Knee arthroscopy in the older patient

With seniors living longer, more active, healthier lives, arthroscopy in the senior knee has become a commonlyperformed orthopaedic procedure., Because of the favorable risk-benefit ratio of arthroscopy when compared with more invasive procedures such as arthroplasty or osteotomy, the procedure is often offered as a temporizing measure to patients in whom it may be of only short-term benefit. Appropriate patient selection is imperative to a successful outcome. Based on currently available data, the following patient variables can be associated with favorable postoperative outcomes: normal roentgenographic limb alignment, history of mechanical symptoms, minimal or no roentgenographic signs of degeneration, short duration of symptoms, and no previous surgery. With minimal associated morbidity, it appears that arthroscopic lavage may be considered as a palliative treatment option for osteoarthritic knees; however, results deteriorate over time. Preexisting degenerative articular changes, not age, have often been reported as the most important predicting factor for the outcome following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in the elderly. Although the results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy are poorer in patients with significant degenerative joint disease, the results appear to be acceptable in the short term. In active seniors with mild degenerative knee arthritis, conservative arthroscopic debridement is the initial procedure of choice after a nonoperative regimen has failed. Because of its unpredictability, high failure rate, and prolonged rehabilitation phase, abrasion arthroplasty has fallen out of favor as a primary treatment for degenerative arthritis of the knee in the older, active patient.     

A prospective observational study of ICU patient position and frequency of turning

Positioning and turning critically ill patients may be beneficial but there are little data on current practice. We prospectively recorded patient position every hour over two separate days in 40 British intensive care units and analysed 393 sets of observation. Five patients were prone at any time and 3.8% (day 1) and 5% (day 2) were on rotating beds. Patients were on their back for 46.1% of observations, turned left for 28.4% and right for 25.5%, and head up for 97.4%. A turn was defined as a change between on back, turned left or turned right. The average time (SD) between turns was 4.85 (3.3) h. There was no significant association between the average time between turns and age, weight, height, gender, respiratory diagnosis, intubated and ventilated, sedation score, day of week or nurse:patient ratio. There was a significant difference between hospitals in the frequency with which patients were turned.     

肩关节镜术中低体温情况的观察性研究

目的观察肩关节镜术中围手术期低体温的发生率以及影响因素。 方法回顾性分析2020年6月至2020年9月以及2020年12月至2021年2月于本院治疗的161例肩关节镜手术患者,排除1例年龄过小、2例合并颈椎病、3例数据不全的患者,实际入组参与研究患者155例,其中左侧肩66例、右侧肩89例;男50例、女105例（男：女=1:2）;平均年龄（58.87±11.50）岁（19~79岁）。126例肩袖损伤,9例肩关节不稳定,1例肱骨大结节骨折,16例冻结肩,3例钙化性肌腱炎。记录患者的基本资料、手术时长、麻醉分级、麻醉方式、术中体温保护措施、手术室的温度,对这些数据进行统计学的分析,评估围手术期低体温的发生率以及危险因素。 结果针对155例肩关节镜患者的资料分析结果可见手术开始时有43例患者的体温均处于低体温状态,112例患者处于正常范畴,低体温发生率为27.74%。而在手术结束时出现低体温状态的患者有62例,而93例患者处于正常范畴,术后的低体温发生率为40%。所有的低体温状态均处于轻度的围手术期低体温范畴。麻醉后出现低体温的患者中,性别和BMI的比值差异具有统计学意义,而术中及结束时出现低温的情况则与年龄、性别、手术时间、灌注量和保温措施相关。并且当手术时间超过90 min后,灌注液对核心体温的影响起到了主导作用。 结论肩关节镜手术中多种因素与围手术期低体温相关,常温灌注液体也对核心体温起到一定的影响作用,导致围手术期低体温的发生。     

Knee arthroscopy using local anesthetic

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of local anesthetics (a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine) in knee arthroscopy. Local anesthetic agents were shown to be effective and safe, based on chart review and measurement of blood levels of the anesthetic drugs.     

