Outcomes of different perioperative management strategies of patients on chronic anticoagulation in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: There are currently different management guidelines for patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that are on long-term anticoagulation. The timing of discontinuation and restarting the anticoagulation is challenging during the postoperative care, which often involves general practitioners and physiotherapists. METHODS: The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included 3 databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science Core Collection. It was registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PROSPERO) under the registration number: CRD42023408906. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria. RESULTS: Six retrospective studies involving 727 patients with therapeutic anticoagulation (1,540 controls) for elective THA, TKA and revision arthroplasty have been included. The follow-up ranged from 30 days to 1 year postoperatively. All studies evaluated outcomes of warfarin therapeutic anticoagulation versus prophylactic dosages of one or more of the following: warfarin, aspirin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated low-dose heparin (UFH). One study did not discontinue therapeutic anticoagulation. Two studies reported no significant differences in complications between groups, whilst 3 studies had significantly higher rates of superficial wound infections, revision surgeries, postoperative haematomas, and prosthetic joint infections (PJI). CONCLUSION: Different anticoagulation-related perioperative management strategies achieve different outcomes following elective arthroplasty in patients with therapeutic chronic anticoagulation. There is contradictory evidence regarding the need for the discontinuation of therapeutic warfarin. Retrospective data showed that individual risk stratification with multi-modal prophylaxis resulted in minimal complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic Review of Level III studies.

Clinical Equipoise in the Management of Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Concomitant Tönnis Grade 2 Hip Osteoarthritis or Greater: An International Expert-Panel Delphi Study.

PURPOSE: To gather global-expert opinion on the management of patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and Tönnis grade 2 hip osteoarthritis (OA) or greater. METHODS: An internet-based modified Delphi methodology was used via an online platform (Online Surveys) using the CREDES (Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies) guidelines. The expert panel comprised 27 members from 18 countries: 21 orthopaedic surgeons (78%), 5 physiotherapists (18%), and 1 dual orthopaedic surgeon-sport and exercise medicine physician (4%). Comments and suggestions were collected during each round, and amendments were performed for the subsequent round. Between each pair of rounds, the steering panel provided the experts with a summary of results and amendments. Consensus was set a priori as minimum agreement of 80%. RESULTS: Complete participation (100%) was achieved in all 4 rounds. A final list of 10 consensus statements was formulated. The experts agreed that there is no single superior management strategy for FAIS with Tönnis grade 2 OA and that Tönnis grade 3 OA and the presence of bilateral cartilage defects (acetabular and femoral) is a contraindication for hip preservation surgery. Nonoperative management should include activity modification and physiotherapy with hip-specific strengthening, lumbo-pelvic mobility training, and core strengthening. There was no consensus on the need for 3-dimensional imaging for initial quantification of joint degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: There is clinical equipoise in terms of the best management strategy for patients with FAIS and Tönnis grade 2 OA, and therefore, there is an urgent need to perform a randomized controlled trial for this cohort of patients to ascertian the best management strategy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

