Orthopedic Surgery Research Articles

Professional Behavior Assessment During Residency Training: Can We Identify Outliers?

The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Knowledge, Skills, and Behavior (KSB) project sets up a framework for competency-based medical education for orthopaedic surgery residency training. The Behavior aspect of KSB includes use of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Behavior Tool (ABOSBT) to assess 5 domains of professional behavior. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of 2 years of ABOSBT assessments and to characterize the low score ratings. All ABOSBT assessments from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, were reviewed totaling 51,678 completed assessments with 48,648 (94%) assessments from a 360° process and 3,030 (6%) as end-of-rotation assessments. Distribution of 51,678 ABOSBT assessments with 258,390 scores demonstrated low scores (disagree or strongly disagree) in 0.9% of assessments. All 5 domains identified low scores in a small percentage at all years-in-training with the greatest number in second- and third-year residents. Comparison of scores from 360° vs. end-of-rotation requests demonstrated a higher percentage of low scores given during the 360° process (p < 0.0001). Three thousand seven hundred seven unique evaluators completed ABOSBT assessments, with attending physicians as the most frequent evaluator type (44%); inpatient nurses assessed residents with low ABOSBT scores more frequently (4.5%) than any other evaluator type. Residents with 2 or more low scores by 2 or more different evaluators were analyzed for each of the 5 domains; low scores were most frequently observed in the reliability domain. The ABOSBT was originally validated 5 years ago in 18 programs with 9,892 assessments; this article updates results using the ABOSBT across 95 programs assessing 2,397 residents with 3,707 evaluators. The ABOSBT demonstrates that most residents demonstrate professional behavior across 5 domains of assessment; the ABOSBT identifies residents with low scores. A strength of KSB is the ability to identify professionalism deficiencies while residents are in training and can focus on individualized educational improvement. Tracking residents with low scores on the ABOSBT assessment over time will help determine its effectiveness in identifying unprofessional behavior.

Healing of Humerus Non-union Fracture Using Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein With Bone Graft Compared to Bone Graft Alone: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Non-union fractures of the humerus present significant challenges in orthopedic surgery, often requiring advanced treatments to achieve successful bone healing. The study aimed to compare the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) with bone grafts versus bone grafts alone for treating humerus non-union fractures with regard to healing rate and complications. Six databases, PubMed, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, were searched for relevant literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and studies were selected according to the set eligibility criteria. Quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4 (2020, The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom) was utilized for meta-analysis at a significance level of 0.01. Eighteen research papers were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Due to the unavailability of RCTs, data from the two studies were combined. The pooled data from 16 studies for effectiveness regarding union achieved forrhBMP with bone graft versus bone graft alone was 0.65 (95%CI: 0.07-6.38, I2 =67%, p=0.02). For rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-7 with bone graft, the pooled data was 0.09 (95%CI: 0.00-3.63) with high heterogeneity (I2 =88%) and statistically significant differences (p<0.00001). In the sub-group analysis, the pooled data for infection rate was 1.18 (95%CI, 0.37-3.73) with 39% heterogeneity and a non-significant difference (p=0.10). AddingrhBMP to bone grafts may not significantly improve union rates compared to bone graft alone in humerus non-union fractures. However, the trend shows increased infection rates with rhBMP usage. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the optimal management strategy for humerus non-union fractures.

Biomechanical considerations of chemical structure and biosafety of current ceramic biomaterials for dentistry: review and outlook of the current state of the art.

Biomaterial refers to any material, non-pharmaceutical or combination of substances of synthetic or natural origin used for any period independently or as part of a system for the purpose of healing, assisting the growth or replacement of tissues, organs or functions of the body. It is an unsustainable material that interacts with biological systems. Before being produced a biomaterial goes through a sequence of steps, which includes: 1) the definition of the problem that the material will be called to solve (treatment, replacement of the instrument, aesthetic reasons); 2) design of the device, composition and control of materials (mechanical properties, toxicity, biological response, corrosion resistance, interaction with proteins, cells and tissues), manufacture, sterilization and standardization; 3) control of the device (in experimental animals, in vitro) clinical studies, studies; and 4) monitor its long-term use in vivo, in vitro and in patients. Research for ceramic materials is evolving and because they can be porous or glassy, they find applications in medicine and biotechnology, as they can be used as fillers, covering materials and scaffolds. Therefore, ceramic biomaterials are widely used not only in the field of orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery but also in dentistry as for dental prostheses. Materials monitoring technologies allow us to monitor the three-dimensional development in space, as well as imperfections or micro-cracks in the ceramic.

