In silico comparative biomechanical analysis of oblique and chevron medial displacement calcaneal osteotomies for pes planus deformity.

BACKGROUND: Medializing displacement calcaneal osteotomy is commonly performed as part of reconstructive surgery for patients with valgus hindfoot and progressive pes planus deformity. Among several types of calcaneal osteotomies, the oblique and Chevron osteotomy patterns have been commonly described in the literature and gained popularity as they are easily reproducible through percutaneous techniques. Currently, there is scarce evidence in the literature on which cut pattern is superior in terms of stability. To investigate the impact of cut pattern and posterior fragment medialization level on foot biomechanics, computational methods are employed. METHODS: Ankle weightbearing computer tomography (CT) scans of seven patients diagnosed with stage II pes planus deformity are segmented and converted into 3D computational models. Oblique and Chevron osteotomy patterns are modeled independently for each patient. The posterior fragments are medially translated by 8-, 10- and 12-mm and subsequently fixated to the anterior calcaneus with two screws. A total of 42 models are exported to finite element software for biomechanical simulations. Among the investigated parameters, the higher stiffness and lower von Mises stress at the osteotomy interface and the screw site are assumed to be precursors of better stability. RESULTS: It is recorded that as the medialization level increases, the stiffness decreases, and overall stresses increase. Also, it is observed that the Chevron cut produces a stiffer construct while the overall stresses are lower, indicating better stability when compared to the oblique cut. The statistical comparisons of the relevant groups that support these trends are found to be significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chevron osteotomy showed superior stability compared to the oblique osteotomy while underscoring the negative impact of increased medialization of the posterior fragment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Opting for a lower medialization level and implementing the Chevron technique may facilitate union and earlier weightbearing.

Intraoperative navigation increases the projected lifetime cancer risk in patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common condition, often requiring surgical correction. Computed tomography (CT) based navigation technologies, which rely on ionizing radiation, are increasingly being utilized for surgical treatment. Although this population is highly vulnerable to radiation, given their age and female predominance, there is little available information elucidating modeled iatrogenic cancer risk. PURPOSE: To model lifetime cancer risk associated with the use of intraoperative CT-based navigation for surgical treatment of AIS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This retrospective cross-sectional study took place in a quaternary care academic pediatric hospital in the United States. PATIENT SAMPLE: Adolescents aged 10-18 who underwent posterior spinal fusion for a diagnosis of AIS between July 2014 and December 2019. OUTCOMES MEASURES: Effective radiation dose and projected lifetime cancer risk associated with intraoperative doses of ionizing radiation. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic parameters were abstracted, including total radiation dose during surgery from flat plate radiographs, fluoroscopy, and intraoperative CT scans. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess differences in radiation exposure between patients treated with conventional radiography versus intraoperative navigation. Radiation exposure was translated into lifetime cancer risk using well-established algorithms. RESULTS: In total, 245 patients were included, 119 of whom were treated with navigation. The cohort was 82.9% female and 14.4 years of age. The median radiation exposure (in millisieverts, mSv) for fluoroscopy, radiography, and navigation was 0.05, 4.14, and 8.19 mSv, respectively. When accounting for clinical and radiographic differences, patients treated with intraoperative navigation received 8.18 mSv more radiation (95%CI: 7.22-9.15, p<.001). This increase in radiation projects to 0.90 iatrogenic malignancies per 1,000 patients (95%CI 0.79-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ours is the first work to define cancer risk in the setting of radiation exposure for navigated AIS surgery. We project that intraoperative navigation will generate approximately one iatrogenic malignancy for every 1,000 patients treated. Given that spine surgery for AIS is common and occurs in the context of a multitude of other radiation sources, these data highlight the need for radiation budgeting protocols and continued development of lower radiation dose technologies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Necrotizing Sweet Syndrome of the Hand and Forearm in the Immediate Postoperative Period: Case Report.

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is a feared and potentially morbid postoperative complication requiring prompt surgical intervention. Cutaneous conditions that mimic NSTI have been reported and rarely occur in the postoperative period. Sweet syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a dermatologic condition characterized by fever, neutrophil-predominant leukocytosis, and painful skin lesions. Necrotizing Sweet syndrome (NSS) is an aggressive variant that causes a clinical appearance of localized skin necrosis and histologic evidence of necrotic foci extending to the deep aspects of the soft tissues and involving fascia and/or skeletal muscle. Necrotizing Sweet syndrome can be easily mistaken for NSTI. Contrary to infection, Sweet syndrome and NSS are worsened by surgical intervention due to the phenomenon of pathergy and readily respond to corticosteroid treatment. We present the case of a 54-year-old woman who developed NSS following an uncomplicated fasciectomy for Dupuytren disease.

