Deliveries in Lebanon, the Country with the Highest Refugee Density in the World: A Descriptive Review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze obstetrical and reproductive health parameters in Lebanon from 2015 until 2018 in the setting of the Syrian refugee influx in order to evaluate potential risks and provide a management plan to improve outcomes. DESCRIPTION: Data from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (LMPH) on all obstetrical deliveries that occurred in Lebanon between 2015 and 2018 was screened and analyzed. Number and mode of delivery as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes were included. Joinpoint regression analysis was used for trends of selected parameters. Independent two-sample t-tests were used for comparisons. ASSESSMENT: Women of non-Lebanese nationality residing in Lebanon had a significantly greater number of total deliveries (p-value < 0.001), vaginal deliveries (p-value = 0.002), cesarean sections (p-value = 0.02). When looking at delivery trends from 2015 to 2018, Lebanese women had a significant decrease in total number of deliveries (p-value < 0.001) and vaginal deliveries (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Total number of deliveries and cesarean sections is on the rise in Lebanon. Cesarean section practice should be audited by the LMPH and the Lebanese Order of Physicians (LOP). Local and international agencies should prioritize the implementation and management of family planning facilities in refugee hosting countries.

Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopic Subscapular Sling Procedure for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability Has Limitations: Dynamic Anterior Stabilization Using Long Head of the Biceps Tendon May Represent a More Favorable Alternative.

Anterior shoulder instability is common. Cases of mild glenoid bone loss are typically addressed with conventional arthroscopic Bankart repair procedures, whereas more critical glenoid bone loss often necessitates more invasive, bone-blocking procedures. Recently, for cases that fall between the need for arthroscopic repair and open procedures, surgeons have developed methods for using soft tissue grafts to create a "sling" effect and augment glenoid labral repair. The subscapular sling procedure aims to restore stability by introducing a semitendinosus autograft into the glenohumeral joint to reconstruct the torn labrum; the graft is wrapped around the subscapularis to create a suspensory sling. Limitations include harvest site morbidity; increased surgical time; subscapularis split, which can compromise the tendon integrity, resulting in loss of internal rotation; and a persistently positive apprehension test. Finally, the technique is complex, and similar alternatives with fewer limitations may include a dynamic anterior stabilization technique using the long head of the biceps tendon, which creates a stabilizing sling effect without graft harvest from the leg and has positive reported outcomes.

Reverse Versus Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis with Intact Cuff: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (TSA, RSA) have surged in popularity in recent years. While RSA is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for cases of rotator cuff tear arthropathy, indications have expanded to include, among others, primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were queried through November 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies that compared the utility of TSA to that of RSA for the treatment of GHOA with intact rotator cuff with respect to adverse events, patient-reported outcomes, and range of motion. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included non-randomized studies, and Review Manager 5.4 was used for statistical analysis. P-values <0.05 were deemed significant. RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the above inclusion criteria. Twelve studies reported adverse outcomes, with the RSA group having a lower rate of complications (odds-ratio=0.54, p=0.004) and reoperations (odds-ratio=0.31, p<.001) relative to TSA at an average follow-up of 3.4 years. Four studies reported SPADI and UCLA scores, while five reported SST scores. These studies showed superior SPADI (p=0.040), UCLA(p=0.006), and SST(p=0.040) scores among the RSA group. No significant differences were seen with regards to other patient reported outcomes. Ten studies reported on range of motion, and the RSA group had a significantly lower external rotation relative to the TSA group (p<.001) while other range of motion parameters did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The present study provides support for RSA as a reasonable surgical option for patients with GHOA and an intact rotator cuff, with lower rates of adverse events and better outcomes relative to TSA, although at the expense of decreased external rotation. Patient education and counseling is key in order to decide optimal treatment as part of a shared decision-making process, as well as setting appropriate expectations.

Trends and outcomes of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty after its removal from CMS's inpatient-only list.

