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William S Harmsen

Publications and source records attributed to William S Harmsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fibular osteosarcomas: contaminated margins may not impact survival.

The fibula is an expendable bone which when affected by primary malignancy may simplify treatment and improve outcome. This concept was questioned previously in a study showing a high rate of inadequate margins at surgical resection. We asked whether margin status and other dependent variables affect survival. We analyzed the charts of 36 patients with fibular osteosarcomas treated from 1919 to 2000. We estimated survival by the Kaplan-Meier method and the prognostic significance of dependent variables, especially marginal status, with univariate association using Cox proportional hazard regression. The survival of patients with fibular osteosarcomas was limited, with a median survival of 5 years 4 months after diagnosis. At 5 years, 16 patients died of their disease. Sixteen patients were still alive at 10 years followup. The margin status at surgery was not associated with survival. A higher tumor grade at diagnosis, surgical treatment with above-knee amputation, and occurrence of metastasis were associated with poorer long-term survival. The survival of patients with fibular osteosarcomas was not better than with osteosarcomas arising in other locations. A marginal resection surprisingly did not impact on overall survival, although we had a limited dataset and heterogeneous treatment protocols.

Adolescent↗

Active Crohn disease: CT findings and interobserver agreement for enteric phase CT enterography.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate small-bowel enhancement characteristics and the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement of computed tomographic (CT) findings by using histologic and endoscopic results as a reference standard in patients undergoing enteric phase CT enterography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study, which included patients who consented to having their medical records used for research purposes. Enteric phase CT enterographic and ileoscopic findings with or without ileal histologic results were examined in 42 patients (24 women, 18 men). Enteric phase CT enterography was performed after 150 mL of intravenous contrast material was administered at 4 mL/sec, with a 45-second delay. Mural attenuation was measured in the distended and collapsed jejunal and ileal loops and in the terminal ileum. Two radiologists examined CT images for findings of Crohn disease. Mural attenuation for different bowel loops was compared by using a Student t test, with kappa statistics used to measure interobserver agreement and Pearson correleation coefficients used to compare visual and quantitative measures. RESULTS: Distended jejunal loops had significantly greater attenuation than distended ileal loops (113 HU vs 72 HU; P < .001). Attenuation of collapsed jejunal (134 HU) and ileal (108 HU) loops was greater than that of distended jejunal and ileal loops (P < .001). Terminal ileal enhancement was the most sensitive visual CT finding of Crohn disease for both radiologists. Mural thickening demonstrated the greatest interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.83). Visual enhancement and quantitative mural attenuation were significantly correlated (P < .003). CONCLUSION: At enteric phase CT enterography, jejunal attenuation is greater than ileal attenuation and collapsed bowel loops demonstrate greater attenuation than distended bowel loops. Mural hyperenhancement and increased mural thickness are the most sensitive CT findings of active Crohn disease.

Adult↗

Visceral fat analysis at CT colonography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with increased risks for colorectal neoplasia. Few studies have examined quantitative body fat measurements as predictors of colorectal polyps. The objective is to determine whether visceral fat is associated with colorectal polyps at computed tomography (CT) colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case (n = 25) and control (n = 25) subjects with proven large (>1 cm) colorectal adenomas or normal colons respectively were randomly selected from among an established CT colonography research study cohort. Using supine CT colonography data, the body wall was traced at three levels: top of the right kidney, iliac crest, and superior acetabulum. Total area from the three slices and each slice area were determined within the visceral fat range (-170 to -45 Hounsfield units) and recorded within the selected region. Visceral fat measures were compared between patient groups with and without polyps. RESULTS: None of the single slice visceral fat area measures or summed measures predicted case or control status. The most informative visceral fat measure was obtained at the top of the right kidney with a maximum area under the received operator characteristic curve of 0.77 (0.05 SE). For a selected sensitivity of 75%, the maximum specificity for a large (>or=1 cm) polyp was 64%. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, visceral fat measures at CT colonography were not significantly associated with the presence of large colorectal adenomas. However, odd ratios were elevated by a factor of 2. This suggests that a larger study may be justified.

