Soft Tissue Coverage for Foot and Ankle Trauma.

Lower extremity trauma can result in extensive soft tissue loss, which can require a staged multispecialty approach. Flaps can be an excellent choice for significant soft tissue loss. A variety of variables goes into the selection of a flap including understanding what the recipient site needs, available donor sites, nature of trauma, and utilization of indices to predict limb salvageability in order to strategically select the correct flap option.

Provision of a Home-Based Video-Assisted Therapy Program Is Noninferior to In-Person Hand Therapy After Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In-person hand therapy is commonly prescribed for rehabilitation after thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty but may be burdensome to patients because of the need to travel to appointments. Asynchronous, video-assisted home therapy is a method of care in which videos containing instructions and exercises are provided to the patient, without the need for in-person or telemedicine visits. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of providing video-only therapy (VOT) as compared with scheduled in-person therapy (IPT) after thumb CMC arthroplasty. METHODS: We performed a single-site, prospective, randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing primary thumb CMC arthroplasty without an implant. The study included 50 women and 8 men, with a mean age of 61 years (range, 41 to 83 years). Of these, 96.6% were White, 3.4% were Black, and 13.8% were of Hispanic ethnicity. The primary outcome measure was the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity (UE) score. Subjects in the VOT group were provided with 3 videos of home exercises to perform. Subjects in the control group received standardized IPT with a hand therapist. Improvements in the PROMIS UE score from preoperatively to 12 weeks and 1 year postoperatively were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-eight subjects (29 control, 29 experimental) were included in the analysis at the 12-week time point, and 54 (27 control, 27 experimental) were included in the analysis at the 1-year time point. VOT was noninferior to IPT for the PROMIS UE score at 12 weeks and 1 year postoperatively, with a difference of mean improvement (VOT - IPT) of 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.6 to 6.6) and 2.2 (95% CI, -3.0 to 7.3), respectively, both of which were below the minimal clinically important difference (4.1). Patients in the VOT group potentially saved on average 201.3 miles in travel. CONCLUSIONS: VOT was noninferior to IPT for upper extremity function after thumb CMC arthroplasty. Time saved in commutes was considerable for those who did not attend IPT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

What Is a Surgical Site Infection After Carpal Tunnel Release?

PURPOSE: Considerable variation exists in the literature on published rates of surgical site infection (SSI) after carpal tunnel release, ranging over 20-fold, from 0.28% to 6.4%. The reason for this variability is unknown. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 748 open carpal tunnel releases performed under wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet in an in-office procedure room. The following three different definitions of infection were used for analysis: definition A: prescription of an oral antibiotic; Definition B: SSI definition by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Definition C: infection that required reoperation. RESULTS: Infection rate by definition A was 8.9% (67/748), by definition B was 2.3% (17/748), and by definition C was 0.4% (3/748), resulting in a 22-fold range. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate after carpal tunnel release is heavily influenced by the definition of SSI. The definition of SSI needs to be considered when making comparisons, either in research or quality assurance/quality improvement applications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When analyzing SSI rates, the exact definition of infection must be ascertained to accurately compare an individual's practice or institutional data to the literature.

Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Primer for Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgeons.

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is a complex condition and is commonly misunderstood. Historically, much of this confusion has been because of its grouping with other diagnoses that have little in common other than anatomic location. Modern understanding emphasizes the role of small unmyelinated C type pain and sympathetic fibers. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, after ruling out other common conditions. Hand therapy is usually the first-line treatment with variable success. Local anesthetic, botulinum toxins, or steroid injections can aid in diagnosis and offer short-term relief. Although surgery can yield reliable results, it is technically challenging, and the preferred surgical approach is a matter of debate. Despite limitations in diagnosis and treatment, recognition and successful treatment of this condition can be highly impactful for the patient.

Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Flap: Harvest Technique and Prophylactic Volar Locked Plating.

