Association between postoperative zonal fixation of hybrid tibial components in revision total knee arthroplasty and subsequent aseptic loosening.

Aims: Tibial fixation in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) can present surgical challenges. It has been suggested that appropriate fixation in at least two of the three anatomical zones (epiphysis, metaphysis, and diaphysis) is essential for implant survival. However, supporting clinical data are lacking.

Using non-randomized trials to assess the clinical benefit of systemic anti-cancer treatments: Viable or not?

Background: The Dutch Committee for the Evaluation of Oncological Agents (cieBOM) assesses the clinical benefit of systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACTs). For SACTs tested in non-randomized trials (NRTs), cieBOM primarily utilizes response-related thresholds as assessment criteria. As sufficiency of NRT-based evidence for benefit assessments is questionable, this study investigated whether and how NRTs can be used to assess the clinical benefit of new SACTs initially appraised by cieBOM based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Vascular fingerprint tool to identify patients with testicular cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy at high risk of early cardiovascular events.

Background: Patients with testicular cancer treated with chemotherapy have an increased risk of developing early cardiovascular events. Identification of patients with testicular cancer at a high risk of these events enables the development of preventative strategies. This study validates the vascular fingerprint tool to identify these patients.

Assessing the clinical benefit of systemic anti-cancer treatments in the Netherlands: The impact of different thresholds for effectiveness.

Background: In the Netherlands, the clinical benefit of systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACTs) is assessed by the Committee for the Evaluation of Oncological Agents (cieBOM). For non-curative SACTs, the assessment is based on the hazard ratio (HR) for progression-free survival and/or overall survival (OS), and the difference in median survival. We evaluated the impact of different thresholds for effectiveness by reassessing the clinical benefit of SACTs.

Feasibility study of the Digital Patient Benefit Assessment Scale (P-BAS): A Digital Tool to Assess Individual Patient Goals.

The study objective was to assess the feasibility of the Patient Benefit Assessment Scale (P-BAS), a digital tool designed to enable older outpatients (≥70 years) to elucidate at home their individual goals regarding their current medical issue. Several digital tools are developed to assist older people in identifying their goals, thereby facilitating the process of shared decision making. However, studies on the feasibility of these digital tools, especially in older patients, are limited.

[How long are medical oncology patients in The Netherlands willing to travel for their cancer care?].

Background: The number of people with cancer will increase in the Netherlands. Further concentration and network care is pursued. The aim of this study was to explore how long medical oncology patients are willing to travel for their cancer care.

Compas-Y: A mixed methods pilot evaluation of a mobile self-compassion training for people with newly diagnosed cancer.

Objective: Compas-Y is a compassionate mind training app that was co-designed to be fully adapted to mobile technology and to people with newly diagnosed cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the use, appreciation and impact of the app.

Methods: Seventy-one people with cancer who created an app account were included (38% breast cancer, 72% diagnosed <4 months ago, 76% received chemotherapy).

Fluoroscopic and radiostereometric analysis of a bicruciate-retaining versus a posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare a bicruciate-retaining (BCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA design in terms of kinematics, measured using fluoroscopy and stability as micromotion using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

Methods: A total of 40 patients with end-stage osteoarthritis were included in this randomized controlled trial. All patients performed a step-up and lunge task in front of a monoplane fluoroscope one year postoperatively.

[Assessment of new oncological drugs].

As the number of cancer patients increases and new (mostly expensive) treatment options are evolving rapidly, a critical evaluation of the value of new treatments is required in order to maintain access to new drugs and affordable cancer care. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Society of Medical Oncology- CieBOM (NVMO CieBOM) has an unique role in assessment of the value and use of new oncological drugs, next to the National Committee of Health Insurance (cieBAG) and the Dutch Health Care Institute. CieBOM developed transparent criteria for approval of oncological drugs in several settings, and recently also criteria for drugs only tested in non-randomised studies have been developed.

No difference in long-term micromotion between fully cemented and hybrid fixation in revision total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Both the femoral and tibial component are usually cemented at revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), while stems can be added with either cemented or press-fit (hybrid) fixation. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term stability of rTKA with cemented and press-fitted stems, using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

Methods: This is a follow-up of a randomized controlled trial, initially involving 32 patients, of whom 19 (nine cemented, ten hybrid) were available for follow-up ten years postoperatively, when further RSA measurements were made.

Limiting systemic endocrine overtreatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patients with an ultralow classification of the 70-gene signature.

Purpose: Guidelines recommend endocrine treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers for up to 10 years. Earlier data suggest that the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) has potential to select patients that have an excellent survival without chemotherapy and limited or no tamoxifen treatment. The aim was to validate the 70-gene signature ultralow-risk classification for endocrine therapy decision making.

Superior Survival of Fully Cemented Fixation Compared to Hybrid Fixation in a Single Design Rotating Hinge Knee Implant.

Background: Clinical observations revealed higher rates of aseptic loosening for hybrid fixated rotating hinge knee implants compared to fully cemented ones. We hypothesize that the use of a fully cemented fixation technique had a higher survival rate for aseptic loosening compared to a hybrid fixation technique in a rotating hinge knee implant.

