Postoperative thromboprophylaxis does not reduce the incidence of thromboembolic events after ACL reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery is one of the most common ligament-related surgeries performed in France. The French Society of Anesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR) recommends the systematic use of low-molecular weight heparin postoperatively to prevent venous thromboembolisms (VTE). However, these recommendations differ from one country to another; several national societies do not recommend them. To specify the benefits of such a treatment, we did a retrospective case-control study to evaluate the incidence of symptomatic VTE after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis We hypothesized that the rate of symptomatic VTE would be the same, whether a course of postoperative anticoagulants is prescribed or not. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter, multi-surgeon study. Of the four participating surgeons, two never prescribed thromboprophylaxis after surgery while the other two always prescribed a 10-day course of low-molecular weight heparin. All patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using an autologous graft between the 1st of January 2019 and the 15th of February 2020 were included. The 535 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups: (Group 1) 279 patients in the group without anticoagulants; 96% received a four-strand semi-tendinosus graft (ST4) and 4% received a quadriceps tendon (QT) graft; the mean age of these patients was 30 years (14-58); 41% of them were women and 22% of them were smokers; the mean body mass index was 24.4 (18-37); the mean tourniquet time was 37minutes. (Group 2) 256 patients in the group with anticoagulants; 81% received a semi-tendinosus/gracilis graft, 15% received a ST4 and 4% a QT; the mean age of these patients was 29 years (14-60); 38% of them were women and 21% of them were smokers; the mean body mass index was 25.0 (18-38); the mean tourniquet time was 34minutes. The two groups were comparable in all respects except for the type of graft used. All patients were contacted at a minimum interval of 3 months after their surgery, by telephone. Doppler ultrasonography was done solely when a VTE was suspected. RESULTS: In the group without anticoagulants, 249 of 279 patients were contacted, while in the group with anticoagulants, 221 of 256 were contacted. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, gender ratio, tourniquet time, body mass index and proportion of smokers. Two cases of deep vein thrombosis (all in the calf region) were found in each group with no associated pulmonary embolism. There was no difference between groups in the VTE rate. DISCUSSION: Our hypothesis was confirmed since the incidence of symptomatic VTE was the same whether postoperative anticoagulants were prescribed or not. The incidence of symptomatic VTE after ACL reconstruction was identical whether thromboprophylaxis was used or not. This casts doubt on the need for postoperative thromboprophylaxis, especially in younger patients who do not have risk factors, and brings into question whether the recommendations in France should be changed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (retrospective case-control study).

Outpatient total knee arthroplasty: Readmission and complication rates on day 30 in 61 patients.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on an outpatient basis is controversial due to concerns about patient safety. In France, only 1.1% of TKAs performed in 2017 were outpatient procedures. Nevertheless, recent advances in the multi-modal and multidisciplinary management of TKA patients combined with optimisation of the various components of perioperative care are increasing the use of outpatient TKA. However, studies on outcomes remain scarce. The primary objective of this work was to compare readmission rates within 30 days after TKA between patients managed as outpatients and as inpatients. The secondary objectives were to compare complication rates and patient satisfaction between the two groups. HYPOTHESIS: After outpatient TKA, the day-30 rates of readmission and complications are similar to those seen after inpatient TKA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective single-centre study of consecutive patients who underwent TKA between April 2014 and July 2017 was performed. Readmissions, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: Of 574 patients, 61 were selected to undergo outpatient TKA and 513 had inpatient TKA. The day-30 readmission rate was 2/61 (3.3%) in the outpatient group and 25/513 (4.9%) in the inpatient group. The overall complication rate was 8% in the outpatients and 7.2% in the inpatients. The satisfaction rate was high in the outpatient group, with 80% very satisfied and 20% satisfied patients. CONCLUSION: When performed in appropriately selected patients, outpatient TKA is not associated with a higher readmission rate compared to inpatient TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective comparative study.

A comparison of four tibial-fixation systems in hamstring-graft anterior ligament reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate at time-zero four tibial fixations on four major criteria: the elongation and cyclic stiffness of the hamstring graft construct under cyclic loading, the yield load and pullout stiffness under load at failure. Four fixation systems were tested: the Delta screw, the WasherLoc, the TightRope Reverse and the tape locking screw on 32 tibiae of adult pigs using 32 pairs of human semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. Two tests were performed: cyclic tests using loads at 70-220 N, to measure the elongation at the end of the cycles, followed by load-to-failure testing to measure the yield load and the cyclic stiffness. The mean elongation was 1.23 mm for the TLS, 3.81 mm for the Delta, 3.59 mm for the WasherLoc and 3.91 mm for the TightRope. The mean yield loads and SD were 1,015 ± 129 N for the TLS, 844 ± 394 N for the Delta, 511 ± 95 N for the WasherLoc and 567 ± 112 N for the TightRope. The results showed the significant superiority of TLS and Delta over WasherLoc and tibial TightRope in regard to yield load. The results showed the significant superiority of TLS over the other fixations in regard to slippage. The TLS system and the Delta screw provide a better quality of primary fixation to the tibia, but further in vitro studies are needed.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children with a quadrupled semitendinosus graft: preliminary results with minimum 2 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in growing patients must balance activity modification with the risk of secondary (meniscal and cartilaginous) lesions, and surgical intervention, which could adversely affect skeletal growth. Many ACL reconstruction techniques have been developed or modified to decrease the risk of growth disturbance. We have not found any description of ACL reconstruction using a single hamstring, short graft implanted into intraepiphyseal, retroreamed sockets. Our hypothesis was that the technique that we used restored the knee stability and did not cause any growth disturbances. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 28 patients (20 boys, 8 girls) who presented with a unilateral ACL tear and open growth plates. We performed short graft ligament reconstruction with the semitendinosus folded into 4 strands around 2 polyethylene terephthalate tapes. The graft was implanted into sockets that were retroreamed in the femoral and tibial epiphysis and the tapes were fixed remotely by interference screws. After a minimum period of 2 years, we evaluated the comparative knee laxity, the radiographic limb morphology, the appearance of secondary lesions, and the functional outcomes using the Lysholm and Tegner scores. Comparative analyses were performed using the Student t test with subgroups depending on the type of fixation used. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 13 years (range, 9 to 15 y). The mean follow-up was 2.8 years (range, 2 to 5 y). The mean difference in laxity at 134 N was 0.3 mm, as determined using a GNRB arthrometer. No patients reported meniscal symptoms or degenerative changes. We found no angular deformity or leg length inequality. Two patients suffered a recurrent ACL tear. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results from this series are consistent with prior studies demonstrating that intraepiphyseal ACL reconstruction is a safe reliable alternative for the pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; level of evidence 4.

Meniscal tears in children and adolescents: results of operative treatment.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of meniscal repair in children and adolescents by a retrospective case series. Twelve arthroscopic-assisted meniscal repairs were performed on 12 patients younger than 17 years of age (8-16 years, mean 13 years). The anterior cruciate ligament was torn in three cases. Eight lesions involved the lateral meniscus and four involved the medial meniscus; there were no discoid menisci. All patients were seen at an average of 3 years 1 month follow-up (range, 2-4 years 10 months). Three patients required subsequent surgery for partial meniscectomy. We evaluated the remaining nine patients by clinical examination, International Knee Documentation Committee clinical score, Lyshölm score, Tegner's activity, and by computed tomography arthrogram or magnetic resonance imaging. Seven patients were asymptomatic at follow-up, two reported occasional pain, and none had experienced symptoms of locking. Their average Lyshölm score and Tegner's activity were 96.3 and 6.6, respectively. Eight patients were International Knee Documentation Committee A and one was International Knee Documentation Committee B. Healing status was assessed at follow-up in eight patients by computed tomography arthrogram or magnetic resonance imaging: the tear was considered as completely healed in three patients. The apparent failure rate was 66%. Indications for meniscal repair in children are not actually established. The pejorative outcome of meniscectomy at a young age has led us to consider symptomatic meniscal tears for repair. Objective results of meniscal healing are poor. The method to assess healing of the repaired menisci objectively is still a matter of debate.

Osteoid osteoma of the elbow in children: a report of three cases and a review of the literature.

Although osteoid osteoma is a relatively common lesion, it is rarely found at the elbow. We report three cases of osteoid osteoma of the olecranon fossa in patients under the age of 15 years. Diagnosis was delayed because of nonspecific clinical and radiological features. The three patients suffered from synovitis due to flexion contracture while at the same time prosupination remained normal. Only one patient complained of specific nocturnal pain. All cases had a latency between the onset of symptoms and the appearance of radiological signs. Open surgical excision of the nidus resulted in relief of pain in all cases and motion recovery in two cases. Diagnostic difficulties and treatment options are discussed.