Physician Perspectives on Telemedicine at an Integrated Health System During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The use of telemedicine (TM) for patient care greatly increased during the COVID pandemic. This study presents data from a single health system regarding physician's perspectives on TM, which could ultimately determine how it is used in the future. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to physicians throughout the health system. Physicians were divided based on the standard level of patient interaction in each specialty, as well as practice locations and years in practice. Physician perspectives were categorized by their opinions on different aspects of telehealth visits. Results: Of 1,794 physicians, 379 (20.7%) responded to the survey. Psychiatrists used TM significantly more than other groups and project the most future use. Surgeons were least likely to incorporate TM in the future. Ability to perform a physical examination via TM differed significantly by specialty and practice environment, but not by years in practice. Frequency of being able to complete a treatment plan via TM differed significantly by specialty, but not by years in practice or practice environment. Overall, 76.3% of physicians reported feeling "satisfied" with performing TM visits. Satisfaction with TM varied significantly by specialty and practice environment, but not by years in practice. There were no significant differences regarding physician expectations on reimbursement or billing for TM visits based on specialty, age, or practice environment. Conclusions: Discrepancies exist among physicians with respect to their satisfaction and expected future use of TM. Consensus may be difficult to reach regarding reimbursement for these visits, and further work is needed to clarify the optimal practice setting for TM.

How Often Are Protocols Followed at Level I Trauma Centers?

This study analyzes adherence to an evidence-based protocol established at two level I trauma centers to determine its effect on clinical decision making. The centers' trauma databases were retrospectively studied and 51 patients with long bone fractures were identified who required revascularization and orthopaedic intervention and survived long enough to receive an index intervention. An arterial shunt was the protocol's first step; the preprotocol rate of shunting was 9.5%, while the postprotocol rate of shunting was 3.3%. The protocol's next step was external fixation; among the cases managed without a shunt, external fixation was the index intervention in 63.2% of the preprotocol cases and 31.0% of the postprotocol cases. Definitive vascular surgery was routinely performed before external fixation in 28.6% of the preprotocol cases and 56.7% of the postprotocol cases. This study demonstrates that this evidence-based protocol had no effect on the management of patients with combined orthopaedic and vascular injuries. Protocols should never supersede clinical judgment, but poor protocol adherence may represent a need for trauma centers to routinely review their protocols' compliance and efficacy. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(2):109-112, 2018).

An Analysis of Formal Patient Complaints, Risk, and Malpractice Events Involving Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons During a 10-Year Period.

Formal patient complaints and malpractice events involving orthopedic trauma surgeons (OTSs) can have substantial career implications. Our purpose was to analyze formal patient complaints, risk events, and malpractice events against OTSs during a 10-year period. We reviewed all formal patient complaints within our institution's patient advocacy database involving 9 fellowship-trained OTSs throughout a decade. Complaints were categorized using the Patient Complaint Analysis System. Potential risk and malpractice events involving the OTSs were recorded. A control group of all patients seen by the surgeons during the study period was created. Demographics between patients with complaints and the control group were analyzed, as were malpractice, risk, and complaint rates between the surgeons. Of 33,770 patients, 136 filed a formal complaint (0.40%). There were 29 malpractice claims and 2 malpractice lawsuits. The care and treatment domain accounted for the highest percentage of complaints (36%), followed by the access and availability domain (26%). Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that private insurance (odds ratio, 1.58) and operative treatment (odds ratio, 3.65) were significantly associated with complaints. Despite statistically significant differences in the rates of complaint and risk events between surgeons, malpractice events did not differ. The rate of patient complaints within a large orthopedic trauma practice during a 10-year period was 0.40%. Patients with private insurance and those treated operatively were more likely to file a complaint. Whereas complaint rates among surgeons varied, there was no significant difference in the rate of malpractice events. Understanding patient complaint rates and categorizations may allow surgeons to target areas for improvement. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(2):121-127.].

Sovereign immunity: Principles and application in medical malpractice.

