Polymethyl methacrylate augmentation and proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity patients.

BACKGROUND: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a complication following surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) possibly ameliorated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV). This study quantifies PJK following surgical correction bridging the thoracolumbar junction ± PMMA vertebroplasty. METHODS: ASD patients from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and included with immediate postoperative radiographs and at least one follow-up radiograph. PMMA vertebroplasty at the UIV and UIV + 1 was performed at the surgeons' discretion. RESULTS: Of 102 patients, 56% received PMMA. PMMA patients were older (70 ± 8 vs. 66 ± 10, p = 0.021), more often female (89.3% vs. 68.2%, p = 0.005), and had more osteoporosis (26.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.013). 55.4% of PMMA patients developed PJK compared to 38.6% of controls (p = 0.097), and the rate of PJK development was not different between groups in univariate survival models. There was no difference in PJF (p > 0.084). Reoperation rates were 7.1% in PMMA versus 11.4% in controls (p = 0.501). In multivariable models, PJK development was not associated with the use of PMMA vertebroplasty (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.38-1.60, p = 0.470), either when considered overall in the cohort or specifically in those with poor bone quality. PJK was significantly predicted by poor bone quality irrespective of PMMA use (HR 3.81, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In thoracolumbar fusions for adult spinal deformity, PMMA vertebroplasty was not associated with reduced PJK development, which was most highly associated with poor bone quality. Preoperative screening and management for osteoporosis is critical in achieving an optimal outcome for these complex operations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4, retrospective non-randomized case review.

Incisional negative pressure wound therapy may not protect against post-operative surgical site complications in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.

PURPOSE: To determine if incisional negative pressure wound therapy is protective against post-operative surgical site complications following definitive fixation of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with an acute bicondylar tibial plateau fracture (AO/OTA 41-C) undergoing ORIF from 2010 to 2020 was performed. Patients received either a standard sterile dressing (SD) or incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT). Primary outcomes included surgical site infection, osteomyelitis, and wound dehiscence. Secondary outcomes included non-union and return to the operating room. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 180 patients were included and 22% received iNPWT (n = 40) and 78% received standard dressings (n = 140). iNPWT was more common in active smokers (24.7% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.002) and the SD group was more likely to be lost to follow up (3.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.025). iNPWT was not protective against infection or surgical site complications, and in fact, was associated with higher odds of post-operative infection (OR: 8.96, p = 0.005) and surgical site complications (OR:4.874, p = 0.009) overall. Alcohol abuse (OR: 19, p = 0.005), tobacco use (OR: 4.67, p = 0.009), and time to definitive surgery (OR = 1.21, p = 0.033) were all independent risk factors for post-operative infection. CONCLUSION: In this series of operatively treated bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, iNPWT did not protect against post-operative surgical site complications compared to conventional dressings. Tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and time to definitive surgery, were independent risk factors for post-operative infection. Further studies are needed to determine if iNPWT offers a protective benefit in exclusively high-risk patients with relevant medical and social history.

Automatically rating trainee skill at a pediatric laparoscopic suturing task.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgeons must acquire complex technical skills while minimizing patient risk, a challenge that is magnified in pediatric surgery. Trainees need realistic practice with frequent detailed feedback, but human grading is tedious and subjective. We aim to validate a novel motion-tracking system and algorithms that automatically evaluate trainee performance of a pediatric laparoscopic suturing task. METHODS: Subjects (n = 32) ranging from medical students to fellows performed two trials of intracorporeal suturing in a custom pediatric laparoscopic box trainer after watching a video of ideal performance. The motions of the tools and endoscope were recorded over time using a magnetic sensing system, and both tool grip angles were recorded using handle-mounted flex sensors. An expert rated the 63 trial videos on five domains from the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS), yielding summed scores from 5 to 20. Motion data from each trial were processed to calculate 280 features. We used regularized least squares regression to identify the most predictive features from different subsets of the motion data and then built six regression tree models that predict summed OSATS score. Model accuracy was evaluated via leave-one-subject-out cross-validation. RESULTS: The model that used all sensor data streams performed best, achieving 71% accuracy at predicting summed scores within 2 points, 89% accuracy within 4, and a correlation of 0.85 with human ratings. 59% of the rounded average OSATS score predictions were perfect, and 100% were within 1 point. This model employed 87 features, including none based on completion time, 77 from tool tip motion, 3 from tool tip visibility, and 7 from grip angle. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel hardware and software automatically rated previously unseen trials with summed OSATS scores that closely match human expert ratings. Such a system facilitates more feedback-intensive surgical training and may yield insights into the fundamental components of surgical skill.

