Theatre efficiency in COVID-19 pandemic conditions: The collaborative experience of four level 1 major trauma centres in the UK

Aims As the world continues to fight successive waves of COVID-19 variants, we have seen worldwide infections surpass 100 million. London, UK, has been severely affected throughout the pandemic, and the resulting impact on the NHS has been profound. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on theatre productivity across London’s four major trauma centres (MTCs), and to assess how the changes to normal protocols and working patterns impacted trauma theatre efficiency. Methods This was a collaborative study across London’s MTCs. A two-month period was selected from 5 March to 5 May 2020. The same two-month period in 2019 was used to provide baseline data for comparison. Demographic information was collected, as well as surgical speciality, procedure, time to surgery, type of anaesthesia, and various time points throughout the patient journey to theatre. Results In total, 1,243 theatre visits were analyzed as part of the study. Of these, 834 patients presented in 2019 and 409 in 2020. Fewer open reduction and internal fixations were performed in 2020 (33.5% vs 38.2%), and there was an increase in the number of orthoplastic cases in 2020 (8.3% vs 2.2%), both statistically significant results (p < 0.000). There was a statistically significant increase in median time from 2019 to 2020, between sending for a patient and their arrival to the anaesthetic room (29 vs 35 minutes; p = 0.000). Median time between arrival in the anaesthetic room and commencement of anaesthetic increased (7 to 9 minutes; p = 0.104). Conclusion Changes in working practices necessitated by COVID-19 led to modest delays to all aspects of theatre use, and consequently theatre efficiency. However, the reality is that the major concerns of impact of service did not occur to the levels that were expected

Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis Using a Straight Intramedullary Nail

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using a hindfoot intramedullary nail has been shown to be a safe and reliable technique in patients with severe ankle and hindfoot disease. There is debate about the use of straight nails versus curved nails. Proponents of the curved nail argue that straight nails predispose to greater risk of lateral plantar nerve injury, poor calcaneal bone purchase and inability to maintain satisfactory hindfoot valgus alignment. However, the subtalar joint is a condyloid joint enabling rotation of the talus on the calcaneum to create varus/valgus position of the calcaneal tuberosity. We present a clinical series of patients undergoing TTC fusion using a straight nail assessed by clinical and radiological outcomes to establish whether theoretical risks of straight nails are reflected in clinical practice. Methods: This single centre, retrospective study of prospectively collected data on a sequential series of patients to undergo TTC fusion, with pre and post-operative weight bearing CT imaging. Data was collected on indication for procedure, co-morbidities, post-operative complications, union rate as well as clinical scores, EQ5D and MOXFQ. Weight bearing CT imaging was analysed using the validated TALUS™ (torque ankle lever arm system) method on weight bearing CT, providing calcaneal offset, hindfoot angle and hindfoot alignment. These were used as markers of hindfoot alignment. Results: 65 patients (37 males, 28 females) were included in the study, with an average age of 57 years. Average follow-up was 20 months. Indications for TTC fusion included Charcot arthropathy, talar avascular necrosis, post traumatic arthritis and non-union of previous arthrodeses. Union rate was 91% (59/65). Overall complication rate was 11% (7/65) and most were minor wound complications. There were no plantar nerve injuries noted. There were no nail cut outs from the calcaneum. On all markers of hindfoot alignment, cases showed a more physiological degree of hindfoot valgus compared to pre-operative measures. There were significant improvement in both EQ5D and MOXFQ scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: We present the largest series of TTC fusion using a straight intramedullary nail and the first series to analyse hindfoot alignment using weight bearing 3D CT imaging. Our data regarding correction of hindfoot alignment is supported by biomechanical theories of subtalar varus/valgus, being related to rotatory changes at the subtalar joint, questioning the perceived need for a curved nail. This is particularly at the level of the entry point of the nail. The principles of valgus hindfoot nails are based on biomechanical laboratory studies and cadaveric studies, neither of which reflect our findings in clinical practice

