Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 mm. Part 1: feasibility study.

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a mini-approach for distal radius volar plating. A 15-mm incision was made in 11 cadaver wrists. A 41 mm length and 24 mm width plate was placed deep to the pronator quadratus then fixed using 2 K-wires. The 2 central epiphyseal screws were placed before pin removal, the lateral screws followed and finally the proximal ones. The number of control views needed was on average 1.9 mm, and the position of the plate was good in 10 cases and average in 1 case. The size of the incision after the operation was on average 16.3 mm. No complications were found. Our results show that volar plate fixation of distal radius fracture is feasible through a 15 mm approach. This approach is esthetic, respects noble structures and facilitates reduction due to ligamentotaxis.

Semi-automated stereoradiographic upper limb 3D reconstructions using a combined parametric and statistical model: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: Quantitative assessment of 3D clinical indices may be crucial for elbow surgery planning. 3D parametric modeling from bi-planar radiographs was successfully proposed for spine and lower limb clinical investigation as an alternative for CT-scan. The aim of this study was to adapt this method to the upper limb with a preliminary validation. METHODS: CT-scan 3D models of humerus, radius and ulna were obtained from 20 cadaveric upper limbs and yielded parametric models made of geometric primitives. Primitives were defined by descriptor parameters (diameters, angles...) and correlations between these descriptors were found. Using these correlations, a semi-automated reconstruction method of humerus using bi-planar radiographs was achieved: a 3D personalized parametric model was built, from which clinical parameters were computed [orientation and projections on bone surface of trochlea sulcus to capitulum (CTS) axis, trochlea sulcus anterior offset and width of distal humeral epiphysis]. This method was evaluated by accuracy compared to CT-scan and reproducibility. RESULTS: Points-to-surface mean distance was 0.9 mm (2 RMS = 2.5 mm). For clinical parameters, mean differences were 0.4-1.9 mm and from 1.7° to 2.3°. All parameters except from angle formed by CTS axis and bi-epicondylar axis in transverse plane were reproducible. Reconstruction time was about 5 min. CONCLUSIONS: The presented method provides access to morphological upper limb parameters with very low level of radiation. Preliminary in vitro validation for humerus showed that it is fast and accurate enough to be used in clinical daily practice as an alternative to CT-scan for total elbow arthroplasty pre operative evaluation.

Arthroscopic treatment of scaphoid nonunion with humpback deformity and DISI with corticocancellous bone grafting: Technical note.

For two decades, scaphoid nonunion has been treated arthroscopically. However, compressed cancellous bone graft does not have the same mechanical properties as corticocancellous bone graft for reducing the scaphoid humpback deformity and DISI tilt. Here, we describe an arthroscopic technique to treat Alnot stage IIB scaphoid nonunion. We treated a 27-year-old male patient for scaphoid waist nonunion with humpback deformity and DISI. A 8×8×10 mm cylindrical corticocancellous bone graft was harvested from the dorsal aspect of the radius using a single-use osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS®, Arthrex Inc., Naples, USA). It was inserted in the nonunion site through an arthroscopic volar approach. Bone union was obtained at 3 months with lasting correction of the scaphoid humpback deformity and DISI. The functional result at 6 months was excellent. There were no complications. Scaphoid nonunion with humpback deformity and DISI may be treated arthroscopically with a corticocancellous bone graft.

Distal radius fracture fixation with a volar locking plate and endoscopic carpal tunnel release using a single 15mm approach: Feasibility study.

