Validating the capture rate of revisions by the New Zealand ACL Registry: An analysis of all-cause reoperation following primary ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To validate the New Zealand Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Registry's capture rate of revisions by cross-referencing Registry data with reoperations data recorded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and identify risk factors for all-cause reoperation. METHODS: Primary ACL reconstructions performed between April 2014 and September 2019 were individually matched on a record-by-record basis between the two databases. The ACC database was used to identify patients who underwent a reoperation with manual review of operation notes to identify whether a revision or other procedure was performed. This was combined with the number of revisions separately recorded in the New Zealand ACL Registry, which was used as the denominator value to calculate the Registry's capture rate of revisions. Patient and surgical data recorded in the Registry were analysed to identify independent predictors for all-cause reoperation. RESULTS: A total of 8046 primary ACL reconstructions were matched between the New Zealand ACL Registry and the ACC databases. The reoperation rate was 8.9% (n = 715) at a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. Meniscal-related procedures were the most common reoperation (n = 299, 3.7%), followed by revision ACL reconstruction (n = 219, 2.7%), arthrofibrosis (n = 185, 2.3%), cartilage (n = 56, 0.7%) and implants (n = 32, 0.4%). The New Zealand ACL Registry captured 96% of revisions. Younger age (hazard ratio [HR] > 1.4, p < 0.001), earlier surgery (HR > 1.3, p = 0.05), concurrent meniscal repair (medial meniscus HR = 1.9, p < 0.001 and lateral meniscus HR = 1.3, p = 0.022) and hamstring tendon autografts (HR = 1.4, p = 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of reoperation. CONCLUSION: The New Zealand ACL Registry captured 96% of revisions. Risk factors for all-cause reoperation included younger age, earlier surgery, meniscal repair and hamstring tendon autografts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Risk factors for reoperation for arthrofibrosis following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the rate and risk factors for a reoperation for arthrofibrosis following primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: Prospective data recorded in the New Zealand ACL Registry were cross-referenced with data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Primary ACL reconstructions performed between April 2014 and May 2021 were analysed. The ACC database was used to identify patients who underwent a reoperation for a diagnosis of arthrofibrosis. Multivariable survival analysis was performed to compute adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 12,296 primary ACL reconstructions were analysed, of which 230 underwent a reoperation for arthrofibrosis (1.9%) at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. A higher risk of arthrofibrosis was observed in females (aHR = 1.76, p = 0.001), patients with a history of previous knee surgery (aHR = 1.82, p = 0.04) and when a transtibial drilling technique was used (aHR = 1.53, p = 0.03). ACL reconstruction >6 months after injury had the lowest rate of arthrofibrosis (1.3%, aHR = 0.45, p = 0.01). There was no difference in risk between early surgery within 6 weeks versus delayed surgery between 6 weeks and 6 months after injury (2.9% versus 2.1%, aHR = 0.78, not significant). CONCLUSION: Female sex, previous knee surgery and a transtibial drilling technique increased the risk of reoperation for arthrofibrosis. Early surgery within 6 weeks of injury was not associated with an increased risk when compared with surgery between 6 weeks and 6 months after injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Early manipulation under anaesthesia for stiffness following total knee arthroplasty is associated with a greater gain in knee flexion.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and whether performing an 'early' MUA within 3 months leads to a greater improvement in range of motion. METHODS: Primary TKAs performed between 2013 and 2018 at three tertiary New Zealand hospitals were reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Clinical details of patients who underwent MUA were reviewed to identify the knee flexion angle prior to and following MUA. Multivariate analysis identified the risk factors for undergoing MUA and compared flexion angles between 'early' (< 3 months) and 'late' MUA (> 3 months). RESULTS: A total of 7386 primary TKAs were analysed in which 131 underwent an MUA (1.8%). Patients aged < 65 years were two times more likely to undergo MUA compared to patients aged ≥ 65 years (2.5 versus 1.3%, p < 0.001; adjusted HR = 2.1, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the final flexion angle post-MUA between early and late MUA (104.7° versus 104.1°, p = 0.819). However, patients who underwent early MUA had poorer pre-MUA flexion (72.3° versus 79.6°, p = 0.012), and subsequently had a greater overall gain in flexion compared to those who underwent late MUA (mean gain 33.1° versus 24.3°, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Younger age was the only patient risk factor for MUA. Patients who underwent early MUA had similar post-MUA flexion, but had poorer pre-MUA flexion compared to those who underwent late MUA. Subsequently, a greater overall gain in flexion was achieved in those who underwent early MUA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Meniscal repair failure following concurrent primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: results from the New Zealand ACL Registry.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for meniscal repair failure following concurrent primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: Prospective data recorded by the New Zealand ACL Registry and the Accident Compensation Corporation were reviewed. Meniscal repairs performed during concurrent primary ACL reconstruction were included. Repair failure was defined as a subsequent reoperation involving meniscectomy of the repaired meniscus. Multivariate survival analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for failure. RESULTS: A total of 3,024 meniscal repairs were analysed with an overall failure rate of 6.6% (n = 201) at a mean follow-up of 2.9 years (SD 1.5). The risk of medial meniscal repair failure was higher with hamstring tendon autografts (adjusted HR [aHR] = 2.20, 95% CI 1.36-3.56, p = 0.001), patients aged 21-30 years (aHR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.30-2.48, p = 0.037) and in patients with cartilage injury in the medial compartment (aHR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.23-2.48, p = 0.002). The risk of lateral meniscal repair failure was higher in patients aged ≤ 20 years (aHR = 2.79, 95% CI 1.17-6.67, p = 0.021), when the procedure was performed by a low case volume surgeon (aHR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.08-3.13, p = 0.026) and when a transtibial technique was used to drill the femoral graft tunnel (aHR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.03-5.15, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The use of a hamstring tendon autograft, younger age and the presence of medial compartment cartilage injury are risk factors for medial meniscal repair failure, whereas younger age, low surgeon volume and a transtibial drilling technique are risk factors for lateral meniscal repair failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Success of Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention in Prosthetic Joint Infection Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Results From a Prospective Multicenter Study of 189 Cases.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the success rate of debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in a large prospective cohort of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The ability for different PJI classification systems to predict success was assessed. METHODS: Prospective data recorded in the Prosthetic Joint Infection in Australia and New Zealand Observational study were analyzed. One hundred eighty-nine newly diagnosed knee PJIs were managed with DAIR between July 2014 and December 2017. Patients were prospectively followed up for 2 years. A strict definition of success was used, requiring the patient being alive with documented absence of infection, no ongoing antibiotics and the index prosthesis in place. Success was compared against the Coventry (early PJI ≤1 month), International Consensus Meeting (early ≤90 days), Auckland (early <1 year), and Tsukayama (early ≤1 month, hematogenous >1 month with <7 days symptoms, chronic >1 month with >7 days symptoms) classifications. RESULTS: DAIR success was 45% (85/189) and was highest in early PJIs defined according to the Coventry (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.9, P = .01), the International Consensus Meeting (aOR = 3.1, P = .01), and the Auckland classifications (aOR = 2.6, P = .01). Success was lower in both hematogenous (aOR = 0.4, P = .03) and chronic infections (aOR = 0.1, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Time since primary TKA is an important predictor of DAIR success. Success was highest in infections occurring <1 month of the primary TKA and progressively decreased as time since the primary TKA increased.

