Similar Medium-Term Revision Rates Following Acute Total Hip Arthroplasty Versus Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Acetabular Fractures in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: The management of elderly acetabular fractures is complex, with high rates of conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), but potentially higher rates of complications after acute THA. METHODS: The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database was queried between 2010 and 2017 for all patients aged 60 years or older who sustained a closed, isolated acetabular fracture and underwent ORIF, THA, or a combination. Chi-square tests and Student t tests were used to identify demographic differences between groups. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate predictors of 30-day readmission and 90-day complications. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the revision surgery-free survival (revision-free survival [RFS]), with revision surgery defined as conversion THA, revision ORIF, or revision THA. RESULTS: A total of 2,184 surgically managed acetabular fractures in elderly patients were identified, with 1,637 (75.0%) undergoing ORIF and 547 (25.0%) undergoing THA with or without ORIF. Median follow-up was 295 days (interquartile range, 13 to 1720 days). 99.4% of revisions following ORIF were for conversion arthroplasty. Unadjusted KM analysis showed no difference in RFS between ORIF and THA (log-rank test P = 0.27). RFS for ORIF patients was 95.1%, 85.8%, 78.3%, and 71.4% at 6, 12, 24 and 60 months, respectively. RFS for THA patients was 91.6%, 88.9%, 87.2%, and 78.8% at 6, 12, 24 and 60 months, respectively. Roughly 50% of revisions occurred within the first year postoperatively (49% for ORIF, 52% for THA). In propensity score-matched analysis, there was no difference between RFS on KM analysis ( P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed in medium-term RFS between acute THA and ORIF for elderly acetabular fractures in California. Revision surgeries for either conversion or revision THA were relatively common in both groups, with roughly half of all revisions occurring within the first year postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with proximal bone loss: a biomechanical comparison of partially vs. fully cemented humeral stems.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate amount of cementation at the time of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with significant proximal bone loss or resection is unknown. Extensive cementation of a humeral prosthesis makes eventual revision arthroplasty more challenging, increasing the risk of periprosthetic fracture. We analyzed the degree of subsidence and torque tolerance of humeral components undergoing standard cementation technique vs. our reduced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) protocol. Reduced cementation may provide sufficient biomechanical stability to resist physiologically relevant loads, while still permitting a clinically attainable torque for debonding the prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 12 cadaveric humeri (6 matched pairs) underwent resection of 5 cm of bone distal to the greater tuberosity. Each pair of humeri underwent standard humeral arthroplasty preparation followed by either cementation using a 1.5-cm PMMA sphere at a location 3 cm inferior to the porous coating or standard full stem cementation. A 6-degree-of-freedom robot was used to perform all testing. Each humeral sample underwent 200 cycles of abduction, adduction, and forward elevation while being subjected to a physiologic compression force. Next, the samples were fixed in place and subjected to an increasing torque until implant-cement separation or failure occurred. Paired t tests were used to compare mean implant subsidence vs. a predetermined 5-mm threshold, as well as removal torque in matched samples. RESULTS: Fully and partially cemented implants subsided 0.49 mm (95% CI 0.23-0.76 mm) and 1.85 mm (95% CI 0.41-3.29 mm), respectively, which were significantly less than the predetermined 5-mm threshold (P < .001 and P < .01, respectively). Removal torque between fully cemented stems was 45.22 Nm (95% CI 21.86-68.57 Nm), vs. 9.26 Nm (95% CI 2.59-15.93 Nm) for partially cemented samples (P = .021). Every fully cemented humerus fractured during implant removal vs. only 1 in the reduced-cementation group. The mean donor age in our study was 76 years (range, 65-80 years). Only 1 matched pair of humeri belonged to a female donor with comorbid osteoporosis. The fractured humerus in the partially cemented group belonged to that donor. CONCLUSION: Partially and fully cemented humeral prostheses had subsidence that was significantly less than 5 mm. Partially cemented stems required less removal torque for debonding of the component from the cement mantle. In all cases, removal of fully cemented stems resulted in humeral fracture. Reduced cementation of humeral prostheses may provide both sufficient biomechanical stability and ease of future component removal.