Haptic Guidance and Haptic Error Amplification in a Virtual Surgical Robotic Training Environment.

Teleoperated robotic systems have introduced more intuitive control for minimally invasive surgery, but the optimal method for training remains unknown. Recent motor learning studies have demonstrated that exaggeration of errors helps trainees learn to perform tasks with greater speed and accuracy. We hypothesized that training in a force field that pushes the user away from a desired path would improve their performance on a virtual reality ring-on-wire task. Thirty-eight surgical novices trained under a no-force, guidance, or error-amplifying force field over five days. Completion time, translational and rotational path error, and combined errortime were evaluated under no force field on the final day. The groups significantly differed in combined error-time, with the guidance group performing the worst. Error-amplifying field participants did not plateau in their performance during training, suggesting that learning was still ongoing. Guidance field participants had the worst performance on the final day, confirming the guidance hypothesis. Observed trends also suggested that participants who had high initial path error benefited more from guidance. Error-amplifying and error-reducing haptic training for robot-assisted telesurgery benefits trainees of different abilities differently, with our results indicating that participants with high initial combined error-time benefited more from guidance and error-amplifying force field training.

Range of motion measurements do not correlate with patient reported outcome measures in the early post-operative period following ankle fracture.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization following ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) improves long-term patient functionality. Because of this, numerous resources have been spent to increase patient adherence to post-operative mobilization, with range of motion (ROM) measurements generally considered an important outcome in patient recovery. In this study we investigated how ankle ROM correlates to patient function, self-sufficiency in performing activities of daily living (ADLs), and pain in the early post-operative period. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study on patients undergoing ORIF of ankle fractures. We collected patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and ROM measurements at the 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, and 6 month post-operative visit. We collected three PROMs: pain intensity (VAS), pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ-2), and foot and ankle ability measurement (FAAM). ROM of the ankle was measured by goniometer. ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests were used to examine statistical differences in PROMs over time. Pearson correlation tests were used to examine the association between ROM and PROMs. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-three participants enrolled in this study in the perioperative period. Pain intensity was higher at enrollment compared to week 6 (post-hoc p = 0.006), after which pain intensity did not differ significantly. FAAM scores for activities or daily living (ADL) were increased at all study visits compared to enrollment (post-hoc p < 0.001). FAAM-Sports scores were higher compared to enrollment at the week 12 and 6 month visits (post-hoc p < 0.001). No significant improvements in goniometer measurements were noted across any timepoints. There were no significant correlations between ROM and PROMs at any of the study visits. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients, there was no correlation between ROM and patient pain, self-efficacy or functionality in the early post-operative period following ankle ORIF. The lack of correlation between PROMs and ROM indicates that ROM may be both a poor indicator of patient improvement for physicians to guide post-operative treatment as well as a poor motivator for patient adherence to post-operative exercises. In the future, it is important to study reliable outcome measures in early recovery that can be utilized to track patient recovery from ankle ORIF.

Current Concepts in the Measurement of Glenohumeral Bone Loss.

PURPOSE: The extent of glenohumeral bone loss seen in anterior shoulder dislocations plays a major role in guiding surgical management of these patients. The need for accurate and reliable preoperative assessment of bone loss on imaging studies is therefore of paramount importance to orthopedic surgeons. This article will focus on the tools that are available to clinicians for quantifying glenoid bone loss with a focus on emerging trends and research in order to describe current practices. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evidence supports the use of 3D CT as the most optimal method for quantifying bone loss on the glenoid and humerus. New trends in the use of 3D and ZTE MRI represent exciting alternatives to CT imaging, although they are not widely used and require further investigation. Contemporary thinking surrounding the glenoid track concept and the symbiotic relationship between glenoid and humeral bone loss on shoulder stability has transformed our understanding of these lesions and has inspired a new focus of study for radiologists and orthopedist alike. Although a number of different advanced imaging modalities are utilized to detect and quantify glenohumeral bone loss in practice, the current literature supports 3D CT imaging to provide the most reliable and accurate assessments. The emergence of the glenoid track concept for glenoid and humeral head bone loss has inspired a new area of study for researchers that presents exciting opportunities for the development of a deeper understanding of glenohumeral instability in the future. Ultimately, however, the heterogeneity of literature, which speaks to the diverse practices that exist across the world, limits any firm conclusions from being drawn.

