Economic impact of a clinical pharmacist in the orthopaedic sector: a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: This review of the literature aimed to evaluate the economic impact of a clinical pharmacist in the orthopaedic sector. METHODS: The review followed the PRISMA recommendations. A bibliographic search was conducted on 23 June 2023 using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. All articles in French or English with economic data on clinical pharmacy activities in orthopaedics were included. Articles not mentioning the term 'orthopaedics' and those published prior to 1990 were excluded. Data from the studies were compiled in an Excel table. A bias analysis using the ROBINS-I Cochrane tool was performed. The methodology of the studies was compared and weighted using the CHEERS and STROBE checklists. RESULTS: Among 529 articles initially identified, 10 were included in the review. The cost-benefit ratio of a clinical pharmacist in orthopaedics ranged from 0.47:1 to 28:1. The maximum savings reached US$73 410 /year in the American study and €1 42 356 /year in the French study. For three studies, the cost of a clinical pharmacist was not evaluated. Eight studies showed a positive economic impact. The Dutch study showed a balance and the Danish study showed a negative economic impact of €3442/month. CONCLUSIONS: This literature review has shown an economic benefit of a clinical pharmacist in the orthopaedic sector despite several biases and methodological limitations. The two studies that did not confirm this benefit only evaluated a limited number of expected benefits. Nevertheless, the economic impact of the clinical pharmacist in the orthopaedic sector seems positive and undervalued.

Comparative MRI assessment of three minimally invasive approaches in total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive approaches (direct anterior approach: DAA; minimally invasive anterolateral: MIAL; piriformis-sparing posterior approach: PSPA) are widely used for total hip arthroplasty (THA), with a muscle-sparing objective. There are no published comparative studies of muscle damage secondary to these approaches. The aim of the present study was to compare fatty infiltration (FI) on MRI induced by DAA, MIAL and PSPA in THA 1) in the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and sartorius muscles, 2) in the gluteal muscles, and 3) in the pelvitrochanteric muscles. HYPOTHESIS: Greater FI is induced by DAA in anterior muscles, by MIAL in gluteal muscles and by PSPA in pelvitrochanteric muscles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three continuous prospective series of THA by DAA, MIAL and PSPA included 25 patients each. MRI was performed preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. FI was graded on the Goutallier classification in all periarticular hip muscles. Muscles showing ≥2 grade aggravation at 1 year were considered damaged. RESULTS: Nine patients whose preoperative MRI was uninterpretable were excluded. In all, 66 patients (21 DAA, 24 MIAL and 21 PSPA) with 132 MRI scans were analyzed. TFL was damaged in 2/21 DAA patients (9.5%), 1/24 MIAL patients (4.2%) and 0/21 PSPA patients (0%). There were no sartorius lesions. The anterior third of the gluteus medius was damaged in 8/24 MIAL patients (33.3%) and the gluteus minimus in 10/24 (41.7%), compared to 1/21 DAA patients (4.8%) and 0/21 PSPA patients (0%). The mid and posterior thirds of the gluteus medius and the gluteus maximus were never damaged. The piriformis muscle was damaged in 3/21 DAA patients (14.3%), 2/24 MIAL patients (8.3%) and 2/21 PSPA patients (9.5%). The obturator internus was damaged in 4/21 DAA patients (19%), 1/24 MIAL patients (4.2%) and 16/21 PSPA patients (76.2%). The obturator externus and quadratus femoris were mainly damaged in PSPA patients: respectively, 5/21 (23.8%) and 4/21 patients (19%)). CONCLUSION: The muscle-sparing properties of minimally invasive hip approaches are only theoretical. In the present series, there were rare TFL lesions with DAA and MIAL. Gluteus medius and minimus lesions were frequent in MIAL. Pelvitrochanteric muscles lesions were more frequent in PSPA, but found in all 3 approaches. These findings should help guide surgeons in their choice of approach and in informing patients about the damage these minimally invasive approaches can cause. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prospective comparative study.

MRI assessment of growth disturbances after ACL reconstruction in children with open growth plates-Prospective multicenter study of 100 patients.

INTRODUCTION: We were interested in the consequences of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the growth plates and the impact on growth in children with open growth plates. The primary objective was related to growth disturbances with the null hypothesis being that ACL reconstruction in open growth plates does not cause any. The secondary objective related to the presence of physis lesions on MRI, with the null hypothesis being that ACL reconstruction in open growth plates does not induce any. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the context of a 2017 SFA symposium on ACL reconstruction with open growth plates, we conducted a prospective multicenter study with 2 years' follow-up. The study enrolled 100 patients; 71 were available for analysis. Four reconstruction techniques were used: semitendinosus-gracilis (STG), short graft (SG), quadriceps tendon (QT) and fascia lata (FL). MRI was used to look for growth disturbances as evidenced by deviation of the Harris lines or modification of the physis and diaphysis angles. Physis lesions were determined on MRI based on the presence of physeal bone bridges (PBB). RESULTS: No growth disturbances were found. However, PBBs were found in 14 patients (20%). At the femur, the relative risk (RR) was higher when a STG graft was used (RR=2.1) and the tunnel diameter was≥9mm (RR=1.7). Epiphyseal fixation had a higher risk than transphyseal fixation (RR=1.6 vs. 1.2). At the tibia, the RR was higher when a QT graft was used (RR=3.6), when screw fixation was performed (RR=3.7) or when the graft did not fill the tunnel sufficiently (RR=1.5). DISCUSSION: The absence of growth disturbances after 2 years' follow-up validates the possibility of ACL reconstruction with open growth plates, including with transphyseal techniques. The presence of small growth plate lesions such as bone bridges means that precautions should be taken with respect to tunnel trajectory, tunnel diameter, graft and tunnel diameter matching and graft fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prospective cohort study.