Surgical Helmet Systems Are Associated With a Lower Rate of Prosthetic Joint Infection After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Combined Results From the New Zealand Joint Registry and Surgical Site Infection Improvement Programme.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the risk factors, in particular the use of surgical helmet systems (SHSs), for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Data recorded by the New Zealand Surgical Site Infection Improvement Programme (SSIIP) and the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR) were combined and analyzed. METHODS: Primary TKA procedures performed between July 2013 and June 2018 that were recorded by both the SSIIP and NZJR were analyzed. Two primary outcomes were measured: (1) PJI within 90 days as recorded by the SSIIP and (2) revision TKA for deep infection within 6 months as recorded by the NZJR. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for both outcomes with results considered significant at P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 19,322 primary TKAs were recorded by both databases in which 97 patients had a PJI within 90 days as recorded by the SSIIP (0.50%), and 90 patients had a revision TKA for deep infection within 6 months (0.47%) as recorded by the NZJR. An SHS was associated with a lower rate of PJI (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.50, P = .008) and revision for deep infection (adjusted OR = 0.55, P = .022) than conventional gowning. Male sex (adjusted OR = 2.6, P < .001) and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score >2 were patient risk factors for infection (OR = 2.63, P < .001 for PJI and OR = 1.75, P = .017 for revision for deep infection). CONCLUSION: Using contemporary data from the SSIIP and NZJR, the use of the SHS was associated with a lower rate of PJI after primary TKA than conventional surgical gowning. Male sex and a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score continue to be risk factors for infection.

