Total hip arthroplasty in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has demonstrated excellent results in elderly patients, however, the indications, outcomes, and long-term results in adolescent patients are less understood. This study aims to assess the outcomes of THA in patients under 21, providing insights for clinical decision-making in this exceptional population. METHODS: A systematic review in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase database was performed. We included studies reporting clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes of THA in patients younger than 21 years, for any cause, with a with a minimum follow-up of one year. The ten year survivorship estimate was pooled using a meta-analysis methodology and each study was weighted according to its standard error, calculated from published confidence intervals. RESULTS: We included 25 studies involving 1166 hips. Median age was 17 years old, 60% were females, and the average follow-up was 8.1 years. Juvenile inflammatory arthritis was the main indication for total hip arthroplasty (THA). The all-cause revision rate was 14.4% and aseptic loosening was the most common cause. Only eight studies reported ten year survival rates and form the pooled analysis an 84.91% survival rate (95% CI 70.56 - 99.27) was obtained. An average score of 88.08 in the Harris Hip Score (HHS) was observed. We found a 3.43% complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroplasty is an acceptable option for adolescents with end-stage arthritis. However, the altered hip anatomy, the elevated revision rate, and the long-term implant survival must be considered before performing a THA in adolescent patients.

Comparación entre suturas para cierre profundo y superficial en reemplazo total de rodilla: seguimiento a un año / A comparison of sutures for deep and superficial wound closure in total knee arthroplasty: One-year follow-up

Introducción Aunque diferentes materiales y técnicas se han desarrollado para el cierre superficial y profundo en reemplazo total de rodilla (RTR), no hay evidencia que permita dar recomendaciones respecto a una técnica especifica que disminuya complicaciones postoperatorias de la herida. El propósito de este estudio es comparar el uso de dos técnicas de cierre profundo (Sutura barbada vs. Sutura absorbible trenzada) y superficial (grapas vs. sutura de polipropileno) en RTR. Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo en 240 pacientes. Se excluyeron pacientes con antecedente de cirugía abierta previa de rodilla, RTR previo por lesiones tumorales o artrofibrosis. Seguimiento mínimo de 1 año. Resultados Se usaron grapas en 176 pacientes y Prolene® en 64 pacientes. El cierre profundo se realizó con Stratafix® en 164 pacientes y con Vicryl® en 75 pacientes. Encontramos complicaciones relacionadas con la herida y la funcionalidad al año de seguimiento. La infección superficial para el cierre con prolene presento un HR de 2.6 con un intervalo de confianza (IC) de 95%=1.1-6.2; p=0.029 y en el cierre profundo encontramos un HR a favor del Vicryl® de 0.22, IC 95%=0.96-5.8; p=0.05. Conclusiones Este estudio demostró un incremento significativo de la incidencia de infección superficial después de un RTR cuando el cierre profundo se realiza con suturas barbadas y el cierre superficial se realiza con sutura de polipropileno. Sin embargo, no se presentaron diferencias significativas en otras complicaciones relacionadas con la herida y en la funcionalidad postoperatoria con las diferentes técnicas de cierre superficial y profundo evaluadas.

Introduction Different materials and techniques have been developed for superficial and deep closure in total knee replacement (TKR), but there is no solid evidence that allows to recommend a specific technique that decreases the surgical post-operative complications. The purpose of this study is to compare the use of two deep closure techniques (barbed suture vs. braided absorbable suture) and superficial (staples vs. polypropylene suture) in TKR. Materials and methods An observational retrospective study was carried out in 240 patients. Those individuals were excluded with previous open knee surgery, arthrofibrosis, patients who underwent TKR due to tumor lesions or a follow up for less than one year. Results The skin was closed in 176 patients with staples and in 64 patients with Prolene®. Deep closure was performed with Stratafix® in 164 patients and with Vicryl® in 75 patients. Also, complications related to the wound and functionality were recorded in the first postoperative year. Superficial infection for closure with prolene presented an HR in favor of 2.6 with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%=1.1­6.2; p=0.029 and in deep closure a HR in favor of Vicryl® of 0.22, 95% CI=0.96­5.8; p=0.05 Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant increase in the incidence of superficial infection after TKR when deep closure is performed with barbed sutures and superficial closure with polypropylene suture. However, there were no significant differences in other complications related with the wound neither postoperative functionality with the different superficial and deep closure techniques that were evaluated.

