Exsanguination is the second most common cause of death in patients who suffer severe trauma. The management of haemodynamically unstable high-energy pelvic injuries remains controversial, as there are no universally accepted guidelines to direct surgeons on the ideal use of pelvic packing or early angio-embolisation. Additionally, the optimal resuscitation strategy, which prevents or halts the progression of the trauma-induced coagulopathy, remains unknown. Although early and aggressive use of blood products in these patients appears to improve survival, over-enthusiastic resuscitative measures may not be the safest strategy.

This paper provides an overview of the classification of pelvic injuries and the current evidence on best-practice management of high-energy pelvic fractures, including resuscitation, transfusion of blood components, monitoring of coagulopathy, and procedural interventions including pre-peritoneal pelvic packing, external fixation and angiographic embolisation.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1143–54.

The June 2015 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: HIV-related implant surgery in trauma; Major transfusion under the spotlight; Surgery and mortality in elderly acetabular fractures; Traction pin safety; Obesity and trauma; Salvage of acetabular fixation in the longer term

We investigated the relationship between a number of patient and management variables and mortality after surgery for fracture of the hip. Data relating to 18 817 patients were obtained from the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit database. We divided variables into two categories, depending on whether they were case-mix (age; gender; fracture type; pre-fracture residence; pre-fracture mobility and ASA scores) or management variables (time from fracture to surgery; time from admission to surgery; grade of surgical and anaesthetic staff undertaking the procedure and anaesthetic technique).

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that all case-mix variables were strongly associated with post-operative mortality, even when controlling for the effects of the remaining variables. Inclusion of the management variables into the case-mix base regression model provided no significant improvement to the model. Patient case-mix variables have the most significant effect on post-operative mortality and unfortunately such variables cannot be modified by pre-operative medical interventions.

In this paper, we will consider the current role of simultaneous-bilateral TKA. Based on available evidence, it is our opinion that simultaneous bilateral TKA carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality and should be reserved for select few.

The purpose of this study was to examine the complications and outcomes of total hip replacement (THR) in super-obese patients (body mass index (BMI) > 50 kg/m²) compared with class I obese (BMI 30 to 34.9 kg/m²) and normal-weight patients (BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²), as defined by the World Health Organization.

A total of 39 THRs were performed in 30 super-obese patients with a mean age of 53 years (31 to 72), who were followed for a mean of 4.2 years (2.0 to 11.7). This group was matched with two cohorts of normal-weight and class I obese patients, each comprising 39 THRs in 39 patients. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences among these groups with respect to complications and satisfaction based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, the Harris hip score (HHS) and the Short-Form (SF)-12 questionnaire.

Super-obese patients experienced significantly longer hospital stays and higher rates of major complications and readmissions than normal-weight and class I obese patients. Although super-obese patients demonstrated reduced pre-operative and post-operative satisfaction scores, there was no significant difference in improvement, or change in the score, with respect to HHS or the WOMAC osteoarthritis index.

Super-obese patients obtain similar satisfaction outcomes as class I obese and normal-weight patients with respect to improvement in their scores. However, they experience a significant increase in length of hospital stay and major complication and readmission rates.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:758–63.

The December 2014 Knee Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: national guidance on arthroplasty thromboprophylaxis is effective; unicompartmental knee replacement has the edge in terms of short-term complications; stiff knees, timing and manipulation; neuropathic pain and total knee replacement; synovial fluid α-defensin and CRP: a new gold standard in joint infection diagnosis?; how to assess anterior knee pain?; where is the evidence? Five new implants under the spotlight; and a fresh look at ACL reconstruction

