The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2010
Comparative StudyThe influence of procedure volumes and standardization of care on quality and efficiency in total joint replacement surgery.
The relationship between surgeon and hospital procedure volumes and clinical outcomes in total joint arthroplasty has long fueled a debate over regionalization of care. At the same time, numerous policy initiatives are focusing on improving quality by incentivizing surgeons to adhere to evidence-based processes of care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent contributions of surgeon procedure volume, hospital procedure volume, and standardization of care on short-term postoperative outcomes and resource utilization in lower-extremity total joint arthroplasty. ⋯ Although surgeon and hospital procedure volumes are unquestionably correlated with patient outcomes in total joint arthroplasty, process standardization is also strongly associated with improved quality and efficiency of care. The exact relationship between individual processes of care and patient outcomes has not been established; however, our findings suggest that process standardization could help providers optimize quality and efficiency in total joint arthroplasty, independent of hospital or surgeon volume.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2010
Comparative StudySymptomatic progression of asymptomatic rotator cuff tears: a prospective study of clinical and sonographic variables.
The purposes of this study were to identify changes in tear dimensions, shoulder function, and glenohumeral kinematics when an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear becomes painful and to identify characteristics of individuals who develop pain compared with those who remain asymptomatic. ⋯ Pain development in shoulders with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear is associated with an increase in tear size. Larger tears are more likely to develop pain in the short term than are smaller tears. Further research is warranted to investigate the role of prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic shoulders to avoid the development of pain and loss of shoulder function.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2010
Comparative StudyComparison of the outcomes of distraction osteogenesis for first and fourth brachymetatarsia.
Brachymetatarsia is the presence of an abnormally short metatarsal, and distraction osteogenesis has been used for its treatment. The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of first and/or fourth brachymetatarsia. ⋯ Distraction osteogenesis for first and/or fourth brachymetatarsia provided successful lengthening of a metatarsal with eventual osseous union and was associated with similar outcomes in terms of healing index, function score, and the prevalence of complications between the two groups, although frequent complications were encountered and no improvement in foot function was found.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialTopical application of tranexamic acid reduces postoperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, controlled trial.
Topical application of tranexamic acid to bleeding wound surfaces reduces blood loss in patients undergoing some major surgeries, without systemic complications. The objective of the present trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of the topical application of tranexamic acid on postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty with cement. ⋯ At the conclusion of a total knee arthroplasty with cement, topical application of tranexamic acid directly into the surgical wound reduced postoperative bleeding by 20% to 25%, or 300 to 400 mL, resulting in 16% to 17% higher postoperative hemoglobin levels compared with placebo, with no clinically important increase in complications being identified in the treatment groups.