No Difference in Patient-Reported Outcomes for Periacetabular Osteotomy and Hip Arthroscopy With Capsular Plication in the Setting of Borderline Hip Dysplasia: A Propensity-Matched Multicenter Study With Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To compare minimum 5-year patient-reported outcome measures after hip arthroscopy (HA) and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for borderline hip dysplasia. METHODS: Hips with a lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and less than 25° that underwent either PAO or HA were selected from 2 institutions. The exclusion criteria were as follows: LCEA less than 18°, Tönnis osteoarthritis grade greater than 1, prior hip surgical procedures, active inflammatory disease, Workers' Compensation, and concomitant surgery. Patients underwent propensity matching based on age, sex, body mass index, and Tönnis osteoarthritis grade. Patient-reported outcome measures included the modified Harris Hip Score, as well as calculation of the minimal clinically important difference, patient acceptable symptom state, and maximum outcome improvement satisfaction threshold. Preoperative radiographic predictors included comparison of the Femoro-epiphyseal Acetabular Roof index and ligamentum teres lesions. RESULTS: A total of 28 PAO patients underwent propensity matching to 49 HA patients. The 2 groups were similar in terms of mean age, sex, preoperative body mass index, and LCEA. The PAO group had a longer mean follow-up period (95.8 months vs 81.3 months, P = .001). The mean Femoro-epiphyseal Acetabular Roof index was significantly lower preoperatively in the HA group (P < .001). The 2 groups showed similar and significant improvements in the mean modified Harris Hip Score from preoperatively to latest follow-up (P < .001). The relative risk of subsequent surgery in the PAO group was 3.49 (P = .024), mostly attributed to hardware removal (25%). The revision rate was 3.6% in the PAO group and 8.2% in the HA group (P = .65). One patient in the PAO group required revision HA for intra-articular adhesions. Three of the patients requiring revision in the HA group underwent PAO because of persistent pain, and one underwent revision HA alone. Conversion to total hip arthroplasty was required in 1 patient in the HA group and no patients in the PAO group. CONCLUSIONS: Both PAO and HA with capsular plication provide borderline hip dysplasia patients with clinically significant improvements and low revision rates at a minimum of 5 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, comparative therapeutic trial.

What are the Outcomes of Secondary Patella Resurfacing for Dissatisfaction Following Primary Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 604 Knees.

BACKGROUND: Secondary patella resurfacing is often performed for dissatisfaction following primary knee arthroplasty where the native patella was retained. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate outcomes of secondary patella resurfacing. METHODS: The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies reporting on patients who underwent secondary patella resurfacing after previous primary knee arthroplasty with retention of the native patella were considered eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized studies tool. A random-effects model and the inverse-variance weighting method was used for meta-analysis. There were sixteen retrospective studies including 604 knees (594 patients) with a mean follow up of 42 months (range, 2 to 197). RESULTS: An overall improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) was achieved in 53% of cases from pooled data available for 293 knees [95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.44, 0.62), I2=68% - moderate heterogeneity]. The pooled proportion of patients satisfied with the procedure was 59% [95% CI (48, 68), I2 = 70% - moderate heterogeneity] in a sample size of 415. There was a minimal rate (2%) of complication incidence when performing secondary patella resurfacing and a pooled rate of revision surgery of 10%. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement in pain, satisfaction, and PROMs was achieved in slightly more than half of the patients following secondary patella resurfacing. However, studies lacked standardized objective selection criteria for the procedure and the available data was predominantly retrospective, with high heterogeneity and variation in outcome reporting.

Candida spondylodiscitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of seventy two studies.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge of Candida spondylodiscitis is limited to case reports and smaller case series. Controversy remains on the most effective diagnostical and therapeutical steps once Candida is suspected. This systematic review summarized all cases of Candida spondylodiscitis reported to date concerning baseline demographics, symptoms, treatment, and prognostic factors. METHODS: A PRISMA-based search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and OVID Medline was performed from database inception to November 30, 2022. Reported cases of Candida spondylodiscitis were included regardless of Candida strain or spinal levels involved. Based on these criteria, 656 studies were analyzed and 72 included for analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon's rank sum tests were performed. RESULTS: In total, 89 patients (67% males) treated for Candida spondylodiscitis were included. Median age was 61 years, 23% were immunocompromised, and 15% IV drug users. Median length of antifungal treatment was six months, and fluconazole (68%) most commonly used. Thirteen percent underwent debridement, 34% discectomy with and 21% without additional instrumentation. Median follow-up was 12 months. The two year survivorship free of death was 80%. The two year survivorship free of revision was 94%. Younger age (p = 0.042) and longer length of antifungal treatment (p = 0.061) were predictive of survival. CONCLUSION: Most patients affected by Candida spondylodiscitis were males in their sixties, with one in four being immunocompromised. While one in five patients died within two years of diagnosis, younger age and prolonged antifungal treatment might play a protective role.

