Ariel N. Rodriguez

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) after open reduction and internal fixation of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Bimalleolar ankle fractures are one of the most common subtypes of ankle fractures, accounting for 15% to 20% of all ankle fractures. Recent studies have shown that 4.37% of patients undergoing ORIF of ankle fractures develop an SSI postoperatively. The literature detailing the risk factors for the development of SSI after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of bimalleolar ankle fractures is sparse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that predispose patients to SSI after the index procedure. Methods: Patients who underwent bimalleolar ankle fracture repair between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021, were identified using the PearlDiver Mariner Database. Demographics and comorbidities between SSI and non-SSI cohorts were compared through chi-square analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for SSIs. A P value less than 0.001 was determined to be statistically significant. Results: The incidence of SSI after ORIF of bimalleolar ankle fractures was 3.1%. Age, sex, and a higher total Elixhauser Comorbidity Index were associated with an increased incidence of SSI (P < 0.0001). Risk factors for the development of SSI included male sex (OR = 1.17; P < 0.0001), chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR] = 1.233; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.27; P < 0.0001), drug abuse (OR = 1.22; P < 0.0001), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR = 1.42; P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR = 1.29; P < 0.0001), peripheral vascular disease (OR = 1.62; P < 0.0001), tobacco use (OR = 1.25; P < 0.0001), and weight loss (OR = 1.25; P < 0.0001). Peripheral vascular disease was the most highly correlated risk factor for the development of SSIs in this study. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of preoperative risk stratification and optimization to minimize SSIs in this population. This is the first study to delineate the risk factors for the development of SSI in patients undergoing ORIF for bimalleolar ankle fractures. Physicians can use these results to counsel patients before undergoing the index procedure to minimize postoperative infections. Levels of evidence: IV

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether IBD in patients with degenerative lumbar changes undergoing primary 1–2LF is associated with higher rates of (1) in-hospital length of stay, (2) medical complications, (3) readmissions, and (4) costs of care. Summary of Background Data: In the United States, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased concurrently with an aging population with degenerative disk changes. In these patients, primary 1- to 2-lumbar fusion (1–2LF) is a common procedure to resolve serious complications of the spine. Studies comparing these patient demographics to hospital lengths of stay, postoperative complications, readmission rates, and costs of care are limited in the literature. Methods: The inclusion criteria consisted of patients with IBD who underwent 1–2LF, using a 90-day surveillance period, postoperatively. This 90-day surveillance period was used to measure the length of hospital stay, rates of medical complications, rates of readmissions, and overall costs of care. The IBD cohort was matched against a case-matched cohort group. Results: Patients in the study group had significantly longer in-hospital lengths of stay. In addition, patients in the study group had significantly higher incidence and odds of developing postoperative medical complications within 90 days. Also, study group patients had significantly higher readmission rates. Finally, patients in the study group had significantly higher costs of care than their case-matched cohort. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that patients with IBD and degenerative lumbar disease are burdened with longer in-hospital lengths of stay, rates of postoperative medical complications, rates of readmission, and costs of care after undergoing primary 1–2LF.

Introduction: Studies have suggested a strong association between depression and poor outcomes following various orthopaedic surgeries. However, depression’s impact on complications following open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) of trimalleolar fractures has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether depression is associated with higher rates of readmissions and medical complications following ORIF of trimalleolar fractures. Methods: A database query from January, 2020, through March, 2021, identifying adults who underwent trimalleolar ORIF generated 50 154 patients. Those with depression were matched 1:1 to controls without depression by age, sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anxiety, and other prominent comorbidities. Primary endpoints compared 90-day all-cause readmissions and medical complications. Odds ratios (ORs) of the effect of depression on readmissions and medical complications were calculated. Results: Patients with depression who underwent ORIF of trimalleolar fractures had significantly higher odds of being readmitted within 90 days of the initial procedure (OR: 1.37; P < .0001). Ninety-day odds of developing medical complications were significantly higher (OR: 4.61; P < .0001) in patients with depression compared with patients within the control group. Conclusion: Patients with depression undergoing trimalleolar ORIF face an increased risk of readmission and multiple postoperative complications. Orthopaedic surgeons should factor depression into their preoperative evaluation, given the already high burden of complications following ORIF of trimalleolar fractures. Level of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort study

Case: We describe 2 case studies, involving a 10-year-old girl with an aneurysmal bone cyst and a 12-year-old adolescent boy with Ewing sarcoma. The patient with Ewing sarcoma was previously managed with wide surgical excision and fibular graft reconstruction and subsequently experienced significant graft resorption, hardware failure, and fracture 24 months after operation. A revision limb salvage attempt was undertaken. In both cases, fibular strut grafts were harvested and fixed with intramedullary k-wires to recreate the medial and lateral columns of the distal humeral triangle. Conclusion: The technique achieved complete osseous integration, structural support, and functional restoration of the elbow in both cases, with good functional outcomes.

Purpose Acetabular fractures are highly complex injuries often resulting from high-energy trauma. The gold standard treatment for these injuries has become open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). The purpose of this study is to further this understanding and investigate how (1) patient demographics and (2) patient-specific risk factors affect 90-day readmission rates. Methods A retrospective, nationwide query of private insurance database from January 1st, 2010 to October 31st, 2020 was performed using ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes. Patients who underwent acetabular ORIF and were readmitted within 90 days following index procedure were included, patients who were not readmitted served as controls. Patients were divided by demographics and specific risk factors associated with readmission. Results The query yielded a total of 3942 patients. Age and sex were found to be non-significant contributing risk factors to 90-day readmissions. Data also showed that statistically significant comorbidities included arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disease, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, and pathologic weight loss. Conclusion This study illustrated how several patient-specific risk factors may contribute to increased 90-day readmission risk following acetabular ORIF. A heightened awareness of these comorbidities in patients requiring acetabular ORIF is required to improve patient outcomes and minimize rates of readmission. Further investigation is needed to improve patient outcomes, and increase awareness of potential post-operative complications in these higher-risk patient populations.

Introduction In Western countries, there has been a rise in the prevalence of Crohn’s Disease (CD) and primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study delves deeper into the effects of CD on TKA patients by examining (1) the length of in-hospital stay (LOS); (2) the rates of readmission; (3) complications related to implants; and (4) the costs associated with care. Methods A retrospective analysis using the PearlDiver database was conducted, encompassing the time frame between January 1st, 2005 and March 31st, 2014, focusing on patients who underwent TKA and were either diagnosed with CD or not. Patients with CD were paired with control subjects at a 1:5 ratio based on age, gender, and medical comorbidities. The analysis comprised a total of 96,229 patients (CD = 16,039; non-CD = 80,190). Results Patients with CD had a notably longer hospital stay (3 v. 2 days, p < 0.0001) and faced significantly higher rates of 90-day readmissions and complications (19.80% v. 14.91%, OR: 1.40, p < 0.0001; 6.88% v. 4.88%, OR: 1.43, p < 0.0001 respectively). Additionally, CD patients incurred greater expenses on the surgery day ($18,365.98 v. $16,192.00) and within 90 days post-surgery ($21,337.46 v. $19,101.42). Conclusion This study demonstrates longer in-hospital LOS, higher rates of readmissions, implant-related complications, and costs of care among CD patients following primary TKA.