Level III, prognostic study.

Abstract:PurposeSlipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is an adolescent hip condition with a high risk of complication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in treatment using a prospectively collected paediatric nationally representative database.MethodsA total of 9034 patients undergoing treatment for idiopathic SCFE were selected by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s Kids’ Inpatient Database for the years 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012. The selected patients were separated based on operative approach and these cohorts were analyzed based on temporal and categorical differences in operative approach, patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used when appropriate and the Mantel-Haenszel test for trend was used in temporal analysis.ResultsOverall SCFE procedures have decreased 27.5% (p < 0.001). Closed procedures have decreased 28.5% (p < 0.001), while open procedures have decreased 44.8% (p < 0.001). Bilateral closed procedures have increased 7.2% (p < 0.001). The ratio of open to closed procedures decreased in patients aged nine to 12 years and increased in patients aged 13 to 16 years (p < 0.001).ConclusionHere we report age stratified trends in treatment for idiopathic SCFE using nationally representative data and show an overall decrease in admissions and procedures over time.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective comparison study

Lumbar spinal AP radiographs of 13 C3-TIl paraparetic patients taken at about a 10 year interval were compared. The height (H) and maximum width (W) of the interapophysolaminar spaces (IALS), the width of the vertebral bodies at their waist (V) and the relationship between them showed minimal change over the follow up period. The difference between the late and early mean IALS height values increased caudally but was statistically significant only below L5. Subjective evaluation of the consecutive x-ray films revealed few new degenera tive abnormalities. It is concluded that the normal aging process, which includes horizontal spreading of the lumbar vertebral bodies and narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, is not accelerated by paraparesis and may even be retarded by relative immobilization.

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: The tourniquet is commonly used in orthopedic surgeries on the upper and lower extremities to reduce blood loss, improve visualization, and expedite the surgical procedure. However, tourniquets have been associated with multiple local and systemic complications, including postoperative pain. Guidelines vary regarding ideal tourniquet pressure and duration, while the practice of fixed, high tourniquet pressures remains common. The relationship between tourniquet pressure, duration, and postoperative pain has been studied in various orthopaedic procedures, but these relationships remain unknown in foot and ankle surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess for correlation between excessive tourniquet pressure and duration and the increased incidence of tourniquet pain in foot and ankle surgery patients. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for 132 adult patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery with concomitant use of intraoperative tourniquet at a single institution between August and December of 2015. Patients with history of daily opioid use of 30 or more morphine oral equivalents for greater than 30 days, patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery without regional nerve block, patients deemed to have failed regional nerve block, and patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery without tourniquet use were excluded. Patient’s baseline systolic blood pressure, tourniquet pressure and duration, tourniquet deflation time, tourniquet reinflation pressure and duration, intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate changes, intra-operative opioid consumption, PACU pain scores, PACU opioid consumption, and PACU length of stay were collected. Statistical correlation between tourniquet pressure and duration and postoperative pain scores, pain location, narcotic use, and length of stay in PACU was assessed using linear regression in SPSS. Results: Average age of patients was 47.6 years (Range: 16 - 79). Tourniquet pressure was 280 mmHg in 90.6% of patients (Range: 250-300 mmHg). Only 3.8% percent of patients had tourniquet pressures 100-150 mmHg above systolic blood pressure. Mean tourniquet time was 106.2 ± 40.1 min. Tourniquet time showed significant positive correlation with morphine equivalents used in the perioperative period (N = 121; r = 0.406; p < 0.001). Long tourniquet times (= 90 minutes) were associated with greater intraoperative opioid use than short tourniquet times (= 90 minutes) (19 mg ± 22 mg vs. 5 mg ± 11.6 mg; p <0.001). Tourniquet duration and PACU length of stay had a positive association (R2 = 0.4). Conclusion: The majority of cases of foot and ankle surgery at our institution did not adhere to current tourniquet use guidelines, which recommend tourniquet pressure between 100 and 150 mmHg above patient’s systolic blood pressure. Prolonged tourniquet times at high pressures not based on limb occlusion pressure, as observed in our study, lead to increased pain and opioid use and prolonged time in PACU. Basing tourniquet pressures on...