Enchondromas are benign bone tumours originating from cartilages. It is mainly discovered incidentally in radiographs or due to symptoms like pathological fracture or pain. Conservative treatment through regular check-up and surgical excision using curettage are the two major treatment methods for enchondromas. This review concludes that small localized asymptomatic lesions can be treated conservatively while most expanding or symptomatic lesions should be treated with simple curettage. Adjuvant treatments like high-speed burring or alcohol instillation are not recommended.
In multi-strand suture methods consisting of several suture rows, the different length of core suture purchase between each suture row may affect the strength of repairs. We evaluated the influence of the different length of core suture purchase between each suture row on the strength of 6-strand tendon repairs. Rabbit flexor tendons were repaired by using a triple-looped suture technique in which the suture purchase length in each suture row was modified. Group 1, all lengths are 8-mm. Group 2, all lengths are 10-mm. Group 3, two are 10-mm and one is 8-mm. Group 4, one is 10-mm and two are 8-mm. The repaired tendons were subjected to load-to-failure test. The gap strength was significantly greater in Group 1 and Group 2 than in Group 3 and Group 4. This study demonstrates that maintaining equal core suture purchase lengths of each suture row increases the gap resistance.
The literature on Dupuytren's contracture is vast yet little information is known as to which papers have been the most influential. The purpose of this study was to identify the 50 most cited papers on Dupuytren's contracture and perform a citation analysis. Utilizing the Web of Science, 23 surgical, medical, plastic and hand surgery journals were searched for papers on Dupuytren's contracture. Resulting articles were ranked in order of times cited and each paper was analyzed for article-type, year of publication, country of origin, institution and level of evidence. The 50 most cited articles represent many important landmarks in Dupuytren's treatment and contain several seminal works by experts in the field. Whilst the top 50 list highlights the important papers on the condition, they certainly do not provide information about the quality of the evidence of the research, as most papers presented level 4 or 5 evidence.
Background: Flaps have been used in upper limb surgery for varied indications including coverage of soft tissue defects, interposition and to provide a pliable bed for gliding structures among others.Methods: We report our use of the radial artery perforator based adipofascial flap in nine patients, five with rigid radioulnar synostosis, three with recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome and one with a soft tissue defect.Results: All our patients with radioulnar synostosis regained good functional rotations of the forearm with no recurrence at follow up. The patients with recalcitrant carpal tunnel also had resolution of symptoms with no recurrence. The flap healed well in all the patients.Conclusions: We propose this flap as a viable, versatile reconstructive option for the hand and upper limb.
INTRODUCTION:Replantation surgery is an established treatment for amputated digits, and published literature report a high success rate. However, a proportion of replantations do encounter postoperative problems with vascularity, but the incidence is unknown. Although there are studies that look at the factors affecting the success of replantations and the management of postoperative replantations, there is little literature available on this transitional period. We introduce the term "troubled replantation" to describe the replantation that manifests any form of vascular insufficiency after replantation surgery. Our study focuses on reviewing our centre's experience with the management and outcomes of troubled replantations.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Data was collected retrospectively from 389 digital replantations performed in our centre over an 11 year period. We included only single level digital replantations. We analysed the perioperative data, and the measures taken postoperatively to promote their survival.RESULTS:There were a total of 137 troubled digits (35.2%). 53 digits responded to non-surgical measures such as dressing change and bedside bleeding procedures. 27 digits required re-exploration surgery, of which 16 survived. The majority of troubled replantations were due to arterial causes, and manifested signs within the first 48 h. 69 troubled digits (51%) survived. The remainder did not respond to any form of treatment including re-explorations and ultimately failed.CONCLUSION:One third of all replantations are troubled replantations, and half of these eventually fail despite any intervention. As troubled replantations can lead to postoperative failure, it is important to understand this clinical scenario in order to improve immediate postoperative care.
OBJECTIVESTo prospectively evaluate patient related outcome measures after total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) using four different total wrist implants operated at a single referral center in Sweden.METHODS206 primary TWAs were assessed preoperatively and after one year postoperatively with respect to the following eight outcome measures: Range of motion (flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, pronation/supination), hand grip strength, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), performance and satisfaction, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and in activity.RESULTSThe Maestro TWA had a significantly greater improvement of radial/ulnar deviation than the Biax and Remotion TWAs. COPM performance and satisfaction improved more for the Maestro and Universal 2 prostheses than the Biax and Remotion.CONCLUSIONSAll four TWAs offer reduced VAS-scores and improved COPM-scores with preserved hand grip strength and somewhat improved range of motion. The Maestro TWA performed favorably compared to the Remotion TWA. Implant design may affect patient related outcome.
