Early Prosthetic Hip Dislocation: Does the Timing of the Dislocation Matter?

INTRODUCTION: Early dislocation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common reason for revision. The purpose of this study was to determine if the acuity of the dislocation episode affects the risk of revision surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of a national, all-payer administrative database comprised of claims from 2010 to 2020 was used to identify patients who had a prosthetic hip dislocation at various post-operative time intervals (0 to 7, 7 to 30, 30 to 60, and 60 to 90 days). Of the 45,352 primary unilateral THA patients who had sufficient follow-up, there were 2,878 dislocations within 90 days. Dislocators were matched 1:1 based on age, sex, and a comorbidity index with a control group (no dislocation). Demographics, surgical indications, comorbidities, ten-year revision rates, and complications were compared among cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for revision THA following early dislocation. RESULTS: Among matched cohorts, dislocation at any time interval was associated with significantly increased odds of subsequent 10-year revision (OR [odds ratio] = 25.60 to 33.4, P < 0.001). Acute dislocators within 7 days did not have an increased risk of all cause revisions at 10 years relative to other early dislocators. Revision for indication of instability decreased with time to first dislocation (< 7 days: 85.7% versus 60 to 90 days: 53.9%). Primary diagnoses of post traumatic arthritis (OR = 2.53 [1.84 to 3.49], P < 0.001), hip fracture (OR = 3.8 [2.53 to 5.72], P < 0.001), and osteonecrosis (OR = 1.75 [1.12 to 2.73], P = 0.010) were most commonly associated with revision surgery after an early dislocation. CONCLUSION: Dislocation within 90 days of total hip arthroplasty is associated with increased odds of subsequent revision. Early dislocation within 7 days of surgery has similar all cause revision-free survivorship, but an increased risk of a subsequent revision for instability when compared to patients who dislocated within 7 to 90 days.

Osteoporotic Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty Have a Similar 5-Year Cumulative Incidence Rate of Periprosthetic Fracture Regardless of Cemented Versus Cementless Femoral Stem Fixation.

BACKGROUND: In osteoporotic patients, surgeons may utilize cemented femoral fixation to minimize risk of fracture. The purpose of this study was to compare 5-year implant survivability in patients who have osteoporosis who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) with cementless versus cemented fixation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who have osteoporosis undergoing THA with either cemented or cementless femoral fixation was conducted using a national administrative claims database. Of the 18,431 identified THA patients who have osteoporosis, 15,867 (86.1%) underwent cementless fixation. The primary outcome was a comparison of the 5-year cumulative incidences of aseptic revision, mechanical loosening, and periprosthetic fracture (PPF). Kaplan-Meier and Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazard Ratio analyses were used, controlling for femoral fixation method, age, sex, a comorbidity scale, use of osteoporosis medication, and important comorbidity. RESULTS: There was no difference in aseptic revision (Hazard's Ratio (HR): 1.13; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.79 to 1.62; P value: .500) and PPF (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.44; P value: .858) within 5 years of THA between fixation cohorts. However, patients who had cemented fixation were more likely to suffer mechanical loosening with 5 years post-THA (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.71; P-value: .007). CONCLUSIONS: We found a similar 5-year rate of PPF when comparing patients who underwent cementless versus cemented femoral fixation for elective THA regardless of preoperative diagnosis of osteoporosis. While existing registry data support the use of cemented fixation in elderly patients, a more thorough understanding of the interplay between age, osteoporosis, and implant design is needed to delineate in whom cemented fixation is most warranted for PPF prevention.

The Association Between Oral Bone Mineral Density-Reducing Medications and the Risk of 2-Year Implant-Related Complications Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Certain medications interfere with the bone remodeling process and may potentially increase the risk of complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). As patients undergoing TKA may be taking these bone mineral density (BMD)-reducing medications, it is unclear as to whether and which medications impact TKA outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to observe the impact of various BMD-reducing medications on 2-year implant-related complications following TKA. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing primary TKA was conducted using a national administrative claims database. Patients were identified if they were taking any known BMD-reducing medication and were compared to control patients. To control for confounders associated with taking multiple agents, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted for each 2-year outcome (all-cause revision, loosening-indicated revision, and periprosthetic fracture--indicated revision), with the output recorded as odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: In our study, 502,927 of 1,276,209 TKA patients (39.4%) were taking at least one BMD-reducing medication perioperatively. On multivariable analysis, medications associated with a higher likelihood of 2-year all-cause revision included first- and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) (OR: 1.42 and 1.26, respectively), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (OR: 1.14), glucocorticoids (1.13), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR: 1.23) (P < .05 for all). Medications associated with a higher likelihood of 2-year periprosthetic fracture included SGAs (OR: 1.51), SSRIs (OR: 1.27), aromatase inhibitors (OR: 1.29), and PPIs (OR: 1.42) (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Of the drug classes observed, the utilization of perioperative PPIs, SSRIs, glucocorticoids, first-generation antipsychotics, and SGAs was associated with the highest odds of all-cause revision. Our findings suggest a relationship between these medications and BMD-related complications; however, further studies should seek to determine the causality of these relationships.

