Do Patients With Neck of Femur Fractures (NOFF) Experience Long Pre-Hospital Delays in the United Kingdom?

Background and objective It is well documented that prolonged preoperative delay is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients presenting with neck of femur fractures (NOFF). The target time from arrival to the emergency department (ED) to be transported to the theatre for these patients in England is 36 hours. However, the time before the patient arrives at the hospital is not often considered. In light of this, we aimed to assess the duration of the waiting period for NOFF patients before they are brought to the ED. Methods Data were collected retrospectively using IT and theatre systems at a single trust. A total of 223 consecutive NOFF patients undergoing operations in the six-month period between February and August 2020 were reviewed. Results The mean time for ambulance response was one hour and 50 minutes, whereas the time spent in the ambulance was one hour and 47 minutes and the total pre-hospital time was three hours and 37 minutes (range: 59 minutes to 14 hours and 41 minutes). The mean time from ED arrival to the theatre was 33 hours and one minute. The mean total preoperative time was 36 hours and 38 minutes. Conclusion The mean pre-hospital time of three hours and 37 minutes represents approximately 10% of the 36-hour national target. Pre-hospital time is often overlooked when considering the order of the list for the theatre. It may be possible to reduce morbidity and mortality by prioritising patients with a longer pre-hospital time, especially given our finding that some patients may wait up to 14 hours. We recommend that pre-hospital time be considered for all patients with NOFF.

Is it mandatory to routinely use image intensifier during scoliosis surgery? - Results of an email survey.

BACKGROUND: It is now considered standard of care to use Spinal cord monitoring during scoliosis surgery. Use of Image intensifier during scoliosis surgery, on the other hand, is highly variable in United Kingdom (UK) spine centres. Our objective was to evaluate the use of image intensifier during scoliosis surgery in UK spine centres. METHODS: Ninety three British scoliosis spine surgeons were invited to complete a survey via email using Survey Monkey platform. Surgeons were asked about the routine use of image intensifier during scoliosis surgery, including the reasons for using it and if, in their opinion, routine use is medico-legally mandatory. RESULTS: Thirty four Spine surgeons replied (response rate of 36.5%). Among these 85% have been consultants for at least 5 years. 91% performed more than 10 paediatric scoliosis operations per annum and 53% performed more than 30 operations per annum. 68% always routinely use image intensifier during scoliosis surgery while 21% do not use it routinely. However 66% mentioned that in their opinion, it is not medico-legally mandatory to use the Image intensifier during scoliosis surgery and that routine use should be left to the discretion of the operating surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Although majority of the United Kingdom spine surgeons, who responded to this survey, routinely use image intensifier during scoliosis surgery, they agree that it is not medico-legally mandatory to routinely use the image intensifier.

Prediction of Scoliosis Curve Correction Using Pedicle Screw Constructs in AIS: A Comparison of Fulcrum Bend Radiographs and Traction Radiographs Under General Anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographic review. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to (1) compare the ability of fulcrum bend radiographs and traction radiographs under general anesthesia to predict correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using pedicle screw only constructs and (2) compare the fulcrum bend correction index (FBCI) with a new measurement: the traction correction index (TCI). METHODS: This is a retrospective radiographic review of 80 AIS patients (62 female and 18 male), who underwent scoliosis correction with pedicle screw only constructs. The mean age at surgery was 14 years (range 9-20 years). Radiographic analysis was carried out on the preoperative and immediate postoperative posteroanterior standing radiographs and the preoperative fulcrum bend radiographs and traction radiographs under general anesthesia. FBCI is calculated by dividing the correction rate by the fulcrum flexibility and TCI is calculated by dividing the correction rate by the traction flexibility. RESULTS: Preoperative mean Cobb angle of 63.9° was corrected to 25.8° postoperatively. The mean fulcrum bending Cobb angle was 37.6° and traction Cobb angle was 26.6°. The mean fulcrum flexibility was 41.1%, traction flexibility 58.4%, and correction rate 59.6%. The median FBCI was 137% and TCI was 104.3%. CONCLUSIONS: When comparing fulcrum bend and traction radiographs, we found the traction radiographs to be more predictive of curve correction in AIS using pedicle screw constructs. TCI takes into account the curve flexibility better than FBCI.

Is there a role for selective anterior instrumentation in neuromuscular scoliosis?

Our objective was to report on the clinical and radiological outcome from a cohort of patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent selective anterior single rod instrumentation for correction of thoraco-lumbar and lumbar scoliosis. Traditionally combined anterior release with long posterior instrumentation has been advocated for the treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis. Neuromuscular curves tend to be long and may have significant pelvic obliquity. However, certain neuromuscular curves with minimal pelvic obliquity may lend themselves to selective anterior correction thereby saving motion segments and allow continued ambulation for those patients. Nine patients with neuromuscular scoliosis underwent selective anterior instrumentation between 1994 and 2000. The mean follow up was 2 years and 9 months (range 24-55 months). The clinical outcome (including parent and caregiver satisfaction), radiological outcome (Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation, pelvic obliquity, truncal shift, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical axis) and complications are reported. Subjective outcome was excellent in six patients and good in three. All nine patients retained their ability to walk. There were no neurological or vascular complications. Supplementary posterior surgery was required in two patients. The mean pre-operative Cobb angle of 52 degrees (range 44-60) improved to 20 degrees (range 10-28) at 3 months, achieving Cobb angle correction of 61% and was 19 degrees (range 7-28) at final follow-up. The mean pre-operative compensatory curve of 31 degrees (range 20-42) spontaneously corrected to 18 degrees (range 14-24) at 3 months and was maintained at 18 degrees (range 10-26) at final follow up. The mean pre-operative pelvic obliquity of 7 degrees (range 0-14) corrected to 4 degrees (range 0-8) at 3 months and was 3 degrees (range 0-8) at final follow up. Selective anterior instrumentation and fusion in carefully selected patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (short flexible curves, minimal pelvic obliquity, pre-operative walkers, slow or non-progressive pathology) appears to have satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome at least in the short-term.

C7 decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy for the correction of fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis.

Our objective is to report on the clinical and radiological outcome following a decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy for the correction of fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The only treatment available for severe fixed flexion deformity of the cervical spine in these patients is an extension osteotomy. Traditionally an anterior opening, posterior closing wedge osteotomy is performed with or without internal fixation. We describe a decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy of C7 accompanied by secure segmental internal fixation. Eight patients operated between 1990 and 2003 with mean age of 54 years and minimum follow up of 2 years were retrospectively evaluated. Restoration of normal forward gaze was achieved in all patients. No patient suffered spinal cord injury or permanent nerve root palsy. There was no loss of correction or pseudarthrosis at final follow up. C7 decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy supplemented with secure segmental internal fixation in experienced hands provides a safe and effective treatment for fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.