Reproducibility of Digital Planning in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Among Experienced and Novice Surgeons.

Objective The present study aims to assess the reproducibility of digital planning for cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) among surgeons with different levels of experience. In addition, it attempts to determine the degree of planning reliability based on a contralateral THA or on a spherical marker positioned at the greater trochanter for calibration. Methods Two evaluators with different experience levels (A1 and A2) performed independently the retrospective digital surgical planning of 64 cementless THAs. Next, we compared the planning with the implants used in the surgery. The reproducibility was excellent when planning and implants were identical; proper in case of a single-unit variation; and inappropriate if there was variation in two or more units. The present analysis also determined the calibration accuracy between the contralateral THA and the spherical marker at the greater trochanter level. Results The present study demonstrated greater success when the most experienced evaluator performed the planning and greater accuracy for the contralateral THA. When splitting the analysis per parameter (contralateral THA or spherical marker), there was a statistical difference only for the planning of A1 and the implants used in the surgery. This difference occurred in the excellent category, with 67.3% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker ( p <0.001), and in the inappropriate category, with 7.1% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker ( p <0.001). Conclusions Digital planning is more accurate when performed by an experienced evaluator. The contralateral prosthesis head was a better reference than a marker on the greater trochanter.

Reproducibility of Digital Planning in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Among Experienced and Novice Surgeons / Reprodutibilidade do planejamento digital na artroplastia total do quadril sem cimento entre cirurgiões experientes e iniciantes

Abstract Objective The present study aims to assess the reproducibility of digital planning for cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) among surgeons with different levels of experience. In addition, it attempts to determine the degree of planning reliability based on a contralateral THA or on a spherical marker positioned at the greater trochanter for calibration. Methods Two evaluators with different experience levels (A1 and A2) performed independently the retrospective digital surgical planning of 64 cementless THAs. Next, we compared the planning with the implants used in the surgery. The reproducibility was excellent when planning and implants were identical; proper in case of a single-unit variation; and inappropriate if there was variation in two or more units. The present analysis also determined the calibration accuracy between the contralateral THA and the spherical marker at the greater trochanter level. Results The present study demonstrated greater success when the most experienced evaluator performed the planning and greater accuracy for the contralateral THA. When splitting the analysis per parameter (contralateral THA or spherical marker), there was a statistical difference only for the planning of A1 and the implants used in the surgery. This difference occurred in the excellent category, with 67.3% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker (p < 0.001), and in the inappropriate category, with 7.1% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker (p < 0.001). Conclusions Digital planning is more accurate when performed by an experienced evaluator. The contralateral prosthesis head was a better reference than a marker on the greater trochanter.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a reprodutibilidade do planejamento digital da artroplastia total de quadril (ATQ) sem cimento entre cirurgiões com diferentes níveis de experiência e o grau de confiabilidade no planejamento baseado na ATQ contralateral com o método de marcador esférico posicionado ao nível do trocanter maior. Método Dois avaliadores com níveis de experiência diferentes (A1 e A2) realizaram de forma independente o planejamento digital operatório retrospectivo de 64 ATQs sem cimento. O planejamento foi comparado com os implantes utilizados na cirurgia, sendo classificados como: excelentes, quando idênticos; adequados, quando houve variação de uma unidade; e inadequados, quando ocorreu variação de duas ou mais unidades. Na presente análise, também foi avaliada a acurácia do parâmetro de calibragem entre a ATQ contralateral comparada com o marcador esférico ao nível do trocanter maior. Resultados O estudo demonstrou maior êxito no planejamento quando realizado pelo avaliador mais experiente, com maior acurácia na ATQ contralateral. Ao fragmentar a análise de acordo com o parâmetro utilizado (ATQ contralateral ou marcador esférico), houve diferença estatística apenas na comparação do planejamento do avaliador A1 com os implantes utilizados na cirurgia. Esta diferença ocorreu na classificação excelente com 67,3% em ATQ contralateral como parâmetro contra 30,6% com marcador esférico (p < 0,001) e inadequado de 7,1% contra 30,6%, respectivamente (p < 0,001). Conclusões A acurácia do planejamento digital é mais precisa quando realizada por um avaliador experiente e a utilização da cabeça de prótese contralateral como referência se mostrou superior à utilização de um marcador no trocanter maior.