BACKGROUND: In January 2021, the US Medicare program approved reimbursement of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA), including anatomic and reverse TSAs. It remains unclear whether shifting TSAs from the inpatient to outpatient setting has affected clinical outcomes. Herein, we describe the rate of outpatient TSA growth and compare inpatient and outpatient TSA complications, readmissions, and mortality. METHODS: Medicare fee-for-service claims for 2019-2022Q1 were analyzed to identify the trends in outpatient TSAs and to compare 90-day postoperative complications, all-cause hospital readmissions, and mortality between outpatients and inpatients. Outpatient cases were defined as those discharged on the same day of the surgery. To reduce the COVID-19 pandemic's impact and selection bias, we excluded 2020Q2-Q4 data and used propensity scores to match 2021-2022Q1 outpatients with inpatients from the same period (the primary analysis) and from 2019-2020Q1 (the secondary analysis), respectively. We performed both propensity score-matched and -weighted multivariate analyses to compare outcomes between the two groups. Covariates included sociodemographics, preoperative diagnosis, comorbid conditions, the Hierarchical Condition Category risk score, prior year hospital/skilled nursing home admissions, annual surgeon volume, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Nationally, the proportion of outpatient TSAs increased from 3% (619) in 2019Q1 to 22% (3456) in 2021Q1 and 38% (6778) in 2022Q1. A total of 55,166 cases were identified for the primary analysis (14,540 outpatients and 40,576 inpatients). Overall, glenohumeral osteoarthritis was the most common indication for surgery (70.8%), followed by rotator cuff pathology (14.6%). The unadjusted rates of complications (1.3 vs 2.4%, P < .001), readmissions (3.7 vs 6.1%, P < .001), and mortality (0.2 vs 0.4%, P = .024) were significantly lower among outpatient TSAs than inpatient TSAs. Using 1:1 nearest matching, 12,703 patient pairs were identified. Propensity score-matched multivariate analyses showed similar rates of postoperative complications, hospital readmissions, and mortality between outpatients and inpatients. Propensity score-weighted multivariate analyses resulted in similar conclusions. The secondary analysis showed a lower hospital readmission rate in outpatients (odds ratio: 0.8, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There has been accelerated growth in outpatient TSAs since 2019. Outpatient and inpatient TSAs have similar rates of postoperative complication, hospital readmission, and mortality.

A preoperative risk assessment tool for predicting adverse outcomes among total shoulder arthroplasty patients.

BACKGROUND: With the increased utilization of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) in the outpatient setting, understanding the risk factors associated with complications and hospital readmissions becomes a more significant consideration. Prior developed assessment metrics in the literature either consisted of hard-to-implement tools or relied on postoperative data to guide decision-making. This study aimed to develop a preoperative risk assessment tool to help predict the risk of hospital readmission and other postoperative adverse outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the 2019-2022(Q2) Medicare fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient claims data to identify primary anatomic or reserve TSAs and to predict postoperative adverse outcomes within 90 days postdischarge, including all-cause hospital readmissions, postoperative complications, emergency room visits, and mortality. We screened 108 candidate predictors, including demographics, social determinants of health, TSA indications, prior 12-month hospital, and skilled nursing home admissions, comorbidities measured by hierarchical conditional categories, and prior orthopedic device-related complications. We used two approaches to reduce the number of predictors based on 80% of the data: 1) the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator logistic regression and 2) the machine-learning-based cross-validation approach, with the resulting predictor sets being assessed in the remaining 20% of the data. A scoring system was created based on the final regression models' coefficients, and score cutoff points were determined for low, medium, and high-risk patients. RESULTS: A total of 208,634 TSA cases were included. There was a 6.8% hospital readmission rate with 11.2% of cases having at least one postoperative adverse outcome. Fifteen covariates were identified for predicting hospital readmission with the area under the curve of 0.70, and 16 were selected to predict any adverse postoperative outcome (area under the curve = 0.75). The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and machine learning approaches had similar performance. Advanced age and a history of fracture due to orthopedic devices are among the top predictors of hospital readmissions and other adverse outcomes. The score range for hospital readmission and an adverse postoperative outcome was 0 to 48 and 0 to 79, respectively. The cutoff points for the low, medium, and high-risk categories are 0-9, 10-14, ≥15 for hospital readmissions, and 0-11, 12-16, ≥17 for the composite outcome. CONCLUSION: Based on Medicare fee-for-service claims data, this study presents a preoperative risk stratification tool to assess hospital readmission or adverse surgical outcomes following TSA. Further investigation is warranted to validate these tools in a variety of diverse demographic settings and improve their predictive performance.

Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty: Predictors of Subsequent Revision Surgery and Economic Burden amongst Medicare Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: Revision shoulder arthroplasty continues to add an increasing burden on patients and the healthcare system. This study aimed to delineate long-term shoulder arthroplasty revision incidence, quantify associated Medicare spending, and identify relevant predictors of both revision and spending. METHODS: The complete 2016-2022(Q3) Medicare fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient claims data was analyzed. Patients receiving a primary total shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, rotator cuff pathology, or inflammatory arthropathy were included and subsequent ipsilateral revision surgeries were identified. The time to revision was modeled using the Prentice, Williams, and Peterson Gap Time Model. Medicare spending within 90 days post-discharge was modeled using a generalized linear model. The analysis was subdivided by index procedure type: anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). RESULTS: A total of 82,949 primary TSAs and 172,524 RSAs were identified. Compared to index TSA cases, index RSA cases had a lower first revision rate in an observation window of nearly 7 years (1.9% vs. 3.5%, p<0.001), but a higher rate of second (11.4% vs. 4.9%, p<0.001) as well as third revision (13.8% vs. 13.8%, p=0.449). TSA spending was significantly lower than RSA spending for the index procedure ($21,531 vs. $23,267, p<0.001), first ($23,096 vs. $26,414, p<0.001), and second ($25,060 vs. $29,983, p<0.001) revision. There was no statistically significant difference in third revision between TSA and RSA groups ($31,313 vs. $30,829, p=0.860). Age, sex, race, and rheumatoid arthritis were among the top predictors of revisions. Top predictors of Medicare spending included having a non-osteoarthritis surgical indication, a hospital stay of three or more days, a discharge to a setting other than home, malnutrition, dementia, stroke, major kidney diseases, and being operated on in a teaching hospital. CONCLUSION: Compared with TSA, RSA was associated with a lower first revision rate, but a higher subsequent revision rate. An index RSA procedure was also associated with higher initial Medicare spending as well as subsequent revision surgery spending compared with an index TSA procedure. Demographics and comorbid medical conditions were among the top predictors of revisions, while procedure-related factors predicted Medicare spending.

Racial and gender disparities in utilization of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND: Utilization in outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) has increased significantly in recent years. It remains largely unknown whether utilization of outpatient TSA differs across gender and racial groups. This study aimed to quantify racial and gender disparities both nationally and by geographic regions. METHODS: 168,504 TSAs were identified using Medicare fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient claims data and beneficiary enrollment data from 2020 to 2022Q4. The percentage of outpatient cases, defined as cases discharged on the same day of surgery, was evaluated by racial and gender groups and by different census divisions. A multivariate logistics regression model controlling for patient sociodemographic information (White vs. non-White race, age, gender, and dual eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid), hierarchical condition category (HCC) score, hospital characteristics, year fixed effects, and patient residency state fixed effects was performed. RESULTS: The TSA volume per 1000 beneficiaries was 2.3 for the White population compared with 0.8, 0.6, and 0.3 for the Black, Hispanic, and Asian population, respectively. A higher percentage of outpatient TSAs were in White patients (25.6%) compared with Black patients (20.4%) (P < .001). The Black TSA patients were also younger, more likely to be female, more likely to be dually eligible for Medicaid, and had higher HCC risk scores. After controlling for patient sociodemographic characteristics and hospital characteristics, the odds of receiving outpatient TSAs were 30% less for Black than the White group (odds ratio 0.70). Variations were observed across different census divisions, with South Atlantic (0.67, P < .01), East North Central (0.56, P < .001), and Middle Atlantic (0.36, P < .01) being the 4 regions observed with significant racial disparities. Statistically significant gender disparities were also found nationally and across regions, with an overall odds ratio of 0.75 (P < .001). DISCUSSION: Statistically significant racial and gender disparities were found nationally in outpatient TSAs, with Black patients having 30% (P < .001) fewer odds of receiving outpatient TSAs than White patients, and female patients with 25% (P < .001) fewer odds than male patients. Racial and gender disparities continue to be an issue for shoulder arthroplasties after the adoption of outpatient TSAs.