Can Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgeons Help Address the Osteoporosis Epidemic?

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a known, modifiable risk factor for lower extremity periprosthetic fractures. Unfortunately, a high percentage of patients at risk of osteoporosis who undergo THA or TKA do not receive routine screening and treatment for osteoporosis, but there is insufficient information determining the proportion of patients undergoing THA and TKA who should be screened and their implant-related complications. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What proportion of patients in a large database who underwent THA or TKA met the criteria for osteoporosis screening? (2) What proportion of these patients received a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) study before arthroplasty? (3) What was the 5-year cumulative incidence of fragility fracture or periprosthetic fracture after arthroplasty of those at high risk compared with those at low risk of osteoporosis? METHODS: Between January 2010 and October 2021, 710,097 and 1,353,218 patients who underwent THA and TKA, respectively, were captured in the Mariner dataset of the PearlDiver database. We used this dataset because it longitudinally tracks patients across a variety of insurance providers throughout the United States to provide generalizable data. Patients at least 50 years old with at least 2 years of follow-up were included, and patients with a diagnosis of malignancy and fracture-indicated total joint arthroplasty were excluded. Based on this initial criterion, 60% (425,005) of THAs and 66% (897,664) of TKAs were eligible. A further 11% (44,739) of THAs and 11% (102,463) of TKAs were excluded because of a prior diagnosis of or treatment for osteoporosis, leaving 54% (380,266) of THAs and 59% (795,201) of TKAs for analysis. Patients at high risk of osteoporosis were filtered using demographic and comorbidity information provided by the database and defined by national guidelines. The proportion of patients at high risk of osteoporosis who underwent osteoporosis screening via DEXA scan within 3 years was observed, and the 5-year cumulative incidence of periprosthetic fractures and fragility fracture was compared between the high-risk and low-risk cohorts. RESULTS: In total, 53% (201,450) and 55% (439,982) of patients who underwent THA and TKA, respectively, were considered at high risk of osteoporosis. Of these patients, 12% (24,898 of 201,450) and 13% (57,022 of 439,982) of patients who underwent THA and TKA, respectively, received a preoperative DEXA scan. Within 5 years, patients at high risk of osteoporosis undergoing THA and TKA had a higher cumulative incidence of fragility fractures (THA: HR 2.1 [95% CI 1.9 to 2.2]; TKA: HR 1.8 [95% CI 1.7 to 1.9]) and periprosthetic fractures (THA: HR 1.7 [95% CI 1.5 to 1.8]; TKA: HR 1.6 [95% CI 1.4 to 1.7]) than those at low risk (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: We attribute the higher rates of fragility and periprosthetic fractures in those at high risk compared with those at low risk to an occult diagnosis of osteoporosis. Hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons can help reduce the incidence and burden of these osteoporosis-related complications by initiating screening and subsequently referring patients to bone health specialists for treatment. Future studies might investigate the proportion of osteoporosis in patients at high risk of having the condition, develop and evaluate practical bone health screening and treatment algorithms for hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons, and observe the cost-effectiveness of implementing these algorithms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Outpatient Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is It Safe?

