Continuous suture all-inside meniscal repair technique produces excellent functional outcomes and return to play rates with a low rate of failure.

BACKGROUND: The all-inside technique is now the most established treatment for meniscal repair, this usually involves a suture-based repair utilising interrupted sutures. A similar technique using continuous sutures can also be used; however there are no studies in the literature appraising this technique. This study aims to review outcomes for patients undergoing meniscal repair using a continuous suture all-inside technique. METHODS: We reviewed patients undergoing meniscal repair using a continuous suture all-inside technique over a 5 year period. We recorded demographic details, injury type, surgical procedure, incidence of reoperation, functional outcomes (Tegner-Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score) return to sport and failure of repair. RESULTS: Data were collected for 37 patients. Mean age was 25.8 years, 81%, were male, median time to theatre was 169 days, mean follow-up time was 2.9 years. Concurrent ACL ruptures were present in 57%, all underwent ACL reconstruction in the same sitting. The mean Tegner-Lysholm score was 89. Mean IKDC score was 90.2. 78% were able to return to sport. Overall failure rate was 10.81%. Increasing age was associated with a decreased IKDC score (p = 0.02). Tegner-Lysholm score was significantly greater in patients with concurrent ACL injuries (p = 0.03) and patients with lateral meniscal tears (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In the first study to review outcomes following continuous all-inside suture-based meniscal repair we demonstrate excellent clinical outcomes with IKDC, Tegner-Lysholm, return to play and failure rates comparable to other commonly used techniques. We conclude that this is an acceptable and cost-effective technique.

There is no difference in the complication or re-operation rates between tension band wiring and locking plate fixation for olecranon fractures. The findings of a multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: Tension band wire (TBW) and locking plate fixation (LPF) are widely used fixation methods for displaced fractures of the olecranon. The aim of our study was to review the current operative management of olecranon fractures and compare the complication and re-operation rates for patients undergoing TBW and LPF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data were collected for all patients who underwent acute fixation of olecranon fractures in 2016 across nine hospitals in the United Kingdom. We reviewed these cases to determine the incidence of complications and re-operations. RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients were included in the study. Seventy-three (52%) had TBW, 67 (48%) had LPF. Males were more likely to have LPF (p = 0.01) as were patients with comminuted fractures (p < 0.01). The overall complication rate was 25%, including an infection rate of 3%, a prominent metalwork irritation rate of 12% and the overall re-operation rate was 17%. There was no significant difference in the complication rate (p = 0.38), infection rate (p = 0.92) or rate of prominent metalwork irritation (p = 0.10) between patients undergoing TBW and LPF. Sub group analysis of patients with comminuted fractures also demonstrated no significant difference in complication rates (p = 0.75) or re-operation rates (p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: LPF has previously been advocated to be advantageous to TBW due to lower reported complication and re-operation rates despite there being no significant difference in functional outcomes. In this multicentre case series, which is the largest in the literature to date, we did not observe any significant differences in complication rates or re-operation rates between the two, even amongst comminuted fractures (which are traditionally treated with LPF), when decision making was left to surgeon preference. We, therefore, recommend that choice of fixation method should be left to individual surgeon's preference.

30-day mortality for fractured neck of femur patients with concurrent COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for mortality associated with COVID-19 have been reported to include increased age, male sex and certain comorbidities. Fracture neck of femur (NOF) patients is high-risk surgical patients, often with multiple comorbidities and advanced age. We quantify the 30-day mortality rate in fractured NOF patients with a positive peri-operative COVID-19 antigen test and identify risk factors for increased mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-centre review of all patients admitted with a fractured NOF and a confirmed laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 between 1 March and 26 April 2020. Demographic data, comorbidities, ASA grade and date of death (if applicable) were collected. RESULTS: There were 64 patients in the cohort with an overall 30-day mortality rate of 32.8% (n = 21). Thirty-five (55%) were female, and mean age was 83 (SD 9, range 46-100) years. There was significantly increased mortality for those with a history of myocardial infarction (p = 0.03). Sixty-four percent of patients underwent surgery within the 36-h target, which is comparable to previous data for the same time of year. Overall mortality increased to 50% (n = 32) at 45 days post-operatively. CONCLUSION: This is a large review of 30-day mortality in NOF patients with concurrent COVID-19 infection. We report a substantial increase from the pre-COVID-19 mean 30-day mortality rate (6.5% in 2019). We highlight the need for counselling patients when presenting with a NOF in relation to peri-operative COVID-19 infection and the associated increased risks.

Is There a Consensus on Air Travel Following Hip and Knee Arthroplasty?

