The use of computed tomography versus clinical acumen in diagnosing appendicitis in children: A two-institution international study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis in children can be diagnosed utilizing clinical and laboratory findings, with the assistance of ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT). However, repeated exposure to ionizing radiation increases the lifetime risk of cancer. We compared the work-up of suspected appendicitis between a children's hospital in the United States (USA) and one in Spain to identify differences in imaging use and associated outcomes. METHODS: A two-institution retrospective review was performed for surgical consultations of suspected appendicitis from 2015-2017. We compared imaging use, the utilization of overnight observation, and diagnostic accuracy rates between the two centers. RESULTS: A total of 1,952 children were evaluated. Among the 1,288 in the USA center, 754(58.5%) underwent CT during their evaluation. The most common imaging modality was US only (39.9%), then CT only (39.3%), CT+US (19.3%), and no imaging (i.e. only clinical acumen) (1.6%). In Spain, only 19 (2.9%) of 664 children underwent CT compared to the USA (p < 0.0001). Only clinical acumen was the most common modality employed (48.6%), followed by US only (48.5%), US+CT (2.4%), and CT only (0.5%). In the USA, 16.8% were observed overnight, 2.3% of whom received no imaging. In Spain, 33.4% were observed overnight, 32.4% of whom had no imaging (p < 0.0001). The accuracy rates for diagnosing appendicitis in the USA and Spain centers were 94.7% and 95.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Use of clinical acumen and/or US have similar clinical outcomes and similar accuracy rates compared to heavy reliance on CT imaging for diagnosing appendicitis, with associated decrease in radiation exposure. The disparate diagnostic approach of the two centers may reflect that physical examination is a dying art in North America. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A predictive model for increased hospital length of stay following geriatric hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors that are significantly associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) following geriatric hip fracture and to use these significant variables to develop a LOS calculator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study examining 614 patients treated for geriatric hip fracture between January 2000 and December 2009 at an urban, Level 1 trauma center. A negative binomial regression analysis was used to identify perioperative variables associated with hospital LOS. RESULTS: 614 patients met the inclusion criteria, presenting with a mean age of 78 (±10) years. The most common pre-operative comorbidity was hypertension, followed by diabetes and COPD. After controlling for all collected comorbidities as well as demographics and operative variables, hypertension (IRR: 1.10, p = 0.029) and disseminated cancer (IRR: 1.24, p = 0.007) were found to be significantly associated with LOS. In addition, two demographic/presenting variables, admission to the medicine service (IRR: 1.48, p < 0.001) and male sex (IRR: 1.09, p = 0.034), were shown to be independent risk factors for prolonged LOS. These variables were synthesized into a LOS formula, which estimated LOS to within 3 days of the true length of stay for 0.758 of the series (95% confidence interval: 0.661 to 0.855). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified several comorbidity and perioperative variables that were significantly associated with LOS following geriatric hip fracture surgery. The resulting LOS model may have utility in the risk stratification of orthopaedic trauma patients presenting with hip fracture.

Management of Femoral Defects Greater Than 5 cm Following Open Femur Fractures: A 12-Year Retrospective Review.

This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients with osseous defects exceeding 5 cm following open femur fractures. Size of the osseous defect, method of internal fixation (plate vs. intramedullary nail), patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and surgical complications were collected. Twenty-seven of the 832 open femur fracture patients had osseous defects exceeding 5 cm. Mean osseous defect size was 8 cm, and each patient had an average of four operations including initial debridement. Average time from injury to bone grafting was 123.7 days. The overall complication rate was 48.1% (n = 13). The most common complications were infection (26.0%, n = 7) and nonunion (41.0%, n = 11). Smoking, diabetes, ASA score, and defect size did not independently increase the risk of a complication. Management of open femur fractures with osseous defects greater than 5 cm is associated with high complication rate, driven primarily by infection and nonunion. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(3):203-208, 2018).

