Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background With a growing number of elderly patients requiring elective and non-elective procedures, frailty-based preoperative risk stratification is an emerging tool in orthopedic surgery to minimize adverse postoperative outcomes. This paper sought to understand the current literature regarding preoperative Orthopedic Frailty Risk Stratification (OFRS) and describe the disparate frailty indices and their capabilities for discrimination in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes. Methods A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane, and Scopus for articles published during or prior to February 2024 assessing frailty following surgery for orthopedic pathologies. Qualitative variables including study characteristics and application of frailty were collected and synthesized. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed for pooled odds ratio (OR) and area under the curve (AUC) of frailty for mortality and complications. All methods were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results Of the 81 included articles, over half (52%) addressed traumatic orthopedic pathologies with traumatic hip fractures being the most studied in the OFRS (25 studies). Less common categories included oncology, sports, and foot/ankle. Functional status and independence were the most common frailty domain (25, 96.2%) and component across scales (20, 76.9%), respectively. The 5-Item Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) was the most common frailty index (28 publications). Meta-analysis demonstrated increasing frailty was an independent predictor of mortality (30-day OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.00–4.18; 1 year OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48–2.22, p  < 0.001), major complications (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10–2.41, p  = 0.02), and Clavien-Dindo IV complications (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 2.18–4.87, p  < 0.001). Frailty had good discriminatory accuracy for predicting mortality at 30-days (AUC: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.68–0.74, p  < 0.001), 3-months (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65–0.83, p  < 0.001), and 1-year (OR:0.74, 95% CI: 0.73–0.75, p  < 0.001). Conclusions The orthopedic surgery frailty literature is extremely heterogeneous, with disparate frailty scales implemented to measure varying outcomes across many orthopedic pathologies. Despite no consensus on exact scales or definitions, various frailty indices have predicted adverse outcomes.

Background The rate, complexity, and cost of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) continues to grow. Technology has advanced pre-operative templating. Reducing cost of TSA has positive impact for the patient, manufacturer, and hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of implant size selection based on 3-D templating. Our hypothesis was that pre-operative templating would enable accurate implant prediction within one size. Methods Multicenter retrospective study of anatomic TSAs templated utilizing 3-D virtual planning technology. This program uses computed tomography (CT) scans allowing the surgeon to predict component sizes of the glenoid and humeral head and stem. Pre-operative templated implant size were compared to actual implant size at the time of surgery. Primary data analysis utilized unweighted Cohen's Kappa test. Results 111 TSAs were analyzed from five surgeons. Pre-operative templated glenoid sizes were within one size of actual implant in 99% and exactly matched in 89%. For patients requiring a posterior glenoid augment (n = 14), 100% of implants were within one size of the template and 93% matched exactly. For stemless humeral components (n = 87) implanted, 98% matched the pre-operative template within one size with 79% exactly matched. For stemmed components (n = 24), 88% of cases were within one size of the preoperative plan and exactly matching in 83%. Humeral head diameter matched within one size of the pre-operative template in 84% of cases and exactly matched in 72%. Conclusion Pre-operative 3-D templating for TSAs can accurately predict glenoid and humeral component size. This study sets the groundwork for utilization of pre-operative 3-D templating as a potential method to reduce overall TSA costs by managing cost of implants, reducing inventory needs, and improving surgical efficiency.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and deadly neuroendocrine skin tumor frequently associated with clonal integration of a polyomavirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and MCC tumor cells express putative polyomavirus oncoprotein small T antigen (sTAg) and truncated large T antigen. Here, we show robust transforming activity of sTAg in vivo in a panel of transgenic mouse models. Epithelia of preterm sTAg-expressing embryos exhibited hyperplasia, impaired differentiation, increased proliferation, and apoptosis, and activation of a DNA damage response. Epithelial transformation did not require sTAg interaction with the protein phosphatase 2A protein complex, a tumor suppressor in some other polyomavirus transformation models, but was strictly dependent on a recently described sTAg domain that binds Fbxw7, the substrate-binding component of the Skp1/Cullin1/F-box protein ubiquitin ligase complex. Postnatal induction of sTAg using a Cre-inducible transgene also led to epithelial transformation with development of lesions resembling squamous cell carcinoma in situ and elevated expression of Fbxw7 target proteins. Our data establish that expression of MCPyV sTAg alone is sufficient for rapid neoplastic transformation in vivo, implicating sTAg as an oncogenic driver in MCC and perhaps other human malignancies. Moreover, the loss of transforming activity following mutation of the sTAg Fbxw7 binding domain identifies this domain as crucial for in vivo transformation.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with high metastatic potential, has a poor prognosis at late stages of disease with no proven chemotherapeutic regimens. Using an enriched culture medium, we established and characterized 11 MCC cell lines for Bcl-2 family profiling and functional studies. Immunoblot analysis revealed collectively high protein levels of prosurvival Bcl-2 members in cell lines and a panel of MCC tumors. Downregulation of individual Bcl-2 proteins by RNAi promoted death in a subset of MCC cell lines, whereas simultaneous inhibition of multiple family members by using the small-molecule antagonist ABT-263 led to a marked induction of cell death in 10 of 11 lines. ABT-263 induced Bax-dependent apoptosis with rapid cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, regardless of Bcl-2 family profile or the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus. Furthermore, ABT-263 treatment led to rapid and sustained growth suppression of MCC xenografts from a representative cell line, accompanied by a striking increase in apoptosis. Our results establish that concurrent inhibition of multiple prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins leads to effective induction of apoptosis, and strongly support the concept that targeting MCC dependence on these molecules may be useful therapeutically by reversing an intrinsic resistance to cell death.

