The effect of renal function on surgical outcomes of intracapsular hip fractures with osteosynthesis

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects many physiologic systems, including bone quality, nutrition, and cardiovascular condition. Femoral neck fractures in patients on dialysis are associated with frequent complications and a high risk of mortality. However, the effect of CKD on clinical outcomes of patients with hip fractures treated with osteosynthesis remains unclear.

Methods

One hundred and thirty patients with 130 femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation were divided into two groups and the data were then analyzed. Group 1 consisted of 98 patients (98 hip fractures) with normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m²). Group 2 was composed of 32 patients (32 hip fractures) with CKD (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m²) without dialysis. Clinical outcomes as well as early and late complications were recorded for each group. Survivorship analysis was performed, and the mortality and complication rates for the groups were then compared.

Results

In Group 1, 32 complications (32.6 %) occurred in 98 hips, including 5 cases of nonunion and 16 cases of osteonecrosis. In Group 2, 24 complications (75 %) developed in 32 hips; these included 8 cases of nonunion and 3 cases of osteonecrosis. The mean duration of follow-up was 32 months. The overall mortality rate was 11.5 %. No difference was noted in early, late, or overall mortality rate between two groups. Patient with CKD had a higher nonunion rate (OR = 5.9, P = 0.023). Meanwhile, CKD and displaced fracture pattern were independent predictors for revision surgery (OR = 3.0, P = 0.032; OR = 6.9, P = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Osteosynthesis is a safe and effective treatment for femoral neck fractures; however, patients with femoral neck fracture and CKD have a higher risk of nonunion and subsequent surgical revision.

Level of relevance

Prognostic studies, Level III.     

History of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infection may not be a contraindication to ventral hernia repair with synthetic mesh: a preliminary report

Purpose

A history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infection presents a significant surgical dilemma as to the risk of subsequent mesh infection, even if no active infection is present. We investigated the outcomes of ventral hernia repair with synthetic mesh in patients with prior MRSA surgical site infections (SSIs).

Methods

All patients with a clean wound but prior MRSA SSI undergoing open ventral hernia repair with mesh by a single surgeon over a 3-year period were reviewed for the development of any major (need for readmission, operative debridement, or mesh removal) or minor SSI. All patients received peri-operative intravenous vancomycin and prolonged suppressive oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline.

Results

Ten patients (male = 7, female = 3) with clean wounds and a history of MRSA SSI underwent open ventral hernia repair with retrorectus synthetic mesh placement. Mean follow-up was 13.5 ± 3.3 months. Overall, two patients (20 %) developed SSIs (minor = 2, major = 0). Both SSIs were successfully managed with therapeutic oral antibiotics and local wound care without need for surgical debridement or mesh removal. There have been no hernia recurrences in any of the patients.

Conclusions

Preliminary results suggest that history of MRSA infection may not be a contraindication to the use of synthetic mesh for ventral hernia repair. Macroporous lightweight meshes, combined with use of prolonged suppressive antibiotics and sublay retromuscular mesh placement that provides complete tissue coverage, should be further investigated as an acceptable prosthetic choice when planning a complex ventral hernia repair in the setting of prior MRSA SSI.     

Nationwide prospective study on readmission after umbilical or epigastric hernia repair

Purpose

The primary aim of the present study was to investigate risk factors for readmission after elective umbilical and epigastric hernia repair and secondarily to evaluate causes for readmission.

Methods

All patients with elective umbilical or epigastric hernias registered in The Danish Hernia Database during January 2007–January 2011 were included. A 100 % 30-day follow-up was obtained by merging with administrative data from The Danish National Patient Register.

Results

A total of 6,783 umbilical and epigastric hernia repairs were included (open = 5,634; laparoscopic = 1,149). Readmissions caused by surgical and medical complications related to the hernia repair were observed in 3.6 and 1.5 % of patients, respectively. Surgical complications were mainly due to pain and wound complications, whereas medical complications were mainly cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal complications. There were no significant differences in surgical or medical complication rates and in risk factors for readmission between open and laparoscopic repair, P ≥ 0.229. After open repair, independent risk factors for readmission were umbilical hernia repair (vs epigastric repair) (OR = 1.5, 95 % CI 1.1–2.1), hernia defects >2 cm (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI 1.2–2.5), mesh reinforcement (OR = 1.3, 95 % CI 1.0–1.7), and tacked mesh fixation (OR = 2.6, 95 % CI 1.1–6.0). After laparoscopic repair, female gender was the only independent risk factor for readmission (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI 1.1–2.7).

