Aims. The new COVID-19 variant was reported by the authorities of the UK to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 December 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and nosocomial infection rates in major trauma and orthopaedic patients comparing the first and second wave of COVID-19 infection. Methods. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected trauma database was reviewed at a level 1 major trauma centre from 1 December 2020 to 18 February 2021 looking at demographics, clinical characteristics, and nosocomial infections and compared to our previously published first wave data (26 January 2020 to 14 April 2020). Results. From 1 December 2020 to 18 February 2021, 522 major trauma patients were identified with a mean age of 54.6 years, and 53.4% (n = 279) were male. Common admissions were falls (318; 60.9%) and road traffic accidents (RTAs; 71 (13.6%); 262 of these patients (50.2%) had surgery. In all, 75 patients (14.4%) tested positive for COVID-19, of which 51 (68%) were nosocomial. Surgery on COVID-19 patients increased to 46 (61.3%) in the second wave compared to 13 (33.3%) in the first wave (p = 0.005). ICU admissions of patients with COVID-19 infection increased from two (5.1%) to 16 (20.5%), respectively (p = 0.024). Second wave mortality was 6.1% (n = 32) compared to first wave of 4.7% (n = 31). Cardiovascular (CV) disease (35.9%; n = 14); p = 0.027) and dementia (17.9%; n = 7); p = 0.030) were less in second wave than the first. Overall, 13 patients (25.5%) were Black, Asian and Minority ethnic (BAME), and five (9.8%) had a BMI > 30 kg/m. 2. The mean time from admission to diagnosis of COVID-19 was 13.9 days (3 to 44). Overall, 12/75 (16%) of all COVID-19 patients died. Conclusion. During the second wave, COVID-19 infected three-times more patients. There were double the number of operative cases, and quadruple the cases of ICU admissions. The patients were younger with less dementia and CV disease with lower mortality. Concomitant COVID-19 and the necessity of major trauma surgery showed 13% mortality in the second wave compared with 15.4% in the first wave. In contrast to the literature, we showed a high percentage of nosocomial infection, normal BMI, and limited BAME infections. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):661–670

The study aimed to determine if THR deep infection rate correlated with the Nosocomial Infection National Surveillance Scheme (NINSS) data on the surgical site infection (SSI) rate in our institution. Deep infection is a serious complication of hip replacement but presents late. It has recently been reported that 10% of superficial infections develop deep prosthetic infections. NINSS data could therefore be used to predict a unit’s infection risk. This District General Hospital has only recently entered NINSS. In the first quarter of 2001, NINSS reported an 11.9% surgical site infection rate in THRS performed in this unit. A clinical audit of all the primary THRs done between 1/4/94 – 9/9/2001, using revision surgery as the end point, was conducted to determine the true deep infection rate. Patients were identified using the OPCS coding system database and a casenote review was performed on all revision hip operations done locally. A search for our primary THRs that underwent revision surgery at the regional tertiary referral centre was completed to avoid omissions secondary to migration. Of 1258 primary THRS, there were 13 revisions (1%) of which 2 were done for infection (0.16%). NINSS data placed our unit on the 90th centile for infection risk but our historical true deep infection rate of 0.16% compares favourably with the Swedish and Trent hip registry rates of 0.58% and 1.4% respectively. We therefore urge careful interpretation of NINSS data and argue against its use in the media. The quarterly reporting of SSIs may be too short to play a role in ranking hospitals but may be helpful in prophylactic antibiotic selection

