Youssef F. El Bitar

How to Minimize Infection and Thereby Maximize Patient Outcomes in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Approach

Total joint arthroplasty is one of the most common and most successful orthopaedic procedures. Infection after total joint arthroplasty is a devastating problem that expends patient, surgeon, and hospital resources, and it substantially decreases the chances of a successful patient outcome. Postoperative infection affects approximately 1% to 7% of all total joint arthroplasties, at a cost of approximately

Arthroscopic Labral Reconstruction Is Superior to Segmental Resection for Irreparable Labral Tears in the Hip A Matched-Pair Controlled Study With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

50,000 per infection. Decreasing postoperative periprosthetic joint infection is of the utmost importance for the total joint arthroplasty surgeon. Preoperative, perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measures to minimize infection and optimize patient outcomes in total joint arthroplasty are discussed. Preoperative measures include management of patients colonized by Staphylococcus aureus, nutritional optimization, and management of medical comorbidities. Perioperative measures include skin preparation and prophylactic antibiotics. Intraoperative measures include body exhaust suits, laminar flow, ultraviolet light, operating-room traffic control, surgical suite enclosures, anesthesia-related considerations, and antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Postoperative measures include continued antibiotic prophylaxis, blood transfusions, hematoma formation and wound drainage, duration of hospital stay, and antibiotic prophylaxis for future invasive procedures.

Joint-preserving Surgical Options for Management of Chondral Injuries of the Hip

Background: The acetabular labrum is an important structure that plays a significant role in proper biomechanical function of the hip joint. When the labrum is significantly deficient, arthroscopic reconstruction could provide a potential solution for the nonfunctional labrum. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic labral reconstruction (RECON) with those of arthroscopic segmental labral resection (RESEC) in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) of the hip. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between April 2010 and March 2011, all prospectively gathered data for patients with FAI who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral reconstruction or segmental resection with a minimum 2-year follow-up were reviewed. Eleven cases in the RECON group were matched to 22 cases in the RESEC group according to the preoperative Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS) and sex. The patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) used included the NAHS, the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the change in PROs in both groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the preoperative NAHS (P = .697), any of the other preoperative PROs, or demographic and radiographic data. The mean change in the NAHS was 24.8 ± 16.0 in the RECON group and 12.5 ± 16.0 in the RESEC group. The mean change in the HOS–activities of daily living (HOS-ADL) was 21.7 ± 16.5 in the RECON group and 9.5 ± 15.5 in the RESEC group. Comparison of the amount of change between groups showed greater improvement in the NAHS and HOS-ADL for the RECON group (P = .046 and .045, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean changes in the rest of the PROs, although there were trends in all in favor of the RECON group. All PROs in both groups showed a statistically significant improvement at follow-up compared with preoperative levels. Conclusion: Arthroscopic labral reconstruction is an effective and safe procedure that provides good short-term clinical outcomes in hips with insufficient and nonfunctional labra in the setting of FAI.

Hospital Length of Stay following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database

&NA; Management of injuries to the articular cartilage is complex and challenging; it becomes especially problematic in weight‐bearing joints such as the hip. Several causes of articular cartilage damage have been described, including trauma, labral tears, and femoroacetabular impingement, among others. Because articular cartilage has little capacity for healing, nonsurgical management options are limited. Surgical options include total hip arthroplasty, microfracture, articular cartilage repair, autologous chondrocyte implantation, mosaicplasty, and osteochondral allograft transplantation. Advances in hip arthroscopy have broadened the spectrum of tools available for diagnosis and management of chondral damage. However, the literature is still not sufficiently robust to draw firm conclusions regarding best practices for chondral defects. Additional research is needed to expand our knowledge of and develop guidelines for management of chondral injuries of the hip.

Arthroscopic Acetabuloplasty and Labral Refixation Without Labral Detachment

Demand and cost of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has increased significantly over the past decade resulting in decreased hospital length of stay (LOS) to counterbalance increasing cost of health care. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence LOS following primary TKA. Discharge data from the 2009-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample were used. Patients included underwent primary TKA and were grouped based on LOS; 3 days or less, and 4 days or more. Majority of patients had a hospital LOS of 3 or less (74.8%). The most significant predictors of increased hospital LOS (≥ 4 days) were age ≥ 80 years, Hispanic race, Medicaid payer status, lower median household income, weekend admission, rural non-teaching hospital, discharge to another facility and any complication.