Humeral Fracture in a Female Arm Wrestler: A Patient-Centered Focused Review.

Humeral fractures in arm wrestling are rarely reported entities in the orthopedic literature and can present with significant pain and debilitation. These injuries are even more uncommon in female practitioners of the sport. Rotational forces applied to the humerus during competition can result in the transmission of stress into the distal part of the humerus, thereby causing a spiral fracture. Common complications that can arise from such an injury can include radial nerve palsy and butterfly fragments of the humerus. These can occur in arm wrestling and can present with prominent pain, weakness, and functional impairment. Treatment often varies according to the presenting case and are often operative in cases with displaced fractures, and non-operative in those of nondisplaced fractures. Prognostic outcomes are often favorable and uneventful. In this article, we explore a distal humeral fracture in a female arm wrestler and discuss the mechanism, presentation, and management of such an injury, based on a thorough yet concise review of literature.

The long head of the biceps tendon: a valuable tool in shoulder surgery.

ANATOMY AND FUNCTION: The long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) has different properties and characteristics that render it a valuable tool in the hands of shoulder surgeons. Its accessibility, biomechanical strength, regenerative capabilities, and biocompatibility allow it to be a valuable autologous graft for repairing and augmenting ligamentous and muscular structures in the glenohumeral joint. SHOULDER SURGERY APPLICATIONS: Numerous applications of the LHBT have been described in the shoulder surgery literature, including augmentation of posterior-superior rotator cuff repair, augmentation of subscapularis peel repair, dynamic anterior stabilization, anterior capsule reconstruction, post-stroke stabilization, and superior capsular reconstruction. Some of these applications have been described meticulously in technical notes and case reports, whereas others may require additional research to confirm clinical benefit and efficacy. CONCLUSION: This review examines the role of the LHBT as a source of local autograft, with biological and biomechanical properties, in aiding outcomes of complex primary and revision shoulder surgery procedures.

Sever's Disease of the Pediatric Population: Clinical, Pathologic, and Therapeutic Considerations.

Sever's disease is an underreported prevalent pediatric condition that causes heel pain in children worldwide. It is often described as an overuse injury that can present with either unilateral or bilateral heel pain. Even though the exact mechanism of injury is unknown, it is often thought it involves repetitive stress and pressure on the calcaneal growth plate. Diagnosing Sever's disease mainly relies on a thorough clinical investigation and physical examination, with a positive squeeze test usually sufficient to establish diagnosis. Nevertheless, radiographic imaging can help exclude other differential diagnoses. Therapeutic options of Sever's disease are mostly conservative, and these include rest, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, and orthoses. Educating parents and coaches on the symptomatology and presentation of Sever's disease is pivotal for the establishment of efficient preventive interventions and earlier diagnoses. This study presents a case of a pediatric patient with Sever's disease and offers medical insight into the diagnostic, clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic characteristics of this condition, in light of the current existing literature.

COVID-19 Pandemic: An Insult Over Injury for Lebanon.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) caused a plethora of challenges worldwide and tested healthcare systems across the six continents. Lebanon had recently faced harsh political and economic crises. We aim to describe the effect of COVID-19 on an already crisis-stricken country. A descriptive analysis of the burden of COVID-19 pandemic on Lebanon was performed. Relevant data on COVID-19 was retrieved from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health from February 21 till June 13th, 2020. Results obtained were analyzed and a literature review was performed. 1422 confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified and reported in Lebanon by June 13th, 2020, comprising an incidence rate of 208/million persons. There has been a total of 31 deaths thus far, with a reported death rate of 5/million persons. The age group with the highest number of cases was 20-29 years. Beirut was the district with the highest number of cases (18%). The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the country on a multifactorial level. COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon. The country is on brink of bankruptcy, the healthcare system is struggling for survival and the government is striving to regain the trust of the population.

