Mildly decreased preoperative bilirubin levels are associated with infections after shoulder and knee arthroplasty

Increasing numbers of arthroplasties are also accompanied by postoperative infections. The main purpose was to evaluate preoperative serum bilirubin levels between patients with and without infections after shoulder and knee arthroplasties. For this retrospective case-control single-center study, a total of 108 patients were extracted from a prospectively collected database. Eighteen patients with infections after shoulder (n = 8) and knee (n = 10) arthroplasty were matched by age, gender, and implant type in a 1:5-scenario to 90 patients (40 shoulders and 50 knees) without postoperative infection. Demographic data, preoperative blood parameters, and postoperative infection-related outcomes were evaluated. Total bilirubin was the only preoperative parameter significantly different between the infection (8.21 ± 3.25 μmol/L or 0.48 ± 0.19 mg/dL) and noninfection (10.78 ± 4.62 μmol/L or 0.63 ± 0.27 mg/dL; P = .014) group, while C-reactive protein and other liver parameters were similar between the groups. Significantly more controls (92.1%) had preoperative bilirubin levels above 8.72 μmol/L or 0.51 mg/dL than cases (7.9%; P = .007). The 5-year infection survival-rate was 65.6% for patients with preoperative bilirubin levels < 8.72 μmol/L or < 0.51 mg/dL and 91.2% with ≥ 8.72 μmol/L or ≥ 0.51 mg/dL. Mildly decreased preoperative bilirubin levels with a cutoff at 8.72 μmol/L or 0.51 mg/dL were significantly associated to patients with infections after shoulder and knee arthroplasty. There were no differences in other blood parameters or comorbidities between patients with infections and their matched-controls.     

Expression of TRIM22 mRNA in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with direct-acting antiviral drugs

Hepatitis C is a global public health problem, and Pakistan is the second largest country in the globe with highest prevalence rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Until 2014, pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) has been the standard therapy for HCV, however, owing to its adverse side effects and very low sustained virologic response (SVR) rates therapeutics trend is shifted toward direct-acting antivirals. Tripartite motif containing 22 (TRIM22) is a dynamic antiviral protein that can inhibit multiple viruses in vivo. Expression of TRIM22 mRNA has been linked to outcome of PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy, where its higher expression leads to rapid virus clearance. However, in terms of therapy with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) or double DAA, impact of TRIM22 expression is largely unknown. These new drugs show more than 90% of SVR rates and lesser side effects and have proven to be better than IFN therapy. Endogenous IFN system suppresses various pathogens through the induction of antiviral effectors termed as interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs). We have studied the expression levels of one of these antiviral effectors, TRIM22 in response to sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) in combination with RBV, using quantitative PCR in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HCV-infected patients. We have observed sustained virus clearance in more than 90% of patients treated with DAA and double DAA and have seen the expression of TRIM22 to be higher in patients who attained SVR as compared to the untreated patients. We have also observed downregulation of TRIM22 in patients who failed to attain rapid virus clearance, and upregulation in those who achieved rapid clearance of virus. Genetic factors that determine the lower TRIM22 expression in these patients are needed to be explored that may also play a role in lower response to anti-HCV therapy. Endogenous IFN system and effects of antiviral proteins in response to DAA therapy is needed to be studied in order to better understand the host response toward these drugs to make them more effective.     

Role of pulsed electromagnetic fields after joint replacements

Although the rate of patients reporting satisfaction is generally high after joint replacement surgery, up to 23% after total hip replacement and 34% after total knee arthroplasty of treated subjects report discomfort or pain 1 year after surgery. Moreover, chronic or subacute inflammation is reported in some cases even a long time after surgery. Another open and debated issue in prosthetic surgery is implant survivorship, especially when related to good prosthesis bone ingrowth. Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields(PEMFs) treatment, although initially recommended after total joint replacement to promote bone ingrowth and to reduce inflammation and pain, is not currently part of usual clinical practice. The purpose of this review was to analyze existing literature on PEMFs effects in joint replacement surgery and to report results of clinical studies and current indications. We selected all currently available prospective studies or RCT on the use of PEMFs in total joint replacement with the purpose of investigating effects of PEMFs on recovery, pain relief and patients' satisfaction following hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty. All the studies analyzed reported no adverse effects, and good patient compliance to the treatment. The available literature shows that early control of joint inflammation process in the first days after surgery through the use of PEMFs should be considered an effective completion of the surgical procedure to improve the patient's functional recovery.     

Bloqueo bilateral del grupo de nervios pericapsulares (PENG) como analgesia en cirugía de cadera infantil

Effective management and control of peri- and postoperative pain in hip surgery is essential in order to minimize the use of opioids and their adverse effects. Effective regional analgesia for hip pain is made particularly challenging by the complex innervation of the hip joint. Standard regional techniques can be associated with complications, including incomplete anesthesia, hypotension, or lower limb weakness. We present the case of a 5-year-old girl with a history of infantile cerebral palsy who underwent bilateral varus derotation osteotomy and adductor tenotomy due to paralytic dislocation. She received bilateral PENG block and femoral cutaneous nerve block - a simple technique that covers all the nerves involved in the sensory innervation of the joint capsule without the need for multiple injections.     

