Randomized clinical trial comparing pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and periarticular local anesthetic infiltration for total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This randomized trial compared pericapsular nerve group block and periarticular local anesthetic infiltration in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. We hypothesized that, compared with pericapsular nerve group block, periarticular local anesthetic infiltration would decrease the postoperative incidence of quadriceps weakness at 3 hours fivefold (ie, from 45% to 9%). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive a pericapsular nerve group block (n=30) using 20 mL of adrenalized bupivacaine 0.50%, or periarticular local anesthetic infiltration (n=30) using 60 mL of adrenalized bupivacaine 0.25%. Both groups also received 30 mg of ketorolac, either intravenously (pericapsular nerve group block) or periarticularly (periarticular local anesthetic infiltration), as well as 4 mg of intravenous dexamethasone.Postoperatively, a blinded evaluator carried out sensory assessment and motor assessment (knee extension and hip adduction) at 3, 6 and 24 hours. Furthermore, the blinded observer also recorded static and dynamic pain scores at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 hours; time to first opioid request; cumulative breakthrough morphine consumption at 24 hours and 48 hours; opioid-related side effects; ability to perform physiotherapy at 6, 24 and 48 hours; as well as length of stay. RESULTS: There were no differences in quadriceps weakness at 3 hours between pericapsular nerve group block and periarticular local anesthetic infiltration (20% vs 33%; p=0.469). Furthermore, no intergroup differences were found in terms of sensory block or motor block at other time intervals; time to first opioid request; cumulative breakthrough morphine consumption; opioid-related side effects; ability to perform physiotherapy; and length of stay. Compared with pericapsular nerve group block, periarticular local anesthetic infiltration resulted in lower static pain scores (at all measurement intervals) and dynamic pain scores (at 3 and 6 hours). CONCLUSION: For primary total hip arthroplasty, pericapsular nerve group block and periarticular local anesthetic infiltration result in comparable rates of quadriceps weakness. However, periarticular local anesthetic infiltration is associated with lower static pain scores (especially during the first 24 hours) and dynamic pain scores (first 6 hours). Further investigation is required to determine the optimal technique and local anesthetic admixture for periarticular local anesthetic infiltration. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05087862.

The role of anterior supra-acetabular external fixator as definitive treatment for anterior ring fixation in unstable pelvic fractures.

PURPOSE: Management of anterior ring injuries is still a matter of discussion, and there are only few studies reporting anterior external fixator as definitive treatment for unstable pelvic injuries. This study aimed to describe the clinical and radiological outcomes of a consecutive series of mechanically unstable pelvic injuries that were treated with definitive anterior supra-acetabular external fixator for the anterior ring, and to identify risk factors for failure. METHODS: We included a consecutive series of patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures who underwent anterior supra-acetabular external fixation for definitive treatment, between January 2012 and January 2020. All demographics, associated injuries and procedures, injury mechanism, and complications were analysed. Pelvic fracture was classified based on Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Tile AO (OTA/AO) and Young-Burgess classifications. Complications associated with the external fixator were revised. All patients were functionally evaluated at final follow-up and asked to report their clinical outcomes using the Majeed score. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were included, of which 25 were females. The median age was 44 years (interquartile range 23-59). Median follow-up duration was 14 months (interquartile range 6-31). The most frequent aetiology was motor vehicle accident (35), followed by fall from height (8). All fractures required posterior pelvic ring fixation. The median time during which patients had external fixation in situ was 11 weeks (interquartile range 9-13). All patients achieved healing of pelvic fracture at median time of 10 weeks (interquartile range 8-12). At final follow-up, the median displacement of the anterior pelvis was 6 mm (interquartile range 0-11). Superficial infection was the most common complication (n = 7). No washout procedures were needed. No major complication was reported. No patient required reoperation for anterior ring fracture. The median Majeed score was 88 points (range 60-95; interquartile range 80-90) at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the use of supra-acetabular external fixator is safe and effective for definitive treatment of the anterior ring in unstable pelvic fractures. It is a method with high proportion of excellent results, regardless of the type of fracture. The rate of complications is low, and it does not compromise functional results.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Goodman score in total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Currently, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are the standard instruments used to compare arthroplasty results. Goodman et al. recently published a well-constructed scale with excellent psychometric properties that can be quickly administered. The main objective of our study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate a Spanish version of the Goodman questionnaire in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The original Goodman scale was translated into Spanish and cross-culturally adapted. Then, the data from this version were tested for psychometric quality. We designed a cross-sectional study for data collection. This study enrolled 2 institutions. Patients who underwent hip replacement due to primary osteoarthritis secondary to dysplasia between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019 were included. A total of 153 patients were contacted twice to record the Goodman and Oxford hip scales (OHS) to assess the validity of the questionnaire. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach's alpha, Concordance using 3 test: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and the Bradley-Blackwood F test. The spearman correlation was used to asses correlation between the OHS and the Spanish-adapted Goodman scale. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction after THA was reported to be "very satisfied" by 137 patients (75%), and only 14 patients reported some degree of dissatisfaction (6%). The improvement in quality of life was reported to be "more than I ever dreamed possible" by 41% patients. Cronbach's alpha was acceptable, reaching a coefficient of 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-1). No statistical difference (t test, p = 0.55) was found in the original version, with great internal validity. Test re-test concordance was optimal among the 3 tests used. A moderate correlation was found between the OHS and the Spanish-adapted Goodman scale. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the Goodman questionnaire in THA is a reliable, consistent, and feasible scale to evaluate patient satisfaction and improvement in the quality of life in Spanish speakers.

