Outcomes of allogenic cages in anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusion.
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Interbody lumbar fusions provide a proven logical solution to diseases of the intervertebral discs by eliminating motion of the segment. Historically, there are many techniques to achieve spinal fusion in the lumbar spine. These include anterior, posterior, and foramenal approaches, often in combination with various internal fixation devices. The surgeon's choice of the approach and mechanical or biological implant is dependent on the patient's specific pathology and anatomy, in addition to the experience and training of the surgeon in similar conditions. In the past decade, new mechanical spine implants/spacers have been designed to provide restoration of disc height and improve stabilization of the spine. The ability to radiographically assess the "biology" of bone incorporation in these mechanical (metal) spacers has become a significant limitation. The femoral ring allograft (FRA) and the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) spacers have been developed as "biological cages" that permit restoration of the anterior column with machined allograft bone biological cages. Test results demonstrate that the FRA and PLIF spacers have a compressive strength of over 25,000 N. The pyramid-shaped teeth on the surfaces and the geometry of the implant increase the resistance to expulsion at clinically relevant loads (1053 and 1236 N). The technique of anterior column reconstruction with both the FRA and the PLIF biological cages have been previously reported. Clinical outcomes and experience with the FRA spacer (137 patients) and the PLIF spacer (13 patients) were reported on and did not reveal any evidence of bone cage resorption or infectious inflammatory process. There was clinical migration with one PLIF spacer, which was later revised with an anterior approach and a FRA spacer. The radiographic outcomes demonstrated that 94% arthrodesis was achieved with the biological spacer and additional posterior instrumentation. The clinical success of every spine fusion procedure is dependent on many factors such as the extent of the instability, the pathology, type of graft used, the patient's pathology/anatomy and lifestyle. (+info)
The value of suction drainage fluid culture during aseptic and septic orthopedic surgery: a prospective study of 901 patients.
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There are no guidelines on the value of suction drainage fluid culture (SDC), and it is difficult to determine whether the organisms cultured from suction drainage fluid samples are pathogenic or simply contaminants. We performed 2989 cultures of suction drainage fluid samples obtained, during a 1-year period, from 901 patients who underwent aseptic or septic orthopedic surgery (946 operations). The culture results were analyzed to evaluate their ability to detect postoperative infection after aseptic operations or to detect either a persistent or new episode of sepsis in patients known to have infection. For aseptic operations, the sensitivity of SDC was 25%, the specificity was 99%, the positive predictive value was 25%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. For septic operations, the sensitivity of SDC was 81%, the specificity was 96%, the positive predictive value was 87%, and the negative predictive value was 94%. We conclude that, for aseptic orthopedic surgery, SDC is not useful in detecting postoperative infection. However, for septic orthopedic surgery, it is of clinical importance. (+info)
A comparison of operative times in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between orthopaedic faculty and residents: the financial impact of orthopaedic surgical training in the operating room.
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There is no published data regarding the financial impact of training orthopaedic residents in the operating room. No comparisons between orthopaedic faculty and residents in regard to operative time and costs are known. One hundred eleven cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with or without partial meniscectomy were evaluated from 1996 to 1997. Fifty-three cases met the selection criteria of times, documentation and identification of the surgeon. Twenty-one cases were performed by the orthopaedic attending (RCS) while 32 cases were performed by the senior orthopaedic resident. All procedures had the same faculty member present in the operating room either as the primary surgeon or as an assistant providing supervision and instruction as needed. In a two year period, comparisons were made between the attending and residents for the total anesthesia time and actual operative case time. Attending case time and anesthesia times averaged 94.62 minutes (range 60-125 min) and 128.1 minutes (range 84-185 min) respectively. Resident case and anesthesia times averaged 137.09 minutes (range 95-210 min) and 190.48 minutes (range 145-255 min) respectively. The anesthesia time was significantly less for the attending (p<.0001) as was the case time (p<.0001). The true costs of training orthopaedic surgery residents in the operating room is not known. The operative time and subsequent cost difference between experienced faculty and orthopaedic residents in certain arthroscopic procedures is not inconsequential. On average, the difference is equivalent to $228.73 per case for anesthesia costs. Based on increased operative times, operating room costs, on average, were increased by $661.85. The significant differences demonstrated between residents and faculty suggest the need to develop strategies and technical training facilities in order to improve orthopaedic residents' surgical skills and efficiency outside of the cost-central operating room. (+info)
Can guidelines impact the ordering of magnetic resonance imaging studies by primary care providers for low back pain?
