Targeted muscle reinnervation at the time of amputation to prevent the development of neuropathic pain.

INTRODUCTION: Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is an established modality for the surgical management of neuropathic pain. Although the preventive effect of primary (acute) TMR at the time of amputation has been demonstrated previously, it remains unclear how many and which patients benefit most. Therefore, this study investigated the proportion of patients achieving sustained pain prophylaxis following amputation, as well as factors associated with its efficacy. METHODS: Primary patients who underwent TMR with a minimum follow-up of 6 months between 2018 and 2023 were enrolled. Pain outcomes (numeric rating scale [NRS], 0-10), comorbidities, and surgical factors were collected from chart review. Patients achieving sustained pain prophylaxis (NRS of ≤3 for ≥3 months until final follow-up) were identified. Multilevel mixed-effect models and multivariable regression were used to visualize pain courses and identify associated factors. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients who underwent primary TMR were included (median follow-up: 2.0 years), of whom 57.3% achieved sustained pain prophylaxis whereas 26.7% reported pain disappearance. Distal amputation levels (p = 0.036), a lower Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (p = 0.001), and the absence of psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0.039) were associated with pain prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that more than half of all patients undergoing primary TMR achieved sustained pain prophylaxis, and approximately a quarter of patients achieved sustained pain disappearance. Several factors associated with these favorable outcomes are described. These results will aid in preoperative counseling, managing patient expectations, and selecting patients who may benefit most from primary TMR surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - Therapeutic.

Predictive Value of Preoperative Pain Sketches in Lower Extremity Amputees Undergoing Secondary Targeted Muscle Reinnervation for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain.

BACKGROUND: Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) is an effective surgical treatment for neuropathic pain in amputees. Qualitative descriptions of pain, depicted by pain sketches, could enhance the understanding of symptomatic improvement following surgery. Our aim is to assess whether pre-operative pain sketches, drawn by lower extremity (LE) amputees, can predict surgical outcomes following Secondary TMR surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Eligible patients were LE amputees who underwent Secondary TMR surgery between 2017 and 2023. Pain sketches and pain scores were prospectively collected both before and after surgery. The pain trajectory, as categorized by pre-operative pain sketches, was analyzed and assessed for improvement, defined as reaching the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID). The transition into different pain sketches and the occurrence of phantom drawings were evaluated for their association with improvement. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included, of which 18 (31.1%) depicted diffuse pain (DP), 26 (44.8%) depicted focal pain (FP), and 18 (24.1%) depicted radiating pain (RP) in their pre-operative sketch. FP sketches were associated with the lowest pre- and post-operative pain scores and most frequently developed into sketches indicating "no pain". RP sketches were associated with the least pain improvement, the lowest likelihood of achieving the MCID, and were more prevalent in patients with diabetes or depression. RP sketches were associated with phantom drawings; no other sketch types developed into RP sketches at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In LE amputees who underwent Secondary TMR, pre-operative pain sketches could serve as a helpful tool in predicting pain outcomes. RP sketches seemed to be associated with worse outcomes, and FP sketches with the most improvement.

Clinical outcomes in patients with scaphoid non-union treated with the vascularized medial femoral condyle technique a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Non-union is a prevalent complication of scaphoid fractures. Late diagnosis is common and has a clinical impact due to functional limitations for the patient. Multiple treatments have been proposed to manage this complication, ranging from conservative (i.e., orthopedic) to surgical treatment. The vascularized medial femoral condyle technique has shown satisfactory clinical and paraclinical results, mainly in presence of avascular necrosis of the proximal pole but data regarding functional outcomes and patient satisfaction is scarce. This case series aims to describe the clinical and patient-reported outcomes in a consecutive series of patients with non-union of the proximal third of the scaphoid treated with vascularized medial femoral condyle technique. METHODS: Case series reporting results for a consecutive - initial cohort of patients who presented with a non united fracture of the proximal pole of the scaphoid, avascular necrosis of the proximal pole was documented by CT od MRI imaging preoperatively in all patients. Measurement instruments include the q-DASH and PRWE questionnaires, radiographic images, goniometry, and assessment of grip strength. RESULTS: Twelve consecutive patients are included and they represent the initial cases for all surgeons involved; bone union was obtained in 10 patients (83%) after a mean follow-up time of 31 months (6-72), successful improvement in the range of motion and grip strength was documented. A high rate of satisfaction expressed by the patient was obtained, with an average score in Q-DASH of 17.3 and 20.1 in PRWE. CONCLUSIONS: The vascularized medial condyle technique in cases of nonunion of scaphoid fracture is a reproducible treatment in clinical terms, both in imaging and functional terms, and in patient satisfaction. The learning curve is flat for a dedicated multi surgeon team.

Neurotización del nervio circunflejo por vía axilar, estudio cadavérico / Neurotization of the circumflex nerve through an axillary approach, cadaveric study

Objetivo Confirmar factibilidad técnica de la neurotización del nervio axilar por la rama motora de la porción larga del tríceps con el fin de definir la anatomía quirúrgica de los nervios radial y axilar. Materiales y métodos Veinte hombros de cadáver fueron intervenidos para transferencia de la rama del Nervio Radial para la porción larga del tríceps a la rama anterior del Nervio Axilar por abordaje axilar. Se confirmó la escogencia correcta del nervio receptor por abordaje posterior. Resultados Se logró una disección adecuada de la primera rama motora del nervio radial del nervio axilar y de la rama anterior del Nervio Axilar. El origen de la rama motora se encontró en promedio a 3,8mm (+/- 7,3mm) distal al borde superior del tendón del dorsal ancho. El nervio axilar se encontró cefálico al borde superior del dorsal ancho a una distancia promedio de 11,3mm (+/-2,13mm) y distal al redondo menor 3.05mm (+/- 1,3mm), sutura con la primera rama del radial en el 100% de los casos sin tensión y se confirmó la adecuada transferencia en todos los casos. Conclusión La neurotización del nervio axilar con la primera rama del nervio radial se logró con éxito en el 100% por vía axilar. Este abordaje es adecuado, evitando tener que realizar cambios de posición a prono y doble abordaje, y si se requiere procedimientos adicionales de reconstrucción en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico tipo Oberlin y exploraciones supraclaviculares del plexo braquial se pueden realizar sin cambio de posición.

Objective To confirm the technical feasibility of neurotization of the axillary nerve by the motor branch of the long head of the triceps in order to define the surgical anatomy of the radial and axillary nerves. Materials and method Twenty cadaver shoulders were operated on for transfer of the radial nerve branch for the long head of the triceps to the anterior branch of the axillary nerve by axillary approach. The correct choice of the receiving nerve was confirmed by posterior approach. Results An adequate dissection of the first motor branch of the radial nerve of the axillary nerve and of the anterior branch of the Axillary Nerve was achieved, The origin of the motor branch was found on average at 3.8mm (+/−7.3mm) distal to the superior border of the latissimus dorsi tendon. The axillary nerve was found 11.3mm (+/−2.13mm) cephalad to the upper border of the latissimus dorsi and 3.05mm (+/−1.3mm) distal to the teres minor. A tensionless coaptation was obtained in all cases. Conclusion Neurotization of the axillary nerve with the first branch of the radial nerve was successfully achieved through the axillary approach. This approach is adequate, avoiding position change to prone and double approach, and if additional reconstruction procedures are required at the same surgical time, Oberlin type and supraclavicular explorations of the brachial plexus can be performed without changing position.