Safety of tranexamic acid in surgically treated isolated spine trauma.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA), a synthetic antifibrinolytic drug, effectively reduces blood loss by inhibiting plasmin-induced fibrin breakdown. This is the first study in the United Kingdom to investigate the effectiveness of TXA in the surgical management of isolated spine trauma. AIM: To assess the safety of TXA in isolated spine trauma. The primary and secondary outcomes are to assess the rate of thromboembolic events and to evaluate blood loss and the incidence of blood transfusion, respectively. METHODS: This prospective observational study included patients aged ≥ 17 years with isolated spine trauma requiring surgical intervention over a 6-month period at two major trauma centers in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: We identified 67 patients: 26 (39%) and 41 (61%) received and did not receive TXA, respectively. Both groups were matched in terms of age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, and mechanism of injury. A higher proportion of patients who received TXA had a subaxial cervical spine injury classification or thoracolumbar injury classification score > 4 (74% vs 56%). All patients in the TXA group underwent an open approach with a mean of 5 spinal levels involved and an average operative time of 203 min, compared with 24 patients (58%) in the non-TXA group who underwent an open approach with an average of 3 spinal levels involved and a mean operative time of 159 min. Among patients who received TXA, blood loss was < 150 and 150-300 mL in 8 (31%) and 15 (58%) patients, respectively. There were no cases of thromboembolic events in any patient who received TXA. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that TXA is safe for isolated spine trauma. It is challenging to determine whether TXA effectively reduces blood loss because most surgeons prefer TXA for open or multilevel cases. Further, larger studies are necessary to explore the rate, dosage, and mode of administration of TXA.

Retraction: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease as a Risk Factor for Periprosthetic Fractures in Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion With Intramedullary Nailing.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28036.].

The impact of the post- COVID 19 pandemic elective waiting list delays on patient reported symptoms and intention to proceed with planned upper limb surgeries-A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient reported outcome measures using the EQ5D-5L and EQ5D-5L visual analogue scale (VAS) following elective shoulder and elbow orthopaedic list delays. This was further correlated with patients' intention to proceed with the planned surgery. METHODS: Patients on the waiting list for more than 26 weeks were included in the study. Telephone interviews were conducted utilising the EQ5D-5L and the EQ5D-5L VAS at the time of addition to the waiting list and presently. RESULTS: 75 out of 324 screened patients were eligible. 62 (82.7%) patients still wanted to proceed with their planned procedure while 13 (17.3%) patients in the other group no longer wanted to proceed. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, gender, initial trial of conservative treatment and limb laterality between these groups (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean duration of being on the waiting list between these groups (40.4 ± 19 vs. 62.9 ± 17.5 weeks respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the current EQ5D-5L VAS scores were observed between these groups (52.4 vs. 65.8 respectively). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that majority of patients on elective shoulder and elbow orthopaedic lists with prolonged waiting list delays and improved EQ5D-5L scores are likely to decline the planned procedure and vice versa. Nevertheless, the unplanned 'watchful waiting' caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and leading to patients deciding to decline surgery, is not a substitute for timely planned surgery to alleviate patients' suffering.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease as a Risk Factor for Periprosthetic Fractures in Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion With Intramedullary Nailing.

Introduction The treatment for severe fixed hindfoot osteoarthritis secondary to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis. In our centre, we have noticed a disproportionate rate of periprosthetic fractures in CMT patients following TTC arthrodesis with retrograde hindfoot nailing. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by evaluating our local cohort of TTC arthrodesis with retrograde hindfoot nailing. Methods A retrospective review of patients who had TTC arthrodesis with intramedullary nailing was conducted over a seven-year period. Results There were 45 patients (30 male, 15 female) in our cohort. Forty-one patients achieved radiological and clinical fusion of their TTC arthrodesis. All three patients who had CMT sustained periprosthetic fracture at the tip of the nail at an average of four (range: 2.5-6) months from index operation. In comparison, no patients in the rest of the cohort sustained periprosthetic fractures. The nail position of the patients with CMT was central in both planes in all three patients. None of the patients with CMT had abutment of the cortex on either plane. Conclusion We found that there was a disproportionate rate of periprosthetic fractures in CMT patients in our cohort of TTC arthrodesis with retrograde hindfoot nailing. This suggests that CMT is a significant risk factor. The authors propose a longer nail to reduce the lever arm, with a long period of protected weight bearing till union, followed by consideration of elective removal of the nail to prevent this phenomenon from occurring.

A Quality Improvement Project to Assess if Preoperative Trauma Patients Are Receiving Their Prescribed Medications Preoperatively.

