Surgical site soft tissue thickness as a predictor of complications following arthroplasty

Appreciation of soft-tissue thickness(STT)at surgical sites is an increasingly recognized aspect of arthroplasty procedures as it may potentially impacting postoperative outcomes.Recent research has focused on the predictive value of preoperative STT measurements for complications following various forms of arthroplasty,particularly infections,across procedures such as total knee,hip,shoulder,and ankle replacements.Several studies have indicated that increased STT is associated with a higher risk of complications,including infection and wound healing issues.The assessment of STT before surgery could play a crucial role in identifying patients at a higher risk of complications and may be instru-mental in guiding preoperative planning to optimize outcomes in arthroplasty procedures.Standardized measurement techniques and further research are essential to enhance the reliability and clinical utility of STT assessment for arthro-plasty surgery.

Insights into complications after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Zhao's study,offers a comprehensive analysis of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA)revision indications.The study provides a detailed,case-by-case analysis of the factors leading to knee revision surgery in 13 patients.Not only elucidates the complexities of UKA revisions but also underscores the importance of continuous improvement in surgical techniques and the adoption of innovative technologies.

Resection of complex pancreatic injuries: Benchmarking postoperative complications using the Accordion classification

AIM To benchmark severity of complications using the Accordion Severity Grading System(ASGS) in patients undergoing operation for severe pancreatic injuries. METHODS A prospective institutional database of 461 patients with pancreatic injuries treated from 1990 to 2015 was reviewed. One hundred and thirty patients with AAST grade 3, 4 or 5 pancreatic injuries underwent resection(pancreatoduodenectomy, n = 20, distal pancreatectomy, n = 110), including 30 who had an initial damage controllaparotomy(DCL) and later definitive surgery. AAST injury grades, type of pancreatic resection, need for DCL and incidence and ASGS severity of complications were assessed. Uni-and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS Overall 238 complications occurred in 95(73%) patients of which 73% were ASGS grades 3-6. Nineteen patients(14.6%) died. Patients more likely to have complications after pancreatic resection were older, had a revised trauma score(RTS) < 7.8, were shocked on admission, had grade 5 injuries of the head and neck of the pancreas with associated vascular and duodenal injuries, required a DCL, received a larger blood transfusion, had a pancreatoduodenectomy(PD) and repeat laparotomies. Applying univariate logistic regression analysis, mechanism of injury, RTS < 7.8, shock on admission, DCL, increasing AAST grade and type of pancreatic resection were significant variables for complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis however showed that only age and type of pancreatic resection(PD) were significant. CONCLUSION This ASGS-based study benchmarked postoperative morbidity after pancreatic resection for trauma. The detailed outcome analysis provided may serve as a reference for future institutional comparisons.

Multiligament knee injuries with associated tibial plateau fractures: A report of two cases

The management of a combination of fracture and multiligament knee injury(MKI) in traumatic knee injury remains controversial, and there are evolving treatment recommendations. Currently, there are no studies focusing on older adult patients with MKI's in combination with tibia fractures. As a result, there is no well-established treatment algorithm for older adult patients with these complex injuries. We report two cases of MKI's with concomitant fractures in patients fifty years of age or older. Both patients were treated surgically for their associated tibial plateau fractures, but were managed with conservative treatment of the multiligamentous knee injuries. We also provide a review of the literature and guidelines for older adult patients with these types of complex traumatic injuries. Early to mid term acceptable outcomes were achieved for both patients through surgical fixation of the tibial plateau fracture and conservative treatment of the ligament injuries. We propose a comprehensive treatment algorithm for management of these complex injuries.

Complex knee injuries treated in acute phase: Long-term results using Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System artificial ligament