Aims. The first death in the UK caused by COVID-19 occurred on 5 March 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of major trauma and orthopaedic patients admitted in the early COVID-19 era. Methods. A prospective trauma registry was reviewed at a Level 1 Major Trauma Centre. We divided patients into Group A, 40 days prior to 5 March 2020, and into Group B, 40 days after. Results. A total of 657 consecutive trauma and orthopaedic patients were identified with a mean age of 55 years (8 to 98; standard deviation (SD) 22.52) and 393 (59.8%) were males. In all, 344 (approximately 50%) of admissions were major trauma. Group A had 421 patients, decreasing to 236 patients in Group B (36%). Mechanism of injury (MOI) was commonly a fall in 351 (52.4%) patients, but road traffic accidents (RTAs) increased from 56 (13.3%) in group A to 51 (21.6%) in group B (p = 0.030). ICU admissions decreased from 26 (6.2%) in group A to 5 (2.1%) in group B. Overall, 39 patients tested positive for COVID-19 with mean age of 73 years (28 to 98; SD 17.99) and 22 (56.4%) males. Common symptoms were dyspnoea, dry cough, and pyrexia. Of these patients, 27 (69.2%) were nosocomial infections and two (5.1%) of these patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission with 8/39 mortality (20.5%). Of the patients who died, 50% were older and had underlying comorbidities (hypertension and cardiovascular disease, dementia, arthritis). Conclusion. Trauma admissions decreased in the lockdown phase with an increased incidence of RTAs. Nosocomial infection was common in 27 (69.2%) of those with COVID-19. Symptoms and comorbidities were consistent with previous reports with noted inclusion of dementia and arthritis. The mortality rate of trauma and COVID-19 was 20.5%, mainly in octogenarians, and COVID-19 surgical mortality was 15.4%. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:330–338

COVID 19 led to massive disruption of elective services across Scotland. This study was designed to assess the impact on elective service that the COVID-19 pandemic had, to what extent services have been restarted and the associated risks are in doing so. This is a retrospective observational study. The primary outcomes are the number of operations completed, 30-day mortality, 30-day complication rates and nosocomial infection with COVID-19 compared to previous years. Data was collected from 4 regions across Scotland from 27th March 2020 - 26th March 2021. This was compared to the same time period the previous year. 3431 elective operations were completed in the year post-pandemic compared with 12255, demonstrating a reduction of 72%. Both groups had comparable demographics. Major joint arthroplasty saw a 72% reduction, with TKR seeing a reduction of 82%. Each of the 4 health boards were affected in a similar fashion. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection was 0.4% in the post covid group. 30 day mortality was the same at 0.1%. Total complications rose from 5.7% to 10.1% post covid. This study shows that there has been a substantial reduction in elective activity across Scotland that is disproportionate to the level of COVID-19. The risk of developing COVID-19 from elective surgery is low at 0.4%, however all complications saw a significant rise. This is likely multifactorial. This study will inform decision makers in future pandemics, that it is safe to continue elective orthopaedic surgery and of the potential impact of cessation of services

Introduction: A multiplicity of factors can increase the risk of nosocomial infection in polytraumatized patients. Infections in the hospital environment are still a serious public health hazard. Nonetheless, only a few studies have been published on nosocomial infections in poly-traumatized pediatric patients. Materials and methods: A 4-month prospective study was carried out of patients admitted to the traumatology department and to the pediatric intensive-care unit between July and November 2003 in order to assess all the procedures the patients were subjected to. Infections were considered to be nosocomial when they appeared 72 hours after admission. Results: 121 patients were included in the study. 77% (93) were boys and 23% (28) girls, with a mean age of 10.6 years. The number of infected patients was 6 (5%) and the number of episodes of nosocomial infection diagnosed was 12. 33% of infected patients had a single episode and 67% had two or more infections. When considering the intrinsic risk factors considered in the study one should mention that 10% of patients who were admitted were in a coma, 4,1% had a respiratory syndrome and 2% were diagnosed as obese. The most frequently isolated micro-organisms in this group of patients were Gram positive bacteria (50%), while the most common pathogen was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (85,7%). Conclusions: The paper reveals the profile of nosocomial infections in ploytraumatized pediatric patients in our hospital environment and defines their connection with the use of invasive measures as well as with the length of the patient’s hospital stay

Blood transfusion is associated with an increased incidence of post-operative nosocomial infections following surgery. In a prospective study we evaluated the association of blood transfusion and the changes in the immune status with the incidence of infection in the post-operative period following primary hip arthroplasty and subsequently for two years following surgery. Method: Prospective analysis of 100 patients undergoing primary total hip replacement. 25 patients received predonated autologus blood transfusions, 26 received SAGM whole blood, 23 received leukocyte depleted blood and 26 did not require a transfusion. T-helper cell, cytotoxic T cell and NK cell activity was recorded using a Beckton Dickson flow cytometer and assays of Plasma viscosity, CRP, Staph. Epidermis and ASO titres were analysed. All infections were recorded for 2 years following surgery. Results: he incidence of confirmed or suspected nosocomial infections following hip replacement was the same in non transfused patients as those receiving predonated autologus blood (19%). The incidence of nosocomial infection in patients receiving leukocyte depleted blood was 32% and 42% in those receiving a SAGM blood transfusion. ASO titres were raised in 16.9% of the patients on day 8 following surgery and Staph. Epidermis assays were raised in 20.2% of the patients however the frequency was unrelated to the type of blood transfusion. The incidence of nosocomial infections was reflected by a greater reduction in NK activity and CD4: CD8 ratio following surgery in patients receiving SAGM blood transfusion. Conclusion: Homologus blood transfusion may produce an immune compromise in patients, which is still detectable at 6 weeks following surgery. This is clinically reflected by a higher incidence of systemic infections in the postoperative period. Homologus blood should be used judiciously in joint arthroplasty with a preference to either leukocyte depleted blood or predonated autologus blood

