Efficacy of Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Ceramic With a Needle-shaped Surface Topography Versus Autograft in Instrumented Posterolateral Spinal Fusion: A Randomized Trial.

STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter randomized controlled noninferiority trial with intrapatient comparisons. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine noninferiority of a slowly resorbable Biphasic Calcium Phosphate with submicron microporosity (BCP<µm, MagnetOs™ Granules) as an alternative for autograft in instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Successful spinal fusion with a solid bone bridge between the vertebrae is traditionally achieved by grafting with autologous iliac bone. However, the disadvantages of autograft and unsatisfactory fusion rates have prompted the exploration of alternatives, including ceramics. Nevertheless, clinical evidence for the standalone use of these materials is limited. METHODS: Adults indicated for instrumented PLF (one to six levels) were enrolled at five participating centers. After bilateral instrumentation and fusion-bed preparation, the randomized allocation side (left or right) was disclosed. Per segment 10cc of BCP<µm granules (1-2 mm) was placed in the posterolateral gutter on one side and 10cc autograft on the contralateral side. Fusion was systematically scored on 1-year follow-up CT scans. The study was powered to detect >15% inferiority with binomial paired comparisons of the fusion performance score per treatment side. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients (57 ± 12.9 years, 62% female), 91 subjects and 128 segments were analyzed. The overall posterolateral fusion rate per segment (left and/or right) was 83%. For the BCP<µm side only the fusion rate was 79% vs. 47% for the autograft side (difference 32 percentage points, 95% CI = 23-41). Analysis of the primary outcome confirmed the noninferiority of BCP<µm with an absolute difference in paired proportions of 39.6% (95% CI = 26.8-51.2, < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This clinical trial demonstrates noninferiority and even indicates superiority of MagnetOs™ Granules as a standalone ceramic compared to autograft for posterolateral spinal fusion. These results challenge the belief that autologous bone is the most optimal graft material.

The outcomes of conversion of hemiarthroplasty to total hip arthroplasty, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acetabular erosion is an important complication in hemiarthroplasty and may lead to total hip arthroplasty as a conversion. The results of total hip arthroplasty as a conversion remain unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcome of total hip arthroplasty as a conversion with primary total hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were used and Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane libraries were searched. Both, studies comparing the outcome of total hip arthroplasty as a conversion with the outcome of primary total hip arthroplasty and the outcome of cohort studies limited to total hip arthroplasty as a conversion, were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non Randomized Studies checklist. Meta-analysis was performed concerning pooled annual revision, dislocation and infection rates. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies were available for analysis; four comparative studies and 23 cohort studies. Comparative studies were defined as high quality and cohort studies as medium quality. Analysis revealed a significantly higher overall revision risk (Hazard Ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.39 to 2.14) after total hip arthroplasty as a conversion compared to primary total hip arthroplasty. The annual revision rate of total hip arthroplasty as a conversion was 1.63% (95% confidence interval 1.14 to 2.33) in the comparative studies and 1.40% (95% confidence interval 1.17 to 1.66) in the cohort studies. A pooled infection rate of 4.34% (95% confidence interval 2.66 to 7.01) and dislocation rate of 4.79% (95% confidence interval 3.02 to 7.53), was found. CONCLUSIONS: Literature concerning the results of total hip arthroplasty as a conversion is limited. The risk of revision after conversion of hemiarthroplasty is higher compared to primary total hip arthroplasty.

Multiplex PCR test as an intra-operative diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infection in presumed aseptic revision hip and knee arthroplasty: a 1-year follow-up study of 200 cases.

Automated custom-made multiplex PCR techniques (mPCR) have become commercially available and are designed for intra-operative screening of concurrent periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of a positive mPCR test in presumed aseptic revision total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasties after a 1-year follow-up. In an earlier study, such an automated mPCR technique (Unyvero ITI G2; Curetis, Holzgerlingen, Germany) was tested on intra-operatively obtained synovial fluid in 200 patients with a presumed aseptic TKA or THA revision. At the time of revision, no therapeutic consequences were attached to a positive test result since treating personnel were blinded for the test results. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of cases with respect to the occurrence of PJIs using the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) criteria during a 1-year follow-up postoperatively. A total of 10 out of 200 patients had a positive mPCR test result at the time of revision. Of these 10 cases, none encountered outcome parameters fulfilling the criteria to diagnose PJIs in the first year after surgery, and one required re-revision surgery for reasons other than infection. Of the other 190 negative mPCR cases, none developed a PJI. A positive mPCR test at the time of presumed aseptic revision surgery did not correspond with intra-operatively obtained tissue cultures, and none of the encountered positive mPCR tests had developed a PJI at the 1-year follow-up. We recommend careful evaluation and monitoring of modern diagnostic tests before widespread use.

