Early outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty with use of a smartphone-based care platform: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to evaluate early outcomes with the use of a smartphone-based exercise and educational care management system after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and demonstrate decreased use of in-person physiotherapy (PT). METHODS: A multicentre, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a smartphone-based care platform for primary THA. Patients randomized to the control group (198) received the institution's standard of care. Those randomized to the treatment group (167) were provided with a smartwatch and smartphone application. PT use, THA complications, readmissions, emergency department/urgent care visits, and physician office visits were evaluated. Outcome scores include the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS, JR), health-related quality-of-life EuroQol five-dimension five-level score (EQ-5D-5L), single leg stance (SLS) test, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: The control group was significantly younger by a mean 3.0 years (SD 9.8 for control, 10.4 for treatment group; p = 0.007), but there were no significant differences between groups in BMI, sex, or preoperative diagnosis. Postoperative PT use was significantly lower in the treatment group (34%) than in the control group (55.4%; p = 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in complications, readmissions, or outpatient visits. The 90-day outcomes showed no significant differences in mean hip flexion between controls (101° (SD 10.8)) and treatment (100° (SD 11.3); p = 0.507) groups. The HOOS, JR scores were not significantly different between control group (73 points (SD 13.8)) and treatment group (73.6 points (SD 13); p = 0.660). Mean 30-day SLS time was 22.9 seconds (SD 19.8) in the control group and 20.7 seconds (SD 19.5) in the treatment group (p = 0.342). Mean TUG time was 11.8 seconds (SD 5.1) for the control group and 11.9 (SD 5) seconds for the treatment group (p = 0.859). CONCLUSION: The use of the smartphone care management system demonstrated similar early outcomes to those achieved using traditional care models, along with a significant decrease in PT use. Noninferiority was demonstrated with regard to complications, readmissions, and ED and urgent care visits. This technology allows patients to rehabilitate on a more flexible schedule and avoid unnecessary healthcare visits, as well as potentially reducing overall healthcare costs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):91-97.

Are Postoperative Laboratory Studies Following Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Necessary?

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the necessity of obtaining routine postoperative laboratory studies, such as complete blood count and basic metabolic panel, after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 200 robotic assisted radical prostatectomy cases performed over a year and a half at our institution. The incidences of laboratory abnormalities were examined along with any clinical intervention. Patient demographics, tumor stage, Gleason score, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, presence of comorbidities and postoperative laboratory studies were extracted from the electronic medical record. The costs of laboratory studies were tabulated to further analyze potential savings to patients. RESULTS: Only 15 (7.5%) patients demonstrated laboratory abnormalities that required medical intervention. Of these 15 patients, all demonstrated hypokalemia that was treated with potassium supplementation. Patients with longer lengths of stay demonstrated higher percentages of medical intervention. The costs of these laboratory studies were calculated at $8,840. CONCLUSIONS: Lower blood loss and transfusion rates with the advent of robotic assisted radical prostatectomy along with the results described in this study provide greater evidence that postoperative laboratory studies may be futile. By eliminating these laboratory studies, substantial cost savings are realized if extrapolated across the United States. This study is limited in its evaluation of complications from different types of medical centers, higher risk patients, postoperative laboratory studies impact on symptomatic patients, and absence of emergency room visits or hospital readmissions.

Multiple Cultures and Extended Incubation for Upper Extremity Revision Arthroplasty Affect Clinical Care: A Cohort Study.

Skin flora organisms (SFOs) isolated from 1 to 2 tissue samples during shoulder and elbow revision arthroplasty are difficult to distinguish as contamination or infection. We examined the change in clinical care after implementation of an Arthroplasty Infection Protocol by increasing the number of intraoperative samples held for 10-day incubation to a minimum of 5. METHODS: Infection was defined as ≥3 cultures growing the same SFO or any one culture growing any other virulent organism. SFOs growing in 1 to 2 samples were defined as skin flora contaminant. All cases were compared with pre-Arthroplasty Infection Protocol institution standard to determine changes in microbiological diagnosis and resultant antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Forty cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 50% of these were culture negative, and 35% grew Propionibacteria. When compared with the standard of obtaining one sample, this protocol altered the microbiological diagnosis and subsequent antibiotic treatment in 45% of cases (95% confidence interval 29% to 62%). This protocol had a predictive value of joint sterility in 95% of culture-negative cases (95% confidence interval 74% to 99%). DISCUSSION: The addition of 5 or more samples held for 10-day incubation reliably differentiated between joint infection, contamination, and sterility, which changed the course of care in 45% of surgical cases.

Which Objective Parameters Are Associated with a Positive Urine Culture in the Setting of Ureteral Calculi: The Ureteral Calculi Urinary Culture Calculator.

OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between laboratory values and subsequent culture positivity in the acute ureteral calculi patient. Specifically, we aim to develop a predictive model to assist with optimization of patient outcomes and improvement of antimicrobial stewardship. METHODS: Utilizing the electronic medical record system, we conducted a retrospective review of 3888 patients with ureteral calculi. Relevant demographic information, vital signs, and laboratory parameters obtained in the emergency department were tabulated. We applied a combination of analysis of variance and Pearson Fisher's Exact test for the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3888 patients were included in the analysis of whom 3171 (81.6%) had a negative urine culture and 717 (18.4%) had a positive urine culture. Basic vital signs and laboratory parameters, such as heart rate, temperature, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, and neutrophil differential only varied slightly in the positive and negative culture groups. Urinary nitrite was found to have specificity of 97.2% with a negative predictive value of 83.7%. Urinary leukocyte esterase was found to have a sensitivity of 86.8% and positive predictive value of 46.9%. On microscopy analysis, WBCs per high power field (WBCs/hpf) varied directly with likelihood of a positive urine culture; >150 WBCs/hpf had an 86.1% likelihood of positive urine culture. CONCLUSION: With the data provided from this large cohort analysis, we were able to create the ureteral calculi urinary culture calculator. With this calculator, urologists are better equipped to stratify a patient's risk of having a positive urine culture in the setting of a ureteral calculus.

Candida Bezoars in Adults: Determining Optimal Management.

Fungal bezoars, or fungal balls, are rare pathologic consequences of funguria in immunocompromised patients. Current treatment recommendations are based on expert opinion and low level evidence. We present a case of a Candida glabrata bezoar that was effectively treated with percutaneous amphotericin B instillations. A subsequent literature review is presented to assess the available case reports and treatment outcomes of Candida spp. bezoars in adults.

Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy to Aid Exposure for Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: A tibial tubercle osteotomy can provide reliable and safe exposure during revision total knee arthroplasty with a high union rate, low complication rate, and predictable outcomes. STEP 1 PREOPERATIVE PLANNING FIGS 1-A THROUGH 2-B: Determine the need for an extensile approach on the basis of the preoperative knee range of motion; position of the patella; bone quality; medical comorbidities; and cement mantle, tibial keel or stem, and thickness of the anterior tibial cortex. STEP 2 INCISION AND ARTHROTOMY: Create full-thickness subcutaneous flaps and perform a medial parapatellar arthrotomy with complete synovectomy and careful excision of scar tissue from the medial and lateral gutters. STEP 3 INCISION EXTENSION AND PREPARATION FOR TIBIAL TUBERCLE OSTEOTOMY FIGS 3 AND 4 VIDEOS 1 2 AND 3: Extend the skin and subcutaneous dissection distal to the tibial tubercle and mark the chevron osteotomy using electrocautery. STEP 4 TIBIAL TUBERCLE OSTEOTOMY FIG 5 VIDEOS 4 AND 5: Perform the osseous cut for the tibial tubercle osteotomy with a thin saw blade in a medial-to-lateral direction, such that the fragment hinges on the lateral soft tissue and musculature. STEP 5 REVISION TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY VIDEOS 6 AND 7: With the knee maximally flexed and lateral subluxation of the extensor mechanism, for full visualization of the femoral and tibial components, remove the components and perform the knee revision. STEP 6 PREPARATION FOR INSERTION OF TIBIAL COMPONENT: The final tibial component should have a diaphyseal stem long enough to bypass the distal extent of the tibial tubercle osteotomy by at least 2 cortical diameters. STEP 7 TRIALING AND INSERTION OF FINAL TIBIAL COMPONENT FIGS 6 AND 7 VIDEOS 8 9 AND 10: When cementing the final tibial component, take care to remove cement anterior to the tibial stem that would otherwise impede complete reduction of the osteotomy fragment and interfere with osseous union at the osteotomy site. STEP 8 REDUCTION OF TIBIAL TUBERCLE OSTEOTOMY FRAGMENT FIGS 8 AND 9 VIDEOS 11 12 AND 13: Manually position the osteotomized bone fragment over the tibia and obtain an anatomic reduction either freehand or using bone clamps, depending on the soft-tissue tension. STEP 9 FIXATION OF TIBIAL TUBERCLE OSTEOTOMY FRAGMENT VIDEO 14: Obtain rigid fixation with a 6.5-mm screw proximally and 2 sets of doubled-over 18-gauge wires distally. STEP 10 STRESSING THE OSTEOTOMY SITE AND WOUND CLOSURE FIGS 10 11 AND 12 VIDEOS 15 AND 16: Stress the osteotomy site by flexing the knee 90°, deflate the tourniquet, place a drain if needed, and close. STEP 11 POSTOPERATIVE RESTRICTIONS AND PROTOCOL FIGS 13-A AND 13-B: Allow weight-bearing as tolerated and a 0° to 90° range of motion in a hinged knee brace. RESULTS: Tibial tubercle osteotomy to aid in exposure during revision total knee arthroplasty has been reported to yield favorable outcomes in the orthopaedic literature7-18.

