Carbon Footprint of Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Performed in the Procedure Room Versus Operating Room Setting.

PURPOSE: Environmental sustainability is an important issue in health care because of large amounts of greenhouse gases attributable to hospitals. The operating room has been highlighted as one of the highest contributors, prompting several initiatives by organizations focused on the care of hand and upper extremity conditions. This study aimed to quantify and compare the carbon footprint of a common hand surgery in two different surgical settings, the procedure room (PR) and operating room. We hypothesized that open carpal tunnel release (oCTR) will generate a greater environmental impact in the operating room than in the PR. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of oCTRs performed at a tertiary care medical center. Current procedural technology codes isolated a single cohort of patients who underwent bilateral oCTR, one side performed in the PR and the contralateral side in the operating room. Current published emission conversions were used to calculate carbon footprint at our institution based on energy expenditure necessary for the creation and disposal of waste and sterilization of surgical equipment. Surgery time was combined with heating, ventilation and air conditioning/lighting energy consumption to estimate facility emissions. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had bilateral oCTR surgery performed in both settings. Open CTR performed in the operating room generated 3.7 kg more solid waste than when performed in the PR. In total, emissions from oCTR performed in the operating room generated 32.4 kg CO2, whereas oCTR in the PR emitted 13.0 kg CO2 per surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a common hand procedure (oCTR) is more environmentally sustainable in the PR than in the operating room, with a 60% reduction in carbon footprint. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Greater effort should be made to perform surgery in the PR instead of the operating room in appropriately indicated patients. Surgical sets should be evaluated for the necessity of included equipment and unnecessary waste.

Study protocol for a pilot clinical trial to understand neural mechanisms of response to a psychological treatment for pain and anxiety in pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD).

BACKGROUND: Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are the most common chronic pain conditions of childhood and are made worse by co-occurring anxiety. Our research team found that the Aim to Decrease Pain and Anxiety Treatment (ADAPT), a six-session coping skills program using cognitive behavioral therapy strategies, was effective in improving pain-related symptoms and anxiety symptoms compared to standard care. In follow-up, this current randomized clinical trial (RCT) aims to test potential neural mechanisms underlying the effect of ADAPT. Specifically, this two-arm RCT will explore changes in amygdalar functional connectivity (primary outcome) following the ADAPT protocol during the water loading symptom provocation task (WL-SPT). Secondary (e.g., changes in regional cerebral blood flow via pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI) and exploratory (e.g., the association between the changes in functional connectivity and clinical symptoms) outcomes will also be investigated. METHODS: We will include patients ages 11 to 16 years presenting to outpatient pediatric gastroenterology care at a midwestern children's hospital with a diagnosis of FAPD plus evidence of clinical anxiety based on a validated screening tool (the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] measure). Eligible participants will undergo baseline neuroimaging involving the WL-SPT, and assessment of self-reported pain, anxiety, and additional symptoms, prior to being randomized to a six-week remotely delivered ADAPT program plus standard medical care or standard medical care alone (waitlist). Thereafter, subjects will complete a post assessment neuroimaging visit similar in nature to their first visit. CONCLUSIONS: This small scale RCT aims to increase understanding of potential neural mechanisms of response to ADAPT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03518216.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement and Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Hand Surgeons.

Patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) tools are used to evaluate health status and response to treatment and have been integral in the effort to improve the quality of care provided. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) have garnered additional attention since becoming a priority of the National Institutes of Health in the early part of this century, and their use in both clinical practice and research has subsequently increased. In the upper extremity, a variety of PRO instruments exist that can assist physicians in their ability to track and/or prognosticate outcomes, make comparisons between treatments as well as strengthen research methodologies, and help determine the value of care. A more complete interpretation of the clinical significance of patient-reported outcome measurements is informed by parameters such as minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit and patient acceptable symptom state.

Factors Associated With Unplanned Reoperation After 4-Corner Arthrodesis: A Study of 478 Wrists.

