Age and Early Revision After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis.

Prior reports have noted an increased risk of early revision among younger patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) but have been confounded by the inclusion of various diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to assess the revision rate and the time to revision for patients undergoing THA for osteoarthritis based on age. Patients with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis who underwent both primary and revision THA at the same institution were identified. The time between primary and revision surgery and the indication for revision were collected. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on age at the time of primary THA: 64 years or younger (group 1) or 65 years or older (group 2). Between 1996 and 2016, a total of 4662 patients (5543 hips) underwent primary THA for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Of these, 100 patients (104 hips) received a revision THA (62 in group 1 and 42 in group 2). Mean age was 52.7±8.4 years in group 1 vs 73.4±6.3 years in group 2 (P<.001). There was no significant difference in mean body mass index (29.7±7.3 kg/m2 vs 28.4±4.6 kg/m2, P=.30). Rate of revision was not significantly different between the groups (1.8% vs 2.0%, P=.7). Average time from primary to revision surgery was 3.0±3.2 years for group 1 and 1.1±2.1 years for group 2 (P=.001). Among patients undergoing primary THA for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, younger age is not associated with an increased rate of early failure or revision. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(6):e1069-e1073.].

Patient-Reported Outcomes of Periacetabular Osteotomy from the Prospective ANCHOR Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature describing the periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is mostly limited to retrospective case series. Larger, prospective cohort studies are needed to provide better clinical evidence regarding this procedure. The goals of the current study were to (1) report minimum 2-year patient-reported outcomes (pain, hip function, activity, overall health, and quality of life), (2) investigate preoperative clinical and disease characteristics as predictors of clinical outcomes, and (3) report the rate of early failures and reoperations in patients undergoing contemporary PAO surgery. METHODS: A large, prospective, multicenter cohort of PAO procedures was established, and outcomes at a minimum of 2 years were analyzed. A total of 391 hips were included for analysis (79% of the patients were female, and the average patient age was 25.4 years). Patient-reported outcomes, conversion to total hip replacement, reoperations, and major complications were documented. Variables with a p value of ≤0.10 in the univariate linear regressions were included in the multivariate linear regression. The backward stepwise selection method was used to determine the final risk factors of clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Clinical outcome analysis demonstrated major clinically important improvements in pain, function, quality of life, overall health, and activity level. Increasing age and a body mass index status of overweight or obese were predictive of improved results for certain outcome metrics. Male sex and mild acetabular dysplasia were predictive of lesser improvements in certain outcome measures. Three (0.8%) of the hips underwent early conversion to total hip arthroplasty, 12 (3%) required reoperation, and 26 (7%) experienced a major complication. CONCLUSIONS: This large, prospective cohort study demonstrated the clinical success of contemporary PAO surgery for the treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Patient and disease characteristics demonstrated predictive value that should be considered in surgical decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Acetabular Dysplasia: The Academic Network of Conservational Hip Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) Periacetabular Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an established treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, which is a well-recognized cause of hip pain, functional limitations, and secondary osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to describe the demographics of patients undergoing PAO, the baseline patient-reported outcome measures for this population, and the types of adjunctive procedures performed at the time of PAO surgery. METHODS: Demographics, disease characteristics, and patient-reported functional measures were prospectively collected from all patients who underwent PAO performed by 12 surgeons from 2008 to 2013. RESULTS: We enrolled 950 consecutive patients (982 hips) in the study; 83% were female and 17% were male, with an average age of 25.3 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 24.6 kg/m. Most patients were Caucasian (87%), and 15% had undergone previous hip surgery. Before PAO was performed, most patients had had symptoms for 1 to 3 years. Baseline modified Harris Hip and University of California Los Angeles activity scores (61.8 and 6.6, respectively) indicated that patients had considerable functional limitations. DISCUSSION: Patients undergoing PAO for symptomatic dysplasia were predominantly young, female, and Caucasian with a normal BMI. Many patients had undergone prior hip surgery, and most had had symptoms for several years before treatment. Baseline patient-reported functional scores demonstrated marked functional limitations. Adjunctive procedures for intra-articular pathology, especially femoral osteochondroplasty and hip arthroscopy, are commonly performed at the time of PAO.

