Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of Radiographic Characteristics in Skeletally Immature Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A PLUTO Study Group Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic measurements of limb alignment in skeletally immature patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently used for surgical decision-making, preoperative planning, and postoperative monitoring of skeletal growth. However, the interrater and intrarater reliability of these radiographic characteristics in this patient population is not well documented. HYPOTHESIS: Excellent reliability across 4 raters will be demonstrated for all digital measures of length, coronal plane joint orientation angles, mechanical axis, and tibial slope in skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis). METHODS: Three fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and 1 medical student performed 2 rounds of radiographic measurements on digital imaging (lateral knee radiographs and long-leg radiographs) of skeletally immature patients with ACL tears. Intrarater and interrater reliability for continuous radiographic measurements was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) across 4 raters with 95% CIs for affected and unaffected side measurements. Interrater reliability analysis used an ICC (2, 4) structure and intrarater reliability analysis used an ICC (2, 1) structure. A weighted kappa coefficient was calculated for ordinal variables along with 95% CIs for both interrater and intrarater reliability. Agreement statistic interpretations are based on scales described by Fleiss, and Cicchetti and Sparrow: <0.40, poor; 0.40 to 0.59, fair; 0.60 to 0.74, good; and >0.74, excellent. RESULTS: Radiographs from a convenience sample of 43 patients were included. Intrarater reliability was excellent for nearly all measurements and raters. Interrater reliability was also excellent for nearly all reads for all measurements. CONCLUSION: Radiographic reliability of long-leg radiographs and lateral knee x-rays in skeletally immature children with ACL tears is excellent across nearly all measures and raters and can be obtained and interpreted as reliable and reproducible means to measure limb length and alignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Epiphysiodesis for Leg Length Discrepancy: A Cost Analysis of Drill Versus Screw Technique.

Research has demonstrated similar efficacy of drill epiphysiodesis and percutaneous epiphysiodesis using transphyseal screws for the management of adolescent leg length discrepancy. A cost analysis was performed to determine which procedure is more cost-effective. Patients seen for epiphysiodesis of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia and fibula between 2004 and 2017 were reviewed. A decision analysis model was used to compare costs. Two hundred thirty-five patients who underwent either drill (155/235, 66%) or screw (80/235, 34%) epiphysiodesis were analyzed with an average age at initial procedure of 13 years (range, 8.4 to 16.7 years). There was no significant difference in average initial procedure cost or total cost of all procedures across treatment groups (n = 184). The cost difference between drill and screw epiphysiodesis is minimal. In order for screw epiphysiodesis to be cost-favored, there would need to be a significant decrease in its cost or complication rate. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):181-184, 2021).

Feasibility, Methodology, and Interpretation of Broad-Scale Assessment of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in a Large Community-Based Sample.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is intricately related to health status. The optimal approach for CRF quantification is through assessment of peak oxygen uptake (VO2), but such measurements have been largely confined to small referral populations. Here we describe protocols and methodological considerations for peak VO2 assessment and determination of volitional effort in a large community-based sample. Maximum incremental ramp cycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed by Framingham Heart Study participants at a routine study visit (2016 to 2019). Of 3,486 individuals presenting for a multicomponent study visit, 3,116 (89%) completed CPET. The sample was middle-aged (54 ± 9 years), with 53% women, body mass index 28.3 ± 5.6 kg/m2, 48% with hypertension, 6% smokers, and 8% with diabetes. Exercise duration was 12.0 ± 2.1 minutes (limits 3.7to20.5). No major cardiovascular events occurred. A total of 98%, 96%, 90%, 76%, and 57% of the sample reached peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER) values of ≥1.0, ≥1.05, ≥1.10, ≥1.15, and ≥1.20, respectively (mean peak RER = 1.21 ± 0.10). With rising peak RER values up to ≈1.10, steep changes were observed for percent predicted peak VO2, VO2 at the ventilatory threshold/peak VO2, heart rate response, and Borg (subjective dyspnea) scores. More shallow changes for effort dependent CPET variables were observed with higher achieved RER values. In conclusion, measurement of peak VO2 is feasible and safe in a large sample of middle-aged, community-dwelling individuals with heterogeneous cardiovascular risk profiles. Peak RER ≥1.10 was achievable by the majority of middle-aged adults and RER values beyond this threshold did not necessarily correspond to higher peak VO2 values.