Use of dexmedetomidine during light versus deep anaesthesia on postoperative delirium among elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery: protocol for a multicentre randomised factorial trial.

Elderly patients are at a high risk of postoperative delirium (POD), leading to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. The use of dexmedetomidine and depth of anaesthesia may influence POD. This study aims to determine the effects of dexmedetomidine infusion versus normal saline placebo during light versus deep anaesthesia on POD among elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. This prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled, factorial trial will be conducted at three tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu, China. We will recruit a total of 420 patients who are at least 60 years old and undergoing major non-cardiac surgery (thoracic, abdominal, urology, orthopaedic and spine surgery) under general anaesthesia. Patients will be randomised (1:1:1:1) to receive one of four anaesthesia regimens: (1) dexmedetomidine and light anaesthesia, (2) dexmedetomidine and deep anaesthesia, (3) placebo and light anaesthesia or (4) placebo and deep anaesthesia. Dexmedetomidine will be infused at 0.5 µg/kg/h throughout surgery, and intraoperative bispectral index target will be 55 for light anaesthesia and 40 for deep anaesthesia. The primary outcome is the occurrence of POD during the first 7 days postoperatively or until hospital discharge, assessed using the 3-min Confusion Assessment Method two times per day. The secondary outcomes include days with POD, type of POD, pain scores at rest and on movement at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively, patient-controlled intravenous fentanyl consumption during 0-24 and 24-48 hours postoperatively, hypotension, bradycardia, postoperative nausea and vomiting, non-delirium complications, length of postoperative hospital stay, 30-day cognitive function and 30-day mortality. Data will be analysed on a modified intention-to-treat basis. This trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and each participating centre. The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300073271).

Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Representation Among US Academic Spine Surgeons.

Although diversity has improved across certain orthopaedic subspecialties, enhancing diversity within spine surgery has remained a challenge. We aimed to investigate the current state of sex, racial, and ethnic diversity among academic orthopaedic spine surgeons in the United States. In January 2024, a cross-sectional analysis of orthopaedic spine surgery faculty in the United States was conducted using the Doximity database to identify eligible surgeons. Fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeons (professor, associate professor, and assistant professor) who graduated residency between 1990 and 2022 were included. Race, sex, academic rank, residency year of graduation, and H-Index scores were recorded using publicly available information from faculty profile pages and the Doximity database. Four hundred fifty-two spine faculty were included in the analysis: 95.1% men and 4.84% women. Across race and ethnicity, 315 surgeons (69.7%) were White, 111 (24.6%) Asian, 15 (3.32%) Black or African American, and 11 (2.43%) Hispanic or Latino or of Spanish origin. Of the 101 professor-level surgeons, 3 (2.97%) were Black men. Among female professors, none were Black, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino. No Hispanic or Latino female professors, associate professors, or assistant professors were identified. The sex and race/ethnicity demographics that have increased in percentage over time include White women (0.92% to 6.08%), Asian men (11.0% to 26.5%), Asian women (0% to 1.66%), and Hispanic/Latino men (1.83% to 3.87%). The surgeon demographic groups that demonstrated minimal fluctuations over time included Black men, Black women, and Hispanic/Latino women. Our findings demonstrate that underrepresentation among academic spine surgeons remains an ongoing challenge that warrants increased attention. Enhancing the representation of Black and Hispanic men, as well as Black, Asian, and Hispanic women, in spine surgery requires a deliberate effort at every level of orthopaedic training.

Higher Grit Scores Are Associated With Greater Scholarly Productivity Among Orthopaedic Surgery Residents

Introduction: Scholarly research is a core component of resident education, designed to advance the orthopaedic field while facilitating an evidence-based approach to patient care. Grit, defined as trait-level perseverance, has been shown in prior studies to predict clinical performance, burnout rates, and residency match rates. No previous study has investigated the relationship between grit and research productivity. Study Description: This study is a cross-sectional survey of orthopaedic surgery residents from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Residents were assessed via online survey of scholarly productivity and the 12-item grit scale. Methods: Surveys distributed to the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons residents assessed the number of peer-reviewed publications, presentations, first author publications, book chapters, and articles. Respondents were also evaluated through the 12-item grit scale, with scores ranging from 1 (minimum grit) to 5 (maximum grit). Residents were divided into low (score ≤3.4), medium (score: 3.5 to 3.9), and high grit (score ≥4.0) cohorts. Analysis of variance analysis compared the cohorts regarding the scholarly productivity metrics. Linear regression models analyzed grit score as a continuous variable. Findings were statistically significant at P &lt; 0.05. Results: The mean grit score was 3.8. The high grit cohort was more likely to have increased publications, presentations, articles, and first authorship (P &lt; 0.0001). Analyzed as a continuous variable, increased grit positively correlated with increased publications, presentations, articles, first authorship, and book chapters (P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: The results suggest that higher grit scores are associated with scholarly productivity.

