Aims

With resumption of elective spine surgery services in the UK following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a multicentre British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS) collaborative study to examine the complications and deaths due to COVID-19 at the recovery phase of the pandemic. The aim was to analyze the safety of elective spinal surgery during the pandemic.

Abstract. Introduction. Minimising postoperative complications and mortality in COVID-19 patients who were undergoing trauma and orthopaedic surgeries is an international priority. Aim was to develop a predictive nomogram for 30-day morbidity/mortality of COVID-19 infection in patients who underwent orthopaedic and trauma surgery during the coronavirus pandemic in the UK in 2020 compared to a similar period in 2019. Secondary objective was to compare between patients with positive PCR test and those with negative test. Methods. Retrospective multi-center study including 50 hospitals. Patients with suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection who had underwent orthopaedic or trauma surgery for any indication during the 2020 pandemic were enrolled in the study (2525 patients). We analysed cases performed on orthopaedic and trauma operative lists in 2019 for comparison (4417). Multivariable Logistic Regression analysis was performed to assess the possible predictors of a fatal outcome. A nomogram was developed with the possible predictors and total point were calculated. Results. Of the 2525 patients admitted for suspicion of COVID-19, 658 patients had negative preoperative test, 151 with positive test and 1716 with unknown preoperative COVID-19 status. Preoperative COVID-19 status, sex, ASA grade, urgency and indication of surgery, use of torniquet, grade of operating surgeon and some comorbidities were independent risk factors associated with 30-day complications/mortality. The 2020 nomogram model exhibited moderate prediction ability. In contrast, the prediction ability of total points of 2019 nomogram model was excellent. Conclusions. Nomograms can be used by orthopaedic and trauma surgeons as a practical and effective tool in postoperative complications and mortality risk estimation

The infected joint arthroplasty continues to be a very challenging problem. No test has 100% diagnostic accuracy for PPI and the treating surgeon must correlate the clinical and radiographic presentation with a combination of blood tests, synovial fluid analysis, microbiological and histopathological evaluation of periprosthetic tissue and intra-operative inspection to reach a definitive diagnosis. Diagnosis should begin with a high index of suspicion for new onset of pain or symptoms in well-functioning joints. Plain radiographs may identify osteolysis or early signs of implant failure and should be promptly investigated further for PPI. Peripheral blood ESR and CRP remain the most widely used next step for the diagnosis of PPI. Both these tests are widely available, inexpensive, and have a rapid turnaround time in laboratories. The results should be interpreted with caution due to their relative lack of specificity. The sensitivity and specificity values for CRP are approximately 88 and 74%, respectively; while that of ESR is slightly lower at 75 and 70%, respectively. The combined ESR and CRP tests are 96% sensitive for ruling out PPI but the specificity of this combination is as low as 56%. Advanced imaging modalities may be used as a part of the diagnostic algorithm. However, they require expert interpretation and are limited by availability and high costs. When available they have high sensitivity and specificity but their routine use is not recommended and indications have to be individualised in the light of clinical presentation. In the presence of high clinical suspicion, the clinician should plan synovial fluid analysis. This provides a synovial fluid white cell count with differential cell count, specimen for culture and possibility of analyzing other synovial fluid markers. It is important to note that failed metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties can give a falsely elevated synovial fluid cell count when using automated cell counters. This can be overcome by manually counting cell numbers. Synovial fluid should be directly into blood culture bottles, and antibiotics should be withheld at least 2 weeks prior to aspiration, whenever possible. Cultures also help establish the organism, virulence and sensitivities that help plan subsequent treatment algorithm. Periprosthetic tissue biopsy provides valuable information in microbiological diagnosis and workup of PPI. Routine use of gram staining is not recommended due to poor sensitivity. However, frozen section may have some role especially when performed by a skilled pathologist. Tissue culture remains the gold standard for diagnosis despite false-positive and false-negative results. Whenever possible multiple samples should be obtained to aid interpretation. A threshold of 2 to 3 positive specimens yielding indistinguishable microorganisms has been recommended to improve sensitivity. Acute inflammation, evidenced by neutrophilic infiltrate on fixed or frozen tissue, is suggestive of PPI and is defined as the presence of at least 5 neutrophils per high-powered field, in at least 5 separate microscopic fields. Sonication of removed prosthetic components is used to dislodge the biofilm and the associated bacteria from the surface of the implant. The fluid surrounding the implant can be used for culture or analysis. PCR testing: Synovial fluid aspirate, periprosthetic tissue or sonicate fluid may be subject to molecular diagnosis to amplify genetic material and improve microbiological diagnosis of PPI. This technique has shown increased sensitivity in patients who had received antibiotics within 14 days before implant removal. Results have to carefully interpreted with due consideration for possibility of false positive results

