The Impact of Patient Characteristics on Outcomes of Surgically Managed Vertebral Osteomyelitis in the United States: Insights from a National Database Study.

This study was conducted to assess the patient characteristics, types of treatment, and outcomes of patients who are surgically treated for vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) in the United States. VO can be treated with or without surgical intervention. Surgically treated cases of VO are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and incur major healthcare costs. There are few studies assessing the characteristics and outcomes of patients with VO who are treated surgically, as well as the overall impact of surgically managed VO on the healthcare system of the United States. Utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, 44,401 patients were identified who underwent surgical treatment for VO over a fifteen year period. Severity of comorbidity burden was calculated using the Deyo Index (DI). Surgical approach and comorbidities were analyzed in regard to their impact on complications, mortality rate, LOS, and hospitalization charges. The incidence of surgical intervention for patients who had VO increased from 0.6 to 1.1 per U.S. persons over the study period. Surgically treated patients had a mean age of 56 years, were 75.8% white, were 54.5% male, 37.9% carried Medicare insurance, and they had a mean DI of 0.88. Anterior/posterior approach (OR: 3.53), thoracolumbar fusion (OR: 2.69), thoracolumbar fusion (OR: 19.94), and anterior/posterior approach (OR: 64.73) were the surgical factors that most significantly predicted any complication, mortality, increased LOS, and increased hospital charges, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean inflation-adjusted total hospital cost increased from $20,355 to $39,991 per patient over the study period. VO has been steadily increasing in the United States. Incidence and inflation-adjusted costs nearly doubled. Anterior/posterior approach and thoracolumbar fusion most significantly predicted negative outcomes. VO is associated with lengthy and expensive hospital stays resulting in a significant burden to patients and the healthcare system.

Histopathological assessment of a two-stage reconstructive procedure of the infected Charcot foot.

INTRODUCTION: Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (CN) can be complicated by osteomyelitis (OM). Surgery is a standard procedure to treat OM including debridement and interposition of antibiotic-loaded cement (ABLC) spacer. The course of CN and OM was investigated on a histopathological level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic patients (n = 15) suffering from CN and midfoot OM underwent surgical debridement and interposition of ABLC was interposed. 6 weeks later, ABLC was removed and bone samples were taken again. Histopathological Charcot Score (HCS), Histopathological Osteomyelitis Evaluation Score (HOES) and microbiological assessment were used to evaluate osteomyelitic and neuroosteoarthropathic activity at both time points. RESULTS: Interposition of ABLC leads to microbiological/histopathological eradication of OM in 73%/87% of patients. CN activity-measured by HCS-could be reduced from moderate to low activity by ABLC spacer and correlated with HOES. CONCLUSIONS: CN activity could be reduced by surgery. It can be suggested that neuroosteoarthropathic activity measured by HCS is triggered by OM.

Custom-Made Implants in Ankle Bone Loss: A Retrospective Assessment of Reconstruction/Arthrodesis in Sequelae of Septic Non-Union of the Tibial Pilon.

Background and Objectives: Treating segmental tibial and ankle bone loss after radical surgery for chronic osteomyelitis is one of the most challenging problems encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. Open tibia and ankle fractures occur with an incidence of 3.4 per 100,000 and 1.6 per 100,000, respectively, and there is a high propensity of developing fracture-related infection with associated chronic osteomyelitis in patients. Segmental tibial and ankle bone loss have recently received new and improved treatments. Materials and Methods: Above all, 3D printing allows for the customization of implants based on the anatomy of each patient, using a personalized process through the layer-by-layer deposition of materials. Results: This article presents different cases from the authors' experience. Specifically, four patients suffered tibia and ankle fractures and after radical surgery for chronic osteomyelitis combined with high-performance antibiotic therapy underwent ankle reconstruction/arthrodesis with custom-made tibial spacers. Conclusions: Thanks to 3D-printed patient-specific devices, it is possible to perform surgical procedures that, for anatomical reasons, would have been impossible otherwise. Moreover, an improvement in overall functionality and an important reduction in pain were shown in the last follow-up in all patients.