Aged↗

Medical versus surgical management of Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis.

PURPOSE: The study's purpose was to identify prognostic factors associated with mortality in Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis and to determine whether these factors influenced decisions to treat medically versus surgically. We also analyzed whether there was a subset of patients who were cured with medical therapy alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with S aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis was performed. Demographic and clinical data were collected from existing medical records. Severity of illness was classified using American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Impact of treatment on in-hospital mortality was assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients met the Duke criteria for definite S aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis. Twenty-three patients were treated medically, and 32 patients had surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 36% (28% in the surgical group and 48% in the medical group). ASA score IV (P < .001) and older age (P = .014) were significant risk factors of mortality. Patients with ASA score IV (P = .037) and multiple prosthetic valves (P = .013) were less likely to undergo surgery. Medically treated patients were older compared with those in the surgical group (median age 66 vs 55 years, P = .04). All 4 patients aged less than 50 years in the medically treated group survived. CONCLUSION: Mortality was generally higher in the medically treated patients with S aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis. Multivariable analysis showed that ASA class IV and bioprosthetic valves were independent predictors of mortality. A subset of medically treated patients characterized by age less than 50 years, ASA score III, and without cardiac, central nervous system, or systemic complications were cured without surgical intervention.

Aged↗

Crohn Disease: mural attenuation and thickness at contrast-enhanced CT Enterography--correlation with endoscopic and histologic findings of inflammation.

PURPOSE: To determine retrospectively if quantitative measures of small-bowel mural attenuation and thickness at computed tomographic (CT) enterography correlate with endoscopic and histologic findings of small-bowel inflammation and to estimate the performance of these measures in predicting inflammatory Crohn disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, which was conducted with patient informed consent. CT enterography data in 96 patients (31 male patients and 65 female patients) who underwent ileoscopy with or without biopsy were examined for CT signs of active Crohn disease. The most highly enhancing segment of terminal ileum and a normal-appearing ileal loop were identified. After it was confirmed that semiautomated software could accurately measure mural attenuation and thickness, the selected terminal ileal and normal-appearing (control) ileal loops were examined (20 automated measurements at each location) to quantify mural attenuation and wall thickness. Results were compared with endoscopy and histology reports by using logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Quantitative measures of terminal ileal mural attenuation and wall thickness correlated significantly with active Crohn disease (P < .001). Small-bowel wall thickness was not a significant factor after attenuation was taken into account. A threshold attenuation value with a sensitivity of 90% (18 of 20) for definite Crohn disease (compared with a sensitivity of 80% [16 of 20] for radiologist assessment) was selected. In patients who underwent ileal biopsy, threshold attenuation had a sensitivity identical to that of ileoscopy (81% [26 of 32]; 95% confidence interval: 64%, 93%) in predicting histologic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Quantitative measures of mural attenuation and wall thickness at CT enterography correlate highly with ileoscopic and histologic findings of inflammatory Crohn disease. Quantitative measures of mural attenuation are sensitive markers of small bowel inflammation.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of cardiovascular risk status at CT colonography.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine whether calcium scores of the abdominal aorta obtained during computed tomographic (CT) colonography relate to Framingham risk factors and clinical cardiac events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved the current HIPAA-compliant retrospective study and waived informed consent. Between 1995 and 1998, 480 patients underwent CT colonography; 467 patients were available for assessment. Calcium scores with a threshold attenuation value of 130 HU or greater were recorded for abdominal aorta (suprarenal, infrarenal, and aortic bifurcation regions and total). Patient histories were abstracted for established cardiac risk factors and subsequent cardiac events. Associations between calcium measurements and binary risk factors were assessed with Wilcoxon rank sum test; those with continuous risk factors, with Spearman rank correlation coefficient; and those with combined end points, with Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 467 patients with median age of 65 years (range, 34-83 years); 59% (275 of 467) were men. Nine patients had cardiac events subsequent to CT colonography. Results of proportional hazards regression analysis revealed a significant association between myocardial infarction or cardiac event-related death and calcium scores of the aortic bifurcation that exceeded 895, the value for the 75th percentile for this calcium variable (P < .01). Associations with established cardiac risk factors for all four calcium scores were significant (P < .05). Spearman rank correlation coefficients for associations between total calcium score and patient characteristics of age, number of pack-years of smoking, and systolic blood pressure were 0.51, 0.43, and 0.29, respectively (P < .001 for all). CONCLUSION: Aortic calcification scores at CT colonography are significantly associated with established cardiac risk factors and cardiac-related events. This screening information can be obtained without additional scanning or risk to the patient.