BACKGROUND: Tort law seeks accountability when parties engage in negligent conduct, and aims to compensate the victims of such conduct. An exception to this general rule governing medical negligence is the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Historically, individuals acting under the authority of the government or other sovereign entity had almost complete protection against tort liability. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This article addressed the following: (1) the development of sovereign immunity in law, (2) the lasting impact of the Federal Tort Claims Act on sovereign immunity, and (3) the contemporary application of sovereign immunity to medical malpractice, using case examples from Virginia and Florida. METHODS: I performed an Internet search to identify sources that addressed the concept of sovereign immunity, followed by a focused search for relevant articles in PubMed and LexisNexis, literature databases for medical and legal professionals, respectively. RESULTS: Historically, sovereign liability conferred absolute immunity from lawsuits in favor of the sovereign (ie, the government). Practical considerations in our democratic system have contributed to an evolution of this doctrine. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding sovereign immunity and its contemporary application are of value for any physician interested in the debate concerning medical malpractice in the United States. Under certain circumstances, physicians working as employees of the federal or state government may be protected against individual liability if the government is substituted as the defendant.

Axial load weightbearing radiography in determining lateral malleolus fracture stability: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures are the most common fracture treated by orthopaedic surgeons in the United States. Isolated lateral malleolus fractures are treated nonoperatively, while associated deltoid disruption injuries are unstable and usually treated by fixation of the fracture. Various stress radiographs and MRI have been used to determine deltoid competency and the subsequent need for operative stabilization of lateral malleolus fractures. To date, no standardization of stress radiography has been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of weightbearing ankle X-rays to determine stability and their reliability. METHODS: This study sought to utilize simulated weightbearing radiography as a potential method to determine the need for lateral malleolus fixation. Twelve cadaveric ankle specimens were tested by obtaining ankle mortise radiographs for interpretation of medial clear space. Each ankle was tested with 0, 25, 36, and 50 kg of axially applied weight. The groups of measurements obtained were: intact ankles (Group A), ankles with an isolated oblique fibular osteotomy (Group B), and osteotomized ankles after complete deltoid ligament transaction (Group C). Three authors measured the medial clear space for every ankle using PACSR software. Instability of the ankle mortise was defined as medial clear space widening of greater than 2 mm from the intact ankle. RESULTS: An isolated lateral malleolus fracture (Group B) and a lateral malleolus fracture with an incompetent deltoid ligament (Group C) showed no statistical medial clear space widening with simulated axial weightbearing radiography when compared to intact ankles (Group A). ANOVA's between Group A and B had p < 0.001, and between Group A and C of p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Our model did not find instability with an osteotomized fibula and a disrupted deltoid. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests a weightbearing radiograph of an isolated lateral malleolus fracture cannot determine deltoid ligament integrity and thus need for fibular operative fixation.

Efficacy of hydrosurgical debridement and nanocrystalline silver dressings for infection prevention in type II and III open injuries.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and culture-positive infection rates of open Gustilo/Anderson type II and III fractures using a protocol nanocrystalline silver wound dressing and hydrosurgical debridement. Retrospective case series through chart review on all type II and III open fractures were treated using a novel protocol from December 2005 to March 2008 (N = 17). All Gustilo/Anderson grade II and III open fractures were treated with a novel protocol at a Level I trauma centre. Open Gustilo/Anderson grade II and III fractures were acutely stabilised in the trauma centre/emergency department, while a nanocrystalline silver dressing was placed within the wound. Debridement using a hydrosurgical scalpel and gravity irrigation was performed within 6-8 hours of injury. Cultures were obtained prior to definitive fixation. The primary outcome measurements were positive cultures and clinical infection rates. Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age (33·5) and injury severity score (12·7) were gathered. There were 4 grade II open fractures (23·5%), 11 grade IIIA (64·7%) and 2 grade IIIB open fractures (11·8%). The mean time to intravenous antibiotics was 61·5 minutes. The mean time to initial debridement/irrigation was 222·1 minutes. The average number of surgical procedures was 2·35 with a mean length of stay of 11·8 days. Six patients developed positive cultures from the traumatic wounds, five were contaminants. One clinical infection was found (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The overall clinical infection rate in this series was 5·9% (1/17). The only infection was in a Gustilo/Anderson grade II fracture. There were no infections in the more high-energy Gustilo/Anderson grade IIIA and IIIB fractures compared with the Gustilo/Anderson control of 4-42%. We conclude that this novel protocol for open-fracture treatment is a promising intervention. A further prospective randomised clinical study is warranted.

