Introduction

In specific conditions, infection may lead to bone loss and is difficult to treat¹. Current clinical approaches rely on the introduction of antibiotics. While these may be effective, there are concerns regarding the rise of antimicrobial resistance. There is therefore interest in the development of antimicrobial bone graft substitutes for dental and trauma surgery.

Introduction

Vascularized fibular grafting following tumor resection is an essential treatment option in limb salvage surgery. This study aimed to assess the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients treated in Denmark between 2010 and 2022.

Background

Ankle and hindfoot fusion in the presence of large bony defects represents a challenging problem. Treatment options include acute shortening and fusion or void filling with metal cages or structural allograft, which both have historically low union rates. Impaction grafting is an alternative option.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of revision ankle replacements, using the Invision implant and impaction allograft for massive talar dome defects following primary ankle replacement failure. Outcomes were assessed in terms of bone graft incorporation; improvement in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs); and survivorship of the revision ankle arthroplasty.

Introduction

Large osteochondral defects (OCD) of the talus present a difficult management conundrum. We present a series of Maioregen xenograft patches applied through an open approach, early lessons from the technique and good early outcomes, in patients who are otherwise looking at ankle salvage techniques.

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes in Northern Ireland of free vascularised fibular bone grafting for the treatment of humeral bone loss secondary to osteomyelitis. Upper limb skeletal bone loss due to osteomyelitis is a devastating and challenging complication to manage for both surgeon and patient. Patients can be left with life altering disability and functional impairment. This limb threatening complication raises the question of salvage versus amputation and the associated risk and benefits of each. Free vascularised fibula grafting is a recognised treatment option for large skeletal defects in long bones but is not without significant risk. The benefit of vascularised over non-vascularised fibula grafts include preservation of blood supply lending itself to improved remodeling and osteointegration.

Glenoid bone grafting in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has emerged as an effective method of restoring bone stock in the presence of complex glenoid bone loss, yet there is limited published evidence on efficacy. The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with glenoid bone grafting in primary RTSA.

Patients who underwent a primary RTSA with glenoid bone grafting were retrospectively identified from the databases of two senior shoulder surgeons. Inclusion criteria included minimum of 12 months clinical and/or radiographical follow up. Patients underwent preoperative clinical and radiographic assessment. Graft characteristics (source, type, preparation), range of movement (ROM), patient-reported outcome measures (Oxford Shoulder Scores [OSS]), and complications were recorded. Radiographic imaging was used to analyse implant stability, graft incorporation, and notching by two independent reviewers.

Between 2013 and 2021, a total of 53 primary RTSA procedures (48 patients) with glenoid bone grafting were identified. Humeral head autograft was used in 51 (96%) of cases. Femoral head allograft was utilised in two cases. Depending on the morphology of glenoid bone loss, a combination of structural (corticocancellous) and non-structural (cancellous) grafts were used to restore glenoid bone stock and the joint line. All grafts were incorporated at review. The mean post-operative OSS was significantly higher than the pre-operative OSS (40 vs. 22, p < 0.001). ROM was significantly improved post-operatively. One patient is being investigated for residual activity-related shoulder pain. This patient also experienced scapular notching resulting in the fracturing of the inferior screw. One patient experienced recurrent dislocations but was not revised.

Overall, at short term follow up, glenoid bone grafting was effective in addressing glenoid bone loss with excellent functional and clinical outcomes when used for complex bone loss in primary RTSA. The graft incorporation rate was high, with an associated low complication rate.

Treatment of large bone defects represents a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The main causes are congenital abnormalities, traumas, osteomyelitis and bone resection due to cancer. Each surgical method for bone reconstruction leads its own burden of complications. The gold standard is considered the autologous bone graft, either of cancellous or cortical origin, but due to graft resorption and a limitation for large defect, allograft techniques have been identified. In the bone defect, these include the placement of cadaver bone or cement spacer to create the ‘Biological Chamber’ to restore bone regeneration, according to the Masquelet technique.

We report eight patients, with large bone defect (for various etiologies and with an average size defect of 13.3 cm) in the lower and upper limbs, who underwent surgery at our Traumatology Department, between January 2019 and October 2020. Three patients were treated with both cortical and cancellous autologous bone grafts, while five received cortical or cement spacer allografts from donors. They underwent pre and postoperative radiographs and complete osseointegration was observed in all patients already undergoing monthly radiographic checks, with a restoration of length and range of motion.

In our study, both the two stage-Masquelet and the cortical bone graft from a cadaver donor proved to be valid techniques in patients with very extensive defects to reconstruct the defect, restore the length, minimize implant left in situ and achieve complete functional recovery.

