-operative patient specific values to stratify geriatric hip patients to the ICU post-operatively can improve the pre-operative decision-making of surgical and critical care teams. This has important implications for triaging vital hospital resources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (retrospective study).

Fixation or Revision for Periprosthetic Fractures: Epidemiology, New Trends, and Projections in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic fractures can be devastating complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The management of periprosthetic fractures is complex, spanning expertise in arthroplasty and trauma. The purpose of this study was to examine and project trends in the operative treatment of periprosthetic fractures in the United States. METHODS: A large, public and private payer database was queried to capture all International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes for periprosthetic femoral and tibial fractures. Statistical models were created to assess trends in treatment for periprosthetic fractures and to predict future surgical rates. An alpha value of 0.05 was used to assess significance. A Bonferroni correction was applied where applicable to account for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: In this study, from 2016 to 2021, 121,298 patients underwent surgical treatment for periprosthetic fractures. There was a significant increase in the total number of periprosthetic fractures. The incidence of periprosthetic hip fractures rose by 38% and that for periprosthetic knee fractures rose by 73%. The number of periprosthetic fractures is predicted to rise 212% from 2016 to 2032. There was a relative increase in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) compared with revision arthroplasty for both periprosthetic hip fractures and periprosthetic knee fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Periprosthetic fractures are anticipated to impose a substantial health-care burden in the coming decades. Periprosthetic knee fractures are predominantly treated with ORIF rather than revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), whereas periprosthetic hip fractures are predominantly treated with revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) rather than ORIF. Both periprosthetic knee fractures and periprosthetic hip fractures demonstrated increasing trends in this study. The proportion of periprosthetic hip fractures treated with ORIF relative to revision THA has been increasing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Contemporary internal fixation techniques for periprosthetic fractures of the hip and knee.

The volume of total hip and knee arthroplasties continues to increase as the US population ages. The number of prosthetic complications, specifically those involving periprosthetic fractures, is also increasing. Periprosthetic fractures can be difficult to manage. Reduction and fixation of these fractures is a complex undertaking, primarily because the preexisting implants can obstruct the reduction and placement of fixation devices. It is crucial to consider the fracture location, implant stability, and bone quality when determining a treatment plan. Expertise in both fracture management and joint reconstruction is often necessary to provide the best care and outcomes for patients. Although periprosthetic fractures are challenging, advancements in surgical techniques and available implants offer the surgeon tools to provide good outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Providing Remote Aid During a Humanitarian Crisis.

Humanitarian crises create opportunities for both in-person and remote aid. Durable, complex, and team-based care may leverage a telemedicine approach for comprehensive support within a conflict zone. Barriers and enablers are detailed, as is the need for mission expansion due to initial program success. Adapting a telemedicine program initially designed for critical care during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic offers a solution to data transfer and data analysis issues. Staffing efforts and grouped elements of patient care detail the kinds of remote aid that are achievable. A multiprofessional team-based approach (clinical, administrative, nongovernmental organization, government) can provide comprehensive consultation addressing surgical planning, critical care management, infection and infection control management, and patient transfer for complex care. Operational and network security create parallel concerns relevant to avoid geolocation and network intrusion during consultation. Deliberate approaches to address cultural differences that influence relational dynamics are also essential for mission success.

Local Infiltrative Analgesia of Murine Femur Fractures In Vivo Does Not Inhibit Fracture Healing.

