Nicole Simunovic

Effect of early surgery after hip fracture on mortality and complications: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Guidelines exist for the surgical treatment of hip fracture, but the effect of early surgery on mortality and other outcomes that are important for patients remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of early surgery on the risk of death and common postoperative complications among elderly patients with hip fracture. Methods: We searched electronic databases (including MEDLINE and EMBASE), the archives of meetings of orthopedic associations and the bibliographies of relevant articles and questioned experts to identify prospective studies, published in any language, that evaluated the effects of early surgery in patients undergoing procedures for hip fracture. Two reviewers independently assessed methodologic quality and extracted relevant data. We pooled data by means of the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model, which is based on the inverse variance method. Results: We identified 1939 citations, of which 16 observational studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies had a total of 13 478 patients for whom mortality data were complete (1764 total deaths). Based on the five studies that reported adjusted risk of death (4208 patients, 721 deaths), irrespective of the cut-off for delay (24, 48 or 72 hours), earlier surgery (i.e., within the cut-off time) was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.96, p = 0.01). Unadjusted data indicated that earlier surgery also reduced in-hospital pneumonia (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37–0.93, p = 0.02) and pressure sores (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34–0.69, p < 0.001). Interpretation: Earlier surgery was associated with a lower risk of death and lower rates of postoperative pneumonia and pressure sores among elderly patients with hip fracture. These results suggest that reducing delays may reduce mortality and complications.

Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma use for orthopaedic indications: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The recent emergence of autologous blood concentrates, such as platelet-rich plasma, as a treatment option for patients with orthopaedic injuries has led to an extensive debate about their clinical benefit. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of autologous blood concentrates in decreasing pain and improving healing and function in patients with orthopaedic bone and soft-tissue injuries. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and Embase for randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies that compared autologous blood concentrates with a control therapy in patients with an orthopaedic injury. We identified additional studies by searching through the bibliographies of eligible studies as well as the archives of orthopaedic conferences and meetings. RESULTS Twenty-three randomized trials and ten prospective cohort studies were identified. There was a lack of consistency in outcome measures across all studies. In six randomized controlled trials (n = 358) and three prospective cohort studies (n = 88), the authors reported visual analog scale (VAS) scores when comparing platelet-rich plasma with a control therapy across injuries to the acromion, rotator cuff, lateral humeral epicondyle, anterior cruciate ligament, patella, tibia, and spine. The use of platelet-rich plasma provided no significant benefit up to (and including) twenty-four months across the randomized trials (standardized mean difference, -0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.75 to 0.06) or the prospective cohort studies (standardized mean difference, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.64 to 0.23). Both point estimates suggested a small trend favoring platelet-rich plasma, but the associated wide confidence intervals were consistent with nonsignificant effects. CONCLUSIONS The current literature is complicated by a lack of standardization of study protocols, platelet-separation techniques, and outcome measures. As a result, there is uncertainty about the evidence to support the increasing clinical use of platelet-rich plasma and autologous blood concentrates as a treatment modality for orthopaedic bone and soft-tissue injuries.

Meta-analysis of navigation vs conventional total knee arthroplasty

Navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is promoted as a means to improve limb and prosthesis alignment. This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis for all randomized controlled trials in the literature from 1986 to 2009 comparing alignment outcomes between navigated and conventional TKA. Alignment outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored. Twenty-three randomized controlled trials were identified comparing navigated vs conventional TKA involving 2541 patients. Patients who underwent navigated TKA had a significantly lower risk of implant malalignment at more than 3° as well as more than 2°. In addition, the risk of malalignment was reduced for the coronal plane tibial and femoral components as well as femoral and tibial slope. This meta-analysis demonstrates that navigated TKA provides significant improvement in prosthesis alignment.

