Incidence of patella baja and pseudopatella baja in aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: There are two variants regarding the low location of the patella in relation to the tibio-femoral joint line: patella baja (PB) and pseudo-patella baja (PPB). The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of PB and PPB in a cohort of patients that underwent revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) for aseptic reasons and describe any differences in each group's ROM. METHODS: This retrospective study included 114 patients that underwent aseptic revision TKA surgery between 2017 and 2022. Patients were revised either for stiffness (Group 1) or aseptic loosening/instability (Group 2). The Insall-Salvati ratio (ISR) and Blackburne-Peel ratio (BPR) were used to evaluate the patellar position. ISR < 0.8 defined PB, while cases with ISR ≥ 0.8 and BPI < 0.54 were defined as PPB. ROM was measured and a subanalysis was conducted to investigate the progression of the values of ISR and BPR. RESULTS: 55 patients comprised Group 1, and 59 patients comprised Group 2. Overall, 13 cases (11.4%) had PB before rTKA and 24 (21%) had PB after rTKA. Cases with PPB were 13 (11.4%) before and 34 (29.9%) after rTKA. Group 1 patients presented with more PB before and after rTKA (12.8% vs 10.2% and 27.3% vs 15.2% respectively). However, after rTKA Group 1 patients presented with less PPB (20%) compared to Group 2 (39%) (p = 0.02). In Group 1, patients with PPB after rTKA had less ROM compared to those without PPB [83.2 (± 21.9) vs 102.1 (± 19.9) (p = 0.025)]. The subanalysis (69 patients) showed a statistically significant decrease in ISR before and after rTKA (p = 0.041), and from the native knee to post-rTKA (p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant decrease in BPR before and after rTKA (p = 0.001) and from the native knee to both pre- and post-rTKA (p < 001). CONCLUSION: After undergoing rTKA, the incidences of both patella baja (PB) and pseudo-patella baja (PPB) increased. Stiffness in the knee was associated with a higher incidence of PB, while non-stiffness cases showed a significantly higher incidence of PPB. Patients with stiff knees and PPB after rTKA experienced a significant reduction in range of motion (ROM). Additionally, the study revealed a noteworthy decrease in ISR and BPR with each subsequent surgery. This information is crucial for healthcare providers, as it sheds light on potential risks and outcomes of rTKA, allowing for improved patient management and surgical decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Post-traumatic Brodie's Abscess of the Tarsal Cuboid: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Brodie's abscess of the tarsal cuboid is a relatively rare presentation of this disease. In this study, we present the case of a 20-year-old male with post-traumatic Brodie's abscess of the tarsal cuboid that was left untreated for three years after the traumatic episode (penetrating injury with a sharp piece of wood). The patient presented pain over the injured area, limping, while plain foot radiographs showed a small lytic cavitary area in the cuboid. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of the abscess in a 2-cm diameter cavity in the cuboid bone and chronic inflammation of the surrounding plantar musculature. The treatment regime included curettage of the cavity, debridement of the inflammatory tissues, and administration of antibiotics, according to the cultures harvested intraoperatively, for six weeks. During this period, symptoms completely resolved.

Age-related variations in trunk composition and patterns of regional bone and soft tissue changes in adult Caucasian women by DXA.

We explored the regional variations in body composition with advancing age in healthy Caucasian females living in the Mediterranean area. The objectives of this study were to establish body composition values for the trunk in healthy women of a Greek origin and to evaluate the effects of aging on the distribution of truncal bone mass, fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM). Body composition of the trunk and detailed analysis of its anatomical components-the ribs, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine and the pelvis, and FM and LM ratios--were calculated in 330 women aged 20-85 years, using DXA. Peak bone mineral density (BMD) of the trunk was attained between ages 30 and 33. The overall truncal BMD reduction with age was 20.7% (p < 0.001). Peak %LM of the trunk was achieved at age 20. The overall reduction of %LM with age for the trunk was 9.8% (p < 0.001). Peak %FM of the trunk was attained between ages 68 and 73, and the overall %FM reduction with age was 2.8% (p > 0.05). Multiple comparative analyses showed that the 51-60 years age group was the landmark age for significant changes of truncal bone mass measures across all age groups (p = 0). For truncal LM and FM metrics, multigroup comparative analysis showed the turning point of significant changes in soft tissue was the 41-50 age bracket (p = 0 and p = 0, respectively). In Greek women, truncal %LM exceeded by far %FM across all ages (p = 0). Our results suggest that aging affects body composition of the trunk in ambulatory healthy women of a Greek origin differently, leading to menopausal loss of bone mass, senior adulthood loss of lean mass, and middle-age storage of fat mass. In adult women, these age-related associations between bone and soft tissue metrics on DXA exams carry implications for the attainment of optimal peak values and shifts in body composition overtime, impacting lifelong skeletal health.