Changing practice patterns: the impact of a cost analysis project on surgeons' preference for treatment of pediatric displaced humeral lateral condyle fractures.

A 2012 publication regarding the surgical management of pediatric lateral humeral condyle fractures (PLHCF) found that leaving pins exposed produced an average savings of $3442 per patient compared to burying pins, with fewer complications. The primary objective of this present study was to determine the impact of this cost analysis on surgeons' treatment preferences at the same hospital. The secondary aim was to verify that leaving pins exposed continued to be a cost-effective and safe treatment strategy. We reviewed all PLHCF treated with open reduction and internal fixation at our institution between 2004 and 2017. The Clavien-Dindo Classification was used to grade complications. Variations in treatment course were evaluated using a chi-squared test to compare the proportions of buried and exposed pins, pre- and postcost analysis report publication. Two hundred forty-eight patients were included. The mean age was 5.9 years (range 1-12 years). In 174 (70%) cases, the pins were buried and in the remaining 30% the pins were exposed. Between 2004 and 2012, the majority of pins were buried (90%) compared to between 2013 and 2017, when the majority of pins were exposed (62%) (P < 0.001). There was no difference detected in complication rate (P = 0.75) or complication severity (P = 0.61) across groups. The demonstrated cost-effectiveness of exposing the pins in the treatment of PLHCF has had a statistically significant impact on surgeon behavior at our institution. Publishing cost analysis research can change physician practice to improve quality, safety and value of care delivery.

Decreasing Resource Utilization Using Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plans (SCAMPs).

BACKGROUND: Standardized clinical assessment and management plans (SCAMPs) are a novel quality improvement initiative shown to improve patient care, diminish practice variation, and reduce resource utilization. Unlike clinical practice guidelines, a SCAMP is a flexible algorithm that undergoes iterative updates based on periodic data collection and review. We recently implemented a SCAMP for the closed treatment of pediatric torus fractures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of SCAMP implementation on resource utilization, practice variability, cost of care, and outcomes. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 273 patients with pediatric torus fractures. The pre-SCAMP cohort included 116 subjects from 2008 to 2010. The SCAMP cohort included 157 subjects from 2011 to 2013. The pre-SCAMP cohort was treated according to the judgment of attending fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. The SCAMP cohort was treated with a standardized algorithm including radiographs and splint application at initial presentation, with a single follow-up at 3 weeks. Patient demographics were analyzed to verify comparability between cohorts. Follow-up data including clinic visits, x-rays and practice variability was recorded. Costing analysis was conducted using time-derived activity-based costing methodology. Outcomes were compared using Poisson regression analysis. Incident rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence limits were estimated. RESULTS: No differences in clinical results were observed between the pre-SCAMP and SCAMP cohorts, and all patients demonstrated return to baseline activity at final follow-up. Patient demographics were comparable across cohorts. The SCAMP cohort had a 48% reduction in clinic visits [IRR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44-0.60; P<0.001], 60% reduction in x-rays (IRR, 0.40; CI, 0.33-0.47; P<0.001), and a 23% reduction in x-rays per clinic visit (IRR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.91; P<0.001). Furthermore, SCAMP implementation resulted in a 49% reduction in the overall cost of care. CONCLUSIONS: SCAMPs provide a novel alternative to CPGs to implement cost effective changes in Orthopaedic practice. For pediatric torus fractures, SCAMP implementation resulted in decreased practice variability, resource utilization, and overall cost of care while maintaining clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Complications and Cost of Syndactyly Reconstruction in the United States: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System.