Use of Surgical Approach Is Not Associated With Instability After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis Comparing Direct Anterior and Posterolateral Approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Posterolateral approach (PA) has been historically associated with an increased risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially when compared with the direct anterior approach (DAA). However, current evidence is inconsistent regarding the risk of dislocation with either approach. The purpose of this study is to determine whether surgical approach influences joint stability. METHODS: A systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs comparing DAA with PA in primary THA were included. Pooled effect measure of risk differences, relative risk and mean differences for postoperative dislocation, acetabular implant positioning, and leg length discrepancy were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies (5 RCTs and 20 non-RCTs) of 7,172 THAs were assessed. There were no significant differences in dislocation rates between approaches (risk difference = -0.00, 95% confidence interval: -0.01 to 0.00; P = 0.92; I2 = 0%). Results were similar in the subgroup analysis of RCTs (P = 0.98), posterior soft-tissue repair (P = 0.50), and learning curve (P = 0.77). The acetabular implant was better positioned within the safe zone in the DAA group (relative risk = 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.03 to 1.33; P = 0.01), but no significant differences were found in cup inclination (P = 0.8), anteversion (P = 0.10), and leg length discrepancy (P = 0.54). CONCLUSION: Dislocation rates after THA are not different between DAA and PA. Furthermore, no differences in the rate of dislocation were associated with cup positioning or surgical factors related with hip instability. Therefore, the surgical approach has little influence in prosthesis instability after primary THA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Use of Topical Tranexamic Acid Reduces Direct and Indirect Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), evidence supports the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) as an effective strategy for reducing blood loss, but scant evidence supports its use in revision THA. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We aimed to evaluate whether the use of topical TXA in revision THA is associated with less blood loss and lower transfusion rates and to assess its safety, specifically as it relates to thromboembolic complications. METHODS: In this retrospective comparative study, two groups who underwent revision THA between 2005 and 2017 were defined: 98 patients who received 3 g of topical TXA (study group) and 475 patients who did not receive TXA (control group). Subjects were divided into subgroups according to the type of revision. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, blood loss, and transfusions were recorded. The follow-up period was 6 weeks. RESULTS: Median estimated blood loss, hidden blood loss, hemoglobin drop, and transfusion rates were significantly lower in the study group. The rates of post-operative thromboembolism were similar in the two groups. According to subgroup analysis, patients with revision of the femoral component, both components, and staged exchange revisions showed significantly lower rates of transfusion. CONCLUSION: Topical TXA administration during revision THA effectively reduced direct and indirect blood loss, including hidden losses, without increasing the rates of thromboembolic events. This effect appeared to be enhanced when the femoral component was revised.

Topical Tranexamic Acid in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Reduces Transfusion Rates and May Be Associated With Earlier Recovery.

BACKGROUND: The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been proved to be effective in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the evidence for its use in revision surgery is scant. We assessed the safety and efficacy of topical TXA in revision TKA. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 76 revision TKA patients who received topical TXA (3 g before tourniquet deflation) "study group" with a historic control group of 205 revision TKA patients in which TXA was not used. Each group was further stratified into subgroups according to the type of revision. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 weeks. Blood loss, transfusion requirements, changes in hemoglobin-hematocrit levels, Knee Society Score, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean estimated blood loss, hemoglobin drop, and transfusion rate were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P = .008, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Hidden blood loss was similar between the 2 groups (P = .12). Six weeks postoperatively, the improvement in the knee-specific Knee Society Score was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P < .001). No significant differences were found in thromboembolic complications between the 2 groups (P = .92). In the subgroup analysis, when both components (femur and tibia) were revised, the relative risk of transfusion was significantly lower with the use of TXA (relative risk 0.227, confidence interval 0.0593-0.860, P = .004). CONCLUSION: Topical TXA in revision TKA is safe and effective in reducing blood loss and transfusions. This effect is enhanced when both components are revised. Additionally, the use of TXA may improve early outcomes.

Characterization of Re-admission and Emergency Department Visits Within 90 Days Following Lower-Extremity Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Acute care events including emergency department (ED) visits and unscheduled inpatient re-admissions following lower-extremity arthroplasty are not fully understood. QUESTION/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to characterize acute care events occurring after discharge in patients who received a lower-extremity arthroplasty: the incidence, timing, and risk factors of inpatient admission and ED visits within 90 days of discharge. METHODS: The New York State Inpatient and Emergency Department Databases were used to identify patients who underwent elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) from 2009 to 2013 (124,234 and 76,411 patients, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of and the most frequent reasons for unscheduled acute care within 90 days of discharge. RESULTS: Unscheduled acute care was needed in 13.79% of patients (8.81% of inpatient re-admissions and 4.98% of ED visits), most often in the first week after discharge (61.05% of all inpatient re-admissions and 20.46% of all ED visits). Most of these visits were for musculoskeletal pain, peri-prosthetic joint or wound infection, cardiac complications, blood transfusion, psychiatric events, mechanical complications, and deep vein thrombosis. Predictors for the need for acute care after TKA included African American and Hispanic race or ethnicity, Medicaid coverage, and neuraxial anesthesia. Predictors for the need for acute care after THA included older age (over 85 years), African American race, and Medicaid coverage. CONCLUSION: We identified demographic and procedure-related variables associated with an increased risk of ED visits and inpatient re-admissions after TKA or THA. Understanding these variables will contribute to improved care quality.

