Does timing of total elbow arthroplasty after distal humerus fracture affect 2-year complication rates?

BACKGROUND: Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) remains the gold standard for adult distal humerus fractures (DHF). However, indications for total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) continue to expand and the incidence of primary and salvage TEA for DHF has increased. The objective of this study was to compare complication and reoperation rate for acute versus delayed primary and salvage TEA performed for DHF. METHODS: Patients who underwent TEA for DHF were identified in the PearlDiver database. Patients were sorted into three cohorts: (1) acute TEA (within 2 weeks of diagnosis), (2) delayed TEA (between 2 weeks and 6 months after diagnosis), and (3) salvage TEA (after failed ORIF, malunion, nonunion, delayed treatment between 6 months-1 year or post-traumatic arthritis). Multivariate analysis was utilized to assess for confounding variables and covariates when identify differences in complications between cohorts. RESULTS: 788 patients underwent acute TEA, 213 patients underwent delayed TEA, and 422 patients underwent salvage TEA after DHF. The incidence of PJI (8.5% vs. 3.4%, odds ratio (OR) 2.60, P=0.002) and triceps injury (2.4% vs. 0.4%, OR 6.29, P=0.012) were higher in the delayed compared to acute cohort. The incidence of revision (8.5% vs. 2.1%, OR 3.76, P< 0.001), periprosthetic fracture (4.3% vs. 1.1%, OR 3.64, P=0.002), PJI (14.7% vs 3.4%, OR 4.36, P< 0.001), triceps injury (2.6% vs. 0.4%, OR 5.70, P=0.008), and wound complications (6.9% vs 2.9%, OR 2.33, P=0.002) were higher in the salvage compared to acute cohort. There was an increased rate of revision (8.5% vs. 1.9%, OR 6.08, P=0.002) in the salvage compared to delayed cohort. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing salvage TEA after DHF have increased rates of at 2 years postoperatively including revision, periprosthetic fracture, PJI, triceps injury, and wound complications. The salvage cohort also had an increased risk of revision when compared to the delayed cohort. However, other than revision rates, patients in the salvage and delayed cohorts have similar postoperative complication rates.

Financial Conflicts of Interest and Industry Funding are Associated With Conclusions Favorable to New Technologies: A Review of Published Economic Analyses in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: New technologies in hip and knee arthroplasty are commonly evaluated using cost-effectiveness analyses and similar economic assessments. There is a wide variation in the methodology of these studies, introducing the potential for bias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between potential financial conflicts of interest (COI) and the outcomes of economic analyses. We hypothesized that authors' COI and industry funding would be associated with conclusions favorable to a new technology. METHODS: Economic analyses making cost-effectiveness or economic implementation claims on patient-specific instrumentation, robotics, and implants used in hip and knee arthroplasty published from 2010 to 2022 were identified. Papers were evaluated to determine if conclusions were favorable to the new technology being studied. Fisher's exact test was utilized to determine the relationship between the presence of COI and an article's conclusions. RESULTS: Of 43 eligible articles, 76.7% were cost-effectiveness analyses, 23.2% were cost analyses, and 67.4% of articles had conclusions favorable to a technology. Of the 29 articles with favorable conclusions, 26 had an author with a financial COI (89.7%), and 14 had industry funding (48.3%). Of the 33 articles with a financial COI, 26 (78.8%) had favorable conclusions, and of the 16 articles with industry funding, 14 (87.5%) had favorable conclusions. Fisher's exact test revealed a statistically significant association between an article having favorable conclusions and the presence of an author's COI or industry funding (odds ratio, 13.5; 95% CI [confidence interval], 2.3 to 79.9; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Financial COIs were present in 79.1% of lower extremity arthroplasty economic analyses on technologies and were associated with an article having conclusions favorable to the new technology. Surgeons and decision-makers should be aware of the variability and assumptions in these studies and the potential bias of the conclusions.

