Complications in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty, is it a safe procedure?

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding various aspects of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement (SBTKR). We found disparity in the postoperative outcomes and complications associated with the procedure in the literature linked with the topic. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the need for blood transfusion after surgery and complications associated with total knee replacement according to the type of procedure (SBTKR or unilateral). METHODS: Retrospective cohort analytical study. We included 251 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis that were divided into two groups. 124 (49%) who underwent SBTKR and 127 upon whom unilateral total knee replacement (UTKR) was performed. Demographic data, days of hospitalization, complications within the first 90 days after surgery (thromboembolic events, superficial and deep infection, stiffness, death); and percentages of patients transfused with blood products during hospitalization were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the analysis of postoperative complications in the first 90 days after surgery. In the SBTKR group, 8 patients (6.5%) presented some thromboembolic complication during the postoperative period, while this event was observed in only 2 patients (1.5%) from the other group. The analysis showed a statistically significant drop in postoperative hemoglobin, on average that of 0.8 â€‹g/dl, in the SBTKR patient group compared to the UTKR group (95% CI 0.44-1.13; p â€‹< â€‹0.001). A higher proportion of patients who required transfusion were observed in the SBTKR group (40%) (OR â€‹= â€‹7.12; 95% CI 3.3-16; p â€‹< â€‹0.001). We analyzed the cause of postoperative transfusion in the patients who required transfusion taking into account two parameters: hemoglobin less than 8 â€‹g/dl and the clinical needs of the patients (symptoms of hypotension, decay, difficulty to rehabilitate without pain, dyspnea). 59 patients received transfusion (50 in the SBTKR group and 9 in the other group). Of these, 19 patients (32.2%) did not meet any transfusion criteria. CONCLUSION: We consider SBTKR a safe procedure, which does not increase postoperative complications compared to UTKR. Although there is an increase in blood loss in SBTKR, it does not generate clinical symptoms of relevance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Anterior Center-Edge Angle Is Less Reliable Than Anterior Wall Index to Predict Anterior Coverage of the Femoral Head.

BACKGROUND: No consensus is available regarding which radiographic measurement most accurately correlates with anterior coverage of the femoral head. PURPOSE: (1) To determine the correlation between 2 measurements of anterior wall coverage: total anterior coverage (TAC) calculated from radiographs and equatorial anterior acetabular sector angle (eAASA) calculated from computed tomography (CT) scans; (2) to define the correlation between anterior center-edge angle (ACEA) and anterior wall index (AWI) with TAC and eAASA; and (3) to investigate what other radiographic metrics may help predict anterior coverage. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 77 hips (48 patients) for which radiographs and CT scans were obtained for reasons other than hip-related pain. Mean age of the population was 62 ± 22 years; 48 (62%) hips were from female patients. Two observers measured lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), AWI, Tönnis angle, ACEA, CT-based pelvic tilt, and CT-based acetabular version, with all Bland-Altman plots within 95% agreement. Correlation between intermethod measurements was estimated with a Pearson coefficient. Linear regression was used to test the ability of baseline radiographic measurements to predict both TAC and eAASA. RESULTS: Pearson coefficients were r = 0.164 (ACEA vs TAC; P = .155), r = 0.170 (ACEA vs eAASA; P = .140), r = 0.58 (AWI vs TAC; P = .0001), and r = 0.693 (AWI vs eAASA; P < .0001). Multiple linear regression model 1 showed that AWI (ß = 17.8; 95% CI, 5.7 to 29.9; P = .004), CT acetabular version (ß = -0.45; 95% CI, -0.71 to -0.22; P = .001), and LCEA (ß = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.47; P = .001) were useful to predict TAC. Multiple linear regression model 2 revealed that AWI (ß = 25; 95% CI, 15.67 to 34.4; P = .001), CT acetabular version (ß = -0.48; 95% CI, -0.67 to -0.29; P = .001), CT pelvic tilt (ß = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.4; P = .001), and LCEA (ß = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.3; P = .001) accurately predicted eAASA. Model-based estimates and 95% CIs using 2000 bootstrap samples from the original data were 6.16 to 28.6 for AWI in model 1 and 15.1 to 34.26 for AWI in model 2. CONCLUSION: There was a moderate to strong correlation between AWI and both TAC and eAASA, whereas ACEA correlated weakly with the former measurements, thus not being useful to quantify anterior acetabular coverage. Other variables such as LCEA, acetabular version, and pelvic tilt may also help predict anterior coverage in asymptomatic hips.

