The use of Three-Dimensional Printing in Orthopaedics: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: 3D-printing is a rapidly developing technology with applications in orthopaedics including pre-operative planning, intraoperative guides, design of patient specific instruments and prosthetics, and education. Existing literature demonstrates that in the surgical treatment of a wide range of orthopaedic pathology, using 3D printing shows favourable outcomes. Despite this evidence 3D printing is not routinely used in orthopaedic practice. We aim to evaluate the advantages of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery to demonstrate its widespread applications throughout the field. Methods: We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. AMED, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, BNI, CINAHL and Medline databases were searched using Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) platform. The search was conducted to include papers published before 8th November 2020. Clinical trials, journal articles, Randomised Control Trials and Case Series were included across any area of orthopaedic surgery. The primary outcomes measured were operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopy time, bone fusion time and length of hospital stay. Results: A total of 65 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed, and 15 were suitable for the meta-analysis, producing a data set of 609 patients. The use of 3D printing in any of its recognised applications across orthopaedic surgery showed an overall reduction in operative time (SMD = -1.30; 95%CI: -1.73, -0.87), reduction in intraoperative blood loss (SMD = -1.58; 95%CI: -2.16, -1.00) and reduction in intraoperative fluoroscopy time (SMD = -1.86; 95%CI: -2.60, -1.12). There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay or in bone fusion time post-operatively. Conclusion: The use of 3D printing in orthopaedics leads to an improvement in primary outcome measures showing reduced operative time, intraoperative blood loss and number of times fluoroscopy is used. With its wide-reaching applications and as the technology improves, 3D printing could become a valuable addition to an orthopaedic surgeon's toolbox.

Additional doses of prophylactic antibiotics post-arthroplasty: Are there any benefits?

Guidelines for prophylactic antibiotic administration in total joint replacement vary considerably in terms of drug, dosage, route of administration and duration of cover. Despite the range of treatment options available, infection remains the most common reason for arthroplasty failure in the decades following a procedure, simultaneously increasing health care costs and lowering patient satisfaction considerably. This work aims to evaluate whether there are benefits to administering further doses of antibiotic post-arthroplasty, in addition to the recommendations of current protocols. We present a review of evidence surrounding infection rates in a variety of prophylactic regimens, and weigh this against further considerations such as cost to the patient and risks of nephrotoxicity. In summary, the available evidence does not suggest a benefit to administering additional doses post-arthroplasty in most cases. However, further doses may benefit those deemed at high risk of infection, or those in areas of high methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence.

The Operative Management of Capitellum Fractures.

Capitellum fractures represent fewer than 1% of elbow fractures. Most commonly, these fractures occur secondary to either axial loading with the elbow fully extended or direct impact to the lateral aspect of the elbow. Numerous classification systems exist, with many types and subtypes. Since capitellum fractures are uncommon and fracture type varies widely, there is a lack of consensus with regard to treatment recommendations. We present a case series of seven patients with capitellum fractures, who presented between January 2016 and August 2020 to Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge, the United Kingdom). All patients were female, with an average age of 33 years. In each case, the affected elbow joint was immobilised using a backslab before open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed. Joint mobility was recorded both on the day of the injury and at clinic review postoperatively (first at two weeks and then at between four and eight weeks). The Oxford Elbow Score (OES) was measured retrospectively, relating to (1) before the injury and (2) six months after fracture reduction. ORIF was associated with a near-full return of pronation and supination by eight weeks, with flexion-extension also improving significantly. The Oxford Elbow Score at six months reached 82.0% of pre-injury scores. Overall, our results suggest that ORIF is a well-tolerated and effective treatment strategy for capitellum fractures. Future studies with a greater sample size are required to assess the outcomes across a longer period, to determine whether outcomes are maintained and continue to improve.