BACKGROUND: It is currently unknown if simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (si-BTKA) can also be safely performed in the outpatient setting. The primary aim of this study was to compare 30-day postoperative complication rates between outpatient and inpatient si-BTKA. METHODS: Adults undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (si-BTKA) from 2015-2019 were queried using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Our primary analysis compared the rates of complications between outpatient si-BTKA and inpatient si-BTKA using bivariate comparisons and multivariable logistic regression of outpatient and inpatient cases controlling for differences in baseline demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2019, the utilization of outpatient si-BTKA increased from 0.6% to 10.5%. Outpatient si-BTKA were found to have significantly lower odds of any complication (OR = 0.49), minor complication (OR = 0.50), and postoperative transfusion (OR = 0.66) compared to inpatient cases. Outpatient si-BTKA also had a significantly shorter operative time. CONCLUSION: Compared to inpatient si-BTKA, patients who undergo outpatient si-BTKA do not demonstrate increased rates of any complication, severe complications, and minor complications within 30-days postoperatively. Further insight is needed on the effect of outpatient si-BTKA on long-term outcomes.

A Novel Method for Stratification of Major Complication Risk Using Body Mass Index Thresholds for Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A National Cohort of 224,413 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with complications following Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Since obese individuals are almost 10 times more likely to require THA compared to non-obese individuals, we need to understand the risk-benefit continuum while considering THA in obese patients. We aimed to determine data-driven thresholds for BMI at which the risk of major complications following THA increases significantly. METHODS: Patients were identified in a national database who underwent primary THA from 2010 to 2020. BMI thresholds were identified using the stratum-specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) methodology, which is an adaptive technique that allows for identification of BMI cut-offs, at which the risk of major complications is increased significantly . BMI cutoffs identified using SSLR were used to create a logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 224,413 patients were identified with a mean age of 66 ± 10, BMI 32 ± 6.7, and 7,186 (3%) sustained a major complication. BMI thresholds were defined as 19-31, 32-37, 38-49 and 50+. Overall, the absolute risk of major complications increased from 2.9% in the lowest BMI strata to 7.5% in the highest BMI strata. Compared to patients with a BMI between 19-31, the odds of sustaining a major complication sequentially increased by 1.2, 1.6, and 2.5-times for patients in each higher BMI strata (all, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified BMI cutoffs using SSLR that categorizes patients into four categories of risk for major complications in a nationally representative patient sample. These thresholds can be used in the surgical decision-making process between patients and surgeons.

Free Falling: Declining Inflation-Adjusted Payment for Arthroplasty Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, there have been ongoing concerns over declining surgeon compensation for lower extremity arthroplasty. We aimed to determine changes in surgeon payment, patient charges, and overall reimbursement rates for patients undergoing unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA) and both primary and revision total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty. METHODS: Using Medicare data from 2012 to 2017, we determined inflation-adjusted changes in annual surgeon payment (professional fee), patient charges, and reimbursement rate (payment-to-charge ratio) for UKA and primary/revision TKA and THA. Both nonweighted and weighted (by procedure frequency/volume) means were calculated. RESULTS: Inflation-adjusted surgeon payment decreased for all procedures analyzed, with primary TKA (-17%) and THA (-11%) falling the most. Payment for UKA increased the most (+30%). There was a small increase in charges for THA revision (+2.2%, +2.1%, and +3.2% for acetabulum only, femur only, and both components, respectively). Charges for primary TKA (-3.7%) and THA (-1.5%) decreased slightly. The reimbursement rate for all procedures fell with UKA (-15%), TKA (-14%), and THA (-10%) falling the most. After weighting by procedure frequency/volume and combining all surgeries, average charges fell slightly (-0.7%), whereas surgeon payment (-13%) and reimbursement rate (-12%) fell more sharply. CONCLUSION: Although patient charges have grown in pace with the inflationary rate for primary and revision TKA and THA, surgeon payment and reimbursement rates have fallen sharply. The orthopedic community needs to be aware of these financial trends to communicate to payers and health care policy makers the importance of protecting a sustainable payment infrastructure.