Background: The osteocutaneous radial forearm (OCRF) flap is a variation of the traditional radial forearm flap with incorporation of an anterolateral segment of corticocancellous bone of the radius, periosteum, and overlying skin. The OCRF flap is indicated in traumatic injuries or extirpation defects with segmental bone loss and is well suited to foot and ankle reconstruction due to its thin pliable skin. Methods: In this single-center case series, a retrospective review was conducted to identify patients who underwent OCRF free flap for foot and ankle reconstruction that required harvest of more than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the radius with prophylactic volar locked plating of the donor site. Outcome measures included flap failure rates, postoperative fracture, thrombotic events, time to follow-up, and time to full weightbearing. Flap harvest technique is extensively discussed. Results: Six cases were included in this series. There were no flap failures or thrombotic events. Recipient site healing was confirmed in all patients, with partial distal skin paddle loss in one patient requiring operative debridement. No patients sustained donor site complications or functional impairment. Full lower extremity weightbearing was achieved at 12.4 ± 3.3 weeks after surgery. Conclusions: The OCRF free flap transfer provides a reliable means of obtaining thin, supple soft tissue coverage with a large, vascularized segment of bone for reconstruction in the foot and ankle. Here, we describe use of more than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the radius with volar locked prophylactic plating. These updates expand use of this reconstructive technique.

Changes in Management at the Postoperative Visit After In-Office Wide Awake Local Anesthetic No Tourniquet Carpal Tunnel Release.

PURPOSE: Patients are commonly seen for two postoperative visits following carpal tunnel release (CTR), the first visit being at 1-2 weeks and the second at approximately 6 weeks. Our study aimed to determine if these visits led to changes in postoperative medical management. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 748 procedures performed in an in-office procedure room under wide awake local anesthetic no tourniquet between August 2020 and December 2022. Charts were reviewed for changes in management related to the patient's CTR. Management changes involving a separate diagnosis or solely an additional follow-up visit were classified as unrelated to postoperative CTR care. RESULTS: A total of 730 patients returned for follow-up. There were 100 patients (13.7 %) who had a CTR-related change in management at the first postoperative visit. Most management changes at this timepoint were due to superficial surgical site infection. There were 29 patients (4.0 %) who had a CTR-related change in management at their second postoperative visit, most commonly a referral to therapy for stiffness or hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: While postoperative visits for CTR may have intangible benefits, changes in CTR-related care occur only in 17.7% of patients. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

What Factors Influence Variability in Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty Care? A Survey of ASSH Members.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding current practices in the care of carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty including the use of hand therapy, immobilization, and surgical technique, and to determine which factors influence these patterns. METHODS: We conducted a survey from February 24, 2022, through March 26, 2022, of 3648 currently practicing members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. We developed an 11-item questionnaire that contained questions about surgical technique, immobilization, and postoperative therapy utilization. Results were analyzed using chi-square analysis and a Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was set at a P-value of less than .05. RESULTS: A total of 811 hand surgeons completed the survey (22% response rate). Surgeons who are employed by the same medical center as their hand therapist use more in-person hand therapy than surgeons with other types of business relationships. Surgeons with more than 25 years of experience are less likely to recommend therapy routinely, more likely to use ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, and less likely to be an employee of the same medical center as their hand therapist. The length of immobilization and the time at which hand therapy began were related to surgical technique. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in hand therapy usage after CMC arthroplasty is at least partially explained by business relationships with hand therapists and surgeon experience. Variability in the length of immobilization and the beginning of hand therapy postoperatively was more associated with surgical technique.

