Dehiscencia de herida quirúrgica y exposición material de osteosíntesis. ¿Infección segura? / Surgical wound dehiscence and exposed hardware. Infection foretold?

Resumen: Introducción: la dehiscencia de herida quirúrgica con exposición de material de fijación interna es un grave problema en cirugía ortopédica y un factor importante de infección. Objetivo: descripción del caso inusual de un paciente adulto con dehiscencia de la herida quirúrgica y exposición completa de 20 cm de largo de una placa de cúbito tras seis años de la cirugía, sin signos de infección, consolidación ósea y reepitelización debajo de la placa y adherida al hueso. Caso clínico: hombre de 39 años que sufrió una fractura-luxación de Monteggia, abierta grado II y multifragmentaria. El paciente tenía historia de drogodependencia en tratamiento con metadona. Fue tratado con fijación interna del cúbito mediante una placa de reconstrucción larga. Postoperatoriamente, el paciente dejó de acudir para evaluación. A los seis años de la cirugía presentaba una completa exposición de la placa (20 cm de longitud), sin signos de infección y consolidación con malalineación de la fractura. Tras el retiro de la placa se observó epitelización espontánea adherida al lecho óseo cubital. La cobertura cutánea fue completa a los dos meses. Conclusión: aunque inusual, es posible la consolidación ósea y la ausencia de infección en una fractura abierta con exposición de larga evolución de una placa de antebrazo en el adulto.

Abstract: Introduction: surgical wound dehiscence with exposure of internal fixation material is a serious problem in orthopedic surgery and an important factor for infection. Objective: presentation of an unusual case of an adult patient with surgical wound dehiscence and complete exposure of 20 cm of the ulnar plate after six years of surgery, without infection signs, with bone healing and skin behind the plate. Case presentation: 39-year-old man with an open Gustilo II Monteggia fracture-dislocation multifracture. The patient had a history of drug dependence. He had an open reduction and internal fixation with an ulnar reconstruction plate. The patient did not have any follow-up. After six years of the surgery, there was a complete exposure of the plate (20 cm) without infection and healing of the fracture with misalignment. After removing the plate, we observed spontaneous epithelialization attached to the bone bed. Skin coverage was complete at two months. Conclusion: although unusual, bone consolidation without infection is possible in an open fracture with long-standing exposure to a forearm plate in the adult.

[Surgical wound dehiscence and exposed hardware. Infection foretold?] / Dehiscencia de herida quirúrgica y exposición material de osteosíntesis. ¿Infección segura?

INTRODUCTION: surgical wound dehiscence with exposure of internal fixation material is a serious problem in orthopedic surgery and an important factor for infection. OBJECTIVE: presentation of an unusual case of an adult patient with surgical wound dehiscence and complete exposure of 20 cm of the ulnar plate after six years of surgery, without infection signs, with bone healing and skin behind the plate. CASE PRESENTATION: 39-year-old man with an open Gustilo II Monteggia fracture-dislocation multifracture. The patient had a history of drug dependence. He had an open reduction and internal fixation with an ulnar reconstruction plate. The patient did not have any follow-up. After six years of the surgery, there was a complete exposure of the plate (20 cm) without infection and healing of the fracture with misalignment. After removing the plate, we observed spontaneous epithelialization attached to the bone bed. Skin coverage was complete at two months. CONCLUSION: although unusual, bone consolidation without infection is possible in an open fracture with long-standing exposure to a forearm plate in the adult.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la dehiscencia de herida quirúrgica con exposición de material de fijación interna es un grave problema en cirugía ortopédica y un factor importante de infección. OBJETIVO: descripción del caso inusual de un paciente adulto con dehiscencia de la herida quirúrgica y exposición completa de 20 cm de largo de una placa de cúbito tras seis años de la cirugía, sin signos de infección, consolidación ósea y reepitelización debajo de la placa y adherida al hueso. CASO CLÍNICO: hombre de 39 años que sufrió una fractura-luxación de Monteggia, abierta grado II y multifragmentaria. El paciente tenía historia de drogodependencia en tratamiento con metadona. Fue tratado con fijación interna del cúbito mediante una placa de reconstrucción larga. Postoperatoriamente, el paciente dejó de acudir para evaluación. A los seis años de la cirugía presentaba una completa exposición de la placa (20 cm de longitud), sin signos de infección y consolidación con malalineación de la fractura. Tras el retiro de la placa se observó epitelización espontánea adherida al lecho óseo cubital. La cobertura cutánea fue completa a los dos meses. CONCLUSIÓN: aunque inusual, es posible la consolidación ósea y la ausencia de infección en una fractura abierta con exposición de larga evolución de una placa de antebrazo en el adulto.