Scissor Position of the Orthopedic Table for the Resolution of Intertrochanteric and Subtrochanteric Hip Fractures.

During the surgical resolution of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric hip fractures on an orthopedic table, a fluoroscope needs to be used in orthogonal planes. This requires that the contralateral leg does not obstruct the radioscopic view, so patients are often placed in a hemilithotomy position. This position, also called the Lloyd-Davis position, involves hip flexion, hip abduction, hip external rotation, and knee flexion. However, rare complications, such as acute leg posterior compartment syndrome, have been described. In addition, patients with severe osteoarthritis and joint stiffness or a history of total hip arthroplasty may have difficulty achieving this position, and the well leg may be at risk of injury in a hemilithotomy position. A previously described position called the "scissor position" is, in our opinion, a safer and more efficient technique for placing the well leg on the orthopedic table, using only a pillow and a self-adhesive compression bandage. This simple position allows a lateral fluoroscopic view of the injured femur without overlapping or interference from the other limb.

Randomized comparison between pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and suprainguinal fascia iliaca block for total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This randomized trial compared ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group block and suprainguinal fascia iliaca block in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. We selected the postoperative incidence of quadriceps motor block (defined as paresis or paralysis of knee extension) at 6 hours as the primary outcome. We hypothesized that, compared with suprainguinal fascia iliaca block, pericapsular nerve group block would decrease its occurrence from 70% to 20%. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive a pericapsular nerve group block (n=20) using 20 mL of adrenalized levobupivacaine 0.50%, or a suprainguinal fascia iliaca block (n=20) using 40 mL of adrenalized levobupivacaine 0.25%. After the performance of the block, a blinded observer recorded pain scores at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hours; cumulative breakthrough morphine consumption at 24 and 48 hours; opioid-related side effects; ability to perform physiotherapy at 24 and 48 hours; as well as length of stay. Furthermore, the blinded observer also carried out sensory assessment (of the anterior, lateral, and medial aspects of the mid-thigh) and motor assessment (knee extension and hip adduction) at 3, 6, and 24 hours. RESULTS: Compared with suprainguinal fascia iliaca block, pericapsular nerve group block resulted in a lower incidence of quadriceps motor block at 3 hours (45% vs 90%; p<0.001) and 6 hours (25% vs 85%; p<0.001). Furthermore, pericapsular nerve group block also provided better preservation of hip adduction at 3 hours (p=0.023) as well as decreased sensory block of the anterior, lateral, and medial thighs at all measurement intervals (all p≤0.014). No clinically significant intergroup differences were found in terms of postoperative pain scores, cumulative opioid consumption at 24 and 48 hours, ability to perform physiotherapy, opioid-related side effects, and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: For primary total hip arthroplasty, pericapsular nerve group block results in better preservation of motor function than suprainguinal fascia iliaca block. Additional investigation is required to elucidate the optimal local anesthetic volume for motor-sparing pericapsular nerve group block and to compare the latter with alternate motor-sparing strategies such as periarticular local anesthetic infiltration. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04402450.

Periacetabular osteotomy with concomitant hip arthroscopy: A case series with 24 months minimum follow-up.

