Do nonagenarians have more complications and unplanned readmissions than octogenarians following primary THA? A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The performance of total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients, especially nonagenarians, is challenging due to higher patient frailty and medical comorbidities. We compared 90-day postoperative complications and unplanned readmissions between nonagenarians and octogenarians undergoing elective THA. METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients undergoing elective, unilateral THA were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-four patients were nonagenarians (Group A), and 67 patients were octogenarians (Group B). Demographic data included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ASA score and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Frailty was defined according to the Rockwood Frailty Index. All patients underwent a thorough preoperative assessment through a specific institutional clinical pathway created for this matter. Postoperative adverse events were grouped into major or minor. A regression model was used to evaluate independent risk factors for the development of complications. RESULTS: There were no differences in the ASA score (65.9% vs. 53.7% ASA III-IV), prevalence of frailty (1% vs. 9%) and comorbidities between both groups (p > .05). The CCI was higher in nonagenarians (p = 0.007). Nonagenarians had more in-hospital complications, although most were minor (p = 0.002), none of which resulted in mortality. Ninety-day unplanned readmissions were similar between groups, with 4 (9.1%) and 6 (9%) in groups A and B, respectively (p = 1). Although age was a factor associated with the development of postoperative complications in the univariate regression model (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.31 to 11.11, p = 0.014), it lost significance after performing the multivariate analysis (OR 2.48, 95% CI 0.78 to 7.90, p = 0.125). CONCLUSION: The age of 90 years old was not a barrier to perform elective THA safely. Nonagenarians had higher in-hospital minor complications when compared to the younger cohort. However, age over 90 years was not an independent risk factor for unplanned readmissions or mortality. Multimodal protocols of perioperative care are paramount for improving outcomes after THA in very old patients.

Preliminary outcomes of the cementless UNITED hip system for primary total hip arthroplasty at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to report the initial results of the cementless UNITED hip system in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 203 cementless THAs in 180 patients operated between 2015-2017. We included 89 female and 91 male patients with a mean age of 67 (28 to 89) years. The mean follow-up was 40 (29 to 62) months. Clinical outcome scores and radiographs were measured. Survival was calculated defining failure as the need for any further femoral or acetabular revision, irrespective of the reason. RESULTS: No femoral component loosening was detected. One patient had a Vancouver-B1 intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture treated with implant retention and cerclage wires. Two acetabular components were revised for aseptic loosening. Three patients suffered an acute infection treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention. The mean Merle d'Aubigné et Postel scores improved from 13 (4 to 16) points preoperatively to 17 (12 to 18) points at the latest follow-up (p < 0.001). At a mean time of 40 months of follow-up, the survival was 99% and 100% for the acetabular and the femoral components, respectively. CONCLUSION: This cementless design showed excellent preliminary outcomes in terms of fixation and patient satisfaction, comparable to that of other well-known similar systems.

Glenoid index: a new risk factor for recurrence of glenohumeral instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Background: The glenoid index (GI) (glenoid height to width ratio) has been shown to be a risk factor for instability in young healthy athletes. Nevertheless, whether the altered GI is a risk factor for recurrence after a Bankart repair remains unknown. Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, 148 patients ≥ 18 years old with anterior glenohumeral instability underwent a primary arthroscopic Bankart repair in our institution. We assessed return to sports, functional outcomes, and complications. We evaluate the association between the altered GI and the probabilities of recurrence in the postoperative period. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine interobserver reliability. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 25.6 years old (19 to 29), and the mean follow-up was 53.3 months (29 to 89). The 95 shoulders who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 cohorts, 47 shoulders had a GI ≤ 1.58 (group A) and 48 had a GI > 1.58 (group B). At the final follow-up, 5 shoulders in group A (10.6%) and 17 shoulders in group B (35.4%) suffered a recurrence of instability. Those patients with a GI > 1.58 had a hazard ratio of 3.86 (95% confidence interval: 1.42-10.48) (P = .004) compared with those with a GI ≤ 1.58 of suffering a recurrence. When correlating GI measurements between raters, we observed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-0.84), these results fall under the qualitative definition of good interobserver agreement. Conclusion: In young active patients with an arthroscopic Bankart repair, an increased GI was associated with a significantly higher rate of postoperative recurrences. Specifically, those subjects with a GI > 1.58 had 3.86 times the risk of recurrence than those subjects with a GI ≤ 1.58.

Extensive spinal epidural abscess after nerve root injection in a young non-immunocompromised Patient. Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Epidural injections are frequent and safe procedures. Severe complications are infrequent, and they have been reported in elderly comorbid patients with predisposing factors. The objectives of this work are to present a case of an extensive epidural lumbar abscess in a young non-comorbid male patient after a therapeutic L5-S1 injection and a literature review about this subject. Case Presentation: An otherwise healthy 24-year-old man who present a case of an extensive epidural lumbar abscess after a therapeutic nerve root block due to a disc herniation. After 7 days of fever and low back pain, he required two surgical interventions and intravenous antibiotic therapy. We reviewed 18 patients with epidural abscess consequence of spinal injections. Their mean age was 54.5 y.o, 66.5% were male, and 66.5% had at least one predisposing risk factor. Symptoms Onset occurred at 8 days on average after the procedure, but the correct diagnosis was made at the 25th-day average. Only 22% presented the classic diagnostic triad, the most frequently isolated germ was Staphylococcus Aureus (66%) and 89% were treated surgically with a 33% rate of complete recovery, 17% mortality and 28% remained with neurological sequelae. Conclusion: Epidural abscesses are infrequent and serious, complication after spinal diagnostic and therapeutic injections, even in young patients without comorbidities. We consider it fundamental to maintain a diagnostic suspicion, even in this subgroup of patients.

