Predictors of Adverse Events in the Surgical Treatment of Adult Distal Humerus Fractures.

The purpose of this study was to identify surgical complications after distal humerus fracture fixation as well as correlations between these complications and patient variables. A total of 132 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation of traumatic distal humerus fractures between October 2011 and June 2018. Included were adult patients who underwent surgical fixation and had more than 6 months of follow-up. Excluded were patients with inadequate radiographic imaging, less than 6 months of follow-up, and previous distal humerus surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for age and body mass index were used to determine preoperative factors predictive of postoperative complications. A total of 73 patients were included in this analysis. Surgical complications were reported for 17 patients. Reoperation was required for 13 patients. Open injury at presentation was predictive of delayed union. Predictors of subsequent elbow surgery included younger age, polytrauma, open fracture, and ulnar nerve injury at the time of injury. Radial nerve injury at the time of presentation was also a risk factor for postoperative radial nerve symptoms. Predictors of postoperative heterotopic ossification included older age. Thirty-one patients had an olecranon osteotomy during their open reduction and internal fixation and none went on to nonunion. There were 13 patients with ulnar nerve complications. Of these patients, 3 had undergone an ulnar nerve transposition. None of the other studied variables were predictors of complications, malunion, or nonunion at latest follow-up. Although open reduction and internal fixation is effective in treating distal humerus fractures, its complications cannot be overlooked. Open fractures are more likely to go on to delayed union. Ulnar nerve injury, open fracture, and polytrauma were predictive for reoperation. Older patients were less likely to have subsequent surgery but more likely to develop heterotopic ossification. By identifying at-risk patients, managing physicians can better prognosticate and counsel patients on their recovery. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(6):352-357.].

Fracture of a Titanium Non-Modular Femoral Stem After Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Femoral stem fracture is a rare and morbid complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). There currently exists a paucity of reports regarding cementless non-modular, titanium, femoral stem fractures. METHODS: A case report and review of the literature for modular and non-modular stem fractures was conducted. RESULTS: We report the first documented fatigue fracture in the Wagner Self-Locking (SL) Revision (Zimmer-Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana) System. DISCUSSION: Proximal stress shielding can lead to poor bone support and contribute to excessive cantilever bending forces, even on non-modular, titanium, tapered stems. Body mass index, prosthetic diameter, and stem length are factors that need to be vetted in order to prevent this complication.

Male Sex, Decreased Activity Level, and Higher BMI Associated With Lower Completion of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following ACL Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) surveys have become increasingly important in both improving patient care and assessing outcomes. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate which variables are associated with compliance with completing PRO surveys in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The authors hypothesized that older patient age and longer time since ACLR would be associated with lower completion rates of PRO surveys preoperatively and at postoperative time points. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All patients who underwent ACLR by a sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at a single institution and were electronically assigned PRO surveys through a data collection system preoperatively between December 2013 and March 2015 were included. Postoperatively, PRO surveys were sent to patients' email addresses at 6, 12, and 24 months. Demographics, history, and operative and postoperative information were evaluated for an association with survey completion rates. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 140 (54.7%) male and 116 (45.3%) female patients, with an overall mean age of 28.6 ± 11.9 years. Only 19 (7.4%) patients completed all preoperative and postoperative surveys at all time points. Less than half of the patients (n = 104; 40.6%) completed both the preoperative survey and at least 1 postoperative survey. There was a steady decrease in the completion rate of PRO surveys postoperatively over time (Pearson r = -0.995, P = .005). Male patients had significantly worse compliance with completing PRO surveys preoperatively and at a minimum of 1 time point postoperatively (P = .044). Patients who did not identify as athletes or report frequent exercise (≥3 times/wk) had significantly worse compliance with completing any PRO surveys (P = .046). Lower body mass index was associated with greater odds of compliance with completing the preoperative survey and 24-month postoperative survey (odds ratio, 0.902; P = .029). CONCLUSION: An inverse relationship was found between the surgery-to-survey period and percentage of those completing PRO surveys, with poor overall compliance. Male sex and not self-identifying as an athlete or performing frequent physical exercise were associated with lower completion rates of PRO surveys, while lower body mass index was associated with a greater rate of completion.

