Current Procedural Terminology Codes Research Articles

Evaluating the Efficacy of Large Language Models in CPT Coding for Craniofacial Surgery: A Comparative Analysis.

The advent of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has introduced significant advancements in various surgical disciplines. These developments have led to an increased interest in the utilization of LLMs for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding in surgery. With CPT coding being a complex and time-consuming process, often exacerbated by the scarcity of professional coders, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance coding efficiency and accuracy. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of 5 publicly available large language models-Perplexity.AI, Bard, BingAI, ChatGPT 3.5, and ChatGPT 4.0-in accurately identifying CPT codes for craniofacial procedures. A consistent query format was employed to test each model, ensuring the inclusion of detailed procedure components where necessary. The responses were classified as correct, partially correct, or incorrect based on their alignment with established CPT coding for the specified procedures. The results indicate that while there is no overall significant association between the type of AI model and the correctness of CPT code identification, there are notable differences in performance for simple and complex CPT codes among the models. Specifically, ChatGPT 4.0 showed higher accuracy for complex codes, whereas Perplexity.AI and Bard were more consistent with simple codes. The use of AI chatbots for CPT coding in craniofacial surgery presents a promising avenue for reducing the administrative burden and associated costs of manual coding. Despite the lower accuracy rates compared with specialized, trained algorithms, the accessibility and minimal training requirements of the AI chatbots make them attractive alternatives. The study also suggests that priming AI models with operative notes may enhance their accuracy, offering a resource-efficient strategy for improving CPT coding in clinical practice. This study highlights the feasibility and potential benefits of integrating LLMs into the CPT coding process for craniofacial surgery. The findings advocate for further refinement and training of AI models to improve their accuracy and practicality, suggesting a future where AI-assisted coding could become a standard component of surgical workflows, aligning with the ongoing digital transformation in health care.

Sleeve gastrectomy prior to primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty is associated with increased risk of early complications

AimsThe purpose of this study was to determine the association between prior sleeve gastrectomy in patients undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty, and 90-day complications, incidence of revision arthroplasty, and patient-reported outcome scores at final follow-up.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-centre analysis. Patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty with a prior sleeve gastrectomy were eligible for inclusion (n = 80 patients). A morbidly obese control group was established from the same institutional registry using a 1:2 match, for cases:controls with arthroplasty based on propensity score using age, sex, pre-sleeve gastrectomy BMI, Current Procedural Terminology code to identify anatomical location, and presurgical haemoglobin A1C. Outcomes included 90-day complications, incidence of revision arthroplasty, and patient-reported outcome scores at final follow-up. Multivariable logistic regressions evaluated associations of underlying preoperative demographic and treatment characteristics with outcomes.ResultsComplications within 90 days of surgery were increased in the sleeve gastrectomy group relative to the obese control group after controlling for underlying preoperative demographic characteristics (odds ratio (OR) 4.00 (95% CI 1.14 to 13.9); p = 0.030). Postoperative revisions were similar in the sleeve gastrectomy group relative to the obese control group after controlling for underlying preoperative demographic characteristics (OR 17.8 (95% CI 0.64 to 494.3); p = 0.090). Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression decreased by a greater amount from pre- to postoperative in the obese controls relative to the sleeve gastrectomy group (OR 4.04 (95% CI 0.06 to 8.02); p = 0.047). PROMIS pain interference and physical function change from pre- to postoperative was not associated with sleeve gastrectomy status.ConclusionWe found a higher rate of complications at 90 days in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy prior to primary hip or knee arthroplasty relative to a matched, obese control population. Prosthetic revision rates were similar between the two groups, while improvements in PROMIS depression scores were larger in the obese cohort. This study suggests that sleeve gastrectomy to achieve preoperative weight loss prior to arthroplasty surgery may not mitigate early complication risks in obese patient populations.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):935–941.

