Learning curve and influencing factors of performing microsurgical anastomosis: a laboratory prospective study.

Despite being a critical component of any cerebrovascular procedure, acquiring skills in microsurgical anastomosis is challenging for trainees. In this context, simulation models, especially laboratory training, enable trainees to master microsurgical techniques before performing real surgeries. The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing the learning curve of microsurgical training. A prospective observational study was conducted during a 7-month diploma in microsurgical techniques carried out in the anatomy laboratory of the school of surgery. Training focused on end-to-end (ETE) and end-to-side (ETS) anastomoses performed on the abdominal aorta, vena cava, internal carotid and jugular vein, femoral artery and vein, caudal artery, etc. of Wistar strain rats under supervision of 2 expert anatomical trainers. Objective and subjective data were collected after each training session. The 44 microsurgical trainees enrolled in the course performed 1792 anastomoses (1577 ETE, 88%, vs. 215 ETS, 12%). The patency rate of 41% was independent from the trainees' surgical background and previous experience. The dissection and the temporary clamping time both significantly decreased over the months (p < 0.001). Technical mistakes were independently associated with thrombosis of the anastomoses, as assessed by the technical mistakes score (p < 0.01). The training duration (in weeks) at time of each anastomosis was the only significant predictor of permeability (p < 0.001). Training duration and technical mistakes constituted the two major factors driving the learning curve. Future studies should try and investigate other factors (such as access to wet laboratory, dedicated fellowships, mentoring during early years as junior consultant/attending) influencing the retention of surgical skills for our difficult and challenging discipline.

Anterior plating technique for distal radius: comparing performance after learning through naive versus deliberate practice.

BACKGROUND: Surgical teaching is most often carried out in the operating theatre through mentorship, and the performance of surgical procedures is rarely measured. The objective of this article is to compare the progression in learning curves of junior surgeons trained in the anterior plating technique for the distal radius on a nonbiological model according to three different methods. METHODS: The materials comprised 12 junior surgeons of level 1 or 2 (as per Tang and Giddins) divided into three groups: control (G1), naive practice (G2), and deliberate practice (G3). The three groups watched a demonstration video of a level 5 expert. The four G1 surgeons (two level 1 and two level 2) saw the video only once, and each inserted five plates. The four G2 surgeons (two level 1 and two level 2) inserted five plates and watched the video before each time. The four G3 surgeons (two level 1 and two level 2) saw the video before the first plate insertion. Before posing the subsequent four plates, the four G3 surgeons watched their own video, and the expert indicated their errors and how to avoid them next time. A 12-criteria OSATS defined on the basis of the 60 videos, each graded from one (min.) to five (max.), was used to measure the objective surgical performance per plating (min. 12; max. 60) and per series of five plate fixations (min. 60, max. 300). RESULTS: The total average objective performance of G1 was 44.73, of G2 was 50.57 and of G3 was 54.35. Change in objective performance was better for G3 (13.25) than G2 (5) or G1 (3.75). For all groups, the progression in objective performance was better amongst level 1 surgeons (9) than level 2 surgeons (5.6). CONCLUSION: Surgical teaching is based on mentorship and experience. However, since "see one, practice many, do one" has started to replace "see one, do one, teach one", learning techniques have increasingly relied on procedure simulators. Against this background, few studies have looked at measuring the performance of surgical procedures and improved learning curves. Our results appear to suggest that deliberate practice, when used in addition to mentorship, is the best option for shortening the growth phase of the learning curve and improving performance. Deliberate practice is a learning technique for surgical procedures that is complementary to mentorship and experience, which allows the growth phase of the learning curve to be shortened and the objective performance of junior surgeons to be improved.

Intramedullary percutaneous fixation of metacarpal fractures: screw versus connected K-wires.

The purpose of the present study was to determine clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients treated with limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless screw fixation for metacarpal neck and shaft fractures (group I) versus percutaneous antegrade and retrograde intramedullary double pinning linked by a connector (group II). We designed a retrospective comparative study, with the inclusion of two groups (20 patients each) of metacarpal unstable fractures. Both groups showed similar outcomes at the final follow-up, except for extension lag (significantly better in group II) and return to sport (significantly better in group I). Intramedullary screw fixation did not accelerate bone union and range of motion recovery in the early follow-up. In conclusion, limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless screw fixation and percutaneous connected antegrade and retrograde intramedullary double pinning are both reliable techniques of fixation for metacarpal neck and shaft fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Transverse and oblique fractures of the diaphysis of the fifth metacarpal: surgical outcomes for antegrade intramedullary pinning versus combined antegrade and retrograde intramedullary pinning.