Comparison of recidivism rates for a teenage trauma prevention program after the addition of high-fidelity patient simulation.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the benefits of adding high-fidelity simulation to a teenage trauma prevention program to decrease recidivism rates and encourage teens to discuss actionable steps toward safe driving. METHODS: A simulated pediatric trauma scenario was integrated into an established trauma prevention program. Participants were recruited because they were court-ordered to attend this program after misdemeanor convictions for moving violations. The teenage participants viewed this simulation from the emergency medical services (EMS) handoff to complete trauma care. Participants completed a postsimulation knowledge assessment and care evaluation, which included narrative data about the experience. Qualitative analysis of color-coded responses identified common themes and experiences in participants' answers. Court records were reviewed 6 years after course completion to determine short- and long-term recidivism rates, which were then compared to our program's historical rate. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four students aged 16-20 years participated over a 2-year study period. Narrative responses included general reflection, impressions, and thoughts about what they might change as a result of the course. Participants reported that they would decrease speed (30%), wear seat belts (15%), decrease cell phone use (11%), and increase caution (28%). The recidivism rate was 55% within 6 years. At 6 months it was 8.4%, at 1 year it was 20%, and it increased approximately 5-8% per year after the first year. Compared with our programs, for historical 6-month and 2-year recidivism rates, no significant difference was seen with or without simulation. CONCLUSIONS: Adding simulation is well received by participants and leads to positive reflections regarding changes in risk-taking behaviors but resulted in no changes to the high recidivism rates This may be due to the often ineffectiveness of fear appeals.

Open treatment of ankle fracture as inpatient increases risk of complication.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fracture is one of the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeons, and its incidence is only expected to rise with an aging population. It is also associated with often costly complications, yet there is little literature on risk factors, especially modifiable ones, driving these complications. The aim of this study is to reveal whether inpatient treatment after ankle fracture is associated with higher incidence of postoperative complications. As the USA moves towards a bundled payment healthcare system, it is imperative that orthopaedists maximize patient outcome and quality of care while also reducing overall costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to compare complication rates between inpatient and outpatient treatment of ankle fracture. We collected patient demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications from both groups, then compared treatments using a multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS: We identified 7383 patients, with 2630 (36%) in the outpatient and 2630 (36%) in the inpatient group. Of these, 104 (4.0%) inpatients compared with 52 (2.0%) outpatients developed a complication (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatients developed major complications including deep wound infection and pulmonary embolism, as well as minor complications such as pneumonia and urinary tract infection, at significantly greater rates. As reimbursement models begin to incorporate value-based care, orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of factors associated with increased incidence of postoperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III retrospective comparative study.

Outcomes of Distal Femur Nonunions Treated With a Combined Nail/Plate Construct and Autogenous Bone Grafting.

In this study, we sought to retrospectively evaluate union and infection rates after treatment of distal femur nonunions using a combined nail/plate construct with autogenous bone grafting obtained from the ipsilateral femur using a reamer irrigator aspirator system. Ten (10) patients treated at a Level I trauma center for nonunion of a femoral fracture using a combined nail/plate construct from 2004 to 2014 were included in the study. Union rate and postoperative infection rates were recorded. Mean interval from index surgery to nonunion repair was 12 months (range 4-36 months). Follow-up at 24 months indicated that the entire cohort of 10 patients achieved clinical union and radiographic union based on radiograph union score in tibias (RUST) criteria. Treatment of distal femur nonunions with a combined nail/plate construct and autogenous bone grafting results in a high rate of union with a low complication rate.

Predicting the post-operative length of stay for the orthopaedic trauma patient.

PURPOSE: Length of stay (LOS) is a major driver of cost and quality of care. A bundled payment system makes it essential for orthopaedic surgeons to understand factors that increase a patient's LOS. Yet, minimal data regarding predictors of LOS currently exist. Using the ACS-NSQIP database, this is the first study to identify risk factors for increased LOS for orthopaedic trauma patients and create a personalized LOS calculator. METHODS: All orthopaedic trauma surgery between 2006 and 2013 were identified from the ACS-NSQIP database using CPT codes. Patient demographics, pre-operative comorbidities, anatomic location of injury, and post-operative in-hospital complications were collected. To control for individual patient comorbidities, a negative binomial regression model evaluated hospital LOS after surgery. Betas (ß), were determined for each pre-operative patient characteristic. We selected significant predictors of LOS (p < 0.05) using backwards stepwise elimination. RESULTS: 49,778 orthopaedic trauma patients were included in the analysis. Deep incisional surgical site infections and superficial surgical site infections were associated with the greatest percent change in predicted LOS (ß = 1.2760 and 1.2473, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both). A post-operative LOS risk calculator was developed based on the formula: [Formula: see text]. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing a large prospective cohort of orthopaedic trauma patients, we created the first personalized LOS calculator based on pre-operative comorbidities, post-operative complications and location of surgery. Future work may assess the use of this calculator and attempt to validate its utility as an accurate model. To improve the quality measures of hospitals, orthopaedists must employ such predictive tools to optimize care and better manage resources.