Adult↗

Prosthetic vascular graft infection: a risk factor analysis using a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Several factors have been anecdotally reported to increase the risk of prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI), a serious complication with high mortality and limb amputation rates. The goal of this study is to confirm purported risk factors using a well-designed statistical model. METHODS: Patients undergoing vascular graft placement at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 2002 were retrospectively evaluated, excluding redo cases. PVGI cases had to meet one of the following criteria: perigraft air or fluid >8 weeks postoperatively, positive Gram stain or cultures of graft or perigraft material, intraoperative gross purulence, failure of graft incorporation, or exposed graft. Each case had two controls matched for age, gender and date of surgery. Duration of follow-up for a given control had to be at least equal to the time to infection of the corresponding case. Demographic and other clinical data were collected for each patient. RESULTS: Fifty-one cases and 102 controls met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 68 years. Staphylococcal species were identified in 45% of the total number of cases, and 60% of cases with a recovered organism. Univariate analysis identified groin incision, wound complication and wound infection as significant risk factors for PVGI (p<0.005 for all three factors). After adjusting for age and surgery date, multivariate analysis confirmed the statistical significance of groin incision and wound infection as risk factors for PVGI. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first published risk factor analysis that includes statistical evaluation in a case-control study of PVGI. Groin incision, wound complication, and wound infection are significantly associated with developing PVGI. These findings will assist in identifying patients at increased risk of developing subsequent infection. SUMMARY: In order to confirm purported risk factors of prosthetic vascular graft infections (PVGI), a well designed case-control study was conducted at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Univariate and multivariate analyses of 51 cases and 102 controls identified three statistically significant risk factors for the development of PVGI: groin incision, wound complication, and wound infection.

Adult↗

Correlation of histopathologic findings with clinical outcome in necrotizing fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Little is known about the role of histopathologic examination in disease prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to determine what correlations, if any, exist between the histopathologic features of resected tissue in patients with necrotizing fasciitis and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-two cases of necrotizing fasciitis that occurred between January 1990 and December 2002 were identified. Histopathologic findings were available for review in 63 cases. A novel histopathologic classification scheme, based on hematoxylin-eosin and Gram stain results, was developed. The classification scheme included 3 stages: stage I, characterized by an intense neutrophilic response and an absence of bacteria in infected tissue; stage II, characterized by the presence of a moderate-to-severe neutrophilic response and positive Gram stain results or by minimal to absent neutrophilic response with a negative Gram stain result; and stage III, characterized by the presence of few or no polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a Gram stain result positive for bacteria during histopathologic examination. Patients with stage I findings had a significantly lower risk of death than patients with stage III findings (7.1% vs. 47%; odds ratio [OR], 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.8; P=.03). Patients with stage II findings had a significantly lower mortality rate than patients with stage III findings (14.2% vs. 47%; OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04-0.9; P=.04). Due to the small number of deaths (n=11) in patients for whom histopathologic examination of resected tissue was performed, multivariate analysis was not done. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that histopathologic findings may correlate with clinical outcome in cases of necrotizing fasciitis. Because the histopathologic scheme is based on results of commonly available stains, it could be easily adopted for use in other institutions that could further evaluate its usefulness as a prognostic tool.