Staged total hip arthroplasty in a patient with hip dysplasia and a large pertrochanteric bone cyst.

Hip arthroplasty in young patients requires thoughtful preoperative planning. Patients with proximal femoral bone loss complicate this planning and may require a staged procedure to optimize implant insertion. We report on a case of a 26-year-old woman with secondary hip arthritis from developmental dysplasia of the hip and a large pertrochanteric bone cyst that was treated with staged total hip arthroplasty. The cyst was decompressed and filled with an osteoconductive and osteoinductive bone graft substitute called EquivaBone. One year later, the patient underwent a successful primary total hip arthroplasty. Fifteen-month follow-up after her hip replacement revealed resolution of postoperative pain and significant functional improvement.

Patient-specific versus conventional instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty: peri-operative and cost differences.

The role of patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is yet to be clearly defined. Current evidence evaluating peri-operative and cost differences against conventional TKA is unclear. We reviewed 356 TKAs between July 2008 and April 2013; 306 TKAs used patient-specific instrumentation while 50 had conventional instrumentation. The patient-specific instrumentation cohort averaged 20.4 min less surgical time (P < 0.01) and had a 42% decrease in operating room turnover time (P = 0.022). At our institution, the money saved through increased operating room efficiency offset the cost of the custom cutting blocks and pre-operative advanced imaging. Routine use of patient-specific TKA can be performed with less surgical time, no increase in peri-operative morbidity, and at no increased cost when compared to conventional TKA.

Multiple cultures and extended incubation for hip and knee arthroplasty revision: impact on clinical care.

The impact on patient care of introducing a protocol of obtaining 5 or more intra-operative separate tissue biopsies that were cultured for 10 days was assessed for hip and knee arthroplasty revision. The charts of seventy-three patients undergoing 77 cases of revision arthroplasty were reviewed one year post-operatively. When compared to the prior standard of obtaining only one intra-operative culture, the protocol changed the microbiological diagnosis in 26/77 cases (34%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 23-45%) and antibiotic treatment in 23/77 cases (30%, 95% CI: 20-41%). In addition, the protocol had a predictive value of joint sterility in culture negative cases of 95% (95% CI: 85-99%). This data demonstrated the new protocol significantly changed patient care, and suggests that 1 or 2 cultures are insufficient. Adopting a similar protocol should be considered by surgeons and institutions as a new minimum standard for management of prosthetic joint infections.

Salvage hip arthroplasty after failed fixation of proximal femur fractures.

We reviewed 46 patients who underwent salvage hip arthroplasty (SHA) for revision of failed cannulated screws (CS), sliding hip screws (SHS), or intramedullary nails (IMN). The primary objective was to determine differences in operative difficulty. SHA after failed femoral neck fixation was associated with lower intra-operative demands than after failed peri-trochanteric fractures. Similarly, analysis by the index implant found that conversion arthroplasty after failed CSs was associated with lower intra-operative morbidity than failed SHSs or IMNs; differences between SHS and IMN were not as clear. Importantly, intra-operative data in cases of failed SHSs were similar regardless of the original fracture type, showing the device played a larger role than the fracture pattern. Complications and revision surgery rates were similar regardless of fracture type or fixation device. Our results suggest that operative demands and subsequent patient morbidity are more dependent on the index device than the fracture pattern during SHA.

Reconstruction of a bony bankart lesion: best fit based on radius of curvature.

BACKGROUND: The inferior coracoid process has traditionally been considered to be the gold standard for glenoid augmentation after anteroinferior bone loss. Other autograft sites, and more recently, osteochondral allograft sites, have been described as potential donor sources. PURPOSE: Potential autograft and osteochondral allograft sites were compared to identify the graft source that would provide the best fit for glenoid augmentation. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Mose circles, a geometric tool found on a standard goniometer, were used to make radius of curvature measurements of 10 anatomic locations in 17 cadaveric specimens. The bony surface of the glenoid, measured from superior to inferior (G-SI) and from anterior to posterior (G-AP), was used as the standard for comparison. Autograft sites were the inferior coracoid, lateral coracoid, and inner table of the iliac crest. Potential osteochondral allograft sites were the radial head, scaphoid fossa of the distal radius (S-DR), lunate fossa of the distal radius (L-DR), medial tibial plateau, and lateral distal tibia. An acceptable match for autograft sites was based on a paired analysis and defined as a radius of curvature within 5 mm of the G-SI or the G-AP of the same cadaveric specimen. Allograft sites were evaluated using an unpaired analysis in which an ideal fit was defined as a radius of curvature of 25 to 30 mm, based on the interquartile range of the G-SI and G-AP. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) radii of curvature for the G-SI and G-AP were 30 mm (range, 25-30 mm) and 25 mm (range, 25-25 mm), respectively. The inferior coracoid was within 5 mm of the G-SI 59% of the time and the G-AP 94% of the time; no measurements from the lateral coracoid or iliac crest were within the range of the glenoid radius of curvature. Analysis of the allograft sites demonstrated an acceptable fit for 94% of the distal tibia, 68% of the medial tibial plateau, 12% of the S-DR, and 0% of the L-DR and the radial head specimens. CONCLUSION: An autograft of the inferior coracoid or an osteochondral allograft of the lateral distal tibia provided the best match to re-establish the native radius of curvature of the glenoid. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To best re-create the native glenohumeral anatomy, surgeons should consider the use of an autograft of the inferior coracoid or an osteochondral allograft of the lateral distal tibia for the reconstruction of osseous glenoid defects.

