Comparison of open and endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery regarding clinical outcomes, complication and return to daily life: A prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the clinical results and complications as well as patient satisfaction in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome operated with open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) or endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) techniques. METHODS: This study conducted in Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between August 2016 and January 2018. A total of 54 patients were operated with the ECTR technique and 50 patients were operated with the OCTR technique after failing nonsurgical treatment. Patients functional scores are assessed with the carpal tunnel syndrome-functional status score (CTS-FSS) and carpal tunnel syndrome-symptom severity score (CTS-SSS). Operation time, incision length and complications of the two techniques were noted and compared. RESULTS: The age, sex distribution, distribution of sides, and complaint period were not significant (p > 0.05) between the groups. The preoperative or postoperative CTS-SSS and CTS-FSS values did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Incision length, time to return to work and return to daily life in the OCTR group was significantly higher than the ECTR group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ECTR has similar results in terms of symptom relief, severity, functional status, pillar pain and complication rates compared to OCTR. However, it has the advantages of early return to daily life, early return to work and less incision length.

Effects of repeated intravenous doses of tranexamic acid on closed tibial fracture healing: Experimental study based on the rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tranexamic acid on fracture healing in the rat tibia closed fracture model. METHODS: Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study, where closed fracture and intramedullary nailing were performed on their right tibial diaphyses. They were divided into 2 main groups, the experimental group, which was given weekly tranexamic acid injections, and the control group, which received no additional treatment. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed and evaluated for fracture healing at the first experimental group and control group, second experimental group and control group, third experimental group and control group, and fourth experimental group and control group weeks. Fracture healing was radiologically assessed according to the "Spencer Index" and "Lane and Sandhu Scoring System," and histologically evaluated according to the scoring system devised by Huo et al. Results: According to the Spencer Index, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the E3 group than in the third con- trol group (P = .014). Furthermore, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the fourth experimental group compared to the fourth control group (P=.047). According to the Lane and Sandhu Scoring System, only the mean union scores of the E3-4 groups were statistically significantly higher than the mean union scores of the C3-4 groups (P=.048). There was no histological difference between groups in terms of union, according to the criteria defined by Huo et al (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study showed us that repeated intravenous administrations of tranexamic acid had no negative effect on fracture heal- ing in the rat tibia fracture model. Although tranexamic acid demonstrated better radiological healing in the late period, it had no effect on histological union.

Predictive value of different glycemic control markers in total hip or knee arthroplasty: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal glycemic control marker before total hip or knee arthroplasty remains inconclusive. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is widely used, while fructosamine may be valuable for predicting periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Fructosamine levels can be affected by serum albumin levels; albumin-corrected fructosamine (AlbF) can be calculated to overcome this issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of different markers for complications after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 304 patients (mean age: 65 years [range, 16-85), mean follow-up: 32 months (range, 12-49)] who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty between 2018 and 2021. Of them, 156 patients had diabetes. Mean HbA1c was 6.5% (range, 4.8%-13%), fructosamine 244 µmol/L (range, 98-566 µmol/L), and AlbF 632 (range, 238-2308). Patients who did and did not have diabetes were matched 1 : 1. Hemoglobin A1c 7% and fructosamine 292 µmol/L were used as cutoff. Complications were documented. Glycemic markers were compared using logistic regression analyses, with a special focus on PJI. RESULTS: In the logistic regression analyses, HbA1c was strongly associated with total complications [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.61; 95% CI, 1.65-7.91, P = .001], while fructosamine was associated with PJI (adjusted OR: 13.68; 95% CI, 1.39-134.89, P = .025). Albumin-corrected fructosamine did not show any additional benefits. CONCLUSION: Preoperative assessment before total hip or knee arthroplasty must not focus on a single marker; HbA1c is a good predictor of total complications, while fructosamine is a better predictor of PJI. To the best of our knowledge, in its first orthopedic study, AlbF did not show any advantages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prognostic Study.