Staging Bilateral Hip Arthroscopies Less Than 1 Year Apart May Reduce the Risk of Revision Surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify the influence of timing between staged bilateral hip arthroscopy on 90-day postoperative medical complications and 2-year surgical complications including revision, conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), and infection. METHODS: The Mariner data set of the PearlDiver all-payer claims database was queried for patients undergoing staged bilateral hip arthroscopy. Patients were stratified into cohorts based on time between arthroscopies: (1) ≤3 months, (2) 3 to ≤6 months, (3) 6 to ≤12 months, and (4) >1 year. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to control for any confounding variables. RESULTS: In total, 998 patients underwent staged bilateral hip arthroscopy out of 38,080 patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy. The 2-year revision rate was 7.6% for all patients undergoing bilateral hip arthroscopy, while 1.9% of patients underwent conversion to THA. Patients with arthroscopy procedures staged less than 1 year apart (cohorts 1, 2, and 3) had significantly decreased risk of revision compared to the greater than 1 year cohort (P = .008, .025, and .044, respectively). There were no differences in rates of major medical, minor medical, or remaining surgical complications between the cohorts. Direct comparisons between the cohorts staged ≤1 year apart showed no significant differences in medical or surgical complications (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The revision rate in all patients undergoing staged bilateral hip arthroscopy was 7.6%. Staging hip arthroscopy ≤1 year apart was associated with a decreased risk of revision when compared to the staged cohort >1 year. Among those staged less than 1 year, the timing of staging had no association with rates of medical or surgical complications. Patients who are indicated for bilateral hip arthroscopy may benefit from staging under 1 year apart to reduce the risk of revision surgery. Optimal timing decisions may be patient specific and rely on the duration of symptoms, severity of pathology, or progression of rehabilitation after the index procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective comparative study.

Social Determinants of Health Disparities Are Associated With Increased Costs, Revisions, and Infection in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use a national claims database to assess the impact of pre-existing social determinants of health disparities (SDHD) on postoperative outcomes following rotator cuff repair (RCR). METHODS: A retrospective review of the Mariner Claims Database was used to capture patients undergoing primary RCR with at least 1 year of follow-up. These patients were divided into two cohorts based on the presence of a current or previous history of SDHD, encompassing educational, environmental, social, or economic disparities. Records were queried for 90-day postoperative complications, consisting of minor and major medical complications, emergency department (ED) visits, readmission, stiffness, and 1-year ipsilateral revision surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to assess the impact of SDHD on the assessed postoperative outcomes following RCR. RESULTS: 58,748 patients undergoing primary RCR with a SDHD diagnosis and 58,748 patients in the matched control group were included. A previous diagnosis of SDHD was associated with an increased risk of ED visits (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18-1.27; P < .001), postoperative stiffness (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.42-2.64; P < .001), and revision surgery (OR 2.35, 95% CI 2.13-2.59; P < .001) compared to the matched control group. Subgroup analysis revealed educational disparities had the greatest risk for 1-year revision (OR 3.13, 95% CI 2.53-4.05; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a SDHD was associated with an increased risk of revision surgery, postoperative stiffness, emergency room visits, medical complications, and surgical costs following arthroscopic RCR. Overall, economic and educational SDHD were associated with the greatest risk of 1-year revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective cohort study.

Economic and educational disparities are associated with an increased risk of revision surgery following shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature exploring how nonmedical factors such as social determinants of health (SDOHs) are associated with postoperative outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort review of the Pearl Diver Database was used to capture patients undergoing either primary anatomic total or reverse shoulder arthroplasty from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2019 with at least 1 year of active longitudinal follow-up. Patients with proximal humeral fractures, stress fractures, or septic arthritis were excluded. The included patients were then divided into 2 cohorts based on the presence of current SDOHs or a history of SDOHs. The SDOH cohort comprised 4 non-mutually exclusive categories: economic, educational, social, and environmental disparities. Subsequently, a control cohort was matched at a 1:1 ratio to the SDOH cohort. Primary outcome measures were assessed using a logistic regression and consisted of the following 90-day postoperative complications: minor and major medical complications and infection. Emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions for any cause were also assessed. Additionally, the following 1-year outcomes were assessed: aseptic loosening, instability, and revision arthroplasty. Surgical costs and 90-day postoperative costs were collected using averaged insurance reimbursements for both the control and SDOH cohorts. RESULTS: There were 5190 patients in each cohort. Economic disparities made up the largest portion of the SDOH cohort (n = 4631, 89.2%), followed by social (n = 741, 14.3%), environmental (n = 417, 8.0%), and educational (n = 99, 1.9%) disparities. Compared with the control cohort, SDOHs were associated with an increased risk of major complications (2.3% vs. 1.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.87; P < .001), minor complications (5.7% vs. 3.8%; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21-1.95; P = .001), readmissions (4.3% vs. 2.8%; OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.26-1.84; P < .001), and ED visits (15.2% vs. 11.0%; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.29-1.63; P < .001) within 90 days following surgery. Additionally, SDOHs were associated with an increased risk of aseptic loosening (1.1% vs. 0.6%; OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.65; P = .006), instability (4.0% vs. 2.2%; OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.28; P < .001), and ipsilateral revision (9.2% vs. 7.6%; OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.43; P < .001) at 1 year postoperatively compared with the control cohort. CONCLUSION: SDOHs are associated with increased rates of adverse outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty including revision surgery, ED visits, length of stay, and overall cost compared with matched controls without SDOHs. Specifically, economic and educational disparities are associated with increased rates of adverse outcomes following surgery including revision surgery, ED visits, length of stay, and overall cost.

