Using Preference Cards to Support a Thoughtful, Evidence-based Orthopaedic Surgery Practice.

Introduction: When orthopaedic surgeons begin or relocate their careers, they must communicate effectively about their instrumentation and equipment needs. 'Preference Cards' or 'Pick Lists' are generated by and for individual surgeons at the time of hire and can be updated over time to reflect their needs for common cases. Currently, such decisions are made without formal guidance or preparation.

K-wire Versus Screw Fixation in Displaced Lateral Condyle Fractures of the Humerus in Children: A Multicenter Study of 762 Fractures.

Introduction: Lateral humeral condyle fractures account for 12% to 20% of all distal humerus fractures in the pediatric population. When surgery is indicated, fixation may be achieved with either Kirschner-wires or screws. The literature comparing the outcomes of these 2 different fixation methods is currently limited.

Growth-friendly Spinal Instrumentation in Marfan Syndrome Achieves Sustained Gains in Thoracic Height Amidst High Rates of Implant Failure.

Background: There are few reports on the surgical management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS) associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Affected patients tend to have more rapid curve progression than those with idiopathic EOS, and their course is further complicated by medical comorbidities. As surgical techniques and implants for growing spines become more widely applied, this study seeks to better delineate the safety and efficacy of growth-friendly spinal instrumentation in treating this population.

Variability in length of stay following neuromuscular spinal fusion.

Background: Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) who undergo posterior spinal fusion (PSF) often have long, protracted hospital stays because of numerous comorbidities. Coordinated perioperative pathways can reduce length of hospitalization (LOH) without increasing complications; however, a subset of patients may not be suited to rapid mobilization and early discharge.

Methods: 197 patients with NMS underwent PSF at a single hospital by two surgeons with a post-operative care pathway emphasizing early mobilization, rapid transition to enteral feeds, and discharge prior to first bowel movement.

Use of an Accelerated Discharge Pathway in Patients With Severe Cerebral Palsy Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion for Neuromuscular Scoliosis.

Background: Implementation of a coordinated multidisciplinary postoperative pathway has been shown to reduce length of stay after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This study sought to compare the outcomes of nonambulatory cerebral palsy (CP) patients treated with PSF and cared for using an accelerated discharge (AD) pathway with those using a more traditional discharge (TD) pathway.

Methods: A total of 74 patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) class 4/5 CP undergoing PSF were reviewed.

Don't You Wish You Had Fused to the Pelvis the First Time: A Comparison of Reoperation Rate and Correction of Pelvic Obliquity.

Study Design: A multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare pelvic obliquity correction and reoperation rate in neuromuscular scoliosis patients who had their pelvis included in a posterior spinal fusion (pelvic fusion, PF) at their index procedure versus revision procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: There is limited information on outcomes specific to fusing to the pelvis for neuromuscular scoliosis in a revision operation versus index surgery.

Improving perioperative care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: the impact of a multidisciplinary care approach.

The complex nature of the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) requires a wide variety of health care providers. A well-coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach to the care of these patients is essential for providing high-quality care. This review offers an up-to-date overview of the numerous interventions and safety measures for improving outcomes after AIS surgery throughout the perioperative phases of care.

Radiation exposure in the young level 1 trauma patient: a retrospective review.

Computed tomography (CT) has become an increasingly popular and powerful tool for clinicians managing trauma patients with life-threatening injuries, but the ramifications of increasing radiation burden on individual patients are not insignificant. This study examines a continuous series of 337 patients less than 40 years old admitted to a level 1 trauma center during a 4-month period. Primary outcome measures included number of scans; effective dose of radiation from radiographs and CT scans, respectively; and total effective dose from both sources over patients' hospital stays.