Distal radius fractures (DRF) may trigger, reveal or decompensate acute carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in 0.5-21% of cases. Internal fixation and median nerve release must then be carried out urgently. Less invasive approaches have been described for both the median nerve release using an endoscopic device and for the DRF fixation using a volar locking plate. We assessed the feasibility of DRF fixation and median nerve release through a single, minimally-invasive 15mm approach on a series of 10 cases. We reviewed retrospectively 10 consecutive cases of DRF associated with symptomatic CTS in 8 women and 2 men, aged 57 years on average. CTS was diagnosed clinically. All patients were treated during outpatient surgery with a volar locking plate and endoscopic carpal tunnel release using a single 15mm minimally-invasive approach. In one case, arthroscopic scapholunate repair was also required. Six months after the procedure, all patients were reviewed with a clinical examination and a radiological evaluation. The average values for the clinical and radiological outcomes were as follows: pain on VAS 1.5/10; QuickDASH 14.3/100; flexion 90%; extension 90.6%; pronation 95.6%; supination 87.9%; grip strength 90.1%; 2PD test 5.2mm (4-8mm). Five complications occurred: two cases of temporary dysesthesia in the territory of the median nerve and one case of temporary hypoesthesia of the palmar branch of the median nerve, which had all completely recovered; two cases of complex regional pain syndrome type I, which were still active at 6 months. Despite its methodological weaknesses, our study is the only one to describe the technical feasibility of a single 15mm minimally-invasive approach for both internal fixation using a volar locking plate and endoscopic nerve release, with no serious complications. This technique should be added to the surgical toolbox of minimally-invasive procedures for the hand and wrist.

Inside-out method to develop volar arthroscopic portals of the wrist in cadaver specimens.

Three direct volar portals for wrist arthroscopy have been described previously: two radiocarpal and one midcarpal. The aim of this study was to systematically describe four volar arthroscopic portals through minimally invasive incisions using an inside-out approach from known dorsal portals. Four volar arthroscopic wrist portals were studied on six hand specimens using an inside-out technique: a radial radiocarpal approach (RRCA), an ulnar radiocarpal approach (URCA), a radial midcarpal approach (RMCA) and an ulnar midcarpal approach (UMCA). Each volar approach corresponded to a dorsal approach: the 3/4 portal for RRCA, 4/5 portal for URCA, dorsal radial midcarpal approach for RMCA, and dorsal ulnar midcarpal approach for UMCA. The average range of motion of the scope through the RRCA was 65° in radial deviation and 72° in ulnar deviation; through the URCA it was 62° in radial deviation and 64° in ulnar deviation; through the RMCA it was 62° in radial deviation and 60° in ulnar deviation, and through the UMCA it was 59° in radial deviation and 68° in radial deviation. No iatrogenic injuries to important anatomical structures were noted. Based on these results, it is possible to perform these four volar portals through an inside-out technique with incisions mirroring the dorsal portals. They were easy to perform, safe and should be useful in ligament or bony intracarpal repair indications.

Minimally invasive osteotomy for distal radius malunion: A preliminary series of 9 cases.

UNLABELLED: The rate of malunion after distal radius fractures is 25% after conservative treatment and 10% after surgery. Their main functional repercussion related to ulno-carpal conflict is loss of wrist motion. We report a retrospective clinical series of minimally invasive osteotomies. The series consisted of 9 cases of minimally invasive osteotomies with volar locking plate fixation. All osteotomies healed. The average pain was 5.3/10 preoperatively and 2.1/10 at last follow-up. The mean Quick DASH was 55.4/100 preoperatively and 24.24/100 at last follow-up. Compared to the opposite side, the average wrist flexion was 84.11%, the average wrist extension was 80.24%, the average pronation was 95.33% and the average supination was 93.9%. With similar results to those of the literature, our short series confirms the feasibility of minimally invasive osteotomy of the distal radius for extra-articular malunion. TYPE: Case-series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The MetaHUS(®) fixation system versus pinning and plating in 5th metacarpal neck fractures.

The treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures is controversial. The aim of this work was to modify the intermetacarpal pinning technique with an external connector, and to compare the results of this modified technique to those of intramedullary pinning and locking plate techniques. Our series included 56 extra-articular fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal treated by intramedullary pinning (group A), locking plate Aptus(®) MEDARTIS™ (group B) and MetaHUS(®) Arex™ (group C); the last one consisted in intermetacarpal percutaneous pinning and connecting the pins externally. There were no statistically significant differences for all criteria except active mobility, which was less important for group B. In groups A and B, 6 complications were noted, in group C, one. Our results showed that blocked intermetacarpal K-wires is a technique of choice for the treatment of displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures, not only because it is easy to assemble and to remove, but also because it allows immediate active mobilization.

