Comparison of Treatment Options for Chronic Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament (SLIL): A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) is an important contributor to wrist stability and functionality. SLIL injury is debilitating and therefore many surgical techniques have been proposed, but the optimal treatment modality remains debated.This meta-analysis reviews the available literature comparing surgical techniques used in the treatment of chronic SLIL to determine the best approach. Methods: An electronic search of the literature was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials and cohort studies published before January 2019 that evaluated clinical outcomes of capsulodesis reconstruction, the modified Brunelli technique, and the reduction and association of the scaphoid and lunate (RASL) procedure for treatment of chronic SLIL. A chi-square analysis was performed to identify possible differences between each technique for several outcome measures. Results: A total 20 studies encompassing 409 patients met inclusion criteria. Average age among patients was 36.7 years, and 68.2% of patients were male. Reductions in visual analog scale pain scale; Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores; and increases in grip strength and range of motion were observed for all techniques. Capsulodesis was superior to the modified Brunelli technique regarding preserved range of motion. Conclusions: No significant differences were observed among any of the techniques for pain, DASH score, and grip strength outcomes. Capsulodesis, modified Brunelli, and RASL surgical techniques for the treatment of chronic SLIL injuries may all be seen as reliable methods of treatment of chronic SLIL injuries. While future trials directly comparing these methods are needed, this study suggests there is no superiority of one technique over another.

CT findings of proctitis in two patients with Mpox.

Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) has emerged as a public health crisis in 2022 with recent global spread outside of endemic regions and secondary transmission of this zoonotic disease between humans. The current outbreak predominantly affects men who have sex with men (MSM). Classically, Mpox presents with fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy; however, in the MSM population, genital/perianal skin lesions and rectal pain due to proctitis are commonly present. We present the CT findings of active proctitis in two cases of Mpox infection.

Current Trends and Predictors of Case Outcomes for Malpractice in Colonoscopy in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Over 14 million colonoscopies are performed annually, and this procedure remains the largest contributor to malpractice claims against gastroenterologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate reasons for litigation and predictors of case outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases related to colonoscopy were reviewed within the Westlaw legal database. Patient demographics, reasons for litigation, case payouts, and verdicts were assessed. Multivariate regression was used to determine predictors of defendant verdicts. RESULTS: A total of 305 cases were included from years 1980 to 2017. Average patient age was 54.9 years (range, 4 to 93) and 52.8% of patients were female. Juries returned defendant and plaintiff verdicts in 51.8% and 25.2% of cases, respectively, and median payout was $995,000. Top reasons for litigation included delay in treatment (65.9%) and diagnosis (65.6%), procedural error (44.3%), and failure to refer (25.6%). Gastroenterologists were defendants in 71% of cases, followed by primary care (32.2%) and surgeons (14.8%). Cases citing informed consent predicted defendant verdict (odds ratio, 4.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-9.45) while medication error predicted plaintiff verdict (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.59). Delay in diagnosis (P=0.060) and failure to refer (P=0.074) trended toward plaintiff verdict but did not reach significance. Most represented states were New York (21.0%), California (13.4%), Pennsylvania (13.1%), Massachusetts (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Malpractice related to colonoscopy remains a significant and has geographic variability. Errors related to sedation predicted plaintiff verdict and may represent a target to reduce litigation. Primary care physicians and surgeons were frequently cited codefendants, underscoring the significance of interdisciplinary care for colonoscopy.

Detection of Elder Abuse Among Orthopedic Patients.

Approximately 10% of US adults experience elder abuse, which often manifests as musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries. The goal of our study was to determine the rate of elder abuse among orthopedic surgery patients and characterize which patients may be at an increased risk. National Inpatient Sample Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data from 2001 to 2015 were parsed with the Clinical Classifications Software tool. Patients 60 years and older were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), code for elder abuse. Primary orthopedic procedures and subsequent inpatient diagnoses and comorbidities were used to develop a binary logistic regression model to predict an elder's risk of abuse. Of a total of 20,532,211 admissions for an orthopedic procedure, 0.010% (2084) were classified as elder abuse. Patients with a classification of abuse more commonly were women (74.8% vs 60.6%) and from the lowest socioeconomic quartile by income (28.5% vs 21.7%). In addition, these patients had hospital stays that were twice as long (10.2 vs 5.3 days) and had higher admission mortality rates (4.4% vs 1.2%). No primary orthopedic procedures were associated with a higher risk of elder abuse. Nonorthopedic diagnoses made during admission that were associated with increased risk of abuse included superficial injury or contusion (odds ratio [OR], 3.252), chronic skin ulcer (OR, 3.119), nutritional deficiency (OR, 3.418), fluid and electrolyte disturbances (OR, 1.729), and delirium or dementia (OR, 2.210). The incidence of elder abuse among orthopedic surgery patients is significantly lower than national estimates. This finding warrants further investigation to determine whether it is a function of underreporting or differences in patient populations, given the 4-fold increase in mortality risk. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(1):50-56.].

