Daniel Dowen

Complications following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the English NHS

Unlike the English National Joint Registry (NJR) for arthroplasty, no surgeon driven national database currently exists for ligament surgery in England. Therefore information on outcome and adverse events following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery is limited to case series. This restricts the ability to make formal recommendations upon surgical care. Prospectively collected data, which is routinely collected on every NHS patient admitted to hospital in England, was analysed to determine national rates of 90-day symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) rate, 30-day wound infection and readmission rates following primary ACL reconstruction between March 2008 and February 2010 (13,941 operations, annual incidence 13.5 per 100,000 English population). 90-day DVT and PTE rates were 0.30% (42) and 0.18% (25) respectively. There were no in-hospital deaths. 0.75% (104) of the consecutive patient cohort had a wound complication recorded. 0.25% (35) underwent a further procedure to wash out the infected knee joint and 1.36% (190) were readmitted to an orthopaedic ward within 30days. This is the first national comprehensive study of the incidence of significant complications following ACL surgery in England. This should allow meaningful interpretation of future baseline data supporting the development of a national ligament registry.

The burden of arthroscopy of the knee: A contemporary analysis of data from the English NHS

Arthroscopy of the knee is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures worldwide. Large-volume outcome data have not previously been available for English NHS patients. Prospectively collected admissions data, routinely collected on every English NHS patient, were analysed to determine the rates of complications within 30 days (including re-operation and re-admission), 90-day symptomatic venous thromboembolism and all-cause mortality. There were 301,701 operations performed between 2005 and 2010--an annual incidence of 9.9 per 10,000 English population. Of these, 16,552 (6%) underwent ligament reconstruction and 106,793 (35%) underwent meniscal surgery. The 30-day re-admission rate was 0.64% (1662) and 30-day wound complication rate was 0.26% (677). The overall 30-day re-operation rate was 0.40% (1033) and the 90-day pulmonary embolism rate was 0.08% (230), of which six patients died. 90-day mortality was 0.02% (47). Age < 40 years, male gender and ligament reconstruction were significantly associated with an increased rate of 30-day re-admission and unplanned re-operation. In addition, a significant increase in 30-day admission rates were seen with Charlson comorbidity scores of 1 (p = 0.037) and ≥ 2 (p < 0.001) compared with scores of 0, and medium volume units compared with high volume units (p < 0.001). Complications following arthroscopy of the knee are rare. It is a safe procedure, which in the majority of cases is performed as day case surgery. These data can be used for quality benchmarking, in terms of consent, consultant re-validation and individual unit performance.

Early PROMs Following Total Knee Arthroplasty—Functional Outcome Dependent on Patella Resurfacing

Patella resurfacing during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. Variation in published results for patella resurfacing may potentially be explained by differences in design between TKA brands. We interrogated NJR-PROMs data to ascertain whether there is an early functional benefit to resurfacing the patella, both overall and for each of the five most popular primary knee designs through use of the Oxford Knee Score. A total of 8103 resurfaced TKAs and 15,290 nonresurfaced TKAs were studied. There was a large variation in the proportion of knees undergoing patella resurfacing by brand (Nexgen=16% versus Triathlon=52%). Patellar resurfacing did not significantly influence the magnitude of improvement in overall knee function or anterior knee-specific function irrespective of TKA brand or for cruciate retaining versus sacrificing designs.

Management of Significant and Widespread, Acute Subcutaneous Emphysema: Should We Manage Surgically or Conservatively?

BACKGROUND Subcutaneous emphysema of a limb after acute injury is classically associated with gas gangrene. Delayed management can result in amputation and death. Typically caused by a clostridial infection, patients are unwell, with rapidly spreading clinical signs, abnormal laboratory results, and cultures positive. There are reports of widespread subcutaneous emphysema of a limb in well-appearing patients, with blood parameters within normal limits; however, the optimum management of this type of case is unclear. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to present 4 new cases of acute subcutaneous emphysema in well-appearing patients managed with early surgery, review the literature, and discuss the management decisions in cases of acute subcutaneous emphysema in clinically well patients. CASE REPORTS Here we present a case series of 4 patients, all with penetrating injuries to the upper limb resulting in widespread subcutaneous emphysema within 24 h of injury. Mean age was 33 years. All were fit and well, with the exception of one with type 1 diabetes, no cardiorespiratory compromise, and no significant derangement of laboratory investigations. X-ray studies showed widespread gas within the soft tissues. All were treated aggressively with immediate surgical fasciotomy of the upper limb, thorough debridement, and washout as required. Gram stains revealed pus cells (polymorphonuclear leucocytes) in all, but organisms in only one case (Gram-positive cocci and bacilli). Prolonged culture grew organisms in all. All patients had a second washout and closure plus 6 weeks of antibiotics. All survived and had fully functioning limbs. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? We recommend having a low threshold for rapid referral to an appropriate surgical speciality, allowing prompt and radical surgical management of this type of presentation, even in the presence of a well patient.

Laboratory Contamination Affecting Orthopedic Surgical Management

Bacterial contamination of pathology specimens can occur during collection, transport, or laboratory processing. Recognized sources of laboratory contamination include contamination of microscopy slides before use and contamination of reagents. We present 2 cases where contamination of glass beads used in the microbiology department as part of the tissue preparation process for urgent Gram stain led to unnecessary revision surgery. Contamination of the glass beads alone has not been cited elsewhere in the literature, and the authors feel that this needs to be brought to the attention of arthroplasty surgeons and microbiologists.

The Use of a Revision Femoral Stem to Manage a Distal Femoral Periprosthetic Fracture in a Well-Fixed Total Knee Arthroplasty

Managing very distal femoral periprosthetic fracture above a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a difficult problem. When a cruciate sacrificing TKA is used, bone stock around the implant is compromised and, therefore, can limit fixation options. We present technique using the revision system femoral stem for the PFC Sigma TKA (Depuy; Leeds, England) to stabilize this particular type of fracture.

Fracture of the Anterior Locking Flange of a Total Knee Arthroplasty Polyethylene Liner Presenting with Pain following Knee Replacement.

Introduction: Fracture of the modern polyethylene insert of a total knee arthroplasty is rare. We describe the first case of a fractured anterior locking flange of the commonly used Depuy Press-fit Condylar (PFC) Sigma prosthesis. Case Report: The 80 year old Caucasian gentleman presented 8 years following previously uncomplicated and successful primary total knee replacement with pain, swelling and symptoms of instability of the knee. He was able to sublux his knee posteriorly using his hamstrings. Dissociation of the liner was evident on radiographs. He underwent revision of the polyethylene liner. It was evident during the revision that the anterior locking flange of the polyethylene liner had fractured allowing it to dissociate from the tibial tray. At 12 months following this revision he continues to do well and has similar range of movement and function to prior to the episode. This cause of the failure is not clear. Conclusion: Surgeons should be aware of this rare complication when assessing a painful or unstable total knee replacement.