Significant Analgesic Benefits of Perioperative Duloxetine in Patients Who Have Depressive Symptoms Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Major symptoms of depression are commonly observed in patients requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA), and this is associated with increased pain scores and opioid consumption. We aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of duloxetine in these high-risk patients. METHODS: Among 263 patients scheduled for primary unilateral THA, 67 patients who scored at least 8 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to the duloxetine group (60 mg daily, from the day of surgery to postoperative day 6) or the placebo group. The postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score during walking, the VAS score during hip flexion, and resting VAS score was measured. Postoperative morphine consumption, hip range of motion (ROM), Harris hip score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: The duloxetine group had significantly lower VAS scores during walking and hip flexion from postoperative day 3 to week 3 than the placebo group. With regard to the resting VAS score, duloxetine showed a better analgesic effect from postoperative day 3 to week 2 than placebo. Patients in the duloxetine group had less consumption of morphine. The duloxetine group exhibited better hip function scores, including ROM, HHS, and WOMAC function scores than the placebo group. No significant difference was observed in LOS or adverse events between groups. CONCLUSION: Perioperative short-term duloxetine provides advantages in decreasing pain, reducing morphine consumption, and increasing hip function in THA patients who have depressive symptoms.

Evaluation of the rate of post-operative dislocation in patients with ipsilateral valgus knee deformity after primary total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: There is scant literature on the evaluation of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ipsilateral valgus knee deformity. This study aimed to investigate the post-operative dislocation rate in patients with valgus knee deformity who underwent ipsilateral THA and identify whether ipsilateral valgus knee deformity increases the dislocation rate after THA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with valgus knee deformity who underwent ipsilateral THA in our institution from January 2016 to December 2018. Each hip with ipsilateral valgus knee deformity was matched with a hip without valgus knee deformity according to sex, affected side, and date of surgery. The primary outcome was the dislocation rate after THA. Univariate analyses were initially used to compare data between the dislocation group and the non-dislocation group. Independent risk factors for dislocation were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 257 THAs with ipsilateral valgus knee deformity (valgus knee group) and 257 THAs without valgus knee deformity (control group). The valgus knee group showed a significantly higher dislocation rate than the control group (9.7% versus 1.6%, p < 0.001). Older age (p = 0.020) and malposition of the acetabular cup (p = 0.048) were independent risk factors of post-operative dislocation. CONCLUSION: Patients with valgus knee deformity have a higher risk of dislocation after ipsilateral THA. If ipsilateral THA and total knee arthroplasty must be performed successively, total knee arthroplasty may have an earlier priority than THA.

Duloxetine reduces pain after Total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of duloxetine in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption. However, the effect of duloxetine on total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of oral duloxetine in THA. METHODS: We enrolled 96 patients in this randomized controlled trial. These patients were randomized (1,1) to either the duloxetine group or the placebo group and received daily doses of 60 mg duloxetine or placebo, respectively, from 2 d pre-operation to 14 d after surgery. The primary outcome was pain severity upon movement measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes included VAS scores for resting pain, morphine consumption, Harris Hip Score, patient satisfaction at discharge, length of postoperative hospital stay, and adverse events. RESULTS: Patients in the duloxetine group had significantly lower pain severity scores upon movement within 3 postoperative weeks (p < 0.05) while none of the differences met the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Moreover, patients in the duloxetine group performed better in terms of resting pain (in 3 weeks after surgery), morphine requirements, and satisfaction level at discharge (all p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in the prevalence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Although it did not result in a clinically meaning reduction in pain after total hip arthroplasty, perioperative administration of 60 mg of duloxetine daily significantly alleviated pain in the postoperative 3 weeks and morphine requirements during the postoperative 48 h. Therefore, duloxetine still shows promise in optimizing the multimodal pain-management protocols in total hip arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000033606 , 06/06/2020.

Minimum 8-year follow-up of revision THA with severe femoral bone defects using extensively porous-coated stems and cortical strut allografts.

BACKGROUND: Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) with severe femoral bone defects remains a major challenge. The purpose of this study is to report the minimum 8-year clinical and radiographic results of revision THA with severe femoral bone defects treated with extensively porous-coated stems and cortical strut allografts. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 44 patients diagnosed with Paprosky type III and IV femoral bone defects between January 2006 and July 2011. The exclusion criteria were patients not eligible for surgery, revised with extensively porous-coated stems alone, lost to follow-up and deceased. A total of 31 patients treated with extensively porous-coated stems and cortical strut allografts were finally included in this study. The degree of femoral bone defects was categorized as Paprosky type IIIA in 19 patients, type IIIB in 9 patients and type IV in 3 patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.0 ± 1.5 (range, 8.1-13.5) years. RESULTS: The mean Harris Hip Score improved significantly from 43.4 ± 10.5 points to 85.2 ± 6.6 points (P < 0.001). Similarly, WOMAC and SF-12 scores also significantly improved. Twenty-eight stems achieved stable bone ingrowth, two stems showed stable fibrous ingrowth, and one stem was radiologically unstable. Complete union and bridging between cortical strut allografts and host bone was achieved in all 31 patients. The femoral width was augmented with cortical strut allografts after revision surgery (an increase of 10.5 ± 0.5 mm) and showed a slight decrease of 2.5 ± 4.8 mm after the 10-year follow-up. Using re-revision for any reason as an endpoint, the Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival rate of the stem was 96.2% (95% confidence interval, 75.7-99.5%) at 10 years. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the use of extensively porous-coated stems combined with cortical strut allografts in revision THA with Paprosky type III and IV femoral bone defects can provide satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes with a minimum follow-up of 8 years.

