Midterm results of chronic anterior instability of the sternoclavicular joint managed using a standardized treatment algorithm.

AIMS: There remains a lack of consensus regarding the management of chronic anterior sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) instability. This study aimed to assess whether a standardized treatment algorithm (incorporating physiotherapy and surgery and based on the presence of trauma) could successfully guide management and reduce the number needing surgery. METHODS: Patients with chronic anterior SCJ instability managed between April 2007 and April 2019 with a standardized treatment algorithm were divided into non-traumatic (offered physiotherapy) and traumatic (offered surgery) groups and evaluated at discharge. Subsequently, midterm outcomes were assessed via a postal questionnaire with a subjective SCJ stability score, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS, adapted for the SCJ), and pain visual analogue scale (VAS), with analysis on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (50 SCJs, three bilateral) responded for 75% return rate. Of these, 31 SCJs were treated with physiotherapy and 19 with surgery. Overall, 96% (48/50) achieved a stable SCJ, with 60% (30/50) achieving unrestricted function. In terms of outcomes, 82% (41/50) recorded good-to-excellent OSIS scores (84% (26/31) physiotherapy, 79% (15/19) surgery), and 76% (38/50) reported low pain VAS scores at final follow-up. Complications of the total surgical cohort included a 19% (5/27) revision rate, 11% (3/27) frozen shoulder, and 4% (1/27) scar sensitivity. CONCLUSION: This is the largest midterm series reporting chronic anterior SCJ instability outcomes when managed according to a standardized treatment algorithm that emphasizes the importance of appropriate patient selection for either physiotherapy or surgery, based on a history of trauma. All but two patients achieved a stable SCJ, with stability maintained at a median of 70 months (11 to 116) for the physiotherapy group and 87 months (6 to 144) for the surgery group.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):815-825.

Reducing Blood Transfusions in Primary Total Hip Replacement Patients: Effectiveness of Near-patient Testing and a Dedicated Preoperative Anemia Clinic.

Objective Preoperative anemia in orthopedic patients is associated with higher allogeneic blood transfusion rates and poorer outcomes. Up to 25% of the patients listed for major orthopedic surgery have some degree of anemia. Good perioperative patient blood management is essential to reduce the sequelae of anemia and the need for transfusions. We assessed the efficacy of rapid near-patient testing in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic for screening and treating primary total hip replacement (THR) patients for anemia. Methods A comparison of overall allogeneic blood transfusion rates was made for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement before and after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic over 1 year. A comparison was also performed between anemic patients who were referred to the clinic with those who were not referred. Preoperative hemoglobin levels, allogeneic blood transfusion rates and clinic treatment for 1,095 patients were reviewed. Results There was a significant decrease in transfusion rates in patients undergoing primary THR from 10.0 to 6.2% ( p < 0.05; χ2 test) after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic pathway. The allogeneic blood transfusion rate for anemic patients who were treated in the clinic was 6.7% compared with 26.9% for patients who were anemic preoperatively but were not treated in the clinic ( p < 0.05; Fisher exact test). On average, treatment in the pathway increased the hemoglobin of the patients by 20 g/L, from 104 g/L to 124 g/L ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Near-patient testing, in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic, reduces perioperative allogenic blood transfusion requirements for patients undergoing primary THR by providing rapid identification and effective treatment of preoperative anemia.

Reducing Blood Transfusions in Primary Total Hip Replacement Patients: Effectiveness of Near-patient Testing and a Dedicated Preoperative Anemia Clinic / Reduzindo as transfusões de sangue em pacientes com artroplastia total primária do quadril: A eficácia dos testes rápidos de Hb e uma clínica especializada em anemia pré-operatória

