ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of the open reduction and fixation of a dislocated proximal humerus fracture with a locking plate, also evaluating the incidence of complications and functional recovery of the shoulder. A retrospective study focusing on patients who had suffered a fracture of the proximal humerus and were treated by means of an open reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate, using either the Philos or the LPHP plate. We have also included a comparison of these two plates.MethodNinety-two patients were found to be eligible and were included in our study. These patients had all been treated for a proximal humerus fracture between 2002 and 2008. We included those patients who could be classified as a class 2, 3, or 4 according to the Neer classification. Demographic data, surgical technique, and peri/post-operative complications were collected from medical records. Patients were followed-up and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) was filled in by phone. The mean age of our patient population was 66.2 (15–97), with a male: female ratio of 1:5 (15:77). (The median follow-up was 2.4 years (0.2–5.8). Fourteen of our patients died during follow-up, while 25 patients were otherwise lost to follow-up. For this study, out of the original 131 patients, this finally resulted in 92 patients whom we followed-up post-operatively.ResultsNinety-two patients (70%, 92/131) were interviewed. The mean Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) was 19.76 (11–54). The overall complication rate was 39.1% (36/92). The most frequently occurring complications in our patient population were hemorrhage 3.3%; dislocation of the caput humeri and/or tuberculum majus 2.2%; persistent pain 3.3%; Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head 0%; Loss of reduction and screw cutout 6.5%; Plate breakout 6.5%; Subacromial Impingement 11.9%; Frozen shoulder 3.3%; rotator cuff rupture 1.1%, and infection 1.1%. Of the entire group of patients originally included in this study, 29% was re-operated due to one of the above-mentioned complications.ConclusionIn conclusion, the locking plate provides satisfactory functional outcomes after a mid-term follow-up in patients with displaced proximal humerus fractures. The incidence of complications and subsequent re-operation is relatively high, however, comparable to or slightly better when compared to data found in literature. Subacromial Impingement seems to occur more frequently when a Philos plate is implemented. We therefore suggest that randomized clinical trials determining the possible superiority of one specific type of plate in patients with a displaced proximal humerus fracture are to be performed in future.

Background There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates. Methods We conducted an international cohort study to determine all-cause and COVID-19-specific 30-day morbidity and mortality of BS performed between 01/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. Results Four hundred ninety-nine surgeons from 185 centres in 42 countries provided data on 7704 patients. Elective primary BS (n = 7084) was associated with a 30-day morbidity of 6.76% (n = 479) and a 30-day mortality of 0.14% (n = 10). Emergency BS, revisional BS, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and untreated obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with increased complications on multivariable analysis. Forty-three patients developed symptomatic COVID-19 postoperatively, with a higher risk in non-whites. Preoperative self-isolation, preoperative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and surgery in institutions not concurrently treating COVID-19 patients did not reduce the incidence of postoperative COVID-19. Postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 was more likely if the surgery was performed during a COVID-19 peak in that country. Conclusions BS can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate perioperative protocols. There was no relationship between preoperative testing for COVID-19 and self-isolation with symptomatic postoperative COVID-19. The risk of postoperative COVID-19 risk was greater in non-whites or if BS was performed during a local peak.

Summary Background Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity. Objectives This study examined the safety of MBS in adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods This was a global, multicentre and observational cohort study of MBS performed between May 01, 2020, and October 10,2020, in 68 centres from 24 countries. Data collection included in‐hospital and 30‐day COVID‐19 and surgery‐specific morbidity/mortality. Results One hundred and seventy adolescent patients (mean age: 17.75 ± 1.30 years), mostly females (n = 122, 71.8%), underwent MBS during the study period. The mean pre‐operative weight and body mass index were 122.16 ± 15.92 kg and 43.7 ± 7.11 kg/m2, respectively. Although majority of patients had pre‐operative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) (n = 146; 85.9%), only 42.4% (n = 72) of the patients were asked to self‐isolate pre‐operatively. Two patients developed symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection post‐operatively (1.2%). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (n = 9). There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusions MBS in adolescents with obesity is safe during the COVID‐19 pandemic when performed within the context of local precautionary procedures (such as pre‐operative testing). The 30‐day morbidity rates were similar to those reported pre‐pandemic. These data will help facilitate the safe re‐introduction of MBS services for this group of patients.

In a regional training hospital, the recurrence rate and long-term complications of patients treated for inguinal hernia with the PHS are acceptable after a follow-up of 5.5 years. The number of patients experiencing persistent pain seems to decrease over time.

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