The purpose of this article was to review the current literature
pertaining to the use of mobile compression devices (MCDs) for venous
thromboembolism (VTE) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA),
and to discuss the results of data from our institution. Previous studies have illustrated higher rates of post-operative
wound complications, re-operation and re-admission with the use
of more aggressive anticoagulation regimens, such as warfarin and
factor Xa inhibitors. This highlights the importance of the safety,
as well as efficacy, of the chemoprophylactic regimen.Aims
Patients and Methods
We investigated the incidence of and risk factors
for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following surgery of the shoulder
and elbow and assessed the role of thromboprophylaxis in upper limb
surgery. All papers describing VTE after shoulder and elbow surgery
published in the English language literature before 31 March 2012
were reviewed. A total of 14 papers were available for analysis,
most of which were retrospective studies and case series. The incidence
of VTE was 0.038% from 92 440 shoulder arthroscopic procedures,
0.52% from 42 261 shoulder replacements, and 0.64% from 4833 procedures
for fractures of the proximal humerus (open reduction and internal fixation
or hemiarthroplasty). The incidence following replacement of the
elbow was 0.26% from 2701 procedures. Diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid
arthritis and ischaemic heart disease were identified as the major
risk factors. The evidence that exists on thromboprophylaxis is based on level
III and IV studies, and we therefore cannot make any recommendations
on prophylaxis based on the current evidence. It seems reasonable
to adopt a multimodal approach that involves all patients receiving
mechanical prophylaxis, with chemical prophylaxis reserved for those
who are at high risk for VTE. Cite this article:
Although patients with a history of venous thromboembolism
(VTE) who undergo lower limb joint replacement are thought to be
at high risk of further VTE, the actual rate of recurrence has not
been reported. The purpose of this study was to identify the recurrence rate
of VTE in patients who had undergone lower limb joint replacement,
and to compare it with that of patients who had undergone a joint
replacement without a history of VTE. From a pool of 6646 arthroplasty procedures (3344 TKR, 2907 THR,
243 revision THR, 152 revision TKR) in 5967 patients (68% female,
mean age 67.7; 21 to 96) carried out between 2009 and 2011, we retrospectively
identified 118 consecutive treatment episodes in 106 patients (65%
female, mean age 70; 51 to 88,) who had suffered a previous VTE.
Despite mechanical prophylaxis and anticoagulation with warfarin,
we had four recurrences by three months (3.4% of 118) and six by
one year (5.1% of 118). In comparison, in all our other joint replacements
the rate of VTE was 0.54% (35/6528). The relative risk of a VTE by 90 days in patients who had undergone
a joint replacement with a history of VTE compared with those with
a joint replacement and no history of VTE was 6.3 (95% confidence
interval, 2.3 to 17.5). There were five complications in the previous
VTE group related to bleeding or over-anticoagulation. Cite this article:
Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate post-total joint arthroplasty patients who were sent for a chest CT scan in order to determine the clinical factors that were most likely to be associated with, and predictive of, a radiologic diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the acute, postoperative period. Method: The current study involved a review of 540 total knee replacements and 543 total hip arthroplasty procedures performed from June 2008 to September 2009. All patients received postoperative VTE prophy-laxis using LMWH, as per the protocols established by the Alberta Bone and Joint Initiative, and consistent with the recommendations of the American College of Chest Physicians (2008). A pulmonary CT scan was ordered for patients in situations where. a pulmonary embolism was strongly suspected. for those who lacked a clear alternative diagnosis as an explanation for their findings. when steps to correct the suspected underlying condition failed to normalize results, or. in situations where the diagnosis (i.e. new-onset atrial fibrillation) warranted further investigation to rule out a PE as a possible cause. Patients referred for multidetector computed tomography to investigate the possibility of
