Trends in Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Applications and Match Rates before and after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, fellowship interviews for pulmonary disease and critical care medicine (PCCM) switched from an in-person to virtual interview format. Objective: This study aimed to examine the changes that resulted from this switch (appointment year 2021 and beyond) for both the individual applicants and the match process as a whole. Methods: This cross-sectional study used longitudinal data from the Electronic Residency Application Service and the National Resident Matching Program from appointment years 2017 to 2022. Data from the Electronic Residency Application Service included the number of programs applicants applied to, and National Resident Matching Program data included the number of fellowship positions available, number entering the match, match rate, and the number of applicants who matched within the same region/program as their core residency training program. Descriptive and summary statistics and unadjusted linear models were used to identify if trends appeared in post-COVID-19 appointment years (2021 and beyond). Results: The number of PCCM positions increased by 33 (95% confidence interval, 26.2, 39.8) yearly between 2017 and 2022, with almost twice as many applicants (62.6; 95% CI confidence interval, 37.8, 87.4) entering the PCCM fellowship match during that same period. There was a decrease in the percentage of applicants matched each year, a trend unchanged before and after COVID-19, by an average of -2.15%. Comparing before and after COVID-19 appointment years, there was no significant change in same-region or same-program matches. Conclusion: Our analysis shows steadily rising interest in application rates for PCCM fellowships through the onset of the pandemic. However, a lack of proportionate increase in fellowship positions led to a decrease in overall match rates for applicants. To mitigate this, an increase in PCCM fellowship positions should be considered, and surveillance of these trends should continue.

Year two of virtual interviews: longitudinal changes and diverse perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic brought the virtual interview (VI) format to graduate medical education (GME) and the trainee recruitment process. It is unclear if applicants' VI experience is consistent across all demographic groups. Our group collected 2 years of survey data to assess longitudinal changes in applicants' attitudes towards the VI format. In addition, demographic data were collected, and analyses were performed to identify if between-group differences were present amongst a diverse applicant population. METHODS: We distributed an anonymous electronic survey to applicants to the pulmonary disease and critical care medicine fellowship programs at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center for the 2021 and 2022 appointment years. RESULTS: We received 112 responses (20% response rate) for our surveys. Although there was an overall stability of responses between the first 2 years, there were significant gender differences with applicants identifying as female more likely to recommend VI as a future model. Similarly, there were a significant difference in factor importance based on underrepresented minority (URM) status with applicants identifying as URM placing more emphasis on programs' social media presence. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant change in the responses of applicants between the first 2 years of VI. However, subset analyses revealed multiple significant findings. These differences have implications for future iterations of the VI format.

Neurovascular and Clinical Outcomes of the Percutaneous Endoscopically Assisted Calcaneal Osteotomy (PECO) Technique to Correct Hindfoot Malalignment.

BACKGROUND:: Standard open calcaneal osteotomies to correct hindfoot malalignment have been associated with high complication rates, including nerve damage and wound infection. This has resulted in the development of minimally invasive techniques such as the percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy (PECO), which in cadaver studies has been shown to be potentially safer than open surgeries. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of PECO in a clinical setting, with regard to neurovascular injury rates, infection, and short-term radiographic and functional outcomes. METHODS:: Forty-one (41) patients with planovalgus or cavovarus foot deformities underwent treatment using PECO. Outcomes were analyzed at 6 months and primarily included neurovascular outcomes and wound infection rates. Secondarily, radiographic and functional (visual analog scale for pain [VAS], 36-Item Short Form Medical Outcomes Survey [SF-36], and Foot Function Index [FFI] scores) outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS:: There were no reported cases of superficial wound infections, lateral calcaneal or sural nerve dysesthesia. Minor complications occurred in 6/41 feet. The mean postoperative hindfoot correction was 8.3 ± 2.2 mm (range: 6-15mm) compared to preoperative status. Compared to preoperative status, significant improvements ( P = .001 for all) were seen in the VAS, SF-36, and FFI at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS:: PECO resulted in minimal complications with no lateral calcaneal or sural nerve dysesthesias and no wound complications. It also resulted in significant improvements in postoperative radiographic and functional outcomes from baseline to 6-months postoperatively, demonstrating its use as a safe and effective means of treating hindfoot malalignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Vancouver Foot and Ankle WNS (Wound, Nerve, and Systemic) Classification System for Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adverse events require consistent recording to determine the effect of alternate treatments. This study was undertaken to evaluate the Vancouver Foot and Ankle WNS complication scale to capture complications (W: wound, N: nerve, S: systemic) to assist in outcome recording. METHODS: Interrater reliability was tested in 2 settings: (1) between 2 blinded clinicians in a live clinical setting and (2) between 8 orthopedic surgeons using case vignettes based on a retrospective analysis of 500 foot and ankle procedures performed at the Toronto Western Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics. The intrarater reliability of the WNS scale was tested in a single rater using the case vignettes. Inter- and intrarater reliability were assessed using the Fleiss and Cohen weighted kappa ( k), respectively and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was adequate power over 0.8. RESULTS: In the live clinical setting, the Cohen weighted k (95% CI) values for the W (0.935 [0.862, 1.01]), N (0.914 [0.752, 1.08]), and S (1 [1, 1]) parameters, indicating a near perfect level of agreement between raters. In the broader community of professional foot and ankle surgeons, the Fleiss k values (95% CI) had moderate agreement for the W (0.712 [0.688, 0.735]), N (0.775 [0.738, 0.811]), and high agreement for S (0.834 [0.802, 0.866]) parameters based on case vignettes. However, the Fleiss k values continued to indicate moderate to strong agreement between raters for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The WNS scale provided a standardized method of measuring foot and ankle surgical complications. There was at least moderate-strong interrater agreement for all parameters measured on case vignettes and excellent concordance in the live setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative series.

