Connective tissue amyloidosis in patients referred for orthopedic surgery. CONNECT-AMY study. / Amiloidosis del tejido conectivo en pacientes referidos a cirugía ortopédica. Estudio CONNECT-AMY.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical manifestations secondary to amyloid deposition in connective tissue may allow early detection of amyloidosis. We sought to identify the prevalence of connective tissue amyloidosis in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and evaluate for cardiac involvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study that included patients >50 years referred for orthopedic surgery at our center. A sample of the affected connective tissue was taken during the intervention to evaluate the presence of amyloid material. Those with confirmed amyloidosis were further evaluated with complementary tests for cardiac involvement. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included. Mean age was 65.4 years and 41.7% were women. The most frequent surgery was supraspinatus tendon rupture (50%). Transthyretin amyloid deposits were detected in 2 patients (4.2%). The absence of variants in the protein gene established the diagnosis of ATTRwt in both cases. None of them presented cardiac involvement. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 4.2% of patients referred for orthopedic surgery presented transthyretin amyloidosis in the affected connective tissue.

Intraoperative scrub nurse turnover in orthopaedic surgery procedures: An opportunity for improved operating room efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Scrub nurses play a crucial role in facilitating orthopaedic surgeries, and thus intraoperative scrub nurse turnover may disrupt the workflow of the surgical team and prolong duration of surgery (DOS). The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of intraoperative scrub nurse turnover on operative time of orthopaedic surgeries lasting less than 3h in duration. METHODS: Prospectively collected databases from two institutions were retrospectively queried to identify all orthopaedic procedures of maximum mean duration of 180min from March 4th, 2018 to August 31st, 2022. Cases were divided into two groups, those with scrub nurse turnover and those without. Propensity score matching was conducted to match groups by surgeon, hospital, patient age, gender, and ASA classification. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare mean DOS for each surgical procedure. Average treatment effect on treated (ATET) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Scrub nurse turnover significantly prolonged DOS for both bone forearm facture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) (ATET=21.08, p=0.001), ankle ORIF (ATET=21.26, p<0.001), clavicle ORIF (ATET=16.16, p=0.028), femur intramedullary nail (ATET=11.52, p=0.003), rotator cuff repair (ATET=16.88, p<0.001), partial discectomy (ATET=10.52, p=0.001), total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (ATET=5.69, p<0.001), anterior total hip arthroplasty (THA) (ATET=8.80, p<0.001), lateral THA (ATET=7.02, p<0.001), and uncemented hip hemiarthroplasty (ATET=16.79, p=0.049). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative scrub nurse turnover significantly prolongs surgical times in orthopaedic surgeries lasting up to 3h in duration. This highlights the importance of developing strategies to prevent intraoperative scrub nurse turnover to improve OR efficiency and decrease healthcare costs.

Malignant "triton" tumor of the lower extremity with a history of fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is a rare and aggressive subtype of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor consisting of a neurogenic tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Only 170 cases have been reported to date, two-thirds occurring in young patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and the remaining third presenting as a sporadic tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 49-year-old man with a sporadic grade 2 MTT of the lower limb which had had a previous tibial fracture. The patient underwent an above-knee amputation. Five months post-operatively metastases were present in the liver and vertebral column causing compression of the spinal cord, so decompressive radiotherapy and palliative chemotherapy were initiated. CONCLUSION: Due to the precocious spread of the disease, we would suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy be considered for the eradication of micrometastases. To our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of an MTT arising in a site with a history of previous severe trauma.

Rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery: A meta-analysis. / Rivaroxaban frente a enoxaparina como tromboprofilaxis en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología: un metaanálisis.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism is highly associated with orthopedic surgery, so thromboprophylaxis is an important consideration for orthopedic surgeons. The new oral anticoagulants have clear advantages for clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in different orthopedic surgeries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic electronic search of clinical trials was carried out. Data extraction of efficacy outcomes (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and death) and safety outcomes (major bleeding and clinical relevant bleeding) was realized. RESULTS: Six randomized and controlled clinical trials were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with enoxaparin the risk of venous thromboembolism was lower with rivaroxaban both in different orthopedic surgeries (RR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=.0002). This result was even better and more homogeneous in the analysis of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis outcome (RR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28-0.65; P<.0001; I2=0%; P=.49). The risk of bleeding was not significantly higher with rivaroxaban (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.97-1.49; P=.09). CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban should be considerate such as a more effective alternative for thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.

