How to salvage the fractured coracoid during the Latarjet Procedure? An empirical approach.

The Latarjet procedure is a frequently used stabilization procedure in case of anterior shoulder instability with critical glenoid bone loss and/or off-track Hill Sachs lesions. Although uncommon, intra-operative graft fractures do occur. When confronted with this potentially challenging intra-operative complication, having a secondary solution is paramount to achieve a successful outcome. This technical note provides a treatment algorithm that may function as a useful guideline to assist surgeons that experience this potentially complex unintended event during a Latarjet procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Using standard-length compactors to implant short humeral stems in total shoulder arthroplasty: A cadaver study of humeral stem alignment.

BACKGROUND: Short-stem implants in shoulder arthroplasty were recently developed and reported clinical outcomes are good. However, radiological analysis often reveals humeral stem misalignment in the frontal plane, along with high filling ratios that can lead to proximal bone remodeling under stress shielding. The aim of this cadaveric study was to test whether using compactors for standard-length (> 100 mm) stems to implant short (< 100 mm) stems reduces the risk of stem misalignment without compromising in terms of a higher filling ratio. METHODS: In a cadaveric study, twenty short stems were implanted using instrumentation for standard-length stems. Alignment and filling ratios were evaluated on anteroposterior radiographs for both the compactors and the stems. The angular deviations (α) from the humeral axis of the compactors and the short stems were measured. Misalignment was defined as |α| > 5°. Metaphyseal and diaphyseal filling ratios were calculated and defined as either high (≥ 0.7) or low (< 0.7). RESULTS: The median angular deviations of the compactors and the short stems were respectively 1.6° (range, 0.03 to 5.9°) and 1.3° (range, 0.3 to 9.6°). Nineteen of the 20 compactors (95%) and 17/20 short stems (85%) were correctly aligned. The proportions of correctly aligned compactors and stems were not significantly different (95% CI, -0.33 to 0.11; Z-test of proportions p = .60), and the respective angular deviations were significantly correlated (Spearman ρ = .60, p = 0.006). The diaphyseal and metaphyseal filling ratios of the compactors and the stems were all low. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of 20 implants in cadavers, the narrow short humeral stems implanted with compactors for standard-length stems were correctly aligned with the humeral axis. This approach may be a way to achieve both correct frontal alignment and low filling ratios.

Outcomes of distal biceps tendon reattachment using the ToggleLoc™ fixation device with ZipLoop™ technology with single mini-open technique.

Anatomical repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures has been shown to restore elbow supination and flexion strength. Here, we report the outcomes of distal biceps tendon reattachment using the ToggleLoc fixation device with ZipLoop technology through a single incision. This was a retrospective study of 38 patients with a mean age of 49.5 years. The mean follow-up time was 15 months (range 4/28). The average time to surgery was 21 days. The fixation button was introduced in a bone tunnel and the tendon passed through a bone window using the ToggleLoc™, which allows the tendon to be tensioned using sutures. The tendon was reattached in 30° elbow flexion. The mean strength deficit in supination was 23.9% in comparison with the contralateral side. We discovered four instances of heterotopic ossification on follow-up radiographs. There were seven cases of persistent lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve paresthesia, but no damage to the posterior interosseous nerve. This new technique places the tendon in a bone tunnel using a single surgical approach. It provides the surgeon with good feedback on the tension of the repair, which is unique among endobutton-type devices. We recommend using the ToggleLoc™ with ZipLoop™ technology as it is a simple, reliable and reproducible technique for distal biceps tendon reattachment.

Ultrasound Evaluation of the Protector Role of the Pronator Quadratus Suture in Volar Plating.

The main complication of volar locking plates for distal radius fractures is flexor tendon rupture. The flexor pollicis longus (FPL) is the most commonly ruptured. Repair of the pronator quadratus (PQ) is one of the ways to prevent tendon rupture. The main purpose of this series was to evaluate the role of PQ repair after volar plating to prevent flexor tendon rupture using ultrasound (US). This work was a mono-operator prospective series of 20 consecutive patients with volar locking plates for distal radius fracture between September 2014 and May 2015. The PQ was repaired in all patients. A clinical, ultrasound, and perioperative evaluation of the flexor tendon was performed by this same surgeon. There was no flexor tendon rupture or tenosynovitis. There were no type A cases, which are characterized by contact between the plate and the FPL, and mostly type C cases, which are characterized by no contact between the plate and the FPL on US imaging. The suture of the PQ was sustainable over time when we removed the plate. Pronator quadratus repair is one of the ways to prevent flexor tendon rupture after volar plating. The outward-running suture is an effective technique for repairing the PQ. Ultrasound may be helpful during follow-up to detect asymptomatic flexor tendon irritation.

Arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with double-button fixation: short-term complications and learning curve analysis.

BACKGROUND: The arthroscopic Latarjet with double-button fixation is a guided procedure recently proposed to treat anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. The goal of this study was to report intraoperative and early postoperative complications and to analyze the learning curve. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study that included 88 patients. Intraoperative or postoperative complications as well as adverse events and operative time were recorded. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 2 weeks, 1.5 months, and at the last follow-up. Radiologic analysis was based on an immediate postoperative computed tomography scan. RESULTS: The intraoperative complications or adverse events rate was 3.3%: 1 conversion to open surgery, 1 bone block fracture, and 1 instrumentation problem. The postoperative complication rate was 6.8%: 4 coracoid migrations, and 2 subluxations. None of these complications occurred beyond the 10th case performed. The average operative time significantly decreased with surgical experience (r = -0.8426; 95% confidence interval, -0.9074 to -0.7384; P < .0001) to reach 76 ± 12 minutes (range, 62-95 minutes) at 30 cases. Radiologically, 90% of the bone blocks were flush and subequatorial beyond the 30th case. At a mean follow-up of 12.6 months (range, 6-24 months), Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores were 80 and 81 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At short-term follow-up, the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with double-button fixation exhibited a low complication rate. Operative time significantly improved with surgical experience and was optimized after 30 cases. Early clinical results confirmed that this procedure can be safe and reliable.

Three-Corner Arthrodesis With Scaphoid and Triquetrum Excision for Wrist Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and radiographic results of a consecutive series of patients who underwent the 3-corner arthrodesis (3CA) (arthrodesis of capitate, hamate, and lunate with scaphoid and triquetrum excision) procedure for wrist arthritis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 30 consecutive patients who underwent a 3CA between 1994 and 2008. The indications were painful wrist osteoarthritis due to stage 2 or 3 scapholunate advanced collapse, scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse, or scaphoid chondrocalcinosis advanced collapse wrists. The clinical assessment consisted of range of motion, grip strength, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores. The radiographic assessment parameters consisted of bone fusion, carpal height and translation, lunate tilt, and appearance of the radiolunate joint space. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 6 years (± 4 years). The arthrodesis was performed with staples, 2 screws, or a plate and screws. Grip strength was 72% of the contralateral side. The mean range of motion in flexion-extension arc and ulnar-radial deviation arc was 70° and 36°, respectively. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores were 17 (± 11) and 22 (± 24), respectively. The fusion incidence was 90% (27 of 30). The mean difference of radiolunate angle on preoperative and postoperative radiographs was 8° (16°-8° in dorsal direction). The radiolunate joint space had narrowed in 1 patient. Six surgical revisions (20%) were necessary owing to dorsal pain in patients operated using plates, staples, or excessively long screws. CONCLUSIONS: Three-corner arthrodesis results are comparable with 4-corner arthrodesis and proximal row carpectomy. We feel that it is simpler technically than 4-corner arthrodesis. Although 3CA is more complex than proximal row carpectomy, it preserves the native radiolunate joint. Complications that can be attributed to the dorsal fixation hardware (particularly staples and plates) were noteworthy. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

The Zitelli design for bilobed flap applied on skin defects after digital mucous cyst excision. A review of 9 cases.

Mucous cysts do not always require treatment. Nevertheless, patients often ask for excision because of pain or esthetics. Flap coverage is usually a concomitant procedure, which improves the quality of the skin overlying the distal interphalangeal joint. We propose the Zimany bilobed flap in this indication, and particularly its newer geometric design developed by Zitelli. We report the use of this flap in 9 cysts. Wound healing was fast with a good outcome. This flap design is an easy, safe procedure, and the Zitelli geometric design is a clear improvement for the reproducibility and learning curve.

Capitate pyrocarbon prosthesis in radiocarpal osteoarthritis.

Scapholunate dissociation or scaphoid pseudarthrosis may lead to osteoarthritis of the wrist. When osteoarthritis affects the midcarpal joint, proximal row carpectomy is no longer possible and only 4 corners fusion or capitolunate arthrodesis may be indicated. However, in some cases, osteoarthritis or bone necrosis may involve the lunatum, making partial arthrodeses impossible. Total arthrodesis may be proposed in such cases, but with a loss of range-of-motion. Total prosthesis may be considered but the results of this procedure are not always encouraging. Consequently, in these situations, we perform pyrocarbon prosthesis implant, replacing the head of the capitatum. This article describes the procedure and the results of a preliminary study.