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Background: As in many other countries, the Dutch emergency healthcare system is under pressure due to increasing numbers of patients, limited budgets, and constrained (human) resources (TraumaNet AMC 19 May, 2016; Int J Emerg Med 6:41, 2013). eHealth, enlarged by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been advocated to substitute face-to-face care to alleviate the pressure of the burden of care (Ministry of Health Welfare and Sport, 2022; Dutch Society of Hospitals, 2022). In order for eHealth solutions to be adopted in daily practice, is it essential to assess healthcare professionals' attitudes toward its usefulness. As this is currently lacking, this study explores the use of eHealth in daily practice, opportunities of eHealth, implementation barriers, and desired functions and features amongst healthcare professionals working in Dutch orthopedic surgery and traumatology., Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey among the 605 members of the Dutch Society of Trauma Surgery and related healthcare professionals on the attitudes towards eHealth in daily practice was performed between November 4, 2021, and March 31, 2022. The survey consisted of five sections with 42 questions, including close-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, 5-point Likert Scales, Visual Analogue Scales, and free-text questions., Results: Of the 111 responding healthcare professionals, 59/111 (53%) were male, and the median age was 40 years (IQR 26 to 67). Almost all participants owned smartphones (109/111, 98.2%). Most participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had influenced their attitude towards the usefulness of eHealth positively (80/111, 72%). Most participants (59%) would use a digital alternative instead of face-to-face follow-up if proven a safe technology, and expect that 64% of all patients would prefer a digital option. Most healthcare professionals stated that eHealth could reduce healthcare costs (94/111, 85%) and improve patient satisfaction (81/111, 73%) but is hindered most by a lack of financial support during implementation (57/111, 51%), followed by complex laws and regulations (54/111, 49%)., Discussion: Results of this cross-sectional survey show that attitudes of orthopedic surgery or traumatology-related healthcare professionals toward the usefulness of eHealth are positive and may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though healthcare professionals believe eHealth could reduce costs and improve patient satisfaction, daily clinical use remains low possibly due to a lack of long-term and short-term financial support and complex laws and regulations., Competing Interests: Declarations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was performed in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki and the required ethical guidelines of BMC Health Services. The local scientific and medical ethical committee of the St. Antonius Hospital provided a waiver for this study (P22.010). All healthcare professionals provided informed consent for participation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Direct Discharge protocols (DD) can alleviate strain on healthcare systems by reducing routine outpatient follow-up. These protocols include low-complex musculoskeletal injuries, such as isolated greenstick fractures or torus fractures of the wrist in children. While there is consensus on the effectiveness of DD, there is a lack of injury-specific powered studies. This study compares treatment satisfaction between DD and traditional treatment in children with a greenstick fracture or torus fractures of the wrist., Methods: Children with isolated torus or greenstick fractures of the distal radius or ulna were eligible for inclusion before (pre-DD cohort) and after (DD cohort) the implementation of DD in four hospitals. Traditionally, patients receive a (soft) cast and minimally one routine outpatient follow-up appointment. With DD, patients are discharged directly from the ED after receiving a brace and information, summarized in a smartphone app and a helpline for questions during recovery. The primary outcome was patient or proxy treatment satisfaction (0 to 10), and a power analysis was performed to assess non-inferiority. Secondary outcomes included complications, functional outcomes measured in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS UE), primary healthcare utilisation, and secondary healthcare utilisation (follow-up appointments and imaging)., Results: In total, 274 consecutive children were included to analyse the primary endpoint. Of these, 160 (58%) were male with a median age of 11 years (IQR 8 to 12). Pre-DD and DD treatment satisfaction did not vary statistically significantly for greenstick fractures (p = 0.09) and