On-Table and Short-Term Mortality: A Single-Institution Experience With Cementing All Hip Arthroplasties for Neck of Femur Fractures.

BACKGROUND: To review on-table, day 0, day 1, day 7, and day 30 mortality after hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA) using cemented femoral stems for femoral neck fractures in order to evaluate risk factors for perioperative and short-term mortality. METHODS: The medical records of 751 consecutive cases with neck of femur fractures who underwent hemiarthroplasty (n = 602) or THA (n = 149) with cemented stems between January 2011 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively gathered database. The primary outcome measures were on-table, day 0, day 1, day 7, and day 30 mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify various contributing patient and surgical variables. RESULTS: There were 2 on-table deaths (0.27%): one patient had a cardiorespiratory arrest at the time of inserting the femoral stem and the other had a cardiorespiratory arrest at the end of wound closure some 20 minutes after cementing. There were 3 further day 0 deaths meaning the day 0 mortality rate was 0.67% (5/751). All 5 patients were older than 80 years and had an American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 3 or more. The 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day mortality rates were 0.93% (7 patients), 2.7% (20 patients), and 6.8% (51 patients), respectively. There is significantly higher 30-day mortality risk associated with increasing American Society of Anesthesiologists grade (P < .001) when adjusted for age, gender, and type of surgery (hemiarthroplasty compared with THA). CONCLUSION: In our neck of femur fracture patients who were operated with cemented stems, 7-day and 30-day mortality rates were 2.7% and 6.8%, respectively. Cemented stems should be used with caution in elderly hip fracture patients with multiple comorbidities who are at high risk of perioperative mortality.

Mortality and Implant Survival With Simultaneous and Staged Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty: Experience From the Australian Orthopedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective procedure for relieving pain and restoring function in osteoarthritis. A significant proportion of patients have severe disease bilaterally. Consensus regarding safety and selection of patients for simultaneous bilateral THA or the optimal timing for staged THA has not been reached. The aim of this study is to compare rates, causes of revision, and 30-day mortality between simultaneous and staged bilateral THA using data from the Australian Orthopedic National Joint Replacement Registry. METHODS: Data for 12,359 bilateral THA procedures were collected from September, 1999 to December, 2017. Rates and causes of revision and 30-day mortality were obtained for simultaneous bilateral and staged procedures with intervals of 1 day-6 weeks, 6 weeks-3 months, and 3 months-6 months. Yearly cumulative percent revision or cumulative percent survival with 95% confidence intervals calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and adjusted hazard ratios were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality is lower in patients who have bilateral procedures within 6 months, regardless of timing, than those who have unilateral procedures (0.06% vs 0.18%). Staged bilateral THA had a significantly lower mortality than simultaneous bilateral THA (odds ratio 0.175, 95% confidence interval = 0.04-0.78, P = .022). When separate time intervals were compared, no significant differences were seen. Bilateral 6 week-3 months has a higher rate of revision from 1.5 years-2years compared with same day bilaterals (hazard ratio = 2.39, 95% confidence interval = 1.12, 5.09, P = .024). There were no other significant differences in the rate of revision between groups. The most common reasons for revision were fracture, loosening, and infection. Simultaneous bilateral procedures have a significantly higher rate of revision for fracture compared with staging 3-6 months (hazard ratio = 1.96 [1.27, 3.03], P = .002). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that bilateral THA has a low mortality rate regardless of time interval between procedures. Simultaneous and staged bilateral THA have similar rates of revision.

Fixation Method for Hip Arthroplasty Stem Following Hip Fracture: A Population-Level Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hip arthroplasty is increasing in Australia. The number of procedures for fractured neck of femur was 7500 in 2017. Best practices for fixation method and procedure type require scrutiny. This paper is about the costs and health outcomes of cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty at a national level. METHODS: We created a Markov model for patients <75, aged 75-85, and over 85. Expected costs and health outcomes over 5 years from a decision to change from existing practice to a best practice policy in which all patients with fractured neck of femur received the same fixation method based on age and type of arthroplasty are estimated. The model was populated using prevalence and incidence data from the Australian Orthopedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry, costs from Metro North Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, and probabilities and utilities from the literature. We simulated the uncertainties in outcomes with probabilistic sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: We found that uncemented stem procedures were more costly and provided worse health outcomes compared to cemented stem fixation for hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for all age groups. Moving from existing practice to cemented stem arthroplasty could save the Australian health system $2.0 million over 5 years with a gain of 203 quality-adjusted life years. CONCLUSION: We suggest that consideration be given to cemented fixation of the femoral stem for patients receiving both hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for fractured neck of femur. Best practice guidelines focused on cost-effectiveness should recommend cemented stem fixation to both save costs and improve patient quality of life.

