Nasal Swab Screening for Staphylococcus aureus in Spinal Deformity Patients Treated With Growing Rods.

BACKGROUND: Surgical-site infections are one of the most concerning complications in patients treated with growing rods (GR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of preoperative screening for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) for all growing spine procedures, and if this would permit alteration of prophylactic antibiotics to cover the identified resistances. METHODS: All patients were identified who had SA screening during the course of GR treatment. In otal, 34 patients [23 neuromuscular (NMS), 4 congenital, 4 idiopathic scoliosis (IS), and 3 syndromic] were identified who had 111 preoperative screenings [79 lengthenings, 23 insertions, 6 revisions, and 3 conversions to posterior spinal fusions (PSF)]. Mean age at GR insertion was 5.5 years (2 to 11 y). RESULTS: There were 11 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) "+" screenings in 6 patients (5 NMS, 1 IS): 3 in 3 patients before GR insertion and 8 in 3 patients (all 3 were negative at GR insertion screening) at subsequent surgeries. There were 23 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) "+" screenings in 12 patients (7 NMS, 2 congenital, 2 IS, 1 syndromic): 2 in 2 patients before GR insertion and 21 in 10 patients at subsequent surgeries (18 lengthenings, 3 revisions). Overall, 13 patients (3 MRSA+10 MSSA) were initially negative but screened positive for the first time at a subsequent surgery (12 lengthenings, 1 GR to PSF). All patients (n=5) with positive screenings before GR insertion were in patients with NMS (3 MRSA, 2 MSSA). On the basis of sensitivities, 9 patients demonstrated SA resistance to cefazolin (8 MRSA and 1 MSSA) and 6 to clindamycin (5 MRSA and 1 MSSA). Hence, if cefazolin was routinely used for all patients 26.5% of patients (9/34) would have been inadequately covered at some point during their GR treatment; clindamycin, 17.7% (6/34). CONCLUSION: The use of SA nasal swab screening in GR patients identified 9 patients (26.5%) whose prophylactic antibiotics (cefazolin) could be altered to permit appropriate SA coverage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-retrospective case series.

Recurrent Patellar Instability: Implications of Preoperative Patellar Crepitation on the Status of the Patellofemoral Articular Cartilage.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to quantify the frequency, severity, and location of patellofemoral (PF) articular cartilage changes recurrent patellar instability treated surgically in patients with preoperative clinical patellar crepitation. METHODS: A single-surgeon database was queried for all knees with recurrent patellar instability between 3/2000 and 6/2012 (n=214). Only knees which underwent knee arthroscopy during the surgical treatment were included (n=148). PF articular cartilage condition was assessed arthroscopically. RESULTS: There were 148 knees in 130 patients (mean age, 16 y), which met inclusion criteria. There were 93 females and 37 males. Diagnoses were dislocations [122 (82.4%)] and subluxations (26). Preoperatively 28 knees (18.9%) had PF crepitation. Statistical analysis demonstrated preoperative PF crepitation was correlated with medial patellar facet lesions (P=0.0022) and were 3.6 times more likely to have medial patellar facet lesions. Crepitation was correlated with the higher outerbridge (OB) patellar grades (P<0.0001) and larger patellar lesion size (P=0.0021). At arthroscopy 89 knees (60.5%) had patellar articular cartilage damage with a mean OB grade of 1.3 (0 to 4) and mean size of 93.2 mm (0 to 750). The femoral articular cartilage was identified in 29 knees (19.7%) with a mean OB grade of 0.44 (0 to 4). CONCLUSIONS: PF articular damage was present in 63% of knees, which were surgically treated for patellar instability. The patella was involved in 61% (mean, 129 mm) and femoral trochlea in 20% (mean 166 mm) of knees. Knee with preoperative PF crepitation (20% of cohort) more commonly had medial patellar facet lesions with higher OB grades, and larger patellar lesion size than knees without preoperative crepitation. Because of the high frequency of patellar (83%) and femoral (36%) articular damage documented at the time of surgical reconstruction, visualization of the PF joint is recommended when knees have preoperative PF crepitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Complications of Posterior Column Osteotomies in the Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patient.

