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.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Specialized tables for direct anterior (DA) approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) have required an unscrubbed assistant for manipulation of the operative limb. A novel surgical table attachment designed for the DA approach is fully surgeon controlled and partially automated. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent THA through a DA approach with an assistant-controlled vs the surgeon-controlled (SC) table. Methods/UNASSIGNED:This is a retrospective study of 343 patients who underwent primary THA between January 2017 and October 2017. Two cohorts were established based on the surgical table used. Surgical and clinical data included the surgical time, length of stay, presence of pain (groin, hip, or thigh pain) at latest follow-up, and revision for any reason. Immediate postoperative radiographs were compared with latest follow-up radiographs to assess for leg length discrepancy, stem alignment, and stem subsidence. Results/UNASSIGNED:< .001). Neither group experienced any intraoperative fractures or postoperative dislocations. There were no significant differences in any other clinical or radiographic outcomes. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Although the surgical time with the self-controlled table was longer by approximately 4 minutes, this discrepancy disappeared with progression through the learning curve. In our experience, the SC table allows for greater autonomy for the operating surgeon and eliminates the need for a full-time employee in the operating room workflow.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value and efficacy of rapid response teams (RRTs) for different triggering events in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. METHODS:A retrospective review of all RRT events at a single, tertiary referral center from 2014 to 2016 was performed. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients >18 years old that underwent primary or revision THA. Information queried included demographics, primary reason for RRT, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), underlying etiology, whether any changes in management occurred, and whether the patient was uptriaged. RESULTS:In total, 168 RRTs were called on 153 hip arthroplasty patients (mean age 65.2 ± 14.1 years; mean body mass index 32.3 ± 4.8, 66% female). Length of stay in RRT for primary and revision THA was 3.4 and 6.2 days, respectively. This was significantly longer than the length of stay for primary THA patients (2.4 days, P < .001) and revision THA patients (4.6 days, P = .005) that did not require an RRT. There were no mortalities. RRTs for hypotension/presyncope (11%) and for syncope (11%) resulted in significantly fewer changes in management (P < .01) than tachycardia (77%), hypoxia (57%), AMS (79%), and other (47%). RRTs for hypotension/presyncope (28%), syncope (15%), and hypoxia (30%) resulted in significantly fewer patients being uptriaged (P < .001) than tachycardia (81%). Hypotension/presyncope was found to be significantly more commonly due to volume depletion (67%) (P < .001) than other etiologies. Hypoxia was significantly more commonly due to atelectasis (57%) and opioids/oversedation (30.4%) (P = .037). AMS/delirium was also significantly more commonly caused by opioids/over-sedation (71%) (P < .001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In patients undergoing THA, RRTs for hypotension/presyncopal symptoms and syncope were significantly less likely to result in changes in management or uptriaging compared to tachycardia. The most common etiologies were potentially preventable, including volume depletion and opioid use.