Increased Dislocation Rates After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Prior Isolated Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis.

BACKGROUND: While stiffness of the lumbosacral spine is a known predictor of instability following total hip arthroplasty (THA), little is known about the medical- and surgical-related outcomes following THA in patients who have prior isolated sacroiliac (SI) joint arthrodesis. METHODS: 197 patients who had a history of isolated SI joint arthrodesis who subsequently underwent elective primary THA for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (THA-SI) from 2015 to 2021 were identified in a national administrative database. Using propensity score matching and logistic regression analyses, this cohort was compared to two groups of patients: patients who did not have any history of lumbar or SI arthrodesis and patients undergoing primary THA who had a history of lumbar arthrodesis without extension into the SI joint (THA-LF). RESULTS: The THA-SI group had a significantly higher incidence of dislocation (odds ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.04-4.04, P = .037) with no increased incidence of medical complications or other surgical complications when compared to patients without a history of SI or lumbar arthrodesis. There were no significant differences in any complications in THA-SI patients when compared to THA-LF patients. CONCLUSION: Patients who had prior isolated SI joint arthrodesis undergoing primary THA demonstrated a two-fold increased incidence of dislocation when compared to those who did not have prior SI arthrodesis, although the risk of complications in this population was similar to that observed in patients who had prior isolated lumbar spine arthrodesis.

Risks of Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients Undergoing Open Reduction Internal Fixation for Ankle Fractures.

Chronic steroid and immunosuppressant use have been shown to increase the risk for postoperative complications in orthopedic surgery. Further understanding of the risks of immunosuppression is necessary to aid in risk stratification and patient counseling. However, these risks have not yet been explored in ankle fracture patients. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine whether patients taking immunosuppressives are at an increased risk for morbidity and mortality following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures. Patients undergoing operative treatment for ankle fractures from 2006 to 2018 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were categorized based on their use of immunosuppressive medications. Postoperative outcomes assessed included superficial surgical site infections, deep surgical site infections, organ space infections, wound dehiscence, pneumonia, unplanned intubation, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, renal failure, blood transfusion requirement, deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, cardiac arrest, extended length of hospital stay, readmission, reoperation, and mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. In total, 10,331 patients underwent operative treatment for ankle fracture. Total 10,153 patients (98.3%) were not taking immunosuppressants and 178 (1.7%) were taking these medications. In multivariate analysis, patients taking immunosuppressants were at increased risk of pulmonary embolism (odds ratio [OR] 4.382; p = .041) and hospital readmission (OR 2.131; p = .021). Use of immunosuppressive medications is an independent risk factor for pulmonary embolism and readmission following ORIF for ankle fractures. Notably, no association with wound complications, infections, or sepsis was identified.

Developmental delay: is this pediatric patient population at risk for complications following open treatment of femoral shaft fracture?

