Utilization of Offset Iliac Connectors as Anchoring Sites in Severe Rigid Scoliosis: New Technique.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To introduce the iliac connectors as fixation options in spinal constructs used for correction of severe scoliosis at locations other than the lumbopelvic region. METHODS: Nine patients with severe rigid scoliosis undergoing surgical release and posterior instrumentation in the period between January 2013 and January 2015 were included in this prospective cohort study. Mean age was 18.4 years; 8 had triple structural curves, and the remaining patient had double structural curves. Cobb angles of the primary and compensatory curves were compared with the immediate, 1-year, and 2-year postoperative measurements using the F test, with P value ≤.05 indicating statistical significance. Screw densities of the final constructs were calculated and compared with the screw densities when the offset iliac connectors were not used. RESULTS: One to 4 offset iliac connectors were used in all 9 patients, increasing screw density by a mean of 6.24 (P < .001). The mean Cobb angle of the major curve was corrected from 98.44° to 58.2° (P < .001), that of the first compensatory curve, from 56.55° to 38.33° (P < .001), and that of the second compensatory curve, from 40.75° to 26.63° (P < .001). There were no intraoperative neurological complications. After a mean follow-up of 30.6 months, the construct remained stable in all patients with no loss of correction. CONCLUSION: Offset iliac connectors can be a valuable tool to increase screw density in correction of severe scoliosis, thus increasing overall biomechanical strength of the final construct.

Comparison between intra-articular infiltrations of placebo, steroids, hyaluronic and PRP for knee osteoarthritis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Regarding the efficacy of intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, current evidence is controversial. The superiority of one technique over another is questioned and debates are ongoing. The purpose of the present study was to compare and investigate the efficacy of these intra-articular infiltrations in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted comparing patient outcomes at 3, 6 and 12-months of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA extension statement for reporting systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of health care interventions. All the RCTs comparing the outcomes of two or more intra-articular infiltrations of interest for knee OA were considered for inclusion. The outcomes of interest were the WOMAC and VAS scores. The network meta-analyses were performed using the STATA routine for Bayesian hierarchical random-effects models. RESULTS: Data from 30 RCTs (3463 patients) were collected. At 3-months follow-up, PRP showed the best WOMAC scores, followed by the Placebo, CCS and HA. At 6-months follow-up, PRP showed the best WOMAC scores, followed by HA, CCS and Placebo. At 12-months follow-up, PRP showed the best WOMAC scores, followed by the Placebo, HA and CCS. At 3-months follow-up, the PRP showed the best VAS scores, followed by CCS, HA and Placebo. At 6-months follow-up, PRP showed the best VAS scores, followed by CCS, Placebo and HA. At 12-months follow-up, the PRP showed the best VAS scores, followed by CCS, Placebo and HA. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular injections of PRP demonstrated the best overall outcome compared to steroids, hyaluronic acid and placebo for patients with knee osteoarthrosis at 3, 6 and 12-months follow-up. Among CCS, hyaluronic acid and placebo, no discrepancies were detected. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I, Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.

Quadriceps tendon autograft for primary ACL reconstruction: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to clarify the role of the quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft for primary ACL reconstruction. Thus, a Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing patients undergoing a primary ACL reconstruction with QT versus patellar tendon (PT) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts was conducted. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA extension statement for reporting systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of health care interventions. In January 2020, the main databases were accessed. Articles comparing the outcomes of the QT autograft versus HT autograft and/or PT autograft for primary ACL reconstruction were included in the present study. The statistical analysis was performed with STATA Software/MP, through a Bayesian hierarchical random-effect model analysis. RESULTS: Data from a total of 2603 knees were analysed. The overall mean follow-up was 35.0 months. Among the different grafts were evidenced comparable values of IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm score. The QT autograft detected comparable rate of Lachman test > 3 mm, Pivot shift test > 3 m and instrumental laxity > 3 mm. The QT autograft showed a lower rate of autograft failure above all. The QT autograft detected the reduced rate of AKP than the PT. CONCLUSION: Quadriceps tendon autograft may represent a feasible option for primary ACL reconstruction. These results must be interpret within the limitations of the present network meta-anlaysis.

Gap balancing versus measured resection for primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis study.

INTRODUCTION: To achieve the most desirable post-operative results, operation techniques and procedures for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are highly standardized. However, debates persist whether patients having undergone a gap balancing technique (GB) perform better than those having undergone measured resection (MR) technique. Therefore, a meta-analysis study was conducted to investigate advantages of GB compared to the MR. The focus of the present study was on clinical and functional scores, radiological measurements and further complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist. In November 2019, literature search was performed. All clinical studies comparing measured resection technique versus gap balancing technique for primary total knee arthroplasty were considered for inclusion. Only articles reporting quantitative data under the outcomes of interest were eligible for inclusion. The methodological quality assessment and statistical analyses were performed through the Review Manager Software version 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). RESULTS: Data from 25 clinical trials (2971 procedures) were collected. Patient baseline demonstrated a good comparability. No difference among the two cohorts was found in terms of SF-12 Mental and Physical, ROM, KSS, KSS Function, OKS, WOMAC. No difference was found in the alignment of mechanical axis and femoral rotation. During the knee motion, no difference was found between the medial and lateral gaps among the two techniques. The GB showed a significant elevated joint line (P < 0.0001), along with a longer duration of the operating time (P = 0.001). No differences were found in terms of revision surgery, aseptic loosening or prosthetic infections. CONCLUSION: GB and MR achieve similar outcomes for TKA. In the GB group, a proximalisation of the joint line and extended operating time was detected. Regarding the additional outcomes of interest, the present analysis showed comparability between both groups, MR and GB.