BACKGROUND:Revision THA represents approximately 5% to 10% of all THAs. Despite the complexity of these procedures, revision arthroplasty service lines are generally absent even at high-volume orthopaedic centers. We wanted to evaluate whether financial compensation is a barrier for the development of revision THA service lines as assessed by RVUs. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES/OBJECTIVE:Therefore, we asked: (1) Are physicians fairly compensated for revision THA on a per-minute basis compared with primary THA? (2) Are physicians fairly compensated for revision THA on a per-day basis compared with primary THA? METHODS:Our deterministic financial model was derived from retrospective data of all patients undergoing primary or revision THA between January 2016 and June 2018 at an academic healthcare organization. Patients were divided into five cohorts based on their surgical procedure: primary THA, head and liner exchange, acetabular component revision THA, femoral component revision THA, and combined femoral and acetabular component revision THA. Mean surgical times were calculated for each cohort, and each cohort was assigned a relative value unit (RVU) derived from the 2018 Center for Medicaid and Medicare assigned RVU fee schedule. Using a combination of mean surgical time and RVUs rewarded for each procedure, three models were developed to assess the financial incentive to perform THA services for each cohort. These models included: (1) RVUs earned per the mean surgical time, (2) RVUs earned for a single operating room for a full day of THAs, and (3) RVUs earned for two operating rooms for a full day of primary THAs versus a single rooms for a full day of revision THAs. A sixth cohort was added in the latter two models to more accurately reflect the variety in a typical surgical day. This consisted of a blend of revision THAs: one acetabular, one femoral, and one full revision. The RVUs generated in each model were compared across the cohorts. RESULTS:Compared with primary THA by RVU per minute, in revision THA, head and liner exchange demonstrated a 4% per minute deficit, acetabular component revision demonstrated a 29% deficit, femoral component revision demonstrated a 32% deficit, and full revision demonstrated a 27% deficit. Compared with primary service lines with one room, revision surgeons with a variety of revision THA surgeries lost 26% potential relative value units per day. Compared with a two-room primary THA service, revision surgeons lost 55% potential relative value units per day. CONCLUSIONS:In a comparison of relative value units of a typical two-room primary THA service line versus those of a dedicated revision THA service line, we found that revision specialists may lose between 28% and 55% of their RVU earnings. The current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement model is not viable for the arthroplasty surgeon and limits patient access to revision THA specialists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III, economic and decision analysis.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective analysis of outcomes in single-level spine and primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients. OBJECTIVE:Compare baseline and post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing spine surgery procedures with total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to further define outcomes in orthopedic surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA/BACKGROUND:Computer-adaptive Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) allows for standardized assessment of the Health Related Quality of Life across different disease states. METHODS:Patients who underwent spine surgery (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, cervical disc replacement, lumbar laminectomy, microscopic lumbar discectomy, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion or adult reconstruction surgery (THA, TKA) were grouped. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Baseline (BL) and 6-month (6 M) PROMIS scores of Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Pain Intensity were determined. Paired t-tests compared differences in CCI, BL, 6 M, and change in PROMIS scores for spine and adult reconstruction procedures. RESULTS:304 spine surgery patients (Age=58.1 ± 15.6; 42.9% Female) and 347 adult reconstruction patients (Age=62.9 ± 11.8; 54.1% Female) were compared. Spine surgery groups had more disability and pain at baseline than adult reconstruction patients according to Physical Function [(21.0, 22.2, 9.07, 12.6, 10.4) vs (35.8, 35.0), respectively, p < .01], Pain Interference [(80.1, 74.1, 89.6, 92.5, 90.6) vs (64.0, 63.9), respectively, p < .01] and Pain Intensity [(53.0, 53.1, 58.3, 58.5, 56.1) vs (53.4, 53.8), respectively, p < .01]. At 6 M, spine surgery patients remained more disabled and had more pain compared to adult reconstruction patients. Over the 6-month timespan, spine patients experienced greater improvements than adult reconstruction patients in terms of Physical Function [(+8.7, +22.2, +9.7, +12.9, +12.1) vs (+5.3, +3.9), respectively, p < .01] and Pain Interference scores [(-15.4, -28.1, -14.7, -13.1, -12.3) vs (-8.3, -6.0), respectively, p < .01]. CONCLUSIONS:Spinal surgery patients had lower BL and 6 M PROMIS scores, but greater relative improvement in PROMIS scores compared to adult reconstruction patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:3.

Background/UNASSIGNED:There has been increasing interest in performing primary hip and knee replacement with same-day discharge (SDD). The purpose of this study is to compare patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, pain scores, and readmissions in patients who underwent SDD total hip arthroplasty (THA) with those in patients who underwent traditional inpatient THA. Methods/UNASSIGNED:A retrospective study was conducted on 963 patients who underwent primary THA at our institution between September 2016 and December 2018. Two cohorts were established based on whether the patient underwent SDD or traditional inpatient THA. An electronic physical engagement application was used to collect PRO scores (Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey Physical Component Score, and Mental Component Score) and pain scores. To control for demographic variables, a multiple regression analysis of PRO scores was conducted. Results/UNASSIGNED:Four hundred fifteen (43.1%) patients in this study underwent the SDD protocol. There were significant differences between both cohorts with respect to sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and smoking status. The bivariate analysis revealed that the SDD cohort had a significantly greater change in the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey Physical Component Score and had fewer readmissions. Both cohorts had equivalent decreases in pain scores. After controlling for demographic variables in a multivariable analysis, the SDD cohort was found to have higher PRO scores at all time points, but there were no significant differences in the change in PRO scores over time between both groups. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Patients in an SDD THA care pathway experienced similar improvements in PRO scores and clinically equal reduction in pain scores.

