Complication Rates in Patients With Classic and Radiographic Variants of Seymour Fractures.

BACKGROUND: At a tertiary-care, level 1 pediatric trauma center, we have observed fractures of the distal phalanx involving the physis, with associated nail bed injuries, that are distinct from the classic description of the Seymour fracture. We investigated the time to definitive management and the associated morbidity of these Seymour fracture variants compared with classically described Seymour fractures. We hypothesize that these Seymour variants are similarly problematic in terms of complications and delays to the definitive treatment and thus warrant increased awareness. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with distal phalanx fractures involving the physis and associated nail bed injuries that were treated with operative intervention at a single pediatric specialty institution over a 9-year period. Radiographs and clinical photographs were reviewed to determine if the patient presented with a classic Seymour fracture or variant. Primary outcomes included time from injury to definitive treatment and complication rate. RESULTS: Of the 66 Seymour fractures identified in the chart review, 36 (55%) were identified as classic Seymour fractures and 30 (45%) were identified as variants. The mean time to operative intervention in the classic and variant groups was 7.3 versus 12.7 days (P=0.216). The complication rates in the classic and variant groups were 11.1% versus 23.3% (P=0.185), with infections accounting for nearly all complications identified. Overall infection rates for the classic and variant cohorts were 8.3% and 20.0% (P=0.169), respectively, with the majority presenting preoperatively (5.6% vs. 13.3%, P=0.274). CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with classic Seymour fractures or radiographic variants had statistically similar incidence rates, complication rates, and delays in treatment, with a trend towards higher complication rates and delayed time to treatment in patients with variant-type injuries. We propose a minor expansion of the definition of Seymour fractures to include common variants to increase awareness of these problematic injuries, minimize delays in treatment, and decrease complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; Retrospective Comparative Study.

Pediatric Hand and Wrist Fractures in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: An Analysis of Incidence, Patient-specific Risk Factors, and Fracture-specific Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) frequently present with fractures; however, hand and wrist fractures (HWFs), those distal to the radial and ulnar diaphysis, are seldom observed. Yet, HWFs remain among the most common fractures in children with non-OI. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of OI HWFs. Secondary objectives aimed at identifying patient-specific risk factors for HWFs in OI and comparing clinical courses to non-OI HWFs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Database query by ICD-10 codes identified 18 patients with OI HWF, 451 patients with OI without HWFs, and 26,183 patients with non-OI HWF. Power analysis estimated appropriate sample sizes and random sampling was utilized to collect patients. Patient demographics, OI-specific variables, fracture morphology, and fracture clinical courses were recorded. Data were analyzed for patient-specific and fracture-specific factors affecting OI HWF incidence. RESULTS: Of patients with OI, 3.8% (18/469) sustained HWFs. Patients with OI HWF were significantly older than patients with OI without HWFs ( P = 0.002) with no differences in height, weight, ethnicity, sex, or ambulatory status. Compared with non-OI HWFs, patients with OI HWF were significantly shorter ( P < 0.001), weighed less ( P = 0.002), and were less likely to be ambulatory ( P < 0.001). OI HWFs were more commonly on the side of hand dominance ( P < 0.001) with transverse patterns ( P = 0.001). OI HWFs were less frequent in the thumb ( P = 0.048) and trended towards significance in the metacarpals ( P = 0.054). All OI HWFs were treated nonoperatively with similar union rates and refracture rates to non-OI HWFs. Multivariate regression showed that older patient age (odds ratio: 1.079, 95% CI: 1.005,1.159, P = 0.037) and OI type I (odds ratio: 5.535, 95% CI: 1.069, 26.795, P = 0.041) were significant prognosticators for HWFs in patients with OI. CONCLUSION: OI HWFs are uncommon (3.8%, 18/469) but specific HWF morphologies and locations are more common in patients with OI; however, these are not pathognomonic. Older patients with mild penetrance of type I OI are at the highest risk for HWFs. OI HWFs do well when managed nonoperatively with noninferior clinical courses compared with non-OI HWFs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Operative Pediatric Hand Infections: A Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Infections in the pediatric population are a less well studied topic in hand surgery. Crucial aspects of the management of pediatric hand infections differ from adults, though much of current treatment is generalized from adult care. This study evaluates our clinical experience with regards to the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of pediatric hand infections requiring operative intervention. METHODS: A 7-year retrospective chart review was performed of all pediatric patients who required operative intervention for hand infections at Texas Children's Hospital. Clinical information was collected and analyzed, including demographics, infection characteristics, management, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria for our study over the 7-year period. Of these, 7% (n=4) had a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and 5% (n=3) had a recent history of upper extremity infections. The most common infection was a discrete abscess, whereas urgent/emergent conditions represented 25% (n=14) of infections. Radiographic changes consistent with osteomyelitis were present in over one-quarter of patients (n=13, 23%). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (95% confidence interval: 3.05-5.05) and the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (n=33, 58%), with slightly more being methicillin sensitive (MSSA) than resistant (MRSA) (n=19, 33% vs. n=14, 25%). The incidence of reoperation was 12.5% (n=7). CONCLUSIONS: Hand infections are a common problem in the pediatric population. Cases tend to be associated with accidental trauma and discrete abscesses colonized by MSSA/MRSA. The vast majority of cases require only one operation and a short course of wound care before discharge. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic study.