AIM To present the long-term results of complex knee injuries, treated early using the Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System(LARS) artificial ligament to reconstruct posterior cruciate ligament(PCL).METHODS From September 1997 to June 2010, thirty-eight complex knee injuries were treated, where early arthroscopic PCL reconstructions were undergone, using the LARS(Surgical Implants and Devices, Arc-sur-Tille, France) artificial ligament. Exclusion criteria were: Late(> 4 wk) reconstruction, open technique, isolated PCL reconstruction, knee degenerative disease, combinedfracture or vascular injury and use of allograft or autograft for PCL reconstruction. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed with IKDC Subjective Knee Form, KOS-ADLS questionnaire, Lysholm scale and SF-12 Health Survey. Posterior displacement(PD) was measured with the Telos Stress Device. RESULTS Seven patients were excluded; two because of coexisting knee osteoarthritis and the remaining five because of failure to attend the final follow-up. The sample consisted of 31 patients with mean age at the time of reconstruction 33.2 ± 12.5 years(range 17-61). The postoperative follow-up was on average 9.27 ± 4.27 years(range 5-18). The mean average IKDC and KOS scores were 79.32 ± 17.1 and 88.1 ± 12.47% respectively. Average PD was 3.61 ± 2.15 mm compared to 0.91 ± 1.17 mm in the uninjured knees(one with grade 1+ and two with grade 2 +). Dial test was found positive in one patient, whereas the quadriceps active drawer test was positive in three patients. None was tested positive on the reverse-pivot shift test. The range of motion(ROM) was normal in thirty knees, in comparison with the contralateral one. There was no extension deficit. Osteoarthritic changes were found in three knees(9.6%).CONCLUSION Early treatment of complex knee injuries, using LARS artificial ligament for PCL reconstruction sufficiently reduces posterior tibia displacement and provides satisfactory long-term functional outcomes.

Possible Risk Factors for Severe Complications Occurring after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective Total knee arthroplasty is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries.Readmission due to severe complications after total knee arthroplasty is a grave concern to surgeons.In this study,we evaluated the risk factors for severe complications after primary total knee arthroplasty.Methods We retrospectively collected clinical data of 2,974 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty from July 2013 to June 2019 in our hospital.Postoperative complication≥gradeⅢwas defined as severe complication according to Clavien-Dindo classification system.Binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictive risk factors for severe complications.Results The complication rate after primary total knee arthroplasty was 6.8%and severe complication rate was 2.5%.Male(OR=2.178,95%CI:1.324-3.585,P=0.002),individuals above 75 years old(OR=1.936,95%CI:1.155-3.244,P=0.012),arrhythmia(OR=2.913,95%CI:1.350-6.285,P=0.006)and cerebrovascular disease(OR=2.804,95%CI:1.432-5.489,P=0.003)were predictive risk factors for severe complications after primary total knee arthroplasty.Conclusion Advanced age,male,arrhythmia,and cerebrovascular disease might be patients-related risk factors for postoperative severe complications after primary total knee arthroplasty.Special attention should be paid to patients with risk factors.

A Mesh Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Different Warm-Up Exercises to Prevent Knee Injuries in Young Child Soccer Players

Objective: A mesh Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of four warm-up exercises to prevent knee injuries in juvenile soccer players. Method: They are a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on FIFA 11+ integrated warm-up, FIFA 11+ Kids integrated warm-up, and neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up for the prevention of knee joint in juvenile soccer players by a computer search of CNKI, CBMdisc, WanFangdata, Pubmed, Web of science, and SPORTDicus database. The search period was from the establishment of each database to February 2022. Two investigators screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed risk bias for the included studies according to the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and finally analyzed the data using Stata 14.0 software and OpenBUGS software. Results: A total of 10 RCT studies with 17,143 subjects, spanning the age range of 7 to 19 years, were included. The results of the reticulated Meta-analysis showed that all three warm-up modalities were effective in reducing the incidence of knee injuries in junior soccer players compared to conventional warm-up, with the optimality in descending order of FIFA 11+ Kids comprehensive warm-up (SUCRA = 85.3), neuromuscular training warm-up (SUCRA = 66.7), and FIFA 11+ combined warm-up (SUCRA = 44). Conclusion: The FIFA 11+ Kids comprehensive warm-up is the most effective warm-up exercise for the prevention of knee injuries in junior and child soccer players, but the above findings need further validation due to the quantity and quality of the literature and the quality of the evidence.

Functional Outcomes for Combined Acute Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Knee Injuries Treated Non-Operatively

Introduction: results after non-operative management for knees sustaining combined acute anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tears were presented. Subjects: 13 patients, 10 with medial, and 3 with lateral ligament injury. Methods: non-operative management consisted of employing a brace to prevent sagittal translation of the tibia. Quadriceps muscle and early passive knee motion exercises in the brace was encouraged immediately after arthroscopy. Weight-bearing was forbidden for 3 weeks. The brace was not removed for 3 months. Follow-up periods ranged from 2 to 6 years (mean, 3 years 2 months). Results: none, but one patient had a slight restriction of knee flexion. Quadriceps muscle strength revealed an average of 89.0% of normal side. The knee score indicated 2 patients rated good, 3 rated fair, and 8 rated poor. The score correlated with measurements of anterior and posterior translation on the stress radiograph significantly. Stress radiography revealed that anterior laxity was reduced better than posterior laxity significantly. Conclusion: non-operative brace therapy can be considered for this combined injury as the initial treatment. A late reconstruction would be performed when the result was not satisfactory. Preserved range of motion and muscle strength after brace therapy had a great advantage to the late reconstructive surgery.