torus fractures (p = 0.93). No complications were observed. PROMIS UE showed no statistically significant differences before and after implementation of direct discharge protocol for torus (p = 0.99) or greenstick (p = 0.45) fractures. Secondary healthcare utilisation regarding follow-up was significantly lower in the DD-torus cohort compared to the pre-DD torus cohort, with a mean difference (MD) of - 1.00 follow-up appointments (95% Confidence Interval (CI) - 0.92 to - 1.13). Similar results were found in the pre DD-greenstick cohort compared to the pre-DD-greenstick cohort (MD): - 1.17 follow-up appointments, 95% CI - 1.09 to - 1.26)., Conclusion: Direct Discharge is non-inferior to traditional treatment in terms of treatment satisfaction for paediatric patients with greenstick or torus fractures of the wrist compared to children treated with rigid immobilisation and routine follow-up. Furthermore, the results demonstrate no complications, comparable functional outcomes, and a statistically significant reduction of secondary healthcare utilisation, making DD a good solution to cope with strained resources for children with an isolated greenstick fracture or torus fracture of the wrist., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: None of the authors have a conflict of interest to declare for the execution of this study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Orthopedic trauma care encounters challenges in follow-up treatment due to limited patient information provision, treatment variation, and the chaotic settings in which it is provided. Additionally, pressure on health care resources is rising worldwide. In response, digital follow-up treatment pathways were implemented for patients with orthopedic trauma, aiming to optimize health care resource use and enhance patient experiences., Objective: We aim to assess digital follow-up treatment pathway feasibility from the patient's perspective and its impact on health care resource use., Methods: A concurrent mixed methods study was conducted parallel to implementation of digital follow-up treatment pathways in an urban level-2 trauma center. Inclusion criteria were (1) minimum age of 18 years, (2) an active web-based patient portal account, (3) ability to read and write in Dutch, and (4) no cognitive or preexisting motor impairment. Data were collected via electronic patient records, and surveys at three time points: day 1-3, 4-6 weeks, and 10-12 weeks after an initial emergency department visit. Semistructured interviews were performed at 10-12 weeks post injury. Anonymous data from a pre-existing database were used to compare health care resource use between the digital treatment pathways and traditional treatment. Quantitative data were reported descriptively. A thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. All outcomes were categorized according to the Bowen feasibility parameters: acceptability, demand, implementation, integration, and limited efficacy., Results: Sixty-six patients were included for quantitative data collection. Survey response rates were 100% (66/66) at day 1-3, 92% (61/66) at 4-6 weeks, and 79% (52/66) at 10-12 weeks. For qualitative data collection, 15 semistructured interviews were performed. Patients reported median satisfaction scores of 7 (IQR 6-8) with digital treatment pathways and 8 (IQR 7-9) for overall treatment, reflecting positive experiences regarding functionality, actual and intended use, and treatment safety. Digital treatment pathways reduced secondary health care use, with fewer follow-up appointments by phone (median 0, IQR 0-0) versus the control group (median 1, IQR 0-1; P<.001). Consequently, fewer physicians were involved in follow-up treatment for the intervention group (median 2, IQR 1-2) than for the control group (median 2, IQR 1-3; P<.001). Fewer radiographs were performed for the intervention group (median 1, IQR 0-1) than for the control group (P=.01). Qualitative data highlighted positive experiences with functionalities, intended use, and safety, but also identified areas for improvement, including managing patient expectations, platform usability, and protocol adherence., Conclusions: Use of digital follow-up treatment pathways is feasible, yielding satisfactory patient experiences and reducing health care resource use. Recommendations for improvement include early stakeholder involvement, integration of specialized digital tools within electronic health record systems, and hands-on training for health care professionals. These insights can guide clinicians and policy makers in effectively integrating similar tools into clinical practice., (© Gijs J A Willinge, Jelle F Spierings, Kim A G J Romijnders, Elke G E Mathijssen, Bas A Twigt, J Carel Goslings, Ruben N van Veen. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).)

