Alternative Procedures for Reducing Allogeneic Blood Transfusion in Elective Orthopedic Surgery

Perioperative blood loss is a major problem in elective orthopedic surgery. Allogeneic transfusion is the standard treatment for perioperative blood loss resulting in low postoperative hemoglobin, but it has a number of well-recognized risks, complications, and costs. Alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion include preoperative autologous donation and intraoperative salvage with postoperative autotransfusion. Orthopedic surgeons are often unaware of the different pre- and intraoperative possibilities of reducing blood loss and leave the management of coagulation and use of blood products completely to the anesthesiologists. The goal of this review is to compare alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion from an orthopedic and anesthesia point of view focusing on estimated costs and acceptance by both partie

Correlation of the cross-over ratio of the cross-over sign on conventional pelvic radiographs with computed tomography retroversion measurements

Objective: To find a correlation between the cross-over ratio of the cross-over sign on conventional anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs and retroversion measurements (‘roof-edge angle' and ‘equatorial-edge angle) on computed tomography (CT) scans. This would facilitate the interpretation of the cross-over sign regarding the amount of acetabular retroversion. Materials and methods: Correctly projected AP pelvic radiographs (2,925 hips) were examined for the presence of the cross-over sign (COS), and the overlap ratio of the COS was measured. On CT scans of the same patients the ‘roof-edge angle' (RE angle) and the ‘equatorial-edge angle' (EE angle) were also calculated. Results: A statistically significant but only weak relationship could be found between the overlap ratio of the COS and the ‘roof-edge angle' (P < 0.0001; correlation coefficient −0.486) and between this ratio and the ‘equatorial-edge angle' (P < 0.0001; correlation coefficient −0.395). Conclusion: A relationship between the overlap ratio and orientation measurements on CT scans could be found, but it was less strong than expecte

Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation in S1 and S2 for posterior pelvic ring injuries: technique and perioperative complications

Objective: Percutaneous iliosacral screw placement allows for minimally invasive fixation of posterior pelvic ring instabilities. The objective of this study was to describe the technique for screws in S1 and S2 using conventional C-arm and to evaluate perioperative complications. Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive patients after percutaneous pelvic ring fixation with cannulated screws in S1 and S2 using conventional C-arm fluoroscopy were analysed. Accuracy of screw placement, nerval lesions, need for second surgery, operation time, and time to full weight bearing were assessed postoperatively and during regular follow-up examinations. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent unilateral screw fixation and 17 patients underwent bilateral screw fixation. In total, 83 screws were placed. Mean age of the patients was 52±19years. Mean operation time was 16±7min/screw. Mean follow-up was 5±3months. Time to full weight bearing in 28 patients was 9±4weeks. Eight patients were still not able to support full weight bearing, partially due to concomitant injuries. Patients without concomitant injuries that affected walking were able to bear full weight after 8±4weeks (n=17). Two patients had persistent postoperative hypaesthesia. No motor weakness was apparent and no postoperative bleeding was observed. Secondary surgery due to screw malpositioning or loosening had to be performed in four patients. The presence of a screw in S2 was not indicated for perioperative complications. Conclusions: Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is a rapid and definitive treatment for posterior pelvic ring injuries with a low risk of secondary bleeding during posterior pelvic stabilization. The technique using standard C-arm fluoroscopy was also found to be safe for screws placed in S

Closed suction drainage with or without re-transfusion of filtered shed blood does not offer advantages in primary non-cemented total hip replacement using a direct anterior approach

Introduction: Wondering if the use of drains allowing re-transfusion of shed blood as opposed to closed suction drains or no drains would improve quality of care to patients undergoing simple non-cemented primary total hip replacement (THR) using a direct anterior approach, a three-arm prospective randomized study was conducted. Method: One hundred and twenty patients were prospectively randomized to receive no drain, closed suction drains or drains designed for re-transfusion of shed blood. Blood loss, VAS pain scores, thigh swelling, hematoma formation, number of dressings changed and hospital stay were compared and patients followed for 3months. Results: Drains did not have any significance on postoperative haemoglobin and haematocrit levels or homologous blood transfusion rates. Patients receiving homologous blood transfusions had too small drain volumes to benefit from re-transfusion and patients, who get drained fluid re-transfused, were far away from being in need of homologous blood transfusion. Omitting drains resulted in more thigh swelling accompanied with a tendency of slightly more pain during the first postoperative day but without effect on clinical and radiological outcome at 3months. Earlier dry operation sites resulting in simplified wound care and shorter hospital stay was encountered when no drain was used. Conclusion: The possibility to re-transfuse drained blood was not an argument for using drains and, accepting more thigh swelling, we stop to use drains in simple non-cemented primary THR using the direct anterior approac