The effect of operative time on surgical-site infection following total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Many factors contribute to the risk of surgical-site infection (SSI) following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Operative time is a modifiable factor that may contribute to SSI occurrence after TSA. This study aimed to determine the correlation between operative time and SSI following TSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By use of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, a total of 33,987 patient records were queried from 2006 to 2020 and sorted by operative time and the development of an SSI in the 30-day postoperative period. Odds ratios for the development of an SSI were calculated based on operative time. RESULTS: An SSI developed in the 30-day postoperative period in 169 of the 33,470 patients in this study, resulting in an overall SSI rate of 0.50%. A positive correlation was identified between operative time and the SSI rate. An inflection point was identified at an operative time of 180 minutes, with a significant increase in the rate of SSI occurrence for operative times >180 minutes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Increased operative time was shown to be strongly correlated with an increased risk of SSI within 30 days following surgery, with a significant inflection point at 180 minutes. The target operative time for TSA should be <180 minutes to reduce the risk of SSI.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Prior evidence is clear that in clean, elective soft-tissue hand procedures less than 2 hours, antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the boney procedures of the hand involving implanted hardware. Previous studies reviewing complications after distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint arthrodesis did not analyze whether patients receiving antibiotics before surgery had a significant difference in the infection rate. Methods: A retrospective review of clean, elective DIP arthrodesis was conducted between September 2018 and September 2021. The subjects were aged 18 years and older and underwent elective DIP arthrodesis for the treatment of osteoarthritis or deformity of the DIP joint. All the procedures were performed using an intramedullary headless compression screw. The rates of postoperative infections and treatments required for infections were recorded and analyzed. Results: Overall, 37 unique patients had at least one case of DIP arthrodesis that met the criteria for inclusion in our analysis. Twenty of the 37 patients did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis, and 17 of the 37 patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. Five of the 20 patients who did not receive antibiotics prophylactically developed infections, and none of the 17 patients who received antibiotics prophylactically developed an infection. Fisher exact test revealed a significant difference in the infection rates between the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in infections with respect to smoking or diabetes status. Conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered for clean, elective DIP arthrodesis, using an intramedullary screw.

Predictors of Mortality and Revision Following Digital Amputation for Infection and Necrosis.

PURPOSE: Digital amputation is a commonly performed procedure for infection and necrosis in patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and on dialysis. There is a lack of data regarding prognosis for revision amputation and mortality following digital amputation in these patients. METHODS: All digital amputations over 10-year period (2008-2018) at a single center were reviewed. There were 484 amputations in 360 patients, among which 358 were performed for trauma (reference sample) and 126 for infection or necrosis (sample of interest). Patient death and revision were determined from National Vital Statistics System and medical records. Propensity score matching was performed to compare groups. Data were then compared to the Social Security Administration Actuarial Life Table for 2015 to determine age-matched expected mortality. RESULTS: The 2-year revision rate was 34% for amputations performed for infection or necrosis, compared to 15% for amputations due to trauma. For amputations performed for infection or necrosis, the revision rate was 47.7% when diabetes, PVD, and dialysis were present. Among all patients with infection or necrosis (n = 104) undergoing a digital amputation, overall survival at 2, 5, and 10 years was 79.4%, 57.3%, and 17.5%, respectively, which represented a 3.2-fold increased risk of death compared to controls. (hazard ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-6.93). For amputations due to trauma, mortality was no different from that in the age-matched general population. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality and revision risk are high for patients requiring a digital amputation for infection or necrosis and are further increased with medical comorbidities. Hand surgeons should consider the prognostic implications of these data when counseling patients. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

On the Road Again: Return to Driving Following Minor Hand Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patient return-to-driving following minor hand surgery is unknown. Through daily text message surveys, we sought to determine return-to-driving after minor hand surgery and the factors that influence return-to-driving. METHODS: One hundred five subjects undergoing minor hand surgery received daily text messaging surveys postoperatively to assess: (1) if they drove the day before and if so; (2) whether they wore a cast, sling, or splint. Additional patient-, procedure-, and driving-related data were collected. RESULTS: More than half of subjects, 54 out of 105, returned to driving by the end of postoperative day #1. While patient-related factors had no effect on return-to-driving, significant differences were seen in anesthesia type, procedure laterality, driving assistance, and distance. Return-to-driving was significantly later for subjects who had general anesthetic compared to wide awake local anesthetic with no tourniquet (4 ± 4 days vs 1 ± 3 days, P = 0.020), as well as for bilateral procedures versus unilateral procedures (5 ± 5 days vs 1 ± 3 days, P = 0.046). Lack of another driver and driving on highways led to earlier return-to-driving (P = 0.040 and, P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients rapidly return to driving after minor hand surgery. Use of general anesthetic and bilateral procedures may delay return-to-driving. Confidential real-time text-based surveys can provide valuable information on postoperative return-to-driving and other patient behaviors.