Treatments, cost and healthcare utilization of patients with segmental bone defects.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of large segmental defects in skeletal long bones is challenging. Heterogeneity in patient presentation further increase the difficulty in designing and running randomized trials, hence the paucity of published data with large patient numbers. This study was designed to help understand patient presentation, costs and outcomes, using real world data sources. METHODS: Two data sources (Premier healthcare database (PHD) and IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Medicaid databases) were utilized, PHD for intraoperative and cost analyses, MarketScan for payer costs and longitudinal (2-year) outcomes. Patients were included in the analysis if they had diagnoses of osteomyelitis, non-union or open (acute) fractures, treated with bone graft and/or spacers, using either the Masquelet or external frames. Patient cohorts were defined by diagnosis at index (acute fracture, osteomyelitis, non-union) and descriptive statistics were conducted for patient variables (demographic, comorbidities) and outcomes. Risk of complications were estimated using logistic regression models. Hospital and payer costs for index and follow-up periods, were estimated using least means square estimators from generalized linear model outputs. All costs and payments were adjusted for inflation to 2019 consumer price-index. RESULTS: 904 patients were identified in PHD (414 fractures, 388 osteomyelitis and 102 nonunion patients). Main comorbidities at time of initial surgery were hypertension (32.7%) followed by obesity (22.1%), diabetes with complications (20.9%) and chronic pulmonary disease (20.6%). Significant variability in surgical operating room time and length of stay were observed, with averages of 484.7 minutes and 11.7 days, respectively. Two-year postoperative infection rates ranged from 33.1% - 58.5%, the highest infection rates being reflective of ongoing infections in patients initially treated for osteomyelitis. Amputation rates ranged from 10.0% in patients with bone loss due to acute factures to 14.5% in patients with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis patients were also the costliest, with 12-months hospital costs averaging US$ 156.818 (95%CI: 112,970-217,685). CONCLUSION: This study identified high complication rates and costs of segmental bone repair surgery. All patients with segmental bone defects had high costs and risks but patients with osteomyelitis were at significant risk for increased cost and complications, including amputation. Medical innovation is particularly important for this high-risk patient group.

Osteomyelitis Increases the Rate of Amputation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Lower Extremity Burns.

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), amputation rates exceed 30% when lower extremity osteomyelitis is present. We sought to determine the rate of osteomyelitis and any subsequent amputation in our patients with DM and lower extremity burns. We performed a single-site, retrospective review at our burn center using the institutional burn center registry, linked to clinical and administrative data. Adults (≥18 years old) with DM admitted from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018 for isolated lower extremity burns were eligible for inclusion. We evaluated demographics, burn characteristics, comorbidities, presence of radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis, length of stay (LOS), inpatient hospitalization costs, and amputation rate at 3 months and 12 months after injury. We identified 103 patients with DM and isolated lower extremity burns. Of these, 88 patients did not have osteomyelitis, while 15 patients had radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis within 3 months of the burn injury. Compared to patients without osteomyelitis, patients with osteomyelitis had significantly increased LOS (average LOS 22.7 days vs 12.1 days, P = .0042), inpatient hospitalization costs (average $135,345 vs $62,237, P = .0008), amputation rate within 3 months (66.7% vs 5.70%, P < .00001), and amputation rate within 12 months (66.7% vs 9.1%, P < .0001). The two groups were otherwise similar in demographics, burn injury characteristics, access to healthcare, and preexisting comorbidities. Patients with DM and lower extremity burns incurred increased LOS, higher inpatient hospitalization costs, and increased amputation rates if radiologically confirmed osteomyelitis was present within 3 months of the burn injury.

Pathology Assessment of Femoral Head Resection Specimens: An Important Quality Assurance Procedure.

