Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:To compare structural features of the femoral bone of ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized rats after implantation of porous materials (TANTALUM, CONCELOC, TTM, ATLANT). METHODS:Experiments were carried out on 56 white laboratory female rats aged 6 months. Rats were randomly assigned into groups: sham-operated control group (SH) or ovariectomy group (OVX). Four different commercial implant materials (TTM, CONCELOC, TANTALUM, ATLANT) were placed into the defects (diameter 2.5 mm, depth 3.0 mm) in the distal metaphysis of femurs. Rats were sacrificed 45 days after surgery. Histological study was performed and the percentage of the bone area (BA%) around the implant at a distance of 500 μm in the cancellous area was measured. RESULTS:Formation of mature bone tissue of varying degrees around all of the implants was detected. In OVX rats cancellous bone defect zone was characterized by a high density of osteocytes on the surface. In the SH group, no differences in BA% among implant materials were found. In OVX rats, the BA% around ATLANT implants was 1.5-time less (p = 0.002) than around TANTALUM. The BA% around the rest of the materials was not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS:Bone formation around the studied porous titanium and tantalum materials in the osteoporosis model was lower than in normal bone. There were differences in bone formation around the different materials in the osteoporosis model, while in the normal bone model, these differences were absent.

Successful management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has lengthened the life expectancy of HIV-positive (HIV + ) patients; consequently, increasing numbers of this patient population are candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study seeks to provide detailed results of TKA in HIV+ patients and compare them to an HIV-negative (HIV - ) cohort. We performed a multicenter retrospective case-control study comparing 25 HIV+ patients to 25 HIV- patients undergoing TKA. The analysis included a cohort and subgroup stratification based on the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Prior to TKA, all 25 patients had a documented history of HIV infection. No intraoperative complications were reported. Ninety-day postoperative complications included knee contracture (one HIV + , no HIV - , p = 0.3124), periprosthetic joint infection requiring revision (one HIV + , no HIV - , p = 0.3124), mechanical fall requiring incision and drainage (one HIV + , no HIV - , p = 0.3124), and death (one HIV + , no HIV - , p = 0.3124). The average follow-up was 18.80 months. HIV+ patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 3.8 days following surgery, which was significantly greater than HIV- patients (2.28 days; p = 0.0040). As the life expectancy for HIV+ patients improves, a greater number will be TKA candidates. This study has shown an acceptable postoperative complication risk in an HIV+ patient population undergoing TKA, albeit with a significantly increased hospital length of stay.

BACKGROUND:Currently, there is no established universal standard of care for prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) in orthopedic patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA). The aim of this study is to determine whether a protocol of 81-mg aspirin (ASA) bis in die (BID) is safe and/or effective in preventing VTE in patients undergoing rTHAs vs 325-mg ASA BID. METHODS:In 2017, a large academic medical center adopted a new protocol for VTE prophylaxis in arthroplasty patients at standard risk. Initially, patients received 325-mg ASA BID but switched to 81-mg ASA BID. A retrospective review (2011-2019) was performed to identify 1361 consecutive rTHA patients and their associated 90-day postoperative complications such as VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), as the primary outcome; and gastrointestinal and wound bleeding, acute periprosthetic joint infection, and mortality as the secondary outcome. RESULTS:From 2011 to 2017, 973 rTHAs were performed and 13 total VTE cases were diagnosed (1.34%). From 2017 to 2019, 388 rTHAs were performed with 3 total VTE cases identified (0.77%). Chi-squared analyses and logistic regression models showed no differences in rates or odds in postoperative PE (P = .09), DVT (P = .79), PE and DVT (P = .85), and total VTE (P = .38) using either dose. There were also no differences between bleeding complications (P = .14), infection rate (P = .46), and mortality (P = .53). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Using a protocol of 81-mg of ASA BID is noninferior to 325-mg ASA BID and may be safe and effective in maintaining low rates of VTE in patients undergoing rTHA.

