Understanding the Remplissage: History, Biomechanics, Outcomes, and Current Indications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Arthroscopic remplissage has continued to gain popularity as an adjunct to Bankart repair for patients with anterior shoulder instability. Although the original remplissage technique was described over 15 years ago, our understanding of when and how to use this procedure continues to evolve. This article provides a review of how remplissage affects shoulder biomechanics, compares clinical outcomes between remplissage and other procedures for shoulder instability, and discusses current indications for remplissage. RECENT FINDINGS: Current research focuses on the use of remplissage across a wide range of glenoid bone loss. Remplissage appears effective at preventing recurrent instability in patients with glenoid bone loss up to 15% of the glenoid width. However, once glenoid bone exceeds 15%, outcomes tend to favor bony reconstruction procedures such as Latarjet. Results of biomechanical studies examining shoulder range of motion (ROM) after remplissage are mixed, though clinical studies tend to report no significant limitations in ROM when remplissage is added to a Bankart repair. Adding a remplissage to conventional Bankart repair may improve clinical outcomes and lower rates of recurrent instability without significantly altering shoulder ROM. However, surgeons should recognize its limitations in treating patients with large amounts of glenoid bone loss and should be prepared to discuss alternative procedures on a case-by-case basis. Absolute indications and contraindications for remplissage are not well defined currently and require further scientific research.

Small Glove Size and Female Gender Are Associated with Greater Reported Difficulty Using Orthopaedic Instruments Among Residents.

Introduction: Smaller hand size has been shown to affect ease of instrument use and surgeon injury rates in multiple surgical subspecialties. Women have a smaller average hand size and are more often affected by this issue than men. The goal of this resident survey was to investigate whether hand size and gender impact self-reported difficulty with instrument use among orthopaedic surgery residents. Methods: Residents were surveyed about how often they experience difficulty using common orthopaedic instruments. Self-reported difficulty using surgical instruments was compared between residents with small glove (SG, outer ≤7.0) vs. large glove (LG, ≥ 7.5) sizes and between male and female residents. Results: One hundred forty-five residents (118 males and 27 females) completed the survey for a response rate of 3.7%. The SG group contained 35 residents, with 26 females and 9 males. The LG group contained 110 residents, with 1 female and 109 males. The SG group reported more difficulty than the LG group when using 3/6 instruments: the wire-cutting pliers (71.4% vs. 25.5%), universal T-handle chuck (65.7% vs. 21.4%), and large wire driver (60.0% vs. 24.8%). Female residents reported more difficulty than males for 5/6 instruments. Within the SG group, however, there was no difference in self-reported difficulty between female SG and male SG residents for 4/6 instruments. Conclusions: The predominantly male LG group reported significantly less difficulty than the more gender mixed though still predominantly female SG group. A subanalysis comparing males and females within the SG group found that there was no difference between SG female and SG male residents for 4/6 of the instruments, suggesting that glove size might impact reported difficulty independently from gender. Although the effect of glove size vs. gender is difficult to differentiate in this study, the high rate of difficulty experienced by male and female residents in the SG group should be considered by residency programs, surgeon educators, and instrument manufacturers as the field of orthopaedic surgery continues to become more diverse. Level of Evidence: III.