The purpose of this study was to develop a technique allowing a faster return to previous activities after surgical treatment of short transverse and oblique fractures of the diaphysis of the fifth metacarpal. It consisted of an anterograde and retrograde centromedullary double pinning connected. Our series included 40 patients of average age 25 years including 2 women. In 20 cases (group I), an anterograde centromedullary pinning with a 1.6- or 2-mm pin was performed followed by a 6-week orthosis and then 2-week self-education. In 20 cases (group II), an anterograde and retrograde centromedullary double pinning was performed using 2 1.5-mm pins connected by a connector (MétaHUS®, Arex™). A first pin was introduced into the canal antegrade, then the second retrograde. The 2 externalized pins were connected, and self-rehabilitation was encouraged. Mean tourniquet time was 14.75 min (group I) and 15.8 min (group II), respectively. At the last follow-up, the average pain was 0.35/10 and 0.2/10, the Quick DASH 0.68/100 and 0.57/100, the strength of the hand 94.65% and 94.35%, the active flexion MCP 98.5% and 99%, respectively. MCP active extension was 98.5% and 98.75%; the sick leave was 8.4 and 6.3 weeks. All fractures healed without recovery with 3 complications: 2 infections on pins, in each group, 1 CRPS1 (group I). Our results seem to show that the technique of anterograde and retrograde centromedullary double pinning connected in the treatment of short transverse and oblique fractures of the diaphysis of the fifth metacarpal gives results at least as good as the reference technique with a non-negligible socioeconomic advantage, a less time off work.

Correction to: Distal radius fluoroscopic skyline view: extension-supination versus flexion-supination.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake and has been corrected. First and last names of the author were interchanged. The correct author name is given below.

Distal radius fluoroscopic skyline view: extension-supination versus flexion-supination.

The aim of our study was to compare the vertical fluoroscopic view of the wrist in extension and supination (ES) to the view in flexion and supination (FS) and determine which of the two views allowed the best visualization of four selected anatomical landmarks SDLR (radial styloid, dorsal radius cortex, Lister's tubercle and distal radioulnar joint). Our case series included 50 patients who had suffered a distal radius fracture and undergone an open reduction and internal fixation procedure with a volar locking plate. For each case, two fluoroscopic views were taken: ES (wrist extension and supination) (group I) and FS (wrist flexion and supination) (group II). Ten observers had to recognize the SDLR anatomical landmarks on 100 fluoroscopic skyline views (time 1) and 15 days later (time 2). The rate of recognition of the four anatomical landmarks was 78% in group I and 66% in group II (p < 0.001). The concordance rate of recognition of the four anatomical landmarks was mediocre (κ = 0.411). In conclusion, the vertical fluoroscopic skyline view in wrist extension and supination seems to be the most adequate view to assess the quality of the fracture reduction, the distal radioulnar joint and the length of the screws in open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures with volar locking plates.

Treatment of tendinous mallet fingers using a Stack splint versus a dorsal glued splint.

The goal of this study was to compare the results of a Stack splint compared to a dorsal glued splint in the treatment of tendinous mallet fingers. Our series included 100 patients, aged 47 years in average, among which 40 are women, with a 9-week follow-up. The first 50 patients (group I) were treated with a dorsal glued splint, and the 50 following patients (group II) were treated with a Stack splint. The average lack of active extension of the distal phalanx was 3.1° in group I and 1.74° in group II. The average pain was rated 0.22/10 in group I and 0.26/10 in group II. There were seven cases of nail dystrophies, 18 cases of macerations and five cases of swan neck deformities in group I. There were six cases of macerations and four cases of swan neck deformities in group II. The dorsal nail-glued splint gives comparable results to the Stack splint with the added advantage of leaving the fingertip free.

Surgical technique: about a new total and isoelastic wrist implant (Prosthelast®).

This study describes a new total wrist implant (Prosthelast®) designed to reduce the risk of distal migration of the carpal component. The Prosthelast® implant consists in a one-block radial implant replacing the metaphysis and the articular surface fixed to a radial elastic centromedullar wire and a carpal component in titanium with an articular condylar surface in polyethylene. We operated on five patients (three male patients and two female patients) and followed them up for 12 months on average. Two of the patients presented with rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist, and an ulnar osteotomy (Darrach procedure) was carried out at the same time of the arthroplasty. All clinical variables improved postoperatively (Quick DASH score, pain score, range of motion) except from wrist flexion which was reduced. No patients underwent revision surgery. Two patients presented with a periprosthetic radiolucent loosening around the radial component, but no implant migration was observed. Overall, the preliminary results of our case series show that the new Prosthelast® implant presents comparable short-term results to those described in the literature. We will follow up the patients to verify that long-term results are as satisfactory as the short-term results.

