Two-stage management of chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones. The Belfast technique.

We treated 37 patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia (25), femur (9), radius (2) and humerus (1) by a two-stage technique, comprising radical debridement of all infected bone and soft tissue with the provision of soft-tissue cover, and delayed autogenous bone grafting when necessary. All patients were reviewed at an average of 49 months (12 to 121). Infection-free bone union was achieved in 34. No patient required amputation. Wide excision of all compromised tissue and the closure of bone within a healthy vascularised soft-tissue envelope are essential if infection is to be eradicated. The combined assessment and management of such patients by an orthopaedic surgeon and a plastic surgeon are advocated.

The addition of muscle to the lateral arm and radial forearm flaps for wound coverage.

There is good evidence of the benefit of transferring vascularized muscle into wounds that are contaminated or have been infected previously. This benefit particularly applies in cavities around bones and joints. We present two patients in whom the inclusion of a portion of muscle in the lateral arm and radial forearm flaps allowed the effective combination of good-quality skin cover with the properties of vascularized muscle.

The first dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap.

A first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap from the index finger was used in 20 cases for reconstruction of defects in the hand. In six cases it was used as a neurovascular flap for sensory resurfacing of the thumb and in five cases for release of a contracted first web. One flap underwent necrosis and there was a complication in one donor site.

Exsanguination of the upper limb in hand surgery comparison of four methods.

Four methods of exsanguination of the upper limb during hand surgery were compared by a randomised blind trial in one hundred patients. Exsanguination by a method of hand-over-hand compression proved ideal in 92% of cases. The advantages of this technique are discussed.

The V-Y Palmar flap.

We describe a V-Y palmar flap that allows both skin advancement and scar lengthening, and which has proved useful in the treatment of Dupuytren's disease.

Early active mobilisation following flexor tendon repair in zone 2.

In a prospective study, 114 patients with 138 zone 2 flexor tendon injuries were treated over a three-year period. Early active mobilisation of the injured fingers was commenced within 48 hours of surgery. 98 patients (86%) were reviewed at least six months after operation. Using the grading system recommended by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the active range of motion recovered was graded excellent or good in 77% of digits, fair in 14% and poor in 9%. Dehisence of the repair occurred in 11 digits (9.4%) and in these an immediate re-repair followed by a similar programme of early active mobilisation resulted in an excellent or good outcome in seven digits.

The use of the second dorsal metacarpal artery for vascularized bone graft. An anatomical study.

We present the results of fresh cadaver hand dissections and dye injection studies to help in raising a vascularized bone graft from the index or middle metacarpals based on the second dorsal metacarpal artery. This vascularized bone graft could be used for treating nonunion of the scaphoid and other carpal bones.

Long term outcome of early active mobilization following flexor tendon repair in zone 2.

We reviewed 34 patients with 65 zone 2 flexor tendon injuries in 39 digits whose outcome had been prospectively studied in an earlier investigation at a mean of 10.6 years after repair. Grip strength was assessed using a Jamar dynamometer. Outcome of grip strength in relation to normal data indicated an excellent or good outcome in 94% of patients, fair in 3% and poor in 3%. Using the grading system recommended by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the active range of motion was graded as excellent or good in 75% of digits, fair in 15% and poor in 10%. These results compare favourably with those of the original study with 5/39 of digits showing an improvement from good to excellent. Sixteen of the 34 of patients continued to suffer from cold sensitivity.

Florid reactive periostitis of the thumb.

A case of florid reactive periostitis of the thumb is presented. This is a rare pseudosarcomatous lesion which generally has a benign radiographic appearance, but on histology it may be mistaken for a malignant process. The clinical behaviour may simulate a malignant tumour but after local excision there is very little propensity for recurrence. Local resection is the recommended treatment. Surgeons and pathologists should consider the possibility of florid reactive periostitis before making a diagnosis of sarcoma in the hand.

Posterior superficial temporal artery island flap for intra-oral reconstruction: a case report.

