Optimizing Arthroscopy for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: The Effect of Ankle Positions and Distraction During Anterior and Posterior Arthroscopy in a Cadaveric Model

Revision/Conversion Surgeries After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass-An Experts' Modified Delphi Consensus

PURPOSE

There is a lack of evidence for treatment of some conditions including complication management, suboptimal initial weight loss, recurrent weight gain, or worsening of a significant obesity complication after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study was designed to respond to the existing lack of agreement and to provide a valuable resource for clinicians by employing an expert-modified Delphi consensus method.

METHODS

Forty-eight recognized bariatric surgeons from 28 countries participated in the modified Delphi consensus to vote on 64 statements in two rounds. An agreement/disagreement among ≥ 70.0% of the experts was regarded to indicate a consensus.

RESULTS

A consensus was achieved for 46 statements. For recurrent weight gain or worsening of a significant obesity complication after OAGB, more than 85% of experts reached a consensus that elongation of the biliopancreatic limb (BPL) is an acceptable option and the total bowel length measurement is mandatory during BPL elongation to preserve at least 300-400 cm of common channel limb length to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Also, more than 85% of experts reached a consensus on conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with or without pouch downsizing as an acceptable option for the treatment of persistent bile reflux after OAGB and recommend detecting and repairing any size of hiatal hernia during conversion to RYGB.

CONCLUSION

While the experts reached a consensus on several aspects regarding revision/conversion surgeries after OAGB, there are still lingering areas of disagreement. This highlights the importance of conducting further studies in the future to address these unresolved issues.

Talar Dome Access Through Posteromedial Surgical Intervals for Fracture Care

BACKGROUND

Posterior talar body fractures are rare injuries without a consensus surgical approach. This study evaluates the accessible area of the talar dome through 2 posteromedial approach intervals (posteromedial [PM] and modified posteromedial [mPM]) both with and without distraction.

METHODS

Ten male cadaveric legs (5 matched pairs) were included. A PM approach, between flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and the tibial neurovascular bundle, and an mPM approach, between FHL and Achilles tendon, was performed on each pair. In total, 4 mm of distraction across the tibiotalar joint was applied with the foot held in neutral position. Accessible dome surface area (DSA) was outlined by drilling with a 1.6-mm Kirschner wire with and without distraction. Specimens were explanted and analyzed by micro-computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction. Primary outcomes were total accessible DSA and sagittal plane access at predetermined intervals.

RESULTS

The PM approach allowed access to 19.1% of the talar DSA without distraction and 33.1% of the talar dome with distraction (P < .001). The mPM approach provided access to 20.4% and 35.6% of the talar DSA without and with distraction (P < .001). Both approaches demonstrated similar sagittal plane access at all intervals except the lateral border of the talus, where the mPM approach provided greater access both without distraction (20.5% vs 4.38%, P = .002) and with distraction (34.3% vs 17.8%, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

The mPM approach, using an interval between FHL and Achilles tendon, provides similar access to the posterior surface of talar dome and better sagittal plane access to the most lateral portion of the dome. The mPM interval provides the advantage of avoiding direct dissection of the tibial nerve or posterior tibial artery. Using an external fixator for distraction can improve talar dome visualization substantially.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, Cadaveric Study.

Mapping of Posterior Talar Dome Access Through Posteromedial Versus Posterolateral Approaches

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accessible area of the talar dome through 2 standard posterior approaches [posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL)] with and without distraction.

METHODS

A standard PM or PL approach was performed with and without external fixator distraction on 12 through-knee cadaveric legs (6 matched pairs). The accessible area of the talar dome was outlined and imaged in a microcomputed tomography scanner to achieve 3D reconstructions of the accessible surface area. The study outcomes were accessible surface area of the talar dome in (1) total surface area and (2) sagittal plane distance of the talar dome at predetermined intervals.

RESULTS

The PM approach provided significantly more access to the talar dome than did the PL approach both with and without distraction (P < 0.001). The PM approach allowed access to 15.8% (SD = 4.7) of the talar dome without distraction and 26.4% (SD = 8.0, P < 0.001) of the talar dome with distraction. The PL approach provided access to 6.69% (SD = 2.69, P = 0.006 compared with PM) and 14.6% (SD = 6.24, P = 0.006 compared with PM) of the talar dome surface area without and with distraction. At the difficult to access posterocentral region (L50) of the talus, the PM approach without and with distraction allowed 26.7% (SD = 4.1) and 38.6% (SD = 5.6, P < 0.001) sagittal plane access compared with 18.7% (SD = 5.61, P = 0.03) and 27.5% (SD = 7.11, P = 0.003) through a PL approach.

CONCLUSION

The PM approach provides greater access to the posterocentral and PM talus. Using an external fixator for distraction can improve intraoperative visualization by at least 40%. This study provides a roadmap that can help guide talar dome surgical access for treatment of posterior talus fractures and help determine when an approach that includes an osteotomy can be avoided.

