Predictors of wound infection in hip and knee joint replacement: results from a 20 year surveillance program.

BACKGROUND: Deep wound infection (DWI) in total knee (TKA) and total hip (THA) arthroplasty has been shown to highly correlate with superficial surgical site infection (SSSI). Although several studies have reported hospital factors that predispose to SSSI, patient factors have not been clearly elucidated. METHODS: All patients undergoing TKA (n = 1181) and THA (n = 1124) surgery during the period 1977-1995 at our institution were observed at the end of a 30-day post-operative period. Thirty-three patients that developed SSSI during this period constituted the study group. The control group was composed of 64 matched subjects that did not develop SSSI. A chart review was applied to abstract DWI cases during the first 18 post-operative months for the study group and for an average of 6.7 years for the control group (range 5-18.2 years). Potential risk factors for SSSI were used as predictors of SSSI in a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: During the 18-month observation period 19 out of the 33 study subjects (58%) developed DWI. No DWI was registered in the control group (the difference was significant, p < 0.0001). Of the nine pre-operative, five intra-operative, and five postoperative factors examined, only hematoma formation (odds ratio = 11.8; p = 0.001) and days of post-operative drainage (odds ratio = 1.32; p = 0.01) were significant predictors of SSSI. The cases consumed more health care resources at all stages of the medical process. CONCLUSIONS: Our results (1) confirm the strong correlation between the probability of developing DWI and SSSI; (2) indicate that hematoma formation and persistent post-operative drainage increase the risk of SSSI. We hypothesize that post-operative monitoring of patients for hematoma and persistent drainage enables earlier intervention that may lower the risk of developing SSSI and subsequent DWI.

The Lapidus procedure as salvage after failed surgical treatment of hallux valgus: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent hallux valgus is a relatively common, yet challenging, condition for both the patient and the surgeon. The literature on the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the functional outcome and patient satisfaction following the Lapidus procedure for the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus deformity. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with a total of twenty-six symptomatic recurrences of hallux valgus after previous procedures for treatment of the deformity were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included prior fusion procedures on the foot or ankle, a previous Keller or Mayo procedure, insulin-dependent diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy. A visual analog pain scale and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale were administered preoperatively, at six months postoperatively, and yearly thereafter. Weight-bearing radiographs were also made preoperatively; at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively; and yearly thereafter. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the latest follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: At twenty-four months, the mean score according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale had increased from 47.6 to 87.9 points, the mean score according to the visual analog pain scale had improved from 6.2 to 1.4, the mean hallux valgus angle had improved from 37.1 degrees to 17.1 degrees, and the mean intermetatarsal angle had improved from 18 degrees to 8.6 degrees. The patients were very satisfied after 77% of the twenty-six procedures, satisfied after 4%, and somewhat satisfied after 19%; no patient was dissatisfied. There were no cases of hallux varus. Complications included three nonunions, all of which occurred in smokers, and two superficial wound infections. CONCLUSION: In appropriately selected patients, the Lapidus procedure is a reliable and effective operation after failed surgical treatment of hallux valgus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See p. 2 for complete description of levels of evidence.

The Lapidus procedure as salvage after failed surgical treatment of hallux valgus. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent hallux valgus is a relatively common, yet challenging, condition for both the patient and the surgeon. The literature on the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the functional outcome and patient satisfaction following the Lapidus procedure for the treatment of recurrent hallux valgus deformity. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with a total of twenty-six symptomatic recurrences of hallux valgus after previous procedures for treatment of the deformity were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included prior fusion procedures on the foot or ankle, a previous Keller or Mayo procedure, insulin dependent diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy. A visual analog pain scale and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale were administered preoperatively, at six months postoperatively, and yearly thereafter. Weight-bearing radiographs were also made preoperatively; at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively; and yearly thereafter. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the latest follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: At twenty-four months, the mean score according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale had increased from 47.6 to 87.9 points, the mean score according to the visual analog pain scale had improved from 6.2 to 1.4, the mean hallux valgus angle had improved from 37.1 degrees to 17.1 degrees, and the mean intermetatarsal angle had improved from 18 degrees to 8.6 degrees. The patients were very satisfied after 77% of the twenty-six procedures, satisfied after 4%, and somewhat satisfied after 19%; no patient was dissatisfied. There were no cases of hallux varus. Complications included three nonunions, all of which occurred in smokers, and two superficial wound infections. CONCLUSIONS: In appropriately selected patients, the Lapidus procedure is a reliable and effective operation after failed surgical treatment of hallux valgus.

The influence of the integrity of posterolateral structures on tibiofemoral orientation when an anterior cruciate ligament graft is tensioned.

BACKGROUND: The effect of injury to the posterolateral structures of the knee on the success of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is not well known. HYPOTHESIS: Increasing graft tension increases the amount of external rotation of the tibia if the posterolateral structures are deficient. STUDY DESIGN: Laboratory study. METHODS: Eight cadaveric knees underwent techniques similar to a clinical reconstruction except that the distal fixation on the tibia was an external tensioning device used to apply a traction force on the graft. The knee was secured in a joint-testing machine and an instrumented spatial linkage was used to measure the motion of the tibia with respect to the femur. Measurements were taken with forces increasing from 0 to 100 N. The fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and the popliteus tendon were individually cut sequentially, and differences in the relative position of the tibia with respect to the femur were compared with the intact baseline. RESULTS: External rotation increased significantly when all of the posterolateral structures were cut and 60, 80, or 100 N of distal traction was applied. CONCLUSIONS: Deficiency of posterolateral structures of the knee significantly affected the relative external rotation of the tibia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Injured posterolateral structures should be repaired before fixation of anterior cruciate ligament grafts.