Lumbar spine segmentation in MR images: a dataset and a public benchmark.

This paper presents a large publicly available multi-center lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset with reference segmentations of vertebrae, intervertebral discs (IVDs), and spinal canal. The dataset includes 447 sagittal T1 and T2 MRI series from 218 patients with a history of low back pain and was collected from four different hospitals. An iterative data annotation approach was used by training a segmentation algorithm on a small part of the dataset, enabling semi-automatic segmentation of the remaining images. The algorithm provided an initial segmentation, which was subsequently reviewed, manually corrected, and added to the training data. We provide reference performance values for this baseline algorithm and nnU-Net, which performed comparably. Performance values were computed on a sequestered set of 39 studies with 97 series, which were additionally used to set up a continuous segmentation challenge that allows for a fair comparison of different segmentation algorithms. This study may encourage wider collaboration in the field of spine segmentation and improve the diagnostic value of lumbar spine MRI.

Clinical Utility of An Intervertebral Motion Metric for Deciding on the Addition of Instrumented Fusion in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective single-arm clinical study. OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical utility of an intervertebral motion metric by determining the proportion of patients for whom it changed their surgical treatment plan from decompression only to decompression with fusion or vice versa. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) from degenerative spondylolisthesis is commonly treated with decompression only or decompression with additional instrumented fusion. An objective diagnostic tool capable of establishing abnormal motion between lumbar vertebrae to guide decision-making between surgical procedures is needed. To this end a metric, based on the vertebral sagittal plane translation-per-degree-of-rotation (TPDR) calculated from flexion-extension radiographs, was developed. METHODS: First, spine surgeons documented their intended surgical plan. Subsequently, the participants' flexion-extension radiographs were taken. From these the TPDR was calculated and reported as a Sagittal Plane Shear Index (SPSI). The SPSI metric of the spinal level intended to treat was used to decide if the intended surgical plan needed to be changed or not. RESULTS: SPSI was determined for 75 participants. Of these, 51 (68%) had an intended surgical plan of decompression only and 24 (32%) decompression with fusion. In 63% of participants the SPSI was in support of their intended surgical plan. For 29% of participants the surgeon changed the surgical plan after the SPSI metric became available to them. A suggested change in surgical plan was overruled in 8% of participants. The final surgical plan was decompression only for 59 (79%) and decompression with fusion for 16 (21%) participants. CONCLUSION: The 29% change in intended surgical plans suggested that SPSI was considered by spine surgeons as an adjunct metric in deciding whether to perform decompression only or or to add instrumented fusion. This change exceeded the a priori defined 15% considered necessary to show potential clinical utility of SPSI.

Controversies around hip fracture treatment: clinical evidence versus trends from national registries.

PURPOSE: Several controversies in the optimal treatment of femoral neck fractures persist, together with large variations in clinical practice. METHODS: A narrative literature review covering 4 current controversies in the surgical management of femoral neck fractures (total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus hemiarthroplasty (HA), cemented versus uncemented HA, internal fixation versus arthroplasty, operative versus non-operative) was performed. Available literature was balanced against annual trends in the management of femoral neck fractures from the public domain of several national registries (Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand). RESULTS: For most controversies, the literature provides stronger evidence than is reflected by variations encountered in daily practice. Implementation of clinical evidence tends to lag behind and important differences exist between countries. CONCLUSIONS: Trends of clinical practice from national registries indicate that implementation of available clinical evidence needs to be improved.