El empleo del ácido tranexámico en ortopedia y traumatología

Introducción: En las dos últimas décadas se han incrementado las publicaciones sobre el empleo del ácido tranexámico en diferentes especialidades quirúrgicas; entre ellas, la cirugía ortopédica y traumatológica. Objetivo: Demostrar la importancia del ácido tranexámico en la cirugía electiva y de urgencia en ortopedia y traumatología. Desarrollo: Se revisaron las bases de datos Pubmed/Medline, SciELO, BVS, Scopus, Ebsco y Cochrane. Se emplearon los descriptores "ácido tranexámico", "reducción del sangrado posoperatorio en ortopedia", "pérdida de sangre", "agentes hemostáticos", "riesgo de transfusión" y "manejo del politraumatizado". Fueron incluidos artículos originales de investigación, de revisión, guías terapéuticas, metaanálisis y editoriales. Conclusiones: Aunque algunos autores divergen en cuanto a la dosis adecuada de ácido tranexámico en ortopedia y traumatología, todos concluyen que este producto controla el sangrado en situaciones traumáticas y en cirugías electivas o de urgencia.

Introduction: Currently, publications on the use of tranexamic acid in different surgical specialties have increased; among them, orthopedic and trauma surgery. Objective: To validate the importance of tranexamic acid in elective and emergency surgery in orthopedics and traumatology. Discussion: Pubmed/Medline, SciELO, VHL, Scopus, Ebsco and Cochrane databases were reviewed, using the descriptors "tranexamic acid", "reduction of postoperative bleeding in orthopedics", "blood loss", "hemostatic agents", "transfusion risk" and "management of multiple trauma patients". Conclusions: Although some authors diverge regarding the adequate dose of tranexamic acid in orthopedics and traumatology, all conclude that this product controls bleeding in traumatic situations and in elective or emergency surgeries.

Analysis of the demand of care from Primary Care to Traumatology: Proposals for the improvement of the continuous care. / Análisis de la demanda asistencial desde atención primaria a traumatología: propuestas para la mejora del continuo asistencial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze referrals from Primary Care consultation to Orthopaedic Surgery reference department. As a secondary objective, to establish 2referral scenarios in order to determine the impact of variability on referral. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, analyzing referrals from Primary Care to Orthopaedic Surgery during the first half of the years 2018, 2019, and 2021. The number of referrals issued by each doctor and each Primary Care Healthcare Center was examined, according to the classification of the different Basic Healthcare Zones. RESULTS: There is great variability in the number of referrals, both according to the type of Basic Healthcare Zone and by each Primary Care facultative. The referral ratios behaved uniformly over time (P<0.001). Due to a large number of referrals, 2scenarios have been constructed: In the first scenario, the referral ratio would be in the middle of the referral rate spectrum. In the second scenario, the lowest referral ratios recorded have been taken as a reference. The reduction of variability in the 2scenarios assumed provides a significant reduction in the demand for care. CONCLUSION: Reducing variability would have a beneficial effect on the capacity of the Orthopaedic Surgery service to provide care.

[Translated article] Analysis of the demand of care from Primary Care to Traumatology: Proposals for the improvement of the continuous care.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse referrals from Primary Care consultation to Orthopaedic Surgery reference department. As a secondary objective, to establish 2 referral scenarios in order to determine the impact of variability on referral. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, analyzing referrals from Primary Care to Orthopaedic Surgery during the first half of the years 2018, 2019, and 2021. The number of referrals issued by each doctor and each Primary Care Healthcare Center was examined, according to the classification of the different Basic Healthcare Zones. RESULTS: There is great variability in the number of referrals, both according to the type of Basic Healthcare Zone and by each Primary Care facultative. The referral ratios behaved uniformly over time (p<0.001). Due to a large number of referrals, 2 scenarios have been constructed: In the first scenario, the referral ratio would be in the middle of the referral rate spectrum. In the second scenario, the lowest referral ratios recorded have been taken as a reference. The reduction of variability in the 2 scenarios assumed provides a significant reduction in the demand for care. CONCLUSION: Reducing variability would have a beneficial effect on the capacity of the Orthopaedic Surgery service to provide care.