Rates of revision and surgeon-reported graft rupture following ACL reconstruction: early results from the New Zealand ACL Registry.

PURPOSE: There remains a lack of consensus on the patient factors associated with graft rupture following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study aimed to identify the rate of revision and surgeon-reported graft rupture and clarify the patient risk factors for failure. METHODS: Analysis was conducted on prospective data captured by the New Zealand ACL registry. All primary isolated ACL reconstructions recorded between April 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed to identify the rate of revision and surgeon-reported graft rupture. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis was performed to identify patient factors associated with revision and graft rupture. RESULTS: A total of 7402 primary isolated ACL reconstructions were reviewed and had a mean follow-up time of 23.1 (SD ± 13.9) months. There were 258 surgeon-reported graft ruptures (3.5%) of which 175 patients underwent subsequent revision ACL reconstruction (2.4%). Patients younger than 18 years had the highest risk of revision (adjusted HR = 7.29, p < 0.001) and graft rupture (adjusted HR = 4.26, p < 0.001) when compared to patients aged over 36 years. Male patients had a higher risk of revision (adjusted HR = 2.00, p < 0.001) and graft rupture (adjusted HR = 1.70, p < 0.001) when compared to their female counterparts. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction within 6 months of their injury had a two times increased risk of revision compared to patients who had surgery after 12 months (adjusted HR = 2.15, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Younger age, male sex and a shorter injury-to-surgery time interval increased the risk of revision, while younger age and male sex increased the risk of surgeon-reported graft rupture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

No difference in revision rates between anteromedial portal and transtibial drilling of the femoral graft tunnel in primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: early results from the New Zealand ACL Registry.

PURPOSE: The use of an accessory anteromedial portal to drill the femoral graft tunnel in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was introduced in the 2000s in an effort to achieve a more anatomic femoral tunnel position. However, some early studies reported an increase in revision ACL reconstruction compared to the traditional transtibial technique. The aim of this study was to analyse recent data recorded by the New Zealand ACL Registry to compare outcomes of ACL reconstruction performed using the anteromedial portal and transtibial techniques. METHODS: Analysis was performed on primary isolated single-bundle ACL reconstructions recorded between 2014 and 2018 by the New Zealand ACL Registry. Patients were categorised into two groups according to whether an anteromedial portal or transtibial technique was used to drill the femoral graft tunnel. The primary outcome was revision ACL reconstruction and was compared between both groups through univariate and multivariate survival analyses. The secondary outcomes that were analysed included subscales of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Marx activity score. RESULTS: Six thousand one hundred and eighty-eight primary single-bundle ACL reconstructions were performed using either the anteromedial portal or transtibial drilling techniques. The mean time of follow-up was 23.3 (SD ± 14.0) months. Similar patient characteristics such as mean age (29 years, SD ± 11), sex (males = 58% versus 57%) and time to surgery (median 4 months, IQR 5) were observed between both groups. The rate of revision ACL reconstruction was 2.6% in the anteromedial portal group and 2.2% in the transtibial group (n.s.). The adjusted risk of revision ACL reconstruction was 1.07 (95% CI 0.62-1.84, n.s.). Patients in the anteromedial portal group reported improved scores for subscales of the KOOS and higher Marx activity scores at 1-year post-reconstruction. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the risk of revision ACL reconstruction between the two femoral tunnel drilling techniques at short-term follow-up. We observed minor differences in patient-reported outcomes at 1-year follow-up favouring the anteromedial portal technique, which may not be clinically relevant. Surgeons can achieve good clinical outcomes with either drilling technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

BMI is a Better Predictor of Periprosthetic Joint Infection Risk Than Local Measures of Adipose Tissue After TKA.

