Transpedicular Screw Placement Accuracy Using the O-Arm Versus Freehand Technique at a Single Institution.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the O-arm as an intraoperative imaging tool by comparing accuracy of pedicle screw placement to freehand technique. METHODS: The study comprised a total of 1161 screws placed within the cervical (n = 187) thoracic (n = 657), or lumbar (n = 317) spinal level. A pedicle breach was determined by any measurable displacement of the screw outside of the pedicle cortex in any plane on postoperative images. Each pedicle screw was subsequently classified by its placement relative to the targeted pedicle. Statistical analysis was then performed to determine the frequency and type of pedicle screw mispositioning that occurred using the O-arm versus freehand technique. RESULTS: A total of 155 cases (O-arm 84, freehand 71) involved the placement of 454 pedicle screws in the O-arm group and 707 pedicle screws in the freehand group. A pedicle breach occurred in 89 (12.6%) screws in the freehand group and 55 (12.1%) in the O-arm group (P = .811). Spinal level operated upon did not influence pedicle screw accuracy between groups (P > .05). Three screws required revision surgery between the 2 groups (O-arm 1, freehand 2, P > .05). The most frequent breach type was a lateral pedicle breach (O-arm 22/454, 4.8%; freehand 54/707, 7.6%), without a significant difference between groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the O-arm coupled with navigation does not assure improved transpedicular screw placement accuracy when compared with the freehand technique.

Surgical interventions for the treatment of painful neuroma: a comparative meta-analysis.

A consensus on the optimal treatment of painful neuromas does not exist. Our objective was to identify available data and to examine the role of surgical technique on outcomes following surgical management of painful neuromas. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a comprehensive literature search to identify studies measuring the efficacy of the surgical treatment of painful neuromas in the extremities (excluding Morton's neuroma and compression neuropathies). Surgical treatments were categorized as excision-only, excision and transposition, excision and cap, excision and repair, or neurolysis and coverage. Data on the proportion of patients with a meaningful reduction in pain were pooled and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed. The effects of confounding, study quality, and publication bias were examined with stratified, meta-regression, and bias analysis. Fifty-four articles met the inclusion criteria, many with multiple treatment groups. Outcomes reporting varied significantly and few studies controlled for confounding. Overall, surgical treatment of neuroma pain was effective in 77% of patients [95% confidence interval: 73-81]. No significant differences were seen between surgical techniques. Among studies with a mean pain duration greater than 24 months, or median number of operations greater than 2 prior to definitive neuroma pain surgery, excision and transposition or neurolysis and coverage were significantly more likely than other operative techniques to result in a meaningful reduction in pain (P < 0.05). Standardization in the reporting of surgical techniques, outcomes, and confounding factors is needed in future studies to enable providers to make comparisons across disparate techniques in the surgical treatment of neuroma pain.

Soft-tissue Defects After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Management and Reconstruction.

Wound healing complications associated with total knee arthroplasty present a considerable challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. To ensure preservation of a functional joint, the management of periprosthetic soft-tissue defects around the knee requires rapid assessment, early and aggressive débridement, and durable, contoured coverage. Several reconstructive options are available to tailor soft-tissue coverage to the location, size, and depth of the wound. Special consideration should be given to the timing of the intervention, management of infection, and prosthesis salvage. The merits of each reconstructive option, including perforator, fasciocutaneous, muscular, and free microvascular flaps, should be weighed to select the most appropriate option. The proposed approach can guide surgeons in treating patients with these complex soft-tissue defects.