The antibiotic bead pouch - a useful technique for temporary soft tissue coverage, infection prevention and therapy in trauma surgery.

Soft tissue defects resulting from trauma and musculoskeletal infections can complicate surgical treatment. Appropriate temporary coverage of these defects is essential to achieve the best outcomes for necessary plastic soft tissue defect reconstruction. The antibiotic bead pouch technique is a reasonable surgical approach for managing temporary soft tissue defects following adequate surgical debridement. This technique involves the use of small diameter antibiotic-loaded bone cement beads to fill the dead space created by debridement. By applying antibiotics to the bone cement and covering the beads with an artificial skin graft, high local dosages of antibiotics can be achieved, resulting in the creation of a sterile wound that offers the best starting position for soft tissue and bone defect reconstruction. This narrative review describes the rationale for using this technique, including its advantages and disadvantages, as well as pearls and pitfalls associated with its use in daily practice. In addition, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the literature that has been published since the technique was introduced in surgical practice.

An Alternative Treatment Option for Blauth III B Thumb Hypoplasia-Thumb Stabilization with Iliac Crest Bone Graft and Intermetacarpal Arthrodesis.

Thumb hypoplasia modified Blauth III B is usually treated by pollicization or, less commonly, by toe transfer. Both procedures always result in the resection of a body part, but with good cosmesis and acceptable function. We describe an intermetacarpal I/II arthrodesis with autologous bone graft augmentation to lengthen and stabilize the loose thumb. Clinical data were collected from nine patients, median age at surgery 3 years 8 months, with more than 7 years of follow-up. The results showed a grip strength on the Jamar dynamometer of approximately 61% of the unoperated hand. The Quick-DASH score was 11. The reconstructed thumb was 0.8 cm thinner and 1.9 cm shorter. Overall satisfaction on the VAS, with an average of 1.5 out of 10, is excellent with a partially usable thumb on a hand with five rays. The described procedure is a reliable treatment option with satisfactory results. In addition, none of the patients lost pincer grip between the second and third digit, but their thumb gained new function. Especially in environments where physical integrity has a high value, thumb construction instead of replacement could be considered.

Missed Essex-Lopresti Injury-Development of a Combined Proximal and Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint Prosthesis as a Treatment Option and Proof of Concept.

Essex-Lopresti injuries are characterized by injuries to the proximal radio-ulnar joint, the distal radio-ulnar joint, and the interosseous membrane. This can lead to osteoarthritis, impaction syndrome, or instability. If all three structures are injured and lead to instability, the situation is almost unmanageable and many times ends in a one-bone forearm. In this article, we demonstrate a new way to reconstruct the proximal and distal radio-ulnar joint with two patient-specific coupled prostheses. These have been developed with the biomechanical conditions of the forearm in mind, where there are very large forces between the bones. As a result, we are able to present a patient previously severely restricted in the use of his hand and arm via a splint that compressed the forearm, who is now able to perform everyday activities and even light sports, such as badminton, without pain.

Scapholunate ligament reconstruction using a part of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon through a dorsal approach.

Thirty-six patients were assessed after scapholunate ligament reconstruction using a portion of the extensor carpi radialis brevis through a dorsal approach. The median age was 53 years. Most (27/38) were graded as scapholunate advanced collapse Grade I. At a median of 47 months after treatment, hand function using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire was 12. The postoperative range of wrist flexion and extension movement was 77% and grip strength 92% compared with the uninjured side. The median patient satisfaction was rated as 9/10. Median pain scores without and with load, using the numeric pain scale (0-10), were 1 and 3, respectively. This reconstruction leads to initial normalization of radiological features, such as scapholunate interval, scapholunate and radiolunate angles, but a notable loss of the immediate postoperative reduction was observed in long-term follow-up, which was not accompanied by any deterioration in the clinical examination. This technique, even in scapholunate advanced collapse type I wrists, resulted in long-term, improved outcomes compared with other techniques.Level of evidence: IV.

[Surgical needles in orthopedics and trauma surgery]. / Chirurgische Nadeln in Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie.

For surgeons in the clinic and practice, the handling of suture material is the "daily bread". Therefore, one might assume that knowledge of this material is competent and comprehensive. However, daily experience shows a different picture. Often, the knowledge regarding needle shape, needle composition as well as needle size is only marginal and the surgeon has to rely on the knowledge of his OR nurse.The choice of needle is critical for each surgical step and each tissue; however, the use of the correct suture material in relation to the tissue to be sutured is essential, not only with respect to the quality of the suture but also with respect to the traumatization of the tissue. Depending on the tissue, different requirements must be placed on or taken into account for both the needle and the sutures. The purpose of this article is to provide the most essential and basic knowledge, such as the influence of needle shape and dimensions, effect of atraumatic or traumatic (so called sharp) needles on the tissue and shape of the needle tip. The interaction between the needle holder and the needle and the surgeon's hand in different applications is presented. In this present article, the main focus is on the needle and needle holder. A follow-up article specifically dedicated to sutures is being planned. The article does not claim to be 100% complete but the most essential, everyday questions should be clarified.

[Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis]. / Infektionen der Beugesehnenscheide.

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT) is still the most serious infections of the hand. If the typical cardinal signs of PFT according to Kanavel exist, the indication for surgery should be made immediately. The consequential damage of a delayed surgery with enormous restrictions on the movement of the fingers due to the destruction of the sliding layers and massive adhesions are so serious that conservative therapy attempts are very difficult to justify. The results of Hand therapy after delayed surgery are often disappointing. The rapid surgical intervention and the early opening and relief as well as the irrigation of the tendon sheath can end the disease, the destruction of the sliding layers and the severe pain almost immediately. Quick recognition and quick action are important. With early intervention, normal hand function can often be completely restored.

[Resection arthoplasty of the trapezium with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition and variations]. / Resektionsarthroplastik des Daumensattelgelenks mit ihren Varianten.

OBJECTIVE: Creation of a pain-free, flexible and stable (pseudo) joint between the carpus and the base of the 1st metacarpal bone. INDICATIONS: Painful carpometacarpal (CMC)­I joint due to primary or secondary osteoarthritis, CMC­I instability. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Carpal instability, local infection, tumors. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Resection of the trapezium (and of the arthritic joint surfaces in CMC­I and STT [scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid-joint]), stabilization of the base of the 1st metacarpal bone by suspension with a distally pedicled strip of the flexor carpi radialis tendon or variants thereof. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immobilization in a splint for 3-5 weeks, followed by hand therapy. RESULTS: Worldwide for almost 40 years, regardless of the exact technique, almost always (90%) significant pain reduction, increased strength in the grip and slightly less in the pinch grip, very good mobility, 85-95% very satisfied patients and very good long-term results.

[Secondary reconstruction of flexor tendons]. / Sekundäre Wiederherstellung von Beugesehnen.

The secondary reconstruction of flexor tendons is in most cases very demanding and tedious. The indications, selection of the correct surgical procedure, operative technique and further treatment have to be individually adjusted and are mostly very difficult. Due to the previous operations unpleasant surprises may occur intraoperatively, which must be recognized and treated by the surgeon. Nevertheless, a significant improvement of the function of the whole hand can be achieved for most patients, e.g. by a two-stage flexor tendon transplantation or other techniques described in this article.