Open vs. Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Repair: Experience of Single Orthopedic Institute with Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: There are numerous techniques for the surgical treatment of Achilles tendon lesions described in the literature, and it is possible to distinguish repair techniques as either open surgery or percutaneous repair techniques. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. With this retrospective study, we aim to analyze the incidence of re-ruptures and other complications, return to sport and overall quality of life at a long-term follow-up in the treatment of acute ATRs, comparing the results of percutaneous repair with those of open repair. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study on a consecutive series of patients with complete tear of the AT who were managed through a surgical approach by the Operative Unit of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Sant'Anna University Hospital (Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) between April 2014 and December 2021. Patients were treated with a percutaneous or an open technique according to the surgeon's preference without randomization. Results: We considered 155 patients who met the established inclusion criteria. Of these, 103 (66.45%) patients underwent percutaneous treatment with the Tenolig® system, and 52 (33.55%) underwent open surgery, with an average ATRS in the first group of 92.5 compared to an average ATRS value of 82 in patients treated with the open technique. Conclusions: In our experience, following overlapping rehabilitation protocols in all patients included, we observed that the Tenolig® repair system led to a better ATRS at long-term follow-up, with comparable complication rates to open surgery.

Incidence and predictors of blood transfusions in one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty: a single center prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The safety of performing one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains controversial among the orthopedic community. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and predictors of blood transfusions in one-stage bilateral THA performed in a high-volume single center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing one-stage bilateral THA between 2015 and 2017 were included. The following data were collected from the hospital medical records: age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, smoking habit, comorbidities, preoperative serum creatinine, serum iron, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin (Hb). The Hb levels at postoperative day 1 and 3 were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 367 patients with a mean age of 56.1 years (range, 32-79) were included. Forty-eight (13%) patients were transfused with a mean number of 1.6 blood units per patient. In non-transfused patients, the average Hb drop was 3.6 (SD ± 1) g/dL and 4.9 g/dL (SD ± 1.3) at postoperative day 1 and day 3, respectively. The average preoperative Hb level was 14.64 (SD ± 1.21) g/dL. In the univariate logistic regression, the following variables were predictive factors for transfusions: male gender (OR 0.447; P = 0.01), preoperative hemoglobin level (OR 0.622; P = 0.001), preoperative ferritin level (OR 0.995; P = 0.016), BMI (OR 0.837; P = 0.001), cardiopathy (OR 3.534; P = 0.046), preoperative anaemia (OR 10.54; P = 0.011). In the multivariate logistic regression only preoperative hemoglobin level (OR 0.666; P = 0.01), and BMI (OR 0.868; P = 0.007) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of blood transfusions after one-stage bilateral THA is low in non-anemic patients operated on at a high-volume arthroplasty center. The main predictors of blood transfusions are preoperative Hb level and BMI.

Outcomes of patients with unexpected diagnosis of infection at total hip or total knee arthroplasty revisions.

PURPOSE: The pre-operative differential diagnosis between periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and aseptic failure is challenging particularly in low virulence and biofilm-related infections. This study aimed to assess the incidence and survival of patients with unexpected PJIs in a presumed aseptic revision of total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasties. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of patients was performed with 295 patients undergoing THA (n = 241) or TKA (n = 54) revision for presumed aseptic causes. Patients were diagnosed with unexpected PJI taking into account leukocyte count in the synovial fluid, sonicate, synovial culture, and tissue cultures of samples collected during surgery. The primary endpoint was the infection-free implant survival rate at theone year follow-up. RESULTS: The unexpected PJIs were 60 out of 295 (20.3%), whereas 235 (79.7%) were aseptic revisions. In the unexpected PJI group, 6 (11.1%) patients underwent knee revision and 54 (22.4%) hip revision. At the one year follow-up, one patient (1.6%) in the unexpected PJI group and 3 (1.3%) in the aseptic group (p = 1.0) failed for infection. The infection-free implant survival rate at the one year follow-up was 98.3% (C.I. 95%, 94.9-99.9%) for the unexpected PJI group and 98.7% (C.I. 95%, 97.3-99.9%) (p = 0.82) for the aseptic group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of unexpected PJIs in a presumed aseptic revision of THAs and TKAs has been previously underestimated. The infection-free implant survival rate at the one year follow-up in patients with unexpected PJIs was not significantly lower compared with patients undergoing aseptic revision.