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Achieves Minimal Clinically Important Difference Faster than Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) remains underexplored regarding patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), particularly in terms of time to reach Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID). This study addresses this gap by comparing the time to achieve MCID between primary TKA (pTKA) and rTKA patients, providing valuable insights into their recovery trajectories. A total of 8,266 TKAs (7,618 pTKA and 648 rTKA) were retrospectively studied in a multi-institutional arthroplasty registry. Patients who completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical, PROMIS Physical Function Short Form 10a (PF-10a), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) questionnaires were identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Survival curves with and without interval-censoring were utilized to evaluate the time to achieve MCID. Comparing the time to achieve MCID, rTKAs were significantly faster than pTKA for PROMIS Global Physical (3.5 versus 3.7 months, P = 0.004) and KOOS-PS (3.3 versus 4.2 months, P < 0.001), but similar for PROMIS PF-10a (4.4 versus 4.8 months, P = 0.057). Interval-censoring also showed similar trends with earlier times to achieve MCID for rTKAs for PROMIS Global Physical (0.6 to 0.61 versus 0.97 to 0.97 months, P = 0.009) and KOOS-PS (0.97 to 0.97 versus 1.47 to 1.47 months, P < 0.001), but not for PROMIS PF-10a (2.43 to 2.54 versus 1.90 to 1.91 months, P = 0.92). The present study revealed that the time to achieve MCID was faster in patients undergoing rTKA compared to those undergoing pTKA. These findings allow surgeons to reassure preoperative revision TKA patients that their recovery to a minimal clinically important difference postoperatively may be quicker than expected, especially when compared to their initial recovery after primary TKA.

Veterans' use of inpatient and outpatient palliative care: The national landscape.

Palliative care improves the quality of life for people with life-limiting conditions, which are common among older adults. Despite the Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient palliative care expansion, most research has focused on inpatient palliative care. This study aimed to compare veteran characteristics and hospice use for palliative care users across care settings (inpatient vs. outpatient) and dose (number of palliative care encounters). This national cohort included veterans with any VA palliative care encounters from 2014 through 2017. We used VA and Medicare administrative data (2010-2017) to describe veteran demographics, socioeconomic status, life-limiting conditions, frailty, and palliative care utilization. Specialty palliative care encounters were identified using clinic stop codes (353, 351) and current procedural terminology codes (99241-99245). Of 120,249 unique veterans with specialty palliative care over 4 years, 67.8% had palliative care only in the inpatient setting (n = 81,523) and 32.2% had at least one palliative care encounter in the outpatient setting (n = 38,726), with or without an inpatient palliative care encounter. Outpatient versus inpatient palliative care users were more likely to have cancer and less likely to have high frailty, but sociodemographic factors including rurality and housing instability were similar. Duration of hospice use was similar between inpatient (median = 37 days; IQR = 11, 112) and outpatient (median = 44 days; IQR = 14, 118) palliative care users, and shorter among those with only one palliative care encounter (median = 18 days; IQR = 5, 64). This national evaluation provides novel insights into the care setting and dose of VA specialty palliative care for veterans. Among veterans with palliative care use, one-third received at least some palliative care in the outpatient care setting. Differences between veterans with inpatient and outpatient use motivate the need for further research to understand how care settings and number of palliative care encounters impact outcomes for veterans and older adults.

Staged Management for Distal Femur Fractures: Impacts on Reoperation, Stiffness, and Overall Outcomes.