BACKGROUND: In spinal deformity surgery, posterior column osteotomies (PCOs) are used to increase spinal flexibility and permit greater deformity correction, while avoiding the morbidity of anterior column surgery. Complications related to use of PCOs have been well characterized in adults; however, there is a paucity of information in the pediatric population. METHODS: A single-surgeon retrospective analysis was completed of 484 PCOs in 142 patients (average age: 14.5 years) undergoing spinal deformity surgery. All surgeries were completed by a standard posterior approach using a midline incision and dual-rod, pedicle screw constructs. PCO-related complications were recorded (intraoperative monitoring alerts, postoperative neurologic deficit, dural tear/violations, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] leak, pseudarthrosis, etc.) and analyzed by diagnosis (idiopathic, congenital, neuromuscular, syndromic). RESULTS: The diagnoses for the 142 patients were idiopathic (103 patients), neuromuscular (23 patients), syndromic (14 patients), and congenital (2 patients). In a subset of 87 patients with 2-year radiographic follow-up, the preoperative major coronal Cobb measurement was 75.5° ± 17.6°, which corrected to 34.9° ± 17.5° postoperatively and 37.8° ± 17.9° at last follow-up (p < .0001, p < .0001). Complications evaluated were postoperative neurologic deficit (0% of patients, 0/142), dural tears/violations at site of PCO (0.4% of PCOs, 2/484), CSF leak (0% of patients, 0/142), and pseudoarthrosis at site of PCO (0% of PCOs, 0/290). CONCLUSION: The overall frequency of complications related to PCOs was 0.4% (0.4% dural tears/violations) with 0% postoperative neurologic deficit, CSF leak, or pseudarthrosis. Based on these data, PCOs appear to be a safe technique in pediatric spine deformity surgery, with a low rate of technique-related complications. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To report the frequency of posterior column osteotomy complications (neurologic deficit, dural tear, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and pseudarthrosis) in pediatric patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Vancomycin Concentrations in Paraspinal Muscles During Posterior Spinal Fusions for Neuromuscular Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective consecutively enrolled cohort. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate paraspinal muscle concentration of intravenously administered vancomycin, at predetermined time points, during posterior spinal fusion (PSF) with instrumentation in neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). SUMMARY: Surgical site infection (SSI) after PSF for NMS can be a devastating complication, which may lead to prolonged antibiotic use, multiple additional surgical procedures, pseudarthroses, and sepsis. Because of significant morbidity of SSIs in NMS, the prophylactic use of vancomycin has been adopted at our institution as standard wound prophylaxis, despite any high-level evidence of its efficacy. METHODS: A prospective study of 20 patients who underwent definitive PSF for NMS and received vancomycin infusion preoperatively per institutional protocol. Serum levels were obtained immediately after infusion, at surgical incision, and then at 1, 2, and 4 hours post incision. Muscle tissue samples were simultaneously obtained at incision and at 1, 2, and 4 hours post incision. Samples were analyzed by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: 10 males and 10 females with a mean age of 14+11 years (9-20 years) received a mean infusion of 15.0 mg/kg vancomycin. Mean serum levels were 26.7 µg/mL after infusion, 18.1 at incision, 13.2 at 1 hour, 11.8 at 2 hours, and 7.6 at 4 hours post infusion. Mean muscle levels were 0.5 µg/mL at incision, 0.6 at 1 hour, 0.5 at 2 hours, and 0.7 at 4 hours post infusion. Mean serum levels reached minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus at incision and at all timepoints during surgery. Mean muscle vancomycin levels never reached MIC. No patients had any cardiac or kidney disease, and all patients had normal kidney function according to their preoperative laboratory values. CONCLUSIONS: Using accepted guidelines for the administration of intravenous vancomycin preoperatively, serum levels reached MIC at incision and at all timepoints tested during PSF for neuromuscular scoliosis. At no timepoint tested did muscle levels reach MIC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Radiographic Outcomes of Shilla Growth Guidance System and Traditional Growing Rods Through Definitive Treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a multicenter database. OBJECTIVES: To compare the radiographic outcomes of patients who had undergone the Shilla Growth Guidance System (SGGS) and traditional growing rod (GR) treatment for management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) through definitive treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The efficacy of surgical treatment of EOS can only be determined after definitive treatment has been completed. We wanted to review our experience with the SGGS and GR for management of EOS through definitive treatment. METHODS: Patients who had surgical treatment with SGGS or GR and had undergone definitive treatment were included. The patients were matched by age, preoperative curve magnitude, and diagnosis. The study population consisted of 36 patients (18 in each group) whose mean age at initial surgery was as follows: SGGS, 7.9 years; and GR, 7.7 years (not significant [NS]). Length of follow-up after initial surgery was 6.1 years for SGGS and 7.4 years for GR (NS). Definitive treatment was posterior spinal fusion (15 SGGS, 17 GR), implant removal (3 SGGS), or completion of lengthenings (1 GR). RESULTS: The preoperative curve was 61 degrees for SGGS and 65 degrees for GR (NS). After index surgery, the major curve decreased to 24 degrees (-37 degrees) for SGGS and 38 (-27 degrees) for GR (p < .05). At last follow-up, the major curve was 34 degrees (44%) for SGGS and 36 degrees (45%) for GR (NS). The initial T1-T12 length for SGGS was 188 mm and for GR, 181 mm; at last follow-up, SGGS was 234 mm (46 mm increase) and GR was 233 mm (52 mm increase) (NS). CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows the final radiographic outcomes (and changes) and complications (implant-related and infection) between the SGGS and GR groups were not statistically different. The main difference between the two groups was the threefold difference in overall surgeries.