Conclusion

The risk for 30-day readmission after umbilical or epigastric hernia repairs was mainly because of surgical complications. Open mesh repair reduced the risk for readmission in open repairs; no specific approach was found to reduce readmission after laparoscopic repair.     

Surgical site infection after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for surgical site infections and to quantify the contribution of independent risk factors to the probability of developing infection after definitive fixation of tibial plateau fractures in adult patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed at a level I trauma center between January 2004 and December 2010. Data were collected from a review of the patient’s electronic medical records. A total of 251 consecutive patients (256 cases) were divided into two groups, those with surgical site infections and those without surgical site infections. Preoperative and perioperative variables were compared between these groups, and risk factors were determined by univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Variables analyzed included age, gender, smoking history, diabetes, presence of an open fracture, presence of compartment syndrome, Schatzker classification, polytrauma status, ICU stay, time from injury to surgery, use of temporary external fixation, surgical approach, surgical fixation, operative time, and use of a drain.

Results

The overall rate of surgical site infection after ORIF of tibial plateau fractures during the 7 years of this study was 7.8 % (20 of 256). The most common causative pathogens was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 15, 75 %). Independent predictors of surgical site infection identified by multivariate analyses were open tibial plateau fracture (odds ratio = 3.9; 95 % CI = 1.3–11.6; p = 0.015) and operative time (odds ratio = 2.7; 95 % CI = 1.6–4.4; p < 0.001). The presence of compartment syndrome (odds ratio = 3.4; 95 % CI = 0.7–15.9; p = 0.119), use of temporary external fixation (odds ratio = 0.5; 95 % CI = 0.2–1.7; p = 0.298), and ICU stay (odds ratio = 1.0; 95 % CI = 1.0–1.1; p = 0.074) were not determined to be independent predictors of surgical site infection.

Conclusions

Both open fracture and operative time are independent risks factors for postoperative infection.     

Statistical Analysis of Surgical Site Infection After Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery

Background

Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur at a rate exceeding 40 % after head and neck reconstruction and are due in part to the clean-contaminated surgical field, in which cutaneous fields interact with oral or pharyngeal fields. The aim of this study was to clarify the most important risk factors for SSI and to identify effective strategies for preventing SSI.

Methods

In 2011 and 2012, 197 patients who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery were studied at National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan. The SSI rate, risk factors for SSI, and biological aspects of SSI were evaluated prospectively.

Results

A total of 42 patients (21.3 %) had SSIs, and 62 bacterial species were identified at infection sites. Significant risk factors for SSI identified with multivariate analysis were hypoalbuminemia [P = 0.002, odds ratio (OR) = 3.37], reconstruction with vascularized bone transfer (P = 0.006, OR = 3.99), and a poor American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (P = 0.041, OR = 3.00). Most bacteria identified were species that persist around cutaneous and pharyngeal fields, but multidrug-resistant bacteria were rare.

Conclusions

The SSI rate at our hospital is lower than rates in previous studies. To minimize SSI, intervention to improve the patient’s perisurgical nutritional status and a more appropriate mandible reconstructive strategy should be considered.     

Risk factors for surgical site infections in obstetrics: a retrospective study in an Ethiopian referral hospital

Background

Pregnant women are at risk of infection during labor and delivery. Infection in obstetrics accounts for the second most common cause of maternal mortality next to post partum hemorrhage. Knowing the prevalence and associated risk factors would help to undertake optimal precautions and standard surgical techniques to reduce surgical site infection which poses increased hospital cost and total hospital stay of the patients.