BACKGROUND: Syndactyly is one of the most common congenital differences of the upper extremity and offers an exceptional opportunity to evaluate value-based care in pediatric orthopedic surgery. We designed a study to characterize complications and cost associated to syndactyly surgery among US pediatric hospitals. METHODS: A total of 2047 patients were identified for syndactyly surgery at 38 pediatric hospitals from 2009 to 2012 using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. We examined costs as well as complication rates across hospitals stratified by patient and hospital variables. RESULTS: The postoperative complication rate was 1.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3%-2.5%). Postoperative infection rate was 1.6% and surgical complication rate was 0.3%. Median adjusted standardized cost was $4112.5 (interquartile range: $2979-$6049). Patients with more than 1 diagnosis had 19 times higher risk of complications and were associated with 13% more hospital cost than those with syndactyly as single diagnosis ( P < .001). Finally, there was a wide variation in cost across hospitals; 8 (21%) yielded confidence limits above the benchmarked value. CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, it is important to recognize variations in practice of syndactyly surgery in hopes of developing quality improvement strategies in pediatric orthopedic surgery.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Care Giver Burden Following Spinal Fusion in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal cohort. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in caregivers' perceptions of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and caregiver burden in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) following spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Progressive scoliosis is common in nonambulatory children with CP; the utility of spine fusion has been long debated and prospective evaluations of patient reported outcomes are limited. METHODS: Children 3 to 21 years old, gross motor classification system (GMFCS) IV-V CP, scheduled for spine fusion were enrolled consecutively from September 2011 to March 2014. Caregivers completed the CPCHILD and ACEND pre-operatively and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Changes in CPCHILD and ACEND scores from preoperative to 1 and 2 years after surgery were assessed using paired t tests. Correlations between preoperative Cobb angle and CPCHILD and ACEND scores were evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six GMFCS IV-V CP patients with severe scoliosis treated with spine fusion were included. Mean age was 14 years, 50% male, and 46% had instrumentation to the pelvis. Average preoperative Cobb angle was 68.9° (SD 25.68) with an average improvement of 76%. The CPCHILD score increased by 9.8 points above baseline [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.4-16.2] at 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.005). However, at 2 years, the CPCHILD score regressed to baseline (P = 0.40). ACEND scores did not change from baseline scores at 1-year (P = 0.09) and 2-year (P = 0.72) follow-up, reflecting that caregiver burden is little changed by spine fusion. There was no correlation between preoperative Cobb angle and CPCHILD score (P = 0.52) or ACEND score (P = 0.56) at 1-year or 2-year follow-up (P = 0.69, P = 0.90). Children with Cobb angle ≤75° experienced more improvement 1 year after surgery than children with Cobb angle >75°. CONCLUSION: HRQOL improves 1 year following spine fusion but regresses to baseline after 2 years. Caregiver burden was unchanged following spine fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Uniplanar Versus Taylor Spatial Frame External Fixation For Pediatric Diaphyseal Tibia Fractures: A Comparison of Cost and Complications.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and cost variations between uniplanar (UNI) and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) external fixation for unstable pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures. METHODS: We performed an IRB approved, retrospective review of 44 diaphyseal tibial fractures in 42 children treated with external fixation (16 TSF and 28 UNI) between 2003 and 2011, at a single level 1 pediatric trauma center. Data on demographic, clinical, radiographic, treatment cost, and complication differences were analyzed between the 2 groups. The Student t tests, Fisher's exact tests, χ trend tests, logistic regression, and a cost analysis comparison was used to assess the differences. RESULTS: The mean age in both groups was 13 years (range: 6 to 18 y TSF, 9 to 17 y UNI). The mean follow-up was 8 months (TSF) and 13 months (UNI). According to the AO classification, there were 28 type A, 13 type B, and 3 type C fractures with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.69). Total time in the fixator was not different between the 2 groups (UNI 14 wk, TSF 12 wk, P=0.10), but time to union was less in the TSF group (UNI 16 wk, TSF 13 wk, P<0.01). There were no differences in the final radiographic alignment between the groups. The UNI group experienced more complications (7 pin-site infections and 9 reoperations) compared with 4 pin-site infections and 2 reoperations in the TSF group. A cost analysis revealed significant differences in equipment cost (UNI frame=$5074 vs. TSF frame=$10,675; P<0.0001); however, after corrected cost analysis with calculated return to the operating room for complications, there was no difference in cost of treatment (UNI treatment=$20,113 vs. TSF treatment=$19,138). CONCLUSIONS: Despite an initial equipment cost difference between UNI and TSF frames, corrected cost analysis reveals equivalent costs for care delivery. Therefore, TSF can be considered as a cost-conscious device for the treatment of unstable pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparative cohort study.