An Anatomic Study of the Percutaneous Endoscopically Assisted Calcaneal Osteotomy Technique to Correct Hindfoot Malalignment.

BACKGROUND: Open calcaneal osteotomy using traditional methods is associated with complications such as sural nerve injury and potential wound healing problems. We hypothesized that by using novel minimally invasive techniques, these potential risks could be mitigated. This anatomic cadaveric study serves to assess the safety of percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy (PECO) compared to a traditional open osteotomy technique. METHODS: Anatomic safety of PECO was assessed using 8 fresh-frozen cadaver below-knee specimens. Lateral calcaneal nerve (LCN) damage was primarily noted and then secondly compared to a potential open surgical incision approach. RESULTS: Only 1 of 11 LCN branches (n = 8 limbs) was transected using PECO, compared to up to 8 of 10 LCN branches (n = 6 limbs) that potentially would have been injured during open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy is a minimally invasive technique that had fewer nerve injuries in this cadaveric model than traditional open surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy due to its less invasive nature may result in fewer neurovascular injuries relative to an open procedure.

Sagittal Distal Tibial Articular Angle and the Relationship to Talar Subluxation in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Longevity of total ankle replacement (TAR) depends heavily on anatomic alignment. The lateral talar station (LTS) classifies the sagittal position of the talus relative to the tibia. We hypothesized that correcting the sagittal distal tibial articular angle (sDTAA) during TAR would anatomically realign the tibiotalar joint and potentially reduce the risk of prosthesis subluxation. METHODS: The LTS (millimeters) and sDTAA (degrees) were measured twice by 2 blinded observers using weight-bearing lateral ankle radiographs obtained before (n = 96) and after (n = 94) TAR, with excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliability (correlation coefficient >0.9). RESULTS: Preoperative LTS was as follows: anterior (60.4%), posterior (27.1%), and neutral (12.5%). A strong preoperative correlation was found between LTS and sDTAA (r = 0.81; P < .0001). In ankles that were initially anterior and became less anterior postoperatively (n = 41), LTS decreased from an average 8.1 mm to 6.5 mm and the LTS changed 1.1 mm per degree of sDTAA change. In ankles that were initially posterior (n = 25), LTS increased from an average of -5.1 mm to -2.8 mm and the LTS changed 0.6 mm per degree of sDTAA change. The correlation between LTS and sDTAA was reduced postoperatively (r = 0.62; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that rather than following generic recommendations, the surgeon should customize the sagittal distal tibial cut to the individual patient based on the preoperative LTS in order to achieve neutral TAR alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Neurological Complications Related to Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Part 3: Common Foot and Ankle Procedures.

Part III of a review series on neurological complications of orthopedic surgery, this article describes the mechanisms and likelihood of peripheral nerve injury associated with some of the most common elective foot and ankle procedures for which anesthesiologists may administer regional anesthesia. Relevant information is broadly organized according to type of surgical procedure to facilitate reference by anesthesiologists and members of the anesthesia care team. WHAT'S NEW: As the popularity of regional anesthesia continues to increase with the development of ultrasound guidance, anesthesiologists should have a thoughtful understanding of the nerves at risk of surgical injury during elective foot and ankle procedures.

Temporal changes in respiratory adenovirus serotypes circulating in the greater Toronto area, Ontario, during December 2008 to April 2010.

BACKGROUND: Certain adenovirus serotypes cause severe infections, especially in children. It is important to monitor temporal changes in serotypes causing clinical disease. The objective of this study was to document circulating respiratory adenovirus serotypes by sequencing adenovirus culture isolates from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, during December 2008 to April 2010. METHODS: Nucleic acid extraction was performed on 90 respiratory tract adenovirus culture isolates. PCR amplification was conducted with primers targeting the adenovirus hexon gene hypervariable region 7. Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine serotype identities. RESULTS: Among 90 clinical respiratory isolates sequenced, eight different serotypes were identified. Serotype 3 (34, 38%), serotype 2 (30, 30%), and serotype 1 (14, 16%) isolates were most common; serotypes 5, 6, 11, 17 and 21 were also observed. Seventeen (50%) of the 34 HAdV-3 isolates were identified between December 2008 and February 2009, while none were identified from December 2009 to February 2010. Between December 2008 and April 2009, the two most common serotypes were HAdV-3 and HAdV-2, detected in 18 (53%) and 8 (24%) of the 34 cultures isolates, respectively. However, from December 2009 to April 2010, there was an increase in HAdV-2, which became the most prevalent serotype, detected in 10 (50%) of the 20 isolates identified (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a gradual shift in prevailing adenovirus serotypes during the 17 month study period, from predominantly HAdV-3 to HAdV-2. If an adenovirus vaccine were to be broadly implemented, multiple serotypes should be included.