Radiation safety awareness and practices amongst orthopaedic surgeons in Scotland.

As orthopaedic surgeons we use x-rays every day; not only when diagnosing pathology but often to assist in operative management of said pathology or ensure satisfactory outcomes for our patients in clinic. An awareness of the correct use of ionising radiation in the form of fluoroscopic imaging is therefore of great importance to reduce intraoperative exposure and has led to the development of the As Little As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle. The primary aim of this study is to determine the knowledge and practises of radiation safety amongst orthopaedic surgeons in Scotland. Secondary aim is to assess the prevalence of back pain and relation to lead gowns. A google forms survey containing 20 questions about both an individual's radiation practises, and knowledge and departmental practises were distributed to all 4 deaneries in Scotland. In total 72 responses were received from 20 hospitals across all 4 Scottish deaneries. This included 28 Consultants, 23 Senior trainees and 21 Junior trainees. We found that the level of radiation training and knowledge varied considerably across seniority and the nation. Of those surveyed 100% reported always wear lead aprons/gowns however only 46.2% (n = 34) frequently or always wear thyroid protection when using X-rays. Only 55% (n = 40) of those surveyed had completed a radiation safety course with this being far less likely amongst junior trainees (29%, n = 6) than amongst Consultants (82%, n = 23) and senior trainees (48%, n = 11) (p < 0.0001). To our knowledge this is the most extensive survey into the radiation practises of Orthopaedic Surgeons in the literature and shows the need for increased education and awareness of radiation safety practises, particularly amongst junior trainees.

Incidence and risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism following primary total hip arthroplasty in low-risk patients when using aspirin for prophylaxis.

AIMS: The primary aim was to assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total hip replacements (THR) in a low-risk patient group when using 150 mg aspirin as the pharmacological component of VTE prophylaxis on discharge. The secondary aim was to identify factors associated with an increased risk of a VTE event in this low-risk group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of a consecutive cohort of patients undergoing THR during a 63-month period. Patient demographics, socio-economic status, ASA grade, type of anaesthetic, length of surgery and BMI were recorded. A diagnosis of VTE was assigned to symptomatic patients with positive imaging for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or a pulmonary embolism (PE) within 8 weeks of surgery. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with VTE after THR. RESULTS: 3880 patients underwent THR during the study period, of which 2740 (71%) were low risk and prescribed aspirin for VTE prophylaxis. There were 34 VTE events, of which 15 were DVTs and 18 were PEs, with 1 patient diagnosed with both. The incidence of VTE was 1.2%, with no VTE-related deaths. Patients incurring a VTE postoperatively were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR] 2.06, p = 0.022), of older age (OR 0.43, p = 0.047) and were more likely to be socially deprived (OR 0.32, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference with patients given low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as an inpatient prior to discharge on aspirin (p = 0.806), nor any difference with the type of anaesthetic used during surgery (p = 0.719). CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin is a relatively safe and effective choice for VTE prophylaxis in low-risk patients undergoing THR. Male sex and age >70 years were twice as likely to sustain a VTE and patients from the most deprived socio-economic background are 3 times as likely.

Rates of Displacement and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Conservative Treatment of Minimally Displaced Lisfranc Injury.

BACKGROUND: While surgery is indicated in Lisfranc fracture-dislocations, the natural history and optimal management of minimally displaced injures are unclear. The aim of this study was to define the rate of subsequent displacement and to determine the clinical outcome after conservative treatment of minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries. METHODS: Over a 5-year period (2011-2016), 26 consecutive patients with minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries presenting to a single university teaching hospital were identified retrospectively using hospital electronic records. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, and radiological outcomes were recorded. Patient-reported outcome scores (PROMS) were collated at least 1 year postinjury and included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ). RESULTS: The rate of displacement was 54% (14/26). The median time to displacement was 18 days (range, 2-141 days). Forty-six percent (12/26) of the Lisfranc injuries remained minimally displaced after 12 weeks of conservative treatment. Initial weightbearing status was not associated with the risk of subsequent displacement (P = .9). At a mean follow-up of 54 months, PROMS were comparable between patients whose injury remained minimally displaced and those that required surgery for further displacement, despite the delay to surgery (AOFAS 78.0 vs 75.9, MOXFQ 24.8 vs 26.3, P > .1). CONCLUSION: There was a high rate of displacement after initial conservative management of the minimally displaced Lisfranc injuries. Subsequent surgical management of displaced injuries resulted in outcomes comparable to those that remained minimally displaced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.