There is a high rate of mortality in elderly patients who sustain a fracture of the hip. We aimed to determine the rate of preventable mortality and errors during the management of these patients. A 12 month prospective study was performed on patients aged > 65 years who had sustained a fracture of the hip. This was conducted at a Level 1 Trauma Centre with no orthogeriatric service. A multidisciplinary review of the medical records by four specialists was performed to analyse errors of management and elements of preventable mortality. During 2011, there were 437 patients aged > 65 years admitted with a fracture of the hip (85 years (66 to 99)) and 20 died while in hospital (86.3 years (67 to 96)). A total of 152 errors were identified in the 80 individual reviews of the 20 deaths. A total of 99 errors (65%) were thought to have at least a moderate effect on death; 45 reviews considering death (57%) were thought to have potentially been preventable. Agreement between the panel of reviewers on the preventability of death was fair. A larger-scale assessment of preventable mortality in elderly patients who sustain a fracture of the hip is required. Multidisciplinary review panels could be considered as part of the quality assurance process in the management of these patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1178–84.

We aimed to determine whether cemented hemiarthroplasty is associated with a higher post-operative mortality and rate of re-operation when compared with uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Data on 19 669 patients, who were treated with a hemiarthroplasty following a fracture of the hip in a nine-year period from 2002 to 2011, were extracted from NHS Scotland’s acute admission database (Scottish Morbidity Record, SMR01). We investigated the rate of mortality at day 0, 1, 7, 30, 120 and one-year post-operatively using 12 case-mix variables to determine the independent effect of the method of fixation. At day 0, those with a cemented hemiarthroplasty had a higher rate of mortality (p < 0.001) compared with those with an uncemented hemiarthroplasty, equivalent to one extra death per 424 procedures. By day one this had become one extra death per 338 procedures. Increasing age and the five-year co-morbidity score were noted as independent risk factors. By day seven, the cumulative rate of mortality was less for cemented hemiarthroplasty though this did not reach significance until day 120. The rate of re-operation was significantly higher for uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Despite adjusting for 12 confounding variables, these only accounted for 15% of the observed variability.

The debate about the choice of the method of fixation for a hemiarthroplasty with respect to the rate of mortality or the risk of re-operation may be largely superfluous. Our results suggest that uncemented hemiarthroplasties may have a role to play in elderly patients with significant co-morbid disease.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1185–91.

Prospective data on hip fracture from 3686 patients at a United Kingdom teaching hospital were analysed to investigate the risk factors, financial costs and outcomes associated with deep or superficial wound infections after hip fracture surgery.

In 1.2% (41) of patients a deep wound infection developed, and 1.1% (39) had a superficial wound infection. A total of 57 of 80 infections (71.3%) were due to Staphylococcus aureus and 39 (48.8%) were due to MRSA.

No statistically significant pre-operative risk factors were detected. Length of stay, cost of treatment and pre-discharge mortality all significantly increased with deep wound infection. The one-year mortality was 30%, and this increased to 50% in those who developed an infection (p < 0.001). A deep infection resulted in doubled operative costs, tripled investigation costs and quadrupled ward costs.

MRSA infection increased costs, length of stay, and pre-discharge mortality compared with non-MRSA infection.

Increased femoral head size may reduce dislocation rates following total hip replacement. The National Joint Registry for England and Wales has highlighted a statistically significant increase in the use of femoral heads ≥ 36 mm in diameter from 5% in 2005 to 26% in 2009, together with an increase in the use of the posterior approach. The aim of this study was to determine whether rates of dislocation have fallen over the same period. National data for England for 247 546 procedures were analysed in order to determine trends in the rate of dislocation at three, six, 12 and 18 months after operation during this time. The 18-month revision rates were also examined.

Between 2005 and 2009 there were significant decreases in cumulative dislocations at three months (1.12% to 0.86%), six months (1.25% to 0.96%) and 12 months (1.42% to 1.11%) (all p < 0.001), and at 18 months (1.56% to 1.31%) for the period 2005 to 2008 (p < 0.001). The 18-month revision rates did not significantly change during the study period (1.26% to 1.39%, odds ratio 1.10 (95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.24), p = 0.118). There was no evidence of changes in the coding of dislocations during this time.

These data have revealed a significant reduction in dislocations associated with the use of large femoral head sizes, with no change in the 18-month revision rate.