Background/UNASSIGNED:The impact of tobacco use on perioperative complications, hospital costs, and survivorship in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is well established. The aim of this study is to report the impact of tobacco cessation on outcomes after TJA and to measure the impact of a voluntary smoking cessation program (SCP) on self-reported smoking quit rates in a premier academic medical center. Methods/UNASSIGNED:A seven-year (2013-2019) SCP database was provided by the Integrative Health Promotion Department and Infection Prevention and Control Department. We evaluated program and smoking status, patient demographics, length of stay (LOS), and 90-day post-operative infection rates and readmission rates. The primary outcome was quit rates based on SCP enrollment status. The secondary outcomes measured infection rates, readmission rates, and LOS based on enrollment status and/or quit rate. Results/UNASSIGNED:A total of 201 eligible patients were identified: 137 patients in the SCP (intervention) group and 64 in the self-treatment (control) group. SCP patients trended towards higher quit rates (43% vs 33%, p = 0.17), shorter LOS (2.47 vs 2.62 days, p = 0.52), lower infection rates (7.3% vs 12.5%, p = 0.27) and slightly higher readmission rates (5.8% vs 4.7%, p = 0.73). In a sub-analysis, self-reported smokers demonstrated statistically significant decrease in infection (3.7% vs 12.5%, p = 0.03). Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:There was a statistically significant decrease in infection rates in patients who self-reported quitting tobacco prior to TJA. Additionally, quit rates for patients who participated in a voluntary SCP trended towards increased pre-operative cessation. Further efforts to increase tobacco cessation prior to TJA and examine the impact on patient outcomes are needed.

BACKGROUND:The effect of using thicker liners in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on functional outcomes and aseptic failure rates remains largely unknown. As such, we devised a multicenter study to assess both the clinical outcomes and survivorship of thick vs thin liners after primary TKA. METHODS:A search of our institutional databases was performed for patients having undergone bilateral (simultaneous or staged) primary TKA with similar preoperative and surgical characteristics between both sides. Two cohorts were created: thick liners and thin liners. Outcomes collected were as follows: change in Knee Society Score (ΔKSS), change in range of motion, and aseptic revision. Ad hoc power analysis was performed for ΔKSS (⍺ = 0.05; power = 80%). Differences between cohorts were assessed. RESULTS:About 195 TKAs were identified for each cohort. ΔKSS and change in range of motion in the thin vs thick cohorts were similar: 51.4 vs 51.6 (P = .86) and 11.1° vs 10.0° (P = .66), respectively. No difference in aseptic revision rates were observed between thin and thick cohorts: all cause (4.1%, 3.1%; P = .59), aseptic loosening (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), instability (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), all-cause revision for stiffness (3.1%, 2.1%; P = .52), manipulation under anesthesia (2.1%, 2.1%; P = 1.0), and liner exchange (0.5%, 0%; P = .32). CONCLUSION:The results of this study suggest that both rates of revision surgery and clinical outcomes are similar for TKAs performed with thick and thin liners. Preoperative factors are likely to play an important role in liner thickness selection, and emphasis should be placed on ensuring sound surgical technique.

BACKGROUND:The effect of surgeon practice and patient care setting have not been studied in the Medicaid population undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to evaluate whether point of entry and Medicaid status affect outcomes following TKA. METHODS:The electronic medical record at our urban, academic, tertiary care hospital system was retrospectively reviewed for all primary, unilateral TKA during January 2016 and January 2018. Outpatient visits within the 6-month preoperative period categorized TKA recipients as either Hospital Ambulatory Clinic Centers patients with Medicaid insurance or private office patients with non-Medicaid insurers. RESULTS:There were 174 Medicaid patients and 317 non-Medicaid patients for 491 total patients. Medicaid patients were significantly younger (62.6 ± 1.6 vs 65.4 ± 1.1 years, P < .01), of "other' ethnicity (43.1% vs 25.6%, P < .01), and to be a current smoker (9.3% vs 6.6%, P = .02). There was no difference in gender, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. After controlling for patient factors, the Medicaid effect was insignificant for surgical time (exponentiated β 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-1.01, P = .076) and facility discharge (odds ratio 1.58, 95% CI 0.71-3.51, P = .262). Medicaid status had a significant effect on length of stay (LOS) (rate ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.43, P = .026). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Multivariable analysis controlling for patient factors demonstrated that Medicaid coverage had minimal effect on surgical time and facility discharge. Medicaid patients had significantly longer LOS by one-half day. These results indicate that comparable outcomes can be achieved for Medicaid patients following TKA provided that the surgeon and care setting are similar. However, increased care coordination and preoperative education may be necessary to normalize disparities in hospital LOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III, retrospective observational analysis.