Introduction: Older age is a risk factor for a poorer survival prognosis after hip fracture. Some other variables, such as male sex, dependency and dementia also contribute to a worse result expectations. However, since the association between surgery complications and other variables, such as age has been poorly researched, in this paper we study, within a major project on hip fractures, the association between age and nosocomial infections after hip fracture surgical treatment. Material and Methods: We have designed a cohort study and have followed them after surgery with the aim of studying NI rates. We reviewed the records of all patients operated on for hip fracture in our Institution between 2006, and 2008. Data on all hip fractures were prospectively collected as from patient admission. The data collection was based on the “Minimum Data Base Group” at our National Health System. Together with affiliation, full clinical history, and also complications are all included in our Hospital data base. We considered a nosocomial infection (NI) as any infection developed within three months after a main surgical procedure was addressed for a hip fracture (infection either at the surgical site, pneumonia, urological infection, or others). Patients were classified, in terms of co-morbibidity, according to worldwide accepted Charlson et al criteria. A univariate and multivariate analysis were performed, by using simple and multiple logistic regression model. Results: We collected 912 patients operated on for a hip fracture. Age was associated to infection, either in considering it alone (crude OR 0,96, CI of 95% = 0,95; 0,97; p=0,0004) or in considering it together with the other variables (multivariate analysis: adjusted OR 1,04; CI of 95% = 1,01; 1,07; p=0,007). None of the other variables were associated to nosocomial infection. Mental disease (crude OR 0,79, CI of 95% = 0,41; 1,53; p=0,49; adjusted OR 0,74, CI of 95% = 0,37;1,46; p=0,38), gender (OR=0,93 [CI of 95% 0,51; 1,68] p=0,78; adjusted OR=1,14 [0,62; 2,10] p=0,67), or co-morbidities (crude OR for index 1: 1,07 [CI of 95% 0,60; 1,90]; OR=1,07 [CI of 95% 0,43; 2,65] p=0,97) adjusted OR for index 1: 0,99 [CI of 95% 0,54; 1,80] p=0,97], for index 2, which includes 2–7, OR=1,02 [CI of 95% 0,40; 2,62] p=0,96). Discussion: Since age, in this research, has shown to have a definite correlation with nosocomial infections, whenever older patients are operated on for hip fracture treatment, prophylactic protocols for infection prevention should be individualized, according to patient age. The likelihood of adding communitarian infections when studying non surgical site infections, incubated before or after hospital stay is unknown. However, since the earliest infection developed at the second hospitalization day, we believe that the aim of this research is not affected for that

Proximal femoral fracture (PFF) is already epidemic and projected to increase. 50% of patients fail to recover their preaccident mobility, resulting in protracted hospitalisation and exposure to nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections which impairs recovery further. The aim of this study was to establish the rate at which patients with PFF regain mobility, the point at which they cease to recover and the incidence, time of onset and effect of nosocomial infections. Recovery of mobility and nosocomial infection was prospectively recorded in 170 consecutive patients with PFF. 53% regained their best level of mobility within 6 days of admission, 81% within 8 and 91% within 14. The mean hospital stay was 21 days and delay to discharge was 14 days. During the delay, mobility deteriorated in 22% of patients and 58% developed nosocomial infection of which 18 were methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. The risk of infection doubled after a delay of 6 days. Protracted hospitalisation after PFF is unhelpful and dangerous to patients and wasteful of healthcare resource. There is a small window of opportunity to discharge patients after PFF that is often missed. Thus there are often no beds for patients with acute fractures because they are occupied by patients who do not benefit from hospital admission or remain because they have acquired iatrogenic disease