The October 2013 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Radiological, electromagnetic or just leave it out altogether?: distal locking in intramedullary nailing; Internal fixation of radiation-induced pathological fractures of the femur has a high rate of failure; Obesity and trauma; Short and sweet?: antibiotics in open fractures; Extremity injuries more important than previously thought?; Cement nails tiptop for osteomyelitis; Oxygen measurements for compartment syndrome?

Metastatic epidural compression of the spinal cord is a significant source of morbidity in patients with systemic cancer. With improved oncological treatment, survival in these patients is improving and metastatic cord compression is encountered increasingly often. The treatment is mostly palliative. Surgical management involves early circumferential decompression of the cord with concomitant stabilisation of the spine. Patients with radiosensitive tumours without cord compression benefit from radiotherapy. Spinal stereotactic radiosurgery and minimally invasive techniques, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, with or without radiofrequency ablation, are promising options for treatment and are beginning to be used in selected patients with spinal metastases.

In this paper we review the surgical management of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

Recently the National Patient Safety Agency in the United Kingdom published a report entitled “Mitigating surgical risk in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for fractures of the proximal femur”. A total of 26 deaths had been reported to them when cement was used at hemiarthroplasty between October 2003 and October 2008. This paper considers the evidence for using cement fixation of a hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of hip fractures.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is commonly associated with early hip arthritis. We reviewed our series of 1300 hip resurfacing procedures. More than 90% of our male patients, with an average age of 53 years, had cam impingement lesions. In this condition, there are anterior femoral neck osteophytes, and a retroverted femoral head on a normally anteverted neck. It is postulated that FAI results in collision of the anterior neck of the femur against the rim of the acetabulum, causing damage to the acetabular labrum and articular cartilage, resulting in osteoarthritis. Early treatment of FAI involves arthroscopic or open removal of bone from the anterior femoral neck, as well as repair or removal of labral tears. However, once osteoarthritis has developed, hip replacement or hip resurfacing is indicated. Hip resurfacing can re-orient the head and re-shape the neck. This helps to restore normal biomechanics to the hip, eliminate FAI, and improve range of motion. Since many younger men with hip arthritis have FAI, and are also considered the best candidates for hip resurfacing, it is evident that resurfacing has a role in these patients.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) produces recommendations on appropriate treatment within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales. The NICE guidelines on prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic surgery recommend that all patients be offered a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The linked hospital episode statistics of 219 602 patients were examined to determine the rates of complications following lower limb arthroplasty for the 12-month periods prior to and following the publication of these guidelines. These were compared with data from the National Joint Registry (England and Wales) regarding the use of LMWH during the same periods. There was a significant increase in the reported use of LMWH (59.5% to 67.6%, p < 0.001) following the publication of the guidelines. However, the 90-day venous thromboembolism events actually increased slightly following total hip replacement (THR, 1.69% to 1.84%, p = 0.06) and remained unchanged following total knee replacement (TKR, 1.99% to 2.04%). Return to theatre in the first 30 days for infection did not show significant changes. There was an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, which was significant following THR (0.11% to 0.16%, p = 0.04). The recommendations from NICE are based on predicted reductions in venous thromboembolism events, reducing morbidity, mortality and costs to the NHS.

The early results in orthopaedic patients do not support these predictions, but do show an increase in complications.

A total of 157 hindquarter amputations were carried out in our institution during the last 30 years. We have investigated the reasons why this procedure is still required and the outcome. This operation was used as treatment for 13% of all pelvic bone sarcomas. It was curative in 140 and palliative in 17, usually to relieve pain. There were 90 primary procedures (57%) with the remaining 67 following the failure of previous operations to control the disease locally. The indication for amputation in primary disease was for large tumours for which limb-salvage surgery was no longer feasible. The peri-operative mortality was 1.3% (n = 2) and major complications of wound healing or infection arose in 71 (45%) patients. The survival at five years after hindquarter amputation with the intent to cure was 45%, and at ten years 38%. Local recurrence occurred in 23 patients (15%). Phantom pain was a significant problem, and only 20% used their prosthesis regularly. Functional scores were a mean of 57%. With careful patient selection the oncological results and functional outcomes of hindquarter amputation justify its continued use.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:127–31.