Debate continues about the best treatment for patients over 65 years with non-displaced subcapital hip fractures: internal fixation (IF) or hemiarthroplasty (HA). Surgical aggression, mortality, complications and recovery of walking ability after 1year have been compared between both treatments. Match-paired comparison of 2 retrospective cohorts. 220 patients with IF vs 220 receiving a cemented bipolar HA. Matching by age (82.6±7.16 years (65–99)), sex (74.5% women), year of intervention (2013–2021) and ASA scale (24.2% ASA II, 55.8% III, 20.0% IV). Age (p=0.172), sex (p=0.912), year of intervention (p=0.638) and ASA scale (p=0.726) showed no differences. Surgical aggression smaller in IF: Surgical time (p< 0,00001), haemoglobin/haematocrit loss (p <0,00001), need for transfusion (p<0,00008), in-hospital stay (p<0,00001). Mortality: higher in-hospital for hemiarthroplasties (12 deaths (5.5%) vs 1 (0.5%) (p=0.004) (RR=12, 1.5–91.5)). But no significant differences in 1-month (13 hemiarthroplasties, 6%, vs 9 osteosynthesis, 4.1%) and 1-year mortality (33 hemiarthroplasties, 15%, vs 35, 16%). Medical complications: no differences in urinary/respiratory infections, heart failure, ictus, myocardial infarction, digestive bleeding, pressure sores or
Aims. The optimal management of an infrapopliteal deep venous thrombosis (IDVT) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unknown. The risk of DVT propagation and symptom progression must be balanced against potential haemorrhagic complications associated with administration of anticoagulation therapy. The current study reports on a cohort of patients diagnosed with IDVT following TKA who were treated with aspirin, followed closely for development of symptoms, and scanned with ultrasound to determine resolution of IDVT. Methods. Among a cohort of 5,078 patients undergoing TKA, 532 patients (695 TKAs, 12.6%) developed an IDVT between 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019 at a single institution, as diagnosed using Doppler ultrasound at the first postoperative visit. Of the entire cohort of 532 patients with IDVT, 91.4% (486/532) were treated with aspirin (325 mg twice daily) and followed closely. Repeat lower limb ultrasound was performed four weeks later to evaluate the status of IDVT. Results. Follow-up Doppler ultrasound was performed on 459/486 (94.4%) patients and demonstrated resolution of IDVT in 445/459 cases (96.9%). Doppler diagnosed propagation of IDVT to the popliteal vein had occurred in 10/459 (2.2%) cases. One patient with an IDVT developed a
Background: Previous studies have reported mixed findings with regards to post operative complication rates and overall outcome in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this study was a prospective comparison of physical and functional outcome measurements following primary hip arthroplasty in patients aged 80–90 years to those aged 70–79. Methods: Data was prospectively recorded from 1998–2002. 144 patients aged 80–90 years underwent primary hip arthroplasty compared to 441 aged 70–79. A pre-operative Harris Hip Score was obtained on all patients and a standardized follow up regimen was used for assessment at 6, 18 and 36 months post surgery. Data collection included: intraoperative blood loss; post operative transfusion rate; incidence of wound infection, DVT and
Introduction: Venous thromboembolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients and patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery are at high risk from venous thromboembolism. Thromboprophylaxis, both mechanical and chemical, is commonly administrated to reduce fatality from thromboembolism after surgery. However, there is no convincing evidence in the literature demonstrating that routine chemothromboprophylaxis reduces death rates from
Patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures have a high risk of developing thromboembolic complications. Despite routine screening, the risk of PE remains high and may develop in patients with negative DVT screening. The search for a means to identify the patient ‘at risk’ has been elusive. 537 consecutive patients, referred to Royal Adelaide Hospital over a 20 year period for treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures, were evaluated prospectively for
Recent recommendations by the National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggest that all patients undergoing
elective orthopaedic surgery should be assessed for the risk of
venous thromboembolism (VTE). Little is known about the incidence of symptomatic VTE after
elective external fixation. We studied a consecutive series of adult
patients who had undergone elective Ilizarov surgery without routine
pharmacological prophylaxis to establish the incidence of symptomatic
VTE. . A review of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive
patients who were treated between October 1998 and February 2011
identified 457 frames in 442 adults whose mean age was 42.6 years
(16.0 to 84.6). There were 425 lower limb and 32 upper limb frames.