The Outcome of Total Knee Arthroplasty With and Without Patellar Resurfacing up to 17 Years: A Report From the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

BACKGROUND: Patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a controversial issue after more than 4 decades of TKA. Despite a growing body of evidence from registry data, resurfacing is still based largely on a surgeon's preference and training. The purpose of this study is to provide long-term outcomes for patellar resurfaced compared to when the patella is not resurfaced. METHODS: Data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (1999-2017) were used for this study. The analysis included 570,735 primary TKAs undertaken for osteoarthritis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 17-year cumulative percent revision rates were used to compare revision rates between 4 subgroups: minimally stabilized (MS) patellar resurfacing, posterior stabilized (PS) patellar resurfacing, MS unresurfaced, and PS unresurfaced patella. Additional analyses of the patellar implant type and a comparison of inlay and onlay patellar resurfacing were also performed. RESULTS: For all primary TKA, procedures where the patella was not resurfaced have a higher rate of revision compared to procedures where the patella was resurfaced (HR, 1.31; confidence interval, 1.28-1.35; P < .001). Unresurfaced PS knees have the highest cumulative percent revision at 17 years (11.1%), followed by MS unresurfaced (8.8%), PS resurfaced (7.9%), and MS resurfaced (7.1%). Inlay patellar resurfacing has a higher rate of revision compared to onlay patellar resurfacing (HR, 1.27; confidence interval, 1.17-1.37; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Resurfacing the patella reduces the rate of revision for both MS and PS knees. MS knees with patellar resurfacing have the lowest rate of revision. Onlay patella designs are associated with a lower revision rate compared to inlay patella designs.

The Outcome of Cemented Acetabular Components in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis Defines a Proficiency Threshold: Results of 22,956 Cases From the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

BACKGROUND: The declining popularity of cemented acetabular components is incongruous, given the published results of prostheses implanted using contemporary techniques. The outcome of arthroplasty has previously been demonstrated to correlate with surgeon experience and volume of practice. We aim to explore if surgeon volume alters outcomes of cemented acetabular components based on survivorship data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). METHODS: An observational study was undertaken using a cohort of 22,956 patients with a primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the period 2003-2016 in whom cemented acetabular components were implanted. The cohort was stratified by age (greater than or less than 65 years) and annualized surgical volume of ≤10, >10-≤25, and >25 cases. RESULTS: Stratified by age and volume, there was a protective benefit against revision conveyed at volume thresholds of 10 cases per annum and 25 cases per annum for patients ≥65 years of age and <65 years of age, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cemented total hip arthroplasty has excellent survivorship out to 15 years based on AOANJRR data. This survivorship is further improved if surgeons perform a higher volume of cases, with >25 cases conferring the greatest benefit. The AOANJRR data set is used to define best practice; surgeons who choose to utilize cemented acetabular fixation should be encouraged to perform this technique in adequate volumes to minimize revision risk and ensure the preservation of this important surgical skill set.

Mixed cell therapy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and articular cartilage chondrocytes ameliorates osteoarthritis development.

Of the many cell-based treatments that have been tested in an effort to regenerate osteoarthritic articular cartilage, none have ever produced cartilage that compare with native hyaline cartilage. Studies show that different cell types lead to inconsistent results and for cartilage regeneration to be considered successful, there must be an absence of fibrotic tissue. Here we report of a series of experiments in which bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) and articular cartilage chondrocytes (ACCs) were mixed in a 1:1 ratio and tested for their ability to enhance cartilage regeneration in three different conditions: (1) in an in vitro differentiation model; (2) in an ex vivo cartilage defect model implanted subcutaneously in mice; and (3) as an intra-articular injection in a meniscectomy-induced OA model in rats. The mixed cells were compared with monocultures of BMSCs and ACCs. In all three experimental models there was significantly enhanced cartilage regeneration and decreased fibrosis in the mixed BMSCs+ACCs group compared with the monocultures. Molecular analysis showed a reduction in vascularization and hypertrophy, coupled with higher chondrogenic gene expression resulting from the BMSCs+ACCs treatment. Together, our data suggest that mixed BMSCs+ACCs treatment is highly chondro-protective and is more effective in regenerating damaged cartilage in both the ex vivo cartilage defect and post-trauma OA disease models. The results from this approach could potentially be used for regeneration of cartilage in OA patients.