CONTEXT.­: Decisions to perform hip arthroplasty rely on both radiographic and clinical findings. Radiologists estimate degree of osteoarthritis (OA) and document other findings. Arthroplasty specimens are sometimes evaluated by pathology. OBJECTIVE.­: To determine the frequency of pathologic changes not recognized clinically. DESIGN.­: Nine hundred fifty-three consecutive femoral head resections performed between January 2015 and June 2018, with recent radiologic and histologic study, were reviewed. We compared severity of OA reported by radiology and pathology. Findings unrecognized radiographically but recorded pathologically, and discrepancies between clinical diagnosis and pathology diagnosis, were tabulated. RESULTS.­: Twenty-one cases of osteomyelitis were diagnosed radiographically or pathologically. Eight discrepancies were present. Fourteen osteomyelitis cases were recognized clinically. Pathology recognized 2 neoplasms missed radiographically. Avascular necrosis was diagnosed on pathology but not radiology in 25 cases, and 35 cases of avascular necrosis were seen radiographically but not pathologically. Osteoarthritis was graded both radiographically and pathologically from 0 to 3. Five hundred ninety-one of 953 cases (62%) were grade 3. Pathologists and radiologists had perfect agreement in 696 of 953 cases (73%). When grade of OA seen at pathology was correlated with surgeon, 2 groups of surgeons were detected: one with a low threshold for performance of hip arthroplasty (23%-28% low-severity OA) and the second with a high threshold (2%-5% low-severity OA). CONCLUSIONS.­: Correlation between radiology and pathology diagnoses is high. Degree of OA present varies significantly between surgeons. Pathology discloses findings not recognized clinically.

Does Universal Insurance and Access to Care Influence Disparities in Outcomes for Pediatric Patients with Osteomyelitis?

BACKGROUND: Healthcare disparities are an issue in the surgical management of orthopaedic conditions in children. Although insurance expansion efforts may mitigate racial disparities in surgical outcomes, prior studies have not examined these effects on differences in pediatric orthopaedic care. To assess for racial disparities in pediatric orthopaedic care that may persist despite insurance expansion, we performed a case-control study of the outcomes of children treated for osteomyelitis in the TRICARE system, the healthcare program of the United States Department of Defense and a model of universal insurance and healthcare access. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether (1) the rates of surgical intervention and (2) 90-day outcomes (defined as emergency department visits, readmission, and complications) were different among TRICARE-insured pediatric patients with osteomyelitis when analyzed based on black versus white race and military rank-defined socioeconomic status. METHODS: We analyzed TRICARE claims from 2005 to 2016. We identified 2906 pediatric patients, of whom 62% (1810) were white and 18% (520) were black. A surgical intervention was performed in 9% of the patients (253 of 2906 patients). The primary outcome was receipt of surgical intervention for osteomyelitis. Secondary outcomes included 90-day complications, readmissions, and returns to the emergency department. The primary predictor variables were race and sponsor rank. Military rank has been used as an indicator of socioeconomic status before and during enlistment, and enlisted service members, particularly junior enlisted service members, may be at risk of having the same medical conditions that affect civilian members of lower socioeconomic strata. Patient demographic information (age, sex, race, sponsor rank, beneficiary category [whether the patient is an insurance beneficiary from an active-duty or retired service member], and geographic region) and clinical information (prior comorbidities, environment of care [whether clinical care was provided in a civilian or military facility], treatment setting, and length of stay) were used as covariates in multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic and clinical factors including age, sex, sponsor rank, beneficiary category, geographic region, Charlson comorbidity index (as a measure of baseline health), environment of care, and treatment setting (inpatient versus outpatient), we found that black children were more likely to undergo surgical interventions for osteomyelitis than white children (odds ratio 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-2.50; p = 0.001). When stratified by environment of care, this finding persisted only in the civilian healthcare setting (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.26-2.74; p = 0.002). Additionally, after controlling for demographic and clinical factors, lower socioeconomic status (junior enlisted personnel) was associated with a higher likelihood of 90-day emergency department use overall (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.02-2.51; p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: We found that for pediatric patients with osteomyelitis in the universally insured TRICARE system, many of the historically reported disparities in care were absent, suggesting these patients benefitted from improved access to healthcare. However, despite universal coverage, racial disparities persisted in the civilian care environment, suggesting that no single intervention such as universal insurance sufficiently addresses differences in racial disparities in care. Future studies can address the pervasiveness of these disparities in other patient populations and the various mechanisms through which they exert their effects, as well as potential interventions to mitigate these disparities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic study.

