Introduction. Operating theatre airflow can be measured using pulsed lasers (particle image velocimetry) but the process is difficult to do in 3D. Cup, vane or hot wire anemometers provide only 2D information. 3D measurements enable better understanding of airflow. Patients/Materials & Methods. We used a Windmaster ultrasound 3D anemometer (Skyview systems), which uses three ultrasound transmitters to measure velocity in XYZ planes, with a sampling rate of 32 Hz. Post processing was done using MATLAB. An operating theatre with an Howorth Exflow canopy was studied. Equipment, including lights, was moved. A 50 cm grid was marked, and measurements were made at intervals up to the ceiling. Door opening was observed within the clean zone and the peripheral zone, next to the door and on the opposite side of the room. Anaesthetic screens were studied during operating. Airflow was visualised initially using video of smoke puffs and subsequently measured using the aeronometer. Results. In the upper part of the ultraclean canopy air velocity was 0.34 m/s with a standard deviation of 0.02 m/s, indicating an almost constant velocity. In the periphery there was more turbulence and horizontal air movement. Door opening had no effect on air movements in the clean zone. In the periphery there was an increase in horizontal airflow when the doors are closed. There is a pattern of upward airflow against an anaesthetic screen. This is unlikely to be caused by warming blankets. If the partial wall of the enclosure is lowered this results in a fast washout of air towards the anaesthetist. Discussion. Traditional anaesthetic screens may interfere with airflow. Door opening is a lesser effect. Conclusion. The 3D anemometer enables detailed mapping of airflow within an ultra clean air operating theatre. The data obtained will enable the construction of more accurate computational fluid dynamic models of operating theatres

As a result of laser imaging studies in an ultraclean theatre we concluded that obstructions to horizontal airflow at the periphery might produce areas of high particulate residence times. High residence times may allow a higher proportion of infected particles to land. We decided to investigate this effect by placing settle plates in defined positions on instrument trays during surgery.

In an initial study contamination was 0.25 colonies/plate/hour. When the surgeon, assistant and scrub person all used a body exhaust system the contamination rate was 0.04 colonies/plate/hour. We then organised the instrument tables with two large tables orientated so that the scrub person did not have to stand between the airflow and the table. We placed plates on both trays with the locations recorded.

With the instrument trolleys in optimised positions the contamination rate remained consistently at 0.04 colonies/plate/hour. An animation was produced showing how the bacterial colonies appeared over 18 hours of surgery. The majority of the contamination occurred on the surgeons’ side trolley at the opposite end of the trolley to the surgeon.

Ultraclean enclosures in the UK are specified by HTM03-01, which sets a standard of <10 cfu/cubic meter measured by active air sampling. The measurement does not however take place during surgery, as it is very difficult to perform air sampling during surgery. There is a reasonable correlation between air contamination and settle plates so they are a viable method for during surgery monitoring.

In a modern operating enclosure, using body exhausts, our contamination rate compares favourably to the fourth phase of Charnley's classic study in which he used 300 air changes/hour in the prototype closure. The rate compares favourably to the multi-centre Italian GISIO-ISChIA study. The contamination rate achieved could form a basis for comparative audits based on realistic during surgery monitoring.

Surgeons working in orthopaedic operating theatres are exposed to significant noise pollution due to the use of powered instruments. This may carry a risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study was designed to quantify the noise exposure experienced by orthopaedic surgeons and establish whether this breaches occupational health guidelines for workplace noise exposure.

A sound dosimeter was worn by the operating surgeon during 3 total hip replacements and 2 total knee replacements. A timed record of the procedures was kept concurrently. Noise levels experienced during each part of the procedure were measured and total noise exposures calculated. Quantified noise exposures were compared with occupational health guidelines.

Noise exposure in total hip replacement averaged 4.5% (1.52–6.45%) of the allowed daily dose (average duration 77.28 min). Total knee replacement exposure was 5.74% (4.09–7.39%) of allowed exposure (average duration 69.76min). Maximum sound levels approached, but did not exceed recommended limits of 110 dBA (108.3dBA in total hip replacement and 107.6dBA in total knee replacement). Transient peak sound levels exceeded occupational health maximum limits of 140dB on multiple occasions during surgery.