Method

Facility based retrospective observational study design was carried out purposively to assess the prevalence of surgical site infections and associated risk factors among mothers who had delivery related surgery at obstetric ward of Assela teaching referral hospital from April, 23, 2015 to September 5, 2015. A total of 384 women who had surgery for delivery were included in the study. The risk associated with SSIs was assessed by multivariate regression logistic analysis.

Results

The age of the women ranged from 17 to 40 years with the mean age of 26 (±5) years. The rate of surgical site infection was 9.4%(36/384). The risk factors for surgical site infection were age less than 19 (OR = 3.5, 95%CI 1.17–10.01), preterm gestation age (OR = 4.225 95%CI 1.254–14.238), duration of labor ≥24 h (OR = 2.219 95%CI1.054–4.670), duration of rupture of membrane ≥12 h (OR = 5.99, 95% CI2.75–13.02),chorioamnionitis (OR = 9.743, 95%CI 3.077–30.848), vertical skin incision(OR = 4,95%CI 1.709–13.322), pre operation Hematocrit (OR = 6.4,95%CI1.021–40.137),perioperative blood transfusion(OR = 6.75,95%CI 2.47,18.49), abdominal hysterectomy(OR = 7.9,95%CI1.698–36.960), and diabetic mellitus (OR = 3.7,95%CI 1.112–12.519).

Conclusions

Obstetric ward of Assela teaching referral hospital are encouraged to use properly WHO surgical safety checklist and examine how to sensibly integrate these essential safety steps into their normal operative workflow. Prophylactic antibiotic administration should be provided within one hour before the surgical incision or within two hours if the patient is receiving vancomycin or floroquinolones.

     

Risk factors for deep infection after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Objective

Estimated the risk factors for postoperative infection after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to prevent its occurrence.

Design

The meta-analysis collected twelve cohorts or case–control studies which included 548 infected persons in 57,223 general cases. Review Manager 5.0 was operated to assess the heterogeneity and to give an overall estimate of the association of factors with postoperative infection after TKA.

Results

The main factors distinctly associated with infection after TKA were BMI (BMI >30: OR = 2.53, 95 % CI 1.25, 5.13; BMI >40: OR = 4.00, 95 % CI 1.23, 12.98), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.72, 95 % CI 2.30, 6.01), hypertension (OR = 2.53, 95 % CI 1.07, 5.99), steroid therapy (OR = 2.04, 95 % CI 1.11, 3.74), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.83; 95 % CI 1.42, 2.36). It had no sufficient evidences to reveal that gender could lead to infection after TKA. Osteoarthritis appeared to have a moderately protective effect. Statistical analysis revealed no correlation between urinary tract infection, fixation method, ASA, bilateral operation, age, transfusion, antibiotics, bone graft, and infection.

Conclusion

There were positive evidences for some certain factors which could be targeted for prevention of the onset of infection, but more studies are needed to define the association of some other controversial factors in infection, like osteoarthritis, gender and so on. The quality of studies also needs to be improved.     

The estrogen receptor α gene (XbaI,PvuII) polymorphisms and susceptibility to idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis

Study design

A genetic association meta-analysis of estrogen receptor α gene (ERα) polymorphisms with idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective

To determine whether the ERα gene polymorphisms correlate with idiopathic scoliosis.

Summary of background data

Idiopathic scoliosis represents a complex genetic trait under the influence of multiple predisposition genes. Several studies showed that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ERα was associated with idiopathic scoliosis, but the results from some studies were conflicting.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases from January 1994 to January 2014. All the case–control studies included should mainly study the relationship between XbaI A/G, PvuII T/C polymorphisms and the susceptibility of idiopathic scoliosis.

