First dorsal metacarpal artery adiposofascial flap for venous conduit and soft tissue cover in an avulsed thumb: case report.

Skin loss, need for vein grafts, and secondary surgeries are often encountered in avulsion injuries of the thumb. We report a case of successful salvage of an avulsion type of near total amputation of the thumb following a conveyor belt injury in which the first dorsal metacarpal artery adiposofascial flap was used for combined soft tissue cover and venous conduit.

Simple clinical test to detect deltoid muscle dysfunction causing weakness of abduction--"akimbo" test.

INTRODUCTION: Full range of motion and powerful shoulder abduction can be performed without any deltoid muscle function by the supplemental action of the supraspinatus and biceps brachii muscles. For evaluation of deltoid muscle function, we need to negate these actions, which can be done with the "akimbo test," in which patients place their hands on the iliac crest with abduction in the coronal plane and internal rotation of the shoulder joint while simultaneously flexing the elbow joint and pronating the forearm. METHODS: We examined the akimbo test in five patients with incomplete upper-type brachial plexus injury, five patients with suprascapular nerve palsy, and six patients with axillary nerve palsy. Presence of some abduction is a prerequisite to perform this test. RESULTS: No patient with incomplete upper-type brachial plexus injury could demonstrate this sign when the deltoid did not show a certain level of the power to abduct the shoulder joint. All patients with suprascapular nerve could demonstrate this sign as the deltoid was normal. No patient with axillary nerve paralysis could demonstrate this sign. CONCLUSION: The akimbo test is a simple clinical test to determine deltoid muscle paralysis or dysfunction, especially when patients can demonstrate shoulder abduction due to supplementary action of other muscles.

Viability of the skin paddle does not predict the functional outcome in free muscle transfers with a second ischemic event: a report of three cases.

Conventional skin flap monitoring is one of the widely used methods to assess postoperative circulation in innervated free muscle transfer (IFMT). However, following reexploration for vascular compromise and reestablishing circulation, functional recovery of the muscle despite surviving skin flap is not clear. The purpose of this article is to report three such cases and determine the reliability of viable skin flap in an IFMT with a second ischemic event. Long-term functional results were assessed in terms of reinnervation time, elbow range of motion, strength of elbow flexion, finger function in terms of total active motion, and power lifting with hook grip. These IFMTs developed complete or partial necrosis of the muscle and could not obtain satisfactory function. The conventional monitoring of the skin flap did not promptly reflect vascularity of IFMT, and a surviving skin flap after reexploration for compromised vascularity does not guarantee complete survival of the muscle. There is a need for earlier and rapid detection of vascular compromise in IFMTs.

Capsulectomy and debridement for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow through a medial trans-flexor approach.

PURPOSE: Debridement arthroplasty combined with capsulectomy for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow is a useful procedure to relieve pain and increase mobility. We have used a medial trans-flexor approach without tendon detachment for debridement arthroplasty of the elbow and evaluated the outcome of this procedure. METHODS: Thirty-one elbows with primary osteoarthritis in 31 patients treated with debridement arthroplasty were available for follow-up at a mean of 19 ± 7 months. Twenty-four patients were men, and 7 were women. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59 ± 10 years. All elbows were painful only at the end points of motion. The anterior compartment of the elbow was accessed by splitting of the pronator flexor muscle group without tendon detachment. Routine anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve was used in all elbows. In 10 elbows, osteophytes or loose osseous bodies from the lateral compartment were removed through an additional lateral approach. RESULTS: Twenty-three elbows had no pain, and 8 elbows had mild pain. The mean preoperative limitation of extension decreased from 29° ± 9° to 15° ± 9° and the mean preoperative flexion increased from 100° ± 10° to 126° ± 7°. Thus, the mean arc of elbow motion increased by 40° ± 13°. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 94 ± 7 compared with 60 ± 5 before surgery. The results were excellent for 22 elbows and good for 9. Hematomas developed in 3 elbows, but they did not require surgical drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Debridement arthroplasty using the medial trans-flexor approach without tendon detachment yields satisfactory short-term clinical results. This approach is associated with a low rate of complications and is safe and effective for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the elbow. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Alternative to Vein Grafts for Arterial Repair in Avulsion Amputations of Thumb: Case Series.

The first reimplantation of a complete thumb amputation using microvascular anastomosis in a human was successfully conducted by Komatsu in 1968. Avulsion amputations of the thumb at the level of metacarpophalangeal joints pose a tedious task for direct arterial repair, even with adequate bone shortening. Owing to the short length of princeps pollicis from the deep arch, tight working space in the first web under microscope, and the associated intimal injuries, we advise transposing the radial indices artery in such cases which gives adequate length and noninjured artery for a tension-free repair. Using this method, surgeons can avoid the tedious task of vein grafts for arterial repair, reduce the operating time, and improve successful outcomes in thumb reimplantations.

Intramedullary Percutaneous Fixation of Extra-Articular Proximal and Middle Phalanx Fractures.

Multiple methods have been described for treating unstable proximal and middle phalangeal fractures. Irrespective of using an open or closed technique of fixation, stiffness and extensor lag at the proximal/distal interphalangeal joint almost always occur. This issue can be avoided by allowing the patients to mobilize the fingers out of plaster or splint as early as possible from the day of surgery. We describe a technique of intramedullary percutaneous fixation of extra-articular proximal and middle phalanx fractures allowing immediate mobilization of fingers, concurrent stabilization with progressive healing and thus preventing such complications.