Including a Vessel Loop in Wound Closure Facilitates Suture Removal Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

BACKGROUND: Many hand surgeons prefer to close palmar wounds with non-absorbable mattress sutures. Suture removal can be painful and time-consuming. In this study, we investigated if suture removal can be facilitated by including a vessel loop in wound closure following open carpal tunnel release (CTR). METHODS: Overall, 47 patients aged 18 to 75 undergoing elective primary open unilateral CTR completed this unblinded, prospective randomized controlled superiority trial. Subjects were randomized into 1 of 2 study arms: (1) wound closure without a vessel loop (standard, n = 28); or (2) wound closure with a vessel loop (vessel loop, n = 19). Data were collected on time for wound closure and for suture removal. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess satisfaction and pain with suture removal. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in patient demographics or time for suture placement. Visual analog scale satisfaction with suture removal was significantly lower in the standard group (8.6 ± 2.6) compared to vessel loop group (9.9 ± 0.28, P < .05). VAS pain with suture removal was significantly higher in the standard group (2.6 ± 2.7) versus vessel loop group (0.68 ± 1.1, P < .01). Additionally, suture removal time was significantly longer in standard group (84 seconds ± 83) versus vessel loop group (31 seconds ± 13, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of a vessel loop in wound closure for primary open CTR increases patient satisfaction and reduces pain with and time taken for suture removal.

Immobilization and Hand Therapy After Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: We provide a systematic review of the current literature regarding best practices in postoperative care following carpometacarpal arthroplasty, and compare these findings to current practices via reported survey data. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant studies. English-language articles were included that assessed any aspect of postoperative care, including the immobilization time or rehabilitation strategy. In addition, studies were included that surveyed surgeons and hand therapists on current practices regarding this topic. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. Results: The initial search yielded 3,899 hits. Two systematic reviews were found, along with 5 studies that specifically tested the desired variables of the immobilization duration and type following carpometacarpal arthroplasty. Three relevant surveys were also found. Using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Level of Evidence guidelines, we found moderate-quality evidence that (1) there is no additional benefit for extended cast immobilization (>6 weeks); and (2) a semirigid orthosis performs as well as a rigid orthosis. We found a lack of evidence regarding formal therapy versus no therapy, and a lack of evidence comparing therapy regimens. When analyzing the survey data, we found wide variation in practices among surgeons and therapists. Conclusions: Longer immobilization times (>6 weeks) and rigid orthotic devices provide no additional benefit over earlier immobilization and semirigid orthotic devices. There is a lack of evidence for the use of formal hand therapy or any specific rehabilitation protocol. Current practices in these areas vary widely among hand surgeons. Clinical relevance: Practices following carpometacarpal arthroplasty are widely variable, and guidance has previously been lacking. This review compiles the most recent data, as well as identifies gaps in the literature for future studies.

Patients Who Undergo Rotator Cuff Repair Can Safely Return to Driving at 2 Weeks Postoperatively.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines are lacking for return to driving following rotator cuff repair (RCR). As a result, surgeons are often overly conservative in their recommendations, placing potential undue burden on patients and their families. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to formulate evidence-based return-to-driving guidelines. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects planning to undergo primary RCR were enrolled. Driving fitness was assessed in a naturalistic setting with an instrumented vehicle on public streets with a safety monitor onboard. Driving kinematic measures and behavioral data were obtained from vehicle data and camera capture. Several driving tasks and maneuvers were evaluated, including parking, left and right turns, straightaways, yielding, highway merges, and U-turns. The total course length was 15 miles (24 km) and the course took 45 to 55 minutes to complete. The subjects' baseline drive was performed prior to RCR and postoperative drives occurred at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after RCR. All drives consisted of identical routes, tasks, and maneuvers. Driving metrics were analyzed for differences between baseline and postoperative drives, including differences in gravitational force equivalents (g). RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects (mean age, 58.6 years [range, 43 to 68 years]) completed all 5 drives. Of the 13 analyzed kinematic metrics measured from 14 of 17 driving events, all exhibited noninferiority across all postoperative drives (2 to 12 weeks) after RCR compared with baseline. Beginning at postoperative week 2, subjects generally braked less aggressively, steered more smoothly, and drove more stably. Kinematic metrics during the performance of specific maneuver types also showed noninferiority when compared with baseline. Of note, subjects drove more smoothly on highway merges starting at postoperative week 2 (minimum longitudinal acceleration, -0.35 g [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.050 to -0.019 g]; standard deviation of longitudinal acceleration, 0.008 g [95% CI, 0.003 to 0.013 g]), but exhibited more aggressive driving and acceleration on highway merges at postoperative week 12 (maximum absolute yaw, -0.8°/sec [95% CI, -1.2°/sec to -0.4°/sec]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients showed no clinically important negative impact on driving fitness as early as 2 weeks after RCR. Adaptive behaviors were present both preoperatively and postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Utility of Preoperative HbA1c as a Standardized Protocol in Elective Carpal Tunnel Release: A Retrospective Review of Clinical Outcomes.