Purpose: The 4-corner arthrodesis (FCA) is a reliable, motion-sparing technique used to treat scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse arthritis, particularly in stage III wrists in which the capitolunate articulation is compromised. Surgical technique and patient-level variables may influence complications following FCA. We sought to evaluate the rate of complications in a large, combined database and manual chart review study. Methods: Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to search the United States Veteran's Health Administration corporate database to identify wrists treated with FCA over a 24-year period. A retrospective chart review was completed to collect data regarding scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse stage, implant used, the use of a bone graft, smoking status, and comorbidities for all patients undergoing an FCA. A multivariable cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess hazard ratios for reoperation. Incidence rates and the standard error of the mean for reoperation and conversion to total wrist fusion were calculated after grouping patients by 10-year age categories. Results: A total of 478 wrists underwent FCA during the study period, with a mean follow-up of 63 months. Seventy-three (16%) wrists required reoperation. The most frequent secondary procedures included unplanned implant removal (8.2%), total wrist arthrodesis (4.6%), and revision FCA (1.7%). Positive smoking history increased the risk of reoperation, whereas posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy, arthritis stage, and fixation type did not have a statistically significant association with reoperation. Younger age demonstrated an increased incidence of overall reoperation and wrist fusion. Conclusions: The most common reason for reoperation after FCA was implant removal. Smoking history is associated with increased rates of reoperation and wrist arthrodesis. Knowledge of these factors may assist with accurately counseling and indicating patients for FCA. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Risk of Total Wrist Arthrodesis Following Proximal Row Carpectomy: An Analysis of 1,070 Patients.

PURPOSE: Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a motion-sparing procedure with good patient-reported and clinical outcomes. Although some studies have investigated the risk of conversion to total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) after PRC, additional larger studies evaluating the specific risk factors that lead to failure are required. This study aimed to investigate the patient and procedure factors that are associated with increased risk for conversion to TWA in a large cohort of patients who underwent PRC. METHODS: The current procedural technology codes identified patients in a National Veteran's Health database undergoing a PRC over a 26-year period. Risk factors of interest comprised age, posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy, wrist arthritis pattern, bilateral surgery, smoking, comorbidities, and preoperative opioid use. The primary outcome was the rate of conversion to TWA. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to create hazard ratios of selected factors for reoperation. RESULTS: There were 1,070 PRCs performed, with a mean follow-up of 79.8 ± 59.6 months. A total of 5.3% (57/1,070) wrists underwent conversion to TWA. Younger age at the time of PRC (<50 years) significantly increased the risk of TWA (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-6.6). With every 1-year increase in age, there was a reduction of 4% (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.94-0.98) in the hazard of conversion to TWA. No other factors, including concomitant posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy or bilateral PRC, increased the risk of conversion to TWA. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal row carpectomy is a motion-preserving salvage procedure with a low rate of conversion to wrist arthrodesis. Younger patient age increases the risk of conversion to arthrodesis, whereas posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy, bilateral PRCs, and comorbidity status do not appear to have an impact on the risk of arthrodesis. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

The Role of Psychologists in Pediatric Hospital Medicine.

