How to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction and fixation of the wrist and ankle in clinical practice: a Delphi consensus

METHOD: A Delphi study was conducted to obtain consensus on the most important criteria for the radiological evaluation of the reduction and fixation of the wrist and ankle. The Delphi study consisted of a bipartite online questionnaire, focusing on the interpretation of radiographs and CT scans of the wrist and the ankle. Questions addressed imaging techniques, aspects of the anatomy and fracture reduction and fixation. Agreement was expressed as the percentage of respondents with similar answers. Consensus was defined as an agreement of at least 90%. RESULTS: In three Delphi rounds, respectively, 64, 74 and 62 specialists, consisting of radiologists, trauma and orthopaedic surgeons from the Netherlands responded. After three Delphi rounds, consensus was reached for three out of 14 (21%) imaging techniques proposed, 11 out of the 13 (85%) anatomical aspects and 13 of the 22 (59%) items for the fracture reduction and fixation. This Delphi consensus differs from existing scoring protocols in terms of the greater number of anatomical aspects and aspects of fracture fixation requiring evaluation and is more suitable in clinical practice due to a lower emphasis on measurements

Effects of intra-operative fluoroscopic 3D-imaging on peri-operative imaging strategy in calcaneal fracture surgery

Introduction: Previous studies demonstrated that intra-operative fluoroscopic 3D-imaging (3D-imaging) in calcaneal fracture surgery is promising to prevent revision surgery and save costs. However, these studies limited their focus to corrections performed after 3D-imaging, thereby neglecting corrections after intra-operative fluoroscopic 2D-imaging (2D-imaging). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of additional 3D-imaging on intra-operative corrections, peri-operative imaging used, and patient-relevant outcomes compared to 2D-imaging alone. Patients and methods: In this before–after study, data of adult patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a calcaneal fracture between 2000 and 2014 in our level-I Trauma center were collected. 3D-imaging (BV Pulsera with 3D-RX, Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands) was available as of 2007 at the surgeons’ discretion. Patient and fracture characteristics, peri-operative imaging, intra-operative corrections and patient-relevant outcomes were collected from the hospital databases. Patients in whom additional 3D-imaging was applied were compared to those undergoing 2D-imaging alone. Results: A total of 231 patients were included of whom 107 (46%) were operated with the use of 3D-imaging. No significant differences were found in baseline characteristics. The median duration of surgery was significantly longer when using 3D-imaging (2:08 vs. 1:54 h; p = 0.002). Corrections after additional 3D-imaging were performed in 53% of the patients. However, significantly fewer corrections were made after 2D-imaging when 3D-imaging was available (Risk difference (RD) −15%; 95% Confidence interval (CI) −29 to −2). Peri-operative imaging, besides intra-operative 3D-imaging, and patient-relevant outcomes were similar between groups. Conclusion: Intra-operative 3D-imaging provides additional information resulting in additional corrections. Moreover, 3D-imaging probably changed the surgeons’ attitude to rely more on 3D-imaging, hence a 15%-decrease of corrections performed after 2D-imaging when 3D imaging was available. No substantiation for cost reduction was found through reduction in peri-operative imaging or in terms of improved patient-relevant outcomes