Biological sex impacts perioperative complications after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fracture

Acquired Acromion Compromise, Including Thinning and Fragmentation, Is Not Associated With Poor Outcomes After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Acquired acromial compromise, including thinning (less than 30% of the normal acromion) or fragmentation resulting from acromiohumeral impingement or previous acromioplasty, is a concern in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). This condition may lead to shoulder pain and difficulties in arm elevation because of acromial insufficiency fracture.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) Do patients with acromial compromise (thinning less than 30% of normal acromion or fragmentation) have worse functional outcome scores, ROM, and strength after RSA compared with patients without acromial compromise? (2) Are patients with acromial compromise at a higher risk of complications such as acromial insufficiency fracture after RSA? (3) Do patients who develop acromial insufficiency fracture have predisposing associated factors and worse clinical outcomes?

METHODS

Between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, we treated 398 patients with RSA, and all patients were considered potentially eligible for this study. Our clinic is part of the orthopaedic department within a tertiary general hospital, serving patients from across the country. Among them, 49% (197 of 398) of patients were excluded for the following reasons: 8% (31 of 398) because of proximal humerus fracture, 5% (19 of 398) because of osteonecrosis, 9% (35 of 398) because of previous infective arthritis, 5% (18 of 398) because of a deformed shoulder, 4% (14 of 398) because of poor general condition after surgery, 3% (12 of 398) because of death, and another 17% (68 of 398) were lost before the minimum study follow-up, leaving 51% (201 of 398) for analysis. A preoperative acromial compromise was defined as follows: (1) thinning of the acromion (< 3 mm), which means a thickness of less than 30% of the normal acromion thickness (8 to 9 mm), and (2) acromial fragmentation. Acromial thickness was measured using a CT scan. The middle portion of the anterolateral acromion, situated lateral to the distal end of the clavicle, was crosschecked using the axial view. Measurements were subsequently performed from both coronal and sagittal views. In all, 29 patients with acromion compromise and 172 without acromion compromise met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was no differential loss to follow-up before 2 years between patients with and without acromial compromise in this study (36% [16 of 45] versus 23% [52 of 224]; p = 0.12). We matched patients using propensity score, pairing them in a 1:3 ratio based on gender, age, bone mineral density, diagnosis, previous rotator cuff repair surgery, subscapularis repair or latissimus dorsi transfer performed during surgery, the type of prosthesis used, and follow-up duration. Twenty-three patients with acromial compromise (acromion compromised group) and 69 patients without acromial compromise (normal control group) were matched; the mean ± SD duration of follow-up was 40 ± 22 months in those with acromial compromise and 43 ± 19 months the in normal control group. Pre- and postoperative functional outcome scores, ROM, and shoulder strength were compared. Shoulder scaption refers to lifting the arm in the scapular plane, and scaption strength was measured by applying upward force with the arm at 90° while seated, pushing it as far as possible and measured using a handheld myometer. Complications, including acromial insufficiency fracture, scapular notching, dislocation, periprosthetic infection, and overall risk of complication, were analyzed. Acromial insufficiency fracture was diagnosed based on clinical and radiological findings. Clinically, sudden pain and tenderness at the acromion along with reduced shoulder elevation raised acromial insufficiency fracture suspicion. Radiologically, acromion tilt on plain radiograph or fracture line on coronal CT view confirmed diagnosis of acromial insufficiency fracture.

RESULTS

Comparing both groups, patients with a compromised acromion had no difference in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (60 ± 12 versus 64 ± 12; mean difference -4 [95% CI -11 to 2]; p = 0.16), Constant scores (48 ± 10 versus 54 ± 12; mean difference -6 [95% CI -13 to 0]; p = 0.06), forward flexion degree (125 ± 24 versus 130 ± 21; mean difference -5 [95% CI -16 to 6]; p = 0.36), and scaption strength (5 ± 3 versus 6 ± 3; mean difference -1 [95% CI -3 to 0]; p = 0.13). Having acromial compromise was not associated with increased risk of overall complications (30% [7 of 23] versus 19% [13 of 69], relative risk 2 [95% CI 1 to 4]; p = 0.26). However, the only complication that was higher in the acromial compromised group was infection (13% [3 of 23] versus 0% [0 of 69], relative risk not available; p = 0.01). Only the lateralized glenoid prosthesis demonstrated negative association with the acromial insufficiency fracture occurrence; no other factors showed an association. The use of lateralized glenoid prostheses was not observed in patients with acromial insufficiency fracture (0% [0 of 7] acromial insufficiency fracture versus 39% [33 of 85] no acromial insufficiency fracture, relative risk 0 [95% CI 0]; p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