Aims. It is imperative to understand the risks of operating on urgent cases during the COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2 virus) pandemic for clinical decision-making and medical resource planning. The primary aim was to determine the mortality risk and associated variables when operating on urgent cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objective was to assess differences in the outcome of patients treated between sites treating COVID-19 and a separate surgical site. Methods. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. Secondary measures included complications of surgery, COVID-19 infection, and length of stay. Multiple variables were assessed for their contribution to the 30-day mortality. In total, 433 patients were included with a mean age of 65 years; 45% were male, and 90% were Caucasian. Results. Overall mortality was 7.6% for all patients and 15.9% for femoral neck fractures. The mortality rate increased from 7.5% to 44.2% in patients with fracture neck of femur and a COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 rate in the 30-day postoperative period was 11%. COVID-19 infection, age, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were independent risk factor for mortality. Conclusion. There was a significant risk of contracting COVID-19 due to being admitted to hospital. Using a site which was not treating COVID-19 respiratory patients for surgery did not identify a difference with respect to mortality, nosocomial COVID-19 infection, or length of stay. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increases perioperative mortality risk in patients with fractured neck of femora but patients with other injuries were not at increased risk. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(5):330–336

Aims. Elective orthopaedic surgery was cancelled early in the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently running at significantly reduced capacity in most institutions. This has resulted in a significant backlog to treatment, with some hospitals projecting that waiting times for arthroplasty is three times the pre-COVID-19 duration. There is concern that the patient group requiring arthroplasty are often older and have more medical comorbidities—the same group of patients advised they are at higher risk of mortality from catching COVID-19. The aim of this study is to investigate the morbidity and mortality in elective patients operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare this to a pre-pandemic cohort. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were perioperative complications, including nosocomial COVID-19 infection. These operations were performed in a district general hospital, with COVID-19 acute admissions in the same building. Methods. Our institution reinstated elective operations using a “Blue stream” pathway, which involves isolation before and after surgery, COVID-19 testing pre-admission, and separation of ward and theatre pathways for “blue” patients. A register of all arthroplasties was taken, and their clinical course and investigations recorded. Results. During a seven-month period, 340 elective arthroplasties were performed. There was zero mortality. One patient had a positive swab for COVID-19 while an inpatient, but remained asymptomatic. There were two readmissions within a 12-week period for hip dislocation. Patients had a mean age of 68 years (28 to 90), mean BMI of 30 kg/m. 2. (19.0 to 45.6), and mean American Society of Anesthesiologists grade of 2 (1 to 3). Conclusion. Results show no increased morbidity or mortality in this cohort of patients compared to the same hospital’s morbidity and mortality pre-COVID-19. The screened pathway for elective patients is effective in ensuring that patients can be safely operated on electively in an acute hospital. This study should reassure clinicians and patients that arthroplasties can be carried out safely when the appropriate precautions are in place. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(11):940–944

At the Orthopedic Hospital Vienna Speising 7.857 surgeries were performed in 2008. 2.211 of these surgeries required implants. The number of performed Total Hip Arthroplasties (THA) was 836. All of these surgeries were elective. Approximately 0,5% of the patients who underwent a surgery at our institution had a postoperative infection, 0,8% were admitted because of an already existing infection, which required treatment at our department. In order to achieve a basis for international compatibility and to meet the legal postulations the Orthopedic Hospital Vienna Speising actively participates in ANISS (Austrian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System)/HELICS (Hospital in Europe Link for Infection Control through Surveillance). In 2008 a survey on incidences for Total Hip Arthroplasties was started. So the possibility of specific measures is given when interventions should be necessary. The stuff unit for Hospital Hygiene gathers data from clinical records and conducts an evaluation by means of a standardised (equivalent surgeries) and stratified (differentiation of the patients after ASA-score- American Society of Anaesthesiologists, duration of the surgery, etc) procedure. Three times a week the stuff unit for Hospital Hygiene visits the wards and collect selected indicator-surgeries, which are entered in a specific program for registering infections. By finding noticeable problems, a detailed analysis is continued with the examination of microbiologic, histological and radiologic data as well as questions to the surgeon or attending staff and ward rounds for inspecting for instance changes of dressing. The infectdiagnoses, based upon CDC (Center of Desease Control) definitions for nosocomial infections, are encrypted and sent to the control center quarterly. In turn our hospital receives an analysis and feedback once a year. A biannual exchange of experiences on behalf of the active members including an interpretation of the data allows to settle discrepancies and dubieties in evaluation. This data on surveillance allows a detailed analysis of information gathered in recent years as well as a discussion with authorities. As a result specific consequences could already been deducted like written guidelines for surgical management, recommendations for antibiotic treatment, preoperative shaving of the surgical area as well as preoperative screening for staphylococcus in Total Hip Arthroplasties