The mesocolon: a prospective observational study

Aim The aim of this study was to characterize formally the mesocolic anatomy during and following total mesocolic excision. Total mesocolic excision may improve survival in patients with colon cancer. Although this requires a detailed knowledge of normal and variant mesocolic anatomy, the latter is poorly characterized. No studies have prospectively characterized the anatomy of the entire mesocolon. Method Total mesocolic excision was performed in 109 patients undergoing total abdominal colectomy. The mesocolon was maintained intact thereby permitting a precise anatomical characterization from ileocaecal to mesorectal levels. Two‐ and three‐dimensional schematic reconstructions were generated to illustrate in situ conformation. Results Several previously undocumented findings emerged, including: (i) the mesocolon was continuous from ileocaecal to rectosigmoid level; (ii) a mesenteric confluence occurred at the ileocaecal and rectosigmoid junction as well as at the hepatic and splenic flexures; (iii) each flexure (and ileocaecal junction) was a complex of peritoneal and omental attachments to the colon centred on a mesenteric confluence; (iv) the proximal rectum originated at the confluence of the mesorectum and mesosigmoid; and (v) a plane occupied by Toldt’s fascia separated the entire apposed mesocolon from the retroperitoneum. Conclusion When the mesocolon is fully mobilized during a total mesocolic excision of the colon, several anatomical findings that have not been previously documented emerge. These findings provide a rationalization of the surgical, embryological and anatomical approaches to the mesocolon. This has implications for all related sciences.     

Knee arthroscopy and driving. Results of a prospective questionnaire survey and review of the literature

Orthopaedic surgeons routinely advise patients when to drive after surgical procedures. There are however very few guidelines concerning the return to driving after an orthopaedic operation. We performed a literature search and found very limited studies or research regarding this topic and in particular following arthroscopic surgery. We subsequently conducted a prospective questionnaire survey from one hundred knee arthroscopy patients attending outpatient follow-up clinics. Results showed the advice given to patients was delivered by doctors of differing levels of experience, but interestingly the majority of patients did not know the grade of doctor they were being consented by. Our study has highlighted that the advice given to patients was inconsistent. Patients returned to driving over a variety of time frames from one day to greater than three weeks. No adverse events were reported but 14% chose not to answer this question. We have illustrated the need for thorough consenting, further research in this area, and the development of universal guidelines surrounding the return to driving after surgery.     

Knee arthroscopy using local anesthesia.

This study confirms the feasibility of performing arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery with patients under local anesthesia. Seventy patients underwent arthroscopy under local anesthesia using mepivacaine with adrenaline. In 49 patients, arthroscopic surgery was performed. It is important to wait at least 20 min after the injection of the anesthetic before surgery to anesthetize the medial part of the joint. There were few complications. Diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy can be successfully performed in the majority of patients with local anesthesia.     

Characterizing fibromyalgia flares: a prospective observational study

IntroductionAlthough most patients with fibromyalgia describe periods of exacerbation of their symptomatology, there are very few studies describing its characteristics.Material and methodsWe recruited a total of 124 patients from our outpatient clinics who agreed to a follow-up of at least 6 months. All of them were asked to note and describe whether they had had any worsening of their symptoms during that time.ResultsSixty-nine patients (75%) reported at least one flare, with a mean of 2 flares per patient. The mean duration of flares was 11 weeks. The most frequent triggers were: continuous stress (56%), intense stress (39%), physical overexertion (37%) and climatic changes (36%). The most common actions taken by patients were rest and medication.ConclusionsTwo-thirds of fibromyalgia patients experienced flares within 6 months. The symptoms and measures taken are similar to those patients usually take when they notice a worsening of symptoms.     

Improving postoperative handover: a prospective observational study

Background

The information provided during the postoperative handover influences the delivery of care of patients in the postoperative recovery unit through their care on the ward. There is a need for a structured and systematic approach to postoperative handover. The aim of this study was to improve postoperative handover through the implementation of a new handover protocol, which involved a handover proforma and standardization of the handover process.

Methods

This prospective pre-post intervention study demonstrated the improvement in postoperative handover through standardization. There was a significant reduction in information omissions and task errors and improvement in communication and teamwork with the new handover protocol.