BACKGROUND: Both body mass index (BMI) and local measures of adiposity at the surgical site have been identified as independent risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (periprosthetic joint infection) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to 1) evaluate previously used measures of assessing knee adiposity and 2) determine the best measure for predicting both surgical duration and PJI after TKA. METHODS: We performed a multicentre retrospective review of 4745 patients who underwent primary TKA between January 2013 and December 2016. Patient demographic information, surgical duration and postoperative infection status within one year were obtained. Preoperative weight-bearing AP and lateral x-rays were analyzed to determine prepatellar adipose thickness, bony width of the tibial plateau, and total soft tissue knee width. The knee adipose index (KAI) was calculated from the ratio of bone to total knee width. RESULTS: We observed substantial variability in both local measures of adiposity compared with BMI. Neither measure of local knee adipose showed a significant correlation with PJI risk. By contrast, there was a strong correlation between PJI risk and BMI >35 (odds ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-6.1). Surgical duration increased with both BMI and measures of local adipose tissue (KAI and prepatellar fat thickness). CONCLUSION: Local adipose deposition varies greatly for any given BMI. In this study, BMI was a better predictor of PJI after TKA than local measures of knee adipose tissue.

Comparison of Knee Pain and Difficulty With Kneeling Between Patellar Tendon and Hamstring Tendon Autografts After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Study From the New Zealand ACL Registry.

BACKGROUND: The bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft is associated with difficulty with kneeling after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; however, it is unclear whether it results in a more painful or symptomatic knee compared with the hamstring tendon autograft. PURPOSE: To identify the rate and risk factors for knee pain and difficulty with kneeling after ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Primary ACL reconstruction procedures prospectively recorded in the New Zealand ACL Registry from April 2014 to May 2021 were analyzed. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used to identify patients reporting consequential knee pain (CKP), defined as a KOOS Pain subscore of ≤72 points, and severe kneeling difficulty (SKD), defined as a self-report of "severe" or "extreme" difficulty with kneeling. Absolute values of the KOOS Pain and Symptoms subscales were also compared. RESULTS: A total of 10,999 patients were analyzed. At 2-year follow-up, 9.3% (420/4492) reported CKP, and 12.0% (537/4471) reported SKD. The most important predictor of CKP at 2-year follow-up was having significant pain before surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 4.10; P < .001). The most important predictor of SKD at 2-year follow-up was the use of a BTB autograft rather than a hamstring tendon autograft (21.3% vs 9.4%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 3.12; P < .001). There was no difference between the BTB and hamstring tendon grafts in terms of CKP (9.9% vs 9.2%, respectively; P = .494) or in absolute values of the KOOS Pain (mean, 88.7 vs 89.0, respectively; P = .37) and KOOS Symptoms (mean, 82.5 vs 82.1, respectively; P = .49) subscales. CONCLUSION: At 2-year follow-up after primary ACL reconstruction, 9.3% of patients reported CKP, and 12.0% reported SKD. The BTB autograft was associated with difficulty with kneeling, but it did not result in a more painful or symptomatic knee compared with the hamstring tendon autograft.

Safety and efficacy of intraosseous ropivacaine in lower extremity (SORE) study.

BACKGROUND: Day stay surgery for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions is an increasingly common practice and has driven clinicians to develop postoperative pain regimes that allow same day mobilization and a safe and timely discharge. There is a paucity of literature surrounding the use of intraosseous (IO) ropivacaine used as a Bier's block to provide both intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in lower limb surgery. METHODS: This patient blinded, pilot study randomized 15 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction to receive either IO ropivacaine 1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg; or 300 mg of ropivacaine as local infiltration. The primary outcome for this study was arterial plasma concentration of ropivacaine. Samples were taken via an arterial line at prespecified times after tourniquet deflation. Secondary outcomes included immediate postoperative pain scores using the visual analogue scale and perioperative opioid equivalent consumption. RESULTS: All patients in the intervention group receiving IO ropivacaine had plasma concentrations well below the threshold for central nervous system (CNS) toxicity (0.60 µg/mL). The highest plasma concentration was achieved in the intervention group receiving 1.5 mg/kg dose of ropivacaine reaching 2.93 mg/mL. This would equate to 0.18 µg/mL of free plasma ropivacaine. There were no differences across the three groups regarding pain scores or perioperative opioid consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that IO ropivacaine is both safe and effective in reducing perioperative pain in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. There may be scope to increase the IO dose further or utilize other analgesics via the IO regional route to improve perioperative pain relief.

