Large foot schwannoma with bone invasion - a case report.

A rare case of a large foot schwannoma with an intraosseous component is presented. Due to suspicion of malignancy, an amputation had previously been proposed. When the patient presented to us, the prolonged clinical course as well as some elements of the imaging exams suggested benignancy and we decided for complete tumor excision. Intraoperative findings supported the benign character of the neoplasm and pathology would later confirm the diagnosis of a benign schwannoma. The outcome, at 18 months of follow-up was a fully functional limb. Recurrence must still be considered but malignant transformation is very rare in a solitary schwannoma and can be discounted. Solitary benign schwannomas have a negligible malignization potential independently of their size or osseous component. When benignancy is considered, primary total tumor excision, as part of a staged procedure, is a safe approach. It allows for a thorough pathologic examination and eventually for a definitive treatment.

[How to Resume Elective Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic?] / Como Retomar a Atividade Cirúrgica Eletiva em Ortopedia durante a Pandemia COVID-19?

This document was prepared by the College of Orthopedics of the Portuguese Medical Association with the aim of developing the guidelines on the resumption of elective surgical activity in Orthopedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets the criteria that allow the prioritization of surgeries according to the severity of the clinical situation, based on existing and published classifications. Moreover, it provides an organizational model for patient preparation and describes the patient pathways in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. It also describes safety rules for elective surgery and a model for monitoring patients after discharge according to scientific evidence.

Este documento foi elaborado pelo Colégio de Ortopedia da Ordem dos Médicos com o objetivo de estabelecer as orientações sobre a retoma da atividade cirúrgica programada em Ortopedia durante a pandemia COVID-19. As presentes normas de orientação: a) definem os critérios que permitem a priorização das cirurgias de acordo com a gravidade da situação clínica, com base em classificações existentes e publicadas; b) fornecem um modelo de organização para a preparação dos doentes, descrevendo os circuitos do doente nos períodos pré-operatório, intraoperatório e pós-operatório; c) realçam as regras de segurança para a realização de cirurgias e desenham um modelo de acompanhamento após a alta de acordo com a evidência científica.

Surgical treatment of three cases of plantar foot ulceration in leprosy.

Neurophatic foot ulceration (NFU) is a common problem in leprosy patients. Three cases of NFU, who did not respond to conservative measures, were treated with orthopaedic surgery. The purpose of the treatment was, by using different approaches, the reduction of bone hyper pressure areas, allowing the ulcer to heal.

Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in the Portuguese hospital care setting: The ARTE study.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a relatively common complication during hospital stay and determination of VTE risk is critical to choosing the best prophylactic strategy for each patient. OBJECTIVES: In the present study we studied the risk profile for VTE in hospitalized patients in a group of hospitals in Portugal. METHODS: Based on an open cohort of 4248 patients hospitalized in surgical, internal medicine, orthopedic or oncology departments, we determined thromboembolic risk at admission by applying a new score, modified from the Caprini and Khorana scores. Thrombotic, embolic and bleeding events and death were assessed during hospital stay and at three and six months after discharge. RESULTS: The median duration of hospital stay was five days and thromboembolic prophylaxis was implemented in 67.2% (n=2747) of the patients. A low molecular weight heparin was used as prophylaxis in the majority of cases (88.3%). Most patients were classified as high (68%) or intermediate risk (27%). The overall incidence of thromboembolic events was 1.5%. Major bleeding events were recorded in 3.89% of patients and all-cause mortality was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we propose a modified VTE risk score that effectively risk-stratifies a mixed inpatient population during hospital stay. The use of this score may result in improvement of thromboprophylaxis practices in hospitals.

Venous thromboprophylaxis duration and adherence to international guidelines in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery: results of the international, longitudinal, observational DEIMOS registry.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is major health problem worldwide with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess post-operative VTE prophylaxis duration and adherence to the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 2008 guidelines in patients having undergone major orthopaedic surgery (MOS). METHODS: This multinational, longitudinal, observational registry recruited consecutive patients (≥ 18 years of age) who underwent total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR), and hip fracture surgery (HFS). There were 3 study visits: at admission to hospital, at discharge, and 4/6 weeks after surgery. Data on demographics, medical history, VTE risk factors, type and duration of mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis, complications, and adherence to the ACCP 2008 guidelines were collected using case report forms. RESULTS: Between October 2009 and July 2011, 2162 eligible patients were analyzed: THR: 646, TKR: 740, HFS: 776 (mean age [SD]: 64.5 [15.0] years; female: 61.3%; and mean hospitalization duration [SD]: 9.1 [8.2] days). VTE prophylaxis was prescribed to 96.2% of patients during hospitalization and 89.7% of patients after hospital discharge. Prophylaxis was prescribed according to the ACCP 2008 guidelines in 85.7% of patients during hospitalization and 63.4% of patients after hospital discharge. The main reasons for non-adherence to guidelines were no prescription and inadequate duration of prophylaxis. The low molecular weight heparin-enoxaparin-was the most commonly prescribed prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: We observed a gap between real life VTE prophylaxis and the ACCP 2008 recommendations. Improved prescription of extended thromboprophylaxis is warranted to ensure adherence to international guidelines.