Radiographic Thigh Muscle Measurements Are a Reliable Predictor of Psoas Area and Sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is associated with falls, fractures, postoperative complications such as periprosthetic joint infections and dislocations, and early mortality. Although cross-sectional imaging is currently used to diagnose sarcopenia, inexpensive and widely available screening tests are needed. The goal of this study was to investigate whether measurements of thigh muscles made on radiographs can predict psoas muscle area and the presence of sarcopenia as determined on computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: A retrospective radiographic review was performed to measure thigh muscle area in the coronal and sagittal planes using the differential in soft-tissue attenuation. Psoas muscle area on CT at L3 and L4 served as the gold standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. The correlation between thigh muscle and psoas muscle areas was determined, and multivariable models were developed to identify predictors of psoas muscle area and sarcopenia. RESULTS: Four hundred and fourteen patients (252 male, 162 female) were identified. Seventy-six (18.4%) of the patients had an L4 psoas muscle area below the sex-specific cutoff value for sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia on abdominal CT had significantly smaller thigh muscle measurements on all radiographic views. The mean and standard deviation of the thigh muscle measurements were determined for the entire cohort and for patients with sarcopenia, as well as for adults aged 18 to 40 years without sarcopenia to provide normative reference values. The intraclass correlation coefficients were >0.8 for all radiographic measurements. The anteroposterior-view measurement of thigh muscle width and lateral-view measurement of quadriceps height were identified as independent predictors of both psoas muscle area and sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of thigh muscle size made on radiographs can predict both psoas muscle area and sarcopenia. These measurements are a reliable and readily available screening tool to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia in the orthopaedic population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Ambulation Distance Within 72 Hours after Surgical Management Is a Predictor of 90-Day Ambulatory Capacity in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: The inability to mobilize after surgical intervention for hip fractures in the elderly is established as a risk factor for greater morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have evaluated the association between the timing and distance of ambulation in the postoperative acute care phase with postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between ambulatory distance in the acute postoperative setting and ambulatory capacity at 3 months. METHODS: Patients aged 65 and older who were ambulatory at baseline and underwent surgical intervention for hip fractures from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Consistent with previous literature, patients were divided into two groups: those who were able to ambulate 5 feet within 72 hours after surgical fixation (early ambulatory) and those who were not (minimally ambulatory). RESULTS: One hundred seventy patients (84 early ambulatory and 86 minimally ambulatory) were available for analysis. Using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model, variables found to be statistically significant predictors of ambulatory status at 3 months were the ability to ambulate five feet in 72 hours (P < 0.0001), ambulatory distance at discharge (P = 0.012), and time from presentation to surgery (P = 0.039). Patients who were able to ambulate 5 feet within 72 hours had 9 times the odds of being independent ambulators rather than a lower ambulatory class (cane, walker, and nonambulatory). Pertrochanteric fractures were less likely than femoral neck fractures to independently ambulate at 3 months (17.2% vs. 42.3%; P = 0.0006). DISCUSSION: Ambulating 5 feet within 72 hours after hip fracture surgery is associated with an increased likelihood of independent ambulation at 3 months postoperatively. This simple and clear goal may be used to help enhance postoperative mobility and independence while providing a metric to guide therapy and help counsel patients and families.

Comparing Propofol With Fentanyl and Midazolam for Sedation in Closed Reductions of Traumatic Hip Dislocations.

Traumatic native hip dislocations require prompt reduction of the dislocation to limit the risk of avascular necrosis and resultant hip arthrosis. Although closed reduction under sedation is frequently attempted, there is minimal evidence about which sedative agent is most safe and effective. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of propofol vs combination fentanyl/midazolam for closed reduction under sedation of traumatic native hip dislocations. This was a single-center retrospective review. The main outcome measures were the rate of successful closed reduction with propofol vs combination fentanyl/midazolam and time from the start of sedation to radiographic evidence of reduction. Fifty-four patients with traumatic native hip dislocations were identified. Closed reduction under sedation with propofol was successful in 11 of 14 attempts compared with 4 of 11 attempts with combination fentanyl/midazolam (P=.04). The fentanyl/midazolam group had 6.4 times the odds (95% CI, 1.1-37.7) of failed closed reduction compared with the propofol group. The median time to reduction in the propofol group was 14 minutes vs 45 minutes for the fentanyl/midazolam group (P=.18). Patients who had failed closed reduction with fentanyl/midazolam had a median time to reduction of 100 minutes. There was no difference in sedation-related complications between the 2 groups. We therefore conclude that sedation with propofol is significantly more effective than combination fentanyl/midazolam for closed reduction of native hip dislocations. To minimize unsuccessful reduction attempts and shorten total time to reduction, we recommend against the use of combination fentanyl/midazolam because of the high risk of failure. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(2):86-92.].

