Augmented Fixation in Transverse Midshaft Humerus Fractures Using a Nitinol Staple: Surgical Technique and Case Series.

Maintaining the reduction of a transverse humeral shaft fracture can be particularly challenging while applying a compression plate for definitive fixation. Nitinol compression staples are being increasingly utilized in orthopedic surgery due to their unique ability to apply continuous compression between staple legs at body temperature. We have found them to be particularly useful in the maintenance of the reduction of transverse humeral shaft fractures before compression plate application. This simple technique allows for the removal of reduction clamps and precise plate placement. We describe our technique for using nitinol compression staples to augment fracture fixation in transverse humeral shaft fractures as well as our experience using this technique in a case series of 4 patients.

Early Revision Rate Following Primary Carpal Tunnel Release.

Purpose: The published revision rates after carpal tunnel release (CTR) vary from 0.3% to 7%. The explanation for this variation may not be fully apparent. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of surgical revision within 1-5 years following primary CTR at a single academic institution, compare it with rates reported in the literature, and attempt to provide explanations for these differences. Methods: We identified all patients who underwent primary CTR at a single orthopedic practice by 18 fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeons from October 1, 2015, through October 1, 2020, using a combination of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD), 10th Revision, codes. Patients who underwent CTR because of a diagnosis other than primary carpal tunnel syndrome were excluded. Patients who required revision CTR were identified using a practice-wide database query using a combination of CPT and ICD-10 codes. Operative reports and outpatient clinic notes were reviewed to determine the cause of revision. Data on patient demographics, surgical technique (open vs single-portal endoscopic), and medical comorbidities were collected. Results: A total of 11,847 primary CTR procedures were performed during the 5-year period on 9,310 patients. We found 24 revision CTR procedures among 23 patients, resulting in a revision rate of 0.2%. Of 9,422 open primary CTRs performed, 22 cases (0.23%) went on to undergo revision. Endoscopic CTR was performed in 2,425 cases, with 2 cases (0.08%) ultimately undergoing revision. The average length of time from primary CTR to revision was 436 days (range, 11-1,647 days). Conclusions: We noted a substantially lower rate of revision CTR within 1-5 years of primary release (0.2%) in our practice than that noted in previously published studies, although we accept that this does not account for out-of-area migration. There was no significant difference in the revision rates between open and single-portal endoscopic primary CTR. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Finger Necrosis After Cutaneous Wart Intralesional Injection with Candida albicans Antigen: A Case Report.

CASE: A 25-year-old man presented 18 hours after Candida albicans antigen injection into a left index finger cutaneous wart by his dermatologist. He experienced a rapid-onset inflammatory response, which was indistinguishable from gangrenous infection. Urgent incision and drainage was performed; however, no purulent collection was noted and no organism isolated. At 1-year follow-up, he made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: Intralesional C. albicans antigen injection in digital cutaneous warts may cause an exaggerated immune response resulting in partial necrosis of the finger pulp. The clinical presentation may be difficult to distinguish from coexisting infection, but in some cases, observation may be an appropriate course of action.

Outpatient Visit Current Procedural Terminology Code Level Selection Trends in Hand Surgery Following Criteria Changes by the American Medical Association.

INTRODUCTION:  Beginning on January 1, 2021, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented considerable revisions with regard to the outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) criteria dictating the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code level selection. The primary goal of the current study was to determine how the recent E/M coding criteria changes have impacted code level selection by orthopedic hand surgeons in the outpatient setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  All outpatient visits within the hand and wrist surgery division of a single orthopedic practice were collected during two timeframes: March 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019, and March 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. Procedure codes and insurance categories were collected for each visit. The primary endpoint analyzed was the visit level of care based on CPT E/M codes. For each timeframe, we determined the number of total visits that were coded at each level and expressed them as a percentage of the total visits for that time period. The insurance plan billed for each visit was recorded and classified as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers' Compensation, or commercial. RESULTS:  In 2019, prior to the billing level requirement changes, 7.2% of all visits were billed as level 2, 84.8% of all visits were billed as level 3, and 7.8% of all visits were billed as level 4. In 2021, 1.9% of visits were billed as level 2, 47.3% of visits were billed as level 3, and 50.5% of visits were billed as level 4. Level 1 and 5 visits did not exceed 0.5% in either timeframe. Within each insurance category, the proportion of visit levels of care followed a similar trend of reduced level 2 and 3 visits and increased level 4 visits from 2019 to 2021. CONCLUSION: We noted a significant trend toward higher code level selection following the recent code level changes, and we anticipate these recent code selection trends to have major financial implications moving forward.

