Wrist Reconstruction Using Free Vascularized Fibular Head Graft Following Intralesional Excision for Campanacci Grade 3 Giant Cell Tumors Involving the Articular Surface of the Distal Radius.

Reconstruction with a free vascularized fibular head graft after en bloc excision of a Campanacci grade 3 giant cell tumor of bone in the distal radius can effectively control local recurrence. However, it leads to the loss of wrist movement, subsequent radiocarpal subluxation, and an osteoarthritic change. Another treatment option for grade 3 lesions is intralesional excision and cementation, which preserves wrist movement but does not restore the articular surface. We report a case of wrist reconstruction using a free vascularized fibular head graft after the intralesional excision of a Campanacci grade 3 giant cell tumor of bone with invasion of the articular surface of the distal radius. In patients with this type of a lesion, wrist reconstruction using a free vascularized fibular head graft after intralesional excision can help prevent local tumor recurrence, restore the articular surface, and maintain movements of the wrist joint.

Extension Block Pinning versus percutaneous Fragment Reduction with a Towel Clip and extension Block Pinning with direct Pin Fixation for Treatment of Mallet Fracture.

PURPOSE: This study compared the clinical and radiographic results between extension block pinning (Group A) and percutaneous reduction of the dorsal fragment with a towel clip followed by extension block pinning with direct pin fixation (Group B) for the treatment of mallet fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 69 patients (group A = 34 patients, group B = 35 patients) who underwent operative treatment for mallet fractures from June 2008 to November 2017 with ≥ 6 months post-surgical follow-up were analysed retrospectively. The extent of subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint, articular involvement of fracture fragment, fracture gap, and articular step-off were examined on plain radiographs before and after surgery. The functional outcomes were evaluated with the Crawford rating system. RESULTS: The postoperative step-offs were 0.16 mm in group A and 0.01 mm in group B. Group B had a significantly better anatomical outcome than group A. Five patients in group A had a loss of reduction. Among them, two had malunion and post-traumatic arthritis. Meanwhile, no patients in group B presented with loss of reduction and nonunion. The mean extension lags were 4.2° in group A and 1.6° in group B. However, functional outcome did not differ between the two groups at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fracture reduction using a towel clip and extension block pinning with direct pin insertion for mallet fracture facilitated the anatomical reduction of fragments, and allowed for stable fixation of fragments. Compared with extension block pinning technique, this technique has shown better anatomical results and stability, but not better clinical results.

Factors Causing Prolonged Postoperative Symptoms Despite Absence of Complications After A1 Pulley Release for Trigger Finger.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and prognostic factors for prolonged postoperative symptoms after open A1 pulley release in patients with trigger finger, despite absence of any complications. METHODS: We reviewed 109 patients (78 single-finger involvement, 31 multiple-finger involvement) who underwent open A1 pulley release for trigger finger from 2010 to 2016, with 8 weeks or longer postsurgical follow-up and without postoperative complications. The group had 16 men and 93 women, with mean age of 56 years (range, 21-81 years), and average follow-up period of 24.8 weeks (range, 8.0-127.4 weeks). Prolonged postoperative symptoms were defined as symptoms persisting for longer than 8 weeks after surgery. Factors analyzed for delay in recovery included duration of preoperative symptoms; number of preoperative local corticosteroid injections; preoperative flexion contracture of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint; multiplicity of trigger finger lesions; occupation; presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, other hand disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain disease, or Dupuytren contracture; and fraying or partial tear of the flexor tendon. RESULTS: Twenty-six fingers (19.3%) showed prolonged postoperative symptoms, with mean time until complete relief being 14.0 ± 6.4 weeks (range, 9-34 weeks). Risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative symptoms included duration of preoperative symptoms, preoperative flexion contracture of the PIP joint, and fraying or partial tear of the flexor tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider the duration of preoperative symptoms and preoperative flexion contracture of the PIP joint when deciding timing of surgery for trigger finger patients. In addition, they should explain to patients with a positive history of these factors and in whom flexor tendon injury is found during surgery about the possibility of prolonged postoperative symptoms. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Management of calcific myonecrosis with a sinus tract: A case report.

