Introduction. Postvoid residualurine (PVR) can be an unknown chronic disorder, but it can also occur after surgery. A pilot-study initiated in Elective Surgery Center, Silkeborg led to collaboration with a urologist to develop a flowchart regarding treatment of PVR. Depending on the severity, men with significant PVR volumes were either recommend follow up by general practitioner or referred to an urologist for further diagnose and/or treatment. Aim: to determine the prevalence of pre- and postoperative PVR in men >65 years undergoing orthopedic surgeries and associated risk factors. Method. A single-center, prospective cohort study. Male patients were consecutively included during one year from April 2022. Data was extracted from the electronic patient files: age, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), co-morbidity (e.g. diabetes), type of surgery and anesthesia, opioid use, pre- and postoperative PVR. Result. 796 participants; 316 knee-, 276 hip-, 26 shoulder arthroplasties and 178 lower back spinal surgeries. 95% (755) were bladder scanned preoperatively. 12% (89) had PVR 150-300ml, and 3% (23) had PVR >300ml. There was a higher risk of preoperative PVR ≥150ml in patients reporting LUTS, OR 1.97(1.28;3.03), having known neurological disease, OR 3.09(1.41;6.74), and the risk increased with higher age, OR 1.08 per year (1.04;1.12). Diabetes and the type of surgery was not associated with higher risk of PVR. 72% (569) had a postoperative bladder scan. 15% (95%CI: 12-19%) (70) patients without PVR preoperatively had PVR ≥150ml postoperatively. Conclusion. Approximately 15% of the men had PVR ≥150ml preoperatively. Neurological disease was the most severe risk factor and secondary if reporting LUTS. As expected, the risk increased with age. Neither diabetes nor the type of surgery was associated with higher risk. 15% of men without preoperative PVR had PVR after surgery. It is not possible to conclude if it is transient or chronic but further studies are ongoing

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Bacterial infection activates neutrophils to release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in bacterial biofilms of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the increase in NET activation and release (NETosis) and haemostasis markers in the plasma of patients with PJI, to evaluate whether such plasma induces the activation of neutrophils, to ascertain whether increased NETosis is also mediated by reduced DNaseI activity, to explore novel therapeutic interventions for NETosis in PJI in vitro, and to evaluate the potential diagnostic use of these markers.

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The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the pooled incidence of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following total hip and knee arthroplasty (total joint replacement (TJR)) and to evaluate the risk factors and complications associated with POUR.

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Children with spinal dysraphism can develop various musculoskeletal deformities, necessitating a range of orthopaedic interventions, causing significant morbidity, and making considerable demands on resources. This systematic review aimed to identify what outcome measures have been reported in the literature for children with spinal dysraphism who undergo orthopaedic interventions involving the lower limbs.

The diagnostic sub-categorization of cauda equina syndrome (CES) is used to aid communication between doctors and other healthcare professionals. It is also used to determine the need for, and urgency of, MRI and surgery in these patients. A recent paper by Hoeritzauer et al (2023) in this journal examined the interobserver reliability of the widely accepted subcategories in 100 patients with cauda equina syndrome. They found that there is no useful interobserver agreement for the subcategories, even for experienced spinal surgeons. This observation is supported by the largest prospective study of the treatment of cauda equina syndrome in the UK by Woodfield et al (2023). If the accepted subcategories are unreliable, they cannot be used in the way that they are currently, and they should be revised or abandoned. This paper presents a reassessment of the diagnostic and prognostic subcategories of cauda equina syndrome in the light of this evidence, with a suggested cure based on a more inclusive synthesis of symptoms, signs, bladder ultrasound scan results, and pre-intervention urinary catheterization. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3):227–231

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Posterior column plating through the single anterior approach reduces the morbidity in acetabular fractures that require stabilization of both the columns. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of posterior column plating through the anterior intrapelvic approach (AIP) in the management of acetabular fractures.

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Machine-learning (ML) prediction models in orthopaedic trauma hold great promise in assisting clinicians in various tasks, such as personalized risk stratification. However, an overview of current applications and critical appraisal to peer-reviewed guidelines is lacking. The objectives of this study are to 1) provide an overview of current ML prediction models in orthopaedic trauma; 2) evaluate the completeness of reporting following the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement; and 3) assess the risk of bias following the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) tool.