The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach: a new perspective for distal radius fractures.

The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach can be used for volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. After 15-mm incision on the lateral aspect of the FCR tendon and all structures but the radial artery are reclined ulnarly, a plate is inserted under the pronator quadratus just proximal to the "watershed line." The distal epiphyseal screws are put in place, and the proximal part of the plate is exposed by flexion of the wrist to put in place the proximal screws. No drainage or postoperative immobilization is used. It offers the advantage of preserving ligamentotaxis which facilitates the reduction, and the small size of the scar improves the esthetic result of the procedure. It is indicated for extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. In the case of an intraarticular fracture, an arthroscopy may be associated. In the case of a proximal diaphyseal extension of the fracture, a second proximal approach can be added in order to use a longer plate. Relative contraindications are comminuted articular fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. Functional and radiological results are comparable to those obtained with the extented flexor carpi radialis approach. A conversion of the procedure for a larger incision is always possible in the case of a difficult reduction.

Correction to: The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach: a new perspective for distal radius fractures.

With regards to Juan José Hidalgo Diaz, fifth author. The author's name is incorrectly listed on Pub-Med. The first and last name has been mixed up.Correct first name is: JJ (on PubMed: JJH.).Correct last name is: Hidalgo Diaz (on PubMed: Diaz).On SpringerLink the name is listed correctly, but on PubMed he is listed as Diaz JJH.

Results of the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: trapeziectomy alone versus trapeziectomy associated with suspensionplasty.

BACKGROUNDS: The goal of this study was to compare trapeziectomy alone to trapeziectomy associated with a technique of suspensionplasty using the abductor pollicis longus with a minimum of 6 years of follow-up in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint. METHODS: Our series included 46 trapeziectomies in 35 patients, aged 69 years in average, among which 27 were women. In 27 cases group I, a trapeziectomy alone was performed, and in 19 cases group II, a trapeziectomy associated with an abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty was performed. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the difference between pre- and postoperative Quick DASH was - 36.104 in average in group I and - 38.877 in average in group II p = 0.7717. The difference between pre- and postoperative pain was - 3.926 in average in group I and - 4.368 in average in group II p = 0.35. The difference of pre- and postoperative thumb opposition was 0.630 in group I and 0.421 in group II p = 0.3033. The average difference of pre- and postoperative key pinch was 0.389 in group I and 0.842 in group II p = 0.3303. No complication was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that it is unnecessary to perform a ligamentoplasty when a trapeziectomy is indicated.

Carpal scaphoid non-union treatment: a retrospective trial comparing simple retrograde percutaneous screw fixation versus percutaneous screw fixation plus pulsed electromagnetic fields (Physiostim®).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective comparative study was to assess whether a complementary treatment by pulsed electromagnetic field could increase the bone-healing rate of scaphoid non-union without SNAC (scaphoid non-union advanced collapse) treated by retrograde percutaneous screw fixation. CASE DESCRIPTION: Eighteen patients with scaphoid non-union were included in this retrospective study. The group 1 was made of nine cases (seven stage IIA and two stage IIB) of scaphoid non-union treated by retrograde percutaneous screw fixation and pulsed electromagnetic fields (Physiostim®). The group 2 was made of nine cases (six stage IIA and three stage IIB) treated by simple retrograde percutaneous screw fixation. RESULTS: With a 10-month follow-up in group 1 and a 9.5-month follow-up in group 2, there were three cases of non-union in group 1 and two cases in group 2. Regarding the type of non-union, there was one case among the stage IIB and four cases among the stage IIA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the study did not show any interest in the use of pulsed electromagnetic field for the treatment of carpal scaphoid non-union. They should be dropped. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Treatment of hand enchondroma with injectable calcium phosphate cement: a series of eight cases.