Adolescent↗

Quality-of-life after total pancreatectomy: is it really that bad on long-term follow-up?

While selected pancreatic diseases may be best treated by total pancreatectomy (TP), the anticipated sequelae of pancreatic insufficiency make TP an undesirable alternative. Our aim was to determine if patients undergoing TP have a worse quality of life (QoL) than age- and gender-matched controls and poor long-term glycemic control. Ninety-nine patients undergoing TP from 1985 through 2002 were identified. The 34 survivors with no recurrent malignancy were surveyed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Audit of Diabetes Dependent QoL (ADD QoL), the European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Pancreas 26 (EORTC PAN 26), and our institutional questionnaire. Operative morbidity and mortality were 32% and 5%, respectively. Three late postoperative deaths (3%) were attributed to hypoglycemia. Of the 34 surviving patients, 27 (79%) agreed to participate at a mean of 7.5 years postoperatively. Seven patients had required 12 hospitalizations for poor glycemic control. Per the SF-36, two domains (role physical and general health) were decreased compared with an age- and gender-matched national population (P < .05). The ADD QoL demonstrated an overall decrease in QoL related specifically to the diabetes mellitus (P < .01), but comparison with insulin-dependent diabetics from other causes showed no significant difference in QoL. The EORTC PAN 26 instrument also showed measurable effects on QoL. Total pancreatectomy can be performed safely. QoL after TP is decreased compared with age- and gender-matched controls but not with diabetes from other causes; however, the changes are not overwhelming. TP should remain a viable option but in selected patients.

Adult↗

Adenocarcinomas of the jejunum and ileum: a 25-year experience.

Adenocarcinomas of the jejunum and ileum are rare gastrointestinal malignancies. Because few large published experiences exist, we reviewed patients with jejunal and ileal adenocarcinoma treated at our institution over the last 25 years. Between January 1976 and December 2001, 77 patients had an operation for a jejunal or ileal adenocarcinoma. Records were retrospectively reviewed for patient, tumor, and treatment variables. Factors affecting disease recurrence and patient survival were investigated. Fifty-two of the adenocarcinomas (67%) occurred in the jejunum and 25 occurred in the ileum (33%). Mean patient age was 63 +/- 14 years. Segmental bowel resection was performed in 50 patients (65%) with curative intent. Palliative operative procedures including resection or bypass were performed in 27 patients (35%). One (1%) patient had stage I, 18 (23%) stage II, 19 (25%) stage III, and 39 (51%) stage IV adenocarcinoma at diagnosis. Postoperatively, 12 patients had palliative and 18 adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 30), radiation therapy (n = 1), or combination treatment (n = 7). Median patient survival was 19 months. Sixty-six percent of patients who had a curative operation had a tumor relapse. Tumor stage had a highly significant effect (P < 0.0001) on median survival (72 months for stage I and II, 30 months for stage III, and 9 months for stage IV disease). In multivariate analysis of patients having curative treatment, tumor recurrence (P < 0.0001), stage (P < 0.0002), and weight loss (P < 0.001) were significant negative prognostic indicators. Most patients with adenocarcinoma of the jejunum or ileum present with advanced disease. Tumor stage, disease recurrence, and weight loss predicted patient outcome following a curative operation. Early recognition of these tumors requires a high index of suspicion.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Changing trends in the incidence, stage, survival, and screen-detection of colorectal cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been advocated increasingly during the past 2 decades, but there is little direct evidence that it has affected cancer incidence or presentation at the population level. This study assessed concurrent trends in CRC incidence, presentation, survival, mortality, and polypectomies in Olmsted County, Minnesota. METHODS: Longitudinal observational study was conducted of all Olmsted County residents with colorectal adenocarcinoma first diagnosed in 1980-1999. RESULTS: Altogether, 889 invasive CRCs were diagnosed among Olmsted County residents from 1980 through 1999. Annual age- and sex-adjusted CRC incidence rates decreased significantly during this period (P = .02) with a 23% decline from 60 per 100,000 in 1980-1984 to 46 per 100,000 in 1995-1999. This was primarily accounted for by a 40% reduction in left-sided CRC (P < .001). The incidence of right-sided CRC remained unchanged, but the proportion of right-sided CRC increased from 46% to 58%. Cancer stage shifted downward, and survival improved over time. The overall proportion of screen-detected CRC rose from 8% to 17%. Annual adjusted adenomatous polypectomy rates increased dramatically from 86 to 320 per 100,000 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CRC in Olmsted County has declined in recent years. An impact of screening is suggested by the observed upward trend in screen-detected cases, a favorable stage shift, and a concurrent rise in polypectomy rates. However, the incidence of right-sided cancer remains unaltered and might be less affected by historically used screening interventions. Most CRCs still present symptomatically, and more effective population screening is needed.