Aim. Patient quality of life (QoL) in untreated bone infection was compared to other chronic conditions and stratified by disease severity. Method. Patients referred for treatment of osteomyelitis (including fracture related infection) were identified prospectively between 2019 and 2023. Patients with confirmed infection completed the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Clinicians blinded to EQ-index score, grouped patients according to JS-BACH Classification into ‘Uncomplicated’, ‘Complex’ or ‘Limited treatment options’. A systematic review of the literature was performed of other conditions that have been stratified using EQ-index score. Results. 257 patients were referred, and 219 had suspected osteomyelitis. 196 patients had long bone infection and reported an average EQ-index score of 0.455 (SD 0.343). 23 patients with pelvic osteomyelitis had an average EQ-index score of 0.098 (SD 0.308). Compared to other chronic conditions, patients with long-bone osteomyelitis had worse QoL when compared to different types of malignancy (including bladder, oropharyngeal, colorectal, thyroid and myeloma), cardiorespiratory disease (including asthma, COPD and ischaemic heart disease), psychiatric conditions (including depression, pain and anxiety), endocrine disorders (including diabetes mellitus), neurological conditions (including Parkinson's disease, chronic pain and radiculopathy) and musculoskeletal conditions (including osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia and x-linked hypophosphataemic rickets). QoL in long-bone infection was similar to conditions such as Prada-Willi syndrome, Crohn's disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Patients who had a history of stroke or multiple sclerosis reported worse QoL scores compared to long-bone infection. Patients who had pelvic osteomyelitis gave significantly lower QoL scores when compared to all other conditions that were available for comparison in the literature. In long bone infection, 41 cases (21.0%) were classified as ‘Uncomplicated’, 136 (69.4%) as ‘Complex’ and 19 (9.7%) as ‘Limited treatment options available’. Within classification stratification, patients with ‘Uncomplicated’ long bone infections reported a mean EQ-index score of 0.618 (SD 0.227) which was significantly higher compared to ‘Complex’ (EQ-index: 0.410 SD 0.359, p=0.004) and ‘Limited treatment options available’ (EQ-index: 0.400 SD 0.346, p=0.007). Conclusions. Bone and joint infections have a significant impact on patient quality of life. It is much worse when compared to other common chronic conditions, including malignancy, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. This has not been previously reported but may focus attention on the need for more investment in this patient group

Sacral fractures are often underdiagnosed, but are frequent in the setting of pelvic ring injuries. They are mostly caused by high velocity injuries or they can be pathological in aetiology. We sought to assess the clinical outcomes of the surgically treated unstable sacral fractures, with or without neurological deficits. unstable sacral fractures were included in the study. Single centre, prospectively collected data, retrospective review of patients who sustained vertically unstable fractures of the sacrum who underwent surgical fixation. out of a total of 432 patients with pelvis and acetabulum injuries. fifty six patients met the inclusion criteria. 18 patients had sustained zone one injuries. 14 patients had zone 2 injuries and 10 patients had zone 3 injurie. Operative fixation was performed percutaneously using cannulated screws in 18 patients.. Open fixation of the sacrum using the anterior approach in 6 patients. Posterior approach was indicates in all 10 of the zone 3 injuries of the sacrum. While in 4 patients, combined approaches were used. 3 patients had decompression and spinopelvic fixation. Neurological deficits were present in 16% of the patients. 2 patients presented with neurgenic bladder. Of the 4 patients who had neurological fall out, 3 resolved with posterior decompression and posterior fixation. All 4 neurological deficits were due to taction or compression of the nerve roots. No hardware failures or non unions observed. The rate of neurological deficit was related more to the degree of pelvic ring instability than to a particular fracture pattern. Low rates of complications and successful surgical treatment of sacral fractures is achiavable. Timeous accurate diagnosis mandatory

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Orthopaedic surgery uses many varied instruments with high-speed, high-impact, thermal energy and sometimes heavy instruments, all of which potentially result in aerosolization of contaminated blood, tissue, and bone, raising concerns for clinicians’ health. This study quantifies the aerosol exposure by measuring the number and size distribution of the particles reaching the lead surgeon during key orthopaedic operations.