Open injuries and obesity as emerging risk factors for vascular injury in knee dislocations: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Knee dislocations (KDs) are rare in orthopaedic trauma but can have devastating effects. Failing to diagnose a concomitant vascular injury can lead to amputation. Different methods are used for the diagnosis of a vascular injury and the best approach is under debate. This study aims to examine the risk factor(s) of vascular injury in patients with KDs, examine variables that differ between obese patients and non-obese patients with KDs, and analyse the modalities used to identify vascular injuries in the KD population. METHODS: The electronic patient medical record system at a major trauma centre was retrospectively reviewed to identify knee dislocations from 2015 to 2022. These were stratified based on age, gender, BMI, mechanism of injury, vascular injury, non-vascular complications, and laterality. Co-variates were inputted into a univariable regression analysis, followed by a multivariable regression analysis to identify risk factors of vascular injury in patients with knee dislocations. Co-variates were also compared between obese and non-obese patients using two-tailed t-tests for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Forty patients were identified with a KD, with twenty-eight males and twelve females. The average age was 42.9 years, seventeen patients had a BMI of thirty or over, and eleven patients (27.5%) had a vascular injury. Open injuries (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.19-11.30; p = 0.038) and obesity (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.45-18.69; p = 0.027) are risk factors for vascular injury in patients with knee dislocation. Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients had a higher rate of open injury (p = 0.028), vascular injury (p = 0.017), low-energy injuries (p = 0.014), non-vascular complications (p = 0.017), and amputation (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Open injuries and obesity are risk factors for vascular injury in patients with KD. Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients have low-energy injuries and an increased rate of non-vascular complications, meaning that clinicians could err on the side of caution when investigating vascular injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Management of Trochanteric Fractures: Are We NICE Compliant?

INTRODUCTION: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated the 2011 hip fracture management guidelines on January 6, 2023, suggesting that clinicians offer sliding hip screws in preference to intramedullary nails for trochanteric fractures above and including the lesser trochanter except reverse oblique fractures. This study aims to assess the compliance of our hospital with the updated guidelines while comparing the results with our performance prior to the update together with the national average. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was done to analyse if trochanteric fractures managed surgically were compliant with NICE guidelines. Pathological fractures secondary to tumours and AO/OTA 31A1.1 fractures were excluded. Fractures were classified using the 2018 AO/OTA classification system independently by two authors, with a review from a senior consultant if there was interobserver variation. Group A (n=60) included trochanteric fractures managed surgically three months prior to the update, while Group B (n=46) included patients managed operatively three months following the update. RESULTS: The compliance rates for Group A and Group B were similar at 88.33% and 89.13%, respectively, while the national average was about 67% over the course of six months. DISCUSSION: 31A2 fractures showed higher rates of non-compliance in both groups. Non-compliance was thought to be multifactorial: surgeon bias, inaccurate classification of fractures and a lack of awareness of guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: While there is scope for improvement, district general hospitals can achieve high rates of compliance. Educating and training doctors could help improve compliance.

Predictors for infection severity for open tibial fractures: major trauma centre perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Open diaphyseal tibial fractures are the most common long-bone fractures and require a rapid approach to prevent devastating complications. Current literature reports the outcomes of open tibial fractures. However, there is no robust, up-to-date research on the predictive indicators of infection severity in a large open tibial fracture patient cohort. This study investigated the predictive factors of superficial infections and osteomyelitis in open tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the tibial fracture database was carried out from 2014 to 2020. Criteria for inclusion was any tibial fracture including tibial plateau, shaft, pilon or ankle, with an open wound at the fracture site. Exclusion criteria included patients with a follow-up period of less than 12 months and who are deceased. A total of 235 patients were included in our study, of which 154 (65.6%), 42 (17.9%), and 39 (16.6%) developed no infection, superficial infection, or osteomyelitis, respectively. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, fracture characteristics, infection status and management details were collected for all patients. RESULTS: On multivariate modelling, patients with BMI > 30 (OR = 2.078, 95%CI [1.145-6.317], p = 0.025), Gustilo-Anderson (GA) type III (OR = 6.120, 95%CI [1.995-18.767], p = 0.001), longer time to soft tissue cover (p = 0.006) were more likely to develop a superficial infection, and patients with wound contamination (OR = 3.152, 95%CI [1.079-9.207], p = 0.036), GA-3 (OR = 3.387,95%CI [1.103-10.405], p = 0.026), longer to soft tissue cover (p = 0.007) were more likely to develop osteomyelitis. Univariate analysis also determined that risk factors for superficial infection were: BMI > 35 (OR = 6.107, 95%CI [2.283-16.332], p = 0.003) and wound contamination (OR = 2.249, 95%CI [1.015-5.135], p = 0.047); whilst currently smoking (OR = 2.298, 95%CI [1.087-4.856], p = 0.025), polytrauma (OR = 3.212, 95%CI [1.556-6.629], p = 0.001), longer time to definitive fixation (p = 0.023) were for osteomyelitis. However, none of these reached significance in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Higher GA classification is a significant risk factor for developing superficial infection and osteomyelitis, with a stronger association with osteomyelitis, especially GA 3C fractures. Predictors for superficial infection included BMI and time to soft tissue closure. Time to definitive fixation, time to soft tissue closure, and wound contamination were associated with osteomyelitis.