Tranexamic Acid as a Preventive Strategy Against Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Aseptic Revision Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive Review.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication following joint replacement surgeries, particularly in aseptic revision arthroplasty, where infection rates are higher compared to primary procedures. The extended surgical time, increased blood loss, and the presence of scar tissue contribute to the higher susceptibility to PJI in revision surgeries. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent, is widely used in orthopaedic surgery to reduce intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. By stabilising blood clots and reducing the need for blood transfusions, TXA improves patient outcomes and reduces complications related to excessive bleeding. Emerging evidence suggests that TXA may also play a role in reducing PJI, as minimising bleeding and haematoma formation can reduce bacterial colonisation and blood transfusions are associated with increased infection risks due to immunomodulation. This review explores the potential of TXA as a preventive strategy against PJI in aseptic revision arthroplasty, evaluating its mechanisms, clinical applications, and current evidence. While TXA's efficacy in reducing blood loss is well-established, its role in infection prevention, particularly through indirect mechanisms such as limiting haematoma formation, warrants further investigation. By incorporating TXA into multimodal strategies aimed at reducing PJI, surgeons can potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce the financial burden on healthcare systems. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the available data on TXA's role in preventing PJI in revision arthroplasty, with an emphasis on understanding its mechanisms and identifying gaps in current knowledge that require further research.

Comparing the effects of three local anaesthetic agents on cardiac conduction system - A randomised study.

This study aimed to compare the effects of three local anaesthetic (LA) agents, namely bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine, on the cardiac conduction system as assessed by corrected QT (QTc) and P wave dispersion (PWD) intervals in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries and to find the most suitable LA agent that can be used for a long duration. The study included 75 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II of either gender in the age group of 18-65 years undergoing elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries under epidural anaesthesia. These were allocated to groups B (bupivacaine), L (levobupivacaine), and R (ropivacaine). We observed blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, PWD, and QTc intervals from baseline value through Holter monitoring, pain assessment by visual analogue scale, and demand and total volume of LA consumed by patient-controlled analgesia devices. The repeated measures of ANOVA were carried out to find the effect of time and time-to-group interaction among the groups across the periods. On intergroup comparison of QTc and PWD, no significant difference among groups was observed, but on intragroup analysis, a statistically significant increase in QTc and PWD from baseline was observed for each of groups B, L, and R at all time intervals. However, the mean increase in QTc and PWD recorded for Group B was higher than in groups L and R. Bupivacaine has the maximal tendency to prolong QTc and PWD. All three agents showed comparable haemodynamic effects and time to onset of sensory and motor blockade.

Magnesium Sulphate Versus Fentanyl as Adjuncts to Epidural Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Comparative Study

Abstract Introduction: Pain relief for lower limb orthopaedic surgeries is achievable with epidural anaesthesia. This study compared the analgesic effects of epidural anaesthesia with magnesium sulphate or fentanyl adjuvant in patients scheduled for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries. Patients and Methods: A double-blind randomisation study was carried out on 96 patients categorised into three groups; M, F, and C. All participants received 18 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine plus 1.5 mL of 75 mg magnesium sulphate in Group M or 50 mg of fentanyl in Group F or normal saline in Group C via the lumbar epidural route. Variables including the onset time of sensory and motor blockade, duration of anaesthesia, and time for postoperative Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of 3 were summarised using mean, median, standard deviation, and percentages as appropriate. A P value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean onset time for the sensory blockade at T8 was 23.7 ± 5.3, 20.5 ± 3.4, and 17.9 ± 5.6 min for groups C, F, and M, respectively (P = 0.001). The onset time for the motor blockade (Bromage score 3) was 29.8 ± 4.0, 26.6 ± 3.5, and 24.5 ± 5.3 min in groups C, F, and M, respectively (P = 0.001). The duration of epidural anaesthesia was 121.6 ± 31.5, 145.9 ± 29.6, and 167.0 ± 27.0 min in groups C, F, and M, respectively (P = 0.001). The time to attain an NRS pain score of 3 was 133.2 ± 27.7, 151.8 ± 32.4, and 172.0 ± 30.9 min in groups C, F, and M, respectively (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Magnesium sulphate is better as an epidural adjuvant compared to fentanyl in patients undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.

