The transition to outpatient shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background And Hypothesis: Transitioning shoulder arthroplasty (SA) from an inpatient to outpatient procedure is associated with increased patient satisfaction and potentially decreased costs; however, concerns exist about complications following same-day discharge. We hypothesized that outpatient SA would be associated with low rates of failed discharges, readmissions, and complications, rendering it a safe and effective option for SA.

Methods: A systematic review of the outpatient SA literature identified 16 of 447 studies with level III and IV evidence that met the inclusion criteria with at least 90 days of follow-up.

Variation in state and federal reimbursement in the United States in the treatment of upper extremity fractures.

Background: Medicare and Medicaid are 2 of the largest government-run health care programs in the United States. Although Medicare reimbursement is determined at the federal level by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicaid reimbursement rates are set by each individual state. The purpose of this study is to compare Medicaid reimbursement rates with regional Medicare reimbursement rates for 12 orthopedic procedures performed to treat common fractures of the upper extremity.

Nerve Reconstruction Using Processed Nerve Allograft in the U.S. Military.

Background: Processed nerve allograft (PNA) is an alternative to autograft for the reconstruction of peripheral nerves. We hypothesize that peripheral nerve repair with PNA in a military population will have a low rate of meaningful recovery (M ≥ 3) because of the frequency of blasting mechanisms and large zones of injury.

Methods: A retrospective review of the military Registry of Avance Nerve Graft Evaluating Utilization and Outcomes for the Reconstruction of Peripheral Nerve Discontinuities database was conducted at the Walter Reed Peripheral Nerve Consortium.