Association of Radial Head Fracture Treatment With Long-Term Function.

BACKGROUND: Radial head fractures are often associated with poor outcomes. Both open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and radial head arthroplasty (RHA) might be considered in operative cases. This study aimed to compare long-term patient-reported functional outcomes among patients with operatively treated radial head fractures. METHODS: A cross sectional study conducted at a Level I trauma center was used to identify patients with a radial head fracture who underwent ORIF or RHA between 2006 and 2018, and agreed to complete a survey in 2020. The primary outcome measure was the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients participated in the study. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between groups. QuickDASH scores were similar for both groups (ORIF: mean = 15.7, SD = 18.4; RHA: mean = 22.8, SD = 18.6; mean difference = 0.2 [-9.0 to 9.3], P = .97). Nineteen (37%) ORIF patients and 12 (48%) RHA patients reported a need for pain medication (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.8 [0.3-2.4], P = .70). Thirteen (25%) ORIF patients and 6 (24%) RHA patients required additional surgery (adjusted OR = 1.7 [0.5-6.2], P = .39). A subgroup analysis of multi-fragmentary fractures revealed similar findings. CONCLUSION: Patient-reported outcomes, which included a subgroup analysis of multi-fragmentary fractures, were similar between ORIF and RHA groups at an average of 7.5 years from surgery. Reconstructing the radial head might not result in worse outcomes than RHA when both options are employed according to the best judgment of the operating surgeon.

Presentation and aetiology of paediatric trigger finger: a systematic review.

Paediatric trigger finger is a rare condition distinct from paediatric trigger thumb and adult trigger digits. We performed a systematic review of paediatric trigger finger presentation and aetiology in order to guide workup and management. Fifty-one studies with 193 patients and 398 trigger fingers were included. Most patients had a single, unilateral trigger finger (54%). Fifty-five patients (29%) had an underlying condition, such as mucopolysaccharidosis; these cases appeared to be associated with multiple or bilateral trigger fingers or with carpal tunnel syndrome. All patients with mucopolysaccharidosis were treated surgically. Conservative management was reported in 33% of all patients, and two-thirds of these did not need further intervention. Patients undergoing surgical release infrequently had recurrence of triggering (6%). We propose an algorithmic approach for patients presenting with paediatric trigger finger. Presence of bilateral or multiple trigger digits or concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome should raise suspicion for an atypical underlying pathology.

Recent Developments Are Changing Extensor Tendon Management.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reviewing this article, the participant should be able to: Start early protected movement at 3 to 5 days after surgery with relative motion extension splinting for zone 5 extensor tendon lacerations over the hand. Allow patients to resume regular activities much sooner than the conventional 3 to 4 weeks of splinting after extensor tendon repair. Improve the rehabilitation of boutonniere deformities with relative motion splinting. SUMMARY: This article focuses on surgery and rehabilitation of extensor tendon injuries from the proximal interphalangeal joint (boutonniere) to the wrist. Relative motion flexion and extension splinting and wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet surgery have revolutionized the management of these lesions, with early protected movement, sooner return to regular activities, and improved rehabilitation. This article explains and illustrates these new advances in extensor tendon management.

Design and preliminary validation of a mobile application-based expert system to facilitate repair of medical equipment in resource-limited health settings.