Effects of theobromine addition on chemical and mechanical properties of a conventional glass ionomer cement.

In vitro effect of 1% theobromine addition on the physical and chemical properties of conventional glass ionomer (GIC) cement was investigated. Conventional GIC (GIC-C) and 1% theobromine added to GIC (GIC-THEO) specimens were compared regarding the microhardness (n = 10), sorption (n = 5), solubility (n = 5), color change (n = 10), fluoride release in saliva (n = 10) and the amount of biofilm deposition (n = 20). Compared against conventional GIC, adding 1% theobromine increased microhardness (p < 0.05), while its sorption, solubility, color and fluoride release to saliva (p > 0.05) remained unchanged. On the other hand, Streptococcus mutans biofilm amount deposited on its surface decreased statistically when theobromine was added to GIC (p < 0.05). Based on the results, it could be concluded that 1% theobromine addition to GIC can be a good strategy as it keeps some of its properties and improves microhardness and biofilm deposits strengthening its role in the preventive approach of dentistry.

Eficácia de uma estratégia diagnóstica para pacientes com dor torácica e sem supradesnível do segmento ST na sala de emergência / Efficacy of a diagnostic strategy for patients with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation in the emergency room

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a systematic model of care for patients with chest pain and no ST segment elevation in the emergency room. METHODS: From 1003 patients submitted to an algorithm diagnostic investigation by probability of acute ischemic syndrome. We analyzed 600 ones with no elevation of ST segment, then enrolled to diagnostic routes of median (route 2) and low probability (route 3) to ischemic syndrome. RESULTS: In route 2 we found 17 per cent acute myocardial infarction and 43 per cent unstable angina, whereas in route 3 the rates were 2 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. Patients with normal/non--specific ECG had 6 per cent probability of AMI whereas in those with negative first CKMB it was 7 per cent; the association of the 2 data only reduced it to 4 per cent. In patients in route 2 the diagnosis of AMI could only be ruled out with serial CKMB measurement up to 9 hours, while in route 3 it could be done in up to 3 hours. Thus, sensitivity and negative predictive value of admission CKMB for AMI were 52 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively. About one-half of patients with unstable angina did not disclose objective ischemic changes on admission. CONCLUSION: The use of a systematic model of care in patients with chest pain offers the opportunity of hindering inappropriate release of patients with ACI and reduces unnecessary admissions. However some patients even with normal ECG should not be released based on a negative first CKMB. Serial measurement of CKMB up to 9 hours is necessary in patients with medium probability of AMI.

Dor torácica na sala de emergência: a importância de uma abordagem sistematizada / Chest pain in the emergency room: importance of a systematic approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of a systematic diagnostic approach in patients with chest pain in the emergency room in relation to the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the rate of hospitalization in high-cost units. METHODS: One thousand and three consecutive patients with chest pain were screened according to a pre-established process of diagnostic investigation based on the pre-test probability of ACS determinate by chest pain type and ECG changes. RESULTS: Of the 1003 patients, 224 were immediately discharged home because of no suspicion of ACS (route 5) and 119 were immediately transferred to the coronary care united because of ST elevation or left bundle-branch block (LBBB) (route 1) (74 per cent of these had a final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction [AMI]). Of the 660 patients that remained in the emergency room under observation, 77 (12 per cent) had AMI without ST segment elevation and 202 (31 per cent) had unstable angina (UA). In route 2 (high probability of ACS) 17 per cent of patients had AMI and 43 per cent had UA, whereas in route 3 (low probability) 2 per cent had AMI and 7 per cent had UA. The admission ECG has been confirmed as a poor sensitivity test for the diagnosis of AMI ( 49 per cent), with a positive predictive value considered only satisfactory (79 per cent). CONCLUSION : A systematic diagnostic strategy, as used in this study, is essential in managing patients with chest pain in the emergency room in order to obtain high diagnostic accuracy, lower cost, and optimization of the use of coronary care unit beds.