We compared the outcome of patients treated for an intertrochanteric fracture of the femoral neck with a locked, long intramedullary nail with those treated with a dynamic hip screw (DHS) in a prospective randomised study.

Each patient who presented with an extra-capsular hip fracture was randomised to operative stabilisation with either a long intramedullary Holland nail or a DHS. We treated 92 patients with a Holland nail and 98 with a DHS. Pre-operative variables included the Mini Mental test score, patient mobility, fracture pattern and American Society of Anesthesiologists grading. Peri-operative variables were anaesthetic time, operating time, radiation time and blood loss. Post-operative variables were time to mobilising with a frame, wound infection, time to discharge, time to fracture union, and mortality.

We found no significant difference in the pre-operative variables. The mean anaesthetic and operation times were shorter in the DHS group than in the Holland nail group (29.7 vs 40.4 minutes, p < 0.001; and 40.3 vs 54 minutes, p < 0.001, respectively). There was an increased mean blood loss within the DHS group versus the Holland nail group (160 ml vs 78 ml, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean time to mobilisation with a frame was shorter in the Holland nail group (DHS 4.3 days, Holland nail 3.6 days, p = 0.012). More patients needed a post-operative blood transfusion in the DHS group (23 vs seven, p = 0.003) and the mean radiation time was shorter in this group (DHS 0.9 minutes vs Holland nail 1.56 minutes, p < 0.001). The screw of the DHS cut out in two patients, one of whom underwent revision to a Holland nail. There were no revisions in the Holland nail group. All fractures in both groups were united when followed up after one year.

We conclude that the DHS can be implanted more quickly and with less exposure to radiation than the Holland nail. However, the resultant blood loss and need for transfusion is greater. The Holland nail allows patients to mobilise faster and to a greater extent. We have therefore adopted the Holland nail as our preferred method of treating intertrochanteric fractures of the hip.

We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of two cementless femoral stems in the treatment of patients with a Garden III or IV fracture of the femoral neck. A total of 70 patients (70 hips) in each group were enrolled into a prospective randomised study. One group received a short anatomical cementless stem and the other received a conventional cementless stem. Their mean age was 74.9 years (50 to 94) and 76.0 years (55 to 96), respectively (p = 0.328). The mean follow-up was 4.1 years (2 to 5) and 4.8 years (2 to 6), respectively. Perfusion lung scans and high resolution chest CTs were performed to detect pulmonary microemboli.

At final follow-up there were no statistically significant differences between the short anatomical and the conventional stems with regard to the mean Harris hip score (85.7 (66 to 100) versus 86.5 (55 to 100); p = 0.791), the mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (17 (6 to 34) versus 16 (5 to 35); p = 0.13) or the mean University of California, Los Angeles activity score (5 (3 to 6) versus 4 (3 to 6); p = 0.032). No patient with a short stem had thigh pain, but 11 patients (16%) with a conventional stem had thigh pain. No patients with a short stem had symptomatic pulmonary microemboli, but 11 patients with a conventional stem had pulmonary microemboli (symptomatic in three patients and asymptomatic in eight patients). One hip (1.4%) in the short stem group and eight (11.4%) in the conventional group had an intra-operative undisplaced fracture of the calcar. No component was revised for aseptic loosening in either group. One acetabular component in the short stem group and two acetabular components in the conventional stem group were revised for recurrent dislocation.

Our study demonstrated that despite the poor bone quality in these elderly patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, osseo-integration was obtained in all hips in both groups. However, the incidence of thigh pain, pulmonary microemboli and peri-prosthetic fracture was significantly higher in the conventional stem group than in the short stem group.