Mid-Term Clinical and Radiographic Results of Complex Hip Revision Arthroplasty Based on 3D Life-Sized Model: A Prospective Case Series.

Background: The pre-operative three-dimensional (3D) assessment of acetabular bone defects may not be evaluated properly with conventional radiographic and computed tomography images. This paper reports mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of complex revision total hip arthroplasty (r-THA) based on a 3D life-sized printed model. Methods: Patients who underwent r-THA for septic or aseptic acetabular loosening with acetabular defects Paprosky types IIc, IIIa, and IIIb between 2019 and 2021 were included. The outcomes of the study were to determine clinical and radiographic assessment outcomes at the time of the last follow-up. Results: 25 patients with mean age of 62.9 ± 10.8 (18-83) years old were included. The mean Harris hip score improved from 34.8 ± 8.1 pre-operative to 81.6 ± 10.4 points (p < 0.001). The mean visual analog scale decreased from 6.7 ± 1.4 points pre-operative to 2.4 ± 1.0 points (p < 0.001). The mean limb length discrepancy improved from -2.0 ± 1.2 cm pre-operative to -0.6 ± 0.6 cm (p < 0.001). The mean vertical position of the center of rotation (COR) changed from 3.5 ± 1.7 cm pre-operative to 2.0 ± 0.7 cm (p < 0.05). The mean horizontal COR changed from 3.9 ± 1.5 cm pre-operative to 3.2 ± 0.5 cm (p < 0.05). The mean acetabular component abduction angle changed from 59.7° ± 29.6° pre-operative to 46° ± 3.9 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A three-dimensional-printed model provides an effective connection between the pre-operative bone defects' evaluation and the intraoperative findings, enabling surgeons to select optimal surgical strategies.

A rare rotated, medially displaced fracture-dislocation of the medial clavicle - Case report and review of the literature.

Clavicle fractures combined with sternoclavicular joint dislocations are very rare injuries that need to be addressed quickly and treated effectively due to the altered biomechanics of the shoulder girdle as well as to the potential damages to the surrounding "noble" anatomical structures. A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for such injuries has not yet been established. Computer Tomography with 3D reconstruction should be the diagnostic gold standard. In case of a highly displaced fracture and/or dislocation in an active patient, surgical treatment is advised in order to obtain proper bone and joint healing with satisfactory functional outcomes as well as to protect the surrounding anatomical structures from potential damages. We present the case of an 18-year-old male, skeletally mature patient, who had a fall while snowboarding. Subsequently he was diagnosed with a very uncommon combination of a displaced medial clavicle fracture and complete posterior Sterno-Clavicular dislocation with 111° rotation of the sternoclavicular fragment. We opted for surgery, decided to use "off-label" a 2.5 V-plate Ulna plate long (Medartis®) and to associate this procedure with a Sterno-Clavicular arthrodesis with tape-augmentation to stabilize the SC joint; this treatment strategy resulted in a good clinical outcome without any remaining instability and satisfactory ROM. We collected this case to describe this seldom combination, to show our treatment strategy and to advocate the creation of a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. X-rays, Computer Tomography images and intraoperative photos are presented.

Pelvic tilt and functional acetabular position after total hip arthroplasty: an EOS 2D/3D radiographic study.

