Antônio Altenor Bessa de Queiroz

Approach towards total knee arthroplasty in Brazil: cross-sectional study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has evolved particularly since the 1970s, with improvements in implants and surgical instruments, and has thus become an effective intervention for treating knee arthrosis. Many studies have presented rates of satisfactory clinical and radiological results greater than 90%, from follow-ups of over ten years. Nevertheless, despite scientific evidence showing the efficacy of TKA, the approaches taken present controversies in certain respects. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the Brazilian orthopedists deal with TKA, with investigation of the main aspects of this procedure. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional survey conducted during the 39th Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology, in São Paulo, Brazil, in November 2007. METHODS We applied a questionnaire to orthopedists registered at the congress. The questionnaire was randomly distributed and participation was voluntary; 858 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis. RESULTS Most of the Brazilian orthopedists were members of SBOT and worked in the southeastern region. They used imported cemented implants through an anterior access route centered on the patella, with replacement of the joint surface of the patella and preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament. They did not have experience with simultaneous bilateral TKA. Postoperatively, they used antibiotics and suction drains for 48 hours. There was no consensus regarding prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism or the frequency of the main complications. CONCLUSION The majority of Brazilian orthopedists work in the southeastern region of the country and agree about the main aspects of the approaches towards TKA.

Avaliação dos métodos de mensuração da altura patelar na radiografia digital

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the most common methods for measuring patellar height and the impact of observer experience in correlations with the other observers using digital radiography. Methods: Sixty digital radiographs of the knee in lateral view were analyzed by four observers: a physician in the second year of medical residence in orthopedics (R2); a physician in the third year of medical residence in orthopedics (R3); an orthopedic surgeon who was a specialist in knee surgery (SK); and a radiologist who was a specialist in musculoskeletal radiology (SR). The indices used were: Insall-Salvati (IS), Blackburne-Peel (BP), Caton-Deschamps (CD) and modified Insall-Salvati (ISM). The interobserver agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient (κ). Results: The highest correlation coefficients were found when using the IS method followed by the CD method. The worst correlation was observed in the ISM method. The highest interobserver agreement was found between the orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery and the radiologist specializing in musculoskeletal radiology, for the four measurement methods used. Conclusion: Using digital radiography, the Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps indexes presented the highest interobserver agreement, and this was also positively influenced by the observer’s level of experience.

Assessment of patellar height measurement methods from digital radiography

Objective: To analyze the most common methods for measuring patellar height and the impact of observer experience in correlations with the other observers using digital radiography. Methods: Sixty digital radiographs of the knee in lateral view were analyzed by four observers: a physician in the second year of medical residence in orthopedics (R2); a physician in the third year of medical residence in orthopedics (R3); an orthopedic surgeon who was a specialist in knee surgery (SK); and a radiologist who was a specialist in musculoskeletal radiology (SR). The indices used were: Insall-Salvati (IS), Blackburne-Peel (BP), Caton-Deschamps (CD) and modified Insall-Salvati (ISM). The interobserver agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient (κ). Results: The highest correlation coefficients were found when using the IS method followed by the CD method. The worst correlation was observed in the ISM method. The highest interobserver agreement was found between the orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery and the radiologist specializing in musculoskeletal radiology, for the four measurement methods used. Conclusion: Using digital radiography, the Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps indexes presented the highest interobserver agreement, and this was also positively influenced by the observers level of experience.

Total knee arthroplasty with computer-assisted navigation: an analysis of 200 cases,

Objective to evaluate the results from surgery with computer-assisted navigation in cases of total knee arthroplasty. Method a total of 196 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty with computer-assisted navigation were evaluated. The extension and flexion spaces (gaps) were evaluated during the operation and the alignment after the operation was assessed. The Knee Society Score (KSS) questionnaire for assessing patients function was applied preoperatively and postoperatively after a mean follow-up of 22 months. Results in all, 86.7% of the patients presented good alignment of the mechanical axis (less than 3° of varus or valgus in relation to the mechanical axis) and 96.4% of the patients presented balanced flexion and extension gaps. Before the operation, 97% of the patients presented poor or insufficient KSS, but after the operation, 77.6% presented good or excellent KSS. Conclusion the navigation system made it possible to achieve aligned and balanced implants, with notable functional improvement among the patients. It was found to be useful in assessing, understanding and improving knowledge in relation to performing arthroplasty procedures.

Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by means of tibial tunnel: anatomical study on cadavers for tunnel positioning

Objective to determine the reference points for the exit of the tibial guidewire in relation to the posterior cortical bone of the tibia. Methods sixteen knees from fresh cadavers were used for this study. Using a viewing device and a guide marked out in millimeters, three guidewires were passed through the tibia at 0, 10 and 15 mm distally in relation to the posterior crest of the tibia. Dissections were performed and the region of the center of the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was determined in each knee. The distances between the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL and the posterior tibial border (CB) and between the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL and wires 1, 2 and 3 (CW1, CW2 and CW3) were measured. Results in the dissected knees, we found the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL at 1.09 ± 0.06 cm from the posterior tibial border. The distances between the wires 1, 2 and 3 and the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL were respectively 1.01 ± 0.08, 0.09 ± 0.05 and 0.5 ± 0.05 cm. Conclusion the guidewire exit point 10 mm distal in relation to the posterior crest of the tibia was the best position for attempting to reproduce the anatomical center of the PCL.

Meniscal repair by all-inside technique with Fast-Fix device

Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the results and effectiveness of the technique of meniscal repair type all-inside using Fast-Fix device. Methods A retrospective cohort study evaluating 22 patients with meniscal surgery between January 2004 and December 2010 underwent meniscal repair technique for all-inside with the Fast-Fix device with or without ACL reconstruction. Function and quality of life outcomes were chosen by the IKDC and Lysholm score, before and postoperatively, and reoperation rates, relying to the time of final follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using the Students t test. Results The mean follow-up was 59 months (16–84). The Lysholm score showed 72% (16 patients) of excellent and good results (84–100 points), 27% (6 patients) fair (65–83 points) and no cases classified as poor (<64 points). According to the IKDC: 81% (18 patients) of excellent and good results (75–100 points), 18% of cases regular (50–75 points) and no patient had poor results (<50 points). There were no failures or complications. Conclusion The technique of meniscal repair type all-inside using the Fast-Fix device is safe and effective for the treatment of meniscal lesions in the red zone or red-white with or without simultaneous ACL reconstruction, with good and excellent results in most patients Level 4 Study.

DARTHROSCOPIC DOUBLE- BUNDLE RECONSTRUCTION OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT USING HAMSTRING TENDON GRAFTS - FIXATION WITH TWO INTERFERENCE SCREWS

Surgical procedures for double-bundle reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament, which currently use semitendinous and gracilis tendon grafts, have been described in the last decade. Most of the techniques utilize twice the hardware used in single-bundle reconstructions. We report an original anterior cruciate ligament double-bundle reconstruction technique using semitendinous and gracilis tendon grafts, maintaining their tibial bone insertions with two tibial and two femoral tunnels. A simplified and precise outside-in femoral drilling technique is utilized, and the graft fixation is made utilizing only two interference screws.