Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Intraoperative tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common practice which may improve visualization of the surgical field and reduce blood loss. However, the safety and efficacy associated with tourniquet use continues to be a subject of debate among orthopedic surgeons. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of tourniquet use on pain and opioid consumption after TKA. METHODS:This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial among patients undergoing TKA. Patients were preoperatively randomized to undergo TKA with or without the use of an intraoperative tourniquet. Frequency distributions, means, and standard deviations were used to describe baseline patient demographics (age, gender, race, body mass index, smoking status), length of stay, surgical factors, visual analog scale pain scores, and opioid consumption in morphine milligram equivalents. RESULTS:A total of 327 patients were included in this study, with 166 patients undergoing TKA without a tourniquet and 161 patients with a tourniquet. A statistically significant difference was found in surgical time (97.87 vs 92.98 minutes; P = .05), whereas none was found for length of stay (1.73 vs 1.70 days; P = .87), postop visual analog scale pain scores (1.73 vs 1.70; P = .87), inpatient opioid consumption (19.84 vs 19.27 morphine milligram equivalents; P = .74), or outpatient opioid consumption between the tourniquet-less and tourniquet cohorts, respectively. There were no readmissions in either cohort during the 90-day episode of care. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Utilization of a tourniquet during TKA has minimal impact on postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption when compared with patients who underwent TKA without a tourniquet.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Improper cup positioning and leg length discrepancy (LLD) are two of the most common errors following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and are associated with potentially significant consequences. Obesity is associated with increased risk of mechanical complications, including dislocations, which may be secondary to cup malposition and failure to restore leg length and offset. 3D Optical Camera computerassisted navigation (CAN) system may reduce the risk of component malposition and LLD with real time intraoperative feedback. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of CAN influences acetabular component placement (CP) accuracy and leg length restoration in obese (body mass index(BMI)≥35kg/m 2 ) patients undergoing primary THA. Methods/UNASSIGNED:A multi-center retrospective review was conducted identifying consecutive THA cases with BMI > 35kg/m 2 using CAN (Intellijoint Hip, Waterloo, CA) from 2015-2019. These patients were then matched with patients undergoing conventional THA (control) at a 1:1 ratio according to BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and gender. TraumaCad™ software (Brainlab, Chicago, IL) was used to measure cup anteversion, inclination, and change (Δ) in LLD between pre- and postoperative radiographic images. The safety target zones used as reference for precision analysis of CP were 15°-30° for anteversion and 30°-50° for inclination. Results/UNASSIGNED:176 patients were included: 88 CAN and 88 control cases. CAN cases were found to have a lower ΔLLD than controls (3.53±2.12mm vs. 5.00±4.05mm; p=0.003). Additionally, more CAN cases fell within the target safe zone than controls (83% vs.60%, p=0.00083). Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Our findings suggest that the use of a CAN system may be more precise in component placement, and useful in facilitating the successful restoration of preoperative leg length following THA than conventional methodology.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:There is debate regarding whether the use of computer-assisted technology, such as navigation and robotics, has any benefit on outcomes or patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to report on the association between intraoperative use of technology and outcomes in patients who underwent primary TKA. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 7096 patients who underwent primary TKA from 2016-2020. Patients were stratified depending on the technology utilized: navigation, robotics, or no technology. Patient demographics, clinical data, Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS), and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR) were collected at various time points up to 1-year follow-up. Demographic differences were assessed with chi-square and ANOVA. Clinical data and PROMs were compared using univariate ANCOVA, controlling for demographic differences. RESULTS:A total of 287(4%) navigation, 367(5%) robotics, and 6442(91%) manual cases were included. Surgical-time significantly differed between the three groups (113.33 vs 117.44 vs 102.11; P < .001). Discharge disposition significantly differed between the three groups (P < .001), with more manual TKA patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility (12% vs 8% vs 15%; P < .001) than those who had technology utilized. FJS scores did not statistically differ at three-months (P = .067) and one-year (P = .221). We found significant statistical differences in three-month KOOS, JR scores (59.48 vs 60.10 vs 63.64; P = .001); however, one-year scores did not statistically differ between all groups (P = .320). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates shorter operative-time in cases with no utilization of technology and clinically similar PROMs associated with TKAs performed between all modalities. While the use of technology may aid surgeons, it has not currently translated to better short-term outcomes. LEVEL III EVIDENCE/UNASSIGNED:Retrospective Cohort.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Performing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for femoral neck fracture in the setting of a pre-existing intramedullary nail can be technically challenging, particularly if nail extraction is not feasible. Case Report/UNASSIGNED:A 76-year-old male presented with a with a displaced femoral neck fracture in the setting of a previously placed antegrade intramedullary nail with a healed femoral shaft fracture. After failed nail extraction, a novel technique was used to remove the proximal portion of the nail to allow for hybrid THA with implantation of a cemented femoral stem. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:This is the first reported surgical technique of using a cortical window technique for partial intramedullary nail resection and cemented stem implantation in the setting of challenging intramedullary femoral nail extraction.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon cause of residual pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The presentation is variable, and there is no gold standard diagnostic test. Diagnosis is more difficult after TKA because some classic signs of CRPS may be unreliable and imaging may be difficult to interpret. Early intervention is the most important factor in predicting improvement, necessitating high suspicion in patients with exaggerated pain and stiffness after excluding more common causes. This article reviews the literature regarding CRPS following TKA, explains the diagnosis, and discusses treatment. [Orthopedics. 2020;4x(x):xx-xx.].

