A novel practical method to predict anterior cruciate ligament hamstring graft size using preoperative MRI.

BACKGROUND: Predicting hamstring graft size preoperatively for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is important for preempting an insufficient diameter in graft size intraoperatively, possibly leading to graft failure. While there are multiple published methods using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), most are not feasible and practical. Our study aims to (1) practically predict the ACL hamstring graft size in a numerically continuous manner using the preoperative MRI from any native MRI PACS system, (2) determine the degree of correlation between the predicted and actual graft size, and (3) determine the performance of our prediction method if we define an adequate actual graft size as ≥ 8 mm. METHODS: A retrospective review of 112 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring semitendinosus-gracilis grafts at a tertiary institution was conducted between January 2018 and December 2018. Graft diameter can be predicted in a numerically continuous manner as √[2*(AB + CD)], where A and B are the semitendinosus cross-sectional length and breath, respectively, and C and D are the gracilis cross-sectional length and breath, respectively. RESULTS: A moderately positive correlation exists between the predicted and actual graft diameter (r = 0.661 and p < .001). Our method yields a high specificity of 92.6% and a moderate sensitivity of 67.2% if we define an adequate actual graft size as ≥ 8 mm. An area under receiver-operating characteristic curve shows good discrimination (AUC = 0.856). CONCLUSIONS: We present a practical method to predict the ACL hamstring graft size with high specificity using preoperative MRI measurements.

Full-endoscopic versus microscopic spinal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review & meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis is routinely treated with spinal decompression surgery, with an increasing trend towards minimally invasive techniques. Endoscopic decompression has emerged as a technique which minimizes approach-related morbidity while achieving similar clinical outcomes to conventional open or microscopic approaches. PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic versus microscopic decompression for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic review on randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing endoscopic versus microscopic decompression was conducted, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Treatment effects were computed using pairwise random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias and ROBINS-I tools for randomized and nonrandomized trials respectively. Quality of the overall body of evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: A total of 19 primary references comprising 1,997 patients and 2,132 spinal levels were included. Endoscopic decompression was associated with significantly reduced intraoperative blood-loss (weighted mean differences [WMD]=-33.29 mL, 95% CI:-51.80 to -14.78, p=.0032), shorter duration of hospital stay (WMD=-1.79 days, 95% CI: -2.63 to 0.95, p=.001), rates of incidental durotomy (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.91, p=.0184) and surgical site infections (RR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.10 to-0.51, p=.001), and a nonsignificant trend towards less back pain, leg pain, and better functional outcomes compared to its microscopic counterpart up to 2-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic and microscopic decompression are safe and effective techniques for treatment of symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Prospective studies of larger power considering medium to long-term outcomes and rates of iatrogenic instability are warranted to compare potential alignment changes and destabilization from either techniques.

Diabetic foot ulcer is associated with cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity - a systematic review and meta-analysis of 8062 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), as well as compare risks of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality between diabetic patients with and without DFU. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials and observational studies which explored the association between DFU and cardiovascular-related morbidity & mortality, or compared differences in hazard ratios of cardiovascular diseases between diabetics with and without DFU. Frequentist, pairwise meta-analysis was performed on studies with two comparator arms, whereas single-arm studies reporting pooled incidences of cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity were calculated based on exact binomial distributions. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used with heterogenicity of studies assessed using I2, τ2, and χ2 statistics. RESULTS: 10 studies were identified and included in the systematic review & meta-analysis of 8602 patients. DFU was consistently found to have significant association with cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, with pooled prevalences of all cause cardiovascular-related morbidity (37.1%), IHD (44.7%), CHF (25.1%), CAD (11.7%), and CVA (10.9%), and all cause cardiovascular-related mortality (14.6%), fatal IHD (6.2%), fatal CHF (3.67%), fatal CAD (7.92%), and fatal CVA (1.99%). Diabetic patients with DFU were found to have significantly increased risk of IHD (RR 1.25), CVA (RR 2.03), and all-cause cardiovascular-related mortality (RR 2.59) compared to those without DFU. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of DFU is associated with major adverse cardiac events. The alarming rates of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in DFU patients highlight its potential role as a marker of cardiovascular complications and should prompt early clinical investigation and management.