Purpose: Operative site infections can have catastrophic consequences after orthopaedic surgery. Prevention is particularly difficult due to the large number of factors involved. We describe here an exceptional epidemic of meti-R Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) operative site infections whose source was successfully identified and eradicated. Material and methods: The epidemic affected seven patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery during a thirteen-month period. All patients developed acute MRSA operative site infection. The epidemic nature of the infections was confirmed by the bacteriological study which identified the causal germ as a specific MRSA strain very different from strains generally identified in hospital infections. The causal strain was sensitive to quinolones and resistant to amikacin. Antibiotic therapy prescribed in all cases was combined with surgical lavage in four patients. Search was undertaken to identify an environmental or human source. An audit of the operating theatre was performed and nasal swabs were obtained from all personnel present at the last operation complicated by operative site infection. One non-medical assistant was found to be a carrier of the same MRSA strain incriminated as the cause of the epidemic. Nasal application of mupirocin successfully eradicated the carrier-state. No new case of operative site infection was noted for more than fourteen months. Discussion: Operative site infections in orthopaedic surgery led to longer inpatient care and can compromise functional outcome. These nosocomial infections have a significant impact on mortality and constitute a major cost burden for hospitals. Prevention, control and treatment of MRSA nosocomial infections is a major challenge in hospitals throughout the world. Most operative site infections are caused by direct contamination during the operation. This epidemic highlights the importance of strict application of rigorous preventive measures not only by the surgical team but also by all healthcare workers and hospital personnel in general. Conclusion: The specific antibiotic susceptibility pattern of a Staphylococcus aureus strain incriminated in several operating site infections enabled identification of the source of the epidemic and its eradication

Purpose: With the growing risk of nosocomial infections, one might expect to see a reinforcement of septic isolation wards in orthopaedics and traumatology units. The question is however being revisited because of several factors. 1st: General Orthopaedics Units are practically the only hospital units caring for a minority of septic patients with often resistant germs and a majority of non-septic patients in the same setting. 2nd: The growing number of single-patient rooms procures confidence (whether justified or not). 3rd: Hygiene specialists are particularly wary of occult carriers of resistant bacteria and apply a single set of protective measures for all patients. 4th: Economic performance is given priority. Material and methods: We studied 1) the current situation in Orthopaedic units in University Hospitals in France and 2) the statistics from the Besançon University Hospital Hygiene Unit and from data in the literature. Results: 1) Interrogation of the 71 University Orthopaedics Units in France revealed that: 11 units have strict isolation wards; 40 have incomplete isolation wards; 20 make no distinction between septic and non-septic patients. 2) According to the Hygiene Unit statistics, the epidemiological load of S. aureus meti-R (SAMR), strains often implicated in orthopaedic infection, is much higher in the University Hospital polyvalent wards than in the Orthopaedic septic ward. Contamination between septic patients is low. Furthermore, hand-borne and airborne contamination are not controlled in wards other than septic wards. Data in the literature are not in agreement concerning this new trend in prevention by isolation. Discussion: a) One argument retained by all is that septic wards have an advantage in terms of efficacy and concentration of preventive measures. b) The growing workload in mixed units hinders strict application of preventive measures. c) A large number of temporary personnel (trainees, temporary employees, personnel untrained in sepsis prevention) are present in polyvalent units. d) Standardisation of preventive measures leads to an average level of prevention which lengthens the duration of care for non-septic patients and simplifies care for septic patients. e) The financial argument is impertinent compared with the consequences of contamination. Furthermore, a departmental structure would allow common use of the septic ward. Conclusion : Septic isolation wards (or a septic department) should be preserved. The orthopaedic surgeon, as a responsible actor in the fight against nosocomial infections, should in concert with the consulting hygienist, oppose purely administrative decisions

