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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of evidence informing on common pharmacologic modalities used in upper extremity complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). METHODS: A literature search was performed for primary prospective trials that reported on the pharmacologic treatment of CRPS type I and II specific to the upper extremity. Thirty-one trials were included and evaluated by 2 independent reviewers according to the Oxford Levels of Evidence (LOE), modified Coleman Methodology Score, and the revised Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) score. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated to measure interrater reliability. RESULTS: Twenty-two Oxford LOE I and 9 level II trials met the inclusion criteria. Overall, there was high interrater reliability in the Oxford LOE (100% agreement), modified Coleman Methodology Score (87% agreement), and CONSORT score (94% agreement). The pharmacologic interventions with the highest quality of evidence supporting use in treatment of upper extremity CRPS were bisphosphonates and ketamine. Interventions that lack high-quality evidence are tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and topical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Pharmacologic agents that remain inconclusive are calcitonin, gabapentin, mycophenolate, probiotics, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin C, and N-acetylcysteine. Agents with limited benefit are mannitol, isosorbide dinitrate, guanethidine, and morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evidence evaluated in this study, bisphosphonates should be considered as a first-line medication in the treatment of CRPS. In patients presenting with chronic or refractory CRPS, strong consideration should be given for the use of ketamine. Adjunct treatment in the acute setting should include TCAs and/or topical DMSO.
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Early surgical management of brachial plexus birth injury has advanced owing to targeted surgical techniques and increases in specialty-centers and multi-institutional collaboration. This study seeks to determine trends in the early surgical management of BPBI over the last 30 years. Methods: A systematic review was performed through MEDLINE (PubMed) identifying studies limited to the early surgical management of BPBI from 1990 to current. Patients treated after 1 year of age (ie, tendon transfers and secondary reconstructive efforts) were excluded. Diagnostic tests, age of intervention, surgical treatment modalities, and outcome scoring systems were extrapolated and compared so as to determine trends in management over time. Results: Seventeen studies met criteria, summating a total of 883 patients. The most commonly reported physical examination classifications were the Mallet and AMS scoring systems. Most patients underwent neuroma excision and sural nerve autografting (n = 618, 70%) when compared with primary nerve transfers (148, 16.8%), primary nerve transfer with autografting combinations (59, 6.7%), or neurolysis alone (58, 6.6%). There was no significant change in the proportion of patients treated with sural nerve grafting, combination graft and transfer procedures, or isolated neurolysis over time. However, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of patients treated with primary nerve transfer procedures (τ b = 0.668, P < 0.01) over time. Conclusion: Although neuroma excision and sural nerve autografting has been the historic gold-standard treatment for brachial plexus birth injury, peripheral nerve transfers have become increasingly utilized for surgical management.
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BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids have a negative impact on the human immune system's ability to function at an optimal level. Studies have shown that patients on long-term corticosteroids have higher infection rates. However, the rates of infection and other complications following lumbar decompression surgery remains under-investigated. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of preoperative long-term corticosteroid usage on acute, 30-day postoperative complications in a subset of patients undergoing lumbar spine decompression surgery, without fusion or instrumentation. We hypothesize that patients on long-term corticosteroids will have higher rates of infection and other postoperative complications after undergoing lumbar decompression surgery of the spine. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database data from 2005 to 2016. Lumbar decompression surgeries, including discectomies, laminectomies, and others were identified using CPT codes. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate differences among the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid groups for demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative complications. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine if long-term corticosteroid use predicts incidence of postoperative infections following adjustment. RESULTS: 26,734 subjects met inclusion criteria. A total of 1044 patients (3.9%) were on long-term corticosteroids prior to surgical intervention, and 25,690 patients (96.1%) were not on long-term corticosteroids. Patients on long-term corticosteroids were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), female (p < 0.001), nonsmokers (p < 0.001), and have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologist class (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that long-term corticosteroid usage was associated with increased overall complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.543; p < 0.001), and an independent risk factor for the development of minor complications (OR: 1.808; p < 0.001), urinary tract infection (OR: 2.033; p = 0.002), extended length of stay (OR: 1.244; p = 0.039), thromboembolic complications (OR: 1.919; p = 0.023), and sepsis complications (OR: 2.032; p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Long-term corticosteroid usage is associated with a significant increased risk of acute postoperative complication development, including urinary tract infection, sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolic complications, and extended length of hospital stay, but not with superficial or deep infection in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures. Spine surgeons should remain vigilant regarding postoperative complications in patients on long-term corticosteroids, especially as it relates to UTI and propensity to decompensate into sepsis or septic shock. Thromboembolic risk attenuation is also imperative in this patient group during the postoperative period and the surgeon should weigh the risks and benefits of more intensive anticoagulation measures.
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BACKGROUND: Particulated juvenile cartilage allograft transfer (PJCAT) is an emerging treatment option for management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs). This series reports on outcomes and identifies predictors for success following PJCAT for isolated OCLTs. METHODS: We reviewed 33 consecutive patients who underwent PJCAT by a single surgeon from 2013 to 2017. Preoperative demographic factors (age, body mass index [BMI], tobacco use, behavioral health comorbidity, and ankle pain visual analog score [VAS]) and OCLT morphologic data were collected. Outcomes included postoperative improvements in VAS and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and clinical success/failure. Results of 7 second-look arthroscopies and complications are provided. Categorical data are reported as frequencies, and statistical means with P values are reported for continuous variables. We had a mean 3.5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Improvement in ankle pain VAS following isolated PJCAT was 51% (P < .001). For the first 16 consecutive patients in whom complete AOFAS scores were available, 40% (P < .001) improvement occurred. Presence of 1 or more behavioral health diagnoses was a risk factor for decreased pain relief, while moderate to severe preoperative pain (VAS >5.9) predicted improved postoperative pain relief. Age, BMI, tobacco use, and OCLT morphology did not affect outcomes. CONCLUSION: For treatment of large, high-stage OCLTs, PJCAT resulted in 40% to 50% improvement in ankle pain and disability within 3.5 years. The results may be better in patients with moderate to severe preoperative pain but worse in those with preexisting behavioral health diagnoses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.
