Routine pretransfusion testing before primary total hip or knee arthroplasty are an expensive and wasteful routine. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The excessive routine ordering of pretransfusion tests (blood typing, screening, and cross-matching) for surgical cases incurs significant unnecessary costs and places an undue burden on transfusion services. This study aims to systematically review the literature regarding the necessity of routine pretransfusion tests before total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and summarize their outcomes. STUDY METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. The study's characteristics, the prevalence of over-ordering pretransfusion tests, transfusion rates, and potential cost savings to the healthcare system were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 17,667 patients. Pooled results revealed a 96.3% over-ordering pretransfusion test rate (95% CI: 0.92-1.00; p < 0.001) among patients undergoing primary THA or TKA. The pooled prevalence of hospital transfusion rate was 3.6%. Notably, there were statistically significant differences in preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels between patients not requiring transfusion (Hb = 13.9 g/dl; 95% CI 12.59-15.20; p < 0.001) and those needing transfusion (Hb = 11.9 g/dl; 95% CI 10.69-13.01; p < 0.001) (p = 0.03). The per-patient total cost savings ranged from 28.63 to 191.27 dollars. DISCUSSION: Our study suggests that routine pre-transfusion testing for all patients undergoing primary THA or TKA may be unnecessary. We propose limiting pretransfusion test orders to patients with preoperative hemoglobin levels below 12 g/dl in unilateral primary TKA or THA. This targeted approach can result in significant cost savings for healthcare systems and transfusion services by reducing the over-ordering of pretransfusion tests in these surgical procedures.

Implementing mHealth-Enabled Integrated Care for Complex Chronic Patients With Osteoarthritis Undergoing Primary Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: Prospective, Two-Arm, Parallel Trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a disabling condition that is often associated with other comorbidities. Total hip or knee arthroplasty is an effective surgical treatment for osteoarthritis when indicated, but comorbidities can impair their results by increasing complications and social and economic costs. Integrated care (IC) models supported by eHealth can increase efficiency through defragmentation of care and promote patient-centeredness. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of implementing a mobile health (mHealth)-enabled IC model for complex chronic patients undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. METHODS: As part of the Horizon 2020 Personalized Connected Care for Complex Chronic Patients (CONNECARE) project, a prospective, pragmatic, two-arm, parallel implementation trial was conducted in the rural region of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. For 3 months, complex chronic patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty and their caregivers received the combined benefits of the CONNECARE organizational IC model and the eHealth platform supporting it, consisting of a patient self-management app, a set of integrated sensors, and a web-based platform connecting professionals from different settings, or usual care (UC). We assessed changes in health status (12-item short-form survey [SF-12]), unplanned visits and admissions during a 6-month follow-up, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were recruited for the mHealth-enabled IC arm, and 30 patients were recruited for the UC arm. Both groups were statistically comparable for baseline characteristics, such as age; sex; type of arthroplasty; and Charlson index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Barthel index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Pfeiffer mental status questionnaire scores. Patients in both groups had significant increases in the SF-12 physical domain and total SF-12 score, but differences in differences between the groups were not statistically significant. IC patients had 50% fewer unplanned visits (P=.006). Only 1 hospital admission was recorded during the follow-up (UC arm). The IC program generated savings in different cost scenarios, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio demonstrated cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty can benefit from the implementation of patient-centered mHealth-enabled IC models aimed at empowering patients and facilitating transitions from specialized hospital care to primary care. Such models can reduce unplanned contacts with the health system and reduce overall health costs, proving to be cost-effective. Overall, our findings support the notion of system-wide cross-organizational care pathways supported by mHealth as a successful way to implement IC for patients undergoing elective surgery.

Adductor canal block performed 20 hours after total knee arthroplasty to improve postoperative analgesia and functional recovery: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The goal of postoperative pain protocols in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is to get pain free patients throughout severe pain period without impairing walking ability. The aim of the study was to investigate if an adductor canal block performed 20 hours after TKA, in patients treated with systemic analgesia and intraoperative local infiltration anesthesia (LIA), improves postoperative pain and functional outcomes. METHODS: A prospective randomized, double-blinded controlled study was conducted. One hundred eighty-three patients undergoing primary TKA were randomized to receive either a sham block or an adductor canal block with 20 mL of ropivacaine 0.5%. The primary outcome was resting and dynamic pain scores using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Secondary outcomes included opioid rescue requirements, quadriceps and adductor muscle strength, patient ability for ambulation and complications. RESULTS: Two hours after the block, in adductor canal block group NPRS was significantly lower at rest (1 [0-2] vs. 3 [2-5], P<0.001) and with mobilization (5 [3-6] vs. 6 [5-8], P<0.001), and quadriceps strength was significantly higher (3.7 [2.7-6] vs. 3 (1.7-4.9), P=0.023). The differences were not maintained beyond 24 hours post-block. In the first 24 hours the percentage of patients with tramadol requirements was lower in the adductor canal block group (36 [38.3] vs. 52 [58.4], P=0.006). Other secondary outcomes were similar between groups. There were no patient falls. CONCLUSIONS: An adductor canal block done 20 hours after total knee arthroplasty reduces pain and opioid requirements without increasing the risk of falls. An optimal pain control, especially at movement was not achieved.