Trend in Spain in the use of total ankle arthroplasty versus arthrodesis in the period 1997-2017. / Tendencia en España en el uso de artroplastia total de tobillo frente a artrodesis en el periodo 1997-2017.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to compare proportionally the incidence of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) versus ankle arthrodesis and to determine the variables that may have influenced its indication. The secondary objective is to analyse the trend in the use of TAA using a population-based analysis and to compare our results with those reported by national registries in other countries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of the Minimum Basic Data Set from 1997-2017 was performed. Subjects were categorised according to surgical procedure. Their temporal evolution was analysed and hospital variables associated with the indication (age, sex, hospital complexity) were identified. In order to compare the trend in Spain with respect to other countries, the information was standardised as number of procedures per 100,000 inhabitants/year and a projection was made for the five-year period 2020-2025. RESULTS: In the period 1997-2017, 11,669 ankle arthrodesis and 1,049 TAAs were performed. The trend was increasing and significant for both procedures, however, in the last 10 years analysed the proportional trend of TAA decreased significantly. Being female (OR 1.32), being 65 years or older (OR 1.50) and being operated in a complex hospital (OR 1.31) were associated with the indication for a TAA. Compared to other countries, Spain has much lower rates of TAA utilisation, with minimal growth estimated for the year 2025. CONCLUSION: Although the use of TAA has increased, its growth has been lower than that of ankle arthrodesis and its current trend is proportionally decreasing, with female sex, age≥65 years and the patient being operated in a medium/high complexity hospital being associated with the indication for TAA. Compared with other countries, Spain has much lower rates of use and its projection over the next five years, although increasing, is expected to be minimal.

Importance of the gender and preoperative knee sagittal alignment to avoid unnecessary tibial resection in TKR.

BACKGROUND: Standard resections according to the TKR manufacturers can lead to unnecessary bone resections in some patients. The objective of this study was to determine in which patients is recommended to perform a minimal tibial resection (MTR) that could restore the joint line height (JLH). METHODS: Navigation records of 108 consecutive posterior cruciate-substituting TKR performed by one surgeon were analyzed. Optimal tibial resection depth to restore the JLH (0 mm) was calculated by an algorithm. Postoperatively, the knees were distributed in two groups: those in which a MTR (depth ≤ 8 mm) would have been enough to restore the JLH and those in which a standard resection depth would have been necessary. ROC curves and Youden index were used to determine the cutoff point of the coronal and sagittal mechanical axis that predicted a MTR restoring the JLH. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with requiring an MTR. RESULTS: A MTR could be required in 20 (18.5%) knees. In the ROC curve analyses, the cutoff points that best discriminated between minimal and standard tibial resection was ≤ 3° of varus and < 2° of flexion preoperative deformity. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender and preoperative flexion < 2° were significant predictors of requiring a MTR to restore JLH. CONCLUSION: A MTR with the JLH restoration could be possible in female patients with a preoperative sagittal deformity less than 2° of flexion. Preoperative coronal alignment had no influence to discriminate when a MTR is required.

Complications of computer-assisted navigation in total knee replacement: retrospective cohort of eight hundred and seventy eight consecutive knees.