BACKGROUND: One of the greatest barriers to safe surgery is the availability of functional biomedical equipment. Biomedical technicians play a major role in ensuring that equipment is functional. Following in-field observations and an online survey, a mobile application was developed to aid technicians in troubleshooting biomedical equipment. It was hypothesized that this application could be used to aid technicians in equipment repair, as modeled by repair of a pulse oximeter. METHODS: To identify specific barriers to equipment repair and maintenance for biomedical technicians, an online survey was conducted to determine current practices and challenges. These findings were used to guide the development of a mobile application system that guides technicians through maintenance and repair tasks. A convenience sample of technicians in Ethiopia tested the application using a broken pulse oximeter task and following this completed usability and content validity surveys. RESULTS: Fifty-three technicians from 13 countries responded to the initial survey. The results of the survey showed that technicians find equipment manuals most useful, but these are not easily accessible. Many do not know how to or are uncomfortable reaching out to human resources. Thirty-three technicians completed the broken pulse oximeter task using the application. All were able to appropriately identify and repair the equipment, and post-task surveys of usability and content validity demonstrated highly positive scores (Agree to Strongly Agree) on both scales. DISCUSSION: This research demonstrates the need for improved access to resources for technicians and shows that a mobile application can be used to address a gap in the access to knowledge and resources in low- and middle-income countries. Further research will include prospective studies to determine the impact of an application on the availability of functional equipment in a hospital and the effect on the provision and safety of surgical care.

Surgical Correction of Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis: Concepts and Controversies.

Sagittal craniosynostosis remains the most common type of isolated craniosynostosis, accounting for nearly half of all nonsyndromic cases. The clinical diagnosis is typically made on the basis of a scaphocephalic head shape and is confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The current review examines the major surgical options for correction of isolated sagittal craniosynostosis, including their complications and short- and long-term outcomes. Reconstructive techniques have benefited from advances in perioperative anesthesia monitoring and improved safety of blood transfusion. Although extensive calvarial remodeling is considered safe and may confer greater long-term skull shape correction and decreased neuropsychological sequelae, minimally invasive techniques, such as device-assisted expansion of the cranium continue to increase in popularity. This review underscores the need for additional prospective studies comparing different techniques to determine the optimal reconstructive approach for correction of sagittal craniosynostosis.

The Effect of Written Information on Recall of Surgical Risks of Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Written information has been thought to help patients recall surgical risks discussed during the informed consent process, but has not been assessed for carpal tunnel release, a procedure with the rare but serious risk of complex regional pain syndrome. The authors' objective was to determine whether providing a pamphlet would improve patients' ability to remember the risks of surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients seen for carpal tunnel release were included in this prospective, single-blind, randomized study. Patients received either a written pamphlet of the risks of surgery or no additional information following a standardized consultation. Two weeks after the initial consultation, patients were contacted to assess their risk recall and whether they had read about the operation from any source. RESULTS: There was no difference in terms of the number of risks recalled between pamphlet (1.33 ± 1.21) or control groups (1.45 ± 1.22; p = 0.73). Recall of infection was better in the pamphlet group (p < 0.05). No patients remembered complex regional pain syndrome. There was no difference in the proportion of people who read additional information about carpal tunnel release surgery between the pamphlet (34.8 percent) and control groups (21.4 percent; p = 0.39), but reading about carpal tunnel release surgery was associated with improved recall (2.45 ± 1.13 versus 0.77 ± 0.91; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reading about surgery improved risk recall, but providing this information in the form of a pamphlet did not, nor did it affect patients' ability to recall the risk of complex regional pain syndrome. These results demonstrate that surgeons should implement additional measures to improve comprehension of surgical risks. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, I.

Shared medical appointments as a new model for carpal tunnel surgery consultation: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In chronic disease management, shared medical appointments have been shown to improve clinic access, productivity and patient education. However, adoption of this model in surgical consultation is limited, and its effect on surgical patients' satisfaction, comfort and surgical risk recall is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether shared medical appointments could be applied to carpal tunnel surgery consultation while being equally effective as individual consultation for risk recall, patient comfort and satisfaction. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial involving 80 patients referred for carpal tunnel release consultation, in which patients were assigned to an educational discussion individually or as part of a shared appointment, was conducted. In a blinded fashion, patients were contacted preoperatively to assess their risk recall and postoperatively to rate their overall satisfaction, comfort and satisfaction with the surgeon. RESULTS: Patient demographics were equal. Surgical risk recall was equivalent between shared and individual consults (2.06±1.15 versus 1.64±1.04; P=0.11). More participants in the shared appointments condition remembered the specific risks of infection (61.1% versus 33.3%; P=0.020) and bleeding (30.6% versus 10.3%; P=0.028). There was no difference in overall satisfaction (8.70 versus 8.88; P=0.75), satisfaction with the surgeon (8.05 versus 8.13; P=0.92) or overall comfort (8.80 versus 8.31; P=0.46). DISCUSSION: Shared medical appointments for carpal tunnel surgery consultation were equivalent to individual consultation in terms of surgical risk recall, patient satisfaction and comfort. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of shared appointments for large-volume, low-variation surgery.