Ulnar deviation deformity of the wrist in patients with birth brachial plexus palsy is an important cosmetic concern among the patients and their relatives; especially in the patients who have recovered the basic limb functions. Though there is ample literature available regarding the management of the shoulder deformity there is paucity of literature regarding management of wrist ulnar deviation deformity. We report our experience with correction of this deformity in five cases with isolated ulnar deviation deformity without forearm rotational deformity or weakness of the wrist muscles. All the patients underwent extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) to extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) tendon transfer. At a minimum of 18 months follow-up all the patients and their families were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the limb. Correction of the deformity improves the appearance of the limb, improves self-confidence of the child, and allows them to integrate well into the society. Interestingly, the patients expressed improvement in their grip strength and overall hand function after this surgery. The notable functions which improved were easy reach of the hand-to-mouth for feeding and easy handling of the things requiring bimanual activities. Although the main aim of this operation was to correct the appearance of the hand it was found to be also functionally useful by the patients and hence we are encouraged to report it for wider use. The results were maintained during the follow-up period of as long as 47 months.
A total of 16 fingers of 16 patients were subjected to fingertip reconstruction using the reverse digital artery island flap (RDAIF). We evaluated the influences of postoperative flap congestion, initial harvested flap size, patient's age and smoking habit on postoperative final flap size and postoperative range of total active motion (TAM) in affected fingers at a mean interval of 11.4 months. In the results, final flap size and TAM showed a tendency to decrease with increase in the initial harvested flap size and age. Eventually, the final flap size moved towards the size of the fingertip defect. Factors of flap congestion and smoking habit had little influence on the change in flap size and TAM. In conclusion, wide harvested flaps showed significant postoperative reduction in size compared with the small flaps, and extensive skin defect after flap harvest caused a decrease in postoperative TAM. Thus, the size of the harvested RDAIF should be comparable to that of the fingertip defect to prevent postoperative decrease in range of motion in affected fingers, and indication of this flap to the elderly needs to be considered.
The purpose of this study was to identify a clinical radiographic features containing the measurements of carpal alignment, configuration, and joint space width of the wrist without osteoarthritis (OA) in Japanese. We also aimed to analyse age-related correlations in these parameters with reference to the difference between men and women.A total of 184 cases were analysed to establish the following relations: (1) Sex-related differences in the morphology and joint space width of the wrist without OA; (2) correlation coefficient between these parameters and age according to sex.This study suggests that carpal height ratio (CHR) was higher in men than in women. Also the ulnar variance (UV) increased and the radial inclination (RI) decreased with age in both men and women, and the volar tilt (VT) decreased with age in women.
A healthy 41-year-old male suffered a direct blow on the palmar side of his right thumb when folding a table, which slipped along his thumb until it was stopped at the inter-phalangeal (IP) joint, resulting in a complete rupture of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon in zone T I. The proximal tendon stump was passed through the oblique pulley, fixed to the base of the distal phalanx with a pull-out wire technique and augmented on it using a part of the distal tendon remnant. After removal of the cast and the pull-out wire three weeks postoperatively, range of motion exercise was initiated and good functional recovery was obtained.
Hand SurgeryVol. 20, No. 01, pp. 197-198 (2015) LETTER TO THE EDITORNo AccessIMPROVED COMMUNICATION OF COMPLICATIONS DURING THE CONSENT PROCESS IN HAND SURGERYR. J. Lambert and H. J. C. R. BelcherR. J. LambertDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UKCorrespondence to: Dr. R. J. Lambert, Department of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Sussex, RH19 3DZ, UK. Tel: (+44) 771-334-8420. and H. J. C. R. BelcherDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UKhttps://doi.org/10.1142/S0218810415200014Cited by:0 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail References I. H. Khan and G. Giddins, J. Hand. Surg. Eur. 35(1), 61 (2010). Crossref, ISI, Google ScholarG. Wortz, J. Med. Pract. Manage. 26(4), 203 (2011). Medline, Google Scholar A. M. Chen et al. , Ann. R. Coll. Surg. Engl. 88 , 482 ( 2006 ) . Crossref, Medline, ISI, Google ScholarA. Atreyet al., J. Bone. Joint. Surg. Br. 90(4), 422 (2008). Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Recommended Vol. 20, No. 01 Metrics History Received 15 August 2014 Accepted 20 August 2014 Published: 20 January 2015 PDF download
Irreducible volar subluxation should be considered when assessing a patient with flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal finger joint (PIPJ). Primary assessment requires careful examination of the collateral ligaments and extensor tendon. Preoperative imaging such as ultrasound and MRI can help identify the interposed structures and plan the subsequent operation. Although rare, irreducible volar subluxation due to radial collateral ligament interposition is an important entity to be aware of. Prompt and appropriate management can prevent joint stiffness and loss of function.