To evaluate the outcomes of staged management with external fixation (ex-fix) prior to definitive fixation of distal femur fractures. Design: Retrospective cohort. Single Level I Trauma Center. Adults treated operatively between 2004 and 2019 for distal femur fractures (OTA/AO 33A/33C) were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Excluded cases were those with screw only fixation, acute distal femur replacement, 33B fracture pattern, no radiographs available, or did not have 6-months of follow-up. Postoperative complication rates including surgical site infection [SSI], reoperation to promote bone healing, final knee arc of motion <90 degrees, heterotopic ossification formation, and reoperation for stiffness were compared between patients treated with ex-fix prior to definitive fixation and those not requiring ex-fix. A total of 407 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 27 months (median [IQR] of 12 [7,33] months), (range 6-192 months). Most patients were male (52%) with an average age of 48 [Range: 18-92] years. Ex-fix was utilized in 150 (37%) cases and 257 (63%) cases underwent primary definitive fixation. There was no difference in SSI rates (p=0.12), final knee arc of motion <90 degrees (p=0.51), and reoperation for stiffness (p=0.41) between the ex-fix and no ex-fix groups. The 150 patients requiring ex-fix spent an average of 4.2 days (SD 3.3) in the ex-fix before definitive fixation. These patients were further analyzed by comparing the duration of time spent in ex-fix, <4 days (n=82) and ≥4 days (n=68). Despite longer time spent in ex-fix prior to definitive fixation, there was again no significant difference in any of the complication and reoperation rates when comparing the two groups, including final knee arc of motion <90 degrees (p=0.63), reoperation for stiffness (p=1.00), and SSI (p=0.79). Ex-fix of distal femur fractures as a means of temporary stabilization prior to definitive ORIF does not increase the risk of complications such as SSI, final knee arc of motion <90 degrees, or reoperations for bone healing or stiffness when compared to single stage ORIF of distal femur fractures. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Risk of Subsequent Hip Fractures across Varying Treatment Patterns for Index Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Introduction: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) pose a considerable healthcare burden and are linked to elevated morbidity and mortality. Despite available anti-osteoporotic treatments (AOTs), guideline adherence is lacking. This study aims to evaluate subsequent hip fracture incidence after index VCF and to elucidate AOT prescribing patterns in VCF patients, further assessing the impact of surgical interventions on these patterns. Materials and Methods: Patients with index VCFs between 2010 and 2021 were identified using the PearlDiver database. Diagnostic and procedural data were recorded using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9, ICD-10) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Patients under age 50 and follow-up <one year following index VCF were excluded. Patients were categorized based on whether they received AOT within one year, preceding and after index VCF, and were subsequently propensity-matched 1:3 based on age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) score to compare hip fracture incidence following index VCF. Sub-analysis was performed for operatively managed VCFs (kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty). Statistical tests included Chi-squared for categorical outcomes, and Kruskal-Wallis for continuous measures. Results: Of 637,701 patients, 72.6% were female. The overall subsequent hip fracture incidence was 2.6% at one year and 12.9% for all-time follow-up. Propensity-matched analysis indicated higher subsequent hip fracture rates in patients initiated on AOT post-index VCF (one year: 3.8% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.0013; all-time: 14.3% vs. 13.0%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The study reveals an unexpected increase in subsequent hip fractures among patients initiated on AOT post-index VCF, likely due to selection bias. These findings highlight the need for refined osteoporosis-management strategies to improve guideline adherence, thereby mitigating patient morbidity and mortality.

Revisiting Transitional Care Management Services

This article reviews transitional care management (TCM), one of the oldest care management services described by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes. Topics reviewed include the following: History and value of TCM servicesRequired elements of TCM servicesPreparing to provide and document TCM servicesChoosing the right TCM code

How difficult is titanium plate and screw implant removal? A retrospective case series