INTRODUCTION. In recent years, there has been a shift toward outpatient and short-stay protocols for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We developed a peri-operative THA and TKA short stay protocol following the Enhance Recovery After Surgery principles (ERAS), aiming at both optimizing patients’ outcomes and reducing the hospital length of stay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of our ERAS short-stay protocol. We hypothesized that our ERAS THA and TKA short-stay protocol would result in a lower complication rate, shorter hospital length of stay and reduced direct health care costs compared to our standard procedure. METHODS. We compared the complications rated according to Clavien-Dindo scale, hospital length of stay and costs of the episode of care between a prospective cohort of 120 ERAS short-stay THA or TKA and a matched historical control group of 150 THA or TKA. RESULTS. Significantly lower rate of Grade 1 and 2 complications in the ERAS short-stay group compared with the standard group (mean 0.8 vs 3.0, p<0.001). Postoperative complications that were experienced by significantly more patients in the control group included pain (67% vs 13%, p<0.001), nausea (42% vs 12%, p<0.001), vomiting (25% vs 0.9%, p<0.001), dizziness (15% vs 4%, p=0.006), headache (4% vs 0%, p=0.04), constipation (8% vs 0%, p=0.002), hypotension (26% vs 11%, p=0.003), anemia (8% vs 0%, p=0.002), oedema of the operated leg (9% vs 1%, p=0.005), persistent lameness (4% vs 0%, p=0.04), urinary retention (13% vs 4%, p=0.006) and anemia requiring blood or iron transfusion (8% vs 0%, p=0.002). No difference was found between the 2 groups for Grade 3, 4, or 5 complications. The mean hospital length of stay for the ERAS short-stay group decreased by 2.8 days for the THAs (0.1 vs 2.9 days, p bellow 0.001) and 3.9 days for the TKAs (1.0 vs 4.9 days, p<0.001). The mean estimated direct health care costs reduction with the ERAS short-stay protocol was 1489% per THA and 4206% per TKA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. Shorter hospitalization time after THA and TKA is associated with lower risk of nosocomial infections and adverse events related to reduced mobilization such as venous thromboembolism, pulmonary atelectasis, and constipation. In addition, it increases bed availability in a restricted environment and is very favorable economically for the care provider. Multiple strategies have been described to reduce hospital length of stay. One attractive option is to follow the ERAS principles to improve patient experience to a level where they will feel confident to leave for home earlier. Implementation of a ERAS short-stay protocol for patients undergoing THA or TKA at our institution resulted not only in reduced hospital length of stay, but also in improved patient care and reduced direct health care costs

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Orthopaedic departments have adopted business continuity models and guidelines for essential and non-essential surgeries to preserve hospital resources as well as protect patients and staff. These guidelines broadly encompass reduction of ambulatory care with a move towards telemedicine, redeployment of orthopaedic surgeons/residents to the frontline battle against COVID-19, continuation of education and research through web-based means, and cancellation of non-essential elective procedures. However, if containment of COVID-19 community spread is achieved, resumption of elective orthopaedic procedures and transition plans to return to normalcy must be considered for orthopaedic departments. The COVID-19 pandemic also presents a moral dilemma to the orthopaedic surgeon considering elective procedures. What is the best treatment for our patients and how does the fear of COVID-19 influence the risk-benefit discussion during a pandemic? Surgeons must deliberate the fine balance between elective surgery for a patient’s wellbeing versus risks to the operating team and utilization of precious hospital resources. Attrition of healthcare workers or Orthopaedic surgeons from restarting elective procedures prematurely or in an unsafe manner may render us ill-equipped to handle the second wave of infections. This highlights the need to develop effective screening protocols or preoperative COVID-19 testing before elective procedures in high-risk, elderly individuals with comorbidities. Alternatively, high-risk individuals should be postponed until the risk of nosocomial COVID-19 infection is minimal. In addition, given the higher mortality and perioperative morbidity of patients with COVID-19 undergoing surgery, the decision to operate must be carefully deliberated. As we ramp-up elective services and get “back to business” as orthopaedic surgeons, we have to be constantly mindful to proceed in a cautious and calibrated fashion, delivering the best care, while maintaining utmost vigilance to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 during this critical transition period. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:222–228

