The Journal of arthroplasty
-
In the event of a postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE), it is generally believed that patients with centrally located emboli will have worse clinical symptoms than those with segmental or subsegmental ones. We studied if a relationship exists between the clinical severity at the time of PE diagnosis and the location of the emboli within the pulmonary vasculature. ⋯ The PESI, a recognized, validated predictor of mortality after PE was similar in patients with central, segmental, or subsegmental PE; and in patients with unilateral or bilateral lung involvement. The present study may aid clinicians while assessing and discussing the severity of PE symptoms with patients at the time of diagnosis.
-
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a devastating complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Modifiable patient risk factors as well as various intraoperative and postoperative variables have been associated with risk of PJI. In 2011, our institution formulated a "bundle" to optimize patient outcomes after THA and TKA. The purpose of this report is to describe the "bundle" protocol we implemented for primary THA and TKA patients and to analyze its impact on rates of PJI and readmission. ⋯ The bundle protocol we describe significantly reduced PJIs at our institution, which we attribute to patient selection, optimization of modifiable risk factors, and our perioperative protocol. We believe the bundle concept represents a systematic way to improve patient outcomes and increase value in total joint arthroplasty.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Relationship Between Polyethylene Wear and Periprosthetic Osteolysis in Total Hip Arthroplasty at 12 Years in a Randomized Controlled Trial Cohort.
Polyethylene acetabular components are common in hip arthroplasty. Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) has lower wear than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Evidence suggests that wear particles induce inflammation causing periprosthetic osteolysis contributing to implant loosening with wear rates of 0.05 mm/y were considered safe. We aimed to compare incidence and volume of periacetabular osteolysis between HXLPE and UHMWPE using computed tomography. ⋯ This data demonstrates lower incidence of periacetabular osteolysis in the HXLPE group of a small cohort. Although numbers are too low to estimate causation, in the context of lower wear in the HXLPE group, this finding supports the hypothesis that HXLPE may not elevate osteolysis risk, and hence does not suggest that HXLPE wear particles are more biologically active than those generated by earlier generations of polyethylene.
-
When surgeons reconstruct hips with a high dislocation related to severe developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in total hip arthroplasty (THA), archiving long-term stable implant fixation and improving patient function and satisfaction remain challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 10-year outcomes of transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy in cementless, modular THA in Crowe type IV-Hartofilakidis type III DDH. ⋯ Our data demonstrated that the cementless, modular THA combined with transverse subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy was an effective and reliable technique with high rates of successful fixation of the implants and satisfactory clinical outcomes.
-
Changes in reimbursement for total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA and TKA) have placed increased financial burden of early readmission on hospitals and surgeons. Our purpose was to characterize factors of 30-day readmission for surgical complications after THA and TKA at a single, high-volume orthopedic specialty hospital. ⋯ Risk factors for 30-day readmission for surgical complications included short LOS, discharge destination, increased procedure/tourniquet time, potent anticoagulation use, and preoperative diagnosis of depression. A focus on risk factor modification and improved risk stratification models are necessary to optimize patient care using readmission rates as a quality benchmark.