Mustafa Akkaya

Augmented Fixation With Biodegradable Subacromial Spacer After Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear

Unsuccessful outcomes after repair of massive rotator cuff ruptures accompanied by muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration are frequently associated with inadequate management and secondary tears. We report the functional differences after rotator cuff rupture repair with a biodegradable spacer application. In these patients, rotator cuff rupture repair should provide coverage of the humeral head. Subsequently, acromioplasty should be performed to allow adequate space for the subacromial spacer. Thereafter measurement of the intra-articular space required for application of the biodegradable spacer is performed. Using this method can decrease the rate of tears by providing a safe subacromial space in cases of massive rotator cuff rupture.

The combined use of oral and topical tranexamic acid is a safe, efficient and low-cost method in reducing blood loss and transfusion rates in total knee arthroplasty

Aims: The combined (IV (intravenous) + topical) use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to be a safe method and more effective than single (IV or topical) application. The optimal administration method of TXA is still being investigated and safety, efficiency and cost are the three main crucial parameters in achieving the best administration method. We aimed to determine whether combined (oral + topical) use of TXA reduced blood loss and transfusion rates more than single (topical) administration in TKA and whether oral + topical use is as safe and efficient as the IV + topical use, in addition to the main advantage of relatively low cost. Methods: In this prospective, randomized study, 100 patients were randomly assigned to either the topical TXA group or the combined (oral + topical) TXA group. There were no significant differences between the groups in age, body mass index or gender. The haemoglobin and haematocrit levels of each patient were recorded preoperatively and on post-operative days 0, 1, 2 and 3. The post-operative suction drainage and blood transfusion volumes were also recorded. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels on post-operative days 0, 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.05) in favour of the combined group. The post-operative drainage amounts (p = 0.0001), measured blood loss volume (p = 0.003) and transfusion rates (p = 0.03) were lower in the combined (oral + topical) group compared to the topical group. Conclusions: Of the different methods of TXA administration, the combined use of oral and topical TXA is a safe, efficient and low-cost method in reducing blood loss and transfusion rates after TKA.

Microfracture technique versus carbon fibre rod implantation for treatment of knee articular cartilage lesions

Purpose To compare the microfracture technique with carbon fibre rod implantation for treatment of knee articular cartilage lesions. Methods 10 men and 30 women aged 22 to 56 (mean, 37.4) years underwent microfracture (n=20) or carbon fibre rod implantation (n=20) for International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 to 4 knee articular cartilage lesions after a mean of 12.2 months of viscosupplementation and physiotherapy. Clinical outcome at 6 and 12 months was assessed using the Tegner-Lysholm score and modified Cincinnati score. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcome at 12 months was assessed by a radiologist. The modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was evaluated. Results The 2 groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index, lesion location, lesion size, duration of symptoms, and coexisting pathology. The microfracture group had a higher preoperative Tegner-Lysholm score (39.4±7.3 vs. 34.4±4.9, p=0.015) and modified Cincinnati score (36.4±7.2 vs. 30.4±4.0, p=0.002) than the carbon fibre rod group. At 12 months, change in both scores was significant within each group (p<0.001) and was higher in the microfracture than carbon fibre rod group (p<0.001). MRI showed minimal regenerative tissue. Lobulation, oedema, and hypertrophy were more commonly found in the regeneration tissue after carbon fibre rod implantation than microfracture. At 12 months, the MOCART score was higher in the microfracture than carbon fibre rod group (59 vs. 47, p<0.001). Conclusion Microfracture is superior to carbon fibre rod implantation in terms of clinical and radiological outcome.

Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: Nanofracture versus hyaluronic acid-based cell-free scaffold with concentration of autologous bone marrow aspirate