Anatomical considerations of the internal iliac artery in association with the ilioinguinal approach for anterior acetabular fracture fixation

Introduction: Vascular injury may be encountered during an anterior approach to the pelvis or acetabulum—be it due to hematoma decompression, clot dislodgement during fracture manipulation, or iatrogenic. This can be associated with significant bleeding, hemodynamic instability, and subsequent morbidity. If the exact source of bleeding cannot be easily identified, compression of the internal iliac artery may be a lifesaving procedure. Materials and methods: We describe an extension of the lateral window of the ilioinguinal (or Olerud) approach elaborated on cadavers. Results: The approach allows emergent access the internal iliac artery and intraoperative cross-clamping of the internal iliac vessels to control bleeding. Conclusion: The approach allows rapid access to the internal iliac artery. The surgeon should be familiar, however, with the surgical anatomy of this region to avoid potential injury to the ureter, peritoneum, lymphatics, and sympathetic nerves overlying the vessels when using the approach describe

Acetabular fracture types vary with different acetabular version

Purpose: Acetabular fractures typically occur in high energy trauma. Understanding of the various contributing biomechanical factors and trauma mechanisms is still limited. While several investigations figured out what role femoral position during impact plays in distinct fracture patterns, no data exists on the influence of acetabular version on the fracture type. Our study was carried out to clarify this issue. Methods: Radiological data sets of 192 patients (145 male, 47 female, age 14-90years) sustaining acetabular fractures were assessed retrospectively. The crossover ratio of the crossover sign and presence or absence of the posterior wall sign and ischial spine sign were used to determine acetabular retroversion on conventional radiographs. Acetabular version in the axial plane was measured on a computed tomography (CT) scan. Statistics were then performed to analyse the relationship between the acetabular fracture type according to the Letournel classification and acetabular version. Results: A significant difference (p = 0.029) in acetabular version was found between fractures of the anterior [mean equatorial edge (EE) angle 19.93°] and posterior (mean EE angle 17.53°) acetabulum in the CT scan. No difference was shown on the measurements on conventional radiographs. Conclusions: Acetabular version in the axial plane has an influence on the acetabular fracture pattern. While more anteverted acetabula were frequently associated with anterior fracture types according to the Letournel classification, retroversion of the acetabulum was associated with posterior fracture type

Relationship between Wiberg's lateral center edge angle, Lequesne's acetabular index, and medial acetabular bone stock

Objective: Knowledge of acetabular anatomy is crucial for cup positioning in total hip replacement. Medial wall thickness of the acetabulum is known to correlate with the degree of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). No data exist about the relationship of routinely used radiographic parameters such as Wiberg's lateral center edge angle (LCE-angle) or Lequesne's acetabular index (AI) with thickness of the medial acetabular wall in the general population. The aim of our study was to clarify the relationship between LCE, AI, and thickness of the medial acetabular wall. Materials and methods: Measurements on plain radiographs (LCE and AI) and axial CT scans (quadrilateral plate acetabular distance QPAD) of 1,201 individuals (2,402 hips) were obtained using a PACS imaging program and statistical analyses were performed. Results: The mean thickness of the medial acetabulum bone stock (QPAD) was 1.08mm (95% CI: 1.05-1.10) with a range of 0.1 to 8.8mm. For pathological values of either the LCE (12°) the medial acetabular wall showed to be thicker than in radiological normal hips. The overall correlation between coxometric indices and medial acetabular was weak for LCE (r=−0.21. 95% CI [−0.25, -0.17]) and moderate for AI (r= 0.37, [0.33, 0.41]). Conclusions: We did not find a linear relationship between Wiberg's lateral center edge angle, Lequesne's acetabular index and medial acetabular bone stock in radiological normal hips but medial acetabular wall thickness increases with dysplastic indice

