Postoperative X-ray Research Articles

Clinical Importance of Hounsfield Unit in Computed Tomography of Sub-Axial Cervical Vertebral Body.

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an often-used diagnostic imaging tool during the evaluation of the cervical spine pathology. CT scan can provide one’s bone density by measuring Hounsfield’s unit. In anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries, bone density may play an important role as it may relate to non-union. Therefore, the evaluation and consideration of the Hounsfield’s unit of sub-axial cervical vertebral body is important, especially during multi-level ACDF.Methods: Patients who have taken cervical CT scan pre-operatively to multi-level (3 or 4 levels) anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with anterior plating between June 2010 and August 2018, at our department were retrospectively reviewed. The bone density was estimated by measuring Hounsfield Unit (HU) of sub-axial vertebrae - C3 to T1 - by using PiViewStar imaging software program. Radiological evaluation of fusion was done by assessing postoperative plain X-rays and CT scans of 4 months and 1-year follow-up. The difference in HU were evaluated between different segments of sub-axial vertebrae. Then the fusion rate of the ACDF ending at C6 were compared to C7. All grouped values were tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Matched-ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test was used.Results: A total of eighty patients were who underwent 3 or 4 level ACDF with anterior plate fixation were retrospectively reviewed. Bone density estimated from Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement of the sub-axial vertebral bodies ranges from 112.2 to 594.9 with the mean of 280.91. When comparing C5 with 6, 6 with 7, and 7 with T1 they showed significantly decreasing HU value with p-value<0.01 with mean difference of 49.10, 30.98, and 31.25, respectively. ACDF ending at C7 showed significantly lower fusion rate than C6 at 4 months and 1-year follow-up, respectively.Conclusion: The HU show a decreasing trend towards lower sub-axial cervical vertebral body. Furthermore, multi-level ACDF ending at C7 showed higher non-union rate than ending at C6. Although, there is no direct evidence that lower bone density at lower sub-axial cervical vertebrae is causative for non-union, it should be considered for pre-operative planning.

Clinical and radiological outcomes following surgical hip dislocation for paediatric hip pathologies, a prospective cohort study

BackgroundSurgical Hip Dislocation (SHD) is a powerful tool in the armamentarium of any surgeon treating conditions affecting the hips of children presenting with sequelae of a number of common conditions including Legg-CalvéPerthes disease (LCPD) and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Risks associated with the procedure are well described. We investigated to assess if SHD is associated with significant surgical risk and if it improved clinical outcomes for patients. MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study. We reviewed 18 (11 males and 7 females; mean age 13.7 years (6–17) with symptomatic hip pathology, secondary to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) between 2017 and 2021. All patients underwent a surgical hip dislocation approach and femoral head-neck osteochondroplasty, Head Split osteotomy or both. Clinical improvement was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index. The minimum follow-up was 6 months (mean, 22 months; range, 6–42 months). ResultsWOMAC scores improved at final follow-up from 10 to 3 for pain, 33 to 10 for function, and 4 to 2 for the stiffness subscales. All radiographic measures improved significantly of the postoperative X-rays. No patients developed osteonecrosis, implant failure, deep infection, or nonunion. ConclusionSurgical Hip Dislocation, in the short term, we found improvement in WOMAC scores and radiographic indices with a low complication rate.

Comparison of the radiological parameters between dynamic-referencing tactile guidance robotic system and Microplasty® instrumentation in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

This study aims to compare the radiological outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) performed by a navigation-based robotic system versus Microplasty® instrumentation. Between January 2018 and January 2019, a total of 90 knees of 75 patients (65 males, 10 females; mean age: 62.0±9.4 years; range, 50 to 73 years) were included. Among these, 54 knees underwent Oxford mobile-bearing UKA with an Microplasty® instrumentation set and 36 knees were operated with the aid of a Restoris® MCK with MAKO navigation-based robotic system. Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of all patients were evaluated according to nine different parameters. On the femoral side, femoral varus-valgus angle, flexion-extension angle, femoral condyle posterior fit; on tibial side, tibial component varus/valgus, tibial posterior slope, medial, anterior, posterior and lateral fit of tibial component assessed. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, sex, and affected side. On the femoral side, no significant difference was observed in the component position between groups. On the tibial side, tibial component medial fit (p=0.032) and anterior fit (p=0.007) were better in navigation-based robotic system group. Microplasty® instrumentation may lead to comparable implant positioning compared to a tactile-based navigated robotic instrumentation.