MELD score predicts short-term outcomes after surgical management of proximal humerus fractures: a matched analysis.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the difference in 30-day outcomes after surgical management of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) between patients with and without chronic liver disease as defined by a MELD score greater than 10. Design: This was a retrospective database review. Setting: All centers participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were included. Patients/Participants: Patients with proximal humerus fractures who (1) underwent ORIF, HA, or SA and (2) had calculable MELD scores were included. Intervention: Open reduction and internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, or shoulder arthroplasty was used for treatment. Main outcome measurements: Thirty-day complications, mortality, readmission, and reoperation rates were measured. Results: Of the total 1732 PHF patients identified, 300 had a MELD score higher than 10. After propensity matching by significant covariates, MELD score higher than 10 was found to be significantly associated with higher rates of 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, transfusion within 72 hours, and systemic complications. Among patients with a MELD score higher than 10, treatment with SA or HA instead of ORIF was associated with a higher rate of transfusion and longer operative time. There were no significant differences between treatment cohorts regarding mortality, reoperation, readmission, or complications. Conclusions: A MELD score higher than 10 is associated with higher risk of surgical complications, transfusion, and death in patients undergoing surgery for proximal humerus fractures. Among patients with a MELD score higher than 10, ORIF was associated with a lower transfusion rate and shorter operative time than arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III.

Changes in the incidence of stress reactions and fractures among intercollegiate athletes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of detraining due to the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of bony injuries and stress fractures in collegiate athletes. METHODS: A comprehensive collegiate athletic conference injury database was queried for all in-season, sport-related bony injuries (defined as all stress reactions and fractures) that occurred across all sports from January 2016 to June 2021. The bony injury rate per 1000 athlete exposure hours (AEH) was calculated and compared between the immediate post-hiatus season and historic rates from pre-hiatus seasons (2016-2019). Injury characteristics were also compared between the pre- and post-hiatus time periods. RESULTS: A total of 868 bony injuries across 23 sports were identified. The sports with highest overall baseline bony injury rates in historic seasons were women's cross country (0.57 injuries per 1000 AEH) and men's cross country (0.32). Compared to historic pre-hiatus rates, female cross-country runners demonstrated a significantly lower bony injury incidence rate in the post-hiatus season (0.24 vs. 0.57, p = 0.016) while male swimming athletes demonstrated a statistically significant increase in bony injury rate (0.09 vs. 0.01, p = 0.015). The proportion of bony injuries attributed to repetitive trauma increased; while, the proportion of injuries attributed to running decreased between the pre- and post-hiatus seasons. CONCLUSION: Across all sports, there was no consistent trend toward increased rates of bony injury in the immediate post-hiatus season. However, female cross-country runners demonstrated lower rates of bony injury in the post-hiatus season while male swimmers demonstrated higher rates. Furthermore, bony injuries in the post-hiatus season were more likely to be the result of repetitive trauma and less likely to be from running. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, cross sectional study.

Nail Plate Combination Fixation Versus Lateral Locked Plating for Distal Femur Fractures: A Multicenter Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) report on clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes after nail-plate fixation (NPF) of distal femur fractures and (2) compare outcomes after NPF with a propensity matched cohort of fractures treated with single precontoured lateral locking plates. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients with OTA/AO 33A or 33C fractures. INTERVENTION: Fixation with (1) retrograde intramedullary nail combined with lateral locking plate (n = 33) or (2) single precontoured lateral locking plate alone (n = 867). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The main outcomes of interest were all-cause unplanned reoperation and presence of varus collapse at final follow-up. RESULTS: One nail-plate patient underwent unplanned reoperation excluding infection and 2 underwent reoperation for infection at an average of 57 weeks after surgery. No nail-plate patients required unplanned reoperation to promote union and none exhibited varus collapse. More than 90% were ambulatory with no or minimal pain at final follow-up. In comparison, 7 of the 30 matched lateral locked plating patients underwent all-cause unplanned reoperation excluding infection (23% vs. 3%, P = 0.023), and an additional 3 lateral locked plating patients were found to have varus collapse on final radiographs (10% vs. 0%, P = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high proportion of high-energy, open, and comminuted fractures, no NPF patients underwent unplanned reoperation to promote union or demonstrated varus collapse. Propensity score matched analysis revealed significantly lower rates of nonunion for NPF compared with lateral locked plating alone. Larger studies are needed to identify which distal femur fracture patients would most benefit from NPF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Biologically-coupled bisphosphonate chaperones effectively deliver molecules to the site of soft tissue-bone healing.