Cross-linked versus conventional polyethylene for total hip replacement: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIALS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing cross-linked with conventional polyethylene liners for total hip replacement in order to determine whether these liners reduce rates of wear, radiological evidence of osteolysis and the need for revision. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases were searched from their inception to May 2010 for all trials involving the use of cross-linked polyethylene in total hip replacement. Eligibility for inclusion in the review included the random allocation of treatments, the use of cross-linked and conventional polyethylene, and radiological wear as an outcome measure. The pooled mean differences were calculated for bedding-in, linear wear rate, three-dimensional linear wear rate, volumetric wear rate and total linear wear. Pooled risk ratios were calculated for radiological osteolysis and revision hip replacement. A search of the literature identified 194 potential studies, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. All reported a significant reduction in radiological wear for cross-linked polyethylene. The pooled mean differences for linear rate of wear, three-dimensional linear rate of wear, volumetric wear rate and total linear wear were all significantly reduced for cross-linked polyethylene. The risk ratio for radiological osteolysis was 0.40 (95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.58; I(2) = 0%), favouring cross-linked polyethylene. The follow-up was not long enough to show a difference in the need for revision surgery.

Methodological Issues in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies in Orthopaedic Research

The validity and applicability of a systematic review depends on the quality of the primary studies that are included and the quality of the methods used to conduct the review itself. Sometimes, observational studies represent the best available evidence. Subject to selection, information, and confounding biases, observational studies are thought to overestimate treatment or exposure effects. A systematic review of observational data must therefore attempt to minimize or prevent these sources of bias by developing explicit but also broad inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on extracting the best available evidence relevant to the review question. Systematic reviews must also make use of an expansive search strategy, with use of multiple resources, to demonstrate the reproducibility of selection and quality-assessment criteria, to perform a quantitative analysis and adjustment for confounding where appropriate, and to explore possible reasons for differences between the results of the primary studies. In this paper, we address the advantages and limitations of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies and suggest solutions at the design phase of protocol development.

Properties of the stromal cell in giant cell tumor of bone.

The histiogenesis and mechanisms of bone destruction in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone are not well understood. We asked whether the spindle-like stromal cells of GCT of bone exhibit osteoblastic properties, and whether the stromal cells produce active matrix-degrading proteases in vitro. We performed immunohistochemistry on 17 paraffin-embedded archival specimens with a pathologic diagnosis of GCT with monoclonal antibodies for the osteoblastic lineage markers osteopontin, osteonectin, and osteocalcin. The average staining grade for the 17 specimens was highest for osteonectin, followed by osteopontin, and osteocalcin. Primary cell cultures of GCT stromal cells were prepared from two fresh tumor specimens. Western blots were used on the cell lysates and media to detect osteocalcin precursor and the matrix-degrading proteases MMP-2 and MMP-9. We found the stromal cells in culture produce osteocalcin precursor, indicating osteoblastic lineage. The cells also express both the active and inactive isoforms of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Gelatinase assays confirmed the activity of the proteases in vitro. The spindle like stromal cells of GCT have characteristics of osteoblast progenitors and produce active matrix-degrading proteases. These cells may therefore play a central role in bone destruction.

Similar mortality rates in hip fracture patients over the past 31 years

Background Over 320,000 hip fractures occur in North America each year and they are associated with a mortality rate ranging from 14% to 36% within 1 year of surgery. We assessed whether mortality and reoperation rates have improved in hip fracture patients over the past 31 years. Methods 3 electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials on hip fracture management, published between 1950 and 2013. Articles that assessed the surgical treatment of intertrochanteric or femoral neck fractures and measured mortality and/or reoperation rates were obtained. We analyzed overall mortality and reoperation rates, as well as mortality rates by fracture type, comparing mean values in different decades. Our primary outcome was the change in 1-year postoperative mortality. Results 70 trials published between 1981 and 2012 were included in the review. Overall, the mean 1-year mortality rate changed from 24% in the 1980s to 23% in the 1990s, and to 21% after 1999 (p = 0.7). 1-year mean mortality rates for intertrochanteric fractures diminished from 34% to 23% in studies published before 2000 and after 1999 (p = 0.005). Mean mortality rates for femoral neck fractures were similar over time (~20%). Reoperation rates were also similar over time. Interpretation We found similar mortality and reoperation rates in surgically treated hip fracture patients over time, with the exception of decreasing mortality rates in patients with intertrochanteric fractures.