Aortic root dilation in adult patients with Marfan syndrome: Does aortic root stiffness matter?

Objective: Aortic root (AoR) size remains an imperfect predictor of rate of aortic dilation in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Indicators of vascular phenotype such as aortic stiffness have been proposed as additional predictors. In this study we assessed the rate of AoR dilation and stiffness in adult patients with MFS. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review. We included adult patients with MFS (aged 20-40 years) with at least 2 local echocardiograms 6 months apart (no aortic surgery in-between). A blinded observer analyzed the echocardiograms. AoR dilation rate and stiffness were calculated. Results: Thirty-two patients (53% women; median age, 21.1; interquartile range [IQR], 19-24 years at first echocardiogram) were included. AoR dilation rate in the entire cohort was 0 to 8 mm/year (median, 0.465; IQR, 0.23-1.45 mm/year). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that baseline AoR stiffness was associated with AoR dilation rate (ß = 0.0004; P < .001 for elastic modulus), whereas baseline age and baseline AoR dimension were not. Eighteen of these 32 patients (56%) eventually had AoR surgery (Sx) and 14 did not have surgery (NSx). At baseline, Sx and NSx patients were similar in age. AoR dimension was larger (Sx, 4.27 cm; IQR, 4.05-4.49 cm vs NSx, 3.73 cm; IQR, 3.37-4.09 cm; P = .011) and AoR stiffness was higher in Sx patients (beta stiffness index: median, 23.2; IQR, 17.8-28.6 vs median, 15.6; IQR, 11.6-19.7; P = .024). AoR dilation rate was greater in Sx patients, independent of baseline AoR dimension (1.63 ± 0.41 mm/year vs 0.38 ± 0.08 mm/year; P = .01). Conclusions: Our results showed that AoR dilation rate varies among adult patients with MFS and is associated with baseline AoR stiffness, measured by echocardiography. Further studies are warranted to determine how aortic stiffness can be implemented clinically to refine management in patients with MFS.

Mini-fragment plating of olecranon fractures is comparable to precontoured small-fragment plating.

INTRODUCTION: Though long-term functional outcomes of olecranon fracture plate fixation are favorable, postoperative implant irritation commonly leads to elective removal. We hypothesized that mini-fragment plates will decrease implant removal compared to precontoured plates. METHODS: Patients with isolated olecranon fracture (AO/OTA 2U1-B1) treated with plate fixation were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into groups based on whether they underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a (1) surgeon contoured mini-fragment or (2) precontoured olecranon-specific plate. Rates of symptomatic implants and implant removal were compared. RESULTS: 98 and 32 patients were treated with precontoured and mini-fragment plates, respectively. Baseline demographics and comorbidities were similar. Mean follow-up was 20.6 months. There were no differences in rates of postoperative complication (22/98, 22.4% vs. 5/32, 15.6%; p = 0.41) or reoperation (37/98, 37.8% vs. 8/32, 25%; p = 0.19). Symptomatic implants were common in the precontoured cohort (44/98, 44.9% vs. 7/32, 21.9%; p < 0.05). Implant removal rates were 36.7% and 18.8%, respectively (p = 0.06). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Olecranon fracture stabilization with mini-fragment plate is associated with lower rates of symptomatic implants, with no difference in postoperative complications or reoperations. Mini-fragment plating is a safe and promising alternative to precontoured plating.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Extremity Open Wound Management: A Review of the Literature.

SUMMARY: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with reticulated open cell foam is used commonly in orthopaedic trauma, particularly in the management of complex open fracture wounds. This article reviews the literature to date regarding this adjunctive treatment, particularly in regard to removal of infectious material, temporary management of wounds pending soft tissue reconstruction, combat wounds, and over split-thickness skin grafts. Mechanism of action is also reviewed, including stabilization of the wound environment, edema control, macrodeformation, and microdeformation effects. Use of NPWT as an adjunct in management of open fractures along with operative debridement, systemic antibiotics, and early soft tissue reconstruction are the highest yield interventions for managing open fracture wounds with infection. NPWT as an adjunct therapy in the protocol for open fractures seems to add additional clinical benefit for patients with severe open fracture wounds not amenable to primary, immediate closure.

