Application of a Novel Osteotomy Instrumentation as a Substitute Tool in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: Mechanical failure, power shortage, and unexpected contamination of oscillating saw occasionally happened in actualizing femoral neck osteotomy during total hip arthroplasty, while no appropriate alternative solution be available presently. This study aimed to introduce a novel osteotomy instrumentation (fretsaw, jig, cable passer hook) as a substitute tool while oscillating saw was unavailable in THA.Methods: This study included 40 patients (40 hips) who underwent femoral neck osteotomy during primary THA using the new osteotomy instrumentation (n=20) and oscillating saw (n=20). Clinical data and intraoperative findings of all patients were evaluated.Results: The mean osteotomy time was 22.3 ± 3.1 s (range, 17–30 s) and 29.4 ± 3.7 s (range, 25–39 s) in the oscillating saw group and the new osteotomy instrumentation group, respectively (P<0.001). The Harris Hip Score (HHS) improved in both groups; the mean HSS was 82.3 ± 2.5 and 83.3 ± 3.5 in the oscillating saw group and new osteotomy instrumentation group at 6 months after surgery, respectively (P=0.297).Conclusion: The original osteotomy instrumentation can be an ideal substitute tool for femoral neck osteotomy in THA, especially when the oscillating saw is unavailable or malfunctional.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Cadaveric Skull Opening: A New Method of Autopsy Procedure

Background: Sawing of bone is an essential part of an autopsy procedure. An oscillating saw always generates noise, fine infectious dust particles, and the possibility of traumatic injuries, all of which can induce occupational hazard risks to autopsy workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objectives: The first goal of this study was to explore the production of noise and bone dust emission, comparing an oscillating saw and a robotic autopsy saw during an autopsy. The second goal was to evaluate the performance of a new robotic autopsy method, used during skull opening. The third goal was to encourage mortuary workers to use robotic technology during the autopsy procedure to protect us away from occupational injuries as well as airborne infections.Materials and Methods: The experiments involved a comparison of noise levels and aerosol production during skull cutting between the oscillating saw and the robotic autopsy saw.Results: The results confirmed that noise production from the robotic autopsy saw was lower than the oscillating saw. However, the bone dust levels, produced by the robotic autopsy saw, were greater than the oscillating saw, but were not greater than the dust concentrations which were present before opening the skull.Conclusions: The use of a new robotic system might be an alternative choice for protecting against occupational damage among the healthcare workers. Further research might attempt to consider other healthcare problems which occur in the autopsy workplace and apply the robotic-assisted technology in autopsy surgery.

The use of Fretsaw as a Substitute Osteotomy Tool while Oscillating Saw Malfunction in Hip Arthroplasty

Background: The occurrence of oscillating saw malfunction, power shortage, or contamination occurs frequently when implementing femoral neck osteotomy during total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to introduce the fretsaw as a novel substitute osteotomy tool with various advantages.Methods: Twenty patients (20 hips) who underwent primary THA were included. Ten patients underwent femoral neck osteotomy using a fretsaw, while the other 10 patients underwent the procedure using an oscillating saw. Intraoperative evaluation and radiographic data were obtained for all patients during and after surgery.Results: The mean osteotomy time was 20.60 ± 1.08s (range 16–27) and 22.10 ± 1.49s (range 16–31) in the oscillating saw and fretsaw groups, respectively. The mean osteotomy height was 1.21 ± 0.16 (range 1.01–1.43) cm and 1.14 ± 0.08 (range 1.02–1.28) cm in the oscillating saw and fretsaw groups, respectively. The use of fretsaw did not result in bone notch or blood splashes.Conclusion: The fretsaw can be a substitute femoral neck osteotomy tool with various advantages in THA while oscillating saw malfunction.

Soft-tissue penetration of the oscillating saw during tibial resection in total knee arthroplasty

