An Examination of Complication Rates and Surgery Durations in Elective Hand Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to hand surgeons as hospitals worked to adapt to unprecedented demands on resources and personnel. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on outcomes in elective hand surgery using a large national database. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) dataset for patients undergoing elective hand procedures in 2019 and 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, procedural factors, and outcomes were compared between cases occurring in 2019 and 2020. Multivariable regressions were performed to evaluate the association between operative year and 30-day outcomes. Results: A total of 8971 patients were included with a mean age of 52.2 ± 16.7 and 52.8 ± 16.4 years for the 2019 and 2020 cohorts, respectively. Compared to the 2019 cohort, the 2020 cohort demonstrated higher prevalence of obesity (43.3% vs 40.8%, P = 0.019), hypertension requiring medication (32.9% vs 35.0%; P = 0.046), and American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class ≥ 3 (30.4% vs 27.0%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in outcomes including 30-day readmissions, reoperation, or complications between cohorts on unadjusted or multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Elective hand cases performed during the pandemic were associated with longer operating times and more frequently involved patients with greater comorbidities. Despite these differences, patients undergoing surgery during the pandemic demonstrated similar outcomes including complications, readmissions, and reoperations compared to those undergoing surgery the year prior, suggesting that even in the setting of a pandemic, performing elective surgery is safe without an increased risk to the patient.

Intermediate-Term Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in Patients With Global Versus Isolated Lateral Acetabular Overcoverage.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies evaluating the outcomes of hip arthroscopy for patients with global acetabular overcoverage and focal superolateral acetabular overcoverage suffer from short-term follow-up and inconsistent radiographic criteria when defining these subpopulations of patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). PURPOSE: To evaluate the intermediate-term postoperative outcomes for patients with FAIS in the setting of global acetabular overcoverage, lateral acetabular overcoverage, and normal acetabular coverage. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS were enrolled in a prospective cohort study, and those with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were included in this analysis. Patients were grouped based on type of acetabular coverage: global overcoverage (lateral center-edge angle [LCEA] ≥40°, with coxa profunda), lateral overcoverage (LCEA ≥40°, without coxa profunda), and no overcoverage (LCEA <40°). Functional outcomes (modified Harris Hip Score and Nonarthritic Hip Score) and failure of primary hip arthroscopy were compared between groups. RESULTS: In total, 94 patients (mean age, 41.9 ± 14.2 years) were included with a mean follow-up duration of 6.1 ± 0.9 years. Of these patients, 40.4% had no acetabular overcoverage, 36.2% had lateral overcoverage, and 23.4% had global overcoverage. There was no difference between groups with respect to percentage of patients who underwent reoperation for either revision arthroscopy or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (28.9% for the normal acetabular coverage group, 29.4% for the lateral overcoverage group, and 31.8% for the global overcoverage group; P = .971). Among patients for whom primary hip arthroscopy did not fail, there was no difference in 5-year functional outcomes between groups. Postoperative LCEA >40° (ß = -13.3; 95% CI, -24.1 to -2.6; P = .016), female sex (ß = -14.5; 95% CI, -22.7 to -6.2; P = .001), and higher body mass index (ß = -1.9; 95% CI, -2.8 to -1.0; P < .001) were associated with worse intermediate-term hip function in terms of modified Harris Hip Score. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in functional outcomes or rate of reoperation at a minimum of 5 years postoperatively between those with global acetabular overcoverage, those with regional lateral overcoverage, and those with normal acetabular coverage. Provided that an appropriate acetabuloplasty is performed, there is no evidence to suggest that global acetabular overcoverage portends a worse prognosis than other FAIS subtypes.

