Total hip arthroplasty in patients under 50 years old: Does cementless fixation have better results?

BACKGROUND

Cementless fixation for hip arthroplasties has increased in the last decades, particularly in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term results three different types of fixations in patients under 50years old.

METHODS

Cemented, hybrid and cementless fixations were assessed in patients under 50years old with a minimum follow-up of 8years. Loosening, demarcation, complications, and prosthesis survival were assessed. Functional analysis was performed with the modified Harris Hip Score and Visual analogue scale was collected.

RESULTS

Final series consisted in 222 patients. Significant improvement was observed regarding mHHS and VAS score in each group. We observed statistically significant difference regarding demarcation between the groups (P<.001). The higher rate of acetabular and femoral stem loosening was observed in the cemented (20.0%) and hybrid (18.9%) group. The lowest prosthesis survival rate after 16 years was observed in hybrid group (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Total hip replacement has good long-term clinical and functional outcomes. The lowest rate of prosthesis survival was observed in hybrid group with 84.2% after 16years.

[Translated article] Pericapsular nerves block (PENG) is an effective and safe alternative for postoperative pain management after primary total hip arthroplasty: A randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty can affect postoperative rehabilitation and delay hospital discharge. The objective of this study is to compare pericapsular nerves group (PENG) block with pericapsular infiltration (PAI) and plexus nerve block (PNB) for postoperative pain management, response to physical therapy, opioid consumption, and length of hospital stay after a primary total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

Randomised clinical trial of parallel and blinded groups was performed. Sixty patients who underwent elective THA between December 2018 and July 2020 were randomised into the different groups (PENG, PAI and PNB). The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain; and motor function was measured with the Bromage scale. We also record opioid usage, length of hospital stay, and related medical complications.

RESULTS

Pain level at discharge was similar in all groups. Hospital stay was 1 day shorter in the PENG group (p<0.001) and they also had lower opioid consumption (p=0.044). Optimal motor recovery was similar in the groups (p=0.678). Pain control when performing physical therapy was better in the PENG group (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

PENG block is an effective and safe alternative for patients undergoing THA as it reduces opioid consumption and hospital stay compared to other analgesic methods.

Clinical practices for primary hip and knee arthroplasties in Spain: A national study

OBJECTIVE

Primary hip and knee arthroplasties are some of the most frequent surgical procedures in the Spanish Healthcare System. This study was carried out with the aim of identifying the current clinical practices held in the territory for such processes, as well as future trends.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In May 2017 a set of 40 questions regarding the practices, indicators, coordination, concerns and tendencies were sent to 289 Heads of Orthopaedic Services from all over Spain.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 141 hospitals. The mean length of stay varied from 2,6 to 12,6days. Mobilization is initiated from the first post-operative hours in 4% of hospitals, until 48h after surgery in 16% of hospitals. There is no unique standard for the use of drains, urinary catheter or fasting time. In addition, different surgical approaches, implant types, analgesia and blood management protocols can coexist within the same hospital. In 87% of cases, there are no formal channel paths for interdisciplinary coordination. Fast-track surgery has been incorporated into the practice of 36% of hospitals, while 66% of hospitals consider that by applying it they could achieve an earlier patient recovery. In 56% of those surveyed, surgeon concerns are focused on infection management and its prevention, which is expected to have a high impact in the future of arthroplasties, together with pain management.

CONCLUSION

The study shows a high variability in practices among centers in processes, clinical protocols and interdisciplinary coordination, which have an effect on results and process indicators.

Clinical trial on the effect of tranexamic acid on bleeding and fibrinolysis in primary hip and knee replacement

BACKGROUND

Tourniquet-induced ischaemia could increase fibrinolysis and enhance tranexamic acid (TXA) efficacy in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aims of this study are to compare the effect of TXA on bleeding and fibrinolysis in both types of surgery, and to record thromboembolic complications.

METHODS

A prospective double-blind study was conducted on patients scheduled for TKA or THA who received TXA (2 bolus of 10mg/kg) or placebo. Bleeding and fibrinolysis were evaluated. Doppler-ultrasound and computed tomography were performed in order to assess any thromboembolic complications.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were included (11 THA and 11 TKA treated with TXA; 11 THA and 11 TKA as controls). Blood losses were significantly lower in the TXA group (mean 921mL vs 1,383mL in THA and 969mL vs 1,223mL in TKA), and no transfusions were needed with TXA, whereas 5 blood units were transfused in controls. TXA was equally effecting in reducing bleeding in both surgeries (33% in THA and 21% in TKA). The significant mean increase in D-dimers from baseline to 6 hours after surgery (1,004 ug/L to 10,284 ug/L in THA and 571 ug/L to 6,480 ug/L in TKA) was attenuated by TXA (1,077 ug/L to 2,590 ug/L in THA and 655 ug/L to 2,535 ug/L in TKA). There were no differences in thromboembolic episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic use of tranexamic acid is equally effective in reducing bleeding in TKA and THA. Both surgeries have a similar effect on fibrinolysis.