Delayed Wound Dehiscence of Anterior Knee Incisions in Patients Aged 20 Years and Younger: A Comparison of Subcutaneous Skin Closure.

BACKGROUND: Delayed wound dehiscence (DWD) typically occurs 2 to 7 weeks postoperatively and is characterized by wound gapping and drainage at a surgical site which has initial normal wound healing. This wound problem clinically mimics deep surgical site infection and, after eventual skin healing, leaves a cosmetically unattractive widened, atrophic surgical scar. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective analysis was completed of 252 knees, over a 13-year period, in 194 patients (average age, 14.9 y) undergoing patellar realignment surgery. All knees in this study were treated through an anterior midline knee incision from mid-patella to the tibial tubercle. At wound closure either a 2-0 polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) group (V) or polydioxane (PDS) group (P) suture was used for subcutaneous reapproximation and then the skin was closed with a 4-0 subcuticular Poliglecaprone 25 and IRGACARE (Monocryl) suture. Wound complications were recorded and analyzed by subcutaneous suture type, severity, size of involvement, duration, and treatment type. RESULTS: Of the 252 knees, there were 132 knees in the V group and 120 in the P group. A total of 195 surgeries were primary surgeries and 57 knees were through previous surgical scars. Eleven patients had surgeries in which 1 knee was in each study group. Overall there were 6.1% (8/132) of the V group and 1.7% (2/120) of the P group with DWD (P=0.11); hence there was a trend toward more DWD with Vicryl than PDS, but this did not meet statistical significance. Mean time to resolution of wound dehiscence was 26 days for V group and 46 days for the P group. The length of incision was demonstrated to be a statistically significant independent risk factor for the development of DWD, irrespective of suture type. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of DWD in anterior knee incisions in our study population was 6.1% in the polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) group and 1.7% in the polydioxane (PDS) group. Although this analysis did not achieve statistical significance, a 3.5 times decrease in DWD when PDS was used is considered by the authors to be clinically significant. The authors have definitively switched from Vicryl to PDS for the subcutaneous skin closure at the knee in patients aged 20 years and younger in the push to make wound complications a nonevent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Preoperative MRSA Screening in Pediatric Spine Surgery: A Helpful Tool or a Waste of Time and Money?

