Hemodynamic change and affecting factors after shoulder arthroplasty in the Asian population.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study was designed to compare the hemodynamics among the types of shoulder arthroplasty and to evaluate predictors of transfusion in the Asian population. METHODS: A total of 212 shoulder arthroplasties (26 fracture hemiarthroplasty (fHA), 49 anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA), 132 reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), and 5 revision surgery) from August 2004 to January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, surgical factors, and perioperative hemodynamic factors among the types of arthroplasty were compared. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine predictors of transfusion. RESULTS: Preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower in the fracture hemiarthroplasty group (p < 0.001, 0.001). The overall transfusion rate of shoulder arthroplasties in Asian population was 11.3%, and transfusion rate was significantly different among the types of arthroplasty (fHA 30.8%, aTSA 10.2%, rTSA 7.6%, revision 20.0%; p = 0.010). The predictors of transfusion were preoperative hemoglobin levels <12.15 g/dL (OR = 7.404, 95% C.I. 2.420-22.653, p < 0.001) and <10.0 g/dL at postoperative day 1 (OR = 5.499, 95% C.I. 1.929-15.671, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The best predictors of transfusion were hemoglobin levels of perioperative periods, furthermore, total amount of drainage could not represent the quantity of perioperative hemorrhage. Therefore, careful monitoring of hemoglobin level is more crucial than monitoring the amount of drainage. Hemodynamics according to the type of arthroplasty should be considered in shoulder arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Structural Evolution of Nonoperatively Treated High-Grade Partial-Thickness Tears of the Supraspinatus Tendon.

BACKGROUND: High-grade partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (hPTRCTs) are frequently encountered in the shoulder. However, little information is available on the prevalence or timing of tear progression. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to prospectively evaluate the structural progression of hPTRCTs with a minimum follow-up of 1 year using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis was that a substantial portion of hPTRCT patients would experience tear progression or evolution to a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Between May 2010 and December 2015, 362 patients were diagnosed with hPTRCT (tear involvement >50% of the mediolateral length of the footprint) of the supraspinatus and were treated nonoperatively. Among these patients, 81 underwent follow-up MRI at least 1 year after initial presentation, and these patients were included in the final analysis. Initial and follow-up MRIs were used to determine whether tears had improved, had not changed, or had progressed. A change in tear involvement of >20% was defined as a significant change. Patients were categorized as follows: (1) a decrease in tear involvement of >20% (improved), (2) an increase or decrease of ≤20% (no change), or (3) an increase in tear involvement of >20% (progressed). Demographic data and morphologic data were analyzed to identify variables related to tear progression. Among them, severity of tendinosis was graded using MRIs: grade 1 (mild tendinosis), mild focal increase in tendon signal; grade 2 (moderate tendinosis), moderate focal increase in tendon signal; and grade 3 (marked tendinosis), marked generalized increase in tendon signal. RESULTS: At initial diagnosis, 23 were articular-side (28%) and 58 were bursal-side (72%) hPTRCTs. The study cohort was composed of 51 women and 30 men, and the mean patient age was 62.3 years (range, 41-77 years). Follow-up MRI was performed at a mean 19.9 ± 10.9 months (range, 12-52 months). A significant change in tear involvement was observed at follow-up. In 13 patients (16%, 2 articular-side and 11 bursal-side tears), tears were classified as progressed (the progressed group); in 48 patients (59%), tears exhibited no change (the unchanged group); and in 20 patients (25%, 9 articular-side and 11 bursal-side tears), tears were improved (the improved group). Univariate analysis showed initial tendinosis grade was significantly different in the 3 groups (grade 1, 2, and 3: 5, 4, and 4 in progressed; 36, 11, and 1 in unchanged; 10, 8, and 2 in improved group, respectively, P = .007). CONCLUSION: Although progression of hPTRCT in the long term is uncertain, after 1-year follow-up with MRI, tears progressed in 16% of the tears in this study. Furthermore, some tears were healed or reduced in size, which indicates that decisions to undertake surgical repair at time of presentation may be excessive.

Treatment of keloid formation following syndactyly division: surgical technique.

A strong association has been reported between keloid formation after syndactyly reconstruction and primary digital enlargement, and methotrexate (MTX) treatment has been shown to produce promising results in a few reported cases. However, detailed surgical technique for revision of keloid formation after syndactyly division has not been well described, and there is still no standard treatment protocol regarding use of MTX in such cases. In this paper, we describe the technical details of keloid excision and full thickness skin grafting followed by MTX medication for the treatment of massive keloid formation after syndactyly division. We also describe a case of unsuccessful use of MTX, and our experience of its prophylactic use for a patient with syndactyly with primary digital enlargement.

Long-term outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome: at least 5-years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There have been few outcomes studies with follow-up after performing ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar impaction syndrome. We investigated the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for the treatment of idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients who had undergone ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome for a mean follow-up of 79.1 months (range, 62 to 132 months). The modified Gartland and Werley scores were measured pre- and postoperatively. The radiographic parameters for the assessment of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) as well as the relationship between these radiographic parameters and the clinical and radiological outcomes were determined. RESULTS: The average modified Gartland and Werley wrist score improved from 65.5 ± 8.1 preoperatively to 93.4 ± 5.8 at the last follow-up visit. The average preoperative ulnar variance of 4.7 ± 2.0 mm was reduced to an average of -0.6 ± 1.4 mm postoperatively. Osteoarthritic changes of the DRUJ were first seen at 34.8 ± 11.1 months follow-up in 6 of 36 wrists (16.7%). Those who had osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ had significantly wider preoperative ulnar variance, a longer distal radioulnar distance and a greater length of ulnar shortening, but the wrist scores of the patients who had osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ were comparable to those who did not have osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcomes are satisfactory for even more than 5 years after ulnar shortening osteotomy for treating idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome despite the osteoarthritic changes of the DRUJ. The patients who need a larger degree of ulnar shortening may develop DRUJ arthritis.