Peroneal neuropathy and bariatric surgery: untying the knot.

Purpose: Peroneal neuropathy is a neurological complication of bariatric surgery (BS) that can impair the functional capacity of the presenting patient and reduce quality of life. The aim of this paper is to explore and offer medical insight into the presentation, etiologies, and therapeutic modalities of peroneal neuropathy following BS.Methods: We explored PubMed/Medline for cases involving peroneal neuropathy as a complication of BS. The search included all articles published from database inception until April 25, 2019. Only articles published in English were included. Clinical information and demographics extracted from the reported studies were analyzed and assessed.Results: Only 9 studies met our criteria, with a total of 21 cases (n = 21). Females dominated in 14 cases (67%). Ages ranged from 12 to 53 years with mean age being 36. All cases reported pain, numbness and weakness in their lower limb. Gastric bypass was the most common procedure with 9 cases (43%). All cases witnessed loss of a large amount of weight following BS. Amount of weight lost per month ranged from 2.7 kg/month to 19 kg/month. Electrodiagnostic studies were used in 18 cases (86%). Of all the cases presented, 12 (57%) underwent surgical treatment, 7 (33%) underwent conservative treatment, and 2 (10%) resolved spontaneously. All patients reported improvement of symptoms.Conclusion: Better knowledge of the demographics and clinical characteristics of peroneal neuropathy following BS will help in achieving earlier diagnosis and avoiding invasive therapeutic modalities. Guidance with respect to weight reduction is pivotal in deterring similar neurological complications.

Maternal mortality and health in the Arab World: A 25-year epidemiological study.

AIM: In this work, we aim to assess the maternal health in terms of maternal mortality ratios and lifetime risk of maternal death in of women in the Arab World. METHODS: Data on maternal mortality rates (MMR) and lifetime risk of maternal death (LTR) were extracted from the official databases of the United Nations Children's Fund. Annual Percentage Change was calculated using Joinpoint regression model. Statistical significance among countries was determined using one-way analysis of variance (anova) on spss version 25.0 (IBM SPSS, 2017). RESULTS: The MMR and LTR significantly decreased in almost all Arab countries. Somalia was found to be the country with the highest burden of MMR, while Gulf countries had the lowest burden. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a decrease in the MMR and LTR of maternal death in the Arab world. Although there is a decrease in these rates, but continuous research and efforts must be undergone to better develop the health care system in a great number of Arab countries to decrease the burden of maternal deaths.

Epidemiological Study of Lung Cancer Incidence in Lebanon.

Background and Objectives: Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer in the world. Developing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Lebanon, have witnessed a great increase in the incidence rates of this disease. The aim of our study is to investigate the incidence rates of lung cancer in Lebanon from 2005 to 2015 and to compare these rates to other countries from the MENA region and other regions of the world. Material and Methods: Lung cancer data for the years 2005-2015 were collected from the National Cancer Registry of Lebanon and stratified by gender and age group. Age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated and analyzed using joinpoint regression. Age-standardized incidence rates to the world population (ASR(w)) for other countries were obtained from two online databases. Results: Lung cancer ranked as the second most common cancer in Lebanon and accounted for 9.2% of all newly diagnosed cancers. Lung cancer ASR(w) showed a significantly increasing trend over the period studied for males and females. Lung cancer ASR(w) among males in Lebanon came second after Malta when compared to other MENA countries, but it was among the lowest when compared to non-MENA countries. For females, Lebanon ranked first when compared to other MENA countries but was among the lowest when compared to countries in other regions of the world. The lung cancer incidence rate increased with age in both sexes and 89.2% of patients were 50 years of age or older. Conclusion: Lebanon has the highest incidence of LC in females and the second highest for males in the MENA region. The lung cancer incidence rate is on the rise and older age groups are much more burdened by this disease than the young ones. Several risk factors, particularly smoking, play a role in increased LC incidence among the Lebanese population.