In patients with acquired acromial compromise-such as thinning or fragmented acromion because of advanced cuff tear arthropathy or previous acromioplasty-primary RSA resulted in no different functional outcome score, ROM, shoulder strength, and overall complications compared with patients without acromial compromise. Our findings suggest that a thin or fragmented acromion may not necessarily be exclusion criteria for RSA, potentially aiding surgeons in their decision-making process when treating these patients. However, one of the major complications, postoperative infection, is more frequently observed in patients with acquired acromial compromise. Pre- and postoperative caution would be necessary to prevent and detect infection even when short-term outcomes are favorable in this study. Further studies with large cohorts and long-term follow-up durations are needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Patient-related risk factors for early unplanned reoperation following revision total shoulder arthroplasty

Purpose

There has been an increase in the number of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) revisions performed as the number of primary surgeries increases rapidly. Revision procedures have a higher failure rate and there is a lack of understanding of patient risk factors for needing another repeat surgery following revision TSA.

Methods

Revision patients were separated into two cohorts: those needing an unplanned reoperation and those that did not within 30 days following revision TSA. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for an unplanned reoperation.

Results

1909 revision TSA patients were included in the final analysis. Sixty-nine of these patients underwent an unplanned reoperation within 30 days and 1840 did not. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found an ASA class of III or IV, male sex, congestive heart failure, and inpatient setting to be independent risk factors.

Conclusion

3.6% of revision TSA patients require an unplanned reoperation within 30 days postoperatively. An ASA class of III or IV, male sex, congestive heart failure, and inpatient setting were found to be independent risk factors for early reoperation. Surgeons should be aware of these risks to improve preoperative patient optimization and guide shared decision making with patients considering revision.

Factors influencing choice of treatment for proximal humeral fractures elaborated in a Delphi consensus process

INTRODUCTION

Hitherto, the decision-making process for treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) remains controversial, with no established or commonly used treatment regimens. Identifying fracture- and patient-related factors that influence treatment decisions is crucial for the development of such treatment algorithms. The objective of this study was to define a Delphi consensus of clinically relevant fracture- and patient-related factors of PHF for clinical application and scientific research.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted among an international panel of preselected experienced shoulder surgeons. An evidence-based list of fracture-related and patient-related factors affecting treatment outcome after PHF was generated and reviewed by the members of the committee through online surveys. The proposed factors were revised for definitions, and suggestions from the first round mentioned in the free text were included as possible factors in the second round of surveys. Consensus was defined as having at least a two-thirds majority agreement.

RESULTS

The Delphi consensus panel consisted of 18 shoulder surgeons who completed 2 rounds of online surveys. There was an agreement of more than two-thirds of the panel for three fracture-related factors affecting treatment decision in the case of PHF: head-split fracture, dislocated tuberosities, and fracture dislocation. Of all patient-related factors, a two-thirds consensus was reached for two factors: age and rotator cuff tear arthropathy.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully conducted a Delphi consensus on factors influencing decision-making in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. The documented factors will be useful for clinical evaluation and scientific validation in future studies.

Short-Term Outcomes and Long-Term Implant Survival After Inpatient Surgical Management of Geriatric Proximal Humerus Fractures

Introduction

The most common surgical options for geriatric proximal humerus fractures are open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), hemiarthroplasty (HA), and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. We used a longitudinal inpatient discharge database to determine the cumulative incidence of conversion to arthroplasty after ORIF of geriatric proximal humerus fractures. The rates of short-term complications and all-cause reoperation were also compared.

Patients and Methods

All patients 65 or older who sustained a proximal humerus fracture and underwent either ORIF, HA, or shoulder arthroplasty (SA) as an inpatient from 2000 through 2017 were identified. Survival analysis was performed with ORIF conversion to arthroplasty and all-cause reoperation as the endpoints of interest. Rates of 30-day readmission and short-term complications were compared. Trends in procedure choice and outcomes over the study period were analyzed.

Results

A total of 27 102 geriatric patients that underwent inpatient surgical management of proximal humerus fractures were identified. Among geriatric patients undergoing ORIF, the cumulative incidence of conversion to arthroplasty within 10 years was 8.2%. The 10-year cumulative incidence of all-cause reoperation was 12.1% for ORIF patients and less than 4% for both HA and SA patients. Female sex was associated with increased risk of ORIF conversion and younger age was associated with higher all-cause reoperation. ORIF was associated with higher 30-day readmission and short-term complication rates. Over the study period, the proportion of patients treated with ORIF or SA increased while the proportion of patients treated with HA decreased. Short-term complication rates were similar between arthroplasty and ORIF patients in the later cohort (2015-2017).