Aims Inadvertent soft tissue damage caused by the oscillating saw during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occurs when the sawblade passes beyond the bony boundaries into the soft tissue. The primary objective of this study is to assess the risk of inadvertent soft tissue damage during jig-based TKA by evaluating the excursion of the oscillating saw past the bony boundaries. The second objective is the investigation of the relation between this excursion and the surgeon’s experience level. Methods A conventional jig-based TKA procedure with medial parapatellar approach was performed on 12 cadaveric knees by three experienced surgeons and three residents. During the proximal tibial resection, the motion of the oscillating saw with respect to the tibia was recorded. The distance of the outer point of this cutting portion to the edge of the bone was defined as the excursion of the oscillating saw. The excursion of the sawblade was evaluated in six zones containing the following structures: medial collateral ligament (MCL), posteromedial corner (PMC), iliotibial band (ITB), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), popliteus tendon (PopT), and neurovascular bundle (NVB). Results The mean 75th percentile value of the excursion of all cases was mean 2.8 mm (SD 2.9) for the MCL zone, mean 4.8 mm (SD 5.9) for the PMC zone, mean 3.4 mm (SD 2.0) for the ITB zone, mean 6.3 mm (SD 4.8) for the LCL zone, mean 4.9 mm (SD 5.7) for the PopT zone, and mean 6.1 mm (SD 3.9) for the NVB zone. Experienced surgeons had a significantly lower excursion than residents. Conclusion This study showed that the oscillating saw significantly passes the edge of the bone during the tibial resection in TKA, even in experienced hands. While reported neurovascular complications in TKA are rare, direct injury to the capsule and stabilizing structures around the knee is a consequence of the use of a hand-held oscillating saw when making the tibial cut. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1324–1330.

Talocalcaneal coalition resection and bone block subtalar joint arthrodesis

In this technical tip, we present the case of an obese 17-year-old female diagnosed with a severe, rigid, and symptomatic flatfoot on a background of exuberant talocalcaneal and residual calcaneonavicular coalition. Through a technical modification of the fusion resection, both coalitions were quickly and safely removed with two single cuts of an oscillating saw, resecting a medial wedge through a medial approach, without the need for “peel-off” tarsal coalition resection. To protect and guide the resection osteotomy, one Freer elevator ws inserted under direct visualization on the patent posterolateral aspect of the subtalar joint posterior facet and a second elevator was positioned underneath the talar neck. Under fluoroscopic guidance, an osteotomy was performed connecting these two points. The patient also received a bone-block subtalar joint arthrodesis and a Cotton osteotomy. Good short-term alignment correction and functional outcome were achieved. Level of Evidence V; Therapeutic Studies; Expert Opinion.

Trauma Care in COVID-19 Pandemic

The development of COVID-19 pandemic is the serious challenge for trauma care systems across the world. Recommendations on general principles of trauma care in the settings of pandemic, medical stuff protection and prevention of the spread of infection based on the data from international centers are presented in the article. Delay of all elective cases, restriction of surgical treatment of fractures with relative indications for surgery are recommended. The segregation of cases into COVID-19 confirmed or suspected and COVID-19 negative patients is important. When possible before the admission to in-patient department the patient shall be tested on COVID-19. When the COVID-19 status of the patient is unclear all possible protection measures shall be used: patient isolation and medical stuff protection. To prevent the spread of infection it is recommended to split the stuff of the traumacenter into 2 or 3 groups. Each of the groups is working during the week with subsequent period of the self-isolation (remote work) for the period of 1-2 weeks (according to the duration of incubation period of the COVID-19). During the surgical treatment the most dangerous stages of the surgery are endotracheal intubation / extubation and also aerosol-generative procedures: electrocoagulation, pulsed wound lavage, drilling, the use of oscillating saw and medullary reaming. The stuff in the OP-theatre has to be accordingly equipped (personal protection equipment). The risk factors for the medical stuff are fatigue from overwork, the absence of real-time training in infection-prevention measures and non-compliance with PPE.

Innovative triangular cutting guide in cranial tibial wedge osteotomy in dogs with a cranial cruciate ligament rupture

Damage of the cranial cruciate ligament is a frequent cause of limb lameness in dogs. The aim of the study was to present the usefulness of a new guide for the blade of the oscillating saw in the Cranial Tibial Wedge Osteotomy (CTWO) technique. CTWO procedures using a proprietary triangular guide were performed on 62 dogs of both sexes. Radiological evaluation of the formation of bone scars in the Hammer scale showed that 3 months after the surgery most patients had a solid 2nd or 3rd degree of osteotomy consolidation. Lameness rating by the Functional Stifle Scale showed an improvement in the clinical condition of the dogs. This was reflected in the opinions of the owners expressed in Canine Brief Pain Inventory questionnaires, as presented in the chart. Values of the Pearson and Kendall correlation coefficients and statistical significance coefficients confirmed the relationship between the owners’ satisfaction and the results of the therapy and improvement in clinical trials. The triangular guide of the oscillating saw blade facilitates the transfer of the osteotomy angle determined on a digital radiogram onto the operating field, ensures precise orthogonal osteotomy incisions in the course of CTWO, significantly affects the time of callus formation, and accelerates the recovery of limb function.