No difference in bacterial contamination of hip capsule sutures and control sutures in hip arthroplasty surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative preventive measures are important to further reduce the rate of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). During THA surgery, joint capsule sutures are commonly placed to optimize exposure and reinsertion of the capsule. Bacterial contamination of these sutures during the procedure poses a potential risk for postoperative infection. In this exploratory study, we assessed the contamination rate of capsule sutures compared to the contamination of the remains of exchanged control sutures at the time of closure. METHODS: In 100 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA capsule sutures were exchanged by sterile sutures at the time of capsule closure. Both the original sutures and the remainder of the newly placed (control) sutures were retrieved, collected and cultured for ten days. Types of bacterial growth and contamination rates of both sutures were assessed. RESULTS: Sutures from 98 patients were successfully collected and analyzed. Bacterial growth was observed in 7/98 (7.1%) of the capsule sutures versus 6/98 (6.1%) of the control sutures, with a difference of 1% [CI -6-8]. There was no clear pattern in differences in subtypes of bacteria between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that around 7% of capsule sutures used in primary THA were contaminated with bacteria and as such exchange by new sutures at the time of capsule closure could be an appealing PJI preventive measure. However, since similar contamination rates were encountered with mainly non-virulent bacteria for both suture groups, the PJI preventive effect of this measure appears to be minimal.

Revision risk of salvage compared with acute total hip arthroplasty following femoral neck fracture: an analysis from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is no consensus on the treatment of patients with femoral neck fractures between internal fixation (IF) or directly treated with a total hip arthroplasty (fracture-THA) in particular for the age group 60-70 years. Failure of IF is not uncommon, resulting in salvage total hip arthroplasty (salvage-THA). The aim of our study was to compare revision rates of salvage-THA with fracture-THA and osteoarthritis (OA)-THA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Revision rates and reasons for revision were compared. Data collected in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) between 2007 and 2018 was used. The study included 4,310 salvage-THAs, 12,159 fracture-THAs, and 274,147 OA-THAs. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox regression to evaluate THA survival. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in revision rates between salvage-THAs and fracture-THAs was found (HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7-1.3) whereas the revision rate was higher compared with OA-THAs (HR 1.3, CI 1.0-1.5). The 5-year revision rate was 5.0% (CI 4.4-5.8) in salvage-THAs, 4.5% (CI 4.1-5.0) in fracture-THAs, and 3.1% (CI 3.0-3.2) in OA-THAs. A higher revision rate for infection was found in salvage-THAs in comparison with fracture-THAs (HR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.3). CONCLUSION: We found no difference in revision rates for salvage-THAs compared with fracture-THAs. The risk of revision for infection was higher for salvage-THA.

External Validation of Prediction Models for Surgical Complications in People Considering Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty Was Successful for Delirium but Not for Surgical Site Infection, Postoperative Bleeding, and Nerve Damage: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Although several models for the prediction of surgical complications after primary total hip or total knee replacement (THA and TKA, respectively) are available, only a few models have been externally validated. The aim of this study was to externally validate four previously developed models for the prediction of surgical complications in people considering primary THA or TKA. We included 2614 patients who underwent primary THA or TKA in secondary care between 2017 and 2020. Individual predicted probabilities of the risk for surgical complication per outcome (i.e., surgical site infection, postoperative bleeding, delirium, and nerve damage) were calculated for each model. The discriminative performance of patients with and without the outcome was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and predictive performance was assessed with calibration plots. The predicted risk for all models varied between <0.01 and 33.5%. Good discriminative performance was found for the model for delirium with an AUC of 84% (95% CI of 0.82-0.87). For all other outcomes, poor discriminative performance was found; 55% (95% CI of 0.52-0.58) for the model for surgical site infection, 61% (95% CI of 0.59-0.64) for the model for postoperative bleeding, and 57% (95% CI of 0.53-0.61) for the model for nerve damage. Calibration of the model for delirium was moderate, resulting in an underestimation of the actual probability between 2 and 6%, and exceeding 8%. Calibration of all other models was poor. Our external validation of four internally validated prediction models for surgical complications after THA and TKA demonstrated a lack of predictive accuracy when applied in another Dutch hospital population, with the exception of the model for delirium. This model included age, the presence of a heart disease, and the presence of a disease of the central nervous system as predictor variables. We recommend that clinicians use this simple and straightforward delirium model during preoperative counselling, shared decision-making, and early delirium precautionary interventions.