Impact of covid-19 on spine surgeries in a high complexity emergency hospital / Impacto do covid-19 nas cirurgias de coluna em um hospital de urgências de alta complexidade / Impacto del covid-19 en las cirugías de columna en un hospital de urgencias de alta complejidad

ABSTRACT: Objective: To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on spine surgeries at a Reference Center for High Complexity Urgencies in Goiás. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was carried out based on data from medical records of patients undergoing spine surgery between September 2017 and September 2021. Volunteers were divided into two groups: before and during the pandemic, considering April 2020 as a starting point. The following was extracted from the medical records: age, gender, education, etiology, neurological deficit, region of the spine addressed, mechanism of trauma, fractured vertebrae, type of fracture, length of stay in the ICU, COVID test (PCR), and deaths. Student t, chi-square, and Fisher's exact statistical tests were used to compare the preand post-pandemic profiles. In addition, Spearman's correlation test was applied to verify the correlation between variables, considering p<0.05. Results: 388 medical records were analyzed, showing a 15% increase in spine surgeries during the pandemic. There was a significant difference in the etiology of surgeries (p=0.05), with lumbar trauma being more prevalent in men and also more cases of neurological deficits (p=0.001). There was also a reduction in the length of stay in the ICU (p=0.0001), which was lower during the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not directly impact the number of surgeries performed at a Reference Hospital in High Complexity Urgencies in Goiás, but there was a prioritization of emergency surgeries. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective Study.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Estudar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 nas cirurgias de coluna em um Centro de Referência em Urgências de Alta Complexidade em Goiás. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, observacional a partir de dados de prontuários médicos de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de coluna entre setembro de 2017 a setembro de 2021. Os voluntários foram divididos em dois grupos: antes da pandemia e durante a pandemia, considerando abril de 2020 como marco de início. Foram extraídos dos prontuários: idade, gênero, escolaridade, etiologia, déficit neurológico, região da coluna abordada, mecanismo de trauma, vértebras fraturadas, tipo de fratura, tempo de internação em UTI, teste de COVID (PCR) e óbitos. Utilizou-se os testes estatísticos T de Student, Qui quadrado e exato de Fisher para realizar a comparação entre o perfil pré e pós-pandemia. Além disso, foi aplicado o teste de correlação de Spearman para verificar a correlação entre as variáveis, considerando p<0,05. Resultados: Foram analisados 388 prontuários, constatando um aumento de 15% nas cirurgias de coluna durante a pandemia. Houve diferença significativa na etiologia das cirurgias (p=0,05), sendo mais prevalentes traumas lombares em homens e também mais casos de déficits neurológicos (p=0,001). Notou-se também uma redução no tempo de internação na UTI (p=0,0001), que foi menor durante a pandemia. Conclusão: A pandemia de COVID-19 não impactou diretamente na quantidade de cirurgias realizadas em um Hospital de Referência em Urgências de Alta Complexidade em Goiás, mas verificou-se uma priorização das cirurgias emergenciais. Nível de Evidência II; Estudo Retrospectivo.

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Estudiar el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las cirugías de columna en un Centro de Referencia para Urgencias de Alta Complejidad en Goiás. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir de datos de historias clínicas de pacientes operados de la columna entre septiembre de 2017 y septiembre de 2021. Los voluntarios se dividieron en dos grupos: antes de la pandemia y durante la pandemia, considerando abril de 2020 como punto de partida. De las historias clínicas se extrajo: edad, sexo, escolaridad, etiología, déficit neurológico, región de la columna abordada, mecanismo del trauma, vértebras fracturadas, tipo de fractura, tiempo de estancia en la UCI, test COVID (PCR) y fallecidos. Se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas t de Student, chi-cuadrado y exacta de Fisher para comparar el perfil pre y postpandemia. Además, se aplicó la prueba de correlación de Spearman para verificar la correlación entre las variables, considerando p<0,05. Resultados: se analizaron 388 historias clínicas, mostrando un aumento del 15% en las cirugías de columna durante la pandemia. Hubo una diferencia significativa en la etiología de las cirugías (p=0,05), siendo más frecuente el traumatismo lumbar en los hombres y también más casos de déficit neurológico (p=0,001). También hubo una reducción en la estancia en la UTI (p=0,0001), que fue menor durante la pandemia. Conclusión: La pandemia de COVID-19 no impactó directamente en el número de cirugías realizadas en un Hospital de Referencia en Urgencias de Alta Complejidad en Goiás, pero hubo una priorización de las cirugías de emergencia. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudio Retrospectivo.