How useful are indirect radiographic measurements of hip instability in borderline hip dysplasia? An MRI-based comparison to a healthy cohort.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic hips with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) morphology pose a challenge in differentiating stable from unstable hips. The current study aims to compare indirect radiographic signs of instability in a symptomatic BHD population to those in a healthy cohort. METHODS: The study group consisted of patients with a lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA) with values 18° ≤ LCEA < 25° who underwent corrective periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and reported an improvement in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The comparison group consisted of a healthy cohort of athletes who did not complain of any hip-related symptoms and who had normal values of their hip morphological parameters (LCEA, acetabular index (AI°), alpha angle (α°), femoral version, acetabular version). Indirect signs of instability consisting of the femoro-epiphyseal acetabular roof index (FEAR), iliocapsularis-to-rectus-femoris (IC/RF) ratio and labral dimensions (height-to-length ratio) were assessed in both groups. Partial Pearson correlation, logistic multiple regression analysis and Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine correlations, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of these signs to differentiate between healthy hips and BHD. RESULTS: On binary logistic multiple regression analysis, the FEAR Index was the only independent predictor to differentiate between BHD and healthy hips (p < 0.001). The IC/RF ratio did not achieve significance. The calculated area under the curve (AUC) was 0.93 (0.87 - 0.99, CI 95%, p < 0.001) for the FEAR Index and 0.81 (0.70 - 0.92, CI 95%, p < 0.001) for the height-length ratio. Using the predefined cut-off values (dysplastic-FEAR Index ≥ 5° or labral height-to-length ratio ≤ 0.5), 27% sensitivity/100% specificity and 20% sensitivity/ 100% specificity, were achieved. ROC analysis provided the following new thresholds: FEAR Index ≥ -5° (73% sensitivity/97% specificity); labral height-to-length ratio ≤ 0.8 (70% sensitivity, 79% specificity). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, the FEAR index was an independent parameter that could differentiate between borderline dysplastic and asymptomatic hips. The previously published values for both the FEAR index and labral hypertrophy ratio had a poor sensitivity in differentiating symptomatic unstable BHD from healthy hips. The cut-off values of ≥ -5° (FEAR index) and ≤ 0.8 (labral height-to-length ratio) provided acceptable sensitivity and specificity when comparing to morphological healthy hips.

Extent of posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fracture correlates with anterolateral complex injury and has an impact on functional outcome after ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The impact of posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures (TPIF) on posttraumatic knee stability in the setting of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is unknown. The main objective was to determine whether increased bone loss of the posterolateral tibial plateau is associated with residual rotational instability and impaired functional outcome after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A cohort was identified in a prospective enrolled study of patients suffering acute ACL injury who underwent preoperative standard radiographic diagnostics and clinical evaluation. Patients were included when scheduled for isolated single-bundle hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction. Exclusion criteria were concurrent anterolateral complex (ALC) reconstruction (anterolateral tenodesis), previous surgery or symptoms in the affected knee, partial ACL tear, multi-ligament injury with an indication for additional surgical intervention, and extensive cartilage wear. On MRI, bony (TPIF, tibial plateau, and femoral condyle morphology) and ligament status (ALC, concomitant collateral ligament, and meniscus injuries) were assessed by a musculoskeletal radiologist. Clinical evaluation consisted of KT-1000, pivot-shift, and Lachman testing, as well as Tegner activity and IKDC scores. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. TPIF was identified in 85% of ACL injuries (n = 49). The ALC was found to be injured in 31 of 58 (53.4%) cases. Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation between TPIF and the degree of concomitant ALC injury (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed an increased association of high-grade TPIF with increased lateral tibial convexity (p = 0.010). The high-grade TPIF group showed worse postoperative Tegner scores 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Higher degrees of TPIFs are suggestive of a combined ACL/ALC injury. Moreover, patients with increased posterolateral tibial plateau bone loss showed lower Tegner activity scores 12 months after ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