The Accident Environment Resulting in Fragility Fractures: A 20-year National Epidemiologic Study.

INTRODUCTION: Fragility fractures are an enduring source of morbidity in the elderly with unfortunate frequency and rising costs. Although the predominant cause of fractures is generally understood to be falls, the exact stratification of the causes of fractures presenting to the emergency department has not yet been described in the literature. We sought out to stratify the primary products associated with fractures in the elderly, further describing the anatomic location of the fracture and setting of injury. METHODS: We queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database for all fractures in patients older than 65 years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019. We analyzed demographic data, patient disposition, anatomic fracture location, and injury setting for the top 20 causes of fractures. Trends, proportions and distributions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 901,418 visits to the Emergency Department were reviewed. Of these, 216,657 (24%) were found to have fractures. The top 20 causes for fractures accounted for a total of 173,557 (19%) fractures. The average age in our population was 80.1 years (SD 8.7). Women constituted most of the patients (127,753 [74%]). Flooring (58,347 [33.6%]) was the most common product associated with the cause of fractures, with stairs/steps (29,804 [17.2%]) and bed/bed frames (19,004 [10.9%]) being the second and third most common, respectively. Lower extremity fractures (97,195 [56%]) were more common than upper extremity fractures (63,899 [37%]). The lower trunk (pelvis, femoral neck, and lower spine) was the most common anatomic location of fractures reported (64,132 [37.0%]). Most fractures occurred either at home (113,158 [65.2%]) or at a public setting (31,162 [18.0%]). CONCLUSIONS: Most products associated with fractures among mature adults were related to flooring, stairs, or bedding. This study offers a detailed understanding on the common products associated with fractures in mature adults and aids in discussing preventive measures for lowering fracture risk with patients, communities, and healthcare systems.

AOA Critical Issues Symposium: I Have an Idea Now What?

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this symposium was to provide guidance to innovators as they progress from the idea stage to the product development stage,to the issuing of a patent, and to bringing a product or innovation to market. Finding strategic partnerships is a critical component in taking a good idea and turning it into a successful business. Protecting intellectual property through patents and developing an exit strategy are also important parts of making innovation profitable. We strive to empower our colleagues who are pursuing and commercializing ideas to help impact the health-care system at large.

The AO trauma CPP bone infection registry: Epidemiology and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus bone infection.

Bone infection represents a serious complication of orthopedic surgery and Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. To improve the understanding of host-pathogen interaction, we developed a biospecimen registry (AO Trauma CPP Bone Infection Registry) to collect clinical data, bacterial isolates, and serum from patients with S. aureus bone infection. A prospective multinational registry with a 12-month follow-up was created to include adult patients (18 years or older) with culture-confirmed S. aureus infection in long bones after fracture fixation or arthroplasty. Baseline patient attributes and details on infections and treatments were recorded. Blood and serum samples were obtained at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at 1, 6, and 12 months. Clinical outcomes were recorded. Two hundred and ninety-two patients with fracture-related infection (n = 157, 53.8%), prosthetic joint infection (n = 86, 29.5%), and osteomyelitis (n = 49, 16.8%) were enrolled. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was detected in 82 patients (28.4%), with the highest proportion found among patients from North American sites (n = 39, 48.8%) and the lowest from Central European sites (n = 18, 12.2%). Patient outcomes improved at 6 and 12 months in comparison to baseline. The SF-36 physical component summary mean (95% confidence interval) score, however, did not reach 50 at 12 months. The cure rate at the end of the study period was 62.1%. Although patients improved with treatment, less than two-thirds were cured in 1 year. At 12-month follow-up, patient-reported outcome scores were worse for patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections.