Abstract Objective Preoperative anemia in orthopedic patients is associated with higher allogeneic blood transfusion rates and poorer outcomes. Up to 25% of the patients listed for major orthopedic surgery have some degree of anemia. Good perioperative patient blood management is essential to reduce the sequelae of anemia and the need for transfusions. We assessed the efficacy of rapid near-patient testing in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic for screening and treating primary total hip replacement (THR) patients for anemia. Methods A comparison of overall allogeneic blood transfusion rates was made for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement before and after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic over 1 year. A comparison was also performed between anemic patients who were referred to the clinic with those who were not referred. Preoperative hemoglobin levels, allogeneic blood transfusion rates and clinic treatment for 1,095 patients were reviewed. Results There was a significant decrease in transfusion rates in patients undergoing primary THR from 10.0 to 6.2% (p< 0.05; χ2 test) after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic pathway. The allogeneic blood transfusion rate for anemic patients who were treated in the clinic was 6.7% compared with 26.9% for patients who were anemic preoperatively but were not treated in the clinic (p< 0.05; Fisher exact test). On average, treatment in the pathway increased the hemoglobin of the patients by 20 g/L, from 104 g/L to 124 g/L (p< 0.001). Conclusions Near-patient testing, in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic, reduces perioperative allogenic blood transfusion requirements for patients undergoing primary THR by providing rapid identification and effective treatment of preoperative anemia.

Resumo Objetivo A anemia pré-operatória em pacientes ortopédicos, está associada a maiores taxas de transfusão de sangue alogênico, resultando em desfechos mais desfavoráveis. Até 25% dos pacientes encaminhados para cirurgia ortopédica de grande porte, apresentam algum grau de anemia. O controle adequado do sangue do paciente no perioperatório é essencial, a fim de reduzir as sequelas da anemia e a necessidade de transfusões. Avaliamos a eficácia do teste rápido, em conjunto com uma clínica especializada no tratamento da anemia pré-operatória, com o objetivo de detectar e tratar a anemia dos pacientes a serem submetidos a artroplastia total primária do quadril. Métodos A comparação das taxas totais de transfusão de sangue alogênico, foi realizada em pacientes submetidos a artroplastia total primária do quadril, antes e depois da implementação dos testes rápidos e da clínica especializada no tratamento da anemia pré-operatória ao longo de um ano. Também foi feita uma comparação entre os pacientes com anemia, que foram encaminhados para a clínica, com aqueles que não foram encaminhados. Foram revisados os níveis de hemoglobina pré-operatória, as taxas de transfusão de sangue alogênico e o tratamento clínico em 1.095 pacientes. Resultados Houve uma redução significativa nas taxas de transfusão, em pacientes submetidos à ATQ primária, caindo de 10,0% para 6,2% (p <0,05, teste χ2), após a implementação do teste rápido e da clínica especializada em anemia pré-operatória. A taxa de transfusão de sangue alogênico para pacientes anêmicos tratados na clínica foi de 6,7%, em comparação com 26,9% para pacientes anêmicos no pré-operatório, que não foram tratados na clínica (p <0,05, teste exato de Fisher). Em média, o tratamento na clínica aumentou a taxa de hemoglobina dos pacientes em 20 g/L, passando de 104 g/L para 124 g/L p <0,001. Conclusões O teste rápido, juntamente com a clínica especializada no tratamento da anemia pré-operatória, reduziu a necessidade de transfusão de sangue alogênico perioperatório, em pacientes submetidos a artroplastia total primária do quadril, proporcionando uma identificação rápida e um tratamento eficaz da anemia pré-operatória.

Immediate haemoglobin testing in association with a dedicated anaemia clinic: Effectiveness for primary total knee replacement patients.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anaemia is associated with higher transfusion rates, increased hospital stays and poorer outcomes. Addressing preoperative anaemia is a crucial pillar of Patient Blood Management. Conventionally, patients are listed for surgery and then screened for anaemia in the pre-assessment clinic, followed by referral to their general practitioner. This process involves substantial delays, and poorly treated anaemia often results in perioperative transfusions. We assessed our pathway of immediate haemoglobin testing at the time of listing in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anaemia clinic for detecting and treating anaemia in primary total knee replacement patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared transfusion rates between anaemic patients undergoing a primary total knee replacement who were treated in this pathway with those who were not. We reviewed the preoperative haemoglobin levels, transfusion rates and treatment for all primary total knee arthroplasty patients over three years amounting to 2296. RESULTS: Transfusion rates were significantly lower in the group treated in this pathway compared to those who were not. The treated group also had significantly higher preoperative haemoglobin levels.Discussion and conclusion: Immediate haemoglobin testing in association with a dedicated preoperative anaemia clinic is effective at detecting and treating anaemia in primary total knee replacement patients and reduces transfusion requirements.