Trabecular metal (TM) augments are designed to support an uncemented socket in revision surgery when adequate rim fit is not possible. We have used TM augments in an alternative arrangement, to contain segmental defects to facilitate impaction bone grafting (IBG) and cementation of a cemented socket. However, there is a paucity of literature supporting the use of this technique. We present one of the largest studies to date, reporting early outcomes of patients from a tertiary centre.

A single-centre retrospective analytical study of prospectively collected data was performed on patients who had undergone complex acetabular reconstruction using TM augments, IBG and a cemented cup. All patients operated between 2015 and 2019 were included. We identified 105 patients with a mean age of 74yrs. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years(1–5.5yrs). Our primary outcome measure was all-cause revision of the construct. The secondary outcome measures were, Oxford hip score (OHS), radiographic evidence of cup migration/loosening and post-op complications.

Eighty-four out of 105 patients belonged to Paprosky grade IIb, IIc or IIIa. Kaplan-Meier survivorship for all-cause revision was 96.36% (CI, 90.58–100.00) at 2 years with 3 failures. Two were due to early infection which required two-stage re-revision. The third was due to post-operative acetabular fracture which was then re-revised with TM augment, bone graft and large uncemented cup. Pre-op and post-op matched OHS scores were available for 60 hips(57%) with a mean improvement of 13 points. Radiographic analysis showed graft incorporation in all cases with no evidence of cup loosening. The mean vertical cup migration was 0.5mm (Range −5 to 7mm). No other complications were recorded.

This study shows that reconstruction of large acetabular defects during revision THA using a combination of TM augments to contain the acetabulum along with IBG to preserve the bone stock and a cemented socket is a reliable and safe technique with low revision rates and satisfactory clinical and radiographic results. Long term studies are needed to assess the possibility of preservation and regeneration of bone stock.

Femoral impaction bone grafting (IBG) may be used to restore bone stock in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and allow use of a shorter, than otherwise, length prosthesis. This is most beneficial in young patients who are more likely to require further revision surgery. This study aimed to assess the results of femoral IBG for staged revision THA for infection. A prospective cohort of 29 patients who underwent staged revision THA for infection with femoral IBG and a cemented polished double-tapered (CPDT) stem at the final reconstruction was investigated.

The minimum follow-up was two years (2 – 10 years, median 6 years). Stem subsidence was measured with radiostereometric analysis. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Harris Hip, Harris Pain, and and Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie Activity (SICOT) Scores. The original infection was eradicated in 28 patients. One patient required a repeat staged revision due to re-infection with the same organism. At two-year follow-up, the median subsidence at the stem-bone interface was −1.70 mm (−0.31 to −4.98mm). The median Harris Hip Score improved from 51 pre-operatively to 80 at two years (p=0.000), the Harris Pain Score from 20 to 44 (p=0.000) and the SICOT Score from 2.5 to 3 (p=0.003).

As successful eradication of infection was achieved in the majority of patients and the stem migration was similar to that of a primary CPDT stem, this study supports the use of femoral IBG during the final reconstruction of the femur after staged revision THA for infection.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with glenoid bone grafting has become a common option for the management of significant glenoid bone loss and deformity associated with glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Despite the increasing utilization of this technique, our understanding of the rates of bone graft union, complications and outcomes are limited. The objectives of this systematic review are to determine 1) the overall rate of bone graft union, 2) the rate of union stratified by graft type and technique, 3) the reoperation and complication rates, and 4) functional outcomes, including range of motion (ROM) and functional outcome scores following RSA with glenoid bone grafting.

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases was completed for studies reporting outcomes following RSA with glenoid bone grafting. Inclusion criteria included clinical studies with greater than 10 patients, and minimum follow up of one year. Studies were screened independently by two reviewers and quality assessment was performed using the MINORs criteria. Pooled and frequency-weighted means and standard deviations were calculated where applicable.

Overall, 15 studies were included, including nine retrospective case series (level IV), four retrospective cohort studies (level III), one prospective cohort study (level II) and one randomized control trial (level I). The entire cohort consisted of 555 patients with a mean age of 71.9±2.1 years and 70 percent female. The mean follow-up was 33.8±9.4 months. Across all procedures, 84.9% (N=471) were primary arthroplasties, and 15.1% (N=84) were revisions. The overall graft union rate was 89.2%, but was higher at 96.1% among studies that used autograft bone (9 studies, N=308). When stratified by technique, bone graft for the purposes of lateralization resulted in a 100% union rate (4 studies, N=139), while eccentric bone grafts used in asymmetric bone loss resulted in a lower union rate of 84.9% (10 studies, N=345). The overall revision rate was 6.5%, and was lowest following primary cases at 1.8% (11 studies, N=393). The pooled mean scapular notching rate was 20.1% (12 studies, N=497). Excluding notching, the pooled mean complication rate was 21.5% for all cases and 13% for primary cases (11 studies, N=393). When reported, there was significant improvement in post-operative ROM in all planes. There was also improvement in functional outcome scores, whereby the frequency-weighted mean Constant score increased from 25.9 to 67.2 (8 studies, N=319), ASES score increased from 34.7 to 75.2 (4 studies, N=142), and SST score increased from 2.1 to 7.6 (5 studies, N=196) at final follow up.