Tendon injuries are common and often treated surgically, however, current tendon repair healing results in poorly organized fibrotic tissue. While certain growth factors have been reported to improve both the strength and organization of the repaired enthesis, their clinical applicability is severely limited due to a lack of appropriate delivery strategies. In this study, we evaluated a recently developed fluorescent probe, Osteoadsorptive Fluorogenic Sentinel-3 that is composed of a bone-targeting bisphosphonate (BP) moiety linked to fluorochrome and quencher molecules joined via a cathepsin K-sensitive peptide sequence. Using a murine Achilles tendon-to-bone repair model, BP-based and/or Ctsk-coupled imaging probes were applied either locally or systemically. Fluorescence imaging was used to quantify the resultant signal in vivo. After tendon-bone repair, animals that received either local or systemic administration of imaging probes demonstrated significantly higher fluorescence signal at the repair site compared to the sham surgery group at all time points (p < 0.001), with signal peaking at 7-10 days after surgery. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using a novel BP-based targeting and Ctsk-activated delivery of molecules to the site of tendon-to-bone repair and creates a foundation for further development of this platform as an effective strategy to deliver bioactive molecules to sites of musculoskeletal injury.

Geriatric Distal Femur Fractures: Equivalent Long-Term Reoperation Rates Between Fixation and Primary Arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary objectives were to (1) determine the rate of requiring conversion to arthroplasty after open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of geriatric distal femur fractures and (2) compare 10-year reoperation rates after ORIF versus primary arthroplasty for geriatric distal femur fractures. DESIGN: Propensity-matched retrospective cohort study. SETTING: All centers participating in the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) database. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: All patients 65 years of age or older who underwent operative management of a distal femur fracture between 2000 and 2017. INTERVENTION: ORIF, total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or distal femur replacement (DFR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Reoperation. RESULTS: A total of 16,784 patients with geriatric distal femur fracture were identified, of which 16,343 (97.4%) underwent ORIF. The cumulative incidence of conversion to arthroplasty within 10 years of ORIF was found to be 3.5%, with young age and female sex identified as risk factors for conversion. There was no significant difference in 10-year reoperation-free survival rate between propensity-matched patients undergoing ORIF versus primary arthroplasty (94.5% vs. 96.2%, P = 0.659). There were no differences in short-term complication or readmission rates between matched treatment cohorts, but arthroplasty was associated with a higher rate of wound infection within 90 days (2.0% vs. 0.2%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year cumulative incidence of conversion to arthroplasty after ORIF was found to be low. There was no significant difference in long-term reoperation-free survival rates between patients undergoing ORIF versus primary arthroplasty. Primary arthroplasty was associated with significantly higher rates of acute wound or joint infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Meniscus Repair in Pediatric Athletes.

Meniscus tears are common in the pediatric population, typically occur after noncontact injuries, and can be diagnosed clinically with MRI confirmation. Surgery should be offered to patients with loss of range of motion, persistent symptoms, or displaced/complex tears. Given poor long-term outcomes reported after meniscectomy, repair should be attempted when possible as pediatric menisci are well vascularized and have better outcomes after repair than their adult counterparts. The location of the tear is an important determining factor when deciding on the type of repair to use. Pediatric meniscus repair techniques will be discussed noting differences between pediatric and adult procedures. Further studies are needed to explore the role of biologics and define postoperative protocols.

