Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: Clinical Exploration of Endoscopic Total Parathyroidectomy Using the Oral Vestibular Approach with Forearm Autotransplantation.

Context: For secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), physicians prefer conservative treatments, and surgical intervention has proven to be the best solution for some patients. Among the surgical interventions, total parathyroidectomy plus autotransplantation (TPTX+AT), using the forearm, is the major effective treatment. TPTX+AT, in conjunction with transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA), includes many advantages. Objective: The study intended to evaluate the clinical value of performing an endoscopic total parathyroidectomy TPTX+AT in conjunction with TOETVA in treating SHPT and to summarize and share the clinical experience. Design: The research team performed a prospective controlled study. Setting: The study took place at the Zhongshan Boai Hospital affiliated with Southern Medical University in Zhong Shan, Guangdong, China. Participants: Participants were 97 SHPT patients who were admitted to the hospital between March 2020 and March 2022. Intervention: The intervention group included 47 SHPT patients who received endoscopic TPTX+AT combined with the TOETVA, and the control group included 50 SHPT patients who received routine TPTX+AT. Outcome Measures: The research team performed comparisons between the groups regarding: (1) operating conditions, including intraoperative blood loss, operating time, and number of parathyroid glands detected intraoperatively; (2) clinical efficacy, (3) postoperative complications, (4) parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca) levels, (5) psychological status using the Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and (9) life quality using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: The intervention group had significantly longer operation times and significantly greater intraoperative blood loss than the control group did, but the intervention group had fewer complications, lower PTH and Ca levels, and a higher efficacy (P < .05). The intervention group also had a significantly better psychological state and prognostic quality of life than the control group did (P < .05). Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment of SHPT using TPTX+AT in combination with TOETVA can significantly relieve clinical symptoms and lower serum PTH and Ca levels. The results suggest that the operation is safe and effective.

The Tai Chi Flap: A Novel Design for the Radial Forearm Flap.

OBJECTIVE: Tai Chi is an ancient philosophy used to explain the universe. The Tai Chi symbol is represented by Yin/Yang fishes. The authors describe a novel radial forearm flap (RFF) design for the reconstruction of circular defects based on the Tai Chi symbol. METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients with craniofacial skin or mucus defects underwent reconstruction with a Tai Chi RFF. Patient perioperative and follow-up information was collected. RESULTS: The diameter of the Tai Chi RFF was 5 to 6 cm. All flaps healed uneventfully without ischemic problems, and all donor site defects were closed primarily without skin grafts. Remarkably, 2 patients received a tattoo to mark the Tai Chi symbol and greatly appreciate the shape of the flap. CONCLUSIONS: The Tai Chi flap is an economically friendly flap design that can be used to prevent skin grafts while providing psychological comfort to patients.

COMPARISON OF PLEXUS BRACHIAL BLOCKADE EFFECT BY SUPRACLAVICULAR AND AXILLARY APPROACH - OUR EXPERIENCE.

INTRODUCTION: Brachialis plexus block is a frequently used method of regional anesthesia that can be performed in several ways and locations. It has been successfully performed to provide good anesthesia and analgesia lasting several hours for operative procedures on hands. It can be performed by paresthesia technique or by ultrasound that has almost pushed out the old conventional technique since it allows the visualization of the blockade performance. TARGET: In the paper we use our sample to try to determine which of the two locations of the blockageis more favorable for the patient, and which one gives a higher percentage of success or a better sensory blockade. METHOD: This is a retrospective study and includes 40 patients of both sexes that were operated on at the Clinic for Traumatology and the Clinic for Plastic Surgery of the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo in the period from 30 August 1993 to 30 August 1994. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I were patients who had an axillary approach to plexus brachialis (n-21) ASA I-II. Group II were patients who had supraclavicular access to plexus brachialis (n-19) ASA I-II. All patients received 0.5 ml / kg Bupivacaine 0.5%. In the study, we analyzed sex, age, duration of blockade and complications. Analgesia and motor block were evaluated 20 minutes after the local anesthetic injection. The complete block is defined as analgesia in all dermatomes (C5-Th1) 20 minutes after injection. THE RESULTS: Group I had 20 male and 1 female patients while group II had 17 male and 2 female patients. The supraclavicular block enabled complete blockade in 18 patients (95.23%), and the axillary approach had a successful blockade in 17 patients (80.95%). In both groups the corresponding motor block was similar. The start of the engine block was similar in both groups. There were no significant complications in either group. CONCLUSION: Regarding clinical efficacy, both brachial plexus blocking approaches provided a good motor block, anesthesia and analgesia for the forearm or hand surgery. Supraclavicular approach proved to be more favorable.