PURPOSE: To describe patient-reported outcomes, radiological results, and revision to total hip replacement in patients with hip dysplasia that underwent periacetabular osteotomy as isolated treatment or concomitant with hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Case series study. Between 2014 and 2017, patients were included if they complained of hip pain and had a lateral center-edge angle ≤ of 20°. Exclusion criteria included an in-maturate skeleton, age of 40 or older, previous hip surgery, concomitant connective tissue related disease, and Tönnis osteoarthritis grade ≥ 1. All patients were studied before surgery with an anteroposterior pelvis radiograph, false-profile radiograph, and magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess intraarticular lesions, and if a labral or chondral injury was found, concomitant hip arthroscopy was performed. The non-parametric median test for paired data was used to compare radiological measures (anterior and lateral center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, and extrusion index) after and before surgery. Survival analysis was performed using revision to total hip arthroplasty as a failure. Kaplan Meier curve was estimated. The data were processed using Stata. RESULTS: A total of 15 consecutive patients were included; 14 (93%) were female patients. The median follow-up was 3.5 years (range, 2 to 8 years). The median age was 20 (range 13 to 32). Lateral center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, and extrusion index correction achieved statistical significance. Seven patients (47%) underwent concomitant hip arthroscopy; three of them (47%) were bilateral (10 hips). The labrum was repaired in six cases (60%). Three patients (15%) required revision with hip arthroplasty, and no hip arthroscopy-related complications are reported in this series. CONCLUSION: To perform a hip arthroscopy concomitant with periacetabular osteotomy did not affect the acetabular correction. Nowadays, due to a lack of conclusive evidence, a case by case decision seems more appropriate to design a comprehensive treatment.

OBJETIVO: Describir los resultados funcionales, radiológicos y la tasa revisión a artroplastia total de cadera en una cohorte de pacientes con displasia de cadera que requirió osteotomía periacetabular como tratamiento aislado o concomitante con artroscopia de cadera. MÉTODO: Estudio de series de casos. Fueron incluidos pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente entre 2014 y 2017. Los criterios de inclusión fueron dolor en la cadera y un ángulo lateral de centro borde ≤ 20°. Los criterios de exclusión fueron esqueleto maduro, edad de 40 años o más, cirugía previa de cadera, enfermedad concomitante relacionada con el tejido conectivo y coxartrosis grado ≥ 1 de Tönnis. Todos los pacientes fueron estudiados antes de la cirugía con una radiografía anteroposterior de pelvis, radiografía de falso perfil y resonancia magnética. En caso de pesquisar una lesión intrarticular en resonancia magnética se realizó una artroscopia concomitante a osteotomía periacetabular. La prueba mediana no paramétrica para datos no pareados se utilizó para comparar medidas radiológicas (ángulo del borde central anterior y lateral, ángulo de Tönnis e índice de extrusión) antes y después de la cirugía. El análisis de sobrevida se realizó utilizando la revisión de la artroplastia total de cadera como fracaso. Se estimó la curva de Kaplan Meier. Los datos se procesaron con Stata. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos un total de 15 pacientes consecutivos; Siete pacientes (47%) se sometieron a artroscopia de cadera concomitante, tres de ellos (47%) fueron bilaterales (10 caderas). La mediana de seguimiento fue de 3.5 años (rango, 2 a 8 años). La mediana de edad fue de 20 (rango 13 a 32). El ángulo de cobertura lateral preoperatorio era de 12° (rango, -29° a 19°) y posterior a la cirugía fue de 25° (rango, 8° a 34°), logrando una mediana de corrección de 16° (rango, 7° a 53°). El labrum fue reparado en seis casos (60%). Tres pacientes (15%) requirieron revisión con artroplastia de cadera, y no se informan complicaciones relacionadas con la artroscopia en esta serie. CONCLUSIÓN: Realizar una artroscopia concomitante con osteotomía periacetabular no afectó la corrección acetabular, ni el resultado clínico. Hoy en día, debido a la falta de evidencia concluyente, el realizar una artroscopía es una decisión que debe ser tomada caso a caso para un tratamiento integral.

Lumbar plexus block versus suprainguinal fascia iliaca block for total hip arthroplasty: A single-blinded, randomized trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Comparison of ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus block (LPB) and suprainguinal fascia iliaca block (SIFIB) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). DESIGN: Randomized equivalence trial. SETTING: University Hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty patients undergoing primary THA. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive ultrasound-guided LPB (n = 30) or SIFIB (n = 30). The local anesthetic agent (40 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 µg/mL) and block adjuvant (4 mg of intravenous dexamethasone) were identical in all subjects. Postoperatively, all patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (morphine) as well as acetaminophen and ketoprofen during 48 h. MEASUREMENTS: A blinded investigator recorded morphine consumption at 24 and 48 h as well as time to first morphine request, pain scores at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, incidence of adverse events, time to readiness for discharge, and length of hospital stay. The blinded investigator also carried out sensorimotor block assessment at 3, 6 and 24 h using a 10-point sensorimotor composite scale. MAIN RESULTS: No intergroup differences were found in terms of cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h (95% CI: -4.0 mg to 2.0 mg) and 48 h (95% CI, -5.0 mg to 2.0 mg) or time to first morphine request. Furthermore, pain scores were similar at all time intervals after 3 h. There were no intergroup differences in terms of composite sensorimotor scores at 3 and 6 h. However, SIFIB lasted longer than lumbar plexus block as evidenced by a higher composite score at 24 h. No intergroup differences were found in terms of complications. Compared with LPB, SIFIB was associated with shorter time to readiness for discharge (3 [1-4] vs. 2 [1-3] days; P = 0.042) and length of hospital stay (3 [2-5] vs. 3 [2-4] days; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: For THA, no differences were found between LPB and SIFIB in terms of breakthrough morphine requirement and pain control. However, SIFIB resulted in a longer block and was associated with shorter time to readiness for discharge as well as decreased hospital stay.