No evidence exists on outcomes of non-operative management in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant Tönnis Grade 2 or more hip osteoarthritis: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the outcomes of all the non-operative modalities of management for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and concomitant osteoarthritis (OA) Tönnis Grade 2 or more. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed was performed from inception to December 1st 2021 for literature on outcomes of non-operative management strategies for young adults with symptomatic FAI using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Cohorts investigating FAI and concomitant hip OA Tönnis Grade 2 or more were considered eligible. Studies not written in English or German, below level 4 evidence, and reviews were excluded. A secondary analysis for FAI without OA stratification was conducted after the initial screening to allow identification of available non-operative interventions. RESULTS: No study reported outcomes separately for non-operative management of FAI with Tönnis Grade 2 OA or more and as such, did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. A secondary analysis included 24 studies that reported on outcomes for non-operative interventions for FAI irrespective of the degree of degeneration. Three studies investigated the efficacy of hyaluronic acid injection, 5 reports investigated corticosteroid injections, 2 studies evaluated the outcomes of hip bracing and 16 studies included a physiotherapy programme. Associations between the aforementioned interventions were analysed. There is level I evidence supporting the efficacy of activity modification and hip-specific physiotherapy for FAI and mild OA. Core-strengthening exercises are prevalent amongst successful regimens in the literature. Contradictory evidence questions the efficacy of hip bracing even for short-term outcomes. Corticosteroid injections have mostly failed in intention-to treat analyses but may be valuable in delaying the need for surgery; further studies are warranted. Reports on outcomes following hyaluronic acid injections are contradictory. CONCLUSION: No evidence exists on outcomes following non-operative management of FAI with concomitant Tönnis Grade 2 or more OA of the hip. Further studies are required and should explore the non-operative interventions that were employed for FAI and milder OA. There is strong evidence for a hip-specific physiotherapy program including activity modification and core strengthening exercises. Adjunct interventions such as corticosteroid injections and NSAID consumption may be valuable in delaying the need for surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

A decreased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance is associated with lateral patellofemoral joint degeneration after implantation of medial fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty - a minimum five year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The influence of lateral patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is controversial. Our aim was to identify radiographic factors that may lead to progressive PFOA after implantation of a fixed-bearing medial UKA and their impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROMs). METHODS: A retrospective consecutive cohort of patients undergoing medial UKA with a minimum follow-up of 60 months between September 2011 and January 2017 was identified. All UKAs had a fixed-bearing design with cemented femoral and tibial components. PROMs included documentation of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS). The following radiographic parameters were evaluated on conventional radiographs and computer tomography (CT) scans: patella tilt angle, patella congruence angle, Caton-Deschamps index, medial and lateral patellofemoral degeneration (Kellgren-Lawrence Classification (KL)), mechanical anteroposterior axis, femoral torsion, tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove distance (TTTG), anteroposterior translation of the femoral component. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis and partial Pearson correlation analysis (SPSS) were used to evaluate for predictors of progression of lateral PFOA. RESULTS: Forty-nine knees allowed PFOA assessment and had an average follow-up of 62 months (range 60-108). Twenty-three patients did not exhibit any progression of lateral PFOA. Twenty-two progressed with 1 stage, whereas four had progressed 2 stages according to the KL classification. TTTG negatively correlated with progressive lateral PFOA (r = - 0.436, p = 0.01). Progression of lateral PFOA did not correlate with OKS at last follow-up (p = 0.613). CONCLUSION: A decreased TTGT correlated with radiographic progression of lateral PFOA after medial fixed-bearing cemented UKA. PFOA however did not influence PROMs at a minimum of five years postoperatively.