[Atypical femoral fractures associated with long-term treatment with bisphosphonates]. / Fraturas Atípicas do Fémur Associadas a Terapêutica Prolongada com Bisfosfonatos.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term treatment with bisphosphonates has been associated to atypical femoral fractures whose features are now clearly defined. CLINICAL CASES: We present two cases of female patients under bisphosphonate treatment for over 10 years who were admitted to our institution for subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures after low-energy trauma. They presented, respectively, a transverse and a short oblique femoral fracture, with thickening of the lateral cortex. They underwent surgical treatment obtaining good functional and imaging result. DISCUSSION: These cases fulfill the established criteria for atypical femoral fracture, thereby illustrating a serious adverse event of long-term treatment with bisphosphonates. Such relationship has still not been clearly established by scientific evidence. However, its effectiveness in preventing osteoporotic fractures is well proven. CONCLUSION: The atypical femoral fractures are possibly a serious adverse effect of the long-term treatment with bisphosphonates. Scientific evidence still supports its use, however, the physician must be aware of these events and closely follow-up these patients.

Introdução: A terapêutica prolongada com bisfosfonatos tem sido associada a fraturas atípicas do fémur cujas características estão neste momento definidas.Casos Clínicos: Apresentam-se dois casos clínicos de doentes do género feminino sob terapêutica com bisfosfonatos há mais de 10 anos e que foram admitidas na nossa instituição por fraturas dos fémures resultantes de traumatismos de baixa energia. Estas fraturas localizavam-se na região subtrocantérica e mediodiafisária do fémur apresentando, respectivamente, traço simples transversal e oblíquo curto, com espessamento da cortical externa. Ambas foram submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico com bom resultado clínico e radiológico.Discussão: Os casos apresentados cumprem os critérios aceites para o diagnóstico de fratura atípica do fémur, ilustrando um efeito adverso grave da terapêutica prolongada com bisfosfonatos. A evidência científica ainda não estabeleceu esta associação de forma inequívoca. Por outro lado, a eficácia destes fármacos na prevenção de fraturas osteoporóticas está comprovada.Conclusão: A fratura atípica do fémur pode constituir um efeito adverso grave da terapêutica prolongada com bisfosfonatos. A evidência científica continua a suportar a sua utilização, mas o clínico deverá estar alerta e acompanhar atentamente estes doentes.

Evaluation of the duration of thromboembolic prophylaxis after high-risk orthopaedic surgery: the ETHOS observational study.

Real-life data on post-discharge venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis practices and treatments are lacking. We assessed post-operative VTE prophylaxis prescribed and received in a prospective registry, compared with the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines in high-risk orthopaedic surgery patients. Consecutive patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), hip fracture surgery (HFS), or knee arthroplasty (KA) were enrolled at discharge from 161 centres in 17 European countries if they had received in-hospital VTE prophylaxis that was considered in accordance with the ACCP guidelines by the treating physician. Data on prescribed and actual prophylaxis were obtained from hospital charts and patient post-discharge diaries. Post-operative prophylaxis prescribed and actual prophylaxis received were considered adherent or adequate, respectively, if recommended therapies were used for ≥28 days (HFS and THA) or ≥10 days (KA). Among 4,388 patients, 69.9% were prescribed ACCP-adherent VTE prophylaxis (THA: 1,411/2,217 [63.6%]; HFS: 701/1,112 [63.0%]; KA: 955/1,059 [90.2%]). Actual prophylaxis received was described in 3,939 patients with an available diary after discharge (non-evaluability rate of 10%). Mean actual durations of pharmacological prophylaxis from surgery were: 28.4 ± 13.7 (THA), 29.3 ± 13.9 (HFS), and 28.7 ± 14.1 days (KA). ACCP-adequate VTE prophylaxis was received by 66.5% of patients (60.9% THA, 55.4% HFS, and 88.7% KA). Prophylaxis inadequacies were mainly due to inadequate prescription, non-recommended prophylaxis prescription at discharge, or too short prophylaxis prescribed. In high-risk orthopaedic surgery patients with hospital-initiated prophylaxis, there is a gap between ACCP recommendations, prescribed and actual prophylaxis received, mainly due to inadequate prescription at discharge.