Surgical management for displaced pediatric proximal humeral fractures: a cost analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine which of the following methods of fixation, percutaneous pinning (PP) or intramedullary nailing (IMN), was more cost-effective in the treatment of displaced pediatric proximal humeral fractures (PPHF). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of surgically treated PPHF over a 12-year period at a single institution was performed. A decision analysis model was constructed to compare three surgical strategies: IMN versus percutaneous pinning leaving the pins exposed (PPE) versus leaving the pins buried (PPB). Finally, sensitivity analyses were performed, assessing the cost-effectiveness of each technique when infection rates and cost of deep infections were varied. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients with displaced PPHF underwent surgical stabilization. A total of 35 cases were treated with IMN, 32 with PPE, and 17 with PPB. The age, sex, and preoperative fracture angulation were similar across all groups. A greater percentage of open reduction was seen in the IMN and PPB groups (p = 0.03), while a higher proportion of physeal injury was seen in the PPE group (p = 0.02). Surgical time and estimated blood loss was higher in the IMN group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The decision analysis revealed that the PPE technique resulted in an average cost saving of $4,502 per patient compared to IMN and $2,066 compared to PPB. This strategy remained cost-effective even when the complication rates with exposed implants approached 55 %. CONCLUSIONS: Leaving pins exposed after surgical fixation of PPHF is more cost-effective than either burying pins or using intramedullary fixation.

Frozen section versus gross examination for bone marrow margin assessment during sarcoma resection.

BACKGROUND: Complete resection is critical for local control of primary bone sarcomas. Intraoperative consultation, including frozen section of bone marrow margins, frequently is used to aid in this goal. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore sought to determine (1) how often intraoperative frozen section of a bone marrow margin correlates with inspection of the gross split specimen and, in cases of a discrepancy, what clinical decision is made; and (2) how well each of these assessments agrees with the final pathologic assessment of a marrow margin. METHODS: One hundred ninety-five bone marrow margins from 142 patients (74 males, 68 females; mean age, 12.8 years) with primary sarcomas who underwent resection and had frozen section(s) performed on a bone marrow margin were analyzed. Agreement between frozen section interpretation and inspection of the split gross specimen was analyzed in their application to determine adequacy of the bone marrow margin intraoperatively. RESULTS: In 179 margins, the frozen section agreed with the gross inspection decision (95.6% negative agreement, 38.5% positive agreement). Decisions regarding further surgical action in all 16 instances of disagreement were based on inspection of the split gross specimen, and the frozen section was disregarded. In 195 of 195 margins, intraoperative decisions were made based on gross specimen inspection. Full pathologic examination confirmed negative final bone marrow margins in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Frozen section is commonly redundant or disregarded for intraoperative surgical decisions, and it may be omitted, saving operative time and cost. Examination of split gross specimens appears an adequate adjunct to clinicoradiographic assessment to achieve negative margins in the current era of modern imaging and surgical techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.