PPARGC1B Is Associated with Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Genomewide Association Study on a Chart-Reviewed Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the influence of heritable factors on the development of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). We hypothesized that genetic variation is associated with an increased risk of ONFH, and that variants could be identified by a genomewide association study (GWAS). METHODS: Using data collected from the MyCode Community Health Initiative, we identified 118 adult patients with radiographically confirmed nontraumatic ONFH. Study patients were statistically compared with a control population of 56,811 unrelated individuals without a diagnosis of ONFH. A case-control GWAS was performed to identify single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with ONFH. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the association of the top SNVs with (cortico)steroid-associated ONFH and ONFH with femoral head collapse. Gene-based analyses were performed to identify potential causal genes. RESULTS: Of the 118 patients, 114 (96.6%) had bilateral ONFH at a median of 5 years of follow-up; 90.7% had at least one 3-week steroid prescription compared with 68.3% in controls. A GWAS identified 4 SNVs reaching genomewide significance. rs116468452 near CACNA1E was significantly associated with ONFH (p = 3.26 × 10, odds ratio [OR] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.21 to 9.76). rs10953090 in SAMD9 was significantly associated with ONFH in the steroid-exposed subset (p = 2.96 × 10, OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.84 to 3.58). rs112467115 in PI4K1B showed enhanced association in the collapsed subset (p = 7.82 × 10, OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 2.60 to 7.79). Gene-based analyses identified PPARGC1B as the only gene significantly associated with ONFH after Bonferroni correction (p = 1 × 10), with the lead SNV being rs78814834 (OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.87 to 4.38). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 4 SNVs and 1 gene, PPARGC1B, associated with ONFH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Periprosthetic and Interprosthetic Fractures Associated with Knee Arthroplasty: Surgical Technique and Review of Current Literature.

With the increasing number of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) being performed, the incidence of periprosthetic fractures adjacent to a TKA is rising. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) has proven to be successful for the biological fixation of many fractures. Advances in surgical instrumentation and techniques made MIPO possible for more complex fractures. Periprosthetic fractures are always complicated by problems of soft tissue incisions, scarring, and, of course, the arthroplasty components. MIPO techniques may be particularly suited to these injuries and may make the surgical repair of these fractures safer and more reliable. In this review, case examples are used to define the indications, preoperative planning, implant selection, complications, limitations, and challenges of MIPO for the treatment of periprosthetic fractures about the knee. When considering MIPO for any fracture, we recommend prioritizing an acceptable reduction with biological fixation and resorting to mini-open or open approach when necessary to achieve it. Awareness of the learning curve of the surgical technique, advances in implant designs, the tips and tricks involved, and the limitations of the MIPO is of paramount importance from the orthopaedic surgeon's perspective.

Evidence-based orthopaedic surgery: what is evidence without the outcomes?

With the increased emphasis on evidence-based medicine in orthopaedics, the surgeon is faced with the challenge of evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment interventions. Health care authorities are also interested in measuring competing interventions, but out of concern for controlling costs. The success or failure of an intervention is often determined based on treatment outcomes. There are many outcomes measures available in the orthopaedic literature, and it is not uncommon for different measures to produce conflicting results. The orthopaedic surgeon must have the ability to accurately evaluate an outcomes measure to determine the value of a specific intervention. Similarly, selecting the appropriate outcomes measure for research or clinical purposes is an important decision that may have far-reaching implications on reimbursement and determining treatment success. To best select outcomes measures and to select the appropriate treatment for each patient, the orthopaedic surgeon needs to understand the recommended contents of a quality instrument, the difference between clinician-based and patient-reported outcomes, and how to evaluate outcomes reported in the literature.

Surgical weight-loss to improve functional status trajectories following total knee arthroplasty: SWIFT trial: Rationale, design, and methods.

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA, also known as total knee replacement) is a highly effective surgical intervention for the restoration of physical function and improving quality of life in patients with disabling knee osteoarthritis. Recent data suggest that obesity is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis and progression of knee osteoarthritis, with increases in body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) directly correlating with the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. However, recent data also suggest that there are increased risks associated with TKAs when performed in patients with morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2). Patients with morbid obesity are routinely referred for weight management prior to surgery. Many of these patients fail to meet the recommended weight loss goals prior to TKA, potentially making them ineligible for surgery or placing them at increased risk for sub-optimal outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the potential therapeutic impact and long-term outcomes of surgically induced weight loss on TKA outcomes. Specifically, these outcomes will include measures of physical function, mobility, and indices of joint function at 1 and 2 years post-TKA compared between extremely obese patients who undergo TKA (Control group, n = 150) and those with TKA performed ~1 year after bariatric surgery (Test group, n = 150). An additional primary endpoint will be the percent of bariatric patients that negate or delay the need for TKA. Secondary endpoints include perioperative outcomes after TKA.

