Patient-relevant outcomes following elective, aseptic revision knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence for the clinical effectiveness of revision knee arthroplasty (rKA) compared to non-operative treatment for the management of patients with elective, aseptic causes for a failed knee arthroplasty. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, AMED and PsychINFO were searched from inception to 1st December 2020 for studies on patients considering elective, aseptic rKA. Patient-relevant outcomes (PROs) were defined as implant survivorship, joint function, quality of life (QoL), complications and hospital admission impact. RESULTS: No studies compared elective, aseptic rKA to non-operative management. Forty uncontrolled studies reported on PROs following elective, aseptic rKA (434434 rKA). Pooled estimates for implant survivorship were: 95.5% (95% CI 93.2-97.7%) at 1 year [seven studies (5524 rKA)], 90.8% (95% CI 87.6-94.0%) at 5 years [13 studies (5754 rKA)], 87.4% (95% CI 81.7-93.1%) at 10 years [nine studies (2188 rKA)], and 83.2% (95% CI 76.7-89.7%) at 15 years [two studies (452 rKA)]. Twelve studies (2382 rKA) reported joint function and/or QoL: all found large improvements from baseline to follow-up. Mortality rates were low (0.16% to 2% within 1 year) [four studies (353064 rKA)]. Post-operative complications were common (9.1 to 37.2% at 90 days). CONCLUSION: Higher-quality evidence is needed to support patients with decision-making in elective, aseptic rKA. This should include studies comparing operative and non-operative management. Implant survivorship following elective, aseptic rKA was ~ 96% at 1 year, ~ 91% at 5 years and ~ 87% at 10 years. Early complications were common after elective, aseptic rKA and the rates summarised here can be shared with patients during informed consent. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020196922.

High degree of consensus amongst an expert panel regarding focal resurfacing of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the femur with mini-implants.

INTRODUCTION: The rationale for the use of mini-implants for partial resurfacing in the treatment of femoral chondral and osteochondral lesions is still under debate. The evidence supporting best practise guidelines is based on studies with low-level evidence. A consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance towards consensus opinions regarding the best available evidence. The purpose of this article is to report the resulting consensus statements. METHODS: Twenty-five experts participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted via an online survey of two rounds, for initial agreement and comments on the proposed statements. An in-person meeting between the panellists was organised during the 2022 ESSKA congress to further discuss and debate each of the statements. A final agreement was made via a final online survey a few days later. The strength of consensus was characterised as: consensus, 51-74% agreement; strong consensus, 75-99% agreement; unanimous, 100% agreement. RESULTS: Statements were developed in the fields of patient assessment and indications, surgical considerations and postoperative care. Between the 25 statements that were discussed by this working group, 18 achieved unanimous, whilst 7 strong consensus. CONCLUSION: The consensus statements, derived from experts in the field, represent guidelines to assist clinicians in decision-making for the appropriate use of mini-implants for partial resurfacing in the treatment of femoral chondral and osteochondral lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Preoperative Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Test at Between 48 and 72 Hours Preoperatively is Safe for Patients Undergoing Primary and Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicentre International Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty who are severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive at the time of surgery have a high risk of mortality. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Care Excellence and the British Orthopaedic Association advise self-isolation for 14 days preoperatively in patients at a high risk of adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. The aim of the study is to assess whether preoperative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 could be performed at between 48 and 72 hours preoperatively with specific advice about minimizing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 restricted to between PCR and admission. METHODS: A multicentre, international, observational cohort study of 1,000 lower limb arthroplasty cases was performed. The dual primary outcomes were 30-day conversion to SARS-CoV-2 positive and 30-day SARS-CoV-2 mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day SARS-CoV-2 morbidity. RESULTS: Of the 1,000 cases, 935 (94%) had a PCR between 48 and 72 hours preoperatively. All cases were admitted to and had surgery through a COVID-free pathway. Primary knee arthroplasty was performed in 41% of cases, primary hip arthroplasty in 40%, revision knee arthroplasty in 11%, and revision hip arthroplasty in 9%. Six percent of operations were emergency operations. No cases of SARS-CoV-2 were identified within the first 30 days. CONCLUSION: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between 48 and 72 hours preoperatively with advice about minimizing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 restricted to between PCR and admission in conjunction with a COVID-free pathway is safe for patients undergoing primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty. Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test alone may be safe but further adequately powered studies are required. This information is important for shared decision making with patients during the current pandemic.

30-day outcome after orthopaedic surgery in patients assessed as negative for COVID-19 at the time of surgery during the peak of the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to report the 30 day COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality of patients assessed as SARS-CoV-2 negative who underwent emergency or urgent orthopaedic surgery in the NHS during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A retrospective, single centre, observational cohort study of all patients undergoing surgery between 17 March 2020 and 3May 2020 was performed. Outcomes were stratified by British Orthopaedic Association COVID-19 Patient Risk Assessment Tool. Patients who were SARS-CoV-2 positive at the time of surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, 96 patients assessed as negative for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of surgery underwent 100 emergency or urgent orthopaedic procedures during the study period. Within 30 days of surgery 9.4% of patients (n = 9) were found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive by nasopharyngeal swab. The overall 30 day mortality rate across the whole cohort of patients during this period was 3% (n = 3). Of those testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 66% (n = 6) developed significant COVID-19 related complications and there was a 33% 30-day mortality rate (n = 3). Overall, the 30-day mortality in patients classified as BOA low or medium risk (n = 69) was 0%, whereas in those classified as high or very high risk (n = 27) it was 11.1%. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgery in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients who transition to positive within 30 days of surgery carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. In lower risk groups, the overall risk of becoming SARS-CoV-2 positive, and subsequently developing a significant postoperative related complication, was low even during the peak of the pandemic. In addition to ensuring patients are SARS-CoV-2 negative at the time of surgery it is important that the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 is minimized through their recovery.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-8:474-480.