Subtalar arthroereisis in pediatric flexible flat foot: Functional and radiographic results with 5 years of average follow-up.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the clinical-functional and radiographic results in pediatric patients with painful and disabling Flexible Flat Foot (FFF) refractory to conservative treatment who underwent percutaneous subtalar arthroereisis with a Maxwell Brancheau Arthroereisis® (MBA) implant. Patients aged 8-14 years old with a minimum follow-up of 24 months were included. A pre and postoperative radiographic evaluation was carried out analyzing Meary's angle, internal Moreau-Costa-Bartani´s angle, Talar declination angle, Calcaneal Pitch, Kite's angle, Talar-1st metatarsal angle, and Talonavicular coverage angle. In those patients with more than 5 years of follow-up, the development of subtalar osteoarthritis was evaluated. A clinical-functional evaluation was carried out using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot rating scale. Pre and postoperative pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative complications were described. Fourteen patients (19 feet) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 12 years old with a mean follow-up of 68.26 months. All radiographic angles improved significantly. No signs of subtalar osteoarthritis were identified. The mean pre and postoperative pain according to VAS was 7.05 and 0.77 respectively. The mean pre and postoperative AOFAS was 75.42 and 97.05 respectively. One female patient had persistent pain in both feet (VAS = 4). However, she was able to do sports and daily life activities without restrictions. None of the implants needed to be removed due to intolerance or pain. Subtalar arthroereisis seems to be effective to improve the clinical-functional and radiographic parameters in moderate pediatric FFF.

Cemented versus uncemented reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were (1) to compare postoperative range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes in patients with proximal humeral fractures operated on with cemented or uncemented reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), (2) to compare the rate of tuberosity healing between cemented and uncemented stems, (3) to determine whether there are significant differences in functional outcomes between patients with healed tuberosities and those with unhealed tuberosities, and (4) to compare complications and revision rates in patients with cemented RSA and uncemented RSA. METHODS: A cemented RSA was performed early in the study period, which represented a historical cohort (January 2015 to January 2017), followed by a transition to the uncemented RSA later in the study period (February 2017 to February 2019). We excluded 22 cases from postoperative evaluation because of fracture sequelae, age < 65 years, death, and institutionalization; 3 patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 67 cases (32 cemented and 35 uncemented) underwent clinical and radiographic evaluation by 2 independent fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons. Patients were assessed regarding ROM and the visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score. All intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 41 months (range, 24-72 months), and the mean age was 74 years (range, 65-84 years). Mean postoperative active elevation, internal rotation, external rotation in abduction, and external rotation in adduction were 130° (±15°), 27° (±5°), 28° (±10°), and 16° (±6°), respectively. The mean postoperative visual analog scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Constant, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were 1.8 (±0.8), 74 (±6), 58 (±11), and 74% (±8), respectively. There were no significant differences in final ROM and functional scores between the cemented and uncemented groups. The rate of tuberosity healing did not vary significantly in relation to whether the stem was cemented. The subgroup of patients with tuberosity healing presented significantly better active elevation, external rotation, and Constant scores than the subgroup without tuberosity healing. There were 5 complications (7%) and no cases of aseptic humeral stem loosening. CONCLUSION: In the short term (mean, 41 months), there were no significant differences in postoperative ROM, functional outcomes, complications, and revisions between patients operated on with cemented RSA and those operated on with uncemented RSA for proximal humeral fractures. Patients with healed tuberosities presented significantly better ROM and functional scores than patients without tuberosity healing. The cementation of the stem did not significantly affect the rate of tuberosity healing.