Conservative Management of Varus/Valgus Stable Tibial Plateau Fractures in Osteoporotic Bone - Preliminary Results and Considerations.

Objectives: While operative fixation is the current recommendation for treating significantly displaced tibial plateau fractures (DTPFs) in elderly patients, our research suggests that non-operative management may also be a viable option as the primary treatment for these individuals. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with complex DTPFs who received non-operative management as their primary management. Methods: Our study involved a retrospective analysis of non-operatively treated DTPFs during the period of 2019 to 2020. We included all patients for the evaluation of fracture healing and range of motion (ROM). Additionally, we conducted functional outcome assessments on all patients, utilizing the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) both before their injury and at the 10-month mark after their injury. Results: The study included 10 patients, comprising two males and eight females, with a mean age of 62.9 years (range: 46-74). Among them, four patients had Schatzker Type III DTPFs, two had Type V, and four had Type VI. Non-operative management was administered using hinged-knee braces, and patients progressed to weight-bearing gradually, with a minimum follow-up period of 10 months. The average time to bone union was 4.3 months (range: 2-7). The mean Oxford Knee Score (OKS) after the injury was 38.8 (range: 23-45), with an average reduction of 16.9% (p = 0.003). The average fracture depression was 11.41 mm (range: 4.2-29), and the average fracture split was 14.03 mm (range: 5.5-44). Conclusion: Based on our study, it appears that elderly patients with significantly displaced tibial plateau fractures (DTPFs) can be treated non-operatively as their primary management, despite the current consensus suggesting otherwise.

Perioperative Management of Incidental Pulmonary Embolisms on Trauma CT Scans: A Narrative Review.

Unsuspected pulmonary embolism (PE) may be identified on an initial trauma computed tomography (CT) scan. The clinical importance of these incidental PEs remains to be elucidated. In patients who require surgery, careful management is needed. We sought to investigate the optimal perioperative management of such patients, including the use of pharmacological and mechanical thromboprophylaxis, possible thrombolytic therapy, and inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. A literature search was conducted, and all relevant articles were identified, investigated, and included. Medical guidelines were also consulted where appropriate. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is the mainstay of preoperative treatment, and low-molecular-weight heparins, fondaparinux, and unfractionated heparin may all be used. It has been suggested that prophylaxis should be administered as soon as possible after trauma. Such agents may be contraindicated in patients with significant bleeding, and mechanical prophylaxis and inferior vena cava filters may be favoured in these patients. Therapeutic anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapies may be considered but are associated with an increased risk of haemorrhage. Delaying surgery might help to minimise the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism, and any interruption of prophylaxis must be strategically planned. Recommendations for postoperative care include a continuation of prophylaxis and therapeutic anticoagulation, with follow-up clinical evaluation within six months. Incidental PE is a common finding on trauma CT scans. Although the clinical significance is unknown, careful management of the balance between anticoagulation and bleeding is needed, especially in trauma patients and even more so in trauma patients requiring surgery.

