Patrick Vavken

Background: Elbow arthroscopy is a challenging, yet extremely productive procedure in orthopaedic sports medicine. The severely confined anatomy of the pediatric and adolescent elbow is particularly prone for perioperative complications. This study focuses on the indications and complications of the first 50 elbow arthroscopies in skeletally immature patients done in a specialized pediatric orthopaedic department. Purpose: To review analysis of indications and complications in pediatric and adolescent elbow arthroscopy. We hypothesized that the complication rate in these patients is similar to adults. Methods: Data on 50 consecutive elbow arthroscopies were prospectively gathered in a dedicated database and retrospectively analyzed for indications and perioperative complications. All procedures were performed by a surgeon trained in orthopaedic sports medicine. Results: A total of 26 boys and 24 girls with a mean age of 13.6±3.3 years at the time of surgery and a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. Fifty-eight percent were treated for osteochondritis dissecans, 24% for arthrofibrosis, 14% for a congenital disorder, and 4% for a posttraumatic problem other than arthrofibrosis. The complication rate was 8%, including 3 cases of transient neuropraxia and 1 superficial wound infection. There were no major complications such as septic arthritis, vascular injury, or permanent nerve damage. All complications resolved fully with conservative treatment, no revision were required. Discussion: Although osteochondritis dissecans is still the leading reason for such surgery, fractures and posttraumatic conditions are becoming more important. With a rate of 5% to 8% of minor, fully resolving complications such an increase is not a reason for concerns. Level of Evidence: Level IV—case series.

Prosthetic joint infections are a major challenge in total joint arthroplasty, especially in times of accumulating drug resistancies. Even though predictive risk classifications are a widely accepted tool to define a suitable treatment protocol a classification is still missing considering the difficulty in treating the -causative pathogen antibiotically. In this study, we present and evaluate a new predictive risk stratification for prosthetic joint infections in 120 cases, treated with a two-stage exchange. Treatment outcomes in 120 patients with proven prosthetic joint infections in hip and knee prostheses were regressed on time of infection, systemic risk factors, local risk factors and the difficulty in treating the causing pathogen. The main outcome variable was "definitely free of infection" after two years as published. Age, gender, and BMI were included as covariables and analyzed in a logistic regression model. 66 male and 54 female patients, with a mean age at surgery of 68.3 years±12.0 and a mean BMI of 26.05±6.21 were included in our survey and followed for 29.0±11.3 months. We found a significant association (p<0.001) between our score and the outcome parameters evaluated. Age, gender and BMI did not show a significant association with the outcome. These results show that our score is an independent and reliable predictor for the cure rate in prosthetic joint infections in hip and knee prostheses treated within a two-stage exchange protocol. Our score illustrates, that there is a statistically significant, sizable decrease in cure rate with an increase in score. In patients with prosthetic joint infections the validation of a risk score may help to identify patients with local and systemic risk factors or with infectious organisms identified as "difficult to treat" prior to the treatment or the decision about the treatment concept. Thus, appropriate extra care should be considered and provided.

Purpose: To develop evidence‐based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of skeletally immature patients with subscapularis and lesser tuberosity avulsion injuries. Methods: We searched the online databases PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) for relevant publications on subscapularis and lesser tuberosity injuries in skeletally immature patients. All publication dates and languages were included. From studies identified, data were extracted to identify patient characteristics, history and physical examination findings, time to diagnosis, results from imaging studies, and treatment outcomes. These findings were combined and descriptively analyzed. Results: We identified 32 publications on 60 patients with a mean age of 13.5 ± 1.7 years. The most common physical examination finding at the time of diagnosis was anterior shoulder pain, followed by subscapularis muscle weakness. The sensitivity of imaging was 16% for radiographs and 95% for magnetic resonance imaging. The median time to diagnosis was 2 months (interquartile range, 1 to 7 months). Of 60 patients, 10 (17%) underwent successful nonoperative treatment. Fifty patients (83%) underwent surgical repair, without differences in clinical outcomes after open versus arthroscopic repair. Five cases (8%) were identified where delayed treatment was associated with suboptimal outcomes and ongoing shoulder pain. Conclusions: Subscapularis and lesser tuberosity avulsion injuries in skeletally immature patients are most commonly seen in male patients during early adolescence. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in patients with anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis muscle weakness, especially after a fall on an outstretched arm or an eccentric external rotation injury. Magnetic resonance imaging should be considered early, even if radiographic findings are negative. Both open and arthroscopic repairs are effective in restoring function, if fixation respects the soft bone of the lesser tuberosity. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of low‐quality studies.