Unipedicular-Screw Index Vertebra Manipulation Technique for Minimally Invasive Short-Segment Thoracolumbar Fracture Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) has revolutionized fixation of thoracolumbar fractures with burst elements. Recent studies have proven that percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation is as effective as open instrumentation but with reduced intraoperative blood loss and operative duration. Techniques such as short-segment pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra have shown satisfactory radiological correction and functional outcomes, avoiding the need for extensile posterior constructs. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the authors our technique utilizing unipedicular index vertebra fixation and manipulation in MIS for thoracolumbar fractures with burst elements. To our knowledge, this technique is not well described in literature as open approaches are often adopted for the above. The authors sought to highlight the 2-year radiological and functional outcomes of 20 consecutive patients who underwent this technique. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted on 20 patients with thoracolumbar fractures with burst elements who underwent fixation using our technique. Patient data collected included demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, neurological deficit at the time of admission, pre- and postoperative neurological evaluation, and length of hospital stay. Radiological investigations included plain radiographs, computed tomography of the spine with reconstruction, and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, which provided data for radiological fracture classifications such as AO Spine and derivation of Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score, as well as preoperative planning. Radiological investigations in the postoperative period were carried out by standing radiographs or EOS whole spine at each postoperative follow-up for up to 2 years. Radiological parameters-vertebral wedge angle, regional kyphosis angle, coronal Cobb angle, and anterior and posterior vertebral body heights-were recorded at preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and up to 2-year follow-up. Clinical outcome scores (visual analog score [VAS] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) were also recorded at similar timepoints. RESULTS: Radiological outcomes reflect significant lordotic corrections of the vertebral wedge angles up to 2-year follow-up when compared with preoperative values (intraoperative: P = 0.06; postoperative: P = 0.001; 3 months: P = 0.002; 6 months: P = 0.004; 1 year: P = 0.011; 2 years: P = 0.016). Additionally, significant lordotic corrections of regional kyphosis angles (intraoperative: P = 0.00; postoperative: P = 0.00; 3 months: P = 0.031; 6 months: P = 0.039) and increases in anterior vertebral body heights (postoperative: P = 0.001; 3 months: P = 0.010; 6 months: P = 0.020) at up to 6-month follow-up were found. Preoperatively, median VAS of 85 (range 30-100) and ODI of 90 (range 40-98) were recorded. Statistically significant improvements in VAS and ODI were found across all timepoints when compared with preoperative values, with a mean VAS of 11.5 (SD 4.8) and ODI of 9.9 (SD 4.5) at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures with or without neurological deficit has a role in reducing nursing requirements and postoperative morbidity in patients with polytrauma and other associated injuries. Our approach in treating thoracolumbar fractures with burst elements using MIS short-segment fixation and unipedicular screw manipulation technique shows satisfactory radiological correction and high rates of fracture union while reducing approach-related morbidity and improving functional outcomes.

Computer-Navigated versus Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis of Functional Outcomes from Level I and II Randomized Controlled Trials.

The main purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis comparing functional outcomes of total knee arthroplasty using either computer navigation (NAV-TKA) or conventional methods (CON-TKA) from the latest assemblage of evidence. This study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. All Level I and II randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane that compared functional outcomes after NAV- and CON-TKA were included in the review. Selected end points for random effects, pairwise meta-analysis included Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), KS Function Score (KSFS), KS Total Score (KSTS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and range of motion at three arbitrary follow-up times. A total of 24 prospective RCTs comprising 3,778 knees were included from the initial search. At long-term follow-up (>5 years), NAV-TKA exhibited significantly better raw KSKS (p = 0.001) (low-quality evidence), contrary to CON-TKA, which reflected significantly better raw KSTS (p = 0.004) (high-quality evidence). While change scores (KSKS, WOMAC) from preoperative values favor CON-TKA at short-term (<6 months) and medium-term follow-up (6-60 months), long-term follow-up change scores in KSKS suggest the superiority of NAV-TKA over CON-TKA (p = 0.02) (very low-quality evidence). Overall, sizeable dispersion of nonstatistically significant functional outcomes in the medium term was observed to eventually converge in the long term, with less differences in functional outcome scores between the two treatment methods in short- and long-term follow-up. While raw functional outcome scores reflect no differences between NAV and CON-TKA, long-term follow-up change scores in KSKS suggest superiority of NAV-TKA over its conventional counterpart. Prospective studies with larger power are required to support the pattern of diminishing differences in functional outcome scores from medium- to long-term follow-up between the two modalities.

