Use of Peripheral Nerve Blocks Is Not Associated With Decreased Postoperative Opioid Prescription After ACL Reconstruction in Adolescents.

The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and reconstruction in pediatric patients is increasing. Perioperative peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are widely used for pain management in this population. We used a multi-state administrative claims database to describe the effect of PNB after ACL reconstruction on postoperative opioid consumption. We identified patients 10 to 18 years old undergoing primary ACL reconstruction between 2014 and 2016 in an administrative claims database. Patients filling an outpatient perioperative prescription for opioids with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. We stratified patients based on PNB. Our primary outcome was opioid prescription patterns (in morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]) and incidence of opioid represcription. Of the 4459 cases, 2432 (54.5%) of the patients were given a PNB during ACL reconstruction while 2027 (45.5%) were not. Patients with PNB were prescribed more MMEs per day (76.1±41.7 vs 62.7±35.7 MMEs, P<.001), more pills (63.6±53.1 vs 54.4±40.6 pills, P<.001), higher MMEs per pill (10.0±9.5 vs 8.3±5.0 MMEs, P<.001), and more total MMEs (460.6±259.4 vs 355.7±215.1 MMEs, P<.001) than patients without PNB. Adjusting for prescription patterns and demographic variables with logistic regression, PNBs were associated with a 60% increase in the odds of opioid represcription within 30 days and a 32% increase in the odds of opioid represcription within 90 days. We demonstrated an increase in postoperative opioid prescription rates with PNB after ACL reconstruction. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(2):83-88.].

Spinal fusion is an aerosol generating procedure.

BACKGROUND: Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can occur during aerosol generating procedures. Several steps in spinal fusion may aerosolize blood but little data exists to quantify the risk this may confer upon surgeons. Aerosolized particles containing infectious coronavirus are typically 0.5-8.0 µm. AIM: To measure the generation of aerosols during spinal fusion using a handheld optical particle sizer (OPS). METHODS: We quantified airborne particle counts during five posterior spinal instrumentation and fusions (9/22/2020-10/15/2020) using an OPS near the surgical field. Data were analyzed by 3 particle size groups: 0.3-0.5 µm/m3, 1.0-5.0 µm/m3, and 10.0 µm/m3. We used hierarchical logistic regression to model the odds of a spike in aerosolized particle counts based on the step in progress. A spike was defined as a > 3 standard deviation increase from average baseline levels. RESULTS: Upon univariate analysis, bovie (P < 0.0001), high speed pneumatic burring (P = 0.009), and ultrasonic bone scalpel (P = 0.002) were associated with increased 0.3-0.5 µm/m3 particle counts relative to baseline. Bovie (P < 0.0001) and burring (P < 0.0001) were also associated with increased 1-5 µm/m3 and 10 µm/m3 particle counts. Pedicle drilling was not associated with increased particle counts in any of the size ranges measured. Our logistic regression model demonstrated that bovie (OR = 10.2, P < 0.001), burring (OR = 10.9, P < 0.001), and bone scalpel (OR = 5.9, P < 0.001) had higher odds of a spike in 0.3-0.5 µm/m3 particle counts. Bovie (OR = 2.6, P < 0.001), burring (OR = 5.8, P < 0.001), and bone scalpel (OR = 4.3, P = 0.005) had higher odds of a spike in 1-5 µm/m3 particle counts. Bovie (OR = 0.3, P < 0.001) and drilling (OR = 0.2, P = 0.011) had significantly lower odds of a spike in 10 µm/m3 particle counts relative to baseline. CONCLUSION: Several steps in spinal fusion are associated with increased airborne particle counts in the aerosol size range. Further research is warranted to determine if such particles have the potential to contain infectious viruses. Previous research has shown that electrocautery smoke may be an inhalation hazard for surgeons but here we show that usage of the bone scalpel and high-speed burr also have the potential to aerosolize blood.

Effectiveness of an early operating room start time in managing pediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND: The timing of operative treatment for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF) and femoral shaft fractures (FSF) remains controversial. Many fractures previously considered to be surgical emergencies, such as SCHF and open fractures, are now commonly being treated the following day. When presented with an urgent fracture overnight needing operative treatment, the on-call surgeon must choose whether to mobilize resources for a late-night case or to add the case to an elective schedule of the following day. AIM: To describe the effect of a program allowing an early operating room (OR) start for uncomplicated trauma prior to an elective day of surgery to decrease wait times for surgery for urgent fractures admitted overnight. METHODS: Starting in October 2017, patients were eligible for the early slot in the OR at the discretion of the surgeon if they were admitted after 21:00 the previous night and before 05:00. We compared demographics and timing of treatment of SCHF and FSF treated one year before and after implementation as well as the survey responses from the surgical team. RESULTS: Of the 44 SCHF meeting inclusion criteria, 16 received treatment before implementation while 28 were treated after. After implementation, the mean wait time for surgery decreased by 4.8 h or 35.4% (13.4 h vs 8.7 h; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the operative duration, time in the post anesthesia care unit, and wait time for discharge. Survey results demonstrated decreased popularity of the program among nurses and anesthesiologists relative to surgeons. Whereas 57% of the surgeons believed that the program was effective, only 9% of anesthesiologists and 16% of nurses agreed. The program was ultimately discontinued given the dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate significantly reduced wait times for surgery for uncomplicated SCHF presenting overnight while discussing the importance of shared decision-making with the stakeholders. Although the program produced promising results, it also created new conflicts within the OR staff that led to its discontinuation at our institution. Future implementations of such programs should involve stakeholders early in the planning process to better address the needs of the OR staff.

Potential biomechanical risk factors on developing lead knee osteoarthritis in the golf swing.

The load on the lead knee joint during a golf swing is greater than that observed during gait. However, current evidence regarding golf swing biomechanics for risks associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is limited. Therefore, this study investigated golf swing styles associated with knee adduction and abduction moments, which are considered to be crucial loading regions of the medial and lateral compartments of knee OA, respectively. Thirteen professional male golfers performed five shots using a 5-iron club, and their swings were recorded using a motion capture system with two force platforms for the feet. A regression analysis was performed to calculate the correlation coefficients between the peak knee adduction and abduction moments of the lead leg and varus/valgus angle, toe-out angle, stance width, weight transfer, and shoulder sway. Swinging with a narrower stance width at address (r = - 0.62, p = 0.02) with more weight shift (r = 0.66, p = 0.014) and shoulder sway (r = 0.79, p = 0.001) towards the target during the downswing were associated with a higher peak knee adduction of the lead leg, whereas a greater valgus angle at address (r = 0.60, p = 0.03) was associated with a higher peak knee abduction of the lead leg. Based on these findings, we anticipate future research to support postural changes, particularly a wider stance width and restricted shoulder sway for golfers who are classified to be at high risk of developing medial compartment knee OA, as well as a lower valgus (tibial medial tilt) angle at address for those classified to be at high risk of developing lateral compartment knee OA.