Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Among Patients With Hip Fracture Is Not an Indication to Delay Surgical Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes in patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) treated within 48 hours of last preoperative dose with those with surgical delays >48 hours. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Three academic Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients 65 years of age or older on DOACs before hip fracture treated between 2010 and 2018. Patients were excluded if last DOAC dose was >24 hours before admission, patient suffered from polytrauma, and/or delay to surgery was not attributed to DOAC. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Primary outcome measures were the postoperative complication rate as determined by diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, wound breakdown, drainage, or infection. Secondary outcomes included transfusion requirement, perioperative bleeding, length of stay, reoperation rates, readmission rates, and mortality. RESULTS: Two hundred five patients were included in this study, with a mean cohort age of 81.9 years (65-100 years), 64% were (132/205) female, and a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 6.4 (2-20). No significant difference was observed among age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or fracture pattern between cohorts (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Seventy-one patients had surgery <48 hours after final preoperative DOAC dose; 134 patients had surgery >48 hours after. No significant difference in complication rate between the 2 cohorts was observed (P = 0.30). Patients with delayed surgical management were more likely to require transfusion (OR 2.39, 95% CI, 1.05-5.44; P = 0.04). Patients with early surgical management had significantly shorter lengths of stay (5.9 vs. 7.6 days, P < 0.005). There was no difference in estimated blood loss, anemia, reoperations, readmissions, 90-day mortality, or 1-year mortality (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric patients with hip fracture who underwent surgical management within 48 hours of their last preoperative DOAC dose required less transfusions and had decreased length of stay, with comparable mortality and complication rates with patients with surgery delayed beyond 48 hours. Providers should consider early intervention in this population rather than adherence to elective procedure guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Lack of Surgeon Standardization on Implant Selection in Ankle Fracture Fixation May Increase Costs and Decrease Contribution Margin.

BACKGROUND: Surgical standardization has been shown to decrease costs without impacting quality; however, there is limited literature on this subject regarding ankle fracture fixation. Methods. Between October 5, 2015 and September 27, 2017, a total of 168 patients with isolated ankle fractures who underwent open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF) were analyzed. Financial data were analyzed across ankle fracture classification type, implant characteristics, and surgeons. Bivariate analyses were conducted. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare hardware costs across all 5 surgeons. Linear regression analysis was used to determine if hardware cost differed by surgeon when accounting for fracture type. RESULTS: The mean contribution margin was $4853 (SD $6446). There was a significant difference in implant costs by surgeon (range, lowest-cost surgeon: $471 [SD $283] to $1609 [SD $819]; P < .001). There was no difference in the use of a suture button or locking plate by fracture type (P = .13); however, the cost of the implant was significantly higher if a suture button or locking plate was used ($1014 [SD $666] vs $338 [SD $176]; P < .001). There was an association between surgeon 3 (ß = 200.32 [95% CI 6.18-394.47]; P = .043) and surgeon 4 (ß = 1131.07 [95% CI 906.84-1355.30]; P < .001) and higher hardware costs. CONCLUSIONS: Even for the same ankle fracture type, a wide variation in implant costs exists. The lack of standardization among surgeons accounted for a nearly 3.5-fold difference, on average, between the lowest- and highest-cost surgeons, negatively affecting contribution margin. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Selecting the Next Class: The "Virtual Orthopaedic Rotation".

INTRODUCTION: When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of visiting subinternships, we pivoted to create a virtual orthopaedic rotation (VOR). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the VOR on the residency selection process and determine the role of such a rotation in the future. METHODS: A committee was convened to create a VOR to replace visiting orthopaedic rotations for medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. The VOR was reviewed and sanctioned by our medical school, but no academic credit was granted. We conducted three 3-week VOR sessions. During each session, virtual rotators participated in regularly scheduled educational conferences and attended an invitation-only daily conference in the evenings that was designed for a medical student audience. In addition, students were paired with faculty and resident mentors in a structured mentorship program. Students' orthopaedic knowledge was assessed using prerotation and postrotation tests. RESULTS: From July to September 2020, 61 students from 37 distinct medical schools participated in the VOR. Notable improvements were observed in prerotation and postrotation orthopaedic knowledge test scores. In postrotation surveys, both students and faculty expressed high satisfaction with the curriculum but less certainty about how well they got to know each other. In the subsequent residency application cycle, 27.9% of the students who participated in the VOR were selected to interview, compared with 8.7% of the total application pool. DISCUSSION: The VOR was a valuable substitute for in-person clinical rotations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although not likely to be a replacement for conventional away rotations, the VOR is a possible adjunct to in-person clinical rotations in the future.