Preoperative Joint Space Width Predicts Patient-Reported Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Young Patients.

BACKGROUND: In a new health care economy, there is an emerging need to understand and quantify predictors of total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes. We investigated the association between preoperative radiographic disease (as measured quantitatively by joint space width [JSW]) and patient-reported function, activity, pain, and quality of life after THA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 146 patients (146 hips) 55 years or younger with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis who underwent cementless THA between January 2009 and December 2010. Preoperative pelvic radiographs were measured by 1 author blinded to clinical outcomes to establish JSW, defined as the shortest distance between the femoral head margin and the superolateral weight-bearing portion of the acetabulum. The JSW value was treated as a continuous variable when applied to statistical modeling. The relationship between the JSW and the improvement of clinical outcome was examined via a general linear modeling approach with adjustments for patients' age, body mass index, and sex. RESULTS: We identified an inverse relationship between preoperative JSW and improvements in functional, activity, pain, and quality of life. We found that, as JSW decreased by 1 mm, the outcome measure improvements were modified Harris Hip Score of 6.3 (p<0.001); SF-12 physical: 2.1 (p=0.027); WOMAC-pain: 4.8 (p=0.01); and UCLA Activity: 0.44 (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that patients with greater preoperative joint space have less predictable improvement in terms of function, pain relief, and activity. These findings suggest that THA in young patients with a JSW less than 1.5 to 2 mm provides more predictable improvements in pain and functional outcomes.

Does Tranexamic Acid Reduce Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirements Associated With the Periacetabular Osteotomy?

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has shown safety and efficacy in reducing blood loss associated with various surgical procedures. However, to our knowledge there are no studies evaluating the effect of TXA on blood loss and transfusion requirements associated with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The main purpose of this study is to determine whether TXA reduces blood loss and transfusion use in patients undergoing PAO for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Our secondary purpose was to compare the frequency of symptomatic thromboembolic events between patients undergoing surgery with and without TXA. METHODS: A consecutive series of 100 periacetabular osteotomies performed by one surgeon was reviewed to compare the groups immediately before and after implementation of routine use of tranexamic acid (two retrospective cohorts). TXA dosing followed an established protocol with a standard dose of 1 g infused intravenously during 10 minutes before skin incision and an additional 1 g intravenously at wound closure. Outcome measures include total estimated blood loss perioperatively and transfusion requirements. Total estimated blood loss was calculated using a formula built from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data regarding surgical blood loss. RESULTS: The mean perioperative total estimated blood loss was less in the patients receiving TXA compared with blood loss in patients who did not receive TXA (706 mL versus 1021 mL; p<0.001; 95% CI, -495 to -134). Twenty-six (52%) of the 50 patients who did not receive TXA had postoperative blood transfusions compared with 15 (30%) of 50 who received TXA (odds ratio, 0.395; 95% CI, 0.174-0.899; p=0.0414). No symptomatic deep vein thromboses or symptomatic pulmonary emboli were identified in either group. CONCLUSIONS: TXA reduces estimated blood loss and the frequency of transfusions in patients undergoing PAO for treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Future prospective studies should confirm our findings to determine whether patients undergoing PAO should receive routine perioperative TXA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Are there sex-dependent differences in acetabular dysplasia characteristics?

