Results of an Audit of Orthopaedic Operation Notes from a Tertiary Care Centre: Are We Doing It Right and Can We Do More?

Introduction: The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) published the Good Surgical Practice guidelines in 2008 and subsequently revised them in 2014. Essentially, they outline the basic standards that need to be met by all surgical operation notes. The objective of the present study was to retrospectively audit the orthopaedic operation notes from a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai (between October 2020 to March 2021) against the recommended RCS Good Surgical Practice guidelines published in 2014. Method: In the present study a total of 153 orthopaedic operation notes of 200 patients were audited by a single reviewer. During the period between October 2020 and March 2021, the data collection took place. All notes were typed on the standard operative proforma available on the hospital patient management software (SAP). Results: Overall, the mandated fields in the EMR had excellent documentation. Documentation was excellent for the date and time of surgery, name of the surgeon, the procedure performed (100%), operative diagnosis (99.35%), an extra procedure performed (100%), and details of antibiotic prophylaxis (99.35); Inadequate for details of incision (94.77%), details of operative findings (92.16%), details of prosthesis (97.37%), DVT prophylaxis (96.08%) and detailed post-operative instructions (93.46%) and poor for tourniquet time (41.83%;), estimated blood loss (59.48%), closure details (16.99%), documentation of complications or lack of (51.63%) and setting of surgery elective or emergency (0%). Conclusion: Compliance for completion and documentation of operative procedures was high in some areas; improvement is needed in documenting tourniquet time, prosthesis and incision details, and the location of operative diagnosis and postoperative instructions. With wider adoption of electronic medical record systems, there is a scope of improving documentation by mandating certain fields.

A Comparative study of the Dynamic Hip Screw, the Cemented Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty and the Proximal Femoral Nail for the Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the Intertrochanteric (IT) region are some of the most common fractures encountered by an orthopedic surgeon in his lifetime. With increase in life expectancy, the incidence of these fractures is also increasing. By 2040, the incidence of these fractures is expected to double. Unstable IT fractures are a major cause of concern in the elderly due to the associated increase in morbidity and mortality. AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative parameters using the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS), the Cemented Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty (BH) and the Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) for the management of unstable IT fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients, having unstable IT fractures with age more than 60 years were randomly selected and were followed up averagely for 19 months (12- 30 months). The type of implant for a particular patient and a particular type of fracture was randomly selected and the same surgical team treated all patients. Total number of 19 patients were operated using the DHS (Group-1), 13 using the BH (Group-2) and 18 using the PFN (Group-3). All patients in the three groups were compared in terms of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters and functionally assessed using the Harris hip score and the mobility score of Parker and Palmer. RESULTS: Patients operated using the PFN had significantly lower mean blood loss as compared to the other two groups. The mean days to unaided Full Weight Bearing (FWB) was significantly higher in patients treated by the DHS as compared to the other two groups. All three groups were comparable in terms of functional assessment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of unstable IT fracture of femur is a matter open to debate. IT fractures of elderly must be treated with considering the age of the patient, mental status, bone quality, and the type of fracture. Level of Evidence according to OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group - Level 2.

Surgical Management of Rectus Femoris Avulsion Among Professional Soccer Players.

BACKGROUND: Rectus femoris injuries are common among athletes, especially in kicking sports such as soccer; however, proximal rectus femoris avulsions in athletes are a relatively rare entity. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to describe and report the results of an original technique of surgical excision of the proximal tendon remnant followed by a muscular suture repair. Our hypothesis was that this technique limits the risk of recurrence in high-level athletes and allows for rapid recovery without loss of quadriceps strength. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Our retrospective series included 5 players aged 31.8 ± 3.9 years with acute proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries who underwent a surgical resection of the proximal tendon between March 2012 and June 2014. Four of these players had recurrent rectus femoris injuries in the 9 months before surgery, while 1 player had surgery after a first injury. Mean follow-up was 18.2 ± 12.6 months, and minimum follow-up was 9 months. We analyzed the age, sex distribution, physical examination outcomes, type and mechanism of injury, diagnosis, treatment and complications during surgery, postoperative follow-up, and time to return to play. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Marx scores were obtained at 3-month follow-up, and isokinetic tests were performed before return to sports. A telephone interview was completed to determine the presence of recurrence at an average follow-up of 18.2 months. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, all patients had Marx activity scores of 16 and LEFS scores of 80. Return to the previous level of play occurred at a mean of 15.8 ± 2.6 weeks after surgery, and none of the athletes suffered a recurrence. Isokinetic test results were comparable between both sides. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of proximal rectus femoris avulsions, consisting of resection of the tendinous part of the muscle, is a reliable and safe technique allowing a fast recovery in professional athletes.

Reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture with contralateral bone-tendon-bone autograft.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and functional outcome following the reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon ruptures using the contralateral bone-tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. METHODS: The records of seven patients who underwent reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon rupture with contralateral patellar BTB were retrospectively reviewed. Chronic tears were defined as a minimum of 3 months from injury to initial clinical evaluation. Clinical assessments included range of motion of the knee, Tegner, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and a radiographic analysis of patellar height (Caton-Deschamps index). Postoperative complications and quadriceps strength at last follow-up were reported. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients undergoing surgery was 33 (±10.5) years with a mean follow-up of 41.3 (±29.7) months. Reconstruction surgery was performed at an average of 16 months (3-60 months) after the injury. 86 % of the patients had a normal patella height with mean of patellar height of 1.5 (±0.2) in preoperative radiographs and of 1.2 (±0.07) on postoperative evaluation (p = 0.0136). The mean IKDC was 45.5 (±10.8) before surgery and 64.5 (±12.4) at the last follow-up (p = 0.0001), and Lysholm score was 45.4 (±11.3) and 79 (±11.8), respectively (p = 0.0001). The median Tegner activity scale preinjury was 6 (range 5-7), preoperatively was 1 (range 1-2) and 4 (range 2-5) postoperatively (p = 0.0001). All patients had quadriceps wasting with a difference in thigh girth between the injured side and healthy side of 3.6 ± 0.7 cm (ns). No surgical complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited cohort, surgical reconstruction of chronic patellar tendon ruptures using contralateral bone-tendon-bone graft was a safe and viable option that improves clinical and functional outcomes compared to presurgical function. However, despite the restoration of a normal patellar height, function did not return to preinjury level.

A Fluoroscopy-Free Technique for Percutaneous Screw Positioning During Arthroscopic Treatment of Depression Tibial Plateau Fractures.

This article aims to describe a simple and reliable technique that helps in positioning the cannulated percutaneous screws during fixation of depression-type tibial plateau fractures. After fracture reduction under arthroscopic control, an outside-in anterior cruciate ligament femoral guide is introduced through the tibial cortical metaphyseal window and positioned under endoscopic control just underneath the elevated fragment. When proper height is achieved, a guide pin is drilled from lateral to medial through the sleeve, 1 to 2 cm distal to the articular surface of the depressed fragment. The cannulated screw can then be introduced under endoscopic control, without fluoroscopic assistance, just under the previously elevated joint surface. This technique ensures optimal placement of the cannulated screw in the middle of the bony tunnel to obtain optimal subchondral bone support during fixation of the depressed tibial plateau fracture.

Combined Anterior and Anterolateral Stabilization of the Knee With the Iliotibial Band.

Interest and knowledge on the anatomy, function, and biomechanical properties of the anterolateral ligament has led to the recognition of the importance of this structure in rotational control of the knee. This article describes a technique that allows for a combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and anterolateral reconstruction, using an Iliotibial band (ITB) autograft. The graft is detached from the vastus lateralis from proximal to distal, at the center portion from ITB, preserving its distal insertion on the Gerdy tubercle. Its width is 1 cm for the distal part, used for the anterolateral ligament reconstruction, and 3 cm for the proximal part. An outside-in femoral tunnel is drilled respecting both the preferred favorable isometric femoral insertion site and the femoral ACL footprint. An ACL reconstruction combined with a lateral tenodesis with a continuous ITB graft respects the anatomical and isometric rules providing superior internal rotational control of the knee in comparison with a stand-alone ACL reconstruction.

Minimally Invasive Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction in the Setting of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Recent evidence on the anatomy, function, and biomechanical properties of the anterolateral ligament has led to the recognition of the importance of this structure in the rotational control of the knee. This article describes a technique that allows for minimally invasive anterolateral ligament reconstruction as a complement to most techniques of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A gracilis tendon autograft is harvested and prepared in a double-strand, inverted V-shaped graft. The graft is percutaneously placed through a femoral stab incision, and each strand is then passed deep to the iliotibial band, emerging through each tibial stab incision. After the femoral-end loop graft is fixed, the tibial fixation of each strand is performed in full extension for optimal isometry.

Cruciate Paralysis in a 20- year -old Male with an Undisplaced Type III Odontoid Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Cruciate Paralysis is a rare incomplete spinal cord syndrome presenting as brachial diplegia with minimal or no involvement of the lower extremities. It occurs as a result of trauma to the cervical spine and is associated with fractures of the axis and/or atlas. Diagnosis is confirmed on MRI and is managed by treatment of the underlying pathology. Prognosis depends on the extent of spinal cord injury and the exact cause. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old male presented to the casualty with a history of an injury to the back of the head as a result of a fall. He had severe pain in the neck and shoulder region and experienced difficulty in raising both arms and gripping objects. On examination, he had weakness of both arms, more on the right, involving the C5 to T1 distribution and brisk reflexes. There was no sensory deficit. Radiograph and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the cervical spine showed a type III undisplaced odontoid fracture. MRI showed a signal abnormality in the spinal cord at the level of the cervicomedullary junction extending up to the body of C2 vertebra. The patient was treated with traction in Gardner Wells tongs for six weeks and a sterno-occipital-mandibular immobilizer immobilizer (SOMI) brace thereafter. At three-month follow-up, he had attained complete neurological recovery. CONCLUSION: Cruciate Paralysis is an important cause of brachial diplegia and must be differentiated from Acute Central Cord syndrome which can have similar clinical features.