Ultrasonography can replace chest X-rays in thepostoperative care of thoracic surgical patients.

ObjectivesLung ultrasound accurately identifies pulmonary and pleural pathologies. Presently it has not been accepted as a routine examination in the postoperative follow-up of thoracic surgical patients. The present study aimed to compare thoracic ultrasonography with chest X-ray for detecting and clinical relevance of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and lung consolidation and determine whether ultrasonography could replace chest X-ray as the standard examination after surgery.MethodsIn this blinded, prospective, single-center study, lung ultrasound images were obtained within 2 hours of post-operative routine chest X-ray. A severity score was given to each examination in each technique. Lung ultrasound and chest X-ray results were compared by three methods: absolute comparison of normal to abnormal, the degree of pathology, and the clinical findings’ relevance.ResultsEighty patients were enrolled from 2013 to 2017, and 215 ultrasonography images were obtained. For pneumothorax, the precise overlap was found in 129/180 (72%) images. In 24% of examinations, X-ray missed ultrasonography findings. There was an agreement between studies in 80/212 (38%) images for pleural effusion. 60% of pleural effusions were missed by chest X-ray and detected by ultrasonography, and only 2.4% were missed by ultrasound, all very small. Clinically relevant fluid accumulation found a precise match in 80%, and 20% were found only by lung ultrasound. For lung consolidation, a 100% overlap was found with both methods.ConclusionsOur results suggest that lung ultrasound may replace chest X-ray as the standard examination in the postoperative care of patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures.

Is Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty Safe in Women Over 75 Y of Age?

BackgroundCementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the subject of renewed interest. Previous concerns about survivorship have been addressed and there is an appeal in terms of biological fixation and surgical efficiency. However, even surgeon advocates have concerns about the risk of marked subsidence when using this technology in older patients at risk for osteoporosis. MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 1,000 consecutive fully cementless mobile bearing TKAs performed at a single institution on women over 75 years of age who had postoperative and 1-year x-rays. The primary outcome was the incidence of subsidence. ResultsThere were three asymptomatic cases with definite subsidence and change in alignment. In a fourth symptomatic case, the femoral component subsided into varus and the tibia into valgus, thus maintaining alignment which facilitated nonoperative treatment in a 92-year-old. Overall, at 1 year, there were two- liner revisions for infection without recurrence. Five patients had further surgery, of which three were washouts and two were for periprosthetic fractures sustained postoperatively within 1 year. Seven patients had further anesthesia, of which five were manipulations and two were nonrecurrent closed reductions for spinouts. ConclusionCementless TKA did not have a high risk of subsidence in this at-risk population. In the hands of experienced surgeons, these procedures can be used safely irrespective of bone quality.

Phenotypes of primary hyperparathyroidism: Does parathyroidectomy improve clinical outcomes for all?

BackgroundPrimary hyperparathyroidism consists of 3 biochemical phenotypes: classic, normocalcemic, and normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism. The clinical outcomes of patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism are not well described. MethodA retrospective review of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy at a single institution was performed. A logistical regression analysis of postoperative nephrolithiasis and highest percentage change in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan comparison using Kruskal-Wallis test and Cox proportional hazard analysis of recurrence-free survival were performed. ResultsA total of 421 patients were included (340 classic, 39 normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, 42 normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism). Median follow-up was 8.8 months (range 0–126). Higher rates of multigland disease were seen in normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (64.1%) and normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism (56.1%) compared to the classic (25.8%), P < .001. There were no differences in postoperative complications. The largest percentage increases in bone mineral density at the first postoperative dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan were higher for classic (mean ± SD, 6.4 ± 9.1) and normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (4.8 ± 11.9) compared to normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism, which remained stable (0.2 ± 14.2). Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism were more likely to experience nephrolithiasis postoperatively, 6/13 (46.2%) compared to 11/68 (16.2%) classic, and 2/13 (15.4%) normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism, P = .0429. Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism was the only univariate predictor of postoperative nephrolithiasis recurrence (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 4.44 [1.25–15.77], P = .029). Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism was significantly associated with persistent disease with 6/32 (18.8%) compared to 1/36 (2.8%) and 3/252 (1.2%) in normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism and classic (P < .001). ConclusionThree phenotypes of primary hyperparathyroidism are distinct clinical entities. Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism had higher incidence of persistent disease and postoperative nephrolithiasis but demonstrated improvements in postoperative bone density. These data should inform preoperative discussions with patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism regarding postoperative expectations.