PURPOSE: Femoral shaft fractures are common in the pediatric population, accounting for over 20% of inpatient pediatric fractures. Patients with developmental delays are a population group whose medical care and recovery come with a unique set of considerations and challenges. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of developmental delay on outcomes following open treatment of femoral shaft fractures in the pediatric population. METHODS: Pediatric patients undergoing open treatment of femoral shaft fracture from 2012 to 2019 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with developmental delay and patients without developmental delay. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and various postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 5896 pediatric patients who underwent open treatment of femoral shaft fracture, 5479 patients (92.9%) did not have developmental delay whereas 417 (7.1%) had developmental delay. Patients with developmental delay were more likely to have other medical comorbidities. Following adjustment on multivariable regression analysis to control for the baseline differences between the two groups, patients with developmental delay had an increased risk of readmission to the hospital (OR 4.762; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Developmental delay in the pediatric population was found to be an independent risk factor for hospital readmission following open treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Taking these patients into special consideration when evaluating the optimal treatment plan can be beneficial to reduce the risks of readmission, which can decrease costs for both the patient and the hospital.

The association between anesthesia type and postoperative outcomes in patients receiving primary total shoulder arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: There has been interest to investigate optimal anesthetic techniques for primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). In this study, we investigate if there are differences in postoperative complications in patients receiving (1) regional alone; (2) general alone; and (3) regional plus general anesthesia for primary TSA. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary TSA from 2014 to 2018 were identified in a national database. Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and general anesthesia combined with regional anesthesia. Thirty-day complications were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 13,386 total patients undergoing TSA, 9079 patients (67.8%) had general anesthesia, 212 (1.6%) had regional anesthesia, and 4095 (30.6%) had general anesthesia combined with regional anesthesia. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the general anesthesia group and the regional anesthesia group. Following adjustment, an increased risk of extended length of hospital stay was seen in the combined general and regional anesthesia group compared to those who only had general anesthesia (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: General versus regional versus general plus regional anesthesia have no difference in postoperative complications in patients receiving primary total shoulder arthroplasty. However, addition of regional anesthesia to general anesthesia is associated with increased length of stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Mortality and morbidity following operative management of tibial shaft fractures in octogenarians.

PURPOSE: As the geriatric population continues to grow, the incidence of tibial shaft fractures in octogenarians is projected to increase. There is significant variation in the functional and physiologic status within the geriatric population. The purpose of this study is to compare the complications following operative treatment of tibial shaft fractures for patients who are 65- to79-year-old compared to patients who are 80- to 89-year-old. METHODS: Data were collected through the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for the years 2007-2018. All isolated tibial shaft fractures that were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) or intramedullary nail (IMN) were identified. Patients were divided into a 65- to 79-year-old group and an 80-to 89-year-old group. Primary and secondary outcomes were studied and included 30-day mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with a significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In total, 434 patients with tibial shaft fractures were included in the study. Of these, 333 were 65- to 79-year-old and 101 were 80- to 89-year-old (Table 1). On multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two cohorts. CONCLUSION: After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, age was not independently associated with 30-day mortality or any other peri-operative complications between patients aged 80 to 89 and patients aged 65 to 79 following operative management of tibial shaft fractures. In appropriately selected octogenarian patients, operative management of tibial shaft fractures represents a relatively safe treatment modality that may promote early rehabilitation.

Comparison of 30-day complications between reverse shoulder arthroplasty and open reduction internal fixation for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: While the use of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) has remained stable over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs). This study sought to compare the complication profiles of RTSA to ORIF in a large, validated, retrospective cohort. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical treatment for PHFs with RTSA or ORIF were identified in a national database (NSQIP) using CPT and ICD codes. Demographics and comorbidities were identified for each cohort of patients. Thirty-day complications were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses using Chi-square, Fischer's exact and analysis of variance testing. RESULTS: The total number of patients included in this study was 2157.522 (24.2%) underwent RTSA and 1635 (75.8%) underwent ORIF. Patients undergoing RTSA were older with an average age of 73.52 years compared with 63.84 years in those undergoing ORIF (p < 0.001). Patients with RTSA were more likely to experience any complications (p < 0.001), pulmonary complications (p = 0.029), extended length of stay > 3 days (p < 0.001), and perioperative transfusion requirement (p < 0.001) after univariate analysis. After controlling for demographic differences, the only statistically significant complication was perioperative transfusion requirement (OR 1.383). CONCLUSION: After controlling for demographic variables and comorbidities, RTSA placed patients at increased risk for perioperative blood transfusion. Patients undergoing RTSA should be counseled prior to surgery regarding the risk for transfusion and potentially optimized medically through multidisciplinary care if the surgeon elects to proceed with RTSA versus ORIF for the treatment of PHFs.