Revision Arthroplasty Versus Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Vancouver Type-B2 and B3 Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures.

¼: Revision arthroplasty (RA) continues to be considered the gold standard in the surgical treatment of Vancouver type-B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures. However, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has been associated with satisfactory outcomes. Thus, there is an ongoing discussion regarding the optimal surgical strategy for the treatment of these fractures. ¼: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, no significant differences in clinical and radiographic outcome were observed between ORIF and RA in the treatment of Vancouver type-B2 periprosthetic femoral fractures. ¼: ORIF of Vancouver type-B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures was associated with higher revision and reoperation rates than those after RA. ¼: Compared with RA, a significantly higher rate of subsidence was found in the ORIF group in Vancouver type-B2 periprosthetic femoral fractures whereas no significant difference in terms of loosening was observed. ¼: In the comparison of RA and ORIF for the treatment of Vancouver type-B2 and B3 fractures, the percentage of patients achieving full weight-bearing did not differ significantly. ¼: Mortality rates did not differ between RA and ORIF in the treatment of Vancouver type-B2 and B3 fractures. ¼: Overall complication rates did not differ between RA and ORIF in the treatment of Vancouver type-B2 and B3 fractures. ¼: We found a high heterogeneity in applied surgical and fixation techniques in the ORIF group.

A Limited Fixation, Olecranon Sparing Approach, for Management of Geriatric Intra-Articular Distal Humerus Fractures.

PURPOSE: We propose that geriatric comminuted intra-articular distal humerus fractures can be effectively treated with a limited fixation approach aimed at achieving varus/valgus stability with columnar fixation, but allowing intra-articular comminution to heal by secondary congruency against an intact olecranon, thus avoiding an olecranon osteotomy. METHODS: Fifty-six elderly patients with AO 13-C type fractures, who underwent surgical fixation with ≥12-months of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty patients were treated with intra-articular open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with an olecranon osteotomy and 26 patients were treated with our limited fixation (L-ORIF) approach. Outcomes were range of motion (ROM), complications, additional surgery, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMIS). RESULTS: At final follow-up, the average elbow ROM was 97° (40°-155°) in the ORIF group and 86.5° (20°-145°) in the L-ORIF group. There was a trend toward more complications and additional surgery in the ORIF group. PROMIS scores for pain were 53.1 and 52.14, and PROMIS functional scores were 41.7 and 41.4 in the ORIF and L-ORIF group respectively. No differences in outcomes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: A limited fixation technique based on achieving varus/valgus stability with columnar fixation, demonstrated equivalent outcomes in elderly patients with intra-articular distal humerus fractures when compared to intra-articular ORIF with an olecranon osteotomy.

The utility of post-operative hip radiographs in patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for low energy femoral neck fractures routinely undergo hip radiographs at each postoperative clinic visit regardless of history and physical findings. No studies to date have evaluated the effectiveness of this accepted practice. The goal of this study was to identify the postoperative utility of both history and physical (H/P) and hip radiographs in the treatment course of patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for low energy femoral neck fractures. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on consecutive patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for low energy femoral neck fractures. An abnormal H/P and hip radiographs as well as a change in treatment course were recorded at each clinic or emergency department visit. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-three patients met inclusion criteria, consisting of 1177 clinic and 50 emergency department (ED) visits. An abnormal radiograph in the presence of a normal H/P did not lead to a change in treatment course. An abnormal H/P alone changed treatment course in 28 (3%) clinic visits and 18 (36%) ED visits. An abnormal H/P and the presence of an abnormal hip radiograph changed the treatment course in 23 (2%) clinic visits and 18 (36%) ED visits. In only one case - 0.3% of abnormal radiographs or 0.08% of 1177 clinic visits - did an abnormal hip radiograph change treatment course in the setting of an abnormal H/P within 6 months from surgery. The average cost of a series of hip and pelvis radiographs was $242. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal radiographs do not change treatment course in the presence of a normal H/P. Hip radiographs obtained in clinic within 6 months of surgery rarely lead to a change in treatment course and thereby are a source of excess cost and radiation exposure to the patient.