Surgical Space Suits Increase Particle and Microbiological Emission Rates in a Simulated Surgical Environment.

BACKGROUND: The role of space suits in the prevention of orthopedic prosthetic joint infection remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that space suits may in fact contribute to increased infection rates, with bioaerosol emissions from space suits identified as a potential cause. This study aimed to compare the particle and microbiological emission rates (PER and MER) of space suits and standard surgical clothing. METHODS: A comparison of emission rates between space suits and standard surgical clothing was performed in a simulated surgical environment during 5 separate experiments. Particle counts were analyzed with 2 separate particle counters capable of detecting particles between 0.1 and 20 µm. An Andersen impactor was used to sample bacteria, with culture counts performed at 24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: Four experiments consistently showed statistically significant increases in both PER and MER when space suits are used compared with standard surgical clothing. One experiment showed inconsistent results, with a trend toward increases in both PER and MER when space suits are used compared with standard surgical clothing. CONCLUSION: Space suits cause increased PER and MER compared with standard surgical clothing. This finding provides mechanistic evidence to support the increased prosthetic joint infection rates observed in clinical studies.

Mortality and Implant Survival With Simultaneous and Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Experience From the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective procedure for relieving pain and restoring function in osteoarthritis, with a significant proportion of patients having severe disease bilaterally. However, although there are differences in patient selection criteria for bilateral procedures, there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing for bilateral TKA. The aim of this study was to compare rates and causes of revision and 30-day mortality between simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA using data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. METHODS: Data for over 36,000 bilateral TKAs were collected from September 1999 to December 2015. Rates and causes of revision and 30-day mortality rates were obtained for simultaneous bilateral and staged procedures with intervals of 1 day-6 weeks, 6 weeks-3 months, and 3-6 months. Yearly cumulative percent revision or cumulative percent survival with 95% confidence intervals calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and adjusted hazard ratios were used for comparisons. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between revision rates or reasons for revision between staged bilateral and simultaneous TKA (hazard ratio 1.09 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.85-1.40; P = .511] for 1 day-6 weeks, 0.93 [95% CI 0.77-1.14; P = .494] for 6 weeks-3 months, and 1.10 [95% CI 0.98-1.23; P = .115] for 3-6 months). The most common reasons for revision were loosening/lysis and infection. The 30-day mortality rates were lower in the 6 weeks-3 months group than simultaneous bilaterals (P = .007). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA have similar rates of revision over the medium term but that 30-day mortality is reduced in the 6 weeks-3 months group.

Morbid Obesity in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Joint-Specific Variance in Outcomes for Operative Time, Length of Stay, and Readmission.

BACKGROUND: It is increasingly apparent that the effect of obesity in arthroplasty is joint-specific. This study evaluates the effects of morbid obesity on primary total knee arthroplasty by comparing short-term outcomes between a morbidly obese (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) and a normal weight (body mass index 18.5-<25 kg/m2) cohort at our institution between January 2003 and December 2010. METHODS: One hundred seventeen morbidly obese patients were compared with 94 normal weight patients. Operative time, length of stay, complications, 30-day readmission, and readmission length were compared. RESULTS: Morbid obesity conveyed no significant increase in 30-day readmission. Operative time was increased at 100 minutes in the morbidly obese group, compared with 90.5 minutes (P = .026). CONCLUSION: Morbid obesity conveyed no increased risk of length of stay or readmission in this cohort.

Morbid Obesity in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Redefining Outcomes for Operative Time, Length of Stay, and Readmission.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of obesity among patients presenting for elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) has increased in the last decade, and the relationship between obesity and the need for joint arthroplasty has been demonstrated. This study evaluates the effects of morbid obesity on outcomes after primary THA by comparing short-term outcomes in THA between a morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥40) and a normal weight (BMI, 18.5 to <25) cohort at our institution between January 2003 and December 2010. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients included in the morbidly obese group were compared with 186 in the normal weight group. Operative time, length of stay, complications, readmission, and length of readmission were compared. RESULTS: Operative time was increased in the morbidly obese group at 122 minutes compared with 100 minutes (P = .002). Postoperatively, there was an increased 30-day readmission rate related to surgery of 12.8% associated with BMI ≥40 compared with 2.7% (P = .005) as well as a 5.1-fold increase in surgery-related readmitted bed days-0.32 bed days per patient for normal weight compared with 1.64 bed days per patient for the morbidly obese (P = .026). CONCLUSION: Morbidly obese patients present a technical challenge and likely this, and the resultant complications are underestimated. More work needs to be performed to enable suitable allocation of resources.

