CLINICAL PICTURE: A 51-year-old man had an uneventful anaesthesia lasting about 6.5 hours. Intubation was performed by a very junior medical officer and was considered difficult. He developed sore throat, chest pain, numbness of both hands and palpable crepitus around the neck postoperatively. Chest X-ray revealed diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and possible pneumopericardium.
TREATMENT: He was treated conservatively with bed rest, oxygen, analgesia, antibiotic prophylaxis, reassurance and close monitoring.
OUTCOME: The patient made an uneventful recovery.
CONCLUSIONS: We discussed the possible causes.
METHODS: 14 common measures of hip dysplasia on anteroposterior pelvis radiographs were independently assessed by 2 orthopaedic specialists in 30 ambulant children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Hip health was also categorised based on clinical impression to assess the sensitivity of radiographic measures to identify hip dysplasia status.
RESULTS: 8 measures (acetabular index, head width, lateral centre-edge angle, lateral uncoverage, medial joint width, migration percentage, neck shaft angle, triradiate status) exhibited 'excellent' reliability between clinical evaluators. 5 of the 30 patients (17%) were identified as having nascent hip dysplasia. Reliable radiographic measures that significantly distinguished between nascent hip dysplasia and healthy hips were acetabular index, lateral centre edge angle, medial joint width and migration percentage.
CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a subset of reliable and sensitive radiographic hip measures in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease to prioritise during hip screening to mitigate the deleterious effects of hip dysplasia, pain and disability in adulthood.
Materials and Methods: Forty eight hips with the conversion of bipolar HA to THA were followed up for an average 6.2 years (range 2.0-11.5 years). Twenty one hips had conversion surgery to THA using metal-on-metal articulation (28 or 32 mm head). Nine hips used ceramic-on-ceramic (28-40 mm) and eighteen hips used large head metal-on-metal bearing (>40 mm). Outcome was evaluated using Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. The radiographs were analyzed for evidence of osteolysis and/or loosening. The complications were evaluated, especially dislocation with different femoral head diameter.
Results: Average HHS significantly improved from 42 preoperatively to 86 postoperatively and the average WOMAC score also significantly improved from 47 to 22 postoperatively. Radiological evaluation showed all the femoral components were stable. There was one acetabular component loosening, which required revision 9 years after conversion to THA. One dislocation and one recurrent dislocation were recorded in isolated acetabular revision hip; whereas one dislocation, one recurrent dislocation, and one trochanteric nonunion occurred in the hips with revision of both components. All dislocations occurred in hips with a femoral head size of 28 mm (P = 0.052). The cup and femoral head interval length was the most significant factor contributing to dislocation (P = 0.013).
Conclusions: Conversion THA after failed bipolar HA offers a reliable pain relief and functional improvement. To prevent dislocation, it is highly recommended to use a larger diameter femoral head, especially where the cup size is big.
METHODS: Between 2006 and 2012, 22 patients underwent revision surgery using MoM bearing (28 mm femoral head in 18 hips and 32 mm in 4 hips) for ceramic bearing fracture and followed average 52.1 months. We assessed radiological parameter and functional outcome using Harris hip score (HHS) and WOMAC score. Also, serum cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) blood tests were performed and compared with the result obtained from age, sex- and follow-up duration-matched patients with MoM revision THA for failed polyethylene bearing.
RESULTS: The mean HHS improved from 60.6 preoperatively to 90.3 at final follow-up. There were no changes in cup position, progression of osteolytic lesions, and measurable wear of MoM bearing articulation at final follow-up radiographs. There was one case of recurrent dislocation after surgery, which was treated with greater trochanter distal advancement and one case of deep infection, which underwent two-stage revision. Mean serum Co level (1.7 vs. 1.4 μg/dl; p = 0.211) and Cr level (0.70 vs. 1.01 μg/dl; p = 0.327) showed no significant difference.
CONCLUSIONS: MoM articulation with liner cementation into the acetabular cup along with total synovectomy can be chosen in revision surgery for ceramic fracture with good midterm follow-up. However, the use of MoM bearing is indicated when the stem and metal shell can be retained and ceramic on ceramic or ceramic on polyethylene bearing cannot be selected. Also long-term outcome needs to be further evaluated.