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the early clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic one-stage treatment with hyaluronic acid-based cell-free scaffold (HACS) in combination with a concentration of autologous bone marrow aspirate (CBMA) technique compared to nanofracture (NF). Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made of all the patients with focal osteochondral lesions of the talus that were treated between January 2012 and January 2015. Ninety-eight patients met the criteria and were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients (group 1) were treated with arthroscopic one-stage treatment with CBMA in combination with an HACS. Fifty-two patients (group 2) were treated with NF. Patient demographics and cartilage defect characteristics, the AOFAS and VAS scoring systems were compared between groups. In the evaluation of cartilage repair tissue, the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring system was used. Results: No significant differences were determined between the two groups in terms of age (p = 0.874), body mass index (p = 0.621), defect size (p = 0.485), defect depth (p = 0.674), follow-up time (p = 0.512). A significant clinical difference was determined between the two groups according to the AOFAS and VAS scores (p = 0.028, p = 0.046, respectively). The mean MOCART score of group 1 was significantly higher (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Both NF and HACS with CBMA techniques are beneficial in treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Better clinical and radiological results, in addition to higher cartilage quality, could be obtained with HACS with CBMA technique compared to NF.

Tibial Base Plate for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Symmetric or Asymmetric?

Background Ideal positioning and best coverage of the tibial base plate are essential in total knee arthroplasty. There are 2 types of tibial base plates: symmetric and asymmetric. The superiority of one to the other is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare symmetric and asymmetric tibial base plates for total knee arthroplasty in terms of rotational alignment and coverage. Methods The study was conducted on a total of 80 cadaveric tibial bones. Two surgeons were asked to place 20 symmetric (group 1) and 20 asymmetric (group 2) tibial base plates taking care to ensure the best coverage that they were able to determine. Afterwards, the rotational errors and coverage were assessed with reference to the posterior tibial margin and posterior condylar axis on the three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan. In the second part of the study, the surgeons were asked to place 20 symmetric (group 3) and 20 asymmetric (group 4) base plates taking care to ensure the best rotational alignment. The rotational errors and the areas uncovered or overstuffed after the application were measured on the 3D CT scan. Results On the comparison of rotational errors, while there was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of coverage (p = 0.624), the mean external rotation error was significantly greater in group 2 (p = 0.034). On the comparison of coverage, while there was no significant difference between group 3 and group 4 in terms of rotation (p = 0.36), the mean ratios of the uncovered tibial surface to the total tibial surface (p = 0.041) and also the overstuffed area to the total base plate surface (p = 0.029) were significantly greater in group 4. Conclusions The determination of correct size and rotation of the tibial component is essential for favorable outcomes of total knee arthroplasty. In this study, the symmetric tibial base plate design was more effective than the asymmetric design in providing the ideal tibial rotation and coverage.

Toward the Turkish National Registry System: A Prevalence Study of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Turkey

BACKGROUND The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the data obtained from a retrospective examination of the records of the existing reimbursement system and through the identification of gaps in the data to create a foundation for a reliable, descriptive national registry system for our country. METHODS The Social Security Institution Medical Messenger (MEDULA) records were scanned for the years 2010-2014, and the numbers of total knee arthroplasty applied for a diagnosis of gonarthrosis and the numbers of revision knee arthroplasty were recorded for the country in general. The patients were classified according to age, gender, and bilateral or unilateral surgery. The institution where the surgery was applied, the geographic region and the province were also recorded. RESULTS A total of 283,400 primary and 9900 revision knee arthroplasty operations were applied in Turkey between 2010 and 2014. Numbers were recorded for each year, and there was found to be an increase between years. For primary knee arthroplasty, the female:male ratio was 67 of 33, and surgery was applied most often between the ages of 60-69 years. Both types of surgery were determined to have been applied most often in second-stage state hospitals. Geographically, both types of surgery were applied most in the Marmara region, with the highest frequency of primary knee arthroplasty in Istanbul and the highest frequency of revision surgery in Ankara. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained from this study will contribute to the creation of the basis for a National Registry System and thereby define more scientific treatment approaches.

Evaluation of the orthopaedics and traumatology resident education in Turkey: A descriptive study.

