Saturday, May 26, 2012

Causes and predictors of early re-admission after surgery for a fracture of the hip [Trauma]

Causes and predictors of early re-admission after surgery for a fracture of the hip [Trauma]:
The aim of this study was to examine the rates and potential risk factors for 28-day re-admission following a fracture of the hip at a high-volume tertiary care hospital. We retrospectively reviewed 467 consecutive patients with a fracture of the hip treated in the course of one year. Causes and risk factors for unplanned 28-day re-admissions were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis, including the difference in one-year mortality. A total of 55 patients (11.8%) were re-admitted within 28 days of discharge. The most common causes were pneumonia in 15 patients (27.3%), dehydration and renal dysfunction in ten (18.2%) and deteriorating mobility in ten (18.2%). A moderate correlation was found between chest infection during the initial admission and subsequent re-admission with pneumonia (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). A significantly higher mortality rate at one year was seen in the re-admission group (41.8% (23 of 55) vs 18.7% (77 of 412), p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified advancing age, admission source, and the comorbidities of diabetes and neurological disorders as the strongest predictors for re-admission. Early re-admission following hip fracture surgery is predominantly due to medical causes and is associated with higher one-year mortality. The risk factors for re-admission can have implications for performance-based pay initiatives in the NHS. Multidisciplinary management in reducing post-operative active clinical problems may reduce early re-admission.

The outcome at 15 years of endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft for 'isolated' anterior cruciate ligament rupture [Knee]

The outcome at 15 years of endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft for 'isolated' anterior cruciate ligament rupture [Knee]:
The purpose of this study was to report the outcome of ‘isolated’ anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures treated with anatomical endoscopic reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft at a mean of 15 years (14.25 to 16.9). A total of 100 consecutive men and 100 consecutive women with ‘isolated’ ACL rupture underwent four-strand hamstring tendon reconstruction with anteromedial portal femoral tunnel drilling and interference screw fixation by a single surgeon. Details were recorded pre-operatively and at one, two, seven and 15 years post-operatively. Outcomes included clinical examination, subjective and objective scoring systems, and radiological assessment. At 15 years only eight of 118 patients (7%) had moderate or severe osteo-arthritic changes (International Knee Documentation Committee Grades C and D), and 79 of 152 patients (52%) still performed very strenuous activities. Overall graft survival at 15 years was 83% (1.1% failure per year). Patients aged < 18 years at the time of surgery and patients with > 2 mm of laxity at one year had a threefold increase in the risk of suffering a rupture of the graft (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was no increase in laxity of the graft over time.
ACL reconstructive surgery in patients with an ‘isolated’ rupture using this technique shows good results 15 years post-operatively with respect to ligamentous stability, objective and subjective outcomes, and does not appear to cause osteoarthritis.

A financial analysis of revision hip arthroplasty: The economic burden in relation to the national tariff [Hip]

A financial analysis of revision hip arthroplasty: The economic burden in relation to the national tariff [Hip]:
Revision arthroplasty of the hip is expensive owing to the increased cost of pre-operative investigations, surgical implants and instrumentation, protracted hospital stay and drugs. We compared the costs of performing this surgery for aseptic loosening, dislocation, deep infection and peri-prosthetic fracture. Clinical, demographic and economic data were obtained for 305 consecutive revision total hip replacements in 286 patients performed at a tertiary referral centre between 1999 and 2008. The mean total costs for revision surgery in aseptic cases (n = 194) were £11 897 (sd 4629), for septic revision (n = 76) £21 937 (sd 10 965), for peri-prosthetic fracture (n = 24) £18 185 (sd 9124), and for dislocation (n = 11) £10 893 (sd 5476). Surgery for deep infection and peri-prosthetic fracture was associated with longer operating times, increased blood loss and an increase in complications compared to revisions for aseptic loosening. Total inpatient stay was also significantly longer on average (p < 0.001). Financial costs vary significantly by indication, which is not reflected in current National Health Service tariffs.