Post-discharge compliance to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in high-risk orthopaedic surgery: results from the ETHOS registry.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk persists for several weeks following high-risk orthopaedic surgery (HROS). The ETHOS registry evaluated post-operative VTE prophylaxis prescribed, and actual VTE prophylaxis received, compared with the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines in HROS patients. We performed a subanalysis of ETHOS to assess patient compliance with ACCP-adherent prophylaxis after discharge and the factors predicting poor compliance. Consecutive patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, total hip arthroplasty, or knee arthroplasty were enrolled at discharge from 161 centres in 17 European countries if they had received adequate in-hospital VTE prophylaxis. Data on prescribed and actual prophylaxis received were obtained from hospital charts and patient post-discharge diaries. Good compliance was defined as percentage treatment intake ≥80% with no more than two consecutive days without treatment. A total of 3,484 patients (79.4%) received ACCP-adherent anticoagulant prescription at discharge and 2,999 (86.0%) had an evaluable patient diary. In total, 87.7% of evaluable patients were compliant with prescribed treatment after discharge. The most common reason for non-compliance (33.4%) was "drug was not bought". Injection of treatment was not a barrier to good compliance. Main factors affecting compliance related to purchase of and access to treatment, patient education, the person responsible for administering injections, country, and type of hospital ward at discharge. Within our study population, patient compliance with ACCP-adherent thromboprophylaxis prescribed at discharge was good. Improvements in patient education and prescribing practices at discharge may be important in further raising compliance levels in high-risk orthopaedic surgery patients.

[Venous thromboembolism's risk assessment: rationale, objectives, and methodology--the ARTE study]. / Avaliação do risco de tromboembolismo venoso: racional, objectivos e metodologia--estudo ARTE.

Venous thromboembolism is a frequent clinical condition with high impact on both morbidity and mortality. Venous thromboembolism risk is particularly high in hospitalized patients as well as in oncologic patients, being a factor of poor prognosis for the oncologic disease. Several clinical studies have shown the need to develop effective hospital strategies using a systematic and individualized assessment of venous thromboembolism risk, and additionally to optimize the institution of prophylaxis treatment and its proper use in the context of in-hospital and outpatient management. The ARTE national study is a non-interventional, multicentre, prospective study which is divided in two phases. In the first phase patients are followed in the hospital; in the second phase patients are followed in ambulatory context for a period of 6 months after discharge. Four thousand patients will be included, equally distributed over medical, surgical, oncologic and orthopaedic patients. Data will be collected from the patient's clinical files and through direct clinical evaluation of risk factors for venous thromboembolism, in the departments of medicine, oncology, surgery, and orthopaedics of the participating centres. The main objectives of the study are to assess the risk profile of venous thromboembolism of the study population using a risk assessment model adapted from the Caprini and Khorana et al models, and the validation of the score for the Portuguese population. Simultaneously, the secondary objectives are as follows: to determine the proportion of patients with venous thromboembolism risk, according to the risk assessment model, that are doing prophylaxis; to determine the duration of prophylaxis during the hospitalization; to determine the proportion of patients doing long-term prophylaxis, at the moment of the discharge; to determine the incidence of thromboembolic events (deep venous thrombosis; stroke; pulmonary thromboembolism; transient ischemic attack), haemorrhagic events (major and minor haemorrhages) and death at 6 months after discharge. Each patient will be contacted by telephone at 3 and 6 months after discharge, in order to assess the occurrence of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events, as well as any readmission. This article describes the ARTE study's rationale, objectives, and methodology.

[Epidemiology of hip fractures and its social and economic impact. A revision of severe osteoporosis current standard of care]. / A epidemiologia e o impacto sócio-económico das fracturas da extremidade proximal do fémur. Uma reflexão sobre o padrão actual de tratamento da osteoporose grave.

Hip fractures (HF) following low-impact trauma are the most visible and dramatic consequences of osteoporosis (OP). It is estimated that within one year after HF, 10 to 20% of the patients die, 50% become disabled and only 30% fully recover their previous functional levels. Therefore, its medical, societal and economic impact is huge and it is not fully delivered by the event itself, but rather by its consequences. This systematic review aims to collect available epidemiology data about HF and to revise the national data regarding the current OP treatment of patients after HF. In Portugal, over 9500 HF occur every year and have been growing along with due associated refracture and mortality rates. Despite the high vulnerability of patients and their continuous loss of bone mineral density, only 4.5 to 14.4% of them receive any OP medication. This lack of treatment represents a public health issue which is rising along with the ageing of populations and thus should not be disregarded. According to the clinical guidelines there are several pharmacological options available to stabilize bone mineral losses. This includes zoledronic acid which is associated with a significant reduction in the rate of new clinical fractures and improved survival after HF. Therefore, it is expected that by increasing the number of patients treated for OP after suffering a HF will translate in a significant benefit in terms of health outcomes and due public expenditure. This article illustrates how negative the current scenario is, not only from a clinical perspective, but also from an epidemiological one. This represents an unrestrained public health problem which should concern all health professionals and sectors related with OP fractures.