Biomechanical evaluation of an expandable nail for the fixation of midshaft fractures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the torsional stability of diaphyseal long bone fractures fixed with either a Fixion nail (DiscOTech, Monroe Township, NJ) or a standard locked Zimmer M/DN locked nail (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN). METHODS: Two fracture models were used to evaluate the bone-implant constructs. A transverse osteotomy was created in all tibiae, and a spiral fracture was created in all humeri. Paired specimens were randomly assigned to receive either a Fixion or Zimmer M/DN locked nail. Each implanted construct was cyclically loaded in torsion, and construct stiffness for each fracture type and each bone computed from the resulting load-displacement curves. RESULTS: Performance of the Fixon nail in the tibial transverse model was variable: 2 of 10 implanted constructs failed during testing, and average construct stiffness was significantly greater for the Zimmer nail. No significant difference was found between the stiffness of the Zimmer M/DN and Fixion implanted humeral constructs either with or without the interlock. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture type significantly affected the performance of the Fixion nail. Our results suggest that the Fixion nail is most suitable for use in fractures where torsional loads across the fracture site are shared between the nail and the bony ends of the fracture, as in a spiral fracture.

Is "Early Total Care" a Safe and Effective Alternative to "Staged Protocol" for the Treatment of Schatzker IV-VI Tibial Plateau Fractures in Patients Older Than 50 Years?

OBJECTIVES: To compare "Early Total Care" (ETC) with "Staged Protocol" (SP) for the treatment of Schatzker IV-VI tibial plateau fractures in patients older than 50 years regarding safety and effectiveness. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: An academic level 1 US trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-one patients older than 50 years with Schatzker grade IV-VI tibial plateau fractures were included. INTERVENTION: Fifty-three patients were treated under SP with immediate external fixation followed by definitive internal fixation. Twenty-eight patients were treated under ETC with immediate internal fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Comparison of perioperative findings, time to bony and clinical union, soft-tissue and bony complications, radiological outcome, and secondary procedures. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable without significant difference regarding age, sex, side of involvement, body mass index, smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologist classification, associated injuries, comorbidities, follow-up duration, and fracture classification. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the perioperative complications, quality of reduction, time to union, Rasmussen score at union or at the final follow-up, soft-tissue/bony complications, and the rate of the secondary procedures. CONCLUSION: ETC seems to be a safe, efficacious, and effective alternative to the SP for the treatment of some Schatzker IV-VI fractures in patients older than 50 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcomes after orthopedic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Clinical orthopedic research needs better ability to assess patient expectations with regard to orthopedic trauma surgery outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate to which extent patient expectations prior to surgery could be met after surgery. METHODS: Patients (≥18 years) with surgical ankle fractures were prospectively recruited at 5 orthopedic trauma clinics in the United States (USA), Canada, and Brazil and followed up for 12 months. Patients were asked to complete a previously validated trauma expectation factor (TEF) questionnaire prior to surgery and a trauma outcome measure (TOM) 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: At 1 year, 155 patients had provided complete records. Almost half (49%; 76/155) had a 1-year TOM score equaling or exceeding their preoperative TEF score (95% CI: 41-57%). The remaining scores failed to meet patient expectations. TOM scores matched or exceeded patient expectations for 33% of patients in the USA and 47% in Canada, but for 69% in Brazil ( p = 0.001 (USA); p = 0.024 (Canada)). This geographical effect was attributable to higher patient expectations in North America as compared to Brazil (average TEF scores: 36 (North America) versus 31 (Brazil); p < 0.001). Patients with lower household income or smokers were more likely to be satisfied with their treatment ( p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, patients with severe type C fractures had better rates of satisfaction (62%) than patients with simpler B (50%) or type A fractures (33%) ( p = 0.01 [C type versus A type]). CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic surgeons have difficulty in meeting or exceeding presurgical patient expectations of long-term outcomes for ankle fracture surgery. This study provides evidence that culture, geography, and surgeon-patient communication have considerable influence on patient expectations.

Obesity Is Associated With High Perioperative Complications Among Surgically Treated Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur.

