Each year, the Department of Orthopaedics publishes numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and presents novel research projects at multiple conferences around the world.
For example, production on an annual basis includes:
- 97 peer-reviewed, PubMed indexed manuscripts
- 273 podium/poster presentations
- Over 17 million dollars in external research funding support: OREF, NCI, PCORI, NIBIB, Hitchcock Foundation, Dartmouth SYNERGY, Stepping Strong Foundation
- Multiple resident research awards: Kilfoyle (NEOS, 2017-2019), Arciero-Warner (NSES), Anil S. Ranawat Award (EOA), OREF Grants
Ongoing prospective research trials
A detailed, but not exhaustive, list of the majority of our federally funded research projects is listed below.
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center primary site
Comparative Effectiveness of Pulmonary Embolism Prevention After Hip and Knee Replacement (PEPPER) Trial
The PEPPER trial is a randomized study comparing the three most commonly used anticoagulants in North America in patients who undergo elective or revision hip or knee joint replacement surgery. The three anticoagulants being compared are enteric-coated aspirin, warfarin, and rivaroxaban.
PI: Dr. Vincent Pellegrini, MD
Detection and Delineation of Necrotizing Fasciitis Via a Vascular Perfusion Fluorophore
The primary objective of this work is to determine if tissue regions affected with necrotizing fasciitis will demonstrate reduced fluorescence intensity using Indocyanine green compared to unaffected regions without clinical evidence of necrotizing fasciitis.
PI: Dr. Eric Henderson, MD
Restoration of Strength after Thumb Basal Joint Arthroplasty: An Observational Analysis
This study seeks to compare pre-operative pinch and grip strength as well as PROs for pain and function at 3 and 6 months after thumb basal joint arthroplasty. Additionally, this study compares dynamic MCP joint position and laxity.
PI: Dr. Vincent Pellegrini, MD
Intraoperative Ketamine for Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty
This is a prospective, randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study evaluating the effect of intra-operative ketamine administration on post-operative analgesic requirements and self-reported pain in patients undergoing total hip and total knee arthroplasty who demonstrate high levels of pain catastrophizing.
PI: Dr. Wayne Moschetti, MD
ICG Fluorescence Imaging in Open Fracture Trauma Patients
This is a DoD-funded prospective observational study that will evaluate the association between bone and tissue perfusion, as measured by Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging, and complications, in an effort to develop ICG fluorescence imaging as a diagnostic tool to quantitatively guide operative debridement.
PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD, MS
ICG Fluorescence Imaging in Post-traumatic Infection
The focus of this NIH-funded prospective observational study is to (1) establish the range and variation associated with bone/soft tissue perfusion in fracture patients, using ICG fluorescence imaging; (2) examine the relationship between perfusion and complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), persistent SSI, and fracture nonunion; (3) to determine whether the quantitative ICG fluorescence can be used to guide bony debridement in the setting of infected fracture to minimize complications.
PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, M, MS
Consortium trials
The Program of Randomized Trials to Evaluate Pre-operative Antiseptic Skin Solutions in Orthopaedic Trauma (PREP-IT)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is a participating site of a PCORI- and DoD-funded multicenter trial at >25 sites comparing the effectiveness of different antiseptic solutions used for operative preparation in extremity fracture repair. (https://www.prepittrial.com/)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD, MS
Study PI: Gerard Slobogean, MD MPH, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center/University of Maryland School of Medicine
PREVENTion of CLOT in Orthopaedic Trauma (PREVENT CLOT)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center serves as 1 of 21 participating centers in a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the efficacy of aspirin versus low molecular weight heparin in the prevention of VTE in orthopaedic trauma patients. (https://www.metrc.org/)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD, MS
Study PI: Robert V. O'Toole, MD, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center/University of Maryland School of Medicine
TOBRA: topical antibiotic therapy to reduce infection after operative fractures at high risk of infection
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center serves as a participating site in a multicenter randomized control trial comparing deep surgical site infection rates in patients treated with either local Vancomycin powder or local Vancomycin and Tobramycin powders at time of fracture fixation. (https://www.metrc.org/)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD MS
Study PI: Robert V. O'Toole, MD, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center/University of Maryland School of Medicine
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Optimize Post-Operative Recovery (COPE): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center serves as a participating site in a multicenter randomized control trial comparing 1-year persistent post-surgical pain in patients who receive perioperative cognitive behavioral therapy versus usual care in patients with open or closed extremity fracture.
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD MS
Study PI: Jason W. Busse, PhD, McMaster University
Effects of Early Weight Bearing on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients with Traumatic Ankle and Tibial Plateau Fractures
The overall objective of this DoD-funded multicenter study is to compare outcomes following early versus delayed weight bearing for adult patients operatively treated for an ankle fracture without syndesmotic fixation. Additionally, early weight bearing will be tested in patients with unicondylar tibial plateau fractures that do not involve joint impaction. (https://www.metrc.org/)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center PI: Dr. Leah Gitajn, MD MS
Study PI: William Obremsky, MD, Vanderbilt Health