The Primary Cost Drivers of Outpatient Distal Radius Fracture Fixation: A Cost-Minimalization Analysis of 15,379 Cases.

Background Distal radius fractures are the most common fracture of the upper extremity. While some distal radius fractures can be managed with closed reduction and immobilization, operative treatment is the standard of care, with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) as a predominant operative method. Questions/Purpose To investigate how patient and surgical characteristics affect the overall costs of internal fixation of distal radius fractures in adults. Patients and Methods The 2014 State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases for six states were used to identify cases and surgical characteristics of distal radius fracture ORIF in adult patients. Results Surgical variables that significantly increased cost were postoperative admission within 30 days, regional anesthesia, simultaneous endoscopic carpal tunnel release, and increasing operating room time. Conclusion Substantial contributors to total cost are postoperative hospital admission within 30 days of surgery, use of regional anesthesia, simultaneous endoscopic carpal tunnel release, and longer operative time. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Complications and timing of soft tissue coverage after complete articular, open tibial plateau fractures.

PURPOSE: Complete articular tibial plateau fractures are typically high-energy injuries associated with significant soft tissue trauma. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of wound complications and need for soft tissue coverage after open, complete articular tibial plateau fractures. The secondary aim was to study the effect of timing of fixation and timing of flap coverage on deep infection rates in these injuries. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients > 18 years undergoing ORIF of a Bicondylar Tibial Plateau (BTP) fracture between 2001 and 2018. Surgical data were recorded for open fractures including number of debridements, timing of definitive ORIF and soft tissue coverage relative to injury. Primary outcomes included rates of deep infection and unplanned reoperation. RESULTS: 508 AO/OTA 41C BTP fractures were identified, with 51 open fractures included in 50 patients with a mean (SD) age 45.7 (12.3) years and a mean (SD) follow up of 4.3 (3.8) years. There were 20 cases of deep infection, unplanned reoperation occurred in 26 cases. The majority of cases (28 fractures) had initial external fixation placed, while 24 had ORIF at the initial debridement. Twelve patients had a planned flap for definitive closure on average of 6.4 days (SD 3.9) after injury, 14 required a flap for wound complications. Among patients with IIB and C injuries, rates of deep infection (5/6 vs 1/6, p = 0.02) and reoperation (5/7 vs 2/6, p = 0.08) were higher in patients treated with flap coverage >7 days from injury compared to early flap coverage. There were no differences in complication rates between early (<24hrs) and delayed fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Complete articular, open tibial plateau fractures are associated with high rates of complications. Time to flap coverage of seven days or more was a significant predictor of deep infection and unplanned reoperation in this cohort. Patients should be counseled about the high rate of unplanned reoperation and definitive soft tissue coverage should be accomplished within a week of injury whenever possible.

Four-Corner Arthrodesis versus Proximal Row Carpectomy: Risk Factors and Complications Associated with Prolonged Postoperative Opioid Use.

Introduction This article compares opioid use patterns following four-corner arthrodesis (FCA) and proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and identifies risk factors and complications associated with prolonged opioid consumption. Materials and Methods The PearlDiver Research Program was used to identify patients undergoing primary FCA (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 25820, 25825) or PRC (CPT 25215) from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative opioid use, and postoperative complications were assessed. Opioids were identified through generic drug codes while complications were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification codes. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results A total of 888 patients underwent FCA and 835 underwent PRC. Three months postoperatively, more FCA patients (18.0%) continued to use opioids than PRC patients (14.7%) ( p = 0.033). Preoperative opioid use was the strongest risk factor for prolonged opioid use for both FCA (odds ratio [OR]: 4.91; p < 0.001) and PRC (OR: 6.33; p < 0.001). Prolonged opioid use was associated with an increased risk of implant complications (OR: 4.96; p < 0.001) and conversion to total wrist arthrodesis (OR: 3.55; p < 0.001) following FCA. Conclusion Prolonged postoperative opioid use is more frequent in patients undergoing FCA than PRC. Understanding the prevalence, risk factors, and complications associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use after these procedures may help physicians counsel patients and implement opioid minimization strategies preoperatively.