Empiric antibiotic therapy in early periprosthetic joint infection: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total knee or total hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA). Appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment, initiated directly after debridement and implant retention (DAIR), is suggested to contribute to treatment success. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiology and the antibiotic susceptibility in early PJI to guide future empiric treatment in a region with a low incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent DAIR within 3 months after primary unilateral TKA or THA between January 2011 and December 2018 were retrospectively identified from the hospital electronic health records. Data on causative pathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility and the number of post-operative days until cultures demonstrated bacterial growth were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven early PJIs were identified of which 65 (59%) were monomicrobial and 46 (41%) polymicrobial. Among all isolated pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus (n = 53; 29%) was the most commonly identified pathogen in early PJI without any involvement of MRSA. 72% of PJIs were susceptible to vancomycin which could be increased to around 90% by adding gram-negative coverage. On the 5th postoperative day, bacterial growth was observed in 98% of cases. All gram-negative bacteria demonstrated positive tissue cultures on the 4th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Vancomycin combined with ciprofloxacin or a third generation cephalosporin provided the highest antimicrobial coverage of all responsible pathogens identified in early PJI. Empiric treatment of gram-negative treatment can be safely terminated in the absence of gram-negative pathogens after 4 days of culturing in cases without preoperative antibiotic treatment.

Cost-effectiveness of full endoscopic versus open discectomy for sciatica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) compared with open microdiscectomy among patients with sciatica. METHODS: This economic evaluation was conducted alongside a 12-month multicentre randomised controlled trial with a non-inferiority design, in which patients were randomised to PTED or open microdiscectomy. Patients were aged from 18 to 70 years and had at least 6 weeks of radiating leg pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. Effect measures included leg pain and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), as derived using the EQ-5D-5L. Costs were measured from a societal perspective. Missing data were multiply imputed, bootstrapping was used to estimate statistical uncertainty, and various sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the robustness. RESULTS: Of the 613 patients enrolled, 304 were randomised to PTED and 309 to open microdiscectomy. Statistically significant differences in leg pain and QALYs were found in favour of PTED at 12 months follow-up (leg pain: 6.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 12.6; QALYs: 0.040; 95% CI 0.007 to 0.074). Surgery costs were higher for PTED than for open microdiscectomy (ie, €4500/patient vs €4095/patient). All other disaggregate costs as well as total societal costs were lower for PTED than for open microdiscectomy. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves indicated that the probability of PTED being less costly and more effective (ie, dominant) compared with open microdiscectomy was 99.4% for leg pain and 99.2% for QALYs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PTED is more cost-effective from the societal perspective compared with open microdiscectomy for patients with sciatica. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02602093.

Full endoscopic versus open discectomy for sciatica: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is non-inferior to conventional open microdiscectomy in reduction of leg pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. DESIGN: Multicentre randomised controlled trial with non-inferiority design. SETTING: Four hospitals in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: 613 patients aged 18-70 years with at least six weeks of radiating leg pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. The trial included a predetermined set of 125 patients receiving PTED who were the learning curve cases performed by surgeons who did not do PTED before the trial. INTERVENTIONS: PTED (n=179) compared with open microdiscectomy (n=309). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was self-reported leg pain measured by a 0-100 visual analogue scale at 12 months, assuming a non-inferiority margin of 5.0. Secondary outcomes included complications, reoperations, self-reported functional status as measured with the Oswestry Disability Index, visual analogue scale for back pain, health related quality of life, and self-perceived recovery. Outcomes were measured until one year after surgery and were longitudinally analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Patients belonging to the PTED learning curve were omitted from the primary analyses. RESULTS: At 12 months, patients who were randomised to PTED had a statistically significantly lower visual analogue scale score for leg pain (median 7.0, interquartile range 1.0-30.0) compared with patients randomised to open microdiscectomy (16.0, 2.0-53.5) (between group difference of 7.1, 95% confidence interval 2.8 to 11.3). Blood loss was less, length of hospital admission was shorter, and timing of postoperative mobilisation was earlier in the PTED group than in the open microdiscectomy group. Secondary patient reported outcomes such as the Oswestry Disability Index, visual analogue scale for back pain, health related quality of life, and self-perceived recovery, were similarly in favour of PTED. Within one year, nine (5%) in the PTED group compared with 14 (6%) in the open microdiscectomy group had repeated surgery. Per protocol analysis and sensitivity analyses including the patients of the learning curve resulted in similar outcomes to the primary analysis. CONCLUSIONS: PTED was non-inferior to open microdiscectomy in reduction of leg pain. PTED resulted in more favourable results for self-reported leg pain, back pain, functional status, quality of life, and recovery. These differences, however, were small and may not reach clinical relevance. PTED can be considered as an effective alternative to open microdiscectomy in treating sciatica. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02602093ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02602093.

