Radial Head Replacement for Acute Radial Head Fractures: Outcome and Survival of Three Implant Designs With and Without Cement Fixation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine outcomes of radial head replacement (RHR) for acute fractures using 3 different implant designs with or without cement fixation. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fourteen elbows underwent RHR for an acute radial head fracture using either (1) a nonanatomic design and smooth stem (n = 60), (2) a nonanatomic design with a grit-blasted, ingrowth, curved stem (n = 21), or (3) an anatomic design with a grit-blasted ingrowth straight stem (n = 33). Cemented (25%) or uncemented (75%) fixation was used at the discretion of the treating surgeon. INTERVENTION: RHR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was implant survivorship free of revision or removal for any reason. All elbows were evaluated clinically (the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and reoperations/complications) and radiographically. RESULTS: Fourteen implants (12%) were revised. Of elbows with a minimum 2-year clinical follow-up, the average Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 88. The rate of survivorship free from revision was 92% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 87%-98%] at 2 years, 90% (CI = 84%-96%) at 5 years and 84% (CI = 75%-94%) at 10 years. The differences in survivorship between the 3 implants did not reach statistical significance, but the nonanatomic design with a grit-blasted ingrowth curved stem had a hazard ratio of 4.6 (95% CI = 0.9%-23%) for failure. There were no differences in survivorship between cemented versus uncemented stems. For those elbows with a minimum of 2 years of radiographic follow-up, implant tilt was observed in 10 (16%) elbows and loosening in 16 (26%) elbows. Stress shielding was present in 19 (42%) of well-fixed implants. CONCLUSIONS: RHR for acute trauma leads to survivorship greater than 80% at 10 years. Radiographic changes (loosening, stress shielding, and implant tilting) can be expected in a substantial portion of elbows at long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Is Allograft Reconstruction of the Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow a Viable Option for Nonelite Athletes? Outcomes at a Mean of 8 Years.

BACKGROUND: The rate of elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) injury and surgery continues to rise steadily. While authors have failed to reach a consensus on the optimal graft or anchor configuration for MUCL reconstruction, the vast majority of the literature is focused on the young, elite athlete population utilizing autograft. These studies may not be as applicable for the "weekend warrior" type of patient or for young kids playing on high school leagues or recreationally without the intent or aspiration to participate at an elite level. PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes and complication rates of MUCL reconstruction utilizing only allograft sources in nonelite athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patient records were retrospectively analyzed for individuals who underwent allograft MUCL reconstruction at a single institution between 2000 and 2016. A total of 25 patients met inclusion criteria as laborers or nonelite (not collegiate or professional) athletes with a minimum of 2 years of postoperative follow-up. A review of the medical records for the included patients was performed to determine survivorship free of reoperation, complications, and clinical outcomes with use of the Summary Outcome Determination (SOD) and Timmerman-Andrews scores. Statistical analysis included a Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare continuous variables between groups with an alpha level set at .05 for significance. Subgroup analysis included comparing outcome scores based on the allograft type used. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean time to follow-up was 91 months (range, 25-195 months), and the mean age at the time of surgery was 25 years (range, 12-65 years). There were no revision operations for recurrent instability. The mean SOD score was 9 (range, 5-10) at the most recent follow-up, and the Timmerman-Andrews scores averaged 97 (range, 80-100). Three patients underwent subsequent surgical procedures for ulnar neuropathy (n = 2) and contracture (n = 1), and 1 patient underwent surgical intervention for combined ulnar neuropathy and contracture. CONCLUSION: Allograft MUCL reconstruction in nonelite athletes demonstrates comparable functional scores with many previously reported autograft outcomes in elite athletes. These results may be informative for elbow surgeons who wish to avoid autograft morbidity in common laborers and nonelite athletes with MUCL incompetency.

Cost analysis and complication profile of primary shoulder arthroplasty at a high-volume institution.