Heterotopic Ossification around the Elbow Revisited.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the process of ectopic bone formation in the periarticular soft tissues and is usually formed in the elbow, hip and knee joint as a complication of trauma, burns, brain injury or surgical procedures. The development of HO around the elbow joint can cause a severe limitation of range of motion (ROM) and may affect daily activities of the patient. Treatment of ectopic bone formation around the elbow is a challenge for many surgeons. Non-operative treatment usually fails to restore the ROM of the elbow joint; thus, surgery is necessary to restore the function of the joint. In the past, many surgeons suggested that a delayed excision of HO, until maturation of the ectopic bone, is the best option in order to avoid any possible recurrence. However, many authors now suggest that this delay may lead to complications such as muscular atrophy and formation of soft tissue contractures that can cause a greater impairment of elbow function; thus, early excision is a better option and can better restore the elbow ROM. We performed a literature research of articles that investigated which is the best time of HO excision and we also evaluated if the tethering effect of HO can lead to a greater impairment of the elbow function. We found numerous studies suggesting that a limitation in ROM of the elbow can appear from the tethering of the ectopic bone formation and not only from primary HO. Concerning the HO excision, there were no significant differences between patients who underwent delayed and early excision, concerning the recurrence rate of HO around the elbow. Patients who underwent early excision had better restoration of elbow ROM; thus, early excision, combined with a rehabilitation program, is reported to be the best option for these patients.

Prophylactic cable prevents tapered titanium stem subsidence with 2 cm of stem-cortical engagement in a cadaveric model.

Aims: When performing revision total hip arthroplasty using diaphyseal-engaging titanium tapered stems (TTS), the recommended 3 to 4 cm of stem-cortical diaphyseal contact may not be available. In challenging cases such as these with only 2 cm of contact, can sufficient axial stability be achieved and what is the benefit of a prophylactic cable? This study sought to determine, first, whether a prophylactic cable allows for sufficient axial stability when the contact length is 2 cm, and second, if differing TTS taper angles (2° vs 3.5°) impact these results. Methods: A biomechanical matched-pair cadaveric study was designed using six matched pairs of human fresh cadaveric femora prepared so that 2 cm of diaphyseal bone engaged with 2° (right femora) or 3.5° (left femora) TTS. Before impaction, three matched pairs received a single 100 lb-tensioned prophylactic beaded cable; the remaining three matched pairs received no cable adjuncts. Specimens underwent stepwise axial loading to 2600 N or until failure, defined as stem subsidence > 5 mm. Results: All specimens without cable adjuncts (6/6 femora) failed during axial testing, while all specimens with a prophylactic cable (6/6) successfully resisted axial load, regardless of taper angle. In total, four of the failed specimens experienced proximal longitudinal fractures, three of which occurred with the higher 3.5° TTS. One fracture occurred in a 3.5° TTS with a prophylactic cable yet passed axial testing, subsiding < 5 mm. Among specimens with a prophylactic cable, the 3.5° TTS resulted in lower mean subsidence (0.5 mm (SD 0.8)) compared with the 2° TTS (2.4 mm (SD 1.8)). Conclusion: A single prophylactic beaded cable dramatically improved initial axial stability when stem-cortex contact length was 2 cm. All implants failed secondary to fracture or subsidence > 5 mm when a prophylactic cable was not used. A higher taper angle appears to decrease the magnitude of subsidence but increased the fracture risk. The fracture risk was mitigated by the use of a prophylactic cable.