The mean duration of treatment was 25.7 weeks (1.6 to 85.3). According to NICE guidelines all the patients had at least one
risk factor for VTE, 246 had two, 172 had three and 31 had four
or more. . One patient (0.23%) developed a
Between December 2004 and June 2006, 136 patients (156 total hip replacements), were sent from the waiting list of the Cardiff Vale NHS Trust to the NHS Treatment Centre, Weston-super-Mare, in an attempt to reduce the waiting time for total hip replacement. Because of concerns about their outcome, each patient was contacted and invited to attend a review appointment with a consultant specialising in hip and revision hip replacement. A total of 98 patients (113 hips) were reviewed after a mean of 23 months (11 to 30). There were 104 cemented hips, seven hybrid and two cementless. An acetabular inclination of >
55° was seen in 18 (16%). Radiolucent lines around the acetabular component were seen in 76 (67%). The femoral component was in more than 4° of varus in 47 (42%). The medial floor had been breached in 13 (12%) and there was a leg-length discrepancy of more than 1 cm in ten (9%). There were three dislocations, one femoral fracture, one
We retrospectively studied the major complications occurring after one- and two-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee replacements (UKR). Between 1999 and 2008, 911 patients underwent 1150 UKRs through a minimally invasive approach in our unit. Of these, 159 patients (318 UKRs) had one-stage and 80 patients (160 UKRs) had two-stage bilateral UKRs. The bilateral UKR groups were comparable in age and American Society of Anaesthesiology grade, but more women were in the two-stage group (p = 0.019). Mechanical thromboprophylaxis was used in all cases. Major complications were recorded as death,
The purpose of this study was to determine the complications after Bernese periacetabular osteomy (PAO) performed by one experienced surgeon using a minimally invasive modified Smith-Petersen approach. Between May 2012 and December 2015, 224 periacetabular osteotomies (PAO) in 201 patients were performed. The perioperative complications were retrospectively reviewed after reviewing clinical notes and radiographs. The mean age was 28.8 years with 179 females and 22 males. The most common diagnosis was acetabular dysplasia with some cases of retroversion. The average lateral centre edge (LCE) angle was 16.5°(−18–45) and mean acetabular index (AI) 16.79° (−3–50). Postoperatively the mean LCE angle was 33.1°(20–51.3) and mean AI 3.0°. (−13.5–16.6). There were no deep infections, no major nerve or vascular injuries and only one allogenic blood transfusion. Nine superficial wound infections required oral antibiotics and two wounds needed a surgical debridement. There was one
The extraordinary majesty of THR, as it burst onto the scene 60 years ago, both dazzled and blinded. It dazzled patients and surgeons alike and simultaneously obstructed a clear eyed assessment of the human costs. It behooves current practitioners, who have benefited mightily by our progress, to pause and reflect thoughtfully on that progress. Look no further than the fact that the treatment of a benign disease left one patient out of every 50 dead. Dead from a
Introduction. Numerous musculoskeletal and systemic conditions may affect the hips of paediatric patients. While the large majority of patients go on to achieve positive outcomes, a small number will progress to end stage arthropathy with significant functional impairment. Management options have been significantly limited for this population. An adolescent hip arthroplasty program was developed with the aim to improve symptoms and quality of life for patients with pain and disability refractory to joint preserving management strategies. Methods. All patients were assessed jointly by a paediatric hip surgeon and an adult hip arthroplasty surgeon pre-operatively, with all procedures conducted at a dedicated tertiary care paediatric centre under general anesthesia. All procedures were completed through a direct lateral (trans-gluteal) approach, using uncemented components (Zimmer Biomet®, Warsaw, IN) and a ceramic on highly cross-linked polyethylene bearing. Data was collected prospectively after approval from the Institutional Review Board. All patients completed clinical examination and functional scores pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Results. Twenty-eight patients (29 hips) have undergone adolescent THA through this program. The most common diagnoses were avascular necrosis (n=18), idiopathic chondrolysis (n=2), chondrolysis secondary to slipped capital femoral epiphysis (n=2), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=2). Numerous additional diagnoses accounted for 1 case each. Mean age at surgery was 16.0 years (11.8–18.7; SD=2.1). OHS improved from 24.8 (7–43; 10.9) pre-op to 39.3 (15–46; 7.6) at six months (p = p<0.00001). WOMAC improved from 49.4 (4–88; 23.1) to 10.4 (1–53; 12.1) (p<0.00001), while ASKp improved from 77.6 (32.7–99.2; 20.0) to 90.6 (48.3–100; 12.0) (p=0.009). There were 2 early complications: 1 intra-operative acetabular fracture (managed with primary components) and 1 post-operative