Lower Risk of Revision Surgery After Arthroscopic Versus Open Irrigation and Débridement for Shoulder Septic Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of native shoulder septic arthritis, the optimal irrigation and débridement modality-arthroscopic versus open-is a matter of controversy. We aim to compare revision-free survival (RFS), complications, and resource utilization between these approaches. METHODS: The National Readmission Database was queried from 2016 to 2019 to identify patients using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, diagnostic and procedure codes. Days to revision irrigation and débridement (I&D) were calculated for patients during index admission or subsequent readmissions. Multivariate regression was used for healthcare utilization analysis. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: A total of 4,113 patients with native shoulder septic arthritis undergoing I&D were identified, 2,775 arthroscopic (67.5%) and 1,338 open (32.5%). The median follow-up was 170 days (interquartile range 79 to 265). A total of 341 patients (8.3%) underwent revision I&D at a median of 9 days. On multivariate analysis, arthroscopic I&D was associated with a reduction in hospital costs of $4,154 ( P < 0.001) and length of stay of 0.78 days ( P = 0.030). Arthroscopic I&D was associated with reduced blood transfusions (odds ratio 0.69, P = 0.001) and wound complications (odds ratio 0.30, P < 0.001). RFS was 96.4%, 94.9%, 93.3%, and 92.6% for arthroscopic I&D and 94.1%, 92.6%, 90.4%, and 89.0% for open I&D at 10, 30, 90 and 180 days, respectively ( P = 0.00043). On multivariate Cox modeling, arthroscopic I&D was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio 0.67, P = 0.00035). On stratified analysis, arthroscopic I&D was associated with improved RFS in patients aged 65 years or older ( P < 0.001), but RFS was similar in those younger than 65 years ( P = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Risk of revision I&D was markedly lower after arthroscopic I&D compared with open, although the protective benefit was limited to patients aged 65 years or older. Arthroscopy was also associated with decreased costs, length of stay, and complications. Although surgeons must consider specific patient factors, our results suggest that arthroscopic I&D is superior to open I&D. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Assessment of Characteristics and Methodological Quality of the Top 50 Most Cited Articles on Platelet-Rich Plasma in Musculoskeletal Medicine.

Background: The wide range of clinical applications and controversial scientific evidence associated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in musculoskeletal medicine requires an examination of the most commonly cited studies within this field. Purpose: To identify the 50 most cited articles on PRP, assess their study design, and determine any correlations between the number of citations and level of evidence (LoE) or methodological quality. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The Web of Science database was queried to identify the top 50 most cited articles on PRP in orthopaedic surgery. Bibliometric characteristics, number of citations, and LoE were recorded. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS), Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS), and Minimum Information for Studies Evaluating Biologics in Orthopaedics (MIBO). The Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient (r S) were used to determine the degree of correlation between the number of citations or citation density and LoE, MCMS, MINORS score, and MIBO score. Student t tests were performed for 2-group comparisons. Results: The top 50 articles were published between 2005 and 2016 in 21 journals. The mean number of citations and citation density were 241 ± 94 (range, 151-625) and 23 ± 8, respectively, and the mean LoE was 2.44 ± 1.67, with 15 studies classified as LoE 1. The mean MCMS, MINORS score, and MIBO score were 66.9 ± 12.6, 16 ± 4.7, and 12.4 ± 3.7, respectively. No correlation was observed between the number of citations or citation density and LoE, MCMS, MINORS score, and MIBO score. A significant difference (P = .02) was noted in LoE in articles from the United States (3.56 ± 1.7) versus outside the United States (2 ± 1.5). Seven of the 8 in vivo studies were published between 2005 and 2010, whereas 19 of the 25 clinical outcome investigations were published between 2011 and 2016. Studies that were published more recently were found to significantly correlate with number of citations (r S = -0.38; P = .01), citation density (r S = 0.36; P = .01), and higher LoE (r S = 0.47; P = .01). Conclusion: The top 50 most cited articles on PRP consisted of high LoE and fair methodological quality. There was a temporal shift in research from in vivo animal studies toward investigations focused on clinical outcomes.

Do local liposomal bupivacaine and interscalene nerve block provide similar pain control after shoulder arthroplasty? A dual-center randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Interscalene nerve block (INB) has become a popular technique for shoulder anesthesia. However, INB is associated with complication rates as high as 20%. Local liposomal bupivacaine (LLB) is an alternative to INB that potentially offers extended pain control with fewer adverse effects. METHODS: We conducted a dual-center randomized controlled trial of 108 participants who were treated with LLB (n = 54) or INB (n = 54) to control pain after shoulder arthroplasty. We assessed visual analog scale pain scores at 6-hour intervals from 6 to 96 hours postoperatively and at the first postoperative visit. We assessed opioid medication consumption intraoperatively and on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 postoperatively, as well as the duration of hospital and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stays. RESULTS: At 6 hours postoperatively, the mean visual analog scale pain score was lower in the INB group (2.9 ± 3.1) than in the LLB group (5.1 ± 2.9, P < .01). The INB group consumed less opioid medication during the first 24 hours postoperatively (18 ± 12 morphine milligram equivalents) than did the LLB group (36 ± 48 morphine milligram equivalents, P = .01). The PACU stay was shorter in the INB group (102 ± 53 minutes) compared with the LLB group (139 ± 77 minutes, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with LLB, INB provides better pain control immediately after shoulder arthroplasty as evidenced by shorter PACU stays, lower pain scores at 6 hours postoperatively, and less opioid medication consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively. However, no differences in outcomes were observed between groups beyond 24 hours.

Association Between Delays in Radiography and Surgery With Hip Fracture Outcomes in Elderly Patients.

Appropriate waiting time for hip fracture surgery is disputed. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends surgery within 48 hours of presentation, although evidence suggests that earlier surgery (within 24 hours) reduces the risks of complications and death. The authors asked: (1) Do patients who receive earlier radiographic evaluation of hip fracture undergo surgery earlier? and (2) Is "surgery delay" (time from presentation to surgery) associated with postoperative opioid use, duration of hospital stay, and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates? The authors identified 511 adults 60 years or older who were admitted to their emergency department with hip fractures from 2015 through 2017. Patients were divided into 6 cohorts according to length of surgery delay and 3 cohorts according to length of radiography delay (time from presentation to first hip radiograph). The authors found that medium radiography delay (>2 to 4 hours) was associated with an additional 11 hours of surgery delay compared with short radiography delay (≤2 hours; P=.026). Longer surgery delay (>12 hours) was associated with use of 9.6 more morphine equivalents (95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 8.6) during the first 24 hours postoperatively compared with shorter surgery delay (≤12 hours). Surgery delay of greater than 36 hours was an independent risk factor for longer hospital stay (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 4.8). Thirty-day and 1-year mortality rates were significantly higher among patients who experienced a surgery delay of greater than 36 hours compared with those who experienced a surgery delay of 36 hours or less. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(6):e609-e615.].

Anchorless Arthroscopic Transosseous and Anchored Arthroscopic Transosseous Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair Show No Differences in Structural Integrity or Patient-reported Outcomes in a Matched Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Anchored transosseous equivalent suture-bridge technique (TOE) is widely used for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. It is unknown how patient outcomes scores, ROM, and integrity of the rotator cuff after repair using this anchored technique compare with those after repair using an anchorless transosseous technique (TO). QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What are the differences in patient-reported outcomes (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and shoulder ROM between TO and TOE rotator cuff repair techniques at 1 and 2 years after surgery? (2) What is the difference in repair integrity as measured by the re-tear rate, assessed ultrasonographically at 1 year, between these two techniques? (3) What is the difference in procedure duration between the two techniques when performed by a surgeon familiar with each? METHODS: We reviewed 331 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs performed by one surgeon from December 2011 to July 2016 in this retrospective, matched-pair study. Of these patients, 63% (208 of 331) underwent repair with standard anchored technique (anchors placed in a double-row, TOE manner) and 37% (123 of 331) underwent anchorless TO repair, with the same indications for surgery between groups. Forty-four percent (91 of 208) of patients in the TOE group and 61% (75 of 123) of patients in the TO group met the inclusion criteria. Eighty percent (73 of 91) of patients in the TOE group and 88% (66 of 75) in the TO group had minimum 2-year follow-up. We matched each group to a cohort of 50 patients by sex, age, smoking status, and tear size (by Cofield classification: small, < 1 cm; medium, 1-3 cm; large, > 3-5 cm; or massive, > 5 cm). The resulting cohorts did not differ in mean age (TO, 62 years [range 53-65 years]; TOE, 58 years [range 53-65 years]; p = 0.79), mean BMI value (TO, 30 [range 27-33]; TOE, 29 [range 27-35]; p = 0.97), or dominant arm involvement (TO, 80%; TOE, 78%; p = 0.81). The cohorts were followed for at least 2 years (median, 3.2 years [interquartile range (IQR) 2.2-4.3] for TO and 2.9 years [IQR 2.0-3.5 years] for TOE). ASES scores and ROM were evaluated before surgery and at follow-up visits and were recorded in a longitudinally maintained institutional database. Repair integrity was assessed using ultrasonography at 1 year, as is standard in our practice. For each tear-size group, we calculated the proportion of intact tendon repairs versus the proportion of re-tears. Duration of surgery was recorded for each patient. RESULTS: At 1 year, we observed no difference in median ASES scores (90 [IQR 92-98] for TO and 88 [IQR 72-98] for TOE; p = 0.44); external rotation (50° [IQR 45°-60°) for TO and 50° [IQR: 40°-60°] for TOE; p = 0.58); forward flexion (165° [IQR 160°-170°] for both groups; p = 0.91); or abduction (100° [IQR 90°-100°] for TO and 90° [IQR 90°-100°] for TOE; p = 0.06). Fourteen percent of shoulders (seven of 50) in each treatment group had evidence of re-tear at 1 year (p > 0.99): 0 of 2 small tears in each group, 0 of 7 medium tears in each group, five of 32 large tears in each group, and two of 9 massive tears in each group (all, p > 0.99). At 2 years, we found no differences in median ASES scores (92 [IQR 74-98)] for TO and 90 [IQR 80-100] for TOE; p = 0.84); external rotation (60° [IQR 50°-60°] for both groups; p = 0.74); forward flexion (170° [IQR 160°-170°] for both groups; p = 0.69); or abduction (100° [IQR 90°-100°] for both groups; p = 0.95). We found no differences between groups in mean ± SD procedure time, which was 103 ± 20 minutes for TO repair and 99 ± 20 minutes for TOE repair (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: TO and TOE techniques for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair results in no differences in ROM, ASES scores, re-tear rates, and surgical time. Randomized control trials are needed to confirm these similarities or determine a superior method of repair. Future cost analyses may also help to determine the relative value of each technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Missing Data in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database: How Does It Affect the Identification of Risk Factors for Shoulder Surgery Complications?