New Evaluation and Management Code Level Selection Trends in Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Patients.

BACKGROUND: On January 1, 2021, the American Medical Association implemented changes regarding the outpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M) criteria dictating Current Procedural Terminology code level selection to help diminish administrative burden and emphasize medical decision-making as the primary determinant in E/M level of service (EML). The goal of this study was to describe EML coding trends in outpatient visits for hip and knee osteoarthritis after the 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services changes to the E/M system. METHODS: All outpatient visits for primary hip and knee osteoarthritis within the divisions of Joint Replacement, Operative Sports Medicine, and Nonoperative Sports Medicine at a single orthopaedic practice were retrospectively analyzed during 2 separate 10-month timeframes in 2019 and 2021. The primary endpoint was the visit EML (1 through 5) based on Current Procedural Terminology E/M codes. RESULTS: In 2019, 7.8% of all visits were billed as level 2, 85.8% of all visits were billed as level 3, and 6.3% of all visits were billed as level 4. In 2021, 2.8% of visits were billed as level 2, 54% of visits were billed as level 3, and 41.3% of visits were billed as level 4. Level 1 and Level 5 visits did not exceed 2% in either year. Across all 3 divisions, level 2 and 3 visits decreased significantly (P < .05), while level 4 visits increased significantly (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Since the E/M coding criteria overhaul in 2021, there has been a significant trend towards higher level of service code selection across multiple divisions in our orthopaedic practice.

Recurrence of Ganglion Cysts Following Re-excision.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of ganglion cysts after surgical excision has a reported rate of 4% to 40%. Recurrence rate after revision surgical excision is unknown. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of recurrent ganglion cysts in patients who underwent a secondary excision procedure. METHODS: With Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively identified by CPT code and reviewed charts of patients who had recurrent ganglion cyst excision performed over a five-year period (2010 - 2014). Recurrence was defined as reappearance of a cyst in the same area as it was previously. Demographic information including recurrences and revision surgeries was collected in addition to outcome variables such as patient satisfaction, pain levels, and functional limitations. RESULTS: Out of the 42 revision cases identified 20 patients were reached. Mean time to recurrence of the cyst after the first ganglion cyst excision was 2.5 years (range: 1 month - 12 years). After the second ganglion cyst excision, three patients (15%) had a recurrence, each occurring within one year (mean: 11 months; range: 9-12). One of the three patients underwent a third successful ganglion cyst excision. The other two patients declined surgical intervention to date. Patients without a second recurrence (n=17) reported an average pain score of 0.1 (range: 0-2) on a scale of 1-10. Three (18%) reported some difficulty with day-to-day activities due to their scar. Seven (41%) patients reported at least transient numbness or tingling. Mean satisfaction was 9.8 on a scale of 1-10, and 100% reported that they would undergo another ganglion cyst excision should they ever have another recurrence. CONCLUSION: Patients should be advised about the risk of recurrence after re-excision of ganglion cysts, which was noted to be 15% in our cohort. This rate of recurrence is similar to that of primarily excised cysts.

Risk of Infection in Trigger Finger Release Surgery Following Corticosteroid Injection.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk for infection in trigger finger release surgery after preoperative corticosteroid injection. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing trigger finger release by 16 surgeons over a 2-year period. Data collected included demographic information, medical comorbidities, trigger finger(s) operated on, presence of a prior corticosteroid injection, date of most recent corticosteroid injection, postoperative signs of infection, and need for surgery owing to deep infection. Superficial infection was defined per Centers for Disease Control criteria. Deep infection was defined as the need for surgery related to a surgical site infection. RESULTS: In this cohort of 2,480 fingers in 1,857 patients undergoing trigger release surgery, 53 (2.1%) developed an infection (41 superficial [1.7%] and 12 deep [0.5%]). Before surgery, 1,137 fingers had no corticosteroid injection. These patients developed 1 deep (0.1%) and 17 superficial (1.5%) infections. In contrast, 1,343 fingers had been given a corticosteroid injection before surgery. These patients developed 11 deep (0.8%) and 24 superficial (1.8%) infections. Median time from corticosteroid injection to trigger release surgery was shorter for fingers that developed a deep infection (63 days) compared with those that developed no infection (183 days). The risk for developing a deep infection in patients who were operated on within 90 days of an injection (8 infections in 395 fingers) was increased compared with patients who were operated on greater than 90 days after an injection (3 infections in 948 fingers). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative corticosteroid injections are associated with a small but statistically significantly increased rate of deep infection after trigger finger release surgery. The risk for postoperative deep infection seems to be time dependent and greater when injections are performed within 90 days of surgery, especially in the 31- to 90-day postinjection period. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Unplanned Early Reoperation Rate Following Thumb Basal Joint Arthroplasty.