Optimal Graft Choice in Athletic Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Review and Clinical Insights.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common sporting-related knee injury with a potentially detrimental impact on the athlete's career, yet there is no formal consensus on the optimal graft choice for reconstructing the ruptured ACL in this specific population. Options for reconstruction include autograft, allograft, and artificial grafts. However, each has associated failure risk and donor site morbidity. Our operational definition of the athlete is a skeletally mature individual participating in high level activity with the expectation to return to pre-injury level of activity. The athlete has unique injury characteristics, post-operative expectations, and graft demands that differ to the general population. Long-term outcomes are of particular importance given on-going mechanical demands on the reconstructed knee. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to consolidate current literature on the various ACL reconstruction graft options, with a focus on the optimal graft for returning the athlete to activity with the lowest rate of re-injury.

Suspensory Versus Interference Tibial Fixation of Hamstring Tendon Autografts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Results From the New Zealand ACL Registry.

BACKGROUND: The hamstring tendon is frequently used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but there is a lack of consensus on the optimal method of fixation. Registry studies have shown that the type of femoral fixation device can influence the risk of revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but it is unclear whether the type of tibial fixation has an effect. In New Zealand, over 95% of hamstring tendon grafts are fixed with an adjustable loop suspensory device on the femoral side, with variable usage between suspensory and interference devices, with or without a sheath, on the tibial side. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between the type of tibial fixation device and the risk of revision ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort Study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Prospective data recorded in the New Zealand ACL Registry were analyzed. Only primary ACLRs performed with a hamstring tendon autograft fixed with a suspensory device on the femoral side were included. A Cox regression survival analysis with adjustment for patient factors was performed to analyze the effects of the type of tibial fixation device, the number of graft strands, and graft diameter on the risk of revision. RESULTS: A total of 6145 primary ACLRs performed between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. A total of 59.6% of hamstring tendon autografts were fixed with a suspensory device on the tibial side (n = 3662), 17.6% with an interference screw with a sheath (n = 1079), and 22.8% with an interference screw without a sheath (n = 1404). When compared with suspensory devices, a higher revision risk was observed when using an interference screw with a sheath (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; P = .009) and without a sheath (adjusted HR, 1.81; P = .044). The number of graft strands and a graft diameter of ≥8 mm were associated with the rate of revision on the univariate analysis; however, after adjusting for confounding variables on the multivariate analysis, they did not significantly influence the risk of revision. CONCLUSION: In this study of hamstring tendon autografts fixed with an adjustable loop suspensory device on the femoral side during primary ACLR, the use of an interference screw, with or without a sheath, on the tibial side resulted in a higher revision rate when compared with a suspensory device.

Higher Rate of Return to Preinjury Activity Levels After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft in High-Activity Patients: Results From the New Zealand ACL Registry.

BACKGROUND: In primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft is associated with lower ipsilateral failure rates. BTB autografts are associated with a higher rate of contralateral ACL injuries, which some clinicians view as a marker of success of the BTB autograft. However, there is a lack of evidence on whether BTB autografts improve the rate of return to activity and sport. PURPOSE: To compare the rate of return to preinjury activity levels in high-activity patients after ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft or hamstring tendon autograft. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: In a high-activity cohort of patients recorded between 2014 and 2018 in the New Zealand ACL Registry, prospectively collected data on preinjury and postoperative Marx activity scores were analyzed. The proportion of patients who returned to their preinjury activity levels at 1- and 2-year follow-up was compared between graft types. RESULTS: Overall, 11.3% (208/1844) of patients returned to their preinjury activity levels at 1-year follow-up, and 15.5% (184/1190) returned at 2-year follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, 17.2% of patients with a BTB autograft returned to their preinjury activity levels compared with 9.3% of patients with a hamstring tendon autograft (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.16-2.17]; P = .004). At 2-year follow-up, 23.3% of patients with a BTB autograft had returned to their preinjury activity levels compared with 13.3% of patients with a hamstring tendon autograft (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.14-2.34]; P = .008). Male sex and younger age were associated with a higher rate of return to activity at both follow-up time points. CONCLUSION: The use of BTB autografts increased the odds of returning to preinjury activity levels at early follow-up. A higher rate of return to activity is a possible explanation for the higher rate of contralateral ACL injuries with the use of BTB autografts.

