Endoscopic release of the median nerve in the proximal third of the forearm. A new approach. / Liberación endoscópica del nervio mediano en el tercio proximal del antebrazo. Nuevo abordaje.

INTRODUCTION: Pronator syndrome has classically required open surgery that leaves a large scar; initial endoscopic techniques required approaches of an average 4cm without achieving release of all structures. The purpose of this study was to describe a new endoscopic approach that allows the median nerve to be safely and completely decompressed, leaving a smaller and less visible scar. METHODS: Description of a new approach for decompression of the median nerve in the proximal third of the forearm with minimal incision and endoscopic technique in cryopreserved cadaveric specimens, describing incision, endoscopic anatomy, safe corridors and decompression sites. RESULTS: In 20 elbows of cadavers, an endoscopic approach of the median nerve in the proximal forearm with a 4mm endoscope and 0° of angulation was performed. The advantages and limitations of the technique and surgical details are presented for release in the most common compression points of the nerve in the forearm. We performed this technique in 3 patients with good results without complications. DISCUSSION: Release of the median nerve and section of potential aponeurotic compression structures by endoscopy is possible. The ulnar head of the pronator and the aponeurotic arch of the flexor digitorum superficialis are frequently implicated in the syndrome. The scar is aesthetically good. It is a relatively new technique, with lower morbidity that allows faster recovery of patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to perform a complete decompression of the median nerve in the forearm using an endoscopic approach, safely with lower comorbidity for the patient.

Radial longitudinal deficiency. Analysis of clinical and radiological results. / Deficiencia radial longitudinal. Análisis de resultados clínicos y radiológicos.

INTRODUCTION: radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD) includes bone, musculotendinous and neurovascular abnormalities of multifactorial aetiology of the radial side of the upper extremity. Treatment includes improving the length of the limb, the appearance and functioning of the hand. The aim of this study was to present our experience in a series of patients attended over the past 15 years and to describe the clinical and radiological results. METHODOLOGY: a retrospective study of patients with RLD between 2000 and 2016. Variables were analyzed and age associations were identified at the time of surgery, sex, laterality, type of deformity according to the modified Bayne-Klug classification, surgical technique, physis damage, associated diseases, functional and radiological results. RESULTS: 47 cases of 65 met the inclusion criteria. The average age of surgery was 19 months, 61% female. According to classification 60% were type IV, type III 19%, type 0 in 17% and type I in 4%. The intervention was centralization 72.3%, radialization 8.5% and one case of lengthening. Ulna osteotomy was performed in 55.3%. There was damage to the physis in 31%. The postoperative radiological position was neutral in 48.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with centralization at 1year, good clinical and radiological correction were observed, however this was lost over time. The management of soft tissues prior to centralization is believed to give better results. The use of intramedullary nail from the ulna to the carpus could be associated with damage to the distal ulna.

Transferencia de la cabeza larga del tríceps para la flexión del codo en secuela de lesiones del plexo braquial / Transfer of the long head of triceps for elbow flexion in braquial plexus sequelae

Resumen: La anatomía neurovascular independiente de la cabeza larga del tríceps braquial y su idoneidad como un colgajo muscular libre han sido ampliamente estudiadas. En cambio, la trasposición de esta porción del tríceps para mejorar la flexión de codo ha sido descrita pocas veces. Se describen en este artículo dos casos de secuela de lesión del plexo braquial, en los que se realizó trasposición únicamente de la cabeza larga del tríceps. Se logró mejorar la flexión del codo y se conservó la extensión del mismo.

Abstract: The independent neurovascular anatomy of the long head of the triceps brachii and its suitability as a free muscle transfer have been extensively studied. Instead muscle transposition of the long head of the triceps brachii to enhance elbow flexion has been rarely described. We describe in this paper two cases of injury of brachial plexus sequel in which transposition was performed only on the long head of the triceps. The elbow flexion was improved, the extension was preserved.

Evaluación radiológica de muñeca para visualizar la superficie articular del radio / Wrist X ray for analysis of the articular surface of distal radius

Resumen: En la fractura del radio distal se requieren proyecciones radiológicas que permitan ver adecuadamente la superficie articular sin interposición de estructuras. El objetivo fue determinar si las proyecciones radiológicas laterales a 7 y 22o mejoran el análisis de esta superficie. Método: Serie de casos con radiografías de pacientes sanos y operados para identificar las facetas del semilunar y escafoides en las proyecciones lateral y anteroposterior, igualmente se evaluó con tornillos. Se analizaron cualitativamente los hallazgos obtenidos en las radiografías de 7 y 22o para la proyección lateral y de 11o en la anteroposterior. Resultados: 14 radiografías de voluntarios sanos, 10 pacientes con fractura de radio que recibieron osteosíntesis y dos piezas anatómicas. En los 14 sanos y los 10 pacientes se encontró que en las proyecciones a 7 y 22o pueden apreciarse mejor las carillas radio-semilunar y radio-escafoides respectivamente, observando imágenes con menor superposición de estructuras en la radiografía de 22o tanto en los sanos como en los pacientes con fracturas. Discusión: Las proyecciones radiológicas son importantes para poder determinar los resultados inmediatos de una osteosíntesis realizada en una fractura de radio distal. En este estudio se observa que la proyección lateral a 7o identifica mejor la posición de los tornillos ubicados en la carilla semilunar del radio. La proyección lateral a 22o muestra mejor la carilla con el escafoides. Por último en la proyección anteroposterior a 11o nos permite ver la articulación radiocarpiana con menor superposición de imágenes.