Functional outcomes of unstable ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic fixation in the adolescent population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare functional outcomes of adolescents with and without ankle syndesmotic injuries and identify predictors of functional outcome after operative ankle fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on operative adolescent ankle fractures treated between 2009 and 2019 with a minimum of one-year follow-up (mean 4.35 years). Patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation (SF) (n = 48) were compared with operative ankle fractures without syndesmotic injury (n = 63). Functional outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires, specifically the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation. RESULTS: There were no differences in patient-reported outcomes, rates of return to sport or complications between groups with and without SF. The SF group had a longer tourniquet time (p = 0.04), duration of non-weight-bearing (p = 0.01), more Weber C fibula fractures (p < 0.001), fewer medial malleolus fractures (p = 0.03) and more frequently underwent implant removal (p < 0.0001). Male sex, lower body mass index (BMI) and longer duration of follow-up were significant predictors of a higher FAAM sports score using multivariable linear regression. SF was not a predictor of functional outcome. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that patients that undergo surgical fixation of syndesmotic injuries have equivalent functional outcomes compared to operative ankle fractures without intraoperative evidence of syndesmotic injury. We also identified that male sex, lower BMI and longer duration of follow-up are predictors of a good functional outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Suture-button Versus Screw Fixation in Adolescent Syndesmotic Injuries: Functional Outcomes and Maintenance of Reduction.

BACKGROUND: Fixation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis is often performed with a trans-syndesmotic screw (SS) or suture-button (SB). SB fixation has been shown to have lower rates of postoperative syndesmotic malreduction, late diastasis, and implant removal, though some studies have found complications related to infection and implant subsidence. The purpose of this study was to compare maintenance of reduction, complications, implant removal and functional outcomes of SB versus SS fixation in adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation from 2010 to 2019 at a single institution. Loss of syndesmotic reduction (diastasis) was defined as either a >2 mm increase in tibiofibular clear space or >2 mm decrease in tibiofibular overlap, and corresponding incongruence of the ankle mortise (medial clear space 1 millimeter greater than superior clear space). Functional outcomes were collected at a minimum of 1 year postsurgery using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). RESULTS: Seventy-seven adolescents (45 SS, 32 SB) were included (mean age: 16±1.5 y). Forty-five patients had Weber C fibula fractures, 27 Weber B fractures, and 5 had isolated syndesmotic injuries or small posterior malleolus fractures. Fifty-one patients (66%) had functional outcomes available. There was no significant difference in mean FAAM Sports score between the 2 groups (SB=94.8%, SS=89.8%) at mean follow-up of 4.0±2.1 years. Syndesmotic implant removal occurred in 36/45 patients (80%) in the SS group compared with 4/32 patients (13%) in the SB group. There was 1 case of syndesmotic malreduction requiring revision surgery in the SS group, and no cases of postoperative malreduction or diastasis in the SB group. Nine patients in the SB group and 8 in the SS group weighed over 100 kilograms, with no cases of diastasis in these larger patients. There were 4 superficial infections and 1 deep infection in the screw group, with 1 superficial infection in the SB group. CONCLUSIONS: While both SB and screw fixation maintained syndesmotic reduction, SB fixation led to lower rates of implant removal surgery. SB fixation was equally effective at preventing recurrent diastasis in adolescents weighing over 100 kilograms, and functional outcomes were at least equivalent to screw-fixation at mean follow-up of 4.0 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Compensatory motion scaling for time-delayed robotic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Round trip signal latency, or time delay, is an unavoidable constraint that currently stands as a major barrier to safe and efficient remote telesurgery. While there have been significant technological advancements aimed at reducing the time delay, studies evaluating methods of mitigating the negative effects of time delay are needed. Herein, we explored instrument motion scaling as a method to improve performance in time-delayed robotic surgery. METHODS: This was a robotic surgery user study using the da Vinci Research Kit system. A ring transfer task was performed under normal circumstances (no added time delay), and with 250 ms, 500 ms, and 750 ms delay. Robotic instrument motion scaling was modulated across a range of values (- 0.15, - 0.1, 0, + 0.1, + 0.15), with negative values indicating less instrument displacement for a given amount of operator movement. The primary outcomes were task completion time and total errors. Three-dimensional instrument movement was compared against different motion scales using dynamic time warping to demonstrate the effects of scaling. RESULTS: Performance declined with increasing time delay. Statistically significant increases in task time and number of errors were seen at 500 ms and 750 ms delay (p < 0.05). Total errors were positively correlated with task time on linear regression (R = 0.79, p < 0.001). Under 750 ms delay, negative instrument motion scaling improved error rates. Negative motion scaling trended toward improving task times toward those seen in non-delayed scenarios. Improvements in instrument path motion were seen with the implementation of negative motion scaling. CONCLUSIONS: Under time-delayed conditions, negative robotic instrument motion scaling yielded fewer surgical errors with slight improvement in task time. Motion scaling is a promising method of improving the safety and efficiency of time-delayed robotic surgery and warrants further investigation.

Predicting Trainee Clinical Success From Performance at Simulated Endotracheal Intubation.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple attempts and failure at endotracheal intubation (ETI) are common for inexperienced practitioners and can cause patient morbidity. A test to predict a provider's likelihood of success at patient ETI could assist decisions about training. This project investigated whether trainees' performance at laryngoscopy on airway mannequins predicted their laryngoscopy outcomes in patients. METHODS: Twenty-one consenting first-year anesthesiology residents, emergency medicine residents, and medical students enrolled in this prospective, observational study. They performed laryngoscopy and ETI with a curved laryngoscope on 4 airway mannequins. Metrics included peak dental force, procedure duration, esophageal intubation, laryngeal view, and first-pass ETI success on the mannequins. Trainee data from 203 patient ETIs were collected over a roughly 2-month period centered around the simulation test. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the relationship of mannequin metrics, participant experience, and a patient difficult airway score with trainee ETI outcomes in patients. RESULTS: Median trainee first-pass success rate at patient ETI was 63%, the rate of ETI problems was 16%, and the esophageal intubation rate was 6%. Laryngoscopy peak dental force, first-pass ETI success, and duration on individual mannequins were significant predictors of patient ETI first-pass success. Metrics from 2 of the 4 mannequins predicted ETI problems. DISCUSSION: Performance metrics from simulated laryngoscopy predicted trainee outcomes during patient ETI. First-pass success and ETI problems affect patient safety and are related to trainee skill. Mannequin laryngoscopy tests could identify trainees who would benefit from additional practice. The metrics could be surrogate end points in research to optimize simulated laryngoscopy training.

Plate Versus Lag Screw Only Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures Involving the Fibula in Adolescent Patients.

