Study: High Transfusion Risk in Tibial Plateau Fracture Surgery in Patients Aged ≥80 Years
A study published in the October issue of the Journal of the AAOS: Global Research and Reviews ® reported that ORIF (open reduction–internal fixation) of tibial plateau fractures in appropriately selected octogenarian patients is associated with increased risk of postoperative anemia requiring transfusion and longer length of stay compared with patients aged between 65 to 79 years. For this study, the researchers queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2006–2018) to analyze outcomes among 718 patients (aged 65–79 years, n = 612; 80–89 years, n = 106).
Study Evaluates Impact of SSRI Use on TJA Outcomes and Complications
A study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty reported that perioperative selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use did not significantly impact improvement after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) compared with no SSRI use. However, patients using SSRIs had longer length of stay and higher incidence of transfusion, readmission, and medical events. In total, 28,386 patients were assessed. Patients taking SSRIs had lower baseline Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and EuroQol-5 Dimension–5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) scores. SSRI use was predictive of overall lower functional scores in hip arthroplasty and lower EQ-5D-5L scores in knee arthroplasty
Study: Anchor Placement Is Associated with Glenoid Rim Erosion after Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
According to a retrospective study published in Arthroscopy, on-the-edge (E) glenoid anchor placement in arthroscopic Bankart repair was associated with reduced glenoid rim erosion than on-the-face (F) anchor placement. In total, 225 shoulders were assessed (group F, n = 151; group E, n = 74). At six months, CT scan showed that anchor placement was significantly associated with postoperative decrease of glenoid width (group F, −7.6 percent; group E, −0.1 percent). In 112 shoulders with CT at 12 months, the average change in glenoid width was −6.9 percent in group F and −1.7 percent in group E. Recurrence at >2 years was similar overall.
Study: Is Surgeon Proficiency Associated with Digit Replacement Outcomes?
A retrospective study published online in JAMA Network Open reported that surgeon proficiency scores, measured via a novel grading system, accounted for 17 percent of variation in digit replacement and revascularization outcomes. In total, 226 digits treated by 11 surgeons were assessed. Proficiency scores for each surgeon were calculated using case history outcomes and a novel scoring system based on pooled relative risks from a meta-analysis of digit replacements. Each point increase in proficiency was associated with a 40 percent decrease in odds of failure. Every three-point increase was associated with one fewer complication. Surgeon proficiency had a greater association with case failure than surgeon volume.
Study: Core Needle Biopsy for Diagnosing Musculoskeletal Tumors
A retrospective study published in the November/December issue of Current Orthopaedic Practice reported comparable effectiveness and accuracy of core needle biopsy (CNB) and incisional biopsy (IB) for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumors at a small treatment center. Patients treated at a single center from 2006 to 2018 were assessed. CNB was 83.1 percent effective for identifying bone tumors and 89.9 percent accurate for detecting malignant tumors. For soft tissue, CNB was 97.7 percent effective and 92.9 percent accurate. IB was 100 percent effective and accurate for determining bone and soft-tissue tumors.
Building a Pipeline of Near-peer Mentors in Orthopaedic Surgery
In part two of her series on near-peer mentorship, Laura Bashour, MD, MS, MA, credits mentoring relationships with surgeons of similar experience levels with helping her navigate a career path in orthopaedic surgery. “By engaging students with mentors closer in age and/or experience, students may be more receptive to the perspectives and orthopaedic exposure opportunities that mentors can offer,” Dr. Bashour writes. “The benefit of a pipeline of near-peer mentors may help increase diversity, which should drive structural change in orthopaedic surgery.”
OrthoInfo, the Academy’s patient education website, is here to provide your patients with in-depth information—all written, reviewed, and regularly updated by orthopaedic experts. This includes a full range of articles to help your patients learn about and prevent common sports injuries.
