Accurate and precise positioning of the acetabular cup remains a prevalent challenge in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Robotic assistance for THA has increased over the past decade due to the potential to improve the accuracy of implant placement. However, a common criticism of existing robotic systems is the requirement for preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans. This additional imaging increases patient radiation exposure, as well as cost, and requires pin placement during surgery. The goal of this study was to analyze the radiation burden associated with a novel, CT-free robotic THA system compared to an unassisted manual THA approach (n = 100/arm). On average, the study cohort had a higher number of fluoroscopic images captured (7.5 vs. 4.3 images; p < 0.001), radiation dose (3.0 vs. 1.0 mGy; p < 0.001), and a longer duration of radiation exposure (18.8 vs. 6.3 s; p < 0.001), per procedure, than the control group. Additionally, no learning curve was detected by CUSUM analysis with respect to the number of fluoroscopic images taken during the adoption of the robotic THA system. While statistically significant, in comparison to published literature, the radiation exposure of the CT-free robotic THA system was comparable to that of unassisted manual THA approach and less than that of CT-based robotic approaches. Thus, the novel CT-free robotic system likely poses no clinically significant increase in radiation exposure to the patient compared to manual approaches.

Background: Direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) with fluoroscopic assistance is growing in popularity. Variables such as pelvic tilt, c-arm technique, and patient positioning can affect the perceived fluoroscopic view. This study evaluates the effect of these variables on the position of the acetabular component. Methods: Forty-one hips in 40 patients undergoing direct anterior arthroplasty THA with fluoroscopic assistance underwent routine postoperative radiographs and postoperative pelvic computed tomography scan. The acetabular component position as defined by a 3-dimensional reconstruction was compared to the surgeon's intraoperative perception of the component's position and compared to routine postoperative plain radiograph measurements. Results: Although fluoroscopy was used to create an anteroposterior pelvic radiograph utilizing the coccyx to pubis symphysis distance, a 3D reconstruction created in the same pelvic orientation as the fluoroscopic images confirmed that 39/41 hips were placed with unrecognized excess of anteversion and inclination secondary to imaging the pelvis in extension. Conclusion: Intraoperative imaging during supine direct anterior arthroplasty THA confirms appropriate component placement. Pelvic tilt can greatly affect the perceived position of the acetabular component and cannot be accurately compensated for by assessing the relationship between the coccyx and pubic symphysis due to morphologic variation and orientation. We recommend positioning the c-arm so that the size and shape of the obturator foramen matches the standing preoperative anteroposterior pelvis image. This technique allows for the native standing pelvic tilt to be accounted for intraoperatively and will result in the least variation in intraoperative and postoperative standing acetabular component orientation. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Demand for total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasties (TKA) is expected to rise sharply by 2030. Increasing demand in conjunction with financial pressure requires the use of cost-effective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) strategies. This study examined the effects that day of week and surgery location [academic (AH) versus orthopaedic-specific (OsH) hospital] have on length of stay (LOS) and cost for primary TJA patients in one multihospital university-based medical center. An Institutional Review Board-approved database of adult patients undergoing primary THA or TKA from June 2013 to December 2014 was constructed. Surgery location, day of procedure, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, LOS, and cost were recorded for each patient. Data were compared for significant differences using analysis of variance, t-Test or rank sum and for strength of correlations using Pearson's or Spearman's tests. A total of 1,291 patients met inclusion criteria. OsH showed significantly lower cost and shorter LOS than AH. Wednesday surgeries had significantly higher cost and longer LOS than all other days. Friday surgeries had significantly lower cost and shorter LOS than other days. ASA 3 and 4 were associated with the highest cost and longest LOS. LOS had a moderately strong direct correlation to cost. ASA did not have a strong correlation with LOS or cost. Data separated for THA and TKA showed similar results. At our institution, OsH provides more consistent and lower LOS and cost across all ASA classes. Wednesday and Thursday surgeries have increased LOS and cost than other days, which may be due to weekend discharge difficulties (average LOS is 3.0 days).