Results

A total of 299 articles were found, six of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria after being assessed by two reviewers. A pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was calculated to assess the associations. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed according to ethnicity. Overall, ERα Xbal A/G polymorphism was not associated with risk of idiopathic scoliosis (G versus A, OR 1.07, 95 % CI 0.88–1.30, P = 0.51; AG versus AA, OR 1.03, 95 % CI 0.89–1.21, P = 0.67; GG versus AA, OR 1.12, 95 % CI 0.72–1.73, P = 0.61; AG/GG versus AA, OR 1.05, 95 % CI 0.91–1.22, P = 0.49; GG versus AG/AA, OR 1.10, 95 % CI 0.75–1.63, P = 0.62). ERα PvuII T/C polymorphism was also not associated with risk of idiopathic scoliosis under five models (C versus T, OR 0.93, 95 % CI 0.75–1.14, P = 0.48; TC versus TT, OR 0.99, 95 % CI 0.80–1.23, P = 0.93; CC versus TT, OR 1.05, 95 % CI 0.80–1.39, P = 0.72; TC/CC versus TT, OR 1.01, 95 % CI 0.83–1.23, P = 0.93; CC versus TC/TT, OR 1.05, 95 % CI 0.82–1.33, P = 0.72).

Conclusion

ERα Xbal and ERα PvuII polymorphisms are not obviously associated with risk of idiopathic scoliosis.     

Laparoscopic versus open repair of parastomal hernias: an ACS-NSQIP analysis of short-term outcomes

Background

Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a frequent complication following the creation of a stoma. While a significant number of cases require operative management, data comparing short-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open repair of parastomal hernias are limited.

Methods

The ACS-NSQIP was retrospectively reviewed from 2005 to 2011 for all PSH cases that underwent open or laparoscopic repair. Patients characteristics, operative details, and outcomes were listed for both procedure types. Selected end points were compared on multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Among the 2,167 identified parastomal hernia cases, only 222 (10.24 %) were treated laparoscopically. The open and laparoscopic groups were similar with respect to mean patient age (63 vs. 63 years; p = 1) and gender distribution as the majority of patients were females (56.8 %). However, open repair was more likely to be performed in patients with a higher ASA class (III and IV) (p < 0.001). Also, the open approach was more likely to be used emergently (8.64 vs. 3.60 %; p = 0.01) and for recurrent hernias (6.99 vs. 3.15 %; p < 0.05). After adjusting for all potential confounders including age, gender, ASA, emergency designation of the operation, hernia type, and wound class, laparoscopy was associated with shorter operative time (137.5 vs. 153.4 min; p < 0.05), shorter length of hospital stay by 3.32 days (p < 0.001), lower risk of overall morbidity (OR = 0.42; p < 0.001), and a lower risk of surgical site infections (OR = 0.35; p < 0.01) compared to open repair. Mortality rates were similar in the laparoscopic and open groups (0.45 vs. 1.59 %, respectively; p = 0.29).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair is safe and appears to be associated with better short-term outcomes compared to open repair in selected cases. Large prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm those results and to assess long-term recurrence rates.     

Sonographic Characteristics Suggesting Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma According to Nodule Size

Purpose

To determine differences in ultrasonography (US) features suggesting papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) between nodules larger than 10 mm (large lesions) and nodules ≤10 mm in diameter (small lesions).

Methods

We included 1,238 nodules in 1,173 patients that were confirmed through cytology or histopathology between February 2007 and June 2007 in the study. Nodules were divided into large lesions (571 lesions) and small lesions (667 lesions). Sonographic features were defined as composition, echogenicity, margin, calcifications, shape, and vascularity. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios (OR) of each feature to predict PTC.

Results

On multivariate analysis, irregular margin (OR = 37.788, P < 0.001), microcalcifications (OR = 17.799, P < 0.001), microlobulated margin (OR = 10.385, P < 0.001), and no vascularity (OR = 5.975, P < 0.001) were independent factors for PTC in the large lesions and irregular margin (OR = 7.185, P < 0.001), microlobulated margin (OR = 5.952, P < 0.001), microcalcifications (OR = 3.722, P < 0.001), marked hypoechogenicity (OR = 2.873, P = 0.004), and taller than wide shape (OR = 2.698, P < 0.001) were independent factors for PTC in the small lesions.

Conclusions

The OR of each US finding for predicting PTC is different between large and small lesions. Therefore, it would be helpful to weight certain US features according to nodule size when reporting thyroid nodules with different risks of PTC.     