RATIONALE: Calcific myonecrosis is a very rare late sequela that occurs in patients who have had trauma accompanied by vascular compromise, in which a single muscle or entire muscles in a compartment undergoes necrosis and form a calcified mass. It is mostly a benign entity, but some cases cause bone destruction and form non-healing chronic sinuses. In such cases, wound management becomes difficult and there is a potential risk of secondary infection. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old male was referred for evaluation of a pain, erythematous changes, and draining sinus of the anterolateral aspect of his left leg. He had an open reduction and internal fixation as well as a stent insertion in the femoral artery owing to a distal femur fracture and femoral artery rupture. DIAGNOSES: A thick fluid with a chalk-like material was discharged through the shiny skin via the sinus. The radiographs of the left leg showed a large, fusiform-shaped, radiopaque soft tissue mass in the space between the tibia and fibula. We performed an incisional biopsy to differentiated soft tissue sarcoma and malignant cells were found. Pathologic evaluation revealed acute and chronic inflammation with dystrophic calcification. These findings led to the diagnosis of calcific myonecrosis. INTERVENTIONS: We performed an extensive debridement of the anterior and deep posterior compartments to ensure definitive treatment. Upon performing extensive debridement, we inserted a drain tube and performed primary closure. OUTCOMES: The fluid continued to be discharged through the drain even after the surgery; delayed wound healing occurred 4 weeks following the surgery, and there was no recurrence at follow-up conducted 2 years later. LESSONS: Calcific myonecrosis is mostly a benign entity, but some cases of calcific myonecrosis cause bone destruction and form non-healing chronic sinuses. In such cases, surgical treatment is required, during which the necrotic tissue and calcific material must be extensively debrided and drained.

Pedicled chimeric gastrocnemius-medial sural artery adipofascial flap for reconstruction of anterolateral defects of the knee.

A medial gastrocnemius muscle flap is useful for soft tissue reconstruction of the knee and proximal tibia but insufficient to cover defects involving the lateral aspect of the knee. The purpose of this report is to present the results of the use of a pedicled chimeric gastrocnemius-medial sural artery adipofascial flap for reconstruction of defects of the knee and lateral aspect of the knee. Six patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction of the knee by means of the described procedure. Patients included one female and five males. The mean age of the patients was 48 years. The cause of soft tissue defects was open fractures in three cases and infection in three cases. The mean size of soft tissue defects was 9.3 × 7 cm (range: 6 × 3 to 18 × 14 cm), and the mean size of adipofascial components was 6.8 × 3.8 cm (range: 6 × 3 to 10 × 6 cm). Medial knee defects were covered by the medial gastrocnemius muscle component and lateral knee defects were covered by the medial sural artery adipofascial component. All flaps survived in the six cases. Soft tissue reconstruction and infection control were successful without any additional surgical procedures. A pedicled chimeric gastrocnemius-medial sural artery adipofascial flap may be considered effective for soft tissue reconstruction of the knee as it reduces scars at the donor site and reconstructs the lateral knee defects not covered by the medial gastrocnemius muscle flap. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:206-211, 2017.

Morphological Study of the Proximal Fibular Articular Surface Using Computed Tomography: Which Side Is Preferred for Proximal Fibular Flap in Wrist Arthroplasty?

Background Although proximal fibular flaps have been widely applied in wrist arthroplasty, controversy remains regarding which side of the proximal fibula is better for reconstruction of the distal radius. If the articular surface of the proximal fibula shows dorsal tilting, the ipsilateral (right) proximal fibula should be harvested in right wrist arthroplasty because the articular surface of the distal radius normally has volar tilt. This study investigated anatomical similarities between the proximal fibular articular surface and the distal radius articular surface based on morphologic analysis of the proximal fibula using computed tomography (CT). Methods A total of 18 proximal fibulae from 18 adult volunteers were analyzed using CT. Tilt and length of the proximal fibular articular surface were measured in the section plane parallel to the proximal tibiofibular articular surface (simulated sagittal plane). The inclination angle of the articular surface was measured in the section plane perpendicular to the proximal tibiofibular articular surface (simulated coronal plane). Results In the simulated sagittal plane, the articular surface of the proximal fibula showed a mean dorsal tilt of 4.1 degrees; the articular surface for each scan was 17.1 mm. In the simulated coronal plane, two articular surfaces were studied. The inclination angle of these surfaces was measured as 32.2 and 54.4 degrees, respectively. Conclusion CT analysis of the proximal fibular articular surfaces suggested that ipsilateral proximal fibular transfer can result in improved anatomic restoration of normal volar tilt of the distal radius due to dorsal tilt of the proximal fibular articular surface.

A New Method to Control Tendon Tension in the Transfer of Extensor Indicis Proprius to Extensor Pollicis Longus Rupture.

