Clinical Research Directory

Microbiota as Early Diagnostic and predictivE Factor for Osteoarthritic Degeneration and Microbial Contamination

The patient(s) will participate in a clinical study that aims to investigate how the gut microbiota may influence the proper functioning of joints in the body and how it may affect the development of early osteoarthritis (OA), periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and recovery after total joint replacement. In particular, the prevalence of early OA among patients with gut dysbiosis will be studied (Objective 1). The aim is to identify gut dysbiosis as a potential diagnostic factor for early OA. The study will analyze knee MRI scans and shoulder ultrasound images of 40 patients without musculoskeletal symptoms but with confirmed gut dysbiosis.In addition, the intra-articular microbiota in 50 patients undergoing total knee replacement will be investigated. Serum LPS levels during surgery and fecal microbiota before surgery and during postoperative recovery will be assessed (Objective 2). Postoperative recovery will be assessed based on criteria such as time off crutches and subjective scores. Finally, this will explore the correlation between gut microbiota and contaminating germs in periprosthetic infections. (Objective 3). 40 patients undergoing joint revision surgery for septic failure of a knee or hip replacement and 40 patients undergoing revision surgery for aseptic loosening for PJI will undergo gut microbiota analysis. Comparison between the two groups will allow evaluation of whether PJI causes changes in the gut microbiota. The patients will be included in the study under * objective 1 * objective 2 * objective 3

Effect of Normothermia Care Bundle in Knee Replacement Surgery

Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by disruption of the integrity of articular cartilage as a result of erosion of articular cartilage. Knee osteoarthritis causes muscle weakness, crepitation and deformities in the knee joint, limiting the individual's movement and causing loss of function. The most prominent feature is pain. Therefore, knee replacement surgery is performed in advanced cases where pharmacologic treatment is not effective. Many complications can be seen during the operation process and some of them may occur due to hypothermia. Studies have reported that warming during the operation prevents hypothermia and reduces complications. In this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of active and passive heating applied before, during and after surgery on hypothermia, surgical site infections and bleeding. The population of the study will consist of patients who underwent knee replacement surgery in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic of Üsküdar State Hospital between April 2024 and April 2025. Data will be collected using the patient identification form, normothermia care package observation form, preoperative follow-up form, postoperative follow-up form and postoperative long-term follow-up form. A randomization list generated from a computer-based random numbers table will be used to determine which group of patients will be included in the study. Patients will be followed up in 3 periods: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. The postoperative period will be evaluated in five stages as day 1, day 2, day 3, day 10 and day 30. The purpose of the study and the intervention to be applied will be explained to all groups to be included in the study by the researcher and written and verbal consent will be obtained from the volunteers. The groups included in the study will be subjected to the heating protocol according to the normothermia care package. Group A will receive active heating with the heating method using a hot air blowing device. Group B will receive passive heating using a reflective blanket. Group C was planned as a control group to be heated by applying the routine heating procedure of the hospital without any intervention. Body temperature and vital signs will be checked preoperatively and warming will be performed 30 minutes before surgery, and warming will be started 15 minutes before anesthesia induction during surgery and body temperature and vital signs will be checked. After the operation and in the ward, warming will be performed until the body temperature reaches 37 C°. The data obtained will be analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 22.0 program.

Comparison of Different Analgesic Nerve Blocks in Total Knee Replacement Surgery

The goal of this observational study is to compare the equivalent analgesic efficacy of three regional anesthesia techniques in total knee replacement surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: • Non inferiority of each technique in relation to the others Participants will receive selective spinal anesthesia and the antalgic nerve block depending on the group they happen to be in. Researchers will compare the Femoral Nerve Group+IPACK block, the Saphenous Nerve block+IPACK and the Subsartorial Block groups to see if there is any difference in the pain control in the 24 hours after the surgery.

Orthopaedic Specimen Pathology and Early Diagnosis of ATTR Cardiopathy (ATTR-ORTHO)

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the frequency of ATTR amyloid, cardiac involvement and associated features, in 150 patients aged 50 or more years, and operated for an idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine stenosis or total hip or knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis. The main questions to be answered are: 1. What is the frequency of ATTR deposits in samples retrieved during surgery? 2. What is the frequency of cardiac involvement in ATTR positive patients? 3. What are the preoperative predictors of ATTR deposits? Participants will * have operative samples stained by Congo red in search of amyloid, which will be typed by immunochemistry in positive samples, * undergo a multimodal imaging search for cardiac involvement, if ATTR is identified, * undergo a preoperative complete clinical examination, including collection of medical history, ECG, biochemical tests, and imaging (ultrasound scans of rotator cuff and hip capsule in all participating patients, of the carpal tunnel in patients operated at this site, and MRI + standing profile radiography of the lumbar spine, in patients operated for lumbar stenosis) * ATTR positive patients will be proposed to be followed-up by a reference center, with the aim of an early diagnosis of cardiac involvement, allowing efficient mamagement. Researchers will assess the frequency of ATTR deposits at each operated site, the frequency or ATTR cardiopathy in ATTR + patients, and will compare demographic, clinical, biochemical, and imaging features in patients with and without ATTR deposits, to guide the indications of pathological examination during these frequent orthopedic surgeries

Study of the Prognostic Value of the Coagulolytic Balance Dependent on Circulating Microvesicles in the Occurrence of Thrombotic Events After Total Knee Replacement in Orthopedic Surgery.

This is a prospective multicenter cohort study to evaluate the prognostic value of new biological markers in predicting thrombotic events after orthopedic surgery. According to the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria below, the study will include 387 major subjects who will undergo first-line total knee replacement and will receive the same standard prophylactic treatment: anticoagulation with Lovenox® (enoxaparin) 4000 IU/d subcutaneously 6 to 8 hours postoperatively and then daily for 15 days in combination with compression stockings.