Although widely used in follow-up treatment protocols, the added value of routine radiographs to clinical decision-making in nonoperative treatment of patients with metatarsal fractures is unclear. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine whether routine follow-up radiographs contributed to changes in treatment strategies in nonoperative treatment of patients with a metatarsal fracture. Adult (aged ≥ 18 years) patients who received nonoperative follow-up treatment for a metatarsal fracture between May first, 2020 and May second, 2022 were included. All relevant data were extracted from patient records. Radiographs without a documented clinical indication were classified as routine. Outcomes included changes in treatment strategies based on routine radiographs during follow-up treatment and secondarily, changes in treatment strategy based on clinically indicated radiographs. A total of 168 patients were included, with 135 single and 33 multiple metatarsal fractures. During follow-up, 223 radiographs were performed, of which 154 (69%) were routine and 69 (31%) were on clinical indication. Of routine radiographs, 9 (6%) led to a change in treatment which only included additional imaging. No switch to operative treatment or prolonging of immobilization was observed based on routine radiographs. Of clinically indicated radiographs, 16 (23%) led to a change of treatment, including prolonged immobilization (n = 2), additional follow-up appointments (n = 1) and additional imaging (n = 12). Our results show routinely performed radiographs seldom affect treatment strategies in nonoperative treatment of metatarsal fractures, indicating minimal added value to clinical decision-making. Omitting routine radiographs from treatment protocols may contribute to the reduction of unnecessary healthcare resource utilization in clinical practice., (Copyright © 2024 the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this before-and-after study was to evaluate the implementation of a virtual fracture clinic (VFC) on the time between injury and surgery in patients presenting with a phalangeal or metacarpal fracture and in need of semi-acute surgical treatment. Between 1 January and 30 September 2018 (pre-VFC) and in the same period in 2022 (VFC), 101 and 113 patients were included, respectively. Before VCF implementation, the time between injury and surgery was 8.9 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.1 to 9.6), while after VCF implementation it was 7.6 days (95% CI: 7.0 to 8.3). In 2018, 7% of operations were unacceptably delayed beyond 14 days from injury, which was reduced to 5% in 2022, despite patient-presentation delays of up to 10 days. VFC implementation was associated with a reduction in time until semi-acute surgery for phalangeal or metacarpal fractures and improved the quality of semi-acute surgery planning. Level of evidence: Level III., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Trauma is one of the main causes of death in younger people and ongoing disability worldwide. In Europe, while there is generally good organization of trauma reception and acute treatment, rehabilitation from major musculoskeletal injuries is less well defined and provided. This article documents the diverse approaches to rehabilitation after major injury in 6 European nations. The recognition of need is universal, but achieving a robust rehabilitation strategy is more elusive across the varying health care systems. Switzerland has the most robust service in the insured population. In the other countries, particularly where there is a reliance on public institutes, this provision is at best patchy. In the Netherlands, innovative patient-empowering strategies have gained traction with notable success, and in the United Kingdom, a recent randomized trial also showed this approach to be reproducible and robust. Overall, there is a clear need for learning across the national systems and implementation of a minimum set of standards., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.)

Introduction: Same-day discharge (SDD) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a safe and effective healthcare pathway. However, there is limited understanding of the patient perspective on SDD. The aim of this study was to explore patient satisfaction and experience with SDD after RYGB., Methods: A mixed-methods study with a concurrent design was conducted in a Dutch teaching hospital, using questionnaires and interviews. Patients who underwent RYGB and were discharged on the day of the surgery completed four questionnaires of the BODY-Q (satisfaction with the surgeon, satisfaction with the medical team, satisfaction with the office staff, and satisfaction with information provision) ± 4 months postoperative. The results of the questionnaires were compared with pre-existing data from a cohort of patients who stayed overnight after surgery (i.e., control group). A subset of patients was individually interviewed for an in-depth understanding of the patient perspective on SDD., Results: In the questionnaires, median scores for the control group (n = 158) versus the present group of patients (n = 51) were as follows: 92/100 vs. 92/100 (p = 0.331) for the surgeon, 100/100 vs. 92/100 (p = 0.775) for the medical team, 100/100 vs. 100/100 (p = 0.616) for the office staff, and 90/100 vs. 73/100 (p = 0.015) for information provision. Interviews with 14 patients revealed seven themes, describing high satisfaction, along with several points of interest., Conclusions: Patient satisfaction with SDD after RYGB is high, although information provision regarding the day of surgery could be improved. However, not every medically eligible patient might be suitable for this healthcare pathway, as responsibilities are shifted., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The demand for trauma care in the Netherlands is increasing due to a rising incidence of injuries. To provide adequate trauma care amidst this increasing pressure, a Virtual Fracture Care (VFC) review protocol was introduced for treatment of musculoskeletal injuries to the extremities (MIE). This study aimed to assess the influence of the Dutch VFC review protocol on secondary healthcare utilization (i.e., follow-up appointments and imaging) in adult trauma patients (aged ≥18 years) who underwent semi-acute surgery (2-14 days after initial presentation) for MIE, compared to traditional workflows. We hypothesized utilization of VFC review would lead to reduced secondary healthcare utilization., Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed the influence of VFC review on secondary healthcare utilization in adult trauma patients (aged ≥18 years) who underwent semi-acute surgery for a MIE. Patients treated before VFC review and the COVID-19 pandemic, from 1st of July 2018 to 31st of December 2019, formed a pre-VFC group. Patients treated after VFC review implementation from January 1st 2021 to June 30th 2022, partially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (including distancing measures), formed a VFC group. Outcomes were follow-up appointments, radiographic imaging, time to surgery, emergency department reattendances, and complications. The study was approved by the local ethical research committee approved this study (WO 23.073)., Results: In total, 2,682 patients were included, consisting of 1,277 pre-VFC patients, and 1,405 VFC patients. Following VFC review, the total number of follow-up appointments reduced by 21% and a shift from face-to-face towards telephone consultations occurred with 19% of follow-up appointments performed by telephone in the VFC group vs. 4% in the pre-VFC group. Additionally, VFC review resulted in a 7% reduction of radiographs, improved time scheduling of surgery, and a 56% reduction of emergency department reattendances. Registered complication rates remained similar., Conclusion: The utilization of VFC review for management of adult patients with a MIE requiring semi-acute surgery improves efficiency compared to traditional workflows. It results in a 21% follow-up appointment reduction, a shift from face-to-face to remote delivery of care, fewer radiographs, improved time scheduling of surgery, and reduces emergency department reattendances by 56%., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Willinge, Spierings, Geerdink, Twigt, Goslings and van Veen.)