Increased Risk of 90-Day Surgical-Site Infection and Hospital Readmission but Not Reoperation After Open Arthrotomy When Compared With Arthroscopy for Septic Ankle Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To compare the rates of reoperation and 90-day perioperative complications between open arthrotomy and arthroscopy for the treatment of septic ankle arthritis using a national all-payer claims database. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of septic ankle arthritis who underwent irrigation and debridement through arthroscopy or arthrotomy were identified in a national data set from 2015-2020 through an all-payer claims database. Demographic and comorbidity characteristics including age, sex, infectious etiologies, and Elixhauser comorbidities were obtained. The rate of reoperation, defined as a proxy for failure of initial intervention, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes including readmissions, surgical-site infections, amputations, wound complications, and 90-day medical complications were compared between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS: In total, 168 patients undergoing arthroscopy and 794 patients undergoing arthrotomy for septic ankle arthritis were identified. There were no significant differences in reoperation rates between patients who underwent open arthrotomy and those who underwent arthroscopy (P = .997). However, the rates of surgical-site infection (P = .014) and hospital readmission (P < .001) were significantly higher in the open arthrotomy cohort compared with the arthroscopy cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no significant difference in reoperation rates between arthroscopic and open irrigation and debridement for the treatment of septic ankle arthritis, this study showed significantly higher odds of surgical-site infection and hospital readmission in patients who underwent open arthrotomy when compared with arthroscopy. Case-specific patient and technical considerations should guide the surgical decision-making process to limit secondary complications because this study exemplifies similar reoperation rates between the 2 surgical modalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, nonrandomized cohort analysis.

Does Prior Lumbar Fusion Influence Dislocation Risk in Hip Arthroplasty Performed for Femoral Neck Fracture?

BACKGROUND: Immobility of the lumbar spine predicts instability following elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study is to determine how prior lumbar fusion (LF) influenced dislocation rates and revision rates for patients undergoing THA or hemiarthroplasty (HA) for femoral neck fracture (FNF). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted utilizing the PearlDiver database from 2010 to 2018. Patients who underwent arthroplasty for FNF were identified based on history of LF and whether they underwent THA or HA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients with prior LF and FNF who underwent THA were at increased risk for 1-year dislocation (odds ratio [OR] 2.19, P < .001) and 2-year revision (OR 2.22, P < .001) compared to 14,217 patients without LF. The 461 patients with prior LF and FNF who underwent HA were at increased risk for dislocation (OR 2.22, P < .001) compared to 42,327 patients without LF. Patients with prior LF and FNF who underwent THA had higher rates of revision than patients with prior LF who underwent HA for FNF (OR 2.11, P < .001). In patients with prior LF and FNF, THA was associated with significantly increased risk for dislocation (OR 3.07, P < .001) and revision (OR 2.53, P < .001) compared to THA performed for osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Patients with prior LF who sustained an FNF and underwent THA or HA were at increased risk for early dislocation and revision compared to those without prior LF. This risk of dislocation and revision is even greater than that observed in patients with prior LF who underwent THA for osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Increased Revisions in Conversion Total Knee Arthroplasty After Periarticular Open Reduction Internal Fixation Compared With Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies on conversion total knee arthroplasty (cTKA) have reported increased technical challenges and risk of complications compared with primary knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare two-year postoperative complication/revision rates between patients undergoing cTKA after prior periarticular open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and those undergoing primary TKA. METHODS: Patients who underwent cTKA after prior periarticular ORIF of the ipsilateral knee were identified in a national all-payer claims database from 2010 to 2018. This ORIF-cTKA cohort was propensity matched to participants undergoing primary TKA based on age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, and obesity status. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze differences in two-year complication and revision rates. RESULTS: After propensity matching, 823 patients were included in the ORIF-cTKA cohort and 1640 patients in the primary TKA cohort. No differences in demographics or comorbidities existed between cohorts. Relative to the primary TKA cohort, the ORIF-cTKA cohort had significantly higher incidences of all-cause revision (5.47% vs 2.47%, P = .001), periprosthetic joint infection (PJI; 4.74% vs 1.34%, P < .001), and intraoperative or postoperative periprosthetic fracture (1.58% vs 0.55%, P = .01) at two years postoperatively. There was also a nonsignificant trend toward increased rates of aseptic loosening (1.82% vs 0.91%, P = .052) in the ORIF-cTKA. CONCLUSION: Relative to primary TKA, cTKA after periarticular ORIF is associated with significantly increased rates of all-cause revision, PJI, and periprosthetic fracture at two years postoperatively. Surgeons should counsel these patients about the increased risks of these postoperative complications and consider treating them as high risk for PJI in the perioperative period.