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Foot and Ankle

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) is a benign but potentially locally aggressive condition, that results in an increased proliferation of synovium, causing villous or nodular changes of synovial-lined joints and tendon sheaths. The estimated incidence of PVNS is 1.8 new cases annually per million people, of which 2.5% occur in the foot and ankle, reflected by the limited reports of PVNS in the foot and ankle literature. We present our clinical experience of 76 patients presenting with PVNS about the foot and ankle. Methods: Patients with PVNS of the foot and ankle were identified from our tertiary referral hospital patient database from 2007 to 2017. The case notes were carefully reviewed to analyse the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features and to investigate their clinical behaviour, management and the factors influencing recurrence. Results: 76 patients were identified (32 male, 44 female) with a mean age of 39 years and mean follow-up of 5 years. The majority of cases were of localised, nodular PVNS (52%, 40/76) with the diffuse PVNS cases (48%, 36/76) presenting most commonly in the hindfoot. The most common presentation was of a swelling/lump (78%- 62/79), of which pain was an associated feature in 11% (7/62) and restricted range of motion a feature in 10% (6/62). Osteoarthritic change and cortical erosions were more commonly associated with diffuse PVNS. All patients underwent open synovectomy with a recurrence rate of 11% (7/76), all of which were the diffuse type. In those cases where synovectomy was paired with arthrodesis of the joint, there were no cases of recurrence (12%,9/76). Conclusion: We present our tertiary referral experience of PVNS in the foot and ankle as the largest series in the foot ankle ankle literature to date. A high index of suspicion is required in diagnosing PVNS. Nodular PVNS appears more common in the foot whereas diffuse PVNS more common in the ankle and hindfoot. Open synovectomy yields low recurrence rates. Although theorised, there is insufficient evidence to establish whether concurrent arthrodesis of the affected joint reduces risk of recurrence

Clinical Outcomes and Complications of the Zadek Calcaneal Osteotomy in Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Category: Hindfoot; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) is a degenerative process at the insertion of Achilles tendon onto the calcaneal tuberosity that often coexists with retrocalcaneal bursitis and Haglund’s deformity. The Zadek osteotomy, a dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus, has been described as a treatment option in patients with IAT that have failed conservative management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the complications of the Zadek for the management of IAT. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL) were searched for all studies to November 2022. PRISMA guidelines were followed. The overall estimates of effect were presented as Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-analysis was conducted using the Review Manager Software (RevMan, Version 5.4). Results: Ten studies with 232 patients were included. The AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) Ankle- Hindfoot Score and the VISA-A score (Victorian Institute of Sports of Australia-Achilles score) were significantly improved after the Zadek osteotomy (p < 0.00001). Pain levels were also significantly reduced (p < 0.00001). There were a total of 22 complications reported in the included studies and they were all considered minor. The most common complications were superficial wound infection and sural nerve paraesthesia. Conclusion: The Zadek osteotomy is a safe and effective procedure for patients with IAT. The osteotomy improves pain levels and functions and is associated only with minor complications and a low complication rate. There are no well-designed randomized controlled trials in the literature assessing the outcomes of a Zadek osteotomy against alternate surgical treatments and future research should focus on this

Patient Reported Outcomes Following Revision Ankle Arthrodesis for Ankle Fusion Non-Union

Category: Ankle Arthritis; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Ankle arthrodesis (AA) has, for many years, been considered the gold standard procedure for the surgical treatment of end stage ankle arthritis. Non-union following AA surgery is a devastating complication which subsequently requires revision surgery. However, data on outcomes including patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) following revision ankle arthrodesis (RAA) after failed AA is lacking. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of RAA for symptomatic non-union after AA including PROMs. Methods: Prospectively collected data from a multicenter database of ankle arthritis surgery was analyzed. Demographic data and PROMs including Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey were collected at regular intervals. Surgeries were performed by six fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons between January 2003 and July 2015. 336 primary AA cases were identified, of which 27 (8%) underwent revision for symptomatic AA non-union. Results: Mean follow-up of 27 AA non-union cases was 5.3 years (2-10). There were 16 (59%) males and 11 (41%) females, with a mean age of 62 years (44 - 81) and a mean BMI of 32 (26.5 – 45), respectively. At index AA, 12 (44%) cases were performed arthroscopically. Twenty-three (84%) AA non-union patients were actively smoking pre- and post-operatively, and 15 (56%) were diabetic. Overall union-rate following RAA was 85% (23/27). For RAA the pre-operative mean AOS score of 64.9 (38.8-81.5) improved to 49.1 (24.1-73) at latest follow-up. SF-36 PCS score improved from 27.2 (21.3 – 38.3) to 33.3 (19.1-54.2) and SF-36 MCS score improved from 41.2 (17.5-60.9) to 46.2 (29.3-65.9). Overall complication rate of RAA was 22%, with a re-operation rate of 15%. Conclusion: Revision ankle arthrodesis (RAA) for ankle fusion non-union resulted in a successful fusion of the ankle in 85% of patients with modest improvement in AOS and SF-36 scores. Indeed, even after successful RAA, patients report pain and disability levels comparable to that reported by primary AA patients pre-operatively. Additionally, complication and re-operation rates of RAA are high. This data emphasizes on the importance of achieving a primary fusion in AA. The presented patient reported outcomes may help the treating surgeon to counsel patients prior to RAA surgery to better set their expectations