IntroductionThe use of reversed total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) has increased because of an increasing number of indications for this procedure and by ageing of the population. Usual postoperative care consists of immobilisation of the shoulder for a period of 2–6 weeks to allow healing of the subscapularis tendon and protection of the joint. However, new literature proved that reattachment of the subscapularis tendon is unnecessary. Therefore we hypothesised that immobilisation of the shoulder is not necessary and patients can start safely with mobilisation on the first postoperative day. We expect this fast track protocol to be safe and result in better short-term and long-term functional outcomes.Methods and analysisIn our prospective cohort, we will include at least 75 patients aged 50 years and older indicated for rTSA, with acute fracture treatment as an exclusion criterion. Patients will be selected and operated in three hospitals: two in the Netherlands and one in Curacao.Patients will visit the outpatient clinic preoperative, at 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperative. The data that will be collected includes baseline characteristics, reason for surgery, complications and adverse events, patient reported outcomes (Oxford Shoulder Score, EuroQol-5D and Numeric Rating Scale for pain) and range of motion of the shoulder.All patients will be instructed to use a sling only for 1 day and to follow a progressive physiotherapy schedule for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the occurrence of complications and adverse events.Ethics and disseminationThe Medical Ethics Committee from the VUmc and Curacao reviewed this study protocol and granted exemption from ethical approval (METC VUmc 2019.111, METC Curacao 2019-02). Study results will be presented at (inter)national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNetherlands Trial Register (NL7656).
Background: To avoid early fusion and allow residual growth of the spine in early onset scoliosis (EOS) treatment, growth-guided scoliosis surgery can be performed. Four patients with EOS are presented in which a growthguidance instrumentation is used with sliding titanium (Ti) sublaminar cables. Residual growth of the spine can be preserved using metal sublaminar wiring; however, several drawbacks of this technique and type of material are illustrated.Methods: Four patients with progressive neuromuscular scoliosis were treated with a posterior stabilization. A fusionless growth-guidance instrumentation was used consisting of a combination of lumbar pedicle screws and sliding Ti sublaminar cables along cobalt chrome rods.Results: In 2 cases, the described growth-guidance technique provided sufficient stability and correction of the curvature with preservation of growth. In 2 patients, the instrumentation failed due to upper thoracic sublaminar wire breakage. The ongoing abrasion of the rod-wire interface caused severe metallosis. In these cases, a debridement and revision surgery was performed with partial fusion of the spine.Conclusions: Growth-guidance techniques with sliding metal sublaminar wires seem to be a valuable solution for the preservation of spinal growth in EOS surgery. High curvatures, however, have a higher chance of failure and demand for more corrective strength and support of the instrumentation. The use of metal sublaminar wires in a ''sliding'' instrumentation can lead to early breakage and metallosis.Level of Evidence: 4, case series. Clinical Relevance: Surgeons should be aware of possible complications associated with the use of metal laminar wires in spinal fusion and growth-guidance scoliosis surgery. The implementation of materials containing higher fatigue strength and lower friction properties (eg, UHMWPE wires) may avoid these potential complication risks.
Complications
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