Nutrition in Surgery: An Orthopaedic Perspective.

➤ Malnutrition is common among subsets of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications.➤ Serum proteins, in particular, albumin, may be used in the evaluation of nutritional status.➤ Anthropometric measurements and surveys also play a role in the evaluation of nutritional status.

Public Perceptions of Opioid Use Following Orthopedic Surgery: A Survey.

The United States accounts for the majority of prescription opioids consumed worldwide. Recent literature has focused on opioid prescribing patterns among orthopedic surgeons; however, public and patient expectations about postoperative opioid use remain understudied. : We sought to explore public perceptions of opioid use after elective orthopedic surgery.

A break-even analysis of tranexamic acid for prevention of periprosthetic joint infection following total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: Despite the commonplace use of tranexamic acid in total joint arthroplasty, much of the current data regarding its cost-effectiveness examines savings directly related to its hemostatic properties, without considering its protective effect against periprosthetic joint infections. Using break-even economic modeling, we calculated the cost-effectiveness of routine tranexamic acid administration for infection prevention in total joint arthroplasty.

Materials And Methods: The cost of intraoperative intravenous tranexamic acid, the cost of revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infections, and the baseline rates of periprosthetic joint infections in patients who did not receive intraoperative tranexamic acid were obtained from the literature and institutional purchasing records.

Patient Engagement Technologies in Orthopaedics: What They Are, What They Offer, and Impact.

The modern era is an increasingly digital and connected world. Most of the Americans now use a smartphone irrespective of age or income level. As smartphone technologies become ubiquitous, there is tremendous interest and growth in mobile health applications.

Online Crowdsourcing to Explore Public Perceptions of Robotic-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: The clinical benefits of robotic-assisted technology in total joint arthroplasty are unclear, but its use is increasing. This study employed online crowdsourcing to explore public perceptions and beliefs regarding robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery.

Methods: A 30-question survey was completed by 588 members of the public using Amazon Mechanical Turk.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Closed Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Infection Prevention after Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Recent investigations have shown that closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) decreases the rate of postoperative wound complications following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this study, we used a break-even analysis to determine whether ciNPWT is a cost-effective measure for reducing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after revision TKA. The cost of ciNPWT, cost of treatment for PJI, and baseline infection rates following revision TKA were collected from institutional data and the literature.

National Decline in Knee Fusions Performed for Salvage of Chronic Periprosthetic Total Knee Infections.

The primary purpose of this study was to study and compare rates of two salvage operations for patients with chronically infected total knee arthroplasties: (1) knee arthrodesis and (2) above knee amputation (AKA). An analysis was performed comparing the inpatient hospital characteristics and complications between the two procedures. Secondarily, we presented rates of all surgically treated periprosthetic total knee infections over a 6-year period.

Fate of Two-Stage Reimplantation After Failed Irrigation and Debridement for Periprosthetic Hip Infection.

Background: Irrigation and debridement is an attractive treatment option for acute perioperative and acute hematogenous periprosthetic hip infections. We ask the following questions: (1) What are the results of a two-stage reimplantation if preceded by debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) compared with two-stage reimplantation without an antecedent DAIR? and (2) Do McPherson Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) host criteria influence results?

Methods: A total of 114 patients were treated with two-stage exchange for periprosthetic hip infection. Sixty-five patients were treated initially with a two-stage exchange, whereas 49 patients underwent an antecedent DAIR before a two-stage exchange.

Nuclear Medicine Scans in Total Joint Replacement.

»: A 3-phase bone scan is a potential first-line nuclear medicine study for pain after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) when there is concern for periprosthetic joint infection or aseptic loosening.

»: In patients who have a positive bone scintigraphy result and suspected infection of the joint, but where aspiration or other studies are inconclusive, labeled leukocyte scintigraphy with bone marrow imaging may be of benefit.

»: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while not a nuclear medicine study, also shows promise and has the advantage of providing information about the soft tissues around a total joint replacement.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Silver-Impregnated Occlusive Dressings for Infection Prevention After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a catastrophic complication after total joint arthroplasty that exacts a substantial economic burden on the health-care system. This study used break-even analysis to investigate whether the use of silver-impregnated occlusive dressings is a cost-effective measure for preventing PJI after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Baseline infection rates after TKA and THA, the cost of revision arthroplasty for PJI, and the cost of a silver-impregnated occlusive dressing were determined based on institutional data and the existing literature.

Preoperative Allergy Testing for Patients Reporting Penicillin and Cephalosporin Allergies is Cost-Effective in Preventing Infection after Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Routine preoperative allergy testing in patients reporting penicillin and cephalosporin allergies increases the number able to receive cefazolin, which should reduce the risk of infection after total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA), but it remains unclear whether this practice is cost-effective. Using a break-even analysis, we calculated the cost-effectiveness of routine preoperative allergy testing for infection prevention in total joint arthroplasty patients reporting penicillin and cephalosporin allergies.