Robot-Assisted versus Conventional Total and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis of Radiological and Functional Outcomes.

The study aims to provide an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis comparing radiological and functional outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) using either robotic assistance or conventional methods from the latest assemblage of evidence. This study was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. All studies in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane that reported radiological and functional outcomes after TKA or UKA with either robotic or conventional methods were included in the review. Selected endpoints for random effects, pairwise meta-analysis included operative details, radiological outcomes (mechanical axis, component angle deviation, and outliers), and functional outcomes (American Knee Society Score, Knee Society Function Score, revision and complication rate, range of motion (ROM), Hospital for Special Surgery score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index). A total of 23 studies comprising 2,765 knees were included from the initial search. Robot-assisted TKA and UKA were associated with significantly better component angle alignment accuracy (low-to-high quality evidence) at the cost of significantly greater operation time. Robot-assisted UKA was found to have significantly better short-term functional outcomes compared with conventional UKA (moderate-to-high quality evidence). Robot-assisted TKA, however, did not exhibit significantly better short- and midterm subjective knee outcome scores compared with its conventional counterpart (high-quality evidence). Robot-assisted TKA and UKA were associated with nonstatistically significant improved ROM and lesser rates of revision. Robot-assisted total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty leads to better radiological outcomes, with no significant differences in mid- and long-term functional outcomes compared with conventional methods for the former. Larger prospective studies with mid- and long-term outcomes are required to further substantiate findings from the present study.

A look at the global impact of SARS CoV-2 on orthopedic services.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted healthcare institutions worldwide. Particularly, orthopedic departments had to adapt their operational models. PURPOSE: This review aimed to quantify the reduction in surgical and outpatient caseloads, identify other significant trends and ascertain the impact of these trends on orthopedic residency training programs. METHODS: Medline and Embase were searched for articles describing case load for surgeries, outpatient clinic attendance, or emergency department (ED) visits. Statistical analysis of quantitative data was performed after a Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Results were pooled with random effects by DerSimonian and Laird model. When insufficient data was available, a systematic approach was used to present the results instead. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were included in this study. The number of elective surgeries, trauma procedures and outpatient attendance decreased by 80% (2013/17400, 0.20, CI: 0.12 to 0.29), 47% (3887/17561, 0.53, CI: 0.37 to 0.69) and 63% (84174/123967, 0.37, CI: 0.24 to 0.51) respectively. During the pandemic, domestic injuries and polytrauma increased. Residency training was disrupted due to diminished clinical exposure and changing teaching methodologies. Additionally, residents had more duties which contributed to a lower quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has made an unprecedented impact on orthopedics departments worldwide. The slow return of orthopedic departments to normalcy and the compromised training of residents due to the pandemic points to an uncertain future for healthcare institutions worldwide, wherein the impact of this pandemic may yet still be felt far in the future.