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to establish whether different approaches to handling missingness affect the determination of risk factors associated with 30-day postoperative major and minor complications. A secondary purpose was to determine the frequency of missingness in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) records of patients who underwent shoulder surgery. METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database using Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify patients who underwent shoulder surgery from 2011 to 2016 (n = 61,963). Data on major and minor postoperative complications were extracted. We also extracted data on patient characteristics, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications, and preoperative laboratory values. We calculated the percentages of missingness for each variable. Each variable was then evaluated for associations with major and minor complications by using multivariable regression and 4 methods of handling missingness (involving imputation or exclusion, depending on the completeness of the data set). For 10 variables, the method using no exclusion or imputation produced higher odds of major complications compared with imputation. For 5 variables, the method using no exclusion or imputation produced higher odds of minor complications compared with imputation. RESULTS: Only 6.5% of all patients had no missing data (n = 4,042), whereas 44% had <10% missingness (n = 27,165). Fewer variables were associated with both major and minor complications after shoulder surgery when patient records with missing data were excluded from analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Different methods of handling missingness produced different odds ratios for some variables when determining risk factors for complications after shoulder surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Case control study.

Pullout strength of standard vs. cement-augmented rotator cuff repair anchors in cadaveric bone.

BACKGROUND: We evaluate a novel method of rotator cuff repair that uses arthroscopic equipment to inject bone cement into placed suture anchors. A cadaver model was used to assess the pullout strength of this technique versus anchors without augmentation. METHODS: Six fresh-frozen matched pairs of upper extremities were screened to exclude those with prior operative procedures, fractures, or neoplasms. One side from each pair was randomized to undergo standard anchor fixation with the contralateral side to undergo anchor fixation augmented with bone cement. After anchor fixation, specimens were mounted on a servohydraulic testing system and suture anchors were pulled at 90° to the insertion to simulate the anatomic pull of the rotator cuff. Sutures were pulled at 1 mm/s until failure. FINDINGS: The mean pullout strength was 540 N (95% confidence interval, 389 to 690 N) for augmented anchors and 202 N (95% confidence interval, 100 to 305 N) for standard anchors. The difference in pullout strength was statistically significant (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: This study shows superior pullout strength of a novel augmented rotator cuff anchor technique. The described technique, which is achieved by extruding polymethylmethacrylate cement through a cannulated in situ suture anchor with fenestrations, significantly increased the ultimate failure load in cadaveric human humeri. This novel augmented fixation technique was simple and can be implemented with existing instrumentation. In osteoporotic bone, it may substantially reduce the rate of anchor failure.