Background: In an effort to reduce surgical complications, some institutions have implemented universal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) screening for all preoperative patients. However, the value of HbA1c screening for predicting clinically meaningful complications after elective carpal tunnel release (CTR) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinically meaningful predicative value of HbA1c screening on postoperative complications following elective CTR. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 790 patients who underwent CTR was performed. All patients had an HbA1c screening performed, regardless of whether they underwent the diagnosis for diabetes or not. Primary outcomes were overall complication rate, rates of major complications (readmission or reoperation), and rates of minor complications (surgical site infection and wound dehiscence). Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on HbA1c: HbA1c <7, HbA1c 7-8, and HbA1c >8. Results: The overall complication rate for all groups was 4.8%. Rates of major complications were 0.4% for readmission and 0.1% for reoperation. For minor complications, the odds ratio (OR) for the HbA1c 7-8 group was 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-1.77), and for the HbA1c >8 group, the OR was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.66-3.60). All minor complications resolved with outpatient treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for any comparisons. Conclusions: Elective CTR has a low complication rate. Routine preoperative screening of HbA1c is of little value in predicting clinically meaningful complications.

Fortuitous Eradication of an Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma Via Foreign Body Reaction to a Polyurethane Vacuum-Assisted Closure Sponge.

ABSTRACT: The foreign body reaction (FBR) is a well-documented immune reaction. Much of the literature on FBRs has focused on minimizing this immune response to mitigate the impact on medical implants. Here, we present a case that illustrates a serendipitous oncologic outcome from an FBR. A 54-year-old man presented with an aggressive basal cell carcinoma (BCC). At the first resection, he had broadly positive surgical margins. The surgical wound was temporized with a polyurethane wound vacuum assisted closure (VAC) device. He was lost to follow-up having retained a VAC sponge for a total of 12 weeks. A wide re-resection was performed 7 months after the initial resection. Exhaustive examination of the resected specimen was performed. There was an absence of any BCC, replaced by a widespread chronic FBR to polyurethane VAC sponge particles. This suggests that the foreign body immune response was sufficiently intense to eradicate any remaining BCC. This case illustrates the concept of an FBR as a novel method of local immunotherapy.

Modeled Wide-Awake, Local-Anesthetic, No-Tourniquet Surgical Procedures Do Not Impair Driving Fitness: An Experimental On-Road Noninferiority Study.