Purpose: Thumb basal joint arthritis is a common degenerative condition of the hand that is often managed with thumb basal joint arthroplasty (BJA). This procedure generally results in a high level of patient satisfaction; however, the rate and cause of early unplanned reoperation after thumb BJA are not well-understood. Therefore, we performed a review to better understand the rate and cause of early reoperation. Methods: A retrospective review of all thumb BJA cases performed at a single private academic center between 2014 and 2016 yielded 637 patients and 686 primary thumb BJAs with a minimum 1-year follow-up (mean, 2.4 years). Data collection included patient demographics, surgical technique and type of thumb BJA performed, time to reoperation, reason for early reoperation (within 2 years), and type of reoperation. Results: Of 686 patients undergoing thumb BJAs, 10 had unplanned early reoperation (1.5%). Mean duration between the index procedure and reoperation was 5.2 months (range, 0.5-14.3 months). Of the 10 unplanned early reoperations, 4 thumbs in 4 patients required revision arthroplasties owing to persistent pain. Time to reoperation for revision arthroplasty was 9.6 months (range, 3.9-14.3 months). Three of 10 reoperations resulted from early infection, 2 from unplanned early removal of symptomatic K-wires, and one from radial sensory neuritis. Conclusions: In this series of nearly 700 consecutive cases, we identified an unexpected early reoperation rate of 1.5%, with only a 0.6% reoperation rate specifically for painful subsidence requiring a revision arthroplasty. Mean time to revision was 9.6 months. These rates are lower than those published previously and should be considered by patients and surgeons when planning thumb BJA. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.

A Prospective Evaluation of the Anatomy of the First Dorsal Compartment in Patients Requiring Surgery for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

Background We prospectively evaluated the surgical anatomy during first dorsal compartment release for De Quervain's tenosynovitis, with special attention to the superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN). Additionally, the incidence of tendon instability during surgery was assessed. Methods This prospective cohort study consisted of 130 De Quervain's patients undergoing first dorsal compartment release. The treating surgeons recorded the type of incision used, the number of abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendon slips, the number of SBRN branches encountered, additional subcompartments created by any septations, and active/passive tendon stability. Results A singular first dorsal compartment was found in 37% of cases, whereas 55% of patients had two subcompartments and 8% had three. Multiple APL tendon slips (range: 1-4) were identified in 78% of patients. In contrast, a single EPB tendon was found in 92% of patients (range: 0-2). At least one SBRN was encountered in 61% of cases. Following surgery, instability was evident in 9% of patients, who had tendons perch with passive wrist flexion. In one of these patients (<1%), the tendons dislocated volarly out of the first dorsal compartment during active flexion. Conclusions The anatomical findings in our relatively large, prospective study of De Quervain's patients undergoing first dorsal compartment release are consistent with previous smaller and/or retrospective studies. Overall, we expect to encounter the SBRN during first dorsal compartment release in more than 50% of patients but are unconcerned if it is not visualized during a careful approach. Tendon instability has an incidence of 9%; however, dislocation is rare (<1%).

Outcomes of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Bilateral Fractures of the Distal Radius.