Aim. Nasal colonization with S.aureus (SA) is a risk factor for developing nosocomial infections in cardiac surgery. However, the risk in orthopedic surgery remains unclear, especially in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery were data are missing. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a preoperative nasal decontamination program in SA healthy carriers on early surgical site infections (SSI) after AIS posterior surgery in a pediatric universitary Parisian hospital. Method. Between 01-01-2014 and 03-31-2017, all AIS patients were screened preoperatively with nasal swabs and decontaminated with mupirocine if positive during the 5 days before surgery. Early SSI were prospectively identified and microorganisms' findings were compared to a previous serie published before the beginning of the decontamination program (2007–2011). Results. Among the 316 AIS posterior procedures performed during the study period, nasal swabs were performed at the average of 100 ± 92 days before surgery. Incidence of positive nasal swab was 22 % (n=71) and all were preoperatively decontaminated. Compared to the series (n=496) published before the decontamination program, the early SSI rate remains stable (8.2% versus 8.5%). But incidence of S.aureus early SSI decreased to 1% (n=4), while it represented 5% (n=25) in the previous study. In our study, none of the S. aureus decontaminated patients had an early S.aureus SSI. For the 4 S.aureus early SSI, preoperative nasal swab was negative, but done with a mean delay of 328 days before surgery, suggesting a possible S.aureus intermittent carriage and the need of shorter delays between nasal swab and surgery to improve the screening. Moreover, the stable rate of early SSI between the 2 periods is due to an increase rate of Propionibacterium acnes, which incidence grown from 0.08% to 6% in our actual series. Conclusions. To conclude, in our study, nasal decontamination divided by 5 the incidence of S.aureus SSI. It seems that nasal swabs should be performed as close as possible to the surgery to optimise the S.aureus screening. In addition, the SSI rate remains very high with the emergence of Propionibacterium acnes and is currently addressed by a multifactorial approach

Background. Post-traumatic immunosuppression (PTI) after surgery increases vulnerability to nosocomial infections, sepsis, and death. Knee arthroplasty offers a sterile clinical model to characterise PTI and explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods. This prospective non-randomised cohort study of primary total knee arthroplasty was approved by the Local Ethics Committee. Exclusion criteria included revision-arthroplasty, pre-existing infections, blood-transfusions, malignancy, and auto-immune disease. 48 recruited patients fell into two groups, the first received unwashed anti-coagulated autologous salvaged blood transfusions after surgery (ASBT cohort, n=25). The second received no salvaged blood transfusions (NSBT cohort, n=18). Venous blood was sampled pre-operatively and within 3–7 days post-operatively. Salvaged blood was sampled at one and six hours post-operatively. Biomarkers of immune status included: interleukins (IL) or cytokines (x15), chemokines (x3), Damage-Associated-Molecular-Patterns (DAMPS) (x5), anti-microbial proteins (x3), CD24, and Sialic-acid-binding-Immunoglobulin-type-Lectin-10 (Siglec-10). Results were expressed as fold-change over pre-operative values. Only significant changes are described. Results. Certain biomarkers associated with sterile trauma were common to all 43 patients, including supra-normal: IL-6, IL-1-Receptor-Antagonist, IL-8, Heat-Shock-Protein-70 (HSP70), Calprotectin, CD24 and Siglec-10. But, whereas in NSBT patients post-operative pro-inflammatory biomarkers were sub-normal consistent with PTI, they were supra-normal in ASBT patients implying its reversal. These PTI-biomarkers included: IL-1β, IL-2, IL-17A, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Tumour-Necrosis-Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Annexin-A2. Reversal of PTI by salvaged blood was further endorsed in ASBT by sub-normal levels of the anti-inflammatory biomarkers: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13. Salvaged blood analyses revealed sustained supra-normal levels of DAMPs, CD24 and Siglec-10; and increasingly elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines during the six hour collection period. Interestingly, plasma CD24, Siglec-10, HSP70 and Calprotectin levels were significantly correlated, implying physical association within the circulation. Conclusions. Several anti-inflammatory processes triggered by traumatised tissue induce systemic PTI, thereby increasing vulnerability to infections. Reversal of PTI by re-infusion of anti-coagulated salvaged blood suggests a novel source of immuno-stimulants

