Discrimination, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of metric-based assessment of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 intramedullary nailing procedure performed by experienced and novice surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying objective performance metrics for surgical training in orthopedic surgery is imperative for effective training and patient safety. The objective of this study was to determine if an internationally agreed, metric-based objective assessment of video recordings of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 intramedullary nailing procedure distinguished between the performance of experienced and novice orthopedic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Previously agreed procedure metrics (i.e., 15 phases of the procedure, 75 steps, 88 errors, and 28 sentinel errors) for a closed reduction and standard cephalomedullary nail fixation with a single cephalic element of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 fracture. Experienced surgeons trained to assess the performance metrics with an interrater reliability (IRR) > 0.8 assessed 14 videos from 10 novice surgeons (orthopaedic residents/trainees) and 20 videos from 14 experienced surgeons (orthopaedic surgeons) blinded to group and procedure order. RESULTS: The mean IRR of procedure assessments was 0.97. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for Procedure Steps, Errors, Sentinel Errors, and Total Errors. A small number of Experienced surgeons made a similar number of Total Errors as the weakest performing Novices. When the scores of each group were divided at the median Total Error score, large differences were observed between the Experienced surgeons who made the fewest errors and the Novices making the most errors (p < 0.001). Experienced surgeons who made the most errors made significantly more than their Experienced peers (p < 0.003) and the best performing Novices (p < 0.001). Error metrics assessed with Area Under the Curve demonstrated good to excellent Sensitivity and Specificity (0.807-0.907). DISCUSSION: Binary performance metrics previously agreed by an international Delphi meeting discriminated between the objectively assessed video-recorded performance of Experienced and Novice orthopedic surgeons when group scores were sub-divided at the median for Total Errors. Error metrics discriminated best and also demonstrated good to excellent Sensitivity and Specificity. Some very experienced surgeons performed similar to the Novice group surgeons that made most errors. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure metrics used in this study reliably distinguish Novice and Experienced orthopaedic surgeons' performance and will underpin quality-assured novice training.

AO international consensus panel for metrics on a closed reduction and fixation of a 31A2 pertrochanteric fracture.

BACKGROUND: The foundations of an effective and evidence-based training program are the metrics, which characterize optimal performance. PURPOSES: To develop, operationally define, and seek consensus from procedure experts on the metrics that best characterize a reference approach to the performance of a closed reduction and internal fixation of a 31A2 unstable pertrochanteric fracture with a cephalomedullary nail with distal locking through the proximal guide. METHODS: A Metrics Group consisting of 3 senior orthopaedic surgeons, a surgeon/medical scientist, an education expert and a behavioural scientist deconstructed the performance of the selected fixation procedure and defined performance metrics. At a modified Delphi meeting, 32 senior orthopaedic and trauma surgeons from 18 countries critiqued these metrics and their operational definitions before reaching consensus. RESULTS: Initially performance metrics consisting of 14 Phases with 62 Steps, 84 errors and 20 Sentinel errors were identified that characterize the safe and effective performance of the procedure. During the Delphi panel meeting these were modified and consensus was reached on 15 Phases (1 added, p = 0.967)) with 75 Steps (14 added and 1 deleted; p = 0.028), 88 errors (10 added and 6 deleted; p = 0.47), and 28 Sentinel errors (8 added; p = 0.107). Pre and Post Delphi characterizations were highly correlated (r = 0.81-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedures can be broken down into constituent, essential, and elemental tasks necessary for the safe and effective completion of a reference approach to a specified procedure. Procedure experts from 18 countries reached consensus on performance metrics for the fixation procedure. This metric-based characterization should form the basis of more quantitative validation studies to guide the construction of a proficiency-based progression training curriculum.

International needs analysis in orthopaedic trauma for practising surgeons with a 3-year review of resulting actions.

Introduction: To ensure best-quality education in orthopaedic trauma, the AOTrauma Education Commission conducted a Global Needs Analysis with practising surgeons worldwide. Material and methods: During July to November 2012, an email invitation to complete an online set of 30 questions in eight languages was sent to our members and associates in all countries through AOTrauma's regional networks. Non-members were invited to participate through collaboration with orthopaedic societies. Results: A total of 3,790 surgeons practising orthopaedic trauma (49%), orthopaedic (15%), general trauma (15%) and specialty orthopaedic (13%) surgeons responded worldwide. Seventy per cent completed all questions, and the top 10 countries accounted for half the responses. The top 3 areas of educational need were orthopaedic trauma, joint replacement and preservation, and pelvis and acetabulum. Aspects influencing likelihood to attend face-to-face courses were: expert faculty, focus on a specific topic, clear objectives, and discussion and feedback from experts. Barriers to attending courses were time away from practice, cost and lack of availability or access. Conclusion: The Global Needs Analysis helped our educational committees to identify short- and mid-term priorities over recent years. Adjustments in our planning have helped meet the needs of our audience on a global, regional and national level.

Cardiogenic shock in hypothyroidism.

A patient with minimal coronary artery disease presented in cardiogenic shock when her previously undiagnosed hypothyroid state was complicated by an episode of AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia. She did not respond to multiple pressors, and recovered dramatically after starting thyroid supplementation. Hypothyroidism caused her lack of responsiveness to pressors and perpetuated her hypotension and increased filling pressures long after she reverted to a sinus rhythm. Our case dramatically demonstrates the severe lack of physiologic reserve that can be associated with hypothyroidism.