Operating Room and Hospital Air Environment.

One method of preventing surgical-site infection is lowering intraoperative environmental contamination. The authors sought to evaluate their hospital's operating room (OR) contamination rate and compare it with the remainder of the hospital. They tested environmental contamination in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings for a total joint arthroplasty patient. A total of 190 air settle plates composed of trypsin soy agar were placed in 19 settings within the hospital. Locations included the OR with light and heavy traffic, with and without masks, jackets, and shoe covers; the substerile room; OR hallways; the sterile equipment processing center; preoperative areas; post-anesthesia care units; orthopedic floors; the emergency department; OR locker rooms and restrooms; a resident's home; and controls. The trypsin soy agar plates were incubated at 36 °C for 48 hours. Colony counts were performed for each plate. Average colony-forming units (CFUs) were calculated in each setting. The highest CFUs were in the OR locker room, at 28 CFUs per plate per hour. Preoperative and post-anesthesia care unit holding areas were 7.4 CFUs and 9.6 CFUs, respectively. The main orthopedic surgical ward had 10.0 CFUs per plate per hour, whereas the VIP hospital ward had 17.0 CFUs per plate per hour. All OR environments had low CFUs. A live OR had slightly higher CFUs than settings without OR personnel. In comparison with the local community household, the OR locker room, restrooms, hospital orthopedic wards, emergency department, preoperative holding, post-anesthesia care unit, and OR hallway all had higher airborne contamination. On the basis of these results, the authors recommend environmental sampling as a simple, fast, inexpensive tool for monitoring airborne contamination. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(3):e414-e416.].

Implications of positive urine toxicology screening in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Pain management in trauma patients can be difficult due to their varied injuries and presence or absence of illicit substances in their systems. Additionally, trauma patients have variable lengths of stay. Limiting length of stay to what is medically necessary and preventing long-term dependence on narcotic medications are important in trauma patient care. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 385 consecutive trauma activations at a Level II trauma center with urine toxicology screens from 2015. Main outcome measures recorded were urine toxicology results, average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME), length of stay (LOS), injury severity score (ISS). We also recorded patient demographic information. Statistical analysis compared outcomes and demographics between trauma patients with positive urine toxicology screens to those with negative screens. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Positive urine toxicology screens were present in 230/385 (59.7%) patients. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) daily MME usage in the positive urine toxicology group was 25.2 (12.0-48.6) versus 12.4 (2.5-27.5) for those with a negative drug screen (p < 0.001). Median LOS was 3 (1-6) days versus 2 (1-4) days for the positive and negative groups, respectively (p = 0.004). There were no differences in age, gender distribution, or ISS between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed urine toxicology positive for opiates, benzodiazepines, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were associated with increased daily MME. Benzodiazepines and amphetamines were associated with increased LOS. CONCLUSION: This study identifies a positive toxicology screening as a risk factor for increased narcotic demands and longer length of stay in trauma patients. These findings may assist in developing treatment plans and setting expectations in this population. This information can also lead to proactive interventions aimed at minimizing narcotic use and shortening LOS in this population.

Transbrachioradialis Approach to the Radial Tunnel: An Anatomic Study of 5 Potential Compression Sites.

BACKGROUND: Recent anatomic studies have failed to demonstrate a single utilitarian approach to intraoperative identification and surgical release of all 5 potential sites of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) compression in the radial tunnel. This study examines if a single incision brachioradialis-splitting approach without the use of additional anatomic windows is capable of adequately exposing the entire length of the radial tunnel, including all 5 sites of PIN compression to allow for adequate release. METHODS: Ten fresh frozen cadaver forearms (6 female, 4 male) were dissected utilizing a curvilinear 7 cm incision over the brachioradialis. The muscle belly was split via simple blunt retraction, exposing the radial tunnel. The PIN was identified and mobilized at 5 compression sites: radiocapitellar joint (RCJ), radial recurrent vessels (Leash of Henry), fibrous medioproximal edge of extensor carpe radialis brevis, arcade of Frohse, and distal edge of supinator. RESULTS: The PIN was identified and effectively released in all specimens without difficulty from this single approach. All 5 sites of compression were visible and accessible through the brachioradialis-split approach. Specifically, there was no difficulty in identifying and releasing the PIN at the distal edge of supinator. CONCLUSIONS: Radial tunnel syndrome is defined as PIN compression within the radial tunnel spanning from the fibrous RCJ to the distal edge of the supinator. A single brachioradialis-splitting approach is adequate for complete visualization and release of all compression sites of the radial tunnel. Utilizing this technique allows for surgical access and ease as well as minimizing necessity for additional windows or multiple incisions.

