Browsing by Subject "Traction"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Open Access Cost utility analysis of intramedullary nailing and skeletal traction treatment for patients with femoral shaft fractures in Malawi.(Acta orthopaedica, 2021-08) Chokotho, Linda; Donnelley, Claire A; Young, Sven; Lau, Brian C; Wu, Hao-Hua; Mkandawire, Nyengo; Gjertsen, Jan-Erik; Hallan, Geir; Agarwal-Harding, Kiran J; Shearer, DavidBackground and purpose - In Malawi, both skeletal traction (ST) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) are used in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures, ST being the mainstay treatment. Previous studies have found that IMN has improved outcomes and is less expensive than ST. However, no cost-effectiveness analyses have yet compared IMN and ST in Malawi. We report the results of a cost-utility analysis (CUA) comparing treatment using either IMN or ST.Patients and methods - This was an economic evaluation study, where a CUA was done using a decision-tree model from the government healthcare payer and societal perspectives with an 1-year time horizon. We obtained EQ-5D-3L utility scores and probabilities from a prospective observational study assessing quality of life and function in 187 adult patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with either IMN or ST. The patients were followed up at 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated from utility scores using the area under the curve method. Direct treatment costs were obtained from a prospective micro costing study. Indirect costs included patient lost productivity, patient transportation, meals, and childcare costs associated with hospital stay and follow-up visits. Multiple sensitivity analyses assessed model uncertainty.Results - Total treatment costs were higher for ST ($1,349) compared with IMN ($1,122). QALYs were lower for ST than IMN, 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.76) and 0.77 (CI 0.71-0.82) respectively. Based on lower cost and higher utility, IMN was the dominant strategy. IMN remained dominant in 94% of simulations. IMN would be less cost-effective than ST at a total procedure cost exceeding $880 from the payer's perspective, or $1,035 from the societal perspective.Interpretation - IMN was cost saving and more effective than ST in the treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures in Malawi, and may be an efficient use of limited healthcare resources.Item Open Access Faced joint locking.(Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2011-01) Shaffrey, Christopher IItem Open Access Outcome at 1 year in patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing or skeletal traction in a low-income country: a prospective observational study of 187 patients in Malawi.(Acta orthopaedica, 2020-12) Chokotho, Linda; Wu, Hao-Hua; Shearer, David; Lau, Brian C; Mkandawire, Nyengo; Gjertsen, Jan-Erik; Hallan, Geir; Young, SvenBackground and purpose - Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is underutilized in low-income countries (LICs) where skeletal traction (ST) remains the standard of care for femoral shaft fractures. This prospective study compared patient-reported quality of life and functional status after femoral shaft fractures treated with IMN or ST in Malawi. Patients and methods - Adult patients with femoral shaft fractures managed by IMN or ST were enrolled prospectively from 6 hospitals. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using EQ-5D-3L, and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) respectively. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury. Results - Of 248 patients enrolled (85 IMN, 163 ST), 187 (75%) completed 1-year follow-up (55 IMN, 132 ST). 1 of 55 IMN cases had nonunion compared with 40 of 132 ST cases that failed treatment and converted to IMN (p < 0.001). Quality of life and SMFA Functional Index Scores were better for IMN than ST at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, but not at 1 year. At 6 months, 24 of 51 patients in the ST group had returned to work, compared with 26 of 37 in the IMN group (p = 0.02). Interpretation - Treatment with IMN improved early quality of life and function and allowed patients to return to work earlier compared with treatment with ST. Approximately one-third of patients treated with ST failed treatment and were converted to IMN.Item Open Access Surgical management of complex spinal deformity.(The Orthopedic clinics of North America, 2012-01) Erickson, Melissa M; Currier, Bradford LSurgical treatment of complex cervical spinal deformities can be challenging operations. Patients often present with debilitating conditions ranging from generalized decreased quality of life to quadriplegia. Surgical treatment can be divided into anterior, posterior, or combined procedures. A thorough understanding of anatomy, pathology, and treatment options is necessary. This article focuses on the surgical treatment of complex spinal deformity.Item Open Access The Use of Halo Gravity Traction in Severe, Stiff Scoliosis.(Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2021-07) Rocos, Brett; Reda, Luke; Lebel, David E; Dodds, Michael K; Zeller, ReinhardPurpose
The correction of severe, stiff scoliosis in children is challenging. One method used to reduce the risk is preoperative halo gravity traction (HGT). In this study, the authors sought to define the efficiency and safety of HGT and characterize the chronology of the correction seen.Method
A consecutive group of pediatric patients with severe spinal deformities was treated with HGT before definitive correction. A standard protocol with the daily addition of weight to 50% of body weight at 3 weeks was used. Traction remained in place until signs of impending neurological complication or 6 weeks, whichever was sooner.Results
Twenty-four patients were included with a mean age of 11.8 years. The mean coronal deformity was 123 degrees, with a T1-L5 height of 234 mm. The mean duration of traction was 42 days with a mean improvement in height of 72 mm with 82% occurring over the first 3 weeks. Hundred percent of the angular and 98% of T1-L5 height correction was reached by 6 weeks.One patient showed early signs of a cranial nerve palsy prompting early surgery and 8 patients showed pin loosening, 1 of which required revision of their halo. One patient underwent a slower progression of traction because of transitory urinary disturbance. Following fusion, angular correction of the major curve was 49%.Conclusion
HGT is a safe treatment for severe, stiff scoliosis because it can respond to early signs of impending neurological impairment. The first 3 weeks of treatment, reaching 50% of body weight as a traction force accounts for 80% of correction, with the remaining 20% in the following 2 weeks. At least 4 weeks of traction is recommended when following this protocol.