Case Studies in Neuroscience: Evidence of motor thalamus reorganization following bilateral forearm amputations.

Following injury, functional improvement can result from central nervous system plasticity. Use-dependent plasticity of motor systems is evident, for example, in recovery of function resulting from rehabilitative interventions. Here, we present a single patient who underwent bilateral microelectrode-guided stereotactic implantation of deep brain stimulating leads for the treatment of essential tremor 52 yr following bilateral arm amputations. The tremor affected his upper extremities and had rendered him unable to perform fine motor tasks with his prostheses, significantly reducing his independence. We found a large territory of neurons in the ventral intermediate nucleus of his thalamus that responded to shoulder protraction, the movement that he used to control fine motor movements of his terminal hook prostheses. We propose that reorganization of this motor nucleus may have occurred secondary to a use-dependent gain of function in neurons that were previously involved in hand movement. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We had a unique opportunity to record neurons in the ventrointermediate (Vim) motor nucleus of thalamus in a patient with essential tremor, decades following bilateral forearm amputations. We demonstrate that a large region of Vim is active during shoulder protraction-the movement used to operate the patient's mechanical prostheses. We suggest that this provides evidence of human motor thalamic plasticity.

Total parathyroidectomy with forearm auto-transplantation improves the quality of life and reduces the recurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to explore the effect of total parathyroidectomy (PTX) with forearm autotransplantation (FAT) on the quality of life and recurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in chronic kidney disease patients. METHODS: A total of 104 chronic kidney disease patients with SHPT were enrolled and divided into the PTX (n = 62) and PTX + FAT (n = 42) groups. The operation efficacy was evaluated by analyzing preoperative and postoperative values, including levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum phosphorus, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium-phosphorus product, signs and symptoms, and MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) scores. Moreover, complications and recurrences were followed up for 12 months after the operation. Binary logistic regression was to present the risk factors for the recurrence of chronic kidney disease patients with SHPT. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative values, the PTX and PTX + FAT groups showed decrease postoperative levels of iPTH, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, calcium-phosphorus product, bone pain, and skin pruritus at all time periods. The PTX and PTX + FAT groups demonstrated decreased ALP, fracture or deformity, and coronary artery calcification at 1 month, decreased short stature at 3 months after the operation but increased SF-36 score after operation. Compared with the PTX group, the level of iPTH decreased and the levels of serum calcium, calcium-phosphorus product increased at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation in the PTX + FAT group. The levels of ALP, fracture or deformity, short stature, and SF-36 decreased separately at 1 week and 6 and 12 months after the operation, along with the decrease of coronary artery calcification and the recurrence rate, respectively, at 6 and 12 months after the operation in the PTX + FAT group when compared with those in the PTX group. Logistic regression analysis evidenced that the preoperative iPTH level, SF-36 score, and operation type were the risk factors for the recurrence of chronic kidney disease with SHPT. CONCLUSION: Total PTX combined with FAT is more effective in improving the quality of life and reducing the recurrence of chronic kidney disease with SHPT than PTX alone.

Sarcomas en la extremidad superior: revisión del Servicio de Cirugía Plástica - Comité de Sarcomas de Partes Blandas del Hospital Dr Negrin / Upper extremity sarcomas. Review from Plastic Surgerym Department - Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Committee at Dr. Negrin Hospital

