Women in trauma and orthopaedics: are we losing them at the first hurdle?

INTRODUCTION: Diversity in the healthcare workforce is associated with improved performance and patient-reported outcomes. Gender disparity in Trauma and Orthopaedics (T&O) is well recognised. The aim of this study was to compare factors that influence career choice in T&O between male and female final-year students. Furthermore, the trend of representation of women in T&O over the last decade was also compared with other surgical specialities. METHODS: An online survey of final-year students who attended nationally advertised T&O courses over a 2-year period was conducted. Data from NHS digital was obtained to assess gender diversity in T&O compared with other surgical specialities. RESULTS: A total of 414 students from 13 UK medical schools completed the questionnaire. Compared with male students (34.2%), a significantly higher proportion of women (65.8%) decided against a career in T&O, p<0.001. Factors that dissuaded a significantly higher percentage of women included gender bias, technical aspects of surgery, unsociable hours, on-call commitments, inadequate undergraduate training and interest in another specialty (p<0.05). Motivating factors for choosing a career in T&O were similar between both sexes. T&O was the surgical specialty with the lowest proportion of women at both consultant and trainee level over the last decade. CONCLUSION: T&O remains an unpopular career choice among women. To enhance recruitment of women in T&O, future strategies should be directed toward medical students. Universities, orthopaedic departments and societies must work collaboratively to embed culture change, improve the delivery of the undergraduate curriculum, and facilitate students' exposure to operating theatres and female role models.

The effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the epidemiology of hip fractures in the elderly: a multicentre cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic presented extraordinary challenges to the UK healthcare system. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the epidemiology, treatment pathways and 30-day mortality rates of hip fractures. Outcomes of COVID-19 positive patients were compared against those who tested negative. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, multicentre study was conducted across six hospitals in the South East of England. Data were retrieved from the National Hip Fracture Database and electronic medical records. Data was collected for the strictest UK lockdown period (period B=23 March 2020-11 May 2020), and the corresponding period in 2019 (period A). RESULTS: A total of 386 patients were admitted during period A, whereas 381 were admitted during period B. Despite the suspension of the 'Best Practice Tariff' during period B, time to surgery, time to orthogeriatric assessment, and 30-day mortality were similar between period A and B. The length of inpatient stay was significantly shorter during period B (11.5 days vs 17.0 days, p<0.001). Comparison of COVID-19 positive and negative patients during period B demonstrated that a positive test was associated with a significantly higher rate of 30-day mortality (53.6% vs 6.7%), surgical delay >36h (46.4% vs 30.8%, p=0.049), and increased length of inpatient stay (15.8 vs 11.7 days, p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 lockdown did not alter the epidemiology of hip fractures. A substantially higher mortality rate was observed among patients with a COVID-19 positive test. These findings should be taken into consideration by the healthcare policymakers while formulating contingency plans for a potential 'second wave'.

Thirty-day mortality following surgical management of hip fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a prospective multi-centre UK study.

PURPOSE: Thirty-day mortality of patients with hip fracture is well researched and predictive; validated scoring tools have been developed (Nottingham Hip Fracture Score, NHFS). COVID-19 has significantly greater mortality in the elderly and comorbid patients which includes hip fracture patients. Non-operative treatment is not appropriate due to significantly higher mortality, and therefore, these patients are often exposed to COVID-19 in the peri-operative period. What is unclear is the effect of concomitant COVID-19 infection in these patients. METHODS: A multicentre prospective study across ten sites in the United Kingdom (responsible for 7% of hip fracture patients per annum in the UK). Demographic and background information were collected by independent chart review. Data on surgical factors included American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, time to theatre, Nottingham Hip fracture score (NHFS) and classification of fracture were also collected between 1st March 2020 and 30th April 2020 with a matched cohort from the same period in 2019. RESULTS: Actual and expected 30-day mortality was found to be significantly higher than expected for 2020 COVID-19 positive patients (RR 3.00 95% CI 1.57-5.75, p < 0.001), with 30 observed deaths compared against the 10 expected from NHFS risk stratification. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection appears to be an independent risk factor for increased mortality in hip fracture patients. Whilst non-operative management of these fractures is not suggested due to the documented increased risks and mortality, this study provides evidence to the emerging literature of the severity of COVID-19 infection in surgical patients and the potential impact of COVID-19 on elective surgical patients in the peri-operative period.

