Identifying Palmar Skin Surface Landmark for Locating A2 Pulley during Cadaveric Dissection of the Hand.

The A2 and A4 pulleys are fibro-osseous structures that support the flexor tendon function. Injury to these pulleys can result in bowstringing and limited tendon excursion. Thus, having an understanding of the skin surface landmark of the A2 pulley is crucial to safeguard it during hand surgery. Methods: We performed cadaveric dissection of 62 hands. For 248 fingers, the measurement of distance A, which is half the distance between the palmar digital crease and proximal interphalangeal crease reflected in the palm, and distance B, which is the distance between the A2 pulley's starting point and the palmar digital crease, were taken by a caliber. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired sample t test to determine whether there was a significant difference between distances A and B. Results: Our study revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the measured starting point of the A2 pulley and its proposed surface landmark for the index, middle, and small fingers. Conversely, the ring finger showed a statistically significant difference of 1 mm more proximal. Conclusions: By measuring the distance between the palmar digital crease and proximal interphalangeal crease and reflecting it proximally in the palms, one can anticipate the location of the A2 pulley's starting point for each digit, except for the ring finger. The ring finger's starting point is 1 mm more proximal than the other digits. Knowing the starting point of the A2 pulley will help hand surgeons limit incisions and avoid accidental injury during hand surgery.

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Perform a systematic nasofacial analysis. 2. Identify the underlying anatomical cause of specific external nasal findings. 3. Recognize the interrelated effects of operative maneuvers. 4. Develop an appropriate operative plan to address patient concerns. SUMMARY: The rhinoplasty operation is one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery, and requires a combination of surgical judgment, knowledge of anatomy, technical skill, and lifelong study. A foundation must be built on clearly defined patient goals and an accurate diagnosis, based on known ideals and their anatomical correlation. It is important to recognize the definitive impact of each operative maneuver to achieve predictable outcomes. This article provides a problem-based approach to common cosmetic nasal deformities.

Correcting Caudal Septal Deviation with a Modified Horizontal Mattress Suture.

Correction of caudal septal deviation remains surgically challenging, given its imperative function as a nasal tip stabilizer and factor in tip projection, as well as its impact on the nasolabial angle and length of the nose. Although various procedures have been devised to repair the caudal septum using grafting techniques, correction with minimally invasive isolated suture techniques is limited. In this case report, we describe a modified horizontal mattress suture to correct caudal septal deviation in a patient undergoing revision septorhinoplasty. The patient followed up for 2 years after the surgery, and correction of the anterior caudal septum deviation remained intact.

Advanced Practice Providers in Plastic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this article are to examine the scope of practice differences between physician assistant and nurse practitioner providers, to identify financial cost and benefits, and to posit the impact of physician extenders on plastic surgery practices. METHODS: A review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database. Key words included "plastic surgery AND physician extender AND cost," "plastic surgery AND physician assistant AND cost," and "plastic surgery AND nurse practitioner AND cost." Secondarily, a search was performed for plastic surgery-related specialties of maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, and otolaryngology. Inclusion criteria consisted of any study design measuring the financial benefits associated with integrating physician extenders. RESULTS: The PubMed search yielded 91 articles. Eight articles were ultimately included, of which four (plastic, maxillofacial, and orthopedic) discussed the impact of physician assistants and four (orthopedic and otolaryngology) discussed the impact of nurse practitioners. All eight studies demonstrated that integration of physician assistants and nurse practitioners into practices was associated with a net financial gain even after taking into account their overall costs, along with other outcomes such as productivity or time involvement. CONCLUSIONS: As the number of physician extenders continues to grow, especially in subspecialties, plastic surgeons should be aware of their roles and the potentially positive impact of these providers, their respective training, and their quantifiable financial impact toward a plastic surgery practice. Both physician assistants and nurse practitioners appear to have a positive effect on costs in plastic surgery and plastic surgery-related practices.

Chronic Reducible Scapholunate Ligament Dissociation: A Simple Surgical Technique for a Complex Injury.