Acute kidney injury after open ventral hernia repair: an analysis of the 2005–2012 ACS-NSQIP datasets

Purpose

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious postoperative complication, negatively impacting mortality rates, extending length of stay, and raising hospital costs. The purpose of this study was to examine AKI following open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) using a large, heterogeneous database to determine the incidence and identify risk factors for this complication.

Methods

Using the 2005–2012 ACS-NSQIP database, patients undergoing open ventral hernia repair were identified by CPT codes. Patients with acute kidney injury within 30 days of surgery were compared to controls by multivariate logistic regression across preoperative and intraoperative characteristics.

Results

Of 48,629 open ventral hernia repair patients identified in the dataset, AKI developed in 1.4 % (681 patients). Multivariate logistic regression determined a number of factors associated with AKI. These include WHO Class III obesity (OR = 2.57, p < 0.001), history of cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.81, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.29, p = 0.028), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 1.42, p = 0.004), and chronic kidney disease (for a baseline GFR of 60?89 mL/min/1.73m2, OR = 1.62, p = 0.001; for 30?59 mL/min/1.73m2, OR = 2.25, p < 0.001; for 15?29 mL/min/1.73m2, OR = 4.96, p < 0.001). Intraoperative factors include prolonged operative time (for ≥1SD above the mean, OR = 1.68, p = 0.002; for ≥2SD above the mean, OR = 2.76, p < 0.001) and intraoperative transfusion (OR = 2.44, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with a history of obesity, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular history, diabetes, and hypoalbuminemia are at increased risk for AKI when undergoing OVHR. Intraoperative variables such as prolonged operative times and blood transfusions may also suggest increased risk. Preoperative identification of patients with these characteristics and perioperative hemodynamic stabilization are important first steps to minimize this complication.

     

An Observational Cohort Study of the Adoption of Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing for the Treatment of Pediatric Femur Fractures in Kumasi,Ghana

Background

In high- and middle-income countries, elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is the commonest treatment of femur fractures in children 5–11 years of age. At Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana, prior to this study all pediatric femur fractures were treated with skin traction to union. This study was designed to report the early results and costs of the adoption of ESIN at KATH to provide data to other low- and middle-income sites considering adoption of this surgical technique.

Methods

An observational cohort study that included 84 pediatric patients ages 3–14 years presenting with closed femur fractures and treated with either skin traction or ESIN. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare the rate of treatment success between treatment groups.

Results

Treatment success (coronal and sagittal angulation less than 10 ° and shortening less than 15 mm at osseous union) was achieved in 92 % of the ESIN group versus 67 % of the skin traction group (odds ratio for ESIN group 9.28 (1.6–54.7); p = 0.0138). Average length of stay was significantly lower in the ESIN group (p = 0.001), but charges to patients were higher in the ESIN group (p < 0.001) because of the high cost of implants.

Conclusions

The initial experience of operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children using ESIN was positive, with improved rates of treatment success and no surgical complications. Because of the high cost of implants, direct costs of treatment remained higher with ESIN despite reductions in length of hospital stay.     

Outcome and treatment of postoperative spine surgical site infections: predictors of treatment success and failure

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important complication after spine surgery. The management of SSI is characterized by significant variability, and there is little guidance regarding an evidence-based approach. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with treatment failure of SSI after spine surgery.

Patients and methods

A total of 225 consecutive patients with SSI after spine surgery between July 2005 and July 2010 were studied retrospectively. Patients were treated with aggressive surgical debridement and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Outcome and risk factors were analyzed in 197 patients having 1 year of follow-up. Treatment success was defined as resolution within 90 days.

Results

A total of 126 (76 %) cases were treated with retention of implants. Forty-three (22 %) cases had treatment failure with five (2.5 %) cases resulting in death. Lower rates of treatment success were observed with late infection (38 %), fusion with fixation to the ilium (67 %), Propionibacterium acnes (43 %), poly microbial infection (68 %), >6 operated spinal levels (67 %), and instrumented cases (73 %). Higher rates of early resolution were observed with superficial infection (93 %), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (95 %), and <3 operated spinal levels (88 %). Multivariate logistic regression revealed late infection was the most significant independent risk factor associated with treatment failure. Superficial infection and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were predictors of early resolution.