Arthroscopic hip surgery with a microfracture procedure of the hip: clinical outcomes with two-year follow-up:

Background: Arthroscopic acetabuloplasty was initially described with detachment of the labrum to access the acetabular rim for resection, followed by labral refixation. Recent technical improvements have made it possible to perform acetabuloplasty and labral refixation without labral detachment when the chondrolabral junction is intact. Purpose: To compare outcomes for patients undergoing arthroscopic acetabuloplasty and labral refixation without labral detachment (study group), as well as compare this with a group of patients who underwent acetabuloplasty with labral refixation and labral detachment (control group) with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: During the study period, data were prospectively collected on all patients treated with hip arthroscopy. Inclusion criteria for the study group were acetabuloplasty and labral refixation without detachment, performed in cases with an intact chondrolabral junction. Patients were then compared with a control group of patients who had acetabuloplasty with labral detachment and refixation. All patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively using 4 patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, as well as monitored for revision surgery. Results: In the study group, the preoperative to postoperative score changed from 64.2 to 86.6 for modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), 60.5 to 83.8 for Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), 65.3 to 87.3 for Hip Outcome Score–Activity of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), 45 to 75.1 for Hip Outcome Score–Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and 5.7 to 2.6 for VAS. In the control group, the preoperative to postoperative score changed from 61.2 to 84.4 for mHHS, 59 to 84 for NAHS, 62.7 to 86.2 for HOS-ADL, 40.1 to 74.1 for HOS-SSS, and 6.3 to 2.8 for VAS. There was no difference between preoperative and postoperative PRO scores. The preoperative VAS score was lower in the study group than in the control group (P = .04). The control group demonstrated larger mean preoperative anterior center edge angles (ACEA) (33.8° vs 29.5°) and mean alpha angles (60.5° vs 53.5°) than the study group (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference in the change in PRO or VAS scores between groups. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement from preoperative to 2-year follow-up for all 4 PRO scores (P < .05) and decrease in VAS (P < .05). One patient in the study group converted to total hip arthroplasty. Seven patients underwent revision hip arthroscopy in the study group, and 8 patients in the control group underwent revision hip arthroscopy. There was no difference in revision rates between groups. Conclusion: Treatment of pincer- and combined-type impingement with arthroscopic acetabuloplasty and labral refixation without detachment, when possible, resulted in similar patient outcomes compared with acetabuloplasty with labral detachment. We may conclude that in cases where the chondrolabral junction remains intact, acetabuloplasty and labral refixation without detachment is a viable option.

Arthroscopic Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening for Internal Snapping of the Hip Clinical Outcomes With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background Outcome studies assessing a cohort of patients receiving microfracture in the hip have focused on second look arthroscopy and return to sport, which have shown favourable results in the absence of osteoarthritis. Few studies exist focusing on clinical outcomes after microfracture in the hip using patient reported outcome (PRO) scores. The purpose of this study is to evaluate two-year clinical outcomes of a series of patients treated with microfracture during arthroscopic hip surgery using PRO scores. Methods During the study period, all workers’ compensation (WC) and non-WC patients treated with microfracture during arthroscopic hip surgery were included. Four PRO scores, pain scores and satisfaction were used to assess clinical outcomes. Any revision surgeries or conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were noted. Location of microfracture procedure, lesion size and additional variables assessed survivorship. Results Thirty-seven cases met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, of which 30 patients (30/37, 81%) were available for minimum two-year follow-up. Twenty-six patients were classified as survivors. Preoperative scores for patients with WC status were lower than non-WC patients and statistically significant (p<0.5) for three of the PROs. However, changes in all four PRO measurements demonstrated statistically significant improvements from preoperative to two-year follow-up for both compensation groups (p<0.05). The amount of change in PRO scores for both compensation groups was similar and not statistically significant. Two patients required THA and two patients required revision arthroscopy. Conclusion Our study demonstrates statistically significant clinical improvement in PROs after receiving microfracture during arthroscopic hip surgery at minimum two-year follow-up.