Introducción y Objetivo. Los sarcomas de la extremidad superior suponen un bajo porcentaje dentro de los sarcomas en general. Las características anatómicas de las extremidades superiores representan un reto quirúrgico a la hora de conjugar la radicalidad con la preservación funcional de la extremidad. Por el contrario, la raíz de la extremidad ya presenta otras características anatómicas y dimensiones, permitiendo extirpaciones más amplias y siendo además asiento favorito de sarcomas de bajo grado. Con estas premisas, es de suponer que el pronóstico global de esta localización sea más favorable que el del resto de la extremidad. El objetivo del presente estudio es confirmar dicha hipótesis en base a nuestra propia experiencia. Material y Método. De los 131 sarcomas intervenidos en nuestro Servicio durante los últimos 10 años, recogemos 29 casos de sarcomas en extremidad superior, que dividimos en 2 grupos según su asiento: los que afectan a la cintura escapular (hombro, escápula y clavícula), con 12 casos; y los de asiento en la extremidad propiamente dicha (axila, brazo, antebrazo y mano) con 17 casos. Analizamos una serie de variables en ambos grupos: sexo, edad, localización, tipo histológico, grado de diferenciación, presentación, tipo de extirpación, tratamiento quirúrgico, terapias complementarias, estado local, estado general y seguimiento. Resultados. Los sarcomas de la cintura escapular fueron, en nuestro grupo de estudio, de menor grado que los de la extremidad propiamente dicha. Se presentaron en su mayoría como casos primarios. Estos sarcomas son susceptibles de tratamientos más radicales y como consecuencia, los márgenes obtenidos fueron mejores que los del otro grupo. Ninguno de los 12 pacientes con sarcoma en cintura escapular presentó enfermedad local o general. Los sarcomas de la extremidad superior propiamente dicha fueron de predomino femenino, de más alto grado y se presentaron como recidivas o persistencias en más de la mitad de los casos. Las posibilidades quirúrgicas locorregionales son menores. Se practicaron 3 amputaciones y 1 desarticulación. Se emplearon colgajos libres en 5 pacientes, 2 de ellos con componente óseo. El 47% de los pacientes recibió alguna forma de radioterapia y 2 pacientes recibieron quimioterapia. Contabilizamos 4 pacientes fallecidos, lo que supone un 24% del total de los casos de nuestro grupo. Conclusiones. Las características en nuestra serie de sarcomas de la raíz de la extremidad y de la extremidad propiamente dicha son distintas. En la primera las presentaciones primarias fueron más frecuentes, los grados de desdiferenciación más bajos y las extirpaciones más amplias, lo que se traduce en menor enfermedad local, general y mortalidad. Por el contrario, las presentaciones iniciales de los sarcomas de la extremidad (brazo, antebrazo y mano) fueron con frecuencia tras resecciones no planeadas, lo que se traduce en persistencias o recurrencias. Además, el grado de desdiferenciación de los sarcomas en esta zona es más alto y las extirpaciones que se consiguen no son tan amplias, por lo que los resultados en cuanto a enfermedad local, general o muerte por la enfermedad son peores (AU)

Background and Objective. Upper extremity sarcomas represent just a small percentage of all sarcomas. The anatomic characteristics of upper extremity challenge the goal of combining radicality and limb functional preservation. On the other hand, the limb root presents other features regarding dimensions and anatomy thus allowing wider resections. Moreover it is a common place for low grade sarcomas. With such premises it can be considered that the prognosis of sarcomas of this location is more favorable than those of the rest of the extremity. The aim of this study is to confirm this hypothesis, based on our own experience. Methods. During the last 10 years 131 sarcomas were operated in our Unit, 29 of them affecting the upper extremity were recruited. They were further subdivided into 2 groups according to their location: shoulder girdle (shoulder, scapula and clavicle) with 12 cases, and those arising at the limb itself (axilla, arm, forearm and hand) with 17 cases. Several variables were analyzed in both groups: gender, age, location, hystologic type, differentiation grade, presentation, extirpation regarding margins, surgical treatment, complementary therapies, local status, general status and follow - up. Results. Sarcomas of the shoulder girdle own lower grade than those of the extremity itself. They present mostly as primary cases.Wide resections were feasible and therefore the obtained margins were better than those of the other group. None of the 12 patients of this group has had neither local or general disease. Sarcomas of the extremity itself appeared more in women, with higher grades and they are seen firstly at our institution after inadequate surgical margins or as recurrences in more than half of the cases. Locoregional flap options are scarce. Three amputations and 1 shoulder disarticulation were done in this group. Five free flaps, 2 of them with osseous component, were used. Forty-seven patients received some kind of radiotherapy and 2 more patients received chemotherapy. Four deads were recorded among this group representing 24% of all cases. Conclusions. In our series the characteristics of sarcoma to the shoulder girdle and those of the extremity itself were different. In the former primary presentations as new cases are more frequent, dedifferentiation grades were lower and resections wider resulting in lower rates of local recurrences, general disease or mortality. On the other hand, sarcomas to the extremity appear mainly after unplanned resections as recurrences or inadequate margins excisions. Dedifferentiation grades here are higher and resections are not as wide as in the other group. Worse results regarding local disease, general disease or mortality were here recorded (AU)