Implant cut-out following cephalomedullary nailing of intertrochanteric femur fractures: Are helical blades to blame?

INTRODUCTION: Implant cut-out remains a common cause of cephalomedullary nail (CMN) failure and patient morbidity following surgical treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures. Recent studies have suggested an increased rate of CMN cut-out with helical blades as opposed to lag screws. We compared rates of overall cut-out between helical blades and lag screws and used bivariate and multivariate analysis to determine the role of proximal fixation method among other variables on risk for cut-out. Subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of failure mechanism; superior migration (Fig. 2) versus medial perforation (Fig. 3). METHODS: Three-hundred and thirteen patient charts were retrospectively reviewed over an 8-year period; 245 patients were treated with helical blades and 68 with lag screws. Radiographs were reviewed for fracture pattern, Tip-Apex Distance (TAD), Parker's Ratio (PR) and reduction quality. Rate of implant cut-out was compared between groups and multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the ability of several independent variables to predict implant cut-out. RESULTS: Twenty cut-outs occurred; 15 with helical blades and 5 with lag screws. No difference in the rate of cut-out was observed between the two groups (p = 0.45). Poor fracture reduction was found to be a significant predictor of implant failure via bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis (p = <0.01, OR 23.573). Helical blade fixation, fracture instability, TAD ≥ 25, and PR ≥ 0.45 were not predictive of implant cut-out during multivariate analysis. Similarly, patient smoking status and surgeon trauma fellowship training did not significantly increase the odds of implant cut-out. Failure by medial perforation occurred in 12 instances, all involving helical blades. Failure by superior migration occurred at a significantly higher rate with lag screws than helical blades (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: CMN cutout is likely multifactorial. A direct association between helical blade fixation and implant cut-out was not observed in our study. Amongst modifiable risk factors for implant failure, poorer fracture reduction was predictive of failure by cut-out. Subgroup analysis highlights differing modes of failure between lag screws and helical blades which warrants further investigation. Ideal TAD during helical blade fixation remains unknown.

Does the Use of Locking Screws Decrease the Rate of Hardware Removal in Ankle Fractures?

Background. While biomechanical characteristics of locking screw fixation versus traditional plating has been studied extensively in orthopaedic literature, clinical outcome studies are lacking. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications rate of locking versus traditional nonlocking screws in complex ankle fractures employing distal fibula internal fixation with 1/3 semitubular small fragment plates. Methods. A retrospective review was performed between January 2010 and June 2013 of all patients in whom internal fixation of the fibula in an ankle fracture (open or closed) was performed using only 1/3 semitubular small fragment fibular plates. Patient characteristics, fracture patterns, specific screw choice that were placed in the most distal 2 fibular plate holes (either locking or nonlocking), infectious wound complications, and concomitant syndesmotic injury and the need and corresponding purpose for hardware removal were recorded. Results. A total of 135 patients were found to meet inclusion criteria and were analyzed for this study. Of the patients with locking screws, 25 of 98 (25%) elected to have hardware removed, while 13 of 37 (35%) of those with nonlocking screws elected hardware removal. This did not reach statistical significance (P = .30). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regards to age, smoking status, body mass index, diabetes, or use of syndesmotic screw fixation. There was no significant difference in loss of fixation, infection, or other surgical complications in between the groups. Conclusions. There was no significant decrease in the rate of hardware removal with the use of 1/3 tubular locking versus nonlocking plates in the treatment of distal fibula fractures. Despite these screws locking flush to the plate, the hardware is equally symptomatic in both groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the 2 groups and our data suggest that the added expense of using locking screws routinely when fixing lateral malleolar fractures should be carefully considered, especially if the fracture pattern does not warrant locking technology. Levels of Evidence: Prognostic, Level III.