Changes in health-related quality of life in young-old and old-old patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery: A systematic review.

There is a significant gap in research exploring changes in postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients aged 65 years and older undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty. To investigate the variations in HRQoL improvement, as evaluated by patient-reported outcome measures following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and partial knee arthroplasty between the young-old and old-old adults. We searched six online databases (including MEDLINE, Embase) from their inception dates to May 15, 2023. We included studies using a validated HRQoL assessment tool to evaluate changes in HRQoL in patients aged ≥65 years undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty. These include the EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D), Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Short Form 12 (SF-12). The primary outcomes were postoperative HRQoL changes between young-old (65-74 years) and old-old groups (≥75 years). The secondary outcomes included complications, length of stay, and mortality. The search yielded 12,229 articles; twelve studies (n = 103,613) were included. Studies using EQ-5D found no significant differences between young-old and old-old patients after hip and knee arthroplasty. Analyses of SF-36 and SF-12 scales showed no significant age-related differences in postoperative improvements in physical and mental health. Our review of four studies that included multivariable analyses revealed inconsistent associations between age and EQ-5D. Comparisons between the young-old and old-old age groups in postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and mortality revealed no associated age-related changes in HRQoL. The young-old and old-old patients exhibited comparable improvement in HRQoL following hip or knee arthroplasty. The older patients did not have higher postoperative complications rates, longer hospital length of stay, and increased mortality. While chronological age should be considered when planning hip and knee arthroplasty, greater emphasis should be placed on assessing the comorbidities and functional status of patients.

A Dedicated Research Rotation Increases Orthopaedic Residency Scholarly Activity.

Although clinical research has traditionally been a part of orthopaedic residency, there are now certain core requirements created by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which outline the type of research activities to be completed during residency. However, there are no specific details included in the ACGME guidelines regarding how these milestones are to be met. Nor is there specificity regarding expectations of scholarly activity to be completed by the time of graduation. There is a paucity of literature demonstrating the effectiveness of implementing a dedicated research block in an orthopaedic surgical residency, especially in the community setting where limited research-related resources are available. We implemented a dedicated research rotation along with a set of research milestones and guidelines at our single orthopaedic surgery community residency program. A search was performed through PubMed using residents' and faculty members' names to find publications included a 7-year period from 2015 to 2022 to determine number of publications by residents and faculty. Scholarly activity of faculty was analyzed and quantified using self-reported annual surveys. The average annual number of resident publications (by all 25 residents) increased from 2 to 26 after implementation of a dedicated research rotation. Faculty's scholarly activity, as measured by the following criteria, increased as well: number of publications (from 22 to 55), conference presentations (from 51 to 83), and other presentations (from 43 to 72). Implementation of a dedicated research rotation in a community orthopaedic residency program is associated with an increased publication rate in major academic journals among residents and faculty. There is also an observed association with implementation of a dedicated resident research rotation and an increase in faculty scholarly activity satisfying ACGME faculty requirements.

Full of sound and fury.

The subject of noise in the operating theatre was recognized as early as 1972 and has been compared to noise levels on a busy highway. While noise-induced hearing loss in orthopaedic surgery specifically has been recognized as early as the 1990s, it remains poorly studied. As a result, there has been renewed focus in this occupational hazard. Noise level is typically measured in decibels (dB), whereas noise adjusted for human perception uses A-weighted sound levels and is expressed in dBA. Mean operating theatre noise levels range between 51 and 75 dBA, with peak levels between 80 and 119 dBA. The greatest sources of noise emanate from powered surgical instruments, which can exceed levels as high as 140 dBA. Newer technology, such as robotic-assisted systems, contribute a potential new source of noise. This article is a narrative review of the deleterious effects of prolonged noise exposure, including noise-induced hearing loss in the operating theatre team and the patient, intraoperative miscommunication, and increased cognitive load and stress, all of which impact the surgical team's overall performance. Interventions to mitigate the effects of noise exposure include the use of quieter surgical equipment, the implementation of sound-absorbing personal protective equipment, or changes in communication protocols. Future research endeavours should use advanced research methods and embrace technological innovations to proactively mitigate the effects of operating theatre noise.