Perioperative Management of Immunosuppressive Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Operations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are complicated by the fact that most drugs used in medical management have immunosuppressive mechanisms of action, including corticosteroids and conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In deciding to continue or discontinue these medications perioperatively, surgeons must weigh the relative risk of infection from immunosuppression against the risk of rheumatoid arthritis symptom flares from reduced medical disease control. The objective of this article is to review the existing evidence regarding perioperative management of immunosuppressive rheumatoid arthritis medications, with a specific focus on relevance to hand and upper-extremity procedures.

Unanticipated Admission Following Outpatient Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition: An Analysis of 3966 Cases.

Background: Hand surgeons in the United States commonly perform ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) to address debilitating thumb carpometacarpal arthritis. The objective of this investigation was to examine the characteristics that place patients at risk for unanticipated inpatient admission after a planned outpatient LRTI. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) datasets from years 2009 to 2016 were used to identify patients with a primary Current Procedural Terminology code for LRTI (25445, 25447). Only outpatient, nonemergent, and elective procedures were considered. Univariable and multivariable regression were used to determine risk factors and postoperative complications associated with increased likelihood of unanticipated admission, defined as length of initial hospital stay greater than 0 days. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: Of 3966 patients who underwent outpatient LRTI, 134 (3.4%) had unplanned admission. On multivariable regression, age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50), white race (OR = 4.44), and chronic steroid use (OR = 2.42) were significant predictors of unplanned admission. History of smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and anesthesia method were not associated with admission. Patients who had unplanned admission had increased rate of reoperation (2.5% vs 0.3%) compared with nonadmitted patients. There was no difference in rate of postoperative infection, deep vein thrombosis, wound dehiscence, or 30-day mortality. Conclusions: Age ≥ 65 years, chronic steroid use, and white race were significant predictors of unplanned admission following LRTI. Identifying patients with these characteristics will be critical in risk adjusting the anticipated cost of the episode of care in outpatient LRTI.

Weight-Bearing Restrictions With Distal Radius Wrist-Spanning Dorsal Bridge Plates.

PURPOSE: The fixation of comminuted distal radius fractures using wrist-spanning dorsal bridge plates has been shown to have good postoperative results. We hypothesized that using a stiffer bridge plate construct results in less fracture deformation with loads required for immediate crutch weight bearing. METHODS: We created a comminuted, extra-articular fracture in 7 cadaveric radii, which were fixed using dorsal bridge plates. The specimens were positioned to simulate crutch/walker weight bearing and axially loaded to failure. The axial load and mode of failure were measured using 2- and 5-mm osteotomy deformations as cutoffs. Bearing 50% and 22% of the body weight was representative of the force transmitted through crutch and walker weight bearing, respectively. RESULTS: The load to failure at 2-mm deformation was greater than 22% body weight for 2 of 7 specimens and greater than 50% for 1 of 7 specimens. The load to failure at 5-mm deformation was greater than 22% body weight for 6 of 7 specimens and greater than 50% for 4 of 7 specimens. The mean load to failure at 2-mm gap deformation was significantly lower than 50% body weight (110.4 N vs 339.2 N). The mean load to failure at 5-mm deformation was significantly greater than 22% body weight (351.8 N vs 149.2 N). All constructs ultimately failed through plate bending. CONCLUSIONS: All constructs failed by plate bending at forces not significantly greater than the 50% body weight force required for full crutch weight bearing. The bridge plates supported forces significantly greater than the 22% body weight required for walker weight bearing 6 of 7 times when 5 mm of deformation was used as the failure cutoff. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Elderly, walker-dependent patients may be able to use their walker as tolerated immediately after dorsal bridge plate fixation for extra-articular fractures. However, patients should not be allowed to bear full weight using crutches immediately after bridge plating.

Current Concepts in the Management of Dupuytren Disease of the Hand.

Dupuytren disease is a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar fascia of the hand. Little agreement and remarkable variability exists in treatment algorithms between surgeons. Because the cellular and molecular etiology of Dupuytren has been elucidated, ongoing efforts have been made to identify potential chemotherapeutic targets that could modulate the phenotypic expression of the disease. Although these efforts may dramatically alter the approach to treating this disease in the future, these approaches are largely experimental at this point. Over the past decade, the mainstay nonsurgical options have continued to be percutaneous needle aponeurotomy and collagenase Clostridium hystoliticum, and the most common surgical option is limited fasciectomy.

Current Concepts in the Management of Trigger Finger in Adults.

Trigger finger (TF) is one of the most common causes of hand disability. Immobilization of TF with a joint-blocking orthosis has been demonstrated to effectively relieve pain and improve function. The efficacy of steroid injections for TF varies based on the number of affected digits and the clinical severity of the condition. Up to three repeat steroid injections are effective in most patients. When conservative interventions are unsuccessful, open surgical release of the A1 pulley effectively alleviates the subjective and objective manifestations of TF and currently remains the benchmark procedure for addressing TF. Although several studies have emerged suggesting that a percutaneous approach may result in improved outcomes, this technique demands a learning curve that may predispose patients to higher risk of procedure-related complications. There is no role for preoperative antibiotics in patients who undergo elective soft-tissue procedures of the hand. WALANT anesthesia has gained popularity because it has been associated with improved patient outcomes and a clear cost savings; however, proper patient selection is critical. Similar to other soft-tissue hand procedures, TF surgery rarely necessitates a postoperative opioid prescription.

Developmental sacral morphology: MR study from infancy to skeletal maturity.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to document the growth and spatial relationship of the sacrum in relationship to the lumbar spine and the ilium during childhood and adolescence. METHODS: MRIs of 420 asymptomatic subjects (50% female) with age range 0-19 years at the time of their MRI (mean ± SD 8.5 ± 5.5 years) were used to characterize the reference distributions of MRI anatomic measurements as a function of age and gender. Eight dimensional measurements and eight angles were measured using PACS tools. Reliability of the measurements was studied on a subset of N = 49 images (N = 24 males; mean ± SD age 6.8 ± 5.2 years). RESULTS: The dimensional measurements increase with age, often with a rapid "growth spurt" in the first few years of life, with a decreased but steady rate of growth continuing until the late teenage. An exception is the S1 canal width, which reaches near-adult size by age 5. Angle measures are less dependent on age or gender, and the associations with age are not necessarily uniformly increasing or decreasing. CONCLUSION: These data on the sacral morphology are a valuable information source for surgeons treating young patients for deformity of the spine and pelvis. Knowledge of normative data of children through growth may allow for adaptation of adult surgical techniques to this pediatric age-group of patients. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Medical Care Costs Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a morbid, mortal, and costly condition without a cure. Treatments for RA have expanded over the last 2 decades, and direct medical costs may differ by types of treatments. There has not been a systematic literature review since the introduction of new RA treatments, including biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review with meta-analysis of direct medical costs associated with RA patients cared for in the US since the marketing of the first bDMARD. Standard search strategies and sources were used, and data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers. The methods and quality of included studies were assessed. Total direct medical costs as well as RA-specific costs were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroups of interest included Medicare patients and those using bDMARDs. RESULTS: We found 541 potentially relevant studies, and 12 articles met the selection criteria. The quality of studies varied: one-third were poor, one-third were fair, and one-third were good. Total direct medical costs were estimated at $12,509 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7,451-21,001) for all RA patients using any treatment regimen and $36,053 (95% CI 32,138-40,445) for bDMARD users. RA-specific costs were $3,723 (95% CI 2,408-5,762) for all RA patients using any treatment regimen and $20,262 (95% CI 17,480-23,487) for bDMARD users. CONCLUSION: The total and disease-specific direct medical costs for patients with RA is substantial. Among bDMARD users, the cost of RA care is more than half of all direct medical costs.

Insurance coverage policies for personalized medicine.

Adoption of personalized medicine in practice has been slow, in part due to the lack of evidence of clinical benefit provided by these technologies. Coverage by insurers is a critical step in achieving widespread adoption of personalized medicine. Insurers consider a variety of factors when formulating medical coverage policies for personalized medicine, including the overall strength of evidence for a test, availability of clinical guidelines and health technology assessments by independent organizations. In this study, we reviewed coverage policies of the largest U.S. insurers for genomic (disease-related) and pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests to determine the extent that these tests were covered and the evidence basis for the coverage decisions. We identified 41 coverage policies for 49 unique testing: 22 tests for disease diagnosis, prognosis and risk and 27 PGx tests. Fifty percent (or less) of the tests reviewed were covered by insurers. Lack of evidence of clinical utility appears to be a major factor in decisions of non-coverage. The inclusion of PGx information in drug package inserts appears to be a common theme of PGx tests that are covered. This analysis highlights the variability of coverage determinations and factors considered, suggesting that the adoption of personal medicine will affected by numerous factors, but will continue to be slowed due to lack of demonstrated clinical benefit.