BACKGROUND: Many patients who undergo periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia experience decreased pain and improved function, yet some experience inadequate clinical improvement. The etiologies of treatment failure have not been completely defined, and sex-dependent disease characteristics that may be associated with less pain relief are not understood. QUESTION/PURPOSES: We sought to determine whether there were clinically important sex-specific differences between male and female patients undergoing PAO for acetabular dysplasia in terms of (1) clinical parameters (anthropomorphic traits and hip scores), (2) radiographic findings, and (3) intraoperative findings at the time of PAO, in particular findings potentially associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) such as chondromalacia at the head-neck junction, impingement trough, or reduced head-neck offset. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2012 we treated 245 patients (270 hips) with a PAO for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Of those, 16 patients (16 hips; 6%) had insufficient documentation for review in the medical record and another 49 patients (51 hips; 19%) met prespecified exclusion criteria, leaving 180 patients (203 hips; 75%) for analysis in this retrospective study. One hundred thirty-nine patients were females and 41 were males. Clinical data including patient demographics, physical examination, patient self-reported outcome scores, radiographic morphologic features, and intraoperative findings were collected prospectively as part of an institutional registry. Statistical analysis was performed with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was similar among sexes; however, BMI was greater in males compared with females (26 versus 24 kg/m(2); p = 0.002). Males had less hip ROM including internal rotation at 90° flexion (14° ± 13.8° versus 25° ± 16.2°; p = 0.001). Males had higher preoperative UCLA (7 ± 2, versus 6 ± 2; p = 0.02) and Harris hip scores (63 ± 15 versus 58 ± 16; p = 0.04). Radiographically, a crossover sign (88% versus 39%; p < 0.001) and posterior wall sign (92% versus 63%; p < 0.001) were more common in males. Males had greater alpha angles on the frog lateral (63° ± 15.3° versus 58° ± 16°; p = 0.04) and Dunn radiograph views (64° ± 15.5° versus 56° ± 14.8°; p = 0.02). The incidence of femoral head-neck chondromalacia (62% versus 82%; p = 0.03) and an impingement trough observed at surgery was greater in males (35% versus 17%; p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed differences between the sexes for reduced internal rotation in flexion, a higher Dunn alpha angle, increased incidence of a crossover sign, and a lower anterior center-edge angle. CONCLUSIONS: There are sex-dependent, disease characteristic differences in patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Most notably, male patients have a greater prevalence of clinical, radiographic, and intraarticular findings consistent with concurrent FAI and instability and potentially a heightened risk of secondary FAI after PAO, however postoperative and long-term followup are needed to confirm these findings and it remains unclear which patients need surgical correction of the impingement and instability. Preoperative evaluation of acetabular dysplasia in males should at least include careful attention to factors associated with symptomatic FAI; however, further studies are needed to determine when surgical correction is needed.

Does previous pelvic osteotomy compromise the results of periacetabular osteotomy surgery?

BACKGROUND: As the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) has grown in popularity, specific indications and the results in patients treated for those indications need to be evaluated. Currently, although many patients undergo PAO after having had prior pelvic osteotomy, there is limited information regarding the efficacy of the PAO in these patients. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to compare the (1) early pain, function, activity, and quality of life outcomes; (2) radiographic correction; and (3) major complications and failures between patients who underwent PAO after prior pelvic reconstruction versus those who had a PAO without prior surgery. METHODS: Between February 2008 and January 2012, 39 patients underwent PAO after prior pelvic osteotomy at one of 11 centers and were entered into a collaborative multicenter database. Of those, 34 (87%) were available for followup at a mean of 2.5 years (range 1-5 years). This group was compared with a matched group of 78 subjects, of whom 71 (91%) were available for followup at a similar interval. We compared clinical outcomes including UCLA activity score, SF-12, and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS); radiographic measures-anterior and lateral center-edge angle and acetabular inclination (AI)-and reoperations, major complications, and conversions to total hip arthroplasty. RESULTS: Although both groups reached clinical improvement in all categorical measures, the revision PAO group demonstrated greater pain (HOOS pain, study 74 versus 85, p = 0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.58 to -0.95) and less function (HOOS activities of daily living, study 80 versus 92, p = 0.002; 95% CI, 018.99-4.45) than the primary cohort. The revision cohort achieved a smaller average radiographic correction than in patients undergoing PAO without prior pelvic surgery. The mean correction in AI was less dramatic when directly comparing the revision and comparison groups (-12° to -17°, p < 0.001, SD 2.3-8.5). Although there was no difference in severe complications requiring further surgery, there were two conversions to hip arthroplasty (p = 0.109; 95% CI, 0.004-2.042) in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: PAO performed after prior pelvic surgery is associated with improvements in pain, function, radiographic correction, and early complication rates, but the improvements observed at short-term followup were smaller and more variable than those seen in patients who had not undergone prior pelvic surgery. We recommend considering PAO for residual deformities after prior osteotomy to improve function and quality life but warning patients of potential ceiling effects with a second periacetabular surgery.

Are younger patients undergoing THA appropriately characterized as active?