The modern Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage for the treatment of acetabular defects: is it still an option? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A number of papers have been published about the clinical performance of modern rough-blasted titanium Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages (BS-APCs) for the treatment of acetabular bone defects. However, no systematic review of the literature has been published to date. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications using keywords pertinent to Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage, revision THA, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 8 articles were found to be suitable for inclusion in the present study in which 374 cases (370 patients) had been treated with modern BS-APCs. Most acetabular bone defects were type 3 according to the Paprosky classification (type 2C: 18.1%, 3A: 51%, and 3B: 28.9%). The overall re-revision rate for the 374 acetabular reconstructions with modern BS-APCs was 11.5% (43 cases). The short-term survival rate of the modern BS-APC construct was 90.6% (339 out of 374 cases), while the mid-term survival rate was 85.6% (320 out of 374 cases), and the long-term survival rate 62% (54 out of 87 cases). The most common reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (5.6%), periprosthetic joint infection (3.8%), dislocation (2.7%), and acetabular periprosthetic fracture (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate quality evidence to show that the use of modern rough blasted titanium BS-APCs in cases of acetabular bone loss has an unacceptably high failure rate (38%). Given that antiprotrusio cages do not provide any biological fixation, we would not recommend the routine use of modern BS-APCs in complex revision THA cases. By contrast, the satisfactory short- to mid-term outcome of modern BS-APCs in combination with their low cost compared to highly porous acetabular implants, make us feel that BS-APCs might still be used in selected elderly or low-demand patients without severe superomedial acetabular bone loss.

Computational modelling of Human Femur after Total Hip Arthroplasty.

This paper presents the workflow for creating a 3D finite element model of a cementless femur-implant when in single leg-stance, using state-of-the-art computer-aided design software and a finite element solver. The model consists of two geometries for the cortical and trabecular bone tissue of the femur bone, and two geometries for the stem and femoral head of a commercial implant. Each part is assumed to behave as linear isotropic material. Although relatively simplistic in its form, the presented 3D finite element model can capture the area of higher Von Misses stress concentration compared to other models in the literature.

Lipoma Arborescens of the Upper Extremity With Anatomic Variation of the Palmaris Longus: A Case Report.

CASE: We present a case of a patient who suffered from wrist swelling and had symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient underwent ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, in which signs of joint effusion and a fatty synovial lesion were presented. The treatment included open excision of the tumor. In addition, the palmaris longus muscle had an anatomic variation with proximal and distal tendon portions. The histopathological examination disclosed lipoma arborescens of the synovial membranes of the joints. CONCLUSION: The recognition of this entity and its characteristics are important not only for correct diagnosis but also for the appropriate treatment.

Topical use of tranexamic acid: Are there concerns for cytotoxicity?

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has revolutionized modern blood management in orthopaedic surgery, especially in total joint arthroplasty, by significantly reducing blood loss and transfusion rates. It is an antifibrinolytic agent and a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine, which can inhibit the activation of plasminogen and the fibrin breakdown process. The administration of TXA can be intravenous (IV), topical, and oral. In patients where the IV administration is contraindicated, topical use is preferred. Topical administration of the drug theoretically increases concentration at the operative site with reduced systemic exposure, reduces cost, and gives the surgeon the control of the administration. According to recent studies, topical administration of TXA is not inferior compared to IV administration, in terms of safety and efficacy. However, there are concerns regarding the possible toxicity in the cartilage tissue with the topical use of TXA mainly in hemiarthroplasty operations of the hip, unilateral knee arthroplasties, total knee arthroplasties where the patella is not resurfaced, and other intraarticular procedures, like anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The purpose of the present review is to present all the recent updates on the use of TXA focusing on the toxicity on chondrocytes and the articular cartilage that may or may not be provoked by the topical use of TXA.

Higher Infection Rate after ACL Reconstruction with Hamstrings Tendon Autografts Compared with Bone Patellar Bone Tendon Autografts: A Review.

Infection after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a rare but devastating complication resulting in a deleterious impact on knee function as well as an increased related cost for treatment and rehabilitation for the patients. There are conflicting reports regarding the rate of infection between bone patellar tendon bone (BPTB) and hamstrings tendon (HT) autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Therefore, we performed this review to summarize all the available data regarding the risk of infection after ACL reconstruction, to provide insight on the infection risk between BPTB and HT autografts, and to discuss current recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of these infections. The incidence and risk of infection after ACL reconstruction with HT graft is higher compared with BPTB grafts. The most commonly subacute and late infections, quadruple type, need for cannulated instruments for harvesting, size and shape and fixation of the extra-tunnel material of the HT are important risk factors for infection. Combined antibiotics administration and adequate arthroscopic lavage and debridement are the optimal treatments for ACL reconstruction infection. Early diagnosis and treatment is the most important predictor for graft retention, which accounts more commonly for BPTB grafts. The treating physicians should be aware of the higher incidence of infection after ACL reconstruction with HT graft, as well as for the need for a high clinical suspicion for early diagnosis of the infection. These will increase the possibility of eradication of the infection and retention of the graft.

Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolic Events in Elective Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication after major orthopaedic operations, such as a total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. Therefore, perioperative VTE prophylaxis is recommended; a multitude of modern options are available, including both pharmacologic (aspirin, unfractionated and lowmolecular- weight heparin, vitamin K antagonists, and novel oral anticoagulants) and/or mechanical interventions (early mobilization, graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and venous foot pumps). However, because of the abundance of these possibilities, it is crucial to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each VTE prophylaxis option to ensure that the optimal treatment plan is developed for each patient. The American College of Chest Physicians (AACP) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have both published individual guidelines on VTE prophylaxis regimens, alongside numerous studies evaluating the efficacy and outcomes of the different prophylaxis modalities. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the evidence on VTE prophylaxis after elective total hip and knee arthroplasty based on current guidelines and highlight the major concerns and potential complications.

Do Antibiotic-Loaded Calcium Sulfate Beads Improve Outcomes After Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention? A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Dissolvable antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate beads are used as an intraoperative adjunct during debridement with antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) to reduce the historically higher failure rates than one- or two-stage exchange. This study evaluated clinical outcomes after DAIRs performed with and without these antibiotic beads. The primary outcome was post-DAIR failure secondary to recurrent PJI at 2 years. The secondary outcome was early failure secondary to recurrent PJI within 90 days. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DAIRs performed for acute or acute hematogenous PJI at a single institution were retrospectively identified between 2013 and 2018. All DAIRs with adjunctive antibiotic beads (cases) were then exactly matched to a cohort of DAIRs without beads (controls) based on Charlson Comorbidity Index. The McNemar's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to evaluate differences in outcomes and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty DAIR cases (with antibiotic beads) were matched with 20 DAIR controls. There was no difference in age, sex, body mass index, joint, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, microbiology profile, antibiotic-resistance profile, or intraoperative lavage adjuncts between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls for either overall infection-related failure at 2 years (P = .21) or early infection-related failure at 90 days (P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive dissolvable antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate beads did not reduce the incidence of recurrent PJIs at 2 years or 90 days postoperatively after DAIR. Given the added cost of these antibiotic dissolvable beads without clinical benefits, we cannot recommend their use as an adjunct treatment during DAIRs.

Postoperative Delirium and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are common complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA), affecting the length of hospital stay and increasing medical complications. Although many papers have been published on both conditions in this setting, no reviews have currently been written. Thus, the purpose of our study is to summarize the current literature and provide information about POD and POCD following elective THA or TKA. Our literature search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed and the Cochrane library. We found that POD is a common complication following elective THA or TKA, with a median incidence of 14.8%. Major risk factors include older age, cognitive impairment, dementia, preoperative (pre-op) comorbidities, substance abuse, and surgery for fracture. Diagnosis can be achieved using tools such as the confusion assessment method (CAM), which is sensitive, specific, reliable, and easy to use, for the identification of POD. Treatment consists of risk stratification and the implementation of a multiple component prevention protocol. POCD has a median incidence of 19.3% at 1 week, and 10% at 3 months. Risk factors include older age, high BMI, and cognitive impairment. Treatment consists of reversing risk factors and implementing protocols in order to preserve physiological stability. POD and POCD are common and preventable complications following TKA and THA. Risk stratification and specific interventions can lower the incidence of both syndromes. Every physician involved in the care of such patients should be informed on every aspect of these conditions in order to provide the best care for their patients.

The Use of Technology to Achieve the Functional Acetabular Safe Zone in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

¼: Functional acetabular safe zones based on patient-specific factors during total hip arthroplasty are theorized to result in more optimal component stability than the use of traditional safe zones based on static targets. ¼: Preoperative planning that takes into account functional pelvic positions and spinopelvic mobility is increasingly recommended. ¼: Computer navigation and robotics can be utilized to help accurately achieve the targeted cup position within the functional safe zone. ¼: Each technology platform (imageless and image-based computer navigation and robotics) utilizes a specific referencing method for the pelvis, which influences anteversion and inclination values. ¼: The purpose of this article is to summarize how these different systems reconcile differences in pelvic referencing to ensure that the surgeon achieves the targeted functional cup position.