Survival Advantage of Laparoscopic Versus Open Resection For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data From Randomized Trials and Propensity-score Matched Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an individual participant data meta-analysis using randomized trials and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies which compared laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). BACKGROUND: Randomized trials and PSM studies constitute the highest level of evidence in addressing the long-term oncologic efficacy of laparoscopic versus open resection for CLM. However, individual studies are limited by the reporting of overall survival in ways not amenable to traditional methods of meta-analysis, and violation of the proportional hazards assumption. METHODS: Survival information of individual patients was reconstructed from the published Kaplan-Meier curves with the aid of a computer vision program. Frequentist and Bayesian survival models (taking into account random-effects and nonproportional hazards) were fitted to compare overall survival of patients who underwent laparoscopic versus open surgery. To handle long plateaus in the tails of survival curves, we also exploited "cure models" to estimate the fraction of patients effectively "cured" of disease. RESULTS: Individual patient data from 2 randomized trials and 13 PSM studies involving 3148 participants were reconstructed. Laparoscopic resection was associated with a lower hazard rate of death (stratified hazard ratio = 0.853, 95% confidence interval: 0.754-0.965, P = 0.0114), and there was evidence of time-varying effects (P = 0.0324) in which the magnitude of hazard ratios increased over time. The fractions of long-term cancer survivors were estimated to be 47.4% and 18.0% in the laparoscopy and open surgery groups, respectively. At 10-year follow-up, the restricted mean survival time was 8.6 months (or 12.1%) longer in the laparoscopy arm (P < 0.0001). In a subgroup analysis, elderly patients (≥65 years old) treated with laparoscopy experienced longer 3-year average life expectancy (+6.2%, P = 0.018), and those who live past the 5-year milestone (46.1%) seem to be cured of disease. CONCLUSIONS: This patient-level meta-analysis of high-quality studies demonstrated an unexpected survival benefit in favor of laparoscopic over open resection for CLM in the long-term. From a conservative viewpoint, these results can be interpreted to indicate that laparoscopy is at least not inferior to the standard open approach.

Anatomic techniques for cervical pedicle screw placement.

Instrumentation of the cervical spine with cervical pedicle screws (CPS) is beneficial in patients with various types of spinal pathology. Despite posing greater technical challenges, CPS instrumentation confers better fixation outcomes when compared to lateral mass screws. While developments in technology have augmented the accuracy of CPS insertion, mastery in freehand CPS insertion allows the aforementioned technologies to reach their full potential in improving patient outcomes. The aim of this article is to discuss freehand CPS insertion techniques as established in the current literature while sharing our experience in this context. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE. Full-text articles focusing on clinical studies with description of freehand techniques were included. Articles which were on cadaveric studies, drill jig, navigation or robotic technology were excluded. Thirteen primary references comprising 1,480 patients were included in this review. Majority of studies reported utilizing the cranial margin of lamina for C2 level as a landmark for entry point, as well as lateral to centre of the articular mass, and just medial to the lateral border of the superior articular process for C3-7 levels. Method of tracking and facilitation of trajectory was reported in multiple studies, with use of instruments ranging from curved pedicle probes to high-speed burrs. Limited studies reported specific trajectories of CPS insertion. Most studies noted testing pedicle wall integrity at various checkpoints, with pedicle screw repositioning or conversion to lateral screw mass following detection of perforation or screw malpositioning. Success in CPS insertion rests on meticulous preoperative planning to identify the ideal screw entry point and trajectory. Patient-specific drill jigs, navigation and robotic technologies, while beneficial to progress in the field of cervical spine surgery and patient outcomes, should serve primarily to augment good expertise in freehand CPS insertion technique.

Three-Level Lumbar En Bloc Spondylectomy with Three-Dimensional-Printed Vertebrae Reconstruction for Recurrent Giant Cell Tumor.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignancies involving the mobile spine often require total en bloc spondylectomy with complex mechanical reconstruction, which can be augmented with novel application of the 3-dimensional (3D)-printing technique. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old man presented with a 12-month history of progressive thigh pain and lower limb motor function loss, 36 months after T12-L4 instrumentation and fusion for giant cell tumor (GCT) of the L2 vertebrae before referral. The patient subsequently underwent successful curative management of recurrent GCT through denosumab treatment, L1-L3 total en bloc spondylectomy (TES), and a novel lumbopelvic reconstruction method with a 3D-printed lumbar vertebrae and screw-rod system. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multilevel lumbar TES for GCT reconstructed using a 3D-printed vertebrae. Although TES-specifically in the lumbosacral spine-remains challenging due to its unique anatomy and increased risk of neurologic insult, it is an effective option for curative management of GCTs.