S1892 Safety and Tolerability of Orthopedic Surgery Following Liver Transplants

S1892 Safety and Tolerability of Orthopedic Surgery Following Liver Transplants

Low Socioeconomic Status Is Associated with Worse Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

BackgroundSocioeconomic status (SES)—an individual or group’s social standing or class, as measured by education, income, and occupation—has been associated with poor surgical outcomes in orthopaedics. Total knee (TKA) and total hip (THA) arthroplasties are the most commonly investigated orthopaedic surgeries regarding SES and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), yet the results are contradictory. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of SES on PROMs following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). MethodsWe performed a literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines utilizing MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Cochrane Library from database inception (1971, 1974, and 1996, respectively) to August 2, 2023, to identify studies investigating SES and PROMs in adults undergoing primary elective TJA. Studies were included if they evaluated one of three SES variables (income, education, or employment status) and reported at least one-year scores using a validated PROM. There were two reviewers who independently screened studies and extracted data. ResultsThere were 16 studies included in this systematic review. A total of 55,875 arthroplasties, including 24,055 TKAs and 31,820 THAs, were analyzed. Of the studies, eight evaluated income, 15 evaluated education, and two evaluated employment status. The majority of studies investigating income found a statistically significant association between lower income and worse postoperative PROMs. There were ten studies, involving 90% of all patients from the included education studies, that found a statistically significant association between education and postoperative PROMs. There were two studies that found unemployed THA patients had lower improvements in PROMs compared to employed and retired patients. ConclusionOur systematic review found several significant associations between income, education, employment, and PROMs after TJA. Providers should pay special attention to lower-income, less educated, and unemployed patients. These patients may benefit from targeted interventions to achieve substantial clinical benefit after TJA.

Anxio-depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidality among limb amputees: A cross-sectional and prospective study

IntroductionLimb amputation represents an ultimate therapeutic option in certain severe or progressive pathologies. We conducted this study to describe anxio- depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidality among limb amputees, as well as factors associated with their occurrence. Materials and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional and prospective descriptive and analytical study conducted over a two-year period from October 2020 to October 2022, at the following departments of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda: Traumatological and Orthopedic Surgery departements A and B, and Peripheral Vascular Surgery departement, involving 122 patients. ResultsThe average age of our patients was 46.42 ± 14.76 years, with a predominance of males (male-to-female ratio of 2.21). Preoperative assessment of patients occurred 6 to 24 hours before amputation. Immediate postoperative evaluation took place on average 2.18 ± 1.53 days after surgery, ranging from 1 to 8 postoperative days. The prevalence of anxio-depressive disorders according to the MINI scale was 77%, comprising Depression (9%), Adjustment Disorder (36.9%), Acute Stress Disorder (20.5%), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (6.6%), and Anxiety Disorders (10.7%), with suicide attempts reported in 16.4% of cases. The mean score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for our patients was 10.81 ± 3.27, on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was 16.33 ± 5.54, and on the Ducher Suicide Risk Scale was 0.82 ± 1.33. ConclusionThe occurrence of postoperative anxio-depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidal behavior is associated with the following factors: male sex, personal history of depression, family history of psychiatric disorders, quality of diagnostic disclosure, postoperative sleep disturbances, postoperative panic attacks, psychological support, and socio-professional reintegration.

Contemporary use of 3D printed jigs and guides for osteotomies around the knee: a systematic review

Background. With improved accessibility of imaging and additive manufacturing, custom targeting guides and jigs are now widely accepted across many areas of orthopaedics. During orthopedic surgery, patient-specific guides assist in the accurate drilling and cutting of bone in conjunction with meticulous pre-operative planning. Given their increased uptake, it is important to define the lessons learned from recent clinical experience, and to document the reported benefits when using this technology intra-operatively. The aim of this review is to evaluate the potential benefits of patient-specific guides for osteotomies about the knee, and to clarify what evidence currently exists to support their use. Methods. A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed for studies investigating the use of intra-operative patient-specific guides for realignment osteotomies about the knee. Randomised controlled trials, non-randomised studies, observational studies, case series, and case reports, as well as in vitro studies, were included. Screening was conducted with the Covidence software, and risk of bias was assessed with the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results. A total of 38 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria: 21 of these included patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) for high tibial osteotomy, 6 with distal femoral osteotomy, 4 — for combined tibial/femoral rotational corrective osteotomies, 4 — in double-level osteotomies, and 6 — for intra-articular osteotomies. The main outcomes reported were accuracy of surgical correction, typically with reference to pre-operative plans, and execution accuracy based on radiographic measurements. Other common outcomes were operative time, intra-operative fluoroscopy, and operative costs. Many studies were observational in nature, with no control groups available for suitable comparison. Conclusions. For corrective osteotomies about the knee, the literature suggests PSI has very strong potential to improve accuracy in achieving pre-operative targets. This was reported for both opening and closing wedge osteotomies of the femur, and for high tibial osteotomy. Some contradictory results have been reported for high tibial osteotomy, based on limited evidence from small studies that in many instances lacked controls for comparative analysis. Additional controlled trials are necessary to confirm the benefits of PSI for osteotomies about the knee, considering it has not yet been conclusively validated. The literature currently available indicates PSI can improve the accuracy of corrective osteotomies about the knee.