HISTORIQUE: Dans la prise en charge des maladies chroniques, les rendez-vous médicaux groupés améliorent l'accès aux cliniques, la productivité et l'éducation des patients. Cependant, ce modèle est peu utilisé en consultation chirurgicale, et on n'en connaît pas l'effet sur la satisfaction des patients en voie d'être opérés, leur confort et leurs souvenirs des risques de la chirurgie. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si les rendez-vous médicaux groupés peuvent être utilisés dans le cadre des consultations avant une chirurgie du canal carpien avec la même efficacité qu'une consultation individuelle sur le plan des souvenirs des risques, du confort et de la satisfaction des patients. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont réalisé un essai aléatoire et prospectif auprès de 80 patients dirigés vers une consultation en vue d'une libération du canal carpien. Les patients ont été affectés à une séance d'éducation individuelle ou à un rendez-vous groupé. À l'aveugle, on a communiqué avec les patients avant l'opération pour évaluer leurs souvenirs des risques et après l'opération pour déterminer leur satisfaction et leur confort globaux ainsi que leur satisfaction envers le chirurgien. RÉSULTATS: Les patients avaient une démographie similaire. Leurs souvenirs des risques de la chirurgie étaient similaires dans les consultations groupées ou individuelles (2,06±1,15 par rapport à 1,64±1,04; P=0,11). Plus de patients des consultations groupées se souvenaient des risques spécifiques d'infection (61,1 % par rapport à 33,3 %; P=0,020) et de saignements (30,6 % par rapport à 10,3 %; P=0,028). Il n'y avait pas de différence dans la satisfaction globale (8,70 par rapport à 8,88; P=0,75), la satisfaction envers le chirurgien (8,05 par rapport à 8,13; P=0,92) ou le confort global (8,80 par rapport à 8,31; P=0,46). EXPOSÉ: Les rendez-vous médicaux groupés lors des consultations en vue d'une chirurgie du canal carpien étaient équivalents aux consultations individuelles pour ce qui est du souvenir des risques chirurgicaux, de la satisfaction des patients et du confort. CONCLUSION: Ces résultats appuient l'utilisation des rendez-vous groupés pour les opérations peu variables et à grand volume.

Minimally painful local anesthetic injection for cleft lip/nasal repair in grown patients.

INTRODUCTION: There has been a recent interest in injecting large body and face areas with local anesthetic in a minimally painful manner. The method includes adherence to minimal pain injection details as well feedback from the patient who counts the number of times he feels pain during the injection process. This article describes the successes and limitations of this technique as applied to primary cleft lip/nasal repair in grown patients. METHODS: Thirty-two primary cleft lip patients were injected with local anesthesia by 3 surgeons and then underwent surgical correction of their deformity. At the beginning of the injection of the local anesthetic, patients were instructed to clearly inform the injector each and every time they felt pain during the entire injection process. RESULTS: The average patient felt pain only 1.6 times during the injection process. This included the first sting of the first 27-gauge needle poke. The only pain that 51% of the patients felt was that first poke of the first needle; 24% of the patients only felt pain twice during the whole injection process. The worst pain score occurred in a patient who felt pain 6 times during the injection process. Ninety-one percent of the patients felt no pain at all after the injection of the local anesthetic and did not require a top-up. CONCLUSION: It is possible to successfully and reliably inject local anesthesia in a minimally painful manner for cleft lip and nasal repair in the fully grown cleft patient.