Impact of Compensated Cirrhosis Etiology on Postoperative Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhotics often demonstrate worse outcomes than their non-cirrhotic counterparts following orthopedic surgery; however, there are limited arthroplasty-focused data on this occurrence. Additionally, variances in postoperative outcomes among the different etiologies of cirrhosis have not been well described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect compensated cirrhosis had on postoperative outcomes following elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: In total, 1,734,568 patients who underwent primary TKA from 2006 to 2013 were identified using the Medicare Claims Database. Patients were divided into those with a history of compensated cirrhosis and those with no history of liver disease. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the etiology of cirrhosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate postsurgical outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Cirrhotic patients had higher risk of developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (odds ratio [OR] 2.76, P = .003), encephalopathy (OR 3.00, P < .001), and periprosthetic infection (OR 1.79, P < .001) compared to controls. Following subgroup analysis, alcoholic cirrhotics had high risk of periprosthetic infection (OR 2.12, P < .001), fracture (OR 3.28, P < .001), transfusion (OR 2.45, P < .001), and encephalopathy (OR 7.34, P < .001) compared to controls. Viral cirrhosis was associated with an increase in 90-day charges ($14,941, P < .001) compared to controls, while cirrhosis secondary to other causes was associated with few adverse outcomes compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Liver cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for increased perioperative morbidity and financial burden following TKA. Cirrhosis due to etiologies other than viral infections and alcoholism are associated with few adverse outcomes. Surgeons should be aware of these complications to properly optimize postoperative management.

Routine Basic Metabolic Panels Are Not Needed in All Patients After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Opportunity for Cost Reduction.

BACKGROUND: As the incidence of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) increases, identifying methods for cost reduction is essential. Basic metabolic panels (BMPs) are obtained routinely after TJA. We aimed at assessing the prevalence of intervention secondary to abnormal BMPs after primary TJA and at identifying predictors of the need for postoperative BMPs. METHODS: We reviewed 802 cases (758 patients) of primary lower-extremity TJA performed from January 1 through December 31, 2018, at our tertiary care medical center. Patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative BMPs, comorbidities, current medications, and in-hospital interventions were recorded. Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (AA-CCI) values were calculated. Institutional costs of 1 BMP and of all BMPs not prompting intervention were calculated. We used multiple regression to identify independent predictors of in-hospital interventions secondary to abnormal postoperative BMPs. RESULTS: Our institutional BMP cost was $36. A total of 1032 postoperative BMPs were ordered; 958 (93%) prompted no intervention. This equated to $34,488 of avoidable BMP costs. We identified 27 cases (3.4%) requiring intervention secondary to abnormal BMPs. Independent predictors of intervention were preoperative renal dysfunction (ie, abnormal creatinine or glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min) (odds ratio [OR], 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-22), number of current nephrotoxic medications (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9), and AA-CCI value (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5). CONCLUSION: Routine postoperative BMPs are unwarranted for most patients undergoing primary TJA. Testing may be reserved for those with renal dysfunction, those taking multiple nephrotoxic medications, or those with a high AA-CCI value.

Compensated Cirrhosis Is Associated With Increased Risk of Complications Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Large Medicare Database.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate medical and surgical complications of liver cirrhosis patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA), with attention to different etiologies of cirrhosis and their financial burden following THA. METHODS: In total, 18,321 cirrhotics and 722,757 non-cirrhotics who underwent primary elective THA between 2006 and 2013 were identified from a retrospective database review. This cohort was further subdivided into 2 major etiologies of cirrhosis (viral and alcoholic cirrhosis) and other cirrhotic etiology. Cirrhotics were compared to non-cirrhotics for hospital length of stay, 90-day mean total charges and reimbursement, hospital readmission, and major medical and arthroplasty-specific complications. RESULTS: Cirrhosis was associated with increased rates of major medical complications (4.3% vs 2.4%; odds ratio [OR] 1.20, P < .001), minor medical complications, transfusion (3.4% vs 2.1%; OR 1.16, P = .001), encephalopathy, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and readmission (13.5% vs 8.6%; OR 1.18, P < .001) within 90 days. Cirrhosis was associated with increased rates of revision, periprosthetic joint infection, hardware failure, and dislocation within 1 year postoperatively (3.1% vs 1.6%; OR 1.37, P < .001). Cirrhosis independently increased hospital length of stay by 0.14 days (P < .001), and it independently increased 90-day charges and reimbursements by $13,791 (P < .001) and $1707 (P < .001), respectively. Viral and alcoholic cirrhotics had higher rates of 90-day and 1-year complications compared to controls-other causes only had higher rates of 90-day medical complications, encephalopathy, readmission, and 1-year revision, hardware failure, and dislocation compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Cirrhosis, especially viral and alcoholic etiologies, is associated with higher risk of early postoperative complications and healthcare utilization following elective THA.