Assessment of behavior and space use before and after forelimb amputation in a zoo-housed chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

Primates possess great manual dexterity, and their limbs are integral to many aspects of normal functioning (e.g., climbing, feeding). As such, the loss of a limb carries the risk of significant disability and potentially harmful impairment of species-typical functioning. Limb loss is known to occur in some wild primate populations due to entanglement in hunting snares, but can also occur in captive settings due to injury that necessitates therapeutic amputation. In this study, we conducted a detailed evaluation of the behavior, travel, and space use expressed by a female zoo-housed chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) before and following surgical amputation of her right forelimb. Overall, our results suggest that the injury did not substantively affect her daily activities. She showed no change to her vertical space use, spending equivalent proportions of her time on the ground and high in the enclosure. There was a decrease in the frequency of locomotion on the ground (P = 0.006) but also a significant increase in the overall distance travelled (P = 0.0015) following the removal of the limb. This case study provides evidence that individual chimpanzees are able to successfully adjust to significant anatomical changes when provided adequate environments in which to stay active, and highlights the importance of an effective post-surgical monitoring period-a comprehensive recovery evaluation that includes input from both veterinary and behavioral research staff is likely to provide the most holistic assessment of animal health and long-term wellbeing. Zoo Biol. 36:5-10, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A histological analysis of human median and ulnar nerves following implantation of Utah slanted electrode arrays.

For decades, epineurial electrodes have been used in clinical therapies involving the stimulation of peripheral nerves. However, next generation peripheral nerve interfaces for applications such as neuroprosthetics would benefit from an increased ability to selectively stimulate and record from nerve tissue. This increased selectivity may require the use of more invasive devices, such as the Utah Slanted Electrode Array (USEA). Previous research with USEAs has described the histological response to the implantation of these devices in cats and rats; however, no such data has been presented in humans. Therefore, we describe here the degree of penetration and foreign body reaction to USEAs after a four-week implantation period in human median and ulnar nerves. We found that current array designs penetrate a relatively small percentage of the available endoneurial tissue in these large nerves. When electrode tips were located within the endoneurial tissue, labels for axons and myelin were found in close proximity to electrodes. Consistent with other reports, we found activated macrophages attached to explanted devices, as well as within the tissue surrounding the implantation site. Despite this inflammatory response, devices were able to successfully record single- or multi-unit action potentials and elicit sensory percepts. However, modifying device design to allow for greater nerve penetration, as well as mitigating the inflammatory response to such devices, would likely increase device performance and should be investigated in future research.

Comparison of the effect of lidocaine adding dexketoprofen and paracetamol in intravenous regional anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of dexketoprofen and paracetamol added to the lidocaine in Regional Intravenous Anesthesia in terms of hemodynamic effects, motor and sensorial block onset times, intraoperative VAS values, and analgesia requirements. METHOD: The files of 73 patients between 18 and 65 years old in the ASA I-II risk group who underwent hand and forearm surgery were analyzed and 60 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group D (n = 20), 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine and 50 mg/2 mL dexketoprofen trometamol; Group P (n = 20), 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine and 3 mg/kg paracetamol; Group K (n = 20), 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine. Demographic data, motor and sensorial block times, heart rate, mean blood pressure, VAS values, and intraoperative and postoperative analgesia requirements were recorded. RESULTS: Sensorial and motor block onset durations of Group K were significantly longer than other groups. Motor block termination duration was found to be significantly longer in Group D than in Group K. VAS values of Group K were found higher than other groups. There was no significant difference in VAS values between Group D and Group P. Analgesia requirement was found to be significantly more in Group K than in Group P. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of heart rates and mean arterial pressures. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the addition of 3 mg/kg paracetamol and 50 mg dexketoprofen to lidocaine as adjuvant in Regional Intravenous Anesthesia applied for hand and/or forearm surgery created a significant difference clinically.

Successful parathyroid tissue autograft after 3 years of cryopreservation: a case report.