IntroductionTitanium implants are commonly used for surgical fixation in orthopedic trauma, and have many benefits compared to stainless steel implants. Despite these benefits, some orthopedic surgeons remain hesitant to use titanium implants due to concerns of difficulty with future implant removal, given concerns with cold-welding and screw strippage. The objective of this study was to assess difficulties associated with titanium plate and screw implant removal. MethodsThis is a retrospective case series from a large hospital system. Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 20,680 from 2017 to 2020. Patients were included if they had removal of titanium plate and screws from the upper or lower extremity, were at least18 years of age, and considered skeletally mature. The ease of titanium plate/screw removal was determined by assessing for implant cold-welding, broken screws, stripped screws, and the need for advanced tools (screw removal set, trephine, burr). Results157 patients were identified, with a mean age of 54 years and 59 % female. In total 1274 screws were removed: 14 (1.1 %) were stripped, 8 (0.6 %) were cold-welded, 42 (3.3 %) were loose, and 13 (1.0 %) were broken. 183 plates were removed in total, and 15 (8.2 %) had bone overgrowth that required removal. 12 (7.6 %) procedures were complicated and required the use of advanced tools. Complicated implant removal operations occurred after significantly longer in vivo implant time (mean of 3.7 vs. 1.1 years, p = 0.036), were associated with a younger age, were more likely to occur in lower extremity procedures (p = 0.034), and took significantly longer time for removal (95 vs. 42 min, p < 0.001). ConclusionsDespite concerns with titanium implants, we found a low rate of screw strippage, breakage, and cold welding during the removal process. However, 7.6 % of the 157 surgeries required additional tools other than just a screwdriver, and needed additional operative time. This information allows treating surgeons to plan for implant removal when titanium implants have been used for fixation. Level of evidenceIV

Cannabis and Craniotomy for Glioblastoma: Impact on Complications and Health Care Utilization

Despite advances in treatment of glioblastomas (GBMs), the median survival remains 14-16 months. In the United States, 52.5 million people ≥12 years of age used cannabis in 2021. We aim to elucidate differences in complications after craniotomy for resection of GBM between users and nonusers of cannabis. Merative MarketScan Research Data (2008-2019) (includes >265 million patients) were used to extract adults (≥18 years of age) with GBM diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases-9 code 191.x and International Classification of Diseases-10 code C71.x) who had a craniotomy (Current Procedure Terminology code 61510) from inpatient admission data. The inverse probability treatment weighted analysis balanced the groups of cannabis abuse disorder (CAD) and no CAD in terms of age, gender, insurance coverage, comorbidities, and prior 12-month opioid dependence. Individuals with CAD were younger (median, 37 vs. 51 years; P < 0.0001). There was a lower percentage of women (19% vs. 45%; P < 0.0001). In the CAD group, opioid abuse pattern for ≥12 months was higher (16% vs. 5%; P=0.001) and the rate of complications was higher (32% vs. 15%; P= 0.001) during index hospital stay. At 6 months postdischarge, neurologic complications were higher among the CAD group (27% vs. 8%; P < 0.001). At 1 year postdischarge, patients with CAD sought feweroutpatient services (P= 0.012). More neurologic complications were seen in the CAD group (31% vs. 12%; P< 0.001). This retrospective population-based study sounds a higher rate of neurologic complications among patients using cannabis who also had a newly diagnosed GBM. This suggests the lack of a protective effect from use of cannabis in patients with primary malignant brain tumors.

Cost transparency in otolaryngology: Outpatient procedures cost information at New England hospitals

PurposeHealthcare costs have dramatically increased, resulting in barriers to care for many Americans. To address this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented a price transparency mandate, requiring hospitals to provide cost-estimate tools. This study evaluates the accessibility and usability of these tools for common otolaryngology outpatient procedures. Materials and methodsCost transparency was investigated using cost-estimate tools from websites of the seven New England hospitals ranked on the US News top 50 list. Ten common current procedural terminology codes were used to collect data on availability of cost information, cost comparison, and ease-of-use by six investigators acting as “patients” for each hospital and procedure. ResultsAll investigated hospitals had cost-estimate tools, with a 35.7 % mean success rate of generating an estimate. The mean times to cost-estimate tools and generated estimates were 35.69 and 34.15 s, respectively. Pre-insurance costs varied by hospital and procedure; creation of eardrum had the largest range. Seven out of ten procedures resulted in lower post-insurance costs. The mean ease-of-use rating was 5.76 out of ten. ConclusionAll hospitals complied with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services price transparency policy. The information available is sparse, difficult to access, and frequently lacks specific estimates for common otolaryngology procedures. Although hospitals are following new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandates, the estimators currently in existence are ineffective tools for financial decision-making.

