A Surgical Skills Rotation for Mid-Level Residents.

Introduction: The University of Iowa orthopaedic residency previously designed a month-long surgical skill rotation for postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents. This successful initiative has become a model of interest for other teaching institutions. In addition to the intern year, an important phase in residency occurs during the transition from PGY2 to PGY3, when residents assume greater responsibility and autonomy in leading surgical procedures.

A Dedicated Simulator Training Curriculum Improves Resident Performance in Surgical Management of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures.

Background: The primary goal of including simulation in residency training is to improve technical skills while working outside of the operating room. Such simulation-related skill improvements have seldom been measured in the operating room. This is largely because uncontrolled variables, such as injury severity, patient comorbidity, and anatomical variation, can bias evaluation of an operating surgeon's skill.

Winquist View of the Femoral Neck: Ideal Visualization of Femoral Neck Fixation.

Background: Despite the increased frequency of cephalomedullary fixation for unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures, failure with screw cut-out and varus collapse remains a significant failure mode. Proper positioning of implants into the femoral neck and head directly influences the stability of fracture fixation. Visualization of the femoral neck and head can be challenging and failure to do so may lead to poor results; Obstacles include patient positioning, body habitus, and implant application tools.

The Evolution, Current State and Clinical Benefits of Far Cortical Fracture Fixation.

Treatment of distal femur fractures have reported high fracture healing complications in several studies. The development of far cortical locking (FCL) technology results in improved fracture healing outcomes. There are biomechanical and animal studies demonstrating that the locked plating incorporating FCL screws provides a more flexible form of fixation compared to traditional locking plates (LP).

Anti-inflammatory medication use associated with reduced delirium risk and all-cause mortality: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between history of anti-inflammatory medication use and delirium risk, as well as long-term mortality.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, subjects recruited between January 2016 and March 2020 were analyzed. Information about anti-inflammatory medication use history including aspirin, NSAIDs, glucosamine, and other anti-inflammatory drugs, was collected.

Educational Factors and Financial Implications of Medical Students Choosing and Matching Into Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: Mentorship and research have been shown to be important decision factors influencing medical students to pursue a particular specialty. The cost of applying to orthopedic surgery residency is at an all-time high. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors which increase the likelihood of medical students matching into orthopedic surgery, identify the timing and strength of impact these factors have on medical students' career choices, determine how many students have chosen orthopedic surgery prior to beginning medical school, and compare the financial impact of applying to orthopedics.

Conditionally Essential Amino Acid Supplementation Reduces Postoperative Complications and Muscle Wasting After Fracture Fixation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Postoperative complications and substantial loss of physical function are common after musculoskeletal trauma. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of conditionally essential amino acid (CEAA) supplementation on complications and skeletal muscle mass in adults after operative fixation of acute fractures.

Methods: Adults who sustained pelvic and extremity fractures that were indicated for operative fixation at a level-I trauma center were enrolled.

Evaluation of point-of-care thumb-size bispectral electroencephalography device to quantify delirium severity and predict mortality.

Background: We have developed the bispectral electroencephalography (BSEEG) method for detection of delirium and prediction of poor outcomes.

Aims: To improve the BSEEG method by introducing a new EEG device.

Method: In a prospective cohort study, EEG data were obtained and BSEEG scores were calculated.

Failure of Orthopaedic Residents to Voluntarily Participate in a Laboratory Skills Training.

Introduction: Arthroscopy simulation is increasingly used in orthopaedic residency training. The implementation of a curriculum to accommodate these new training tools is a point of interest. We assessed the use of a high-fidelity arthroscopy simulator in a strictly voluntary curriculum to gauge resident interest and educational return.

Sensitivity and specificity of modified RUST score using clinical and radiographic findings as a gold standard.

Aims: The modified Radiological Union Scale for Tibia (mRUST) fractures score was developed in order to assess progress to union and define a numerical assessment of fracture healing of metadiaphyseal fractures. This score has been shown to be valuable in predicting radiological union; however, there is no information on the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this index for various cut-off scores. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cut-off points of the mRUST score for the diagnosis of metadiaphyseal fractures healing.

Does the Preferred Study Source Impact Orthopedic In-Training Examination Performance?

Objective: This study examines the role of electronic learning platforms for medical knowledge acquisition in orthopedic surgery residency training. This study hypothesizes that all methods of medical knowledge acquisition will achieve similar levels of improvement in medical knowledge as measured by change in orthopedic in-training examination (OITE) percentile scores. Our secondary hypothesis is that residents will equally value all study resources for usefulness in acquisition of medical knowledge, preparation for the OITE, and preparation for surgical practice.