Background Bilateral distal radius fracture (DRF) is an uncommon injury. We described the outcomes of 10 consecutive cases of bilateral DRF treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) at our institution. Materials and Methods We retrospectively searched our electronic medical records data for all patients 18 years of age or older treated surgically for bilateral DRF over a 6-year period (2011-2016). Patient demographics, fracture classification, fixation method, postoperative complications, QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire scores, wrist range of motion (ROM), and radiographic measurements of X-rays at final follow-up were collected and analyzed. Results Ten patients (8 women; 2 men; mean age: 63 years) with 20 fractures were assessed. A volar approach for ORIF was used in 90% of cases. Six of 20 (30%) wrists experienced postoperative complications and required hardware removal. Mean QuickDASH score was 24.8 at final follow-up. On average, ROM reached 58-degree extension, 52-degree flexion, 75-degree pronation, and 75-degree supination. Mean measurements of radial shortening, radial inclination, and volar tilt taken from final postoperative radiographs were 1.3 mm, 21.2 degrees, and 7.8 degrees, respectively. Conclusion In bilateral DRF treated with concomitant ORIF, functional outcomes, recovery of wrist ROM, and restoration of radiographic parameters are comparable to those seen in patients with ipsilateral DRF.

Fracture of an Os Hamulus Proprium: A Case Report.

CASE: We report the case of a 39-year-old man who sustained an acute fracture of an os hamulus proprium, which was treated with open surgical excision after nonoperative treatment was unsuccessful. At the most recent follow-up, at 6 years after surgery, the patient was asymptomatic and maintained full function of the hand and the wrist. CONCLUSION: An os hamulus proprium is often confused with a fracture of the hook of the hamate, and little information exists in the literature regarding these accessory ossicles. To our knowledge, an os hamulus proprium fracture has not previously been described in the literature.

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial Comparing Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Oxycodone for Pain Management After Hand Surgery.

The goal of this study was to evaluate 3 common oral analgesics-oxycodone (OXY), ibuprofen (IBU), and acetaminophen (ACE)-for pain management following carpal tunnel release (CTR) and trigger finger release (TFR) surgery. Outcome measures were pain scores, capsule consumption patterns, and satisfaction. Carpal tunnel or trigger finger patients indicated to undergo primary, unilateral release received 10 capsules of either OXY (5 mg), IBU (600 mg), or ACE (500 mg) postoperatively. Medications were distributed in a randomized fashion, with both surgeons and patients blinded to the selected analgesic. Postoperatively, patients recorded pain level each day using a 0 to 10 visual analog scale, the number of capsules taken each day, and any adverse effects experienced. Medication distribution among the 188 patients completing the study was 62 OXY, 64 IBU, and 62 ACE. Surgical distribution was 76 TFR, 61 endoscopic CTR, and 51 open CTR. Overall, the mean total number of capsules consumed from postoperative days 0 through 5 for OXY, IBU, and ACE was 3.2, 4.0, and 3.1, respectively (P>.05). Mean worst daily pain score for the OXY, IBU, and ACE groups was 2.9, 2.5, and 2.5, respectively (P<.05). On subgroup analyses by procedure type, the only difference was found in the open CTR group, with the highest daily pain scores noted in the OXY group (P<.05). Nine of the 11 patients experiencing an adverse reaction also came from the OXY group. There were no reoperations or allergic reactions in any group. In this study, no clinically significant difference in pain experience or capsule consumption based on postoperative opioid vs nonopioid medication was identified. Adverse events were highest in the OXY group. In lieu of opioids, the authors suggest prescribing nonopioids first following TFR and CTR surgery. In addition, they advise prescribing 5 to 10 or fewer pills postoperatively regardless of the analgesic selected. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):110-115.].