This study evaluated the outcomes of extensor indicis proprius (EIP) transfer based on varying degrees of thumb extension after EIP transfer and elongation of the EIP. A total of 24 cases with extensor pollicis longus (EPL) ruptures who underwent EIP to EPL transfer were analyzed prospectively. The EIP transfer was performed with neutral wrist positioning. In group I (12 cases), EIP and EPL were sutured on the thumb in neutral state at interphalangeal joint, and the mean EIP elongation of this group measured 0.2 cm (range, -0.5 to 0.5 cm). In group II (12 cases), EIP and EPL were sutured on the thumb in full extension state at interphalangeal joint, and the mean EIP elongation measured 0.7 cm (range, 0.5-1.5 cm). The mean follow-up period was 13.5 months. The 2 groups were compared based on thumb motion, grip strength, pinch power, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score. Extension of the thumb at the interphalangeal joint was -5.2° in group I and 7.2° in group II, demonstrating statistically significant differences. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in other parameters. In EIP transfer, thumb in extension after transfer and EIP elongation is recommended for restoring thumb extension at the interphalangeal joint.

Outcomes of wrist arthroplasty using a free vascularized fibular head graft for Enneking stage II giant cell tumors of the distal radius.

The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes of wrist arthroplasty with a free vascularized fibular head graft (FVFHG) and to highlight some considerations that may affect outcomes. FVFHG was performed on 12 patients with giant cell tumors of the distal radius between April 1984 and July 2005. The mean age of patients was 33 years. All 12 patients were classified as Enneking stage 2. Outcomes were evaluated with radiographic and functional assessments, including the scale of Enneking. The mean follow-up period was 6.26 years. Bone union was achieved in all patients at a mean of 15.7 weeks after surgery. Skin grafting was performed at the recipient site in 5 patients and had good skin healing. Subluxation in the wrist joint was observed in 5 patients and was related to the length of the transplanted fibula. The 5 patients with subluxation experienced considerable osteoarthritic change. The mean arc of flexion-extension and rotation of the wrist joint was 73.1° and 102.9°, respectively. The mean grip strength was 57.25% of the contralateral side. The mean functional score was 26.4 points. Wrist arthroplasty with a FVFHG is a useful option to treat Enneking stage 2 giant cell tumors of the distal radius. We believe that wrist instability is not determined by the choice of laterality of the fibula, which can be minimized by transplanting a short fibula with the anterior tibial artery as a donor artery. The recipient sites can be successfully resurfaced by skin grafting.

Outcomes of anterolateral thigh-free flaps and conversion from external to internal fixation with bone grafting in gustilo type IIIB open tibial fractures.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the utility and the clinical outcomes of anterolateral thigh (ALT)-free flaps and conversion from external to internal fixation with plating and bone grafting in Gustilo type IIIB open tibial fractures. A total of 21 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 18 months and the mean age was 46.7 years. There were 18 men and three women. The mean time from injury to flap coverage was 11.6 days. The mean size of flaps used was 15.3 × 8.2 cm. The mean size of bone defects was 2.26 cm. Segmental bone defects were observed in 5 five cases, for which bone transport or vascularized fibular graft were performed. When flaps were successful and the fracture sites did not have any evidence of infection, internal fixation with plates and bone grafting were performed. Flaps survived in 20 cases. In the 20 cases with successful flaps, two cases developed osteomyelitis, but the 20 cases achieved solid bone union at a mean of 8.6 months after the injury, salvaging the lower extremity in 100% of the cases. At the last follow-up, 9 nine cases were measured excellent or good; 6, fair; and 6, poor in the functional assessment based on the method developed by Puno et al. ALT- free flaps to cover soft tissue defects in Gustilo type IIIB open tibial fractures are considered as useful option for the treatment of composite defects. In addition, conversion to internal fixation and bone grafting can be an alternative method in order to reduce the risk of complications and inconvenience of external fixators.

Anatomic reduction of mallet fractures using extension block and additional intrafocal pinning techniques.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to report the efficacy of the extension block pinning and additional intrafocal pinning technique applied to cases whose mallet fractures were not reduced with extension block pinning alone. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 14 digits with 14 patients who were treated with the extension block pinning and additional intrafocal pinning technique. There were eight men and six women with an average age of 34 years. The average articular surface involvement was 52%. The average follow-up was 16 months and the mean time from injury to operation was 23 days. RESULTS: All the cases achieved anatomic reduction of fractures. By Crawford's classification, 9 were excellent and 5 were good. The average active flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint was 78 degrees and the average extension loss was 1.8 degrees. Bone union was observed in all cases after a postoperative mean of 38.4 days. Complications such as skin necrosis, fracture of bony fragments, and nail-plate deformity were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Additional intrafocal pinning technique is considered a simple and useful method to obtain anatomic reduction of mallet fractures in cases where extension block pinning alone is insufficient to restore the anatomic configuration of the articular surface.

Effect of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose solution on perineural scar formation after sciatic nerve repair in rats.