Routine Preoperative Nutritional Screening in All Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients Has Little Utility.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional optimization before total joint arthroplasty (TJA) may improve patient outcomes and decrease costs. However, the utility of serologic laboratory markers, including albumin, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count (TLC), as primary indicators of nutrition is unclear. We analyzed the prevalence of abnormal nutritional values before TJA and identified factors associated with them. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 819 primary cases of TJA performed at 1 institution from January to December 2018. Patient demographic characteristics were assessed for associations with abnormal preoperative nutritional values (albumin <3.5 g/dL, transferrin <200 mg/dL, and TLC <1.5 cells/µL3). Associations of comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, and age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) with abnormal values were assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS: Values were abnormal for albumin in 21 cases (2.6%), transferrin in 26 cases (5.6%), and TLC in 185 cases (25%). Thirteen cases (1.7%) had abnormal values for 2 markers. Age was associated with abnormal albumin and TLC, and race with abnormal transferrin. Congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, pancreatic insufficiency, gastroesophageal reflux disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and CCI were associated with abnormal albumin; Parkinson disease and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status with abnormal transferrin; and dementia, body mass index, cancer history, and CCI with abnormal TLC. CONCLUSION: We report low prevalence of and a low concordance rate among abnormal nutritional values before primary TJA. Our results suggest that routine testing of all healthy patients is not warranted before TJA.

Revision Joint Arthroplasty and Renal Transplant: A Matched Control Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: There is little literature concerning clinical outcomes following revision joint arthroplasty in solid organ transplant recipients. The aims of this study are to (1) analyze postoperative outcomes and mortality following revision hip and knee arthroplasty in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) compared to non-RTRs and (2) characterize common indications and types of revision procedures among RTRs. METHODS: A retrospective Medicare database review identified 1020 RTRs who underwent revision joint arthroplasty (359 revision total knee arthroplasty [TKA] and 661 revision total hip arthroplasty [THA]) from 2005 to 2014. RTRs were compared to their respective matched control groups of nontransplant revision arthroplasty patients for hospital length of stay, readmission, major medical complications, infections, septicemia, and mortality following revision. RESULTS: Renal transplantation was significantly associated with increased length of stay (6.12 ± 7.86 vs 4.33 ± 4.29, P < .001), septicemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83-3.46; P < .001), and 1-year mortality (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.51-4.53; P < .001) following revision TKA. Among revision THA patients, RTR status was associated with increased hospital readmission (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.47; P = .023), septicemia (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.41-2.34; P < .001), and 1-year mortality (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.88-3.66; P < .001). The most frequent primary diagnoses associated with revision TKA and THA among RTRs were mechanical complications of prosthetic implant. CONCLUSION: Prior renal transplantation among revision joint arthroplasty patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality when compared to nontransplant recipients.

Does Polycythemia Vera Increase Risk of Postoperative Complications Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty? A Retrospective Matched Control Cohort Study of 6932 Polycythemia Vera Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is sparsity of data on outcomes following joint arthroplasty among polycythemia vera (PV) patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate postoperative outcomes following primary total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty among PV patients. METHODS: A retrospective Medicare database review identified 6932 PV patients who underwent a primary total joint arthroplasty (4643 TKAs and 2289 THAs) from 2006 to 2013. A comparison of hospital length of stay, mortality, and the diagnosis of surgical site infections (SSIs), stroke, myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other postoperative complications was made between PV patients undergoing TKA and THA and their respective matched control groups. RESULTS: PV was significantly associated with increased rates of acute PE (2.3% vs 1.6%; odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.75), DVT (4.2% vs 3.6%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.20-1.61, P < .001), postoperative hematoma (0.6% vs 0.4%; OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.03-2.28), and SSI (4.5% vs 3.6%; OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.44, P = .002) following TKA. Among PV patients who underwent a primary THA, PV was significantly associated with increased rate of acute PE (1.9% vs 1.4%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.88, P = .035), DVT (3.5% vs 2.6%; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.66, P = .035), postoperative hematoma (1.1% vs 0.6%; OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.22-2.80), and 1-year mortality (2.2% vs 1.6%; OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06-1.89, P = .016). CONCLUSION: PV was significantly associated with increased risk for DVT, PE, postoperative hematoma, SSI (TKA only), and 1-year mortality (THA only) following primary total joint arthroplasty.

Healing of Pathologic Humeral Fractures in Patients with Metastatic Disease: Consideration for Operative Fixation in Patients.

