The aim was to determine the influence of COVID-19 on 30-day mortality in hip fracture. Secondary aims were to examine: (1) predictors of COVID-19 on presentation and later in the admission; (2) rate of hospital-acquired COVID-19; (3) predictive value of negative swabs on admission. A nationwide multicentre retrospective cohort study of all patients with hip fracture in all 17 Scottish hospitals in March-April. Demographics, blood results, COVID-19 status, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS), management, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day mortality were recorded. 78/833 (9.4%) patients had COVID-19 (65 swab-proven). 30-day survival with COVID-19 was lower than without (65.4% vs 91%; p<0.001). COVID-19 within 7 days of admission (likely community-acquired) was independently associated with male sex (OR 2.34, p=0.040, CI 1.04–5.25) and COVID-19 symptoms (OR 15.56, CI 6.61–36.60, p<0.001). COVID-19 within 7–30 days (probable hospital-acquired) was independently associated with male sex (OR 1.73, CI 1.05–2.87, p=0.032), NHFS □7 (OR 1.91, CI 1.09–3.34, p=0.024), pulmonary disease (OR 1.68, CI 1.00–2.81, p=0.049), ASA □3 (OR 2.37, CI 1.13–4.97, p=0.022) and LOS □9 days (OR 1.98, CI 1.18–3.31, p=0.009). 38/65 (58.5%) of COVID-19 cases were probably hospital-acquired. The false negative rate of swabs on admission was 0% in asymptomatic and 2.9% in symptomatic patients. COVID-19 was associated with a threefold-increased 30-day mortality. Nosocomial transmission may have accounted for half of all cases. Identification of risk factors for having COVID-19 on admission, or acquiring COVID-19 later, may guide patient pathways. LOS was the only modifiable risk factor, emphasising the importance of high-quality, timely care

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The primary aim was to determine the influence of COVID-19 on 30-day mortality following hip fracture. Secondary aims were to determine predictors of COVID-19 status on presentation and later in the admission; the rate of hospital acquired COVID-19; and the predictive value of negative swabs on admission.

Aims. The aim of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors associated with mortality in patients requiring revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for periprosthetic hip fracture. Methods. The electronic records of consecutive patients undergoing revision THA for periprosthetic hip fracture between December 2011 and October 2018 were reviewed. The data which were collected included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, the preoperative serum level of haemoglobin, time to surgery, operating time, blood transfusion, length of hospital stay, and postoperative surgical and medical complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent modifiable factors associated with mortality at 90 days and one year postoperatively. Results. A total of 203 patients were identified. Their mean age was 78 years (44 to 100), and 108 (53%) were female. The median time to surgery was three days (interquartile range (IQR) 2 to 5). The mortality rate at one year was 13.8% (n = 28). The commonest surgical complication was dislocation (n = 22, 10.8%) and the commonest medical complication within 90 days of surgery was hospital-acquired pneumonia (n = 25, 12%). Multivariate analysis showed that the rate of mortality one year postoperatively was five-fold higher in patients who sustained a dislocation (odds ratio (OR) 5.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60 to 15.83); p = 0.006). The rate of mortality was also four-fold higher in patients who developed hospital-acquired pneumonia within 90 days postoperatively (OR 4.43 (95% CI 1.55 to 12.67); p = 0.005). There was no evidence that the time to surgery was a risk factor for death at one year. Conclusion. Dislocation and hospital-acquired pneumonia following revision THA for a periprosthetic fracture are potentially modifiable risk factors for mortality. This study suggests that surgeons should consider increasing constraint to reduce the risk of dislocation, and the early involvement of a multidisciplinary team to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia. We found no evidence that the time to surgery affected mortality, which may allow time for medical optimization, surgical planning, and resource allocation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(5):580–585

Aims. Ankle fractures are common injuries and the third most common fragility fracture. In all, 40% of ankle fractures in the frail are open and represent a complex clinical scenario, with morbidity and mortality rates similar to hip fracture patients. They have a higher risk of complications, such as wound infections, malunion, hospital-acquired infections, pressure sores, veno-thromboembolic events, and significant sarcopaenia from prolonged bed rest. Methods. A modified Delphi method was used and a group of experts with a vested interest in best practice were invited from the British Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS), British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), Orthopaedic Trauma Society (OTS), British Association of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (BAPRAS), British Geriatric Society (BGS), and the British Limb Reconstruction Society (BLRS). Results. In the first stage, there were 36 respondents to the survey, with over 70% stating their unit treats more than 20 such cases per year. There was a 50:50 split regarding if the timing of surgery should be within 36 hours, as per the hip fracture guidelines, or 72 hours, as per the open fracture guidelines. Overall, 75% would attempt primary wound closure and 25% would utilize a local flap. There was no orthopaedic agreement on fixation, and 75% would permit weightbearing immediately. In the second stage, performed at the BLRS meeting, experts discussed the survey results and agreed upon a consensus for the management of open elderly ankle fractures. Conclusion. A mutually agreed consensus from the expert panel was reached to enable the best practice for the management of patients with frailty with an open ankle fracture: 1) all units managing lower limb fragility fractures should do so through a cohorted multidisciplinary pathway. This pathway should follow the standards laid down in the "care of the older or frail orthopaedic trauma patient" British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics (BOAST) guideline. These patients have low bone density, and we should recommend full falls and bone health assessment; 2) all open lower limb fragility fractures should be treated in a single stage within 24 hours of injury if possible; 3) all patients with fragility fractures of the lower limb should be considered for mobilisation on the day following surgery; 4) all patients with lower limb open fragility fractures should be considered for tissue sparing, with judicious debridement as a default; 5) all patients with open lower limb fragility fractures should be managed by a consultant plastic surgeon with primary closure wherever possible; and 6) the method of fixation must allow for immediate unrestricted weightbearing. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(3):236–242