Incidence and predictive risk factors of postoperative sepsis in orthopedic trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sepsis is associated with high mortality and the national costs of septicemia exceed those of any other diagnosis. While numerous studies in the basic orthopedic science literature suggest that traumatic injuries facilitate the development of sepsis, it is currently unclear whether orthopedic trauma patients are at increased risk. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the incidence of sepsis and determine the risk factors that significantly predicted septicemia following orthopedic trauma surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 56,336 orthopedic trauma patients treated between 2006 and 2013 were identified in the ACS-NSQIP database. Documentation of postoperative sepsis/septic shock, demographics, surgical variables, and preoperative comorbidities was collected. Chi-squared analyses were used to assess differences in the rates of sepsis between trauma and nontrauma groups. Binary multivariable regressions identified risk factors that significantly predicted the development of postoperative septicemia in orthopedic trauma patients. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the overall rates of both sepsis and septic shock between orthopedic trauma (1.6%) and nontrauma (0.5%) patients (p < 0.001). For orthopedic trauma patients, ventilator use (OR = 15.1, p = 0.002), history of pain at rest (OR = 2.8, p = 0.036), and prior sepsis (OR = 2.6, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with septicemia. Statistically predictive, modifiable comorbidities included hypertension (OR = 2.1, p = 0.003) and the use of corticosteroids (OR = 2.1, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significantly greater incidence of postoperative sepsis in the trauma cohort. Clinicians should be aware of these predictive characteristics, may seek to counsel at-risk patients, and should consider addressing modifiable risk factors such as hypertension and corticosteroid use preoperatively. Level of evidence Level III.

Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index Scores Are Associated With Increased Hospital Length of Stay After Lower Extremity Orthopaedic Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between preoperative Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and postoperative length of stay (LOS) for lower extremity and hip/pelvis orthopaedic trauma patients. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Urban level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1561 patients treated for isolated lower extremity and pelvis fractures between 2000 and 2012. INTERVENTIONS: Surgical intervention for fractures MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:: The main outcome metric was LOS. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to examine the association between CCI and LOS while controlling for significant confounders. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred sixty-one patients met the inclusion criteria, 1302 (83.4%) of which had lower extremity injuries and 259 (16.6%) experienced hip/pelvis trauma. A total of 1001 (64.1%) patients presented with a CCI score of 1 and stayed an average of 7.9 days. Patients with a CCI of 3 experienced a mean LOS of 1.2 days longer than patients presenting with a CCI of 1, whereas patients presenting with a CCI score of 5 stayed an average of 4.6 days longer. After controlling for age, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, sex, anesthesia type, and anesthesia time, a higher preoperative CCI was found to be associated with longer LOS for patients with lower extremity fractures (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1.04, P = 0.01). No significant association was found between CCI and LOS for patients with hip/pelvic fractures. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the potential utility of the CCI as a predictor of hospital LOS for lower extremity patients; however, the association may be small given the smaller Incidence Rate Ratio value. Further studies are needed to clarify the predictive value of the CCI for different types of orthopaedic injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete.

The risk of deep vein thrombosis in total joint patients compared to orthopaedic trauma patients: Need for new prevention guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The development of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a major concern following orthopaedic surgery. No study has yet to compare the rate and risk factors for DVT between total joint and orthopaedic trauma patients. To evaluate if DVT prophylaxis for trauma should differ from total joints, we explored the rate and risk factors for DVT between both cohorts. METHODS: Using a CPT code search from 2005 to 2013 in the ACS-NSQIP database, 150,657 orthopaedic total joint patients and 44,594 orthopaedic trauma patients were identified. DVT complications, patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and surgical characteristics were collected for each patient. A chi-squared test was used to compare the risk factors for DVT between orthopaedic trauma and total joint patients. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to adjust for comorbidities for each cohort. RESULTS: The rate of DVT diagnosis in the total joint population was 0.8% (N = 1186) and 0.98% (N = 432) in the orthopaedic trauma population (p = 0.57). After controlling for individual comorbidities, dyspnea, peripheral vascular disease, and renal failure were significant risk factors for DVT in total joint patients (p < 0.05), whereas age, ascites and steroid use were significant risk factors for DVT in orthopaedic trauma patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Historically, the risks for DVT in total joints have been emphasized, yet based on our results, the incidence of DVT is the same for orthopaedic trauma. However, the risk factors varied. It is therefore important to consider specialty-specific DVT prophylaxis for orthopaedic trauma patients in order to improve care and reduce postoperative complications.