Decreased Hip Labral Width Measured on Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Associated With Greater Revision Rate After Primary Arthroscopic Labral Repair for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome at 5-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between hip labral width and patient-reported outcomes, clinical threshold achievement rates, and rate of reoperation among patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) who underwent hip arthroscopy and labral repair at minimum 5-year follow-up. METHODS: Patients were identified from a prospective database who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for treatment of labral tears and FAIS. Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) were recorded preoperatively and at 5-year follow-up. Achievement of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) was determined using previously established values. Labral width magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed by 2 independent readers at standardized "clockface" locations. Patients were stratified into 3 groups at each position: lower-width (<½ SD below mean), middle-width (within ½ SD of mean), and upper-width (>½ SD above mean). Multivariable regression was used to evaluate associations of labral width with patient-reported outcomes and reoperation rate. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients (age: 41.0 ± 12.0 years; 68.5% female) were included. Inter-rater reliability for labral width measurements was high at all positions (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.94-0.96). There were no significant intergroup differences in mHHS/NAHS improvement (P > .05) or in achievement rates of MCID/SCB/PASS at each clockface position (P > .05). Eleven patients (15.1%) underwent arthroscopic revision and 4 patients (5.5%) converted to total hip arthroplasty. Multivariable analysis found lower-width groups at 11:30 (odds ratio 1.75, P = .02) and 3:00 (odds ratio 1.59, P = .04) positions to have increased odds of revision within 5 years; however, labral width was not associated with 5-year improvement in mHHS/NAHS, achievement of MCID/PASS/SCB, or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Hip labral width <½ SD below the mean measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 11:30- and 3:00-clockface positions was associated with increased odds of reoperation after arthroscopic labral repair and treatment of FAIS. Labral width was not associated with 5-year improvement of mHHS, NAHS, achievement of clinical thresholds, or conversion to arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Preoperative Symptom Severity Predicts 5-Year Hip Arthroscopy Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Thisstudy sought to assessthe prognostic effect of preoperative symptom severity on hip arthroscopy outcomes for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI). METHODS: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between September 2012 and July 2014 for FAI with a minimum of 5-year clinical outcomes were compiled. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) including modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) were collected. High and low preoperative function (PF) subgroups were created using baseline population median mHHS (43.3) as a threshold with PROs below the median score indicating low preoperative function and vice versa for scores above the median. Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional modeling, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regressions were used for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred five of 131 eligible patients(80.2% inclusion; age: 42.6 ± 1.4 years; body mass index: 25.3 ± 0.4 kg/m2 ) met the study criteria. The 5-year survival-torevision rate (85% versus 61%, p = 0.013) and survivalto-arthroplasty rate (95% vs. 82%, p = 0.022) were greater in the high versus low PF group. ANOVA demonstrated the high versus low PF group had higher baseline (mHHS: 52.7 ± 1.4 vs. 36.1 ± 1.1, p < 0.001; NAHS: 57.4 ± 1.6 vs. 39.3 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) and 1-year (mHHS: 91.9 ± 1.8 vs. 79.5 ± 2.7, p < 0.001; NAHS: 91.7 ± 1.6 vs. 80.8 ± 2.5, p < 0.001) outcomes. High versus low PF achieved higher Minimal Clinically Important Difference (77% vs. 57%, p = 0.026) at 5-years. High versus low PF achieved higher Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State rates at 1 year (79% vs. 47%, p < 0.001) and 5 years (66% vs. 45%, p = 0.032). Linear regression demonstrated body mass index (mHHS: p = 0.002; NAHS: p = 0.005), pincer resection (mHHS: p = 0.046), and preoperative symptom severity (mHHS: p = 0.001; NAHS: p = 0.002) to be predictors of 5-year change in PROs. CONCLUSION: Preoperative symptom severity is a reliable prognostic indicator of clinical survival rates and PROs after hip arthroscopy for FAI. Subjects with high PF are likely to have increased longevity of the index procedure while maintaining excellent PASS and MCID rates mid-term as opposed to those with low PF.

Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: Minimal Clinically Important Difference Rates Decline From 1- to 5-Year Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To correlate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement rates after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI). METHODS: Patients with clinically diagnosed FAI who underwent primary hip arthroscopy from September 2012 to March 2014 with a minimum of 5-year outcomes were identified. Patients undergoing labral debridement, microfracture, bilateral procedures, with evidence of dysplasia, Tönnis grade >1, and joint space <2 mm were excluded. Analysis of variance was used to compare PROs. Survival rates were determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Regression analysis identified associations with modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS), minimal clinically important difference (MCID) rates, and Nonarthritic Hip Scores (NAHS). RESULTS: A total of 85 of 101 eligible consecutive patients (84% inclusion) (age: 41.4 ± 14.0 years; 69% female, mean body mass index [BMI] 25.0 ± 4.2) met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients underwent labral repair (100%) and a combination of cam (86%) and pincer resection (99%). The 5-year survival-to-revision rate was 77% whereas 5-year survival rate to total hip arthroplasty was 94%. The 1-year (87.4 ± 13.6) and 5-year (84.5 ± 13.5) mHHS scores were greater versus preoperative scores (46.3 ± 11.3, P < .001). There was a decrease in MCID rate between 1-year (n = 74, 87%) and 5-year (n = 61, 73%, P = .019) outcomes. The 1-year (87.4 ± 12.7) and 5-year (89.2 ± 15.8) NAHS scores were greater versus preoperative scores (49.7 ± 12.7, P < .001). Regression demonstrated associations between BMI (MCID: P = .033; NAHS: P = .010), age (mHHS: P = .031), and cam resection (mHHS: P = .010) with 5-year outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There is a decline in MCID at 5-year follow-up after hip arthroscopy for FAI. Lower BMI, younger age, and cam resection are associated with positive outcomes. There is excellent index procedure survivability and excellent total hip arthroplasty prevention rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Surgical Management of Occipital Neuralgia: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a primary headache disorder characterized by severe, paroxysmal, shooting or stabbing pain in the distribution of the greater occipital, lesser occipital, and/or third occipital nerves. Both medical and surgical options exist for treating headaches related to ON. The purposes of this study are to summarize the current state of surgical ON management through a systematic review of the literature and, in doing so, objectively identify future directions of investigation. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of primary literature on surgical management for ON of at least level IV evidence. Included studies were analyzed for level of evidence, therapeutic intervention, study design, sample size, follow-up duration, outcomes measured, results, and risk of bias. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. All 22 studies used patient-reported pain scores as an outcome metric. Other outcome metrics included complication rates (7 studies; 32%), patient satisfaction (7 studies; 32%), quality of life (7 studies; 18%), and analgesic usage (3 studies; 14%). Using the ROBINS-I tool for risk of bias in nonrandomized studies, 7 studies (32%) were found to be at critical risk of bias, whereas the remaining 15 studies (68%) were found to be at serious risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Greater occipital nerve decompression seems to be a useful treatment modality for medically refractory ON, but further prospective, randomized data are required.

Concomitant Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Negatively Affects Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic effect of lumbar spinal stenosis on clinical outcomes after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI). METHODS: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between September 2009 and December 2015 for FAI with concomitant lumbar spinal stenosis (central/neuroforaminal) and a 2-year follow-up were identified (hip-spine). A 1:1 case-matching query using preoperative modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) within 3 points, body mass index (BMI) within 3 points, age within 5 years, and sex identified a control cohort without spinal pathology. Follow-up patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical failure rates to revision procedure were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients met criteria of the hip-spine group (age: 45.9 ± 12.2 years; BMI: 27.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2, baseline mHHS: 44.17 ± 2.76) vs the control group (age: 46.2 ± 12.4 years, P = .94; BMI: 26.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2, P = .61; baseline mHHS: 44.27 ± 2.82, P = .98). ANOVA analysis demonstrated that all PROs improved from baseline to 2-year outcomes (P < .001). The hip-spine vs control group had lower 1-year (mHHS: 65.97 ± 5.64 vs 85.04 ± 3.09, P = .006; nonarthritic hip score (NAHS): 70.26 ± 5.71 vs 87.89 ± 2.65, P = .010) and 2-year (mHHS: 69.72 ± 4.92 vs 84.71 ± 2.56, P = .007; NAHS: 72.23 ± 5.18 vs 87.14 ± 2.23, P = .008) outcomes. While there was no difference in patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) rates at 1-year follow-up, the hip-spine group demonstrated lower PASS (42% vs 81%, P = .004) and MCID (58% vs 88%, P = .027) rates at 2 years. Although susceptible to type II error, there was no difference in clinical failure rates to revision procedure (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS: While net PROs from baseline improve after hip arthroscopy for FAI, the presence of concomitant lumbar spinal stenosis negatively affects postoperative PROs. FAI patients with spinal stenosis should be counseled accordingly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics in Spine Surgery: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections are common and costly complications after spine surgery. Prophylactic antibiotics are the standard of care; however, the appropriate duration of antibiotics has yet to be adequately addressed. We sought to determine whether the duration of antibiotic administration (preoperatively only versus preoperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively) impacts postoperative infection rates. METHODS: All patients undergoing inpatient spinal procedures at a single institution from 2011 to 2018 were evaluated for inclusion. A minimum of 1 year of follow-up was used to adequately capture postoperative infections. The 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching technique was used between patients who did and did not receive postoperative