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection may be difficult with patients presenting months or years after initial surgery with surgery-associated or haematogenously spread bacteria. Synovasure™ is a new point of care assay that measures alpha defensin produced by activated leucocytes in joints; it is licensed for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections. We sought to include alpha defensin testing in a testing algorithm to improve the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. An algorithm for testing patients with suspected periprosthetic joint infection was developed and agreed among knee surgeons in Gloucestershire, UK. Data was prospectively collected on all tests performed along with information on how the results of the alpha defensin test altered patient management. A sample of joint fluid was taken using aseptic technique in theatre and tested for alpha defensin production at the point of care. Samples were then referred for standard culture and selected samples for 16SrRNA PCR. 12 patients were assayed for alpha defensin in periprosthetic joint fluid during 2015. 7 patients were female, 5 male and ages ranged 64–86 years. 10 patients had a negative point of care alpha defensin test. Only 2 of these patients also had a leukeocyte esterase (LE) test performed and these were negative. The culture results from all samples were negative for both direct and enrichment cultures. 3 samples also had 16SrRNA PCR performed and these were negative. 2 patient samples tested positive for alpha defensin. LE tests were not performed. Both samples were culture negative on direct and enrichment culture however both samples were also referred for 16SrRNA PCR which detected DNA compatible with Staphylococcus caprae/capitis/ saccharolyticus/epidermidis from 1 patient and DNA with homology to Streptococcus gallolyticus/equinusI for the other. Alpha defensin testing improved the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection. A positive alpha defensin test may be used to select patients for whom 16SrRNA PCR testing is useful in order to maximise the potential for pre-revision infection diagnosis and the planning of appropriate adjuncts such as antibiotic laden cement or calcium sulphate beads. Negative alpha defensin tests on aspirated joint fluid may avoid the need for arthroscopy and biopsy and allow planning for single stage revision surgery without concern for infection

The infected joint arthroplasty continues to be a very challenging problem. No test has 100% diagnostic accuracy for PPI and the treating surgeon must correlate the clinical and radiographic presentation with a combination of blood tests, synovial fluid analysis, microbiological and histopathological evaluation of periprosthetic tissue and intra-operative inspection to reach a definitive diagnosis. Diagnosis should begin with a high index of suspicion for new onset of pain or symptoms in well-functioning joints. Plain radiographs may identify osteolysis or early signs of implant failure and should be promptly investigated further for PPI. Peripheral blood ESR and CRP remain the most widely used next step for the diagnosis of PPI. Both these tests are widely available, inexpensive, and have a rapid turnaround time in laboratories. The results should be interpreted with caution due to their relative lack of specificity. The sensitivity and specificity values for CRP are approximately 88 and 74%, respectively; while that of ESR is slightly lower at 75 and 70%, respectively. The combined ESR and CRP tests are 96% sensitive for ruling out PPI but the specificity of this combination is as low as 56%. Advanced imaging modalities may be used as a part of the diagnostic algorithm. However, they require expert interpretation and are limited by availability and high costs. When available they have high sensitivity and specificity but their routine use is not recommended and indications have to be individualised in the light of clinical presentation. In the presence of high clinical suspicion, the clinician should plan synovial fluid analysis. This provides a synovial fluid white cell count with differential cell count, specimen for culture and possibility of analyzing other synovial fluid markers. It is important to note that failed metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties can give a falsely elevated synovial fluid cell count when using automated cell counters. This can be overcome by manually counting cell numbers. Synovial fluid should be directly into blood culture bottles, and antibiotics should be withheld at least 2 weeks prior to aspiration, whenever possible. Cultures also help establish the organism, virulence and sensitivities that help plan subsequent treatment algorithm. Periprosthetic tissue biopsy provides valuable information in microbiological diagnosis and workup of PPI. Routine use of gram staining is not recommended due to poor sensitivity. However, frozen section may have some role especially when performed by a skilled pathologist. Tissue culture remains the gold standard for diagnosis despite false-positive and false-negative results. Whenever possible multiple samples should be obtained to aid interpretation. A threshold of 2 to 3 positive specimens yielding indistinguishable microorganisms has been recommended to improve sensitivity. Acute inflammation, evidenced by neutrophilic infiltrate on fixed or frozen tissue, is suggestive of PPI and is defined as the presence of at least 5 neutrophils per high-powered field, in at least 5 separate microscopic fields. Sonication of removed prosthetic components is used to dislodge the biofilm and the associated bacteria from the surface of the implant. The fluid surrounding the implant can be used for culture or analysis. PCR testing: Synovial fluid aspirate, periprosthetic tissue or sonicate fluid may be subject to molecular diagnosis to amplify genetic material and improve microbiological diagnosis of PPI. This technique has shown increased sensitivity in patients who had received antibiotics within 14 days before implant removal. Results have to carefully interpreted with due consideration for possibility of false positive results