PURPOSE: The main objective was to analyze the computer-assisted navigation (CAN)-specific complications that forced to switch to conventional procedure in primary total knee replacement (TKR). The secondary objective was to determine the influence of those complications on TKR short-term survival. METHODS: Retrospective study of 878 primary TKR in 753 patients. Two consecutive versions of the OrthoPilot navigation system (Braun Aesculap, Germany) were used during the study time. Specific complications of CAN were defined as those due to the instrumentation (hardware or software failures), which were classified in one of two categories according to whether they occurred during the registration or tracking process. RESULTS: There were 20 (2.3%) complications related to the navigation system use that forced to switch to conventional surgery: in 11 (1.2%) knees due to loosening of the tracking pins, and in the other nine (1.0%) there were information system failures. There was a trend for a higher conversion rate to conventional surgery with the use of the first version of the software. There were no fractures, infections, or nerve injuries at the pin site. We found no differences in the distribution of baseline variables among those with or without conversion to conventional surgery. There was no significant difference (p = 0.488) in the two year survival between patients with or without conversion. CONCLUSION: CAN for primary TKR is a safe method with few specific complications that forced to switch from the navigated to the conventional procedure. Conversion to conventional surgery did not affect the short-term survival of TKR.

Búsqueda en Internet de información no cualificada sobre el tratamiento de la artrosis por la población española / Internet searches by the Spanish population for unqualified information on the treatment of osteoarthritis

OBJETIVO: Existe una tendencia actual en la población sobre la búsqueda de información médica no cualificada en Internet que puede influir sobre las recomendaciones aportadas en una consulta especializada. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la tendencia de la población española sobre la búsqueda de información no cualificada en Internet respecto de los tratamientos actuales de la artrosis. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Para analizar la información recabada en Internet se utilizó la herramienta informática Google Trends, combinando potenciales términos clave de búsqueda que se relacionaban con el tratamiento actual de la artrosis. Para cada término, se calculó el volumen relativo de búsquedas, y su tendencia entre 2009 y 2019. La dirección de la tendencia se estudió mediante la correlación de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Todos los métodos de infiltración tuvieron tendencias crecientes sin encontrar diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos (p = 0,769). El término que mostraba una mejor correlación a lo largo del tiempo fue «prp», con un valor para la correlación de Spearman de 0,90 y el que mayor volumen relativo de búsquedas tuvo fue «factores de crecimiento». El tratamiento protésico generó más interés que los tratamientos conservadores, fue mayor para la sustitución protésica de rodilla que para la de cadera (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: En España, la búsqueda de información no cualificada sobre el tratamiento de la artrosis se ha incrementado en los últimos 10 años. El interés sobre el tratamiento protésico es mayor que sobre tratamientos más conservadores. La prótesis de rodilla genera mayor interés que la de cadera. No hay diferencias respecto a los distintos métodos de infiltración intraarticular

OBJECTIVE: There is a current trend in the population to search the Internet for unqualified medical information that may affect the recommendations given in specialist consultation. The aim of this study was to analyse the tendency of the Spanish population to search the Internet for unqualified information on current treatments for osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Google Trends was used analyse the information gathered from the Internet, combining potential key search terms related to the current treatment of osteoarthritis. For each term the relative search volume was calculated, and its trend between 2009 and 2019. Spearman's correlation was used to study the direction of the trend. RESULTS: All the infiltration methods had increasing trends and no statistically significant differences were found between them (P=.769). The term that showed the best correlation over time was «prp» with Spearman's correlation =.90, and the term with the highest relative search volume was «growth factors». Prosthetic treatment generated more interest than conservative treatments, where there was more interest in knee replacement than hip replacement (P<.001). CONCLUSION: In Spain, the search for unqualified information on the treatment of osteoarthritis has increased over the past 10 years. There is more interest in prosthetic treatment than the more conservative treatments. There is more interest in knee replacement than hip replacement. There are no differences with regard to the different methods of joint injections

