OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF COMPLEX COMMINUTED HAND BONE FRACTURES BY APPLYING THE LACING METHOD (A CLINICAL CASE STUDY).

Complex comminuted hand injuries are an urgent medical and social problem of national health systems, which is especially sensitive for countries with a low level of socio-economic development. The work aims to substantiate the effectiveness and safety of the shoelace method of hand bone osteosynthesis in complex comminuted fractures (a clinical case study). Clinical case: A 42-year-old female patient was admitted to the clinic with complaints of the presence of a crushed wound on the 2nd finger of the left hand. The shoelace method was applied for hand bone osteosynthesis. The surgical intervention time was 24 minutes, and the time before returning to work or daily activities equaled 7.1 weeks. The time to bone fusion was less than 45 days. The shoelace osteosynthesis method in complex comminuted fractures of the hand bones has prospects for modern clinical practice with the possibility of improving the performance and safety indicators.

Buried or exposed Kirschner wire for the management of hand and forearm fractures: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The recommendation on whether to bury or expose the Kirschner wire (K-wire) for the management of fractures has still been controversial with inconsistent results in the published studies due to the potential issue associated with exposed K-wire is the heightened risk of infection, as it comes into direct contact with the external environment and air. This study aims to summarize the specific outcomes between buried and exposed K-wire for the management of hand and forearm fractures. METHODS: We conducted relevant literature searches on Europe PMC, Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases using specific keywords. This investigation focuses on individuals of any age diagnosed with hand or forearm fractures who underwent surgery involving Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation. It examines the comparison between buried and exposed K-wire fixation, emphasizing primary outcome pin infection, along with secondary outcomes such as early pin removal, days to pin removal, and surgical duration. The study includes observational studies (cohort/case-control) or randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The results of continuous variables were pooled into the standardized mean difference (SMD), while dichotomous variables were pooled into odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence intervals using random-effect models. The quality of included studies was assessed with Cochrane Collaborations, Risk of Bias version 2 (RoB v2). RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included. Our pooled analysis revealed that buried K-wire was associated with a lower risk of pin site infection [RR 0.49 (95% CI 0.36-0.67), p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%] and 33.85 days longer duration until pin removal [MD 33.85 days (95% CI 18.68-49.02), p < 0.0001, I2 = 99%] when compared with exposed K-wire. However, the duration of surgery was 9.98 minutes significantly longer in the buried K-wire [MD 6.98 minutes (95% CI 2.19-11.76), p = 0.004, I2 = 42%] with no significant difference in the early pin removal rate [RR 0.73 (95% CI 0.36-1.45), p = 0.37, I2 = 0%]. Further regression analysis revealed that sample size, age, sex, and duration of follow-up did not affect those relationships. CONCLUSION: Buried K-wire may offer benefits in reducing the infection rate with a longer duration until pin removal. However, further RCTs with larger sample sizes are still needed to confirm the results of our study.

Primary Malignant Osseous Neoplasms in the Hand.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant osseous neoplasms of the hand are rare malignancies. Comprehensive demographic and survival data regarding primary malignant osseous neoplasms of the hand are lacking in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified all patients with primary malignant osseous neoplasms of the hand diagnosed between 1983 and 2015. Demographic data were searched for primary osseous neoplasms in the hand and higher incidence of histological subtype. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were analyzed: 103 patients were diagnosed with histologically low-grade tumor, and 31 were diagnosed with high-grade tumor. Five-year cancer-specific and overall survival rates for the entire cohort were 91.4% and 81.9%, respectively. Histological high tumor grade and regional stage from SEER historic stage data were associated with unfavorable cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Special caution is required if patients have histologically high-grade tumor or tumor extending beyond the periosteum into surrounding joints, as these features worsen cancer-specific mortality.

Giant cell tumour of hand bones: outcomes of treatment.

