Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Gas Gangrene of the Fingertip with Prolonged Infection.

Background: We encountered a case of infected soft tissue defect of the fingertip treated using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The development of NPWT was started in the early 1990s, and it is a relatively new treatment method included in insurance coverage in Japan in 2010. NPWT is used for intractable wounds; some reports have examined its use on infected wounds. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined its use on infected fingertip wounds. Methods: A patient with an infected soft tissue defect in the fingertip whose epithelialization period was prolonged despite continued antibiotic therapy was treated using NPWT in combination. Results: After NPWT was started, signs of infection and wound granulation were good. Additionally, completion of epithelialization was confirmed 7 weeks after NPWT started. Conclusions: Conventionally, skin flap or graft by hand surgeons have been performed on fingertip soft tissue defects with infection. NPWT does not require specialized and advanced surgical techniques; treatment for infected soft tissue defects can be administered by anyone if they have the required skills. In conclusion, NPWT may be considered a suitable alternative when treatment options such as flaps and skin grafts are not feasible.

Variations in the Extensor Pollicis Brevis-Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Complex.

Despite several reports on the running of the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons, the classification of tendon insertions remains ununified due to differences in reports. This diversity in tendon patterning is attributed to the process of tendon development. In this study, we assessed the running of the EPB tendons of 44 cadaver hands fixed in ethanol/formalin in detail and examined the existing classification method. The specimens were obtained from 15 women and seven men, with an average age of 86 years. Consistent with previous reports, we observed a wide diversity in the running of the EPB tendons. Further, we found that EPB tendon insertions showed diverse variations in the proportion and running of fibers, making it difficult to classify them into independent patterns. It is speculated that the EPB tendon develops through a different process than that of the muscle body of the EPB and that the entire muscle-tendon module of the EPB is evolving. The diversity of the EPB tendons observed in this study may reflect the ongoing process of evolution. In clinical practice, a wide variation in the running of the EPB tendons should be considered.

Augmented External Fixation of Ulnar Carpometacarpal Joint Fracture Dislocations.

Ulnar-sided carpometacarpal (CMC) joint fracture dislocations are relatively uncommon, frequently associated with fractures of the metacarpal base and/or hamate, and often sustained by young male individuals secondary to striking a hard object. The complexity of ulnar-sided CMC fracture dislocations necessitates careful restitution of anatomic alignment and joint congruency for mobility and stability. Miniaturization of the external fixation device has allowed application to the hand. Spanning external fixation utilizes the principles of "ligamentotaxis"-indirect reduction through distraction forces of capsule-ligamentous structures. Treatment options for ulnar-sided CMC fracture dislocations are varied. Our surgical technique involving an external fixation device is reviewed. Clinical and chart review was performed on the last 10 patients undergoing acute surgical repair of ulnar-sided CMC fracture dislocations with intra-articular comminution by the senior author. Surgical technique used percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation and a spanning, miniature, external fixation device. Minimal follow-up was 1 year. Radiographs from the most recent appointment were evaluated by 2 independent reviewers. Patients rated their level of pain and assessed function using a subjective outcome instrument. Mean total active motion, when comparing traumatized digit to same digit in contralateral hand, was 100%. All fractures healed primarily with maintenance of congruent joint space and without radiographic displacement or arthrosis. Patient satisfaction was high and all patients returned to preinjury level of function. Our study demonstrates the use of an external fixation device in the management of ulnar-sided CMC fracture dislocations to be effective in reestablishing and maintaining normal hand anatomy, reducing pain, increasing function, and preserving motion.

Surgical strategy for Apert syndrome: Retrospective study of developmental quotient and three-dimensional computerized tomography.

There are many surgical techniques for craniosynostosis. However, the indications for and timing of surgery still remain unclarified. Most of the skull growth in craniosynostosis is completed in the first year, and the bone is strong enough to undergo distraction osteogenesis. However, previous reports showed that patients operated on before 1 year of age had better IQ than those operated later in life. This report aims to consider the best timing for cranial expansion and surgical strategy for Apert syndrome. From January 2002 to December 2011, 13 patients with Apert syndrome were operated on and were followed up for more than 5 years. Nine patients underwent operations before 1 year of age (early surgery group) and three patients underwent operations later in life (late surgery group). They underwent fronto-orbital advancement for primary surgery. We evaluated postoperative developmental quotient every year and cephalic index (CI) measured by three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D-CT) at the age over 5 years retrospectively. Eleven of 13 patients improved their developmental quotient scores, with no significant intergroup differences. The CI evaluation showed cases with remnant brachycephalic deformity in both groups. Two patients with remnant plagiocephalic deformities tend to have primary surgery early in life compared to the others. Thus the delay in primary surgery had little influence on psychological development. We conclude that the primary surgery can be delayed unless the intracranial pressure needs to be controlled. In addition, fronto-orbital advancement could not sufficiently improve the brachycephalic appearance, other procedures like posterior vault distraction might be better alternatives.

Bony mallet thumb.

Unlike mallet finger, mallet thumb is rare. We treated a case of mallet thumb with avulsion fracture using extension block Kirchner wire technique, and achieved excellent results.