Do's and Don'ts in Primary Aneurysmal Bone Cysts of the Proximal Femur in Children and Adolescents : Retrospective Multicenter EPOS Study of 79 Patients

Background:Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are rare benign cystic bone tumors, generally diagnosed in children and adolescents. Proximal femoral ABCs may require specific treatment strategies because of an increased pathologic fracture risk. As few reports are published on ABCs, specifically for this localization, consensus regarding optimal treatment is lacking. We present a large retrospective study on the treatment of pediatric proximal femoral ABCs. Methods:All eligible pediatric patients with proximal femoral ABC were included, from 11 tertiary referral centers for musculo-skeletal oncology (2000-2021). Patient demographics, diagnostics, treatments, and complications were evaluated. Index procedures were categorized as percutaneous/open procedures and osteosynthesis alone. Primary outcomes were: time until full weight-bearing and failure-free survival. Failure was defined as open procedure after primary surgery, >3 percutaneous procedures, recurrence, and/or fracture. Risk factors for failure were evaluated. Results:Seventy-nine patients with ABC were included [mean age, 10.2 (+/- SD4.0) y, n=56 male]. The median follow-up was 5.1 years (interquartile ranges=2.5 to 8.8).Index procedure was percutaneous procedure (n=22), open procedure (n=35), or osteosynthesis alone (n=22). The median time until full weight-bearing was 13 weeks [95% confidence interval (CI)=7.9-18.1] for open procedures, 9 weeks (95% CI=1.4-16.6) for percutaneous, and 6 weeks (95% CI=4.3-7.7) for osteosynthesis alone (P=0.1). Failure rates were 41%, 43%, and 36%, respectively. Overall, 2 and 5-year failure-free survival was 69.6% (95% CI=59.2-80.0) and 54.5% (95% CI=41.6-67.4), respectively. Risk factors associated with failure were age younger than 10 years [hazard ratios (HR)=2.9, 95% CI=1.4-5.8], cyst volume >55 cm(3) (HR=1.7, 95% CI=0.8-2.5), and fracture at diagnosis (HR=1.4, 95% CI=0.7-3.3). Conclusions:As both open and percutaneous procedures along with osteosynthesis alone seem viable treatment options in this weight-bearing location, optimal treatment for proximal femoral ABCs remains unclear. The aim of the treatment was to achieve local cyst control while minimizing complications and ensuring that children can continue their normal activities as soon as possible. A personalized balance should be maintained between undertreatment, with potentially higher risks of pathologic fractures, prolonged periods of partial weight-bearing, or recurrences, versus overtreatment with large surgical procedures, and associated risks.Peer reviewe

Femoral Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed through the Interval of the Direct Anterior Approach

Background: we report the clinical outcomes for femoral revision total hip replacement (THR) using the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) interval. Methods: 149 patients (165 hips) with a mean age of 68.9 years (range, 33.2–91.0 years) and a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (1.1–8.9 years) were included. The indication for revision surgery was aseptic stem loosening in 131 (79.4%) hips, periprosthetic fracture in 29 (17.6%) hips, revision for stem malalignment in one (0.6%) hip, and prosthetic failure in four (2.4%) hips. Results: an endofemoral approach was used for 156 hips, and a Wagner transfemoral osteotomy was used for nine hips. An additional cup revision was done in 52 hips (uncemented cup: n = 29; cemented cup: n = 21; acetabular cage: n = 2). The overall complication rate was 14.5% (24 complications). Ten patients (10 hips) were revised (8 cups, 2 liners, 2 stems) with an average time to revision of 6 months (range, 3–23 months). The median preoperative Western Ontario McMasters Osteoarthritis Score (WOMAC) score was 52.5 (Inter Quartile Range (IQR): 33.3), which improved to 27.2 (IQR: 30) postoperatively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: use of the DAA achieved similar results when compared with other surgical approaches in terms of clinical outcomes and complications, including dislocation rate. These results suggest that femoral revision using the DAA interval can be a safe and reliable procedure

EBRA migration analysis of a modular, distally fixed stem in hip revision arthroplasty: a clinical and radiological study

Background: Massive osteolysis of the proximal femur makes stem revision a challenging procedure. EBRA-FCA provides the opportunity to determine stem migration, which is considered a predictive factor for implant survival. In this study, we aimed to analyze the migration behavior of a modular, distally fixed reconstruction prosthesis. Methods: Applying a retrospective study design, we reviewed all consecutive patients who received a cementless MP reconstruction prosthesis (Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany) at our Department between 2005 and 2019. We reviewed medical histories and performed radiological measurements using EBRA-FCA software. Results: A total of 67 stems in 62 patients (female 26; male 36) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Mean age at surgery was 68.0 (range 38.7–88.44) years. EBRA migration analysis showed a median subsidence of 1.6 mm (range 0.0–20.6) at 24 months. The angle between stem and femur axis was 0.3° (range 0.0°–2.9°) at final follow-up. No correlation between body mass index and increased subsidence was found (p > 0.05). Overall revision-free rate amounted to 92.5% and revision-free rate for aseptic loosening to 98.5%. Furthermore, no case of material breakage was detected. Conclusions: In summary, the MP reconstruction prosthesis showed low subsidence and reduction in the migration rate over the investigated follow-up. Based on this, the modular stem can be considered as a good therapy option in challenging stem revisions offering various options to address the individual anatomical situation

Mechanical and Morphological Assessment of an Innovative Textile for Patient Positioning Applications: Comparison to Two Standard Bandage Systems

In the healthcare environment, bandage systems are versatile medical devices to position and fix patients’ torsos or extremities. In this study, the mechanical and morphological properties of an innovative patient position system, iFix, were assessed and compared to two commercially available bandages. Morphological properties were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The iFix bandage showed anisotropic mechanical properties, with a more rigid behavior in the longitudinal direction and a more elastic behavior in the transverse direction. This behavior results from the organization of the fibers visible in the SEM images. All three materials investigated in this study were able to support similar maximum loads. In cases where a rigid fixation of patient limbs or torso is necessary, the authors recommend the usage of iFix. In vivo studies should be carried out to prove safety in a surgical environment before its clinical usage