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OBJECTIVE: To compare primary care providers' (PCPs') use of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and surgical referrals for patients with low back pain (LBP) before and after dissemination of the 1994 Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (AHCPR) LBP guidelines. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Computerized audits identified patients with LBP evaluated by PCPs in 1994 or 1996 at a university-affiliated Veterans Affairs medical center who had an MRI order and/or a surgical referral. Research assistants recorded patients' demographic characteristics, LBP-related symptoms, and whether the PCP ordered an MRI and/or a surgery consult. For patients referred to surgery without an MRI, subsequent MRI orders by surgeons were recorded. We compared patient characteristics and utilization patterns for 1994 and 1996 and identified independent predictors of MRI orders. RESULTS: PCPs saw 279 and 261 patients with LBP in 1994 and 1996, respectively. An almost identical number of MRIs were ordered in 1994 (99 by PCPs and 42 by surgeons) and 1996 (105 by PCPs and 32 by surgeons). Nearly 50% of patients meeting AHCPR guidelines underwent an MRI in 1994 or 1996. PCPs more frequently ordered a surgery consult in 1994 than in 1996. Providers were less likely to order an MRI for patients with a previous MRI and more likely to order an MRI for those seen in an urgent visit clinic. Neither year nor meeting AHCPR guidelines predicted MRI ordering. CONCLUSIONS: Orders for MRI did not decrease after education on the guidelines. Limiting MRI orders to only "appropriate" patients would not have changed the observed results. (+info)
Resource use data by patient report or hospital records: do they agree?
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BACKGROUND: Economic evaluations alongside clinical trials are becoming increasingly common. Cost data are often collected through the use of postal questionnaires; however, the accuracy of this method is uncertain. We compared postal questionnaires with hospital records for collecting data on physiotherapy service use. METHODS: As part of a randomised trial of orthopaedic medicine compared with orthopaedic surgery we collected physiotherapy use data on a group of patients from retrospective postal questionnaires and from hospital records. RESULTS: 315 patients were referred for physiotherapy. Hospital data on attendances was available for 30% (n = 96), compared with 48% (n = 150) of patients completing questionnaire data (95% Cl for difference = 10% to 24%); 19% (n = 59) had data available from both sources. The two methods produced an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.54 (95% Cl 0.31 to 0.70). However, the two methods produced significantly different estimates of resource use with patient self report recalling a mean of 1.3 extra visits (95% Cl 0.4 to 2.2) compared with hospital records. CONCLUSIONS: Using questionnaires in this study produced data on a greater number of patients compared with examination of hospital records. However, the two data sources did differ in the quantity of physiotherapy used and this should be taken into account in any analysis. (+info)
Presidential address, 2001. Roots and relevance.
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The infrastructure, focus and modus operandi of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) has been changed to effectively address the needs of the Association in this new century, as well as the possibility of a diminished interest in orthopedic surgery as a career choice. These issues are dealt with in this COA presidential address given at the COA annual general meeting in June 2001. (+info)
A study on the effects of particulate metals of orthopaedic interest on murine macrophages in vitro.
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This is part of a larger study designed to investigate the action of particulate metals of orthopaedic interest on tissues. Damaging effects were determined by cytological examination and the assay of two enzymes. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) if released into the supernatant indicates a damaged cell membrane; decreased intracellular levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) indicates a lowered phagocytic capacity of the cells. Soluble and wear products around implanted prostheses could facilitate late infections by impairing local reactions to bacteria. Particulate cobalt, nickel and cobalt-chromium alloy were found to damage the cells and to cause LDH release. G6PD was found to have a lower activity in the cells exposed to these materials. In contrast, titanium, chromium and molybdenum were well tolerated by macrophages and had no effect on the distribution and activity of either enzyme. The solubility of these metals in the culture medium was also measured. (+info)
Combined orthogeriatric care in the management of hip fractures: a prospective study.
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AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of combined care between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians in the management of patients with fractured necks of femur. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of the admissions to a district general hospital with hip fractures was carried out over a 5-year period. In the years 1992-1994, medical problems in this patient group were managed by a consultation-only service. At the end of 1994, a consultant geriatrician was appointed to manage these patients jointly with the orthopaedic surgeons, and the study was then carried through until the end of 1996. Information about the patients from admission to discharge or death was gathered prospectively using a proforma for the 3 years prior to orthogeriatric care, and the 2 years after. Main outcome measures were mortality, length of stay and discharge destination. These were compared for the two periods--pre- and post-orthogeriatric care. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in mortality, length of stay or discharge destination. CONCLUSIONS: Combined orthogeriatric care according to our model did not have an impact on our chosen outcome measures. (+info)