After a total parathyroidectomy, well-established protocols for the cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue and for the delayed autograft of this tissue exist, especially in cases of secondary hiperparathyroidism (HPT) or familial or sporadic parathyroid hyperplasia. Although delayed autografts are effective, the published success rates vary from 10% to 83%. There are numerous factors that influence the viability, and therefore the success, of an autograft, including cryopreservation time. Certain authors believe that the tissue is only viable for 24 months, but there is no consensus on how long the parathyroid tissue can be preserved. A 63-year-old male who was diagnosed with sporadic multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and primary hyperparathyroidism, and was submitted to a total parathyroidectomy and an autograft in the forearm. The implant failed, and the patient developed severe hypoparathyroidism in the months following the surgery. Thirty-six months after the total parathyroidectomy, the cryopreserved autograft was successfully transplanted, and hypoparathyroidism was reversed (most recent systemic parathyroid hormone, PTH, of 36 pg/mL, and total calcium of 9.1 mg/dL; no oral calcium supplementation). The case presented here indicates that cryopreserved parathyroid tissue may remain viable after 24 months in storage, and may retain the capacity to reverse permanent postsurgical hypoparathyroidism. These data provide reasonable evidence that the time limit for cryopreservation remains undetermined and that additional research would be valuable.

Successful parathyroid tissue autograft after 3 years of cryopreservation: a case report / Implante bem-sucedido de paratireoide criopreservada por 3 anos: relato de caso

After a total parathyroidectomy, well-established protocols for the cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue and for the delayed autograft of this tissue exist, especially in cases of secondary hiperparathyroidism (HPT) or familial or sporadic parathyroid hyperplasia. Although delayed autografts are effective, the published success rates vary from 10% to 83%. There are numerous factors that influence the viability, and therefore the success, of an autograft, including cryopreservation time. Certain authors believe that the tissue is only viable for 24 months, but there is no consensus on how long the parathyroid tissue can be preserved. A 63-year-old male who was diagnosed with sporadic multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and primary hyperparathyroidism, and was submitted to a total parathyroidectomy and an autograft in the forearm. The implant failed, and the patient developed severe hypoparathyroidism in the months following the surgery. Thirty-six months after the total parathyroidectomy, the cryopreserved autograft was successfully transplanted, and hypoparathyroidism was reversed (most recent systemic parathyroid hormone, PTH, of 36 pg/mL, and total calcium of 9.1 mg/dL; no oral calcium supplementation). The case presented here indicates that cryopreserved parathyroid tissue may remain viable after 24 months in storage, and may retain the capacity to reverse permanent postsurgical hypoparathyroidism. These data provide reasonable evidence that the time limit for cryopreservation remains undetermined and that additional research would be valuable. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):313-6.

O implante de tecido paratireoideano criopreservado após paratireoidectomia total é um procedimento bem estabelecido e, embora tenha sua eficácia comprovada, as taxas de sucesso variam de 10% a 83% na literatura. O tempo de criopreservação é um dos diversos fatores relacionados ao sucesso do implante. Alguns autores defendem que o tecido permanece viável até 24 meses de criopreservação, no entanto, não há consenso. Homem de 63 anos diagnosticado com neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo I e hiperparatireoidismo primário foi submetido a paratireoidectomia total e autoimplante em membro superior. O implante falhou e o paciente desenvolveu hipoparatireoidismo. Após 36 meses da paratireoidectomia total, foi realizado o implante de paratireoide criopreservada, com sucesso. O hipoparatireoidismo foi revertido e o paciente permanece sem suplementação de cálcio e PTH sistêmico de 36 pg/mL e cálcio total de 9,1 mg/dL. O caso apresentado mostra que o tecido paratireoideano criopreservado pode permanecer viável após 24 meses e há possibilidade de reverter o hipoparatireoidismo pós-cirúrgico. Isso traz evidência de que o tempo limite de criopreservação permanece incerto e que novas pesquisas seriam de grande valia. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):313-6.

Is nerve stimulation needed during an ultrasound-guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular block?

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound (US) guidance alone vs. neurostimulation (NS) and US (NSUS) guidance techniques on block performance time and block success rate for the lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LSIB). METHODS: In a randomized and prospective manner, 110 adult patients scheduled for distal upper limb surgery were allocated to the US or the NSUS groups. In the US group, a local anesthetic (LA) was administered only with US guidance to produce a 'U'-shaped distribution around the axillary artery. In the NSUS group, LA was administered under US guidance only after electrolocation of one of the median, ulnar or radial nerve-type responses. A total of 30 ml of LA (10 ml of levobupivacaine 5 mg/ml and 20 ml of lidocaine 20 mg/ml) was administered in both groups. Sensory block was tested at 10 min intervals for 30 min. Successful block was defined as analgesia or anesthesia of all five nerves distal to the elbow. RESULTS: Block success rate was 94.5% in both groups. Block performance time was significantly shorter in the US than the NSUS group (157 +/- 50 vs. 230 +/- 104 s) (P=0.000). Block onset time was similar in both groups (12.5 +/- 4.8 in the US vs. 12.8 +/- 5.4 min in the NSUS groups). There were two arterial punctures in the NSUS group. CONCLUSIONS: During LSIB performance US guidance alone produces block success rate identical to both US and NS guidance yet with a shorter block performance time.