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has had a significant impact on trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) departments worldwide. To manage the peak of the epidemic, orthopaedic staff were redeployed to frontline medical care; these roles included managing minor injury units, forming a “proning” team, and assisting in the intensive care unit (ICU). In addition, outpatient clinics were restructured to facilitate virtual consultations, elective procedures were cancelled, and inpatient hospital admissions minimized to reduce nosocomial COVID-19 infections. Urgent operations for fractures, infection and tumours went ahead but required strict planning to ensure patient safety. Orthopaedic training has also been significantly impacted during this period. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on T&O in the UK and highlights key lessons learned that may help to proactively prepare for the next global pandemic. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:420–423

To prevent nosocomial transmission (NT) of multiresistent germs (MRG) the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommends to isolate patients with MRG. At a so-called normal ward isolating patients is a challenging and stressful procedure for both patients and hospital staff. The present study proposes the hypothesis that, compared to normal wards, an isolation ward reduces the nosocomial infection rate. After an isolation ward with twelve beds has been established in 2005, patients with MRG on the wards of the department for spinal cord injury as well as on the isolation ward were monitored using a prospective screening and meeting the requirements of the RKI. Apart from detecting transmitter of MRG the NT of these bacteria was identified and registered between 2006 and 2013. The total length of a patients stay in the hospital, the number of isolation days and the rate of NTs were documented. The quotient of MRG load per ward and the number of NTs per ward were compared. In the investigation period of eight years 262175 patient days, 33416 isolation days and 33 transmissions were registered. On the spinal cord injury ward 223167 of the patient days, 1120 of the isolation days and 29 of the NTs were documented. On the isolation ward 39008 of the patient days and 32296 of the isolation days with four of the transmissions were registered. The mean load of MRG resulted from the quotient of the number of days with MRG per 100 patient days. The effective nosocomial frequency of transmission resulted from the quotient of the mean load of MRG to the number of transmissions. As a result, the frequency of transmission on the isolation ward was significantly lower (p=0,001) in comparison to the spinal cord injury ward. The presented results suggest that, despite multiple higher loads of MRG, constructional measures combined with contact isolation facilitate a reduction of NT rates of MRG. The reservation must be made, however, that in case of known MRG the screening was performed under isolation conditions, with unkown MRG without meeting requirements of isolation. The present comparison of NT rates on an isolation ward and a normal spinal cord injury ward emphasizes the importance and function of an isolation ward through constructional (physical) separation and pooling of professional competency for successful management of MRG in healthcare facilities

Silicon nitride spinal fusion cages have been successfully used in the treatment or correction of stenosis, disc herniation, trauma, and other deformities of the spinal column since 2008. To date over 14,000 devices have been implanted with perioperative and postoperative complication rates of less than 0.2%. This remarkable achievement is due in part to the material itself. Silicon nitride is an ideal interbody material, possessing high strength and fracture toughness, inherent phase stability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, excellent radiographic imaging, and bacterial resistance. These characteristics can lead to implants that aid in prevention of nosocomial infections and achieve rapid osteointegration. In this paper, we will review the various in vitro and in vivo studies that demonstrate silicon nitride's effective bacteriostatic and osteointegration characteristics, and compare these to the two most common cage materials – titanium and poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK). Human case studies will be also reviewed to contrast the clinical performance of these biomaterials. In comparison to the traditional devices, silicon nitride shows lower infection rates, higher bone apposition, and essentially no fibrous tissue growth on or around the implant. To better understand the mechanisms underlying these benefits, surface characterization studies using scanning electron microscopy coupled with XPS chemical analyses, sessile water drop techniques and streaming zeta potential measurements will be reported. Data from these studies will be discussed in relation to the physiochemical reasons for the observed behavior. Silicon nitride is a non-oxide ceramic in its bulk; but possesses a protective Si-N-O transitional layer at its surface. It will be shown that the chemistry and morphology of this layer can be modified in composition, thickness and structure resulting in marked changes in chemical species, surface charge, isoelectric points and wetting behavior. It is postulated that the needle-like grain structure of silicon nitride coupled with its enhanced wettability play important roles in inhibiting biofilm formation, while its surface chemical environment consisting of silicon diimide Si(NH). 2. , silicic acid Si(OH). 4. , and derivatives of ammonia, NH. 3. , NH. 4. OH, lead to improved bone reformation and bacteriostasis, respectively. Few materials have this combination of properties, making silicon nitride a unique biomaterial that provides improved patient care and outcomes with low comorbidities