PREVENCOT project: Do we follow international guidelines to prevent surgical site infection in orthopedic elective surgery? / Proyecto PREVENCOT: ¿Seguimos las recomendaciones internacionales para la prevención de la infección del sitio quirúrgico en cirugía ortopédica programada?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prevention of postoperative surgical site infections is indeed feasible. The aim of this work is to analyses adherence to international guidelines for the prevention of infections in elective orthopedic prosthetic surgery by means of a survey of a representative sample of Spanish orthopedic surgeons, with the purpose to establish general recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A population survey was conducted in online format consisting of 78 questions to analyze the usual clinical practice of Spanish orthopedic surgeons in the face of periprosthetic infections of the hip and knee, and their adherence to international guidelines. RESULTS: The results of the survey (n=138) show in clinical practice of Spanish orthopedic surgeons a high adherence to most of the international recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The integration high adherence of individual clinical practice with the best available scientific evidence based on the recommendations of international guidelines is the best way to adequately manage the prevention of periprosthetic infection in elective surgery.

Position statement relating ankle fractures in major outpatient surgery. / Documento de posicionamiento respecto a las fracturas de tobillo en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis associated with ageing, and sports and traffic accidents, are responsible for the increase in ankle fractures. This fact emphasises the need to protocolise their care in order to provide greater clinical benefit to patients, and better cost-benefit ratios to the health system. AIM AND METHOD: At present, there is no common framework for implementation of protocols and internal circuits of the Spanish centres for ankle fractures by means of major outpatient surgery (MOS), which is the final objective of this position paper. For this, the clinical and economic evidence of MOS, the local environment and the strategies for its implementation are reviewed, related to ankle fractures. CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC EVIDENCE: The results showed a better cost-benefit ratio in outpatients compared to traditional hospitalisation, with lower complications and readmission rates and therefore significant cost savings. BARRIERS AND STRATEGIES: General and specific barriers are reviewed, as well as strategies and circuits for proper implementation. RESULTS: The results show lower complication and readmission rates together with significant cost savings. It entails a better cost-benefit ratio in outpatient care compared to traditional hospitalisation. POSITION STATEMENT: The implementation of MOS contributes to improve the quality of care, and the satisfaction of both, patient and health care team, while optimising the utilisation of resources. Ankle fractures in patients selected for both the underlying pathology, anaesthetic risk, and the type of fracture can be operated satisfactorily under the MOS.

Preoperative hemogram as a predictive factor for iron deficit and/or transfusion in patients scheduled for arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: anemia and iron deficiency predispose to an increased risk of transfusion with a consequent increase in morbidity and mortality. The study analyzes whether blood cell count parameters in addition to detecting anemia can predict iron deficiency and/or transfusional risk in patients undergoing mostly to scheduled primary hip and knee arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE: To analyze how blood cell count parameters predict iron deficiency and/or transfusional risk in patients undergoing programmed arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analytical and transfusion results of 522 patients undergoing arthroplasty have been prospectively collected between 2013 and 2019 and the discriminative and predictive capacity of the basic parameters of the red cells have been analyzed; hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin (HCM) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) for the identification of presurgical iron deficiency and postsurgical transfusion. RESULTS: Anaemia was detected in 6.6%, "suboptim" Hb (<13 g/dL) in 14.5% and iron deficiency in 32.4%. Anemia detects only 13.8% of ID. After logistic regression analysis, the multivariate model significantly related Hb (p = .004), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p = .026), and the red cell distribution width (RDW) (p = .001) with ID; but mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is not significant. Hb, age and transferrin saturation index have been the only risk factors for transfusional risk of the parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The hemogram contains parameters that correlate with iron deficiency, however, mean cell volume, so widely used for the orientation of iron deficiency, is not valid as a discriminator of iron deficiency in this group of patients. Low Hb and transferrin saturation index are modifiable predictors for transfusion risk.

[Survey about the impact of COVID-19 on the traumatology and orthopedic surgery departments in Spain]. / Encuesta acerca del impacto de la COVID-19 en los servicios de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología de España.