Aim. The purpose of this study was to establish the diagnostic utility and spectrum of fluoroscopy guided percutaneous transpedicular biopsies of the thoraco-lumbar spine performed at our institution and to review some aspects regarding the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis (TB). Methods. A retrospective study was performed on a consecutive series of 48 patients who underwent fluoroscopy guided percutaneous transpedicular biopsies of the spine performed at our institution. Biopsy specimens were sent for microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MC&S) as well as for TB microscopy, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for histology. Results. There were 26 females and 22 males. The ages ranged from 23 to 79 years with a mean of 47 years. Fifteen biopsies were performed in the thoracic spine and 33 in the lumbar spine. A diagnosis was established in 83% of patients. The most common diagnosis, made in 58% of cases, was TB. The second most common diagnosis was metastatic disease, diagnosed in 15%. In 3 patients a diagnosis was made of concomitant TB and metastatic adenocarcinoma. No complications were encountered. Regarding the diagnosis of spinal TB we found that microscopy for alcohol and acid fast bacilli has a very low yield, with TB cultures, PCR and histology delivering a higher yield. TB PCR was also found to be positive in some cases where the TB cultures were negative which had implications for our institution's protocol regarding performance of TB PCR testing. Conclusion. Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous transpedicular biopsies of the thoraco-lumbar spine is a safe and effective tool in the diagnostic work-up of a patient with a spinal lesion of uncertain cause. We recommend that in all cases specimens should be send for histology and bacteriological studies and if spinal TB is suspected samples should be sent for histology, MC&S and PCR. NO DISCLOSURES

Introduction: Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm most commonly presenting in young to middle-aged adults. LGFMS is an indolent tumour with a deceptively benign histological appearance. Local recurrences are not uncommon and tumours can metastasise. The FUS-CREB3L2 gene translocation has been shown to occur commonly in cases of LGFMS. The literature suggests that the FUS-CREB3L2 fusion-gene is a specific marker for LGFMS. Methods: We report the cytogenetic analysis of 29 LGFMS cases, and clinical outcomes of 21 patients treated surgically between 1998 and 2008 at our regional bone and soft-tissue tumour centre. Results: The mean age was 45.4 years and mean follow-up 30.1 months. The most common tumour location was the lower limb. There were no cases of local recurrence or metastasis. Fifteen patients (52.2%) were FUS-CREB3L2 translocation-positive, suggesting either that translocation incidence in our series is lower than other studies, or that reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is less sensitive than the literature suggests. Patients testing positive presented at a younger age (38.2 years, compared to 45.6 years), and had larger tumours than their negative counterparts (mean diameter 97.6mm, compared to 65.2mm), although there was no difference in clinical outcome. Discussion: We conclude that PCR testing for the FUS-CREB3L2 translocation is a useful tool for confirming the diagnosis of LGFMS, but has no role in predicting short-term clinical outcome. It is not necessary to perform wide excision, and marginal margins are adequate. Longer-term follow-up is required to elucidate differences in the long-term clinical outcome between translocation-positive and negative patients