3D Finite Element Model of Human Knee Injuries in the Traffic Accident

Objective To explore the injury mechanism of the human knee in a traffic accident by establishing a 3D finite element(FE) model. Methods The FE model, composed of femur, tibia, fibula, patella, meniscus, knee ligaments and surrounding soft tissues, was reconstructed by CT scanning data from a male volunteer. Validation was performed by the lateral impact simulation, and the stress and strain results were obtained to be compared with those previously reported for injury prediction. Results The results derived from the FE model were found to be similar with those previously reported, most of the ligaments and meniscus wounded at 40 m/s collision, which was readily observed. Conclusion The simulation results generated by FE model can be effectively used for the injury mechanism analysis of initial contact.

Strategies to reduce pulmonary complications after esophagectomy

Esophagectomy,the surgical removal of all or part of the esophagus,is a surgical procedure that is associated with high morbidity and mortality.Pulmonary complications are an especially important postoperative problem.Therefore,many perioperative strategies to prevent pulmonary complications after esophagectomy have been investigated and introduced in daily clinical practice.Here,we review these strategies,including improvement of patient performance and technical advances such as minimally invasive surgery that have been implemented in recent years.Furthermore,interventions such as methylprednisolone,neutrophil elastase inhibitor and epidural analgesia,which have been shown to reduce pulmonary complications,are discussed.Benefits of the commonly applied routine nasogastric decompression,delay of oral intake and prophylactic mechanical ventilation are unclear,and many of these strategies are also evaluated here.Finally,we will discuss recent insights and new developments aimed to improve pulmonary outcomes after esophagectomy.

Large bowel injuries during gynecological laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is one of the most frequently preferred surgical options in gynecological surgery and has advantages over laparotomy, including smaller surgical scars, faster recovery, less pain and earlier return of bowel functions. Generally, it is also accepted as safe and effective and patients tolerate it well. However, it is still an intra-abdominal procedure and has the similar potential risks of laparotomy, including injury of a vital structure, bleeding and infection. Besides the wellknown risks of open surgery, laparoscopy also has its own unique risks related to abdominal access methods,pneumoperitoneum created to provide adequate operative space and the energy modalities used during the procedures. Bowel, bladder or major blood vessel injuries and passage of gas into the intravascular space may result from laparoscopic surgical technique. In addition, the risks of aspiration, respiratory dysfunction and cardiovascular dysfunction increase during laparoscopy. Large bowel injuries during laparoscopy are serious complications because 50% of bowel injuries and60% of visceral injuries are undiagnosed at the time of primary surgery. A missed or delayed diagnosis increases the risk of bowel perforation and consequently sepsis and even death. In this paper, we aim to focus on large bowel injuries that happen during gynecological laparoscopy and review their diagnostic and management options.

Positioning patients for spine surgery: Avoiding uncommon position-related complications

Positioning patients for spine surgery is pivotal for optimal operating conditions and operative-site exposure. During spine surgery, patients are placed in positions that are not physiologic and may lead to complications. Perioperative peripheral nerve injury(PPNI) and postoperative visual loss(POVL) are rare complications related to patient positioning during spine surgery that result in significant patient disability and functional loss. PPNI is usually due to stretch or compression of the peripheral nerve. PPNI may present as a brachial plexus injury or as an isolated injury of single nerve, most commonly the ulnar nerve. Understanding the etiology, mechanism and pattern of injury with each type of nerve injury is important for the prevention of PPNI. Intraoperative neuromonitoring has been used to detect peripheral nerve conduction abnormalities indicating peripheral nerve stress under general anesthesia and to guide modification of the upper extremity position to prevent PPNI. POVL usually results in permanent visual loss. Most cases are associated with prolonged spine procedures in the prone position under general anesthesia. The most common causes of POVL after spine surgery are ischemic optic neuropathy and central retinal artery occlusion. Posterior ischemic opticneuropathy is the most common cause of POVL after spine surgery. It is important for spine surgeons to be aware of POVL and to participate in safe, collaborative perioperative care of spine patients. Proper education of perioperative staff, combined with clear communication and collaboration while positioning patients in the operating room is the best and safest approach. The prevention of uncommon complications of spine surgery depends primarily on identifying high-risk patients, proper positioning and optimal intraoperative management of physiological parameters. Modification of risk factors extrinsic to the patient may help reduce the incidence of PPNI and POVL.