INTRODUCTION: We designed and conducted a survey to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation and performance of the orthopedic departments of the National Health System and private entities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of a survey is distributed to Spanish Ortohopedic surgeons via Internet. RESULTS: 401 valid responses were obtained, out of these 85.7% had to reduce their surgical activity between 50% and 100%. 46% of the sample were asked to collaborate in other units or services and another 43% felt that their work had been underused. 52% modified the treatment indications in various bone fractures, with variability between centers and communities. 30% reported being satisfied with the management from the state and 60% with that of their province and center. 70% showed little to no satisfaction with the training received on the use of masks and personal protective equipment. An additional of 80% were also unsatisfied with the training received with regard to sample-taking. 65% did not have protective equipment to carry out their work. 46% have been denied protective measures to treat patients with suspected or confirmed infection. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the National Health System in an extremely serious situation. Through the analysis of the results, we can observe an inefficient use of available human resources, a widespread discontent, as well as an absence of means and measures, which has had a direct impact on the number of infected professionals.

Preoperative hemogram as a predictive factor for iron deficit and/or transfusion in patients scheduled for arthroplasty. / El hemograma como factor predictivo de déficit de hierro y/o transfusión en paciente pendiente de artroplastia.

INTRODUCTION: Anemia and iron deficiency predispose to an increased risk of transfusion with a consequent increase in morbidity and mortality. The study analyzes whether blood cell count parameters in addition to detecting anemia can predict iron deficiency and/or transfusional risk in patients undergoing mostly to scheduled primary hip and knee arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE: To analyze how blood cell count parameters predict iron deficiency and/or transfusional risk in patients undergoing programmed arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analytical and transfusion results of 522 patients undergoing arthroplasty have been prospectively collected between 2013 and 2019 and the discriminative and predictive capacity of the basic parameters of the red cells have been analyzed; hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin (HCM) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) for the identification of presurgical iron deficiency and postsurgical transfusion. RESULTS: Anaemia was detected in 6.6%, "suboptim" Hb (<13g/dL) in 14.5% and iron deficiency in 32.4%. Anemia detects only 13.8% of ID. After logistic regression analysis, the multivariate model significantly related Hb (p=.004), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p=.026), and the red cell distribution width (RDW) (p=.001) with ID; but mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is not significant. Hb, age and transferrin saturation index have been the only risk factors for transfusional risk of the parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The hemogram contains parameters that correlate with iron deficiency, however, mean cell volume, so widely used for the orientation of iron deficiency, is not valid as a discriminator of iron deficiency in this group of patients. Low Hb and transferrin saturation index are modifiable predictors for transfusion risk.

Ventajas y limitaciones del uso del torniquete en ortopedia y traumatología / Advantages and Limitations of the Use of Tourniquet in Orthopedics and Traumatology

Introducción: El torniquete es ampliamente usado en la cirugía ortopédica y traumatológica con el objetivo de disminuir las pérdidas sanguíneas intraoperatorias y mejorar la visibilidad de las estructuras anatómicas, aunque su empleo es controversial. Objetivo: Describir las aplicaciones prácticas y las limitaciones del torniquete en la cirugía ortopédica y traumatológica. Método: Se realizó una revisión no sistemática de la literatura en bases de datos científicas como Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, OVID y el buscador académico Google Scholar, en el mes de septiembre de 2020. Conclusiones: Aunque el torniquete es ampliamente utilizado durante la cirugía ortopédica y traumatológica, debido a que contribuye a reducir las pérdidas hemáticas intraoperatorias, se ha demostrado su efecto en el aumento de las pérdidas sanguíneas totales, así como su asociación con dolor perioperatorio, pérdida de la fuerza muscular del miembro, lesiones de nervios periféricos, trombosis venosa profunda y daño a órganos a distancia por el fenómeno de isquemia-reperfusión(AU)

Introduction: Although controversial, tourniquets are widely used in orthopedic and trauma surgery with the aim of reducing intraoperative blood losses and improving the visibility of anatomical structures. Objective: To describe the practical applications and limitations of tourniquets in orthopedic and trauma surgery. Method: A non-systematic review of the literature was carried out, in scientific databases such as Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Pubmed / Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, OVID and the academic search engine Google Scholar, in the month of September 2020. Conclusions: Although tourniquets are widely used during orthopedic and trauma surgery, since they contribute to reducing intraoperative blood loss, the effect on increasing total blood loss has been demonstrated, as well as the association with perioperative pain, blood loss, limb muscle strength, peripheral nerve injuries, deep vein thrombosis and damage to distant organs due to the ischemia-reperfusion phenomenon(AU)

