An Extraosseous Osteosarcoma (EOS) arising in mesentery is exceedingly rare with only six previous cases documented in English literature worldwide. This manuscript describes the clinical, radiological and histological features of the first known case of mesenteric EOS in Australia. The collation of additional cases will help ameliorate our understanding of its clinical course and guide appropriate management, planning and prognostication.
Virtual reality (VR) has proved to be a useful technology beyond the field of surgery in areas that are highly dependent on consolidating motor tasks. Despite being reliant on these skills, the uptake of VR in orthopaedics has been extremely limited. Therefore, this study's purpose was to help assess the utility of applying this technology in teaching different experience levels of orthopaedic training. Secondary objectives were to assess enjoyability and feasibility to complete modules prior to surgery.The study explored which experience level of orthopaedic trainee benefits the most from the proposed haptic VR package. Participants completed a total hip arthroplasty module using the Fundamental Surgery package. Qualitative data was collected in the form of a post completion survey of 24 participants. Quantitative data was collected in the form of module completion time and percentage of skills completed.37.5% of participants rated non-training orthopaedic registrars as the experience level that would benefit the most from using VR. 88% of participants would recommend this module to a colleague and found the module very enjoyable (4.2 out of 5). 50% of participants took between 25 and 31.5 min to finish and completed between 80% and 95% of tasks in the module.The study demonstrated that non-training orthopaedic registrars were most likely to benefit using this particular VR package. Most users found the experience to be enjoyable and would recommend it to a colleague. It was also deemed feasible to complete the module prior to performing an operation.
Case: A 55-year-old man sustained a distal radius fracture, which was fixed with a volar plate 20 years ago. He then fell from 2 m and sustained a refracture with a bent but intact volar plate. A manipulation under anaesthetic/anaesthesia was attempted. Satisfactory reduction was confirmed and maintained, with bony union confirmed at 6 months. Regular follow-up showed continuing functional improvement. Conclusion: This rare case avoided surgical intervention and its associated risks and costs. Attempted closed reduction can be considered a treatment option before open revision fixation, with demonstrated ability for fracture healing in an acceptable position.
Background: Mechanical failure of intramedullary nails is rare. This investigation was prompted by a series of cases of observed breakage of the recently introduced TFNA Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFN [Trochanteric Fixation Nail]-Advanced; DePuy Synthes) in our region. Laboratory analysis and case data are presented, in contribution to post-market surveillance. Methods: Medical and imaging records from the 3 public tertiary orthopaedic trauma hospitals in Western Australia were reviewed. Relevant data of patients in whom breakage of the TFNA implant occurred between 2016 and 2018 were collected and analyzed. Laboratory review of retrieved implants was conducted at the Centre for Implant Technology and Retrieval Analysis (CITRA) in Western Australia. Results: A total of 16 cases of TFNA implant breakage were recorded and analyzed. The predominant OTA/AO fracture classification was 31A3 (12 cases, 75%). The reduction quality was good in 10 cases, acceptable in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases. The mean time to failure (and standard deviation) was 5.0 ± 2.2 months (range, 2.2 to 9.8 months). The treatment modality for the breakage was revision nailing in 11 cases, arthroplasty in 3, and nonoperative management in 2. All nails broke at the proximal screw aperture, with 1 nail additionally breaking at the distal aperture. Of 8 patients treated with a second TFNA implant for nail breakage, 3 (38%) returned with breakage of the revision implant. Laboratory analysis of the broken nails demonstrated a unique fracture pattern, with a stepped propagation pathway. Conclusions: This study represents the largest series, to our knowledge, of proximal femoral nail breakages in the published English literature and is the first that we are aware of to involve laboratory analysis of the TFNA implant. Changes to the nail design and/or alloy may have contributed to the observed cases of breakage, and this study will be followed by an evaluation of breakage rates in comparison with those of previous generations of nailing systems. We advise close clinical and radiographic surveillance of patients with unstable hip fracture patterns who undergo osteosynthesis with use of a TFNA implant. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Introduction In Western Australia, vast distances between hospitals can limit a patient's access to timely surgical intervention. The aim was to examine the effect of patient location on outcomes. Methods Hip fracture data from all operative cases at the major Western Australian hospitals between 2015 and 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. A total of 5691 patients were separated into three groups based on hospital of first presentation - directly to the operative hospital (metropolitan), a hospital less than 2.5 hours by road from the operative centre (outer-metropolitan), or requiring transfer by air (rural). Impact of location on time to surgery, length of stay and 30-day and 120-day mortality was analysed. Results The mean time to surgery was 26.7 hours for metropolitan patients, 37.0 hours for outer-metropolitan, and 42.6 hours for rural patients. Outer-metropolitan patients were less likely to reach surgery within 48 hours than metropolitan patients (80.2% vs 91.5%, p<0.001), with even lower rates for rural patients (66.8%, p<0.001). Acute length of stay was longer for rural patients compared to outer-metropolitan (7.2 vs 5.8 days) and metropolitan patients (5.5 days) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in 30-day or 120-day mortality for outer-metropolitan or rural patients compared to metropolitan patients despite requiring transfer. However, when considered as a whole group there was an increased 120-day mortality with increased time to surgery. Overall mortality was 8.7% at 30 days and 17.3% at 120 days. Conclusion Patients presenting outside the metropolitan area with a hip fracture have a longer time to surgery and longer length of stay. Delay for outer-metropolitan patients is disproportionately longer than transit time alone and may provide opportunities for improvement.
