Contribution of the remaining attachment index in the management of Vancouver B1 periprosthetic hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Implant fixation assessment following Vancouver B1 periprosthetic hip fracture is a major decision factor for internal fixation and/or implant revision. The main aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between radiographic Remaining Attachment Index (RAI) and risk of implant loosening at last follow-up following internal fixation of Vancouver B1 periprosthetic hip fracture. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A multicentre retrospective study included 50 patients with Vancouver B1 periprosthetic hip fracture with uncemented femoral stem between 2013 and 2019. Preoperative radiographs were analysed independently by 2 senior orthopedic surgeons, distinguishing 2 groups: RAI>2/3 versus<2/3. Postoperative and last follow-up radiographs were then screened for signs of complete femoral component loosening. RESULTS: Median age was 89 years (range: 36-99 years). Two RAI>2/3 patients showed implant loosening (8%) versus 9 RAI<2/3 patients (36%), disclosing a significant correlation between early loosening and RAI<2/3 (p=0.005). Interobserver agreement for both radiographic RAI and radiographic loosening assessment at last follow-up was 98% with kappa correlation coefficient 0.96 [range: 0.88-1]. CONCLUSION: Remaining Attachment Index<2/3 in Vancouver B1 periprosthetic hip fracture was a risk factor for early implant loosening after isolated internal fixation. In these often frail elderly patients, first-line implant exchange is to be considered in the light of the risk/benefit ratio. The present results confirm the need for rigorous preoperative radiographic work-up of the remaining attachment area in Vancouver B1 fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: Ultrasonography and Endoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Repair.

To date, there is no consensus concerning the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Although surgical treatment decreases the risk of a recurrent rupture, it is not without complications. In particular, percutaneous sutures may cause a lesion of the sural nerve. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a reliable and reproducible surgical procedure for treating these lesions. The first operative phase consists of an ultrasound detection that makes it possible to identify the tendon extremities and the sural nerve, which is necessary to secure the posterolateral arthroscopic tract as well as to perform the percutaneous suture. The entry point is thus centered on the lesion and placed at a distance from any surrounding nerve risk. The second arthroscopic phase makes it possible to release the tendon lesion, control the transtendon passage of the surgical threads, and evaluate the dynamic contact of the tendon edges. At the end of the intervention, the complete disappearance from the transillumination via the rupture also makes it possible to ensure the disappearance of the tendon gap. Achilles tendon percutaneous sutures after the ultrasound detection and under arthroscopic control thus makes it possible to control the contact of the tendon edges, while at the same time decreasing the risk of a lesion of the sural nerve, with minimal scarring.