AimsCalcium sulphate has traditionally been used as a filler of dead space arising during surgery. Various complications have been described following the use of Stimulan bio-absorbable calcium sulphate beads. This study is a prospective observational study to assess the safety profile of these beads when used in revision arthroplasty, comparing the complication rates with those reported in the literature.MethodsA total of 755 patients who underwent 456 revision total knee arthroplasties (TKA) and 299 revision total hip arthroplasties (THA), with a mean follow-up of 35 months (0 to 78) were included in the study.ResultsA total of 32 patients (4.2%) had wound drainage, and this was higher with higher bead volumes and in McPherson grade C patients. There was also a significantly higher bead volume in the 41 patients who developed hypercalcaemia, two of which were symptomatic (p < 0.0001). A total of 13 patients (1.7%) had heterotopic ossification (HO). There was no statistically significant relationship between the development of HO and bead volume (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe strength of this study lies in the large number of patients and the detailed data collection, making it the most comprehensive report available in the literature on the use of calcium sulphate-based bone substitutes.Cite this article: R. Kallala, W. Edwin Harris, M. Ibrahim, M. Dipane, E. McPherson. Use of Stimulan absorbable calcium sulphate beads in revision lower limb arthroplasty: Safety profile and complication rates. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:570–579. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.710.BJR-2017-0319.R1.

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Background: Postoperative blood product transfusions in elderly hip fracture patients cause concern for morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors and short-term sequelae of postoperative transfusion following geriatric hip fracture surgery. Methods: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) to identify geriatric (⩾65 years) patients who sustained operative femoral neck, intertrochanteric, and subtrochanteric hip fractures in 2016. Multivariate regression was used to determine risk-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of associated perioperative risk factors and sequelae of postoperative transfusion. Results: In total, 8416 geriatric hip fracture patients were identified of whom 28.3% had documented postoperative transfusion. In multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.03 [1.02–1.04], p < 0.001), preoperative anaemia (OR 4.69 [3.99–5.52], p = 0.001), female sex (OR 1.61 [1.39–1.87], p < 0.001), lower BMI (OR 0.97 [0.96–0.98], p < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (OR 1.14 [1.01–1.27], p = 0.031), COPD (OR 1.30 [1.06–1.59], p = 0.011), hypertension (OR 1.17 [1.01–1.35], p = 0.038), increased OR time (OR 1.02 [1.01–1.03], p < 0.001), and intertrochanteric (OR 2.99 [2.57–3.49], p < 0.001) and subtrochanteric femur fractures (OR 5.07 [3.84–6.69], p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for receiving postoperative blood transfusion. Patients with postoperative transfusion had a significantly higher risk-adjusted 30-day mortality (8.4% vs. 6.4%, OR 1.29 [1.02–1.64], p = 0.035), hospital readmission rate (9.4% vs. 7.7%, OR 1.27 [1.04–1.55], p = 0.018), and total hospital LOS (7.3 vs. 6.3 days, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Postoperative transfusion is a common occurrence in geriatric fragility hip fractures with multiple risk factors. Careful preoperative planning and multidisciplinary management efforts are warranted to reduce use of postoperative transfusions.

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These results showed significant cellular death at these minimal conditions to the underlying chondrocytes with radiofrequency probes. Surgeons using this technology need to be aware of the power and dangerous potential these probes can have on articular cartilage.

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