Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty Using a Silicone Implant: A Comparison Between Integra and NeuFlex in 72 Cases

Background: Osteoarthritis of the hand can lead to pain, stiffness, and deformation, and thus to functional disability. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term clinical outcomes of 2 silicone proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint implants, NeuFlex and Integra, in patients with primary osteoarthritis. Methods: We included 72 PIP joints, of which 40 were replaced by a NeuFlex implant and 32 by an Integra implant. The average follow-up was 12 months for the Integra group and 16 months for the NeuFlex group. Results: There was no change in active flexion preoperatively and postoperatively. Extension lag and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score decreased substantially in both groups, whereas grip strength and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) score increased. All patients were satisfied. Between groups, there was a significant difference in the PSFS score, in favor of the Integra group. Conclusions: Both implants have excellent results, but more research is needed with more patients to prevent bias and to determine the long-term outcome of these implants

The consequences of different definitions for recurrence of Dupuytren's disease

Background: Recurrence rates are important in the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment for Dupuytren's disease (DD). In the literature, recurrence rates vary between 0% and 100%. The definition of recurrence of DD after treatment is inconsistently used. The aim of this study is to review all definitions of recurrence after treatment of DD and to evaluate the impact of using these definitions on a single cohort of patients treated for DD. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase to identify studies. Titles and abstracts were analysed to collect all articles that described recurrence rates or definitions of recurrence. Two independent reviewers selected relevant studies and extracted data. The different definitions of recurrence were applied on our data set of 66 patients. Results: Of the 113 articles reporting recurrent rates of DD, 56 (49%) presented a definition of recurrence. We could categorise the definitions into three groups. By applying the different definition on our data set of a randomised controlled trial, the recurrence rates ranged from 2% to 86%. Conclusions: In the literature, different definitions of recurrence of DD are used and many authors failed to define recurrence. This study shows that the wide range of reported recurrence rates may largely be contributed by inconsistency in recurrence definitions. As a result, it is difficult or even impossible to compare recurrence rates between different treatments reported in the literature. The study indicates that consensus on a recurrence definition is needed. (C) 2012 Published by Elsev

Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subarachnoid haemorrhage hospitalisations, aneurysm treatment and in-hospital mortality: 1-year follow-up

Background Prior studies indicated a decrease in the incidences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated differences in the incidence, severity of aSAH presentation, and ruptured aneurysm treatment modality during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding year. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including 49 countries and 187 centres. We recorded volumes for COVID-19 hospitalisations, aSAH hospitalisations, Hunt-Hess grade, coiling, clipping and aSAH in-hospital mortality. Diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes or stroke databases from January 2019 to May 2021. Results Over the study period, there were 16 247 aSAH admissions, 344 491 COVID-19 admissions, 8300 ruptured aneurysm coiling and 4240 ruptured aneurysm clipping procedures. Declines were observed in aSAH admissions (-6.4% (95% CI-7.0% to-5.8%), p=0.0001) during the first year of the pandemic compared with the prior year, most pronounced in high-volume SAH and high-volume COVID-19 hospitals. There was a trend towards a decline in mild and moderate presentations of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (mild:-5% (95% CI-5.9% to-4.3%), p=0.06; moderate:-8.3% (95% CI-10.2% to-6.7%), p=0.06) but no difference in higher SAH severity. The ruptured aneurysm clipping rate remained unchanged (30.7% vs 31.2%, p=0.58), whereas ruptured aneurysm coiling increased (53.97% vs 56.5%, p=0.009). There was no difference in aSAH in-hospital mortality rate (19.1% vs 20.1%, p=0.12). Conclusion During the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease in aSAH admissions volume, driven by a decrease in mild to moderate presentation of aSAH. There was an increase in the ruptured aneurysm coiling rate but neither change in the ruptured aneurysm clipping rate nor change in aSAH in-hospital mortality. Trial registration number NCT04934020. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