When is it safe to return to driving after distal radius fracture fixation? A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: After surgical fixation of distal radius fractures, many patients are keen to return to driving. There are however limited guidelines assisting surgeons. The aims of this study were to determine when patients could return to driving safely after distal radius fracture fixation and determine the clinical parameters (range of motion and grip strength) that patients needed to achieve before return to safe driving could be advised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective grant-funded clinical study was conducted. Patients above the age of 21 years who underwent surgical fixation with a volar plate, possessed a class 3 standard motorcar license, and were regular drivers were recruited in a single institution from 2017 to 2019. A hand surgeon and an occupational therapist who sees routine hand therapy cases, assessed the patients at regular intervals from 2 to 12-weeks post-surgery. Clinical parameters of pain, wrist range of motion and grip strength were measured. Patients underwent off and on-road driving assessments. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were recruited, with 21 successfully completing the driving assessment. Median time post-surgery to passing the driving test was 6 and 8-weeks for off and on-road assessments respectively. Pain score was observed to decrease over time, with a significant decrease from week 2 to week 4. Range of motion improved over time, with maximal improvement between 2 to 4-weeks post-surgery. When compared with the unaffected wrist, the difference in pronation, supination and radial deviation in the affected hand was consistently no longer statistically significant 4 to 6-weeks post-surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients with isolated surgically treated distal radius fractures can be recommended for a driving assessment as early as 4-6 weeks post-surgery if pain control is adequate, and clinical parameters for pronation and supination are met.

Results of Achilles Tendon Excision for Purpose of Wound Closure: Case Series.

The loss of Achilles tendon results in reduced plantar flexion strength; however, in patients who are not fit for major reconstructive surgery, with soft-tissue defects overlying the tendon, Achilles tendon excision is a useful adjunct procedure for wound closure. We report 3 patients with infections around the Achilles tendons needing debridement procedures who underwent Achilles tendon excision for the purpose of wound closure. Local healing was achieved in all patients; all returned to their premorbid ambulatory status, and 2 could perform heel raise. Our series showed that Achilles tendon excision eases soft-tissue reconstruction around it and that the primary aim of wound closure was met with a reasonable functional outcome. As such, it is a viable option for selected patients with infections around the Achilles tendon who are poor candidates for flaps.

Flaps for lower limb diabetic wound reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of chronic diabetic wounds includes wound dressing, debridement, flap surgery, and amputation. For suitable patients with nonhealing wounds, locoregional flaps or free flaps may be used. This paper aims to review the outcomes of flap surgery and identify the risk factors for flap loss. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. Articles reporting flap loss outcomes for flap surgery in lower limb chronic diabetic wounds were included. Case reports and case series with fewer than five patients were excluded. A subset of articles was used for revascularization subgroup analysis and another subset for meta-analysis of risk factors for flap loss. RESULTS: In the free flap group, the total flap failure rate was 7.14% and partial flap failure rate was 7.54%. The rate of major complications requiring operative takeback was 19.0%. Early mortality was 2.76%. In the locoregional flap group, the total flap failure rate was 3.24% and partial flap failure rate was 5.36%. The rate of major complications requiring operative takeback was 13.3%. There was no early mortality. The rate of free flap loss was 18.2% with revascularization, significantly higher than 6.66% without revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings concur with previously published studies on flap loss and complications in diabetic lower limb wounds. There is an increased risk of flap loss in patients who require free flap and revascularization compared to patients who only require free flap. This could be because of the fragile and fibrotic vessels found in diabetics with comorbid atherosclerosis.

An Anatomical Variant of the Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve: A Case Report.

There is a risk of injury to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) during a volar approach to the carpus or the distal radius. Anatomic variations of the PCBMN increase this risk. We report an anatomic variant of the PCBMN that coursed superficial and radial to the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), reinforcing the need for meticulous subcutaneous dissection to protect the nerve during a volar approach to the distal radius. In this case, identification of the PCBMN variant warranted a modified surgical approach, ulnar to the FCR instead of radial in order to avoid iatrogenic injury. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

A hands-on microsurgery course for nurses.

Microsurgical procedures are time-consuming and sometimes fatigue-inducing. However, a skilled assistant and scrub nurse can help surgery be performed more smoothly and rapidly. Three microsurgical simulation courses were held for perioperative nurses at our institution. Each course consisted of two lectures and two practice microsurgical sessions, and was evaluated with a post-course survey. The respondents all felt that their knowledge of microsurgical instruments, sutures, microscope set-up, and microsurgical skills had improved following the course. Many felt that their ability to predict what the surgeon would request during a microsurgical case improved, and that they were able to handle instruments and sutures better. The nurses also reported improved confidence in assisting with microsurgical procedures and tolerance of the long operative time in some microsurgical cases. Based on our experience, a basic microsurgery course for nurses can play a significant role in training effective and competent microsurgical scrub nurses.

Systematic review on outcome of free functioning muscle transfers for elbow flexion in brachial plexus injuries.

Elbow flexion is widely regarded as the most important function to restore in brachial plexus injuries. Free functioning muscle transfer surgery is indicated in patients with delayed presentation or failure of other primary procedures. Results of the transfer surgeries have been reported in the form of case series, but no further studies are available. This systematic review aims to provide a deeper understanding of this complex surgery and consists of 19 articles that include 364 patients. Data on injury characteristics, surgical techniques, complications as well as outcome measures were analysed. Our results show that functional muscle transfer for elbow flexion enables 87% and 65% of patients to achieve a useful power grade of ≥ 3 and ≥ 4, respectively, although other important outcome factors should be considered.