Surgical Loupes Worn by Orthopaedic Surgeons Are a Reservoir for Microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons frequently use optical loupes to magnify the surgical field; they are typically unprotected when positioned directly over the wound, where particulate shedding containing microorganisms could potentially lead to surgical site infections (SSIs). SSIs are rare in some orthopaedic subspecialties such as hand surgery; however, in other subspecialties, for example, the spine, where surgeons often use loupes, SSIs can have devastating consequences. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the degree of bacterial and fungi organism colonization of surgical loupes and storage cases? (2) Is there a difference in the degree of colonization at the beginning and the end of a surgery day? (3) Does an alcohol swab reduce bacterial colonization of surgical loupes? METHODS: The surgical loupes of 21 orthopaedic surgeons from a large, regional orthopaedic practice were cultured over a 3-month period and form the basis of this study. Five loupe storage cases were also cultured. In two different subgroup comparisons, the presence of microorganisms was evaluated just before the start and immediately after the end of the surgical day (n = 9) and before and 1 minute after cleaning with an alcohol swab (n = 6). A total of 36 cultures were evaluated. Surgeons who declined to participate in the study were excluded. The number of loupes selected for all of the analyses were samples of convenience and limited by surgeon availability. The degree of bacterial and fungal presence was graded using a point system: 0 = no growth; 1 = limited growth (meaning few scattered colonies); 2 = moderate growth; 3 = extensive but scattered growth; and 4 = growth consuming the entire plate. Demographic data were assessed using descriptive statistics. Additionally, the Student's t and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to detect differences in categorical bacterial growth between paired samples. A p value of 0.05 represented statistical significance. Kappa statistics of reliability were performed to evaluate interobserver agreement of microorganism growth in the culture plates. RESULTS: Bacteria were present in 19 of 21 (90%) sets of loupes. Five species of bacteria were noted. Fungi were present in 10 of 21 (48%) sets of loupes. Bacterial contamination was identified in two storage cases (40%) and fungi were present in five cases (100%). In a subset of nine loupes tested, the degree of bacterial presence had a median of 2 (range, 1-4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.6) in samples collected before starting the surgical day compared with 3 (range, 2-4; 95% CI, 2.0-3.3) at the end of the day (p = 0.004). In a separate study arm comprised of six loupes, 1 minute after being cleaned with an alcohol swab, bacterial presence on loupes decreased from a median of 2 (range, 2-3; 95% CI, 1.9-2.5) to a median of 1 (range, 0-2; 95% CI, 0.5-1.5; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Loupes are a common reservoir for bacteria and fungi. Given the use of loupes directly over the surgical field and the lack of a barrier, care should be taken to decrease the bacterial load by cleaning loupes and airing out storage cases, which may decrease the risk of surgical field contamination and iatrogenic wound infections. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Routine cleaning and disinfecting of optical loupes with alcohol pads can reduce microorganism colonization and should be implemented by surgeons who regularly use loupes in the operating room. Theoretically, particulate shedding from the loupes into the surgical field containing microorganisms could increase the risk of SSI, although this has not been proven clinically.

Delayed, Atraumatic Index Metacarpal Fracture After Trapeziectomy and Suture-Button Suspensionplasty for Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: A Report of Three Cases.

Trapeziectomy with suture-button suspensionplasty is a surgical treatment option for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis refractory to nonsurgical management. We describe the cases of 3 patients who presented with index metacarpal fracture, in the absence of traumatic injury, over 4 months after trapeziectomy with suture-button suspensionplasty. All 3 fractures demonstrated the same pattern: short oblique/spiral, oriented proximal radial to distal ulnar with the distal end in the vicinity of the index metacarpal button, presumably after the orientation of the metacarpal drill hole. Two of the fractures were treated with surgical fixation. Fracture healing was obtained in all cases. Two of the 3 patients remained symptomatic with thumb pain, but decided against revision treatment for the carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. The third underwent restabilization of the suture button at the time of fracture fixation. Although uncommon, index metacarpal fracture after trapeziectomy with suture-button suspensionplasty can present without trauma several months after surgery.

Biologic and mechanical aspects of tendon fibrosis after injury and repair.

Tendon injuries of the hand that require surgical repair often heal with excess scarring and adhesions to adjacent tissues. This can compromise the natural gliding mechanics of the flexor tendons in particular, which operate within a fibro-osseous tunnel system similar to a set of pulleys. Even combining the finest suture repair techniques with optimal hand therapy protocols cannot ensure predictable restoration of hand function in these cases. To date, the majority of research regarding tendon injuries has revolved around the mechanical aspects of the surgical repair (i.e. suture techniques) and postoperative rehabilitation. The central principles of treatment gleaned from this literature include using a combination of core and epitendinous sutures during repair and initiating motion early on in hand therapy to improve tensile strength and limit adhesion formation. However, it is likely that the best clinical solution will utilize optimal biological modulation of the healing response in addition to these core strategies and, recently, the research in this area has expanded considerably. While there are no proven additive biological agents that can be used in clinical practice currently, in this review, we analyze the recent literature surrounding cytokine modulation, gene and cell-based therapies, and tissue engineering, which may ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes following tendon injury in the future.

