Background

A dedicated referral pathway for patients with bony metastases was introduced at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospitals (GSTT) in 2009. The aim was to facilitate prompt, consultant-led decision-making and intervention for patients at risk of pathological fracture of long bones.

Background

Red cell distribution width (RDW), an automated measure of variability in red blood cell size on full blood count (FBC), has recently emerged as a strong independent predictor of mortality in large population studies as well as several disease states. We wanted to determine the prognostic value of RDW in patients following a hip fracture - a condition associated with high mortality. This relationship has not been assessed to date.

Surgery for pelvic or acetabular fractures carries a high risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Reports indicate that fondaparinux is a more effective thromboprophylactic agent than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) after major orthopaedic surgery. We prospectively evaluated a new protocol for DVT prophylaxis using fondaparinux.

The medium term results of the JRI Furlong Total hip replacement have been very impressive to date. We report the longest prospective series to date of a hydroxyapatite coated femoral prosthesis (Joint Replacement Instrumentation limited, London, UK) at 15–21 years follow up. We describe the long term clinical and radiological femoral stem survival of 331 consecutive JRI Furlong Hydroxyapatite coated total hip replacements in 291 patients at an average follow-up of 17.5 years (15 – 21 year). Two patients (0.6%) were lost to follow-up over the 21 years of the study period. Using revision of the femoral stem for any reason as an endpoint, we report a stem survival of 97.4 % (81.0 to 99.5). Using Aseptic loosening as an endpoint, stem survival was 100%.

The average Merle, D’Aubine & Postel scores recorded for the patients was 5.63/6 for Pain, 5.42/6 for mobility and 4.50/6 for function. There were no cases of anterior thigh pain relating to the uncemented femoral stem.

These results compare favourably with the best long term survival of cemented or uncemented femoral stems used in total hip replacements.

Without thromboprophalaxis, the recorded incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in pelvic fracture varies between 35% and 61%. The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) is reported to be 2–10% and death subsequently occurs in 0.5–4% of patients. With preventative measures the incidence of clinically significant DVT has been reported as low as 0.5%. The primary aim of this study is to look into the efficacy of Enoxaparin in preventing clinically significant DVT and PE in patients with pelvic and acetabular fracture. The secondary aim is to investigate the effect of prolonged pre-operative exposure to Enoxaparin on operative and post-operative bleeding. Sixty-four patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures were reviewed retrospectively between 2000–2005. Patients with coagulopathies were excluded. 40mg Enoxaparin was administered daily following haemodynamic evaluation and continued thereafter until discharge. Blood loss was measured using 3 indicators: volume of blood transfused, difference in pre and post operative Hb, and amount of blood collected in surgical drains. The incidence of clinically significant DVT was 2.9% (2 cases). There was no confirmed incidence of PE. 47% of patients were operated on within a week of admission (Group A), 40% within 1–2 weeks (Group B) and 13% in over 2 weeks (Group C). The group with the most prolonged pre-operative exposure to Enoxaparin: Group C, required the least transfused blood (A: 4.8units, B: 2.0units C: 1.3units), bled the least into drains (A:310ml, B:253ml and C:212ml) and had the smallest post-operative fall in Hb (A:2.2, B:2.0, C:1.9). The low incidence of clinically detectable DVT in the study confirms that Enoxaparin is an effective method for reducing the incidence of significant thrombotic events. Prolonged pre-operative administration of Enoxaparin does not pre-dispose patients to an increased risk of operative and post-operative bleeding.

Aim: Impaction bone grafting is an established technique for the restoration of bone loss at revision hip surgery. Preformed stainless steel meshes have been recently introduced to augment graft containment. We present our results of acetabular impaction grafting at a mean of 4 years, with particular reference to the use of preformed steel meshes.

Methods: 72 consecutive total hip replacements (7 primary and 65 revision) in 69 patients underwent acetabular impaction grafting with morsellised fresh frozen allograft through a posterior approach. In 47 cases there were uncontained defects (46 segmental or combined deficiencies, one pelvic discontinuity) necessitating the use of a preformed steel mesh, secured with multiple small fragment screws to contain the impacted bone graft. All the operations were done by the senior author in a district general hospital.

Results: At mean follow-up of 4 years (range 18 to 92 months), no case has been lost to follow up. The Merle d’Aubigne Postel hip scores averaged 5.3 (pain), 4.2 (walking ability), and 5.3 (range of movement). (Charnley group A -26 patients, group B -19, group C -24). There were no peri-operative deaths or deep infections. There have been no revisions for septic or aseptic loosening. There were 2 cases of early post operative dislocation which stabilised after closed reduction. One case of recurrent disclocation required cup revision. There was one case of radiographic loosening without cup migration. This patient remains pain free and there are no plans for revision. In all other cases, radiographs suggest graft incorporation, with no significant radiolucent lines, acetabular component or mesh migration. There have been no complications relating to the use of the preformed mesh.

Conclusion: The results of this study are encouraging. By using preformed metallic meshes it is possible to manage all cases of acetabular loss, irrespective of severity, encountered during total hip replacement with acetabular impaction grafting.

Aims: To establish the frequency of achieving the desired prosthesis position in an uncemented total hip replacement and the effect of the position on outcome. Methods: We reviewed the earliest and most recent available post-operative pelvic x-rays of 96 patients who had undergone a total hip replacement between March 1992 and December 1995. A press þt hydroxyapatite coated cup and stem were used in all cases (CSF & JRI respectively). We assessed the following parameters: Centre of rotation, off set, cup angle, leg length and insert wear. We then established the clinical outcome at 5–9 years of 88 patients using the MDP scoring systems and correlated this with the radiological study to establish the effect of prosthesis placement on the clinical outcome. Results: There was an acceptable centre of rotation in 53.6% of the patients, 44% of the patients had a cup angle of 40–49 degrees, 73% had an adequate off set and 71.7% had equal leg lengths. There was no correlation between the MDP and the centre of rotation, cup angle, off set or leg length. There was also no correlation between these parameters and wear of the liner. Conclusion: It is evident that the desired position of the prosthesis is not achieved in a signiþcant number of patients. This does not seem to correlate with the clinical outcome and wear. Extreme deviation from the anatomical position is likely to be detrimental.

Since 1986 the JRI Furlong hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem has been in use at our institution. We present the results of the first 100 hips performed on 86 patients by or under the direct supervision of one surgeon (JANS). The Furlong stem was used in conjunction with a ceramic head and CCI cemented UHDP cup. AT the time of surgery the mean age of the patients was 69 (range 45–94 years). One patient has undergone excision arthroplasty for suspected infection at which time the femoral component was found to be well bonded. At latest review, all patients were accounted for. 48 patients had died with no death directly related to surgery and no revisions or planned revision of the femoral component at the time of death. Of the 38 surviving patients (44 hips), the mean Merle d’Aubigné & Postel score was 5.8 for pain, 5.7 for movement and 4.9 for function at 13 to 16.5 years follow up (mean 14.0). No femoral component showed radiological evidence of loosening. Five acetabular components have been revised for aseptic loosening with the femoral component found to be well bonded at the time of revision and therefore left in situ. In this series of hydroxyapatite coated femoral stems the overall revision rate is 1% with no cases of aseptic loosening. This hydroxyapatite coated prosthesis, at long term follow up has superior survival figures to other types of femoral components.