The impact of resident involvement on outcomes in orthopedic trauma: An analysis of 20,090 cases.

BACKGROUND: Involvement in patient care is critical in training orthopedic surgery residents for independent practice. As the focus on outcomes and quality measures intensifies, the impact of resident intraoperative involvement on patient outcomes will be increasingly scrutinized. We sought to determine the impact of residents' intraoperative participation on 30-day post-operative outcomes in the orthopedic trauma population. METHODS: A total of 20,090 patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2013 were identified. Patient demographics and comorbidities, surgical variables, and 30-day post-operative (wound, minor, and major) complications were collected. Chi-squared and analysis of variance statistical methods were used to compare the 30-day outcomes of patients with and without a resident's intraoperative involvement. RESULTS: Resident involvement had no effect in the incidence of wound and minor complications among all three anatomic sites of orthopedic trauma procedures (hip, lower extremity [LE], and upper extremity [UE]). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of major complications in the hip and LE groups. The UE group, however, demonstrated an increase in the rate of major complications (2.60% vs. 1.89%, p = 0.046). There was no difference in mortality or readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Resident involvement in orthopedic trauma cases did not significantly impact the 30-day outcomes in nearly all domains. Our findings support continued resident involvement in the care of the orthopedic trauma patient.

Geographic variations in orthopedic trauma billing and reimbursements for hip and pelvis fractures in the Medicare population.

We investigated geographic variations in Medicare spending for DRG 536 (hip and pelvis fracture). We identified 22,728 patients. The median number of charges, discharges, and payments were recorded. Hospitals were aggregated into core based statistical (CBS) areas and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each area. On average, hospitals charged 3.75 times more than they were reimbursed. Medicare charges and reimbursements demonstrated variability within each area. Geographic variation in Medicare spending for hip fractures is currently unexplained. It is imperative for orthopedists to understand drivers behind such high variability in hospital charges for management of hip and pelvis fractures.

Adverse cardiac events in 56,000 orthopaedic trauma patients: Does anatomic area make a difference?

PURPOSE: Postoperative cardiac events in orthopaedic trauma patients constitute severe morbidity and mortality. It is therefore increasingly important to determine patient risk factors that are predictive of postoperative myocardial infarctions and cardiac arrests. This study sought to assess if there is an association between anatomic area and cardiac complications in the orthopaedic trauma patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2006-2013, a total of 361,402 orthopaedic patients were identified in the NSQIP database using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Of these, 56,336 (15.6%) patients were identified as orthopaedic trauma patients broken down by anatomic region: 11,905 (21.1%) upper extremity patients (UE), 29,009 (51.5%) hip/pelvis patients (HP), and 15,422 (27.4%) lower extremity patients (LE) using CPT codes. Patients were defined as having adverse cardiac events if they developed myocardial infarctions or cardiac arrests within 30days after surgery. Chi-squared analysis was used to determine if there was an association between anatomic area and rates of cardiac events. Multivariate logistical analysis was used with over 40 patient characteristics including age, gender, history of cardiac disease, and anatomic region as independent predictors to determine whether anatomic area significantly predicted the development of cardiac complications. RESULTS: There were significant differences in baseline demographics among the three groups: HP patients had the greatest average age (77.6 years) compared to 54.8 years for UE patients and 54.1 years in LE patients (p<0.001). HP patients also had the highest average ASA score (3.0) (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in adverse cardiac events based on anatomic area: 0.27% (32/11,905) UE patients developed cardiac complications compared to 2.15% (623/29,009) HP patients and 0.61% (94/15,422) LE patients. After multivariate analysis, HP patients were significantly more likely to develop cardiac complications compared to both UE patients (OR: 6.377, p=0.014) and LE patients (OR: 2.766, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in adverse cardiac events following orthopaedic trauma based on anatomic region. Hip/Pelvis surgery appeared to be a significant risk factor in developing an adverse cardiac event. Further studies should investigate why hip/pelvic patients are at a higher risk of adverse cardiac events.