Are There Differences in Short-Term Postoperative Outcomes Among Surgical Subspecialists Performing Lower Extremity Flap Procedures? A National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) Analysis of 1324 Patients

Introduction: Soft tissue flaps are an integral and versatile tool to help manage soft tissue defects of varying severities. These complex procedures can be done by a variety of specialties and can lead to a variety of postoperative complications. Locoregional flaps are the middle rung of the reconstructive ladder and can be performed by surgeons of various training pathways. The profile of patients and their complications when stratified by surgical specialty is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term postoperative outcomes between surgical subspecialists performing a locoregional flap of the lower extremity to determine factors influencing complication rates. Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology code 15,738 to identify adult patients undergoing a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous lower extremity flap procedure from 2016 to 2019. We examined the primary outcome of a pooled wound complication rate with secondary outcomes including the individual NSQIP wound- and nonwound complications. Results: A total of 1324 patients were identified. Plastic surgeons performed 926 (70%) procedures, general surgeons performed 243 (18%) procedures, orthopedic surgeons performed 89 (7%) procedures, and vascular surgeons performed 66 (5%) procedures. On multivariate analysis, surgical subspecialty was not associated with the primary outcome, but malignancy-related operations and nonelective status were considered significant. Conclusions: Patient characteristics, but not surgeon subspecialty, account for the variation in patient outcomes in lower extremity flap reconstruction. Larger, prospective studies examining these outcomes are needed to further characterize complication risk factors in this patient population.

Presentation and Management of Postpartum Granulation Tissue: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study.

Although the development of postpartum granulation tissue (PPGT) is an expected phase of healing of perineal and vaginal lacerations, the persistence of this tissue can result in delayed wound healing, pain, bleeding, and discharge. There is a paucity of information on the efficacy of the treatments used for pathologic PPGT. The objective of this study was to describe characteristics associated with the development of PPGT and the treatment methods currently used for management. This was a retrospective cohort study of 140 patients diagnosed with PPGT within one year of birth from 2012 through 2022 within a single health care system. Patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Demographics, birth characteristics, symptoms, and treatment information were obtained and assessed in frequencies and means. Treatments were compared with 95% CIs and P values. Time to resolution was assessed by the number of weeks and the number of visits. It was the first vaginal birth for 129 (92%) patients in the study cohort. The majority (84.3%) of patients presented with pain. Almost half of all patients (45%) were diagnosed after 6 weeks postpartum. 30.0% of patients were initially treated conservatively. 76.4% of patients were treated with silver nitrate, and 33.6% had an excisional procedure. Successful conservative management had the lowest average number of visits to resolution with 1.39 visits (95% CI, 1.15-1.69), followed by silver nitrate alone with 1.95 visits (95% CI, 1.73-2.19), and excision with or without silver nitrate with 2.40 visits (95% CI, 2.07-2.78). Conservative management was unsuccessful 45% of the time, requiring additional treatment with silver nitrate or excision. 30% of patients treated with silver nitrate or excision continued to report pain even after the resolution of granulation tissue upon examination. PPGT is commonly associated with first vaginal births, often presents beyond 6 weeks postpartum, and frequently requires treatment.

Impact of Clinical Practice Guidelines on Pediatric Tonsillectomy for Tonsillitis.

