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Postoperative infections after allograft implantation is a major concern in knee ligament reconstructions considering the theoretical risk of disease transmission and its potential severity. Here, we aimed to evaluate the postoperative infection rate after knee ligament reconstructions using aseptically processed allografts, and provide an overview of the allografts use in an academic tertiary hospital. A retrospective study was performed evaluating patients who underwent knee ligament reconstructions using aseptically processed allografts, including primary and revision surgeries, from 2005 to 2018. Demographic data, including the type of knee injury and trauma energy, and postoperative data were collected focusing on postoperative infections. Regarding these infected cases, further analyses were performed considering the presenting signs and symptoms, the isolated microorganism identified in culture, the time between graft implantation and diagnosis of infection (defined as acute, subacute, and late), and the need for graft removal. A total of 180 cases of ligament reconstructions were included. The mean follow-up was 8.2 (range: 2.1–15.6) years and the mean age at surgery was 34.1 (± 11.1) years. A total of 262 allografts were implanted in those 180 cases, 93 (35.5%) as bone plug allografts and 169 (64.5%) as soft tissue allografts. Common surgical indications included multiligament reconstruction (57.2%) and primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (15%). Seven cases (3.9%) presented postoperative infections. Knee pain (100%) and swelling (100%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Two cases (28.6%) presented sinus tract. Allografts were removed in two cases, the same cases that presented draining sinus (p = 0.04). High-energy trauma was the only statistically associated factor for infection (p = 0.04). No significant association between infection and the type of allograft (p > 0.99) or sex (p = 0.35) were observed. Four cases (57.1%) had monomicrobial staphylococcal infections. Based on that, the allograft-related infection rate was 1.7% (the remaining three infected cases). Nonirradiated, aseptically processed allografts have a low postoperative infection rate in knee ligament reconstructions, being a safe alternative for surgeries that require additional source, increased variety, and quantity of grafts.

Posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture from its tibial insertion is a rare pathology in children. It is usually caused by high-energy traumas and its diagnosis is not always easy. Late diagnosis leads to late treatment, which can result in suboptimal results. We present a case of a 13-year-old boy hit by a car, who had a delay in diagnosis and treatment because of severe head trauma. The patient was treated 4 months after the trauma with open reduction and internal fixation of the avulsion fracture. After 4 years of follow-up, he has no complaints and has achieved good functional outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the results of total knee arthoplasty revisions performed in high complexity cases, with large bone defects or serious ligament deficiencies using a constrained implant hinge associated to a rotating tibial basis. Methods: We evaluated 11 patients in which we used the constrained implant hinge associated to rotating tibial basis, with minimum follow-up of two years. The indications for the procedure included instability, septic loosening, late postoperative infection without loosening and periprosthetic fracture. We evaluated the knee range of movement and functional outcomes by the Knee Society Score (KSS) e Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), besides the presence of complications. Results: All patients achieved 5o to 85o minimum range of motion at 1 year postoperatively and, in the present evaluation, KSS ranged from 67 to 95. Three patients had no complications until the last evaluation and two patients required implant revision. Conclusion: Despite the complications rate observed, the functional result were acceptable for most patients, and it proved being a viable alternative, especially for patients with low functional demand. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Um dos avanços tecnológicos mais significativos da medicina atual é a cirurgia assistida por computador, sendo que na ortopedia uma das aplicações mais importantes dessa tecnologia é na artroplastia do joelho. A principal contribuição da cirurgia ortopédica assistida por computador (Computer Aided Orthopaedic Surgery’s - CAOS) na artroplastia do joelho é o seu potencial em aprimorar a precisão da implantação das próteses e do alinhamento do membro operado contribuindo para a otimização e longevidade dos resultados. A navegação independente de imagens, baseada em referências anatômicas adquiridas durante o ato cirúrgico através de transmissores de raios infra-vermelho, tem sido a técnica preponderante na artroplastia do joelho. Utilizamos o sistema de navegação para artroplastia total do joelho "OrthoPilot" versão 2.2 para a colocação de 72 próteses de joelho "Search Evolution" da "Aesculap AG CO. KG" com ou sem estabilização posterior em uma série contínua. O objetivo foi aferir a precisão do alinhamento obtido com a navegação através de radiografias panorâmicas obtidas no período pós-operatório. Obtivemos um desvio médio do eixo mecânico nulo de 0,66º com desvio padrão de 0,7º, sendo que 98,6% dos joelhos ficaram dentro de uma margem de erro de 3º e 79,2% com erro inferior a 1º. Concluímos que o sistema é seguro e preciso, não adicionando morbidade à cirurgia convencional. One of the most significant technological advancements in current medicine is the computer-assisted surgery, which, for orthopaedics, one of the major uses of this technology is in knee arthroplasty. The main contribution provided by computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS) to knee arthroplasty is its potential to improve prosthesis implant precision and the operated limb alignment, contributing to results optimization and longevity. The image-independent navigation, based on anatomical references acquired during surgical procedure through infrared rays’ transmitters, has been the prevailing technique in knee arthroplasty. We used the navigation system "OrthoPilot" version 2.2 in total knee arthroplasty for inserting 72 knee prosthesis "Search Evolution" by "Aesculap" with or without posterior stabilization in a continuous series. The objective was to measure the accuracy of the alignment achieved with navigation through wide-angled X-ray images obtained postoperatively. We found a mean deviation for the null mechanical axis of 0.66º with standard deviation of 0.7º, with 98.6% of the knees being within an error margin of 3º and 78.2% with error lower than 1º. We concluded that the system is safe and accurate, not causing additional morbidity to conventional surgery.