The design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the (cost-) effectiveness of the posterolateral versus the direct anterior approach for THA (POLADA - trial)

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures. Because of the increasing number of THAs, a growing demand for faster recovery and a greater emphasis on cost-effectiveness, minimally invasive THAs have been introduced in the last decades. The direct anterior approach is a minimally invasive, tissue-sparing approach in which intermuscular planes are used. Theoretically, this approach should result in a faster recovery of physical functioning and higher health-related quality of life. Methods/design: A randomised controlled trial will be performed. Patients will be randomly allocated to undergo THA by means of the anterior or posterolateral approach. Both the intervention and control group will consist of two subgroups: 1) patients with a good bone stock who will receive an uncemented femoral stem, and 2) patients with a poor bone stock who will receive a cemented femoral stem. Patients between 18 and 90 years with primary or secondary osteoarthritis will be included. Physical functioning and health-related quality of life will be assessed by means of questionnaires. Additionally, performance based tests will be performed to objectively assess the physical functioning. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed by obtaining data on medical costs in and outside the hospital and other nonmedical costs. Measurements will take place preoperatively, two and six weeks, three months and one year postoperatively. Discussion: There is some evidence that the anterior approach results in reduced tissue damage and faster recovery in the direct postoperative period, compared to the posterolateral approach. However, there is still a lack of well-designed studies that have confirmed the better outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the anterior approach. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the physical functioning, health related quality of life and the cost-effectiveness of the anterior approach, compared to the conventional posterolateral approach

MRI Assessment of Muscle Damage After the Posterolateral Versus Direct Anterior Approach for THA (Polada Trial). A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: There is controversy in literature whether the direct anterior approach (DAA) results in less muscle damage compared with the posterolateral approach (PLA) for total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess muscle damage between these two approaches. METHODS: Forty-six patients were included. Muscle atrophy, determined with the Goutallier classification, and muscle surface of twelve muscles were analyzed on magnetic resonance imaging images made preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Differences in component placement after DAA or PLA were assessed on radiographs. Harris hip scores and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score were used as functional outcomes. RESULTS: External rotator musculature was damaged in both approaches. After PLA, the obturator muscles showed significantly more atrophy and a decrease in muscle surface. After DAA, the tensor fascia latae showed an increased muscle atrophy and the psoas muscle showed a decreased muscle surface. An increase in muscle surface was seen for the rectus femoris, sartorius, and quadratus femoris after both approaches. The muscle surface of the gluteus medius and iliacus was also increased after PLA. No difference in muscle atrophy was found between the approaches for these muscles. The inclination angle of the cup in PLA was significantly higher. No differences were found in functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: Different muscle groups were affected in the two approaches. After PLA, the external rotators were more affected, whereas the tensor fascia latae and psoas muscles were more affected after DAA

A protocol for periprosthetic joint infections from the Northern Infection Network for Joint Arthroplasty (NINJA) in the Netherlands

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of joint arthroplasty surgery. Treatment success depends on accurate diagnostics, adequate surgical experience and interdisciplinary consultation between orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists and medical microbiologists. For this purpose, we initiated the Northern Infection Network for Joint Arthroplasty (NINJA) in the Netherlands in 2014. The establishment of a mutual diagnostic and treatment protocol for PJI in our region has enabled mutual understanding, has supported agreement on how to treat specific patients, and has led to clarity for smaller hospitals in our region for when to refer patients without jeopardizing important initial treatment locally. Furthermore, a mutual PJI patient database has enabled the improvement of our protocol, based on medicine-based evidence from our scientific data. In this paper we describe our NINJA protocol

How to diagnose acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: proposal for a clinical scoring system

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic value of elements of the disease history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests in patients with suspected acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ALCD). BACKGROUND: Misdiagnosis rates for diverticulitis vary in literature between 34% and 68% which needs improvement. Because of the frequent misdiagnosis, liberal use of imaging has been recommended. Before making a plea for routine imaging, the diagnostic accuracy of different variables of disease history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests needs to be specified. METHODS: All patients seen on the emergency department because of acute abdominal pain suspected of ALCD in whom an abdominal computed tomography was performed, between January 2002 and March 2006, were studied. Univariate logistic regression was used to study differences in patients' characteristics and symptoms, findings at physical examination and routine laboratory tests between patients with and without ALCD. Independent predictors to the risk of ALCD were identified using multivariate logistic regression and used to create a clinical scoring system. RESULTS: Of 1290 patients with acute abdominal pain, 287 patients were eligible for analysis. Acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis was the final diagnosis in 124 patients (43%). Age, 1 or more previous episodes, localization of symptoms in the lower left abdomen, aggravation of pain on movement, the absence of vomiting, localization of abdominal tenderness in the lower left abdomen, and C-reactive protein 50 or more were found to be independent predictors of ALCD. A nomogram was constructed based on these independent predictors with a diagnostic accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis is difficult to make but can be improved using a clinical scoring system. In case of a high chance of ALCD based on the nomogram, additional imaging may not be needed

Comparison of contamination of femoral heads and pre-processed bone chips during hip revision arthroplasty.

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