Can larger-bodied cemented femoral components reduce periprosthetic fractures? A biomechanical study.

INTRODUCTION: The risk for late periprosthetic femoral fractures is higher in patients treated for a neck of femur fracture compared to osteoarthritis. It has been hypothesised that osteopaenia and consequent decreased stiffness of the proximal femur are responsible for this. We investigated whether a femoral component with a bigger body would increase the torque to failure in a biaxially loaded composite Sawbone model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A biomechanical bone analogue was used. Two different body sizes (Exeter 44-1 versus 44-4) of a polished tapered cemented femoral stem were implanted by an experienced surgeon in seven bone analogues each and internally rotated at 40°/s until failure. Torque to fracture and fracture energy were measured using a biaxial materials testing device (Instron 8874, MI, USA). The data were non-parametric and therefore tested with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The median torque to fracture was 156.7 Nm (IQR 19.7) for the 44-1 stem and 237.1 Nm (IQR 52.9) for the 44-4 stem (p = 0.001). The median fracture energy was 8.5 J (IQR 7.3) for the 44-1 stem and 19.5 J (IQR 8.8) for the 44-4 stem (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The use of large body polished tapered cemented stems for neck of femur fractures increases the torque to failure in a biomechanical model and therefore is likely to reduce late periprosthetic fracture risk in this vulnerable cohort.

Complications of perioperative warfarin therapy in total knee arthroplasty.

Patients presenting for knee replacement on warfarin for medical reasons often require higher levels of anticoagulation peri-operatively than primary thromboprophylaxis and may require bridging therapy with heparin. We performed a retrospective case control study on 149 consecutive primary knee arthroplasty patients to investigate whether anti-coagulation affected short-term outcomes. Specific outcome measures indicated significant increases in prolonged wound drainage (26.8% of cases vs 7.3% of controls, P<0.001); superficial infection (16.8% vs 3.3%, P<0.001); deep infection (6.0% vs 0%, P<0.001); return-to-theatre for washout (4.7% vs 0.7%, P=0.004); and revision (4.7% vs 0.3%, P=0.001). Management of patients on long-term warfarin therapy following TKR is particularly challenging, as the surgeon must balance risk of thromboembolism against post-operative complications on an individual patient basis in order to optimise outcomes.

Mortality following hip arthroplasty--inappropriate use of National Joint Registry (NJR) data.

Mortality following hip arthroplasty is affected by a large number of confounding variables each of which must be considered to enable valid interpretation. Relevant variables available from the 2011 NJR data set were included in the Cox model. Mortality rates in hip arthroplasty patients were lower than in the age-matched population across all hip types. Age at surgery, ASA grade, diagnosis, gender, provider type, hip type and lead surgeon grade all had a significant effect on mortality. Schemper's statistic showed that only 18.98% of the variation in mortality was explained by the variables available in the NJR data set. It is inappropriate to use NJR data to study an outcome affected by a multitude of confounding variables when these cannot be adequately accounted for in the available data set.

The effect of knee flexion contracture following total knee arthroplasty on the energy cost of walking.

This study evaluated the energy cost of walking (Cw) with knee flexion contractures (FC) simulated with a knee brace, in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recipients (n=16) and normal controls (n=15), and compared it to baseline (no brace). There was no significant difference in Cw between the groups at baseline but TKA recipients walked slower (P=0.048) and with greater knee flexion in this condition (P=0.003). Simulated FC significantly increased Cw in both groups (TKA P=0.020, control P=0.002) and this occurred when FC exceeded 20° in the TKA group and 15° in the controls. Reported perceived exertion was only significantly increased by FC in the control group (control P<0.001, TKA P=0.058). Simulated knee FCs less than 20° do not increase Cw or perceived exertion in TKA recipients.

Periprosthetic fracture torque for short versus standard cemented hip stems: an experimental in vitro study.