Hand Infections.

Infections are common in hand surgery and proper management is important to achieve optimal outcomes. Although most cases are not urgent, less common, severe infections such as flexor tenosynovitis and necrotizing fasciitis require urgent identification with both medical and surgical management. It is common for diagnoses to be missed or delayed because clinical and laboratory indicators are often variably present. Delayed identification and management can result in poor outcomes with permanent deficits. This article will provide a review of hand infections with a focus on identifying serious hand infections requiring urgent or emergent treatment, and distinguishing these from less urgent scenarios.

Modified Friedman technique: a new proposed method of measuring glenoid version in the setting of glenohumeral dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid version angles are measured to objectively follow changes related to glenohumeral dysplasia in the setting of brachial plexus birth palsy. Measuring glenoid version on cross-sectional imaging was initially described by Friedman et al. in 1992. Recent literature for non-dysplastic shoulders advocates time-consuming reconstructions and reformations for an accurate assessment of glenoid version. OBJECTIVE: To compare Friedman's original method for measuring glenoid version to a novel technique we developed ("modified Friedman") with the reference standard of true axial reformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With institutional review board approval, we retrospectively examined 30 normal and dysplastic shoulders obtained from magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 30 patients with an established diagnosis of brachial plexus birth palsy between January 2012 and September 2017. Four pediatric radiologists performed glenoid version measurements using Friedman's method, the modified Friedman method and a previously described true axial reformation method. The modified Friedman technique better accounts for scapular positioning by selecting a reference point related to the acromion-scapular body interface. Inter-rater reliability and inter-method agreement were assessed using intraclass correlation, paired t-tests and mixed linear model analysis. Equivalence tests between methods were performed per reader. RESULTS: Glenoid version measurements were significantly different when comparing Friedman's method to true axial reformations in normal (-10.8±5.7° [mean±standard deviation] vs. -8.8±5.3°; P≤0.001) and dysplastic shoulders (-34.6±17.7° vs. -28.1±17.5°; P≤0.001). Glenoid version measurements were not significantly different when comparing the modified Friedman's method to true axial reformations in normal (-6.3±5.8° vs. -8.8±5.3°; P=0.06) and dysplastic shoulders (-29.0±18.3° vs. -28.1±17.5°; P=0.06). Friedman's method was not equivalent to true axial reformations for measurements in dysplastic shoulders for all readers (P=0.68, 0.81, 0.86, 0.99); the modified Friedman method was equivalent to of true axial reformations for measurements in dysplastic shoulders for 3 of 4 readers (P≤0.001, P≤0.001, P≤0.001, P=0.10). CONCLUSION: In glenohumeral dysplasia, the modified Friedman method and post-processed true axial reformations provide statistically similar and reproducible values. We propose that our modified Friedman technique can be performed in lieu of post-processed true axial reformations to generate glenoid version measurements.

"On-Top Plasty" for Radial Polydactyly Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To introduce the "on-top plasty" technique and report our long-term outcomes. METHODS: We evaluated 5 thumbs in 5 patients who underwent radial polydactyly reconstruction using the "on-top plasty" technique between 1998 and 2003. This technique was used when it was felt that neither thumb possessed adequate proximal and distal structures to provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing thumb. Our study group included 1 Flatt type III and 4 Flatt type VII thumbs. The average age at time of surgery was 1.4 years and at final follow-up was 13.5 years. Subjective patient evaluation, objective outcomes values, and validated patient-oriented outcome measures were obtained. RESULTS: There was no soft tissue loss and union was achieved in all thumbs with no further surgery required in any thumb. Mean flexion-extension arc for the metacarpophalangeal joint was 60° (range, 10° extension to 70° flexion) and at the interphalangeal joint was 19° (range, 25° extension to 35° flexion). Mean percentage of age-matched norms for lateral, tripod, and tip pinch were 47.0%, 45.9%, and 47.8%, respectively. Mean grip strength was 54.2% of age-matched norm. The mean Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) score for parent questionnaires was 89.0 and for teen/child questionnaires was 89.1. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire revealed a mean score of 4.3. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with radial polydactyly in which neither thumb possesses adequate distal and proximal components, the on-top plasty is a reliable method of polydactyly reconstruction with durable results at longer than 10 years' follow-up. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic V.