Financial Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Surgical Treatment of Foot and Ankle Osteomyelitis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally considered the most sensitive imaging for diagnosis of osteomyelitis; however, it is associated with significant cost and is at times ordered as initial screening imaging when a less resource-intensive test would suffice. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the differences between patients with osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle, and their subsequent treatment course, who underwent MRI compared with those who did not. Financial impact of MRI as it relates to clinical decision-making was also calculated. Patients treated for a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle from 2009 to 2015 were retrospectively identified. Demographics, imaging modalities, and operative procedures for each patient were collected. An "impact MRI" was defined as one that led to a subsequent operative procedure within the same admission. The impact cost of an MRI was estimated using the equation: (average MRI cost) × (total MRIs/impact MRIs). A total of 144 patients underwent 220 MRIs, and 399 patients did not have MRIs. The operative rate between the 2 groups was similar (70.8% versus 70.4%, p = .93). Multiple linear regression showed that MRI was not a significant predictor of operation (p = .50). However, we found a significant correlation between MRI use and operative intervention for patients with increased comorbidities. From 2011 to 2015, there was a significant increase in impact cost, while controlling for average MRI cost ($8172 to $15,292, p ≤ .05). Over the study period, the impact cost of an MRI significantly increased from 1.8 to 5.0 times the average cost.

Two-Staged Frontal Bone Defect Reconstruction: Perioperative Assessment of Scalp Vascularization Using Near-Infrared Indocyanine Green Video Angiography (Visionsense Iridium).

BACKGROUND: Head trauma and neurosurgical-related osteomyelitis are common causes of cranial bone defect. Even though cranioplasty is considered a safe and well-consolidated procedure, there are still some issues about the flap's vascularization assessment. In this paper we describe a 2-staged cranioplasty procedure, focusing on the perioperative evaluation of the skin flap vascularization. Our goal is to assess if the skin flap's perfusion measurement with indocyanine green fluorescence can be considered a reliable method to predict good outcome in cranioplasties. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 50-year-old patient presented with a wide frontal bone defect due to a prior surgery-related osteomyelitis. During the first operation, a tissue expander was placed under the scalp in order to grant an appropriate skin stretching. During the second operation the defect was repaired with a custom-made prosthesis after tissue expander removal. During all procedures, vascular integrity of the skin flap was intraoperatively assessed by means of indocyanine green fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedures were well tolerated; at 1 year of follow-up the cosmetic defect was unremarkable. Indocyanine green fluorescence can be a good aid to predict the probability of the skin flap survival by measuring its perfusion.

Mandibular Osteomyelitis and Cervical Lymphadenitis Due to Mycobacterium abscessus: Surgical Management of a Pediatric Cohort With a Shared Epidemiologic Exposure.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium abscessus has been implicated as the cause of various infections in the setting of healthcare-related "outbreaks." Mandibular osteomyelitis caused by M abscessus is exceedingly rare, with only 1 patient reported in the literature. The authors describe the surgical management of 12 pediatric patients with M abscessus-related mandibular osteomyelitis and cervical lymphadenitis caused by exposure to contaminated water at a regional dental clinic. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, new suspected patients were reviewed and followed prospectively. A multidisciplinary team coordinated the surgical approach, antibiotic regimen, and follow-up for each patient. RESULTS: Twelve patients (median age 7.5 years) received treatment of M abscessus infection. Eleven had mandibular osteomyelitis and underwent debridement along with extraction of affected teeth. Eight had lymphadenitis and underwent excision of involved nodes. Four patients (in whom surgical debridement was considered inadequate) received antibiotic therapy with a regimen of amikacin, cefoxitin, and azithromycin for 4 months. Nine of 12 patients have been followed for a median of 5 months (range 1-11 months); no patient has evidence of persistent clinical infection. Three of 4 patients treated with amikacin have high-frequency hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe a pediatric cohort with mandibular osteomyelitis and cervical lymphadenitis due to M abscessus following pulpotomy at a single dental clinic. Diagnosis required a high index of suspicion. Patients in our series had resolution of infection even without antibiotic therapy, suggesting that early complete surgical debridement and removal of affected lymph nodes can be sufficient as a sole treatment modality.

Mini-Open Thoracolumbar Corpectomy: Perioperative Outcomes and Hospital Cost Analysis Compared with Open Corpectomy.

