Mark E. Hake

Innovative strategies for the management of long bone infection: a review of the Masquelet technique

Post-traumatic long bone osteomyelitis (PTOM) is a relatively frequent occurrence in patients with severe open fractures and requires treatment to prevent limb-threatening complications. The Masquelet technique represents a length-independent, two-staged reconstruction that involves the induction of a periosteal membrane and use of an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer for the treatment of segmental bone loss that result from bone infection. In this review, we summarize recent developments regarding the diagnosis and treatment of long bone PTOM, with a special emphasis on the use of the Masquelet technique for reconstruction of wide diaphyseal defects.

Musculoskeletal care of the hemophiliac patient.

Abstract Hemophilia is caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII or IX and is inherited by a sex‐linked recessive pattern. von Willebrand disease, a common, moderate bleeding disorder, is caused by a quantitative or qualitative protein deficiency of von Willebrand factor and is inherited in an autosomal dominant or recessive manner. The most important clinical strategy for the management of patients with hemophilia is the avoidance of recurrent hemarthrosis by continuous, intravenous hematologic prophylaxis. Early hemarthrosis should be aggressively managed with aspiration and clotting factor concentrate until the joint examination is normal. Starting prophylactic factor replacement in infancy may prevent chronic synovitis and arthropathy. The natural history of poorly controlled disease is polyarticular hemophilic arthropathy; functional prognosis is poor. Patients with chronic synovitis may be treated effectively with radiosynovectomy; those who develop joint surface erosions may require realignment osteotomies, joint arthroplasty, and treatment of pseudotumors. Reconstructive surgery for hemophilic arthropathy, especially in patients with factor inhibitor, requires careful hematologic management by an experienced, multidisciplinary team.

Atypical femur fractures in patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy: etiology and management

AbstractOsteoporosis is a growing problem that is projected to affect more than 50% of American adults by 2020. Bisphosphonate therapy is currently the primary mode of treating osteoporosis in this population. While bisphosphonate therapy has been successful in increasing bone mineral density, data has shown an increased risk of atypical femur fractures with prolonged therapy. Atypical femur fractures are characterized by low-energy or atraumatic injuries that occur in the subtrochanteric region. They originate on the medial cortex, travel transversely, and typically have little or no comminution. Conservative therapy is indicated for patients with incomplete fractures without prodromal symptoms. Patients with incomplete fractures and significant prodromal symptoms or visible fracture line on radiographs, those who have failed conservative management, and those with complete fractures should be treated with intramedullary nail fixation. Evaluation should involve imaging of the contralateral femur. Teriparatide therapy may be considered for patients without contraindications. While the incidence of these fractures is low, it is likely that these rates will increase with the aging population and increased prevalence of patients being treated with bisphosphonate therapy.

How to perform a root cause analysis for workup and future prevention of medical errors: a review

Providing quality patient care is a basic tenant of medical and surgical practice. Multiple orthopaedic programs, including The Patient Safety Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), have been implemented to measure quality of surgical care, as well as reduce the incidence of medical errors. Structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) has become a recent area of interest and, if performed thoroughly, has been shown to reduce surgical errors across many subspecialties. There is a paucity of literature on how the process of a RCA can be effectively implemented. The current review was designed to provide a structured approach on how to conduct a formal root cause analysis. Utilization of this methodology may be effective in the prevention of medical errors.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of the Tibial Plateau Through the Anterolateral Approach

Summary: Fractures of the tibial plateau are challenging injuries to treat. The lateral tibial plateau is fractured more commonly than the medial plateau and the workhorse approach for these fractures is the anterolateral approach. This approach allows visualization of the lateral joint, metaphysis, and can be extensile if there is shaft extension. We present our technique for performing the anterolateral approach while treating a Schatzker III tibial plateau fracture. Special attention is given to performing a submeniscal arthrotomy to view the joint surface and judge the reduction. A femoral distractor is placed to assist with elevation the joint surface and visualization of the lateral plateau. A cortical window is created using a triple reamer from the sliding hip screw set. The reduction is performed and supported with cancellous bone chips. Finally, a lateral locking plate with rafting screws is placed. Knowledge of this approach and the strategies needed to address lateral and some bicondlar tibial plateau fractures are crucial to good patient outcomes.