Is ultrasound guidance superior to conventional nerve stimulation for coracoid infraclavicular brachial plexus block?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In different peripheral nerve blocks, it has been speculated that needle guidance by ultrasound improves onset time and success rate compared with the more frequently used nerve stimulation-guided technique. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that ultrasound guidance improves onset time of coracoid infraclavicular brachial plexus block (IBPB) when compared with a nerve stimulation-guided technique. METHODS: Seventy patients scheduled for hand or forearm surgery were randomly assigned to receive coracoid IBPB using either ultrasound guidance (group U, n = 35), or nerve stimulation (group S, n = 35). Patients were assessed for sensory and motor block every 5 mins after injection of local anesthetic. Onset time, the primary end point, was defined as the time required for complete sensory and motor block. Time required to perform the block, success rate, and time to resolution of motor blockade were also recorded (secondary end points). RESULTS: Onset of complete sensory and motor blockade was similar in the 2 groups (17 mins [8 mins] in group U and 19 mins [8 mins] in group S; P = 0.321). Time required to perform the block was shorter in group U (3 mins [1 min]) as compared with group S (6 mins [2 mins]; P < 0.0001). No differences were observed in success rate (89% in group U and 91% in group S; P = 0.881) and time to resolution of motor blockade (237 mins [45 mins] in group U and 247 mins [57 mins] in group S; P = 0.418). CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation demonstrates that ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulation provide similar onset time, success rate, and duration of motor blockade for coracoid IBPB; however, ultrasound guidance reduces the time required to perform the block.

Use of a mechanical leech in a reverse-flow radial forearm flap: case report.

The reverse-flow radial forearm flap provides excellent coverage for distal upper-limb defects. It is simply raised and does not require microsurgical skills. However, since its vascular pedicle is reversed, its venous outflow can be significantly diminished because of the venous valves. The authors present the case of a 16-year-old patient with a sagittal amputation of the radial aspect of the right thumb, who manifested at the time of surgery marked venous engorgement of a reverse-flow radial forearm flap. This was successfully relieved by the placement of a mechanical leech consisting of a Silastic rubber catheter--of the kind used to gain central vascular access in newborns--introduced in the lumen of the reversed vein at the extremity of the flap. This permitted intermittent evacuation of blood from the flap postoperatively, contributing to the success of this procedure. The technique used is detailed and pertinent literature is reviewed.

Safety of supplementing axillary brachial plexus blocks.

The incidence of failed local anesthetic axillary blockade varies but can be as high as 20-30%. The authors propose to evaluate the safety of supplementing an axillary block with mepivacaine 30 min after the initial injection. An axillary blockade was performed on 10 healthy patients scheduled for forearm or hand surgery using a new catheter technique. Mepivacaine 1% with epinephrine (7 mg/kg) was administered initially and followed 30 min later by half the original dose (3.5 mg/kg). Plasma levels of mepivacaine were estimated at frequent intervals for 5 h after the initial injection. There were no symptoms or signs of local anesthetic toxicity, and plasma levels of mepivacaine remained below those that usually caused symptoms. In conclusion, the authors conclude that mepivacaine 1% with epinephrine (10.5 mg/kg) can be safely administered in divided doses into the axillary sheath within a 31-min period.

Subtotal versus total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure.

Forty-three patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent parathyroidectomy; 20 of the 43 underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy (Group A) and 23 patients underwent total parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autotransplant in the forearm (Group B). Postoperative clinical improvement was similar in both groups. In the immediate postoperative period eight patients in Group A who had severe bone changes and 21 patients in Group B needed supplemental calcium administration. The grafted tissues in all cases functioned well; reimplantation of the cryopreserved parathyroid tissues was unnecessary. One case in each group showed a recurrence. One patient in Group A was submitted to reexploration of the neck with a lateral approach. The other patient in Group B underwent excisions of the transplanted parathyroid tissues on three separate occasions under local anesthesia. The second operation was definitely easier and safer to manage after a total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation to the forearm.