The authors review the multiple roles of the pediatric psychologist in hospital medicine practice, which is commonly referred to as pediatric consultation-liaison (CL) psychology. A brief history of development of training of CL psychologists is discussed as well as current models of practice. The authors describe specific populations that CL psychologists assist in managing when hospitalized as well as how the CL psychologist can contribute to health care systems and public policy advocacy. Physicians are encouraged to request the services of pediatric CL psychologists to help promote psychological adjustment, coping, and well-being in hospitalized youth.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Arthrodesis: Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) arthrodesis surgery is used for various types of wrist pathologies. The objective of our study was to perform a systematic review of complications and outcomes after STT arthrodesis. METHODS: Several major databases were used to perform a systematic literature review in order to obtain articles reporting complications and outcomes following STT arthrodesis. The primary purpose was to identify rates of nonunion and conversion to total wrist arthrodesis. Secondary outcomes included wrist range of motion, grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand scores. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with the primary and secondary outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Out of the 854 records identified in the primary literature search, 30 studies were included in the analysis. A total of 1,429 procedures were performed for 1,404 patients. The pooled nonunion rate was 6.3% (95% CI, 3.5-9.9) and the rate of conversion to total wrist arthrodesis following the index STT was 4.2% (95% CI, 2.2-6.7). The mean pooled wrist flexion was 40.7° (95% CI, 30.8-50.5) and extension was 49.7° (95% CI, 43.5-55.8). At final follow-up, the mean pooled grip strength was 75.9% (95% CI, 69.3-82.5) of the nonsurgical contralateral hand. Compared with all other known indications, Kienbock disease had a statistically significant lower nonunion rate (14.1% vs 3.3%, respectively). Mixed-effects linear regression using patient-level data revealed that increasing age was significantly associated with complications, independent of occupation and diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a low failure rate and conversion to total wrist arthrodesis after STT arthrodesis and acceptable postoperative wrist range of motion and strength when compared to the contralateral hand. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Arthrodesis: A 10-Year Follow-up Study of Complications in 58 Wrists.

BACKGROUND: Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) arthrodesis is a procedure used for specific degenerative arthritis and instability patterns of the wrist. This study evaluates nonunion rate and risk factors for reoperation after STT arthrodesis in the Veterans Affairs Department patient population. The purpose of our study was to assess the long-term nonunion rate following STT arthrodesis and to identify factors associated with reoperation. METHODS: The national Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and Current Procedural Terminology codes identified STT arthrodesis procedures from 1995 to 2016. Frequencies of total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) and secondary operations were determined. Univariate analyses provided odds ratios for risk factors associated with complications. RESULTS: Fifty-eight STT arthrodeses were performed in 54 patients with a mean follow-up of 120 months. Kirschner wires (K-wires) were the most common fixation method (69%). Six wrists (10%) required secondary procedures: 5 TWAs and 1 revision STT arthrodesis. Four patients underwent additional procedures for nonunion (7%). Twenty-four patients required K-wire removal, 8 (14%) of these in the operating room, which were not included in regression analysis. Every increase in 1 year of age resulted in a 15% decrease in likelihood of reoperation (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.93; P < .0001). Opioid use within 90 days before surgery (P = 1.00), positive smoking history (P = 1.00), race (P = .30), comorbidity count (P = .25), and body mass index (P = .19) were not associated with increased risk of reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: At a mean follow-up of 10 years, patients undergoing STT arthrodesis have a 10% risk of reoperation, and this risk decreases with older patient age. There was a symptomatic nonunion rate of 7%, similar to prior published rates. Patient demographics, comorbidity, smoking history, and opioid use did not appear to increase risk of reoperation.

Engagement during a Mixed In-Person and Remotely Delivered Psychological Intervention for Youth with Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Anxiety.

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are common disabling pain conditions frequently associated with co-occurring mental health problems such as anxiety. Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been shown to be effective. Therefore, it is important to understand participant engagement (i.e., use of intervention tools) to such approaches, and if engagement impacts treatment response. The Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment (ADAPT) is an effective psychological treatment approach using a blend of in-person sessions and interventionist phone support with self-paced web modules to manage pain and anxiety. The current study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate micro-level and macro-level participant engagement during the ADAPT program. In-person/phone session attendance was high (>95%) although scheduling adjustments were common (25.5%). Varied levels of engagement with web tools were observed. Thematic analysis also revealed variability in patterns of use. Additionally, while participants indicated they generally understood how to use certain skills (e.g., problem solving, detective thinking), and these skills were effective in managing symptoms during treatment, these activities were generally underutilized. Further, participant engagement did not predict response to the ADAPT intervention. These findings are important as the demand for accessible psychotherapeutic tools to manage pain and anxiety is likely to remain high.

Addressing Pediatric Mental Health Using Telehealth During Coronavirus Disease-2019 and Beyond: A Narrative Review.