Effect of sarcopenia on clinical and surgical outcome in elderly patients with proximal femur fractures.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between sarcopenia with short-term surgical outcome in elderly patients with proximal femur fractures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a database of patients receiving a pelvis CT scan for acute trauma between January 2000-August 2016 was screened for an isolated proximal femur fracture. Patients were excluded if they were: < 50 years old, had conditions predisposing to sarcopenia (renal failure, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophies), had undergone no surgical treatment, had other major traumatic injuries, or had a pathologic femur fracture. The paraspinal muscle density (PSD) at the L4 level was measured in Hounsfield units. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured as the total skeletal muscle area at L4 divided by patient height.2 PSD and SMI were tested for association with surgical outcome measures: length of hospital stay, perioperative mortality, medical complications, in-hospital blood transfusion volume, and 90-day readmission rate, using multiple variable regression analysis. Pearson correlation of PSD and SMI was performed. RESULTS: Controlling for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and fracture type, low PSD and SMI were both independently associated with longer length of hospitalization (p = 0.008 and p = 0.032, respectively). Low PSD was associated with a higher amount of blood transfusion volume during the perioperative period (p = 0.004). Pearson correlation revealed moderate positive correlation between the SMI and PSD (r = 0.579, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In proximal femur fractures, elderly patients with sarcopenia are more likely to have prolonged hospitalization following surgery and require more blood transfusion volume during the perioperative period.

Time From Injury to Surgical Fixation of Diaphyseal Humerus Fractures Is Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Iatrogenic Radial Nerve Palsy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether time from injury to fixation of diaphyseal humeral fractures and nonunions is associated with the risk of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Two Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Between 2001 and 2015, 325 patients who had documented intact radial nerve function preoperatively were treated with fixation of a humerus fracture or humerus nonunion. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Development of an iatrogenic radial nerve injury. Those with an injury were followed to either resolution of the nerve palsy or definitive treatment. RESULTS: The risk of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy was 7.7% (25/325). Time to surgery was not significantly associated with iatrogenic radial nerve palsy. In a multiple variable analysis, when comparing patients treated within 4 weeks to those treated 4-8 weeks (P = 0.41), 8-12 weeks (P = 0.94), and over 12 weeks (0.20), there were no significant associations. Independent risk factors for iatrogenic radial nerve palsy included distal location of fracture (P = 0.04, odds ratio 3.71) and previous fixation (P = 0.03, odds ratio 3.80). Of the 25 iatrogenic nerve injuries, 22 recovered fully with expectant management, 1 was lost to follow-up, and 2 required either nerve graft or tendon transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Time from injury to surgery does not seem to be a risk factor for developing an iatrogenic radial nerve palsy when treating diaphyseal humerus fractures. Patients with distal fractures, and those with previous fracture implants, are at increased risk of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Revisiting Tension Band Fixation for Difficult Patellar Fractures.

Patella fractures with comminution, osteoporotic bone, and/or previously failed fixation are exceedingly difficult to reduce and fix. Moreover, the risk of symptomatic constructs and patients who are poorly compliant with postoperative activity restrictions can make these complex fracture patterns an even more challenging scenario. Although there is an array of techniques described for comminuted patella fractures, there lacks an accepted surgical technique for these difficult cases. In this clinical series, we describe an enhancement to the traditional tension band construct that uses additional wires and multiple tension bands to gather and fix comminuted fracture patterns in nontransverse planes, bolster osteoporotic bone, and secure fractures in patients undergoing a revision and/or have potential to be poorly compliant with postoperative activity restrictions. The clinical outcomes of 27 patients demonstrate high rates of bony union, functional range of motion, and low rates of both infection and failure. In conclusion, using the basic principles of tension band wiring remains highly versatile, useful, and economical in approaching difficult patella fractures.