El uso del WhatsApp(R) en nuestra práctica clínica: estudio piloto / Using WhatsApp(R) in our clinical practice: a pilot study

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el uso del WhatsApp como una herramienta clínica y determinar la percepción de los cirujanos ortopédicos sobre su utilidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se invitó a los cirujanos ortopédicos asistentes a una reunión científica a completar in situ una encuesta anónima y estructurada sobre el uso de la aplicación en el ámbito clínico. RESULTADOS: En total 41 (38%) encuestas fueron correctamente completadas. La totalidad de los que respondieron habían sido emisores o receptores de información clínica a través de la aplicación. El 93% había utilizado la aplicación para consultar con relación a un caso clínico. El 78% pertenecían a un grupo de WhatsApp en el cual se compartía información clínica. El 71% se mostró de acuerdo con que la comunicación entre clínicos a través del Whatsapp es una herramienta útil para la toma de decisiones terapéuticas. CONCLUSIÓN: El uso del WhatsApp para fines clínicos de los cirujanos ortopédicos está generalizado. La mayoría de estos lo consideran una herramienta útil en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of WhatsApp as a clinical tool and determine the perception of orthopaedic surgeons of its usefulness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Orthopaedic surgeons attending a scientific meeting were invited to complete an anonymous and structured survey on the use of the application in the clinical setting. RESULTS: A total of 41 (38%) surveys were correctly completed. Of the respondents, 100% had been either senders or receivers of clinical information via the application. Ninety-three percent had used the application to consult in relation to a clinical case. Of the respondents, 78% belonged to a WhatsApp group in which clinical information is shared: 71% agreed that communication between clinicians through WhatsApp is a useful tool for making therapeutic decisions. CONCLUSION: The use of WhatsApp for clinical purposes by orthopaedic surgeons is widespread. Most consider it a useful tool in therapeutic decision making

Using WhatsApp® in our clinical practice: a pilot study. / El uso del WhatsApp® en nuestra práctica clínica: estudio piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of WhatsApp as a clinical tool and determine the perception of orthopaedic surgeons of its usefulness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Orthopaedic surgeons attending a scientific meeting were invited to complete an anonymous and structured survey on the use of the application in the clinical setting. RESULTS: A total of 41 (38%) surveys were correctly completed. Of the respondents, 100% had been either senders or receivers of clinical information via the application. Ninety-three percent had used the application to consult in relation to a clinical case. Of the respondents, 78% belonged to a WhatsApp group in which clinical information is shared: 71% agreed that communication between clinicians through WhatsApp is a useful tool for making therapeutic decisions. CONCLUSION: The use of WhatsApp for clinical purposes by orthopaedic surgeons is widespread. Most consider it a useful tool in therapeutic decision making.

Internet searches by the Spanish population for unqualified information on the treatment of osteoarthritis. / Búsqueda en Internet de información no cualificada sobre el tratamiento de la artrosis por la población española.

OBJECTIVE: There is a current trend in the population to search the Internet for unqualified medical information that may affect the recommendations given in specialist consultation. The aim of this study was to analyse the tendency of the Spanish population to search the Internet for unqualified information on current treatments for osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Google Trends was used analyse the information gathered from the Internet, combining potential key search terms related to the current treatment of osteoarthritis. For each term the relative search volume was calculated, and its trend between 2009 and 2019. Spearman's correlation was used to study the direction of the trend. RESULTS: All the infiltration methods had increasing trends and no statistically significant differences were found between them (P=.769). The term that showed the best correlation over time was «prp¼ with Spearman's correlation =.90, and the term with the highest relative search volume was «growth factors¼. Prosthetic treatment generated more interest than conservative treatments, where there was more interest in knee replacement than hip replacement (P<.001). CONCLUSION: In Spain, the search for unqualified information on the treatment of osteoarthritis has increased over the past 10 years. There is more interest in prosthetic treatment than the more conservative treatments. There is more interest in knee replacement than hip replacement. There are no differences with regard to the different methods of joint injections.