We compared short-term outcomes after operative versus nonoperative treatment of pathologic humeral fractures. We hypothesized that patients who underwent operative fixation would heal faster and have better pain control. A retrospective review was conducted of 25 patients who underwent operative fixation and 6 who received nonoperative treatment from 2005-2017. Operative patients healed significantly earlier than nonoperative patients (p = 0.02). At 16-week follow-up, radiographs showed evidence of healing in 24 of 25 operatively treated patients and 2 of 6 nonoperatively treated patients (p < 0.01). Pain improved during the inpatient stay in 24 of 25 operatively treated patients and none of the nonoperatively treated patients (p < 0.01). All operatively treated patients returned to self-reported baseline motor function by final follow-up, whereas none of the nonoperatively treated patients returned to baseline (p = 0.01). Operative treatment was associated with earlier healing, pain control and return to function compared with nonoperative treatment of pathologic humeral fractures. Level of Evidence: 3. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(3):177-181, 2020).

Extremity gossypiboma mimicking sarcoma: case report and review.

A 70-year-old man with a history of bladder and colon cancer presented with an enlarging mass in his right lower extremity. Forty years before presentation, he had injured his right lower extremity in a motor vehicle accident. Imaging findings indicated suspected sarcoma, which led to biopsy. Biopsy and further surgical exploration revealed the presence of a surgical sponge and surrounding local inflammatory reaction. No neoplasm was found, and the sponge and involved tissues were removed. Gossypiboma is exceedingly rare in the extremities. Imaging of retained foreign material can appear suggestive of sarcoma because of strong inflammatory responses and local tissue mass-like derangement resulting in heterogeneous signal changes. Ultimately, biopsy must be performed to ensure that no oncological pathological condition is present.

Ileus is a predictor of local infection in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Gut barrier dysfunction has been shown to increase the risk of bacterial translocation from the gut into the pancreatic bed. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate if ileus, a clinical marker of gut barrier dysfunction, can predict the development of IPN. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) was conducted from 2000 to 2014. Ileus was defined as ≥2 of the following criteria: nausea/vomiting; inability to tolerate a diet, absence of flatus, abdominal distension and features of ileus on imaging. Extensive necrosis was defined as >30% nonenhancing pancreatic parenchyma on contrast-enhanced CT. Multivariable cox proportional hazard analysis was used to evaluate known and potential predictors of IPN. RESULTS: 142 patients were identified with NP, 61 with IPN and 81 with sterile necrosis. In comparison to a diagnosis of ileus documented in the medical chart, the ileus criteria had a sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value of 100%, 93%, 78% and 100%, respectively. On multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis, ileus [HR:2.6; 95%CI:1.4-4.9] and extensive necrosis [HR:2.8; 95%CI:1.3-5.8] were independently associated with the development of IPN while there was no association with bacteremia [HR:1.09; 95%CI:0.6-2.1]. CONCLUSION: Ileus in NP can be accurately defined using surgical criteria. Ileus is independently associated with the future development of IPN. Further studies will be needed to determine if ileus can serve as a clinical marker to direct therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of IPN.

Quantifying Health Status and Function in Marfan Syndrome.

Two hundred thirty patients were prospectively enrolled in this study and completed various portions of the Short Form 36 and a study-specific questionnaire (visual analog scale 1 to 10, comprising three separate questionnaires) to evaluate quality of life and function in patients with Marfan syndrome. The greatest health concern was cardiac problems (high in 70% of patients), followed by spine issues and generalized fatigue (both high, in 53%). The most severe reported pain involved the back: 105 patients (46%) rated pain as 6 to 10 on the visual analog scale. Among the 72 patients who responded to work life questions, work hours were reduced because of treatment in 59 (82%) or directly because of Marfan syndrome in 29 (40%). Across all Short Form 36 domains, patients scored significantly lower than United States population norms (p<.05); physical health scores were considerably lower than mental health scores.