Implementing Mobile Health-Enabled Integrated Care for Complex Chronic Patients: Patients and Professionals' Acceptability Study.

BACKGROUND: Integrated care (IC) can promote health and social care efficiency through prioritization of preventive patient-centered models and defragmentation of care and collaboration across health tiers, and mobile health (mHealth) can be the cornerstone allowing for the adoption of IC. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the acceptability, usability, and satisfaction of an mHealth-enabled IC model for complex chronic patients in both patients and health professionals. METHODS: As part of the CONNECARE Horizon 2020 project, a prospective, pragmatic, 2-arm, parallel, hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial was conducted from July 2018 to August 2019 in a rural region of Catalonia, Spain. Home-dwelling patients 55 years and older with chronic conditions and a history of hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure (use case [UC] 1), or a scheduled major elective hip or knee arthroplasty (UC2) were recruited. During the 3 months, patients experienced an mHealth-enabled IC model, including a self-management app for patients, a set of integrated sensors, and a web-based platform connecting professionals from different settings or usual care. The Person-Centered Coordinated Care Experience Questionnaire (P3CEQ) and the Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire (NCQ) assessed person-centeredness and continuity of care. Acceptability was assessed for IC arm patients and staff with the Net Promoter Score (NPS) and the System Usability Scale (SUS). RESULTS: The analyses included 77 IC patients, 58 controls who completed the follow-up, and 30 health care professionals. The mean age was 78 (SD 9) years in both study arms. Perception of patient-centeredness was similarly high in both arms (usual care: mean P3CEQ score 16.1, SD 3.3; IC: mean P3CEQ score 16.3, SD 2.4). IC patients reported better continuity of care than controls (usual care: mean NCQ score 3.7, SD 0.9; IC: mean NCQ score 4.0, SD 1; P=.04). The scores for patient acceptability (UC1: NPS +67%; UC2: NPS +45%) and usability (UC1: mean SUS score 79, SD 14; UC2: mean SUS score 68, SD 24) were outstanding. Professionals' acceptability was low (UC1: NPS -25%; UC2: NPS -35%), whereas usability was average (UC1: mean SUS score 63, SD 20; UC2: mean SUS score 62, SD 19). The actual use of technology was high; 77% (58/75) of patients reported physical activity for at least 60 days, and the ratio of times reported over times prescribed for other sensors ranged from 37% for oxygen saturation to 67% for weight. CONCLUSIONS: The mHealth-enabled IC model showed outstanding results from the patients' perspective in 2 different UCs but lacked maturity and integration with legacy systems to be fully accepted by professionals. This paper provides useful lessons learned through the development and assessment process and may be of use to organizations willing to develop or implement mHealth-enabled IC for older adults.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and atypical neck pain: A case report. / Linfoma no Hodgkin y cervicalgia atípica. A propósito de un caso.

Neck pain is a common reason for seeking medical attention. It affects at least 15% of the labor force and up to 40% of individuals whose occupation is hazardous. On the other hand, primary bone lymphoma is a very rare disease (less than 1% of all malignant bone tumors), and the relationship between the 2 has rarely been mentioned. We report the case of a patient who had a 1-month history of neck pain. The main symptom was pain on palpation of C2-C6 cervical spinous processes and contracture of the trapezius muscle that did not cease with conventional treatment. Imaging studies indicated an abnormality. He underwent surgery and the results of vertebral biopsy were compatible with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He was treated with radiotherapy with a good outcome.

Influence of Hospital Volume of Procedures by Year on the Risk of Revision of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