Vertical shear pelvic injury: evaluation, management, and fixation strategies

Vertical shear pelvic ring fractures are rare and account for less than 1% of all fractures. Unlike severely displaced antero-posterior compression and lateral compression pelvic fractures, patients’ mortality is lower. Nevertheless, patients must be managed acutely using well-defined ATLS protocols and institution-specific protocols for haemodynamically unstable pelvic ring fractures. The definitive treatment of vertical shear pelvic fractures is however more controversial with a paucity of literature to recommend the ideal reduction and fixation strategy. While the majority of injuries can be reduced and fixed in a closed manner, orthopaedic traumatologists should be familiar with the contraindications to those techniques as well as options such as tension band plating and lumbo pelvic fixation. Our paper reviews the acute management, associated injuries and definitive reduction and fixation strategies of vertical shear pelvic fractures. In addition, we propose a treatment algorithm for the selection of the most appropriate fixation technique.

Development, implementation and evaluation of a patient handoff tool to improve safety in orthopaedic surgery

OBJECTIVE To develop, implement and test the effect of a handoff tool for orthopaedic trauma residents that reduces adverse events associated with the omission of critical information and the transfer of erroneous information. DESIGN Components of this project included a literature review, resident surveys and observations, checklist development and refinement, implementation and evaluation of impact on adverse events through a chart review of a prospective cohort compared with a historical control group. SETTING Large teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Findings of a literature review were presented to orthopaedic residents, epidemiologists, orthopaedic surgeons and patient safety experts in face-to-face meetings, during which we developed and refined the contents of a resident handoff tool. The tool was tested in an orthopaedic trauma service and its impact on adverse events was evaluated through a chart review. The handoff tool was developed and refined during the face-to-face meetings and a pilot implementation. Adverse event data were collected on 127 patients (n = 67 baseline period; n = 60 test period). INTERVENTION A handoff tool for use by orthopaedic residents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Adverse events in patients handed off by orthopaedic trauma residents. RESULTS After controlling for age, gender and comorbidities, testing resulted in fewer events per person (25-27% reduction; P < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS Preliminary evidence suggests that our resident handoff tool may contribute to a decrease in adverse events in orthopaedic patients.

Flexible 3D laparoscopic assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation of acetabular fractures: Introduction to a new surgical option

The gold standard for fractures of the acetabulum is to perform an open reduction and internal fixation in order to achieve anatomical reduction. In a well-defined subset of patients, percutaneous techniques may be employed but achieving reduction by closed means can be challenging especially for fractures with large degrees of displacement. Such patient may include elderly patients who may not have the physiologic reserve to withstand open approaches. In our paper, we present a new option using laparoscopic assisted reduction of the acetabular fracture and percutaneous fixation. The young obese patient refused all forms of blood products transfusion and presented with a displaced transverse posterior wall fracture. While we do not recommend routine use of such technique and recognize its numerous limitations, we present it as an alternative strategy in a small subset of patients.

Root cause analysis and actions for the prevention of medical errors: Quality improvement and resident education

The quality of care delivered by orthopedic surgeons continues to grow in importance. Multiple orthopedic programs, organizations, and committees have been created to measure the quality of surgical care and reduce the incidence of medical adverse events. Structured root cause analysis and actions (RCA2) has become an area of interest. If performed thoroughly, RCA2 has been shown to reduce surgical errors across many subspecialties. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has a new mandate for programs to involve residents in quality improvement processes. Resident engagement in the RCA2 process has the dual benefit of educating trainees in patient safety and producing meaningful changes to patient care that may not occur with traditional quality improvement initiatives. The RCA2 process described in this article can provide a model for the development of quality improvement programs. In this article, the authors discuss the history and methods of the RCA2 process, provide a stepwise approach, and give a case example. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):e628-e635.].

Publication Productivity of Early-Career Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons

The goals of this study were to: (1) define the publication productivity of early-career orthopedic trauma surgeons over time; (2) compare the early-career publication productivity of recent orthopedic trauma fellowship graduates vs their more senior colleagues; and (3) determine the proportion of fellowship graduates who meet the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) publication criteria for active membership early in their careers. Orthopedic trauma fellowship graduates from 1982 to 2007 were analyzed. A literature search was performed for each fellows publications for the 6-year period beginning the year of fellowship graduation. Publication productivity was compared between early and recent groups of graduates, 1987 to 1991 and 2003 to 2007, respectively. Fulfillment of OTA publication criteria was determined. Seventy-nine percent of graduates contributed to 1 or more publications. The recent group produced more total publications per graduate (4.06 vs 3.29, P=.01) and more coauthor publications (2.60 vs 2.04, P=.019) than the early group. The number of first-author publications did not differ between groups (1.46 vs 1.25, P=.26). A greater percentage of the recent group met current OTA publication criteria compared with the early group (51% vs 35%, P=.04). The findings showed that recent orthopedic trauma graduates had increased publication productivity compared with their more senior colleagues, although a proportion had not qualified for active OTA membership 6 years into their career. Overall, these data are encouraging and suggest that young orthopedic trauma surgeons remain committed to sustaining a high level of academic excellence.