Femoral head and neck autograft in arthroplasty for developmental dysplasia of the hip: a systematic review of long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) with an acetabular component and an autogenous femoral head graft for acetabular reconstruction in developmental dysplasia of the hip was first described by Harris et al. in 1977. While a number of studies have addressed the aforementioned scenario over the last decades, most lack sufficient numbers and follow-up. As such, we analyzed long-term outcomes of THAs with femoral autograft for arthrosis secondary to hip dysplasia. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using a structured PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane analysis, based on the PRISMA criteria. All original studies from 1977 to 2022 with a mean follow-up of 10 or more years were included. Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) were used for quality assessment. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies with 1316 patients (87% females) undergoing 1543 THAs with femoral autograft (2 times neck graft, 24 times head graft) were included. Mean age was 52 years (range, 28-73) and the mean follow-up was 13 years (range, 9-18). The revision rate was 8.3% (n = 129), and 73% of revisions were for loosening. Rate of infection (0.5%) and dislocations (1%) were low. Radiographic analysis revealed 167 loose acetabular components (11%) and 118 cases of graft resorption (7.6%). Mean Harris Hip Score increased from 42 to 85. Mean MINORS score was 11, and no study was level of evidence I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral autograft with THA may be a viable long-term option for hip reconstruction in developmental dysplasia of the hip. However, moderate loosening rates and low level of evidence must be acknowledged before drawing the final conclusions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

No clinical consequence of liner malseating in dual-mobility THAs at short term: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Liner malseating is well described in ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasties (THAs). However, limited information is known on this complication among dual-mobility articulations. As such, this systematic review analyzed liner malseating in dual-mobility THAs concerning prevalence, clinical implications, and associated risk factors. METHODS: A PRISMA criteria-based systematic review was performed, and PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane used as data bases. All original studies from 1980 to 2022 were considered eligible for inclusion, and Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) used for quality assessment. RESULTS: In total, five retrospective cohort studies with 2330 patients (2673 dual-mobility THAs) were included. Mean age was 66.9 years, mean BMI was 29.8 kg/m2, and 35% of patients were female. Rates of malseating ranged from 0.15% to 5.8%, with a total of 53 malseated liners identified throughout all studies (1.98%). Based on THA manufacturer, malseating occurred in 48 Stryker (1.96%) and 5 Biomet Zimmer (2.14%) THAs. Mean clinical follow-up was 2.2 years (mean range, 1.3 to 6.4 years). Except one patient reporting of pain at 2 years, no revision or negative clinical implication was noted in any of the malseated liners, including normal ranged metal ions measured in four cases. A smaller acetabular component size was identified as a statistically significant risk factor for malseating in one study. Mean MINORS score was 9.8. CONCLUSIONS: Liner malseating is a rare finding in patients undergoing THAs with dual-mobility articulations. While prelim results demonstrate no negative clinical consequences to date, existing studies are limited, refer to short-term outcomes only, and do not prospectively follow-up affected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Is a preoperative pathogen detection a prerequisite before undergoing one-stage exchange for prosthetic joint infection of the hip?

