Intraoperative Psoas Compartment Block vs Preoperative Fascia Iliaca Block for Pain Control After Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Modern joint arthroplasty protocols place an emphasis on minimizing patient-reported postoperative pain while minimizing opioid consumption. The use of multimodal pain management protocols has been reported to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: In a prospective, single-surgeon trial, 50 patients undergoing primary direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive a preoperative fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) or an intraoperative surgeon-delivered psoas compartment block (PCB). Patient-reported pain was recorded in the postanesthesia care unit, recovery floor and 3 weeks postoperatively. Opioid use was recorded during the hospital stay. RESULTS: Average visual analog scale pain scores in the postanesthesia care unit were 38.7 ± 8.7 vs 35.6 ± 8.3 (P = .502) for the preoperative FICB and intraoperative PCB groups, respectively. No significant difference was found between groups at the 3-week visit for postoperative pain (FICB: 2.9 ± 1.4; PCB: 3.2 ± 2.0; P = .970) and patient-reported pain satisfaction (FICB: 8.8 ± 2.2; PCB: 9.7 ± 0.6; P = .110). CONCLUSION: During the direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty, PCB is an effective and efficient regional anesthesia technique. It may be used to obtain satisfactory postoperative pain control and patient satisfaction while decreasing hospital resources.

Psoas Compartment Block vs Periarticular Local Anesthetic Infiltration for Pain Management After Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: The psoas compartment block (PCB) or periarticular soft-tissue local anesthetic injection are forms of regional anesthesia often used as one of the components in multimodal anesthesia applied during total hip arthroplasty (THA). The most efficacious form of regional anesthesia for THA has yet to be determined. METHODS: In a single-surgeon, prospective, clinical trial, patients undergoing THA via direct anterior approach were randomized to receive an intraoperative periarticular local anesthetic infiltration (periarticular injection) or a PCB. Postoperative pain scores, narcotic consumption, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were randomized to the PCB and 50 were randomized to the periarticular injection. The resting pain score 3 hours postoperatively was statistically significantly lower in the periarticular injection group by 1.1 point (2.9 ± 2.2 vs 4.0 ± 2.2, P = .036). No difference was found in resting pain scores or ambulatory pain scores in the morning or evening of postoperative day 1, 2, or at the 3-week follow-up visit. There was no difference in in-hospital narcotic consumption between groups (P = 1.0). There were no major complications directly related to the block in either group. A total of 6 patients reported complaints of transient numbness, 5 in the PCB group (5/49, 10.2%), and one in the periarticular injection group (1/50, 2%, P = .087). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate similarity between the 2 methods. We prefer periarticular anesthetic infiltration over PCB due to improved immediate postoperative pain scores and avoidance of potential symptoms associated with nerve blockade.

Body Mass Index and Olfactory Fossa Depth in Patients with and without Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (SCSF) leaks are associated with a high body mass index (BMI) and an expanded skull base. The purpose of this study is to determine if a correlation exists between BMI and olfactory fossa depth (OFD) in patients with SCSF leaks and those without. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the correlation between OFD and BMI in patients with and without SCSF leaks. OFD was measured on computed tomography obtained in temporal proximity to the BMI. RESULTS: Patients with SCSF leaks had a deeper mean OFD than controls (6.39 vs. 5.46 mm, p = 0.013) and a larger BMI (38.2 vs. 30.5, p = 0.0003). Pearson correlation was positive between BMI and OFD in women from the control group (R = 0.319, n = 93, p = 0.002 on the left; R = 0.313, n = 93, p = 0.002 on the right) but insignificant in men. CONCLUSIONS: The olfactory fossa is deeper and the BMI higher in patients with SCSF leaks than in those without. Differences were statistically significant. Higher BMI may predict deeper olfactory fossa in women but not in men. These findings suggest expansion of weak points in the skull base as precursors to the development of SCSF leaks in response to elevated CSF pressures, particularly in women.