The pediatrician serves as a frontline provider addressing patients' medical and mental health needs, yet coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is reshaping the way physicians deliver care. Pediatricians are increasingly faced with the challenge of delivering care, including mental health care, remotely. Given the rapidly evolving literature, we performed a narrative review of the use of telehealth for mental health care for pediatric populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Areas of focus included 1) pediatric primary care settings, 2) special pediatric populations (eg, eating disorders, autism), 3) access and engagement in telehealth care, and 4) training opportunities available for mental health providers. Themes that emerged across studies included the importance of meeting patients' needs (eg, access to technological resources) to optimize success in using telehealth tools and challenges around provider access to support tools for use during telehealth. Thus, we provided a summary of evidence-based tools (including COVID-19 specific resources) for improving the remote delivery of mental health care by pediatricians. We also reviewed future directions including trials currently underway to enhance understanding of future telehealth applications for pediatric mental health care.

COVID-19 and Children's Mental Health: Identifying Challenges and the New Normal.

The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has had a clear and direct impact on the physical health of human beings. However, the mental health toll associated with this global pandemic is only beginning to be understood. Although children and adolescents have been largely spared from the more severe symptoms associated with the disease, global health organizations such as the United Nations have suggested that COVID-19 may have the longest and most severe impact on children and adolescents due to the socioeconomic, physical, psychological impacts associated with the disease itself and the measures taken to stop transmission, such as physical distancing. This paper provides an overview of the evolutionary basis for community and the ways that social and physical distancing measures to contain COVID-19 threaten the important social learning and support that community provides. It then discusses how this pandemic is likely to impact the mental health of children and adolescents, based on research from prior pandemics, recommendations from global health authorities, and emerging data on the impacts of COVID-19. Finally, we offer evidence-based suggestions on how to mitigate the effects of physical and social distancing.

Risk of Total Wrist Arthrodesis or Reoperation Following 4-Corner Arthrodesis or Proximal Row Carpectomy for Stage-II SLAC/SNAC Arthritis: A Propensity Score Analysis of 502 Wrists.

BACKGROUND: For stage-II scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) patterns of wrist arthritis, the optimal method of surgical treatment remains unclear. Previous literature has demonstrated similar clinical outcomes between proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and 4-corner arthrodesis (FCA), making the risk of reoperation a focus of particular interest. In the present study, the primary null hypothesis was that there would be no difference in the rate of conversion to total wrist arthrodesis between PRC and FCA. Additionally, we hypothesized that the rate of secondary surgical procedures would be similar between the 2 procedures. METHODS: The national Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse was utilized to identify 2,449 patients who underwent either PRC or FCA between 1992 and 2016. With use of operative reports to identify the arthritis pattern, only cases of stage-II SLAC/SNAC were included. All complications and subsequent surgical procedures were confirmed by manual chart review. Propensity score analyses with matching weights were utilized to balance the PRC and FCA cohorts. The rates of conversion to wrist arthrodesis and secondary surgical procedures were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 1,168 patients with stage-II SLAC/SNAC arthritis, 933 wrists underwent PRC and 257 wrists underwent FCA. Ten-year survival free of total wrist arthrodesis in the matching PRC (251 procedures) and FCA (251 procedures) cohorts was 94.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.3% to 96.3%) and 94.1% (95% CI, 90.8% to 97.4%), respectively. Survival free of a secondary surgical procedure other than wrist arthrodesis was 99.7% (95% CI, 99.3% to 100.0%) for PRC and 83.5% (95% CI, 78.2% to 88.8%) for FCA. CONCLUSIONS: PRC and FCA demonstrated similarly low rates of conversion to total wrist arthrodesis. In contrast, the rate of secondary surgical procedures following FCA was significantly higher compared with PRC. Given the historically similar clinical outcomes between PRC and FCA, the results of the present study show that PRC may be a preferable treatment for stage-II SLAC/SNAC wrist arthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Closed manipulation under anesthesia for pediatric post-traumatic elbow arthrofibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic elbow arthrofibrosis (PEA) and its associated limitations to elbow range of motion (ROM) are a recognized consequence of trauma to the pediatric elbow. Closed manipulation under anesthesia (CMUA) of the elbow can be performed in pediatric patients as a nonoperative attempt to improve dysfunctional ROM. Minimal outcome data to support CMUA exist. The study evaluates the efficacy of CMUA for PEA in pediatric patients. METHODS: Patients younger than 18 years who underwent CMUA (Current Procedural Terminology code 24300) for PEA between 2005 and 2015 at 3 institutions were included. A retrospective chart review was performed to collect demographic data and ROM premanipulation and at last follow-up. Paired 2-tailed t tests were used to compare pre- and postmanipulation elbow ROM. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a mean age of 12.2 ± 2.6 years (range 6.7-15.6 years) met the inclusion criteria. Median time to CMUA from initial surgery was 4.2 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.6-8.4, range 1.4-19.7 months). Median follow-up time was 6 months with an IQR of 3.3-10.0 months. At last follow-up, there was significant improvement in elbow flexion of 22° ± 17° (P < .001) and extension of 29° ± 21° (P < .001). The average premanipulation motion arc of 60° ± 24° significantly increased to 110° ± 22° at final assessment (P < .001). CONCLUSION: CMUA appears to be a valuable alternative and reliable procedure for improving PEA in pediatric patients who exhaust nonoperative interventions.