This review demonstrates that glenoid bone grafting with RSA results in good mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes. Union rate appears to depend highly on graft type and technique, whereby the highest union rates were seen following the use of autograft bone for the purposes of lateralization. Interestingly, the union rate of autograft bone for the purposes of augmentation in eccentric bone loss is considerably lower and its impact on the long-term survivorship of the implant remains unknown.

Introduction

Biological repair of acetabular bone defects after impaction bone grafting (IBG) in total hip arthroplasty could facilitate future re-revisions in case of failure of the reconstruction again using the same technique. Few studies have analysed the outcome of these acetabular re-revisions.

Introduction. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents the costliest complication in Orthopedics. Studies of mixing vancomycin to bone graft at Impaction Bone Grafting (IBG) have shown high local concentration for 3 weeks. Patients and methods. 55 consecutive revisions PJI, age 68 (SD 10.9), (9 one-stage and 46 two-stage) were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were revised using IBG. Most cases had vancomycin mixed in graft or added locally in joint. All had bone cement containing Gentamycin and Vancomycin. Follow up 2–16 years included clinical Merle d'Aubigne-Postel score, radiology and laboratory tests. We analyzed surgical time, bleeding, hospitalization time, infection eradication and prosthetic survival for one- and two-stage revision procedures. One patient was lost to follow up and 6 died (2 one- and 4 2-stage) before 2 years. Values are mean and SD. Analyses done by students t-test. Results. Preoperatively scores for 1- and 2-stage groups were 11.7 (0.79) and 10.2 (1.27) respectively. Follow up scores were 17.5 (0.38) and 15.9 (0.73) respectively. Total intra-operative blood loss (ml) for one- and two-stage procedures were 1638 (780) and 2764 (828) respectively p<0.05. Total surgery time (minutes): 238 (206) and 409 (108) respectively p<0.05. Total hospitalization time (days): 13 (6.2) and 34 (13) p<0.05. Radiology at follow-up showed no signs of PJI, signs of mechanical loosening in one. There were no persistent or new PJI, no revision for mechanical loosening. Two revision for any reason in the 2-stage and one in the 1-stage group. Five reoperations without component exchange for periprosthetic fracture, all in the 2-stage group. Conclusion. No mechanical loosening and no persistent or new PJI are favourable results. Blood loss, hospitalization- and surgery-time were substantially increased for the two-stage group. Muscle atrophy, osteoporotic development and decrease general physical condition are all well-known side effects of two-stage procedure. Revision one-stage hip PJI using IBG avoids increased suffering and resources connected to the two-stage procedure. Literatures have not shown eradication of PJI, to be clearly superior after two- compared to one-stage procedures. Reconstitution of bone defects and the possibility of very high local antibiotic concentration are substantial advantages when using IBG. We recommend a careful one-stage IBG procedure using antibiotic loaded graft for none “difficult to treat” cases

Introduction

Metaphyseal cones with cemented stems are frequently used in revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). However, if the diaphysis has been previously violated (as in revision of a failed stemmed implant), the resultant sclerotic canal can impair cemented stem fixation, which is vital for cone ingrowth and long-term fixation. We report the outcomes of our novel solution to this problem, in which impaction grafting and a cemented stem in the diaphysis was combined with an uncemented metaphyseal cone for revision TKAs with severely compromised bone.

Introduction

Impaction bone grafting (IBG) is a reliable technique for acetabular revision surgery with large segmental defects. However, bone graft resorption and cup migration are some of the limitations of this tecnique. We assess frequency and outcome of these complications in a large acetabular IBG series.

Abstract

Nerve transfer has become a common and often effective reconstructive strategy for proximal and complex peripheral nerve injuries of the upper limb. This case-based discussion explores the principles and potential benefits of nerve transfer surgery and offers in-depth discussion of several established and valuable techniques including: motor transfer for elbow flexion after musculocutaneous nerve injury, deltoid reanimation for axillary nerve palsy, intrinsic re-innervation following proximal ulnar nerve repair, and critical sensory recovery despite non-reconstructable median nerve lesions.