Comparison of Tibial Tubercle Landmark Technique and Range of Motion Technique in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

There is not a standard for rotational alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). For now, the most commonly methods are tibial-tubercle -landmark technique (TTL) and range-of-motion technique (ROM). The study is aimed to compare clinical outcomes and radiographic data of patients who undergone primary TKA with TTL or ROM technique. This single-surgeon retrospective cohort study includes 60 patients with TTL technique and 60 with ROM technique from December 2017 to January 2019. All patients were evaluated clinically using Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS), Feller patellar score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and maximum knee flexion and extension angle before and after surgery at both 6 months and 12months postoperatively. Radiographic data contain hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), posterior slope angle (PSA) on pre and postoperative X-ray and rotation angle of femoral component (relative to surgical trans-epicondylar axis) and tibial component (relative to surgical trans-epicondylar axis, tibial posterior condylar line and Akagi') on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. Clinical outcomes and radiological data were compared between the two groups. One hundred twenty patients (120 knees) were enrolled in this study, including 38 males and 82 females, aged from 58 to 78, with an average of 65.7 years. There was no significant difference in demographics and preoperative X-ray data between the two groups (P > 0. 05). Clinical scores of the TTL group were better than those in the ROM group at 6 and 12months after surgery, when comparing HSS (83.57 ± 5.00 vs 75.90 ± 4.89, F=59.004, P < 0.001; 90.53 ± 4.31 vs 82.83 ± 4.98, F=54.509, P < 0.001), Feller patellar score (21.43 ± 2.54 vs 19.10 ± 2.52, F=14.864, P=0.001; 26.27 ± 1.98 vs 23.20 ± 2.31, F=42.204, P < 0.001) and VAS (3.70 ± 0.62 vs 4.38 ± 0.92, F=14.508, P=0.001; 2.10 ± 0.90 vs 2.79 ± 0.80, F=11.554, P=0.002). But there was no significant difference in the flexion and extension angle between the two groups. In imaging evaluation, no statistical difference was found in pre- and postoperative HKA, mLDFA, mMPTA and PSA. Rotational angles of tibial component only did relative to Akagi' have statistical difference in two groups (2.33 ± 4.3 vs 4.41 ± 3.2, t=2.143, P < 0.05) (Positive value represented external rotation). The results of our study showed that both methods were reliable, and TTL technique provided better clinical scores and larger external angle of tibial component, compared to ROM technique.

V-021 REPORT OF AN ACQUIRED INTERCOSTAL HERNIA REPAIR USING A BILAYER MESH

Abstract Aim A 53-year-old male underwent a T10/11 discectomy with partial removal of the right T9 rib. 10 years later, he developed an acquired painful intercostal hernia, worsened by leaning against the defect. CT imaging demonstrated an 8cm hernial defect containing the posterior lobe (segment VII) of the liver with a loss of integrity of the diaphragm. Methods Open surgical repair though the original incision was undertaken, with the patient in the left lateral position. The hernia was entirely reducible in this position. Results The liver was replaced into the peritoneal cavity, the hernial sac and the weakness at the postero-lateral edge of the diaphragm were then identified. The edges of the hernial sac were dissected off the ribs. An intraperitoneal mesh (SymbotexTM; Medtronic, Lyon) was cut to size, placed, and fixed to the undersurface of the ribs, with a 5cm overlap obtained medially and laterally. Care was taken to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundle and breach of the pleural cavity was not observed. A bridging mesh was then used to reinforce the repair (VersatexTM; Medtronic, Lyon) with fixation to the ribs using ethibond sutures and cyanoacrylate glue (Glubran®; Viareggio). The repair was checked by Valsalva manoeuver prior to wound closure. Post operative pain control was achieved using intercostal nerve block and patient-controlled analgesia. A post-operative chest x-ray did not demonstrate a pneumothorax. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2. Discussion The patient experienced no serious postoperative sequelae and was pain free with no hernia at 30 days post-surgery.