Development of the Parent Responses to School Functioning Questionnaire.

Parents play an important role in supporting school functioning in youth with chronic pain, but no validated tools exists to assess parental responses to child and adolescent pain behaviors in the school context. Such a tool would be useful in identifying targets of change to reduce pain-related school impairment. The goal of this study was to develop and preliminarily validate the Parent Responses to School Functioning Questionnaire (PRSF), a parent self-report measure of this construct. After initial expert review and pilot testing, the measure was administered to 418 parents of children (ages 6-17 years) seen for initial multidisciplinary chronic pain clinic evaluation. The final 16-item PRSF showed evidence of good internal consistency (α = .82) and 2-week test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .87). Criterion validity was demonstrated by significant correlations with school absence rates and overall school functioning, and construct validity was demonstrated by correlations with general parental responses to pain. Three subscales emerged capturing parents' personal distress, parents' level of distrust of the school, and parents' expectations and behaviors related to their child's management of challenging school situations. These results provide preliminary support for the PRSF as a psychometrically sound tool to assess parents' responses to child pain in the school setting. PERSPECTIVE: The 16-item PRSF measures parental responses to their child's chronic pain in the school context. The clinically useful measure can inform interventions aimed reducing functional disability in children with chronic pain by enhancing parents' ability to respond adaptively to child pain behaviors.

The promise of home visitation by community health workers in rural Kenya: A protective effect that reduces neonatal illness.

BACKGROUND: Nearly three million neonates die each year, largely from preventable illnesses in developing countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has disproportionately high neonatal mortality. Community health worker (CHW) programs are a promising intervention to reduce mortality rates. This research evaluates a CHW newborn home visitation program in rural Kenya by assessing the frequency of health service utilization and overnight hospitalization. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study encompassed two consecutive years and compared the rate of medical service utilization for neonatal illness in an intervention group with that of a control group using a household survey. Severity of neonatal illness was assessed by need for overnight hospitalization. Household, maternal, and child characteristics were collected. RESULTS: A total of 489 surveys were completed and showed that 35% of not-visited families reported taking their infant to a healthcare facility, compared with 21% of CHW-visited families (P < 0.01). Rates of overnight hospitalization were 6% for not-visited infants and 1% for visited infants (P < 0.01). Few significant differences were found in household, maternal, and child characteristics. DISCUSSION: This study found that a CHW newborn home visitation program in rural Kenya significantly decreased rates of health service utilization and overnight hospitalization, but did not have the power to detect an effect on neonatal mortality.