Objective The objective of this study is to describe the current situation regarding the training, working conditions, future plans, fields of interest and satisfaction of orthopaedics and traumatology residents in Turkey. Methods A descriptive survey questionnaire consisting of 24 questions was designed to identify the problems and solution suggestions concerning training of orthopaedic residents. All orthopaedics and traumatology residents who took the 2013 Progress Testing for Speciality in Medicine (UEGS) held by Turkish Orthopaedics and Traumatology Education Council (TOTEK) were surveyed in the class at the end thereof as well as the young orthopaedic surgeons who were reached through the email groups of Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology – Residents and Young Attendings Council (TOTBID-AGUH). Results A total of 725 residents and 132 young attendings were surveyed. The most outstanding answers are as follows: 62,7% of the respondents replied to the question “Is there a training program/Is it being applied” as “yes/yes”. It was found out that 94,3% of the respondents wanted to be involved in a rotation abroad. The “patient care” was the most common answer, with a ratio of 36,9%, to the question “Whats the priority of the department you are studying in?”. Regarding work conditions, “many emergency on-calls” was found to be the most important parameter affecting life conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusion Aiming to identify the challenges that orthopaedics and traumatology residents in Turkey face as regards their training, this survey stands as a pioneering study with a high participation rate. Analysis of survey data highlights the importance of several key factors such as the development of training programs and increasing the time spent with academicians as well as spreading and promotion of log book application.

Sonoelastography of the Knee Joint: Sonoelastography of the Knee Joint

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally the preferred method for assessing lesions of the knee cartilage and subchondral bone. There have been a few cartilage imaging studies using real‐time elastosonography (RTE), which has increased in importance and range of use in recent years. The aim of this cadaveric study was to assess the efficacy of a new diagnostic method combining USG and RTE and also to perform intra‐articular examinations together with arthroscopy. A total of 12 fresh unpaired human knees were examined. The laparoscopic ultrasound transducer was deployed using standard anteromedial and anterolateral arthroscopic portals. Iatrogenic defects were examined using mosaicplasty tools in healthy‐looking areas of cartilage, and strain in those areas was measured using RTE. The median strain value of the pathological femoral cartilage region was significantly higher than that of the normal cartilage region (1.23 [0.71–2.24] vs. 0.01 [0.01–0.01], P = 0.002, respectively). Arthroscopic study of cartilage using RTE can be a guide for orthopedic surgeons and use of intra‐articular probes could be universalized. Clin. Anat. 32:99–104, 2019.

Fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty tolerates higher variance in tibial implant rotation than mobile-bearing designs

BackgroundUKA necessitates a learning period. From this point of view, it would be logical to prefer the design that tolerates suboptimal tibial rotations better, especially for inexperienced surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiological results of mobile-bearing and fix-bearing UKA designs in case of suboptimal tibial rotations.MethodsA retrospective case–control evaluation was made of all the patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis, treated between January 2011 and January 2015. 324 patients ideal femoral rotation were enrolled in the study. 153 patients (Group 1) were treated with fix-bearing design with a mean 28.8 ± 11.3 month follow-up and 171 patients (Group 2) were treated with mobile-bearing design with a 31 ± 14.3 month follow-up. Each patient in groups was subdivided into (A): optimal tibial rotation, (B): external rotation of tibial component > 5°, (C): internal rotation of tibial component > 5° subgroups. WOMAC and KSS scores of each patient at preoperative and postoperative final control were compared between groups and subgroups.ResultsNo significant differences were determined between the groups in terms of mean follow-up time (p = 0.0612), preoperative WOMAC, and KSS scores (p = 0.754 and p = 0.832, respectively). No significant differences were determined between subgroups 1A and 2A in terms of WOMAC and KSS scores at the final evaluation (p = 0.314 and p = 0.546, respectively). A significant difference was determined between subgroups 1B and 2B in terms of WOMAC and KSS scores (p = 0.021 and p = 0.012, respectively). In addition, the difference between subgroups 1C and 2C was significant (p = 0.047 and p = 0.034, respectively) at the final evaluation.ConclusionBoth mobile- and fix-bearing designs are beneficial in the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. However, in case of both tibial internal or external suboptimal tibial rotations, fix-bearing design have better results compared to mobile-bearing design.Study designLevel III retrospective comparative clinical study.

Operation Room Setup and Patient Positioning

Just as in all surgical cases, in shoulder arthroscopy the first step towards increasing the success of the operation starts with the setting up and organisation of the operating theatre. The ideal working environment can be provided with the creation of the conditions of a fully equipped operating room by a team specialised in the subject. A standard operating room can be made appropriate for shoulder arthroscopy equipment with organisation by an experienced team (Fig. 6.1). The operating room must be of a size into which the necessary equipment can fit and in which the operating team can comfortably move.