Matthew Siljander

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in the Setting of Periprosthetic Joint Infection—Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

BACKGROUND Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare yet challenging problem in total hip and knee arthroplasties. The management of PJI remains difficult primarily due to the evolution of resistance by the infecting organisms. METHODS This review profiles acquired mechanisms of bacterial resistance and summarizes established and emerging techniques in PJI diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. RESULTS New techniques in PJI diagnosis and prevention continue to be explored. Antibiotics combined with 1 or 2-stage revision are associated with the higher success rates and remain the mainstay of treatment. CONCLUSION With higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, novel antibiotic implant and wound care materials, improved methods for organism identification, and well-defined organism-specific treatment algorithms are needed to optimize outcomes of PJI.

Treatment of Patella Fractures

Patella fractures comprise 1% of all fractures. Treatment options vary based on fracture displacement, classification, and patient factors. Traditionally, nonoperative treatment has been reserved for nondisplaced fractures. Many operative treatments are available with differing indications and levels of success. Tension band constructs have been the most commonly employed approach to fixation, with cerclage wiring for comminuted fractures. Recently, plate fixation of patella fractures has become more popular. Plating constructs offer a low-profile design with stable fixation, allowing for earlier mobilization and potentially improved functional outcomes. Data regarding the long-term outcomes of plating techniques are limited, and further studies are needed. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(6):e747-e755.].

The Role of Aspirin and Unfractionated Heparin Combination Therapy Immediately After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Aspirin and unfractionated heparin (UH) are accepted options for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The use of aspirin in addition to UH in preventing VTE after TJA has yet to be studied. The primary objective of this study was to determine VTE rates in patients receiving aspirin monotherapy and those receiving aspirin and UH combination therapy immediately following TJA. A TJA database from a single hospital system was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who underwent primary hip or knee arthroplasty from 2013 to 2016. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on postoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis: aspirin only, aspirin with 1 dose of UH, and aspirin with multiple doses of UH. There were 5350 patients included: 1024 aspirin only, 1695 aspirin plus 1 dose of UH, and 2631 aspirin plus multiple doses of UH. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus rates did not vary significantly between groups (deep venous thrombosis: 1.1%, 0.9%, and 1.2%, respectively, P=.701; pulmonary embolus: 0.3%, 0.3%, and 0.2%, respectively, P=.894). Transfusion rates were significantly greater with 1 dose of UH (1.8%) and multiple doses of UH (4.3%) compared with aspirin only (0.9%) (P<.001). Additionally, the postoperative hemoglobin decreased significantly more postoperatively with the use of UH (P<.001). Aspirin and UH combination therapy did not decrease VTE incidence compared with aspirin monotherapy. Additionally, there was greater perioperative blood loss and an increased rate of blood transfusion in patients receiving UH. On the basis of these findings, the authors do not recommend UH as an additional mode of VTE prophylaxis when prescribing aspirin after elective TJA. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(3):171-176.].

Day of Surgery Affects Length of Hospitalization for Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty Discharged to Extended Care Facilities

Although the average hospital length of stay (LOS) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has decreased during the past 10 years, it continues to play a significant role in postoperative costs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of surgical day of the week on hospital LOS among TJA patients discharged to an extended care facility (ECF). A TJA database from a single hospital was used to identify all patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) between January 2013 and December 2016. Inclusion criteria were age older than 50 years, surgery Monday through Friday, and discharge to an ECF. A total of 2184 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into groups based on surgical day of the week. There was no statistically significant difference in age (P=.120), sex (P=.959), or procedure (TKA vs THA, P=.395) between groups based on surgery day. The LOS varied significantly by the day of the week (P<.001). Thursday varied significantly from every other day of the week (P<.001), with the greatest LOS (mean, 3.56±0.84 days) and the highest percentage of patients discharged (27.8%) compared with all other days. Tuesday had the shortest LOS (mean, 3.25±0.70 days) and differed significantly from Thursday and Friday (P<.05). Patients discharged to an ECF after primary TKA and THA have an increased mean hospital LOS when their surgery falls on a Thursday. The authors recommend preferentially scheduling patients with planned postoperative discharge to an ECF for surgery on Tuesday and avoiding surgery on Thursday. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(2):82-86.].

Outcomes Following Low-Profile Mesh Plate Osteosynthesis of Patella Fractures

Abstract Treatment of patella fractures is fraught with complications and historically poor functional outcomes. A fixation method that allows for early mobilization and decreases symptomatic hardware rates will improve knee range of motion, postoperative functional status, and reoperation rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes after locked plate osteosynthesis of patella fractures at a Level 1 trauma center. A retrospective case series was conducted of patients who underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a patella fracture using a locked mesh plating technique coupled with neutralization of forces on the distal pole of the patella. Twelve patients were evaluated at a mean follow‐up of 19 months (range, 6‐30) with physical exam, functional outcomes, and radiographs. There were 9 women and 3 men with an average age of 66.1 years (range, 53‐75). Radiographic bony union was achieved in all patients by 3‐month follow‐up. Visual Analog Pain Score averaged 1.7 (median, 1.0; range, 0‐8), the mean Knee Outcome Score ‐ Activities of Daily Living Scale was 83.9 (median, 92.1; range, 45.7‐100.0), the mean Short Form Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) Function Index was 9.9 (median, 3.7; range, 0.7‐41.2), and the mean SMFA Bother Index was 11.1 (median, 3.1; range, 0‐62.5). The SF‐36 Physical Component Score mean was 48.4 ± 8.5 and the SF‐36 Mental Component Score mean was 54.1 ± 9.6. No complications developed and there were no reoperations for nonunion, infection, or symptomatic hardware. This study demonstrates that locked plate osteosynthesis for operative patella fractures can reliably achieve bony union with potentially superior functional outcomes as compared with traditional methods. Further studies are needed to evaluate plate fixation for patella fractures, but early results are promising.

Plate Osteosynthesis of Patella Fractures—A Video Case Report

Summary: Operative management of patella fractures continues to be associated with poor outcomes and high reoperation rates. Traditionally, tension band fixation has been used for more simple fracture patterns; however, fixation remains a challenge particularly for comminuted fractures. More recently, various types of plate fixation have been used and reported in the literature. Earlier mobilization after plate osteosynthesis of patella fractures is possible because of a more robust construct, with the potential for decreased knee stiffness and improved functional outcomes. We present a video case of a 79-year-old man who sustained a displaced patella fracture treated with an anterior mesh plate.