Accurate prosthetic cup placement is important in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and can be influenced by patient positioning. This study aims to assess the accuracy of patient positioning prior to THA, describe a new technique of assessment, and evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on positioning error.A consecutive series of 37 patients undergoing unilateral THA were investigated. After patient positioning in lateral decubitus, a lateral fluoroscopic image through the table was taken. The C-arm of the image intensifier was manipulated in 2 planes (coronal, transverse) until a perfect lateral view of the pelvis was obtained, defined as when the native acetabulae were superimposed. Degrees of positioning error in the 2 planes were recorded, along with patient BMI.There were 6 patients (16%) positioned within 2° of true lateral in both planes. A further 21 patients (57%) had an error of 5° or more in at least 1 plane. Mean absolute positioning error was 3.0° (SD 2.2°; range 0°-9°) and 3.0° (SD 3.2°; range 0°-13°) in the transverse and coronal planes respectively. Pelvic adduction in the coronal plane was 4.5 fold more likely than abduction (49% vs. 11%). Correlation was shown between patient BMI and the combined error in the 2 planes (R = 0.48, p = 0.001).Fluoroscopic positioning assessment prior to THA demonstrates that significant malpositioning is common and more likely with increasing BMI. This technique may be particularly useful for patients with a BMI of >30 kg m-2.
Introduction Leg length and offset are important considerations in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Navigation systems are capable of providing intra-operative measurements of leg length and offset, and high accuracy has been shown in experimental studies. This study assesses the accuracy of an imageless navigation system with a pinless femoral array (Hip 5.1, BrainLAB, Feldkirchen, Germany) in measuring leg length and offset changes in vivo. Methods A prospective, consecutive series of 37 patients undergoing navigated THA were included in the study. Intra-operative measurements of leg length and offset were recorded using the navigation system. For each patient, pre- and post-operative digital radiographs were scaled and analyzed to provide radiographic measurements for comparison. Results Measurements of leg length change made by the navigation system showed a strong correlation with the size of change measured radiographically (R = 0.71; p<0.0001). The mean difference between the radiographic and navigational measurement was 2.6mm ± 3.0mm (0.0-16.0mm) (mean, SD, range). The navigation system was accurate to within 1mm of the radiographic measurement in 49% of cases, within 2mm in 66% of cases, and within 5mm in 89% of cases. Measurements of offset change by the navigation system also showed a correlation with radiographic measurements, albeit less pronounced (R = 0.35; p=0.035). The mean difference between navigational and radiographic measurements was 5.5mm ± 4.7mm (0.0-16.0mm) (mean, SD, range). The navigation system was accurate within 1mm of the radiographic measurement in 22% of cases, within 2mm in 35% of cases, and within 5mm in 57% of cases. Conclusions This research demonstrates in vivo that an imageless, non-invasive navigation system is a reliable tool for intra-operative leg length (accurate within 2mm) and to a lesser extent offset measurement (accurate within 5mm) when compared to standard practice of plain film radiographs.