Evaluation of Antegrade Intramedullary Compression Screw Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures in a Cadaver Model.

PURPOSE: Surgical options for displaced metacarpal shaft fractures include the use of Kirschner wires, plates and screws, and most recently, intramedullary headless compression screws (IMHCS), which have been reported using only retrograde insertion through the metacarpal head. We evaluated IMHCS fixation of metacarpal shaft fractures through an antegrade approach in a cadaver model. METHODS: We performed antegrade placement of IMHCS in 10 cadaver hands including all 5 digits (total of 50). Displaced transverse proximal metacarpal shaft fractures were created and reduced with a retrograde guidewire from the metacarpal head across the shaft fracture and exiting the metacarpal base. This was retrieved through a 6-mm dorsal wrist incision and overdrilled before the placement of a 4.1-mm-diameter IMHCS in the ring finger and a 4.7-mm screw in all other metacarpals. After IMHCS placement, carpometacarpal (CMC) joint violation was measured along with the optimal starting point for the guidewire on the metacarpal head relative to the dorsal cortex. RESULTS: In all 50 metacarpals, we achieved successful fracture reduction and fixation without violating the extensor mechanism at the wrist. Our retrograde guidewire entry point through the metacarpal head ranged from 4.2 to 4.7 mm volar to the dorsal cortex. The actual area of CMC joint violated by IMHCS placement was largest in the index CMC joint (4.9%), followed by the middle (3.7%), little (2.9%), ring (0.5%), and thumb joints (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of IMHCS through an antegrade approach from the CMC joint can be performed effectively for all transverse metacarpal fractures, including the thumb, using a limited incision. There is minimal violation of the articular surfaces of the trapezium, capitate, and hamate for the thumb, middle, ring, and little metacarpals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Antegrade IMHCS fixation successfully avoids the potential morbidity of creating a metacarpal head articular surface or extensor mechanism defect at the metacarpophalangeal joint seen with the retrograde approaches.

An Anatomical Study of Metacarpal Morphology Utilizing CT Scans: Evaluating Parameters for Antegrade Intramedullary Compression Screw Fixation of Metacarpal Fractures.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated metacarpal morphology for antegrade placement of intramedullary headless compression screws (IMHCS) for metacarpal fracture fixation. METHODS: We analyzed 100 hand computed tomography scans to quantify cortical thickness, intramedullary diameter, and metacarpal lengths. In addition, dorsal or ulnar overhang of the metacarpals over their respective carpal bones was measured. We also predicted optimal entry points for guidewire placement at the metacarpal head. RESULTS: The ring finger metacarpal had the narrowest medullary canal width (coronal, 2.8 mm; sagittal, 3.5 mm). Not counting the thumb, the little finger metacarpal had the widest midshaft medullary width of 4.1 mm in the coronal plane and the middle metacarpal was widest in the sagittal plane with canal width of 3.9 mm. On average, there was maximal dorsal overhang at the base of the middle metacarpal (4.2 mm) and maximal ulnar overhang at the base of the small metacarpal (3.9 mm). The optimal entry point for guidewire placement over each metacarpal head was approximately 3.5 to 3.8 mm volar to the dorsal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Minimum IMHCS diameters of 3.5 mm for the ring and 4.0 mm for the index, middle and little fingers are necessary to achieve interference fit within the medullary canal. Minimum screw lengths of 38 mm would be needed to ensure 6 mm fixation past the midshaft of the metacarpals. Antegrade IMHCS for fixation of proximal metacarpal fractures may be most feasible with thumb, middle, and little finger metacarpals because there was larger dorsal or ulnar overhang to allow screw placement without violating the carpometacarpal joints. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our analysis provides a reference guide for intramedullary screw sizes for each metacarpal of the hand to achieve interference fit with fracture fixation. Furthermore, the dorsal and ulnar overhangs of the metacarpal bases suggest the practicality of antegrade IMHCS fixation.

Efficacy of Hybrid Plasma Scalpel in Reducing Blood Loss and Transfusions in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic blood transfusions have inherent risk and direct cost in total hip arthroplasty. Anterior total hip arthroplasty has grown in popularity with increased utilization. This approach may offer an enhanced recovery but has been associated with increased blood loss. Several technologies have been developed including the Canady Hybrid Plasma Scalpel (CHPS) and Aquamantys Bipolar Sealer (BS) to decrease blood loss. METHODS: Two hundred forty-four consecutive patients undergoing anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty were separated by intraoperative cautery device (CHPS vs BS). Exclusion criteria included blood dyscrasias and contraindication to tranexamic acid. Demographic data, blood loss, transfusion requirements, and Harris Hip Scores were obtained. Differences between groups were evaluated using the Student t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical variables. RESULTS: There were no differences in demographic data between the groups. Patients in the CHPS group had a significantly smaller decrease in postoperative hemoglobin (-2.3 mg/dL vs -2.7 mg/dL, P < .05), estimated blood loss (240.3 mL vs 384.4 mL, P < .001), and calculated actual blood loss (1.11 L vs 2.47 L, P < .001). There were 12 transfusions in the BS group and none in CHPS group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The use of the hybrid plasma scalpel resulted in significantly less blood loss and transfusions than the BS. Additionally, patients treated with the hybrid plasma scalpel had significantly shorter operative times and reduced hospital length of stay. The hybrid scalpel shows promise in reducing blood loss in anterior total hip arthroplasty and is a valuable tool in the multimodal approach to avoiding transfusions.