To determine the impact of the release of updated American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for Tonsillectomy in Children in 2019 on adherence to evidence-based practice. Patients between ages 1 and 18 who had tonsillectomies and encounters for throat infection (tonsillitis or pharyngitis) between of February 5, 2015 and February 4, 2023 were identified by International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology codes, excluding those with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. Retrospective chart review was performed to determine adherence to evidence-based practice. There was a significant increase in adherence to evidence-based practice post-CPG release compared to pre-CPG (85.4% vs 73.1%, P = .0088). There was an observed trend for improved adherence to evidence-based practice for pediatric tonsillectomy for recurrent infection for most of the post-CPG period. There were fewer tonsillectomies performed post-CPG, despite more total encounters for throat infection. The publication of the updated AAO-HNSF CPG corresponded with improved adherence to evidence-based practice for tonsillectomy in children for recurrent infection and an observed decrease in overall rate of tonsillectomy. This suggests the CPG may be an effective quality improvement tool for reducing variation and unnecessary patient morbidity or harm. These findings suggest that the updated AAO-HNSF CPG for Tonsillectomy in Children may have effectively impacted practice patterns, and further work should be done to expand their reach to other specialties and settings. Consideration should also be given to further understand any balancing factors associated with reduced tonsillectomies for recurrent infections including quality of life impact on children managed expectantly.

Practice Readiness? Trends in Chief Resident Case Logs vs Subsequent Case Log Data in Clinical Practice.

Limited information exists regarding the association between resident surgical case experience and subsequent case mix in practice. We compare the case log distribution residents completed during their chief year to those completed by these graduates in their first 2 years in independent practice. Resident chief year case logs from 10 institutions were analyzed across 4 categories of index procedures: (1) general urology, (2) endourology, (3) reconstructive urology, and (4) urologic oncology. Current Procedural Terminology codes for associated index procedures were used to query case log data during their first 2 years in practice collected by the American Board of Urology. Interactions were tested between the trends of chief year case logs relative to trends in practice case logs. Amongst 292 residents, a total of 104,827 cases were logged during chief year and 77,976 cases in the first 2 years as an attending. Most cases completed during chief year were in oncology followed by general urology, endourology, and reconstructive urology. As attendings, most cases completed were in general urology, followed by endourology, reconstructive urology, and oncology. Chief year case logs showed decreasing trends in the median number of case logs in reconstructive urology, endourology, and general urology, while case logs in independent practice noted increasing trends in all index procedure categories over time. Urology residents perform more cases during their chief year compared to their first 2 years of independent practice. Case types completed as chief residents vs subsequent clinical practice also differ significantly. These observations may have implications for residency training, particularly regarding curriculum design.

Subclinical Aortic Inflammation in Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

To examine the clinicopathologic features of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who had thoracic aorta repair surgery. Findings were compared with those of a cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) requiring thoracic aorta repair. All patients evaluated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for thoracic aorta repair surgery between 2000- 2021 were identified. All patients were screened for prior PMR diagnosis. Patients with PMR and no signs of GCA were categorized as clinically isolated PMR. The medical records of all patients were manually reviewed, and pathologists re-examined all the aortic tissues. Of the 4621 patients with at least one CPT code for thoracic aorta repair surgery, 43 patients were diagnosed with clinically isolated PMR before the surgery. Detailed histopathological examination of the aortic tissues revealed active inflammation in 30/43 (70%) patients after a median (IQR) of 10.0 (4.7- 13.3) years from the PMR diagnosis. When compared with aortic tissue from patients with a prior diagnosis of GCA, the aorta of patients with PMR had more severe inflammation (Grade 3: 15/30 [50%] vs 5/34 [15%], p= 0.002). Patients with PMR and thoracic aorta repair may experience a 40% increased risk of mortality compared with the general population, but this did not reach statistical significance (standardized mortality ratio: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.91- 2.07). Some patients with PMR have subclinical aortic inflammation that is detectable many years after initial diagnosis and may contribute to the development of aortic aneurysm.

