Functional outcomes after Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction show inverted J-shaped relation with Body Mass Index.

PURPOSE: Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) is a recognised surgical procedure for the treatment of recurrent patellofemoral instability with excellent outcomes reported. The aim of this study is to determine if body mass index can influence these outcomes. METHODS: This is a single-centre retrospective analysis of a longitudinal patellofemoral database. Patients with recurrent patellar instability, without patellar alta or severe trochlear dysplasia were treated using a MPFL-R between 2015 and 2019 at The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. The clinical efficacy following surgery was assessed by Kujula, International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC), and EuroQol-5 score (EQ-5D) at baseline and up to 26 months post-operatively; their safety assessed by complication rate and requirement for further surgery. The effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) on clinical outcome was analysed using linear, curvilinear, and segmented models following propensity score weighting. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (97 Knees, mean age 25y) were analysed. Of these, 61 patients had a BMI < 30 kg/m2 (mean age 23y, mean BMI 24) of which 7 patients (12.3%) required additional surgery. A further 36 patients had a BMI > 30 kg/m2 (mean age 27y, mean BMI 36) of which 2 patients (5.6%) required additional surgery. The re-dislocation rate was 0% in each BMI group. Both groups had a significantly improved mean outcome following surgery, with improvements in mean IKDC above the minimum clinical important differences (MCID) of 20.5. BMI had an inverted J-shaped association with functional outcome, showing peak outcomes at BMI of 20.5 (95% CI 18.5 to 22.4; IKDC and Kujala) or BMI of 28 (EQ-5D index). No evidence for an association between BMI and complication risk was found. CONCLUSION: BMI influences the functional outcomes in MPFL-R with an inverted J-shaped relation, without evidence it affected the complication or re-dislocation rate. In the absence of patella alta and severe trochlear dysplasia, an isolated MPFL reconstruction is a safe and effective procedure to treat patellar instability, with the best functional outcome in patients with a BMI around 20 to 21. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Phase Ib study of eprenetapopt (APR-246) in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a phase I, multicenter, open-label, dose-finding, and expansion study to determine the safety and preliminary efficacy of eprenetapopt (APR-246) combined with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04383938). PATIENTS AND METHODS: For dose-finding, requirements were non-central nervous system primary solid tumor, intolerant to/progressed after ≥1 line of treatment, and eligible for pembrolizumab; for expansion: (i) gastric/gastroesophageal junction tumor, intolerant to/progressed after first-line treatment, and no prior anti-programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy; (ii) bladder/urothelial tumor, intolerant to/progressed after first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and no prior anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy; (iii) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with previous anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Patients received eprenetapopt 4.5 g/day intravenously (IV) on days 1-4 with pembrolizumab 200 mg IV on day 3 in each 21-day cycle. Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), adverse events (AEs), and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of eprenetapopt. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled (median age 66 years; range 27-85) and 37 received eprenetapopt plus pembrolizumab. No DLTs were reported and the RP2D for eprenetapopt in combination was 4.5 g/day IV on days 1-4. The most common eprenetapopt-related AEs were dizziness (35.1%), nausea (32.4%), and vomiting (29.7%). AEs leading to eprenetapopt discontinuation occurred in 2/37 patients (5.4%). In efficacy-assessable patients (n = 29), one achieved complete response (urothelial cancer), two achieved partial responses (NSCLC, urothelial cancer), and six patients had stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: The eprenetapopt plus pembrolizumab combination was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile and showed clinical activity in patients with solid tumors.

Competence in using the arthroscopy stack system: a national survey of orthopaedic trainees in the UK.

INTRODUCTION: Surgeons are required to have a sound knowledge regarding all operating theatre equipment they wish to use. This is important to ensure patient safety and theatre efficiency. Arthroscopy forms a significant part of all orthopaedic subspecialty practice. Proficiency in performing arthroscopic procedures is assessed during registrar training. The aim of this survey was to determine the competence of orthopaedic trainee registrars in setting up the arthroscopy stack system and managing intraoperative problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic survey forms were sent to all orthopaedic training programme directors in the UK to be forwarded to trainees in their deanery. The electronic survey contained 13 questions aimed at determining trainee experience and competence level with working with the arthroscopy stack system. RESULTS: A total of 138 responses were received from 14 deaneries in the UK. Almost all registrars had experienced intraoperative delays because of equipment malfunction that required addressing by more competent staff. However, 82% of respondents had not received any formal training for operating the arthroscopy stack system. Some 82% of registrars of ST7 grade or above, who had performed over 50 arthroscopic procedures and achieved a level 4 PBA competence, were unable to set up the stack system and successfully address these delays. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate training is delivered to orthopaedic registrars from both the training programme and arthroscopy-themed courses with regards to set-up and operation of the arthroscopy tower system. This training should be part of the curriculum to ensure patient safety and efficient theatre practice.