The gold standard treatment for enchondroma in the hand is curettage and filling of the defect. The goal of this study was to evaluate the results when injectable calcium phosphate cement is used to fill the bone defect. Eight patients having a mean age of 44 years were operated through a minimally invasive skin incision. After a small bone window was made, curettage of the lesion was performed and verified by intraosseous endoscopy. The defect was filled with injectable calcium phosphate cement (JectOS/AREX®BONE, Kasios, L'Union France). The mean pain score (out of 10) decreased from 4.1 preoperatively to 1.6 postoperatively. The mean QuickDASH (out of 100) improved from 37.66 to 24.14. At the last follow-up (mean of 16 months), the range of motion in the operated hand had reached 89.3% of the contralateral hand. Based on radiographs, a mean of 69.3% calcium phosphate cement remained in the bone. There were two cases of extraosseous cement leakage, one of which required revision and resulted in a poor outcome. Overall, these results show that curettage of a hand enchondroma followed by filling of the defect with injectable calcium phosphate cement is a simple, reliable technique with no donor site morbidity, as long as cement does not leak out.

Venous coupler use for free-flap breast reconstructions: specific analyses of TMG and DIEP flaps.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report was to present the results of comparisons of anastomotic data and flap complications in the use of venous coupler in breast reconstruction with the transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. METHODS: Over a three-year period, 95 patients suffering from breast cancer were treated with mastectomy and breast reconstruction using free flaps. We performed 121 mechanical venous anastomoses for 105 flap procedures (80 DIEP and 25 TMG). The coupler size, anastomotic duration, number of anastomoses and postoperative complications were assessed for the entire series. RESULTS: The coupling device was perfectly suitable for all end-to-end anastomoses between the vein(s) of the flap and the internal mammary vein(s). No venous thrombosis occurred. The mean anastomotic time did not significantly differ between the DIEP (330 seconds) and TMG flap procedures (352 seconds) (P = 0.069). Additionally, there were no differences in coupling time observed following a comparison of seven coupler sizes (P = 0.066). The mean coupler size used during the TMG flap procedure was smaller than that used with the DIEP (2.4 mm versus 2.8 mm) (P < 0.001). The mean size was also smaller when double venous anastomoses were required compared to single anastomosis (2.4 mm versus 2.9 mm) (P < 0.001). The double branching was more frequent with the TMG flap (28%) than with the DIEP flap (11%). CONCLUSIONS: The coupler size used was smaller for the TMG procedure and when double venous anastomosis was performed. Additionally, anastomotic time was not affected by the flap type or coupler size used or by anastomosis number.

Hyperparathyroidism-related extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist: a general review of the literature.

Extensor tenosynovitis often occurs accompanying with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, trauma, mycobacterium and dialysis-related amyloidosis. However, there is no recognition of extensor tenosynovitis accompanying with hyperparathyroidism. The purpose of this general review was to describe the clinical condition and to report the results of surgical intervention in the extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist related to hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism is thought to be a rare disease in adult. Although renal symptoms are the commonest symptom, musculoskeletal complaints also occur in hyperparathyroidism. From our general review, hyperparathyroidism deserves consideration in the differential diagnosis of extensor tenosynovitis at the wrist.

A comparative study about ionizing radiation emitted during radiological "skyline" view of the wrist in pronation versus supination.

The dorsal tangential view to the distal radius or "skyline," used to control the length of the screws for the ORIF with volar plates, is carried out in supination (fluoroscope vertical) or in pronation (fluoroscope horizontal). The purpose of this study was to compare the dose of ionizing radiation emitted during a "skyline" view in supination versus pronation. A "skyline" was performed on 14 fresh cadaveric wrists. In group 1, the fluoroscope was positioned vertically and the wrist was held in supination. In group 2, the fluoroscope was positioned horizontally and the wrist held in pronation. The average dose of ionizing radiation was 0.9286 cGy/cm(2) (group 1) and 0.8751 cGy/cm(2) (group 2). The difference was not statistically significant. Overall, the emitted dose for the "skyline" is negligible compared to that of a standard wrist radiography with no difference between the vertical and horizontal positioning. Peroperatively, the vertical "skyline" seems easier to setup, less time consuming and less prone to asepsis faults.

Fifth carpometacarpal fracture dislocations fixed with Meta-HUS®: a series of 31 cases.