Results

There was a significant reduction in overall information omissions from 9 to 3 (P < .001) omissions per handover and task errors from 2.8 to .8 (P < .001) with the new handover protocol. Teamwork and nurses' satisfaction score significantly improved from a median of 3 to 4 (P < .001) and median of 4 to 5 (P < .001). Duration of handover decreased from a median of 8 to 7 minutes (P < .376).

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that standardization of postoperative handover improved communication and teamwork and reduced information omissions and task errors. There was an improvement in the quality of the handover after the introduction of the new handover protocol, which was easy and simple to use.     

Knee arthroscopy and arthrotomy under local anesthesia

We report our experience with knee arthroscopy in local anesthesia in 64 patients with subsequent arthrotomy in 14 of these. The effectiveness of the anesthetic method was evaluated by both the patient and the anesthetic personnel. There was no difference in pain assessment between arthroscopy alone and arthroscopy followed by arthrotomy. Half of the patients had no pain and only one regarded the procedure as very painful. Supplementary analgesia with 0.05 mg fentanyl was given to half of the patients not undergoing arthrotomy and to two thirds of those who had arthrotomy. It was not necessary to abandon any arthroscopic or surgical procedure because of pain. We conclude that local anesthesia is a safe and practical method for diagnostic arthroscopy, arthroscopic surgery, and minor arthrotomy.     

Knee arthroscopy and arthrotomy under local anesthesia

We report our experience with knee arthroscopy in local anesthesia in 64 patients with subsequent arthrotomy in 14 of these. The effectiveness of the anesthetic method was evaluated by both the patient and the anesthetic personnel. There was no difference in pain assessment between arthroscopy alone and arthroscopy followed by arthrotomy. Half of the patients had no pain and only one regarded the procedure as very painful. Supplementary analgesia with 0.05 mg fentanyl was given to half of the patients not undergoing arthrotomy and to two thirds of those who had arthrotomy. It was not necessary to abandon any arthroscopic or surgical procedure because of pain. We conclude that local anesthesia is a safe and practical method for diagnostic arthroscopy, arthroscopic surgery, and minor arthrotomy.     

Knee joint arthroscopy in the morbidly obese

Ten morbidly obese individuals were retrospectively reviewed to determine the technical problems and incidence of surgical complications associated with knee joint arthroscopy in this subpopulation of patients. In comparison to a cohort of patients of normal weight that were matched for age, sex, and surgical procedure, the morbidly obese patients had longer operative times (P < .02) and time to work resumption despite having less physically demanding jobs. Those with morbid obesity required a greater number of arthroscopy portals to effect a thorough arthroscopic examination (P < .02). Many technical problems involved the fact that these patients' size could not be accommodated by standard equipment. There were no wound or neurovascular complications and one presumed thromboembolic event.Arthroscopy 1998 Apr;14(3):321-4     

Knee arthroscopy with local anesthesia in ambulatory patients. Methods, results and patient compliance

Knee arthroscopy in locally anesthetized ambulatory patients has been performed by filling the knee joint with 50 ml to 60 ml of 0.5% prilocaine, with adrenaline and with additional local infiltration at the sites of puncture. During the arthroscopic procedure the joint cavity is further distended with a mixture of the same local anesthetic diluted 1:10 with physiological saline or Ringer's acetate. During a normal arthroscopy of the knee joint about 500 mg of the local anesthetic is used. In 17 patients the blood concentrations of the local anesthetic used was measured 2.5 min to 135 min after instillation. The highest plasma levels found (after 60 min to 120 min) were still 10 to 15 times lower than an acceptable upper plasma level. These low blood levels probably depend on a slow absorption and that a considerable amount of the local anesthetic is washed out after the arthroscopy. A questionnaire was sent to 278 patients who during a two year period had undergone arthroscopy as an outpatient procedure. The degree of satisfaction for the anesthetic procedure was highest for general anesthesia where 97% were completely satisfied. Sixty-four percent were satisfied when given spinal anesthesia. However, 11% had to be put to sleep due to insufficient spinal block and 12% had headaches more than one day after outpatient spinal anesthesia. Seventy-seven percent were satisfied with local anesthesia. There was no statistical difference between the degree of satisfaction after local or spinal anesthesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Knee arthroscopy in children and adolescents.