BACKGROUND: Surgeons perform THA to address a variety of conditions in younger patients, including osteoarthritis (OA), osteonecrosis, inflammatory arthritis, and congenital deformities. Younger patients aged 50 years or younger have been characterized as active in the literature, but a direct relationship between age and activity level has not been well substantiated. Younger patients with OA may engage in higher activity levels; however, associated medical conditions in patients with other surgical indications may not support a generalization that age is a surrogate for activity level. We recently evaluated these issues in younger patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and noted that the majority would not be considered active. Given this observation, we considered whether younger patients undergoing THA are characterized by high activity levels, which is relevant to understanding the long-term risk of wear-related failures. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Do demographic features of younger patients undergoing THA support high activity expectations? (2) Do preoperative or postoperative functional activity measures support projections that younger patients are active after THA? METHODS: We retrospectively compared demographic characteristics and functional activity profiles (as determined by preoperative and postoperative UCLA activity scores, Harris hip scores [HHS], and SF-12 and WOMAC physical function subscores) of 704 patients who had undergone THA and were aged younger than 50 years (822 hips) with those of 484 patients (516 hips) aged between 65 and 75 years, who had undergone THA, with a minimum followup at 1 year after surgery (range, 12-160 months). RESULTS: Compared with patients aged 65 to 75 years, younger patients undergoing THA were more often men (51%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 48.8%-53.2% versus 40%, 95% CI, 37.1%-42.9% women; p < 0.01) or had undergone surgery for osteonecrosis (29% versus 4%; 95% CI, 2.8%-5.2%; p < 0.001). Postoperative HHS, SF-12, and WOMAC scores were not appreciably different between the two patient groups. Compared with older patients, younger patients with OA had higher preoperative (5.0 ± 2.5 versus 3.9 ± 2.0, p < 0.001) and postoperative UCLA activity scores (6.8 ± 2.1 versus 5.3 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). Younger patients with diagnoses other than OA had slightly higher mean postoperative UCLA activity scores than older patients (6.0 ± 2.3 versus 5.3 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Two hundred fifty-nine of 704 younger patients undergoing THA (37%; 95% CI, 34.9%-39.1%) returned to impact activity compared with 75 of 484 older patients undergoing THA (15.5%; 95% CI, 13.3%-17.7%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with OA are likely to return to high levels of activity after surgery, which may impact long-term wear-related implant survivorship. High activity levels are less common among younger patients with diagnoses other than OA. Age is not the ideal surrogate for activity level in patients considering THA; instead, specific activity-level measures should be used when discussing patient expectations pertaining to postoperative activity levels after arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Complications associated with the periacetabular osteotomy: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to determine and categorize all complications associated with the periacetabular osteotomy performed by experienced surgeons. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed perioperative complications in 205 consecutive unilateral periacetabular osteotomies performed at seven institutions by ten surgeons. All perioperative complications were recorded at an average of ten weeks and one year after surgery in standardized fashion using a validated complication grading scheme applied to hip preservation procedures. The mean patient age was 25.4 years. There were 143 female and sixty-two male patients. The most common diagnosis was developmental acetabular dysplasia, and concomitant procedures most commonly included femoral osteochondroplasty (58%) or hip arthroscopy (20%), which could include labral repair or resection. RESULTS: Major complications (grade III or IV) occurred in twelve patients (5.9%). Seven complications were evident at the ten-week visit and five at the one-year visit. Nine of the complications required a second surgical intervention, including repair for acetabular migration or implant adjustment (four patients), incision and drainage for a deep infection (two patients), and heterotopic bone resection, contralateral peroneal nerve decompression, and posterior column fixation (one patient each). Three thromboembolic complications were managed medically. There were no vascular injuries, permanent nerve palsies, intra-articular osteotomies and/or fractures, or acetabular osteonecrosis. The most common grade-I or II complication was asymptomatic heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSIONS: For surgeons experienced with the periacetabular osteotomy, it is a safe procedure but is associated with a 5.9% risk of grade-III or IV complications beyond the learning curve. The majority of these complications are resolved without permanent disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patient and disease characteristics associated with hip arthroscopy failure in acetabular dysplasia.