Mechanical Construct Characteristics Predisposing to Non-union After Locked Lateral Plating of Distal Femur Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To identify discrete construct characteristics related to overall construct rigidity that may be independent predictors of nonunion after lateral locked plate (LLP) fixation of distal femur fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Three level-1 urban trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and seventy-one supracondylar femoral fractures treated with LLP at 3 affiliated level 1 urban trauma centers between August 2004 and December 2010. METHODS: Nonunion was defined as a secondary procedure for poor healing. Construct variables included: (1) combined plate design and material variable, (2) Plate length, (3) # screws proximal to fracture, (4) total screw density (TSD), (5) proximal screw density (PSD), (6) presence of a screw crossing the main fracture, and (7) rigidity score multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for nonunion. INTERVENTION: LLP fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Nonunion. RESULTS: Nonunion rate was 13.3% (n = 36). There was a significant association between plate design/material and nonunion with 41% of stainless constructs and 10% of titanium constructs resulting in a nonunion (P < 0.001). Rigidity scores reached significance (P = 0.001) with constructs resulting in a nonunion having higher scores. No significant univariate differences with respect to number of proximal screws, plate length, total screw density, or proximal screw density were observed between healed fractures and those with nonunion. Results of the multivariate analysis confirmed that the primary significant independent predictor of nonunion was plate design/material (odds ratio, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9-16.1; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When treating distal femur fractures with LLP, combined plate design and material variable has a highly significant influence on the risk of nonunion independent of any other construct variable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Diagnosis and treatment of acute extremity compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome of the extremities is well known, but diagnosis can be challenging. Ineffective treatment can have devastating consequences, such as permanent dysaesthesia, ischaemic contractures, muscle dysfunction, loss of limb, and even loss of life. Despite many studies, there is no consensus about the way in which acute extremity compartment syndromes should be diagnosed. Many surgeons suggest continuous monitoring of intracompartmental pressure for all patients who have high-risk extremity injuries, whereas others suggest aggressive surgical intervention if acute compartment syndrome is even suspected. Although surgical fasciotomy might reduce intracompartmental pressure, this procedure also carries the risk of long-term complications. In this paper in The Lancet Series about emergency surgery we summarise the available data on acute extremity compartment syndrome of the upper and lower extremities in adults and children, discuss the underlying pathophysiology, and propose a clinical guideline based on the available data.

Predictive factors of distal femoral fracture nonunion after lateral locked plating: a retrospective multicenter case-control study of 283 fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Reported initial success rates after lateral locked plating (LLP) of distal femur fractures have led to more concerning outcomes with reported nonunion rates now ranging from 0 to 21%. Reported factors associated with nonunion include comorbidities such as obesity, age and diabetes. In this study, our goal was to identify patient comorbidities, injury and construct characteristics that are independent predictors of nonunion risk in LLP of distal femur fractures; and to develop a predictive algorithm of nonunion risk, irrespective of institutional criteria for clinical intervention variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 283 distal femoral fractures in 278 consecutive patients treated with LLP at three Level1 academic trauma centers. Nonunion was liberally defined as need for secondary procedure to manage poor healing based on unrestricted surgeon criteria. Patient demographics (age, gender), comorbidities (obesity, smoking, diabetes, chronic steroid use, dialysis), injury characteristics (AO type, periprosthetic fracture, open fracture, infection), and management factors (institution, reason for intervention, time to intervention, plate length, screw density, and plate material) were obtained for all participants. Multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression to control for confounding in order to identify independent risk factors for nonunion. RESULTS: 28 of the 283 fractures were treated for nonunion, 13 were referred to us from other institutions. Obesity (BMI>30), open fracture, occurrence of infection, and use of stainless steel plate were significant independent risk factors (P<0.01). A predictive algorithm demonstrates that when none of these variables are present (titanium instead of stainless steel) the risk of nonunion requiring intervention is 4%, but increases to 96% with all factors present. When a stainless plate is used, obesity alone carries a risk of 44% while infection alone a risk of 66%. While Chi-square testing suggested no institutional differences in nonunion rates, the time to intervention for nonunion varied inversely with nonunion rates between institutions, indicating varying trends in management approach. DISCUSSION: Obesity, open fracture, occurrence of infection, and the use of stainless steel are prognostic risk factors of nonunion in distal femoral fractures treated with LLP independent of differing trends in how surgeons intervene in the management of nonunion.