SAP Principle Guided Free Hand Technique: A Secret for T1 to S1 Pedicle Screw Placement

Existing freehand techniques of screw placement mainly emphasized on various entry points and complex trajectory reference. The aim of this study is to illustrate a standardized and reliable freehand technique of pedicle screw insertion for open pedicle screw fixation with a universal entry point and a stereoscopic trajectory reference system and report the results from a single surgeon's clinical experience with the technique. In this study, the author respectively reviewed a total of 200 consecutive patients who had undergone open freehand pedicle screw fixation with Superior Articular Process (SAP) technique from January 2019 to May 2020. For accuracy and safety, all 200 cases had undergone postoperative X-ray while 33 cases including spinal deformity, infection, and tumor had received additional CT-scan. Screw accuracy was analyzed via a CT-based classification system with Student's t test. A total of 1126 screws had been placed from T1-S1 with SAP-guided freehand technique and the majority had been confirmed safe in X-ray without the need of CT scan. A total of 316 screws in deformity or infectious or tumor cases had undergone additional CT scan with 95.5% (189 of 198 screws) accuracy in thoracic group and 94.9% (112 of 118 screws) in lumbar group. The accuracy had been 90.5% (114 of 126 screws) in deformity group and 95.8% (182 of 190 screws) in non-deformity group. All perforation cases had been rated Grade B (<2 mm) without significant difference between the medial and the lateral (p < 0.05). No cases had been detected with significant neurological deficiencies. The mean intraoperative X-ray shots were 0.73 per screw. SAP-guidance is a reliable freehand technique for thoracic and lumbar pedicle screw instrument. It allows accurate and safe screw insertion in both non-deformity and deformity cases with less radiation exposure.

Calcaneus Fracture Fixation: Assessing the Adequacy of the Sinus Tarsi Surgical Fixation Technique

Category: Trauma; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Intra-articular calcaneus fractures are devastating injuries, and life-changing for patients that develop post-traumatic arthritis, a common outcome. Debate exists as to whether non-operative symptomatic management, or operative treatment, best manages these injuries, partially due to the difficulty of achieving anatomic subtalar joint reduction. Traditionally, a large, lateral extensile incision has been used, plagued with soft tissue complications quoted at rates upwards of 22%. A less invasive incision, the limited sinus tarsi approach (ST-a), has become more common, proposed to lower complication rates without compromising radiographic nor clinical outcomes. The primary purpose of this study was to objectively assess the adequacy of joint reduction along with the associated soft tissue complications using the ST-a and compare it to the standards of the lateral extensile incision. Methods: All calcaneus fractures fixated through the ST-a at our institution were reviewed between March 2017 and Jan 2020. Inclusion criteria included the presence of preoperative and post-operative X-rays and CT scans. Primary outcomes were radiographic measures, including Bohler's angle on X-ray, and the maximum summative step deformity at the posterior facet of the subtalar joint in all three planes on CT scan. Secondary clinical outcomes included soft tissue complications (infection, delayed wound healing) and the need for reoperation. Results: Thirty patients were included with an average age of 48.9 +- 13.9 (n=24 males, n=6 females) and Sanders classification of 2.8. Pre-operatively, the mean Bohler's angle and summative posterior facet step deformity were 5.8 +- 16.6° and 17.2 +- 9.3mm, respectively. These radiographic outcomes were significantly improved postoperatively to 27.2 +- 7.7° and 5.3 +- 2.9mm. Soft tissue complication rates were half that of the comparative extensile approach. Conclusion: Using the ST-a, radiographic joint reduction was acceptable compared to literature standards. There was subsequently a lower incidence of soft tissue complications than previously quoted for the lateral extensile approach. Although technically more demanding, the ST-a is a valuable method for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures and should be considered when planning operative management of intra-articular calcaneus fractures.