BACKGROUND: A preoperative pathogen detection is considered a prerequisite before undergoing one-stage exchange for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) according to most guidelines. This study compares patients with and without preoperative pathogen detection undergoing one-stage exchange for PJI of the hip. The authors put up the hypothesis that a preoperative pathogen detection is no prerequisite in selected cases undergoing one-stage exchange. METHODS: 30 consecutive patients with PJI of the hip, treated with one-stage exchange, between 2011 and 2021, were retrospectively included. Mean age was 70 years and mean follow-up 2.1 ± 1.8 years. PJI was defined according to the European Bone and Joint Infection Society. One-stage exchange was performed in (1) chronic PJI longer than 4 weeks, (2) well-retained bone condition, (3) absence of multiple prior revisions for PJI (≤ 2) with absence of difficult-to-treat pathogens in the past, and (4) necessity/preference for early mobility due to comorbidities/age. RESULTS: One-stage exchange was performed in 20 patients with and in 10 without a preoperative pathogen detection. Age (71 years, 68 years, p = 0.519), sex (50% and 30% males, p = 0.440), American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (2.2, 2.4, p = 0.502), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (3, 4, p = 0.530) did not differ among the two groups. No significant differences were noted concerning preoperative CRP (15 mg/l, 43 mg/l, p = 0.228), synovial cell count (15.990/nl, 5.308/nl, p = 0.887), radiological signs of loosening (55%, 50%, p = 0.999), and intraoperative histopathology. Except a higher rate of coagulase-negative staphylococci (70%, 20%, p = 0.019) in patients with a preoperative pathogen detection, no significant differences in pathogen spectrum were identified among groups. Revision for PJI recurrence was performed in one patient with an initial preoperative pathogen detection (3.3%). Additional revisions were performed for dislocation in two and postoperative hematoma in one patient. Revision rate for both septic and aseptic causes (p = 0.999), stay in hospital (16 and 15 days, p = 0.373) and modified Harris Hip Score (60, 71, p = 0.350) did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with and without a preoperative pathogen detection did not show significant differences concerning baseline characteristics, clinical and functional outcomes at 2 years. An absent preoperative pathogen detection is no absolute contraindication for one-stage exchange in chronic PJI, if involving good bone quality and absence of multiple prior revisions.

Outcomes of surgical management for tarsal coalitions: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of surgical treatment of tarsal coalition, assess the role of the surgical technique, as well as of coalition size and type on outcomes. METHODS: The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and was performed in four databases: MEDLINE, Central, Scopus and Web of Science. The protocol has been registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), complications, revisions and radiographic recurrence were collected. Risk of bias was assessed using MINORS criteria. A random-effects model for meta-analysis was applied for analysis of data heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies including 760 tarsal coalitions were included and had a weighted average follow-up of 44 months. Studies scored fair to poor on the risk of bias assessment with a mean MINORS score of 67% (44-81%). In 77.8% (37.5-100%) of surgically treated tarsal coalitions, good/excellent/non-limiting or improved PROMs were reported. Calculated data heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 57%). Open bar resection with material interposition had a clinical success rate of 78.8% (50-100%). Complications occurred in 4.96% of cases. Coalition size did not prove to be a determining factor in postoperative outcome. The influence of the coalition type was not investigated by any of the studies. CONCLUSION: Data on outcomes of surgical management for tarsal coalitions is limited to retrospective case series with high risk of bias and moderate data heterogeneity. In about ¾ of cases, open resection and interposition of material results in improved PROMs. The arbitrary margin of ≥ 50% of TC coalition size in relation to the posterior facet has little importance in surgical decision-making. None of the studies reported on the influence of the coalition type on postoperative clinical success.

The SCN5A Gene Is a Predictor of Phenotype Severity in Brugada Syndrome: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to ascertain whether patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) having SCN5A mutations have a more severe clinical phenotype and prognosis than do patients without SCN5A mutations. METHODS: A comprehensive Scopus database search was conducted; studies were selected by using Brugada syndrome and SCN5A as keywords for the main query. RESULTS: The available literature consistently shows greater electrophysiological abnormalities in patients with BrS having SCN5A-related etiology. These include conduction disorder evidenced by longer QRS, PQ, and His-ventricular interval duration. Novel lines of evidence suggest that SCN5A mutations are predictors of malignant arrhythmic events. In addition, SCN5A-positive patients and their carrier relatives frequently suffer from various abnormal cardiac phenotypes such as sick sinus syndrome and progressive conduction disorder. Rare variants have also been shown to play a role in cases of epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, and malignancy. CONCLUSION: In this review, we show how the SCN5A mutation status predicts phenotypic characteristics and prognosis in patients with BrS. We conclude that SCN5A mutations weakly predict greater malignant arrhythmic event risk in BrS patients. However, SCN5A mutations do not show robust enough associations with severity indicators to be an independent part of current risk stratification strategies. With advancing knowledge of BrS genetics, the integration of data on rare variants of SCN5A and polygenic risk scores could make an impact on clinical decision-making.

