Utilization of Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patients: A Comparison of Feasibility and Patient Satisfaction at a Large Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine platforms have been developed to support the convenient delivery of health care services to their patients while maintaining appropriate quality of care. However, it is unclear whether they can be utilized effectively in patients with pediatric spinal deformity (PSD). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and patient satisfaction associated with virtual visit (VV) utilization in PSD patients in comparison to general pediatric orthopaedic indications. METHODS: Of the 482 VVs offered to pediatric orthopaedic patients at a large academic health care system between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, a total of 189 VVs conducted by board-certified orthopaedic surgeons were included in the final analysis. Patient satisfaction scores were collected at the end of each VV by patient and parent rankings of the surgeon and the telemedicine service. Data on patients, visits, and connectivity sessions characteristics were collected and statistically compared between PSD visits (n=33) versus those conducted for general pediatric orthopaedic indications (n=156). RESULTS: Although PSD patients were older (15±3.7 vs. 12±4.7 y; P<0.01), mostly female (76% vs. 47%, P=0.003), and had longer VVs (8±4.6 vs. 5±3.6 min; P=0.003) versus their general pediatric orthopaedic counterparts, they demonstrated similarly high satisfaction scores for surgeon performance (5±0 vs. 4.8±0.1 points; P=0.08) and overall satisfaction (3±2.4 vs. 3.5±2.1; P=0.23). Approximately 80% of all VVs were conducted over mobile devices. Wait time was substantially less for PSD VVs relative to subsequent office visits (13±10 vs. 41±30 min; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis found that telemedicine VVs provided a convenient alternative to traditional in-office visits for PSD patients. Specifically, we found that PSD patients received faster care with comparable satisfaction. The findings of our present analysis should encourage health care systems to continually evaluate and implement telehealth platforms to improve both the accessibility and appropriate quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Medical Malpractice Litigation Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive, Nationwide Analysis of the Past Decade.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to (1) characterize the most common reasons of medical malpractice litigation against adult reconstruction surgeons and (2) report on the outcomes of these lawsuits. METHODS: The Westlaw legal research database was queried for cases between 2008 and 2018 related to total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in the United States. Causes of the lawsuit, patient characteristics, demographics, state/outcome of verdict or settlement, and indemnity payments were noted. RESULTS: A total of 148 records (81 females [55%], 67 males [45%]; 83 TKAs [56%], 65 THAs [44%]) were included in the final analysis. For all patients, infection was the leading cause for malpractice litigation (22%) followed by nerve injury (20%). For TKA, infection was the most common cause of lawsuit (33%). In THA cases, nerve injury was the most common reason for lawsuit (38%), followed by leg-length discrepancy (26%). Procedural errors were alleged in 72% of cases, while diagnostic and post-surgical errors were cited in 55% and 32% of cases. A defense verdict occurred in 74% of cases, plaintiff verdict in 21%, and parties settled in 5%. CONCLUSION: Infection and nerve injury were the most common reasons for litigation in TKA and THA, respectively. The most likely outcome of these lawsuits was a jury verdict in favor of the surgeon. Regardless, surgeons should be cognizant of the potential for lawsuit due to these complications and should ensure they inform patients of these potential complications of TJA preoperatively.

Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants and pregnancy: are MoM implants good for mom?-a systematic review.

Metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing surfaces were historically used for young patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), and remain commonplace in modern hip resurfacing. A substantial number of female patients with MoM bearings subsequently gave birth following implantation of the bearings before a full understanding of metal ions exposure in these patients was established. In theory, it has been postulated that metal ions released from such implants may cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the fetus. In light of this potential risk, recommendations against the use of MoM components in women of child-bearing age have been advocated. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate: (I) the MoM bearing types and ion levels found; (II) the concentrations of metals in maternal circulation and the umbilical cord; and (III) the presence of abnormalities in the fetus or delivered child. A comprehensive literature review was conducted of studies published between January 1st, 1975 and April 1st, 2019 using specific keywords. We defined the inclusion criteria for qualifying studies for this review as follows: (I) studies that reported on the women who experienced pregnancy and who had a MoM hip implant; (II) studies that reported on maternal metal ions blood and umbilical cord levels; and (III) studies that reported on the occurrence of fetal complications. Data on cobalt and chromium ion levels in the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood, as well as the presence of adverse effects in the infant were collected. Age at parturition and time from MoM implant to parturition were also collected. A total of six studies were included in the final analysis that reported on a total of 21 females and 21 infants born. The mean age at parturition was 31 years (range, 24 to 41 years), and the mean time from MoM implantation to parturition was 47 months (range, 11 to 119 months). Maternal blood cobalt levels were found as a weighted average of 34.09 µg/L (0.425 to 138 µg/L), while umbilical cord blood cobalt levels were found to be 22.61 µg/L (0.52 to 51.11 µg/L). Cobalt levels were reduced by an average of 34% between maternal and umbilical cord blood. Maternal cord blood chromium levels were found as a weighted average of 18.18 µg/L (0.225 to 75 µg/L), while umbilical cord chromium levels were found to be 3.96 µg/L (0.14 to 11.96 µg/L). Chromium levels were reduced by an average of 78% between maternal and umbilical cord blood. No cobalt or chromium was detected in the umbilical cord blood of three patients. Out of the 21 infants born to women with MoM implants, 20 were born healthy with no adverse effects or complications. Only one complication was recorded in single infant that did not appear to be related to the maternal MoM implant. To date, there is a lack of consensus as to whether MoM hip arthroplasty implants are to be avoided in the child-bearing female population and whether they constitute a hazard to the fetus in utero. Both chromium and cobalt ions were markedly reduced in levels when transitioning from maternal to cord blood. In particular, chromium showed a greater reduction on average than cobalt (78% vs. 34%). Based on the current evidence, there appears to be no correlation between the presence of metal ions in umbilical cord blood and complications, as none of the infants experienced abnormalities uniquely attributable to the presence of metal ions.

Assessment of sleep health in collegiate athletes using the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterize sleep health in a large, diverse population of college athletes. The study utilized the Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire, a clinically validated questionnaire, designed to screen athletes for a clinically significant degree of poor sleep health, and to determine if they require intervention. METHODS: College athletes from 4 different National College Athletic Association institutions were surveyed using the Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire. Descriptive information including sex, sport, and college year was also collected. The Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire was scored according to prior clinically validated methods to determine a sleep difficulty score, clinical sleep problem category (none, mild, moderate, or severe), and need for assessment by a physician due to poor sleep health. RESULTS: A total of 1055 surveys were collected with a 95% response rate. Respondents were 36% female, 64% male, and included athletes competing in 15 different sports. Approximately 25% of participants were found to have a clinically meaningful problem with their sleep. Athletes entering their second or higher year of college were more likely to report worse sleep compared to those entering their first year (one-way analysis of variance, Kruskall-Wallis P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial portion of college athletes experience poor sleep health and would benefit from interventions aimed at improving sleep. The Athletic Sleep Screening Questionnaire appears to be a cost- and time-efficient way to evaluate sleep health in a large athletic population.

Total hip arthroplasty in the setting of tuberculosis infection of the hip: a systematic analysis of the current evidence.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a viable option to restore mobility and relieve pain in patients with severe post-tuberculous arthritis, but has been controversial due to concerns of disease reactivation. Over the past several decades, a number of authors have reported outcomes of THA for tuberculosis (TB) infections. However, there is marked heterogeneity in regard to disease activity, surgical approaches, and the use of chemoprophylaxis in these studies. AREAS COVERED: The purpose of this review was to critically assess: 1) patient characteristics; 2) perioperative planning; 3) clinical outcomes; 4) radiographic outcomes; and 5) complications of THA in the setting of tuberculosis of the hip. EXPERT OPINION: THA is an effective treatment for post-TB hip arthritis. There has been controversy regarding its safety during the past several decades, as it has been thought to increase the risk of disease reactivation. While studies thus far have shown generally favorable results, they have been limited by small sample sizes and their design as retrospective case series. Comparison of these studies reveals marked heterogeneity in the clinical management of this complex disease. However, synthesis of their findings demonstrates favorable outcomes and low rates of complication, including disease reactivation particularly when perioperative anti-tuberculosis therapy is instituted.