Uses of plasma in medicine

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood, It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. The plasma contains an important amount of antibiotics capable of strengthening the patient's immunity in the face of the threat of the virus. When plasma is injected into the scalp, it renews cells and stimulates the production of collagen and protein, two substances that make up the second middle layer of the skin, which give the skin freshness and vitality. One of the most important benefits of plasma for the face is that it uses platelets to inject the face and it plays several roles inside the skin once it is injected under it. Plasma can be used as a local injection as well to treat tissue ruptures such as knee ligament tears. platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can improve wound-healing processes in orthopedic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, gynecology and plastic surger.

“In My Experience…Nutrition and Orthopaedic Surgery”

The author discusses his experience with nutritional supplementation in orthopaedic surgery.

Modular Universal Tumor and Revision System Prostheses in Patients with Bone Cancer of the Lower Limbs: A Narrative Review of Functional Outcomes.

The optimal management of bone tumors requires a multidisciplinary strategy to guarantee high-quality care. At specialized centers, the medical team responsible for managing patients with bone cancer comprises oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and rehabilitation specialists. The goal of treatment is to achieve long-term survival with minimal disability and pain. Postoperative rehabilitation is a fundamental therapeutic approach to enhance functionality and sustain the utmost quality of life following a limb-sparing surgery. Currently, megaprostheses are used for reconstructing bone defects after tumor resection, but in the literature, only a few studies have investigated rehabilitation outcomes in terms of functionality and impact on daily activities. This narrative review explores the functional and quality of life outcomes after the implantation of MUTARS® prostheses in patients with lower extremity bone tumors. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus using the following MESH terms: "MUTARS", "Megaprosthesis", "bone", "tumors", "metastasis", "lower limb", "rehabilitation", "outcome", and "quality of life", and 10 studies were included. The most frequent oncological pathology was found to be primitive bone tumors treated with modular prostheses. The outcome measures used were the Henderson et al. classification, Harris Hip Scale, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score, Visual Analog Scale, Range Of Motion, Karnofsky Performance Scale, and quality of life questionnaire. MUTARS® is a well-established treatment option after bone tumor resection, although it involves extensive and complex post-resection reconstruction that exposes joints and tissues to substantial mechanical stress. Proper rehabilitation after MUTARS® surgery is a fundamental therapeutic step, although there is still insufficient evidence in the literature focusing on functional and rehabilitative outcomes. Therefore, more studies and guidelines are needed to define standardized rehabilitation protocols for clinical practice after orthopedic oncologic surgery.

History and formation of “Limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery — LLRS” as a subspecialty of orthopedic surgery

In 1998, the first meeting of members of the Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) was held in the USA to introduce and popularize the methods developed in Kurgan by Professor G. Ilizarov and his staff. During 2005-2016, other communities worked in parallel with ASAMI, which went beyond the use of only the Ilizarov apparatus. Since 2017, the joint meetings have been called “Combined congress of the ASAMI-BR and ILLRS societies”. This actually became the basis for the definition of “Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgery (LLRS)” as a subspecialty of orthopedic surgery that treats patients with nonunions, congenital and acquired long bone, large joints deformities of the upper and lower extremities. LLRS is based on the Ilizarov method and discovery (“Ilizarov effect”) with the rational use of external and internal fixation, osteotomy and soft tissue procedures. It takes at least three years for an orthopedic surgeon to become a specialist in the field of LLRS, and the education must be staged. A significant role in this is played by the ASAMI-BR ILLRS congresses, ExFix LLRS courses held in many countries, ExFix modules integrated into courses provided as part of the education of AO Trauma, as well as extensive world literature.