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Most patients with advanced malignancy suffer bone metastases, which pose a significant challenge to orthopaedic services and burden to the health economy. This study aimed to assess adherence to the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society (BOOS)/British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) guidelines on patients with metastatic bone disease (MBD) in the UK.

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Patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) require emergency imaging and surgical decompression. The severity and type of symptoms may influence the timing of imaging and surgery, and help predict the patient’s prognosis. Categories of CES attempt to group patients for management and prognostication purposes. We aimed in this study to assess the inter-rater reliability of dividing patients with CES into categories to assess whether they can be reliably applied in clinical practice and in research.

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Traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) typically follows a hyperextension injury and results in motor impairment affecting the upper limbs more than the lower, with occasional sensory impairment and urinary retention. Current evidence on mortality and long-term outcomes is limited. The primary aim of this study was to assess the five-year mortality of CCS, and to determine any difference in mortality between management groups or age.

The June 2023 Research Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Characterizing recurrent infections after one-stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection of the knee; Predicted waiting times for orthopaedic surgery: an urgent need to address the deficit in capacity; Vascular impulse technology versus elevation for reducing the swelling of upper and lower limb joint fractures; Desperate patients will accept higher risks; How long does it take to find a positive culture in periprosthetic joint infection?

Aims. The early diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome (CES) is crucial for a favourable outcome. Several studies have reported the use of an ultrasound scan of the bladder as an adjunct to assess the minimum post-void residual volume of urine (mPVR). However, variable mPVR values have been proposed as a threshold without consensus on a value for predicting CES among patients with relevant symptoms and signs. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review of the published evidence to identify a threshold mPVR value which would provide the highest diagnostic accuracy in patients in whom the diagnosis of CES is suspected. Methods. The search strategy used electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and AMED) for publications between January 1996 and November 2021. All studies that reported mPVR in patients in whom the diagnosis of CES was suspected, followed by MRI, were included. Results. A total of 2,115 studies were retrieved from the search. Seven fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These included 1,083 patients, with data available from 734 being available for meta-analysis. In 125 patients, CES was confirmed by MRI. The threshold value of mPVR reported in each study varied and could be categorized into 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, and 500 ml. From the meta-analysis, 200 ml had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with 82% sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 0.90) and 65% specificity (95% CI 0.70 to 0.90). When compared using summative receiver operating characteristic curves, mPVR of 200 ml was superior to other values in predicting the radiological confirmation of CES. Conclusion. mPVR is a useful tool when assessing patients in whom the diagnosis of CES is suspected. Compared with other values a mPVR of 200 ml had superior sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. In a patient with a suggestive history and clinical findings, a mPVR of > 200 ml should further raise the suspicion of CES. Caution is recommended when considering the mPVR in isolation and using it as an ‘exclusion tool’, and it should only be used as an adjunct to a full clinical assessment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):487–495

Determine the infection risk of nonoperative versus operative repair of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures in patients with pelvic ring injuries. Pelvic ring injuries with extraperitoneal bladder ruptures were identified from a prospective trauma registry at two level 1 trauma centers from 2014 to 2020. Patients, injuries, treatments, and complications were reviewed. Using Fisher's exact test with significance at P value < 0.05, associations between injury treatment and outcomes were determined. Of the 1127 patients with pelvic ring injuries, 68 (6%) had a concomitant extraperitoneal bladder rupture. All patients received IV antibiotics for an average of 2.5 days. A suprapubic catheter was placed in 4 patients. Bladder repairs were performed in 55 (81%) patients, 28 of those simultaneous with ORIF anterior pelvic ring. The other 27 bladder repair patients underwent initial ex-lap with bladder repair and on average had pelvic fixation 2.2 days later. Nonoperative management of bladder rupture with prolonged Foley catheterization was used in 13 patients. Improved fracture reduction was noted in the ORIF cohort compared to the closed reduction external fixation cohort (P = 0.04). There were 5 (7%) deep infections. Deep infection was associated with nonoperative management of bladder rupture (P = 0.003) and use of a suprapubic catheter (P = 0.02). Not repairing the bladder increased odds of infection 17-fold compared to repair (OR 16.9, 95% CI 1.75 – 164, P = 0.01). Operative repair of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures substantially decreases risk of infection in patients with pelvic ring injuries. ORIF of anterior pelvic ring does not increase risk of infection and results in better reductions compared to closed reduction. Suprapubic catheters should be avoided if possible due to increased infection risk later. Treatment algorithms for pelvic ring injuries with extraperitoneal bladder ruptures should recommend early bladder repair and emphasize anterior pelvic ORIF