Posterior Tibial Slope is Increased in Patients With Tibial Tubercle Fractures and Osgood-Schlatter Disease.

BACKGROUND: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) and tibial tubercle fractures are pathologies that affect the tibial tubercle apophysis in preadolescents and adolescents. Anatomic alignment of the proximal tibia may explain why some children develop OSD or sustain tibial tubercle fractures and some do not. Recent data has shown an association between posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) and both OSD and proximal tibia physeal fractures. In this study, we compare radiographic parameters between patients with non-OSD knee pain, knees with OSD, and knees with tibial tubercle fracture to elucidate a difference between these groups. METHODS: Patients treated for OSD, tibial tubercle fractures, and knee pain, from 2012 to 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographic parameters for each study group included PTSA, anatomic lateral distal femoral angle, anatomic medial proximal tibial angle, patellar articular height, and the distance from the inferior aspect of the patellar articular surface. Caton-Deschamps index was then calculated. Demographic data was collected including age, sex, and body mass index. Demographic and radiographic data was compared using analysis of variance tests, χ2 tests, 2-sample t tests, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-one knees in 229 patients met inclusion criteria for the study. In all, 76% were male and the average age of the overall cohort was 14 years old. In patients with tibial tubercle fractures, the majority of fractures were Ogden type 3b (65%). After controlling for demographic variability, average PTSA in the fracture cohort was significantly greater than that in the control cohort (ß=3.49, P<0.001). The OSD cohort had a significantly greater posterior slope (ß=3.14) than the control cohort (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the fracture and OSD cohorts. There was also no difference in Caton-Deschamps index between the 2 study groups when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that patients with tibial tubercle fractures and patients with OSD have an increased PTSA when compared with the control group. This information adds to the body of evidence that increased tibial slope places the proximal tibial physis under abnormal stress which may contribute to the development of pathologic conditions of proximal tibia such as OSD and tibial tubercle fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; retrospective comparative study.

Mortality in patients with hepatic gas on point-of-care ultrasound in cardiac arrest: Does location matter?

PURPOSE: Prior research has suggested an association of hepatic venous gas with mortality in cardiac arrest. As point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is frequently used in the context of resuscitation, we sought to evaluate if the presence of hepatic gas on POCUS had a similar mortality association. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who experienced nontraumatic cardiac arrest. Archived ultrasound images were independently reviewed to determine the presence of gas in the hepatic parenchyma and vasculature. Electronic medical records were then reviewed to collect remaining clinical data. RESULTS: From 1 January 2017 through 16 June 2019, 87 patients met inclusion criteria. Among them, 68 (78.2%) patients died. Among those who died, 40 (58.8%) had hepatic gas, while 28 (41.2%) had none. Only a single survivor demonstrated hepatic venous gas (11%). While the difference in mortality with respect to presence of undifferentiated hepatic gas was not significant (P = .37), there was a significant difference with respect to the presence of venous gas (P = .004). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the incidence of postarrest hepatic gas on POCUS was common, and that the presence of hepatic venous gas during cardiac resuscitation was associated with increased mortality, while hepatic parenchymal gas alone was not.

Visible Body Human Anatomy Atlas: Innovative Anatomy Learning.

Visible Body Human Anatomy Atlas is a subscription-based learning tool for health science students and clinicians to build and strengthen knowledge of human anatomy. This app contains thousands of 3D models of gross anatomy and microanatomy, cadaver lab simulations, comparisons to diagnostic imaging, quizzes, and patient education videos. Here we explore the app's strengths and weaknesses through discussion of its features and usability.