Platelet concentrates in spine fusion gained increasing popularity among spine surgeons. They avoid morbidity of bone harvest and promise good union rates without additional device-related adverse events. Therefore, they seem to be a safe and effective alternative to common bone substitutes. This meta-analysis assesses the available evidence for union rate and overall complications with the use of platelet concentrates in spine fusion. We conducted an online search for relevant controlled trials and extracted data on union rates, complications, and revision rates. These data were synthesized in a meta-analysis using fixed-effects odds ratios (OR). To assess covariates, meta-regression was performed as well. Our search produced 166 results, ten of which were eligible for inclusion. These studies report on a total of 763 patients (328 experimental, 435 controls) with a mean age of 50.3 ± 7.5 years. Mean follow-up was 1.9 ± 0.0.4 years. With the use of platelet concentrates, union rate decreased significantly, OR 0.53 (95 % CI 0.35–0.79, p = 0.002), compared with the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates OR 1.34 (95 % CI 0.62–2.90, p = 0.46) or in revision rates OR 3.0 (95 % CI 0.90–10.00, p = 0.74). Meta-regression showed no statistically significant influence of randomization, Jadad score, or assessment of fusion. The use of platelet concentrates in spine fusion shows significantly decreased union rates compared with the control group. However, complication and revision rates were not significantly increased. The current data do not recommend the use of platelet concentrate in spine fusion.

One-stage hip reconstruction is the gold standard for treatment of hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy. The aims of this study were (1) to report the subjective clinical, objective clinical, and radiographic outcomes; and (2) to investigate outcome predictors, including the influence of the following risk factors: femoral head shape, migration percentage, direction of migration, and age at surgery. We reviewed 168 hip reconstructions (eighty-two right, eighty-six left) in 121 patients (101 male, twenty female) at a mean follow-up of 7.3 ± 4.6 years (range, four to eighteen years). Surgical outcomes were assessed on the basis of the pain intensity and frequency (measured on 10-point visual analog scales) as well as GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System) and MCPHCS (Melbourne Cerebral Palsy Hip Classification System) scores and postoperative migration percentage. The effects of femoral head shape, preoperative migration percentage, direction of migration, and age at surgery on surgical outcome were assessed by multivariate regression adjusting for potential confounders including sex, triradiate cartilage status, type of cerebral palsy, and surgical technique. Pain intensity and frequency were reduced significantly. Preoperative femoral head shape had no significant effect on the changes in pain, MCPHCS grade, and GMFCS level. The preoperative migration percentage was the most influential risk factor with respect to postoperative outcome. Age at surgery had no effect on the changes in pain score and GMFCS level. The overall surgical complication rate was 10.5%. Our data on 168 hip reconstructions at a mean follow-up of seven years showed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in pain intensity and frequency as well as in clinical scores and hip coverage. Analysis of potential risk factors showed only the preoperative migration percentage to have a relevant influence on outcomes. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

It has been suggested that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The current literature provides ample but inconsistent data on this topic. To systematically review the current in vivo evidence for the use of platelet concentrates (PRP) in the arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff tears to assess effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Published evidence from controlled, human trials of rotator cuff repair augmented with platelet concentrates was systematically gathered, and data on retear rates were extracted. Mathematical and clinical heterogeneity was evaluated, and fixed-effect meta-analysis was performed to calculate the risk ratio (RR) of retears and the number needed to treat (NNT). Subgroup analyses were made for small/medium tears (n = 404) and large/massive tears (n = 374). Cost-effectiveness was assessed using data from this meta-analysis and using cost data from the literature, including extensive sensitivity analyses, to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Thirteen studies published between 2010 and 2014 were identified for analysis. The RR for retear for all patients was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.67-1.12; P = .286). For small- and medium-sized tears (P = .038). This translated into an NNT of 14 (95% CI, 7-125). However, at an ICER of US$127,893 per quality-adjusted life year gained, assuming a 5% revision rate, the use of PRP was not cost-effective for small- and medium-sized tears. In large tears, even with double-row repair, the beneficial effects of PRP alone are insufficient to compensate the progressed tissue damage. The study data suggest that PRP may promote healing of small- and medium-sized tears to reduce retear rates. However, despite the substantial biological effect, at current cost, the use of PRP is not cost-effective in arthroscopic repair of small- and medium-sized tears.

The harvest of iliac crest bone grafts (ICBG) is associated with relevant donor site pain, but may be lowered by the application of lidocaine loaded on biodegradable, hemostatic putty for sustained local analgesic release. The goal of this double-blind controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of adding lidocaine to a hemostatic putty (Orthostat ™) to treat donor site pain following harvest of ICBG in foot and ankle procedures. After ICBG harvest during a foot and ankle procedure, the resulting bone defect was either filled with Orthostat™ (n = 7) or with the same hemostatic putty loaded with lidocaine (Orthostat-L™, n = 7). During the first 72 postoperative hours, donor site and surgical site pain were managed by patient controlled morphine delivery and a peripheral nerve block. Donor site pain was periodically quantified on a Visual Analog (VAS) and a Wong Baker FACES scale. Pain scores were plotted over time to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to quantify the overall pain experienced in specific time intervals. Orthostat-L™ significantly reduced donor site pain over the first 12 hours postoperatively as evidenced by a significant decrease of the AUC in both VAS (p = 0.0366) and Wong Baker FACES pain score plots (p = 0.0024). Cumulated morphine uses were not significantly decreased with Orthostat-L™. The addition of lidocaine to a hemostatic putty offers a significant ICBG donor site pain reduction over the first 12 postoperative hours. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01504035 . Registered January 2nd 2012.