Effect of Graft Choice on Revision and Contralateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Results From the New Zealand ACL Registry.

BACKGROUND: The patellar tendon is often considered the "gold standard" graft for reducing the risk of graft rupture after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, its use may also be associated with an increased risk of injury to the contralateral ACL. PURPOSE: To clarify the association between graft choice and the risk of revision and contralateral ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Prospective data captured by the New Zealand ACL Registry between April 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed. All primary ACL reconstructions performed using either a hamstring tendon or patellar tendon autograft were included. Cox regression survival analysis adjusting for patient factors was performed to compare the risk of revision and contralateral ACL reconstruction between the hamstring tendon graft and the patellar tendon graft. RESULTS: A total of 7155 primary ACL reconstructions were reviewed, of which 5563 (77.7%) were performed using a hamstring tendon graft and 1592 (22.3%) were performed using a patellar tendon graft. Patients with a hamstring tendon graft had a revision rate of 2.7% compared with 1.3% in patients with a patellar tendon graft (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.51; 95% CI, 1.55-4.06; P < .001). The patellar tendon graft was associated with an increased risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction compared with the hamstring tendon graft (adjusted HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.15-3.16; P = .012). The number needed to treat (NNT) with a patellar tendon graft to prevent 1 revision was 73.6. However, the NNT with a hamstring tendon graft to prevent 1 contralateral reconstruction was 116.3. CONCLUSION: Use of a patellar tendon graft reduced the risk of graft rupture but was associated with an increased risk of injury to the contralateral ACL. Adequate rehabilitation and informed decision making on return to activity and injury prevention measures may be important in preventing subsequent injury to the healthy knee.

Factors associated with revision following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review of registry data.

BACKGROUND: To identify the patient and surgical factors associated with revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as reported by all national and community ACL registries. METHODS: A systematic review was performed on the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Eligibility criteria included English studies published by national or community ACL registries reporting on primary ACL reconstruction and risk factors associated with revision ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Kaiser Permanente registries were included for review. Fourteen studies from all four registries reported younger age as a risk factor for revision ACL reconstruction. In addition, the Swedish registry reported concomitant medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, undergoing earlier surgery, lower Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), smaller graft diameter and an anteromedial portal drilling technique as risk factors for revision. The risk factors reported by the Norwegian registry included lower body mass index (BMI), lower KOOS, hamstring tendon grafts and suspensory fixation. The Danish registry reported hamstring tendon grafts, anteromedial portal drilling and suspensory fixation as risk factors. The Kaiser Permanente registry reported male sex, lower BMI, ethnicity, hamstring tendon grafts, allografts, smaller graft diameter and an anteromedial portal technique as risk factors for revision. CONCLUSION: Multiple patient and surgical factors were associated with increased risk of revision ACL reconstruction in registries. Younger age and the use of hamstring tendon grafts were consistently reported as risk factors for failure.

Completeness and capture rate of publicly funded arthroplasty procedures in the New Zealand Joint Registry.