OBJECTIVES: To document the complications among obese patients who underwent surgical fixation for intertrochanteric femur (IT) fractures and to compare with nonobese patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Four level I trauma centers. PATIENTS: 1078 IT fracture patients. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient and fracture characteristics, surgical duration, surgical delay intraoperative and postoperative complications, inpatient mortality, and length of stay. METHOD: A retrospective review at 4 academic level I trauma centers was conducted to identify skeletally mature patients who underwent surgical fixation of intertrochanteric fractures between June 2008 and December 2014. Descriptive data, injury characteristics, OTA fracture classification, and associated medical comorbidities were documented. The outcomes measured included in-hospital complications, length of stay, rate of blood transfusion, change in hemoglobin levels, operative time, and wound infection. RESULTS: Of 1078 unique patients who were treated for an IT fracture, 257 patients had a Body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Patients with a high BMI (≥30) had a significantly lower mean age (73 vs. 77 years, P < 0.0001), higher percentage of high-energy injuries (18% vs. 9%, P = 0.0004), greater mean duration of surgery (96 vs. 86 minutes, P = 0.02), and higher mean length of stay (6.5 vs. 5.9 days, P = 0.004). The high-BMI group (n = 257) had significantly higher percentages of patients with complications overall (43% vs. 28%, P < 0.0001), respiratory complications (11% vs. 3%, P < 0.0001), electrolyte abnormalities (4% vs. 2%, P = 0.01), and sepsis (4% vs. 1%, P = 0.002). Patients with BMI ≥ 40 had a much higher rate of respiratory complications (18%) and wound complications (5%) than obese (BMI: 30-39.9) and nonobese patients (BMI < 30). CONCLUSION: Intertrochanteric hip fracture patients with a BMI of >30 kg/m are much more likely to sustain systemic complications including respiratory complications, electrolyte abnormalities, and sepsis. In addition, morbidly obese patients are more likely to sustain respiratory complications and wound infections than obese (BMI: 30-39.9 kg/m) and nonobese patients (BMI: < 30 kg/m). The findings from this study can help direct surgeons in the counseling to obese patients and their family, and perhaps increase hospital reimbursement for this group of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

External validation of the clinical indications of computed tomography (CT) of the head in patients with low-energy geriatric hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION: On evaluation of the clinical indications of computed tomography (CT) scan of head in the patients with low-energy geriatric hip fractures, Maniar et al. identified physical evidence of head injury, new onset confusion, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)<15 as predictive risk factors for acute findings on CT scan. The goal of the present study was to validate these three criteria as predictive risk factors for a larger population in a wider geographical distribution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients ≥65 years of age with low-energy hip fractures from 6 trauma centers in a wide geographical distribution in the United States were included in this study. In addition to the relevant patient demographic findings, the above mentioned three criteria and acute findings on head CT scan were gathered as categorical variables. RESULTS: In total 799 patients from 6 centers were included in the study. There were 67 patients (8.3%) with positive acute findings on head CT scan. All of these patients (100%) had at least one criteria positive. There were 732 patients who had negative acute findings on head CT scan with 376 patients (51%) having at least one criteria positive and 356 patients (49%) having no criteria positive. Sensitivity of 100% and negative predictive value of 100% was observed to predict negative acute findings on head CT scan when all the three criteria were negative. CONCLUSION: With the observed 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value, physical evidence of acute head injury, acute retrograde amnesia, and GCS<15 can be recommended as a clinical decision guide for the selective use of head CT scans in geriatric patients with low energy hip fractures. All the patients with positive acute head CT findings can be predicted in the presence of at least one positive criterion. In addition, if these criteria are used as a pre-requisite to order the head CT, around 50% of the unnecessary head CT scans can be avoided.

Nail Length in the Management of Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur.

Intramedullary devices are used increasingly to treat intertrochanteric femur fractures, especially those with unstable patterns. In spite of the considerable use of nails in the management of these fractures, opinions differ about the correct length of intramedullary nail. Long nails were developed to address the risk of diaphyseal fracture associated with earlier short nail designs and to extend the indications for use to include diaphyseal and subtrochanteric fractures. Several recent studies, however, have found no differences between modern short nails and long nails with regard to union and complication rates. In the absence of existing guidelines, the treating surgeon's preference and fracture characteristics continue to influence the decision of whether to use short nails or long nails. The surgeon needs to consider the fracture configuration and related factors, including whether osteoporosis is present and the cost and risk of revision surgery, when selecting the appropriate nail length.