Consistency of Reported Outcomes After Arthroscopic Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement

PURPOSE The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the consistency of the reporting of clinical and radiographic outcomes after arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). METHODS Two databases (Medline and EMBASE) were screened for clinical studies involving the arthroscopic management of FAI. A full-text review of eligible studies was conducted, and the references were searched. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the searched studies, and a quality assessment was completed for included studies. RESULTS We identified 29 eligible studies involving 2,816 patients. There was a lack of consensus with regard to reported outcomes (clinical and radiographic) after arthroscopic treatment of FAI. Clinical outcomes reported include the Harris Hip Score (45%) and the Non-Arthritic Hip Scale (28%), range of motion (34%), pain scores (24%), and patient satisfaction (28%). The most commonly reported radiographic outcomes included the alpha angle (38%), head-neck offset (14%), and degenerative changes (21%). CONCLUSIONS There is significant variation in reported clinical and radiographic outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of FAI. This study highlights the need for consistent outcome reporting after arthroscopic FAI surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies.

Cartilage Restoration of the Knee A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Level 1 Studies

Background: Focal cartilage defects of the knee are a substantial cause of pain and disability in active patients. There has been an emergence of randomized controlled trials evaluating surgical techniques to manage such injuries, including marrow stimulation (MS), autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), and osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT). Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to determine if any single technique provides superior clinical results at intermediate follow-up. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched and supplemented with manual searches of PubMed and reference lists. Eligible studies consisted exclusively of randomized controlled trials comparing MS, ACI, or OAT techniques in patients with focal cartilage defects of the knee. The primary outcome of interest was function (Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and pain at 24 months postoperatively. A meta-analysis using standardized mean differences was performed to provide a pooled estimate of effect comparing treatments. Results: A total of 12 eligible randomized trials with a cumulative sample size of 765 patients (62% males) and a mean (±SD) lesion size of 3.9 ± 1.3 cm2 were included in this review. There were 5 trials comparing ACI with MS, 3 comparing ACI with OAT, and 3 evaluating different generations of ACI. In a pooled analysis comparing ACI with MS, there was no difference in outcomes at 24-month follow-up for function (standardized mean difference, 0.47 [95% CI, –0.19 to 1.13]; P = .16) or pain (standardized mean difference, –0.13 [95% CI, –0.39 to 0.13]; P = .33). The comparisons of ACI to OAT or between different generations of ACI were not amenable to pooled analysis. Overall, 5 of the 6 trials concluded that there was no significant difference in functional outcomes between ACI and OAT or between generations of ACI. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between MS, ACI, and OAT in improving function and pain at intermediate-term follow-up. Further randomized trials with long-term outcomes are warranted.

Surgery for hip fractures: Does surgical delay affect outcomes?

Hip fractures are associated with a high rate of mortality and profound temporary and sometimes permanent impairment of quality of life. Current guidelines indicate that surgeons should perform surgery for a hip fracture within 24 hours of injury because earlier surgery is associated with better functional outcome and lower rates of perioperative complications and mortality. Proponents of early treatment argue that this approach minimizes the length of time a patient is confined to bed rest, thereby reducing the risk for associated complications, such as pressure sores, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infections. Those favoring delaying surgery beyond the guideline recommendations believe that this approach is required to medically optimize patients, and therefore decrease the risk for perioperative complications. Further challenges to resolving this debate is the lack of an accepted definition of what should constitute an “unacceptable delay” for hip fracture surgery and the fact that outcomes associated with surgical delay are based on observational data alone (i.e., not randomized controlled trials). The effect of preoperative timing on mortality and other patient-important outcomes across various age groups remains controversial and warrants a large randomized controlled trial to offer clear insights into the effects associated with early versus delayed surgery among hip fracture patients.