Conclusion

Postoperative spine infections were treated with aggressive surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. High rates of treatment failure occurred in cases with late infection, long instrumented fusions, polymicrobial infections, and Propionibacterium acnes. Removal of implants and direct or staged re-implantation may be a useful strategy in cases with high risk of treatment failure.     

Delayed surgery in displaced paediatric supracondylar fractures: a safe approach? Results from a large UK tertiary paediatric trauma centre

Background

Displaced paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures pose a significant risk of neurovascular injury and consequently have traditionally been treated as a surgical emergency. Recently, the need for emergency surgery has been questioned. We wished to analyse our experience at a large UK tertiary paediatric trauma centre.

Methods

A retrospective case note review was performed on patients with Gartland Grades 2 and 3 supracondylar fractures observed in a 2-year period from July 2008 to July 2010. We divided children into those treated before 12 h (early surgery) and after 12 h (delayed surgery). Analysis was undertaken using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Of the 137 patients, 115 were included in the study; median time-to-surgery was 15:30 (range 2:45–62:50); thirty-nine children were treated before 12 h and 76 patients after. In the early surgery group, three children (7.7 %) developed a superficial pin-site infection, four children (10.3 %) required open reduction, five children (12.8 %) sustained an iatrogenic nerve injury, and two children (5 %) required reoperation. In the delayed surgery group, one child (1.3 %) had a superficial pin-site infection, four children (5.3 %) required open reduction, seven children (9.2 %) sustained an iatrogenic nerve injury, and two children (2.6 %) reoperation. Bivariate analysis of our data using Fisher’s exact t test revealed no statistically significant difference between early and delayed surgery groups with regard to infection rates (p = 0.1), iatrogenic nerve injury (p = 0.53) or need for open reduction (p = 0.44).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that delayed surgery appears to offer a safe management approach in the treatment of displaced supracondylar fractures, but it is important that cases are carefully evaluated on an individual basis. These results indicate that patient transfer to a specialist paediatric centre, often with consequent surgical delay, is a safe management option and also negates the obligation to carry out these procedures at night.     

True benefit or selection bias: an analysis of laparoscopic versus open splenectomy from the ACS-NSQIP

Background

By virtue of the benefits associated with minimally invasive approaches, laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is believed to have better patient-related outcomes compared to open splenectomy (OS). However, there are limited data directly comparing the two techniques.

Methods

Patients who underwent elective LS and OS between 2005 and 2010 were identified from the public use file of the ACS-NSQIP database using the Current Procedural Terminology codes 38120 and 38100. Patients who had concomitant procedures were excluded. Because of the nonrandom assignment of surgical techniques, a selection bias could have been responsible for the differences in patient outcomes. Therefore, patient characteristics and comorbidities that were available and could have been potential confounders were compared and regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors associated with serious and overall morbidity as well as mortality.

Results

During the study period 1,644 and 851 patients underwent LS and OS, respectively. Compared to patients who underwent LS, patients who had OS had a longer median length of hospital stay (3 vs. 6 days, P < 0.0001) and higher incidences of serious (7 vs. 17 %, P < 0.0001) and overall morbidity (12 vs. 25 %, P < 0.0001) and mortality (1.4 vs. 3.3 %, P = 0.02). However, there were certain significant differences in the characteristics and comorbidities of the patients that could have confounded outcomes. On regression analysis, OS was not associated with higher mortality (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 0.7–2.7, P = 0.28) but was associated with higher serious morbidity (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.4–2.3, P = 0.001) and overall morbidity (OR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.6–2.4, P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

After adjusting for available confounders, patients who underwent LS had lower morbidity and similar mortality rates. Although certain confounders such as previous surgical history, underlying pathology, and spleen size could still have potentially influenced outcomes, the data suggest that patient outcomes after LS are excellent and when technically possible a minimally invasive technique should be the preferred approach for splenectomy.     

A prospective comparative study of pin site infection in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: daily pin care vs. no pin care

Introduction

Pin site infection is a critical issue for patients’ safety in skeletal fixation using percutaneous pins or wires. Closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wires fixation are the mainstay of treatment in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures. Little information is available in the literature about the optimal regimen of pin site care in children.