The volume of total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed in a hospital per year could be an influential factor on the revision of these procedures. The aims of this study were: To obtain comparable cohorts in higher- and lower-volume hospitals; and to assess the association between the hospital volume and the incidence of revision. Data from patients undergoing THA and TKA caused by osteoarthritis and recorded in the Catalan Arthroplasty Register (RACat) between January 2005 and December 2016 were used. The main explanatory variable was hospital volume by year (higher/lower). The cut-off point was fixed, based on previous research, at 50 THA and 125 TKA procedures/year. To obtain comparable populations, a propensity-score matching method (1:1) was used. Patient characteristics prior to and after matching were compared. To assess differences by volume, subhazard ratios (SHRs) from competing risks models were obtained. After matching, 13,772 THA and 36,316 TKA patients remained in the study. Prior to matching, in both joints, significant differences in all confounders were observed between volume groups. After matching, none of them remained significant. Both in THA and TKA, a higher risk of revision in higher-volume hospitals was observed (THA SHR: 1.25, 95%CI: 1.02-1.53; and TKA SHR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.16-1.44). Unlike other contexts, currently in Catalonia, higher-volume hospitals have a greater risk of revision than lower-volume hospitals. Further research could be valuable to define context-dependent measures to reduce the incidence of revision.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of hip and knee implant models used in Catalonia: a protocol for a prospective registry-based study.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring results regarding the effectiveness of knee and hip arthroplasties may be useful at the clinical, economic and patient level and help reduce the number of prosthesis revisions. In Spain, and specifically in Catalonia, there is currently no systematic monitoring of the different prosthesis models available on the market. Within this context, the aim of the project presented in this protocol is to evaluate the short- and medium-term effectiveness of knee and hip models implanted in Catalonia and to identify where the results could be better or worse than expected. METHODS: A prospective observational design will be drawn up based on data from a population-based arthroplasty register for hip and knee replacements that includes data from 53 of the 61 public hospitals in Catalonia. The knee and hip prosthesis models used will be identified and classified according to the type of prosthesis, fixation and, in total hip replacements, the bearing surface. For the data analysis, two methodological approaches will be used sequentially: first, an approach based on a survival analysis, followed by an approach based on standardised revision ratios and funnel plots. Following the analyses, a panel of experts will evaluate the results to identify possible sources of bias. Lastly, those models with results better or worse than expected compared to those from the comparison group will be valued, and strengths and difficulties for routine implementation of this methodology within the Catalan Arthroplasty Register will be identified. DISCUSSION: The study presented in this protocol will allow us to identify the hip and knee prosthesis models whose results might be better or worse than expected. This information could have a potential impact at the patient, orthopaedic surgeon, healthcare manager, decision-making and industry levels, both in the short term and in the medium and long term.

Safety and Effectiveness of Shoulder Arthroplasties in Spain: A Systematic Review.

The effectiveness and safety of shoulder arthroplasties in the general context of a Spanish patient population remains unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain both the effectiveness and safety of primary shoulder arthroplasties and the prosthesis types used in Spain. A systematic review of all the available literature evaluating the effectiveness and safety of primary shoulder arthroplasties in Spain was performed. A narrative synthesis was performed, and evidence tables were created in four dimensions: study design, arthroplasty characteristics, safety, and effectiveness. Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) scores were used to evaluate prosthesis types. Twenty-one studies were selected that included a total of 1293 arthroplasties. The most common indication was fractures, while the prosthesis most frequently used was the Delta Xtend (ODEP 10A). The most common complication was scapular notching. Prosthesis revision rate was approximately 6% for follow-ups between 12 and 79 months. In addition, significant improvements were observed in the Constant-Murley test score after the intervention. Currently in Spain, shoulder arthroplasty can be considered a safe and effective procedure with functional recovery and pain reduction for eligible patients with humeral fracture, rotator cuff arthropathy, fracture sequelae and malunion of the proximal humerus, and degenerative disease. Future longitudinal research and population-based studies could serve to confirm these results and identify points of improvement.

Risk of revision following total hip arthroplasty: metal-on-conventional polyethylene compared with metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene bearing surfaces: international results from six registries.

The results of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have suggested reduced radiographic wear in highly cross-linked polyethylene compared with conventional polyethylene in primary total hip arthroplasty. However, longer-term clinical results have not been thoroughly examined, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of revision for metal-on-conventional and metal-on-highly cross-linked total hip arthroplasty bearing surfaces with use of a distributed data network of six national and regional registries (Kaiser Permanente, HealthEast, the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, the Catalan region in Spain, Norway, and Australia). Inclusion criteria were osteoarthritis as the primary diagnosis, cementless implant fixation, and a patient age of forty-five to sixty-four years. These criteria resulted in a sample of 16,571 primary total hip arthroplasties. Multivariate meta-analysis was performed with use of linear mixed models, with survival probability as the unit of analysis. The results of a fixed-effects model suggested that there was insufficient evidence of a difference in risk of revision between bearing surfaces (hazard ratio, 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 1.79]; p = 0.384). Highly cross-linked polyethylene does not appear to have a reduced risk of revision in this subgroup of total hip arthroplasty patients. Arthroplasties involving highly cross-linked polyethylene do not appear to have an increased risk of revision in this subgroup of total hip arthroplasty patients.

[Vertebral osteonecrosis and percutaneous vertebroplasty]. / Osteonecrosis vertebral y vertebroplastia percutánea.

Vertebral osteonecrosis is characterized by the presence of the intravertebral vacuum phenomenon. It is a relatively uncommon disease and although it may be caused by different pathologies, the most frequent cause is posttraumatic. The explanation for the presence of intravertebral gas is not known completely. We present the case of a 74-year-old patient who after suffering a vertebral traumatism, to complain of intense vertebral pain. A simple radiological study, CT scan, and magnetic resonance confirmed the presence of intravertebral vacuum phenomenon. We studied this radiological sign and then commented on its evolution after percutaneous vertebroplasty.