The opioid epidemic in the United States has forced care providers to seek out alternatives to narcotic analgesics. Physicians involved in trauma care, including orthopaedic trauma surgeons, often have patients requiring significant amounts of these medications, especially in the perioperative period, given the acuity and severity of their injuries. Modalities such as local infiltration of fractures with anesthetic agents during operative treatment may provide some benefit to this population by decreasing postoperative pain and narcotic usage. However, prior data suggest that these agents are chondrotoxic, which may impede secondary fracture healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that local anesthetics decrease secondary bone healing and callus formation in stabilized murine femur fractures through chondrocyte apoptosis. Male C57BL/6 mice underwent intramedullary stabilization and fracture of bilateral femurs followed by immediate infiltration of the fracture site with local anesthetic agents. Femurs were dissected at 10- and 20-days post-fracture and evaluated by [Formula: see text]CT and histological analysis. No significant differences were seen in callus size or mineralization between controls and fractures treated with a local anesthetic. When the callus was analyzed histologically, local anesthetic agents appeared to increase cartilage density. Therefore, infiltration of local anesthetics during operative treatment of fracture as part of a multimodal approach to pain control does not appear to significantly affect callus formation in a preclinical model, although subclinical molecular effects may be present. Local infiltrative analgesia with local anesthetics may be used as an adjunct for perioperative pain control during femur fracture surgery without a significant effect on secondary bone healing.

Training Surgery Residents to be Leaders: Construction of a Resident Leadership Curriculum.

SUMMARY: Historically, the traditional pathways into plastic surgery required board eligibility in a surgical specialty such as general surgery, orthopedics, urology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, or ophthalmology. This requirement resulted in plastic surgery residents who had served as chief residents before plastic surgery training. Their maturity emotionally and surgically allowed them to immediately concentrate on the new language and principles of plastic surgery. They had led others and were capable of leading themselves in a new surgical discipline. Today, medical students typically match into surgical specialties directly out of medical school and need to spend their time learning basic surgical skills and patient care because of the contracted time afforded to them. Formal leadership training has historically been limited in surgical training. The authors set out to delineate the creation, implementation, and perceptions of a leadership program within a surgical residency and provide guideposts for the development of engaged, conscious, and dedicated leaders within the residencies they lead.

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear: Symptoms of Depression and Suicidality in Orthopaedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Suicide and depression among orthopaedic surgeons have recently emerged as rising concerns. Prior research has suggested that orthopaedic surgeons have the highest prevalence of suicide among surgical specialties. We sought to determine the factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation (SI) in orthopaedics, including subspecialty. METHODS: A survey including demographic questions, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale was administered electronically via a listserv to the orthopaedic subspecialties of trauma, adult reconstruction, hand and upper extremity, shoulder and elbow, foot and ankle, spine, pediatrics, sports medicine, and oncology. The responses were quantified according to previously published criteria. The associations of demographic factors, training, and current practice environment with depression and suicidality were assessed using Fisher exact tests. Reverse stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify factors associated with depression and SI. RESULTS: The responses were obtained from 661 board-certified, practicing orthopaedic surgeons. In this study, 156 surgeons (23.6%) endorsed some level of active SI in their lifetime, 200 surgeons (30.3%) reported either active or passive SI in their lifetime, and 33 surgeons (5%) reported that, on at least 1 occasion in their lifetime, they had experienced active SI with a specific plan and intention to harm themselves. Gender, relationship status, having children, and residency and/or current practice region were significantly associated with depression and/or SI. Younger age, divorce, adult reconstruction and foot and ankle subspecialties, and attending residency in the Western U.S. were found on multivariable testing to be associated with symptoms of depression and SI (odds ratios, 1.03 [per 1-year decrease in age] to 8.28). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of depression and suicidality are not uncommon among orthopaedic surgeons, and variation by gender, relationship status, and geographic location are supported by prior research. Based on our results, depression and/or SI likely affect someone close to you or someone with whom you work. The normalization of discussions surrounding emotional well-being, depression, and SI is imperative.

Subspecialty Fellowship Training Is Not Associated With Better Outcomes in Fixation of Low-Energy Femoral Neck Fractures-An Analysis of the Fixation Using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip Fractures Database.