Introduction "When can I fly after my hip or knee replacement?" is a question frequently encountered by surgeons. Both air travel and arthroplasty increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); however, few studies examine the risk of air travel following arthroplasty. This study aimed to review the advice given to patients by surgeons, airlines, and insurance providers about flying after arthroplasty. We also review the current literature and available guidelines. Materials and methods A survey was sent to consultants with a special interest in hip or knee arthroplasty at 14 hospital trusts in the United Kingdom (UK) asking how long they would advise patients to avoid flying after surgery. We contacted all UK commercial airlines asking if they imposed any limitations on flying after arthroplasty. We contacted 15 UK insurance providers to determine whether they would provide insurance coverage following arthroplasty. Results A total of 110 knee surgeons and 105 hip surgeons were contacted. The response rate was 42% for hip surgeons and 44% for knee surgeons. Advised time to avoid flying varied widely from 14 to 180 days. A total of 22 airlines were contacted, and the response rate was 63% (n=14). Five airlines would not allow passengers to fly following arthroplasty and seven airlines required certification from a doctor. Fifteen insurance providers were contacted and the response rate was 73% (n=11). Seven insurance providers had restrictions on providing cover to passengers after arthroplasty. Conclusion Advice given to patients by surgeons, airlines, and insurance providers about flying following arthroplasty varies greatly. There is an absence of evidence-based guidelines to inform such advice. Further study is required to provide the evidence on which to base such advice. Therefore, we recommend that surgeons exercise caution when providing advice to patients.

One Hundred Twenty-Day Mortality Rates for Hip Fracture Patients with COVID-19 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Increased 30-day mortality rates have been reported for patients with hip fractures and a concurrent diagnosis of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. Due to nosocomial spread of infection and the variable incubation period with the virus, follow-up past 30 days after injury is required to evaluate the true mortality amongst these patients. We aim to assess 120-day mortality rates in hip fracture patients with COVID-19 infection and compare this to hip fracture patients without COVID-19 infection presenting during the same time period. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter review of all patients aged ≥ 60 years admitted with a fractured neck of femur between March 5 and April 5, 2020, at nine U.K. trauma units. COVID-19 status, demographic data, comorbidities, and date of death (if applicable) were collected. RESULTS: Data were collected for 265 hip fracture patients. Forty-six patients (17.4%) tested positive for COVID-19 infection. There were no significant differences in age or Charlson comorbidity score between those with or without COVID-19. Those with COVID-19 infection were more likely to be male (p = 0.01). Patients with COVID-19 had a 30-day mortality of 35% versus 10% in patients without (p < 0.01). One hundred twenty-day mortality was also greater in those with COVID-19 infection at 63% compared to those without at 17% (p < 0.01). Previous history of myocardial infarction was the only independent factor that showed to increase mortality rate (p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis also revealed significantly increased mortality rates at 120 days in men (27% vs. 67%), women (14% vs. 59%), and those undergoing surgery (56% vs. 30%). CONCLUSIONS: We report a significantly increased mortality rate at 30 and 120 days after injury in an already high-risk cohort of surgical patients. With nearly half of patients being diagnosed with COVID-19 at 14 days or greater following admission, this study highlights the importance of taking appropriate measures to decrease the incidence of nosocomial infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in hip fracture patients.

Serum D-dimer should not be used in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism within 28 days of total knee replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Serum D-dimer is frequently used to rule out a diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a recognised complication following total knee replacement (TKR). TKR is known to cause a rise in D-dimer levels, reducing its specificity. Previous studies have demonstrated that D-dimer remains elevated within 10 days of TKR and therefore should be avoided. The aim of this study was to determine whether serum D-dimer tests are clinically appropriate in identifying VTE when performed within 28 days of TKR. METHODS: Case notes for patients who had a serum D-dimer test performed for clinically suspected VTE at ≥ 28 days following TKR were retrospectively reviewed for a 6-year period. Demographics, D-dimer result, time after surgery and further radiological investigations were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent D-dimer tests at ≥ 28 days following surgery (median 60 days, range 29-266); 48 of these patients had a positive result. Of these, five had confirmed VTE on radiological investigations. Serum D-dimer was raised in 96% of the patients. Only 10.42% of these patients had confirmed VTE. No patients with negative D-dimers had confirmed VTE. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that serum D-dimer remains raised for at least 28 days and possibly considerably longer following TKR. Serum D-dimer should not be used in patients with clinically suspected VTE within this period because of its unacceptably low specificity of 4.44% and positive predictive value of 10.42%, which can lead to a delay in necessary further radiological investigations, waste of resources and unnecessary exposure to harm.