BACKGROUND: Standard open surgical management of thoracolumbar infection, trauma, and tumor is associated with significant morbidity. We compared perioperative and immediate postoperative morbidity of open and mini-open thoracolumbar corpectomy techniques including direct hospital costs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent open or mini-open corpectomy. Demographics (age, sex, body mass index, primary diagnosis), operative data (length of surgery, estimated blood loss, blood transfusion), surgical level, preoperative and postoperative neurologic status (using American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale), immediate perioperative complications (within 30 days postoperatively), overall length of stay from admission, length of stay from surgery, and total direct hospital costs were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients, 20 (46.51%) undergoing open corpectomy and 23 (53.48%) undergoing mini-open corpectomy. Clinical and statistically significant findings in favor of mini-open corpectomy included lower estimated blood loss (1305 mL vs. 560 mL, P = 0.0072), less blood transfusion (241 mL vs. 667 mL, P = 0.029), shorter overall length of stay (7.2 days vs. 12.2 days, P = 0.047), and shorter surgery time (376 minutes vs. 295 minutes, P = 0.035) as well as lower total direct hospital cost ($34,373 vs. $45,376, P = 0.044). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications between the 2 groups (medical complications 5% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.891; surgical complications 5% vs. 8.69%, P = 0.534). CONCLUSIONS: Mini-open TL corpectomy is a safe, cost-effective, clinically effective, and less morbid alternative to standard open thoracotomy surgical techniques.

What are the Risk Factors for Hardware Removal After Tibia or Fibula Fracture?

Indications for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of tibia and/or fibula fractures vary; however, some patients require removal of hardware (ROH) due to various complications. Currently, data evaluating the epidemiology of and risk factors for ROH of the tibia/fibula are limited. We examined the associations between tibia/fibula fractures and (1) characteristics of fractures requiring ORIF, (2) indications for ROH, (3) demographic risk factors for ROH; (4) length of stay, and (5) total hospital charges. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify patients admitted for tibia/fibula ORIF and ROH between 1998 and 2010 in the United States. We used ICD-9 codes to identify fracture locations, comorbidities, and indications for ROH. We identified 1,610,149 ORIF patients, and 56,864 of these patients (3.5%) underwent ROH. Logistic regression analyses and independent sample t-tests were used to assess risk factors and differences. Among fractures requiring ORIF, the most common were for closed fractures of both tibia and fibula. The most common indications for ROH were infection and osteomyelitis. Risk factors for ROH included men and Deyo comorbidity scores of 1 and 2 or more. Age and race were not risk factors for ROH. The length of stay and total charges were significantly higher for ROH compared to those with ORIF only. Hardware removal is a serious complication following ORIF for fractures of the tibia/fibula. The results of the current study suggest that gender, presence of comorbidities, and payer status were all significant factors in predicting hardware removal for the tibia/fibula following ORIF.

In-office distal Symes lesser toe amputation: a safe, reliable, and cost-effective treatment of diabetes-related tip of toe ulcers complicated by osteomyelitis.

Diabetes-related tip of lesser toe ulcers have typically been associated with both underlying hammertoe contracture and peripheral neuropathy. The combination of digital deformity and neuropathy commonly results in non-healing, deep sores that frequently become complicated by osteomyelitis. We report on a well-known, but poorly reported, technique for surgical management of non-healing tip of lesser toe ulcers. After approval by the institutional review board, a review was performed of consecutive patients who had undergone office-based distal Symes toe amputation for a non-healing tip of lesser toe ulcer from January 2007 to December 2012. A variety of clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data were collected. A total of 48 consecutive patients (48 toe ulcers) were identified for inclusion in the present study. All patients had ulcers at the time of surgery, and no patient developed repeat ulceration of the involved digit postoperatively. Of the 48 patients, 44 (92%) had hammertoe deformity preoperatively. Also, 30 patients (63%) had positive probe-to-bone results, and 29 (97%) of these patients had culture or histologic findings positive for osteomyelitis. Of the 48 patients (48 ulcers), 73% had positive bone cultures, 69% had positive pathologic findings demonstrating osteomyelitis, and 100% had clean margins. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common pathogen isolated (13 of 48, 27%). No patient required additional amputation related to the operative digit. The mean follow-up period was 28.79 months. Our results have shown that in-office distal Symes lesser toe amputation is a safe, reliable, and likely cost-effective treatment of non-healing tip of lesser toe ulcers complicated by osteomyelitis. This office-based procedure allows bone biopsy diagnosis, removes the non-healing ulcer, confirms clear margins regarding the osteomyelitis, and addresses the underlying toe deformity to minimize the chances of repeat ulceration.