Eccentric, mature osseous cap: A distinct imaging feature of sinonasal osteoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: With the exception of osteomas, bone neoplasms that originate in the sinonasal cavity are seldom diagnosed on preoperative imaging due to a lack of characteristic radiographic features. Here we described the unusual occurrence of an osteoblastoma in the paranasal sinuses, and we drew focus to its salient imaging features. A highly unique imaging sign was indicated, and its pathologic basis was explained, with concurrent review of the literature. METHODS: Case series and review of the literature. RESULTS: Two cases of sinonasal osteoblastoma were managed by definitive surgical resection. Both tumors on preoperative computed tomography demonstrated an expansile, heterogeneous fibro-osseous lesion with an eccentric, mature osseous cap. The dense osseous cap seen on imaging corresponded to a rim of mature bone on histopathology. A review of existing literature revealed the presence of this imaging sign in all reported cases. CONCLUSION: Sinonasal osteoblastoma is an extremely rare entity with undefined imaging characteristics to guide preoperative decision-making. Here we reported, to our knowledge, the first description of a characteristic imaging sign of an eccentric, mature osseous cap, which corresponded histologically to a single peripheral layer rim of osteoblasts, a unique trait of osteoblastoma.

Clinical Outcomes After Microfracture of the Knee: Midterm Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Microfracture is a single-stage arthroscopic procedure used to treat small- and medium-sized cartilage defects, the clinical results of which have been mixed to date. PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after microfracture as well as to determine patient-related and defect-related factors associated with clinical outcomes and which factors predict the need for additional surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All patients between the ages of 10 and 70 years who underwent microfracture by the senior author for a focal chondral defect of the knee between January 1, 2005, and March 1, 2010, were eligible for study enrollment. Patients were excluded if they underwent concomitant procedures that violated the subchondral bone. Functional outcomes were determined using preoperative and final follow-up PROs, including the Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form-12 (SF-12), and overall satisfaction scores. Patient-related factors (sex, age, body mass index [BMI]) and defect-related factors (lesion size, location, concomitant procedures, prior procedures) were analyzed for correlations with outcome scores. All patient-related and defect-related factors were also analyzed as predictors for subsequent surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 101 patients (102 knees; 55 male, 46 female; mean age, 35.87 ± 12.52 years; mean BMI, 26.3 ± 5.5 kg/m2; mean defect size, 2.635 ± 1.805 cm2) were included. Lesion location included 44.90% at the medial femoral condyle, 21.43% at the trochlea, 11.22% at the lateral femoral condyle, 10.20% at multiple sites, 8.16% at the patella, and 4.08% at the tibial plateau. Microfracture was performed alone in 72 of 102 (71%) knees. At a mean follow-up of 5.66 ± 2.54 years (range, 2-11 years), clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements were seen in all PROs (P < .05) except the SF-12 mental component score. Patients who had an isolated tibial plateau defect or multiple defects demonstrated reduced improvements in the symptom rate (P = .0237). Patients with a BMI >30 kg/m2 had lower postoperative scores on the KOOS activities of daily living subscale (P = .0261) and poorer WOMAC function and WOMAC pain scores (P = .029 and .0307, respectively). Patient BMI, age, sex, defect location, concomitant procedures, and operative side were not significant predictors for additional surgery. Larger defect size (>3.6 cm2) and prior knee surgery were independent risk factors for additional knee surgery after microfracture. CONCLUSION: After microfracture, all PROs demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements at 5.7 years. Functionally, male patients benefited more from microfracture than female patients. Microfracture of tibial lesions and multisite microfracture provided less benefit than microfracture of isolated femoral defects. Larger lesion size (>3.6 cm2) and prior knee surgery predicted the need for additional knee surgery after microfracture.

Anatomic relationship of the first olfactory neuron and trochlea: cadaveric study with surgical implications.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic injury to the trochlea is a potential complication of the Draf III or endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure; however, the location of the trochlea from within the sinus cavity has yet to be clearly characterized. We performed the first cadaveric study assessing the position of the trochlea in relation to the first olfactory neuron, a commonly identified landmark during the Draf III procedure. METHODS: Thirteen external dissections of the trochlea were performed on 7 disarticulated cadaveric heads via an extended Lynch type incision. An endoscopic Draf III procedure was then performed on all cadavers. A burr hole was then created at the trochlear fovea. A straight vector between the trochlear attachment and the ipsilateral first olfactory neuron was then created. The vector was then viewed from within the sinuses using a 30-degree endoscope. The endoscope was maneuvered to create an upright midline view centered on the olfactory neurons. An image was subsequently captured and analyzed using ImageJ software to calculate a vector angle. The linear distance between the 2 structures was also recorded. RESULTS: Relative to the first olfactory neuron, the trochlea was found to be 19.52 ± 4.68 mm away and at an angle of 39.42 ± 8.54 degrees in the anterolateral, superior direction along the frontal bone. CONCLUSION: We report the first anatomical dissection characterizing the position of the trochlea relative to the ipsilateral first olfactory neuron. Intraoperative recognition of this relationship during Draf III procedures can prevent potential injury to the trochlea.