Increased Complication and Hardware Removal Rates Associated with Headed Screws in Subtalar and Ankle Arthrodeses

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: With a reported screw removal rate of 9-47% following subtalar (ST) or ankle arthrodesis, an added economic and surgical burden is imposed on both the patients and the healthcare system. The purpose of this study is to determine if there are any clinical or patient-reported outcome differences between headless, variable-pitched screws and headed screws in ST or ankle arthrodesis. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 120 patients (128 feet) who underwent ST (n=98) or ankle (n=30) arthrodesis with a single fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon at a single academic medical center between December 2015 and December 2020. These patients passed the criteria of excluding those who underwent both arthrodeses simultaneously (i.e., tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis) and did not have at least three months of follow-up or postoperative X-rays in their medical record. Overall, 71 procedures used headless screws and 57 used headed screws. Results: There was no difference in any treatment duration or postoperative patient-reported outcome measure between groups. However, there was a significant difference between groups among rates of nonunion (headless=19.7%, headed=35.1%;p=.050), overall complication (headless=33.8%, headed=54.4%; p=.019), reoperation (headless=11.3%, headed=33.3%; p=.002), and hardware removal (headless=4.2%, headed=29.8%; p&lt;.001). There were also significantly more screw issues (i.e., broken, displacement, impingement) with headed screws (headless=0.0%, headed=5.3%; p=.050). Furthermore, of the eight patients who underwent two arthrodeses, headed screws were removed six (37.5%) times, with half attributable to nonunion, whereas headless screws were never removed. Conclusion: The use of headed screws in ST or ankle arthrodesis is associated with significantly higher rates of complication and hardware removal, as compared to headless screws. These results suggest headless, variable-pitched screw fixation for ST and ankle arthrodesis procedures may offer improved outcomes, although further studies should be conducted to confirm this.

Outcomes of Lisfranc Injuries Treated with Arthrex Internalbrace

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Surgical treatment options for Lisfranc injuries include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and primary arthrodesis. To date, various options of ORIF exist, including transarticular screws, dorsal plates, and more recently, flexible fixation methods such as suture button and InternalBrace (Arthrex Inc, Naples, FL).1-4 Flexible fixation techniques attempt to minimize post-surgical joint immobilization and prevent the articular cartilage damage seen with transarticular screws.4-6 Unlike other flexible fixation techniques, the InternalBrace avoids placement of a suture button on the medial cuneiform and prevents disruption of the tibialis anterior tendon.4,7 Patient outcomes have been reported for suture button and transarticular screw fixation; however, there is a lack of clinical data reported utilizing InternalBrace in Lisfranc injuries due to its recent FDA approval in 2019.1,2,4 Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed as part of a case study investigation of 9 patients who underwent ORIF with InternalBrace fixation by a single surgeon. Patients over 18 years of age were included. Results: The average follow-up time was 6.6 months (SD = 5.1 months). The average time to weight-bearing as tolerated was 6.8 weeks (n=9), while the average time to return to work/sport as tolerated was 14.3 weeks (n=7). The only complication noted at follow-up was hypersensitivity along the foot [1 (11%)] (Table 3). No hardware complications were noted at either 6-week and 12-week post-operative x-rays. Conclusion: In this retrospective chart review, the time to return to work/sport as tolerated was comparable to that of return to sport after ORIF with screws and combined bridge-plating (19.6 weeks) and suture button (19.4 weeks).8 Future research involving a larger cohort of patients is required and is currently being performed by our institution to further evaluate outcomes after use of the InternalBrace for Lisfranc injuries.