Increased failure rates after the introduction of the TFNA proximal femoral nail for trochanteric fractures: implant related or learning curve effect?

Background and purpose - Trochanteric fractures are often treated using intramedullary fixation. In our institution, the TFN-Advanced Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA) was introduced as replacement for the Gamma Trochanteric Nail (GTN3) for the treatment of these fractures as a result of a hospital-driven change of trauma implant supplier. We compared trochanteric fracture fixation failure rate between these 2 intramedullary nails. Patients and methods - All trochanteric fractures treated surgically from 2011 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed for fixation failure. From 2016 only the TFNA was used. Fixation failure was defined as implant cut-out, implant breakage, non-union, malpositioning of the screw/blade requiring reoperation, new fracture around the nail, or miscellaneous. Propensity score matching was used to balance distribution of covariates and to compare failure rates between TFNA and GTN3 groups. Learning curve analyses were performed. Results - After exclusion, 797 GTN3s (779 patients) and 542 (536 patients) TFNAs were available for analysis. A higher risk of fixation failure was found in the TFNA group (14%) compared with the GTN3 group (7.0%) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.5). This was mainly attributed to a higher risk of cut-out (HR 2.2; CI 0.9-5.7), malpositioning (HR 4.7; CI 0.7-34), and new fracture around the nail (HR 4.0; CI 1.0-16). Learning curve analyses indicated no clear learning curve effect. Interpretation - Failure of fixation increased after a switch from the GTN3 to the TFNA proximal femoral nail for the treatment of trochanteric fractures. Cut-out and malpositioning of the calcar screw or blade appeared to be the most dominant failure mechanisms. Modifications in implant design may have played a role in this increased risk of failure of fixation. In our institution a new implant device was introduced without solid clinical evidence behind it. This study may help to underline the need for medical doctors with a critical and scientific background to be involved in implant choices.

Lumbar Epidural Lipomatosis is Increased in Patients With Morbid Obesity and Subsequently Decreases After Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is characterized by symptomatic neurogenic compression from adipose tissue in the spinal canal. The question arises whether patients with morbid obesity have higher volumes of epidural adipose tissue (EAT) in their lumbar spinal canal compared with patients with a normal weight, and to what extent this decreases after bariatric surgery. METHODS: In this explorative study the lumbar EAT volume was assessed in 25 patients with morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) using available lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to their bariatric surgery. An age- and sex-matched control group (n = 25) of patients with a normal weight (BMI 20-25) was used for comparison. Participants from the obesity group underwent a postoperative control MRI. RESULTS: The mean volume of EAT per MRI slice of the group of patients with obesity was significantly higher than for the group of patients with normal weight (mean: 83.3 ± 30.7 mm3 vs. mean 56.5 ± 25 mm3; P < 0.001). Fifteen participants with obesity (15 of 25) agreed to undergo a follow-up MRI. There was a significant decrease in EAT volume per MRI slice for these 15 participants (mean 82 ± 25.5 mm3 vs. 46 ± 20.0 mm3; P < 0.001) over time up to 3.6 (range: 1.2-6.0) years after bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obesity have significantly larger volumes of EAT in comparison with patients with normal weight. After bariatric surgery, a significant weight loss coincided with a significant volumetric reduction of this adipose tissue in the spinal canal. Future prospective studies in patients with symptomatic SEL may elucidate whether decreases in EAT volume influence concurrent neurogenic claudication symptoms.