Breast Cancer Epidemiology among Lebanese Women: An 11-Year Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Lebanon is a developing country in the Middle East with a prominent breast cancer incidence. The aim of our study was to explore the incidence rates of breast cancer in Lebanon from 2005 to 2015, and compare them to the rates of other countries. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer data for the years 2005-2015 was collected from the National Cancer Registry of Lebanon and stratified by gender and age group. Age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated and analyzed using joinpoint regression. Age-standardized incidence rates in the world population (ASR(w)) were obtained for other countries, from two online databases. Results: Breast cancer was found to be the most prevalent cancer in Lebanon, accounting for 20% of all cancer cases. The average ASR(w) was 96.5 per 100,000. Over the studied period, breast cancer ASR(w) in Lebanon showed a significantly increasing trend with an annual percent change (APC) of +4.6. Moreover, the APC of breast cancer age-specific rates significantly increased for the age groups 45-49 (p = 0.013), 50-54 (p < 0.001), 55-59 (p = 0.001), 60-64 (p = 0.002), 65-69 (p = 0.003), 70-74 (p < 0.001), and 75+ years (p < 0.001). Lebanon had the highest breast cancer ASR(w), when compared to other regional countries, and trailed only behind Denmark, when compared to selected countries from different parts of the world. Conclusions: Breast cancer incidence in Lebanon is among the highest in the world. Future studies should focus on exploring the genetic profile of the Lebanese population in an aim to extrapolate proper prevention guidelines.

Patient-specific implants in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is widely popular among shoulder surgeons and patients, and its prevalence has increased dramatically in recent years. With this increased use, the indicated pathologies associated with RTSA are more likely to be encountered, and challenging patient presentations are more likely to be seen. One prominent challenging presentation is RTSA patients with severe glenoid bone loss. Several techniques with varying degrees of invasiveness, including excessive reaming, alternate centerline, bone grafting, and patient-specific implants (PSIs), have been developed to treat patients with this presentation. PSI treatment uses a three-dimensional reconstruction of a computed tomography scan to design a prosthetic implant or component customized to the patient's glenoid morphology, allowing compensation for any significant bone loss. The novelty of this technology implies a paucity of available literature, and although many studies show that PSIs have good potential for solving challenging shoulder problems, some studies have reported questionable and equivocal outcomes. Additional research is needed to explore the indications, outcomes, techniques, and cost-efficiency of this technology to help establish its role in current treatment guidelines and strategies.

Distal Radius Allograft for Glenohumeral Instability: A Novel Osteochondral Allograft Reconstruction Option in the Setting of Glenoid Bone Loss.

BACKGROUND: Distal tibial allograft (DTA) reconstruction for glenoid bone loss is nonanatomic, as it does not match the glenoid radius of curvature (ROC) in the anterior-posterior (AP) plane. The dorsal articular portion of the distal radius has not been previously described as an allograft reconstruction option for glenoid bone loss. PURPOSE: To evaluate distal radius fresh-frozen allograft (DRA) as a potential match for glenoid reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eighteen fresh-frozen human cadaveric specimens-including 6 shoulder, 6 wrist, and 6 tibia specimens-were used. The ROC and the graft length were measured in the superior-inferior (SI) plane. A 30% defect was created in all glenoid specimens, and both DTAs and DRAs were harvested to assess graft fit after fixation. Computed tomography analysis was used to assess bony ROC and bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS: The cadaveric specimens had a mean age of 77 years. The mean SI glenoid length was 39.7 mm compared with 36.8 mm for the DRA and 30 mm for the DTA. The ROC in the SI plane was 29 ± 5.3 mm for the glenoid, 37.8 ± 4.9 mm for the DRA, and 24 ± 3.7 mm for the DTA. In the AP plane, the ROC was 39.6 ± 6.6 mm for the glenoid, 30.4 ± 18.6 mm for the DRA, and 126.3 ± 9.5 mm for the DTA. On computed tomography analysis, the ROC in the SI plane was 30.4 ± 1.5 mm for the glenoid, 30.3 ± 5.6 mm for the DRA, and 24.5 ± 9.4 mm for the DTA. In the AP plane, the ROC was 30.8 ± 2 mm for the glenoid, 19.1 ± 2.3 mm for the DRA, and 46.7 ± 21.7 mm for the DTA. The BMD was 226.3 ± 79 Hounsfield units (HU) for the glenoid, 228.5 ± 94.7 HU for the DRA, 235 ± 96.2 HU for the coracoid process, and 235.1 ± 84.6 HU for the DTA. CONCLUSION: Compared with the DTA, the DRA had a greater mean graft length in the SI plane, providing utilization in cases of larger bony defects; the DRA has a more acute ROC in the AP plane (closer to that of the glenoid), providing a greater potential buttress to anterior humeral translation. Compared with currently utilized grafts, the DRA BMD was not significantly diminished. This study presents the DRA as a novel allograft reconstruction option in the setting of anterior glenoid bone loss; further biomechanical and clinical investigation is indicated.