Overall total noise dose during orthopaedic surgery was acceptable, however orthopaedic surgeons experience brief periods of noise exposure in excess of legislated guidelines. This constitutes a noise hazard and carries a significant, but unquantified risk for NIHL.

Minimally invasive placement of iliosacral screws (SI-screw) is becoming the standard surgical procedure for sacrum fractures. Computer navigation seems to increase screw accuracy and reduce intraoperative radiation compared to conventional radiographic placement. In 2012 an interdisciplinary hybrid operating theatre was installed at the University of Ulm. A floor-based robotic flat panel 3D c-arm (Artis zeego, Siemens, Germany) is linked to a navigation system (BrainLab Curve, BrainLab, Germany). With a single intraoperative 3D scan the whole pelvis can be visualised in CT-like quality. The aim of this study was to analyse the accuracy of SI-screws using this hybrid operating theater.

32 SI-screws (30 patients) were included in this study. Indications ranged from bone tumour resection with consecutive stabilisation to pelvic ring fractures. All screws were implanted using the hybrid operating theatre at the University of Ulm. We analysed the intraoperative 3D scan or postoperative computed tomography and classified the grade of perforation of the screws in the neural foramina and the grade of deviation of the screws to the cranial S1 endplate according to Smith et al. Grade 0 stands for no perforation and a deviation of less than 5 °. Grade 1 implies a perforation of less than 2 mm and a deviation of 5–10°, grade 2 a perforation of 2–4 mm and a deviation of 10–15° and grade 3 a perforation of more than 4 mm and a deviation of more than 15°. All patients were tested for intra- and postoperative neurologic complications and infections. The statistical analysis was executed using Microsoft Excel 2010.

32 SI-screws were implanted in the first 20 months after the hybrid operating theatre had been established in 2012. All 30 patients were included in this study (15 men, 15 women). The mean age was 59 years ±23 (13–95 years). 20 patients received a single screw in S1 (66.7%), 1 patient 2 unilateral screws in S1 and S2 (3.3%), one patient 2 bilateral screws in S1 (3.3%) and 8 patients a single screw stabilising both SI-joints (26.7%). 27 screws showed no perforation (84.4%), 1 screw a grade 1 perforation (3.1%) and 4 screws a grade 2 perforation (12.5%). There was no grade 3 perforation. Furthermore there was no perforation of the neural foramina or the ventral cortex in the axial plane of the SI-screws stabilising one SI-joint (24 screws). Only single SI-screws bridging both SI joints showed a perforation of the neural foramina (37% grade 0, 12.5% grade 1, 50% grade 2, 0% grade 3).

In the frontal plane 23 screws (71.9%) showed a deviation of less than 5°. In 5 screws a grade 1 deviation (15.6%) and in 4 screws a grade 2 deviation (12.5%) could be found. There was no grade 3 deviation. There were no infections or neurological complications.

The high image quality and large field of view in combination with an advanced navigation system is a great benefit for the surgeon. All SI-screws stabilising only one joint showed completely intraosseous placement. Single SI-screws bridging 2 SI-joints intentionally perforated the neural foramina ventrally in 5 cases because of dysmorphic sacral anatomy. This makes image-guided implantation of SI-screws in a hybrid operating theatre a very safe procedure.

The image intensifier is an essential part of orthopaedic trauma surgery. The Image Intensifier can move in a number of planes and has to be positioned accurately. Frustration arises in the surgeon, the radiographer and the rest of the theatre staff when the image intensifier is moved in the wrong direction and there are also increased radiation hazards to all involved if unnecessary x-rays are taken due to incorrect positioning. Communication between the surgeon and the radiographer lies at the heart of safe practice. A questionnaire was designed and circulated to all the radiographers using the image intensifier and to orthopaedic surgeons including consultants, SpRs in London southwest deanery and SHOs of St George’s Hospital, London. They were then asked to write descriptors on a diagram illustrating the major movements of the image intensifier (Vertically up/down, to the patients left/right and head/feet). The questionnaires were completed by 32 radiographers and 48 surgeons (8 consultants, 33 registrars and 7 SHOs). There was very little consensus either within or between the groups as to what command should be used for which direction. A set of directions was agreed upon and put on image intensifier machine. When used these produced a significant reduction in misunderstood commands Confusion abounds when directing the Image Intensifier. When a set of directions can be agreed upon stress reduces and satisfaction improves although it is difficult to measure the reduction in radiation exposure.