The purpose of this study was to define the clinical and disease characteristics in patients who fail hip arthroscopy and require periacetabular osteotomy. Thirty patients (30 hips) who underwent a PAO, following a failed hip arthroscopy were identified from a multicenter database. Eighty-seven percent were female and the average age was 27.3 years. The average LCE angle was 14.7°, acetabular inclination 16.3°, and ACE angle 16.8°. Labral abnormalities and acetabular chondral disease were noted at PAO surgery in 60 and 56%, respectively. The average clinical scores prior to the PAO were mHHS 53.5, WOMAC 56.9, and UCLA 5.4. Failed hip arthroscopy and the need for PAO are most commonly observed in young female patients with mild to moderate dysplasia, major functional limitations and associated intra-articular abnormalities.

Why do hip arthroscopy procedures fail?

BACKGROUND: Despite the successes of hip arthroscopy, clinical failures do occur, and identifying risk factors for failure may facilitate refinement of surgical indications and treatment. Knowledge regarding the reasons for treatment failures may also improve surgical decision making. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We (1) characterized patients whose symptoms recurred after hip arthroscopy necessitating a revision hip preservation procedure or hip arthroplasty, (2) determined the etiologies of failure, (3) and reported the profile of revision surgical procedures. METHODS: In a prospective database of 1724 consecutive hip surgeries, we identified 58 patients (60 hips) with a history of failed hip arthroscopy. Thirty-seven patients (38 hips) underwent revision hip preservation and 21 (22) hip arthroplasty. Thirty-nine (67%) were female. Demographics, etiology of failure, and type of revision surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients treated with revision hip preservation were younger, had a lower BMI, and lower Tönnis osteoarthritis grade at the time of revision surgery compared to patients treated with hip arthroplasty. Common etiologies of failure were residual femoroacetabular impingement (68%) and acetabular dysplasia (24%) in patients treated with revision hip preservation and advanced osteoarthritis in patients treated with hip arthroplasty. The revision preservation procedures included arthroscopy in 16 (42%), arthroscopy with limited open capsulorraphy in two (5.3%), periacetabular osteotomy in nine (24%), and surgical dislocation in 12 (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Residual or unaddressed structural deformity of the hip and underlying osteoarthritis are commonly associated with failure after hip arthroscopy. Thorough patient evaluation with detailed characterization of structural hip anatomy and articular cartilage integrity are critical to the selection of proper surgical intervention and successful patient outcome.

Descriptive epidemiology of femoroacetabular impingement: a North American cohort of patients undergoing surgery.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is associated with hip pain, functional limitations, and secondary osteoarthritis. There is limited information from large patient cohorts defining the specific population affected by FAI. Establishing a large cohort will facilitate the identification of "at-risk" patients and will provide a population for ongoing clinical research initiatives. The authors have therefore established a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal cohort of patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic FAI. PURPOSE: To report the clinical epidemiology, disease characteristics, and contemporary surgical treatment trends in North America for patients with symptomatic FAI. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Upon approval of the institutional review boards at 8 institutions, 12 surgeons enrolled consecutive patients undergoing surgical intervention for symptomatic FAI. Patient demographics, physical examination data, radiographic data, diagnoses, operative data, and standardized patient-reported outcome measures were collected. The first 1130 cases are summarized in this study. RESULTS: A total of 1076 consecutive patients (1130 hips) were enrolled; 55% (n = 622) were female, and 45% (n = 508) were male, with an average age of 28.4 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 25.1. Demographics revealed that 88% of patients who were predominantly treated for FAI were white, 19% reported a family history of hip surgery, 47.6% of hips had a diagnosis of cam FAI, 44.5% had combined cam/pincer FAI, and 7.9% had pincer FAI. Preoperative clinical scores (pain, function, activity level, and overall health) indicated a major dysfunction related to the hip. Surgical interventions were arthroscopic surgery (50.4%), surgical dislocation (34.4%), reverse periacetabular osteotomy (9.4%), limited open osteochondroplasty with arthroscopic surgery (5.8%), and limited open by itself (1.5%). More than 90% of the hips were noted to have labral and articular cartilage abnormalities at surgery; femoral head-neck osteochondroplasty was performed in 91.6% of the surgical procedures, acetabular rim osteoplasty in 36.7%, labral repair in 47.8%, labral debridement in 16.3%, and acetabular chondroplasty in 40.1%. CONCLUSION: This multicenter, prospective, longitudinal cohort is one of the largest FAI cohorts to date. In this cohort, FAI occurred predominantly in young, white patients with a normal BMI, and there were more female than male patients. The disease pattern of cam FAI was most common. Contemporary treatment was predominantly arthroscopic followed by surgical hip dislocation.