Monitor selection according to the defect location in the medial femoral condyle flap,

BackgroundMedial femoral condyle(MFC) flap is frequently used in hand reconstruction, but like other buried flaps, MFC is not easy to monitor and follow.In this study, we present our adipofascial and periosteal tissue technical modifications and results for MFC free flap monitoring and compare different monitoring methods. MethodsTwenty one patients with wrist bone or metacarpal defect reconstructed with MFC flap were included in the study. Adipofascial tissue in wrist defect and periosteal tissue in metacarpal defect were selected as MFC flap's monitor. Patient characteristics, type of injury, flap size, early or late-period complications, flap elevation time,satisfaction scale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and postoperative X-ray view were noted. ResultsThere were 3 female and 18 male patients in the study. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 (38–68). The elevation times of flaps with adipofascial and periosteal monitors were 48 and 53.3 min, respectively. The satisfaction scale averages for the adipofascial and periosteal monitor groups were 3.5 and 3.54, respectively. The VAS scores of the adipofascial and periosteal monitor groups were 2.9 and 3.9, respectively. The flap sizes with periosteal and adipofascial monitors were 10.48 cm3 and 1.36 cm3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between flap elevation, VAS, and satisfaction scale (>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in flap sizes. (<0.05) ConclusionMFC free flap is frequently used in wrist and metacarpal reconstruction. Monitor selection according to the defect area positively affects the prognosis of the flap in the postoperative period.

Treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures with a novel lateral tibial plateau annular plate via fibular neck osteotomy approach

To investigate the effectiveness of a novel lateral tibial plateau annular plate (hereinafter referred to as the novel plate) fixation via fibular neck osteotomy approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures. Between January 2015 and December 2018, 22 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were treated. There were 10 males and 12 females with an average age of 39.0 years (range, 25-56 years). Seven fractures were caused by falls, 10 by traffic accidents, and 5 by falling from height. The time from injury to hospitalization ranged from 3 to 12 days, with an average of 7.0 days. All patients were closed fractures. According to Schatzker classification, the fractures were classified as type Ⅱ in 8 cases, type Ⅲ in 9 cases, type Ⅴ in 1 case, and type Ⅵ in 4 cases. The fractures were fixed with the novel plates after reduction via fibular neck osteotomy approach. The fracture reduction and healing were observed by X-ray film after operation. The range of motion of the knee joint was recorded and the function was evaluated by modified American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. All operations were completed successfully. The operation time was 60-95 minutes (mean, 77.6 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 100-520 mL (mean, 214.5 mL). There was 1 case of common peroneal nerve injury during operation and 2 cases of fat liquefaction of incision after operation. All patients were followed up 13-32 months (mean, 19.4 months). Postoperative X-ray films showed that the fracture reduction was good in 17 cases and moderate in 5 cases, and all fractures healed with a healing time of 10-18 weeks (mean, 13.0 weeks). At last follow-up, the range of motion of the knee joint ranged from 100° to 145° in flexion (mean, 125.5°) and from 0° to 4° in extension (mean, 1.2°). The modified HSS score was 82-95 (mean, 86.3). There was no complications such as plate deformation, screw fracture, fracture reduction loss, skin necrosis, and so on. For posterolateral tibial plateau fractures, the novel plate fixation via fibular neck osteotomy approach has the advantages of clear intraoperative field, firm fracture fixation, and less postoperative complications, which is beneficial to the recovery of knee joint function.

Intra- and inter-operator reliability assessment of a novel extramedullary accelerometer-based smart cutting guide for total knee arthroplasty: an in vivo study

PurposeThe purpose is to verify the intra- and inter-operator reliability of an extramedullary (EM) accelerometer-based smart cutting guide for distal femoral resection during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis of the present study was that the use of the device would result in a good correlation between different operators with a difference between repeated measurements of less than 1°.MethodsTwenty-five not consecutive patients with knee osteoarthritis undergone to primary TKA using an EM inertial-based cutting guide to perform distal femoral resection. In order to assess the agreement in femoral axis definition of the device, two operators performed three time each the manoeuvres necessary to define axis. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated with Bland and Altman agreement test. Intra-rater repeatability was evaluated analysing average results distribution of repeated measurements. Accuracy of the device was evaluated comparing differences between intra-operative device data with final implant alignment measured on post-operative longstanding x-rays using Students’ t test.ResultsAgreement between the two operators was statistically significant (p < 0.05) with a bias of − 0.4° (95% CI − 0.6° to − 0.2°). Average difference between cut orientation measured with device and final implant position, measured on x-rays, was 0.2° (95% CI − 1.5° to 1.7°) with no statistical difference between the two measurements. Final implant alignment, measured on x-ray, was 90.2°, with 95% of cases distributed within range 88.0° to 92.0° for varus-valgus and 2.8° and with 95% of cases distributed within range 2.0° to 4.0° for flexion–extension.ConclusionsThe EM accelerometer-based smart cutting guide used to perform distal femoral resection during primary TKA demonstrated a good intra- and inter-operator reliability in the present in vivo study.