Introducción: Los bloqueos perirradiculares son una práctica habitual y segura. Las complicaciones severas, como los abscesos epidurales, son infrecuentes y han sido reportadas en pacientes añosos con comorbilidades o factores predisponentes. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un paciente joven sin antecedentes con diagnóstico de absceso epidural posterior a un bloqueo terapéutico y la revisión de la literatura al respecto. Presentación del caso: Un hombre de 24 años, previamente sano, presenta un caso de absceso epidural lumbar extenso, luego de un bloqueo perirradicular por una hernia de disco. Tras 7 días de fiebre y lumbalgia, precisó dos intervenciones quirúrgicas y antibioticoterapia intravenosa. Recabamos la información de 18 casos junto al nuestro, de pacientes con diagnóstico de absceso epidural como consecuencia de una infiltración espinal. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 54,5 años, 66,5% fueron de sexo masculino y 66,5% presentaba al menos un factor de riesgo predisponente. La aparición de síntomas luego del bloqueo ocurrió en promedio a los 8 días, pero el diagnóstico de absceso se realizó a los 24 días en promedio. La tríada diagnóstica clásica solo estuvo presente en el 22%, el germen más frecuentemente aislado fue el Staph. aureus (66%) y un 89% fue tratado de manera quirúrgica con una tasa del 33% de recuperación completa, 17% de mortalidad y 28% de secuela neurológica. Conclusión: Los abscesos epidurales son una complicación infrecuente, grave y rara de los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos espinales, incluso en pacientes jóvenes sin comorbilidades. Consideramos menester mantener la sospecha diagnóstica, incluso en este subgrupo de pacientes.

Reemplazo total de cadera en pacientes con osteosíntesis previa / Total hip replacement in patients with previous osteosynthesis

Existe literatura abundante sobre los resultados clínicos y radiográficos de un reemplazo total de cadera (RTC) primario complejo tras una conversión de osteosíntesis. La mayoría de esos reportes se refieren a la conversión de un clavo endomedular o una placa con tornillos femoral (debido a una fractura u osteotomía previa) en un RTC con un tallo de fijación distal. El objetivo de esta nota técnica es describir la realización de RTC primarios complejos sin el retiro de una placa con tornillos preexistente, o con su retiro parcial, utilizando implantes primarios. Nivel de evidencia: IV

There is abundant literature on the clinical and radiographic results of a complex primary total hip arthroplasty after osteosynthesis conversion. Most of these reports refer to conversion from an intramedullary nail or femoral plate and screws (due to a previous fracture or osteotomy) to THA with a distal fixation stem. That said, the objective of this report is to make a technical note on performing a complex primary THA without removal or with partial removal of a previous screw plate using primary implants. Level of Evidence: IV

Secuenciación de próxima generación para la detección de patógenos en cirugía de cadera: experiencia y viabilidad diagnóstica en un centro de atención terciaria de la Argentina / Next generation sequencing for the detection of pathogens in hip surgery. Experience and diagnostic feasibility in a tertiary care center in Argentina

Introducción: El diagnóstico rápido y definitivo con identificación del patógeno es fundamental cuando hay una infección periprotésica. La secuenciación de próxima generación permite identificar el ADN en un germen determinado en poco tiempo. Hasta donde sabemos, no hay reportes sobre su empleo para el manejo de la infección periprotésica en Sudamérica. Nuestro objetivo fue demostrar la viabilidad diagnóstica de las muestras obtenidas de una serie de pacientes operados en Buenos Aires, Argentina, y analizadas con la técnica de secuenciación de próxima generación. materiales y métodos: Se analizó a una serie prospectiva de 20 pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revisión séptica y aséptica de cadera desde diciembre de 2019 hasta marzo de 2020. Se obtuvieron muestras intraoperatorias de líquido sinovial, tejido profundo y canal endomedular, que fueron enviadas para su análisis al laboratorio NexGen Microgen. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 17 pacientes, porque tenían una muestra apta para analizar. Los resultados se recibieron dentro de las 72 h de la cirugía. En un caso, el resultado de la secuenciación de próxima generación informó un germen distinto del identificado en los cultivos posoperatorios de partes blandas, esto permitió corregir la antibioticoterapia. En otro, esta técnica identificó Parabacteroides gordonii en una revisión aséptica, en otro, Morganella morganii, a partir de cultivos negativos en una revisión en un tiempo. Conclusión: Se demostró la viabilidad diagnóstica con la secuenciación de próxima generación, se pueden obtener resultados de microorganismos patógenos dentro de las 72 h posteriores a la cirugía en pacientes con infección periprotésica y cultivos negativos. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Early diagnosis of a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and identification of the pathogen are paramount. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can identify the nucleic acids in a given germ in a short period. To our knowledge, there are no reports of its use in the management of PJI in South America. Our objective was to demonstrate the diagnostic feasibility of the NGS technique on the samples obtained from a series of patients operated on in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Materials and methods: A prospective series of 20 patients undergoing septic and aseptic hip revision surgery from December 2019 to March 2020 was analyzed. Intraoperative samples of synovial fluid, deep tissue, and intramedullary canal were obtained and sent to the NexGen Microgen laboratory (Texas, USA) for analysis. Results: Seventeen patients were finally eligible to present a sample suitable for analysis. In 100% of the samples, NGS results were obtained within 72 hours of surgery. In one case, the NGS result reported a germ different from the one identified in the postoperative soft tissue cultures, allowing antibiotic therapy to be corrected. In another case, NGS identified Parabacteroides gordonii in aseptic revision surgery. In another patient, the NGS identified Morganella morganii, in which conventional postoperative cultures were negative in single-stage revision surgery. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated the diagnostic feasibility of NGS, obtaining results within 72 hours immediately after surgery for pathogenic organisms in patients with PJI and negative cultures. Level of Evidence: IV