Increased risk of adverse events in management of femur and tibial shaft fractures with plating: An analysis of NSQIP data.

BACKGROUND: The management of femoral and tibial shaft fractures has long been among the simplest in orthopaedic trauma. Little data exist on the predictors of complications associated with these fractures. The evolving healthcare system is creating a focus on quality metrics and changing payment models. It is critical that traumatologists develop a better understanding of complication rates associated with these injuries so that they may continue to improve patient care while also reducing overall medical costs. METHODS: Using the ACS-NSQIP database, we evaluated patient demographics, comorbidities and 30-day complications of femoral and tibial fractures. A bivariate analysis was then used to compare rates of minor and major post-operative complications within 30 days. A multivariate logistic regression was performed, assessing the odds of developing a minor and/or major complication up to 30 days post-surgery. RESULTS: 2891 patients were identified. For femoral fractures, intramedullary nailing (IMN) demonstrated an overall complication rate of 14.9% (n = 151) whereas open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plating showed an overall complication rate of 15.6% (n = 70). Patients undergoing plating of the femur or tibia were 2 times more likely than the IMN patients to demonstrate postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to demonstrate that plating of femoral and tibial fractures doubles the odds of developing a complication. As our healthcare system shifts to bundled payment plans, it is impertinent for the orthopaedic surgeon to understand the risk factors associated with fracture treatments in order to assess the best treatment plan.

Predictors of Adverse Events for Ankle Fractures: An Analysis of 6800 Patients.

Ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries seen by orthopedic surgeons. It is therefore essential to understand the risks associated with their treatment. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program(®) database from 2006 to 2013, the patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day complications were collected for 5 types of ankle fractures. A bivariate analysis was used to compare the patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications across all Common Procedural Terminology codes. A multivariable logistic regression model was then used to assess the odds of minor and major postoperative complications within 30 days after open treatment. A total of 6865 patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 2507 (36.5%) had bimalleolar ankle fractures. The overall rate of adverse events for ankle fractures was low. Bimalleolar fractures had the greatest rate of major (2.6%, n = 64), minor (3.8%, n = 94), and total (5.7%, n = 143) complications. When controlling for individual patient characteristics, bimalleolar fractures were associated with 4.92 times the odds (95% confidence interval 1.80 to 13.5; p = .002) of developing a complication compared with those with a medial malleolar fracture. The risk factors driving postoperative complications for all ankle fractures were age >65 years, obesity, diabetes, American Society of Anesthesiologists score >2, and functional status (p < .05). Although the overall rate of adverse events for ankle fractures was low, bimalleolar fractures were associated with 5 times the odds of developing a complication compared with medial malleolar fractures. Orthopedic surgeons must be aware of the risk factors that increase the rate of ankle fracture complications to improve patients' quality of care.

Pre-operative labs: Wasted dollars or predictors of post-operative cardiac and septic events in orthopaedic trauma patients?

PURPOSE: As US healthcare expenditures continue to rise, there is significant pressure to reduce the cost of inpatient medical services. Studies have estimated that over 70% of routine labs may not yield clinical benefits while adding over $300 in costs per day for every inpatient. Although orthopaedic trauma patients tend to have longer inpatient stays and hip fractures have been associated with significant morbidity, there is a dearth of data examining pre-operative labs in predicting post-operative adverse events in these populations. The purpose of this study was to assess whether pre-operative labs significantly predict post-operative cardiac and septic complications in orthopaedic trauma and hip fracture patients. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2013, 56,336 (15.6%) orthopaedic trauma patients were identified and 27,441 patients (7.6%) were diagnosed with hip fractures. Pre-operative labs included sodium, BUN, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, white count, hematocrit, platelet count, prothrombin time, INR, and partial thromboplastin time. For each of these labs, patients were deemed to have normal or abnormal values. Patients were noted to have developed cardiac or septic complications if they sustained (1) myocardial infarction (MI), (2) cardiac arrest, or (3) septic shock within 30 days after surgery. Separate regressions incorporating over 40 patient characteristics including age, gender, pre-operative comorbidities, and labs were performed for orthopaedic trauma patients in order to determine whether pre-operative labs predicted adverse cardiac or septic outcomes. RESULTS: 749 (1.3%) orthopaedic trauma patients developed cardiac complications and 311 (0.6%) developed septic shock. Multivariate regression demonstrated that abnormal pre-operative platelet values were significantly predictive of post-operative cardiac arrest (OR: 11.107, p=0.036), and abnormal bilirubin levels were predictive (OR: 8.487, p=0.008) of the development of septic shock in trauma patients. In the hip fracture cohort, abnormal partial thromboplastin time was significantly associated with post-operative myocardial infarction (OR: 15.083, p=0.046), and abnormal bilirubin (OR: 58.674, p=0.002) significantly predicted the onset of septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate the utility of pre-operative labs in predicting perioperative cardiac and septic adverse events in orthopaedic trauma and hip fracture patients. Particular attention should be paid to haematologic/coagulation labs (platelets, PTT) and bilirubin values. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II.