Abstract. Background. In 2018 NICE produced their guidelines with regards to the prevention of hospital-acquired thrombosis which extended the age range to include 16- and 17-years old patients, suggesting that these patients are risk assessed and receive thromboprophylaxis if indicated. We analysed the incidence of VTE in this age group in our institution and found it to be extremely low and often not related to risk factors commonly included in adult risk assessment tools. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 13,951 patients aged 16- and 17-years of age in our admission database at the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) over a period of 7 years between 2013 and 2019. This was cross-referenced with our imaging database which identified scans carried out for suspected Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). Results. There were 1,275 admissions and 12,676-day-case attendances over the study period. Of these, 145 patients had scans for suspected VTE. 13 patients had positive scans and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the 13 positive scans, 10 were excluded and 3 patients were included in the study. Conclusion. This study shows that the risk of VTE in the 16- and 17-year-old age group is extremely low in patients attending hospital (0.1% in admitted patients and 0.007% in day attenders). We question whether routine risk assessment for VTE in this age group, especially using existing adult tools, is efficacious. The guidance acknowledges the evidence for prescribed drugs is both lacking and the prescription for such agents being outside their Licencing Authorisation

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Prior to the availability of vaccines, mortality for hip fracture patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection was three times higher than pre-pandemic rates. The primary aim of this study was to determine the 30-day mortality rate of hip fracture patients in the post-vaccine era.

Thromboprophylaxis is of particular interest to the NHS due to the number of deaths from preventable hospital-acquired venous thrombo-embolism, considerable treatment cost and related long-term morbidities. In compliance with current NICE guidelines, our departmental protocol for chemical thromboprophylaxis changed from aspirin to clexane. We present a review of the use of both these chemical agents in our hip fracture patients; assessing duration of wound ooze, incidence of symptomatic PE and DVT and thrombocytopaenia. Prospective study of surgically treated hip fractures patients on chemical thromboprophylaxis postoperatively over a 7 month period. Of 224 patients reviewed, 110 fitted our inclusion criteria; 78 on Clexane and 32 on aspirin. Mean patient age: 82.6 years(48–100). Mean hospital stay: 30d ays(6–80). Female predominance (3:1). Mean duration of wound ooze: 6.9 days (1–24) for aspirin and 5.6 days (0–15) for clexane. Symptomatic DVTs: 1(3%) for aspirin and 3(3.8%) for clexane. Symptomatic PE: 0 for aspirin and 1(1.3%) for clexane. Thrombocytopenia: 0 for both groups. Mean duration of wound ooze for both groups was approximately 1 week. Low but significant incidence of thrombo-embolism. Thromboembolism-deterrent-stockings were observed to be unreliable mainly due to skin problems and compliance

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Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) demonstrates the most feared complication after total joint replacement (TJR). The current work analyzes the demographic, comorbidity, and complication profiles of all patients who had in-hospital treatment due to PJI. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate the in-hospital mortality of patients with PJI and analyze possible risk factors in terms of secondary diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, and complications.

Introduction: Over 75% of hospital-acquired infections are methicillin-resistant staphyloccoal (MRSA) infections. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to treat such infections. We report our experience with the use of a topical antibacterial agent, Polytoxinol, PT (TM), combined with debridement, for the treatment of wound and bone infections where antibiotics had failed. PT is a complex formulation of eucalyptic plant extracts, shown to be strongly bactericidal in vitro against a broad range of aerobic bacteria. Methods: Staphylococcal infections were diagnosed in 6 cases by culture; 4 of these were confirmed as involving MRSA. In 8/9 patients, infection was localised at the site of ligament and/or bone surgery for repair of traumatic injury, or for prosthetic joint replacement. Results: Prior to this series, PT was applied as a biological wound sealant to 180 orthoapedic patients with two instances of localised sensitivity. Eight of the current 9 cases of wound infection, included 4 verified cases involving methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were successfully treated by topical application of Polytoxinol, either without (6 patients), or in combination with systemic antibiotics (3 patients). In 8 patients, Polytoxinol application was followed by reduced inflammation, rapid granulation and healing even where infection was of > 2 years standing. Adverse local tissue reaction shown by 1 patient quickly subsided on withdrawal of Polytoxinol. Conclusions: Polytoxinol antimicrobial liquid applied topically to infected wounds and bone is an effective broad spectrum bactericide. It has the potential to supplement, or in many instances replace, antibiotics in the treatment of such infections

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Femoral periprosthetic fractures are rising in incidence. Their management is complex and carries a high associated mortality. Unlike native hip fractures, there are no guidelines advising on time to theatre in this group. We aim to determine whether delaying surgical intervention influences morbidity or mortality in femoral periprosthetic fractures.