antibiotics, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to control for confounding. RESULTS: A total of 4,454 patients were evaluated and, of those, 2,672 (60%) received 24 hours of postoperative antibiotics and 1,782 (40%) received no postoperative antibiotics. After propensity-matched analysis, there was no difference between patients who received postoperative antibiotics and those who did not in terms of the infection rate (1.8% compared with 1.5%). No significant decrease in the odds of postoperative infection was noted in association with the use of postoperative antibiotics (odds ratio = 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.620 to 2.23; p = 0.628). Additionally, there was no observed increase in the risk of Clostridium difficile infection or in the short-term rate of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the rate of surgical site infections between patients who received 24 hours of postoperative antibiotics and those who did not. Additionally, we found no observable risks, such as more antibiotic-resistant infections and C. difficile infections, with prolonged antibiotic use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Age and Outcomes in Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Comparison Across 3 Age Groups.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists concerning the effect of age on hip arthroscopy outcomes for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to investigate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical failure rates across various age groups in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. We hypothesized that older patients would experience lower improvements in PROs and higher clinical failure rates. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 109 of 130 eligible consecutive patients underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Patients were stratified into 3 groups for comparison (ages 15-34, 35-50, and 51-75 years). Clinical survival rates to revision surgery or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and PROs were assessed using analysis of variance. Regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with clinical failure and ΔPROs from baseline to 5 years. RESULTS: The 5-year survival-to-revision rate was 71% (survival time, 69.2 months; 95% CI, 62.8 to 75.5 months). A significant difference in survival to THA was found between groups (P = .030). Being in the older group versus the young and middle-aged groups predicted increased risk of THA conversion (hazard ratio, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 28.6; P = .035). Overall modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS) improved from baseline to 5 years (mHHS, P < .001; NAHS, P < .001). Body mass index (mHHS: beta, -1.2; 95% CI, -2.2 to -0.3; P = .013; NAHS: beta, -1.6; 95% CI, -2.6 to -0.5; P = .005) and baseline PROs (mHHS: beta, -0.8; 95% CI, -1.1 to -0.4; P < .001; NAHS: beta, -0.7; 95% CI, -1.1 to -0.4; P < .001) were predictive of 5-year ΔPROs. A decrease was seen in minimal clinically important difference rates in middle-aged (P = .011) and old (P = .030) groups from 6-month to 5-year outcomes. CONCLUSION: Although hip arthroscopy for FAI yielded improvements in PROs regardless of age, middle-aged and older patients experienced greater declines in clinical outcomes over time than younger patients. Older patients remain good candidates for arthroscopy despite a greater risk for conversion to THA.

Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: 1-Year Outcomes Predict 5-Year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists comparing short- and long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and overall survival rates after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). HYPOTHESIS: Patients with high improvement (HI) versus low improvement (LI) at 1 year postoperatively would achieve higher PROs and better index procedure survival rates at 5-year follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS between September 2012 and March 2014 with minimum 5-year outcome data were identified. Using the median 1-year change in modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) as a threshold, HI and LI subcohorts were determined. Analysis of variance was used to compare PROs. Failure rates were determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model analyses. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with increasing 5-year change in mHHS and Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS). RESULTS: Out of 108 eligible consecutive patients, 89 (82.4%) were included (mean [SD]: age, 43.3 [14.6] years; body mass index, 25.4 [4.5]). As compared with the LI group (n = 45), the HI group (n = 44) had a longer 5-year index surgery survival rate (mean ± SEM: 83.7 ± 3.3 months vs 68.5 ± 4.6 months; P = .012) and 5-year estimated survival rate (89% vs 71%). The HI group had a decreased risk of failure versus the LI group (hazard ratio, 0.15; P = .002). The HI group also had greater PROs than did the LI group at 1 year (mHHS: 94.8 ± 1.2 vs 72.6 ± 2.7, P < .001; NAHS: 94.0 ± 1.3 vs 75.6 ± 2.2, P < .001) and 5 years (mHHS: 86.9 ± 2.0 vs 77.6 ± 3.4, P = .017; NAHS: 92.6 ± 1.8 vs 82.7 ± 4.1, P = .020). As compared with the LI group, the HI group achieved higher rates of the Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 1 year (PASS: 95% vs 42%, P < .001; MCID: 100% vs 89%, P = .056) and 5 years (PASS: 77% vs 45%, P = .002; MCID: 86% vs 64%, P = .014). Linear regression demonstrated that being in the HI group (ΔmHHS, P = .041; ΔNAHS, P = .017) and decreasing body mass index (ΔmHHS, P = .055; ΔNAHS, P = .023) were associated with higher 5-year ΔPROs. CONCLUSION: Patients with FAIS and significant improvement in the first year after hip arthroscopy had superior 5-year outcomes versus patients with persistent symptom severity. Survival rates and PROs were significantly better in patients who achieved high early outcomes at the 1-year mark.