Necrotic Upper-Extremity Infections in People Who Inject Drugs: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: Our institution has noted an increase in severe upper-extremity infections within the last 2 years. These patients have required transhumeral amputation. This case series demonstrates some of the catastrophic outcomes of these infections in people who inject drugs, which has been postulated to be related to the addition of xylazine to injectable drugs in our community. METHODS: The study included patients presenting with severe upper-extremity infections resulting from intravenous drug use and requiring upper-extremity amputation between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022 at a single, urban, level 1 trauma center. Patient information and clinical images were collected through retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified at our institution with extensive necrosis of the skin and soft tissues in the forearm and hand, resulting in exposure of the radius and ulna. None of these patients had viable motor function in the hand and presented with a lack of sensation. All underwent transhumeral amputations, including bilaterally in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The patients in this case series self-reported injection of tranquilizer-containing drugs, and xylazine has been reported to be present in 91% of heroin and fentanyl samples in our community. Although more studies are needed to confirm that xylazine is the definitive cause of the extensive tissue necrosis seen in these patients, we have found the severity of these infections to be noteworthy, given the likely expansion of xylazine to drug samples beyond our region. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic V.

Acetabular Placement Accuracy With the Direct Anterior Approach Freehand Technique.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular cup placement in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been recognized as an important factor in operative success, and accurate cup placement has been the impetus for novel medical technologies. METHODS: This article examines the cup placement in 955 THAs using a freehand Direct Anterior Approach on a standard operating table. Acetabular anteversion and inclination were determined using the circle theorem. Measurements were divided into safe zone placement determined by Callanan et al as 5°-25° for anteversion and 30°-45° for inclination, as well as by Lewinnek et al as 5°-25° for anteversion and 30°-50° for inclination. Dislocation rate was determined and correlated to safe zone placement. RESULTS: Although technology has advanced for cup placement, this investigation shows that a freehand technique demonstrates 0.31% dislocation after THA with an accuracy of 85% for the Lewinnek safe zone and 61% for Callanan, potentially because of the sparing of the posterior hip capsule. CONCLUSION: The direct anterior approach to the hip on a regular operating table is safe and reliable. Our results demonstrate improvement in cup positioning compared with other freehand techniques. Surgeon awareness and control of the position of the pelvis within space optimizes acetabular component accuracy and precision without the need for special equipment, such as intraoperative fluoroscopy.