Unstable SCFE: review of treatment modalities and prevalence of osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is rapidly evolving with the ability to correct epiphyseal alignment using the modified Dunn technique. Adopting a new treatment method depends on confirming that it achieves its goals, produces few, nonserious complications with no lasting sequelae, and improves the natural history of the disorder compared with known treatment methods. As such, the rates of osteonecrosis and complications after current treatments of unstable SCFE must be compared with those of newer surgical techniques. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore addressed the following questions: (1) What is the rate of osteonecrosis of the femoral head after treatment of unstable SCFE? (2) What treatment modalities have been used for unstable SCFE and (3) what are the reported complications? METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic literature search for the keywords unstable and slipped capital femoral epiphysis and identified 199 articles. Of these, 60 met our inclusion criteria. Fifteen articles were included for analysis. RESULTS: The literature concerning the treatment and results of unstable SCFE is retrospective Level IV data that suggest an overall rate of osteonecrosis of 23.9%. Multiple treatment modalities were used for unstable SCFE treatment with varying, inconsistently recorded complications over the reporting period. CONCLUSIONS: We found limited data concerning the rate of osteonecrosis and complications after treatment of unstable SCFE. Considering recent widespread interest in the modified Dunn procedure and the possibility of iatrogenic osteonecrosis, there is a need for prospective studies to identify complications and establish outcome based on standardized scores for established and emerging treatments of unstable SCFE.

Do fluoroscopy and postoperative radiographs correlate for periacetabular osteotomy corrections?

BACKGROUND: The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) can relieve pain and restore function in patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Accurate acetabular correction is fundamental to achieving these clinical goals and presumably enhancing survivorship of the reconstruction. Fluoroscopy is used by some surgeons to assess intraoperative acetabular correction but it is unclear whether the features observed by fluoroscopy accurately reflect those on postoperative radiographs. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore determined whether the parameters of acetabular correction of PAO correlated on intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging and postoperative radiography. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the imaging of 48 patients (50 hips) who underwent PAO. Intraoperative fluoroscopic AP and false profile images were obtained after final PAO correction. The intraoperative deformity correction as measured on the two fluoroscopy views was compared with the correction determined with postoperative standing plain AP pelvis and false profile radiographs using common measurements of acetabular position. RESULTS: Of all radiographic parameters, lateral center-edge angle had the highest correlation between intraoperative fluoroscopy and the postoperative radiograph with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.80 (0.68-0.88). Similarly, acetabular inclination and anterior center-edge angle also correlated with ICCs of 0.76 (0.61-0.85) and 0.71 (0.54-0.82), respectively. Extrusion index and medial offset distance had lower correlations with ICCs of 0.66 (0.46-0.79) and 0.46 (0.21-0.65), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluoroscopic assessment of PAO correction correlated with that from the postoperative radiographic assessment. Measurement of lateral center-edge angle shows the highest correlation with the fewest outliers. Acetabular inclination and anterior center-edge angle also correlated; extrusion index and medial offset distance should be used with more caution.

Intraarticular abnormalities in residual Perthes and Perthes-like hip deformities.