Comparison of whole body sagittal alignment during directed vs natural, relaxed standing postures in young, healthy adults.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Imaging for adult spinal deformity is conventionally performed in a directed manner to assess the most upright standing posture one can assume. However, this method does not reflect an individual's natural, relaxed posture, which is the posture a patient likely reverts to postoperatively, and also the posture likely to explain spinal pathologies. PURPOSE: To identify radiographic differences between directed and natural, relaxed standing postures in young healthy subjects. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, prospective, radiographic study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Sixty healthy 21-year-old subjects (48 male, 12 female). OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiographic parameters including sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C2 SVA, C2-7 SVA global cervical angle, T1-slope, global thoracic angle (GTA), thoracolumbar angle (TLA), global lumbar angle (GLA), sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence, femoral alignment angle (FAA), and knee alignment angle (KAA). METHODS: The EOS whole body radiographs of patients in directed and natural, relaxed standing postures were obtained, with subsequent comparison of radiographic parameters. Differences in Roussouly curve types, sagittal curve apices, and end vertebrae were also evaluated. Univariate analyses using Wilcoxon sign-rank, paired t tests, and paired chi-square tests were performed. RESULTS: Compared with directed standing, natural, relaxed standing results in a more kyphotic spinal profile marked by a significantly less lordotic GLA, larger GTA, TLA, and T1-slope. The PT+FAA demonstrated true hip movement during sagittal balancing. Lower thoracic and lumbar apices, lower thoracolumbar end vertebrae, and lower Roussouly curve types were observed during natural, relaxed standing. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found significant differences in sagittal radiographic parameters between directed standing and the natural, relaxed standing posture, with the latter demonstrating a more kyphotic spinal profile in terms of magnitude and span, as well as complementary changes in cervical and spinopelvic alignment. The natural, relaxed standing posture, a marker for energy conservation principles in standing, may infer value in less aggressive lordotic restoration, as well as concentration of lordosis in the lower lumbar spine.

Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Semitendinosus Alone and Semitendinosus with Gracilis Tendon Autografts.

The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to compare patient-reported outcomes and functional knee parameters of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery with semitendinosus (ST) and ST-gracilis (G) grafts. This study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. All studies in PubMed and Embase that reported functional knee parameters and patient-reported outcomes after ACL reconstruction with ST and ST-G grafts independently were included in the review. Selected end points for random effects, pairwise meta-analysis included side-to-side deficit (%) in isokinetic peak torque, peak torque ratio (%), side-to-side difference (mm) in anterior laxity, and patient-reported outcome scores at minimum 2-year follow-up. A total of 15 primary references comprising 1,109 participants were identified. The ST group had decreased side-to-side deficit in isokinetic peak torque when compared with the ST-G group for flexion at 60 degrees/s (p = 0.02) and 180 degrees/s (p = 0.01) at 2-year follow-up. There were no significant differences in side-to-side difference in anterior laxity (p = 0.81), hamstring/quadriceps peak torque ratios at 60 degrees/s (p = 0.83) and 180 degrees/s (p = 0.36), and patient-reported outcomes in the International Knee Documentation Committee score (p = 0.06) and Lysholm score (p = 0.67). The addition of the gracilis tendon to the hamstring autograft in ACL reconstruction results in increased side-to-side deficits in isokinetic peak flexion torque. However, patient-reported outcome scores and knee laxity measurements are comparable with those of ST grafts.

Concomitant meniscal injury in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not lead to poorer short-term post-operative outcomes.

PURPOSE: The main objective was to compare post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction both with and without concomitant meniscus injury at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. The secondary objective was to study the effect of different meniscal injury sites and treatment modalities on post-operative outcomes (PROS). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction at our tertiary institution between 2009 and 2012. Age, sex, graft type, graft fixation modality, location of meniscal tear and treatment (meniscal repair or meniscectomy) were recorded in the database. PROS used included the Tegner activity scale and the Lysholm score. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with or without meniscal injury in terms of age, BMI or preoperative PROS. There was no significant difference in the post-operative outcome scores between patients with or without meniscal injury at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. Regardless of the location of meniscal injury, the post-operative scores improved as compared to preoperative scores. CONCLUSION: Concomitant meniscal injury in cases of ACL reconstruction is not associated with poorer short-term post-operative PROS (mean follow-up time: 3.5 years). These findings may influence management decisions and help in preoperative counselling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.