A 3-Dimensional Evaluation of Bone Density in Alveolar Cleft Grafting Methods: Bone Substitutes Versus Autologous Bone.

Secondary alveolar cleft repair using autologous bone graft is currently the gold standard in treating residual alveolar clefts. Despite its effectiveness, this technique is still burdened by several withdrawals, mostly related to donor site morbidity. To decrease disadvantages for patients, numerous attempts in the literature regarding bone substitutes have been described. The aim of this study is to compare the viability of bovine-based replacement bone material with respect of autologous bone graft in alveolar cleft reconstruction, through 3-dimensional alveolar cleft segmentation and bone density evaluation from preoperative and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography. A retrospective cohort study of 10 patients who underwent surgical procedure for alveolar cleft grafting at Sant'Orsola Malpighi University Hospital of Bologna from December 2012 to December 2016 was undertaken. Five patients received autologous bone graft and 5 a bovine bone substitute graft. Preoperative and immediate postoperative orthopanoramic x-rays were recorded. Cone-beam computed tomography scans have recorded both pre and postoperatively. Volumetric evaluation on 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images was performed. Alveolar clefts repaired using substitute bovine bone/biological membrane scaffold had a mean fill of 69.00% of total cleft volume, while this figure was of 67.07% with autologous bone grafting. The immediate postoperative course and subsequent discharge were uneventful for both groups, with a difference in timing. The cost of substitute bovine bone was offset by cost savings associated with a reduction in operative and postoperative and hospitalization time. Bone substitutes showed to be a promising solution in alveolar cleft grafting.

Virtual Scoliosis Surgery Using a 3D-Printed Model Based on Biplanar Radiographs.

The aim of this paper is to describe a protocol that simulates the spinal surgery undergone by adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by using a 3D-printed spine model. Patients with AIS underwent pre- and postoperative bi-planar low-dose X-rays from which a numerical 3D model of their spine was generated. The preoperative numerical spine model was subsequently 3D printed to virtually reproduce the spine surgery. Special consideration was given to the printing materials for the 3D-printed elements in order to reflect the radiopaque and mechanical properties of typical bones most accurately. Two patients with AIS were recruited and operated. During the virtual surgery, both pre- and postoperative images of the 3D-printed spine model were acquired. The proposed 3D-printing workflow used to create a realistic 3D-printed spine suitable for virtual surgery appears to be feasible and reliable. This method could be used for virtual-reality scoliosis surgery training incorporating 3D-printed models, and to test surgical instruments and implants.

Arthroscopy-assisted partial trapeziectomy combined with ligament reconstruction for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: A different technique.

There is no consensus on the best surgery option for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA). The traditional method has the risk of large trauma, obvious metacarpal subsidence, and decreased stability. The aim of this study is to introduce a different technique to restore the function and stability of the first carpal metacarpal joint with minimal trauma, rapid pain relief, reduced complications, and the clinical outcomes in the long-term follow-up was evaluated and statistically analyzed. This was a retrospective study of 10 patients with a mean age of 51.8 years. The surgery consisted of removing partial trapezium through arthroscopy, reconstructing the stability with flexor carpi radialis suspension and tendon interposition. The subjective assessment included visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick-DASH) score, and patient satisfaction. The range of motion, grip strength, pinch strength, and radiographic assessment, which can reflect stability of the thumb, were objectively evaluated and statistically analyzed. Ten patients were monitored at a mean follow-up of 6.8 years. The mean grip strength improved significantly from 16.64 to 22.57 kg after surgery. Pinch strength improved significantly from 3.72 to 5.71 kg on average. The Kapandji score improved significantly from 5.7 to 8.6 on average. 80% (8/10) of the patients were satisfied with this surgery. On objective indicators, the VAS score decreased significantly from 6.4 to 1.3 on average. The mean Quick-DASH score improved significantly from 6.1 to 28.9. Postoperative x-ray showed slight subsidence and dislocation of the first metacarpal in two patients and did not affect the function by measurement. Arthroscopy-assisted partial trapezium resection combined with ligament reconstruction could be a workable and promising surgical technique in patients with thumb CMC OA. It can offer the advantages of minimizing surgical injury by preserving the first carpal metacarpal joint capsule to protect its stability, with a rapid pain relief, function improvement, and satisfactory results in patients' clinical measurements.