Infection following total hip or knee arthroplasty is a serious complication. We noted an increase in post-operative infection in cases carried out in a temporary operating theatre. We therefore compared those cases performed in standard and temporary operating theatres and examined the deep periprosthetic infection rates.

A total of 1233 primary hip and knee arthroplasties were performed between August 2012 and June 2013. 44% were performed in temporary theatres. The two groups were matched for age, sex, BMI and ASA grade.

The deep infection rate for standard operating theatres was 0/684 (0%); for temporary theatres it was 8/539 (1.5%); p=0.001.

Use of a temporary operating theatre for primary hip and knee arthroplasty was associated with an unacceptable increase in deep infection. We do not advocate the use of these theatres for primary joint arthroplasty.

Introduction: It is well documented that surgery following hip fractures (#NOF) has accepted failure rates of between four and 33%. An average of 120 patients are admitted to Wellington hospital for #NOF each year.

Aim: We aimed to identify the rate of and reasons for readmission for further surgery within a year of #NOF in patients admitted to Wellington hospital.

Methods: A list of all patients admitted for surgical treatment of hip fractures during 1998 and 1999 was obtained from the hospital database. Demographic data, type of fracture, surgical intervention, readmission for surgery on the same hip and subsequent surgical intervention for each patient were noted.

Results: Of the 209 patients who underwent surgery for 215 fractures, 55% (n=119) sustained subcapital, 43% (n=92) intertrochanteric and 2% (n=4) other fractures. Seven percent (n=15) were readmitted for a second hip operation within twelve months. Eighty percent (n=12) of those who were readmitted had sustained sub-capital fractures. Of those in the readmission group primary surgery comprised ORIF with cannulated screws (40%), compression screw with or without one cannulated screw and plate (40%), hemiarthroplasty (HA) (13%) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) (7%).

For patients who had sustained a subcapital fracture (n=117), 21% (P< 0.05) of those who had been treated with cannulated screws required further surgery compared with 2–14% who had the other types of surgery.

Conclusions: Rates of readmission for further hip surgery following hip fracture in Wellington hospital appear to be in the lower range of those reported elsewhere.

Introduction An analysis was carried out of the operating theatre activity at the Role Three Multinational Integrated Medical Unit, located at Sipovo in Bosnia. The overall number of operative procedures, over a two-year period from January 2001 - December 2002, were studied. A total of 409 patients were treated and 443 operations were carried out. The patients ranged in age from 2 – 83 years.

Results 202 operations were performed in 2001 and 241 operations in 2002. Of the total operations, 349 (79%) were performed by the General Surgeon and 91 (21%) performed by the Orthopaedic Surgeon. The majority of patients treated were local civilians, who outnumbered military personnel, by a ratio of 3:1.

347 operations (78%) were of a non-emergency nature and 96 carried out as emergencies (22%). Of the 111 military patients operated on, 63 were from the UK, 25 were Dutch, 16 Canadian and the rest from other countries. The vast majority of orthopaedic procedures performed were of a minor nature, such as incision and drainage, wound debridement and tendon repair. The general surgical procedures consisted largely of elective surgery in the local civilian population.

During my deployment of three months, from November 2002 - January 2003, I carried out 11 operative procedures on 9 patients, 6 of these patients were civilian and 3 military. During the same period, 23 general surgical procedures were performed.

Conclusion My personal experience over 3 months and, a wider analysis over 2 years highlights, the gross under-utilisation of scarce and valuable resource. I feel that the deployment of a General Surgeon with trauma experience could very adequately provide combined surgical cover for the two specialities.

Objective

To investigate the effect of lab-based simulator training, on the ability of surgical trainees to perform diagnostic knee arthroscopy.

Purpose

To assess outcomes of manipulating upper extremity fractures with conscious sedation compared with formal reduction and casting in theatre under general anaesthesia and image intensifier control.