Initial treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury remains as controversial in 2023 as it was in the early 19th century, when Sir Astley Cooper and Sir Charles Bell debated the merits or otherwise of surgery to relieve cord compression. There has been a lack of high-class evidence for early surgery, despite which expeditious intervention has become the surgical norm. This evidence deficit has been progressively addressed in the last decade and more modern statistical methods have been used to clarify some of the issues, which is demonstrated by the results of the SCI-POEM trial. However, there has never been a properly conducted trial of surgery versus active conservative care. As a result, it is still not known whether early surgery or active physiological management of the unstable injured spinal cord offers the better chance for recovery. Surgeons who care for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries in the acute setting should be aware of the arguments on all sides of the debate, a summary of which this annotation presents.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):347–355.

Tumours of the sacrum are difficult to manage. The sacrum provides the structural connection between the torso and lower half of the body and is subject to both axial and rotational forces. Thus, tumours or their treatment can compromise the stability of the spinopelvic junction. Additionally, nerves responsible for lower limb motor groups as well as bowel, bladder, and sexual function traverse or abut the sacrum. Preservation or sacrifice of these nerves in the treatment of sacral tumours has profound implications on the function and quality of life of the patient. This annotation will discuss current treatment protocols for sacral tumours. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(12):1284–1291

Scoliosis correction surgery is one of the longest and most complex procedures of all orthopedic surgery. The complication rate is therefore not negligible and is particularly high when the surgery is performed in patients with neuromuscular or connective tissue disease or complex genetic syndromes. In fact, these patients have various comorbidities and organ deficits (respiratory capacity, swallowing / nutrition, heart function, etc.), which can compromise the outcome of the surgery. In these cases, an accurate assessment and preparation for surgery is essential, also making use of external consultants. To make this phase simpler, more effective and homogeneous, a multidisciplinary path of peri-operative optimization is being developed in our Institute, which also includes the possibility of post-operative hospitalization for rehabilitation and recovery. The goal is to improve the basic functional status as much as possible, in order to ensure faster functional recovery and minimize the incidence of peri-operative complications, to be assessed by clinical audit. The path model and the preliminary results on the first patients managed according to the new modality are presented here. The multidisciplinary path involves the execution of the following assessments / interventions: • Pediatric visit with particular attention to the state of the upper airways and the evaluation of chronic or frequent inflammatory states • Cardiological Consultation with Echocardiogram. • Respiratory Function Tests, Blood Gas Analysis and Pneumological Consultation to evaluate indications for preoperative respiratory physiotherapy cycles, Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) cycles, Cough Machine. Possible Polysomnography. • Nutrition consultancy to assess the need for nutritional preparation in order to improve muscle trophism. • Consultation of the speech therapist in cases of dysphagia for liquids and / or solids. • Electroencephalogram and Neurological Consultation in epileptic patients. • Physiological consultation in patients already being treated with a cough machine and / or NIV. • Availability of postoperative hospitalization in the rehabilitation center (with skills in respiratory and neurological rehabilitation) for the most complex cases. When all the appropriate assessments have been completed, the anesthetist in charge at our Institute examines the clinical documentation and establishes whether the path can be considered complete and whether the patient is ready for surgery. At the end of the surgery, the patient is admitted to the Post-operative Intensive Care Unit of the Institute. If necessary, a new program of postoperative rehabilitation (respiratory, neuromotor, etc.) is programmed in a specialist reference center. To date, two patients have been referred to the preoperative optimization path: one with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, and one with 6q25 Microdeletion Syndrome. In the first case, the surgery was performed successfully, and the patient was discharged at home. In the second case, after completing the optimization process, the surgery was postponed due to the finding of urethral malformation with the impossibility of bladder catheterization, which made it necessary to proceed with urological surgery first. The preliminary case series presented here is still very limited and does not allow evaluations on the impact of the program on the clinical practice and the complication rate. However, these first experiences made it possible to demonstrate the feasibility of this complex multidisciplinary path in which a network of specialists takes part

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Our objective was describing an algorithm to identify and prevent vascular injury in patients with intrapelvic components.