Outcomes of Distal Femur Nonunions Treated with a Combined Nail/Plate Construct and Autogenous Bone Grafting.

SummaryIn this study, we sought to retrospectively evaluate union and infection rates after treatment of distal femur nonunions using a combined nail/plate construct with autogenous bone grafting. 10 patients treated at a Level I Trauma Center for nonunion of a femoral fracture using a combined nail/plate construct from 2004 to 2014 were included in the study. Union rate and postoperative infection rate were recorded.10 patients underwent treatment for nonunion of the distal femur. Mean interval from index surgery to nonunion repair was 12 months (range 4-36 months). All 10 patients achieved union at an average of 3.9 months (range 2.3-8 months) after initial nonunion repair. Treatment of distal femur nonunions with a combined nail/plate construct and autogenous bone grafting results in a high rate of union with a low complication rate. This technique combines two straightforward procedures familiar to orthopaedic trauma surgeons and offers distinct advantages including: availability of adequate bone graft volume, absence of donor site morbidity, and increased construct stability that may permit earlier weight-bearing.

Risk factors for discharge to rehabilitation among hip fracture patients.

Length of stay (LOS) drives costs for hip fracture patients. One factor that affects LOS is delayed transfer of patients to rehabilitation centers. It is therefore imperative that orthopedists have a mechanism for identifying which patients require rehabilitation services after surgery. We conducted a study to identify patient risk factors that are significantly associated with discharge to rehabilitation. Using 2011 ACS-NSQIP (American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) data, we prospectively analyzed the cases of 4815 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery and had discharge information available. Discharge location, surgery type, patient demographics, 32 patient comorbidities, and 7 operative factors were identified in these patients. Fisher exact tests were used to determine which patient factors were significantly associated with discharge to rehabilitation. Of the 4815 patients, 80.3% were discharged to rehabilitation and 19.7% to home. After multivariable analysis, age over 65 years, female sex, dialysis, prior percutaneous coronary intervention, hypertension, general anesthesia, and ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class higher than 2 had higher odds of discharge to rehabilitation, and DNR (do not resuscitate) status had higher odds of discharge to home. This study was the first to determine which factors predicted discharge to rehabilitation in hip fracture patients. Knowing these risk factors provides orthopedists with a mechanism that can be used to identify which patients require rehabilitation after surgery, thereby facilitating transfer and potentially decreasing LOS and associated costs.

Editorial on "Comprehensive geriatric care for patients with hip fractures: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial" published in The Lancet on April 25(th), 2015.

A third of elderly adults fall every year, many leading to hip fractures with a 24% mortality rate just within the first year. As a growing number of the US population approaches old age, these hip fractures are expected to cost the US over 25 billion annually. In the near future, physicians will need to not only improve the treatment for a larger patient population but also reduce the medical costs associated. The authors in this paper sought to determine whether specialized geriatric care positively impacted patient outcome compared to standard orthopaedic care for hip fractures. The study found that geriatric care significantly increased patient mobility within 4 months after hip fracture and will likely reduce overall medical costs. Similar studies have shown promising results as well. Moving forward, geriatric fracture programs need more prospective randomized trials to determine the effectiveness of these programs to increase patient quality while also reducing overall medical costs. This study in correlation with others further demonstrates the importance and need of specialized geriatric programs in the US.