The Current Knowledge on Spinopelvic Mobility.

Recent studies may suggest that our conventional knowledge of risk factors for dislocation may need rethinking. Previous studies have demonstrated a large majority of total hip arthroplasty instability with acetabular cups implanted in safe zones. Recently discovered spinopelvic motion is a coordinated biomechanical relationship among acetabular anteversion, pelvic tilt, and lumbar lordosis. Classification includes normal, hypermobile, stiff, stuck standing, stuck sitting, and fused. Normal spinopelvic motion from standing to sitting occurs with hip flexion, posterior sacral tilt, and decreased lumbar lordosis to accommodate a flexed femur and prevent impingement and dislocation. Acetabular cup implantation ideally is adapted based on spinopelvic interactions. This may lower the rate of impingement and subsequent dislocation. These new biomechanical interactions may provide a better understanding of the safe zones of anteversion and inclination.

Radiographic Outcomes of Dorsal Distraction Distal Radius Plating for Fractures With Dorsal Marginal Impaction.

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare radiographic outcomes of patients treated with dorsal spanning plates with previously reported normal values of radiographic distal radius anatomy and compare the results with prior publications for both external fixation and internal fixation with volar locked plates. Methods: Patients with complex distal radius fractures including dorsal marginal impaction pattern necessitating dorsal distraction plating at the discretion of the senior authors (M.A.T. and M.A.I.) from May 30, 2013, to December 29, 2015, were identified and included in the study. Retrospective chart and radiograph review was performed on 19 patients, 11 male and 8 female, with mean age of 47.83 years (22-82). No patients were excluded from the study. Results: All fractures united prior to plate removal. The average time the plate was in place was 80.5 days (49-129). Follow-up radiographs showed average radial inclination of 20.5° (13.2°-25.5°), radial height of 10.7 mm (7.5-14 mm), ulnar variance of -0.3 mm (-2.1 to 3.1 mm), and volar tilt of 7.9° (-3° to 15°). One patient had intra-articular step-off greater than 2 mm. Conclusions: Dorsal distraction plating of complex distal radius fractures yields good radiographic results with minimal complications. In cases of complex distal radius fractures including dorsal marginal impaction where volar plating is not considered adequate, a dorsal distraction plate should be considered as an alternative to external fixation due to reduced risk for infection and better control of volar tilt.

Nonunion of a Nondisplaced Radial Neck Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: We describe the case of a 66-year-old man who sustained a nondisplaced radial neck fracture and subsequently developed a symptomatic nonunion. After a period of unsuccessful conservative treatment, a radial head resection was performed. CONCLUSION: Radial neck fractures, unlike their radial head counterparts, have a low rate of nonunion. Our patient's only positive risk factor was age, but he developed a nonunion. At the 2-year follow-up after excision of the radial head, there was a lack of proximal migration of the radius during axial loading, demonstrating a positive outcome without the need for replacement of the radial head.

Single incision pediatric flexible intramedullary tibial nailing.

BACKGROUND: There has been a trend towards flexible intramedullary nailing for unstable tibial shaft fractures in the pediatric population, traditionally, utilizing a 2-incision technique with passage of one nail medially and one nail laterally. Our study aims to compare a single incision approach for flexible nailing of unstable tibial shaft fractures in pediatric patients to the traditional 2-incision approach. METHODS: Patients were selected for operative fixation if they had a length unstable tibial shaft fracture confirmed by fluoroscopy. Exclusion criteria included length stable tibial fractures that could undergo nonoperative treatment. Single incision technique utilized the medial incision only. Patients were monitored in the hospital for one postoperative day and followed up at 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week marks. Radiographic analysis was performed to evaluate for malunion or nonunion. Operative times, infection rates and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients achieved complete fracture healing at the 12-week follow up. There were no delayed unions, nonunions or malunions in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Single medial incision for tibial flexible nails had equivalent outcomes with no difference in primary healing rate, malunion or nonunion rate when compared to the dual incision technique.