Abstract: In the distal radius fracture requires radiographic views that allow you to see the articular surface without interposition. The objective was to determine whether lateral radiographic projections 7 and 22o improve the analysis of this surface. Method: Case series study with radiographs of healthy and operated patients, in order to identify the lunate and scaphoid facets in lateral and anteroposterior projections. Qualitative analysis was made on the radiographs of the distal radius with wedges of 7 and 22o in the lateral views and 11o in the anteroposterior view. Results: There were evaluated 14 radiographs of the distal radius of healthy volunteers and 10 patients with distal radius fractures who recieved surgery with internal fixation, and also two anatomical models. In 14 healthy and 10 patients, it was found that the views at 7 and 22o can be better appreciated radio lunate and radio scaphoid surface respectively, observing images with less overlapping in the radiograph of 22o in both groups. Discussion: Radiographic views are important to determine the immediate results of fixation on a distal radius fracture. We observe that the lateral view at 7o is better to show the screws on the lunate facet of the radius. The lateral view at 22o is better to show the facet of the radius with the scaphoid. Finally, the anteroposterior projection at 11o allows us to see the radio carpal joint with lower image overlay.

[Wrist X ray for analysis of the articular surface of distal radius]. / Evaluación radiológica de muñeca para visualizar la superficie articular del radio.

In the distal radius fracture requires radiographic views that allow you to see the articular surface without interposition. The objective was to determine whether lateral radiographic projections 7 and 22° improve the analysis of this surface. METHOD: Case series study with radiographs of healthy and operated patients, in order to identify the lunate and scaphoid facets in lateral and anteroposterior projections. Qualitative analysis was made on the radiographs of the distal radius with wedges of 7 and 22° in the lateral views and 11° in the anteroposterior view. RESULTS: There were evaluated 14 radiographs of the distal radius of healthy volunteers and 10 patients with distal radius fractures who recieved surgery with internal fixation, and also two anatomical models. In 14 healthy and 10 patients, it was found that the views at 7 and 22° can be better appreciated radio lunate and radio scaphoid surface respectively, observing images with less overlapping in the radiograph of 22° in both groups. DISCUSSION: Radiographic views are important to determine the immediate results of fixation on a distal radius fracture. We observe that the lateral view at 7° is better to show the screws on the lunate facet of the radius. The lateral view at 22° is better to show the facet of the radius with the scaphoid. Finally, the anteroposterior projection at 11° allows us to see the radio carpal joint with lower image overlay.

En la fractura del radio distal se requieren proyecciones radiológicas que permitan ver adecuadamente la superficie articular sin interposición de estructuras. El objetivo fue determinar si las proyecciones radiológicas laterales a 7 y 22° mejoran el análisis de esta superficie. Método: Serie de casos con radiografías de pacientes sanos y operados para identificar las facetas del semilunar y escafoides en las proyecciones lateral y anteroposterior, igualmente se evaluó con tornillos. Se analizaron cualitativamente los hallazgos obtenidos en las radiografías de 7 y 22° para la proyección lateral y de 11° en la anteroposterior. Resultados: 14 radiografías de voluntarios sanos, 10 pacientes con fractura de radio que recibieron osteosíntesis y dos piezas anatómicas. En los 14 sanos y los 10 pacientes se encontró que en las proyecciones a 7 y 22° pueden apreciarse mejor las carillas radio-semilunar y radio-escafoides respectivamente, observando imágenes con menor superposición de estructuras en la radiografía de 22° tanto en los sanos como en los pacientes con fracturas. Discusión: Las proyecciones radiológicas son importantes para poder determinar los resultados inmediatos de una osteosíntesis realizada en una fractura de radio distal. En este estudio se observa que la proyección lateral a 7° identifica mejor la posición de los tornillos ubicados en la carilla semilunar del radio. La proyección lateral a 22° muestra mejor la carilla con el escafoides. Por último en la proyección anteroposterior a 11° nos permite ver la articulación radiocarpiana con menor superposición de imágenes.

Anatomic study of the extensor carpi radialis brevis in its relation with the motor branch of the radial nerve.

INTRODUCTION: The cause of the tunnel syndrome is the entrapment of the posterior interosseous nerve, and can occur due to different anatomic structures, the arcade of Frohse being the main one of them. PURPOSE: To describe the anatomic relation between the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle and the motor branch of the radial nerve at its entrance under the arcade of Frohse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anatomic dissection of 21 elbows of fresh human cadavers was conducted, describing the deep aponeurosis and the superomedial tendinous arch of ECRB and its relation with the motor branch of the radial nerve. RESULTS: In 100% of the specimens, there was evidence of an aponeurosis in the undersurface of ECRB. A tendinous arch at the superomedial margin of ECRB was found in 20 cases (95.2%). In 71.5%, this arch surpassed proximally the arcade of Frohse on an average of 4.5mm (2-10mm); it passes in direct contact with the motor branch of the radial nerve. CONCLUSIONS: The extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle courses in a close relation to the motor branch of the radial nerve at its entrance under the arcade of Frohse, and it demonstrates an aponeurosis at its undersurface and a tendinous arch at its medial edge that could play an important role in the development of the radial tunnel syndrome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Anatomic research study.