Total knee replacement following high tibial osteotomy versus total knee replacement without high tibial osteotomy: a systematic review and meta analysis

Introduction

Currently, there is no consensus as to whether total knee replacement(TKR) following high tibial osteotomy(HTO) provides similar postoperative outcomes as compared to TKR without previous HTO. Previous studies have provided limited evidence to small sample sizes and methodological inappropriateness.

Methods

A systematic search process was conducted utilising PRISMA guidelines. Electronic, peer reviewed and published literatures were searched. Databases searched include Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed and cross references. Methodological appropriateness was assessed with Papadokastakis system and Critical Appraisal Skills questionnaire. Data were analysed for both clinical and statistical homogeneity. Meta analytic pooling was subsequently performed.

Results

11 studies including 2170 TKR procedures were analysed for systematic review. The study (TKR following previous HTO) and control (TKR without previous HTO) groups were adequately matched for age, sex ratio and follow-up. Meta analysis of six studies utilising KSS system and four studies utilising HSS system showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the two groups. Complications also showed no significant difference between the two groups. At an average follow-up of 7.2 years, with revision arthroplasty for any cause as the endpoint, survivorship for the study and control groups was 95 and 97 %, respectively. For revision arthroplasty with aseptic loosening as the end point, the survivorship was 98 % for both groups.

Conclusion

Systematic review and meta analysis suggested that TKR following HTO provides similar outcomes as compared to TKR without previous HTO. Therefore, a previous HTO does not negatively influence a future TKR, though the conversion process of HTO to TKR is technically challenging. Systematic review also identified paucity in prospective and long term studies.     

Quantitative corneal neural imaging using in vivo confocal microscopy in cases of congenital corneal anesthesia: A prospective analysis and clinical correlation

Purpose:Congenital corneal anesthesia (CCA) is a rare clinical entity that poses a diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the pediatric age group with very little literature on this. Accurate initial diagnosis, evaluation, early identification of risk factors, aggressive systemic workup, and appropriate therapy are paramount to prevent visual loss due to long-term complications of corneal anesthesia. The purpose of the study was to estimate and compare the corneal neural architecture using real time, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with CCA as against a control population.Methods:This was a retrospective nonconsecutive, comparative clinical case series in a tertiary hospital in South India from June 2015 to December 2018.Methods:IVCM was accomplished in cooperative children in whom central cornea was relatively clear. The clearest three to five images from each eye were selected, and the nerves were analyzed for length, thickness, density, dichotomous pattern, and beading. Statistical analysis was done using Origin v7.0 (Origin Lab Corporation, Northampton, MA, USA).Results:In total, 15 eyes of 11 cases and 20 eyes of 10 controls were imaged. Measurements on corneal nerve density showed a significant difference (P = 0.0005), cases having a lower mean (3.85 ± 1.38 mm per mm²) compared to the controls (6.74 ± 1.75 mm per mm²). Measurements on corneal nerve length (P = 0.28), thickness (P = 0.45), and presence of beading (P = 0.97) and dichotomous pattern (P = 0.07) did not reveal a significant difference between cases and controls.Conclusion:There is a strong relationship between the functional loss (absent corneal sensation) and anatomical decrease (reduced subbasal nerve density) of corneal nerves in congenital corneal anaesthesia.     

An Inter-Observer Agreement Study of Autofluorescence Endoscopy in Barrett’s Esophagus Among Expert and Non-Expert Endoscopists

Background

Autofluorescence imaging (AFI), which is a “red flag” technique during Barrett’s surveillance, is associated with significant false positive results. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-observer agreement (IOA) in identifying AFI-positive lesions and to assess the overall accuracy of AFI.

Methods

Anonymized AFI and high resolution white light (HRE) images were prospectively collected. The AFI images were presented in random order, followed by corresponding AFI + HRE images. Three AFI experts and 3 AFI non-experts scored images after a training presentation. The IOA was calculated using kappa and accuracy was calculated with histology as gold standard.

Results

Seventy-four sets of images were prospectively collected from 63 patients (48 males, mean age 69 years). The IOA for number of AF positive lesions was fair when AFI images were presented. This improved to moderate with corresponding AFI and HRE images [experts 0.57 (0.44–0.70), non-experts 0.47 (0.35–0.62)]. The IOA for the site of AF lesion was moderate for experts and fair for non-experts using AF images, which improved to substantial for experts [κ = 0.62 (0.50–0.72)] but remained at fair for non-experts [κ =  0.28 (0.18–0.37)] with AFI + HRE. Among experts, the accuracy of identifying dysplasia was 0.76 (0.7–0.81) using AFI images and 0.85 (0.79–0.89) using AFI + HRE images. The accuracy was 0.69 (0.62–0.74) with AFI images alone and 0.75 (0.70–0.80) using AFI + HRE among non-experts.

Conclusion

The IOA for AF positive lesions is fair to moderate using AFI images which improved with addition of HRE. The overall accuracy of identifying dysplasia was modest, and was better when AFI and HRE images were combined.     

Radiographic and computed tomography analysis of cemented pegged polyethylene glenoid components in total shoulder replacement

BACKGROUND: Glenoid loosening continues to be the primary reason for failure of total shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, with use of a sensitive and reproducible imaging method, the radiographic and clinical results of total shoulder replacement with a pegged, cemented polyethylene glenoid implant. METHODS: Forty-three patients (forty-seven shoulders) underwent a total shoulder replacement with a cemented polyethylene glenoid component with four threaded pegs. The patients were examined clinically, with fluoroscopically guided radiographs, and with computed tomography at an average of forty months. In addition to conventional scoring of radiographic lucency, an 18-point scoring system was used to quantify cement-peg lucencies in six zones of the back surface of the glenoid component as seen on computed tomography scans. RESULTS: On the average, the absolute Constant score improved from 39 points preoperatively to 70 points at the time of follow-up (p = 0.0001) and the pain score improved from 5 to 13 points (p = 0.001). The mean active anterior elevation improved by 34 degrees (p = 0.001) and the mean abduction, by 46 degrees (p = 0.006). Two patients had symptomatic glenoid loosening requiring revision. Twenty-one of the forty-seven shoulders had radiographic lucency around the glenoid pegs, and nine had progression of the lucency by at least two grades. Computed tomography detected lucencies, primarily at the bone-cement interface, in thirty-six shoulders. The scores for the lucencies seen on the computed tomography scans were associated with the radiographic lucency scores (p < 0.001), pain scores (p = 0.04), and abduction strength (p = 0.02). Computed tomography was more sensitive than radiography with regard to identifying the number of pegs associated with lucency and the size of the lucencies. The overall reproducibility of the scoring based on the computed tomography was higher than that of the radiographic scoring. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography provided a more sensitive and reproducible tool for the assessment of loosening of pegged glenoid components than did fluoroscopically guided conventional radiography. Further improvement in implant design and fixation technique appears to be necessary for long-term success of cemented glenoid components.