The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of giant cell tumour of the hand bones in an Asian population, document treatment options and report outcomes of treatment. Of 698 giant cell tumours of bone that underwent surgery between January 2011 and December 2020 at our institute, only 22 (3%) were in the hand. Fourteen occurred in the metacarpals, eight in the phalanges. Fifteen were primary tumours and seven had recurrent disease. Twenty lesions had an associated soft tissue component. Two patients treated for primary disease and one who had been treated for recurrence had local recurrence. Recurrence occurred in two of nine patients treated with curettage, one of three with resection and none of five with ray or digit amputation. Both curettage and resection/amputation are acceptable treatment options for the rare condition of giant cell tumour of bone in the hand, with a need to individualize treatment decisions based on the site and extent of disease to minimize treatment morbidity while maximizing disease control.Level of evidence: IV.

A 3-Dimensional-Printed Hand Model for Home-Based Acquisition of Fracture Fixation Skills Without Fluoroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To design a low cost ($40), realistic and fluoroscopy-free percutaneous Kirschner wire hand fracture fixation training instrument kit for home-based skill acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A 3D-printed hand was designed from a computed tomography scan of a healthy hand. These data were used to create replaceable hand and wrist bones and reusable silicone molds for a replica of the soft tissue envelope. The model is currently being integrated into the simulation curriculum at 2 integrated plastic surgery residency programs for training in percutaneous wire fixation of hand fractures. SETTING: Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Large academic quaternary referral institution. Yale University, Yale School of Medicine. Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Large academic quaternary referral institution. PARTICIPANTS: PGY 1-4 plastic surgery residents preparing to meet ACGME Accreditation for Graduate Medical Education hand surgery specific milestones. RESULTS: A realistic and durable 3D model with interchangeable bones allows trainees to practice the key motor skills necessary for successful fixation of hand and wrist fractures with K-wires in a home-based setting. CONCLUSIONS: A low cost, realistic and durable 3D hand model with interchangeable bones allows easy integration into any home-based hand surgery curriculum. With 3D printers and programming becoming more prevalent and affordable, such models offer a means of low-cost and safe instruction of residents in fracture fixation with no harm to patients.

Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation for Hand and Wrist Articular Problems.

Management of hand and wrist avascular necrosis with osteochondral fragmentation or focal arthritis can be a challenging problem with a variety procedures described for its treatment. Osteochondral autograft transplantation systems have been utilized in various focal defects of the knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist. The same principle for the treatment of focal defects of the proximal scaphoid, proximal capitate as well as metacarpal head as an alternative treatment is described. The main indication for this treatment is to address focal or partial osteochondral defects where the size of the defect is smaller than the isthmus of the involved bone to accommodate a cylindrical osteochondral graft that can be press fit. Larger and complete defects are contraindications to this treatment. We discuss the surgical technique as well as its main indications and expected outcomes.

Bone and joint infections of the hand.

BACKGROUND: Little guidance is currently available for standardized diagnostic protocols and therapeutic recommendations for bone and joint infections (BJIs) of the hand. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the available data in the scientific English-language literature on the diagnosis and treatment of native BJIs of the hand. To illustrate these concepts from a narrative point of view in areas where there is lack of evidence. SOURCES: We performed a systematic PubMed and Internet search of studies that investigated hand BJIs in adult patients. CONTENT: Few studies have systematically investigated and validated diagnostic concepts, classifications or surgical treatment protocols. Most concepts derive from traditional intra-institutional experience, expert opinions and extrapolations from infections in large joints and long bones. Similarly, there is no uniformly accepted infection definition of BJIs of the hand. The best-documented literature is available for microbiological findings and antibiotic treatment duration in uncomplicated native joint arthritis of the fingers. Retrospective studies and one prospective randomized trial suggest that post-surgical targeted antibiotic therapy of 2 weeks results in a microbiological cure rate of ≥88%. IMPLICATIONS: Studies on diagnostic workup and infection definition and classification are urgently needed to compare inter-institutional outcome results and generate guidelines for the best patient care. For uncomplicated pyogenic arthritis of native joints, current evidence suggests that a 2-week course of antibiotic therapy following surgery cures the infection.

Osseous Metastatic Disease to the Hands and Feet.