Age Distribution↗

Epithelioid sarcoma of the hand.

Twenty-eight patients were treated for a primary epithelioid sarcoma of the hand. Twenty-seven patients (96%) had excisions before evaluation, including 11 (39%) with multiple prior excisions with varying diagnoses before epithelioid sarcoma, and all had surgical treatment after referral. The patients' surgical management included three patients with amputation at the forearm, three patients with wide excision, and 21 patients with a partial amputation of the hand. The followup period averaged 120 months (range, 24-276 months). Eighteen patients have no evidence of disease at last followup. Treatment failures included one local recurrence, four regional metastases, and five distant metastases. Five patients died secondary to disease. Two patients are alive with disease, and three are alive with no evidence of disease after additional treatment. After aggressive surgical management with negative margins, 71% of the patients were alive without evidence of disease at the last followup, with a 5- and 10-year survivorship of 85%. Our goal is to review: (1) the effectiveness of preoperative imaging, (2) the role of adjuvant therapy, (3) survival after alternative resections, and (4) function after resection.

Adult↗

Correlation of C-reactive protein with clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and radiographic activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to examine the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and radiographic activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: All IBD patients at our institution between January 2002 and August 2003 who had a CRP, colonoscopy, and either small bowel follow-through (SBFT) or CT enterography (CTE) performed within 14 days were identified. Clinical activity was assessed retrospectively through review of the medical record. Logistic regression was used in Crohn's disease (CD) patients to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for an elevated CRP. Associations were assessed using Fisher exact test in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients due to small sample size. RESULTS: One-hundred four CD patients (46% males) and 43 UC and indeterminate colitis patients (44% males) were identified. In CD patients, moderate-severe clinical activity (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1-18.3), active disease at colonoscopy (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-8.9), and histologically severe inflammation (OR, 10.6; 95% CI; 1.1-104) were all significantly associated with CRP elevation. Abnormal small bowel radiographic imaging was not significantly associated with CRP elevation. In UC patients, CRP elevation was significantly associated with severe clinical activity, elevation in sedimentation rate, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and active disease at ileocolonoscopy, but not with histologic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: CRP elevation in IBD patients is associated with clinical disease activity, endoscopic inflammation, severely active histologic inflammation (in CD patients), and several other biomarkers of inflammation, but not with radiographic activity.

Adolescent↗

CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsy of the lung or upper abdomen with a breath-hold monitoring and feedback system: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the clinical effectiveness of a breath-hold monitoring and feedback system in computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy-guided biopsies in which respiratory motion is a problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and oral and written informed consent were obtained. This study was HIPAA compliant. A bellows-based system was used to monitor respiration and provide patient feedback. A randomized controlled clinical trial compared intermittent mode CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies of the lung or upper abdomen performed with (n = 56) and without (n = 57) the bellows system. Inclusion criteria for 113 patients were lesions 6 cm or smaller in maximum dimension that were not affixed to the chest or abdominal wall. Primary outcome measurements were CT fluoroscopy exposure time and patient dose. Wilcoxon rank sum, chi(2), and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Median CT fluoroscopy exposure time was 12.6 seconds (range, 2.4-44.4 seconds) for the bellows group and 18.0 seconds (range, 6.0-118.0 seconds) for the nonbellows group (P = .004). Patient dose was decreased in the bellows group (median dose, 29.5 mGy; range, 4.7-135.8 mGy) versus the nonbellows group (median, 41.3 mGy; range, 11.8-155.9 mGy) (P = .01). Lesions were accessed successfully with one needle puncture attempt in 43 of 56 patients (77%) in the bellows group and 30 of 57 patients (53%) in the nonbellows group (P = .007). Pneumothorax developed in 11 of 50 patients (22%) in the bellows group who underwent lung biopsy compared with 16 of 50 (32%) patients in the nonbellows group. CONCLUSION: A breath-hold monitoring and feedback system allows depiction of mobile target lesions throughout CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsy of the lung and upper abdomen.