BACKGROUND: Registry-based studies have become more common due to the availability of a large study cohort. However, the validity of findings is dependent on the completeness of the registry. This study aimed to validate the capture rate of the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR) by matching procedures that have been recorded separately via clinical coding by the New Zealand Government's National Surgical Site Infection Improvement Programme (SSIIP). METHODS: The National Health Index, a unique identification code for all patients, was combined with the arthroplasty procedure performed (primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), revision TKA or revision THA) and operation side. Publicly funded procedures recorded in the NZJR were matched with procedures recorded by the SSIIP on a record-by-record basis. This identified the total number of arthroplasty procedures performed in New Zealand, which was used as the denominator value to calculate the procedure capture rate of the NZJR. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2018, 24 556 primary TKA, 28 970 primary THA, 2107 revision TKA and 4263 revision THA procedures were recorded by both datasets. The NZJR recorded 95.5% of primary TKA procedures, 96.3% of primary THA procedures, 97.1% of revision TKA procedures and 95.2% of revision THA procedures. CONCLUSION: The NZJR recorded >95% of publicly funded arthroplasty procedures. In contrast, there were inaccuracies in clinical coding by hospitals, particularly with revision procedures, demonstrating the benefits of an arthroplasty registry. However, data recorded by an infection surveillance programme may supplement arthroplasty registry data to strengthen the quality of research.

Wound closure and follow-up after total knee arthroplasty - Do they affect the rate of antibiotic prescription?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for oral antibiotic prescription in the first six weeks after primary TKA, particularly whether the wound closure method (staples or sutures) and two-week follow-up clinician (surgeon or general practitioner (GP)) altered antibiotic use. METHODS: Four thousand eight hundred forty-six TKAs from January 2013 to December 2016 at three tertiary hospitals in Auckland, New Zealand were analysed by manual review of patient electronic records and a national prescription database. Surgeon preference dictates the method of wound closure and whether wound review is followed up by the operating surgeon or by the patient's GP. Univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out to identify significant patient and surgical risk factors for oral antibiotic prescribing. RESULTS: Oral antibiotics were prescribed in 24% of patients following primary TKA. Twenty-six percent of patients closed with staples were prescribed oral antibiotics versus 19% with sutures (adjusted OR = 1.4, p < 0.004). Excluding re-presentations and readmissions, GPs prescribed oral antibiotics in 22% of patients compared to seven percent of patients seen by surgeons (adjusted OR = 2.8, p < 0.001). Other risk factors for antibiotic prescription included increasing age, BMI and ASA score. CONCLUSION: Oral antibiotic prescribing rates are higher if the wound was closed with staples and if a GP performed the two-week follow-up. Improved communication between surgeons and GPs are required to ensure adequate follow-up following TKA and appropriate oral antibiotic use.

Risk Factors for Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Frequency With Which Patients Change Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Revision surgery is a known complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), but the proportion of patients who seek a different surgeon for their revision procedure is unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the rate and risk factors for revision ACLR in New Zealand and to find the proportion of patients undergoing revision ACLR who see a different surgeon compared with their primary procedure as well as the factors that may influence this decision. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Data from New Zealand's single government insurer, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), were analyzed. All primary ACLR procedures performed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2014 were evaluated, and revision ACLR procedures performed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016, were evaluated to allow for a minimum 2-year follow-up period. Cases undergoing subsequent revision were divided into those with the same or a different surgeon compared with the primary procedure. Risk factors for revision and change of surgeons were assessed, including age, sex, time from injury to surgery, time between primary and revision procedures, surgeon volume, and ethnicity. RESULTS: A total of 15,212 primary ACLR procedures were recorded in 14,926 patients. The mean patient age was 29.2 years, and 61% were male patients. There were 676 subsequent revision procedures and 510 contralateral procedures during the study period, resulting in a 5-year survival rate of 95.5% for the ACL graft and 96.5% for the contralateral ACL. Risk factors for revision surgery included male sex, age <20 years, and <1 year from injury to surgery. Of the revision procedures, 44.5% (n = 301) were performed by a different surgeon compared with primary ACLR. For primary ACLR procedures performed by low-volume surgeons, 75.0% of patients requiring revision ACLR changed surgeons, compared with 21.5% for high-volume surgeons (≤10 vs >50 primary ACLR/y; hazard ratio, 10.70 [95% CI, 6.01-19.05]; P < .001). Other factors associated with change of surgeons included older age, longer time between primary and revision surgery, and Asian and Maori ethnicities. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients change surgeons when requiring revision ACLR. In the absence of formal follow-up systems such as registries, surgeons, particularly those with a low volume of ACLRs, may underestimate their personal revision rate.