Methods: All procedures of patients who were treated with the RT-PLUS rotating hinge knee implant (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN) between 2010 and 2018 were included.

Revision for coronal malalignment will improve functional outcome up to 5 years postoperatively.

Purpose: Revision of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the diagnosis of malalignment is widely performed. However, very little is known about the functional outcome in revision TKA surgery for malalignment. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome and to identify factors influencing the functional outcome of patients who have had a revision of a TKA for the diagnosis of malalignment at 5 years follow-up.

Limited effect of anatomical insert geometry on in vitro laxity in balanced anatomic posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The present study assessed the effect of insert articular surface geometry (anatomical versus conventional insert design) on anteroposterior (AP) translation and varus-valgus (VV) laxity in balanced posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Secondly, we evaluated if the AP translation and VV laxity in the reconstructed knee resembled the stability of the native knee.

Methods: Nine fresh-frozen full-leg cadaver specimens were used in this study.

Prospective practice survey of management of cetuximab-related skin reactions.

Purpose: Evidence-based guidelines on how to prevent or treat cetuximab-related skin reactions are lacking and multiple care and management strategies are used. The main purpose of the present study is to gain information about the different skincare products being used against skin reactions in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and recurrent/metastatic (R/M) or locally advanced (LA) squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients treated with cetuximab.

Methods: An open-label, prospective observational study conducted in the Netherlands.

Flexible versus standard intramedullary rod in posterior stabilized primary total knee arthroplasty: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA) a flexible intramedullary rod can be used to account for sagittal bowing of the distal femur. Although patients report better post-operative functional outcome when the flexible rod was used, it is unknown how the use of the flexible rod affects the placement of the femoral TKA component, and how this relates to activities of daily living. It is expected that the use of the flexible rod will result in a more flexed femoral component, a larger patellar tendon moment arm, and consequently in better functional outcome.

Informal caregiver well-being during and after patients' treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer: a prospective, exploratory study.

Introduction: Caring for a significant other during cancer treatment can be demanding. Little is known about the well-being of informal caregivers of patients with colon cancer. This study aims to examine informal caregiver well-being during adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Restoration of pre-operative joint line orientation and alignment does not affect KSS and KOOS 1 year after total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to examine the relation between clinical outcomes 1 year postoperatively, in a cohort of mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasties (TKA), and (1) the degrees of alignment change of the tibial, femoral and the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle; (2) the change of phenotype; (3) the postoperative knee joint line orientation to the floor.

Methods: Pre-operative and postoperative long-leg X-rays of 90 patients were used to determine the coronal alignment. The absolute difference between the pre-operative and postoperative measurements was determined and the outcomes were categorized in whether or not a change in phenotype had occurred.

Maximal flexion and patient outcomes after TKA, using a bicruciate-stabilizing design.

Introduction: Physiological motion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should result in a large range of motion, which would lead to good clinical outcomes. An adjusted design of a bicruciate-stabilizing TKA was developed to reproduce physiological motion. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the maximal knee flexion of this knee system, 1 year post-operatively; (2) determine the clinical and functional improvement and compare the outcomes between patients with and without high maximal flexion; and (3) evaluate the adverse events.

Computed Tomography-Based Body Composition Is Not Consistently Associated with Outcome in Older Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Current literature is inconsistent in the associations between computed tomography (CT)-based body composition measures and adverse outcomes in older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, the associations with consecutive treatment modalities have not been studied. This study compared the associations of CT-based body composition measures with surgery- and chemotherapy-related complications and survival in older patients with CRC.

Long-Term Outcome Following Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty is Associated With Indication for Revision.

Background: There is limited information about long-term clinical outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in relation to the indication for revision. Previously, a clear relation between indication for revision and clinical outcome was shown after 2 years. Present study evaluated (1) whether the reported association at 2 year remains present at 7.

What Is the Reliability of a New Classification for Bone Defects in Revision TKA Based on Preoperative Radiographs?

Background: Accurate quantification of bone loss facilitates preoperative planning and standardization for research purposes in patients who undergo revision TKA. The most commonly used classification to rate bone defects in this setting, the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute classification, does not quantify diaphyseal bone loss and reliability has not been well studied.

Questions/purposes: We developed a new classification scheme to rate bone defects in patients undergoing revision TKA and tested (1) the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of this classification for revision TKA based on preoperative radiographs, and (2) whether additional CT images might improve interobserver reliability.

Posterolateral corner reconstruction in combined injuries of the knee: Improved stability with Larson's fibular sling reconstruction and comparison with LaPrade anatomical reconstruction.

Background: The goal of this prospective cohort study was to present the clinical results of a two-year follow-up of a Larson's posterolateral corner reconstruction (fibular sling) in patients with symptomatic instability of the knee. These data were compared with data of an anatomical reconstruction of the posterolateral corner as described by LaPrade et al. (combined tibial tunnel and fibular sling) [1].