Sex Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes and Range of Motion After Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: As the popularity of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) increases, there is a growing need to examine the effects of sex on postoperative outcomes. This study compares patient-reported outcome measures and ankle range of motion (ROM) in the postoperative period, as stratified by sex. METHODS: Patients who underwent TAA during 2013 to 2018 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included (N = 133). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and 12-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-12) were administered preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. ROM was recorded at these same time points. RESULTS: Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the cohorts did not differ in any of the measured outcomes. At 1 year postoperatively, females had lower SF-12 Physical Composite Scores (female = 44.1, male = 47.1, P = .019) and less plantarflexion (female = 20.5 degrees, male = 23.5 degrees, P = .029). By 2 years postoperative, females had lower AOFAS scores (female = 80.3, male = 85.4, P = .040). A greater complication rate amongst the female cohort approached significance at 18.6% versus 9% for males (P = .124). DISCUSSION: These results support TAA as a reliable means of treating ankle arthritis in both sexes, despite important differences. Understanding these outcome differences is critical for effectively managing expectations and treating both female and male populations. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective cohort study.

Resident Level Involvement Affects Operative Time and Surgical Complications in Lower Extremity Fracture Care.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of resident participation on operative time and surgical complications in isolated lower extremity fracture care. SETTING: Patients who were treated at teaching hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2,488 patients who underwent surgical fixation of isolated hip fractures, femoral or tibial shaft fractures, and ankle fractures. DESIGN: Patients were stratified by surgical procedure and post-graduate year (PGY) of the resident involved. Total operative time and surgical complications were analyzed with respect to resident participation and seniority. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for potential confounders including case complexity, wound class, and patient comorbidity burden. RESULTS: As PGY level increased, operative time increased for each procedure. The odds for a deep surgical site infection decreased as resident seniority increased, but the odds for wound dehiscence increased as resident seniority increased. We found no difference in the incidences of superficial infections or return to the OR with respect to PGY level. Academic quarter within the academic year did not correlate with any of the surgical complications. Furthermore, when cases performed with residents were compared to those performed without residents, there was no increased risk of superficial infections, deep infections, or return to the OR. CONCLUSIONS: This nationally representative dataset demonstrates that operative times for lower extremity orthopedic trauma increased as resident seniority increased. Additionally, senior resident participation was associated with increased wound dehiscence, whereas junior resident participation was associated with an increased risk of deep surgical site infections. However, there was no associated "July effect" for residents at any level of training and there was no increased risk for surgical site infections or return to the OR in cases involving resident participation.

Modified frailty index predicts medical complications, length of stay, readmission, and mortality following total shoulder arthroplasty.

HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) as a predictor of postoperative complications in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for patients undergoing TSA between the years 2005 and 2017. The mFI-5 score, which includes the presence of comorbid diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and functional status, was calculated for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the mFI-5 and postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 18,957 patients undergoing TSA were identified. The mFI-5 was a strong predictor of serious medical complications (cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, septic shock, pulmonary embolism, postoperative dialysis, reintubation, and prolonged ventilator requirement), discharge to a facility, and readmission (odds ratio ≥ 1.309, P ≤ .001). Length of stay also increased as the mFI-5 score increased (P < .001). However, among all the measured complications, the mFI-5 was the strongest predictor of mortality, with the risk more than doubling for each point increase in the mFI-5 score (odds ratio, 2.113; 95% confidence interval, 1.447-3.086; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The mFI-5 predicts serious medical complications, increased length of stay, discharge to a facility, hospital readmission, and mortality in patients undergoing TSA. All of the variables within the mFI-5 are easily obtained through the patient history, allowing for a practical clinical tool that hospitals and surgeons can use to identify high-risk surgical candidates, inform preoperative counseling, and guide perioperative care to optimize patient outcomes.