Abdomen↗

Dislocation rate after hip hemiarthroplasty in patients with tumor-related conditions.

BACKGROUND: Hemiarthroplasty is frequently used to treat femoral neck insufficiency resulting from neoplastic disease in the proximal part of the femur. The authors of a recent study analyzed the dislocation rates following hemiarthroplasty but excluded patients with tumor involvement of the site of the surgery as they hypothesized that the dislocation rates would be markedly higher in such patients. The current study was performed to compare the dislocation rate following hemiarthroplasties performed in patients without tumor involvement with the rate following hemiarthroplasties in patients with tumor involvement of the surgical site. METHODS: Patients who had undergone hemiarthroplasty following resection of a tumor involving the proximal part of the femur were identified in a total joint registry, and the patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively to determine dislocation rates, preoperative conditions, and postoperative outcomes and treatments. Between 1974 and 2001, 1812 patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty for reasons other than tumor involvement and 320 hemiarthroplasties were performed because of tumor-related conditions. The patients who were treated for a tumor-related condition were younger, and a higher proportion of them were men. RESULTS: The ten-year dislocation rate after the hemiarthroplasties performed for tumor-related conditions (10.9%) was higher than that following the hemiarthroplasties performed for non-tumor-related conditions (2.1%) (p = 0.002). The median time to dislocation in the patients with a tumor-related condition (twenty-four days) was shorter than that for the patients without tumor involvement (thirty-seven days). Preservation of the greater trochanter in patients with tumor involvement did not have a significant influence on the dislocation rate, but it showed a favorable trend toward decreasing that rate (hazard ratio = 3.5, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The short-term and long-term dislocation rates associated with hemiarthroplasties performed for a tumor-related condition at the site of the surgery were significantly higher than those associated with hemiarthroplasties performed for reasons other than tumor involvement. Preservation of the greater trochanter showed a trend toward decreasing the likelihood of dislocation following the hemiarthroplasty, and it was more influential than the level of resection and the extent of soft-tissue compromise. We think that preservation of the greater trochanter should be attempted when it is justifiable according to the principles of oncologic surgery.

Adolescent↗

Effect of femoral head diameter and operative approach on risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: It has been postulated that use of a larger femoral head could reduce the risk of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty, but only limited clinical data have been presented as proof of this hypothesis. METHODS: From 1969 to 1999, 21,047 primary total hip arthroplasties with varying femoral head sizes were performed at one institution. Patients routinely were followed at defined intervals and were specifically queried about dislocation. The operative approach was anterolateral in 9155 arthroplasties, posterolateral in 3646, and transtrochanteric in 8246. The femoral head diameter was 22 mm in 8691 of the procedures, 28 mm in 8797, and 32 mm in 3559. RESULTS: One or more dislocations occurred in 868 of the 21,047 hips. The cumulative risk of first-time dislocation was 2.2% at one year, 3.0% at five years, 3.8% at ten years, and 6.0% at twenty years. The cumulative ten-year rate of dislocation was 3.1% following anterolateral approaches, 3.4% following transtrochanteric approaches, and 6.9% following posterolateral approaches. The cumulative ten-year rate of dislocation was 3.8% for 22-mm-diameter femoral heads, 3.0% for 28-mm heads, and 2.4% for 32-mm heads in hips treated with an anterolateral approach; 3.5% for 22-mm heads, 3.5% for 28-mm heads, and 2.8% for 32-mm heads in hips treated with a transtrochanteric approach; and 12.1% for 22-mm heads, 6.9% for 28-mm heads, and 3.8% for 32-mm heads in hips treated with a posterolateral approach. Multivariate analysis showed the relative risk of dislocation to be 1.7 for 22-mm compared with 32-mm heads and 1.3 for 28-mm compared with 32-mm heads. CONCLUSIONS: In total hip arthroplasty, a larger femoral head diameter was associated with a lower long-term cumulative risk of dislocation. The femoral head diameter had an effect in association with all operative approaches, but the effect was greatest in association with the posterolateral approach.