We report a series of 77 skeletally immature patients (41 children aged < or = 13 years and 36 adolescents aged 14-16 years) who underwent knee arthroscopy. The purpose of the study was to assess the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the value of arthroscopy. The correlation between clinical and arthroscopic diagnoses was analyzed in 54 patients. Arthroscopy confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 46.29% (25) of the patients. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis in patients aged 13 years and younger was 31.25%, whereas the accuracy in patients aged from 14 years to 16 years was 68.18%. Paediatric knee arthroscopy is a safe procedure that significantly improves the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, allows the definitive treatment of a variety of conditions and often prevents an unnecessary arthrotomy.     

Influence of quality of recovery on patient satisfaction with anaesthesia and surgery: a prospective observational cohort study

Patient satisfaction and quality of recovery are important measures of quality. Whether, and to what extent, patient satisfaction is influenced by quality of recovery, however, is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional influence of quality of recovery on total patient satisfaction with anaesthesia and surgery. In this prospective cohort study, we used a validated quality of recovery questionnaire and a multi‐item patient satisfaction questionnaire. Patients completed the quality of recovery questionnaire pre‐operatively and 24 h postoperatively. One to two weeks after discharge, a third quality of recovery questionnaire was sent out, together with the patient satisfaction questionnaire. If no response was received after 2 weeks, a reminder containing the quality of recovery and the satisfaction questionnaire were mailed. Seven hundred and thirty‐four patients were consecutively assessed for eligibility. Five hundred and seventy‐nine patients completed at least one questionnaire (recruitment rate 79%). Four hundred and sixty‐seven patients (81%) completed all four questionnaires. The total satisfaction score was high, with a mean (SD) of 94.6 (10.7) on a 0–100 scale. Correlation analysis between quality of recovery and total patient satisfaction showed correlations of 0.2–0.3. Testing different aspects of quality of recovery in models already containing the significant factors of patient satisfaction did not improve the model fit markedly. We conclude that quality of recovery has only a marginal additional effect on total patient satisfaction with anaesthesia and surgery.     

Knee function after arthroscopic meniscectomy. A prospective study

In a prospective study, operation under arthroscopy was done in 100 consecutive patients (11 women and 89 men) with a lesion of one meniscus. Meniscectomy was done in 86 patients with medial meniscus tears and in 14 with lateral tears. After 2 weeks, 85 patients were back at work.     

Knee function after arthroscopic meniscectomy: A prospective study

In a prospective study, operation under arthroscopy was done in 100 consecutive patients (11 women and 89 men) with a lesion of one meniscus. Meniscectomy was done in 86 patients with medial meniscus tears and in 14 with lateral tears. After 2 weeks, 85 patients were back at work.     

Progression of traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage: a prospective observational study

ABSTRACT Preliminary evidence has shown that intracerebral hemorrhages, either spontaneous (sICH) or traumatic (tICH) often expand over time. An association between hemorrhage expansion and clinical outcomes has been described for sICH. The intent of this prospective, observational study was to characterize the temporal profile of hemorrhage progression, as measured by serial computed tomography (CT) scanning, with the aim of better understanding the natural course of hemorrhage progression in tICH. There was also a desire to document the baseline adverse event (AE) profile in this patient group. An important motive for performing this study was to set the stage for subsequent studies that will examine the role of a new systemic hemostatic agent in tICH. Subjects were enrolled if they had tICH lesions of at least 2 mL on a baseline CT scan obtained within 6 h of a head injury. CT scans were repeated at 24 and 72 h. Clinical outcomes and pre-defined AEs were documented. The data showed that 51% of the subjects demonstrated an increase in tICH volume, and that most of the increase occurred early. In addition, larger hematomas exhibited the greatest expansion. Thromboembolic complications were identified in 13% of subjects. This study demonstrates that tICH expansion between the baseline and 24-h CT scans occurred in approximately half of the subjects. The earlier after injury that the initial CT scan is obtained, the greater is the likelihood that the hematoma will expand on subsequent scans. The time frame during which hemorrhagic expansion occurs provides an opportunity for early intervention to limit a process with adverse prognostic implications.