A retrospective study on the relationship between altered native acetabular angle and vertical implant malpositioning.

PURPOSE: Acetabular cup positioning in extreme angles of vertical position affects both stability and long-term survivorship of total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to determine whether native Sharp's angle is associated with an increased abduction angle of the acetabular component. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent primary total hip replacement between February 2012 and August 2015 were included. Vertical positioning of acetabular implant in the antero-posterior post-operative radiographs were measured. The proportion of implants positioned outside the safe zone (40° ± 10°) was calculated and through a multivariate analysis, Sharp's angle and other factors possibly associated with cup malpositioning were evaluated. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-eight hip arthroplasties were analyzed. Prevalence of cup malpositioning was 7.6% and 25 patients had an altered native acetabular angle. An altered pre-operative Sharp's angle was associated with a higher risk of vertical malpositioning of the acetabular component (OR 2.51 IC 95%: 1.17-5.39) (p = 0.02). Body mass index, surgeon's volume, size of the implant, gender, pre-operative diagnose and age, were not associated with the position of the cup. CONCLUSIONS: The alteration of the Sharp's angle as an indicator of hip dysplasia in native hips increases the odds of acetabular cup malpositioning. Other factors explored did not correlate with the position of the acetabular prosthesis. Systematic assessment of Sharp's angle should be included in the pre-operative planning of primary hip arthroplasty.

Screening for Infection Before Revision Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis of Likelihood Ratios of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Serum C-reactive Protein Levels.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) before revision hip arthroplasty is critical to ensure effective treatment of patients undergoing surgery for reasons other than infection. The main objective of our study is to determine whether the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level are sufficient to use for testing to rule out infection in patients undergoing revision hip surgery. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature in the MEDLINE, Ovid, and Embase databases. We included studies in which the investigators used the ESR (>30 mm/h) and serum CRP level (>10 mg/L) for the diagnosis of PJI of the hip. We obtained meta-estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-). RESULTS: From 511 articles, we analyzed 12 studies in which the investigators reported data on 2,736 patients. Sensitivity and specificity for the ESR were 0.860 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.825 to 0.890) and 0.723 (95% CI, 0.704 to 0.742), respectively, and for the CRP level were 0.869 (95% CI, 0.835 to 0.899) and 0.786 (95% CI, 0.769 to 0.803), respectively. For the ESR, LR+ was 3.42 (95% CI, 2.55 to 4.59) and LR- was 0.22 (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.41). For the CRP level, LR+ was 4.18 (95% CI, 3.42 to 5.11) and LR- was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.32). DISCUSSION: With a low pretest probability of PJI, a negative test result for either the ESR or CRP level is enough to rule out infection before revision hip arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A case of rapidly destructive osteoarthritis of the hip with onset of less than six weeks.

INTRODUCTION: Rapidly destructive osteoarthritis is characterized by a severe destruction of the hip joint developing over short periods of time. However, to date, there is no agreement on the biological process that triggers this condition. The aim of this report is to present a case of rapidly destructive osteoarthritis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 76 year-old female who presented with hip pain of sudden onset and normal X-rays. Six weeks later she presented with increased pain intensity, functional limitation and evidence of a collapse of the femoral head in the X-rays. DISCUSSION: Rapidly destructive osteoarthritis of the hip is a complex entity that might be more frequent than previously described and which clinical course could vary between few weeks and several months. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, other causes of massive destruction of the joint should be excluded.

Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus in Bogota (Colombia) Between 2003 and 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) or clubfoot is one of the most common congenital abnormalities(1,2). Early diagnosis by means of ultrasonography allows an opportune intervention and improves the deformity's correction prognosis. GOAL: To describe patients diagnosed with CTEV by means of prenatal sonographies between 2003 and 2012 in Bogotá (Colombia) at both the Institute de Ortopedia Infantil Roosevelt (IOIR) and one of the authors' private office. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study on the focus population was made. The equality of the data of the quantitative variables in distance measure was analysed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For the variables "prenatal diagnoses" and "days from the start of the treatment" the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Finally, an analysis was made by means of the SPSS Statistics software package, version 18.0. RESULTS: 178 patients met the selection criteria. 34.3% of the patients had a prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography (n=61). Regarding the number of prenatal ultrasounds performed, there were statistically significant differences between the patients with a CTEV prenatal diagnoses and those whose diagnoses came after birth, being higher in the first group (p<0.001). The number of days before the treatment started once the pre or postnatal diagnosis was done was also a subject of study. Significant differences were found in the treatment start between patients with a prenatal diagnosis (mean of 9.9 days) and those diagnosed after birth (mean of 30 days) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: prenatal diagnosis by foetal ultrasonography contributes to an early detection of musculoskeletal abnormalities such as CTEV and promotes an early intervention of the patient.