The elderly (age 70+) patient with orthopedic trauma is a rapidly growing subset of patients in the United States. Due to increased medical comorbidities and decreased physiological reserve, morbidity and mortality after trauma may significantly differ from those patients younger than 70 years old. A retrospective review was performed to investigate the effect of age on orthopedic trauma. A total of 870 records of patients with orthopedic trauma from 2006 to 2009 at our Level One trauma center were reviewed. A database was created to include demographics, type and number of comorbid conditions at presentation, injuries, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, and description of the fracture. Patients aged 70 years and older had an increased number of comorbidities per person (3.3214-P < .0001). Length of stay in patients aged 70 years and older was not significantly greater than that of the younger patients. They spent an average of 14.76 days in the hospital compared to 13.42 days for the combined younger patients (P = .45), but they spent significantly (P < .0001) more of their stay in the ICU (52.74% vs 34.9% for the younger cohorts). The number of fractures per patient was lower (1.66) in the 70 and older age-group when compared to younger populations (P < .0001). The 70 and older group was more likely to have their injury due to a fall and less likely to have solid organ injuries. As the number of elderly patients increase, continued research in the management of elderly patients with trauma can lead to protocols and practice guidelines to improve outcomes.

The failed total knee arthroplasty is a challenge to the surgeon and the patient. Infection, bone loss, and instability lead to a chronically painful and dysfunctional limb. Two-stage revision arthroplasty has been successful in clearing a majority of periprosthetic joint infections. However, there are many cases when the multiply revised and infected total knee arthroplasty cannot be salvaged. We report, a review of knee arthrodesis and a novel technique to manage significant bone loss. The use of trabecular metal cones and a long intramedullary nail can be used in concert with an autologous intramedullary bone graft to provide a stable, length restoring construct with sufficient biology to heal very large bone voids. With this technique we have successfully restored function and stability in the failed knee arthroplasty.

A 62-year-old man underwent total knee arthroplasty using a mobile-bearing prosthesis. Four days post-operatively the patient experienced the first of several acute knee dislocations. Closed reduction was performed at an outside hospital a total of three times prior to presentation at this institution. A two-stage exchange of the TKA was recommended due to the clinical suspicion for an infected prosthesis. Upon surgical exploration, it was discovered that the polyethylene insert had spun out completely to 180°. Closed reduction attempts of a posterior dislocation of a mobile-bearing knee prosthesis may contribute to complete 180° spinout of the polyethylene insert.

We hypothesised that cells obtained via a Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) system retain substantial osteogenic potential and are at least equivalent to graft harvested from the iliac crest. Graft was harvested using the RIA in 25 patients (mean age 37.6 years (18 to 68)) and from the iliac crest in 21 patients (mean age 44.6 years (24 to 78)), after which ≥ 1 g of bony particulate graft material was processed from each. Initial cell viability was assessed using Trypan blue exclusion, and initial fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis for cell lineage was performed. After culturing the cells, repeat FACS analysis for cell lineage was performed and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for osteocalcin, and Alizarin red staining to determine osteogenic potential. Cells obtained via RIA or from the iliac crest were viable and matured into mesenchymal stem cells, as shown by staining for the specific mesenchymal antigens CD90 and CD105. For samples from both RIA and the iliac crest there was a statistically significant increase in bone production (both p < 0.001), as demonstrated by osteocalcin production after induction. Medullary autograft cells harvested using RIA are viable and osteogenic. Cell viability and osteogenic potential were similar between bone grafts obtained from both the RIA system and the iliac crest.

Concomitant bladder injury is not an uncommon occurrence with pelvic fractures sustained via blunt trauma. Urine can often pool or collect in the peritoneum or form urinomas in multiple sites. We report a case of a patient who sustained a pelvic ring injury with extraperitoneal bladder rupture and an open dislocation of the knee that drained extravasated urine. Pelvic fractures with bladder injury and urinomas have been reported in the literature1,2; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of urine draining from an open knee wound. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he provided consent. All patient confidentiality in this report is protected according to the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. A twenty-three-year-old man was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident at highway speed in which he struck a tree lying in the roadway. At the scene of the accident, he had a Glasgow Coma Score of 15 with stable vital signs; he was transported to our American College of Surgeons Level-I Trauma Center by helicopter. Initial assessment revealed an open dislocation of the left knee and pelvic fracture on the left side. A Foley catheter was placed, and gross hematuria was revealed. The patient was able to wiggle the toes of the left lower extremity prior to intubation. He was intubated in the trauma bay for pain control and sedation during assessment of the leg wound. The left lower extremity revealed a large laceration that extended from the midanterior part of the thigh distally to the tibial tubercle. The wound lay directly anterior over the knee joint, and the articular surface was visible (Fig. 1). This wound was contaminated with dirt and grass debris. The knee was grossly …