Postma et al: The effect of carpal tunnel release on health-related quality of life of 2346 patients over a 5-year period, J Hand Surg Eur 47(4), 347-52.
In this prospective cohort study, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from a societal perspective of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients was determined and compared with other diseases. In addition, the effect of carpal tunnel release (CTR) was analysed 6 weeks postoperatively with regard to mean EQ-5D index value improvement, side-effects of surgery and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. We found a baseline mean EQ-5D index value of 0.75 (SD: 0.23), comparable with values seen in other disease like breast cancer, diabetes and asthma. Furthermore, we found that CTR improved HRQoL substantially 6 weeks postoperatively (mean + 0.12, SD: 0.22) and significantly reduced symptom reporting (mean -52%, SD: 53) with a cost per QALY gained of €396.05. In conclusion, CTS has a comparable impact on quality of life as compared with other diseases, and CTR has the potential to substantially improve patient’s HRQoL at a fairly modest cost.
Prof Singh Review: This is an excellent study – from patient outcome point of view when Orthopaedic surgery does not often receive priority over other type of surgeries especially cancer or trauma surgery. It shows the changes to the quality of life is significant even after simple intervention. In own practice patients undergo the release under local anaesthesia as a day case and are in and out of hospital over a few hours. They start to do simple things as comfortable. For more details please contact.
Kissin et al: Impact of intravenous tranexamic acid on patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty surgery, Shoulder and Elbow, 14(3), 248 – 52, 2022
Shoulder arthroplasty surgery carries the risk of blood loss. The antifibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in reducing blood loss in lower limb arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess blood loss and associated complications following shoulder arthroplasty performed with and without TXA for both elective and trauma indications.
A cohort study was performed to assess blood loss, transfusion requirements and post-operative venous thromboembolic events (VTE) following shoulder arthroplasty undertaken with and without the use of intravenous TXA.
Results
The study consisted of 67 patients (n = 36 with TXA; n = 31 without TXA). Type of arthroplasty included reverse-shoulder arthroplasty, total-shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty. There was no significant difference between TXA and non-TXA groups regarding blood loss (TXA group haemoglobin drop 20.6 mg/dL; non-TXA group haemoglobin drop 20.5 mg/dL; p = 0.978). There was no significant difference in measured outcomes with or without TXA use for elective or trauma indications, nor regarding type of arthroplasty.
The use of intravenous TXA in shoulder arthroplasty was not associated with a significant reduction in blood loss or post-operative transfusion rates, nor did it impact on VTE. This result was not affected by the indication being elective or trauma nor the type of arthroplasty surgery performed.