Effect of tourniquet use on blood loss, pain, functional recovery, and complications in robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been largely studied to confirm its advantages in terms of accurate component positioning, microembolus formation, less blood loss, and so on, but is currently usually performed under tourniquet due to its longer operative time than conventional TKA. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of tourniquet use in robot-assisted TKA on blood loss, pain, functional recovery, and complications. METHODS: Patients scheduled for robot-assisted TKA were prospectively randomized into a tourniquet or non-tourniquet group (each n = 14). The primary outcome measure was blood loss. The secondary outcome measures were operation time; visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores; time to achieve the first straight-leg raise; swelling of the thigh, knee, and calf; range of motion; Hospital for Special Surgery score; length of stay; and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in total blood loss between the tourniquet and non-tourniquet groups (738.57 ± 276.158 vs. 866.85 ± 243.422 ml, P = 0.061). The tourniquet group showed significantly lower intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001), but higher hidden blood loss (P = 0.002). The non-tourniquet group showed better knee range of motion on postoperative days (PODs) 1-3 (all P < 0.001), less thigh swelling on PODs 2 and 3 (P < 0.05), earlier straight-leg raising (P = 0.044), and shorter length of stay (P = 0.044). Thigh pain VAS score at 1 month after surgery was significantly greater in the tourniquet group (P < 0.001), as was knee pain during activity and at rest on PODs 2-3 (all P < 0.05). The tourniquet group also showed a significantly higher rate of tension blisters (28.8% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Tourniquet use during robot-assisted TKA does not reduce total blood loss, and it appears to increase postoperative pain, aggravate muscle injury, and prolong postoperative recovery. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100041800. Registered 5 January 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx .

Patellar Denervation with Electrocautery Reduces Anterior Knee Pain within 1 Year after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of patellar denervation with electrocautery (PD) on anterior knee pain (AKP) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still debated. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the current evidence regarding the use of PD in TKA without patellar resurfacing. METHODS: A computerized search of published studies was performed in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases in December 2019. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing clinical outcomes of the PD group and the non-PD group. Subgroup analyses were carried out according to the follow-up time (3, 12 months, and over 12 months) to evaluate whether the clinical effect of PD changed with time. RESULTS: Ten RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results showed a lower rate of AKP (Risk Ratio [RR] = 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50 to 0.97; P = 0.03) and a reduction in visual analogue scale (VAS) for AKP (mean difference, -0.37; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.05; P = 0.02) in the PD group when compared to the non-PD group. Subgroup analyses found the differences in AKP incidence and VAS for AKP were significant at 3- and 12-month follow-up but not after 12-month follow-up. No significant difference was observed in functional scores between the two groups. No specific complication directly or indirectly related to PD was found. CONCLUSION: PD can decrease the incidence and severity of AKP within 12 months after TKA, but the effect cannot be maintained after 12-month follow-up. Without significant associated complication and reoperation, the use of PD is still recommended in TKA without patellar resurfacing.

Finding the optimal control level of intraoperative blood pressure in no tourniquet primary total knee arthroplasty combine with tranexamic acid: a retrospective cohort study which supports the enhanced recovery strategy.

BACKGROUND: With the use of tranexamic acid and control of the blood pressure during the operation, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without tourniquet can be achieved. There is no exact standard for the control level of blood pressure during no tourniquet TKA. We explored the optimal level of blood pressure control during no tourniquet TKA surgery with the use of tranexamic acid in this study. METHODS: Patients underwent TKA were divided into three groups: the mean intraoperative systolic blood pressure in group A was < 90 mmHg, 90-100 mmHg in group B, > 100 mmHg in group C. Total blood loss (TBL), intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss, transfusion rate, maximum hemoglobin drop, operation time, and postoperative hospitalization days were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-eight patients were enrolled, 82 in group A, 105 in group B, and 91 in group C. Group A (663.3 ± 46.0 ml) and group B (679.9 ± 57.1 ml) had significantly lower TBL than group C (751.7 ± 56.2 ml). Group A (120.2 ± 18.7 ml) had the lowest intraoperative blood loss than groups B and C. Group C (26.0 ± 4.1 g/l) had the largest Hb change than groups A and B. Group A (62.3 ± 4.7 min) had the shortest operation time. The incidence rate of postoperative hypotension in group A (8, 9.8%) was significantly greater than groups B and C. No significant differences were found in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: The systolic blood pressure from 90 to 100 mmHg was the optimal strategy for no tourniquet primary TKA with tranexamic acid.

Abnormal expression of menin predicts the pathogenesis and poor prognosis of adult gliomas.

Several brain tumors is closely related to the disorder of chromatin histone modification, whereas the epigenetic mechanisms of the incidence of highly malignant adult glioma is not yet deeply studied. Deletion or mutation of the MEN1 gene, which encodes the epigenetic regulator menin, specifically induces poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors; however, the biological and clinical importance of MEN1 in the nervous system remains poorly understood. Menin expression was robustly activated in 44.4% of adult gliomas. Abnormally high expression of menin was closely related to a shorter median survival time of 20 months, a larger tumor volume and a higher percentage of Ki67 staining. Interestingly, menin expression was also activated in the cytoplasm of tumor cells (38.8%) and was also closely related to the poor prognosis of patients with glioma. Importantly, in a screening of 96 types of small-molecule targeted histone modification regulators, menin inhibitors were found to significantly block the proliferation of adult glioma cells. Our findings confirm that menin is a potential biomarker of poor prognosis in adult gliomas, independent of the WHO grade. Targeting menin may effectively inhibit certain gliomas, and this information provides novel insight into therapeutic strategies for glioma.