Aged↗

The influence of gender and age on hamstring muscle length in healthy adults.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the factors of gender and age, stratified by 10-year increments, on hamstring muscle length (HML) as measured by passive straight-leg raise (PSLR) and popliteal angle (PA). BACKGROUND: Differences in HML between men and women have not been examined for a large group of healthy adults over a wide range of ages. The usefulness of these data is to provide some typical values of HML for future reference. METHODS AND MEASURES: Two hundred fourteen adults (108 women, 106 men; age range, 20-79 years) with no known history of hip or knee joint disease and no history of recent hamstring strain participated in the study. PSLR (trunk-thigh angle) and PA (thigh-leg angle) were estimated with a goniometer. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the effects of 2 independent variables (gender and age) on 2 dependent variables (PSLR and PA). Statistical significance was established at alpha<.05. RESULTS: HML differed significantly (P<.001) between genders for both methods of measurement, with females demonstrating greater flexibility than their male counterparts. The difference between genders was 8 degrees for PSLR and 11 degrees for PA. HML was not influenced by age. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides physical therapists with typical values of HML in healthy men and women.

Adult↗

Perioperative complications and early outcome after endovascular and open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is a major surgical procedure with elevated morbidity and a low but definite mortality. Advocates of endovascular repair (EVAR) claim decreased complication rates and outcome equal to OR. METHODS: Data of all patients with infrarenal AAA that was treated electively, both with OR and EVAR, at Mayo Clinic Rochester between December 1, 1999 and December 1, 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-day morbidity and mortality and early clinical outcomes were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-five patients underwent treatment: 261 patients, including 229 males and 32 females (mean age: 73 years; range: 52 to 90 years) underwent OR, and 94 patients including 85 males and 9 females (mean age: 77 years; range: 61 to 98 years) underwent EVAR (AneuRx: 53, Ancure: 38, Endologix: 3). Median AAA size was 57 mm in both groups. There were more high-risk patients in the EVAR group (27% vs 14%, P =.007). Thirty-day mortality rates were 1.1 % (3/261) for OR and 0 for EVAR (P = NS). Cardiac and pulmonary complications were less frequent after EVAR (11% vs 22%, P =.02, and 3% vs 16%, P =.001, respectively), but graft-related complications were more frequent (13% vs 4%, P =.002). The association between type of repair and cardiac, pulmonary, and graft complications remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, gender, and high-risk status. The multivariate odds ratios (EVAR vs OR) for cardiac, pulmonary, and graft complications were 0.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17 to 0.74), 0.14 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.47), and 3.81 (95% CI: 1.51 to 9.58), respectively. Primary and secondary patency and freedom-from-reintervention rates at 1 year were lower after EVAR (83% vs 98%, P <.001; 96% vs 99%, P =.02; 65% vs 93%, P <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both elective OR and EVAR can be performed with low mortality, but cardiac and pulmonary complications are less frequent and less severe after EVAR. The tradeoff of EVAR is a higher rate of graft-related complications, with more reinterventions and a lower graft patency rate at 1 year. These results should be considered before EVAR is offered to patients with AAA.

Aged↗