Correlation of AO and Lauge-Hansen classification systems for ankle fractures to the mechanism of injury.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess whether the Lauge-Hansen (LH) and the Muller AO classification systems for ankle fractures radiographically correlate with in vivo injuries based on observed mechanism of injury. METHODS: Videos of potential study candidates were reviewed on YouTube.com. Individuals were recruited for participation if the video could be classified by injury mechanism with a high likelihood of sustaining an ankle fracture. Corresponding injury radiographs were obtained. Injury mechanism was classified using the LH system as supination/external rotation (SER), supination/adduction (SAD), pronation/external rotation (PER), or pronation/abduction (PAB). Corresponding radiographs were classified by the LH system and the AO system. RESULTS: Thirty injury videos with their corresponding radiographs were collected. Of the video clips reviewed, 16 had SAD mechanisms and 14 had PER mechanisms. There were 26 ankle fractures, 3 nonfractures, and 1 subtalar dislocation. Twelve fractures with SAD mechanisms had corresponding SAD fracture patterns. Five PER mechanisms had PER fracture patterns. Eight PER mechanisms had SER fracture patterns and 1 had SAD fracture pattern. When the AO classification was used, all 12 SAD type injuries had a 44A type fracture, whereas the 14 PER injuries resulted in nine 44B fractures, two 44C fractures, and three 43A fractures. CONCLUSION: When injury video clips of ankle fractures were matched to their corresponding radiographs, the LH system was 65% (17/26) consistent in predicting fracture patterns from the deforming injury mechanism. When the AO classification system was used, consistency was 81% (21/26). The AO classification, despite its development as a purely radiographic system, correlated with in vivo injuries, as based on observed mechanism of injury, more closely than did the LH system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Does late night hip surgery affect outcome?

BACKGROUND: There is a perception that after-hours hip surgery may result in increased complication rates. Surgeon fatigue, decreased availability of support staff, and other logistical factors may play an adverse role. However, there are little data supporting this perception in the hip fracture literature. We present a retrospective study comparing outcomes of hip fracture surgeries performed after hours versus regular daytime hours and outcomes before and after implementation of a dedicated orthopedic trauma room staffed by a fellowship trained traumatologist. METHODS: A retrospective study of 767 consecutive patients with intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, or femoral neck fractures was performed for the years 2000 to 2006. Surgeries were stratified by time of incision into two groups: day (07:00 AM-05:59 PM) and night (06:00 PM-06:59 PM). Each group was further divided into a period before the implementation of a trauma room and the period after (August 2004). Records were examined for procedure length, intraoperative blood loss, complications (nonunion, implant failure, infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, and refracture), reoperation, and mortality. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-nine patients were included the day group and 268 in the night group. There were no differences in terms of age, ethnicity, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, total number of comorbidities, and fracture type between groups. There were significantly more females in the night group than the day group. Intertrochanteric fractures were 64% of all fractures, femoral neck fractures were 34%, and subtrochanteric fractures were 2%. Duration of surgery for Dynamic Hip System procedures was significantly longer in the night group and also before the trauma room became available. These differences in duration of surgery also correlate with blood loss differences between the groups. Intramedullary nails also took longer to do at night. Hemiarthroplasties demonstrated no significant differences. The 1-year and 2-year mortalities of hip fracture patients operated during daytime hours in a trauma room (13 and 15%, respectively) were significantly less than they were before the implementation of the trauma room (25 and 37%, respectively). When the effect of the trauma room was eliminated, there were no significant differences between overall daytime and nighttime mortalities at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years. There were no significant differences in other complications noted between the different groups. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that nighttime surgery should not be dismissed in hip fracture patients that would otherwise benefit from an early operation. However, there seems to be a decreasing trend in mortality when hip fractures are operated in a dedicated daytime trauma room staffed by a dedicated traumatologist.