Midterm results of Magnum large head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

We present the results of the prospective follow up of a sample of large head metal-metal total hip arthroplasty obtained after the safety alert regarding a higher incidence of revision of these implants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients implanted with the Recap-M2a-Magnum cup between 2008 and 2011 were included. They were prospectively reviewed recording Harris Hip Score, clinical symptoms of chromium or cobalt intoxication. Serum levels of these ions were requested as well as X-Rays and ultrasonography. An MRI was performed in the cases of positive ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Twenty-six males with a mean age of 48.54 years [32-62, SD: 7.18] were included. An anterolateral approach and Bi-Metric (7) and F-40 (19) stems were used. Cephalic diameters ranged 42-52 (mode: 46) and the mean cup inclination was 39.35° [21-59°, SD: 9.78]. During follow-up (7.3 years [5.9-9.4; SD: .78]), 3 patients (11.5%) underwent revision (2 cases aseptic loosening, 1 pseudotumour). Mean time until revision was 5.4 years [3.1-8.0; SD: 2.48]. The accumulated survival probability was 88.5% (95% CI 76.3-100%). Harris Hip Score was 94.47 [66.5-100; SD: 8.94] and the patients showed no metallic intoxication symptoms. The levels of chromium were 1.88 mcg/dl [0.6-3.9] and cobalt 1,74 mcg/dl [0.5-5,6]. One pseudotumour was found in an asymptomatic patient, and small amounts of periarticular liquid were found in 5 patients (19.2%) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: High revision rates are still found when follow up is extended due to aseptic loosening and pseudotumour formation. MRI might not be the most adequate test to study the complications of these prostheses.

Efficacy and safety of the topical application of tranexamic acid in primary cementless hip arthroplasty: prospective, randomised, double-blind and controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid topical in cementless total hip arthroplasty from the point of view of bleeding, transfusion requirements and length of stay, and describe the complications of use compared to a control group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective, randomised, double-blinded and controlled study including all patients undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty in our centre between June 2014 and July 2015. Blood loss was estimated using the formula described by Nadler and Good.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 119 patients. The decrease in haemoglobin after surgery was lower in the tranexamic acid group (3.28±1.13g/dL) than in the controls (4.03±1.27g/dL, P=.001) and estimated blood loss (1,216.75±410.46mL vs. 1,542.12±498.97mL, P<.001), the percentage of transfused patients (35.9% vs. 19.3%, P<.05) and the number of transfused red blood cell units per patient (0.37±0.77 vs. 0.98±1.77; P<.05). There were no differences between groups in the occurrence of complications or length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of topical tranexamic acid in cementless total hip arthroplasty results in a decrease in bleeding and transfusion requirements without increasing the incidence of complications.

The cost of infection in hip arthroplasty: a matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infection (SSI) represents 30% of all causes of health care-associated infection (HAI) and is one of the most dreaded complications in surgical patients. We estimated the excess direct costs of SSI using a matched nested case-control study in acute-term care at Ramon y Cajal University Hospital in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Cases were patients who developed a first episode of SSI according to the criteria established by the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network. Controls were matched to cases in 1:1 ratio taking into account the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, age, sex, surgery date, and principal diagnosis.

RESULTS

This study found that infection in hip replacement increased direct costs by 134%. Likewise, the excess cost due to the infections caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 69% higher than the excess cost attributable to infections caused by other microorganisms.

CONCLUSIONS

SSI after hip replacement continues to be a costly complication from the hospital perspective. Costs due to SSI can be used to prioritise preventive interventions to monitor and control HAI.

Efficiency of tranexamic acid in perioperative blood loss in hip arthroplasty: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug used to reduce bleeding in mortality risk situations such as trauma. Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TXA in reducing bleeding in hip arthroplasty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of primary studies similar to controlled trials was performed. Literature was searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS, SciELO and Google Scholar. The review was proposed and undertaken by 2 reviewers and the inclusion criteria were: a) patients undergoing arthroplasty for primary unilateral hip replacement; b) comparison of a treatment group with TXA to a control group that received a placebo or no treatment at all, and c) outcome measures, total blood loss, number of patients receiving allogeneic transfusion and/or incidence of thromboembolic complications. The search was restricted to studies published from 1966 to June 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies with 246 patients were retrieved for this review. The total blood loss outcome evidenced a weighted mean difference in favor of TXA vs. controls undergoing hip arthroplasty (-0.45 [P<0.001, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.24]). Weighted relative risk was estimated for the allogeneic transfusion requirement outcome, showing a trend in favor the TXA arm, with fewer patients requiring allogeneic transfusion in hip surgery (0.8 [P<0.02, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.11]); however, this trend was not statistically significant.

LIMITATIONS

There is a noticeable difference in methods for quantifying total blood loss across the studies reviewed. The need for transfusion outcomes are probably not significant taking into account the number of events in the TXA group.

CONCLUSIONS

TXA can be routinely used to reduce intra- and post-operative blood loss in primary hip arthroplasty.

Pre-operative Predictive Factors of Post-operative Pain in Patients With Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To analyze pre-surgical predictive factors of post-surgical pain in patients undergoing hip or knee arthoplasty.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed. We defined a sensitive strategy on Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library up to May 2013. The inclusion criteria were: patients undertaking knee and/or hip arthroplasty, adults with moderate or severe pain (≥4 on a Visual Analog Scale) in whom predictive factors of post-surgical pain were evaluated before surgery. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, controlled trials and observational studies were selected. We excluded animals and basic science articles, reviews of prosthesis, prosthesis due to fractures, patients with rheumatic diseases or studies with mixed population in which disaggregated data was not possible to obtain.

RESULTS

A total 37 articles of moderate quality were selected. The articles included representative patients undergoing a knee or hip arthroplasty in our country; most of them were aged 60 years or above, with osteoarthritis, and with a high rate of obesity and comorbidities. We found great variability regarding the type of studies and predictive factors. There was a strong association between post-surgical pain and the following pre-surgical factors: female gender, low socio-economic status, higher pain, comorbidities, low back pain, poor functional status, and psychological factors (depression, anxiety or catastrophic pain).

CONCLUSIONS

There are pre-surgical factors that might influence post-surgical pain in patients undergoing a knee or hip arthroplasty. Therefore, they should be taken into account when considering an arthroplasty.