[Gold standard for implant selection in operative therapy of spondylitis/spondylodiscitis]. / Goldstandard bei der Implantatwahl zur operativen Therapie der Spondylitis/Spondylodiszitis.

The operative therapy management of vertebral osteomyelitis including debridement and stabilization is well established. Autologous bone is the preferred graft material but is limited due to availability, failure of consolidation in large defects and donor morbidity. Titanium mesh cages are alternatively equally well evaluated and other materials are also mentioned. Immobilization of affected segments is the fundamental requirement for healing of osteomyelitis. The operative therapy of choice is meticulous debridement and internal stabilization of the defect. Autologous bone seems to provide the best conditions to bridge and consolidate defects. Bone marrow aspirate, reaming irrigator aspiration (RIA) and bone marrow protein (BMP) in combination with cages have the same qualities considering bone healing but they are not yet sufficiently evaluated for management of vertebral osteomyelitis. Autologous bone graft remains the gold standard, nevertheless, its disadvantages point out the need for alternative grafts. Titanium is well proven to provide stability but bone substitutes are not sufficiently evaluated but seem to be promising.

[Risk Assessment in the Therapy for Osteomyelitis using Immunological Parameters]. / Risikoeinschätzung bei der Therapie der Osteitis anhand immunologischer Parameter.

PROBLEM: The treatment of osteomyelitis is based on the surgical eradication of the septic focus and the additional administration of antibiotics (local and/or systemic). In some cases the course of the therapy may be prolonged without any obvious reason in terms of the quality of the surgical treatment, virulence and type of bacteria or the co-morbidities. ISSUE: Can these patients at risk be detected by immunological assessments? Will these immunological features lead to a more individualised therapeutic strategy? PATIENTS: 20 patients suffering from chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremity were included in our study. Group 1: 15 patients showed a prolonged course of the disease and/or an abnormal high rate of surgery. These courses could not be correlated with the bacterial spectrum or the co-morbidities. Group 2: 5 patients showed a clinical course as expected. METHODS: Blood samples of all patients were analysed by immunological methods: lymphocytes were analysed by using 8 colour flow cytometry. CD4/8 ratio and double negative T cells were calculated. T cell response to recall antigens was determined by elispot testing. RESULTS: In group 1 double negative T cell and cytotoxic T cell counts were significantly lower in comparison to group 2. This was not the case for T cells and T helper cells. In ROC analysis, area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed best discrimination by double negative T cells (0.88). At a cut-off of 60 double negative T cells/µL, discrimination of septic complications revealed 100 % specificity and 87 % sensitivity. In elispot testing, reactivity to tetanus toxoid established best results (AUC 0.76). CONCLUSION: The analysis of the above data shows that the detection of higk-risk patients during the therapy for osteomyelitis based on immunological features seems to be possible. Further studies are needed to verify the data collected from our pilot study.