Nonoperative management of hip fractures in very frail elderly patients may lead to a predictable short survival as part of advance care planning.

Background and purpose - Surgical treatment is still the mainstay of care even in very frail elderly hip fracture patients. However, one may argue whether surgery is in the best interest of all patients. We elucidated mortality rates of nonoperative management (NOM) of a hip fracture after shared decision-making in a cohort of very frail elderly patients.Patients and methods - Orthogeriatric patients (age > 70 years) admitted with a hip fracture between 2011 and 2019 were included. In the presence of fragility features the motivation for surgery or NOM was supported by advance care planning (ACP) and shared decision-making through geriatric assessment. Mortality rates after NOM were assessed and also presented for the remaining surgical group for reference.Results - In 1,279 out of 3,467 patients, geriatric assessment was indicated and subsequently 1,188 (93%) had surgery versus 91 (7%) NOM. The motivation for NOM was based on patient and family preferences in only 20% of patients, medical grounds in 54%, and a combination of both in 26%. The 30-day and 1-year mortality in the frail NOM group was 87% and 99% respectively, whereas this was 7% and 28% in the surgery group. No statistical comparison between groups was performed due to profound bias by indication.Interpretation - This study provides further insight into the predictable and high short-term mortality after NOM in carefully selected very frail elderly hip fracture patients. This information may help to consider NOM as an alternative treatment option to surgery when no significant gain from surgery is anticipated.

A Swallowing Screening Test Enhances a Better Recognition of Patients with a Hip Fracture at Risk for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is commonly encountered in elderly patients with hip fracture. It is easily overlooked and predisposes patients to life-threatening postoperative pneumonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether OD screening by nurses results in a better recognition of patients at risk for OD. After the introduction of the Standardized Swallowing Assessment by nurses, the incidence of increased risk for OD and the prevention of OD complications were monitored (intervention group; N = 92) and compared with a historical control group (N = 81). The risk for OD was diagnosed in 27 patients (29%) in the intervention group in comparison with 12 patients (15%) in the control group (p < .05). The number of diet modifications increased from 12 (15%) in the control group to 25 (27%) in the intervention group (p < .05). A simple screening test results in better recognition of increased OD risk and, in turn, the early initiation of measures to avoid aspiration.

The (un)necessity of regular postoperative follow-up of hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative follow-up after hemiarthroplasty is part of routine based practice. However, these visits appear to be a significant burden since it concerns a frail population. The aim of this study was to confirm the current common practice regarding postoperative visits of patients treated with hemiarthroplasty and to evaluate the complication detection rate at these visits. METHODS: A national short survey was conducted among orthopedic surgeons working in 26 large Dutch teaching hospitals to test the hypothesis that postoperative follow-up is indeed common practice. Furthermore, a retrospective patient review was performed in all hemiarthroplasties implanted between January 2014 and December 2019. RESULTS: The response of the national survey was complete and showed that postoperative follow-up in patients treated with hemiarthroplasty is part of standard care according to 89% of respondents. A total of 1055 hips (1026 patients) were implanted with hemiarthroplasty during the studied period. Implant-related complications were identified in 68 hemiarthroplasties, with 31 of these hips going on to reoperation. Only 2 of these complications were picked up at standard planned follow-up leading to a complication detection rate of 0.3%. In contrast, complication detection rates of 47% and 16% were found at unplanned visits at the Emergency Department and the outpatient department, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative follow-up in patients treated with hemiarthroplasty is still the standard of care. However, this study revealed that the majority of implant-related complications are detected at unplanned visits and almost no at standard follow-up visits. Postoperative follow-up of patients treated with hemiarthroplasty could be abandoned in this frail population.

Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy Versus Open Microdiscectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: To give a systematic overview of effectiveness of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) compared with open microdiscectomy (OM) in the treatment of lumbar disk herniation (LDH). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The current standard procedure for the treatment of sciatica caused by LDH, is OM. PTED is an alternative surgical technique which is thought to be less invasive. It is unclear if PTED has comparable outcomes compared with OM. METHODS: Multiple online databases were systematically searched up to April 2020 for randomized controlled trials and prospective studies comparing PTED with OM for LDH. Primary outcomes were leg pain and functional status. Pooled effect estimates were calculated for the primary outcomes only and presented as standard mean differences (SMD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) at short (1-day postoperative), intermediate (3-6 months), and long-term (12 months). RESULTS: We identified 2276 citations, of which eventually 14 studies were included. There was substantial heterogeneity in effects on leg pain at short term. There is moderate quality evidence suggesting no difference in leg pain at intermediate (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.10-0.21) and long-term follow-up (SMD 0.11, 95% CI -0.30-0.53). Only one study measured functional status at short-term and reported no differences. There is moderate quality evidence suggesting no difference in functional status at intermediate (SMD -0.09, 95% CI -0.24-0.07) and long-term (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.45-0.24). CONCLUSION: There is moderate quality evidence suggesting no difference in leg pain or functional status at intermediate and long-term follow-up between PTED and OM in the treatment of LDH. High quality, robust studies reporting on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness on the long term are lacking.Level of Evidence: 2.

Preoperative Staphylococcus aureus screening and eradication.

AIMS: Preoperative nasal Staphylococcus aureus screening and eradication reduces surgical site infections (SSIs) but its impact on reducing early prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains controversial. This study aims to assess the effect of preoperative nasal S. aureus screening and eradication on the incidence of early PJI in general and S. aureus-induced early PJI. METHODS: All primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) and total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed from January 2006 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for the incidence of early PJI. Demographic parameters, risk factors for PJI (American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus) and implant types were collected. A preoperative screening and eradication protocol for nasal colonization of S. aureus was introduced in October 2010. The incidence of early PJI was compared before and after the implementation of the protocol. Missing data were imputed via multiple imputation by chained equations. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for differences between patients in both groups. Weighted univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the incidence of early PJI for both groups. RESULTS: In total, 10,486 THAs and TKAs were performed in the research period. After exclusion, a cohort of 5,499 screened cases and 3,563 non-screened cases were available for analysis. Overall, no significant reduction in early PJI was found in the screened group (odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 1.11; p = 0.173). However, the incidence of S. aureus-induced PJI was significantly reduced (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.92; p = 0.027) in the screened group. CONCLUSION: A preoperative nasal S. aureus screening and eradication protocol did not significantly reduce the overall incidence of early PJI after THA or TKA. However, a decreased incidence of S. aureus-induced early PJI was established. These findings can help to establish better consensus around the value of these screening protocols. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1341-1348.

Increasing Fusion Rate Between 1 and 2 Years After Instrumented Posterolateral Spinal Fusion and the Role of Bone Grafting.

STUDY DESIGN: Two-year clinical and radiographic follow-up of a double-blind, multicenter, randomized, intra-patient controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing a bone graft substitute (AttraX Putty) with autograft in instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF) surgery. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare PLF rates between 1 and 2 years of follow-up and between graft types, and to explore the role of bone grafting based on the location of the PLF mass. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are indications that bony fusion proceeds over time, but it is unknown to what extent this can be related to bone grafting. METHODS: A total of 100 adult patients underwent a primary, single- or multilevel, thoracolumbar PLF. After instrumentation and preparation for grafting, the randomized allocation side of AttraX Putty was disclosed. The contralateral posterolateral gutters were grafted with autograft. At 1-year follow-up, and in case of no fusion at 2 years, the fusion status of both sides of each segment was blindly assessed on CT scans. Intertransverse and facet fusion were scored separately. Difference in fusion rates after 1 and 2 years and between grafts were analyzed with a Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The 2-year PLF rate (66 patients) was 70% at the AttraX Putty and 68% at the autograft side, compared to 55% and 52% after 1 year (87 patients). GEE analysis demonstrated a significant increase for both conditions (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.5-2.7, P < 0.001), but no difference between the grafts (P = 0.595). Ongoing bone formation was only observed between the facet joints. CONCLUSION: This intra-patient controlled trial demonstrated a significant increase in PLF rate between 1 and 2 years after instrumented thoracolumbar fusion, but no difference between AttraX Putty and autograft. Based on the location of the PLF mass, this increase is most likely the result of immobilization instead of grafting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1.