Pulmonary complications after spine surgery

Spine surgery is one of the fastest growing branches of orthopedic surgery. Patients often present with a relatively high acuity and, depending on surgical approach, morbidity and mortality can be comparatively high. Among the most prevalent and most frequently fatalitybound perioperative complications are those affecting the pulmonary system; evidence of clinical or subclinical lung injury triggered by spine surgical procedures is emerging. Increasing burden of comorbidity among the patient population further increases the likelihood of adverse outcome. This review is intended to give an overview over some of the most important causes of pulmonary complications after spine surgery, their pathophysiology and possible ways to reduce harm associated with those conditions. We discuss factors surrounding surgical trauma, timing of surgery, bone marrow and debris embolization, transfusion associated lung injury, and ventilator associated lung injury.

Neurovascular complications due to the Hippocrates method for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations

In spite of the fact that the Hippocrates method hardly has been evaluated in a scientific manner and numerous associated iatrogenic complications have been reported, this method remains to be one of the most common techniques for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations. We report the case of a 69-year-old farmer under coumarin anticoagulant therapy who sustained acute first time anterior dislocation of his dominant right shoulder. By using the Hippocrates method with the patient under general anaesthesia, the brachial vein was injured and an increasing hematoma subsequently caused brachial plexus paresis by pressure. After surgery for decompression and vascular suturing, symptoms declined rapidly, but brachial plexus paresis still was not fully reversible after 3 mo of follow-up. The hazardousness of using the Hippocrates method can be explained by traction on the outstretched arm with force of the operator's body weight, direct trauma to the axillary region by the physician's heel, and the topographic relations of neurovascular structures and the dislocated humeral head. As there is a variety of alternative reduction techniques which have been evalu-ated scientifically and proofed to be safe, we strongly caution against the use of the Hippocrates method as a first line technique for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations, especially in elder patients with fragile vessels or under anticoagulant therapy, and recommend the scapular manipulation technique or the Milch technique, for example, as a first choice.

Liver transplantation in the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injuries

The place of liver transplantation in the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injuries has not yet been widely discussed in the literature. Bile duct injuries during cholecystectomy represent the leading cause of liver transplantation in this setting, while other indications after abdominal surgery are less common. Urgent liver transplantation for the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injury may-represent a surgical challenge requiring technically difficult and time consuming procedures. A debate is ongoing on the need for centralization of complex surgery in tertiary referral centers. The early referral of patients with severe iatrogenic liver injuries to a tertiary center with experienced hepato-pancreatobiliary and transplant surgery has emerged as the best treatment of care. Despite widespread interest in the use of liver transplantation as a treatment option for severe iatrogenic injuries, reported experiences indicate few liver transplants are performed. This review analyzes the literature on liver transplantation after hepatic injury and discusses our own experience along with surgical advances and future prospects in this uncommon transplant setting.

Pulmonary complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) is an effective palliative intervention that is widely accepted for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Post-TACE pulmonary complications resulting in acute lung injury(ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) are rare events. Pulmonary complications after TACE are thought to be related to chemical injury subsequent to the migration of the infused ethiodized oil or chemotherapeutic agent to the lung vasculature, facilitated by arteriovenous(AV) shunts within the hyper-vascular HCC. We review herein the literature on pulmonary complications related to TACE for HCC. Post-TACE pulmonary complications have included pulmonary oil embolism, interstitial pneumonitis, chemical pneumonitis, ALI, ARDS, lipoid pneumonia, acute eosinophilic and neutrophilic pneumonia, bilious pleuritis, pulmonary abscess, pulmonary tumor embolism, and possibly pulmonary metastasis with HCC. The risk factors associated with post-TACE pulmonary complications identified in the literature include large hyper-vascular HCC with AV shunts, large-volume Lipiodol infusion, and embolization via the right inferior phrenic artery. However, the absence of known risk factors is not a guarantee against serious complications. An astute awareness of the potential post-TACE pulmonary complications should expedite appropriate therapeutic interventions and increase potential for early recovery.

