Are the Outcomes of Revision Knee Arthroplasty for Flexion Instability the Same as for Other Major Failure Mechanisms?

Background

Aseptic loosening, infection, and flexion instability have emerged as the leading etiologies for revision after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although studies have reported improved outcomes after revision TKA, the relative functional and clinical outcomes of patients revised for flexion instability and other failure etiologies have not been extensively reported. The aim of the study was to compare the functional and patient-reported outcomes of revision TKA for the common failure etiologies.

Are the destructive neurosurgical techniques as effective as microvascular decompression in the management of trigeminal neuralgia?

BACKGROUND: There are no randomized controlled trials comparing TC, PTGC, and MVD for idiopathic TN at a single institution using quality criteria. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term outcome (efficiency and morbidity) of treated patients with one of these techniques in the same institution. METHODS: The authors present a retrospective study of 165 consecutive patients from 1983 to 2004. The inclusion criteria were drug-resistant idiopathic TN and intolerance to medical treatment. Three groups were set up according to the techniques used: group I (n = 73), treated by TC; group II (n = 41), treated by PTGC; group III (n = 51), treated by MVD. The main judgment criterion was pain relief. The second judgment criterion was morbidity. chi(2) or Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier, and log-rank were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The 3 groups were homogeneous according to age, duration of evolution, and pain topography. Concerning sex, groups I and II were different (women, 58%; vs. 37%; P = .021). The immediate efficiency for the 3 groups was, respectively, 96%, 94%, and 95% (NS). At 6 years follow-up, 70%, 77%, and 72% of the patients, respectively, remained pain-free (NS). As determined by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, there was no difference between the 3 groups (log-rank, P = .867). Hypoesthesia was more frequent for PTGC (89%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we did not find MVD to be more effective than the other techniques. However, it had the lowest long-term complication rate, which is a strong argument in choosing this technique as the initial procedure for young and healthy patients. Percutaneous techniques, however, are still recommended in specific circumstances.     

Are titanium clips for control of the renal hilar vessels as unsafe as generally presumed?

Controlled ligation and division of renal vessels is a critical step during any nephrectomy procedure. It is generally been presumed that titanium clip ligation of renal vessels is risky and insecure. We report our experience over 5 years with ligaclips 10-mm titanium clips for secure ligation of renal hilum during laparoscopic nephrectomy. Titanium clips of 10 mm were used to secure renal vessels in 86 patients. We managed to get across the entire width of renal vein with a 10-mm titanium clip by crimpling the vein with the help of the clip applicator before firing the clips. In all except 2 cases ligaclips alone were enough to ensure secure occlusion of renal hilum. There was no incidence of slippage or dislodgement of clips applied on renal vessels. On cost analysis, it was found that the Hem-o-lok clip and gastrointestinal anastomosis stapling device were approximately 6-fold and 12-fold costlier than ligaclips. We also reviewed literature on different modalities available for renal hilar control during laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Are We All in the Same Boat? The Role of Perceptual Distance in Organizational Health Interventions

The study investigates how agreement between leaders' and their team's perceptions influence intervention outcomes in a leadership‐training intervention aimed at improving organizational learning. Agreement, i.e. perceptual distance was calculated for the organizational learning dimensions at baseline. Changes in the dimensions from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention were evaluated using polynomial regression analysis with response surface analysis. The general pattern of the results indicated that the organizational learning improved when leaders and their teams agreed on the level of organizational learning prior to the intervention. The improvement was greatest when the leader's and the team's perceptions at baseline were aligned and high rather than aligned and low. The least beneficial scenario was when the leader's perceptions were higher than the team's perceptions. These results give insights into the importance of comparing leaders' and their team's perceptions in intervention research. Polynomial regression analyses with response surface methodology allow three‐dimensional examination of relationship between two predictor variables and an outcome. This contributes with knowledge on how combination of predictor variables may affect outcome and allows studies of potential non‐linearity relating to the outcome. Future studies could use these methods in process evaluation of interventions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Are All Periprosthetic Joint Infections the Same? Evaluating Major vs Minor Criteria

Background

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be made when 1 major criterion or 3 of 5 minor criteria are present. However, the outcomes of patients with a major vs minor criteria for diagnosis have not been studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate if a difference in outcome of surgical intervention existed between patients with PJI who were diagnosed with a major criterion or a combination of minor criteria.

Not all Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties Are the Same: What Are the Implications in Large Database Studies?

BackgroundThe use of claims databases for research after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA) has increased exponentially. These studies rely on accurate coding, and inadvertent inclusion of patients with nonroutine indications may influence results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complexity of THA and TKA captured by CPT code and determine if complication rates vary based on the indication.MethodsThe NSQIP database was queried using CPT codes 21730 and 27447 to identify patients undergoing THA and TKA from 2018 to 2019. The surgical indication was classified based on the ICD-10 diagnosis code as routine primary, complex primary, inflammatory, fracture, oncologic, revision, infection, or indeterminant. Patient factors and 30-day complications, readmission, reoperation, and wound complications were compared.ResultsA total of 86,009 THA patients had 703 ICD-10 diagnosis codes and 91.4% were routine primary indications. Complication rates were: routine primary 7.4%, complex primary 11.3%, inflammatory 12.5%, fracture 23.9%, oncologic 32.4%, revision 26.9%, infection 38.7%, and indeterminant 10.3% (P < .0001). 137,500 TKA patients had 552 ICD-10 diagnosis codes and 96.1% were routine primary cases. Complication rates were: routine primary 5.9%, complex primary 8.0%, inflammatory 7.2%, fracture 38.9%, oncologic 32.7%, revision 13.3%, infection 37.7%, and indeterminant 9.6% (P < .0001). Routine primary arthroplasty had significantly lower rates of reoperation, readmission, and wound complications.ConclusionUsing CPT code alone captures 10% of THA and 4% of TKA patients with procedures for nonroutine primary indications. It is essential to recognize identification of patients simply by CPT code has the potential to inadvertently introduce bias, and surgeons should critically assess methods used to define the study populations.     

Facial Aesthetic Preferences Among Asian Women: Are All Oriental Asians the Same?

Background Oriental Asians have specific aesthetic priorities. However, a common perception is that expectations from cosmetic surgery are similar. The possibility of different beauty criteria between seemingly similar appearing oriental Asians is not recognized. This investigation aimed to identify where a difference in aesthetic values exists between various oriental Asians. Methods The study was based on a survey regarding facial aesthetics conducted with two selected groups: 50 Korean and 50 Japanese women. Preferences regarding the periorbital region, nose, lip features, and overall harmony of the face were surveyed. Results Significant differences in preferred beauty features were identified, especially with regard to the periorbital region. Although a supratarsal crease was found to be desirable in both groups, Koreans preferred a larger fold paralleling the lid margin, with elimination of the epicanthal fold. Japanese women desired thinner lips, with more delicate facial features. Conclusion The results demonstrate that there is a difference between oriental Asian aesthetic values. Plastic surgeons should be sensitive to different ethnic concepts of beauty and appreciate a range of values rather than assume that all Asians simply prefer “occidentalization.”     

Are surgeons aware of the dangers of diathermy?

Surgical diathermy is an invaluable aid in modern surgery and most contemporary diathermy machines are considered safe. However, diathermy accidents still do occur and a diathermy unit can be potentially lethal if adequate care is not exercised in its use.