ICD-10 codes do not accurately reflect ankle fracture injury patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of International Classification of Disease Version 10 (ICD-10) coding for ankle fracture injury patterns. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study PATIENTS: 97 adult patients with fractures about the ankle (rotational ankle fracture or distal tibia fracture) from 2016 to 2020, selected by stratified random sampling. INTERVENTION: Assignment of an ICD-10 code representative of a rotational ankle fracture, pilon fracture, or unspecified fracture of the lower leg. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Injury radiographs were reviewed by three authors to determine the correct code. Agreement between the correct code and the electronic medical record (EMR) assigned code was determined using kappa's statistic in the aggregate as well as percent agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) between individual codes. RESULTS: 59 of 97 cases (60.8%) demonstrated discordance between the existing EMR and surgeon-assigned codes. Aggregate agreement between all codes was fair (K = 0.26). Lateral malleolus fracture codes demonstrated the highest PPV (0.91, 95% CI 0.72-0.99), while the lowest PPV was found for "other fractures of the lower leg" (0.05, 95% CI 0.0-0.24) and "other fracture of the fibula" (0.0, 95% CI 0.0-0.15). Generalized "other fracture" codes comprised 45% of EMR codes compared to only 6% of assigned codes (p < 0.001). EMR codes were specific but not sensitive. CONCLUSION: There is substantial discordance between existing EMR and surgeon-assigned ICD-10 codes for ankle fractures. Database research that relies on ICD-10 coding as a surrogate for primary clinical data should be interpreted with caution and institutions should make efforts to increase the accuracy of their coding.

Advanced Age Does Not Impact Outcomes After 1-level or 2-level Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of increased age on perioperative and postoperative complication rates, reoperation rates, and patient-reported pain and disability scores after lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LLIF was developed to minimize soft tissue trauma and reduce the risk of vascular injury; however, there is little evidence regarding the effect of advanced age on outcomes of LLIF. METHODS: Patients who underwent LLIF from 2009 to 2019 at one institution with a minimum 6-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients less than 18 years old with musculoskeletal tumor or trauma were excluded. The primary outcome was the preoperative to postoperative change in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for back pain. Operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, perioperative and 90-day complications, unplanned readmissions, reoperations, and change in Oswestry Disability Index were also evaluated. Relationships with age were assessed both with age as a continuous variable and segmenting by age below 70 versus 70+. RESULTS: In total, 279 patients were included. The median age was 65±13 years and 159 (57%) were female. Age was not related to improvements in back NPRS and Oswestry Disability Index. Operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, perioperative and 90-day complications, unplanned readmissions, reoperations, and radiographic fusion rate also were not related to age. After multivariable risk adjustment, increasing age was associated with greater improvements in back NPRS. The decrease in back NPRS was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.14, 1.22; P=0.014) points greater for every 10-year increase in age. Age was not associated with rates of complication, readmission, or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: LLIF is a safe and effective procedure in the elderly population. Advanced age is associated with larger improvements in preoperative back pain. Surgeons should consider the benefits of LLIF and other minimally invasive techniques when evaluating elderly candidates for lumbar fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

White-Light Body Scanning Captures Three-Dimensional Shoulder Deformity After Displaced Diaphyseal Clavicle Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine if white-light three-dimensional (3D) body scanning can identify clinically relevant shoulder girdle deformity after displaced diaphyseal clavicle fracture (DCF). METHODS: Adult patients with DCF (OTA/AO 15A) were prospectively enrolled. Four subcutaneous osseous landmarks were used to measure shoulder girdle morphology of the injured and uninjured shoulder. Measurements were made both manually with a tape measure and digitally with a white-light 3D scanner. Bilateral radiographs were obtained, and clavicle length was recorded. Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand surveys were administered at injury and at 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included in the study. At the initial visit, all patients had significant differences in deformity measurements between injured and uninjured shoulders as measured by 3D scanning. There was no difference between shoulders measured using manual measurements. At 6 and 12 weeks, shoulder asymmetry was significantly less in patients treated with surgery compared with nonoperative patients as measured by the 3D scanner alone. Clavicle shortening measured on 3D scanning had weak and moderate positive correlations to radiographs (R = 0.27) and manual measurements (R = 0.53), respectively. Patients treated with surgery had significant functional improvements by 6 weeks, and a similar improvement was not seen until 12 weeks in nonsurgical patients. CONCLUSION: White-light 3D scanning was able to identify and monitor clinically relevant shoulder girdle deformity after DCF. This tool may become a useful adjunct to clinical examination and radiographic assessment, when determining clinically relevant deformity thresholds. In the future, quantifying and understanding shoulder deformity may inform clinical decision making in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.