This study aims to identify the relationship of the radial nerve as it descends across the humerus with reference to a reliable soft tissue landmark, the tricipital aponeurosis. Following cadaveric dissection of 10 adult humerii, the radial nerve was located as it crossed the lateral midsagittal point of the humeral diaphysis. A horizontal line was then subtended medially from this point to another line subtended vertically from the lateral border of the tricipital aponeurosis. The vertical distance from this intersection to the lateral apex of the aponeurosis was recorded in three positions (full flexion, 90° of flexion and full extension). The location of the radial nerve on the posterior aspect of the humeral diaphysis to the medial apex of the tricipital aponeurosis was also noted. In 90° of flexion the radial nerve at the lateral midsagittal point of the humerus was 0.9 mm proximal to the lateral apex of the tricipital aponeurosis. Flexion and extension of the elbow changed the interval to 16.3 mm (nerve proximal) in full flexion and 7.1 mm in full extension (nerve distal). On the posterior aspect of the humerus the radial nerve was 21.8 mm proximal to the medial aspect of the tricipital aponeurosis. The aponeurosis provides a reference point from which the nerve can be easily located on the lateral aspect of the humerus intraoperatively in a range of positions, whilst the medial apex provides a guide to the location of the nerve on the posterior aspect of the arm.
The purpose of our study is to retrospectively compare the use of tension band (TB) wiring and dorsal plating (DP) for the fixation of fifth metacarpal (MC) neck fractures. A retrospective study of patients who had surgical treatment of 5th MC fractures from 2009 to 2013 was performed. Data including patient demographics, mechanism of injury, pre and postoperative pain score, range of motion (ROM), duration of follow-up and whether implants were removed were documented. Three radiological parameters: angulation (in degrees), radial-ulnar displacement (in millimetres) and MC height ratio were measured. There were a total of 84 patients with isolated closed 5th MC neck fractures, of which 41 underwent DP and 43 underwent TB. Patients who underwent DP demonstrated better improvement in fracture angulation, radial-ulnar displacement, MC height ratio and final ROM compared to those who underwent TB. This study has shown that DP is a viable surgical treatment option for 5th MC neck fractures.
Mycobacterial infections of the hand are extremely rare, with Mycobacterium chelonae being an especially uncommon source of infection. The following is a report of such an infection presenting as a collar-button abscess. The difficulty of isolating the organism, in addition to a low index of suspicion for it, resulted in a significant delay in appropriate treatment. The patient demonstrated an indolent course of infection and unresponsiveness to traditional treatments, both red flags that should raise concern for a mycobacterial cause. Eventually, repeated irrigation and debridement and a prolonged course of antibiotics resulted in the resolution of the patient's symptoms.
A complete brachioradialis tendon rupture, as an isolated incident, is extremely rare. Consequently, there is little to no literature on how this can occur and how to treat it. We present the case of a 44-year-old male with a complete, closed brachioradialis tendon rupture following a waterskiing accident. The clinical, imagining and operative findings are outlined alongside management and final outcomes. Our case highlights the effectiveness of a combined surgical and staged physiotherapy approach, for the management of a complete, closed brachioradialis tendon rupture, in an otherwise healthy man.
Enchondromas are benign bone tumours originating from cartilages. It is mainly discovered incidentally in radiographs or due to symptoms like pathological fracture or pain. Conservative treatment through regular check-up and surgical excision using curettage are the two major treatment methods for enchondromas. This review concludes that small localized asymptomatic lesions can be treated conservatively while most expanding or symptomatic lesions should be treated with simple curettage. Adjuvant treatments like high-speed burring or alcohol instillation are not recommended.
To clarify the factors affecting functional results of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), 60 patients, including 38 patients with a dorsal fracture-dislocation and 22 with a pilon fracture, were analysed. The mean ratio of articular surface involvement was 48.5% and a depressed central fragment existed in 75.3% of the cases. ORIF was performed in 47 patients through a lateral approach using Kirschner wires and in 13 through a palmar approach using a plate or screws. The mean flexion, extension and range of motion (ROM) of the PIP joint was 89.5°, 11.5° and 78.0°, respectively. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that a delayed start of active motion exercise after surgery, elderly age and ulnar ray digit were factors affecting functional outcomes. Although ORIF allows accurate restoration of the articular surfaces, an early start of motion exercise is essential for good results.
Following the introduction of the hemi-hamate arthroplasty (HHA) technique to our unit, we sought to evaluate the early clinical outcomes achieved with this method of fixation and compare these with simple trans-articular Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation for dorsal fracture dislocations (DFD) of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ). Ninteen patients underwent fixation of these injuries with either K-wire fixation (12/19) or hemi-hamate bone grafting (7/19) between 2005 and 2011. At a mean follow-up of 14 weeks median arc of movement at the PIPJ was 65° (range 31° to 108°) following HHA and 56° (range 9° to 85°) (p = 0.82) following temporary transarticular K-wire fixation. Median fixed flexion deformity (FFD) was 20° and 15° for hemi-hamate bone grafting and K-wire fixation respectively. Based upon our findings, transarticular K-wire fixation produced equivalent outcomes to HHA for unstable DFD of the PIPJ in the hand.