Materials and methods

We performed a prospective comparative study of 61 children with supracondylar humeral fractures between June 2011 and March 2013 after approval by the institutional review board. They were allocated into two groups of different postoperative pin site care methods by the emergency department arrival date and received fracture fixation within 24 h. Postoperatively, 30 children underwent pin site cleaning every day whereas the other 31 patients did not have the pin sites cleaned until the pins removal 4–6 weeks later.

Results

Demographic data were not significantly different between the two groups. The infection rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent daily pin site care (90.3 vs. 53.3 %, p = 0.001). Of the 144 pin sites, infection occurred at 42 (57.5 %) pin sites in the daily care group and at 19 (26.8 %) pin sites in the non-care group. The number of telephone consultations for postoperative care was significantly higher in the daily care group (1.0 vs. 0.27 call/case, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Daily pin site care was associated with a higher infection rate and greater stress in postoperative care that required more telephone consultations. The study results could not support daily pin site care. Careful observation of pin sites was recommended in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.     

Open distal tibial shaft fractures: a retrospective comparison of medial plate versus nail fixation

Purpose

Studies comparing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) vs. intramedullary nailing (IMN) for distal tibia shaft fractures focus upon closed injuries containing small patient series with open fractures. As such, complication rates for open fractures are unknown. To characterize complications associated with ORIF vs. IMN, we compared complications based on surgical approach in a large patient series of open distal tibia shaft fractures.

Methods

Through retrospective analysis at an urban level I trauma center, 180 IMN and 36 ORIF patients with open distal tibia fractures from 2002 to 2012 were evaluated. Patient charts were reviewed to identify patient demographics, fracture grade (G), patient comorbidities, and postoperative complications including nonunion, malunion, infection, hardware-related pain, and wound dehiscence. Fisher’s exact tests compared complications between ORIF and IMN groups. Multivariate regression identified risk factors with statistical significance for the development of a postoperative complication.

Results

One hundred and eighty IMN (G1 22, G2 79, and G3 79) and 36 ORIF (G1 10, G2 16, and G3 10) patients were included for analysis. ORIF patients had a higher rate of nonunion (25.0 %, n = 9) compared with IMN patients (10.6 %, n = 20, p = 0.03). No additional complication had a significant statistical difference between groups. Multivariable analysis shows only surgical method influenced the development of complications: ORIF patients had 2.52 greater odds of developing complications compared with IMN patients (95 % CI 1.05–6.02; p = 0.04).

Conclusions

ORIF leads to higher rates of nonunion and significantly increases the odds of developing a complication compared with IMN for open distal tibia fractures. This is the first study investigating complication rates based on surgical approach in a large cohort of patients with exclusively open distal tibia fractures.

     

Role of Survivin Gene Promoter Polymorphism (−31G>C) in Susceptibility and Survival of Esophageal Cancer in Northern India

Background and Aim

Survivin is an upregulated inhibitor of apoptosis protein in esophageal cancer (EC), and a promoter region polymorphism (?31G>C) in the survivin gene has been reported as a modulator of gene expression. We aim to explore the role of survivin ?31G>C polymorphism in susceptibility and survival of EC patients in northern Indian population.

Materials and Methods

A case–control study was performed in 500 subjects (250 EC patients and 250 controls), and genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.

Results

Survivin CC genotype was found to be significantly associated with EC susceptibility [odds ratio (OR) = 2.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.27–4.14; P = 0.006], particularly in males (OR = 4.91; 95% CI = 2.19–11.02; P = 0.0001) having squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histopathology (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.36–4.21; P = 0.002) at middle third esophagus location (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.40–4.82; P = 0.002). Patients carrying CC genotype were found to have higher susceptibility to lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.46–5.48; P = 0.002). However, on survival analysis, no prognostic role of survivin ?31G>C polymorphism was detected. In case-only analysis, no gene–environment interaction was observed.

Conclusion

Survivin promoter region polymorphism (?31G>C) is associated with susceptibility and clinical characteristics but not prognosis of esophageal cancer in northern Indian population.