Assessment of bone microcirculation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and [18F]-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in free osseous and osseocutaneus flaps for mandibular reconstruction: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: Postsurgical evaluation of bone microcirculation in osseous and osseocutaneus free flaps by contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with time intensity curve (TIC) analysis and [18F]-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Fluoride-PET/CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 10 patients with osseous or osseocutaneus microvascular flaps were evaluated with CEUS. Ultrasound was carried out by an experienced examiner with a high resolution linear probe (6-9 MHz, LOGIQ E9, GE) after intravenous bolus injection of 2.4 ml SonoVue® (BRACCO, Germany). Time intensity curves (TIC) in selected regions of interest (ROI) were analyzed and compared with the evaluation of [18F]-positron emission tomography/computed tomography and the clinical course for at least 2 month. RESULTS: 9/10 patients showed evidence for soft tissue and osseous microcirculation of the transplants in CEUS correlating with the clinical course. The soft tissue parts of the transplant showed a mean value of 84% (range 51-98%) and the bone parts a mean value of 39% (range 11-75%) for the Area under the curve (AuC) compared with the AuC for the anastomotic vessel region. Mean values for time to peak (TTP) were 27,1 sec (range 8.7-52.0 sec) for the anastomotic vessels, 29.3 sec (range 7.9-62.0 sec) for the soft tissue of and 32.0 sec (range 7.4-69.0 sec) for the transplant bone. In 1/10 patients flap failure occurred, after denudation the bone was left as an avascular transplant. AuC showed a mean value of 0.5 % for the bone region compared with the vessel region. Fluoride-PET/CT assessed bone vitality in 7 patients as "good" in 1 patient as "uncertain" and in 1 patient as "poor". CEUS assessment was corresponding with Fluoride-PET/CT in 4 patients, clinical assessment in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Fluoride-PET/CT is a valuable tool to make an indirect statement about the perfusion of the transplanted bone and was used as control in this study. CEUS is a new and promising method for the evaluation of microcirculation of buried free microvascular bone grafts and the osseous part of osseocutaneous flaps and may be used for a steady monitoring in the first postoperative days.

Estimating the healthcare burden of osteomyelitis in Uganda.

Chronic osteomyelitis is a considerable healthcare burden in many developing countries, but this burden is poorly quantified. To estimate the clinical burden of osteomyelitis we systematically sampled the medical records of orthopaedic clinics at five hospitals in Uganda. To estimate the surgical burden of osteomyelitis we reviewed the diagnosis in 9354 operations conducted during a 1 year period at the same five hospitals. Of 1844 outpatients with a documented diagnosis sampled over 1 year, 187 (10%) had osteomyelitis. Only 20% of those with osteomyelitis were older than 20 years, whereas this age group accounted for 52% of patients with another orthopaedic diagnosis or no diagnosis (P<0.001). Osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 325 (3.5%) of the surgical operations; in 32% of these operations the patients were children aged between 10 and 14 years. The tibia was the bone most frequently involved (31%), and sequestrectomy was the most frequent surgical procedure (60%). These findings suggest that osteomyelitis disproportionately affects the young, and is a burden on both clinical and surgical services. To decrease this burden in populations with limited resources, improved diagnosis and more timely treatment of acute osteomyelitis is needed.

Major vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery: incidence, risk factors, and management.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of major vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery, attempt to identify predisposing risk factors, and to discuss management techniques. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Major vascular injury can be a catastrophic complication of anterior lumbar spinal surgery. METHODS: Current procedural terminology codes were used to identify the occurrence of major vascular injury, defined as injury to the iliac vessels, vena cava, and aorta. Once identified, the office record, hospital chart, operative note, and diagnostic test results were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-five operations were performed on 338 patients. Incidence of major vascular complication was 2.9% (10 of 345). There were 9 injuries of the common iliac vein and a single aortic injury. Risk factors identified in patients with major vascular injury were current or previous osteomyelitis or discogenic infection (n = 3), previous anterior spinal surgery (n = 2), spondylolisthesis (n = 2; 1 isthmic Grade II, 1 iatrogenic Grade II), large anterior osteophyte (n = 2), transitional lumbosacral vertebra (n = 1), and anterior migration of interbody device (n = 1). Lateral venorrhaphy by suture (n = 6) and hemoclip application (n = 2) was augmented by topical agents, which constituted the sole method of repair on 1 occasion. Magnetic resonance venography demonstrated iliac vein thrombosis in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Current or previous osteomyelitis or discogenic infection, previous anterior spinal surgery, spondylolisthesis, osteophyte formation, transitional lumbosacral vertebra and anterior migration of interbody device point to an increased risk of vascular injury during anterior lumbar spinal surgery. Careful handling of the vascular structures and liberal use of topical hemostatic agents can lead to control of hemorrhage and preservation of vascular patency. Routine postoperative surveillance for proximal deep vein thrombosis, by magnetic resonance venography of the pelvic veins and inferior vena cava, should be performed after venorrhaphy.