Immersive Virtual Reality and Cadaveric Bone are Equally Effective in Skeletal Anatomy Education: A Randomized Crossover Noninferiority Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology is transforming medical education. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of IVR with cadaveric bone models in teaching skeletal anatomy. DESIGN: A randomized crossover noninferiority trial was conducted. SETTING: Anatomy laboratory of a large medical school. PARTICIPANTS: Incoming first-year medical students. Participants were randomized to IVR or cadaveric groups studying upper limb skeletal anatomy, and then were crossed over to use the opposite tool, to study lower limb skeletal anatomy. Participants in both groups completed a pre-and postintervention knowledge test. The primary endpoint of the study was change in performance from the pre-to postintervention knowledge test. Surveys were completed to assess participant's impressions on IVR as an educational tool. RESULTS: Fifty first-year medical students met inclusion criteria and were randomized. Among all students, the average score on the preintervention knowledge test was 14.6% (standard deviation (SD) = 18.2%) and 25.0% (SD = 17%) for upper and lower limbs, respectively. Percentage increase in scores between pre-and postintervention knowledge test, was 15.0% in the upper limb IVR group, and 16.7% for upper limb cadaveric bones (p = 0.286). For the lower limb, score increase was 22.6% in the IVR and 22.5% in the cadaveric bone group (p = 0.936). 79% of participants found that IVR was most valuable for teaching 3-dimensional orientation, anatomical relationships, and key landmarks. Majority of participants were favorable towards combination use of traditional methods and IVR technology for learning skeletal anatomy (LSM>3). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, there was no significant difference in knowledge after using IVR or cadaveric bones for skeletal anatomy education. These findings have further implications for medical schools that face challenges in acquiring human cadavers and cadaveric parts.

Systematic Arthroscopic Treatment of Synovial Chondromatosis of the Knee.

Synovial chondromatosis is a benign metaplastic disease of the synovial joints, characterized by the development of cartilaginous nodules in the synovium. Treatment generally includes open or arthroscopic loose body removal combined with a synovectomy. An all-arthroscopic approach has been described to minimize complications and reduce morbidity while providing adequate control of local disease. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our techniques and technical pearls that allow for adequate excision of disease while minimizing complications and disease recurrence. The combination of patient positioning, the establishment of multiple arthroscopic portals to ensure optimal visualization and freedom of instruments, the use of a leg holder, and the use of a variety of surgical instruments to facilitate loose body removal and synovectomy is critical to optimize clinical outcomes and minimize complications. Although technically demanding, our described technique can help facilitate extensive loose body removal and complete synovectomy.

Component Fracture in the Kotz Modular Femoral Tibial Reconstruction System: An Under-Reported Complication.

BACKGROUND: Primary bone tumors of the femur are commonly reconstructed using an endoprosthesis. Different modes of implant failure have been described, including structural failure; although uncommon, this may be an under-reported complication. The purpose of this study is to examine the rates and risk factors for implant fracture of the Kotz Modular Femoral Tibial Reconstruction system (KMFTR). METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one patients (95 women and 126 men) who underwent a KMFTR reconstruction were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (12%) sustained a prosthetic fracture. The mean time to fracture was 7 years postoperatively. The fractured component most commonly involved the distal femur (n = 21) and a screw hole in the stem (n = 12). In patients with stem fractures (n = 21), the mean intramedullary stem diameter was 12 mm and the mean extramedullary component length was 18 cm. RESULTS: Compared to patients who did not fracture, those with a prosthetic fracture had a significantly smaller stem diameter (12 vs 14 mm, P = .001) and a significantly longer extramedullary component length (18 vs 15 cm, P = .04). There was no difference between the preoperative and postoperative Toronto Extremity Salvage Scores (P = .98), Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 87 (P = .78), or Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 (P = 1.0) ratings for patients with or without a prosthetic fracture. CONCLUSION: This study shows that fracture is an under-reported complication associated with the KMFTR stem. We identified an endoprosthetic component fracture rate of 12%. Patients with smaller stem diameter and longer resection lengths were more likely to sustain a stem fracture. Subsequent revision provides a durable means of reconstruction, with no significant loss of patient function.