Italian consensus statement for the use of allografts in ACL reconstructive surgery.

PURPOSE: Graft choice for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is debated, with considerable controversy and variability among surgeons. Autograft tendons are actually the most used grafts for primary surgery; however, allografts have been used in greater frequency for both primary and revision ACL surgery over the past decade. Given the great debate on the use of allografts in ACL-R, the "Allografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction" consensus statement was developed among orthopedic surgeons and members of SIGASCOT (Società Italiana del Ginocchio, Artroscopia, Sport, Cartilagine, Tecnologie Ortopediche), with extensive experience in ACL-R, to investigate their habits in the use of allograft in different clinical situations. The results of this consensus statement will serve as benchmark information for future research and will help surgeons to facilitate the clinical decision making. METHODS: In March 2017, a formal consensus process was developed using a modified Delphi technique method, involving a steering group (9 participants), a rating group (28 participants) and a peer-review group (31 participants). Nine statements were generated and then debated during a SIGASCOT consensus meeting. A manuscript has been then developed to report methodology and results of the consensus process and finally approved by all steering group members. RESULTS: A different level of consensus has been reached among the topics selected. Strong agreement has been reported in considering harvesting, treatment and conservation methods relevant for clinical results, and in considering biological integration longer in allograft compared to autograft. Relative agreement has been reported in using allograft as the first-line graft for revision ACL-R, in considering biological integration a crucial aspect for rehabilitation protocol set-up, and in recommending a delayed return to sport when using allograft. Relative disagreement has been reported in using allograft as the first-line graft for primary ACL-R in patients over 50, and in not considering clinical results of allograft superior to autograft. Strong disagreement has been reported in using allograft as the first-line graft for primary ACL-R and for skeletally immature patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this consensus do not represent a guideline for surgeons, but could be used as starting point for an international discussion on use of allografts in ACL-R. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, consensus of experts.

Arthroscopic guided biopsy and radiofrequency thermoablation of a benign neoplasm of the tibial spines area: a treatment option.

BACKGROUND: Lesions located in the area of the tibial spines are rare. In most cases, treatment follows histological diagnosis, but when imaging and clinical data are considered to be "very" characteristic for benign lesions, such as chondroblastoma or osteoid osteoma, treatment may be performed without biopsy. Traditional curettage requires opening the joint, which presents a high risk of contamination of the joint itself and surrounding structures, such as the popliteal area, with possible contamination of the neurovascular bundle when performing curettage with the posterior approach. In this case, the re-excision of a local recurrence would be extremely difficult. RESULTS: We describe a technique using arthroscopic guidance for radiofrequency thermoablation of a benign lesion in the tibial spines area. We report on an illustrative case. The patient so treated, reported immediate relief from the pain, and after two weeks, was free of pain. The biopsy performed before the treatment confirmed the radiological diagnosis of chondroblastoma. At one year of follow-up, the patient is without pain, with a 0-130° range of motion, has no activity limitations and is apparently free of disease. CONCLUSION: This technique allows a radiofrequency thermoablation of a lesion in the tibial spines area and in the posterior tibial surface to be performed without opening the joint, monitoring the tibial plateau surface, probably decreasing the risk of cartilage damage. Unfortunately, in the case presented, the high pressure from the arthroscopy's pump broke the tibial plateau surface creating a communication to the tibial tunnel used for thermoablation.

Graft selection in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgical reconstruction is performed with the use of an autogenic, allogenic or synthetic graft. The document issued by the Italian National Guidelines System (SNLG, Sistema Nazionale Linee Guida) at the National Institute of Health aims to guide orthopaedic surgeons in selecting the optimal graft for ACL reconstruction using an evidence-based approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A monodisciplinary panel was formed to define a restricted number of clinical questions, develop specific search strategies and critically appraise the literature using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) method. The final draft was shared by the panel and then sent to four external referees to assess its readability and clarity, its clinical relevance and the feasibility of recommendations. RESULTS: autograft shows moderate superiority compared with allograft, in relation to the relevant outcomes and the quality of selected evidence, after an appropriate risk-benefit assessment. Allograft shows higher failure rate and higher risk of infection. The panel recommends use of autografts; patellar tendon should be the first choice, due to its higher stability, while use of hamstring is indicated for subjects for whom knee pain can represent a particular problem (e.g., some categories of workers). CONCLUSIONS: autograft shows better performance compared with allograft and no significant heterogeneity in relation to relevant outcomes. The GRADE method allowed collation of all the information needed to draw up the recommendations, and to highlight the core points for discussion.