Mitochondrial damage associated molecular patterns from femoral reamings activate neutrophils through formyl peptide receptors and P44/42 MAP kinase.

HYPOTHESIS: Fractures and femoral reaming are associated with lung injury. The mechanisms linking fractures and inflammation are unclear, but tissue disruption might release mitochondria. Mitochondria are evolutionarily derived from bacteria and contain "damage associated molecular patterns" like formylated peptides that can activate immunocytes. We therefore studied whether fracture reaming releases mitochondrial damage associated molecular patterns (MTD) and how MTD act on immune cells. METHODS: Femur fracture reamings (FFx) from 10 patients were spun to remove bone particulates. Supernatants were assayed for mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria were isolated from the residual reaming slurry, sonicated, and spun at 12,000 g. The resultant MTD were assayed for their ability to cause neutrophil (PMN) Ca transient production, p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation, interleukin-8 release, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 release with and without formyl peptide receptor-1 blockade. Rats were injected with MTD and whole lung assayed for p44/42 activation. RESULTS: Mitochondrial DNA appears at many thousand-fold normal plasma levels in FFx and at intermediate levels in patients' plasma, suggesting release from fracture to plasma. FFx MTD caused brisk PMN Ca flux, activated PMN p44/42 MAPK, and caused PMN release of interleukin-8 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Responses to MTD were inhibited by formyl peptide receptor-1 blockade using cyclosporine H or anti-formyl peptide receptor-1. MTD injection caused P44/42 phosphorylation in rat lung. CONCLUSIONS: FFx reaming releases mitochondria into the wound and circulation. MTD then activates PMN. Release of damage signals like MTD from FFx may underlie activation of the cytokine cascades known to be associated with fracture fixation and lung injury.

A novel methodology for the study of injury mechanism: ankle fracture analysis using injury videos posted on YouTube.com.

PURPOSE: An inherent deficiency in the understanding of the biomechanics of fractures is the reliance on cadaveric or other nonphysiological injury models resulting from the prohibitive ethical and practical considerations of conducting injury studies in live participants. We describe a novel methodology for studying injury mechanisms using in vivo injury videos obtained from Youtube.com demonstrating injuries as they occur in real time and correlating them with the resulting injury radiographs. METHODS: Over 1000 video clips of potential ankle fractures were assessed for clear visualization of the mechanism of injury, including the foot position and deforming force. Candidate videos were selected if the mechanism of injury was classifiable by those described by Lauge-Hansen and there appeared to be a significant mechanism to likely cause fracture. X-rays were then requested from the individuals posting the video clips. Videos and x-rays were reviewed and classified using the Lauge-Hansen system in a blinded manner. The deforming mechanism in the video clips was classified as supination external rotation, supination adduction (SAD), pronation external rotation (PER), or pronation abduction. X-ray fracture patterns were similarly classified. RESULTS: Two hundred forty videos were selected and individuals posting the videos were contacted. Of 96 initial positive responses, we collected 15 videos with their corresponding radiographs. Eight had SAD-deforming trauma and seven had PER-deforming trauma as appreciated in the videos. There were 12 true ankle fractures. All five fractures judged by video to be SAD injuries resulted in a corresponding SAD pattern radiographic ankle fractures. Of the seven fractures judged by video to be PER injuries, only two resulted in PER pattern radiographic ankle fractures. Five PER injuries resulted in supination external rotation ankle fracture patterns. CONCLUSION: Our series shows that when in vivo injury videos are matched to their corresponding x-rays, the Lauge-Hansen system is only 58% overall accurate in predicting fracture patterns from deforming injury mechanism as pertaining to SAD and PER injury mechanisms. All SAD injuries correlated but only 29% of PER injuries resulted in a PER fracture pattern. This study illustrates the ethical and practical difficulties of using public access Internet YouTube videos for the study of injury dynamics. The current case series illustrates the method's potential and may lead to future research analyzing the validity of the Lauge-Hansen classification system as applied to in vivo injuries.