Summary. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, including S. epidermidis, have emerged as the leading pathogens of hospital-acquired biomaterial-related infections. These infections can be clinically indolent and challenging also for diagnostic imaging. In the current model of catheter-related infections, . 68. Ga-labeled Siglec-9 PET/CT imaging was able to detect peri-implant S. epidermidis bone infections. Introduction. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, including S. epidermidis, have emerged as the leading pathogen of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) biomaterial-related infections, including periprosthetic infections and intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections. Pathogenic S. epidermidis strains exhibit robust attachment to implant surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation. By nature, the clinical picture of periprosthetic S. epidermidis infections can be indolent with vague signs of infection. These infections are also highly challenging for diagnostic imaging and microbiologic studies. Our recent experimental study of . 18. F-FDG-PET/CT confirmed that subacute peri-implant S. epidermidis infections, reflecting limited inflammatory reaction, are characterised by low . 18. F-FDG uptake. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an inflammation inducible endothelial protein, which controls leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation and infection. Siglec-9 is a leukocyte ligand of VAP-1. We hypothesised that . 68. Ga-labeled Siglec-9, developed for PET imaging of inflammation and cancer, could be a novel tracer also for early defection of S. epidermidis peri-implant bone infections. Material & Methods. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into three groups (n=10/group). A clinical intravenous polymer catheter was introduced into the medullary cavity of the left tibia followed by injections of a clinical isolate of S. epidermidis (T-54580, 3 × 10. 8. CFU/mL) and an adjunct sodium morrhuate. In the positive control group, a clinical isolate of S. aureus (52/52A/80, 3 × 10. 5. CFU/mL) with sodium morrhuate was injected. In the negative control group, equal amount of sterile saline was injected via the catheter. The catheter, cut at the level of tibial tuberosity, was left in situ to serve as the implant. Two weeks after surgery, PET imaging with . 68. Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 was performed with quantitative analysis of the standardised uptake value (SUV) in the region of interests both in vivo and ex vivo. SUV ratio between the operated and contralateral intact tibia was calculated. The presence of infections and the absence of contamination in the negative control group were verified by separate microbiological analyses of bone samples and retrieved implants. The presence of microbial biofilms on catheters was verified ex vivo with fluorescence microscope. Histologic inflammatory reaction was graded using a scoring system. Intergroup differences were tested by means of ANOVA with a post-hoc test. Results. Both staphylococcal strains caused histologically acute osteomyelitic changes. In . 68. Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 PET/CT imaging of the negative control group, there was a significant difference (29.5%, p<0.001) in the SUV ratio of the operated and contralateral tibia, demonstrating aseptic inflammatory reaction to catheter implantation. The corresponding SUV ratio values were 58.1% in the S. epidermidis group and 41.7% in the S. aureus group. The uptake in the S. epidermidis group was significantly (p=0.009) higher than in the negative control group. Discussion/Conclusion. The animal model was reproducible in creation of culture-positive biomaterial-related infections. . 68. Ga-labeled Siglec-9 PET/CT imaging was able to demonstrate aseptic inflammation in the negative control group and the tracer also detected peri-implant bone infections caused by S. epidermidis

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Periprosthetic fractures (PPFs) around the knee are challenging injuries. This study aims to describe the characteristics of knee PPFs and the impact of patient demographics, fracture types, and management modalities on in-hospital mortality.

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To evaluate if, for orthopaedic trainees, additional cadaveric simulation training or standard training alone yields superior radiological and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation or hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture.

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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of foot and ankle surgery. There is a lack of agreement on contributing risk factors and chemical prophylaxis requirements. The primary outcome of this study was to analyze the 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTE and VTE-related mortality in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery and Achilles tendon (TA) rupture. Secondary aims were to assess the variation in the provision of chemical prophylaxis and risk factors for VTE.

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The mechanism by which synovial fluid (SF) kills bacteria has not yet been elucidated, and a better understanding is needed. We sought to analyze the antimicrobial properties of exogenous copper in human SF against Staphylococcus aureus.

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The new COVID-19 variant was reported by the authorities of the UK to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 December 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and nosocomial infection rates in major trauma and orthopaedic patients comparing the first and second wave of COVID-19 infection.

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Hip fracture is a common condition of the older, frailer person. This population is also at risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is important to understand the impact of coexistent hip fracture and SARS-CoV-2 for informed decision-making at patient and service levels.

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This study aims to estimate economic outcomes associated with 30-day deep surgical site infection (SSI) from closed surgical wounds in patients with lower limb fractures following major trauma.

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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.