Successful Selective Embolization for Recurrent Hemarthrosis after Knee Arthroplasty.

Knee replacement has demonstrated to be a cost-effective treatment for severe knee osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, perioperative complications may occur, including recurrent hemarthrosis reaching an incidence between 0.3 and 1.6%. Success rate after conservative treatment has been reported to be above 80%, but in case of recurrence, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and Doppler ultrasound have been used to conduct the diagnosis. Arthroscopy or selective embolization is used for treatment depending on the etiology of the bleeding. Open surgery is performed in the rare cases of failure of the above alternatives. The patient consulted seven months after total knee arthroplasty with sudden pain in the medial side of the knee. Infection was ruled out, and arthrocentesis shows hemarthrosis. Successful selective embolization of medial superior and lateral superior genicular artery was performed. After two years, the patients report 92 points in the Forgotten joint score, 0 in Womac pain, 1 in Womac stiffness, and 3 in Womac functional score.

Gonyautoxins: First evidence in pain management in total knee arthroplasty.

Improvements in pain management techniques in the last decade have had a major impact on the practice of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Gonyautoxin are phycotoxins, whose molecular mechanism of action is a reversible block of the voltage-gated sodium channels at the axonal level, impeding nerve impulse propagation. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Gonyautoxin infiltration, as a long acting pain blocker in TKA. Fifteen patients received a total dose of 40 µg of Gonyautoxin during the TKA operation. Postoperatively, all patients were given a standard painkiller protocol: 100 mg of intravenous ketoprofen and 1000 mg of oral acetaminophen every 8 hours for 3 days. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score and range of motion were recorded 12, 36, and 60 hours post-surgery. All patients reported pain of 2 or less on the VAS 12 and 36 hours post-surgery. Moreover, all scored were less than 4 at 60 hours post-surgery. All patients achieved full knee extension at all times. No side effects or adverse reactions to Gonyautoxin were detected in the follow-up period. The median hospital stay was 3 days. For the first time, this study has shown the effect of blocking the neuronal transmission of pain by locally infiltrating Gonyautoxin during TKA. All patients successfully responded to the pain control. The Gonyautoxin infiltration was safe and effective, and patients experienced pain relief without the use of opioids.

Periacetabular osteotomy with concomitant hip arthroscopy: a case series with 24 months minimum follow-up

PURPOSE To describe patient-reported outcomes, radiological results, and revision to total hip replacement in patients with hip dysplasia that underwent periacetabular osteotomy as isolated treatment or concomitant with hip arthroscopy. METHODS Case series study. Between 2014 and 2017, patients were included if they complained of hip pain and had a lateral center-edge angle ≤ of 20°. Exclusion criteria included an in-maturate skeleton, age of 40 or older, previous hip surgery, concomitant connective tissue related disease, and Tönnis osteoarthritis grade ≥ 1. All patients were studied before surgery with an anteroposterior pelvis radiograph, false-profile radiograph, and magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess intraarticular lesions, and if a labral or chondral injury was found, concomitant hip arthroscopy was performed. The non-parametric median test for paired data was used to compare radiological measures (anterior and lateral center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, and extrusion index) after and before surgery. Survival analysis was performed using revision to total hip arthroplasty as a failure. Kaplan Meier curve was estimated. The data were processed using Stata. RESULTS A total of 15 consecutive patients were included; 14 (93%) were female patients. The median follow-up was 3.5 years (range, 2 to 8 years). The median age was 20 (range 13 to 32). Lateral center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, and extrusion index correction achieved statistical significance. Seven patients (47%) underwent concomitant hip arthroscopy; three of them (47%) were bilateral (10 hips). The labrum was repaired in six cases (60%). Three patients (15%) required revision with hip arthroplasty, and no hip arthroscopy-related complications are reported in this series. CONCLUSION To perform a hip arthroscopy concomitant with periacetabular osteotomy did not affect the acetabular correction. Nowadays, due to a lack of conclusive evidence, a case by case decision seems more appropriate to design a comprehensive treatment.