Periprosthetic fractures course approved for global implementation

Collaborative work from AOTrauma/AORecon committee goes global

 

 

The AOTrauma Education Commission (AOTEC) and AORecon Education Forum have approved the new competency-based curriculum on periprosthetic fracture management for rollout in Davos 2018 and worldwide in 2019.

 

The curriculum was developed by a committee of four surgeon experts from both orthopedic trauma (through AOTrauma faculty Karl Stoffel and Mark Reilly) and reconstructive surgery (through AORecon faculty Luigi Zagra and Gijs van Hellemondt), established in 2016 by the AO Foundation. Delivery of the curriculum is mainly through the AORecon/AOTrauma Course—Comprehensive Periprosthetic Fracture Management of the Hip and Knee.

 

This course addresses both fracture fixation and revision arthroplasty and is targeted at senior experienced consultant (practicing) surgeons. According to AORecon faculty member Luigi Zagra, following the first pilot events and some adjustments, the final course programs were developed consisting of eight modules:

 

1. General principles
2. Revision arthroplasty around the hip
3. Revision around the knee
4. Fracture fixation with implant retention
5. Other periprosthetic fractures
6. Complications
7. Patient journey
8. Practical exercises.

 

“We have prepared cases for small group discussions in many of the modules and an algorithm approach to deciding if the stem is loose,” he said. “The program is delivered through short lectures and case-based lectures, small group discussions, and simulation.”

 

 

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AOTrauma faculty member Karl Stoffel said that the simulated procedures for both fixation and revision can be conducted using exercises on dry bones (half-day) or with anatomical specimens (1-day), in either the 2-day or 2.5-day versions of the course. “One of the key early decisions for the Chair and organizers is to decide which format of the course is the most appropriate for their local needs and resources. We will offer videos and guides for both versions to help the faculty prepare and to deliver the best education on the topic,” he explained.

 

Evaluation data and feedback have been very positive on the initially held events. “There was great interaction between trauma and orthopedic surgeons, not only between the faculty, but also among participants,” noted Carlos Olaya, faculty member in Madrid at the May 2018 event. Bas Masri, also a faculty member, added: “I learned a great deal from my trauma colleagues and enjoyed the collegiality and interaction.”

 

Future courses in this area will continue to be co-productions between AOTrauma and AORecon. AOTrauma faculty member Mark Reilly summarized the recommendations that have been approved: “The course should have one Chair from AOTrauma and one from AORecon and an overall mix of faculty (expertise in internal fixation and arthroplasty), plus a participant to faculty ratio of 3 or 4 to 1. The core content and learning objectives must be covered, and every program will be reviewed by two committee members. Finally, faculty preparation and precourse meetings are a critical part of the course,” he said.

 

For the courses in 2019 and beyond, faculty support material (program template, faculty syllabus, cases, and exercise videos and guides) will be available in the Faculty Center (or contact templates@aotrauma.org   or the AORecon course organizer).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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