Orthopedic implant device sales representatives ("reps") can provide intraoperative guidance based on their product knowledge, as part of their many responsibilities. However, for experienced high-volume arthroplasty surgeons, a representative may not be required in the room for most primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures. The goal of this study was to describe the authors' experience with a modified rep model for primary TKA. Between January and December 2017, a total of 100 unilateral primary TKAs were performed with a modified rep model and compared with 100 primary TKAs that were performed before this protocol. The authors adopted 2 additional initiatives to institute this protocol safely: (1) improved education of operating room staff and allocation of responsibilities; and (2) reengineering of the existing surgical trays. No perioperative complications, including readmission, periprosthetic fracture, or infection, occurred in either group. In addition, no difference was found in mean length of stay between the modified rep and conventional cohorts (2.2 and 2.4 days, respectively; P=.49). Mean operating room time was less with the modified rep cohort (102.1 vs 117.8 minutes; P<.001), as was total instrument turnover time in the operating room (13.9 vs 29.7 minutes; P<.0001) and in central sterilization (59.4 vs 126.8 minutes; P<.001). No errors occurred with implant accuracy or trays, and there was no need to change the type of implant with the modified rep model, compared with 6% of trays requiring additional sterilization with the conventional model. The negotiated implant cost with the modified rep model was approximately $2000 less than that for the conventional group. This study found that the modified rep model for primary TKA is safe and has the potential for substantial cost savings. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

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.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Hip dislocation is a devastating complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), which is slightly higher when using the traditional posterior approach. The piriformis tendon is the most important dynamic posterior stabilizing structure. The piriformis-sparing technique provides a reproducible method for THA, greatly reducing the dislocation rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:After exposure and identifying piriformis, the inferior border of the piriformis is released from the short rotators and capsule with a BOVIE® (Symmetry Surgical, Inc, Nashville, Tennessee). This dissection is continued to the lesser trochanter as one sleeve and then tagged. The anterior/inferior capsule is released with a BOVIE® from the femur to aid in acetabular exposure. The femur is roughly placed in 30° of adduction, 70° of flexion, and slight internal rotation. An anterior retractor is used to displace the proximal femur anteriorly and superiorly. The reamer is placed inside the acetabulum through the inferior approach. Next, the acetabulum is progressively reamed to the appropriate size and depth, and the final component is placed in proper anteversion and abduction angles based on preoperative functional assessment. After insertion of final components and final hip reduction, the interval beneath the piriformis tendon and superior portion of the capsule is repaired with ETHIBOND® sutures (Johnson & Johnson Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey). Then, two tunnels in the proximal femur with a 2.7mm drill bit is made and posterior capsule and short rotators are secured through these tunnels. RESULTS:This technique was used in 150 THAs with a minimum follow up of six months and a mean of 1.2 years ± 1.5 years. There was no dislocation at final follow up. The mean anteversion and abduction was 23 ± 2.7 and 42 ± 3.1, respectively. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Preserving the piriformis tendon may cause less visualization of the superior portion of the acetabulum. However, the anterior/inferior capsular release, and proper placement of the femur with flexion, internal rotation, and adduction, makes it possible to achieve highly reproducible results.