Are Routine Chest X-rays Necessary following Thoracic Surgery? A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Simple SummaryX-rays of the chest have become part of the clinical routine for patients undergoing surgery of the chest. Each of these X-rays exposes the patient and the medical staff to radiation, increasing the treatment costs and the workload. The scientific evidence for performing X-rays after chest surgery (excluding heart surgery) is limited. The purpose of this study was to gather the evidence and analyze it in order to find out how often these X-rays have consequences or lead to a change in patient care. The results of this study could potentially help reduce the number of X-rays that are routinely performed following surgery of the chest.(1) Background: The number of chest X-rays that are performed in the perioperative window of thoracic surgery varies. Many clinics X-ray patients daily, while others only perform X-rays if there are clinical concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the evidence of perioperative X-rays following thoracic surgery and estimate the clinical value with regard to changes in patient care. (2) Methods: A systematic literature research was conducted up until November 2021. Studies reporting X-ray outcomes in adult patients undergoing general thoracic surgery were included. (3) Results: In total, 11 studies (3841 patients/4784 X-rays) were included. The X-ray resulted in changes in patient care in 488 cases (10.74%). In patients undergoing mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy or thoracoscopic sympathectomy, postoperative X-ray never led to changes in patient care. (4) Conclusions: There are no data to recommend an X-ray before surgery or to recommend daily X-rays. X-rays immediately after surgery seem to rarely have any consequences. It is probably reasonable to keep requesting X-rays after drain removal since they serve multiple purposes and alter patient care in 7.30% of the cases.

Sacral osteotomy combined with triangular osteosynthesis in the treatment of malunion and nonunion of vertically displaced pelvic fractures

BackgroundMalunion and nonunion of vertically displaced pelvic fractures result in lower limb length discrepancies, claudication, and pain. There have been few previous reports of this type of corrective surgery for these old pelvic fractures. We present a surgical technique of sacral osteotomy combined with triangular osteosynthesis in the treatment of malunion and nonunion of vertically displaced pelvic fractures and report on its short-term clinical results.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed nine patients (five males and four females) with malunion or nonunion of vertically displaced pelvic fractures treated with sacral osteotomy and triangular osteosynthesis from April 2015 to January 2020. The age ranged from 14 to 45 years (average, 30.7 years). The time from injury to deformity correction surgery ranged from 3 months to 5 years (average, 12.8 months). The vertical displacement of a unilateral hemipelvis was 3.0–4.5 cm (average, 3.80 cm). According to AO/OTA classification at the initial fracture, there are eight cases in type C1.3 and one case in type C3.3. Sacral osteotomy and triangular osteosynthesis were used in all nine patients. The degree of unilateral hemipelvic reduction was assessed postoperatively based on measurements from the anteroposterior (AP) X-ray. Majeed score and pain visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess the therapeutic effect of the patients during follow-up.ResultsIn all nine patients, postoperative AP X-ray showed correction displacement of 1.7–3.9 cm (average, 3.20 cm). All the patients were followed up for 6–36 months (average, 12.7 months). At the last follow-up, the Majeed score of pelvic fracture increased from an average of 53.9 points (30–84 points) preoperatively to 87.0 points (72–94 points), and the VAS score for pain decreased from an average of 6.0 points (4–8 points) preoperatively to 1.2 points (0–3 points). None had complications like infection, implant broken, screw loosening, iatrogenic nerve, and blood vessel injury.ConclusionSacral osteotomy combined with triangular osteosynthesis for the treatment of pelvic malunion and nonunion caused by sacral fractures can correct significantly vertical displacement of a unilateral pelvis, prolong limb length, and reconstruct the stability of a pelvic ring, achieving good clinical results.