OBJECTIVES: To review the use of preoperative screening for Staphylococcus aureus for all pediatric spine procedures that was instituted at our facility in a multimodal approach to decrease the frequency of postoperative wound infections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Four years ago at our facility, a multimodal approach to decrease the frequency of postoperative infections after pediatric spine surgery was instituted. METHODS: A single-center, single-surgeon pediatric spine surgery database was queried to identify all patients who had preoperative S. aureus nasal swab screening. Data collected included demographic data, diagnoses, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) swab findings, bacterial antibiotic sensitivities, and outcome of the spine surgery. RESULTS: A total of 339 MRSA screenings were performed. Twenty (5.9%) were MRSA positive, and 55 (16.2%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) positive. In the MRSA-positive group, 13 were neuromuscular, 5 were adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), 1 congenital, and 1 infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Of the MRSA-positive screenings, 13 (65.0% of MRSA-positive screenings; 3.8% of entire cohort) of were newly identified cases (9 neuromuscular, 3 AIS, and 1 congenital diagnoses). In the 55 MSSA-positive, 6 documented resistance to either cefazolin or clindamycin. Hence, in up to 22 of the preoperative screenings (6.5% of entire cohort; 16 MRSA and 6 MSSA showed antibiotic resistance), the preoperative antibiotic regimen could be altered to appropriately cover the identified bacterial resistances. During the study period, there were 11 patients who were diagnosed with a postoperative deep wound infection, none of them having positive screenings. CONCLUSION: The use of preoperative nasal swab MRSA screening permitted adjustment of the preoperative antibiotic regimen in up to 6.5% of patients undergoing pediatric spine surgery. This inexpensive, noninvasive tool can be used in preoperative surgical planning for all patients undergoing spinal procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Arthroscopic Lateral Retinacular Release in Adolescents With Medial Patellofemoral Ligament-centered Knee Pain.

BACKGROUND: The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been implicated as a common pain generator in adolescents with anterior knee pain. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral retinacular release (ALRR) for refractory MPFL-centered pain and to identify risk factors for poor outcomes and surgical failures. METHODS: A single-surgeon database was queried to identify all patients undergoing ALRR. Inclusion criteria included minimum 12-month follow-up and ALRR performed for MPFL pain rather than for generalized anterior knee pain or patellar instability. All patients had persistent MPFL-centered pain despite participating in a nonsurgical protocol before surgery. Primary outcomes included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score and need for further surgery, typically tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO). RESULTS: Eighty-eight knees in 71 patients [66 female, 5 male; average age, 15.7 y (range, 8.4 to 20.2 y)] were included. Average follow-up was 59 months (range, 12 to 138 mo). Average preoperative IKDC score was 41.9 (range, 18.4 to 67.8), whereas average postoperative IKDC score was 77.8 (range, 11.5 to 98.9; P<0.01). Postoperative IKDC scores were worse in patients with a preoperative sulcus angle of <134 degrees than those with sulcus angle of ≥134 degrees (69.9±22.1 vs. 82.0±12.5, P=0.04). Lower preoperative IKDC score correlated negatively with improvement of IKDC score postoperatively (r=-0.40, P<0.05). Seventeen knees (19.3%) subsequently underwent TTO for persistent symptoms. Patients who ultimately required TTO were younger than patients who did not (14.8±1.5 vs. 15.9±2.1; P=0.04) and had lower mean preoperative Blackburne-Peel ratio (0.95±0.25 vs. 1.11±0.24; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients with refractory MPFL-centered knee pain had significant improvements in clinical outcomes after undergoing ALRR at mean 5 years' follow-up. Poor outcomes and surgical failures were associated with lower preoperative IKDC score, younger age, lower preoperative Blackburne-Peel ratio, and sulcus angle of <134 degrees. Outcomes were not recorded prospectively, but mean IKDC scores <60 months postoperatively were similar to those collected ≥60 months after surgery (80.4 vs. 78.3, P=0.15). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.