A study appearing in the August 2010 issue of Anesthesiology found that patients receiving a total hip or knee replacement in Taiwan had a higher incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) when general anesthesia was administered for the operation than when the same procedures were performed under epidural/spinal (regional) anesthesia. The study’s findings support the evolving concept of long-term consequences of anesthesia.

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Zimmer Holdings, Inc. has announced the first implantation of the Zimmer® NCB (Non-Contact Bridging) Periprosthetic Plating System. Scheduled for full release in the Fall of 2010, the Zimmer NCB Periprosthetic Plating System is the first comprehensive solution available to address complex femoral fractures which can occur around a hip or knee implant. Hip and knee replacements have been shown to be extremely effective procedures but may be complicated by periprosthetic fractures.

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Revised labeling for prescription and over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) will warn that these stomach acid–reducing medications could increase patients’ risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures, US health authorities announced. The FDA’s decision to add new precautionary information to PPI labeling is based on data from 7 epidemiological studies published since 2006. Six of the 7 showed a relationship between PPI use and an increased risk of fractures. Most of the patients in the studies were aged 50 years or older; the increased risk of fracture was seen primarily in this group.

Data from the RE-NOVATE® II study presented at the 15th  Annual Congress of the Europea Hematology Association (EHA) have shown that dabigatran etexilate 220mg once daily is as effective and safe as enoxaparin 40mg in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total hip replacement surgery. The results also showed that dabigatran etexilate significantly reduced the combined endpoint of major VTE and VTE-related death compared to enoxaparin.

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The US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has decided that all federal lawsuits over Zimmer Durom Cup hip implants should be consolidated for pretrial litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Lawsuits involve allegations that the hip replacement device caused problems such as loosening of the hip joint and the need for additional surgery.

The FDA has warned that high dose of a class of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), for conditions such as heartburn, acid reflux and gastric ulcers, for a long term carries an increased risk of bone fractures in the wrist, hip and spine. In their warning to consumers and health care professionals, the FDA said the product labeling will be changed to include a safety warning about the increased potential risk.

Eighteen years ago, orthopedic surgeon William Bargar, M.D. made history when he performed the first-ever hip replacement using a robotic device he developed called ROBODOC®, which improves precision in joint replacement surgery.

On May 26, 2010, Dr. Bargar made history again as he performed joint replacement surgery with the new-generation ROBODOC® Surgical System, recently approved by the FDA for total hip arthroplasty procedures.

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Millennium Research Group (MRG), finds that 25% of the 150 orthopedic surgeons surveyed in its newest Physician Forum publication plan to reduce their usage of metal-on-metal hip implants over the next twelve months.  

Metal-on-metal hip implants have been the subject of close media scrutiny in recent months due to reports of metal debris and soft-tissue damage resulting in revision surgeries in some patients.

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