The Importance of Fracture Liaison Services to the Healthcare System: A Review.

Osteoporosis is an important public health concern, with secondary fragility fractures carrying a poor prognosis. The role of a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is to identify fragility fracture patients via investigation and risk assessment. This serves to address the osteoporosis treatment care gap that exists where the majority of patients with a new fragility fracture over 50-years-old fail to receive a bone mass density (BMD) scan and osteoporosis treatment, ultimately receiving inadequate care. Osteoporosis medication is effective in reducing secondary fragility fractures. However, treatment adherence poses a problem. The FLS serves to prevent more serious secondary fragility fractures such as hip fractures. This minimises operative costs and the cost of postoperative care and results in fewer secondary care and care home admissions, increasing healthcare savings. Implementation of the FLS is effective in increasing investigation, treatment initiation, and adherence, with a corresponding decrease in refracture rate and mortality. This paper aims to evaluate the previous osteoporosis treatment care gap, the effectiveness of osteoporosis medications currently available, and finally, the cost and clinical effectiveness of the FLS serving as a secondary prevention tool.

Ankle fusion with tibiotalocalcaneal retrograde nail for fragility ankle fractures: outcomes at a major trauma centre.

PURPOSE: Fragility ankles fractures in the geriatric population are challenging to manage, due to fracture instability, soft tissue compromise, and patient co-morbidities. Traditional management options include open reduction internal fixation, or conservative treatment, both of which are fraught with high complication rates. We aimed to present functional outcomes of elderly patients with fragility ankle fractures treated with retrograde ankle fusion nails. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on patients who underwent intramedullary nailing with a tibiotalocalcaneal nail. Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria of being over sixty and having multiple co-morbidities. Patient demographics, AO/OTA fracture classification, intra-operative and post-operative complications, time to mobilisation and union, AOFAS and Olerud-Molander scores, and patient mobility were recorded. RESULTS: There were seven males and thirteen females, with a mean age of 77.82 years old, five of whom are type 2 diabetics. Thirteen patients returned to their pre-operative mobility state, and the average Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) was 5.05. Patients with a low CCI are more likely to return to pre-operative mobility status (p = 0.16; OR = 4.00). All patients achieved radiographical union, taking on average between 92.5 days and 144.6 days. The mean post-operative AOFAS and Olerud-Molander scores were 53.0 and 50.9, respectively. There were four cases of superficial infection, four cases of broken or loose distal locking screws. There were no deep infections, periprosthetic fractures, nail breakages, or non-unions. CONCLUSION: Tibiotalocalcaneal nailing is an effective and safe option for managing unstable ankle fractures in the elderly. This technique leads to lower complication rates and earlier mobilisation than traditional fixation methods.

Diagnostic value of full-length femur radiographs in patients with neck of femur fracture and co-existing malignancy.

PURPOSE: In the UK, it is common practice to obtain full-length femur radiographs in patients admitted with neck of femur fractures (NOF) and co-existing malignancy. Limited literature exists studying this topic. Our aim was to identify whether full-length femur radiographs are of diagnostic and therapeutic value in this demographic. METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis of the patients admitted with a neck of femur fracture over a 5-year period (2015-2020) using the National Hip Fracture Database was performed at a major trauma centre. Electronic patient records were accessed to screen the NOF patients who had co-existing malignancy and subsequently underwent a full-length femur radiograph. In addition to patient demographics, we also identified the plan and whether it was affected by findings of the full-length radiograph, the operation performed, any additional investigations undertaken for malignancy, the type of cancer, complications and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Of the 2416 patients screened, 18% had a co-existing malignancy (n = 431). Of the 431 with underlying malignancy, 424 patients underwent a full-length femur radiograph while only seven of these radiographs identified lesions. From the seven patients with findings of metastatic deposits on full-length radiographs, none required an alternative operation to that which they normally would undergo. Furthermore, no patients required a longer stem arthroplasty or longer internal fixation. One in four fractures was associated with co-existing breast malignancy (26.5%, n = 114), followed by prostate cancer (14.8%, n = 64). Colorectal, lung, bladder and skin (squamous cell carcinoma) contributed 6-10% (n = 44, 40, 33, 29, respectively). Other malignancies contributed to the rest of the 25%. CONCLUSION: To conclude, full-length radiographs had no diagnostic or therapeutic value in our cohort of patients regardless of the full-length femur findings.