BACKGROUND: Scar tissue formation is the major cause of failure in peripheral nerve surgery. Use of a hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membrane (Seprafilm) as a solid anti-adhesion barrier agent is one of the therapeutic approaches to reduce postoperative scar tissue formation. However, a solid membrane may not be suitable for repair of a weak peripheral nerve site. This study examined the effect of HA-CMC solution on perineural scar formation after peripheral nerve repair in rats. METHODS: The sciatic nerves of 40 rats were transected and then immediately repaired using 10-0 nylon. The nerves were divided randomly into two groups. Saline and HA-CMC solution were applied topically to the nerve repair sites in the control and experimental groups, respectively. Reoperation was performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks to assess scar tissue formation. The assessment included the quality of wound healing, presence of perinueral adhesion, cellular components of the scar tissue, thickness of the scar tissue and histomorphological organization of the repair site. RESULTS: Topical application of the HA-CMC solution significantly decreased the macroscopic nerve adherence score and the numbers of the cellular components such as fibroblasts and inflammatory cells (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). The scar tissue formation index was significantly lower in the experimental group at 12 weeks than that in the control group (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). The grading scores of the histomorphological axonal organization at the repair site were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group at 12 weeks (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). No evidence of wound dehiscence or inflammatory reactions against the HA-CMC solution was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of a HA-CMC solution is effective in reducing the perineural scar formation and adhesion after sciatic nerve repair in rats, and is effective in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration at the repair site.

Reconstruction of composite tibial defect with free flaps and ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition.

Composite defects of the tibia following open fractures are among the most challenging of clinical problems. The aim of this study is to report the results of treatment using a free flap procedure followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of composite tibial defects. Ten patients underwent a free flap procedure followed by IVFT and plating. The mean size of the flaps was 12.1 × 6 cm(2). The mean length of bone defect was 5.35 cm. IVFT were performed 4.3 months following the free flap. Patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps survived. The average time to union of the proximal and distal ends was 5.2 and 6.7 months, respectively. There were neither stress fractures of the transferred fibula nor recurrent infections. One patient demonstrated a medial angulation of 8° in the reconstructed tibia but experienced no difficulties in activities of daily living. At the last follow-up time point, all patients were able to walk without an assist device and were satisfied with the preservation of the injured lower extremity. Free flap procedures followed by IVFT for the treatment of composite tibial defects may reduce complications at the recipient site and infections, such as osteomyelitis. The plating technique combined with IVFT allowed bone union without additional operations or stress fractures in our series. We suggest that staged free flap and IVFT is useful for the treatment of composite segmental tibial defects.

Reverse lateral supramalleolar adipofascial flap and skin grafting for one-stage soft tissue reconstruction of foot and ankle joint.

The aim of this report is to present the clinical result and efficacy of reverse lateral supramalleolar adipofascial flap and skin grafting for one stage soft tissue reconstruction of the foot and ankle joints. Reconstruction using a reverse lateral supramalleolar adipofascial flap and skin grafting was performed in eight cases between January 2005 and March 2009. All the subjects were male with a mean age of 53 years. The mean follow-up period was 20 months. The reasons for soft tissue defects were diabetic foot, infected bursitis, open injuries of the foot, and chronic osteomyelitis. The mean size of the flaps was 3.5 (3-4) × 4.5 (4-6) cm. The flaps were elevated in the form of an adipofascial flap and split-thickness skin grafting was performed over the flaps and adjoining raw areas. Flaps survived in all cases. The implantation of the split-thickness skin graft over the flap was also successful in all cases. Neither partial necrosis in the adipofascial flap nor venous congestion was observed. At the last follow-up, there were no limited motions in the ankle and the toe. No cases complained of inconveniences in ambulation or had difficulties in selecting footwear. In cases that require a flap for the exposed bone or tendon of the foot with a small-sized defect, reverse lateral supramalleolar adipofascial flap and skin grafting is considered a useful method as it lowers the morbidity rate of the donor site and reconstructs soft tissues.

Lengthening of intercalary allograft combined with free vascularized fibular graft after reconstruction in pediatric osteosarcoma of femur.

Involvement of the growth plate by a tumor or an injured growth plate during surgical procedures causes a discrepancy in the limb length. To address this problem,distraction osteogenesis is a well-established procedure for the treatment of defect and leg length discrepancy inviable bone tissues. We present the lengthening of an intercalary allograft combined with a vascularized fibular graft after reconstruction of osteosarcoma in the femoral metaphysis of a 10-year-old boy. The ability to lengthen through a composite allograft-vascularized fibular graft would add another option for reconstruction in skeletally immature children after resection for bone sarcomas.