Appropriateness of clinical criteria for the use of SYmptomatic Slow-Acting Drug for OsteoArthritis (SYSADOA). A Delphi Method Consensus initiative among experts in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a theme currently representing an emerging topic for its increasing incidence. It is well known that it is a chronic disease that could lead to important long-lasting disability; this generates increasing costs for the health care system. OA treatment options vary: localization, etiology, grading and symptomatology should be considered before choosing the most adequate therapy. Currently, a modern approach to managing OA involves SYmptomatic Slow-Acting Drug for OsteoArthritis (SYSADOAs). However, while all preparations may claim to deliver a therapeutic level of glucosamine or chondroitin, not all of them are supported by clinical evidence. Recently the European Society for Clinical and Economic aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases (ESCEO), produced an evidenced based document providing practitioners with the latest clinical and economic information, thereby allowing them to optimize the management of knee OA. According to this report, only crystalline glucosamine sulphate and the pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulphate are considered as effective in the first line approach to treating knee OA as an alternative drug to acetaminophen. However, some OA guidelines do not agree are not concordant in recommending the use of SYSADOA, perhaps because they are generally considered as a class and distinctions among formulations are not made. AIM: Aim of this study was to identify the main aspects involved in patient selection, the choice of therapeutic agents and the safety profile in using SYSADOA. DESIGN: Delphi method Consenus Statement. POPULATION: Italian Physicians having expertise in Osteoarthritis management. METHODS: A committee of 11 experts from Italian universities, public hospitals, territorial services, research institutes and patient associations was set up. Sixty-three clinicians from a large number of Italian medical centers specialized in osteoarthritis management took part in a Delphi process which was aimed at obtaining consensus statements among the participants. RESULTS: Large consensus was obtained for statements grouped under the following main themes: treatment indications; drug/medical devices choice; treatment efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the Italian consensus on appropriateness of OA therapies in osteoarthritis seems to be in line with the stepwise approach proposed by the ESCEO algorithm, where crystalline glucosamine sulphate shows greater clinical efficacy than other glucosamine-based formulations, according to several independent meta-analyses. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study may be used as a practical reference tool to help Italian physicians treat osteoarthritis patients using SYSADOA.

Approach to the Surgical Theater: Epidemiological Survey in Orthopaedic Italian Private Hospitals.

Surgeons prepare for surgery in a reliable and reproducible manner and according to the guidelines published by the international health institutions. An epidemiological survey on 127 surgeons has shown that in everyday practice they have to follow the most recent knowledge based on evidence-based medicine (EBM) guidelines. However, more standardized approach to the surgical theater practices have to be defined by our health caregivers.

Femoral Fixation With Curve Cross-Pin System in Arthroscopic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) ruptures account for 1% to 44% of all acute ligament injuries of the knee. In this paper we wanted to try out a system for femural fixation. Hamstring tendons are harvested and standard tibial tunnel is prepared using the transtibial PCL guide; by identifying the PCL footprint, the femoral half tunnel 27 to 30 mm with in-out technique is performed. The femoral rod of a curve cross-pin system is inserted into the anterolateral access within the femoral half tunnel. The guide block is placed 2.5 cm anterior (in a coronal plane) and 2.5 cm proximal to the lateral epicondyle. The arc attachment is assembled and the bone stock assessed with the bone gauge pin in contact with the cortex of the medial femoral condyle. Then the first sleeve over trocar is assembled, and the graft is passed through the tunnel and fixed on the femur with the pins and on the tibia with interferential screw. After biomechanical studies we obtained a maximum load at 930.95 N and maximum stiffness at 58.92 N/mm.

Percutaneous Fat Transfer to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms: Preliminary Results.

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous aspirated and purified fat tissue injected percutaneously into the knee joint for the treatment of symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA). Methods We reviewed 30 patients, who received an autologous percutaneous fat injection for the treatment of knee OA, from January 2012 to March 2015. Mean patients' age was 63.3 ± 5.3 years (range, 50-80 years). Body mass index was 25.1 ± 1.7. Clinical evaluation was based on pain visual analog scale (VAS) and WOMAC score for functional and subjective assessment. We also noted the adverse reactions and the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the posttreatment period. Results All patients reported improvements with respect to pain: average VAS was 7.7 ± 1.2 at baseline, 5.2 ± 0.2 at 1-month follow-up, and 4.3 ± 1 at 3-month follow-up. A slight deterioration (5.0 ± 1.1) was evidenced at 1 year. Total WOMAC score was 89.9 ± 1.7 at baseline, 66.3 ± 1 at 1 month, 68.6 ± 1.7 at 3 months, and 73.2 ± 1.8 at 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion Our preliminary findings suggest that autologous percutaneous fat injections are a valid treatment option for knee OA. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Pre-operative planning in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction revision surgery.

Primary reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament are common and increasing in number, a trend inevitably paralleled by an increase in the number of revision procedures. Failure of primary ACL reconstruction can appear as objective residual laxity, subjective instability, severe and persistent postoperative stiffness and/or pain, or infection. Revision surgery is a complex procedure, in which the expected clinical outcome is inferior to that which can be expected from primary reconstruction, and patients have a 5.4% risk of undergoing a second revision after five years. This type of procedure demands correct and exhaustive preoperative planning so as ensure optimal treatment of accompanying lesions and of any complications arising during surgery. It is important to know, in detail, the patient's clinical history (when the primary surgery was performed and the technique used, the cause of the recurrence, the degree of functional recovery, etc.), to perform a thorough clinical examination (to evaluate alignment, gait cycle, skin color, the trophic condition of the muscles, joint laxity), and to have available the results of a detailed and specific imaging study and also of blood tests, in order to exclude the presence of an infection.