Trend of using cementless total knee arthroplasty: a nationwide analysis from 2015 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Modern cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) fixation has shown comparable long-term outcomes to cemented TKA, but the trend of using cementless TKA remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the trend of using cementless TKA based on a national database. METHODS: The patients undergoing cementless TKA between 2015 and 2021 were retrospectively extracted from the PearlDiver (Mariner dataset) Database. The annual percentage of cementless TKA was calculated using the following formula: annual number of cementless TKA/annual number of TKA. The trend of the number of patients undergoing cementless TKA was created according to a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) calculation of annual percentages. Patient age, comorbidity, region, insurance type, etc., were also investigated. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 574,848 patients who received TKA, 546,731 (95%) underwent cemented fixation and 28,117 (5%) underwent cementless fixation. From 2015 to 2021, the use of cementless TKA significantly increased by 242% from 3 to 9% (compounded annual growth rate (CAGR): + 20%; P < 0.05). From 2015 to 2021, we observed a CAGR greater than 15% for all age groups (< 50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-74, 75 +), insurance types (cash, commercial, government, Medicare, Medicaid), regions (Midwest, Northeast, South, West), sex (male and female), and certain comorbidities (osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, underweight (BMI < 18.5), rheumatoid arthritis) (P < 0.05 for all). Patients undergoing TKA with chronic kidney disease, prior fragility fractures, and dementia demonstrated a CAGR of + 9%-13% from 2015 to 2021 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: From 2015 to 2021, the use of cementless TKA saw a dramatic increase in all patient populations. However, there is still no consensus on when to cement and in whom. Clinical practice guidelines are needed to ensure safe and effective use of cementless fixation.

Acute kidney injury in the context of staged revision arthroplasty and the use of antibiotic-laden cement spacers: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of revision arthroplasty is prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Chronic PJI is commonly treated with two-stage exchange arthroplasty involving the placement of antibiotic-laden cement spacers (ACS) in the first stage, often containing nephrotoxic antibiotics. These patients often have significant comorbidity burdens and have higher rates of acute kidney injury (AKI). This systematic review aims to assess the current literature to identify (1) AKI incidence, (2) associated risk factors, and (3) antibiotic concentration thresholds in ACS that increase AKI risk following first-stage revision arthroplasty. METHODS: An electronic search was performed of the PubMed database of all studies involving patients undergoing ACS placement for chronic PJI. Studies assessing AKI rates and risk factors were screened by two authors independently. Data synthesis was performed when possible. Significant heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight observational studies consisting of 540 knee PJIs and 943 hip PJIs met inclusion criteria. There were 309 (21%) cases involving AKI. The most commonly reported risk factors included perfusion-related factors (lower preoperative hemoglobin, transfusion requirement, or hypovolemia), older age, increased comorbidity burden, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption. Only two studies found increased risk with greater ACS antibiotic concentration (> 4 g vancomycin and > 4.8 g tobramycin per spacer in one study, > 3.6 g of vancomycin per batch or > 3.6 g of aminoglycosides per batch in the other); however, these were reported from univariate analyses not accounting for other potential risk factors. DISCUSSION: Patients undergoing ACS placement for chronic PJI are at an increased risk for AKI. Understanding the risk factors may lead to better multidisciplinary care and safer outcomes for chronic PJI patients.

Predictors of Hospice Discharge After Surgical Fixation of Hip Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Each year, over 300,000 people older than 65 years are hospitalized for hip fractures. Given the notable morbidity and mortality faced by elderly patients in the postinjury period, recommendations have been put forth for integrating palliative and, when needed, hospice care to improve patients' quality of life. Our objective was to (1) understand the proportion of patients discharged to hospice after hip fracture surgery and their 30-day mortality rates and (2) identify the independent predictors of discharge to hospice. METHODS: We retrospectively queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for all hip fracture surgeries between the years of 2016 and 2018. Included cases were stratified into two cohorts: cases involving a discharge to hospice and nonhospice discharge. Variables assessed included patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes. Differences between hospice and nonhospice patients were compared using chi-squared analysis or the Fisher exact test for categorical variables and Student t -tests for continuous variables. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess independent predictors of hospice discharge with 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 31,531 surgically treated hip fractures were identified, of which only 281 (0.9%) involved a discharge to hospice. Patients discharged to hospice had a 67% 30-day mortality rate in comparison with 5.6% of patients not discharged to hospice ( P < 0.001). Disseminated cancer, dependent functional status, >10% weight loss over 6 months preoperatively, and preoperative cognitive deficit were the strongest predictors of hospice discharge with 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Current hospice utilization in hip fracture patients remains low, but 30-day mortality in these patients is high. An awareness of the associations between patient characteristics and discharge to hospice with 30-day mortality is important for surgeons to consider when discussing postoperative expectations and outcomes with these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.