Single vs Dual-site service reconfiguration during Covid-19 pandemic - A tertiary care centre experience in hip fractures and a Scoping review.

Aims and objectives: The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on surgical practice and healthcare delivery globally. We compared the impact of the care pathways which segregate Covid-19 Positive and Negative patients into two geographically separate sites, on hip fracture patients in our high-volume trauma center in 3 distinct eras - the pre-pandemic period, against the first Covid-19 wave with dual-site service design, as well as the subsequent surge with single-site service delivery. In addition, we sought to invoke similar experiences of centres worldwide through a scoping literature review on the current evidence on "Dual site" reconfigurations in response to Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: We prospectively reviewed our hip fracture patients throughout the two peaks of the pandemic, with different service designs for each, and compared the outcomes with a historic service provision. Further, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using several databases for articles discussing Dual-site service redesign. Results: In our in-house study, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality of hip fracture patients between the 3 periods, as well as their discharge destinations. With dual-site reconfiguration, patients took longer to reach theatre. However, there was much more nosocomial transmission with single-site service, and patients stayed in the hospital longer. 24 articles pertaining to the topic were selected for the scoping review. Most studies favour dual-site service reorganization, and reported beneficial outcomes from the detached care pathways. Conclusion: It is safe to continue urgent as well as non-emergency surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic in a separate, geographically isolated site.

Attaining a British consensus statement on managing idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) through a Delphi process: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is the most common congenital limb deformity. Non-operative intervention using the Ponseti method has shown to be superior to soft tissue release and has become the gold standard for first-line treatment. However, numerous deviations from the Ponseti protocol are still reported following incomplete correction or deformity relapse. Significant variation in treatment protocols and management is evident in the literature. Reducing geographical treatment variation has been identified as one of The James Lind Alliance priorities in children's orthopaedics. For this reason, the British Society of Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) commissioned a consensus document to form a benchmark for practitioners and ensure consistent high quality care for children with CTEV. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The consensus will follow an established Delphi approach aiming at gaining an agreement on the items to be included in the consensus statement for the management of primary idiopathic CTEV up to walking age. The process will include the following steps: (1) establishing a steering group, (2) steering group meetings, (3) a two-round Delphi survey aimed at BSCOS members, (4) final consensus meeting and (5) dissemination of the consensus statement. Degree of agreement for each item will be predetermined. Descriptive statistics will be used for analysis of the Delphi survey results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No patient involvement is required for this project. Informed consent will be assumed from participants taking part in the Delphi survey. Study findings will be published in an open access journal and presented at relevant national and international conferences. Charities and associations will be engaged to promote awareness of the consensus statement.

Patterns of healing: a comparison of two proximal tibial osteotomy techniques.

Several low-energy osteotomy techniques are described in the literature, but there is limited evidence comparing them. Our study evaluates the patterns of regenerate formation using two different osteotomy techniques. Two cohorts of patients underwent osteotomy of the tibia using a Gigli saw (n = 15) or De Bastiani corticotomy (n = 12) technique. The patient radiographs were assessed by the two senior authors who were blinded to the osteotomy type. Regenerate quality was assessed along the anterior, posterior, medial and lateral cortices, graded 1-5 from absent to full consolidation over time. The time to 3 cortices healed/regenerate length was calculated. The time to consolidation of the anterior, posterior, medial and lateral cortices was compared. The mean 3 cortices index in the Gigli group was 2.0 months/cm and in the De Bastiani group 1.8 months/cm. This was not a significant difference. In both groups, anterior bone formation was slower, and anterior cortical deficiency with a scalloped appearance was seen in 25 % of cases overall with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both Gigli saw and De Bastiani corticotomy techniques result in good bone formation following distraction osteogenesis. The anterior tibial cortex consolidates more slowly than the other cortices in both groups. This is likely due to deficient soft tissue cover and direct periosteal damage at time of osteotomy.