Maximum Ankle Plantarflexion and Dorsiflexion Allow for Optimal Arthroscopic Access to the Talar Dome: An Anatomic 3-Dimensional Radiography Study

PURPOSE

(1) to improve the comprehension of the topographical position of the talar dome beneath the inferior articular surface of the tibia and, (2) to illustrate the changes of possible access to the articular surface of the talar dome during arthroscopic treatment of talar osteochondral defects in an anatomical model.

METHODS

Twenty matched pairs (n = 40) of anatomical ankle specimen were used. All specimens were mounted in a standardized fashion, 3-dimensional radiography was performed in 4 defined positions (maximum dorsiflexion, neutral position, noninvasive distraction, and maximum plantarflexion). All radiographs were analyzed and statistically compared.

RESULTS

Anterior accessibility was highest in maximum plantarflexion (medial: 49.20 ± 9.86%, lateral: 48.19 ± 8.85%), followed by non-invasive distraction (medial: 33.60 ± 7.96%, lateral: 31.98 ± 8.30%). Neutral position (medial: 19.34 ± 6.90%, lateral: 17.54 ± 6.63%) and dorsiflexion (medial: 15.36 ± 5.03%, lateral: 13.88 ± 4.33%) were not able to significantly increase accessibility. Posterior accessibility was greatest in maximum dorsiflexion (medial: 56.69 ± 9.65%, lateral: 46.82 ± 8.36%), followed by neutral position of the ankle joint (medial: 40.95 ± 8.28%, lateral: 31.06 ± 6.92%). Noninvasive distraction (medial: 31.41 ± 8.18%, lateral: 22.99 ± 7.63%) was still significantly better than plantarflexion (medial: 14.54 ± 5.10%, lateral: 13.89 ± 3.14%) and slightly increased accessibility to the talar dome. Medially, a central area of 5.89 ± 9.76% was accessible by maximum plantarflexion and maximum dorsiflexion from anterior and posterior, respectively, laterally a central blind spot of 4.99 ± 8.61% was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

From an anatomical point of view, maximum joint positions of the ankle (i.e., plantarflexion and dorsiflexion) allow for better access to the talar dome in anterior and posterior ankle arthroscopy. Noninvasive distraction may increase accessibility in anterior approaches, but has no benefit from posterior.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides insight into the morphology of the ankle joint in a standardized laboratory setup and illustrates the influence of different surgically relevant ankle joint positions. The presented data allow for better preoperative planning for the arthroscopic treatment of talar osteochondral defects.

Editorial Commentary: How Far Can the Arthroscope Reach in the Ankle Joint?

Surgical access to pathology of the talar dome (e.g., osteochondral lesions of the talus) can be limited because of the ankle joint congruity. When considering arthroscopic treatment, anterior arthroscopy with the ankle in plantar flexion or posterior arthroscopy with the ankle in dorsiflexion is used. The surgeon should carefully assess different clinical and radiologic aspects to plan the optimal operative approach. Meticulous physical examination, including ankle range of motion and possible palpation of a talar lesion, in combination with exact lesion localization on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging usually provide sufficient preoperative information. Most lesions with the anterior border localized on or anterior to the midline of the talus are accessible by anterior arthroscopy. In the case of preoperative doubt concerning the intraoperative accessibility, a computed tomography scan of the ankle in full plantarflexion is used to mirror arthroscopic reachability. Intraoperative surgical tricks to increase accessibility to the lesion may consist of an adjunct soft-tissue distraction device, reduction of the distal tibial rim, and treating the lesion from anteriorly to posteriorly, thereby gaining further exposure to the lesion throughout the procedure.

Role of Arthroscopy in Various Ankle Disorders

INTRODUCTION

Ankle arthroscopy has come a long way since it was thought, it is not feasible because of tight joint and anatomical characteristics of ankle joint. The same anatomical features like capsular attachment and safe accessory portals are used to access the whole joint even with a rigid arthroscope. Ankle distraction method was routinely used to access the anterior ankle. However, nowadays, anterior arthroscopy is done in dorsiflexion as this increases the anterior ankle joint volume, and thereby easy access to various anatomical structures. On the other hand, intermittent traction is used to access the posterior ankle. Initially used as a diagnostic tool, ankle arthroscopy is now used extensively as a therapeutic and reconstruction tool. New evidence is published for all inside ligament reconstructions, effective management of impingement syndromes, and osteochondral lesions. The indications are being extended to fracture management and arthrodesis.

METHODOLOGY

This narrative review was performed following a literature search in the Pubmed database and Medline using the following keywords: ankle arthroscopy, portals, ankle OCD, functional outcome. Related articles were then reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Complications rate is reduced with a better understanding of the relative anatomy of surrounding neurovascular structures and tendons with regard to the position of ankle joint. This review on ankle arthroscopy focuses on anatomy, indications, and complications. Ankle arthroscopy is a safe and elegant tool as any other joint arthroscopy.

