Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) was characterized as patient-centered, evidence-based, multidisciplinary team-developed routes for a surgical speciality and institution to improve postoperative recovery and attenuate the surgical stress response. However, evidence of their effectiveness in osteoarthroplasty remains sparse. This study aimed to develop an ERAS standard and evaluate the significance of ERAS interventions for postoperative outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane databases, and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case–control studies until 24 February 2023. All relevant data were collected from studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. The primary outcome was the length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and readmission rate. The secondary outcomes included transfusion rate, mortality rate, visual analog score (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form 36 (SF-36) bodily pain (SF-36 BP), SF-36 physical function (SF-36 PF), oxford knee score, and range of motion (ROM). A total of 47 studies involving 76 971 patients (ERAS group: 29 702, control group: 47 269) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The result showed that ERAS could significantly shorten the LOS (WMD = −2.65, P < .001), reduce transfusion rate (OR = 0.40, P < .001), and lower 30-day postoperative mortality (OR = 0.46, P = .01) without increasing postoperative complications or readmission rate. Apart from that, ERAS may decrease patients’ VAS (WMD = −0.88, P = .01) while improving their ROM (WMD = 6.65, P = .004), SF-36 BP (WMD = 4.49, P < .001), and SF-36 PF (WMD = 3.64, P < .001) scores. However, there was no significant difference in WOMAC, oxford knee score between the ERAS and control groups. Furthermore, we determined that the following seven components of the ERAS program are highly advised: avoid bowel preparation, PONV prophylaxis, standardized anesthesia, use of local anesthetics for infiltration analgesia and nerve blocks, tranexamic acid, prevent hypothermia, and early mobilization. Our meta-analysis suggested that the ERAS could significantly shorten the LOS, reduce transfusion rate, and lower 30-day postoperative mortality without increasing postoperative complications or readmission rate after THA and TKA. Meanwhile, ERAS could decrease the VAS of patients while improving their ROM, SF-36 BP, and SF-36 PF scores. Finally, we expect future studies to utilize the seven ERAS elements proposed in our meta-analysis to prevent increased readmission rate for patients with THA or TKA. What is already known on this topic A growing number of studies have identified a positive role for ERAS in arthroplasty; however, the clinical effectiveness and elements of ERAS need to be further defined. What this study adds This research not only assesses the influence of ERAS on length of stay, complications, and readmission rates, but further evaluates the impact of ERAS on joint function and proposes the recommended seven elements of ERAS. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy Given the potential advantages of ERAS, we encourage its use in arthroplasty and anticipate that future research will incorporate our proposed seven ERAS elements to prevent higher readmission rates in THA or TKA patients. Registration number CRD42023390678.

Background: Conservative treatment remains the preferred choice for distal radius fracture in children. However, loss of reduction is problematic, especially in an older child. Crossed Kirschner-wires is widely used to treat distal radius fracture in adolescents. This study aimed to compare the application of crossed Kirschner-wiring (KW) and non-bridging external fixator (EF) for the treatment of delayed distal radial fracture involving metaphyseal diaphyseal junction (MDJ) in adolescents. Methods: Between January 2012 to January 2017, 146 (male = 101, female = 45) patients in EF group and 117 (male = 76, female = 41) in KW group, were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative data were collected from the hospital database, and postoperative clinical outcomes data were collected during the follow-up visits. We used SPSS for data analysis. Results: There existed no significant difference between EF and KW regarding sex, body weight, fracture side, duration from injury to surgery. The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in EF (30.5 ± 6.1 min) than the KW group (44.6 ± 9.4 min), P < 0.001. The number of intraoperative X-ray images was significantly lower in EF (6.5 ± 1.1) than KW (11.8 ± 2.3), P < 0.001. The incidence of tendon irritation is significantly higher in the KW (19.7%) than the EF group (0%), P < 0.001. The residual angulation on the AP view was higher in KW (3.8 ± 2.3, degrees) than the EF group (2.5 ± 1.6, degrees), P < 0.001. The volar tilting is better in EF (6.6 ± 1.1, degrees) than the KW group (1.0 ± 1.5, degrees), P < 0.001. However, the functional outcomes of the wrist showed no significant difference between EF and KW group, P = 0.086. Conclusion: The EF was superior to KW in the treatment of radial MDJ fractures in adolescents. The EF displayed shorter duration of surgery, less tendon irritation, and better radiographic outcomes than the KW. However, the cost-effect analysis remains to be investigated, because the EF is more expensive than KW.