Breast Cancer Prognosis: A Study on Mortality Indicators.

Background: The prognosis of breast cancer patients is critical for tailored treatment options. While previous observational studies have identified various prognostic markers, a consensus in their clinical application is lacking. This single-center retrospective study aimed to validate the most frequent risk factors associated with increased mortality in breast cancer patients. Methods: Our study spanned an 8-year interval (2014-2020) and included 213 female patients with stage IIA-IIIB breast cancer. Key variables such as age, disease stage, and type of treatment were analyzed in relation to one-year survival as the primary outcome measure. Results: Elevated preoperative levels of tumor markers ACE and CA 15-3, larger tumor size, and advanced lymph nodal invasion were significantly associated with increased mortality. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the presence of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors (ER and PR) were protective factors, whereas Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) was a negative prognostic indicator. Among molecular subtypes, Luminal A demonstrated protective effects, whereas HER2-positive and Triple-negative subtypes were identified as risk factors. Conclusion: This study confirms the significant role of tumor size, lymph node stage, and specific molecular markers in predicting breast cancer mortality. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of disease prognosis and offer crucial insights for clinicians in managing treatment plans.

Ventral Hernia Repair and Drainage - A Prospective, Observational, and Comparative Study of Outcomes.

Background: While ventral hernia repair is a frequent surgical intervention, the possibility of complications remains present. The use of drains to mitigate complications is a topic of debate, with conflicting evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the association between drain usage and postoperative complications in ventral hernia repair. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective study included patients undergoing ventral hernia repair from 2018 to 2022. Patient data and surgical techniques were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to assess risk factors for drain insertion and complications. Results: Of the 216 patients included, 19.44% had diabetes, and 20% had cancer. Postoperative complications (Clavien Dindo grade IIIB) occurred in 9.3% of cases, resulting in a 3.7% mortality. Decision factors for drain insertion included older age, larger hernia size, bowel resection with anastomosis, emergency setting and the need for adhesiolysis. No differences were found between the two groups regarding seroma and hematoma formation and mesh infection. Patients with drains had a longer hospital stay and higher costs. Conclusion: The decision to use drains in ventral hernia repair was influenced by surgical complexity factors rather than patient characteristics. While drain usage did not correlate with postoperative morbidities, it was associated with longer hospitalization and higher costs. Individualized decision-making is crucial to balance complications and resource utilization in ventral hernia repair.

Skin biomarkers associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Type I: a systematic review.

Despite increasing research, the pathophysiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) remains poorly understood. Due to its easy accessibility, the skin represents an ideal approach to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes. We conducted a systematic review of original studies investigating potential biomarkers cutaneous biomarkers in CRPS. Original articles with a minimum level IV of evidence were screened using the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science Core Collection. Quality assessment was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. A total of 11 studies exploring cutaneous biomarkers in 299 CRPS Type I patients were included. The biomarkers identified revealed implications of the following pathophysiological processes: inflammation via interleukins and TNF-a, vascular dysregulation (ET-1/NOx disturbances and hypoxia-high lactate), small fiber neuropathy and hypersensitivity. In terms of skin morphology, evidence suggests: neurite loss, increased expression and disturbed migration of mast cells, as well as an increased expression of α1-adrenoceptors on keratinocytes. The data supporting hypersensitivity had a high risk of bias on quality assessment. The current review has emphasized the current state of knowledge regarding the cutaneous biomarkers in patients suffering from CRPS Type I. Our results serve as a basis for future developments of techniques that would either facilitate diagnosis or may represent therapeutic targets. Trial registration PROSPERO: CRD42020203405. Level of evidence: IV (Systematic Review).

