COVID-19 Resulted in Reduction Trainee Bedside Experience, But No Reduction in Surgical Experience.

Purpose: Because of the concerns regarding residency process during the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate the volume of clinical interactions of orthopaedic residents at a tertiary hospital by reporting the number of patients treated in the outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and operating room. Methods: This retrospective chart study evaluated variables such as volume of clinical interactions of orthopaedic residents at a tertiary hospital by reporting the number of patients treated in the outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and operating room, from an orthopaedic department in a tertiary trauma center throughout the COVID-19 pandemic era. Comparing these measures was an indirect evaluation tool for measuring the amount of work completed and clinical exposure gained by the residents. Results: Occupancy percentage, hospitalization days, admissions to the department, and attendance of the outpatient clinic were all decreased during the pandemic. No significant changes were evident in the total number of surgeries nor the number of elective surgeries during the pandemic. Conclusions: Overall, a reduction in overall hospitalization days, admissions to the department, total number of visits in the outpatient clinic, and occupancy percentage of the ward was observed during COVID-19. However, there was no difference in the average number of monthly surgeries between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 timeframes. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative review.

Editorial Commentary: In Terms of Hip Arthroscopy Long-term Outcomes, Intra-articular Cartilage Damage Is More Important Than Hip Labral Treatment Method: The Second Habit of Highly Effective Surgeons.

There is a large debate revolving around the optimal surgical management of hip labral tears. Currently, the literature tends to gravitate toward labral repair as the mainstay of treatment, followed by labral reconstruction when repair is not feasible. Some studies assert that there is no difference between labral repair versus debridement, whereas others support repair. Other studies support labral reconstruction. In the end, it is the quality of the cartilage that may be most important. Intra-articular cartilage damage is more important than the labral treatment method when it comes to hip arthroscopy long-term outcomes.

Risk Factors for a Failed Transmetatarsal Amputation in Patients with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is a well-recognized limb-salvage procedure, often indicated for the treatment of diabetic foot infections. Currently, there is no widespread agreement in the literature with regard to the factors associated with failure of TMA. This study aimed to define risk factors for the failure of TMA, defined as below-the-knee or above-the-knee amputation, in patients with diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 341 patients who underwent primary TMA. Patients who had a revision to a higher level (the failed TMA group) were compared with those who did not have failure of the initial amputation (the successful TMA group). RESULTS: This study showed a higher frequency of renal impairment, defined as a high creatinine level and/or a previous kidney transplant or need for dialysis, in the failed TMA group (p = 0.002 for both). Furthermore, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) threshold value of 7.5 was identified as the optimal predictive value for failure of TMA (p = 0.002), and patients with a CCI of >7.5 had a median time of 1.13 months until the initial amputation failed. CONCLUSIONS: TMA is associated with a high risk of revision. CCI may be used as a preoperative selection criterion, as 71.8% of patients with a CCI of >7.5 had failure of the TMA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.