Background: The optimal dosage and administration approach of tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. In light of recently published 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study aims to incorporate the newly found evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular (IA) vs. intravenous (IV) application of TXA in primary TKA. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs comparing IA with IV TXA for primary TKA. Primary outcomes included total blood loss (TBL) and drain output. Secondary outcomes included hidden blood loss (HBL), hemoglobin (Hb) fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time. Result: In all, 34 RCTs involving 3867 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Significant advantages of IA were shown on TBL (MD = 33.38, 95% CI = 19.24 to 47.51, P < 0.001), drain output (MD = 28.44, 95% CI = 2.61 to 54.27, P = 0.03), and postoperative day (POD) 3+ Hb fall (MD = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.39, P = 0.001) compared with IV. There existed no significant difference on HBL, POD1 and POD2 Hb fall, blood transfusion rate, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and tourniquet time between IA and IV. Conclusion: Intra-articular administration of TXA is superior to intravenous in primary TKA patients regarding the performance on TBL, drain output, and POD3+ Hb fall, without increased risk of perioperative complications. Therefore, intra-articular administration is the recommended approach in clinical practice for primary TKA.

Lateral ventriculomegaly is the most common abnormality of the fetal nervous system. This study investigated the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with mild ventriculomegaly (MV) based on various ultrasonic manifestations, identifying their corresponding features via ultrasound examination. A retrospective analysis was performed on ultrasound and neurosonogram (NSG) manifestations and genetic profiles of 334 cases with MV and invasive prenatal diagnosis. Three hundred thirty-four cases with fetal MV were assessed via karyotyping. Further chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed in 182 cases with normal chromosome karyotypes; pathogenic chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) were found in eight cases with a prevalence of 4.4% (8/182). In this study, the incidence rate of pathogenic abnormalities of chromosomes and CNVs was 5.7% (19/334). Based on whether lateral ventriculomegaly was complicated with other ultrasonic features, the 334 patients were divided into two groups: (1) 175 cases exhibited isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM; 52.4%, 175/334 group A) including two (1.1%, 2/175) with pathogenic chromosomal karyotype abnormalities—both trisomy 21; (2) 159 cases exhibited non-isolated ventriculomegaly (N-IVM; 47.6%, 159/334) with pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs detected in17 cases (10.7%, 17/159). The N-IVM group was further divided into two groups: 105 cases exhibited MV with undetermined ultrasonic abnormalities (31.4%, 105/334, group B) with pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs detected in eight cases (7.6%, 8/105); 54 cases exhibited MV with structural malformations (16.2%, 54/334, group C) of which nine cases (16.7%, 9/54) presented both pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs, and five cases (55.6%, 5/9) were diagnosed with various cortical malformations. The pathogenicity rates of the IVM and N-IVM groups were statistically different (χ ²=14.159, p = 0.000). There were significant differences (χ²=7.992, p = 0.005) among groups A, B, and C. Combinations of various ultrasonic abnormalities significantly affect the risk of pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs in fetuses with MV. Cases involving cortical malformations require particular attention to the occurrence of pathogenic genetic abnormalities. When fetal MV is detected, a comprehensive ultrasound examination focusing on undetermined ultrasonic abnormalities is critical. Fetal NSG should be conducted to detect potential cerebral cortical malformation easily missed by routine ultrasound.

The utilization of elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) in length unstable femoral shaft fractures in children remains controversial, and the results in different studies vary a lot. This study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes of ESINs versus submuscular plate (SMP) in length unstable femoral shaft fractures.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been shown to shorten the length of hospital stay and reduce the incidence of perioperative complications in many surgical fields. However, there has been a paucity of research examining the application of ERAS in major pediatric orthopaedic surgeries. This study aims to compare the perioperative complications and length of hospital stay after osteotomies in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) between ERAS and traditional non-ERAS group. Methods: The ERAS group consisted of 86 patients included in the ERAS program from January 2016 to December 2017. The Control group consisted of 82 DDH patients who received osteotomies from January 2014 to December 2015. Length of hospital stay, physiological function, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly reduced from 10.0 ± 3.1 in the traditional care group to 6.0 ± 0.8 days in the ERAS(P < 0.001). The average VAS score in the first 3 days was significantly lower in the ERAS group (2.9 ± 0.8) than the traditional non-ERAS group (4.0 ± 0.8) (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of break-out pain (VAS > 4) between two groups (29.5 ± 6.3 times vs.30.6 ± 6.5 times, P = 0.276). The frequency of postoperative fever was lower in the ERAS group. The frequency of urinary tract infection in both groups were not noticeable because the catheter was removed promptly after the surgery. Conclusion: The ERAS protocol is both safe and feasible for pediatric DDH patients undergoing osteotomies, and it can shorten the length of hospital stay without increasing the risk of perioperative complications.