Various arthroscopic techniques using differing graft materials have been described and present a potential alternative to arthroplasty for rotator cuff arthropathy. We describe the short-term outcomes of allograft reconstruction, having evolved of our surgical technique from graft interposition to superior capsule reconstruction (SCR). All patients with an irreparable tear, in the absence of clinical and radiograph evidence of osteoarthritis, who underwent an allograft (Graft Jacket^TM) reconstruction with either an arthroscopic interposition or SCR technique within our institution were included. A retrospective case note analysis was performed to ascertain perioperative details including total operating and consumable implant costs. 15 patients were in the interposition group, mean age 66 years (48–77). Mean postoperative follow-up time was 17 months (1.9 −27.8). The mean OSS improved from 30.6 to 35.7 (p<0.05). Additionally, mean pain scores out of 10 improved from 7.7 to 1.5 (p<0.01). Mean satisfaction for the surgery was 7.8 out of 10. Complications included 2 re-ruptures (13.3%), 1 infection (6.7%) and 1 case of no improvement (6.7%). In the SCR group, there were 10 patients, mean age 64.5 (56– 68 years). Half of these patients had previous rotator cuff surgery. Mean postoperative follow-up time was 8.7 months (1.9 – 16.3). The mean OSS improved from 24 to 32.9 (p<0.01). Similarly, pain scores decreased from 7.9 to 3.5 (p<0.01). Mean satisfaction was 7.2. Complications included 1 case of no improvement (10%) resulting in a reverse TSR and 1 re-rupture (10%). A formal, prospective comparison trial is advocated to determine if SCR is superior.

Femoral revision after cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) might include technical difficulties, following essential cement removal, which might lead to further loss of bone and consequently inadequate fixation of the subsequent revision stem. Bone loss may occur because of implant loosening or polyethylene wear, and should be addressed at time of revision surgery. Stem revision can be performed with modular cementless reconstruction stems involving the diaphysis for fixation, or alternatively with restoration of the bone stock of the proximal femur with the use of allografts.

Impaction bone grafting (IBG) has been widely used in revision surgery for the acetabulum, and subsequently for the femur in Paprosky defects Type 1 or 2. In combination with a regular length cemented stem, impaction grafting allows for restoration of femoral bone stock through incorporation and remodeling of the proximal femur. Cavitary bone defects affecting the metaphysis and partly the diaphysis leading to a wide femoral canal are ideal indications for this technique. In case of combined segmental-cavitary defects a metal mesh is used to contain the defect which is then filled and impacted with bone grafts. Cancellous allograft bone chips of 2 to 4 mm size are used, and tapered into the canal with rods of increasing diameters. To impact the bone chips into the femoral canal a dummy of the dimensions of the definitive cemented stem is inserted and tapped into the femur to ensure that the chips are firmly impacted. Finally, a standard stem is implanted into the newly created medullary canal using bone cement. To date several studies from Europe have shown favorable results with this technique, with some excellent long-term results reported.

Advantages of IBG include the restoration of the bone stock in the proximal femur, the use of standard length cemented stems and preserving the diaphysis for re-revision. As disadvantages of the technique: longer surgical time, increased blood loss and the necessity of a bone bank can be mentioned.

Uncontained acetabular defects with loss of superior iliac and posterior column support (Paprosky 3) represent a reconstructive challenge as the deficient bone will preclude the use of a conventional hemispherical cup. Such defects can be addressed with large metallic constructs like cages with and without allograft, custom tri-flange cups, and more recently with trabecular metal augments. An underutilised alternative is impaction bone grafting, after creating a contained cavitary defect with a reinforcement mesh. This reconstructive option delivers a large volume of bone while using a small-size socket fixed with acrylic cement.

Between 2005 and 2014, 21 patients with a Paprosky 3B acetabular defect were treated with cancellous, fresh frozen impaction grafting supported by a peripheral reinforcement mesh secured to the pelvis with screws. A cemented all-polyethylene cup was used. Pre-operative diagnosis was aseptic loosening (15 cemented and 6 uncemented). The femoral component was revised in 10 patients. Post-operative course consisted of 3 months of protected weight bearing. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically.

One patient had an incomplete post-operative sciatic palsy. After a mean follow up of 47 months (13 to 128) none of the patients required re-revision of the acetabular component. One asymptomatic patient presented with aseptic loosening 9 years post-operatively. Hardware failure was not observed. All patients had radiographic signs of graft incorporation and bone remodeling. There were no dislocations.

The early and mid-term results of revisions of large acetabular defects with this technique are encouraging. Reconstitution of hip center of rotation and bone stock with the use of a small-size implant makes this technique an attractive option for large defects. Longer follow-up is needed to assess survivability.