Conclusion

The 10-year cumulative incidence of conversion to arthroplasty for geriatric patients undergoing proximal humerus ORIF as an inpatient was found to be 8.2%. All-cause reoperations, short-term complications, and 30-day readmissions were all significantly lower among patients undergoing arthroplasty, but the difference in complication rate between arthroplasty and ORIF was attenuated in more recent years. Younger age was a risk factor for reoperation and female sex was associated with increased risk of requiring conversion to arthroplasty after ORIF.

How age and gender influence proximal humerus fracture management in patients older than fifty years

Background

As the aging population expands, proximal humerus fractures have become more prevalent. This study aimed to evaluate acute management of proximal humerus fractures in women and men older than the age of 50 years to determine how gender and age have affected definitive treatment selection over the last decade.

Methods

Patient records were retrospectively reviewed from a commercially available database, PearlDiver, to identify treatments for proximal humerus fractures between 2010 and 2019. Data were separated by age into two cohorts, patients aged 50-64 years and those aged 65 years and older before stratification by gender. Within each cohort, groups were matched with respect to age, region, and Elixhauser comorbidity index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine which gender was associated with a higher risk of undergoing operative treatment, which gender was associated with a higher risk of receiving arthroplasty, and which of the individual surgical operations were more likely given the patient’s gender and age.

Results

In the 50- to 64-year-old cohort, men were less likely to be treated operatively than women (odds ratio [OR]: 0.90). However, men in this cohort had a 31% higher likelihood of receiving an arthroplasty procedure than women when given operative treatment. Specifically, men aged 50 to 64 years were more likely to receive hemiarthroplasty (OR: 1.48) and intramedullary nailing (OR: 1.19) and were less likely to have open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) (OR: 0.71). In the 65 years and older cohort, there was no relationship between gender and the likelihood of operative treatment for a proximal humerus fracture. Men older than 65 years had a 29% lower likelihood of receiving an arthroplasty type procedure than women older than 65 years. In addition, men older than 65 years were more likely to receive ORIF (OR: 1.14) and intramedullary nailing (OR: 1.43) and less likely to receive hemiarthroplasty (OR: 0.86) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (OR: 0.66) than similarly aged women.

Conclusion

Both age and gender have an association with the definitive treatment patients received for proximal humerus fractures over the last decade. Women younger than 65 years of age were more likely to undergo operative treatment, although once older than 65 years, there was no influence of gender on operative treatment. Men younger than 65 years were more likely to receive arthroplasty and women, more likely to undergo ORIF; however, as patients reached the age of 65 years and older, this finding was reversed such that women were more likely to receive arthroplasty and men, ORIF. Further exploration into these differences could improve decision-making between surgeons and patients.

Male Sex Is Associated with Higher Mortality and Increased Risk for Complications after Surgical Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fractures

AIMS

The best surgical treatment of multi-fragmentary proximal humeral fractures in the elderly is a highly controversial topic. The aim of this study is to assess for sex-related differences regarding mortality and complications after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) and locking plate fixation (LPF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients from the largest German healthcare insurance (26.5 million policy holders) above the age of 65 years that were treated with LPF or RTSA after a multi-fragmentary proximal humerus fracture between January 2010 and September 2018 were included. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the association of sex with overall survival, major adverse events and surgical complications.

RESULTS

A total of 8264 (15%) men and 45,707 (85%) women were followed up for a median time of 52 months. After 8 years, male patients showed significantly higher rates for death (65.8%; 95% CI 63.9-67.5% vs. 51.1%; 95% CI 50.3-51.9%; p < 0.001) and major adverse events (75.5%; 95% CI 73.8-77.1% vs. 61.7%; 95% CI 60.9-62.5%; p < 0.001). With regard to surgical complications, after adjustment of patient risk profiles, there were no differences between females and males after LPF (p > 0.05), whereas men showed a significantly increased risk after RTSA (HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.56-2.22; p < 0.001) with more revision surgeries performed (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.46-2.12; p < 0.001) compared to women.

CONCLUSION

The male sex is an independent risk factor for death and major adverse events after both LPF and RTSA. An increased risk for surgical complications after RTSA suggests that male patients benefit more from LPF. Sex should be considered before making treatment decisions.