Chronic complications of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury(SCI) is a serious medical condition that causes functional, psychological and socioeconomic disorder. Therefore, patients with SCI experience significant impairments in various aspects of their life. The goals of rehabilitation and other treatment approaches in SCI are to improve functional level, decrease secondary morbidity and enhance health-relatedquality of life. Acute and long-term secondary medical complications are common in patients with SCI. However, chronic complications especially further negatively impact on patients' functional independence and quality of life. Therefore, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of chronic secondary complications in patients with SCI is critical for limiting these complications, improving survival, community participation and health-related quality of life. The management of secondary chronic complications of SCI is also important for SCI specialists, families and caregivers as well as patients. In this paper, we review data about common secondary longterm complications after SCI, including respiratory complications, cardiovascular complications, urinary and bowel complications, spasticity, pain syndromes, pressure ulcers, osteoporosis and bone fractures. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of risk factors, signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment approaches for secondary long-term complications in patients with SCI.

Injuries in Spanish female soccer players

Background: Epidemiologic research to learn the incidence, type, location, and severity of female soccer injuries and the risk factors for sustaining a sport injury is the first step in developing preventive policies. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of injuries in the population of female soccer players in Spain.Methods: The injuries incurred by 25,397 female soccer players were registered by the medical staff of the Spanish Football Federation during 1 season. A standardized medical questionnaire was used to classify the injury according to type, severity, location, and injury mechanism. A total of 2108 injuries was reported with an incidence of 0.083 injuries per player per season. Most injuries were in the lower limbs(74.0%), mainly affecting knee(30.4%) and ankle joints(17.9%).Results: The proportion of injuries derived from contact with another player was higher during matches(33.7%) than during training(11.4%;p < 0.001). Noncontact injuries were classified as severe more frequently than were contact injuries(51.0% vs. 42.6%; p < 0.001). A higher incidence of injury was found in adult soccer players(≥18 years) vs. their counterparts younger than 18 years(0.094 vs. 0.072 injuries per player per year, respectively; p < 0.001). There were no differences between age groups in any other injury variable(e.g., type, mechanism, location, or severity; p > 0.05).Conclusion: Most female soccer injuries were located at the knee and ankle; the injury mechanism determined the playing time lost; and the player's age did not affect injury characteristics.

Early complications of preoperative external traction fixation in the staged treatment of tibial fractures:A series of 402 cases

BACKGROUND Different external skeletal fixators have been widely used in preoperative traction of high-energy tibial fractures prior to a definitive surgical treatment.However,the early complications associated with this staged treatment for traction and soft tissue injury recovery have rarely been discussed.AIM To analyze the early complications associated with preoperative external traction fixation in the staged treatment of tibial fractures.METHODS A total of 402 patients with high-energy tibial fractures treated using preoperative external traction fixation at a Level 1 trauma center from 2014 to 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study.Data regarding the demographic information,Tscherne soft tissue injury,fracture site,entry point placement,and duration of traction were recorded.Procedure-related complications such as movement and sensation disorder,vessel injury,discharge,infection,loosening,and iatrogenic fractures were analyzed.RESULTS The mean patient age was 42.5(18-71)years,and the mean duration of traction was 7.5(0-26)d.In total,19(4.7%)patients presented with procedure-related complications,including technique-associated complications in 6 patients and nursing-associated complications in 13.Differences in the incidence of complications with respect to sex,affected side,soft tissue injury classification,and fracture sites were not observed.However,the number of complications due to hammer insertion was significantly reduced than those due to drill insertions(2.9%vs 7.4%).CONCLUSION We found a low incidence of early complications related to the fixation.Furthermore,the complications were not significantly associated with the severity of the soft tissue injury and fracture site.Although relatively rough and more likely to cause pain,the number of complications associated with hammer insertion was significantly smaller than that of complications associated with drill insertion.

Devastating complication of negative pressure wound therapy after deep inferior epigastric perforator free flap surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Thermal injuries on free transferred or replanted tissues resulting from loss of sensibility are an infrequent occurrence.They require immediate and appropriate management before they progress to an irreversible condition.Although negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT)can prevent wound progression by increasing microcirculation,the inappropriate application of NPWT on complicationthreatened transferred and replanted tissues can induce an adverse effect.CASE SUMMARY A 48-year-old woman who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap.While applying a heating pad directly to the flap site,she sustained a deep second to third-degree contact burn over 30%of the transferred flap on postoperative 7 d.As the necrotic changes had progressed,we applied an NPWT dressing over the burned area after en-bloc debridement of the transferred tissues on postoperative 21 d.After 4 d of NPWT application,the exposed fatty tissues of the flap changed to dry and browncolored necrotic tissues.Upon further debridement,we noted that the wound gradually reached total necrosis with a collapsed vascular pedicle of deep inferior epigastric artery.CONCLUSION Although NPWT has been shown to be successful for treating various wound types,the significant risk of NPWT application in short-lasting reconstructed flap wounds after thermal injury should be reminded.