Peripheral nerve injury, scarring, and recovery.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) resulting from trauma can be severe and permanently debilitating. Despite the armamentarium of meticulous microsurgical repair techniques that includes direct repair, grafting of defects with autograft nerve, and grafting with cadaveric allografts, approximately one-third of all PNI demonstrate incomplete recovery with poor restoration of function. This may include total loss or incomplete recovery of motor and/or sensory function, chronic pain, muscle atrophy, and profound weakness, which can result in lifelong morbidity. Much of this impaired nerve healing can be attributed to perineural scarring and fibrosis at the site of injury and repair. To date, this challenging clinical problem has not been adequately addressed. In this review, we summarize the existing literature surrounding biological aspects of perineural fibrosis following PNI, detail current strategies to limit nerve scarring, present our own work developing reliable nerve injury models in animal studies, and discuss potential future studies which may ultimately lead to new therapeutic strategies.

A Prospective Evaluation of Early Postoperative Complications After Distal Biceps Tendon Repairs.

PURPOSE: The reported incidence of postoperative complications after distal biceps tendon repairs (DBTRs) has been determined largely by retrospective studies. We hypothesized that a large prospective cohort study of DBTRs would demonstrate increased complication rates relative to existing literature values. Secondarily, we hypothesized that most complications would be transient and self-limiting, regardless of the surgical technique employed for the repair. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing acute, primary DBTR from July 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled. The repair technique, postoperative protocol, and follow-up intervals were determined by the individual surgeons' protocols. Demographic information, surgical data, and complications were tabulated prospectively. Exclusion criteria included chronic DBTRs, secondary DBTRs requiring allograft, DBTRs of partial tears, and postoperative follow-up of less than 12 weeks. We included 212 repairs performed by 37 orthopedic surgeons in 3 different subspecialties. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (30.7%) had 73 complications. Fifty patients (44.6%) in the 1-incision group experienced complications compared with 15 (15.0%) in the 2-incision group. Sixty patients (28.3%) developed a minor complication. Fifty-seven patients (26.9%) had sensory neurapraxias, 47 after a 1-incision procedure and 10 after a 2-incision procedure, a statistically significant difference. Of the patients with neurapraxias, 94.7% were resolved or improving at the time of the latest follow-up. Five patients (2.4%) developed a major complication, defined as a return to the operating room in the postoperative period due to deep infection or rerupture. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate after DBTR appears to be higher than 2 other retrospective studies and is predominantly in the form of transient neurapraxias. This study confirms that there is a higher complication rate in 1-incision techniques as compared with 2-incision techniques. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Pain Management After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Trial Comparing Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Oxycodone.

PURPOSE: Adequate postoperative pain control in hand surgery is a multifactorial issue affecting patient satisfaction, outcomes, and safety. However, prescription opioid abuse is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem in the Unites States. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in pain levels or pill consumption when using nonopioids, ibuprofen (IBU) and acetaminophen (ACE), versus an opioid, oxycodone (OXY), after carpal tunnel release (CTR) performed exclusively under local anesthesia without sedation. METHODS: Patients scheduled for primary unilateral CTR under local anesthesia alone were randomized to receive 10 deidentified opaque capsules of either OXY 5 mg, IBU 600 mg, or ACE 500 mg after surgery. Both the patient and the surgeon were blinded to the distributed medication. Patients reported the worst pain experienced daily (0-10 scale), the number of pills consumed daily, and any adverse effects from postoperative days 0-5. RESULTS: Analgesic pill-type distribution between the 105 patients who completed the study was 37 OXY, 34 IBU, and 34 ACE. For the endoscopic CTR group, mean total pills consumed from the day of surgery through postoperative day 5 for OXY, IBU, and ACE were 2.9, 4.2, and 2.7, respectively. The average worst daily pain scores for all days for the OXY, IBU, and ACE groups were 2.8, 2.5, and 2.8, respectively. For the open CTR group, mean total pills consumed from the day of surgery through postoperative day 5 for OXY, IBU, and ACE were 3.7, 5.1, and 4.2, respectively. The average worst daily pain scores for all days for the OXY, IBU, and ACE groups were 3.4, 2.5, and 2.3, respectively. Four of 5 adverse events were reported by OXY group patients, but all were minor with no reoperations or readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend using nonopioids such as ACE and IBU in the postoperative management after CTR surgery, and regardless of the medication prescribed, we advise prescribing no more than 5-10 pills after surgery. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.