Prospective continuous study comparing intrafocal cross-pinning HK2(®) with a locking plate in distal radius fracture fixation.

The fixation of distal radius fractures by pinning or locking plates remains controversial. The aim of this prospective continuous study was to compare the results of 28 anterior locking plates with 23 intrafocal cross-pinning HK2(®) systems. The mean age of group I (SVP(®), SBI™ plate) was 61 years. There were 15 extra-articular and 13 articular fractures. The mean age of group II (HK2(®), Arex™) was 63 years, with 13 extra-articular and 10 articular fractures. Twelve clinical variables were measured: pain, wrist strength, supination strength, pronation strength, quick DASH score, range of wrist motion in flexion, extension, pronation, and supination, ulnar variance, radial slope, and radial volar tilt. At 40 weeks follow-up, there was no difference between the two groups for 10 variables; two variables showed differences between the two groups: mean quick DASH score was 10.7 for group I, 19.7 for group II, and mean ulnar variance was -0.95 mm for group I, and 1.16 mm for group II. Six transient complications were noted for group I: five tenosynovitis, and one carpal tunnel syndrome. We noted 12 complications in group II: four superficial infections, two secondary displacements, one pin migration, two CRPS type II, two tendon ruptures and one nerve irritation. Generally, plates provided a more stable fixation associated with less complications while the HK2(®) system was quicker and less costly. The indications for its use need to be refined with a larger series and longer follow-up.

Contribution of arthroscopy in case of septic appearance arthritis of the wrist: a nine cases series.

Septic arthritis of the wrist is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Synovectomy and lavage by arthrotomy is often followed by stiffness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic contribution of emergency arthroscopic synovectomy with intraarticular lavage. Nine patients were operated on for wrist pathology with septic appearance. All had signs of local inflammation, three showed locoregional inflammation, three were febrile. In one patient several joints were involved. Seven patients presented with inflammatory or degenerative arthritis. All patients underwent emergency surgery using radiocarpal joint puncture, arthroscopic exploration, intraarticular lavage and synovectomy at both the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. The results were evaluated by pain, Quick DASH, grip strength, and wrist range of motion. In three cases, joint fluid appeared clear, in three it was turbid, and in three purulent. Gram stain and culture revealed bacteria in four cases. Synovitis was radiocarpal four times, radiocarpal and midcarpal once. In one case, there was radiocarpal and midcarpal chondritis. Average pain was 5.3/10 preoperatively and 2/10 at the last clinical follow-up visit. Mean grip strength was 23.3 kg on the involved side vs. 33.5 kg on the opposite one. Mean flexion was 55° for the involved wrist vs. 68°; mean extension was 52° for the affected wrist vs. 59°. No patient was reoperated on. In all cases, there was no sign of local inflammation, regional lymphadenopathy or systemic infection at the last follow-up. One patient died of colon metastatic cancer. Another patient developed a severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I (CRPS1). Our results suggest three principles of management of wrist arthritis with septic appearance: extended surgical indication, emergency operation and arthroscopic procedure.

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Scleroderma bermudense alleviates salt stress in seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera L.) seedlings.

The purpose of this study was to test the capacity of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus, Scleroderma bermudense, to alleviate saline stress in seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera L.) seedlings. Plants were grown over a range (0, 200, 350 and 500 mM) of NaCl levels for 12 weeks, after 4 weeks of non-saline pre-treatment under greenhouse conditions. Growth and mineral nutrition of the seagrape seedlings were stimulated by S. bermudense regardless of salt stress. Although ECM colonization was reduced with increasing NaCl levels, ECM dependency of seagrape seedlings increased. Tissues of ECM plants had significantly increased concentrations of P and K but lower Na and Cl concentrations than those of non-ECM plants. Higher K concentrations in the leaves of ECM plants suggested a higher osmoregulating capacity of these plants. Moreover, the water status of ECM plants was improved despite their higher evaporative leaf surface. The results suggest that the reduction in Na and Cl uptake together with a concomitant increase in P and K absorption and a higher water status in ECM plants may be important salt-alleviating mechanisms for seagrape seedlings growing in saline soils.