The effect of triclosan coated sutures on rate of surgical site infection after hip and knee replacement: a protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: 187,000 hip and knee joint replacements are performed every year in the National Health Service (NHS). One of the commonest complications is surgical site infection (SSI), and this represents a significant burden in terms of patient morbidity, mortality and cost to health services around the world. The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to determine if the addition of triclosan coated sutures to a standard regimen can reduce the rate of SSI after total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR). METHODS: 2400 patients due to undergo a total hip or knee replacement are being recruited into this two-centre RCT. Participants are recruited before surgery and randomised to either standard care or intervention group. Participants, outcome assessors and statistician are blind to treatment allocation throughout the study. The intervention consists of triclosan coated sutures vs. standard non-coated sutures. The primary outcome is the Health protection Agency (HPA) defined superficial surgical site infection at 30 days. Secondary outcomes include HPA defined deep surgical site infection at 12 months, length of hospital stay, critical care stay, and payer costs. DISCUSSION: To date there are no orthopaedic randomised controlled trials on this scale assessing the effectiveness of a surgical intervention, particularly those that can be translated across the surgical specialities. The results from this trial will inform evidence-based recommendations for suture selection in the management of patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement. If triclosan coated sutures are found to be an effective intervention, implementation into clinical practice could improve long-term outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 17807356.

Reduced short-term complications and mortality following Enhanced Recovery primary hip and knee arthroplasty: results from 6,000 consecutive procedures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Enhanced Recovery (ER) is a well-established multidisciplinary strategy in lower limb arthroplasty and was introduced in our department in May 2008. This retrospective study reviews short-term outcomes in a consecutive unselected series of 3,000 procedures (the "ER" group), and compares them to a numerically comparable cohort that had been operated on previously using a traditional protocol (the "Trad" group). METHODS: Prospectively collected data on surgical endpoints (length of stay (LOS), return to theater (RTT), re-admission, and 30- and 90-day mortality) and medical complications (stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia within 30 days; deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism within 60 days) were compared. Results ER included 1,256 THR patients and 1,744 TKR patients (1,369 THRs and 1,631 TKRs in Trad). The median LOS in the ER group was reduced (3 days vs. 6 days; p = 0.01). Blood transfusion rate was also reduced (7.6% vs. 23%; p < 0.001), as was RTT rate (p = 0.05). The 30-day incidence of myocardial infarction declined (0.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.03) while that of stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism was not statistically significantly different. Mortality at 30 days and at 90 days was 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively, as compared to 0.5% and 0.8% using the traditional protocol (p = 0.03 and p = 0.1, respectively). INTERPRETATION: This is the largest study of ER arthroplasty, and provides safety data on a consecutive unselected series. The program has achieved a statistically significant reduction in LOS and in cardiac ischemic events for our patients, with a near-significant decrease in return to theater and in mortality rates.

Enhanced recovery program for hip and knee replacement reduces death rate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multimodal techniques can aid early rehabilitation and discharge of patients following primary joint replacement. We hypothesized that this not only reduces the economic burden of joint replacement by reducing length of stay, but also helps in reduction of early complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 4,500 consecutive unselected total hip replacements and total knee replacements regarding length of hospital stay, mortality, and perioperative complications. The first 3,000 underwent a traditional protocol while the other 1,500 underwent an enhanced recovery protocol involving behavioral, pharmacological, and procedural modifications. RESULTS: There was a reduction in 30-day death rate (0.5% to 0.1%, p = 0.02) and 90-day death rate (0.8% to 0.2%, p = 0.01). The median length of stay decreased from 6 days to 3 days (p < 0.001), resulting in a saving of 5,418 bed days. Requirement for blood transfusion was reduced (23% to 9.8%, p < 0.001). There was a trend of a reduced rate of 30-day myocardial infarction (0.8% to 0.5%. p = 0 .2) and stroke (0.5% to 0.2%, p = 0.2). The 60-day deep vein thrombosis figures (0.8% to 0.6%, p = 0.5) and pulmonary embolism figures (1.2% to 1.1%, p = 0.9) were similar. Re-admission rate remained unchanged during the period of the study (4.7% to 4.8%, p = 0.8). INTERPRETATION: This large observational study of unselected consecutive hip and knee arthroplasty patients shows a substantial reduction in death rate, reduced length of stay, and reduced transfusion requirements after the introduction of a multimodal enhanced recovery protocol.

Altered sensation over the lower leg following hamstring graft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with transverse femoral fixation.

Reports in the literature have previously identified altered sensation following hamstring graft ACL reconstruction in the distribution of the infragenicular branch of the saphenous nerve. We propose to show that altered sensation is more extensive, and can affect function. We aimed to identify the occurrence rate, site and extent of altered sensation following hamstring graft ACL reconstruction, and the consequences on subjective functional recovery. A retrospective study was performed. One hundred and seventeen consecutive patients undergoing hamstring graft ACL reconstruction using transverse femoral fixation over a 78 month period were invited to complete a postal questionnaire. The minimum follow-up was 13 months. The response rate was 73%. Altered sensation post-operatively was described by 60%, with 37% experiencing persisting symptoms at follow-up. Symptoms were present in the distribution of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve (33%), the saphenous nerve (26%), and the infragenicular branch of the saphenous nerve (12%). Restriction of activity was described by 33% of patients, and 28% felt their rehabilitation programme was affected because of these symptoms. Our results showed that altered sensation was common and extensive in our population. We are unaware of any other published reports of altered sensation over the lateral lower leg. We conclude that occult nerve injury to the lateral sural cutaneous nerve during preparation of the transverse femoral fixation may be responsible.

Improving patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in total knee replacement by changing implant and preserving the infrapatella fatpad: a quality improvement project.

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were introduced in 2009 to allow patient perspectives to potentially influence change and improvement. In collaboration with the national joint registry (NJR), PROMs data has been examined on a national basis to compare surgical factors in total knee replacement (TKR). Initial results demonstrated there were statistically significant differences in Oxford Knee Score (OKS) when using different brands of implant. Preservation of the infrapatella fatpad (IFP) has also been shown improve outcomes. This led Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to make a mass move to the Zimmer Nexgen TKR and later change surgeons' routine practice to preserving the IFP. The PROMs were recorded pre and six months post operation to obtain improvement scores. The baseline improvement in OKS was 14.0. After changing implant to the Zimmer Nexgen in Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle 1 the average improvement score was 16.7. After implementing default preservation of the IFP in PDSA cycle 2 the average OKS improvement score was 17.3. The results from this project demonstrate a significant improvement in local services after implementing changes based on national and local evaluations. This initiative is an excellent example of improvement by evidence based practice and success of the English National Health Service PROMs scheme.