Complications of Antibiotic Cement Spacers Used for Elbow Infections.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic cement spacers have been widely used in the treatment of joint infections. There are no commercially available antibiotic spacers for the elbow. Instead, they are typically fashioned by the surgeon at the time of surgery using cement alone or a combination of cement with sutures, Steinmann pins, external fixator components, or elbow arthroplasty components. There is no consensus regarding the ideal elbow antibiotic spacer and no previous studies have examined the complications associated with these handmade implants in relation to their unique structural design. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients who had 78 static antibiotic cement spacers implanted between January 1998 and February 2021 as part of a 2-stage treatment plan for infection of an elbow arthroplasty, other elbow surgery, or primary elbow infection. Several antibiotic spacer structures were used during the study period. For analysis purposes, the spacers were classified into linked and unlinked spacers based on whether there was a linking mechanism between the humerus and the ulna. Complications related to these spacers that occurred either during the implantation, between implantation and removal, or during removal were recorded and analyzed from chart review and follow-up x rays. Re-operations due to spacer-related complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Among the 55 patients (78 spacers), there were 23 complications, including 17 minor and 6 major complications. The most common complication of unlinked spacers (intramedullary (IM) dowels, beads and cap spacer) was spacer displacement. Other complications included IM dowel fracture and difficulty locating beads during spacer removal. The major complications of linked cement spacers included two periprosthetic humerus fractures after internal external fixator cement spacers and re-operation due to breakage and displacement of one bushing cement spacer. The major complications of unlinked cement spacers included two reoperations due to IM dowel displacement and one reoperation due to displacement of beads. Among patients who had removal of all components and those with native joints, there was no statistically significant difference between internal external fixator cement spacers and unlinked cement spacers in minor complication rates (30% versus 16%, p=0.16), major complication rates (7% versus 8%, p=0.85) and re-operation rates (0% versus 8%, p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Static handmade antibiotic elbow spacers have unique complications related to their structural designs. The most common complication of linked and non-linked cement spacers were failure of the linking mechanism and displacement, respectively. Surgeons should keep in mind the possible complications of different structures of cement spacers when choosing one antibiotic spacer structure over another.

The Trillat Procedure for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability.

¼: Anterior glenohumeral instability (AGI) is a challenging condition that requires close attention to osseous and soft-tissue abnormalities. The morphometric variance of the periarticular scapular anatomy may be involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent traumatic anterior instability. ¼: The Trillat procedure repositions the coracoid medially and downward by a partial wedge osteotomy, mimicking the sling effect of the Latarjet procedure by moving the conjoint tendon closer to the joint line in throwing position. The Trillat procedure decreases the coracohumeral distance without affecting the integrity of the subscapularis muscle and tendon. ¼: Joint preservation methods, such as the Trillat procedure, may be explored in older patients to treat AGI with simultaneous irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with a static centered head and a functional subscapularis. ¼: Shoulder hyperlaxity and instability can be challenging to treat with isolated soft-tissue procedures. In cases without glenoid bone loss, free bone block techniques are ineffective because of the subsequent potential graft resorption, apprehension, or recurrence. The Trillat surgery, in conjunction with an anteroinferior capsuloplasty, seems to be helpful in preventing recurrent instability and in reducing shoulder apprehension. ¼: Recently, several variations of the original technique have been described. In the future, anatomical, biomechanical, and clinical studies need to be conducted to further evaluate the morphometric characterization of the procedure, enhance the technical features, improve indications, and avoid coracoid impingement and other potential complications with the Trillat procedure.

Invited Discussion on: A 7-Step Guide to High-Definition Liposuction.

Athanasiou et al. present a 7-step guide to high-definition (HD) liposuction in the current issue of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. [1] The guide was based on the authors vast experience in HD-liposuction performed in 568 patients (247 males and 321 females) with a mean age of 43 years (range, 22-64) and a mean BMI of 25.6 (range 21-29 kg/m2) over a 6-year time-period. The authors provide detailed information on their approach regarding pre-operative markings, methods of anesthesia and composition of tumescence solution, incision points and access, surgical technique, and fat transfer. In addition, they performed a time-dependent analysis of the type and quantity of observed complications over the study-period, as well as the mean surgical operative time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Aging of the Neck Decoded: New Insights for Minimally Invasive Treatments.

BACKGROUND: Many signs of aging manifest in the neck region, including platysmal bands, excess skin, horizontal neck lines and decreasing contour of the neck. While the clinical signs of an aged neck are well-known, data determining the underlying aging process are limited. OBJECTIVE: To decode aging of the neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study investigated elasticity and firmness of skin, muscle activity and skin displacement upon muscular contraction in the neck in 77 young-, middle- and old-age individuals. Objective outcome measures, including 3-dimensional imaging, cutometry and surface electromyography, were utilized for all assessments. RESULTS: Mean firmness of skin decreased significantly from young to old individuals (0.37 ± 0.13 mm, 0.30 ± 0.12 mm and 0.26 ± 0.12 mm in young, middle and old subjects, respectively; p < 0.001). Gross elasticity decreased significantly from 75.1 ± 13.0% in young subjects, to 64.53 ± 15.7% in middle-aged subjects and 55.79 ± 13.0% in old subjects (p < 0.001). The mean y-axis skin displacement increased from 2.48 ± 4.33 mm in young subjects, to 3.11 ± 4.49 mm in middle-aged subjects and 3.61 ± 5.38 mm in old subjects (p = 0.006). The mean signal-to-noise ratio decreased significantly from 16.74 ± 5.77 µV in young subjects, to 14.41 ± 4.86 µV in middle-aged subjects and to 12.23 ± 5.99 µV in old subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the interplay between skin elasticity, muscular activity and the reflected movement of the skin of the neck. Appreciation of these age-related changes lays the fundament for aesthetic treatments in this delicate region. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .