Does early repair of traumatic rotator cuff tears provide better outcomes? A systematic review.

Our aim was to systematically review literature of trauma related rotator cuff tears in order to evaluate the outcome and healing integrity in relation to time of surgery. Our research question was whether earlier surgical repair leads to superior functional results. This review was conducted according to PRISMA statement. A literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Cohrane was conducted, with two researchers assessing studies for eligibility and quality. A total of 20 studies, published between 1980 and 2019, met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups based on duration of symptoms before surgery. Group A comprised of studies in which duration was < 3 months and Group B > 3 months. Within each group there was a statistically significant improvement in the CS from pre-operative to post-operative outcome, but the improvement for Group A was statistically higher in comparison to Group B (P=0.01). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the final outcome for the two groups (P=0.29). The re-tear rate per 100 patients was calculated 28.5(±7.2) for Group A, and 17.2 (±12.56) for Group B (P=0.056). Our results suggest that functional outcome and tendon healing may not be valid arguments for early surgical repair. Therefore, repair of traumatic RCTs could be recommended whenever technically possible.

Periprosthetic hip fractures: an update into their management and clinical outcomes.

The Vancouver classification is still a useful tool of communication and stratification of periprosthetic fractures, but besides the three parameters it considers, clinicians should also assess additional factors.Combined advanced trauma and arthroplasty skills must be available in departments managing these complex injuries.Preoperative confirmation of the THA (total hip arthroplasty) stability is sometimes challenging. The most reliable method remains intraoperative assessment during surgical exploration of the hip joint.Certain B1 fractures will benefit from revision surgery, whilst some B2 fractures can be effectively managed with osteosynthesis, especially in frail patients.Less invasive osteosynthesis, balanced plate-bone constructs, composite implant solutions, together with an appropriate reduction of the limb axis, rotation and length are critical for a successful fixation and uneventful fracture healing. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:75-92. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200050.

COVID-19: The First 30 Days at a UK Level 1 Trauma Centre and Lessons Learnt.

Aims To analyse the learning points from the first 30 days of the COVID-19 lockdown at our institution. Patients & methods Following ethical approval, data were collected prospectively on all patients admitted under orthopaedics between March 23, 2020, and April 22, 2020. This included baseline demographics (sex, age), biochemical (blood tests), radiological (chest X-ray (CXR), computed tomography (CT)), nature and mechanism of injury, comorbidities, regular medication, observations, specific respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, management, operations, time to theatre, and outcome including mortality incidence. The nature of injury and operations performed were compared to the same period of the previous year (2019). Results During the study period, 162 (74 males) patients were admitted, with a mean age of 60.7 (range 1-101, SD 2.1). On admission, 66 (41%) patients were tested for COVID, out of which eight (13.7%) patients tested positive. Subsequently, another four patients tested positive, who developed symptoms after admission. Four out 12 (33%) confirmed COVID patients died. During this period, 4/150 other patients also died of other causes (mortality incidence 2.6%). The average ages of COVID non-survivors vs survivors were 88, SD 1, vs 76, SD 12, respectively; 2/4 had concurrent diabetes and cancer, another cancer alone, and another complex autoimmune disease managed by immunosuppressive medication. Overall admissions significantly reduced by almost 50% compared with the previous year (162 vs 373, p=<0.05), including cases of polytrauma (15 vs 33). Time to surgery was increased by an average of one day, mainly due to time taken for COVID-19 swab results to come back, and in positive patients, this was an average of 2.75 days (0-13). Lymphopenia was a useful biomarker of COVID, with levels significantly different between groups (p=<0.05). Of the clinical symptoms assessed, 8/12 patients experienced positive chest symptoms or pyrexia but only four had positive CXR changes. Discussion & lessons learnt Eight out of 12 patients who contracted COVID-19 survived without needing intensive care. Non-survivors were older with significant comorbidities. Lymphopenia is a good biomarker of the disease, but suspicious CXR was not sensitive for excluding it. Trauma volume reduced. We have highlighted significant changes to expect should there be a second wave of the virus. Key lessons learnt were that reduction in trauma volume and cessation of elective operating allowed for redeployment, including taking over the minor injury unit; more senior, consultant decision-makers 'at the front door' reduced unnecessary admissions. Increased use of conservative practice was effective at reducing operations required. Expedited COVID swab test processing allowed early de-escalation of isolation, reducing time to surgery. We expect approximately 12% of the typical orthopaedic population to be admitted with COVID, and up to 33% of these patients to die within 28 days of contracting the virus. The vast majority of patients, however, can be managed appropriately with ward-level care. An early decision on escalation and resuscitation status in the emergency department improves patient flow significantly. Remote working was effective and could be extended in the future. We have highlighted the significant changes to expect should there be a second wave of the virus and effective solutions for managing the problems that arise, which could be useful for other units.

A report of two cases of brucellar sacroiliitis without systemic manifestations in Greece.

We report 2 cases of sacroiliitis in a 13-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy as the sole manifestation of Brucella melitensis infection. This is a rare condition. Throughout the course of the disease, neither the girl nor the boy had other signs of brucellosis. Sacroiliitis was documented by positive results of technetium 99m scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging. Isolation of B. melitensis from the blood and positive results of serologic methods established the diagnosis. Treatment consisted of bed rest and a combination of rifampin plus co-trimoxazole with gentamicin. Brucellar sacroiliitis is uncommon in children, and accurate diagnosis is frequently delayed because of nonspecific clinical presentation. In the appropriate clinical setting, we suggest that the index of suspicion for brucellar sacroiliitis be raised in an unusual joint, especially in endemic regions.