Does a dedicated hip fracture unit improve clinical outcomes? A five-year case series.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to establish whether a dedicated hip fracture unit, geographically separate from the local major trauma centre, could improve clinical outcomes for patients sustaining proximal femoral fragility fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective case series, using data collected from Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust's submissions to the National Hip Fracture Database between 1 April 2011 and 16 September 2016. The outcomes measured were mortality, length of hospital stay, time from admission to surgical intervention and return to premorbid residence. Patients were compared before and after reconfiguration of services into a separate dedicated hip fracture unit geographically distinct from the major trauma centre. RESULTS: A total of 2117 patients (2178 injuries) were managed before the existence of the hip fracture unit, while 660 patients (673 injuries) were treated within the hip fracture unit. During the five-year study period, the 30-day mortality rate (pre-hip fracture unit 5.47% vs hip fracture unit 3.13%, P = 0.014), variance in the length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), mean time to surgical intervention (P = 0.044) and return to premorbid residence were significantly improved. An immediate 12-month comparison demonstrated significantly improved variance in length of hospital stay (P = 0.020) and return to premorbid residence (P = 0.015). DISCUSSION: The reconfiguration of services significantly reduced variance in length of stay, enabling accurate resource planning in future. Multiple incremental improvements in service provision, in addition to the hip fracture unit, may explain the lower mortality observed. CONCLUSION: While further research is required, replication of the hip fracture unit service model may potentially afford significant clinical and financial gains.

Informed consent: the view from the trenches.

We review some of the recent literature on consent for surgical procedures and suggest a scheme for obtaining surgical consent.

The incidence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies in patients with microprolactinoma and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with microprolactinoma and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia are not generally considered to be at risk of hypopituitarism and are therefore not routinely screened for this abnormality. In our clinical practice, we have observed a number of patients with nonmacroadenomatous hyperprolactinaemia to have anterior pituitary hormone deficits. AIMS: We aimed to establish the frequency and clinical significance of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, comparing patients with radiologically proven microprolactinomas and patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively examined the casenotes of 206 patients with hyperprolactinaemia from our centre. Patients who did not fit the profile of surgically naïve microprolactinoma or idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia or who had incomplete data were excluded, resulting in a study group of 56 patients. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with MRI evidence of microprolactinoma were identified, three (8.57%) of whom had one or more anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies. A total of 21 patients with MRI-negative idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia were identified, nine (42%) of whom had one or more anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies (P<.01). Only one patient in the MRI-positive group had deficiency that required hormone replacement, in contrast six patients in the MRI-negative group had deficiencies that were of clinical significance and which required hormone replacement. SUMMARY: This study shows a clinically significant incidence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency in patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia. The authors recommend that dynamic pituitary assessment should be considered routinely in this patient group. A prospective study would be required to assess the underlying cause for these abnormalities, as they suggest a nontumour pan-pituitary process.

Trauma-related amputations in war and at a civilian major trauma centre-comparison of care, outcome and the challenges ahead.

The Afghanistan conflict has resulted in a large number of service personnel sustaining amputations. Whilst obvious differences exist between military and civilian trauma-related amputations both settings result in life changing injuries. Comparisons offer the potential of advancement and protection of the knowledge gained during the last 12 years. This paper compares the military and civilian trauma-related amputee cohorts' demographics, management and rehabilitation outcomes measures. The UK military Joint Theatre Trauma Registry and a civilian major trauma centre database of trauma-related amputees were analysed. 255 military and 24 civilian amputees were identified. A significant difference (p>0.05) was seen in median age (24, range 18-43, vs. 48, range 24-87 years), mean number of amputations per casualty (1.6±SD 0.678 vs. 1±SD 0.0), mean ISS (22±SD 12.8 vs. 14.7±SD 15.7) and gender (99% males vs. 78%). Rehabilitation outcome measures recorded included the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine score where the military group demonstrated significantly better scores (91% Grade E+ compared to 19%). Differences in patients underlying physiology and psychology, the military trauma system and a huge sustained investment in rehabilitation are all contributing factors for these differing outcomes. However the authors also believe that the use of a consultant-led MDT and central rehabilitation have benefited the military cohort in the acute rehabilitation stage and is reflected in the good short-term outcomes.