OBJECTIVES: To compare risk of reoperation for femoral neck fracture patients undergoing fixation with cancellous screws (CSs) or sliding hip screws based on surgeon fellowship (trauma-fellowship-trained vs. non-trauma-fellowship-trained). DESIGN: Retrospective review of Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures data. SETTING: Eighty-one centers across 8 countries. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred nineteen patients ≥50 years old with low-energy hip fractures requiring surgical fixation. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to CS or sliding hip screw group in the initial dataset. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was risk of reoperation. Secondary outcomes included death, serious adverse events, radiographic healing, discharge disposition, and use of ambulatory devices postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no difference in risk of reoperation between the 2 surgeon groups (P > 0.05). Patients treated by orthopaedic trauma surgeons were more likely to be overweight/obese and have major medical comorbidities (P < 0.05). There was a higher risk of serious adverse events, higher likelihood of radiographic healing, and higher odds of discharge to a facility for patients treated by trauma-fellowship-trained surgeons (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, risk of reoperation for low-energy femoral neck fracture fixation is equivalent regardless of fellowship training. The higher likelihood of radiographic healing noted in the trauma-trained group does not seem to have a major clinical implication because it did not affect risk of reoperation between the 2 groups. Patient-specific factors present preinjury, such as body habitus and medical comorbidities, may account for the lower odds of discharge to home and higher risk of postoperative medical complications for patients treated by orthopaedic trauma surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Surgical resection of heterotopic bone about the elbow: an institutional experience with traumatic and neurologic etiologies.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the outcomes of patients with elbow heterotopic ossification (HO) who underwent surgical intervention. Our goal was to elucidate differences in outcome of surgical treatment between those patients with traumatic brain injury, direct elbow trauma, or combined etiologies. In addition, we used regression analysis to adjust for confounding factors (such as age, gender, preoperative range of motion [ROM], location of HO, chronicity of HO [ie, time from HO formation to surgery], and whether motor control was spastic or normal) on the relationship between surgical outcome and etiology. METHODS: We reviewed 60 patients (64 elbows) surgically treated for heterotopic ossification. A total of 42 patients had trauma as the primary etiology, 15 had traumatic brain injury, and 7 had combined etiologies. All had pain or functional limitations at presentation. All patients had surgical resection of their HO. Functional and ROM outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Mean preoperative arc of motion for the entire cohort was 57° (range, 0° to 150°). Mean postoperative arc for the entire cohort was 106° (range, 0° to 145°) at a mean follow-up of 44 months (range, 21-72 mo), demonstrating a significant gain. Average gain, in arc of motion was 49° (range, 10° to 140°). Gains in motion were not significantly different in any individual etiologic group. A total of 6% of cases were complicated by infection, 13% of cases had recurrence of HO, and 11% of cases required repeat surgery for infection or recurrence. Preoperative ROM was an important independent predictor of final range achieved and gain in ROM after surgical intervention. Recurrence rates were higher in patients with neurologic involvement. Postoperative stiffness was related to preoperative stiffness, delay of surgery longer than 12 months, and anterior location of the HO. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision of heterotopic bone about the elbow results in significant gains in ROM regardless of etiology. The likelihood of recurrence is higher in patients with central nervous system injuries than in patients with purely localized trauma.

Utilization of a Standardized Care Pathway to Decrease Costs of Ankle Fracture Management.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle fractures are the most common fracture of the foot and ankle treated at trauma hospitals in the United States, costing millions of dollars yearly. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a standardized care pathway led to a difference in the direct and indirect costs of surgical fixation of ankle fractures at one Level I Trauma Center and tertiary care medical center. METHODS: We analyzed cost, volume, length of stay, and collections for surgical treatment of ankle fractures in inpatient and outpatient settings by the orthopaedics and podiatry departments during fiscal years 2016 to 2018. Based on these data, we compared projected costs and collections across a 5-year period with the procedure being done by a single department (orthopaedics only and podiatry only). RESULTS: Total costs per case fell by 18% in the orthopaedics department and 8% in the podiatry department over the 3-year period. The podiatry department spent an average of $1,296 (46%) more per case than the orthopaedics department, driven by increased average supply costs. Both departments had significantly decreased direct costs (P = 0.0039 orthopaedics and P = 0.033 podiatry) in the outpatient setting. The orthopaedics department also had significantly lower average supply costs than the podiatry department (P = 0.045) and significantly decreased total costs in the outpatient setting (P = 0.0084). DISCUSSION: The orthopaedics department performed a higher volume of cases at a lower cost per case than the podiatry department. These savings were driven by a standardized ankle fracture treatment pathway that we propose decreased direct and supply costs. Our results suggest that surgical treatment of ankle fracture cases using a standardized care pathway is economically advantageous because of limiting variations in care and creating manageable workflows.