Methods: The cost of a penicillin allergy evaluation, the cost of revision arthroplasty for prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and baseline rates of PJI in patients receiving a noncefazolin antibiotic in the perioperative period were derived from existing literature.

Nationwide Analysis of Lower Extremity Periprosthetic Fractures.

Background: Although the annual incidence of primary total joint arthroplasty is increasing, trends in the annual incidence of periprosthetic fractures have not been established. This study aimed to define the annual incidence of periprosthetic fractures in the United States.

Methods: Inpatient admission data for 60,887 surgically treated lower extremity periprosthetic fractures between 2006 and 2015 were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample database.

The Calpain Gene is Correlated With Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Failures.

Background: Metal-on-metal (MOM) total hip arthroplasty is associated with unacceptable failure rates secondary to metal ion reactions. Efforts to identify which patients will go on to failure have been limited; recently, there has been a suggestion for a potential genetic basis for the increased risk of revision in MOM hip replacements (MOMHRs). The purpose of this study is to determine whether certain immunologic genotypes are predictive of the need for revision in patients with MOM total hip implants.

Donning Gloves Before Surgical Gown Eliminates Sleeve Contamination.

Background: There are numerous studies in the literature that have recognized the importance of the glove-gown interface as a potential source of intraoperative bacterial contamination. It has been demonstrated that the methods with which one dons their surgical gown and gloves can alter the level of gown contamination. We hypothesize that donning undergloves before the surgical gown will decrease if not eliminate sleeve contamination.

Polymicrobial Infections in Hip Arthroplasty: Lower Treatment Success Rate, Increased Surgery, and Longer Hospitalization.

Background: Polymicrobial hip arthroplasty infections are a subset of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) with distinct challenges representing 10%-47% of PJI.

Methods: Records were reviewed from all PJIs involving partial or total hip arthroplasty with positive hip cultures between 2005 and 2015 in order to determine baseline characteristics and outcomes including treatment success, surgeries for infection, and days in hospital for infection. Analysis was restricted to patients who had at least 2 years of follow-up after their final surgery or hospitalization for infection.

Hallux Interphalangeal Arthrodesis Following First Metatarsophalangeal Arthrodesis.

Background: Hallux interphalangeal (IP) arthritis can occur after first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis. IP arthrodesis is a standard treatment, but in the setting of prior MTP surgery there will be increased stress on the IP joint. This may result in diminished potential for bone healing.

Saphenous Nerve Block From Within the Knee Is Feasible for TKA: MRI and Cadaveric Study.

Background: Surgeon-performed periarticular injections and anesthesiologist-performed femoral nerve or adductor canal blocks with local anesthetic are in common use as part of multimodal pain management regimens for patients undergoing TKA. However, femoral nerve blocks risk causing quadriceps weakness and falls, and anesthesiologist-performed adductor canal blocks are costly in time and resources and may be unreliable. We investigated the feasibility of a surgeon-performed saphenous nerve ("adductor canal") block from within the knee at the time of TKA.

Common Medical Comorbidities Correlated With Poor Outcomes in Hip Periprosthetic Infection.

Background: Periprosthetic infection has been linked to risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and smoking among others. This study examined the relationship between common patient comorbidities and hip periprosthetic infection outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 149 culture-positive periprosthetic hip infections at our tertiary care center that underwent treatment between 2005 and 2015.

Specific Infectious Organisms Associated With Poor Outcomes in Treatment for Hip Periprosthetic Infection.

Background: Periprosthetic hip infection treatment remains a significant challenge for orthopedics. Some studies have suggested that methicillin resistance and gram-negative organism type are associated with increased treatment failure. The aim of this research is to determine if specific organisms were associated with poor outcomes in treatment for hip periprosthetic infection.

Fracture of an uncemented tantalum patellar component.

A 62-year-old man presented with the acute, atraumatic onset of pain 3 years after uncemented right total knee arthroplasty. He complained of new mechanical locking with the knee held in extension on examination and unable to flex the knee. On the plain radiographs, the patellar component peg was fractured and the plate was dislocated.

Cultural Nuance in Orthopedic Foreign Aid: Differences in Patient Concerns.

Orthopedic aid to developing nations is expanding and becoming a unique facet of the specialty. This investigation seeks to compare patient impressions and concerns regarding the care patients receive as part of an itinerant surgical aid trip in 2 nations. In 2013 and 2014, patients from 2 separate nations completed a Likert scale survey assessing impressions of the care they received at the hands of a surgical team from abroad.