The Impact of Diagnosed Chronic Sleep Disorders on Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundUp to 20% of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remain dissatisfied with their outcome, leading to the identification of risk factors for poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of chronic sleep disorders on patient-reported outcomes after primary TKA. MethodsA retrospective review of patients undergoing primary TKA was conducted using a prospectively collected database of patients from a single institution between 2018 and 2022. The cohort was split based on the presence of documented chronic sleep disorders, identified preoperatively from the electronic medical record using current procedural terminology codes. The sample was further restricted to include all patients who have sleep disorders (SDs), as well as a 3:1 propensity-matched (on age, sex, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class) cohort of patients who had no documented SDs (NSDs) prior to surgery. The final sample included 172 patients (SD: 43; NSD: 129). Repeated-measures linear mixed model analysis was used to analyze the progression of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) through time between groups. ResultsThose who had SDs had a lower preoperative mean total KOOS score (40.2) than the NSD group (44.1); however, this was not significantly different (P = .108). At 1 year postoperatively, those who had an SD had a significantly higher mean total KOOS score (87.2) than the NSD group (80.4), P = .005. When comparing total KOOS scores by group, over each time period, the SD group showed a better progression when compared to the NSD group, P = .001. ConclusionsCompared to patients who did not have documented chronic sleep disorders, patients who had a prior history of chronic sleep disorders reported significantly greater improvements in most KOOS domains in the 12-month period following TKA.

Racial Disparities in the Utilization of Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction for Chronic Ankle Instability in the United States

Background: Previous studies have reported on the impact of race and ethnicity on access to orthopaedic procedures in the United States. However, there are few studies evaluating racial disparities in elective foot and ankle surgeries. Recognizing and addressing disparities in the access of health resources are steps to improve care rationing. Our study specifically investigated potential racial disparities with utilization and perioperative metrics of lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Current Procedural Terminology ( CPT) code 27698 was used to identify patients who underwent LALR from 2011 to 2020. Sixty-one percent of these patients had available race/ethnicity data and were included in the study. Designations of race and ethnicity were standardized as White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Other. Race/ethnicity stratifications of NSQIP patients were compared to 2010 and 2020 census data from the United States (US) Census Bureau. Thirty-day postoperative complications and total length of hospital stay, for all complications, were also compared between White patients and all other patients combined. Independent t tests, χ2, and Fisher exact tests were performed to compare differences including age, gender, and postoperative complications. Results: Overall, 1295 patients were included in the study. White non-Hispanic patients underwent 3.3 times more LALR than all other patients during the study period. This finding shows a higher prevalence of surgery on White non-Hispanic patients than all others reported in the US Census Bureau data for 2010 and 2020, where the ratio of White non-Hispanic vs all others were 1.9 and 1.5-fold, respectively. White patients were marginally older with a mean age of 38 years, compared with 36 years for Black patients ( P &lt; .05). There were no differences in 30-day complication rates or total length of hospital stay based on race and ethnicity. Conclusion: Our study found that there was increased utilization of LALR for White non-Hispanic patients compared with all other racial/ethnic groups. These numbers do not mimic the current population trends based on the national census data. Despite this discrepancy, no differences in postoperative complications and length of stay were found based on race and ethnicity. These results suggest that there may be barriers for patients who are not White non-Hispanic to undergo care for LALR. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Open Globe Injury Repairs Among Medicare Beneficiaries from 2011 to 2020

ABSTRACT Purpose To explore patient and surgeon characteristics for open globe injury repairs (OGRs) and rates of subsequent operations. Methods Using a retrospective cohort design, eyes of patients ≥18 years who underwent OGR among 100% Medicare Fee-For-Service dataset from 2011 to 2020 were included. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes were used to identify OGR. Patient characteristics were reported, and surgeon characteristics were stratified by sex and compared using Chi-square and Student’s t-test. Overall rate of subsequent operations was reported, and trends of subsequent operations over time were assessed using Cochrane-Armitage trend test. Results A total of 16,576 patients with a mean age of 73.89 years (±12.89) underwent OGR. Most patients were White (79.68%, n = 13,207) and 49.44% (n = 8196) were female. More patients resided in a rural area (18.71%; n = 3102) relative to surgeon location (4.51%, n = 748; p < 0.001). A total of 5,898 surgeons performed these OGRs with 77.33% (n = 4,561) male and 22.67% (n = 1,337) female surgeons. Male surgeons performed most of the OGRs (76.35%, n = 12,655; p < 0.001). On average, a surgeon performed a single OGR annually (Mean: 1.08 ± 1.04; Range: 0.11–40). Among all OGRs, 51% (8,452/16,576) had ≥1 subsequent operations in median 29 days (IQR: 10–86), which increased during the last decade from 47% to 51% (p = 0.008). Conclusion Geographic and workforce disparities in ocular trauma warrant future investigation. Further studies can also assess the reasons for increase in the incidence of subsequent procedures after OGR over time.