Perioperative Blood Loss after Preoperative Prostatic Artery Embolization in Patients Undergoing Simple Prostatectomy: A Propensity Score‒Matched Study.

PURPOSE: To assess perioperative blood loss following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) before surgery in patients undergoing simple prostatectomy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was used to identify 63 patients (mean age, 65.3 ± 8.0 years) with prostatic hypertrophy and severe lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent prostatectomy from September 2014 to December 2019, 18 (28.5%) of whom underwent PAE before surgery. Demographic data, pertinent laboratory results, procedural or operative information, hospital course details, and pathology reports were obtained. A 2:1 propensity score‒matching analysis was performed to compare intraoperative blood loss in patients who underwent prostatectomy alone with intraoperative blood loss in those who first underwent bilateral PAE before surgery. RESULTS: Sixteen (89%) of the 18 patients underwent bilateral PAE before surgery. Thirty-two patients who underwent prostatectomy without embolization before surgery were selected for the 2:1 propensity score‒matched analysis based on age, race, surgery type, prostate gland size, and comorbidities. The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) for prostatectomy alone was 545 ± 380 mL (mean ± standard deviation). There was a statistically significant reduction in the EBL for patients who underwent bilateral PAE (303 ± 227 mL, P < .01). The operative time was also significantly decreased for patients who underwent PAE before surgery (P < .05). For patients who underwent PAE, there were no complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral PAE before surgery appears to be safe and may be effective in reducing perioperative bleeding and operative time.

Postoperative negative pressure wound therapy is associated with decreased surgical site infections in all lower extremity amputations.

INTRODUCTION: We hypothesize that Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is associated with a lower incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in lower extremity amputations (LEAs), a potentially devastating complication. METHODS: NSQIP database from 2011 to 2018 was queried to identify all-level LEAs. Cases using NPWT were identified. One-to-one nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was performed using a binary logistic regression on NPWT status controlling for patient comorbidities. RESULTS: NPWT was used in 133 of 5237 total LEAs (2.54%). Compared to propensity score-matched controls, they had significantly fewer SSIs (1.50% vs. 8.27%). CONCLUSIONS: NPWT was associated with lower incidence of SSI.

An Analysis of Trends in National Residency Matching Program Match Data for Orthopedic Surgery.

Due to electronic residency applications, US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores are frequently used by orthopedic surgery program directors to screen applicants. Prospective applicants therefore often use Step 1 scores as a proxy for specialty competitiveness. The goal of this investigation was two-fold: (1) to determine whether trends in Step 1 scores are indicative of trends in competitiveness of orthopedic surgery and (2) to report the characteristics that optimize a US medical student's match success. A retrospective review of published National Resident Matching Program data from 2009 to 2018 was performed for orthopedic surgery residency applicants. Additional data from the Charting Outcomes reports were used for specific analyses of applicant characteristics. From 2009 to 2018, the number of orthopedic surgery residency positions grew at an annual rate of 1.51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37% to 1.64%; P<.001), accommodating the 1.26% (95% CI, 0.63% to 1.90%; P=.006) annual increase in the number of applicants who ranked orthopedic surgery as their preferred specialty choice (only choice or first choice). There were no significant changes in the applicant-to-position ratio (95% CI, -0.85% to 0.37%; P=.483) or the match rate for US seniors who ranked orthopedic surgery as their preferred choice (95% CI, -0.23% to 0.87%; P=.313). Increases in mean Step 1 scores of matched orthopedic surgery applicants parallel national Step 1 growth trends (0.49% vs 0.44%, respectively). Although orthopedic surgery is currently a competitive specialty to match into, this has been the case since 2009. Increasing Step 1 scores of matched applicants is not unique to orthopedic surgery and should not be misinterpreted as a proxy for increasing competitiveness of the specialty. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(6):e616-e622.].

Incidence and Cost of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Emergency General Surgery Over 15 Years.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thromboses (DVTs) are a significant sequela of surgery and are associated with significant of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Operative emergency general surgery (EGS) cases have been demonstrated to have a greater burden of DVT than other types of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DVT in EGS cases were identified from the National Inpatient Sample-Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database from 2001 to 2015 Q3 based on ICD-9 code specification. National incidence of DVT in EGS was calculated using the National Inpatient Sample-Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project sampling methodology, and propensity score matching was used to assess costs associated with DVT. RESULTS: Among 15,148,352 sample-weighted hospitalizations, 0.623% (94,392) experienced DVT. Incidence of DVT was greatest in GI ulcer surgery (1.705%) and lowest in appendectomy (0.095%). Patients with a perioperative DVT incurred $22,301 more in hospital-related costs than their counterparts who did not have a DVT. Although rates of DVT remained stable over the period analyzed, DVT-associated costs increased at a 2.09% annual rate in excess of inflation during the period analyzed. This increase in costs was most significant for laparotomy, which increased at a rate of 8.09% annually. CONCLUSIONS: DVT continues to be a significant burden on resources in EGS in spite of efforts with DVT prophylaxis. Considering the increase in costs and little change in incidence, further research on cost-effective management of DVT in EGS is warranted.