This study aimed to determine the effects of virtual fracture care (VFC) on secondary healthcare utilization in non-operative treatment of adult patients with a distal radial fracture. A retrospective cohort study was performed, including those who received non-operative treatment without VFC (pre-VFC) and with VFC (VFC). Outcomes included secondary healthcare utilization, calculated treatment costs, emergency department (ED) reattendances and complication rates. In total, 88 pre-VFC and 99 VFC patients were included. Pre-VFC patients had more follow-up appointments, with a median of 4 (IQR: 3) versus a median of 4 (IQR: 1) in VFC patients. In addition, 3% of follow-up appointments for pre-VFC patients were performed remotely compared to 18% for VFC patients. Complications and ED reattendances were comparable between groups. In this study, non-operative treatment of adult patients with a distal radial fracture through VFC reduced secondary healthcare utilization, with similar reported complication and ED reattendance rates compared with treatment without VFC. Level of evidence: III., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Cricothyroidotomy and surgical tracheostomy are methods to secure airway patency. In emergency surgery, these methods are nowadays mostly reserved for patients unsuited for percutaneous procedures. Detailed description of complications and functional outcomes following both procedures is underreported in current literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes following cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy in this presumed complex population., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, adult emergency surgical patients treated with cricothyroidotomy and/or surgical tracheostomy were included. Postoperative complications and functional outcomes in trauma and non-trauma patients were evaluated., Results: Forty-one trauma patients and 11 non-trauma emergency surgical patients (mainly after elective onco-abdominal or vascular surgery) were included. Of 52 patients, seven underwent cricothyroidotomy pre-tracheostomy. Mortality was higher in non-trauma patients (p = 0.04) following both procedures. Over half of patients (56%, n = 29) regained unsupported airway patency with a tendency toward increased tracheostomy removal in trauma patients. Among complications, only pneumonia occurred frequently (60%, n = 31), with no relation to patient type. Other complications included local infection (5.8%, n = 4) and wound dehiscence (1.9%, n = 1). Adverse functional outcomes were frequently observed and were mild and self-limiting. Cervical spinal cord injury reduced overall unsupported airway patency (p = 0.01); with high cervical spinal cord injury related to adverse functional outcomes and increased home ventilation need., Conclusions: No major procedure-related complications or functional adverse events were encountered following cricothyroidotomy and surgical tracheostomy, even though only complex patients were included. Only mild, self-limiting functional problems occurred, especially in trauma patients with cervical injury who underwent early tracheostomy by longitudinal incision. This information can aid clinicians in making tailor-made decisions for individual patients., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Increasing emphasis in the literature is recently being put on controlling rotational stability in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture by addressing the anterolateral complex during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Many different techniques for lateral extra-articular tenodesis have been described, with the (modified) Lemaire technique being widely favored. Recent literature does report that lateral extra-articular tenodesis leads to a reduction in persistent rotatory laxity and graft rupture rate, but also may be associated with increased pain, reduced quadriceps strength, reduced subjective functional recovery, and cosmetic complaints. Thus this article aims to describe our minimally invasive technique for a modified Lemaire tenodesis., (© 2020 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier.)