Estudio prospectivo de efectividad y seguridad de Bankart artroscópico utilizando solo un portal anterior para pacientes con inestabilidad de hombro anterior / Prospective study on effectiveness and safety of arthroscopic Bankart using a single anterior portal for patients with anterior shoulder instability

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la técnica artroscópica de Bankart utilizando un solo portal anterior en pacientes con inestabilidad anterior de hombro. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 82 pacientes operados con técnica de Bankart artroscópica de hombro utilizando un solo portal anterior. Comparación con una serie histórica de 69 pacientes tratados con 2 portales anteriores. Fueron evaluados mediante la escala de Rowe, los cuestionarios DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) y OIS (Oxford Instability Shoulder), arcos de movilidad y escalas analógicas visuales para dolor y satisfacción. Resultados: Tras un seguimiento medio de 36 meses, no había diferencias significativas entre grupos respecto a las valoraciones funcionales, calidad de vida o satisfacción del paciente. El tiempo quirúrgico fue significativamente menor en el grupo 1-portal. En el grupo 1-portal hubo 2 pacientes con neuroapraxia y 2 reluxaciones, mientras que en el grupo 2-portales fueron uno y 2, respectivamente. Los peores resultados funcionales se asociaban a la presencia de lesión SLAP tipo III. Conclusiones: Ambas técnicas fueron satisfactorias respecto a los resultados funcionales y complicaciones, excepto en la presencia de lesiones SLAP tipo III. Con la técnica de un portal anterior el tiempo quirúrgico fue más corto, y los costes, menores al prescindir de una segunda cánula y de un pasador de hilos

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the arthroscopic Bankart repair technique using a single anterior portal in patients with anterior shoulder instability. Patients and methods: Prospective study of 82 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair using a single anterior portal. Comparison with a historical series of 69 patients treated with two anterior portals. The patients were evaluated by the Rowe scale, and DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and OIS (Oxford Instability Shoulder) questionnaires, range of motion and visual analogue scales for pain and patient satisfaction. Results: After a mean follow-up of 36 months, there were no significant differences between groups regarding clinical or functional scores, quality of life or patient satisfaction. Surgical time was significantly shorter in the 1-portal group. In group 1-portal there were 2 patients with neurapraxias and 2 re-dislocations, while in group 2-portals were 1 and 2, respectively. The worst functional results were associated with the presence of a type III SLAP lesion. Conclusions: Both techniques were satisfactory regarding functional outcomes and complications, except for type III SLAP lesions. Using only one anterior portal, the surgical time was shorter, and the costs were lower when dispensing with a second cannula and a suture passing instrument

Prospective study on effectiveness and safety of arthroscopic Bankart using a single anterior portal for patients with anterior shoulder instability. / Estudio prospectivo de efectividad y seguridad de Bankart artroscópico utilizando solo un portal anterior para pacientes con inestabilidad de hombro anterior.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the arthroscopic Bankart repair technique using a single anterior portal in patients with anterior shoulder instability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 82 patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair using a single anterior portal. Comparison with a historical series of 69 patients treated with two anterior portals. The patients were evaluated by the Rowe scale, and DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and OIS (Oxford Instability Shoulder) questionnaires, range of motion and visual analogue scales for pain and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 36 months, there were no significant differences between groups regarding clinical or functional scores, quality of life or patient satisfaction. Surgical time was significantly shorter in the 1-portal group. In group 1-portal there were 2 patients with neurapraxias and 2 re-dislocations, while in group 2-portals were 1 and 2, respectively. The worst functional results were associated with the presence of a type III SLAP lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques were satisfactory regarding functional outcomes and complications, except for type III SLAP lesions. Using only one anterior portal, the surgical time was shorter, and the costs were lower when dispensing with a second cannula and a suture passing instrument.