The Cost of Surgical Site Infections after Colorectal Surgery in the United States from 2001 to 2012: A Longitudinal Analysis.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common types of postoperative complications in the United States and are associated with significant prevalence of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical interventions, especially in colorectal surgery (CRS) where SSI rates are significantly higher than those of similar operative sites. SSIs were identified from the National Inpatient Sample-Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database from 2001 to 2012 based on the specification of an ICD-9 code. Propensity score matching was used to compare costs associated with SSI cases with those of non-SSI controls among elective and nonelective admissions. Results were projected nationally using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project sampling methodology to evaluate the incidence of SSIs and ascertain the national cost burden retrospectively. Among 4,851,359 sample-weighted hospitalizations, 4.2 per cent (203,597) experienced SSI. Elective admissions associated with SSI-stayed hospitalized for an average of 7.8 days longer and cost $18,410 more than their counterparts who did not experience an SSI. Nonelective admissions that experienced an SSI had an 8.5-day longer hospital stay and cost $20,890 more than counterparts without perioperative infections. This represents a 3 per cent annual growth in costs for SSIs and seems to be largely driven by cost increases in treatment of SSIs for elective surgeries. Current efforts of SSI management after CRS focused on compliance with guidelines and tracking of infection rates would benefit from some improvements. Considering the growing costs and increase in resource utilization associated with SSIs from 2001 to 2012, further research on costs associated with management of SSIs specific to CRS is necessary.

The role of socioeconomic disparity in colorectal cancer stage at presentation.

Colorectal cancer, despite multiple screening measures being available, is the second leading cause of death due to cancer. Cancer stage at diagnosis is an important determinant of survival, where earlier stages have significantly increased rates of survival. By looking at various social health disparities (at a patient and geographic level) and their effect on stage at presentation, we will gain a better understanding of the effect they have on cancer outcomes. Data were collected from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for the years 2007-2014. Covariates extracted were patient-level variables such as age, race, primary site, state/county, insurance status as well as county-level data which included percent urban population, median family income, rural-urban continuum code classification, percent of population that has not completed high school, percent of population below the poverty line, percent of population foreign-born, percent of language-isolated persons, and unemployment rate. The primary outcome analyzed was cancer staging at diagnosis. A χ2 analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression was modeled to elucidate the associations between study covariates and late stage of cancer presentation. Chi-squared analysis demonstrated significant associations (at p < 0.05) between stage of diagnosis with race, age, insurance status, location of primary site, percent of population below poverty line, percent of language-isolated persons, and percent of unemployed. To help reduce these disparities, community resources and increased screening and prevention techniques must be implemented to target the unique populations at greatest risk for developing the disease.

Medical Malpractice in Orthopedic Surgery: A Westlaw-Based Demographic Analysis.

A recent study that evaluated the risk of facing a malpractice claim by physician specialty found that orthopedic surgeons were at a significantly greater risk of being sued than other medical specialists. To date, no studies have characterized trends in orthopedic surgery malpractice claims. The Westlaw legal database was used to locate state and federal jury verdicts and settlements related to medical malpractice and orthopedic surgery from 2010 to 2016. Eighty-one cases were analyzed. The mean age of the affected patients and/or plaintiffs was 53.4 years. Spine surgery (21 cases; 25.9%), knee surgery (17 cases; 21.0%), and hip surgery (11 cases; 13.6%) were litigated most often. Procedural error (71 cases; 87.7%) and negligence (58 cases; 71.6%) were the 2 most commonly cited reasons for litigation. The jury found in favor of the defendant in most (50 cases; 61.7%) of the cases. The mean plaintiff (17 cases; 21.0%) verdict payout was $3,015,872, and the mean settlement (13 cases; 16.0%) value was $1,570,833. Unnecessary surgery (odds ratio [OR], 12.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91-108.46; P=.040) and surgery resulting in death (OR, 26.26; 95% CI, 2.55-497.42; P=.040) were significant predictors of a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Patient death (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.38; P=.021) and male patient sex (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71; P=.033) were significant negative predictors of a verdict in favor of the defendant. The jury found in favor of the defendant orthopedic surgeon in most cases. Procedural error and/or negligence were cited most commonly by the plaintiffs as the bases for the claims. Verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs resulted in payouts nearly double those of settlements. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(5):e615-e620.].