In patients with hand sepsis does bedside debridement compared to operating theatre debridement have similar clinical outcomes, hospital cost and time to discharge in a District Hospital setting in South Africa?

A case series of 130 adult patients presenting to a district level orthopaedic unit over 1 year with hand sepsis requiring debridement. All included patients were debrided at the bedside (i.e. the emergency room, ward, OPD) under wrist or digital block. Patients excluded from the study included patients with necrotising soft tissue infections that required debridement in theatre. A cost analysis was done based on operating theatre (OT) costs saved as defined by Samuel1 et al. If an average theatre time of 45 min is taken then the cost saved per patient is approximately R1500 and approximately R300000 for the patients included in the case series. This excludes ward and other hospital costs related to a longer hospital admission.

The mean time to discharge for the included patients was 24 hours. This study suggests that bedside debridement can be a viable and cost effective option for selected cases of hand sepsis that can avoid the high cost and time associated with operating theatre debridement with similar outcomes.

This has implications for the future treatment of hand sepsis in resource constrained settings were operating theatre time is not only very expensive but also very scarce.

We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate if iodine impregnated incision drapes (IIID) increases bacterial recolonization rates compared to no drape use under conditions of simulated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. Background: To prevent surgical site infection (SSI), one of the important issues is managing the patient´s own skin flora. Many prophylactic initiatives have been suggested, including the use of IIID. IIID has been debated for many years and was deemed ineffective in preventing SSI in a recent systematic review [1], while some evidence suggests a potential increase in postoperative infection risk, as a result of IIID use [2]. IIID is sparsely investigated in orthopaedic surgery. An increase in the number of viable bacteria in the surgical field of an arthroplasty operation has a potential to increase the risk of SSI in an otherwise elective and clean procedure [3]. 20 patients scheduled for TKA were recruited. Each patient had one knee randomized for draping with IIID [4] while the contralateral knee was left bare, thus the patients acted as their own controls. Operating theater settings with laminar airflow and standard perioperative procedures were simulated. Sampling was performed with the cup-scrup technique [5] using appropriate neutralizers. Samples were collected from the skin of each knee prior to disinfection and on 2 occasions after skin-preparation, 75 minutes apart. Bacterial quantities were estimated by spread plating with 48-hour aerobic incubation. Outcome was measured as colony forming units per square centimeter of skin. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank test for comparative analysis within and between knees. Following skin-disinfection we found no significant difference in bacterial quantities between the intervention and the control knee (p = 0.388). Neither did we see any difference in bacterial quantities between the two groups after 75 minutes of simulated surgery (p = 0.367). When analyzed within the intervention and control group, bacterial quantities had not significantly increased at the end of surgery when compared to baseline, thus no recolonization was detected (p = 0.665 and 0.609, respectively). Iodine impregnated incision drapes did not increase bacterial recolonization rates in simulated TKA surgery. Thus, the results of this RCT study does not support the hypothesis that iodine impregnated incision drapes promotes bacterial recolonization and postoperative infection risk

International and national predictions from the late 1990s warned of alarming increases in hip fracture incidence due to an ageing population globally. Our study aimed to describe contemporary, population-based longitudinal trends in outcomes and epidemiology of hip fracture patients in a tertiary referral trauma centre. A retrospective review was performed of all patients aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of fractured neck of femur (AO classification 31 group A and B) admitted to the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales between 1st January 2002 and 30th December 2009. Datawas collated and cross referenced from several databases (Prospective Long Bone Fracture Database, Operating Theatre Database and the Hospital Coding Unit). Mortality data was obtained via linkage with the Cardiac and Stroke Outcomes Unit, Planning and Performance, Division of Population Health. Main outcome measures were 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, length of stay. The JHH admitted (427 ± 20/year, range: 391–455) patients with hip fractures over the 9 year study period. The number of admissions per year increased over the study period (p = 0.002), with no change in the age-standardised incidence (p = 0.1). The average age (83.5 ± 0.2) and average percentage female (73.7%) did not change. There was an overall trend to decreased 30-day mortality from 12.4% in 2002 to 7% in 2009 (p = 0.05). The factors that were associated with increased mortality were age (p < 0.0001), male gender (p = 0.0004), time to operating theatre (p = 0.0428) and length of stay (p < 0.0001). In accordance with national and international projections on increased incidence of geriatric hip fractures, the incidence of fractured neck of femur in our institution increased from 2002–2009, reflecting our ageing population. 30-day mortality improved and longer length of stay corresponded with increased 30-day mortality