Factores predictivos de la mortalidad al año en pacientes mayores de 80 años intervenidos de fractura del cuello femoral / Factors predicting one-year mortality of patients over 80 years operated after femoral neck fracture

Introducción: En la población española los estudios previos relacionados con la mortalidad tras fractura de cadera están basados en pacientes con edades entre 60 a 102años y no estratificaban los pacientes de acuerdo con el tipo de fractura. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los factores con influencia sobre la mortalidad al año postoperatorio en pacientes de 80años o más que sufrieron una fractura cervical de cadera. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. Fueron incluidos los pacientes consecutivos intervenidos entre 2015 y 2016. Se estudiaron las características basales, los antecedentes y la medicación previa, los parámetros analíticos, el índice de Charlson, la escala ASA, el índice de Barthel y el cuestionario Pfeiffer. Se registraron los datos quirúrgicos y las complicaciones durante el seguimiento. La supervivencia se evaluó mediante el método de Kaplan-Meier y las variables que la afectaban mediante la regresión de Cox. Resultados: La mortalidad al año postoperatorio fue del 21,1% y la supervivencia media de 10,3meses (IC95%: 9,7-10,9). La regresión de Cox mostraba que la edad >87años, la puntuación de Barthel ≤85 y la combinación de anticoagulantes con INR ≥1,5 eran predictores significativos de mortalidad durante el primer año de seguimiento. Conclusión: Los factores predictores de mortalidad durante el primer año postoperatorio por fractura cervical de cadera en pacientes octogenarios o mayores fueron la edad >87años, la dependencia física medida a través de una puntuación en el índice de Barthel ≤85 y el uso de anticoagulantes con un INR ≥1,5 al ingreso

Introduction: In the Spanish population, previous studies related to mortality after hip fracture are based on patients aged 60 to 102years and did not stratify patients according to the type of fracture. The objective of this study was to identify the factors with influence on mortality at one postoperative year in patients aged 80years or older after a femoral neck fracture. Material and method: Retrospective study of cases and controls. Consecutive patients operated between 2015 and 2016 were included. Baseline characteristics, medical history and previous medication, analytical parameters, Charlson index, ASA scale, Barthel index and Pfeiffer questionnaire were studied. Surgical data and complications were recorded during follow-up. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the variables that affected it by Cox regression. Results: Mortality one year postoperatively was 21.1% and mean survival 10.3months (95%CI: 9.7-10.9). The Cox regression showed that age >87years, Barthel score ≤85 and the combination of anticoagulants with INR ≥1.5 were significant predictors of mortality during the first year of follow-up. Conclusion: The predictors of mortality during the first postoperative year after femoral neck fracture in octogenarian or older patients were: age>87years, physical dependence measured by a Barthel index score ≤85, and the use of anticoagulants with a INR ≥1.5 at admission

Factores asociados al desarrollo de necrosis avascular de cabeza femoral tras fractura del cuello femoral no desplazada tratada con fijación interna / Factors associated with the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head after non-displaced femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation

Objetivo: Identificar los factores con influencia sobre la aparición de necrosis avascular de cabeza femoral (NACF) en pacientes con fracturas del cuello femoral no desplazadas tratadas con fijación interna. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. Se incluyeron las fracturas de cuello femoral no desplazada, tratadas con fijación interna, y que presentaron NACF tras un seguimiento postoperatorio de al menos 2 años. Se registraron las variables basales, las comorbilidades activas de los pacientes, así como el tiempo para la cirugía y el número de tornillos utilizados para la osteosíntesis. Se realizaron comparaciones entre los grupos, aquellos que presentaron NACF y los que no. Mediante el área bajo la curva se localizaron los puntos de corte de las variables edad y tiempo para la cirugía. Resultados: No encontramos asociación entre el sexo, las comorbilidades activas y el número de tornillos utilizados y el desarrollo de NACF. Los puntos de corte para la edad y el tiempo para la cirugía fueron≤69 años y≤43h, respectivamente. No encontramos asociación estadísticamente significativa para el punto de corte del tiempo para la cirugía. En el análisis multivariante, la edad≤69 años fue un predictor significativo de desarrollo de NACF (OR 4,6; IC 95% 1,1-17,9; p=0,028). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con una edad igual o menor de 69 años presentaban un mayor riesgo de desarrollar NACF tras fractura no desplazada del cuello femoral tratada con fijación percutánea atornillada