Forearm Nonunions-From Masquelet to Free Vascularized Bone Grafting.

Forearm fractures present a unique challenge due to the anatomic relationship of the radius relative to the ulna. Associated with the complexity of the treatment for these fractures is the management of nonunion and malunion of the radius and ulna. Evaluation and management of forearm nonunions require a critical evaluation of contributing factors prior to surgical intervention. Timely and precise treatment of nonunion and malunion is necessary to restore function of the forearm.

Biomechanics of Proximal Hamate Autograft in Scaphoid Nonunion.

Purpose Treatment of proximal scaphoid fractures remains a challenge with a risk of nonunions and avascular necrosis due to its retrograde blood supply. The ipsilateral proximal hamate has been described as a viable autograft option for osteochondral reconstruction of the proximal scaphoid. Our study evaluated the changes in the contact area and pressure of the radioscaphoid joint after proximal hamate autograft reconstruction. Methods Thin sensors (Tekscan Inc., Boston, MA) were placed in the radiocarpal joints of six fresh-frozen cadaveric forearms. Each specimen's tendons were loaded to 150 N in neutral, 45-degree flexion/extension positions through five cycles. Through a dorsal wrist approach, the proximal 10 mm of the scaphoid and hamate was excised. The proximal hamate autograft was affixed to the scaphoid with K-wires. Peak contact pressures and areas at the scaphoid facet were determined and averaged across loading cycles. Results At the radioscaphoid facet, peak contact pressures were equivalent, although an increasing trend in the neutral and extended wrist position was seen. At the radiolunate facet, contact pressure had an increasing trend in the hamate reconstructed wrists in all wrist positions. Contact areas had a decreasing trend and were nonequivalent at the radioscaphoid facet in the hamate reconstructed wrist. Conclusion After hamate autograft, the contact areas were not equivalent between the native and reconstructed wrists but contact pressures were equivalent in the facets. The proximal hamate has a more pointed morphology compared with the proximal scaphoid, which would explain the change in contact area in the hamate autografted wrist. Our study suggests hamate autograft may present a viable reconstruction for the proximal pole of the scaphoid without significantly altering peak contact pressures at the radioscaphoid facet.

Prospective spine at risk program for prevalence of intracanal spine lesions in pediatric hereditary multiple osteochondromas.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO) and utility of MRI surveillance in a prospective Spine at Risk (SAR) program. Unidentified intraspinal exostoses in HMO can lead to neurologic injury in children during sedated procedures but no MRI guidelines exist. We sought to determine the prevalence and age of intraspinal exostoses from MRIs, and indications for MRI surveillance. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of pediatric HMO patients who underwent total spine MRIs at a single institution after a prospective SAR program was instituted. Charts were reviewed for MRI indication and findings, symptoms, surgery, and location of other exostoses. Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables and T test to compare continuous variables. Predictive value of pelvic/rib exostoses was calculated for intraspinal lesions. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with HMO underwent total spine MRIs with average age of 11.5 years. Fifteen (35%) patients had exostoses on vertebral column, eight (19%) had intra-canal spinal exostoses. Higher prevalence of spine lesions occurred in symptomatic patients than asymptomatic (any spinal lesion: 73% prevalence in symptomatic vs 22% in asymptomatic, p < 0.005; intra-canal spinal lesion: 46% vs 9%, p < 0.05). Only two of the 11 'symptomatic presentations' could be attributable to intracanal spinal exostoses. Only one intra-canal exostosis found on asymptomatic surveillance was treated surgically. Presence of pelvic or rib exostoses were not strongly predictive of intra-canal lesions (23% PPV, 85% NPV, 63% sensitivity, 51% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: Even with the presence of intra-canal exostoses, true symptomatic lesions are rare. Rib and pelvic lesions were not predictive of intra-canal lesions in our population. We recommend obtaining MRIs at time of preoperative evaluation in asymptomatic children old enough to not need sedation, or in patients with true neurologic symptoms to prevent unnecessary sedation of younger children for surveillance MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.