Current Procedure of Double Free Muscle Transfer for Traumatic Total Brachial Plexus Palsy.

INTRODUCTION: We describe the current procedure of not only double free muscle transfer but also supplemental techniques including nerve transfer for shoulder and elbow reconstruction and secondary surgery for the wrist and fingers to improve prehensile function following traumatic total brachial plexus palsy1-4. STEP 1 PREOPERATIVE PLANNING: Coronal and transverse MRIs and intraoperative electrical stimulation are useful for nerve-root evaluation. STEP 2 RECONSTRUCTION OF SHOULDER FUNCTION STAGE I: If the nerve gap is <10 cm, use the sural nerve as an interpositional graft; if the nerve gap is >15 cm, use a vascularized ulnar or radial nerve graft from the ipsilateral forearm; if the ipsilateral nerve roots are not available, explore the contralateral plexus. STEP 3 FIRST FREE INNERVATED MUSCLE TRANSFER FOR ELBOW FLEXION AND FINGER EXTENSION STAGE II: Prepare the recipient site, harvest the gracilis muscle, and transfer the muscle graft. STEPS 4 AND 5 STAGE III NERVE TRANSFER FOR ELBOW EXTENSION AND SENSORY RESTORATION STEP 4 AND SECOND FREE INNERVATED MUSCLE TRANSFER FOR ELBOW FLEXION AND FINGER FLEXION STEP 5: Repair the long-head branches of the triceps brachii muscle of the radial nerve by using the third and fourth intercostal nerves, and the median nerve by using the sensory branch of the the second and third intercostal nerves; then transfer the second free muscle. STEP 6 POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immobilize the upper limb for eight weeks, and start early passive mobilization at one week. STEP 7 SECONDARY PROCEDURES STAGE IV: Secondary procedures include wrist fusion, correction of intrinsic minus deformity, etc. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2008, thirty-six patients underwent reconstruction with the double free muscle technique to treat a total brachial plexus palsy5. WHAT TO WATCH FOR: IndicationsContraindicationsPitfalls & Challenges.

Outcome of surgical reconstruction after traumatic total brachial plexus palsy.

BACKGROUND: Double free muscle transfer for the treatment of traumatic total brachial plexus injury provides useful prehensile function. We studied the outcome of this muscle transfer procedure, including the changes in disability and quality-of-life scores. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with traumatic total brachial plexus injury who underwent double free muscle transfer for reconstruction from 2002 to 2008 and had a minimum follow-up of twenty-four months after the second free muscle transfer were studied. All were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires. A separate questionnaire was used to determine job status, pain, use of the reconstructed hand, and satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: The mean patient age was twenty-nine years (range, sixteen to forty-nine years), and the mean duration of follow-up was thirty-six months (range, twenty-four to seventy-nine months). The mean active range of motion was 23° (range, 0° to 80°) for shoulder flexion, 31° (range, 0° to 90°) for shoulder abduction, -18° (range, -80° to 40°) for shoulder external rotation, 62° (range, 0° to 130°) for the shoulder rotation arc, 119° (range, 90° to 150°) for elbow flexion, and -33° (range, -60° to -20°) for elbow extension. The power of elbow flexion was M4 in twenty-five patients and M3 in eleven. Twenty-three patients had triceps nerve reconstruction; extension was M0 in two of these patients, M1 in seven, M2 in ten, and M3 in four. Total active motion of the fingers was 46° (range, 0° to 98°), with a mean hook grip strength of 4 kg (range, 0 to 12 kg). Wilcoxon tests revealed significant improvements in the DASH score and the SF-36 physical functioning, role physical, and physical component summary scores. The majority of patients worked but had changed their type of work, used the reconstructed hand in activities of daily living that required both hands, and were satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Double free muscle transfer yielded satisfactory function and allowed use of the reconstructed hand in activities that required both hands. The improvement in the DASH score was greater than that in the SF-36 score.

Asymptomatic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease causing carpal tunnel syndrome: case report.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease typically involves the wrist joint in the form of calcifications of the triangular fibrocartilage and the distal radioulnar joint. We describe an 87-year-old male who presented to us with asymptomatic form of deposition with multiple flexor tendon calcifications causing chronic median nerve compression. Simple carpal tunnel decompression relieved his median nerve symptoms.

Locking of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the ring finger due to the neglected flexor digitorum profundus avulsion.

We report an unusual case of proximal interphalangeal joint locking of the ring finger due to the neglected flexor digitorum profundus avulsion. Although rare, it should be noted that locking is a potential complication after this injury.

Postoperative monitoring in free muscle transfers for reconstruction in brachial plexus injuries.

Free gracilis transfers are done for reanimation of the upper limb in traumatic total brachial plexus palsy. Because of buried nature of the free muscle and monitoring skin flap in the axillary or infraclavicular region, it is always a tricky situation for continuous and repeated monitoring to assess vascular status. Critical ischemia times vary between the muscle and monitoring skin flap because of which signs of ischemic changes in the monitoring skin flap are always delayed with respect to the muscle. We describe a novel method that uses the principle of evoked potentials from the muscle to assess the vascular status of the free muscle and detects vascular compromise early before the skin changes are apparent.