BACKGROUND: Residual Perthes and Perthes-like hip deformities are complex and may encompass proximal femoral deformity, secondary acetabular dysplasia, and associated intraarticular abnormalities. These intraarticular abnormalities have not been well characterized but may influence surgical technique and treatment outcomes. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We (1) determined the characteristics of intraarticular disease associated with residual Perthes-like hip deformities; and (2) correlated these intraarticular abnormalities with clinical characteristics and radiographic parameters of hip morphology. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 patients (36 hips) with residual Perthes or Perthes-like deformities and hip symptoms treated using a surgical dislocation. There were 24 males and 11 females; mean age was 18.5 years (range, 10-36 years). We prospectively documented all intraoperative findings and comprehensively reviewed all radiographs. RESULTS: Labral abnormalities and acetabular and femoral head cartilage abnormalities were present in 76%, 59%, and 81% of hips, respectively. Male sex was associated with severe chondromalacia (64% versus 27%), femoral head chondromalacia (92% versus 55%), and advanced radiographic osteoarthritis (44% versus 9%). Stulberg classification of 3 or greater was associated with moderate to severe acetabular chondromalacia (71% versus 30%). Lateral center-edge angle > 20° and acetabular inclination < 15° correlated with severe chondromalacia (73% versus 38%; 23% versus 70%). Center-trochanteric distance < -1.7 was associated with labral tears (90% versus 57%). CONCLUSIONS: Chondral lesions and labral tears are common in symptomatic patients with residual Perthes or Perthes-like deformities. Male sex, a high trochanter, and joint incongruity are associated with more advanced intraarticular disease. Secondary acetabular dysplasia seems to protect the articular cartilage in that hips with acetabular dysplasia had less chondromalacia.

Lower extremity-specific measures of disability and outcomes in orthopaedic surgery.

Outcome measures may be simple questions or complex measures that assess multiple interrelated domains affecting treatment outcomes. Outcome measures should be relevant to patients, easy to use, reliable, valid, and responsive to clinical changes. Joint and disease-specific outcome measures have been developed for the hip, knee, and foot and ankle. Many of these measures would benefit from further research into their validity, reliability, and optimal applicability. General health measures and activity level scores should be included in outcome assessments after treatment for orthopaedic conditions.

Selective versus nonselective arterial clamping during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: impact upon renal function in the setting of a solitary kidney in a porcine model.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has emerged as a standard of care for small renal masses. Nevertheless, there remains concern over the potential for irreversible insult to the kidney as a result of exposure to warm ischemia. We aim to investigate the utility of selective segmental arterial clamping as a means to reduce the potential for ischemic damage to a solitary kidney during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy utilizing a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 domestic swine were randomized into four equal groups. Each subject underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy to create the condition of a solitary kidney. On the contralateral side, a laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy was performed, employing either selective or nonselective vascular clamping for either 60 or 90 minutes. Postoperatively, clinical status and serial serum studies were closely monitored for 1 week. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. The 90-minute nonselective clamping produced devastating effects, resulting in rapid deterioration into florid renal failure within 72 hours. The 60-minute nonselective clamping group experienced modest but significant rises in both blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Both 60- and 90-minute selective clamping groups performed well, with no significant rises in creatinine over a 7-day period, and no instances of renal failure. CONCLUSIONS: Selective arterial clamping is a safe and feasible means of vascular control during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. In the porcine model, selective clamping appears to improve functional outcomes during prolonged periods of warm ischemic insult. Prospective evaluation of the technique in humans is necessary to determine if selective arterial control confers long-term functional benefits in patients with limited renal reserve.

Open versus laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: assessing adequacy of dissection in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (O-RPLND). Despite numerous reports confirming clinical oncologic equivalency between the two approaches, however, concerns still remain over the adequacy of laparoscopic dissection. We therefore sought to compare the completeness of dissection between O-RPLND and L-RPLND in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen domestic swine were divided into two equivalent groups. Both groups underwent bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, approximating templates used in human dissection. In one group, the procedure was performed through an open midline incision, while the other group underwent completely laparoscopic dissection. Tissue was independently analyzed by a pathologist, who recorded lymph node yield based on microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: All animals in the L-RPLND group underwent successful procedures, without the need for conversion. Two open procedures were aborted because of hemorrhage. Mean lymph node yield from O-RPLND was 32, while the mean yield for L-RPLND was 29. This difference was not statistically significant (P=0.65). CONCLUSIONS: In the porcine model, L-RPLND is capable of providing a quality of dissection equivalent to that of O-RPLND, in terms of absolute lymph node yield on microscopic examination. The applicability of this data to human patients, however, may be limited by significant anatomic differences between the human and the pig. Further prospective comparison in human patients is critically needed.