Covid-19 y cirugía ortopédica: revisión de la literatura y evidencias / Covid-19 and orthopedic surgery: review of the literature and evidence

Se ha declarado una pandemia ante la propagación de un nuevo virus con alta contagiosidad, llamado síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV2). El mundo ha quedado detenido ante la rápida expansión del virus, con una letalidad que en algunos países llega a 15%. En Chile, el gobierno ha tomado medidas rápidas y agresivas que han permitido mantener la curva de contagios a un nivel que permita atender de manera adecuada a la población. Dentro de estas medidas, se contempla la suspensión de cirugías y consultas ambulatorias. Como cirujanos ortopédicos, nos hemos visto afectados por estas medidas, y existe confusión respecto a cuál es la conducta más adecuada. Quisimos hacer esta guía para resumir parte de las evidencias disponibles y orientar a los cirujanos ortopédicos respecto a esta patología. El comportamiento de esta guía es dinámico, dadas las múltiples opiniones, experiencias y evidencias, que surgen diariamente, por lo que recomendamos mantenerlo como referencia, no como certeza.

A pandemic has been declared due to a new highly contagious virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). The world has come to a halt due to the rapid expansion of a virus whose lethality has reached 15% in some countries. In Chile, the government has taken decisive, aggressive measures in an attempt to control disease spread and provide healthcare to those who need it. These decisions include the suspension of elective surgeries and other ambulatory procedures. As Orthopedic surgeons we have been affected by these measures and there is doubt regarding the best course of action. We prepared this guide to summarize available evidence and orient our colleagues regarding this pathology. This guide is meant to be dynamic, as new opinions, evidence and experiences arise every day. Therefore, we advise the reader to keep it as a reference, not an undisputable truth.

Thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery and trauma. / Profilaxis tromboembólica en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología.

Thromboembolism prophylaxis is well-established in major orthopaedic surgery (hip and knee arthroplasty and hip fracture surgery), with low-molecular-weight heparins the most often chosen agent. In recent years, however, direct-acting anticoagulants have been gaining ground and can be used in this scenario (except for hip fracture surgery). In the US, even aspirin could be indicated for low-risk patients who undergo hip or knee arthroplasty. For other orthopaedic procedures (leg surgery below the knee, ankle and foot; knee arthroscopy; arm surgery; and spine surgery), thromboembolism prophylaxis requires individualisation based on the patient's risk factors and the surgery's characteristics, given that the risk of venous thromboembolic disease is minor. In this patient group, the agent of choice is low-molecular-weight heparin, given that direct-acting anticoagulants are not approved for these types of surgery.

Patient Blood Management for primary hip and knee replacement. A survey among POWER.2 study researchers. / Patient Blood Management en artroplastia primaria de cadera y rodilla. Encuesta entre los investigadores del estudio POWER.2.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of Patient Blood Management programs remain variable in Europe, and even in centres with well-established PBM programs variability exists in transfusion practices. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We conducted a survey in order to assess current practice in perioperative Patient Blood Management in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement among researchers involved in POWER.2 Study in Spain (an observational prospective study evaluating enhanced recovery pathways in orthopaedic surgery). RESULTS: A total of 322 responses were obtained (37.8%). Half of responders check Haemoglobin levels in patients at least 4 weeks before surgery; 35% treat all anaemic patients, although 99.7% consider detection and treatment of preoperative anaemia could influence the postoperative outcomes. Lack of infrastructure (76%) and lack of time (51%) are the main stated reasons not to treat anaemic patients. Iron status is routinely checked by 19% before surgery, and 36% evaluate it solely in the anaemic patient. Hb<9.9 g/dl is the threshold to delay surgery for 61% of clinicians, and 22% would consider transfusing preoperatively clinically stable patients without active bleeding. The threshold to transfuse patients without cardiovascular disease is 8 g/dl for 43%, and 7 g/dl for 34% of the responders; 75% of clinicians consider they use "restrictive thresholds", and 90% follow the single unit transfusion policy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our survey show variability in clinical practice in Patient Blood Management in major orthopaedic surgery, despite being the surgery with the greatest tradition in these programs.