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm most commonly presenting in young to middle-aged adults. LGFMS is an indolent tumour with a deceptively benign histological appearance. Local recurrences are not uncommon and the tumours can metastasise. A particular gene translocation, FUS-CREB3L2, has been shown to occur commonly in cases of LGFMS. The literature suggests that the FUS-CREB3L2 fusion-gene is a specific marker for LGFMS. We report the cytogenetic analysis of 29 cases of LGFMS, and clinical outcomes of 21 patients treated surgically between 1998 and 2008 at our regional bone and soft-tissue tumour centre. The mean age was 45.4 years. The most common location of tumours in our series was the lower limb. The mean follow-up was 30.1 months (range 0 to 125 months). To date, there have been no cases of local recurrence or metastasis. Fifteen of our patients (52.2%) were FUS-CREB3L2 translocation-positive. This suggests either that the translocation incidence in our LGFMS series is lower than other studies, or that reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is substantially less sensitive than the literature suggests. The patients in this series testing positive presented at a younger age (38.2 years, compared to 45.6 years), and had larger tumours than their negative counterparts (mean diameter 97.6mm, compared to 65.2mm), although there was no difference in clinical outcome. We conclude that PCR testing for the FUS-CREB3L2 translocation is a useful tool for confirming the diagnosis of LGFMS, but has no role in predicting short-term clinical outcome. In our experience it is not necessary to perform wide excision, and marginal margins are adequate. Longer-term follow-up is required to elucidate whether the previously reported recurrence and metastasis rates are a true reflection of the nature of this tumour, and may identify differences in the long-term clinical outcome between translocation-positive and negative patients

We retrospectively reviewed 52 children treated for tuberculosis of the knee in the 21-year period 1979 to 1999. The mean age at which the condition was diagnosed was 5.3 years (8 months to 13 years). The median duration of symptoms was four weeks (1 month to 3 years). All patients presented with swelling, mainly owing to synovitis. Pain was a symptom in only two thirds of patients. Using Kerri and Martini’s classification of radiological appearances, 33 knees were stage I (osteopoenia), 15 stage II (osteopoenia with erosions), two stage III (joint space narrowing) and two stage IV (joint space narrowing with anatomical disorganisation). All knees had either positive histology (caseating granuloma) and/or a positive culture for tuberculosis. Treatment was with rifampicin, isoniazide and pyrazinamide for nine months. No synovectomy was done. Of the 48 knees with stage-I and stage-II disease, 22 were immobilised for at least three months and 26 actively mobilised. At a mean follow-up of five years (2 to 16 years), the results were classified according to Wilkinson. All stage-I and stage-II knees had an excellent result (full range of motion) or good result (more than 90° of flexion). Stage-III and stage-IV knees had a fair result (less than 30°of flexion) or poor result (ankylosis). In stage-I and stage-II knees, immobilisation did not affect outcome. In the same period, 25 knees with a non-specific histology and negative culture presented the problem of the differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and particular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Of these 17 were subsequently diagnosed as JRA. A histological study assessed the value of synovial lining (SLC) hyperplasia. The sensitivity of SLC hyperplasia for JRA was only 53%. Synovial biopsies from 10 joints with tuberculosis (positive histology or culture) were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction test. The sensitivity was only 40% for tuberculosis

Aims

There is little published on the outcomes after restarting elective orthopaedic procedures following cessation of surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the reported perioperative mortality in patients who acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection while undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery was 18% to 20%. The aim of this study is to report the surgical outcomes, complications, and risk of developing COVID-19 in 2,316 consecutive patients who underwent elective orthopaedic surgery in the latter part of 2020 and comparing it to the same, pre-pandemic, period in 2019.

Aims

The aim of this study was to surveil whether the standard operating procedure created for the NHS Golden Jubilee sufficiently managed COVID-19 risk to allow safe resumption of elective orthopaedic surgery.

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The aim of our study is to investigate the effect induced by alternated mechanical loading on Notch-1 in mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) of growing rabbits.

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The aim of this study was to assess orthopaedic oncologic patient morbidity resulting from COVID-19 related institutional delays and surgical shutdowns during the first wave of the pandemic in New York, USA.

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Within the UK, around 70,000 patients suffer neck of femur (NOF) fractures annually. Patients presenting with this injury are often frail, leading to increased morbidity and a 30-day mortality rate of 6.1%. COVID-19 infection has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations with the elderly, and those with pre-existing comorbidities are at a higher risk of severe respiratory compromise and death. Further increased risk has been observed in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on the complication and mortality rates of NOF fracture patients.

Aims

To establish if COVID-19 has worsened outcomes in patients with AO 31 A or B type hip fractures.

Aims

Elective surgery has been severely curtailed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little evidence to guide surgeons in assessing what processes should be put in place to restart elective surgery safely in a time of endemic COVID-19 in the community.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop a test for the rapid (within 25 minutes) intraoperative detection of bacteria from synovial fluid to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).