Introduction All preoperative trauma patients should receive their preoperative medications regardless of being nil per os (NPO). Anticoagulants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) should be omitted. This is according to both local and national guidelines. We noticed that some preoperative patients have not been receiving their morning medications prior to having their operations. This has led to pre and perioperative complications. The aim of this study, therefore, was to conduct a quality improvement project to assess if preoperative trauma patients are receiving their prescribed medications preoperatively when placed NPO. We then aimed to determine the adverse outcome associated with omission and to furthermore devise a robust system to prevent recurrence. Methods Data were collected from the relevant patients' drug charts on the day of the operation. These cases were available on the daily trauma list. We evaluated if there was any clear reason documented for not providing the medications. Following the first round, we implemented our action plan for posters to be taped to drug trolleys on the orthopedic wards and informed the nursing staff of the need to give preoperative medications. We deemed the following to be important medication classes: calcium channel blockers, neuromodulators, beta-blockers, anti-epileptics, digoxin, bronchodilators, anti-anginals, anti-epileptics, and benzodiazepines. This was re-audited after one month to assess compliance and monitor for improvement. Results Forty patients were included in the first round and 41 in the re-audit. In the first round, 16/41 (39%) patients received their medications correctly. In patients who did not receive their medications (n=25), 22 had important medication classes omitted. Post implementation of the posters, 25/41 (61%) patients received their medications correctly. In patients who did not receive their medications (n=16), 10 had important medication classes omitted. The main reason why medications were incorrectly not given was that patients were NPO. Conclusion This quality improvement audit shows that our interventions between audit cycles have made a significant improvement in patients receiving their medications and therefore this has a direct positive impact on patient safety and outcomes. We should continue to have a close rapport with the nursing staff to maintain standards of correct practice, and these audit findings should be escalated to the emergency theatre thereafter.

A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Periprosthetic Fracture Management at District General Hospitals.

Introduction The incidence of periprosthetic femoral fractures (PPF) is expected to rise by 4.6% every decade over the next 30 years. The risk of mortality for patients who sustained a PPF was found to be similar to the mortality rate after a native hip fracture, and so The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines advocate the timely management and mobilisation for patients with PPFs. Patient outcomes following these complex surgeries can be highly variable owing to the variability in regional practice and service delivery. This study aimed to review the management trend and outcomes of periprosthetic fractures (PPFs) involving hip and knee prostheses at a busy district general hospital in order to improve the overall efficacy in managing these complex fractures. Methods This retrospective study included 67 patients who presented to a single district general hospital during a two-year period. Data was collected on demographic profile, further onward referral to a tertiary centre, management (operative versus conservative), timing of surgery, complications, length of stay, implant survivorship, 30-day, one-year, and two-year mortality rate. Results Out of the total of 67 PPFs, 51 (76%) were managed operatively, and 16 (24%) were managed conservatively. Of the operatively managed PPFs, 49 (96%) were managed locally at the district general hospital, and two (4%) were managed at the tertiary centre. Eighteen patients (37%) underwent both revision and fixation, whilst 31 (63%) underwent fixation alone. The mortality rates at 30 days, one year, and two years were 10.4%, 20.9%, and 25.4%, respectively. For PPF patients managed operatively, the mean time taken from presentation to operation was 89.2 hours. The overall mean length of hospital stay for all patients was 23.6 days. Eight patients suffered complications. The implant survivorship at two years was 98%. Conclusion This study adds objective support for the successful operative management of PPFs at district general hospitals. However, improvement is required in service delivery and the efficacy of management. This could be achieved by a national database for PPFs, improved resource allocation, and prompt logistical support.

The Efficacy of Pre-Operative Self-Isolation Guidelines for Safe Elective Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the self-isolation guidance for elective orthopaedic surgery. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between patient compliance with the self-isolation guidance and the resulting COVID-19 status. This would give planning strategies for managing elective orthopaedic lists. Method For the study, 110 patients who underwent elective orthopaedic surgical procedures during a one-month period were identified. Patients scheduled for surgery were asked to take a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test three days prior to surgery and they were asked to follow the self-isolation guidance. On the day of admission, patients declared compliance with self-isolation regulations. Admission was refused in cases of non-compliance. After discharge, telephone calls were made to patients to determine the degree of compliance with the self-isolation guidance. Results Overall, 106 out of 107 patients that were compliant with the self-isolation guidance tested negative for COVID-19; 15 patients had their operation cancelled over the one-month period; of which one-third were cancelled by the patients themselves. Three patients were found to be non-compliant with the self-isolation guidance. Of these three non-compliant patients, one tested positive for COVID-19. Adherence to the self-isolation guidelines helped to prevent last-minute cancellations and manage the list effectively. Conclusions Compliance with our self-isolation guidance accompanied by PCR screening minimises the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and is thus an effective system to safely perform elective orthopaedic surgery. Intentionally overbooking theatre lists by 10 to 12.5% may account for cancellations and improve theatre efficiencies during post-pandemic recovery plans for elective orthopaedic surgeries.

A Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Muscle Fat Content in the Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease and Focal Disk Prolapse.

Study Design Retrospective study. Objectives To assess the fatty atrophy of the lumbar paraspinal muscles (LPMs) as determined using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD) and focal disk herniation and to determine if fatty atrophy is associated with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). Methods One hundred sixty-five patients with lumbar DDD were identified from a PROMS database of >1,500 patients. These patients were divided into two study groups: DDD alone (n = 58) and DDD with disk herniation (n = 107). A grid was randomly applied to the axial scans at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels. The muscle-to-fat ratio of the LPMs was recorded and compared with PROMS data. Subcutaneous fat thickness at each level was also measured. Results This study found no difference in the muscle-to-fat ratio between the DDD and disk herniation groups. There was no association between the muscle-to-fat ratio and PROMS data in either group. There was significantly more subcutaneous fat at all levels in the DDD group as compared with the disk prolapse group. In DDD and disk prolapses, subcutaneous fat was thicker in women (p = 0.013 and 0.001). In patients with DDD, more subcutaneous fat was associated with disability (p < 0.001). Muscle content of erector spinae and multifidus negatively correlated with increasing age in both groups at the L3-L4 level. Conclusions Muscle fat content in the LPM does not appear to relate to PROMS. Muscle content decreases with age. Those with low back pain (DDD) have greater subcutaneous fat thickness.