Polyethylene liner cementation into a well-fixed metal acetabular shell for the management of periacetabular osteolysis: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Although various papers have reported on the clinical performance of cup retention with cementation of a new liner and bone grafting in the management of well-fixed cups with polyethylene wear and periacetabular osteolysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA), no systematic review of this topic has been published to date. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published from January 1999 to January 2019 using "osteolysis" AND "well-fixed", "osteolysis" AND "retro-acetabular", "bone graft" AND ("retention" OR "retained" OR "stable") AND "cup", and "cemented liner" AND "well-fixed". RESULTS: Nine articles were selected for review (186 cases, 76.1 months mean follow-up). The overall revision rate was 11.3% (21 hips) most commonly due to aseptic loosening (9/186 hips), dislocation (8/186 hips), and liner wear progression (2/186 cases). The reported square size of osteolytic lesions ranged from a mean of 465.84 mm2 to a max of 4,770 mm2. Almost all reported lesions treated with bone grafts resolved or did not progress 97% (72/74). All studies indicated improved pain and functional scores at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Cementation of a new liner with periacetabular bone grafting provides an alternative option to isolated liner exchange and cup revision for the management of periacetabular osteolysis in well-fixed cups with a disrupted locking mechanism or unavailable exchange liner. Further higher quality studies are required in order to examine if the use of highly cross-linked polyethylene, highly porous-coated cups, hydroxyapatite-coated cups, and small-diameter cups influence the clinical outcome of liner cementation in well-fixed cups with periacetabular osteolysis.

Monobloc Dual Mobility With a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up: A Safe and Effective Solution in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Instability constitutes over 20% of revisions after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Dual mobility (DM) designs were introduced as a solution to this problem. However, the few publications that have reported promising results for monobloc DM constructs have been limited by sample size or length of follow-up. The purpose of this study is to evaluate mid-term outcomes (minimum 5-year follow-up) of a single-surgeon series utilizing a monobloc DM acetabular component in patients with high risk for dislocation. METHODS: This is a single-surgeon consecutive series of 207 primary THAs implanted with a monobloc DM component in patients who were considered at high risk for dislocation. Patient demographics and case-specific data were collected retrospectively. All patients had a minimum of 5-year follow-up. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess continuous variables, whereas categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. Survival probability was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Radiographic analysis did not reveal acetabular radiolucency in any patients, and there were no revisions for aseptic loosening. In addition, there were no dislocations. Seven of 205 patients (3.4%) were revised, 5 on the femoral side due to periprosthetic fracture and the remaining two for infection. Survivorship of the acetabular component from revision was 99%. The mean Veteran RAND (VR-12) physical score improved from 7 (standard deviation [SD]: 13.7) preoperatively to 9.5 (SD: 17.6) at the final follow-up. Similarly, the hip disability osteoarthritis score improved from 8 (SD: 17.9) preoperatively to 21.2 (SD: 37). CONCLUSION: Monobloc DM components reliably prevent dislocation after primary THA in high-risk patients. At mid-term follow-up, this DM monobloc component demonstrates excellent implant survivorship, radiographic fixation, and improved functional outcomes.

Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy Closure Performed Before or After Canal Preparation and Stem Impaction Does Not Affect Axial Stability.

BACKGROUND: An extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) safely addresses femoral component removal during challenging revision total hip arthroplasty. However, no prior study has evaluated whether a difference in axial stability exists between ETO closure performed before (reconstitution) or after (scaffolding) canal preparation and stem impaction. We hypothesized that given the absence of clinical reports of outcome differences despite the wide use of both practices, no significant difference in the initial axial stability would exist between the 2 fixation techniques. METHODS: ETOs were performed and repaired using the reconstitution technique for the 6 right-sided femora and the scaffolding technique for the six left-sided femora. The 195-mm long, 3.5°-tapered splined titanium monobloc stems were impacted into 6 matched pairs of human fresh cadaveric femora. Three beaded cables were placed in a standardized fashion on each specimen, 1 for prophylaxis against osteotomy propagation during reaming/impaction and 2 to close the ETO. Stepwise axial loading was performed to 2600 N or until failure, which was defined as subsidence >5 mm or femoral/cable fracture. RESULTS: All specimens successfully resisted axial testing, with no stem in either ETO repair group subsiding >2 mm. The mean subsidence for the reconstitution group was 0.9 ± 0.4 mm, compared to 1.2 ± 0.5 mm for the scaffolding group (P = .2). CONCLUSION: In this cadaveric model with satisfactory proximal bone stock, no difference existed between the reconstitution and scaffolding ETO repair techniques, and both provide sufficient immediate axial stability in a simulated revision total hip arthroplasty setting under physiologic loads.