Acute total hip arthroplasty for older patients with acetabular fractures: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveMultiple treatment options for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients exist. However, no large-scale studies have reported the outcomes of acute total hip arthroplasty (THA) in this patient population. We systematically evaluated all available evidence to characterize clinical outcomes, complications, and revisions of acute THA for acetabular fractures in geriatric patients.MethodsMeta-analysis of 21 studies of 430 acetabular fractures with mean follow-up of 44 months (range, 17−97 months). Two independent researchers searched and evaluated the databases of Ovid, Embase, and United States National Library of Medicine using a Boolean search string up to December 2019. Population demographics and complications, including presence of heterotopic ossification (HO), dislocation, infection, revision rate, neurological deficits, and venous thromboembolic event (VTE), were recorded and analyzed.ResultsWeighted mean Harris Hip Score was 83.3 points, and 20% of the patients had reported complications. The most common complication was HO, with a rate of 19.5%. Brooker grade III and IV HO rates were lower at 6.8%. Hip dislocation occurred at a rate of 6.1%, 4.1% of patients developed VTE, deep infection occurred in 3.8%, and neurological complications occurred in 1.9%. Although the revision rate was described in most studies, we were unable to perform a survival analysis because the time to each revision was described in only a few studies. The revision rate was 4.3%.ConclusionsAcute THA is a viable option for treatment of acetabular fracture and can result in acceptable clinical outcomes and survivorship rates in older patients but with an associated complication rate of approximately 20%. Considering the limited treatment options, THA might be a viable alternative for appropriately selected patients.     

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for non-union of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for nonunion of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture is reported. A valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy was performed for a failed sliding hip screw fixation of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture at another institution. Four months following osteotomy, the fracture was still un-united with two distal screws of the hip plate broken and a coxa vara deformity. Reconstruction was performed with a nine-hole 95° angle blade plate and cancellous bone graft, because the insufficient fixation of the distal fragment was considered to be the main reason for failure. The osteotomy was healed at six months post-surgery and the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy is an effective procedure for mal-union and non-union of pertrochanteric fracture but stable fixation is required for a good result. The blade of the angle plate offers good purchase of the proximal fragment and secures it under rotational and bending stresses. We recommend that distal fragments should be fixed with at least seven cortices for this type of osteotomy.     

Proximal load transfer with a stemless uncemented femoral implant

Bone stock preservation is crucial when performing total hip replacement in young patients. The aim is to save good bone stock for a possible revision procedure. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand from young and active patients to receive a new joint which allows a normal or nearly normal life style. With this in mind, we began, in 1993, to develop a new femoral implant. The purpose of this ultra-short stem was a physiologic strain distribution on the proximal femur with a proximal load transfer from the implant to the femoral bone. Main features were an almost complete absence of the diaphyseal portion of the stem, a well defined lateral flare with load transfer on the lateral column of the femur, and a very high femoral neck cut. These innovations resulted in a conservative implant on both the bone stock and the soft tissues. This implant, in the first years, was recommended only for young and active patients. Over the last thirteen years, this project has undergone several modifications but the basic principles of the implant have remained the same. In the present review, we present the rationale, the surgical technique and the clinical and experimental results so far obtained with this implant.     

全髋关节置换术治疗强直性脊柱炎致髋关节强直的疗效及康复锻炼的意义

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for bony ankylosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and the significance of postoperative rehabilitation. Meth-ods From October 1998 to May 2007, 28 patients (46 hips) suffered from ankylosing spondylitis with hip bony ankylosis underwent THA. There were 27 males, 1 female, with the mean age of 38.9 years (range 22 to 58 years). Posterior lateral hip incision was performed in 34 hips, and modified anterior lateral combined with lateral hip incision in 12 hips. Forty hips applied cementless THA and 6 hips applied mixed THA. Har-ris scores, VAS scores and total hip range of motion in all patients were compared pre-and postoperatively to evaluate the clinical effects. Results All patients were followed up from 10 months to 64 months, with the mean time of 38.2 months. No paralysis, decubitus, and lung infection were found. Joint dislocation hap-pened in 1 case 2 weeks after operation, and was cured with close reduction. Heterotopic bone formation with Brooker Ⅰ was found in 6 hips and Brooker Ⅱ in 2 hips. Harris score increased from 28.3±10.3 preop-eratively to 82.7±7.6 postoperatively. VAS score changed from 3.5±1.4 preoperatively to 3.8±1.8 postopera-tively, and no significance was found. The hip movement range increased from 15.6°±9.3° preoperatively to 133.7°±17.6° postoperatively. Bony ankylosis in all patients disappeared and the hip function improved sig-nificantly after operation. Conclusion THA is the optimal method to treat the ankylosing spondylitis with hip bony ankylosis. Early rehabilitation is necessary to improve hip function.