Association of Timing of Hindfoot Arthrodesis and Early Reoperation Rates for Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Prior literature has demonstrated that ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis may increase the risk for reoperation after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and that simultaneous hindfoot arthrodesis with TAA could result in short-term clinical and radiologic improvements. The purpose of this study is to compare the reoperation rates after TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis vs simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary TAA were identified in the PearlDiver database. Patients were sorted into 2 study cohorts: hindfoot arthrodesis prior to TAA and simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA. Propensity matched control cohorts were identified for each study group. Multivariate analysis was conducted to account for any confounding variables and covariates when identifying differences in complications between cohorts. RESULTS: 297 patients underwent TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis and 174 underwent TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently. The incidence of reoperation (13.8% vs 5.2%, P < .001) and infection (12.6% vs 5.9%, P = .011) for the simultaneous cohort was higher when compared to the matched control cohort. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the prior arthrodesis cohort to the matched control cohort in reoperation rates (5.1% vs 4.7%, P = .787) or infection rates (4.4% vs 4.8%, P = .734). Those undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased incidences of reoperation, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits (P < .0167) when compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently were found to have higher rates of reoperation and infection when compared to the matched control cohort . In contrast, there was no difference in these rates in patients undergoing TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis compared with their matched control cohort. Patients undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased rates of reoperations, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort.

Combined tibial deflexion osteotomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction improves knee function and stability: A systematic review.

IMPORTANCE: Patients with excessive posterior tibial slope (PTS) may have higher risks of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACL-R) failure, and clinical outcomes after revision of ACL-R procedures are typically poor. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature summarizing the clinical and radiological outcomes of the surgical treatment of ACL insufficiency in the setting of excessive PTS using a tibial deflexion osteotomy combined with ACL-R. EVIDENCE REVIEW: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and OVID Medline databases from 1990 to present. Inclusion criteria were studies of outcomes of isolated tibial deflexion osteotomies performed with primary or revision ACL-R in the English language. Data extracted included study demographic information, type of tibial deflexion osteotomy and concomitant procedures, radiological outcomes, patient-reported outcome scores, and postoperative complications. FINDINGS: Six studies, with 133 knees were identified. All included studies were retrospective case series, with a weighted mean follow-up of 3.39 years. In 106 of 133 (79.7%) knees, tibial deflexion osteotomy was performed concomitantly with an ACL-R, whereas in 27 of 133 (20.3%) knees, the procedures were staged. 22, 45, and 66 of 133 knees (16.5%, 33.8%, and 49.6%) underwent primary, first revision, and second or greater revision ACL-R, respectively. Three of 133 (2.25%) knees demonstrated recurrent ACL graft failure at the final follow-up. On average, PTS decreased from 15.2° preoperatively to 7.1° postoperatively. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scores increased from 42.5, 46.4, and 4.2 preoperatively to 71.8, 89.0, and 6.7 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review suggest that combined ACL-R and tibial deflexion osteotomy may be effective in decreasing PTS and improving knee function and stability. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review; Level of evidence 4.

Impaired renal function is an independent risk factor for complications after surgery for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic abnormalities that occur secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD) increase the risk of femoral neck fractures compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to determine whether impaired renal function is an independent risk factor for complications after surgery for femoral neck fracture. METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP database was reviewed for patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty and open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for femoral neck fractures between 2007 and 2018. Patients were split into cohorts based on calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate. Demographic information, comorbidities, and 30-day complications were analysed with univariate and multivariate analyses using chi-square, Fischer's exact and analysis of variance testing. RESULTS: The total number of patients for the study was 163,717. Patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 had an increased rate of any complication (39.1 and 36.7% respectively) compared with higher eGFRs (p < 0.001). Similarly, 30-day mortality was increased at 6.0% and 6.7% for both stage 4 and 5 (p < 0.001). By multivariate regression, those with CKD Stage 4 and 5 were at increased risk for any complication compared to patients with a normal preoperative eGFR of 90-120 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that patients with CKD Stage 4 and 5 are at increased risks of all complications, including death, renal, pulmonary and thromboembolic disease. Therefore, these patients should be cared for from a multidisciplinary approach with close attention to postoperative medications and fall prevention to help mitigate the risk of complications in the immediate postoperative period.