BACKGROUND:Dilute povidone-iodine lavage has been shown to be safe and effective in decreasing acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Vancomycin powder is reported to be effective in preventing infection in spine surgery. We hypothesize that a "vanco-povidone protocol" (VIP) for TJA patients at high risk for infection is safe and will decrease the rate of PJI. METHODS:High-risk TJA patients (body mass index >40, active smokers, American Society of Anesthesiologists ≥3, immunosuppression/diabetes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization, revision surgery) utilizing VIP were compared to a high-risk historical cohort not treated with VIP, at a single institution. VIP consisted of dilute povidone-iodine lavage followed by application of vancomycin powder prior to wound closure. Primary endpoint was PJI within 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS:The historical, high-risk control cohort consisted of 3251 patients with a PJI incidence of 1.8%. A total of 1413 subjects received the VIP protocol with a PJI incidence of 1.3%. There was a 27.8% risk reduction when compared to the control group of high-risk subjects not treated with the VIP. There were no medical complications secondary to the use of VIP, no increase in vancomycin-resistant enterococcus or vancomycin-resistant Staph aureus, and no cases of acute renal impairment secondary to application of the local vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS:PJI remains a common complication of TJA, especially in high-risk populations. This study indicates that a protocol of dilute povidone-iodine lavage combined with topical vancomycin powder is safe and may reduce PJI incidence in high-risk TJA patients. Due to low, current PJI rates, a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial is necessary to assess interventions that minimize the risk of PJI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Retrospective Observational Cohort.

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, we as health care professionals thrive to continue to help our patients, and as orthopedic surgeons, this goal is ever more challenging. As part of a major academic tertiary medical center in New York City, the orthopedic department at New York University (NYU) Langone Health has evolved and adapted to meet the challenges of the COVID pandemic. In our report, we will detail the different aspects and actions taken by NYU Langone Health as well as NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital and the orthopedic department in particular. Among the steps taken, the department has reconfigured its staff's assignments to help both with the institution's efforts and our patients' needs from reassigning operating room nurses to medical COVID floors to having attending surgeons cover urgent care locations. We have reorganized our residency and fellowship rotations and assignments as well as adapting our educational programs to online learning. While constantly evolving to meet the institution's and our patient demands, our leadership starts planning for the return to a new "normal".

BACKGROUND:In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in the United States were recommended to stop performing elective procedures. This stoppage has led to the cancellation of a large number of hip and knee arthroplasties. The effect of this on patients' physical mental and economic health is unknown. METHODS:A survey was developed by the AAHKS Research Committee to assess pain, anxiety, physical function, and economic ability of patients to undergo a delayed operation. Six institutions conducted the survey to 360 patients who had to have elective hip and knee arthroplasty cancelled between March and July of 2020. RESULTS:Patients were most anxious about the uncertainty of when their operation could be rescheduled. Although 85% of patients understood and agreed with the public health measures to curb infections, almost 90% of patients plan to reschedule as soon as possible. Age and geographic region of the patients affected their anxiety. Younger patients were more likely to have financial concerns and concerns about job security. Patients in the Northeast were more concerned about catching COVID-19 during a future hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS:Patients suffering from the pain of hip and knee arthritis continue to struggle with pain from their end-stage disease. They have anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic. Few patients feel they will be limited financially and 90% want to have surgery as soon as possible. Age and physical location of the patients affect their causes for anxiety around their future surgery.