Osteochondral Defects of the Talus: How to Treat Without an Osteotomy

Surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus without an osteotomy depends on the size, location, and chronicity of the lesion. Bone marrow stimulation techniques, such as microfracture, can be performed arthroscopically and have consistently good outcomes in lesions less than 1 cm in diameter. For lesions not amenable to bone marrow stimulation, one-stage techniques, such as allograft cartilage extracellular matrix and allograft juvenile hyaline cartilage, may be used. Arthroscopy may be used in many cases to address these lesions; however, an arthrotomy may be required to use osteochondral autograft and allograft transplantation techniques.

Operative Approaches to Ankle and Hindfoot Arthroscopy

The role of arthroscopy in the management of ankle and hindfoot pathology management has increased greatly in recent years with the potential for lower complication rates, faster recovery, improved access, and improved outcomes when compared to open techniques. Procedural variations exist as techniques aim to optimize lesion access, decrease operative time, and improve patient safety. Our goal is to summarize the described approaches and patient positionings common in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for anterior, lateral, and posterior ankle pathologies. A survey of pathology organized by arthroscopic approach and a review of recent advances in concomitant lesion management may be useful when planning arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, expert opinion.

A step-by-step arthroscopic examination of the anterior ankle compartment

PURPOSE

Despite the increased use of ankle dorsiflexion without distraction, no reports have specifically addressed the arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle in this position. The purpose of this study was to describe the normal arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle joint, when using the ankle dorsiflexion and the dynamic distraction technique, and to propose an arthroscopic examination system for the anterior ankle compartment.

METHODS

Ankle arthroscopy was performed in 20 fresh frozen specimens. Arthroscopic examination was performed with the arthroscope introduced through the anteromedial portal. The anterior compartment was examined in ankle dorsiflexion without distraction. The compartment was examined in four steps: (1) lateral area including the lateral gutter; (2) the central area of the anterior tibial rim; (3) the medial area including the medial gutter; (4) the talar neck. Next, distraction was applied to visualise the anterior compartment again and to examine the central and posterior ankle compartments.

RESULTS

Anatomic intra-articular structures were visualised in all specimens. Four intra-articular fat pads, one anteromedial, two syndesmotic and another posteromedial, were constantly observed. A description of the normal arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle using the ankle dorsiflexion and the dynamic distraction technique is detailed for the anterior, central and posterior compartments.

CONCLUSION

The ankle arthroscopic procedure without distraction allows constant visualisation of the ATFL's superior fascicle on the floor of the lateral gutter, the ATiFL's distal fascicle laterally and the most anterior margin of the deltoid ligament in the medial gutter (anterior tibiotalar ligament). However, ankle distraction is required to observe the central and posterior compartments, but it does not provide optimal visualisation of the anterior ankle compartment structures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Accessibility to Talar Dome in Neutral Position, Dorsiflexion, or Noninvasive Distraction in Posterior Ankle Arthroscopy

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are frequent pathologies of the ankle joint. Especially through arthroscopy, the treatment is kept as minimally invasive as possible. However, there are some drawbacks as to the reachability because of the high congruency of the ankle joint. Here, either noninvasive distraction or maximal dorsiflexion may be an option for better access to the lesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate maximal dorsiflexion compared to neutral position or noninvasive distraction of the ankle joint in the arthroscopic reachability of the talar dome. The hypothesis of this study was that maximal dorsiflexion would allow for greater accessibility of the talar dome compared to neutral position or noninvasive distraction of the joint.

METHODS

Twenty matched pairs (n=40) of anatomical ankle specimens were used. The effects of neutral position, maximal dorsiflexion, and noninvasive distraction of the ankle joint on arthroscopic accessibility of the ankle joint were tested. After disarticulation of the talus, reach was measured and compared between the 3 positions.

RESULTS

In neutral position, 13.7±1.2 mm of the talar dome was reached laterally and 14.0±1.0 mm medially. In maximal dorsiflexion, the distance was 19.0±1.1mm laterally and 19.8±1.4 mm medially, and in noninvasive distraction it was 16.1±1.5 mm laterally and 15.7±1.0 mm medially. The statistical comparison showed a significantly better reach in dorsiflexion laterally (P = .003) and medially (P = .026).

CONCLUSION

Accessibility of the talar dome in maximal dorsiflexion was superior to that in neutral position or noninvasive distraction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results of this study may allow for better planning in arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

Editorial Commentary: Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus-Are We Going the Wrong Way?

Recalcitrant osteochondral lesions of the talus present a difficult problem to the treating surgeon. Anterior and posterior approaches have been studied to facilitate treatment access. Current research highlights the accessibility of an osteochondral lesion to treatment from an anterior or posterior approach and shows the importance of foot position and noninvasive distraction to facilitate treatment. Moreover, it is important to consider that using both anterior and posterior portals, most osteochondral lesions can be well treated with a patient in the supine position. Most of all, ankle arthroscopy surgeons must be sure to visualize the central and posterior ankle so as not to miss essential pathology.