BACKGROUND: Paralleling the increased utilization of shoulder arthroplasty, bundled-payment reimbursement is becoming increasingly common. An understanding of the costs of each element of care and detailed information on the frequency of and reasons for readmission and reoperation are keys to developing bundled-payment initiatives. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of complications, readmission rates, and costs of primary shoulder arthroplasty at a high-volume institution. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2016, 2 shoulder surgeons from a single institution performed 1794 consecutive primary shoulder arthroplasties: 636 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs), 1081 reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs), and 77 hemiarthroplasties. A cost analysis was designed to include a period of 60 days preoperatively, the index surgical hospitalization, and 90 days postoperatively, including costs of any readmission or reoperation. RESULTS: The 90-day complication, reoperation, and readmission rates were 2.3%, 0.6%, and 1.8%, respectively. The 90-day readmission risk was higher among patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater; a 1-unit increase in the American Society of Anesthesiologists score was associated with a $429 increase in index cost. Of the hospital readmissions, 10 were directly related to the index arthroplasty whereas 21 were not. The median standardized costs were as follows: preoperative evaluation, $481; index surgical hospitalization, $15,758; and postoperative care, $183. The median standardized costs for index surgical hospitalization were different for each procedure: TSA, $14,010; RSA, $16,741; and hemiarthroplasty, $12,709. CONCLUSION: In this study, primary shoulder arthroplasty was associated with low 90-day reoperation and complication rates. The median standardized costs inclusive of preoperative workup and 90-day postoperative recovery were $14,675 and $17,407 for TSA and RSA, respectively.

Curve Modulation and Apex Migration Using Shilla Growth Guidance Rods for Early-onset Scoliosis at 5-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The Shilla procedure was designed to correct and control early-onset spinal deformity while harnessing a child's remaining spinal growth. It allows for controlled axial skeletal growth within the construct, avoiding the need for frequent surgeries to lengthen implants. We hypothesized that curve characteristics evolve over time after initial apex fusion and placement of the Shilla implants. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in curve evolution after Shilla implantation and understand how these changes influence ultimate outcome. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review of all patients with Shilla implants in place for ≥5 years yielded 21 patients. Charts and radiographs were reviewed to compare coronal curve characteristics preoperatively, postoperatively, and at last follow-up to note changes in the apex of the primary curve. Also noted were the development of adjacent compensatory curves, the overall vertical spinal growth, and the need for definitive spinal fusion once skeletal maturity was reached. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, the curve apex migrated caudally in 12 patients (57%) and cephalad in 1 patient (5%), with a mean migration of 2.7 vertebral levels. Two patients (10%) developed new, significant compensatory curves (1 caudal and 1 cephalad). All patients demonstrated spinal growth in T1-S1 length following index surgery (mean, 45 mm). At skeletal maturity, 10 patients underwent definitive posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation, and 3 underwent implant removal alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study constitutes the longest follow-up of Shilla patients evaluating curve and implant behavior. Results of this review suggest that the apex of the fused primary curve shifts in approximately 62% of patients, with nearly all of these (92%) involving a distal migration. Compensatory curves did develop after Shilla placement as well. Overall, these findings represent adding-on distal to the apex after Shilla instrumentation rather than a crankshaft phenomenon about the apex. A better understanding of spinal growth mechanics and outcomes after Shilla placement may improve our ability to appropriately select patients and instrumentation levels. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The effect of the beach-chair position angle on cerebral oxygenation during shoulder surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although the safety of the beach-chair position (BCP) is widely accepted, rare devastating neurologic complications have been reported and attributed to cerebral hypoperfusion. Cerebral oxygenation (regional oxygen saturation [rSO2]) can be monitored noninvasively using near-infrared spectroscopy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of BCP angle on cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing shoulder surgery in the BCP. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were prospectively enrolled to participate. Following induction of general anesthesia, each patient's rSO2 was recorded at 0° of elevation and again at 30°, 45°, 60°, and 80° of elevation. Mean rSO2 values and mean differences in rSO2 were reported. RESULTS: An average total decrease of 5% in rSO2 was seen when comparing 0° with 80° (P < .001). There were statistically significant differences in rSO2 values at beach-chair angles of 0° versus 30° (P <.001), 30° versus 45° (P = .007), and 45° versus 60° (P <.001) but not between 60° and 80° (P = .12). The decrease in rSO2 was similar between each progressive increase in the beach-chair angle, leading to a linear decline in rSO2 as the BCP increased (regression slope of -0.060%/°, P <.001). No patient's cerebral oxygenation dropped greater than 20% from baseline. Neither body mass index nor American Society of Anesthesiologists score had a significant impact on the relation of rSO2 to BCP angle. CONCLUSIONS: The average drop in rSO2 is significantly less than the threshold of 20% used as an identifier for a cerebral deoxygenation event. This study illustrates the direct effect the BCP angle has on cerebral oxygenation.