Operative Time and Cost Vary by Surgeon: An Analysis of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children

Fluoroscopic image-based behavior analysis can objectively explain subjective expert assessment of wire navigation skill

Psychomotor skill and decision-making efficiency in surgical wire navigation can be objectively evaluated by analysis of intraoperative fluoroscopic image sequences. Prior work suggests that such image-based behavior analysis of operating room (OR) performance can predict performer experience level (R2  = 0.62) and agree with expert opinion (the current standard) on the quality of a final implant construct (R2  = 0.59). However, it is unclear how objective image-based evaluation compares with expert assessments for entire technical OR performances. This study examines the relationships between three key variables: (1) objective image-based criteria, (2) expert opinions, and (3) performing surgeon experience level. A paired-comparison survey of seven experts, based upon eight OR fluoroscopic wire navigation image sequences, shows that the experts' preferences are best explained by objective metrics that reflect psychomotor and decision-making behaviors which are counter-productive to successful implant placement, like image count (R2  = 0.83) and behavior tally (R2  = 0.74). One such behavior, adjustments away from goal, uniquely correlated well with all three key variables: a fluoroscopic image-based analysis composite score (R2  = 0.40), expert consensus (R2  = 0.76), and performer experience (R2  = 0.41). These results confirm that experts view less efficient technical behavior as indicative of lesser technical proficiency. While expert assessments of technical skill were reliable and consistent, neither individual nor consensus expert opinion appears to correlate with performer experience (R2  = 0.11).

Effect of Trainee Level on Surgical Time and Postoperative Complications of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between trainee level and surgical time and postoperative complications of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ACLR at an academic orthopaedic ambulatory surgery center collected demographic and clinical information, including the number of trainees present and trainee level. Unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses assessed the association between trainee number and level with surgical time (time from skin incision to closure) and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Of 799 patients in this study operated on by one of five academic sports surgeons, 87% had at least one trainee involved. The average surgical time overall was 93 ± 21 minutes and by trainee level was 99.7 (junior resident), 88.5 (senior residents), 96.6 (fellows), and 95.6 (no trainees). Trainee level was significantly associated with surgical time (P = 0.0008), with increased surgical time in cases involving fellows (0.0011). Fifteen complications (1.9%) were observed within 90 days of surgery. No notable risk factors of postoperative complications were identified.

CONCLUSION

Resident trainee level does not have a notable effect on surgical time or postoperative complications for ACLR at an ambulatory surgery center, although cases involving fellows had longer surgical times. Trainee level was not associated with risk of postoperative complications.

A NEW FLUOROSCOPY TECHNIQUE FOR SUPRACONDYLAR HUMERUS FRACTURES

Introduction

To compare two different intraoperative fluoroscopy techniques used for closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) in pediatric patients with supracondylar humerus fractures (SHF).

Materials and Methods

Thirty-six patients who underwent SHF surgery from May 2011 to June 2019 were included in the study. During surgery, the classical fluoroscopy method (CFM) was used in 21 patients and the new fluoroscopy method (NFM) was used in the remaining 15 patients.

Results

The mean age was 5.14±1.13 years in the NFM group and 5.38±1.36 years in the CFM group. Mean operative time was 38.14±5.92 minutes in the CFM group and 21.54±3.48 minutes in the NFM group (p=0.001), while mean fluoroscopy times were 25.65±3.91 seconds and 39.84±7.50 seconds in the NFM and CFM groups, respectively (p=0.001). The NFM and CFM groups demonstrated similar functional capacity as measured by the Mayo Elbow Score (p=0.168). Direct radiographs obtained to measure Baumann's angle also showed that the two groups had similar results (p=0.848).

Conclusions

The NFM is a reliable and successful technique as it leads to shorter operative and fluoroscopy times, as well as providing improvement in functional scores and radiological outcomes in short-term follow-up. Level of Evidence III, Therapeutic Studies-Investigating the Results Level of Treatment.

Does Surgical Experience Decrease Radiation Exposure in the Operating Room?

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative fluoroscopy facilitates minimally invasive surgery, and although it is irreplaceable in terms of intraoperative guidance, it results in substantial radiation exposure to the patient and surgical team. Although the risk of radiation exposure because of equipment factors has been described, there is little known about the impact of surgeon experience on radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between years of surgical experience and total dose of radiation used for an archetypal pediatric orthopaedic surgical procedure that requires intraoperative fluoroscopy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of children undergoing closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for supracondylar humerus fractures at a level I pediatric trauma center. Information pertaining to radiation dosage was gathered including fluoroscopic time, total images acquired, magnification use, and dose area product (DAP). Regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of surgeon experience on the outcome variables.