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation has been the traditional technique for fracture repair of unstable ankle injuries with an associated lateral malleolus fracture. Recently, biomechanical and clinical data have demonstrated lag screw only fixation to be an effective alternative to plate fixation in the adult population. This comparison has yet to be studied in the adolescent or pediatric population. The objective of this study was to compare lag screw only fixation with traditional plating for lateral malleolus fractures in adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 83 adolescents with unstable oblique lateral malleolus fractures treated at a single pediatric level-1 trauma center between 2011 and 2019 with a minimum clinical follow-up until fracture union. Patients were divided into 2 surgical groups: (1) plate fixation (n=51) or (2) lag screw fixation (n=32). Radiographic and clinical outcomes and complications were measured in both groups. RESULTS: All patients in both groups achieved our primary outcome measure of fracture union without loss of reduction. The mean surgical time for subjects treated with a plate was 15 minutes longer (64 vs. 49 min) (P=0.001) and these patients were 3.8 times more likely to have symptomatic implants (P<0.044) than subjects treated with screws. Approximately 50% of the cohort was available by phone for patient-reported outcomes at a mean follow-up of 50 months. The mean Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure sports scores, and return to sports rates were similar (92 vs. 93, 98.2 vs. 98.1, 93.2 vs. 94.0, 95% vs. 86%, respectively; P>0.05) between the 2 treatment methods. CONCLUSIONS: Lag screw only fixation is a safe and effective procedure for noncomminuted, oblique fibula fractures in the adolescent population as demonstrated by equivalent fracture healing rates without loss of reduction and similar outcome scores. Given these comparable results with the additional benefits of shorter surgical time and less symptomatic implants, lag screw only fixation should be considered as a viable treatment alternative to traditional lateral plating in the adolescent population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Functional Outcomes of Tillaux and Triplane Fractures with 2 to 5 Millimeters of Intra-Articular Gap.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of transitional ankle fractures (Tillaux and triplane) is often dictated by the amount of displacement at the articular surface. Although >2 mm is a common indication for operative management, this practice has not been strongly supported by either the pediatric or adult literature. The purpose of this study was to determine whether operative treatment of transitional fractures with 2 to 5 mm of intra-articular gap leads to superior functional outcomes compared with cast management. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients treated for distal tibial fractures at a single institution between 2009 and 2017 was conducted. Computed tomographic images obtained after closed reduction were reviewed to identify patients with 2 to 5 mm of displacement (either gap or step-off) at the articular surface of the tibial plafond. Complications were classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo system. Only patients with functional outcome data (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM]) at a minimum of 2 years after treatment were included. Two multivariable linear regression models were developed using backward stepwise regression with either the FAAM Sports score or the Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE) Sports score as the dependent variables. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (34 with triplane fractures and 23 with Tillaux fractures) with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years (range, 2.0 to 9.2 years) met inclusion criteria. Thirty-four patients were treated operatively, and 23 patients were treated with closed reduction and cast application. Nonoperative treatment, greater intra-articular gap, and presence of a grade-III complication were associated with worse functional outcomes in both multivariable regression models. A gap after closed reduction remained a negative predictor of functional outcome even in patients who were treated operatively. Patients who were treated nonoperatively and had ≤2.5 mm of gap had a significantly higher mean SANE Sports score at 90% than those patients with >2.5 mm of gap at 75% (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In Tillaux and triplane fractures with 2 to 5 mm of gap at the tibial plafond, a greater gap after closed reduction, nonoperative treatment, and complications were negative predictors of functional outcome at a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Surgical management likely conveys the greatest functional benefit when the intra-articular gap exceeds 2.5 mm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Functional Outcomes of Unstable Ankle Fractures in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the functional outcomes and complications of unstable supination external rotation (SER) and pronation external rotation (PER) ankle fractures in adolescents. A secondary outcome was to compare functional outcomes of SER stage IV injuries that were treated definitively with closed reduction and cast application to a similar group of minimally displaced fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: A retrospective review of adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with unstable ankle fractures treated at a single institution between 2009 and 2017 was conducted. All patients had functional outcomes data from the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure obtained at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 67 adolescents (41 SER, 26 PER) were included (mean follow-up: 52.3±24.8 mo). A total of 56 were treated with ORIF and 11 were closed reduced and casted. No patients treated nonsurgically had a loss of reduction and none required subsequent surgical intervention. Preoperative radiographic predictors of syndesmotic injury (>6 mm of tibiofibular clear space or <2 mm of tibiofibular overlap) were not sensitive and only moderately specific predictors of intraoperative syndesmotic injury. There was no difference in functional outcome between the 11 SER stage IV fractures treated nonoperatively and a group of minimally displaced SER injuries treated with ORIF. Patients with open or partially open physes had better functional outcomes. Patients with syndesmotic injuries, medial malleolus fractures, or fracture-dislocations were not associated with lower functional outcome scores in our adolescent cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Unstable SER and PER injuries in adolescents have favorable functional outcomes at intermediate-term follow-up, though a minority continue to have impaired ankle function. Minimally displaced SER stage IV injuries with near anatomic alignment after closed reduction can be successfully treated with continued closed management, and have no difference in functional outcomes compared with similar injuries treated with ORIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.