Inpatient Mortality After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Analysis from the National Inpatient Sample Database

Background: Internal snapping of the hip is caused by the iliopsoas (IP) tendon sliding over the iliopectineal eminence or the femoral head. In many cases that require hip arthroscopic surgery, there is coexistent painful internal snapping. In such cases, fractional lengthening of the IP tendon has been suggested as an adjunctive procedure. Purpose: To examine the outcomes and effectiveness of arthroscopic IP tendon fractional lengthening as a solution to coexistent internal hip snapping in patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for a labral tear and/or femoroacetabular impingement. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between June 2010 and June 2011, data were prospectively collected for all patients with internal snapping of the hip who underwent primary arthroscopic IP tendon fractional lengthening, with a minimum 2-year follow-up. All patients were interviewed by telephone with specific questions regarding the resolution or persistence of snapping. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the following patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures: Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score–Activity of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Pain was recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS), and satisfaction was measured on a scale from 0 to 10. Results: A total of 55 patients were included, with all PROs showing statistically significant improvement postoperatively (NAHS: 57.6 ± 20.6 preoperatively vs 80.2 ± 19.2 at 2 years; HOS-ADL: 60.9 ± 21.4 preoperatively vs 81.8 ± 20.6 at 2 years; HOS-SSS: 43.4 ± 24.6 preoperatively vs 70.0 ± 26.7 at 2 years; and mHHS: 62.3 ± 16.4 preoperatively vs 80.5 ± 18.3 at 2 years) (P < .001 for all). Forty-five patients (81.8%) reported good/excellent satisfaction (≥7). Overall, 45 patients (81.8%) reported resolution of painful snapping. Patients who had resolution of snapping had statistically significant superior outcomes compared with those with persistent snapping using the change in the NAHS value (25.8 ± 16.1 vs 8.0 ± 22.5, respectively; P = .005), change in the HOS-ADL value (23.6 ± 18.0 vs 8.5 ± 15.2, respectively; P = .017), change in the HOS-SSS value (30.7 ± 26.9 vs 8.7 ± 23.6, respectively; P = .021), and change in the mHHS value (23.3 ± 20.1 vs 4.4 ± 9.9, respectively; P = .005). Conclusion: A majority of patients reported resolution of painful snapping and improvement in symptoms. Nonetheless, the rate of persistence of internal snapping at a minimum 2 years postoperatively was higher than that reported in previous studies.

Sex-Based Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Patients With Symptomatic Hip Labral Tears

Although inpatient mortality rates following total hip arthroplasty are low, understanding factors that influence inpatient mortality rates is important. Discharge data from the 2007-2008 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample database were used in this study. Patients were identified based on whether they were admitted for a primary total hip arthroplasty and grouped based on their mortality status. All hip and acetabular fracture patients were excluded. Discharge data revealed 508,150 primary total hip arthroplasties with an inpatient mortality rate of 0.13%. The most significant pre-operative predictors of inpatient mortality were increasing age, weekend admission, increased Charlson co-mobidity score, Medicare payer status, race and a Southern hospital region. The two most significant complications post-operatively leading to increased mortality were pulmonary and cardiovascular complications.

Predictive Value of Robotic-Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: An increasing body of literature describes the clinical presentation and demographics of patients with hip labral tears. The differences in pelvic structure and joint laxity between sexes have been described; however, no study has evaluated differences in the clinical presentation of patients with symptomatic labral tears between sexes. Purpose: To describe the differences between sexes in demographics, clinical history, physical examination, and intraoperative findings in patients with symptomatic labral tears. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected between February 2008 and February 2013 on 1401 patients who had symptomatic labral tears and underwent arthroscopic surgery. Hips with previous pathologic disorders were excluded. Data on demographics and clinical history were gathered, and a physical examination was performed. Preoperative pain was estimated on the visual analog scale (VAS), and 4 hip-specific patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were administered to evaluate functional status. Intraoperative findings were recorded. Results: A total of 654 patients met our inclusion/exclusion criteria, with 320 males and 334 females. The median age for males was 38.3 years (range, 15.0-69.6 years) and for females 40.4 years (range, 13.1-66.8 years). Male patients had a higher incidence of acute injury than females (39.6% vs 27.6%, respectively; P < .05) and a higher incidence of workers’ compensation status (14.1% vs 4.5%, respectively; P < .05). Females had increased range of motion compared with males, which was statistically significant for all range of motion measurements (P < .05). The anterior impingement test was positive in 94.4% of females and 92.9% of males, the flexion/abduction/external rotation test was positive in 59.5% of females and 61.5% of males, and the lateral impingement test was positive in 55.0% of females and 59.2% of males, but there was no statistically significant difference between sexes in any of the tests. Pain with palpation over the greater trochanter was positive in 22.0% of males and 36.9% of females (P < .0001). Females had lower PROs; however, VAS scores were similar. Conclusion: Male and female patients differ in their hip structure, biomechanics, and operative findings of symptomatic labral tears. However, they do not differ substantially in clinical presentation, except that males are more likely to report an acute injury and females are more likely to be evaluated with increased range of motion.