Mortality among patients with sepsis associated with a bispectral electroencephalography (BSEEG) score.

We have previously developed a bispectral electroencephalography (BSEEG) device, which was shown to be effective in detecting delirium and predicting patient outcomes. In this study we aimed to apply the BSEEG approach for a sepsis. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single center.

Surgical Skill Can be Objectively Measured From Fluoroscopic Images Using a Novel Image-based Decision Error Analysis (IDEA) Score.

Background: To advance orthopaedic surgical skills training and assessment, more rigorous and objective performance measures are needed. In hip fracture repair, the tip-apex distance is a commonly used summative performance metric with clear clinical relevance, but it does not capture the skill exercised during the process of achieving the final implant position. This study introduces and evaluates a novel Image-based Decision Error Analysis (IDEA) score that better captures performance during fluoroscopically-assisted wire navigation.

Use of the Behavior Assessment Tool in 18 Pilot Residency Programs.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and evaluate the effectiveness of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Behavior Tool (ABOSBT) for measuring professionalism.

Methods: Through collaboration between the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and American Orthopaedic Association's Council of Residency Directors, 18 residency programs piloted the use of the ABOSBT. Residents requested assessments from faculty at the end of their clinical rotations, and a 360° request was performed near the end of the academic year.

Trends and Complications of Arthroscopic-Assisted Tibial Plateau Fracture Fixation: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

Purpose: To determine trends in arthroscopic-assisted tibial plateau fracture fixation (AATPFF), to evaluate trends in the overall rate of tibial plateau fracture fixation, and to compare postoperative complications between AATPFF and traditional tibial plateau fixation.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing AATPFF and traditional tibial plateau fixation was conducted using the Humana Inc. administrative database from 2007 to 2016.

A Vision for Using Simulation & Virtual Coaching to Improve the Community Practice of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery.

Background: Many orthopedic surgeries involve the challenging integration of fluoroscopic image interpretation with skillful tool manipulation to enable procedures to be performed through less invasive approaches. Simulation has proved beneficial for teaching and improving these skills for residents, but similar benefits have not yet been realized for practicing orthopedic surgeons. A vision is presented to elevate community orthopedic practice and improve patient safety by advancing the use of simulators for training and assessing surgical skills.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered via a Mobile Phone Messaging Robot to Decrease Postoperative Opioid Use in Patients With Orthopedic Trauma: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a pragmatic approach to help individuals decrease avoidable pain.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of ACT delivered via an automated mobile messaging robot on postoperative opioid use and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with orthopedic trauma who underwent operative intervention for their injuries.

Methods: Adult patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center who underwent operative fixation of a traumatic upper or lower extremity fracture and who used mobile phone text messaging were eligible for the study.

Validation of a novel hip arthroscopy simulator: establishing construct validity.

Hip arthroscopy (HA) is technically demanding and associated with a prolonged learning curve. Recently, arthroscopic simulators have been developed to anatomically model various joints including the knee, shoulder and hip. The purpose of this study is to validate a novel HA simulator.

Efficacy of Multimodal Analgesic Injections in Operatively Treated Ankle Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Pain management following surgical treatment of an ankle fracture is an under-studied area of clinical practice. The present study evaluated the efficacy of a multimodal surgical-site injection as an adjunct to postoperative pain management in patients with an operatively treated, closed, rotational ankle fracture.

Methods: Patients indicated for operative fixation of a rotational ankle fracture were randomized to receive multimodal surgical-site injection (ropivacaine 200 mg, epinephrine 0.

Identification of Patients With High Mortality Risk and Prediction of Outcomes in Delirium by Bispectral EEG.

Background: Delirium is common and dangerous, yet underdetected and undertreated. Current screening questionnaires are subjective and ineffectively implemented in busy hospital workflows. Electroencephalography (EEG) can objectively detect the diffuse slowing characteristic of delirium, but it is not suitable for high-throughput screening due to size, cost, and the expertise required for lead placement and interpretation.

Variability in Experience Performing Lower Extremity Amputations Between Surgical Residents: An Examination Of ACGME Case Logs.

Background: There is a wide array of indications for lower extremity amputation (LEA) and inherent variability in operative experiences between surgical residents. Significant variation in resident surgical experience performing LEAs is possible.

Objective: To identify inter- and intra-specialty trends and variability in LEA experience in graduating orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and vascular surgery residents from 2007-2017.