BACKGROUND: The use of wide-awake, local-anesthetic, no-tourniquet (WALANT) surgical techniques is increasingly common, and patients commonly ask whether they may drive home following these procedures. The impact of a numb hand and bulky dressing on driving fitness is unknown, and there is no literature to guide surgeons when counseling these patients. Thus, the primary objective of the present study was to determine driving fitness following a modeled-WALANT procedure. METHODS: Twelve right-handed individuals (6 male and 6 female) with an average age of 50 years (range, 38 to 64 years) were enrolled. An instrumented vehicle was used to obtain driving kinematic and behavioral data, thus allowing for a multidimensional assessment of driving fitness. Participants first performed a drive to establish baseline kinematic metrics. The route included both public streets and a closed course. Several driving tasks were assessed, including reverse parking, parallel parking, and perpendicular parking. The total course length was 18 miles (29 kilometers) and took 45 to 55 minutes to complete. After the first drive, 10 mL of 1% lidocaine was injected in the volar aspect of the right wrist and another 10 mL was injected into the right carpal tunnel to model the anesthetic used for a WALANT carpal tunnel release, and a bulky soft dressing was applied. The modeled-WALANT drive included an identical route and tasks, in addition to a surprise event to evaluate emergency responsiveness. Driving metrics were analyzed for noninferiority of the modeled-WALANT state to baseline driving. RESULTS: The modeled-WALANT state showed noninferiority to baseline driving on all 11 analyzed dimensions of driving behavior compared with the control drives. In the modeled-WALANT state, participants drove more conservatively, braked harder, and steered more smoothly. All participants safely performed the 3 parking tasks and emergency response maneuver. Driving fitness in the modeled-WALANT state was noninferior to driving fitness in the preoperative drive. CONCLUSIONS: A modeled-WALANT state has no clinically relevant negative impact on driving fitness, and thus surgeons should not discourage patients from driving home after unilateral WALANT surgical hand procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Intraneural Peroneal Ganglion Cyst Excision in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: A 14-year-old female presented with a profound foot drop after trauma to the right leg. Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies demonstrated a dense palsy of the common peroneal nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intraneural peroneal ganglion cyst at the fibular neck. Surgical treatment included decompression and transection of the articular branch to the proximal tibiofibular joint. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient demonstrated complete recovery of peroneal nerve function. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates a rare finding of a pediatric intraneural peroneal ganglion cyst. The presentation and treatment is well-documented and adds depth to the literature on a sparsely reported condition.

Identification of Microsurgical Suture Needles in the Hand Using Plain Radiographs.

Our objective is to determine if radiographs are adequate for identification of retained microsurgical needles. Four microsurgical needles ranging from 3.8 mm to 6.5 mm in length and 50 µ to 130 µ in diameter were affixed to an anthropomorphic phantom limb. Portable radiograph images were then obtained and viewed by a group of 20 subjects comprised of attending radiologists, attending orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic surgery residents and operating room nurses. For all subjects, 3.35 out of 4 needles were identified in a mean 4.7 minutes. Radiologists identified all four needles and needed the least amount of time (mean 2.3 minutes). Orthopaedic surgery attendings identified a mean 3.5 of 4 needles while orthopaedic surgery residents and operating room nurses identified a mean 3 of 4 needles. Identification of microsurgical needles is possible using digital radiographs but requires 2-5 minutes of searching the image and adjusting the windows. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(4):230-233, 2020).

New Long-Term Opioid Prescription-Filling Behavior Arising in the 15 Months After Orthopaedic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The opioid crisis is a well-known public health issue. The risk of new long-term opioid prescription-filling behavior has been investigated after certain spinal procedures and total knee and hip arthroplasty. However, this has not been examined after many other common orthopaedic procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of long-term opioid prescription-filling behavior after common orthopaedic surgical procedures in patients who were not taking opioids preoperatively. METHODS: This study utilized the Virginia All-Payer Claims Database (APCD), an insurance claims database with data from 3.7 to 4 million patients per year. Patients who underwent orthopaedic procedures and who had not filled an opioid prescription in the time period from 2 weeks to 1 year preceding the surgical procedure were selected for evaluation in our study. The percentage of these patients who then filled at least 10 prescriptions or a 120-day supply of opioids in the time period from 90 to 455 days following the surgical procedure was calculated for the 50 most commonly billed orthopaedic surgical procedures. RESULTS: The rate of long-term opioid prescription-filling behavior in patients who were not taking opioids preoperatively for the 50 most common orthopaedic procedures was 5.3% (95% confidence interval, 5.1% to 5.5%). The highest rates were observed after spinal procedures. The lowest rates were seen after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Revision surgical procedures were found to have a significantly higher rate than primary procedures (p < 0.05). The rate was also related to increasing case complexity. CONCLUSIONS: New long-term opioid prescription-filling behavior is common after orthopaedic surgical procedures in patients who were not taking opioids preoperatively. Risk factors include spine surgery, revision surgery, and cases with increased complexity. Orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of this risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.