Effect of Chronic Steroid Use on Postoperative Wound Complications in Patients Undergoing Arterial Bypass Surgery for Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

ObjectiveWhile existing literature reports adverse effects of chronic steroid use on surgical wound outcomes, there remains lack of data exploring the effect of steroids on postoperative outcomes following lower extremity arterial bypass surgery. This study aims to explore the effect of chronic steroid use on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing open revascularization for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. MethodsUsing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) files between 2005 and 2020, all patients receiving aortoiliac or infrainguinal arterial bypass for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Patient characteristics and 30-day outcomes were compared using χ2 test and independent t-test, and association of chronic steroid use with wound complications was studied using multivariable logistic regression analysis. ResultsA total of 44,675 patients undergoing open lower extremity revascularization were identified, of which 1,807 patients were on chronic steroids and 42,868 patients were not on chronic steroids. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, being on chronic steroids was associated with higher rates of deep SSI (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.83), any SSI (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.43) and wound dehiscence (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.96). Chronic steroid users also had significantly increased odds of developing sepsis (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.19-2.04), pneumonia (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08-1.91), UTI (OR 1.54, 95% CI 11.13-2.09), DVT (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.01-2.53), and 30-day readmission (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.50), reoperation (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.37) and mortality (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.76) compared to non-chronic steroid users. ConclusionThis study confirms that chronic corticosteroid use is associated with higher risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing lower extremity arterial bypass surgery. These patients typically have various underlying health issues, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment and management to reduce steroid-related postoperative complications and improve survival.

Association of Mechanical Axis With Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyle.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition characterized by abnormal subchondral bone with disturbance of overlying articular cartilage. The role of weightbearing alignment in the pathophysiology of OCD lesion development is not fully understood. Lower extremity mechanical axis would be concordant with femoral condylar OCD lesion location. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Cases were identified from a single, large academic institutional database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with OCD. Patients were included if they had a magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrating the OCD lesion and lower extremity alignment radiographs. OCD lesion location was identified using Cahill and Berg zones. The primary outcome was the association of OCD lesion location with weightbearing mechanical axis. Secondary outcomes included the association of mechanical axis with skeletal maturity, OCD lesion stability, and treatment. For unilateral OCD lesions, mechanical axis was compared between affected and unaffected lower extremities. A total of 86 patients (95 knees) with an OCD lesion of the femoral condyle were identified. The population was 74% male, and the mean age was 21 years. In total, 65% of knees had closed physes, 82% of lesions were unstable, and 85% underwent a surgical procedure. Mechanical axis was located in the same zone as the OCD lesion in 48% of cases and within the same compartment in 56% of cases. Spearman correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (rs = 0.59). No significant differences were found in the association of mechanical axis and OCD lesion location in subgroup analysis of medial versus lateral femoral condylar OCD lesions, skeletal maturity, stability of the lesion, or treatment group. For patients with varus alignment and medial femoral condylar OCD lesions, the mean lateral distal femoral angle was 89.9°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 85.4°; for valgus alignment and lateral femoral condylar lesions, the lateral distal femoral angle was 84.8°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 88.8°. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions were more likely to have varus alignment of the affected extremity compared with the contralateral extremity (59% vs 36%; P = .01). This study demonstrated a relationship between lower extremity mechanical weightbearing axis and femoral condylar OCD location. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions frequently had asymmetric varus alignment in the affected extremity.