Artroplastía total de cadera primaria con vástagos cortos en pacientes menores de 20 años / Primary total hip arthroplasty with short stems in patients under 20 years old

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los resultados clínicos, radiográficos y funcionales en pacientes <20 años sometidos a artroplastia total de cadera con vástago femoral tipo 2B corto no cementado. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 13 pacientes (16 artroplastias totales de cadera) operados entre enero de 2006 y enero de 2021. La edad media y el índice de masa corporal eran de 16.5 ± 2.5 años y 22,74 ± 4,06 kg/m2, respectivamente. El seguimiento medio fue de 43.3 meses (rango 12-128, DE ± 33.45). Se analizaron las indicaciones quirúrgicas, y los resultados funcionales y radiográficos. La supervivencia del implante se calculó con la estimación de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: La indicación predominante fue necrosis avascular (9/16 caderas [56%]), el 66% estaba asociada al uso prolongado de corticoides. El HHS para cadera mejoró significativamente de 33 ± 16,5 a 94 ± 5,6 (p <0,001). Diez (76%) pacientes usaban dispositivos de asistencia para caminar antes de la artroplastia, pero ninguno los necesitaba al final del seguimiento. Se observó radiolucidez en un componente acetabular sin repercusión clínica hasta el final del seguimiento. No se registraron signos radiográficos de aflojamiento del componente femoral. La supervivencia del implante fue del 100% hasta el final del seguimiento. Conclusiones: La artroplastia total de cadera primaria con un vástago femoral corto no cementado en pacientes <20 años con artrosis avanzada de cadera logró resultados equiparables a los ya publicados, con la particularidad de que es un procedimiento menos invasivo y ahorra capital óseo femoral. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: To our knowledge, there is no published literature on the outcomes of short-stem total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients under 20 years old. This study aimed to analyze clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes in patients under 20 years of age undergoing THA with a short uncemented 2B femoral stem. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 13 patients (16 THAs) treated between January 2006 and January 2021. The mean age and BMI were 16.5±2.5 years and 22.74±4.06 kg/m2, respectively. The mean follow-up was 43.3 months (range 12-128, SD ± 33.45). Surgical indications, as well as functional and radiologic outcomes, were analyzed. Implant survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier estimate. Results: The predominant indication was avascular necrosis (9/16 hips [56%]), of which 66% were associated with prolonged use of cor-ticosteroids. Eight (50%) of the cases had undergone surgeries before the THA. The Harris hip score improved significantly from 33±16.5 to 94±5.6 (p<0.001). Ten (76%) patients required assistive devices to walk preoperatively, and no patient required them at the end of follow-up. Radiolucency was evident in one acetabular component, without clinical implications. There were no signs of femoral component loosening. The implant survival was 100% at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Short stems in primary THAs in patients under 20 years of age with advanced hip osteoarthritis showed clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes comparable to those previously reported in the literature for conventional stems, with the particularity of being less invasive and sparing femoral bone stock. Level of Evidence: IV

Who Restores Hip Biomechanics More Effectively after a Femoral Neck Fracture? Comparison of Total Hip Arthroplasties Performed by Either Hip Surgeons or Orthopaedic Residents.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the ability to restore hip biomechanics in patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures operated by either hip surgeons (HSs) or orthopaedic residents (ORs). METHODS: We retrospectively compared 95 patients treated by HSs (group A) with 110 patients treated by ORs (group B). Leg-length discrepancy, femoral offset (FO), center of rotation (COR), acetabular inclination, and acetabular anteversion were evaluated on postoperative radiographs using the healthy contralateral hip as control. RESULTS: The median leg-length discrepancy was 2 mm for both groups (P = .74). The leg length was increased in 54% of the HS group and 57% of the OR group (P = .13). The median FO difference of groups A and B were 7 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively (P = .14). FO was increased in 80% of the HS group and 69% of the OR group (P = .19). Median discrepancies of the horizontal and vertical CORs were not statistically relevant, with P-values of .69 and .14, respectively. The horizontal COR was slightly medialized in 58% of the HS group and 53% of the OR group (P = .003). The vertical COR was slightly proximal in 66% of the HS group and 76% of the OR group (P = .28). The median acetabular inclination angles of groups A and B were 41° and 40°, respectively (P = .62). The median anteversion angle was 19° for both groups (P = .89). CONCLUSIONS: The horizontal COR was the only measurement with statistical significance. To conclude, ORs under supervision are as reliable as HSs to properly restore hip biomechanics in patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures.