Clinical Outcomes Following Surgical Management of Post-Traumatic Elbow Contractures in the Pediatric Age Group: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a common occurrence resulting in potentially substantial functional limitations in both daily activities and recreational endeavors. In children, this can be particularly difficult given the early stages of childhood and development and the challenges of rehabilitation. Several studies have reported favorable results of elbow contracture releases in children, resulting in improvements in outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of elbow contracture releases in the pediatric population (<18 years), along with subgroup analyses comparing age groups, operative approach, and post-traumatic versus nontraumatic etiologies. METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed with a multidatabase search (PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and Medline) according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines on September 25, 2020. Data from all published literature meeting inclusion criteria were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Seven studies were included, comprising 114 post-traumatic elbow contractures. Mean age was 13.7 years. Contracture releases of the elbow led to improvements in flexion-extension arc of motion by 48º, and pronosupination arc of motion by 22º. Subgroup analysis comparing age groups of <10, 10-14 and 15-18 years showed greater improvements in flexion-extension arc in the older age group, whereas subgroup analysis comparing injury patterns revealed a larger improvement in pronosupination motion for radial head fractures. Comparing open and arthroscopic procedures, open releases had greater improvement in both flexion-extension and pronosupination motion by 18º and 21º, respectively, although there were limited patients in the arthroscopy group. CONCLUSION: Operative management of pediatric elbow contractures is effective. Older children, children with radial head fractures, and those receiving open contracture releases may be more likely to have greater improvements. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Functional outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in Boileau class 1 and class 2 proximal humeral fracture sequelae: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is an increasingly popular salvage treatment option for proximal humeral fracture (PHF) sequelae. This meta-analysis aimed to conduct a pooled analysis of functional outcomes of RTSA in PHF sequelae, with subgroup analysis comparing between intracapsular (Class 1) and extracapsular (Class 2) PHF sequelae. Methods: A multi-database search (PubMed, OVID, EMBASE) was performed according to PRISMA guidelines on 27th July 2020. Data from all published literature meeting inclusion criteria were extracted and analysed. Findings: Eleven studies were included, comprising 359 shoulders (167 Class 1 and 192 Class 2). The mean age was 68.2 years, and the mean time between injury and surgery was 49 months, (1-516 months). Constant score and forward flexion improved by 31.8 (95%CI: 30.5-33.1, p < 0.001) and 60o (95%CI: 58o-62o, p < 0.001) respectively between pre-operative and post-operative values for both groups. Constant scores were better in Class 1 patients (MD = 3.60, 95%CI: 1.0-6.2, p < 0.001) pre-operatively and post-operatively (MD = 7.4, 95%CI: 5.8-9.0, p < 0.001). Forward flexion was significantly better in Class 1 patients (MD = 13o, 95%CI: 7o-17o, p < 0.001) pre-operatively, but was slightly better in Class 2 patients post-operatively (MD = 7o, 95%CI: 4o-10o, p < 0.001). Overall complication rate was 16.8%. Conclusion: Salvage RTSA is effective for PHF sequelae, with multiple factors contributing to the high complication rate.

Integrated dual lag screws versus single lag screw cephalomedullary nail constructs: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of integrated dual lag screw (IDL) cephalomedullary nails (CMN) when compared with single lag screw (SL) constructs, in the internal fixation of intertrochanteric femoral fractures. METHODS: The Smith & Nephew InterTan IDL was compared with SL CMN group consisting of the Stryker Gamma-3 (G3) and Synthes Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) CMN. A multi-database search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Data from studies assessing the clinical and radiological outcomes, complications and perioperative parameters of InterTan versus G3 or PFNA CMN in patients with intertrochanteric femoral fractures were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis, consisting of 2643 patients. InterTan was associated with lower complication rates in terms of all-cause revisions (OR 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22-0.51; p < 0.001), cut-outs (OR 0.30; 95% CI, 0.17-0.51; p < 0.001), medial or lateral screw migration (OR 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.65; p = 0.008) as well as persistent hip and thigh pain (OR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.90; p = 0.008). In terms of perioperative parameters, InterTan is associated with longer operative times (MD 5.57 minutes; 95% CI, 0.37-10.78 minutes, p = 0.04) and fluoroscopy times (MD 38.89 seconds, 95% CI, 15.88-61.91 seconds; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of clinical Harris Hip Score and radiological outcomes, non-union, haematoma, femoral fractures, varus collapse, length of stay and mean intraoperative blood loss between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated dual lag screw cephalomedullary nails are associated with fewer revisions and complications. However, there is insufficient data to suggest that either nail construct is associated with better functional outcomes.

Improved functional outcome and tuberosity healing in patients treated with fracture stems than nonfracture stems during shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fracture: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fractures are difficult injuries to treat and obtain satisfactory outcomes. For those treated with arthroplasty, humeral fracture stems have been popular due to better ability for reduction and fixation of tuberosities. This study aims to investigate the outcomes of fracture stems in shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fracture and the comparison of outcomes between fracture vs. nonfracture stems. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted with a multidatabase search (PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, Medline) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines on May 19, 2020. Data from all published literature meeting inclusion criteria were extracted and analyzed. FINDINGS: Eleven studies were included for analysis, including 383 hemiarthroplasties (HA) (294 fracture stems, 89 nonfracture stems) and 358 reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (RTSA) (309 fracture stems, 49 nonfracture stems). At the final follow-up, meta-analysis shows favorable overall ASES score in all fracture stem prosthesis (mean = 74.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.3-78.7), Constant-Murley score (mean = 67.2, 95% CI: 61.6-72.8), external rotation (mean difference [MD] = 7°, 95% CI: 3°-10°, P < .001), and forward flexion (MD = 17°, 95% CI: 10°-25°, P < .001). Pooled proportion (PP) of greater tuberosity healing (PP = 0.786, 95% CI: 0.686-0.886) was high, whereas all-cause revisions (PP = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.018-0.061) remained low. With the exception of RTSA scapular notching (PP = 0.109, 95% CI: 0.020-0.343), other complication metrics had PP of ≤0.023. In the 4 studies comparing fracture (138 HA, 54 RTSA) vs. nonfracture stems (89 HA, 49 RTSA), fracture stems had statistically significant better American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (MD = 14.29, 95% CI: 8.18-20.41, P < .001), external rotation (MD = 6°, 95% CI: 2°-9°, P = .003), forward flexion (MD = 16°, 95% CI: 7°-24°, P < .001), and greater tuberosity healing (odds ratio = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.28-3.77, P = .004). There was no statistically significant difference in complications. CONCLUSION: Fracture stems showed promising overall clinical outcomes with low complication rates in treating proximal humeral fractures. The use of fracture stems is also associated with greater chance of tuberosity healing compared with nonfracture stems. There is increasing evidence to suggest the superiority of fracture stems over nonfracture stems in clinical outcomes, while maintaining similar complication rates.

Comparable outcomes in mini-midvastus versus mini-medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in total knee arthroplasties (TKA) have gained popularity over conventional techniques due to benefits of hastened recovery and reduced complications. There are a variety of MIS techniques available and two most common techniques currently employed are the mini-midvastus (mMV) and mini-medial parapatellar (mMPP) approaches. This meta-analysis aims to compare the clinical outcomes and peri-operative parameters between mMV and mMPP in TKA in order to determine the presence of a superior technique. METHODS: A multi-database search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Data from studies comparing clinical outcomes and peri-operative parameters between mMV and mMPP approaches in TKA were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: A total of five randomized controlled trials were included for analysis, consisting of 190 mMV and 189 mMPP knees. Clinically unimportant differences were noted in blood loss and surgical time between the groups (5 mL less blood loss and 7 min less surgical time in mMV, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups for Knee Society Score at 1 and 2 years, range of motion at 1 and 2 years, incision length or incidence of lateral retinacular release (all non-significant, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mMV and mMPP MIS TKA approaches have equivalent clinical outcomes. Despite a statistically significant longer operative time and higher mean blood loss in mMV than mMPP approach, clinically significant difference was not demonstrated. Both mMV and mMPP MIS techniques are reliable and safe to perform in TKA.