Ponseti casting for club foot - above- or below-knee?: A prospective randomised clinical trial.

We undertook a randomised clinical trial to compare treatment times and failure rates between above- and below-knee Ponseti casting groups. Eligible children with idiopathic clubfoot, treated using the Ponseti method, were randomised to either below- or above-knee plaster of Paris casting. Outcome measures were total treatment time and the occurrence of failure, defined as two slippages or a treatment time above eight weeks. A total of 26 children (33 feet) were entered into the trial. The above-knee group comprised 17 feet in 13 children (ten boys and three girls, median age 13 days (1 to 40)) and the below-knee group comprised 16 feet in 13 children (ten boys and three girls, median age 13 days (5 to 20)). Because of six failures (37.5%) in the below-knee group, the trial was stopped early for ethical reasons. The rate of failure was significantly higher in the below-knee group (p = 0.039). The median treatment times of six weeks in the below-knee and four weeks in the above-knee group differed significantly (p = 0.01). This study demonstrates that the use of a below-knee plaster of Paris cast in conjunction with the Ponseti technique leads to unacceptably high failure rates and significantly longer treatment times. Therefore, this technique is not recommended.

Outcome of meniscal repair prior compared with concurrent ACL reconstruction.

Meniscal tears are commonly associated with traumatic rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). At our centre, if a patient presents with locked knee in conjunction with an ACL injury we perform an initial arthroscopy to remove the cause of locking and schedule ACL reconstruction once a full range of motion has returned. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of meniscal tears stabilised prior to ACL reconstruction. We identified 24 patients who underwent repair of a torn meniscus before having their ACL reconstruction (group 1). As a comparison group we identified 148 patients who underwent meniscal repair at the time of ACL reconstruction (group 2). Twelve of the patients in group 1 underwent meniscectomy, seven at the time of reconstruction and five subsequently. This gives a success rate of 50% (12/24) in the ACL deficient patients. In comparison forty two of the patients in group 2 went on to have a meniscectomy representing a success of 72% (106/148). The odds ratio for meniscectomy in an ACL deficient meniscal repair is 2.52 (95% CI 1.07-5.97) and there is a relative risk of 1.76 (95% CI 1.05-2.63). The difference in success of the meniscal repair between the groups was significant (Fisher's exact test p=0.05). Meniscal repair and delayed ACL reconstruction is more likely to fail than a combined repair and ACL reconstruction.

White on white meniscal tears to fix or not to fix?

The mechanical disadvantage to articular cartilage following meniscectomy has been well documented in the literature. Meniscal repair in the avascular (white on white) is controversial and would be deemed inappropriate by many. We have developed criteria for repair in all meniscal tears. These are: The meniscus 1. must not be degenerated 2. must be reducible, without a rolled edge 3. the fixation must be considered sound. Between 1999 and 2008 our department prospectively collected data on meniscal repairs as part of a sports database. Four hundred and twenty three patients underwent repair during this time period. We identified 87 patients with no co existent ACL injury or instability. There were 73 males and 14 females with a mean age of 26 years (13-54). All tears were in the non peripheral (white on white) area. The criterion for failure was reoperation on the same meniscus requiring excision or re fixation. The mean follow up was 49 months (10-112). Twenty eight patients required further surgery on their repaired meniscus. There were eight re-repairs and 20 partial menisectomies. This represents a success rate of 68% (59/87). The mean pre operative Lysholm score was 61 (4-88) which rose to 75 (12-100) postoperatively, p=0.002. The mean pre op Tegner score was 6 (3-10) and this did not change significantly post operatively, mean 6 (0-10) p=0.4. Isolated white on white avascular meniscal tears can be successfully repaired in the majority of cases with a good clinical and functional result.