COVID-19 as a disruptor: innovation and value in a national virtual fracture conference.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the educational value of a national virtual fracture conference implemented during the COVID-19 disruption of resident education. DESIGN: Survey study. SETTING: National virtual conference administered by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. PARTICIPANTS: Attendees of virtual fracture conference. INTERVENTION: Participation at a national virtual fracture conference. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Surveys of perception of quality and value of virtual conferences relative to in-person conferences. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of participants rated the virtual fracture conference as similar or improved educational quality relative to conventional in-person fracture conference. Participants also felt they learned as much (35%) or more (57%) at each virtual fracture conference compared to the amount learned in-person. The quality of interpersonal interactions at both the resident-faculty level and faculty-faculty level was also perceived to be overall superior to those at participants' own institutions. Learners felt they were more likely to engage the primary literature as well. Overall, 100% of participants were likely to recommend virtual conference to their colleagues and 100% recommended continuing this conference even after COVID-19 issues resolve. CONCLUSIONS: We found that learners find significant educational value in a national virtual fracture conference compared to in-person fracture conferences at their own institution. COVID-19 has proven to be a disruptor not only in health care but in medical education as well, accelerating our adoption of innovative and novel resident didactics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

Publication rates of presentations at an annual meeting of the american academy of orthopaedic surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The Program Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) continually tries to improve the quality of the scientific program at AAOS meetings. However, according to the most recent study, the publication rate of papers presented at the 1996 annual meeting was only 34%. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: To quantify the effects of these measures, we determined the 5-year publication rates in peer-reviewed journals of papers presented at the 2001 AAOS annual meeting. METHODS: Using the same methods described by Bhandari et al., we performed a comprehensive search of Medline and PubMed for subsequent publications of podium and poster presentations. RESULTS: The publication rates for all presentations were 49% at 5 years with poster and podium presentations at 47% and 52%, respectively. Among subspecialty divisions, the highest rate of publication was the sports medicine and arthroscopy category with 58% and the lowest was in the rehabilitative medicine category with 21%. CONCLUSIONS: Less than 50% of abstracts presented at the 2001 AAOS annual meeting were published in the peer-reviewed literature at 5 years. As many studies presented will not pass the scrutiny of peer review, the information presented at the AAOS annual meeting should not be used as the sole guide to clinic practice.

Comparison of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters Following Operative Treatment of Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures vs Healthy Controls.

BACKGROUND: Controversy continues regarding appropriate indications for posterior malleolus fracture fixation in unstable rotational trimalleolar ankle injuries, with limited data comparing gait in operatively treated trimalleolar ankle fractures vs control populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of trimalleolar ankle fracture fixation on gait parameters in the early postoperative period as compared to a healthy control population. METHODS: Adult patients having undergone operative treatment of isolated trimalleolar ankle fractures were eligible for inclusion. A total of 10 patients met the inclusion criteria and participated in the analysis. Patients were evaluated using standard parameters of human gait 6 months after their index procedures, with gait values compared to a population of 17 non-age-matched healthy control subjects in addition to literature values of healthy populations of younger and older subjects. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted between the spatiotemporal gait parameters of healthy control subjects and patients who had undergone operative treatment of trimalleolar ankle fractures. However, within the fracture group itself, no differences were found between patients with or without posterior malleolar fixation for any of the tested gait parameters. When patients were compared to literature values of younger and older healthy control populations, they were found to have gait patterns more similar to older rather than younger individuals. CONCLUSION: Operative fixation of trimalleolar ankle fracture does not restore normal gait function in the early postoperative period. Fixation of the posterior malleolus in particular also does not appear to improve gait characteristics. Patients who undergo surgery for these injuries demonstrate gait patterns similar to those of healthy older adults. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Therapeutic (prospective cohort study).