Use of elevated liners in primary total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Instability remains one of the most frequent complications requiring revision surgery after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Elevated liners are often utilized to reduce the risk of dislocation; however, the literature is inconclusive, with no systematic reviews summarizing the data. Thus, this systematic review aimed to establish a consensus for the efficacy of elevated liners in primary THA by determining rates of overall revision and revision specifically for recurrent dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible randomized-controlled trials and observational studies reporting on the use of elevated liners in primary total hip arthroplasty were identified through May 2020. A random effects model meta-analysis was conducted, and the I2 statistic was used to assess for heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eight studies met inclusion criteria, and overall, 26,507 patients undergoing primary THA with use of an elevated liner were included. In aggregate, the most common cause of revision was recurrent hip dislocation (1.3%, N = 82/6,267) followed by joint infection (1.2%, N = 45/3,772) and acetabular loosening (0.3%, N = 10/3,772). Notably, elevated liners were associated with a lower risk of revision for recurrent dislocation compared to neutral liners (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55-1.00; p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: This review found that after primary THA with the use of elevated liners, hip dislocation and prosthetic joint infection continued to be the most frequent reasons for revision surgery. However, elevated liners had a lower risk of revision for recurrent dislocation compared to neutral liners.

Highly cross-linked polyethylene in primary total knee arthroplasty is associated with a lower rate of revision for aseptic loosening: a meta-analysis of 962,467 cases.

BACKGROUND: The evolution in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) includes the highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) which has been reported as an effective manner to reduce the wear of the polyethylene and the osteolysis. The purpose of the present study is to synthesize the results of comparative studies between HXLPE and conventional polyethylenes and determine their effect in primary TKA. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications utilizing the following keywords: "cross-linked", "polyethylene", "HXLPE", "conventional", "total knee arthroplasty", "TKA", "total knee replacement" and "TKR" combined with Boolean operators AND and OR. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis with 962,467 patients. No significant difference was found regarding the revision rate for any reason between the patients who received HXLPE and those with conventional liner (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.39-1.18; I2: 97.7%). In addition, there was no difference regarding the radiolucent lines between the two types of liners (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.20-1.49; I2: 69.4%). However, with data coming from seven studies enrolling a total of 411,543 patients, it was demonstrated that patients who received HXLPE were less likely to be revised due to aseptic loosening compared to the patients with conventional liners (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.31-0.39; I2: 0.0%). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis showed that regarding the overall revision rate and radiographic outcomes there was no significant difference between the two types of liners. On the other hand, the significantly less revision rate due to loosening supports the routine continued use of HXLPE in primary TKA.

Outcomes and Patient Safety in Overlapping vs. Nonoverlapping Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Overlapping surgery is defined as two cases occurring in separate operating rooms (ORs), where the same attending surgeon conducts the critical surgical portions of each case at different times. Although it has been suggested that this established practice may improve the utilization of resources, allow for more opportunities to teach surgical trainees, and facilitate timely access to care, there is still no consensus on its use in elective orthopaedic surgery, such as total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was done according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify articles investigating the use of overlapping and single operating room TJA. Relevant data, including surgical time, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, mortality rate, revision rate, and readmission rate, were extracted and recorded. RESULTS: Six articles were included (35,938 patients: 17,677 overlapping and 18,261 nonoverlapping). Overall revision rates were 1.2% and 1.1% for the overlapping and nonoverlapping cohorts, respectively (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93 to 1.53). The overall intraoperative complication rate was 1.6% for both cohorts (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.23), and the overall postoperative orthopaedic complication rates were 2.0% and 1.95% within the overlapping and nonoverlapping OR cohorts, respectively (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.29). The readmission rate was 4.6% in the overlapping group and 4.2% in the nonoverlapping group (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.11). Two studies with comparable groups reported markedly increased surgical time in the overlapping group compared with the nonoverlapping group. DISCUSSION: Overlapping surgery was found to be as safe as nonoverlapping surgery in patients undergoing TJA. Although overlapping TJA surgery is associated with satisfactory short-term revision rates, prolonged follow-up is required to further assess the medium-term and long-term outcomes of overlapping surgery compared with nonoverlapping surgery. Finally, although overlapping TJA surgery might be associated with increased OR time, this difference is not clinically relevant.