Two case reports illustrate a relatively simple procedure to preserve thumb function in trauma and locally invasive tumours. The first case report is of a man who presented with a slowly growing chondrosarcoma involving his left thumb metacarpal. Radiological investigations and incision biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a low-grade chondrosarcoma. Thumb function sparing wide local excision of the metacarpal, including the thenar muscles was carried out. The floating thumb was stabilised with a temporary silicone block interposed between trapezium and the proximal phalanx. After four weeks the silicone block was replaced with a tri cortical bone graft from the opposite iliac crest and fixed distally to the proximal phalanx and proximally to the trapezium. The second case report is of a soldier who sustained multiple injuries including open fractures of left thumb metacarpal with associated soft tissue and bone loss. This was from a mortar shell explosion in the jungle. After immediate debridement locally he was transferred to the UK. On arrival he was found to be septic and with ARDS, requiring ITU treatment. One week later he underwent debridement and stabilisation of his thumb injury with an external fixator. This got infected and he went on to develop a non-union. He needed multiple visits to the Operating theatre to sort out his other injuries. Some seven months post trauma he went on to have the metacarpal successfully reconstructed using iliac crest bone graft. These two very different cases underwent a similar reconstructive procedure to try and preserve the thumb and regain some function. After rehabilitation both patients are pleased to have had their thumb preserved

Extensor Pollicis Longus (EPL) rupture occurs in 0.2 – 3% of fractures of the distal radius. The underlying mechanism is unknown. This study prospectively evaluates EPL and surrounding structures using high-resolution ultrasound (US) in patients with distal radius fracture 6 weeks after injury and correlates the findings with initial radiographic measurements. US can assess tendon size, echogenicity and peak velocity, haematoma depth and thickness of the extensor retinaculum and tendon sheath. The normal wrist was examined as a control. Results: 58 patients with mean age 54 yrs (39 female, 19 male), 28/58 underwent manipulation in the Emergency Department and 11/58 went to the Operating Theatre for fixation. Radiographic measurements – AO classification: A-32, B-12 and C-14. 76% were undisplaced fractures with dorsal tilt less than 10. Statistical analysis revealed that EPL tendon peak velocity is significantly slower on the fractured side (p=0.001). The extensor retinaculum thickness is greater (p=0.003) and the synovial sheath thickness is greater (p less than 0.001) on the fractured side. Synovial sheath thickness was also found to be significantly greater in the intra-articular fractures (p=0.03) and the undisplaced fractures (p=0.03). Conclusions: This study correlates patterns of distal radius fracture that are associated with US changes in EPL tendon. As expected, the peak tendon velocity is reduced following fracture, but this is still significant at 6 weeks. This could be associated with impaired diffusion of nutrients within the synovial sheath. There is also persistent soft tissue swelling with significantly increased extensor retinaculum and synovial sheath thickness. This is a protective response to trauma, but we propose that this could interfere with the already tenuous blood supply of the EPL tendon. It could also reduce diffusion of nutrients within the tendon sheath, particularly in undisplaced fractures, where the extensor retinaculum is not torn and any increased pressure may not be dispersed. The study is ongoing with the aim to be able to identify patients at risk for EPL rupture and potentially be able to prevent it by early surgical decompression

Aims

As the world continues to fight successive waves of COVID-19 variants, we have seen worldwide infections surpass 100 million. London, UK, has been severely affected throughout the pandemic, and the resulting impact on the NHS has been profound. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on theatre productivity across London’s four major trauma centres (MTCs), and to assess how the changes to normal protocols and working patterns impacted trauma theatre efficiency.

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.

Richard Carey Smith is an orthopaedic oncology surgeon with fellowship training in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada, and has worked in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Papa New Guinea. David Wood is head of the University Department of Orthopaedics in Perth, Western Australia. He did his masters in Africa, and first experienced Papa New Guinea on his medical elective, starting a lifelong commitment to medical aid work there.