RESULTS

A total of 759 pediatric patients treated by 17 attending surgeons were included. The median surgeon experience was 8.94 years (interquartile range, 5.9 to 19.8). Increased number of pins was associated with increased DAP (P<0.001) and lower years of experience (P=0.025). There was significantly higher fluoroscopy time in seconds (56.9 vs. 42.1 s, P=0.001), DAP (179.9 vs. 110.3 mGy-cm2, P=0.001), use of magnification (39.5 vs. 31.9 s, P=0.043), and total number of images obtained (74.5 vs. 57.6, P=0.008) in attending surgeons with <1 year of experience compared with those with greater experience. An operator extremity was visible in at least 1 saved image in 263 of 759 (35%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Increased surgical experience was significantly associated with decreased fluoroscopy usage, including time, number of images, and dose. Surgeon inexperience increases radiation exposure for patients and staff by over 60% when treating supracondylar humerus fractures. This study clearly identifies methods to reduce radiation exposure, including use of pulsed fluoroscopy instead of continuous fluoroscopy, decreasing use of magnification, removing the operator's extremity from the field, and judicious use and placement of each additional pin.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Comparative Analysis of Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes Between Arthroplasty and Nonarthroplasty Fellowship Trained Surgeons

Background

An adult reconstruction (AR) fellowship is designed to provide advanced training for a broad range of primary reconstructive and complex knee revision surgeries. This study aims to identify outcome differences between primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed by AR fellowship-trained surgeons and non-AR (NAR) fellowship-trained surgeons.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 7415 patients who underwent primary TKA from 2016 to 2020. Two cohorts were established based on whether the operation was performed by an AR or NAR fellowship-trained surgeon. Demographic, clinical data, and patient-reported outcome measures were collected at various time-points (preoperatively, 3 months, 1 year). Demographic differences were assessed with chi-square and independent sample t-tests. Primary outcomes were compared using multilinear regressions, controlling for demographic differences.

Results

AR surgeons performed 5194 (70%) cases while NAR surgeons performed 2221 (30%) cases. Surgical time (minutes) significantly differed between the 2 groups (101.26 vs 111.56; P < .001). Length of stay, 90-day all-cause readmissions, revisions, and all-cause emergency department visits did not statistically differ (P = .079, P = .978, P = .094, and P = .241, respectively). AR surgeons were more likely to discharge their patients home than NAR surgeons (P = .001). NAR group reported lower KOOS, JR scores at 3 months and 1 year (preop: 45.30 vs 45.79, P = .728; 3 months: 64.73 vs 59.47, P < .001; 1 year: 71.66 vs 69.56, P = .234); however, only 3-month scores statistically differed. Veterans RAND-12 Physical and Mental components scores (VR-12 PCS and MCS) were not statistically significant at any time-point between the cohorts. Delta-improvements preoperatively to 1 year in KOOS, JR (26.36 vs 23.77; P < .001) and VR-12 PCS (11.98 vs 10.62; P < .001) scores were significantly higher for the AR cohort but did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates significantly shorter surgical times and greater improvements in KOOS, JR and VR-12 PCS scores associated with TKAs performed by AR fellowship-trained surgeons.

Level III Evidence

Retrospective Cohort Study.

The Impact of Arthroplasty Fellowship Training on Total Joint Arthroplasty: Comparison of Peri-Operative Metrics between Fellowship-Trained Surgeons and Non-Fellowship-Trained Surgeons

BACKGROUND

We sought to identify differences between total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) performed by adult reconstruction fellowship-trained surgeons (FT) than non-fellowship-trained surgeons (NFT).

METHODS

A single-institution database was utilized to identify patients who underwent elective TJA between 2016 and 2019.

RESULTS

In total, 16,882 TJAs were identified: 9111 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and 7771 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). Patients undergoing THA by FT surgeons were older (63.11 vs 61.84 years, P < .001), more likely to be white, insured by Medicare, and less likely to be active smokers (P < .0001). Both surgical time (90.03 vs 113.1 minutes, P < .0001) and mean length of stay (LOS) (1.85 vs 2.72 days, P < .0001) were significantly shorter for THAs performed by FT surgeons than NFT surgeons. A significantly greater percentage of patients were discharged home after THA by FT surgeons than NFT surgeons (88.7% vs 85.2%, P = .002). FT patients were quicker to mobilize with therapy and required 25% less opioids. TKAs performed by FT surgeons were associated with shorter surgical times (87.4 vs 94.92 minutes, P < .0001), LOS (2.62 vs 2.84 days, P < .0001), and nearly 19% less opioid requirement in the peri-operative period. In addition to higher Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care scores associated with FT surgeons after TKA, a significantly greater percentage of patients were discharged home after TKA by FT surgeons than NFT surgeons (83.97% vs 80.16%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

For both THA and TKA, patients had significantly shorter surgical times, LOS, and required less opioids when their procedure was performed by FT surgeons compared to NTF surgeons. Patients who had their TJA performed by a FT surgeon achieved higher Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care scores and were discharged home more often than NFT surgeons. In an era of value-based care, more attention should be paid to the patient outcomes and financial implications associated with arthroplasty fellowship training.

LEVEL III EVIDENCE

Retrospective Cohort Study.