A comparative analysis of the patient characteristics and cost of managing intravenous drug users (IVDU) with soft tissue abscesses with non-IVDU.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous drug users (IVDU) often present to hospitals with complex co-morbidities, associated with prolonged in-patient admissions. The aim of this study was to compare a cohort of IVDU patients with soft tissue abscesses with non-IVDUs. We analysed the demographics, comorbidities, location of abscesses, multidisciplinary input and financial costs of managing both groups. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2010 and September 2013. Two age and sex matched cohorts were compared: IVDU and non-IVDU. RESULTS: We identified 44 IVDU patients and 54 non-IVDU patients. The IVDU had higher rates of smoking (89% p < 0.001) and unemployment (73% p < 0.05). The most common comorbidities in the IVDU cohort were hepatitis C (17%) and HIV (14%), whereas diabetes mellitus (15%) and hypertension (11%) were the most common in the non-IVDUs (p < 0.01). The most common location for an abscess in non-IVDU patients was the hand, whereas IVDU patients had abscesses in their groin. Groin injecting led to a referral to multiple specialties. The median length of stay for the IVDU patients was 4 days and for non-IVDU patients 1 day (p < 0.01). The average cost of managing IVDU patients in our unit was £1280: for non- IVDU the cost was £530 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IVDU patients with soft tissue abscesses have higher rates of smoking, unemployment, infection with hepatitis C and HIV compared to a control group. We have suggested several recommendations to optimise the management of these patients including the implementation of an additional code to compensate for the complexity of their management.

Renal replacement therapy: implications for the surgeon.

Renal replacement therapy comprises peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis and renal transplantation. Patients undergoing renal replacement therapy often require surgery for a number of different reasons. This review summarizes likely surgical procedures for these patients and some of the common complications.

Adenoviral-mediated imaging of gene transfer using a somatostatin receptor-cytosine deaminase fusion protein.

Suicide gene therapy is a process by which cells are administered a gene that encodes a protein capable of converting a nontoxic prodrug into an active toxin. Cytosine deaminase (CD) has been widely investigated as a means of suicide gene therapy owing to the enzyme's ability to convert the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the toxic compound 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, the extent of gene transfer is a limiting factor in predicting therapeutic outcome. The ability to monitor gene transfer, non-invasively, would strengthen the efficiency of therapy. In this regard, we have constructed and evaluated a replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) containing the human somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) fused with a C-terminal yeast CD gene for the non-invasive monitoring of gene transfer and therapy. The resulting Ad (AdSSTR2-yCD) was evaluated in vitro in breast cancer cells to determine the function of the fusion protein. These studies demonstrated that both the SSTR2 and yCD were functional in binding assays, conversion assays and cytotoxicity assays. In vivo studies similarly demonstrated the functionality using conversion assays, biodistribution studies and small animal positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. In conclusion, the fusion protein has been validated as useful for the non-invasive imaging of yCD expression and will be evaluated in the future for monitoring yCD-based therapy.

Reducing mortality for high risk surgical patients in the UK.

Over 40 million surgical procedures are performed per annum in the USA and Europe, including several million patients who are considered to be high risk (Bennett-Guerrero et al 2003). Overall, the risk of death or major complications after surgery in the general surgical patient population is low, with a post-operative mortality rate of less than1% during the same hospital admission (Niskanen et al 2001).

Segmental proximal femoral bone loss and revision total hip replacement in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip: the role of allograft prosthesis composite.

The treatment of substantial proximal femoral bone loss in young patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is challenging. We retrospectively analysed the outcome of 28 patients (30 hips) with DDH who underwent revision total hip replacement (THR) in the presence of a deficient proximal femur, which was reconstructed with an allograft prosthetic composite. The mean follow-up was 15 years (8.5 to 25.5). The mean number of previous THRs was three (1 to 8). The mean age at primary THR and at the index reconstruction was 41 years (18 to 61) and 58.1 years (32 to 72), respectively. The indication for revision included mechanical loosening in 24 hips, infection in three and peri-prosthetic fracture in three. Six patients required removal and replacement of the allograft prosthetic composite, five for mechanical loosening and one for infection. The survivorship at ten, 15 and 20 years was 93% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91 to 100), 75.5% (95% CI 60 to 95) and 75.5% (95% CI 60 to 95), respectively, with 25, eight, and four patients at risk, respectively. Additionally, two junctional nonunions between the allograft and host femur required bone grafting and plating. An allograft prosthetic composite affords a good long-term outcome in the management of proximal femoral bone loss in revision THR in patients with DDH, while preserving distal host bone.

Using patient-reported outcome measures to assess health-care quality.

The transparency of surgical outcomes data and the drive for quality has been highlighted since the public inquiry, led by Professor Ian Kennedy, into children's heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This was formalized in Lord Darzi's 2008 report High Quality Care for All, that proposed the NHS should: 'systematically measure and publish information about the quality of care'. Subsequently the NHS White paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS (Department of Health, 2010), set out the ambitions and aims of the NHS and in particular that it should provide: '...a service that offers care that is safe and of the highest quality.'

Does cyclical loading affect the elution of antibiotics from articulating cement knee spacers?

