Comparative Study on the Trans-Province Transfer of the Multiple Trauma Patients after Sichuan Earthquake

Background: Trans-province transfer of the patients has been successfully carried out and has greatly relieved the burden of the hospitals in Sichuan Province after Sichuan earthquake. The aim of the study was to retrospectively analyze the efficacy and feasibility of the trans-province transfer of the multiple trauma patients after Sichuan earthquake. Methods: A retrospective and descriptive analysis was conducted based on the medical records of the multiple trauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) transferred to the Grade 3A hospitals outside Sichuan province. The patients were divided into two groups based on the distance to Sichuan province, i.e., Group A (the seismic patients transferred to Chongqing) and Group B (the seismic patients transferred to the other provinces/ municipalities). A comparison was done in aspects of distance of transfer, time from injury to transfer, vital signs, the infection rates (at transfer and on discharge), injury severity and prognostic indices (cure rate, disability rate and mortality). Results: The distance between Chengdu and the other places was at a wide range of 313 - 1653 km, whereas the time from injury to transfer showed no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between both groups with respects to patient demographics, injury mechanism, time from injury to transfer, vital signs, infection rate and injury severity. The prognostic indices showed no significant difference, except for FIM scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the different distance of the transfer of the multiple trauma patients does not aggravate the severity or deteriorate the prognosis, which proves that the medical supportive transfer system is acceptable, effective and worthy of further implementation in China, which may be ascribed to the advanced transportation system and high level of therapeutic capacity of the hospitals. In the meantime, attention should be paid to psychological intervention and functional rehabilitation during the treatment of the transferred seismic patients.

Long-term results of synovectomy in total knee arthroplasty:a prospective,randomized controlled trial

Background:Synovectomy has been introduced into total knee arthroplasty(TKA)with the aim of relieving pain and inflammation of the synovium.However,there are no long-term,comparative data to evaluate the effect of synovectomy in TKA.This study was aimed at assessing pain,function,and complications in patients undergoing synovectomy during TKA for osteoarthritis(OA)at long-term follow-up.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled trial of 42 consecutive patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA.Patients undergoing the first-side TKA were allocated to receive TKA with or without synovectomy followed by a 3-month washout period and crossover to the other strategy for the opposite-side TKA.The overall efficacy of both strategies was evaluated by determination of blood loss,the Knee Society score(KSS),and knee inflammation conditions during a 3-month postoperative period.The postoperative pain,range of motion(ROM),and complications were sequentially evaluated to compare the two groups until 10 years after surgery.Results:At the 10-year follow-up,both groups had a similarly significantly improved ROM(114.88±9.84°vs.114.02±9.43°,t=0.221,P=0.815)and pain relief with no differences between the two groups(1.0[1.0]vs.1.0[1.5],U=789.500,P=0.613).Similar changes in total blood loss,KSS,and knee inflammation were found in both groups during 3 months postoperatively(P>0.05).Additionally,there was no significant difference regarding complications and satisfaction between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions:Synovectomy in conjunction with TKA for primary OA does not seem to provide any benefit regarding postoperative pain,ROM,and satisfaction during a 10-year follow-up.In addition,it may not result in more blood loss and increased incidence of long-term complications.Based on our long-term findings,it should not be performed routinely.Trial registration:Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR-INR-16008245;https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=13334.

A pre-operative high-protein diet can improve the serum albumin levels of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

To the Editor:Malnutrition is associated with an increased risk of complications after total knee arthroplasty(TKA),including persistent wound drainage,delay of wound healing,superficial surgical site and even deep periprosthetic joint infections,and intensive care unit admission.[1]Albumin(ALB)is the most abundant protein in human plasma and is considered a reliable and sensitive biomarker of nutritional status and malnutrition.Like malnutrition,low serum ALB levels are not only associated with various post-operative complications following TKA including pulmonary infection,renal impairment,superficial and deep infections,unplanned intubation,and even mortality;but also associated with increased treatment costs,longer length of stay and higher risk of readmission.[2]

Combination of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen is useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory diseases

Background:The screening of periprosthetic joint infection(PJI)in patients with inflammatory diseases before revision arthroplasty remains uncertain.Serum C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),plasma fbrinogen(FIB),monocyte/lymphocyte ratio,and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)can help screening PJI,but their values in patients with infammatory diseases have not been determined.Methods:Patients with inflammatory diseases who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty at West China Hospital,Sichuan University,from January 2008 to September 2020 were divided into infected and non-infected groups based on the 2013 International Consensus Meeting criteria.Sensitivity and specificity of the tested biomarkers for diagnosing infection were determined based on receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and optimal cutoffs were determined based on the Y ouden index.The diagnostic ability of these biomarkers was re-assessed after combining them with each other.Results:A total of 62 patients with inflammatory diseases were studied;of them 30 were infected.The area under the ROC curve was 0.813 for CRP,0.638 for ESR,0.795 for FIB,and 0.656 for NLR.The optimal predictive cutoff of CRP was 14.04 mg/L with a sensitivity of 86.2%and a specificity of 68.7%,while FIB had a sensitivity of 72.4%and a specificity of 81.2%with the optimal predictive cutoff of 4.04 g/L.The combinations of CRP with FIB produced a sensitivity of 86.2%and specificity of 78.1%.Conclusion:CRP with a slightly higher predictive cutoff and FIB are useful for screening PJI in patients with inflammatory diseases,and the combination of CRP and FIB may further improve the diagnostic values.

Effects of tranexamic acid on vascular occlusive events and perioperative resuscitation in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing total joint arthroplasty

To the Editor:Tranexamic acid(TXA)has recently become popular for use in orthopedic surgeries owing to its efficacy in reducing blood loss,transfusion rates,and mortality without increasing the risk of deep venous thrombosis.ll Although the ideal dosage and route for TXA administration remain unclear,it has become one of the most important parts of the perioperative blood conservation strategy.However,it remains controversial to prescribe TXA to patients with cardiovascular diseases,because of prothrombotic and proconvulsant effects,which potentially increases cardiovascular risk.