In an attempt to preserve proximal femoral bone stock and achieve a better fit in smaller femora, especially in the Asian population, several new shorter stem designs have become available. We investigated the torque to periprosthetic femoral fracture of the Exeter short stem compared with the conventional length Exeter stem in a Sawbone model. Forty-two stems; 21 shorter and 21 conventional stems both with three different offsets were cemented in a composite Sawbone model and torqued to fracture. Results showed that Sawbone femurs break at a statistically significantly lower torque to failure with a shorter compared to conventional-length Exeter stem of the same offset. Both standard and short-stem designs are safe to use as the torque to failure is 7-10 times that seen in activities of daily living.

Surgical treatment approaches and reimbursement costs of surgical site infections post hip arthroplasty in Australia: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) varies internationally and it is at present unclear which treatment approaches are used in Australia. The aim of this study is to identify current treatment approaches in Queensland, Australia, show success rates and quantify the costs of different treatments. METHODS: Data for patients undergoing primary THA and treatment for infection between January 2006 and December 2009 in Queensland hospitals were extracted from routinely used hospital databases. Records were linked with pathology information to confirm positive organisms. Diagnosis and treatment of infection was determined using ICD-10-AM and ACHI codes, respectively. Treatment costs were estimated based on AR-DRG cost accounting codes assigned to each patient hospital episode. RESULTS: A total of n=114 patients with deep surgical site infection were identified. The majority of patients (74%) were first treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR), which was successful in eradicating the infection in 60.3% of patients with an average cost of $13,187. The remaining first treatments were 1-stage revision, successful in 89.7% with average costs of $27,006, and 2-stage revisions, successful in 92.9% of cases with average costs of $42,772. Multiple treatments following 'failed DAIR' cost on average $29,560, for failed 1-stage revision were $24,357, for failed 2-stage revision were $70,381 and were $23,805 for excision arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: As treatment costs in Australia are high primary prevention is important and the economics of competing treatment choices should be carefully considered. These currently vary greatly across international settings.

Exeter short stems compared with standard length Exeter stems: experience from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

The standard Exeter stem has a length of 150 mm with offsets 37.5 to 56 mm. Shorter stems of lengths 95, 115 and 125 mm with offsets 35.5 mm or less are available for patients with smaller femurs. Concern has been raised regarding the behavior of the smaller implants. This paper analyzed data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry comparing survivorship of stems of offset 35.5 mm or less with the standard stems of 37.5 mm offset or greater. At 7 years, there was no significant difference in the cumulative percent revision rate in the short stems (3.4%, 95% CI 2.4-4.8%) compared with the standard length stems (3.5%, 95% CI 3.3-3.8%) despite its use in a greater proportion of potentially more difficult developmental dysplasia of the hip cases.

Cement-in-cement revision for selected Vancouver Type B1 femoral periprosthetic fractures: a biomechanical analysis.

The aim of this study was to perform a biomechanical analysis of the cement-in-cement (c-in-c) technique for fixation of selected Vancouver Type B1 femoral periprosthetic fractures and to assess the degree of cement interposition at the fracture site. Six embalmed cadaveric femora were implanted with a cemented femoral stem. Vancouver Type B1 fractures were created by applying a combined axial and rotational load to failure. The femora were repaired using the c-in-c technique and reloaded to failure. The mean primary fracture torque was 117 Nm (SD 16.6, range 89-133). The mean revision fracture torque was 50 Nm (SD 16.6, range 29-74), which is above the torque previously observed for activities of daily living. Cement interposition at the fracture site was found to be minimal.

Complications related to therapeutic anticoagulation in total hip arthroplasty.

Bleeding-related wound complications cause significant morbidity in lower limb arthroplasty surgery. Patients who require therapeutic anticoagulation in the perioperative period are potentially at higher risk for these complications. This is a retrospective case-control study reviewing all primary total hip arthroplasties performed in a single center during a 5-year period and comparing outcomes of the patients on warfarin with a double-matched control group of patients not on warfarin. The warfarin group had a significantly higher risk of deep joint infection (9% vs 2.2%), hematoma/wound ooze (28% vs 4%), and superficial infection (13.5% vs 2.2%). Managing patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty with therapeutic anticoagulation is a balance between the risk of thromboembolic disease and bleeding-related complications. Improved understanding of this risk will better allow patients to make an informed decision regarding their elective arthroplasty surgery.