Beyond the Brachial Plexus: Reapplication of the Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Upper Arm Fistula Surgery.

Patients requiring complex upper arm arteriovenous fistulas or grafts may not be suitable candidates for a single regional anesthesia technique and monitored anesthesia care because the necessary thoracic (T2) dermatomal area of the medial, upper arm remains spared by any solitary brachial plexus (C5-T1) technique. An infiltrative intercostobrachial nerve block can often be used in conjunction with a brachial plexus block; however, coverage may still be incomplete. This case report describes the use of a high thoracic paravertebral block in conjunction with a brachial plexus block to achieve adequate anesthetic coverage for an upper arm arteriovenous fistula creation procedure extending into the axilla. The result of this technique showed adequate coverage of the upper arm and demonstrates that paravertebral blocks are a reasonable adjunct for proximal upper arm arteriovenous fistula procedures.

The Usefulness of Meta-Analyses to Hip and Knee Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive systematic reviews of results from homogenous or heterogeneous clinical trials, meta-analyses are used to summarize and to interpret studies. Proponents believe that their use can increase study power and improve precision results. Critics emphasize that heterogeneity between studies and bias of individual studies compromise the value of results. The methodology of meta-analyses has improved over time, utilizing statistical analysis to reduce bias and examining heterogeneity. With an increasing trend of meta-analyses in orthopaedic literature, this study aimed to investigate quality and clinical utility of meta-analyses for total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: A systematic review of total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty meta-analyses in 3 major orthopaedic journals from January 2000 to August 2017 was performed. Three authors independently reviewed eligible meta-analyses. A quality assessment was conducted using the Oxman-Guyatt Index. Reporting quality was assessed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Two high-volume, fellowship-trained, attending surgeons specializing in total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty independently, in a blinded fashion, reviewed 24 of the highest-scored meta-analyses. RESULTS: There were 114 studies meeting eligibility criteria, 25 published from 2000 to 2009 and 89 published from 2010 to 2017, a 3.6-fold increase. The mean Oxman-Guyatt Index score was 3.89 points, with 12 high-quality studies, 87 moderate-quality studies, and 15 low-quality studies. The mean PRISMA score for all meta-analyses was 22.2 points, with 79% classified as low to moderate. Only 23 studies listed the Level of Evidence, and 8 were Level-I studies and 9 were Level-II studies. Studies with >15 randomized controlled trials were associated with higher PRISMA and Oxman-Guyatt Index scores. In 12 articles, we were unable to decipher the types of studies included. Only 39.4% of studies showed the risk of bias. Of the 24 studies identified as high quality per the PRISMA statement, 71% were determined to be either clinically unimportant or inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: The number of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty meta-analyses has markedly increased over the past decades. The majority of published meta-analyses from 3 major orthopaedic journals were not performed in accordance with established PRISMA guidelines. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many published meta-analyses are low to moderate quality, and clinicians should cautiously draw conclusions from poorly executed meta-analyses.

Early results of displaced femoral neck fragility fractures treated with supercapsular percutaneous-assisted total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the preferred treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in select patients, although dislocation remains a concern. In some studies, the supercapsular percutaneously assisted (SuperPATH) approach has demonstrated early mobilization, short hospital stay, and low dislocation rates in primary THA, but there are little data on its use for fractures. This study describes the perioperative outcomes and early dislocation rate of SuperPATH THA for displaced femoral neck fragility fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of previous ambulatory patients with a displaced femoral neck fragility fracture treated with THA using the SuperPATH approach. Demographic data, time to ambulation, length of stay, and in-hospital complications during the hospital stay and follow-up period were recorded. Phone interviews were conducted to check for dislocations 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients were included with an average age of 75.0 years. Hospital stay averaged 5.5 days, and patients were discharged on average postoperative day 3.6. About 83.8% of patients were ambulatory by postoperative day 1, and 94.6% ambulatory before discharge. Twenty-seven percent of patients were discharged home, 46% to inpatient rehabilitation, 24% to skilled nursing facility, and 1 patient to hospice. At follow-up, there was no symptomatic heterotopic ossification and no infections. Thirty-two patients were available for telephone interviews at 1 year, with no dislocations reported. CONCLUSIONS: In this small cohort, the SuperPATH approach for THA appears to be safe and effective for use in femoral neck fragility fractures, resulting in early ambulation and a low dislocation rate.