Surgical management of chronic pelvic instability following periacetabular osteotomy nonunion.

INTRODUCTION: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an established treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia in skeletally mature individuals without arthritis. Pelvic nonunion and associated stress fractures are under-reported. Nonunited stress fractures can cause continued buttock pain and pelvic instability. The aim of this study is to report on our experience managing patients with ongoing pain following nonunion of PAO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 8 patients presented to a tertiary referral pelvic service with symptomatic PAO nonunion between 2015-2018. All patients underwent open reduction internal fixation of the superior pubic ramus nonunion, with ipsilateral iliac autograft, at an average of 48.1 (15-82) months following initial osteotomy. Demographic and perioperative data were recorded. Follow-up was on average to 9.9 months, once union was confirmed radiographically. RESULTS: All patients were female and average age was 31.8 (18-41) years. In 7/8 (87.5%) patients a modified Stoppa approach was successfully utilised. 1 patient required an ilioinguinal approach due to the amount of rotational correction. All patients went on to union at the superior pubic ramus and reported improvement in mechanical symptoms. 5/8 (62.5%) patients were noted to develop union of the posterior column or inferior pubic ramus stress fracture indirectly. 2/8 (25%) patients developed progression of intra-articular pain, despite restoration of pelvic stability. 1 patient required intraoperative transfusion due to femoral vein injury. There were no other complications seen in this series. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of surgically managed PAO nonunion. Pelvic instability resulting from nonunion and stress fracture can be satisfactorily addressed by mobilising, grafting and plating the nonunion at the superior pubic ramus. The modified Stoppa approach is suitable in most cases, allowing excellent exposure whilst minimising the insult to soft tissues. The altered anatomy of the pelvis following PAO should be anticipated to reduce the risk to nearby neurovascular structures.

Use of a Proximal Humeral Locking Plate for Complex Ankle and Hindfoot Fusion.

Arthrodesis of the ankle and hindfoot in the setting of major deformity is challenging and associated with substantial risks. Patients often have significant comorbidities that lead to unforgiving soft tissues, poor vascularity, and poor bone quality. This creates the high-risk scenario of poor wound healing and poor implant fixation. Complications can be devastating, leading to loss of the limb and sepsis. The use of locking plate technology might provide biomechanical and operative technique advantages in such patients. We retrospectively assessed the results of the modified use of the PHILOS(™) (Synthes(®), Zuchwil, Switzerland) proximal humeral locking plate in 21 patients (11 males, 10 females; mean age 56.1 years, range 25 to 74 years) who had undergone complex fusions, including tibiotalar (n = 4), tibiocalcaneal (n = 7), or tibiotalocalcaneal (n =10) fusions. The average follow-up period was 14.6 (median 10, range 6 to 49) months. Of the 21 fusions, 18 achieved union (85.7%) at an average period of 4.8 (median 4.3, range 3 to 12) months. The overall deep infection rate was 14.3%. Overall, 17 of the 21 patients (81%) were satisfied with the result (good to excellent), 1 reported the result was fair (4.8%), and 3 patients developed nonunion and were dissatisfied with the procedure (14.3%). The present study is the largest series to date of patients undergoing complex ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis with the use of a proximal humeral locking plate and confirms previous findings that the technique is reliable with union, satisfaction, and complication rates comparable to those of other techniques.

Role of lung-marginated monocytes in an in vivo mouse model of ventilator-induced lung injury.

RATIONALE: Recruited leukocytes play an important role in ventilator-induced lung injury, although studies have focused predominantly on neutrophils. Inflammatory subset Gr-1(high) monocytes are recruited to sites of inflammation and have been implicated in acute lung injury induced by systemic endotoxin. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the recruitment and role of Gr-1(high) monocytes in an in vivo mouse model of ventilator-induced lung injury. METHODS: Anesthetized mice were ventilated with low or high stretch. Flow cytometry was used to quantify monocyte subset margination to the lungs, and to assess their in situ cellular activation in response to mechanical stretch. To investigate monocyte involvement in lung injury progression, a two-hit model was used, with a subclinical dose of lipopolysaccharide (intraperitoneal) given 2 hours prior to high-stretch ventilation. In some animals, monocytes were depleted using intravenous clodronate liposomes. Development of lung injury was assessed in ventilated animals by peak inspiratory pressure and respiratory system mechanics. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: High-stretch ventilation induced significant pulmonary margination of Gr-1(high) but not Gr-1(low) monocytes compared with nonventilated mice. These monocytes displayed increased activation status, with higher CD11b (vs. nonventilated mice) and lower L-selectin expression (vs. low-stretch ventilation). Lipopolysaccharide challenge led to enhanced lung margination of Gr-1(high) monocytes and neutrophils, and sensitized the lungs to high stretch-induced pulmonary edema. Clodronate-liposome pretreatment depleted lung monocytes (but not neutrophils) and significantly attenuated lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: High-stretch mechanical ventilation promotes pulmonary margination of activated Gr-1(high) monocytes, which play a role in the progression of ventilator-induced lung injury.