The calcar screw in angular stable plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures - a case study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With new minimally-invasive approaches for angular stable plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures, the need for the placement of oblique inferomedial screws ('calcar screw') has increasingly been discussed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of calcar screws on secondary loss of reduction and on the occurrence of complications.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with a proximal humeral fracture who underwent angular stable plate fixation between 01/2007 and 07/2009 were included. On AP views of the shoulder, the difference in height between humeral head and the proximal end of the plate were determined postoperatively and at follow-up. Additionally, the occurrence of complications was documented. Patients with calcar screws were assigned to group C+, patients without to group C-.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Follow-up was possible in 60 patients (C+ 6.7 ± 5.6 M/C- 5.0 ± 2.8 M). Humeral head necrosis occurred in 6 (C+, 15.4%) and 3 (C-, 14.3%) cases. Cut-out of the proximal screws was observed in 3 (C+, 7.7%) and 1 (C-, 4.8%) cases. In each group, 1 patient showed delayed union. Implant failure or lesions of the axillary nerve were not observed. In 44 patients, true AP and Neer views were available to measure the head-plate distance. There was a significant loss of reduction in group C- (2.56 ± 2.65 mm) compared to C+ (0.77 ± 1.44 mm; p = 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The placement of calcar screws in the angular stable plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures is associated with less secondary loss of reduction by providing inferomedial support. An increased risk for complications could not be shown.</p

Use of Imatinib in the Prevention of Heterotopic Ossification

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication following orthopedic and trauma surgery, which may have substantial negative effects on the postoperative outcome. Angiogenesis appears to play a critical role in heterotopic ossification. One of the involved signaling molecules is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) which may be inhibited by imatinib. Questions/Purposes: Our goal was to prevent HO by pharmacologically interfering with the molecular signaling pathways involved in the developmental process. We hypothesized that by administering a proven inhibitor of PDGF expression, heterotopic bone formation may be prevented. Methods: The effect of imatinib on HO formation was studied in a murine model which reliably produces islets of HO within the soft tissue following Achilles tenotomy. The control group underwent Achilles tenotomy only. The imatinib group received imatinib mesylate. After trial completion, the limbs were harvested and scanned by micro-CT. Heterotopic bone volume was then identified and quantified. Results: The mean volume of heterotopic bone formed in the control group was 0.976mm3 compared to 0.221mm3 in the imatinib group. The volume of HO in the treatment group was reduced by 85% compared to the control group. Conclusions: The administration of imatinib was associated with a significantly reduced volume of HO. This may be due to the inhibitory effect of imatinib on the PDGF signaling pathway during development of HO. Clinical Relevance: The successful reduction of HO formation following imatinib administration has led to further insight concerning the pathogenesis of HO which in the future may lead to new clinical approaches towards the prevention of H

Treatment of femoral neck fractures in elderly patients over 60 years of age - which is the ideal modality of primary joint replacement?

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures in the elderly are frequent, represent a great health care problem, and have a significant impact on health insurance costs. Reconstruction options using hip arthroplasty include unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this review is to discuss the indications, limitations, and pitfalls of each of these techniques. METHODS: The Pubmed database was searched for all articles on femoral neck fracture and for the reconstruction options presented in this review using the search terms "femoral neck fracture", "unipolar hemiarthroplasty", "bipolar hemiarthroplasty", and "total hip arthroplasty". In addition, cross-referencing was used to cover articles eventually undetected by the respective search strategies. The resulting articles were then reviewed with regard to the different techniques, outcome and complications of the distinct reconstruction options. RESULTS: THA yields the best functional results in patients with displaced femoral neck fractures with complication rates comparable to HA. THA is beneficially implanted using an anterior approach exploiting the internervous plane between the tensor fasciae latae and the sartorius muscles allowing for immediate full weight-bearing. Based on our findings, bipolar hemiarthroplasty, similar to unipolar hemiarthroplasty, cannot restorate neither anatomical nor biomechanical features of the hip joint. Therefore, it can only be recommended as a second line of defense-procedure for patients with low functional demands and limited live expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: THA is the treatment of choice for femoral neck fractures in patients older than 60 years. HA should only be implanted in patients with limited life expectanc