The clinical characteristics and management of paediatric pelvic fractures: a changing landscape based on skeletal maturity.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric pelvic fractures (PPFs) are uncommon but signify serious trauma. A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach is needed due to a high number of associated injuries. This study aims to retrospectively analyse PPFs over a 5-year period and evaluate how advancing skeletal maturity changes fracture patterns and management plans. METHODS: The trauma database was retrospectively reviewed for pelvic fractures in patients aged ≤ 18 years. Radiographs and CT scans were used to classify pelvic injuries according to the modified Torode classification and determine the status of the triradiate cartilage (open: skeletally immature; closed: skeletally mature). Data collected also included the mechanism of injury, clinical and functional outcomes, and associated injuries. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for associated abdominal injuries. RESULTS: 65 PPFs (2.8% of paediatric trauma admissions during the study period) were classified as type I (3.1%), type II (7.7%), type IIIa (32.3%), type IIIb (38.5%), type IV (18.5%) according to the modified Torode classification. The mean age was 13.41 ± 3.82. Skeletally immature children were more likely to be hit by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian (p < 0.001), be intubated (p = 0.009), acquire Torode type II (p = 0.047) and rami fractures (p = 0.037), and receive chest (p = 0.005) and head injuries (p = 0.046). Skeletally immature children were also less likely to acquire Torode type IV fractures (p = 0.018), receive surgical treatment for their pelvic injuries (p = 0.036), and had a faster time to full weight bearing (p = 0.013). Pelvis AIS score ≥ 4 (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.3-22.6; p = 0.023) and a pedestrian accident (OR 4.9; 95% CI 1.2-20.7; p = 0.030) were risk factors for associated abdominal injuries. There was a strong association between a higher pelvic fracture grade and the proportion of patients with closed triradiate cartilage (p = 0.036), hospital length of stay (p = 0.034), mean pelvic AIS score (p = 0.039), a pelvis AIS score of ≥ 4 (p = 0.022), mean ISS (p = 0.003), an ISS score between 25 and 75 (p = 0.004), average time to FWB (p = 0.001), requirement of blood products (p = 0.015), and a motor vehicle accident (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: PPFs occurring in skeletally mature and immature patients are significantly different in terms of mechanism of injury, fracture severity, fracture pattern, and management strategy. There is a high rate of associated injuries, necessitating an integrated multidisciplinary approach in paediatric trauma centres.

The incidence of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle and review of the literature.

The aim of this study was to identify the hitherto unknown incidence of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC), based on a cohort of continuous livebirths born in our hospital, to review the literature and investigate if there is evidence supporting the published association between left-sided CPC and dextrocardia. From our electronic medical record and radiology databases, we identified all live births and patients with the diagnosis of CPC born from 2000 to 2016. We reviewed the imaging which included one or both clavicles to search for unrecorded CPC cases and reviewed all retrievable CPC publications listed in PubMed and publications quoted within these publications going back to 1910. We identified 87 407 livebirths of which 41 800 had radiological studies done, 14 885 showing one or both clavicles. We found five cases of CPC, two from the electronic database and three from our imaging review, giving an incidence of 1 of 17 481 livebirths. We identified 138 publications reporting paediatric and adult CPC cases and 12 review articles, including 429 patients (187 female; 159 male; 83 unknown) with 456 CPCs and a minimum of 24 additional patients from case reports for which we could not retrieve details. Two publications reported one case of left-sided CPC with dextrocardia, either not showing left/right marking or only showing the CPC with the aortic knob on the same side. We report the first CPC incidence of 0.0057%, provide the by far most inclusive CPC epidemiology based on 429 patients and could not find reliable proof that there has ever been a patient with left-sided CPC which was associated with dextrocardia.