Fracture dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal are usually treated by percutaneous K-wires despite occasional complications: displacement, stiffness, malunions, and arthritis. Our aims were to evaluate the use of locked K-wire fixation for these fracture dislocations. Our series includes 31 fracture dislocations, five extra-articular and 26 articular, 21 of which were at the base of the metacarpal, four at the hamate, and one involving both the hamate and the metacarpal. Mean tourniquet time was 22 min and irradiation 2 mGy. After reduction, an M4 M5 K-wire and a carpometacarpal wire were connected using an MetaHUS® connector. Immediate immobilization was allowed. Return to normal activity was resumed at 6.5 weeks. At around 15 months follow-up, mean pain score was 8.5, Quick DASH was 6.36, and overall grip strength was 92%, TAM of the fifth ray was 96% of the contralateral side. There were two displacements that were re-operated with good result, three superficial infections, and one case of stiffness. All fractures healed without arthritis. Overall, percutaneous K-wire and splinting of fracture dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal joint is unstable, and internal fixation can cause adhesions and stiffness. Our results show that the percutaneous locked K-wire technique is a good alternative as it associates closed reduction with K-wire fixation and a solid fixation using an external connector. This technique allows immediate mobilization of the hand and removal of hardware in clinic.

Nerve transfer to the deltoid muscle using the nerve to the long head of the triceps with the da Vinci robot: six cases.

BACKGROUND: Nerve transfer to the deltoid muscle using the nerve to the long head of the triceps is a reliable method for restoration of deltoid function. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of nerve transfer to the deltoid muscle using the nerve to the long head of the triceps procedure using a robot. METHODS: Our series included six patients (mean age 36.3 years) with total deltoid muscle paralysis. A da Vinci-S robot was placed in position. After dissection of the quadrilateral and triangular spaces, the anterior branch of the axillary nerve and the branch to the long head of the triceps were transected, and then robotically sutured with two 10-0 nylon stiches. In two cases, an endoscopic procedure was tried under carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation. RESULTS: In all patients except one, deltoid function against resistance (M4) was obtained at the last follow-up evaluation. The average shoulder abduction was 112 degrees. No weakness of elbow extension was observed. In two cases with the endoscopic technique, vision was blurred and conversion to open technique was performed. CONCLUSION: The advantages of robotic microsurgery are motion scaling and disappearance of physiological tremor. Reasons for failure of the endoscopic technique could be explained by insufficient pressure. We had no difficulty using the robot without the sensory feedback. The robot-assisted nerve transfer to deltoid muscle using the nerve to the long head of the triceps was a feasible application for restoration of shoulder abduction after brachial plexus or axillary nerve injury. Therapeutic Study. Level of Evidence IV.

Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 mm. PART 1: a series of 144 cases.

The volar Henry approach is becoming the gold standard for distal radius fracture fixation. It decreases the incidence of nonunion, limits complications especially complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, and allows early mobilization of the wrist. Nonetheless, it has some disadvantages such as the size of the incision, which is not esthetically pleasing, and the loss of ligamentotaxis. This is why some authors have developed a mini-invasive approach. The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of the anterior mini-invasive approach of 15 mm in a clinical series of 144 cases of distal radius fracture. All patients were operated under regional anesthesia using the same techniques by five surgeons of the same team. According to the AO classification, there were 83 type A fractures, 2 type B, and 59 type C. A volar plate (Step One(®), Newclip Technics™, Haute-Goulaine, France) was used in all cases. The 2 proximal metaphyseal screws and the 2 distal central epiphyseal screws were monoaxial locking. The 2 distal ulnar and radial epiphyseal screws were placed in polyaxial locking at 20° angulation maximum. Skin closure without drainage was performed. No postoperative immobilization was prescribed, and patients were encouraged to use their upper limb immediately postoperative. No postoperative physiotherapy was prescribed. The mean follow-up was 4.1 months. The final size of the incision was on average 16.1 mm. Mean pain score was 1.8. The Quick DASH score was average 25. Average range of motion was more than 85 %, and global force of the hand was 67 % compared with contralateral side. On X-ray, the mean radial slope was 22°, the mean radial tilt was 8.3°, and the mean radioulnar variance/index was -0.4 mm. There were nine cases of CRPS type I, which all resolved. Specific complications included two secondary displacements and nine tenosynovitis cases. No tendon rupture was noted. Two intra-articular distal radioulnar joint screws had to be removed at 3 months. One epiphyseal screw required removal 1 month postoperative due to loosening. There were no intra-articular radiocarpal screws. Distal radius fracture fixation using a mini-invasive approach is a reliable and reproducible procedure with few complications. It allows anatomical reduction in the distal radius fractures including intra-articular ones. It can be associated with arthroscopy, scaphoid screw fixation or even percutaneous pinning. Thus, most traumatic lesions of the wrist bony or soft tissue can be treated through this mini-invasive approach.