The "Balloon Dip": Insights into a Post-operative Trend in Patients Undergoing Subacromial Balloon Procedure.

Introduction: The subacromial balloon is a novel therapeutic device that is used in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs). The novelty of this device implies that there is still a lot to be known about its mechanism of action and rehabilitation trends. One rehabilitation trend that has been noticed is the "balloon dip", where a patient exhibits exacerbations in pain and function around 3 months following balloon implantation and after having experienced earlier symptomatic relief post-operative. We discuss the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the patient's management while providing additional insight into this prognostic trend. Case Report: In this report, we present the case of a 65-year-old male patient who underwent a subacromial balloon procedure for a MIRCT. During his recovery, the patient exhibited a classic "balloon dip" evident by an exacerbation of pain and function around the 3-month mark. After a notable deterioration in pain and function, the patient was examined, reassured, and educated on the importance of adhering to physical therapy. He was able to successfully recover and showed gradual improvement in pain and function along the course of the year. Conclusion: The "balloon dip" is a rehabilitation pattern that occurs 3-6 months following subacromial balloon spacer implantation. In the majority of cases, careful clinical assessment, watchful monitoring, and education on the importance of following up with physical therapy are sufficient to overcome the dip.

The Insertion of a Subacromial Balloon Spacer Can Provide Symptom Relief and Functional Improvement at a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up in Patients With Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears.

Purpose: To examine long-term patient-reported outcomes and range of motion in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) who underwent subacromial balloon spacer implantation. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent subacromial balloon placement procedure for MIRCTs at our institution was conducted. Patients with adequate preoperative and postoperative data, with at least 5 years of follow-up, were included in our study. Outcome measures were range of motion (forward elevation), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score. Independent t test was conducted to check for statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative outcome scores, with P < .05 deemed significant. Results: Ten patients were identified: 4 were lost to follow-up beyond 2 years and were excluded. One was converted to an arthroplasty at the 1-year mark and was then lost to follow-up (conversion rate: 16.6%). Five patients had at least 5 years of follow-up after the balloon procedure and were involved in our case series analysis. Mean age was 63.1 years, and mean follow-up was 5.8 years (range, 5-7 years). Preoperatively, mean forward elevation was 110 degrees, mean ASES score was 40.68, and mean VAS score was 6.2. On follow-up, mean forward elevation was 163 degrees (P = .007), mean ASES score was 90.97 (P = .001), and mean VAS score was 0.9 (P = .004). All patients showed significant improvements in all outcome measures, and none had any significant complications. Conclusions: In this study, we found that the use of a subacromial balloon spacer can lead to good outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up in patients with MIRCTs. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Improving shoulder function and pain in a paraplegic patient with massive irreparable rotator cuff tear using a subacromial balloon spacer.

The subacromial balloon spacer is a promising treatment option for alleviating symptoms in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs). The balloon provides faster pain relief and easier rehabilitation than other options (such as arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair). For a paraplegic MIRCT patient, the need for speedy recovery and rehabilitation is crucial, as these patients rely on their upper limbs for daily life activities and independence. In this report, we present a 60-year-old male paraplegic patient who presented to the clinic with an MIRCT of the right shoulder. After a holistic investigation and assessment of the patient, a subacromial balloon spacer with an upper border subscapularis repair was chosen as the treatment of choice. The patient had an uneventful recovery, and at the 1-year mark, had forward elevation of 170°, an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 95, and a visual analog scale pain score of 0.