Causes of unplanned admission after orthopedic procedures in ambulatory surgery. / Causas de ingresos no deseados tras la realización de procedimientos quirúrgicos de cirugía ortopédica y traumatología en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

OBJECTIVE: Orthopaedic procedures performed in Day Surgery Units provide important advantages which disappear when patients require admission when postoperative recovery is not as expected. The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons for unplanned hospital admissions after orthopaedic procedures in a Day Surgery Unit and their relationship between variables such as patient age, anaesthetic risk and technique, procedure or duration. METHODS: Ambispective cohort study of 5,085 patients who underwent surgical orthopaedic procedures between 1995 and 2017. Thirty-nine variables provided by the Unit's database were analysed. The database was opened on the day of admission and closed the 30th postoperative day. RESULTS: Of the patients, 98.2% were discharged from the Unit. Seventy-four (1.5%) required overnight admission. This percentage showed significant differences in relation to the type of procedure, type of anaesthesia and duration, which conditioned overnight admission due to inadequate postoperative pain management, nausea or wound complications. Seventeen patients (0.3%) required readmission after discharge due to complications that arose at home, such as wound infection, which was the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned admissions are more frequently related to general anaesthesia, lengthy surgeries and procedures such as arthroscopy, hallux valgus corrections or removal of osteosynthesis material. The major reasons for unplanned admissions were inadequate postoperative pain management for overnight admissions and wound infection for admissions after discharge.

Sociodemographic factors affecting the comprehension of clinical information by inpatients undergoing trauma surgery. / Determinantes sociodemográficos de la comprensión de la información clínica en pacientes hospitalizados intervenidos de cirugía traumatológica.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical information process is the basis of the doctor-patient relationship. It starts with the information provided before signing informed consent and ends on the termination of the doctor-patient relationship. The influence of demographic variables in the information process has not been thoroughly studied for inpatients undergoing surgery. In this study we aim to answer two questions: 1) Does gender have an influence on the information process for these patients? 2) Are there other factors that affect the process? METHOD: A prospective study carried out using an 'ad hoc' designed survey on a 200-inpatient sample after undergoing surgery in the trauma and orthopaedics department of our hospital. Sampling was simple random. RESULTS: We found differences in the consistency of the answers by gender in the question regarding surgical priority, with the women having a better understanding of it (p=.04). The rest of the questions show no differences by gender. However, in the population analyzed, age and educational level are the main modifiers of understanding, and they are both related to gender (p<.0001; p=.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, it is fundamental to keep in mind the factors that affect the information process. According to our results, the factors that define greater vulnerability in relation to the information process are age and low educational level.

Rabdomiólisis intraoperatoria en cirugía de resección de osteosarcoma de fémur: Reporte de caso y discusión / Case report: Intraoperative rhabdomyolisis after femur osteosarcoma resection

Rhabdomyolysis is a pathology that rarely has causes in the perioperative period, where it has been commonly related as a complication of malignant hyperthermia, prolonged patient positioning with intraoperative muscle compression, in the postoperative period of bariatric surgery and in children. The purpose of this review is to present the case of a 49 year-old male patient, who underwent limb salvage surgery for treatment of a left femur osteosarcoma, with reconstruction via bone transplant and joint prosthesis. During the procedure hyperkalemia and elevation of Creatine-Phosphokinase (CPK) enzyme levels where detected, without changes compatible with renal failure, which required repeated treatment to normalize and that, after ruling out other causes, it was attributed to skeletal muscle destruction during the procedure. Rhabdomyolysis is a phenomenon inherent to this sort of procedures and may manifest initially as laboratory findings and that, if not diagnosed in time, may lead to fatal arrhythmias and acute renal failure.

La rabdomiólisis es una patología que rara vez tiene origen en el período perioperatorio, donde comúnmente se le ha relacionado como complicación de la hipertermia maligna, de decúbitos prolongados con compresión muscular intraoperatoria, del posoperatorio de la cirugía bariátrica y en niños. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el caso de un hombre de 49 años, sometido a resección de un osteosarcoma de fémur izquierdo con reconstrucción mediante trasplante óseo y prótesis articular, durante el cual se detectan hiperpotasemia y aumento de la Creatin-Fosfokinasa (CPK), sin alteraciones compatibles con fallo renal, que requirió reiterados tratamientos para la normalización de los valores de kalemia, y que tras descartar otras causas se atribuyó a la destrucción de musculoesquelético durante el procedimiento. La rabdomiólisis es un fenómeno inherente a este tipo de procedimientos y puede manifestarse inicialmente con alteraciones analíticas que, de no ser diagnosticadas en tiempo y forma, pueden llevar a arritmias fatales y fallo renal agudo.