A case is presented in which a scalp island flap in an elderly bald male was used for intraoral reconstruction following tumour excision. The flap was based on the posterior branch of the superficial temporal vessels as its arteriovenous system. This flap when available has advantages over other flaps described for intra-oral reconstruction.

The radial artery forearm flap: an anomaly of the radial artery.

The radial forearm flap derives its blood supply from the radial artery. Anatomical variations of this vessel are uncommon. This report describes an anomaly which has relevance for the radial forearm flap.

Radial forearm flap cover of the elbow joint.

Three clinical cases are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the radial artery forearm flap in the repair of defects over the elbow joint. Incorporation of a segment of vascularized muscle may be indicated where intra-articular infection is present. The secondary defect in the distal forearm was covered by split skin graft and was free of problems in each case.

Tissue expansion in the treatment of alopecia.

During the period December, 1983 to August, 1984, 14 patients were treated for alopecia of the scalp using tissue expansion in the Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillo-Facial Service. Nine of the defects were due to burns. Representative case reports are presented and the planning of advancement and rotation flaps described. The management and prevention of complications are discussed, and the conclusion drawn that tissue expansion is a valuable technique in the treatment of alopecia, allowing reconstruction of defects previously beyond adequate surgical repair.

The second dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap.

The clinical applications of the second dorsal metacarpal artery island flap are illustrated by selective case reports from a series of 12 consecutive cases carried out in this Unit. In five cases the flap was transferred as a neurovascular island flap for sensory resurfacing of the thumb. There were no failures and no donor site complications. The anatomy and clinical dissection of the flap are described.

Management of the soft tissues in open tibial fractures.

This paper reviews the treatment of 168 open tibial fractures referred to the Northern Ireland Plastic Surgery Service over a 15-year period. Flap reconstruction was carried out in 133 (79%) and split skin graft cover in 22 (13%). There were 18 amputations (11%). There was a high incidence of complications among early post-injury fasciocutaneous flaps and late free flaps. Twenty-five primary free flaps were transferred without complication. The current management of open tibial fractures in this Unit is described.

The sliding fasciocutaneous flap.

A sliding fasciocutaneous flap on the medial side of the lower third of the leg is described. Its application in the management of skin defects in this area is illustrated.

Type III tibial fractures in the elderly: results of 23 fractures in 20 patients.

A series of 23 type III fractures of the tibia in 20 elderly patients (over 60 years of age) presenting for combined plastic and orthopaedic surgical management over a period of 15 years are reviewed. Overall limb salvage was 53 per cent, with an average inpatient duration not significantly different from that for amputation, suggesting that an age of over 60 years is not necessarily a contraindication to attempts at limb salvage in type III injuries.

Arteriographic study of the rabbit lower limb.

The rabbit hind limb has been used extensively as an orthopaedic model in the investigation of fracture pathology and healing and the effects of vascular abnormalities. However, a detailed description of the normal arterial supply appears to be absent from the literature. A study of the entire arterial vasculature has been undertaken using a lead oxide injection technique developed for this and other orthopaedic studies. This technique has proved reliable and inexpensive, giving high-quality arteriography, which is easily interpreted. Accurate description of the arterial anatomy is possible without the need for repeated dissection. The rabbit lower limb shows some interesting variations in blood supply, particularly below the knee. The foot has three distinct patterns of blood supply, depending on the presence or absence of the peroneal artery and the degree of dominance of the dorsalis pedis artery. This arrangement has not previously been described and differs from the situation in other mammals. The arteriographic technique and the anatomical description have allowed the interpretation of changes occurring in the vasculature after injury in a fracture model.

Primary free-flap cover of open tibial fractures.

Seventeen consecutive patients with Grade IIIB open tibial fractures had definitive treatment of both the fracture and soft tissues performed within 72 h of injury. Free tissue transfer was used for cover in each case. There were no cases of deep infection. Flap survival was 100 per cent. The mean time to fracture healing was 10 months, and mean time to walking unaided was 12 months. The average length of stay in hospital was 82 days. The findings suggest that immediate radical debridement followed by adequate soft tissue cover is a safe and effective method for treating these severe injuries.