Objective: To identify the factors with influence on the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in patients with non-displaced femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation. Material and method: Retrospective study of cases and controls. We included non-displaced femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation, and that presented ANFH with a postoperative follow-up of at least 2 years. The baseline variables, active comorbidities of the patients, the time for surgery and the number of screws used for osteosynthesis were recorded. Comparisons were made between the groups, those that presented ANFH and those that did not. By area under the curve, the cut-offs of age and time for surgery were located. Results: An association between sex, active comorbidities and number of screws used and the development of ANFH was not observed. The cut-off points for age and time for surgery were≤69 years and≤43hours, respectively. No significant correlation was observed for the cut-off time for surgery. In the multivariate analysis, age≤69 years was a significant predictor of the development of ANFH (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 17.9; P=.028). Conclusions: The patients aged 69 years or younger were at increased risk of developing ANFH after undisplaced femoral neck fracture treated with percutaneous screws

Factors predicting one-year mortality of patients over 80 years operated after femoral neck fracture. / Factores predictivos de la mortalidad al año en pacientes mayores de 80 años intervenidos de fractura del cuello femoral.

INTRODUCTION: In the Spanish population, previous studies related to mortality after hip fracture are based on patients aged 60 to 102years and did not stratify patients according to the type of fracture. The objective of this study was to identify the factors with influence on mortality at one postoperative year in patients aged 80years or older after a femoral neck fracture. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of cases and controls. Consecutive patients operated between 2015 and 2016 were included. Baseline characteristics, medical history and previous medication, analytical parameters, Charlson index, ASA scale, Barthel index and Pfeiffer questionnaire were studied. Surgical data and complications were recorded during follow-up. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the variables that affected it by Cox regression. RESULTS: Mortality one year postoperatively was 21.1% and mean survival 10.3months (95%CI: 9.7-10.9). The Cox regression showed that age >87years, Barthel score ≤85 and the combination of anticoagulants with INR ≥1.5 were significant predictors of mortality during the first year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The predictors of mortality during the first postoperative year after femoral neck fracture in octogenarian or older patients were: age>87years, physical dependence measured by a Barthel index score ≤85, and the use of anticoagulants with a INR ≥1.5 at admission.

Factors associated with the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head after non-displaced femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation. / Factores asociados al desarrollo de necrosis avascular de cabeza femoral tras fractura del cuello femoral no desplazada tratada con fijación interna.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors with influence on the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in patients with non-displaced femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of cases and controls. We included non-displaced femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation, and that presented ANFH with a postoperative follow-up of at least 2 years. The baseline variables, active comorbidities of the patients, the time for surgery and the number of screws used for osteosynthesis were recorded. Comparisons were made between the groups, those that presented ANFH and those that did not. By area under the curve, the cut-offs of age and time for surgery were located. RESULTS: An association between sex, active comorbidities and number of screws used and the development of ANFH was not observed. The cut-off points for age and time for surgery were≤69 years and≤43hours, respectively. No significant correlation was observed for the cut-off time for surgery. In the multivariate analysis, age≤69 years was a significant predictor of the development of ANFH (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 17.9; P=.028). CONCLUSIONS: The patients aged 69 years or younger were at increased risk of developing ANFH after undisplaced femoral neck fracture treated with percutaneous screws.