Two-stage revision surgery for infected total knee replacement offers the highest rate of success for the elimination of infection. The use of articulating antibiotic-laden cement spacers during the first stage to eradicate infection also allows protection of the soft tissues against excessive scarring and stiffness. We have investigated the effect of cyclical loading of cement spacers on the elution of antibiotics. Femoral and tibial spacers containing vancomycin at a constant concentration and tobramycin of varying concentrations were studied in vitro. The specimens were immersed and loaded cyclically to 250 N, with a flexion excursion of 45°, for 35 000 cycles. The buffered solution was sampled at set intervals and the antibiotic concentration was established so that the elution could be calculated. Unloaded samples were used as a control group for statistical comparison. The elution of tobramycin increased proportionately with its concentration in cement and was significantly higher at all sampling times from five minutes to 1680 minutes in loaded components compared with the control group (p = 0.021 and p = 0.003, respectively). A similar trend was observed with elution of vancomycin, but this failed to reach statistical significance at five, 1320 and 1560 minutes (p = 0.0508, p = 0.067 and p = 0.347, respectively). However, cyclically loaded and control components showed an increased elution of vancomycin with increasing tobramycin concentration in the specimens, despite all components having the same vancomycin concentration. The concentration of tobramycin influences both tobramycin and vancomycin elution from bone cement. Cyclical loading of the cement spacers enhanced the elution of vancomycin and tobramycin.

Somnolence in adult craniopharyngioma patients is a common, heterogeneous condition that is potentially treatable.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Somnolence and obesity are prevalent in craniopharyngioma patients. We hypothesized that somnolence was because of obstructive sleep apnoea in craniopharyngioma patients. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We assessed prevalence of somnolence and sleep apnoea in 28 craniopharyngioma and 23 obese controls attending a tertiary referral centre, by means of the Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) and polysomnography. All subjects with sleep apnoea were offered continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) or modafinil. All craniopharyngioma patients, with unexplained somnolence, were offered modafinil. RESULTS: Somnolence was reported by 20/28 (71·5%) craniopharyngioma patients and 4/23 (17%) obese subjects (P < 0·001). Median ESS was 7·5 (IQR 6, 10·7) in craniopharyngioma patients and 4·0 (4,8) in controls, P < 0·01. Eleven somnolent craniopharyngioma patients had obstructive sleep apnoea, in whom treatment led to a reduction in ESS by 6·4 ± 1·4, P = 0·01. Among the remaining nine patients, five were offered modafinil therapy, of whom four had benefit, three were not compliant with hormone replacement, and one died before intervention. There was no difference in the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea between craniopharyngioma (n = 13, 46%) and obese subjects (n = 14, 61%, P = 0·4). Body mass index (BMI) does not correlate with apnoea hypopnoea index [apnoea - hypopnoea index (AHI), r = 0·25, P = 0·08], which suggests that obesity alone does not explain the prevalence of sleep apnoea in craniopharyngioma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Somnolence is common in craniopharyngioma patients and in the majority is because of obstructive sleep apnoea. An additional group of somnolent craniopharyngioma patients benefits from modafinil.

Is there adequate provision of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following hip arthroplasty? An audit and international survey.

INTRODUCTION: The peak incidence of venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) occurs 3 weeks following hip arthroplasty surgery and current guidelines proposing VTE prophylaxis continuing for 4 weeks after surgery. This study first compares the duration of treatment and satisfaction between patients prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and rivaroxaban, a new oral Factor Xa inhibitor, following elective hip arthroplasty; and second, surveys the duration of LMWH use in other units. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An international survey detailing the use of LMWH was performed. A prospective audit was performed of 100 hip replacements, with 50 prescribed 40 mg once daily of subcutaneous enoxaparin and subsequently 50 patients prescribed 10 mg once daily of oral rivaroxaban. The duration of treatment, patient satisfaction and complications for both cohorts was quantified and compared against published evidence-based guidelines. RESULTS: The survey demonstrated that four out of 39 (10.2%) units that routinely prescribe LMWH do so for at least 4 weeks following surgery. The audit demonstrated that rivaroxaban afforded a superior mean duration of postoperative VTE prophylaxis (35 days vs 5.4 days; P < 0.05) and superior patient satisfaction. There was no difference in the incidence of bleeding, wound infection or thrombotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients are exposed to an increased VTE risk following hip replacement surgery due to the inadequate prescription of LMWH. This is poor clinical practice, contrary to current evidence-based guidelines and has potential medicolegal implications. The prescription of rivaroxaban affords a superior patient compliance compared with subcutaneous LMWH, thus ensuring that patients receive VTE prophylaxis for the current recommend period of time.