Indications for reverse shoulder replacement: A systematic review [Instructional review: Upper Limb]

Indications for reverse shoulder replacement: A systematic review [Instructional review: Upper Limb]:
The outcome of an anatomical shoulder replacement depends on an intact rotator cuff. In 1981 Grammont designed a novel large-head reverse shoulder replacement for patients with cuff deficiency. Such has been the success of this replacement that it has led to a rapid expansion of the indications. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the functional outcome of each indication for the reverse shoulder replacement. Secondary outcome measures of range of movement, pain scores and complication rates are also presented.

A novel, simple method of delivering oxygen for endoscopic procedures

A novel, simple method of delivering oxygen for endoscopic procedures: We describe a novel, yet simple method of delivering oxygen via a simple face mask during anesthetic care for upper endoscopy or transesophageal echocardiographic procedures. Some patients do not tolerate the nasal cannula, or they require higher oxygen (O2) concentrations. Normally, one would place a simple face mask for procedures not involving the mouth. However, for procedures in which the mouth needs to be accessed, applying a simple face mask is not possible. Therefore, to deliver O2 and provide access to the mouth, we cut a hole in the middle of a simple face mask (). This modification allows an easy opening for the endoscope and simultaneous delivery of O2 to the patient (). It also permits a method for monitoring of end-tidal CO2. While waiting for the procedure to start, and at the end of the procedure, if supplemental oxygen is still needed, paper tape may be placed over the hole to prevent loss of O2 to the atmosphere ().

Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma: Focus on Magnesium, Clevidipine, and Vasopressin

Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma: Focus on Magnesium, Clevidipine, and Vasopressin: The perioperative management of pheochromocytomas requires meticulous anesthetic care. There has been considerable progress in its management, recently 3 agents that may be particularly advantageous to the anesthetic team have been identified. Magnesium sulfate is readily available, cheap, safe, and effective for hemodynamic control before tumor resection. It has demonstrated efficacy in adults, children, and in rarer scenarios, such as pheochromocytoma resection in pregnancy and in pheochromocytoma crises. Although only recently entering clinical practice, clevidipine exhibits a pharmacologic profile of great interest, showing efficacy in the management of hypertensive crisis and providing rapid titration and precise hemodynamic control. Its application in the perioperative management of pheochromocytoma before tumor resection recently has been described and likely will expand in the near future. Vasopressin has demonstrated utility in the management of catecholamine-resistant shock after tumor resection. A familiarity with these 3 agents offers anesthesia providers further effective pharmacologic options for managing the hemodynamic challenges inherent to this population before and after tumor resection.

Use of Rapid “Rescue” Perioperative Echocardiography to Improve Outcomes After Hemodynamic Instability in Noncardiac Surgical Patients

Use of Rapid “Rescue” Perioperative Echocardiography to Improve Outcomes After Hemodynamic Instability in Noncardiac Surgical Patients: Objective:
To investigate if modified “rescue” echocardiography enhanced management during perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Design:
A retrospective analysis of the medical data.

Setting:
Perioperative setting at a single academic medical center.

Participants:
Thirty-one adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery who experienced perioperative hemodynamic instability and were evaluated by either transthoracic echocardiography (TTE, n = 9) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE, n = 22).

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Rapid “rescue” echocardiography was performed on each patient looking for a specific cause for the patient's perioperative compromise. Echocardiography results, medical management, surgical management, and patient outcomes were all reviewed from the medical record and the department database. All patients were found to have an explainable diagnosis for the hemodynamic instability on the echocardiographic examination. The most common diagnoses were left-heart dysfunction (n = 16), right-heart dysfunction (n = 9), hypovolemia (n = 5), pulmonary embolus (n = 5), and myocardial ischemia (n = 4). Based on findings at echocardiography, 4 patients (13%) underwent and survived an emergent secondary procedure. All 31 patients recovered during their surgical procedure, and 25 (81%) progressed to hospital discharge.

Conclusions:
Both TTE and TEE can play a critical role in the diagnosis and management of perioperative hemodynamic instability.