Tranexamic Acid (TA) has been shown to reduce transfusion rates in Total Knee Replacement (TKR) without complication. In our unit it was added to our routine enhanced recovery protocol. No other changes were made to the protocol at this time and as such we sought to examine the effects of TA on wound complication and transfusion rate. All patients undergoing primary TKR over a 12 month period were identified. Notes and online records were reviewed to collate demographics, length of stay, use of TA, thromboprophylaxis, blood transfusion, wound complications and haemoglobin levels. All patients received a Columbus navigated TKR with a tourniquet. Only patients who received 14 days of Dalteparin for thromboprophylaxis were included. 124 patients were included, 72 receiving TA and 52 not. Mean age was 70. Four patients required a blood transfusion all of whom did not receive TA (p = 0.029). Mean change in Hb was 22 without TA and 21 with (p = 0.859). Mean length of stay was 6.83 days without Tranexamic Acid and 5.15 with (p < 0.001). 15% of patients (n=11) of the TA group had a wound complication, with 40% of patients (n=21) in the non TA group (p = 0.003). There was one ultrasound confirmed DVT (non TA group). No patients were diagnosed with
Introduction:. Hallux surgery is the most commonly performed elective surgery in the foot and ankle. As with all surgery, there are many potential complications quoted in the literature. Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) incidence and prophylaxis, however, is not adequately addressed and remains controversial. Material and Method:. This prospective study includes one hundred patients who underwent hallux surgery. Risk factors implicated to increase the risk of developing venous thromboembolic disease as well as anaesthetic time, thigh tourniquet time and regional anaesthetic blocks were documented. Compressive ultrasonography was performed in all the patients postoperatively to assess for deep vein thrombosis. Results:. There was one incident of calf deep vein thrombosis (DVT). No patient developed a
Introduction. Active patients may benefit from surgical repair of the achilles tendon with the aim of preserving functional length and optimising push-off power. A mini-open device assisted technique has the potential to reduce wound complications, but risks nerve injury. We present the largest published series of midsubstance achilles tendon repairs using the Achillon® device. Methods. A prospective cohort study was run at the Princess Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital between 2008 and 2015. We included all patients who presented with a midsubstance Achilles tendon rupture within 2 weeks of injury, and device assisted mini-open repair was offered to a young active adult population. All patients in the conservative and surgical treatment pathway had the same functional rehabilitation protocol with a plaster for 2 weeks, and a VACOped boot in reducing equinus for a further 8 weeks. Results. 354 patients presented with a midsubstance achilles tendon rupture over a 7-year period, of which 204 had conservative treatment and 150 patients had surgical repair with the Achillon device. Patients were assessed clinically for a minimum of 10 weeks, with long-term notes surveillance for late complications. The rerupture rate for conservative treatment was 1.5%, with no reruptures in the Achillon group. Infections in the surgical group were superficial in 2 cases (1.3%) and deep in 3 cases (2%).
British national guidelines recommend agents which antagonise factor Xa or warfarin as prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in lower limb arthroplasty. However, they discourage the use of aspirin prophylaxis. We conducted a prospective, multi-centre audit between two national centres, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh to compare bleeding and VTE risk. Only Edinburgh routinely uses aspirin as VTE prophylaxis. The study comprises a number of cycles from 2013 to 2015. Consecutive groups of patients were identified prospectively using elective theatre data and information extracted from their case-notes on type of VTE prophylaxis, VTE occurrence, wound complications and length of hospital stay for a period of nine weeks post-operatively. 262 Edinburgh patients and 92 Dundee patients were included. Most Edinburgh patients were prescribed aspirin in hospital and on discharge (188/262, 71.8%), in line with local protocol. In Dundee, dalteparin was most commonly prescribed in hospital (68/92, 73.9%) and rivaroxaban on discharge (57/92, 62.0%). The Edinburgh group had a 1.5% incidence of
Background. This retrospective analysis was prompted by the authors' observation of the relatively high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Method. 88 patients were treated surgically for an acute Achilles tendon rupture. No prophylactic anticoagulation was given to any patients. The incidence of VTE was then reviewed retrospectively. Results. Five patients developed symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (5.7%) and one a near-fatal