Femoral Component Survival in Hybrid Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Although the majority of North American surgeons perform total knee arthroplasty by cementing both the femoral and the tibial components, hybrid fixation with a press-fit femur and cemented tibia is an alternative form of total knee arthroplasty performed by some. Currently, there is a paucity of literature evaluating long-term outcomes after hybrid total knee arthroplasty. As such, the purpose of the current study was to describe the long-term results of total knee arthroplasty performed using the hybrid technique. The authors retrospectively reviewed a total of 77 hybrid total knee arthroplasties with at least 12 years of follow-up. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed to determine patient function and the incidence of femoral component failure after hybrid total knee arthroplasty. At the time of last follow-up, 76 of 77 (99%) of the femoral components remained in place without evidence of loosening. One femoral component failed due to aseptic loosening and was ultimately revised to a cemented femoral component without further complication. In addition, 1 tibial component and 2 patellar components failed due to aseptic loosening. Four tibial polyethylene liners were revised for polyethylene wear. In conclusion, press-fit fixation of the femoral component is a reliable and durable alternative to cemented fixation. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):181-186.].

Nine year follow-up of a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing total hip arthroplasty utilizing a layered monoblock acetabular component.

INTRODUCTION: Early ceramic bearing systems in total hip arthoplasty (THA) sought to provide long term wear improvement over traditional metal on polyethylene systems. However, previous designs exhibited fractures of the ceramic acetabular liner, leading to the development of the Implex Hedrocel ceramic bearing THA system where the ceramic liner was supported on a layer of polyethylene intended to transition liner loads to the metal shell, a so-called "sandwich" design. Unfortunately, the device trial was stopped to further enrollment when liner fractures were reported. The current study examines nearly 10-year follow-up on 28 devices implanted by two surgeons at one institution in order to document ceramic bearing system performance over a longer time period. METHODS: Radiographic and patient reported outcomes, in the form of Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (sF-12), were collected. RESULTS: During the study period two cups were replaced, one at three years and a second at seven years. At the five year follow-up HHS were similar to those reported in the literature for devices with traditional metal-on-polyethylene bearing surfaces and for other sandwich ceramic bearing designs. At the nine year follow-up, the HHS had not changed significantly and SF-12 scores measuring overall physical and mental health were higher than age matched national norms (p<0.001). There were no signs of cup migration, stem subsidence, osteolysis or cup loosening at any time up to the last follow-up in this patient cohort. The 89% survivorship rate and device revisions due to delamination of the liner observed in this group were similar to those reported earlier for this device and for other "sandwich design" ceramic bearing systems. DISCUSSION: This cohort did not exhibit new failure modes and HHS and SF-12 scores indicated high functionality for the majority of patients. These data suggest that a focus on preventing ceramic liner fracture through design and/or materials improvements may result in a device with long-term functionality.

Arthroscopic surgery for partial rotator cuff tears.

Rotator cuff pathology is one of the most common disorders of the shoulder. However, partial rotator cuff tears, treatment, and natural history are still in a state of flux. We believe that partial rotator cuff tears should be treated surgically when the rotator cuff is torn more than 50% of the thickness or when substantial thinning of the rotator cuff is identified arthroscopically. We believe that the technique described here addresses the need for increased blood supply in the rotator cuff and diminishes the chance for extension to a complete rotator cuff tear. The technique and postoperative rehabilitative regimen is described.

Modified osteochondral autograft implantation for full- thickness articular cartilage lesions.

Full-thickness articular cartilage defects have been difficult to treat in patients with nonarthritic knees. A procedure is described to treat articular cartilage full-thickness lesions. Graft sites are chosen after appropriate treatment of the base of a grade IV lesion. Articular cartilage and bone are replaced into the graft site, promoting mesenchymal stem cell growth and cartilaginous coverage of the defect. Pathology, postoperative protocol, and some postoperative arthroscopic illustrations are included. This technique is simple and is associated with minimal donor-site morbidity.