Late-onset multiple venous malformations confined to the upper limb: link to somatic MAP3K3 mutations.

Venous (cavernous) malformations are commonly seen in the upper limb. Almost all venous malformations are congenital. They may be sporadic, familial, or syndromic. Late-onset, multiple venous malformations confined to the upper limb are rare. Lesions present after puberty. All previously reported cases were located subcutaneously and were small in size. The condition is non-hereditary and non-syndromic. We present a unique series of eight patients with this rare condition. Unique features included the presence of large malformations (up to 20 cm in diameter) and the presence of subfascial lesions causing nerve compression. Surgical excision was curative. Mutational analysis in one patient identified a novel somatic MAP3K3 gene mutation (c.1723T > C, p.Tyr 575 His) in the affected veins. The encoded MAP3K3 protein is known to accelerate the RAS pathway of cellular proliferation.Level of evidence: IV.

Technique of Split Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Opponensplasty.

The classic donor motor units for opponensplasty are the flexor digitorum superficialis, the extensor indicis proprius, the palmaris longus, and the abductor digiti minimi. Occasionally, all classic donor motor units are not available for the opponensplasty; a review of the literature revealed that the flexor carpi ulnaris opponensplasty has not been previously described. The surgical technique of the split flexor carpi ulnaris opponensplasty is described in the current paper along with a clinical example. The result in our patient was satisfactory with the ability to oppose the thumb tip to reach the tip of the ring finger with the wrist in neutral position.

The postauricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A complex defect on the anterior surface of the ear requires flap cover; such as the postauricular skin flap. The postauricular skin flap has never been used with an adipofascial extension. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 5-year old boy was involved in a car accident resulting in an exposed cartilage of the upper part of the right ear. The defect was covered with a post-auricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension. The adipofascial part of the flap was covered with a skin graft. DISCUSSION: The adipofascial extension serves two purposes: Firstly, it allows easier primary closure of the donor site. Secondly, it is less bulky and hence it does not observe the definition of the ear cartilage. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first case reported in literature using the post-auricular fasciocutaneous flap with an adipofascial extension.

Use of the Volar Plate of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint as a Distally Based Flap in Flexor Tendon Surgery.

The usual treatment for flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) avulsions as well as FDP lacerations in the distal part of zone I is tendon reinsertion into bone. Although there are several different techniques of FDP tendon reinsertion into bone, they are generally complex and have a weak tensile strength. A technique for treating these injuries is to use the volar plate of the distal interphalangeal joint as a distally based flap for tendon repair. The current communication discusses the technique and its potential complications. Initial clinical experience is encouraging and the volar plate flap technique may take its place in flexor tendon surgery.

Myofibroblast expression in skin wounds is enhanced by collagen III suppression.

Generally speaking, the excessive expression of myofibroblasts is associated with excessive collagen production. One exception is seen in patients and animal models of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV in which the COL3A1 gene mutation results in reduced collagen III but with concurrent increased myofibroblast expression. This paradox has not been examined with the use of external drugs/modalities to prevent hypertrophic scars. In this paper, we injected the rabbit ear wound model of hypertrophic scarring with two doses of a protein called nAG, which is known to reduce collagen expression and to suppress hypertrophic scarring in that animal model. The higher nAG dose was associated with significantly less collagen III expression and concurrent higher degree of myofibroblast expression. We concluded that collagen III content of the extracellular matrix may have a direct or an indirect effect on myofibroblast differentiation. However, further research is required to investigate the pathogenesis of this paradoxical phenomenon.

An obstetric brachial plexus data sheet.

BACKGROUND: Several reputed obstetric brachial plexus clinics use their own protocols and indications for surgery. This study is to present and explain the obstetric brachial plexus data sheet used at our institution. METHODS: The data sheet is composed of 5 main parts: (1) the basic database which includes the name, age, type and side of palsy, maternal history, birth history and other complications of the traumatic delivery; (2) motor assessment of the limb; (3) preoperative investigations; (4) description of intraoperative brachial plexus findings and type of nerve procedure performed; and (5) secondary surgery to the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. RESULTS: The data sheet was found useful in documenting the assessment and events in infants and older children. CONCLUSION: An obstetric brachial plexus data sheet is presented and it may be modified and used by other centers.

Surgical correction of primary cutis vertices gyrata.

Primary cutis vertices gyrata is a rare condition of the scalp characterized by the formation of furrows and folds resembling the convolutions of the brain. A review of the English literature did not reveal any surgically treated cases. The authors report three cases treated by simple excision of the deepest furrows with a satisfactory result.