Aims Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated collars have been shown to reduce aseptic loosening of massive endoprostheses following primary surgery. Limited information exists about their effectiveness in revision surgery. The aim of this study was to radiologically assess osteointegration to HA-coated collars of cemented massive endoprostheses following revision surgery. Methods Retrospective review of osseointegration frequency, pattern, and timing to a specific HA-coated collar on massive endoprostheses used in revision surgery at our tertiary referral centre between 2010 to 2017 was undertaken. Osseointegration was radiologically classified on cases with a minimum follow-up of six months. Results In all, 39 patients underwent radiological review at mean 43.5 months; 22/39 (56.4%) showed no osseointegration to the collar. Revision endoprostheses for aseptic loosening were less likely to show osseointegration compared with other indications for revision. Oncological cases with previous or current infection were more likely to show osseointegration to ≥ 1 collar side than those without evidence of prior infection. Conclusion This seven-year review identified osseointegration of HA-coated collars after revision surgery is less likely (43.6%, 17/39) than after primary surgery. Young patients who undergo revision surgery following initial oncological indication may benefit the most from this collar design. Use in revision oncological cases with a history of infection may be beneficial. HA-coated collars showed limited benefit for patients undergoing revision for failed arthroplasty with history of infection. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(6):371–379.

Neck of femur (NOF) fracture patients have significant 30-day mortality. The incidence of NOF fractures remained high during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United Kingdom. Consequently, numerous cases were complicated with concurrent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies from the United Kingdom related to NOF fractures and 30-day mortality outcomes during the pandemic.A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed and reported as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Two reviewers independently searched on Medline for studies that were published between the 1st of March 2020 and the 1st of November 2020 in the United Kingdom. The following outcomes were compared: 30-day mortality, time to surgery, and anaesthetic risk.A total of five articles were included in this review. In total, 286 patients with NOF fractures and COVID-19 infection were identified, with 30-day mortality ranging from 30.5% to 50% (odds ratio = 6.02; 95% confidence interval = 4.10-8.85; χ 2 = 4.82; I 2 = 58%). Increased time to surgery due to COVID-19-related delays was also noted for the majority of patients in some studies. Mortality scores (Charlson Comorbidity Index, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score) failed to accurately predict the mortality risk.Concurrent infection of COVID-19 in patients with NOF fractures increases the 30-day mortality sixfold compared to the COVID-19-negative group. Efforts should be made to optimise time to surgery as well as consideration of postoperative care in higher dependency units. Future updates in mortality predicting scores should include COVID-19 infection as a significant factor.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges in health care, leading to a dramatic change in service provision and impacting surgical training. The availability of a virtual meeting platform allowed our team to develop a new educational programme aiming to maintain an ethos of education safely, focusing on providing an opportunity to develop nontechnical skills and maintain reflective practice. Materials and MethodsMicrosoft Teams was used to conduct two streams of weekly education: a journal club focussing on developing critical evaluation skills, and case-based in-depth discussion forum to develop presentation skills and evidence-based management. A questionnaire after 10 weeks was used to evaluate the effectiveness and engagement of the two streams. ResultsFifty-three responses were received. Seventy-two percent felt that their engagement in teaching was increased on a virtual platform. There was 88% satisfaction with the platform. Reflective practice increased and 40% of respondents felt their non-technical skills improved. Sixty-eight percent stated that they would like to continue the virtual format going forward and 88% would recommend this to their peers. Ninety-two percent felt that the platform played a pivotal role in helping maintain team morale during this period. ConclusionOur experience of using a virtual tool to maintain education within our department is very positive. There has been good engagement with positive reflection and learning at a time of great change in the NHS. Both trainees and non-trainees have benefited. With ongoing COVID still influencing clinical practice, we recommend utilising virtual platforms to maintain education in surgical departments.

Aim All Neck of Femur fracture patients have a significant 30 – day mortality despite efforts to improve their outcomes. Incidence of NOF cases remained high during the pandemic in the UK and as a result numerus cases were complicated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all UK published studies related to NOF fractures and 30-day mortality outcomes during the COVID 19 pandemic. Method A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed and reported as per the PRISMA checklist. Two reviewers independently searched on Medline for UK studies that were published between 1stof March 2020 and 1stof November 2020. Outcomes compared were 30-day mortality, time to surgery and anaesthetic risk. Results A total of 5 articles were included in our study. These studies were all case series with evidence level 3 or 4. A total of 286 patients complicated with COVID infection with a range of 30-day mortality 30.5%-50%. OR 6.02(95CI: 4.10-8.85), Chi24.82, I2 58%. Increased time to surgery due to Coronavirus related delays was also noted for the majority of studies. Mortality scores (Charlson Comorbidity Index, Nottingham Hip fracture score) failed to accurately predict the mortality risk. Conclusions Concurrent infection of COVID -19 in patients with NOF fractures increases the 30-day mortality 6 times compared to the negative group. Efforts should be made to optimise time to surgery as well as postoperative care via higher dependency units. Updates in mortality predicting scores is deemed necessary to include the SARS-CoV-2 infection as a factor.