Does double-row rotator cuff repair improve functional outcome of patients compared with single-row technique? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The advantage of single-row versus double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques has been a controversial issue in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. There is biomechanical evidence that double-row techniques are superior to single-row techniques; however, there is no clinical evidence that the double-row technique provides an improved functional outcome. HYPOTHESIS: When compared with single-row rotator cuff repair, double-row fixation, although biomechanically superior, has no clinical benefit with respect to retear rate or improved functional outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: The authors reviewed prospective studies of level I or II clinical evidence that compared the efficacy of single- and double-row rotator cuff repairs. Functional outcome scores included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder scale, the Constant shoulder score, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale. Radiographic failures and complications were also analyzed. A test of heterogeneity for patient demographics was also performed to determine if there were differences in the patient profiles across the included studies. RESULTS: Seven studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The test of heterogeneity across these studies showed no differences. The functional ASES, Constant, and UCLA outcome scores revealed no difference between single- and double-row rotator cuff repairs. The total retear rate, which included both complete and partial retears, was 43.1% for the single-row repair and 27.2% for the double-row repair (P = .057), representing a trend toward higher failures in the single-row group. CONCLUSION: Through a comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis of current arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, we found that the single-row repairs did not differ from the double-row repairs in functional outcome scores. The double-row repairs revealed a trend toward a lower radiographic proven retear rate, although the data did not reach statistical significance. There may be a concerning trend toward higher retear rates in patients undergoing a single-row repair, but further studies are required.

Validation of a high fidelity adult ureteroscopy and renoscopy simulator.

PURPOSE: Surgical simulation technology may efficiently train and accurately assess the acquisition of many skills. Surgical simulators often lack realism and can be expensive at $3,000 to more than $60,000. We assessed the face, content and construct validity of a newly developed, anatomically accurate, reasonably priced high fidelity ureteroscopy and renoscopy trainer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 participants, including attending urologists, urology residents, medical students and industry representatives, assessed the face and content validity of the simulator using a standard questionnaire. Ten experienced ureteroscopists with greater than 30 procedures per year and 10 novice ureteroscopists with 0 were assessed on the ability to perform flexible ureteroscopy, renoscopy and intrarenal basket extraction of a lower pole calculus using the adult ureteroscopy trainer (Ideal Anatomic Modeling, Holt, Michigan). Subject performance was assessed by an experienced ureteroscopist using a checklist, global rating scale and time to task completion. RESULTS: Of participants 100% rated the trainer as realistic and easy to use, and thought it was a good training tool, 98% thought that it would serve as a good training format and 96% would recommend it to urology trainees. All participants recommended it for use in residency programs and 96% would or would have used it during residency. Only 37.5% vs 100% of experienced vs novice ureteroscopists would use it to practice. Of participants 9% foresaw a problem with the trainer. On the trainer experienced ureteroscopists scored significantly higher on the global rating scale (mean +/- SD 33.1 +/- 1.3 vs 15.0 +/- 2.7, p <0.0001) and checklist (4.1 +/- 1.0 vs 2.4 +/- 1.1, p = 0.004), and required less time to complete the task (141.2 +/- 40.1 vs 447.2 +/- 301.7 seconds, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study suggests the face, content and construct validity of the adult ureteroscopy trainer as a high fidelity ureteroscopy and renoscopy trainer.

Postoperative hemorrhage following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy controlled with external penile compression.

We report a postoperative hemorrhage of the dorsal vein complex after transperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy managed with external penile compression. Control of the dorsal vein required two sutures, and the estimated blood loss due to the procedure was 400 ml. Severe gross hematuria developed on postoperative day 2, but this quickly subsided with external compression at the base of the penis. Transfusions were required, but the patient refused re-exploration. A self-adherent bandage was applied circumferentially to the entire penis for 48 h. During this time there was no further hematuria, and the patient recovered uneventfully.