Influence of IL6R gene polymorphisms in the effectiveness to treatment with tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of clinical parameters and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-6 receptor (rs12083537, rs2228145, rs4329505 and rs11265618) on response to tocilizumab, TCZ (European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, remission, low disease activity (LDA) and improvement of DAS28). We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treated with TCZ for 12 months. Multivariable analysis showed that the only variable independently associated to satisfactory EULAR response (odds ratio (OR): 0.61; 95% of confidence interval (CI)95%: 0.42, 0.88; P=0.008), remission (OR: 0.51; CI95%: 0.35, 0.75; P=0.001), LDA (OR: 0.41; CI95%: 0.24, 0.72; P=0.002) and improvement in DAS28 (B=-0.32; CI95%): -0.47, -0.17; P=7.5 × 10-5) at 12 months was lower number of previous biological therapy (BT). High baseline DAS28 was also associated with a greater decrease in DAS28 at 12 months of treatment (B=0.99; CI95%: 0.79, 1.20; P=1.5 × 10-14). Those patients who were carriers of AA genotypes for rs12083537 (OR: 13.0; CI95%: 2.31, 72.91; P=0.004) and CC for rs11265618 (OR: 12.15; CI95%: 2.18, 67.81; P=0.004) had better LDA response at 12 months of treatment with TCZ. In conclusion, RA patients treated with TCZ showed better EULAR response, remission, LDA and DAS28 improvement rates when a lower number of BT were previously administered. The AA genotype for rs12083537 and CC for rs11265618 polymorphisms for may act as predictors of good response LDA.

Quantitative analysis of the interplay between InAs quantum dots and wetting layer during the GaAs capping process.

A procedure to quantitatively analyse the relationship between the wetting layer (WL) and the quantum dots (QDs) as a whole in a statistical way is proposed. As we will show in the manuscript, it allows determining, not only the proportion of deposited InAs held in the WL, but also the average In content inside the QDs. First, the amount of InAs deposited is measured for calibration in three different WL structures without QDs by two methodologies: strain mappings in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and compositional mappings with ChemiSTEM x-ray energy spectrometry. The area under the average profiles obtained by both methodologies emerges as the best parameter to quantify the amount of InAs in the WL, in agreement with high-resolution x-ray diffraction results. Second, the effect of three different GaAs capping layer (CL) growth rates on the decomposition of the QDs is evaluated. The CL growth rate has a strong influence on the QD volume as well as the WL characteristics. Slower CL growth rates produce an In enrichment of the WL if compared to faster ones, together with a diminution of the QD height. In addition, assuming that the QD density does not change with the different CL growth rates, an estimation of the average In content inside the QDs is given. The high Ga/In intermixing during the decomposition of buried QDs does not only trigger a reduction of the QD height, but above all, a higher impoverishment of the In content inside the QDs, therefore modifying the two most important parameters that determine the optical properties of these structures.

Strain-balanced type-II superlattices for efficient multi-junction solar cells.

Multi-junction solar cells made by assembling semiconductor materials with different bandgap energies have hold the record conversion efficiencies for many years and are currently approaching 50%. Theoretical efficiency limits make use of optimum designs with the right lattice constant-bandgap energy combination, which requires a 1.0-1.15 eV material lattice-matched to GaAs/Ge. Nevertheless, the lack of suitable semiconductor materials is hindering the achievement of the predicted efficiencies, since the only candidates were up to now complex quaternary and quinary alloys with inherent epitaxial growth problems that degrade carrier dynamics. Here we show how the use of strain-balanced GaAsSb/GaAsN superlattices might solve this problem. We demonstrate that the spatial separation of Sb and N atoms avoids the ubiquitous growth problems and improves crystal quality. Moreover, these new structures allow for additional control of the effective bandgap through the period thickness and provide a type-II band alignment with long carrier lifetimes. All this leads to a strong enhancement of the external quantum efficiency under photovoltaic conditions with respect to bulk layers of equivalent thickness. Our results show that GaAsSb/GaAsN superlattices with short periods are the ideal (pseudo)material to be integrated in new GaAs/Ge-based multi-junction solar cells that could approach the theoretical efficiency limit.