AIMS/OBJECTIVE:Previous studies have reported an increased risk for postoperative complications in the Medicaid population undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). These studies have not controlled for the surgeon's practice or patient care setting. This study aims to evaluate whether patient point of entry and Medicaid status plays a role in quality outcomes and discharge disposition following THA. METHODS:The electronic medical record at our institution was retrospectively reviewed for all primary, unilateral THA between January 2016 and January 2018. THA recipients were categorized as either Medicaid or non-Medicaid patients based on a visit to our institution's Hospital Ambulatory Care Center (HACC) within the six months prior to surgery. Only patients who had been operated on by surgeons (CML, JV, JDS, RS) with at least ten Medicaid and ten non-Medicaid patients were included in the study. The patients included in this study were 56.33% female, had a mean age of 60.85 years, and had a mean BMI of 29.14. The average length of follow-up was 343.73 days. RESULTS:A total of 426 hips in 403 patients were included in this study, with 114 Medicaid patients and 312 non-Medicaid patients. Medicaid patients had a significantly lower mean age (54.68 years (SD 12.33) vs 63.10 years (SD 12.38); p < 0.001), more likely to be black or 'other' race (27.19% vs 13.46% black; 26.32% vs 12.82% other; p < 0.001), and more likely to be a current smoker (19.30% vs 9.29%; p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient risk factors, there was a significant Medicaid effect on length of stay (LOS) (rate ratio 1.129, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.048 to 1.216; p = 0.001) and facility discharge (odds ratio 2.010, 95% CI 1.398 to 2.890; p < 0.001). There was no Medicaid effect on surgical time (exponentiated β coefficient 1.015, 95% CI 0.995 to 1.036; p = 0.136). There was no difference in 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, 30-day infections, 90-day infections, and 90-day mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:2020;102-B(7 Supple B):78-84.

Electronic health record (EHR) technologies have improved the ease of access to structured clinical data. The standard means by which data are collected continues to be manual chart review. The authors compared the accuracy of manual chart review against modern electronic data warehouse queries. A manual chart review of the EHR was performed with medical record numbers and surgical admission dates for the 100 most recent inpatient venous thromboembolic events after total joint arthroplasty. A separate data query was performed with the authors' electronic data warehouse. Data sets were then algorithmically compared to check for matches. Discrepancies between data sets were evaluated to categorize errors as random vs systematic. From 100 unique patient encounters, 27 variables were retrieved. The average transcription error rate was 9.19% (SD, ±5.74%) per patient encounter and 11.04% (SD, ±21.40%) per data variable. The systematic error rate was 7.41% (2 of 27). When systematic errors were excluded, the random error rate was 5.79% (SD, ±7.04%) per patient encounter and 5.44% (SD, ±5.63%) per data variable. Total time and average time for manual data collection per patient were 915 minutes and 10.3±3.89 minutes, respectively. Data collection time for the entire electronic query was 58 seconds. With an error rate of 10%, manual chart review studies may be more prone to type I and II errors. Computer-based data queries can improve the speed, reliability, reproducibility, and scalability of data retrieval and allow hospitals to make more data-driven decisions. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(x):xx-xx.].

Background/UNASSIGNED:Proper sizing of femoral and tibial components has been associated with long-term outcomes and survivorship in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) and may be a reason for differences in outcomes between knees. The aim of this study compares post-operative outcomes and revision rates in patients undergoing SBTKA with different component sizes. Methods/UNASSIGNED:A retrospective review was conducted at a single academic institution identifying patients who underwent SBTKA from 2011 to 2019. Inclusion criteria included: primary osteoarthritis, similar pre-operative deformity, and same implant manufacturer. The primary outcome compares pre- and post-op (delta, Δ) Knee Society Score-Knee Score (KSS-KS) and range of motion (ROM) between knees. Secondary outcome measures were all-cause revisions rates, including manipulations under anesthesia and arthroscopy with or without lysis of adhesions. Results/UNASSIGNED:149 patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria: 128 patients had femoral size difference (FSD) of 0, 138 patients had tibial size difference (TSD) of 0, 21 patients with FSD of 1, and 11 patients with TSD of 1. There was no difference in ΔKSS-KS or ΔROM in patients for any FSD or TSD. Revisions for aseptic loosening were greater for TSD 1 compared to TSD 0 (p < 0.001). No other differences in cause of revision were identified. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:A TSD of 1 may be associated with increased revision rates for aseptic loosening in both smaller and larger sized implants. Surgeons may achieve optimal patient outcomes in SBTKA with proper sized implants through increased awareness of component asymmetry and repeat intraoperative evaluation when asymmetrical measurements occur.