Purpose Intra-articular distal femur fractures in patients with a lower extremity amputation can present a technical challenge for the treating surgeon in what may be otherwise considered a routine procedure in non-amputees. Difficulties with positioning, fracture reduction, limb contractures, and stump osteoporosis can present challenges with treatment. Here, we describe the surgical technique and outcome of a case series of amputee patients with AO/OTA 33C femur fractures. Methods Retrospective case series of five patients with a comminuted supracondylar distal femur fracture with intercondylar extension proximal to a below-knee amputation treated with retrograde intramedullary nail at a single Level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2023. Baseline demographic and clinical data were recorded. Rate of bony union and complications were documented. Results Five patients (three females and two males) with a mean age of 48 years who were treated for a comminuted supracondylar distal femur fracture with intercondylar extension proximal to a below-knee amputation were identified. At the time of final follow-up (mean 109.3 days, range 29–183 days), all patients had healed their incisions and were progressing to return of function with their prosthesis. All patients were treated with the surgical technique described in this article, and no postoperative complications were reported. Conclusion This is an effective and safe technique for surgical treatment of comminuted intra-articular distal femur fractures in patients with an ipsilateral below-knee amputation. We believe that this technique can be utilized by any orthopedic surgeon taking trauma call and can avoid unnecessary transfers or delays to care.

Purpose Obesity is an epidemic which increases risk of many surgical procedures. Previous studies in spine and hip arthroplasty have shown that fat thickness measured on preoperative imaging may be as or more reliable in assessment of risk of post-operative infection and/or wound complications than body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that, similarly, increased local fat thickness at the surgical site is a predictor of wound complication in acetabulum fracture surgery. Methods Patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of an acetabulum fracture through a Kocher-Langenbeck (K-L) approach at a single institution from 2013 to 2020 were identified. Pre-operative CT scans were used to measure fat thickness from the skin to the greater trochanter in line with the surgical approach. Post-operative infections and wound complications were recorded and associated with fat thickness and BMI. Results 238 patients met inclusion criteria. 12 patients had either infection or a wound complication (5.0%). There was no significant association with BMI or preoperative fat thickness on post-operative infection or wound complication ( p -value 0.73 and 0.86). Conclusions There is no statistically significant association of post-operative infection or wound complications in patients with increased soft tissue thickness or increased BMI. ORIF of acetabulum fractures through a K-L approach can be performed safely in patients with large subcutaneous fat thickness and high BMI with low risk of infection or wound complications.

Background: The Latarjet procedure is a popular means to surgically address anterior glenohumeral joint instability. Although the Latarjet procedure is becoming increasingly common, challenges persist and include postoperative complications secondary to use of the conventional 2 bicortical fixation screws. Recently, a novel surgical technique using a guided surgical approach for graft positioning with nonrigid fixation via a suture suspensory system has been described. Purpose: To evaluate healing rates and stability of the grafts in patients who underwent this new Latarjet technique. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We retrospectively gathered anonymized computed tomography (CT) data sets from a total of 107 patients who underwent nonrigid suture fixation using a cortical button fixation for anterior glenohumeral instability. Of the 107 patients, 45 had CT scans performed at 2 different time periods. The CT scans of each patient were compared by 2 fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Data recorded included age, sex, date of scan, initial graft position on the glenoid, presence and degree of graft migration relative to the equator on follow-up scan, and percentage of osseous healing (as assessed by osseous bridging) on the follow-up scan. Descriptive statistics were calculated to evaluate the average migration and average percentage of healing at both time points. Results: Our population (n = 45) consisted of 38 men (84.4%) and 7 women (15.6%). The mean age was 27.1 ± 1.1 years. The mean time between initial CT scan (2 weeks postoperatively) and follow-up CT scan was 26 ± 2 weeks. On follow-up scan, reviewer 1 found 75.6% of patients had greater than 75% healing, and reviewer 2 found 70.2% of patients had greater than 75% healing. The center of the graft was measured at or below the equator on follow-up examination in 43 of 45 (95.6%) patients by reviewer 1 and 44 of 45 (97.8%) patients by reviewer 2. Conclusion: Based on these findings, nonrigid suture fixation using a cortical button device offers an effective alternative to traditional screw fixation for the Latarjet procedure with a high level of osseous healing and minimal graft migration.

The glenohumeral joint is a ball and socket joint with motion attainable across multiple degrees of freedom. The design of the joint allows for a variety of complex movements that are put on demonstration in athletes. However, this degree of motion comes at the expense of increased risk of instability, particularly in collision athletes. Disruption of any one of the multiple stabilizers in the shoulder places the joint at risk for dislocation. Glenohumeral instability is a common injury in young athletes. A review of collegiate athletes found shoulder instability reported at a rate of 0.12 per 1000 athlete exposures. 1