Parathyroid autotransplantation. An investigation of parathyroid autograft function.

During a four-year period, 27 patients underwent total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue to the forearm. In order to minimize the risk of persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism (HPT), a routine thymic resection and a wide excision of fat tissue around the parathyroids was performed to ensure excision of possible supernumerary glands or rudimentary parathyroid tissue. The indications for operation were HPT secondary to chronic renal failure in 24 patients (22 of whom had hypercalcaemia) and persistent or recurrent primary HPT in 2 cases. One further patient, who had a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I, underwent this procedure at the primary parathyroid operation. Preoperative hypercalcaemia was reversed in all patients but three during the first postoperative days, concomitantly with a fall in the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. Fourteen patients showed marked hypocalcaemia postoperatively, necessitating calcium or vitamin D supplementation. This medication could later be discontinued in all of them. Thirteen patients, including two of those with primary HPT, never required any supplemental therapy. Survival of the grafts was documented by several observations. In all patients normal serum calcium values were being maintained without supplemental therapy at follow-up. During induced hypocalcaemia a PTH secretory response was demonstrated in all eight studied patients with a gradient between the grafted and non-grafted arm. In two patients in whom the grafts were examined histologically 19 and 28 months after the transplantation, viable parathyroid tissue was observed. In the initial part of the study excised tissue was cryopreserved. Since persistent hypocalcaemia did not occur in our patients, we have now abandoned this safety precaution. Thus, total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue is a valuable method for restoring long-term parathyroid function in patients with secondary HPT and uraemia. It also appears of value in selected cases of primary HPT.

Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation.

Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of tissue to the forearm was practiced in 50 chronic renal failure patients as treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Four hyperplastic glands were removed in all cases. Followup observation ranged from 3 to 42 months. Serum parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus levels decreased significantly following the procedure (P less than 0.005) and remained stable during the period of observation. Significant bone pain present in 26 patients improved or ceased in 19; pruritus, present in 39 patients, universally improved. Strong radiographic suggestion of secondary hyperparathyroidism, present in 38 patients, improved or disappeared in 17. Three patients remained functionally hyperparathyroid, requiring further tissue removal. Autograft function 3 to 7 days after transplantation was demonstrated in 3 cases by differential parathyroid hormone concentration determinations. Essentially all patients experienced symptomatic improvement after surgery and most showed objective evidence of improved calcium-phosphorus metabolism and bone healing.

[The pronator teres syndrome. Clinical aspects, pathogenesis and therapy of a non-traumatic median nerve compression syndrome in the space of the elbow joint]. / Das Pronator teres Syndrom. Klinik, Pathogenese und Therapie des nicht traumatischen Kompressions-syndroms des Nervus medianus in Höhe des Ellenbogengelenkes.

The proximal compression neuropathy of the median nerve is described by 11 personal cases and a review of literature. The most reliable diagnostic sign is "pronation-pain", discomfort in the forearm localised under the pronator teres, produced by passive supination of the wrist, by active pronation from this position against resistance, okr by local pressure. A nearly constant finding is weakness of grip and paraesthesia or hypaesthesia of the fingers, not always following the normal median nerve distribution. Three different anatomic points of possible compression are described: 1. The supracondylar process of the humerus, or Struthers' ligament, a rare compression mechanism. 2. The passing of the nerve through the two variable heads of the pronator teres muscle. 3. The sharp edged superficialis bridge. Apart from compression of the entire median nerve single branches of the median nerve can be entrapped seperately (the anterior interosseus nerve, the Martin-Gruber-anastomosis to the ulnar nerve) Conservative treatment with immobilisation and local electric interference current application may be satisfactory. If clinical improvement is insufficient, surgical decompression is indicated.

Electric pain control (EPC) of a painful forearm amputation stump.

Surgically and pharmaceutically uncontrollable pain in the forearm stump of a 28-year-old mine explosion victim of the Viet-Nam War, was successfully treated by electric pain control (EPC), which led to his full rehabilitation. The electrodes of the pain-control equipment were built into the prosthetic socket to enable treatment to be continued while the patient was working in his full-time occupation as a storeman. The theory underlying this form of treatment is briefly described and the method of manufacture of the modified prosthetic socket is provided, so that similar application of electric pain control can also be used in other patients.