Inconclusive and Contradictory Evidence for Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement and Osteoarthritis of Tönnis Grade 2 or Greater: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether hip arthroscopy (HA) is effective in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant hip osteoarthritis (OA) of Tönnis grade 2 or greater. METHODS: This review was registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PROSPERO, CRD42020210936). It followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines and included multiple databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library. All studies in English or German from database inception to December 1, 2020, that investigated outcomes of HA in patients with OA of Tönnis grade 2 or greater were considered eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies) tool. Data heterogeneity was explored using the I2 test in a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria. The MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies) score averaged 68% (range, 46%-81%). A total of 616 hips, consisting of 247 hips of interest (Tönnis grade 2 or greater) and 369 controls, were included. The weighted estimated follow-up averaged 29.1 months (range, 12-84 months). Data on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) could be extracted for 6 of 11 studies, and date on conversion to total hip arthroplasty were available for 8 of 11. Four studies reported an overall improvement in PROMs after HA, and 2 highlighted a failure of improvement in PROMs. Failure of HA with conversion to total hip arthroplasty was observed at a rate of 0% to 9% in 4 studies, as opposed to proportions as high as 35% to 70% in the other 4 studies. There was a high level of heterogeneity, with a calculated I2 value of 89%. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently contradictory and insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of HA for hips with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant OA of Tönnis grade 2 or greater. This is in the context of data with low levels of evidence, mainly consisting of retrospective case series (Level IV) with a high risk of bias and high heterogeneity (I2 of approximately 90%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Candida periprosthetic joint infections - risk factors and outcome between albicans and non-albicans strains.

BACKGROUND: Despite its scarcity, fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is of great clinical relevance as diagnosis and treatment are highly challenging. Previous analyses focused on the treatment rather than the role of the causative fungal agent on clinical outcome. This is the largest study of its kind to evaluate Candida strain-dependent differences in patients with fungal PJI. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 29 patients who underwent surgical intervention due to Candida hip or knee PJI in our department from 2010 to 2018. PJI was defined according to IDSA, recurrent PJI according to modified Delphi consensus criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, chi-square test with Yates correction, and log rank test. RESULTS: Besides age and affected joint, no significant differences were found between Candida albicans and non-albicans PJI patients (75.83 versus 64.11 years, p = 0.012; 12 hip versus two knee cases, p = 0.013). Most patients received two- (27.59%) or three-stage exchange surgery (41.38%). There was a statistical trend towards an increase in surgery needed in non-albicans Candida PJI (2.92 versus 2.12; p = 0.103). After initial Candida PJI treatment, functional prosthesis implantation was achieved in 72.41% of all patients. At last follow-up, infection-free survival was at 26.79% in Candida albicans versus 72.00% in non-albicans PJI (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found infection-free survival rates to be significantly decreased in patients with albicans compared to non-albicans Candida PJI. While age and affected joint might play a confounding role, we speculate the causative pathogen to play a decisive role in disease progression.

miRNAs as Biomarkers in Diabetes: Moving towards Precision Medicine.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disease with many specifically related complications. Early diagnosis of this disease could prevent the progression to overt disease and its related complications. There are several limitations to using existing biomarkers, and between 24% and 62% of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed and untreated, suggesting a large gap in current diagnostic practices. Early detection of the percentage of insulin-producing cells preceding loss of function would allow for effective therapeutic interventions that could delay or slow down the onset of diabetes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could be used for early diagnosis, as well as for following the progression and the severity of the disease, due to the fact of their pancreatic specific expression and stability in various body fluids. Thus, many studies have focused on the identification and validation of such groups or "signatures of miRNAs" that may prove useful in diagnosing or treating patients. Here, we summarize the findings on miRNAs as biomarkers in diabetes and those associated with direct cellular reprogramming strategies, as well as the relevance of miRNAs that act as a bidirectional switch for cell therapy of damaged pancreatic tissue and the studies that have measured and tracked miRNAs as biomarkers in insulin resistance are addressed.