Open hand fractures: a prospective analysis of functional outcomes and risk factors for infection after initial management in the emergency department.

PURPOSE: Open hand fractures are common orthopaedic injuries, historically managed with early debridement in the operating room. Recent studies suggest immediate operative treatment may not be necessary but have been limited by poor follow-up and lack of functional outcomes. This study sought to prospectively evaluate these injuries treated initially in the emergency department (ED), without immediate operative intervention, to determine long-term infectious and functional outcomes using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). METHODS: Adult patients with open hand fractures managed initially in the ED at a Level-I trauma center were considered for inclusion (2012-2016). Follow-up and MHQ administration occurred at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis testing were used for analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (110 fractures) were included. Most had Gustilo Type III injuries (65%). Injury mechanisms most commonly included saw/cut (40%) and crush (28%). Nearly half of all patients (46%) had additional injuries involving a nailbed or tendon. Fifteen percent of patients had surgery within 30 days. The average follow-up was 8.9 months, with 68% of patients completing at least 12 months. Eleven patients (14%) developed an infection, of which 4 (5%) required surgery. Subsequent surgery and laceration size were associated with increased odds of infection, and at one-year, functional outcomes were not significantly different regardless of fracture classification, injury mechanism, or surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Initial ED management of open hand fractures results in reasonable infection rates compared to similar literature and functional recovery demonstrated by MHQ score improvements over time.

Outcomes following use of VersaWrap nerve protector in treatment of patients with recurrent compressive neuropathies.

Epineural scarring following previous carpal or cubital tunnel release can lead to pain and permanent dysfunction. To prevent this cascade, nerve wraps are an option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes following use of VersaWrap nerve protector during surgical decompression and neurolysis in patients with recurrent compressive neuropathies in the upper extremity. Twenty patients comprised the patient cohort, with a mean postoperative follow-up time of 139 days (range: 42-356 days). There were 13 females and 7 males, with a mean age of 43.4 years. Fourteen surgeries were performed for revision cubital tunnel, 5 for revision carpal tunnel, and 1 for revision radial tunnel syndrome. Average duration of symptoms prior to revision surgery with VersaWrap was 2 years (range 9 months to 6 years). Postoperatively, the mean DASH score was 57.7 and VAS 3.1. Mean s2PD median distribution was 7.3, s2PD ulnar distribution 8.9, m2PD median distribution 6.9 and m2PD ulnar distribution 7.3. All patients had subjective improvement of symptoms and were satisfied with their result. No patients in our cohort required further revisional surgery. In conclusion, the use of VersaWrap as a nerve protector following revision surgery for recurrent compressive neuropathies in the upper extremity was safe and effective. Level of Evidence: IV; retrospective case series.

Considerations for Surgical Treatment of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

PURPOSE: It remains unclear whether first rib resection (FRR), performed via a supraclavicular (SCFRR) or transaxillary (TAFRR) approach, is necessary for patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS). In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we performed a direct comparison of patient-reported functional outcomes following different surgical approaches for nTOS. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, Google Scholar, and the gray literature. Data were extracted based on the procedure type. Well-validated patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed in separate time intervals. Random-effects meta-analysis and descriptive statistics were used where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were included, with 11 discussing SCFRR (812 patients), 6 discussing TAFRR (478 patients), and 5 discussing rib-sparing scalenectomy (RSS; 720 patients). The mean difference between preoperative and postoperative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was significantly different comparing RSS (43.0), TAFRR (26.8), and SCFRR (21.8). The mean difference between preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale scores was significantly higher for TAFRR (5.3) compared to SCFRR (3.0). Derkash scores were significantly worse for TAFRR compared to RSS or SCFRR. RSS had a success rate of 97.4% based on Derkash score, followed by SCFRR and TAFRR at 93.2% and 87.9%, respectively. RSS had a lower complication rate compared to SCFRR and TAFRR. There was a difference in complication rates: 8.7%, 14.5%, and 3.6% for SCFRR, TAFRR, and RSS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mean differences in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores and Derkash scores were significantly better for RSS. Higher complication rates were reported after FRR. Our findings suggest that RSS is an effective option for the treatment of nTOS. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Ultrasound for Perforator Mapping and Flap Design in the Hand and Upper Extremity.

Duplex ultrasound allows accurate preoperative flap planning through mapping of perforator location and anatomy. In the hand and upper extremity, where thickness of the subcutaneous fat is less compared with other areas of the body, color Doppler ultrasound is particularly sensitive for analyzing the location and characteristics of perforators. In this study, we will first review evidence on use of ultrasound in flap planning. Second, we will provide a technical guide on ultrasound settings for preoperative flap planning. Finally, we will discuss case examples that show the use of ultrasound for accurate perforator mapping to facilitate rapid flap harvest. Color Doppler ultrasound is inexpensive and readily available to be incorporated into the armamentarium of the hand surgeon for preoperative flap planning.

Surgical Interventions for Lumbosacral Plexus Injuries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Nerve reconstruction techniques for lumbosacral plexus (LSP) injuries vary. There are no clear treatment guidelines available, and summative evaluations of the literature discussing these surgeries are lacking. For these reasons, this investigation aimed to systematically review and consolidate all available literature discussing surgical interventions for LSP injuries and cohesively present patient-reported and objective postoperative outcomes. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global (via Proquest.com), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. After title and abstract screening, identified articles were read in full and selected for inclusion based on prespecified criteria. Results: Our literature search identified 8683 potential citations, and after duplicate removal, abstract screening, and full-text review, 62 studies remained meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcomes were extracted according to the location of injury and type of surgical repair. Injuries were classified into isolated femoral nerve injuries, isolated obturator nerve injuries, isolated sciatic nerve injuries, and multilevel LSP injuries. Surgical treatment was further classified into exploration with neurolysis, direct repair, nerve grafting, and nerve transfer surgery. Conclusions: Although results vary based on the location of the injury and the surgical technique used, nerve grafts and transfers demonstrated reasonable success in improving functional and pain outcomes. Overall, isolated femoral and obturator nerve injuries had the best outcomes reported with surgical treatment. Furthermore, incomplete sciatic nerve and multilevel LSP injuries had more reported surgical options and better outcomes than complete sciatic nerve injuries.