PURPOSE: In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the functional anatomy of the spinopelvic unit should be taken into account to provide the correct functional positioning of the implant. The relationship between the spine and the pelvis in the sagittal plane is represented by pelvic tilt (PT). The sacral slope (SS) has been proposed as a more reliable parameter than the anterior pelvic plane (APP) to express the PT. This study investigated the relationship between the APP and the SS; and the relationship between the APP and the SS, respectively, with the postoperative acetabular orientation. METHODS: 45 patients undergoing primary THA were prospectively enrolled. The EOS 2D/3D system was used to perform the radiographic evaluation before and 3 months after surgery. The following parameters were measured in both standing and sitting position: SS, APP, acetabular anteversion (AA) and inclination (AI). RESULTS: The SS values did not show any correlation with the values of the APP angle. The changes of the SS in the transition from the standing to the sitting position significantly correlated with the changes of the AA (r = -0.61; p < 0.0001). A weak correlation was found between the APP angle and the AA in standing position (r = -0.35; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The SS accurately expresses the functional orientation of the pelvis in the sagittal plane, and the functional orientation of the cup after hip replacement. Therefore, SS could be taken into account by navigation systems in order to achieve a patient-specific functional position of the acetabular cup.

Complications, readmission and reoperation rates in one-stage bilateral versus unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a high-volume single center case-control study.

The study aimed to assess the safety of one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared with unilateral THA. In this retrospective observational case-control study were included patients undergoing unilateral (group 1) and one-stage bilateral (group 2) THA in a high-volume center. The groups were matched for gender, age at surgery, and pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiology score. The following variables were assessed: local and systemic complications, postoperative anemia, 30-day and 1-year readmission and reoperation rates, length of hospital stay, and ambulation time. Group 1 reported a significantly higher rate of local and systemic complications compared with group 2 (5.4% versus 3.9% and 29.6% versus 4.7%, respectively). Postoperative anemia was significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (8.1% versus 30%). There was no significant difference in terms of 30-day and 1-year readmission rates between the two groups. The average length of hospital stay was 5.1 ± 2.3 days in group 1, and 5.3 ± 1.9 days in group 2 (p = 0.78). Ambulation time was significantly lower for group 1 (day 0.9 ± 0.9 in group 1, and day 1 ± 0.8 in group 2, p = 0.03). In a high-volume center, one-stage bilateral THA is a safe procedure compared with unilateral THA in terms of postoperative local and systemic complications, 30-day readmission and 1-year reoperation rates, and length of hospital stay.

Portal blood arterialization with an extracorporeal device to treat toxic acute hepatic failure in a swine model.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether a controlled portal blood arterialization by a liver extracorporeal device (L.E.O2 NARDO) is effective in treating acute hepatic failure (AHF) induced through CCl4 administration in a swine model. METHODS: 20 swine with AHF induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in oil solution, were randomly divided into two groups: animals receiving L.E.O2 NARDO treatment 48 h after the intoxication (study group); animals sham operated 48 h after the intoxication (control group). Blood was withdrawn from the iliac artery and reversed in the portal venous system by an interposed extracorporeal device. Each treatment lasted 6 h. The survival was assessed at 5 days after L.E.O2 NARDO treatment or sham operation. In both groups blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis at different time points and liver biopsies were collected 48 h after intoxication and at sacrifice. RESULTS: We observed decreased transaminases levels and a more rapid INR recovery in the study group, as compared to the control group. Eight animals of the study group vs. two animals of the control group survived at five days after surgery with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Liver biopsies performed at sacrifice showed a reduction of the damaged hepatic areas in the study group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial blood supply in the portal system through the L.E.O2 NARDO device is easily applicable, efficacious, and safe in a swine model of AHF induced by CCl4 intoxication.

Genome-wide meta-analyses identify three loci associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

A genome-wide association screen for primary biliary cirrhosis risk alleles was performed in an Italian cohort. The results from the Italian cohort replicated IL12A and IL12RB associations, and a combined meta-analysis using a Canadian dataset identified newly associated loci at SPIB (P = 7.9 x 10(-11), odds ratio (OR) = 1.46), IRF5-TNPO3 (P = 2.8 x 10(-10), OR = 1.63) and 17q12-21 (P = 1.7 x 10(-10), OR = 1.38).