The Effect of Joining the ASSH Hand Trauma Center Network on the Volume and Severity of Pediatric Hand Trauma Transfers.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate how the volume and severity of pediatric hand trauma is affected after enrollment into the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Trauma Center Network. Methods: We performed a retrospective review using the patient database from our affiliated level-I pediatric trauma center. With this patient database, we compiled all emergent hand trauma transfers from February 2018 to January 2022. We compared the monthly volume, Injury Severity Score, and quarterly payor status between hand trauma transfer patients before and after enrollment into the Hand Trauma Center Network in February 2019. Results: The average number of monthly transfers increased after joining the Hand Trauma Center Network compared with the years after February 2019. Additionally, the percentage of patients using commercial insurance increased after joining the Hand Trauma Center Network when compared with that before February 2019. Lastly, the percentage of patients using Medicaid decreased after February 2019. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we believe that new institutions and providers can expect anywhere from a 10% to a 60% increase in hand trauma burden without a significant change in the severity of the trauma cases after joining the network. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.

Radial styloid fractures.

Radial styloid fractures can occur in isolation or in association with other injuries, including complex intra-articular distal radius fractures, carpal fractures, carpal dislocations, and radiocarpal dislocations. The anatomy surrounding the radial styloid is complex, and complications related to surgical approach, treatments, and symptomatic hardware can occur. Operative treatments vary according to the injury pattern present, and pattern recognition is the key to optimizing treatment of these injuries. Outcomes are related to the precision of the reconstruction as well as the magnitude of the injury; better results are associated with lower-energy patterns.

Essex-Lopresti Lesions and Longitudinal Radioulnar Instability: A Narrative Review.

¼: An Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) is classically described as a radial head fracture with a concomitant interosseous ligament complex (IOC) injury. However, multiple injury patterns may be present, and an interosseous membrane (IOM) injury should be evaluated for in any axial load injury through the forearm. ELI may result in longitudinal radioulnar instability (LRUI). ¼: Diagnosis of an IOC injury can be difficult. Evaluation begins with standard wrist and elbow radiographs and is supplemented with radiographs and intraoperative maneuvers to assess for proximal radial migration. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography may be useful in the acute setting, although indications and the clinical importance of the findings remain unclear. ¼: Surgical management of an acute ELI is focused on restoration of radial length and temporary distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stabilization. Radial head excision in the acute setting should be approached with caution because proximal migration may not be present acutely but may develop over time. The indication for acute IOM repair and reconstruction remains unclear. ¼: Surgical management of a chronic ELI is focused on restoration of radial length, wrist leveling, and treatment of degenerative changes (either at the radiocapitellar joint or the DRUJ). Reconstruction of the central band can restore forearm load transfer and produce favorable functional outcomes, but its indications continue to be debated.

The Epidemiology of Operative Pediatric Hand Trauma: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: Hand injuries are common in the pediatric population with a wide spectrum of morbidity that can occur. Simple injuries are distinguished from complex injuries by the number of fingers/systems that are involved. The epidemiology of simple and complex operative hand trauma in the pediatric population has not yet been defined. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all pediatric patients requiring operative intervention for hand trauma at a major children's hospital over a 3-year period (2015-2017). Data pertaining to demographics, mechanism, severity, type of surgery, and other factors related to hand trauma were then analyzed and interpreted. Results: Three hundred seventy-one pediatric hand injuries over a 3-year period required surgical intervention, with 19.2% being classified as complex. The average patient age was 11.0 years. A total of 68.7% of patients were men. Bony injuries made up 86.3% of simple injuries, with the proximal phalanx being the most commonly fractured bone. Complex injuries occurred more frequently in men and required a greater number of surgeries (1.6 vs 1.0). Of the complex injuries, only major injuries (severity score >100) required a significantly greater number of surgeries. Major hand injuries were mostly caused by motorized vehicles and required a significantly greater number of surgeries (3.8), compared with other causes of injuries. Conclusions: Operative hand injuries occur along a spectrum of morbidity in the pediatric population. While most of the injuries are simple and require only 1 procedure, more complex injuries can also occur and deserve a higher level of care and attention.

Neuromuscular Choristoma Variant in the Forearm Presenting as a Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy: A Case Report.

CASE: A 14-year-old boy presented with an 18-month history of progressive left wrist drop. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were concerning for mass infiltration of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN). Surgical resection and pathology confirmed a variant of neuromuscular choristoma (NMC), infiltrated with and surrounded by proliferation of smooth muscle, rather than skeletal muscle. Given the wide-spanning nerve involvement, the patient underwent tendon transfers at the time of surgical resection. CONCLUSION: We report here the first case report of a NMC in the PIN and the first pathologically confirmed case with exclusive smooth muscle involvement without a skeletal muscle component.