PURPOSE: Report the outcomes following chondrectomy of scapholunate (SL) joint, temporary stabilization of the SL joint using Kirshner wires and extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) transfer to dorsal scaphoid pole to restore normal SL gap and correct dorsal intercalated ligament instability deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case series of 11 patients with a mean age of 45 years were treated by the senior author 7 months after SL injury. The SL joint cartilage was removed, the SL joint was stabilized temporarily with 2 Kirshner wires for 8 weeks and ECRL tenodesis to scaphoid dorsally. Visual analog scale, disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand score, wrist flexion and extension range of motion, grip strength, return to work, SL gap, and SL angle were evaluated preoperatively and in last follow-up visit after the procedure. Modified Mayo score and complications were evaluated in the last visit. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 15.6 months. In the last follow-up, the average visual analog scale pain score improved significantly from 6.4 to 1.5. Average postoperative grip strength improved significantly compared with preoperative strength (41 to 56 Ib). Average disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand score improved significantly postoperatively (30 to 18 points). Average Mayo score was satisfactory in the last visit. Average SL gap reduced significantly from 4.1 to 2.8 mm and average SL angle decreased significantly from 82 to 62 degrees. Postoperative extension-flexion arc of motion significantly decreased compared with preoperative measurements. SL advanced collapse developed in 1 case after 15 months follow-up. All patients return to regular work at a mean of 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic reducible SL dissociation can be treated affectively with SL chonderectomy, temporary SL stabilization, and ECRL tenodesis to scaphoid to restore radiologic anatomy without compromising strength or work status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic type IV.

Restoration of shoulder motion using single- versus dual-nerve repair in obstetrical brachial plexus injury.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare shoulder abduction and external rotation (ER) after single-nerve repair of the upper trunk alone versus dual-nerve repair of both the upper trunk and the suprascapular nerve. METHODS A retrospective chart review of a single surgeon's experience repairing obstetrical brachial plexus injuries between June 1995 and June 2015 was performed. Eight patients underwent repair of the upper trunk alone, and 10 patients underwent repair of the upper trunk and the suprascapular nerve. Shoulder abduction and ER ranges of motion (ROMs) (in degrees) were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative ROM and the difference in ROM gained after surgery were compared by independent t-test analysis. RESULTS The mean follow-up time was 161.4 weeks (range 62-514 weeks, SD 124.0 weeks). The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 31.3 weeks (range 19.9-47.0 weeks, SD 6.9 weeks). The mean postoperative shoulder abduction ROMs were 145.0° (range 85°-180°, SD 39.4°) after single-nerve repair and 134.0° (range 90°-180°, SD 30.3°) after dual-nerve repair (p = 0.51). The mean postoperative shoulder ER ROMs were 67.5° (range 10°-95°, SD 28.8°) after single-nerve repair and 72.0° (range 10°-95°, SD 31.3°) after dual-nerve repair (p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS The authors found no difference in shoulder abduction and ER between patients who underwent single-nerve repair of the upper trunk alone and those who underwent dual-nerve repair of both the upper trunk and the suprascapular nerve.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Differences Between Nonsurgical Management and Percutaneous Fixation of Minimally and Nondisplaced Scaphoid Fractures.

PURPOSE: The optimal management of undisplaced scaphoid fractures remains controversial. A systematic review was conducted to assess the outcomes of acute, undisplaced scaphoid fractures managed with cast immobilization versus percutaneous or miniopen screw fixation in terms of time to return to work (RTW), time to union, and morbidity. METHODS: PubMed MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane electronic databases were searched over the period 1974 to 2015. Key words included "scaphoid fracture," "navicular fracture," "hand," "immobilization," "cast," "conservative," "percutaneous," "screw fixation," "mini open," and "minimally invasive." A 2-step review process was done by 2 independent reviewers (H.A. and J.K.) using the following criteria: (1) acute undisplaced scaphoid fracture, (2) English language, (3) RTW duration objectively reported, (5) age older than 15 years, and (5) studies with more than 10 patients. Patient demographics, duration of immobilization, time to RTW, time to union, and complications were extracted. The methodological quality of each study included was assessed independently. Meta-analysis was performed for comparative trials. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria: 6 comparative studies and 4 case series. Patients were divided into 2 groups: cast immobilization (group 1) and percutaneous fixation (group 2). Average time to RTW was 77 days for group 1 versus 46 days for group 2. Average time to radiographic union was 79 days for group 1 versus 44 days for group 2. There was no significant difference in complication rate between the groups (7% in group 1 vs 14% in group 2). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous fixation of acute undisplaced scaphoid fractures has union rates comparable with those of nonsurgical cast immobilization but with faster RTW and time to union without a significant difference in complication rate. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.