Osseous metastases to the hands and feet (acrometastases) are exceedingly rare. Historically, the most common primary cancer observed has been lung carcinoma, treated either nonoperatively or with amputation. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics associated with acrometastases. This was a retrospective review of 28 patients with histologically proven osseous metastatic disease to the hands and feet. Variables recorded included primary cancer histology, age at diagnosis of primary and acrometastases, location of acrometastases, burden of disease, treatment, and age at death. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival, and log-rank tests were used for comparison. The median age at acrometastases diagnosis was 61.5 years, and the most common associated primary cancer was lung carcinoma (n=9). Sixteen patients had acrometastases to the foot, and 12 had acrometastases to the hand. In the foot, most acrometastases were located in the tarsal bones (n=11), followed by the metatarsals (n=4) and the phalanges (n=3). In the hand, most were in the metacarpals and the phalanges (n=6 each), and 2 were in the carpals. The most common treatment was resection or curettage only (n=7). The median duration of survival after acrometastases diagnosis was 9.7 months. Despite advances in cancer treatment and shifting patterns of metastatic disease, there has been little change in the distribution of primary malignancies responsible for acrometastases, with lung carcinoma remaining the most common. Ablative procedures are rarely required, with limb-salvage interventions predominating. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):e197-e201.].

Third-Ray and Capitate Resection with Limited Midcarpal Fusion for Recurrent Giant Cell Tumor: A Case Report.

CASE: We describe a 23-year-old man who had multiple recurrences of a giant cell tumor (GCT) of the third metacarpal. Initial treatments consisted of curettage without the use of an adjuvant and bone-grafting. At the time of the latest recurrence, the lesion had extended into the capitate and the trapezoid. Treatment included third-ray resection and limited midcarpal fusion. No local recurrence was identified at more than 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: GCTs of the hand should be aggressively treated, but care should be taken to preserve function whenever possible.

Hand and Wrist Injuries: Common Problems and Solutions.

Injuries to the hands and wrist are common in athletes. Injuries include acute fractures, dislocations, ligamentous, and tendon injuries, as well as more chronic injuries such as sprains and strains. Complications in the treatment of sports injuries of the hand and wrist may be divided into 2 categories: incorrect or delayed diagnosis and iatrogenic injury related to treatment. This article highlights common sports injuries of the hand and wrist and their complications, and includes tips for successful management.

Single ray amputation in traumatic injury of the hand: review of literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: ring avulsion are relatively common hand lesions and are associated with significant disability, especially in hand-workers. The treatment choice is still debatable. We sought to conduct a detailed systematic review in attempt to collate evidence on functional, cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following ray amputation for the management of traumatic hand injury and ring avulsion injury. METHODS: using the PubMed database we made a systematic search for articles regarding single ray amputation after traumatic hand lesion. Nine articles met our including criteria and were analysed. RESULTS: most of the included studies suggest that for those worse cases ray amputation still represent a good option. Indeed ray resection can eliminate the gap, remove a cumbersome or painful digit and guarantes better cosmesis but reduces grip and pinch strength (from 15% to 30%) and decreased palm width. CONCLUSIONS: different surgical techniques are available, almost all of them results in a loss of strength but ensure good both functional and cosmetic results.

Bone metastases of the hand.

Introduction The aim of this study was to identify patients with malignant hand lesions, establish the proportions of those that were metastases and review their clinical course. Methods A retrospective search of a prospective tumour database was carried out to identify all patients treated at our unit with hand metastases. Patient demographics were recorded including site of primary malignancy, region of the hand involved, management of their metastasis and clinical outcome. Results Overall, 149 patients were identified with a malignant tumour of the hand. Ten had a metastatic lesion. There were 3 women and 7 men with a median age of 68 years (range: 28-91 years) at presentation. All presented with non-mechanical hand pain while four had pain and swelling. The median interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was eight weeks. The minimum follow-up duration was four months. Three patients had no history of malignancy. Of the remaining seven patients, three had other known metastases. Six patients underwent solely palliative radiotherapy. Three patients had amputation. One was treated with surgical excision and radiotherapy. One had an amputation and axillary node clearance. All but one patient had died by the time of the latest follow-up appointment. The median time to death following identification of acrometastases was 18 months. Sites of primary disease were skin (n=4), lung (n=3), kidney (n=2) and neuroendocrine system (n=1). The thumb was the most commonly affected location. Conclusions This study demonstrates that patients presenting with non-mechanical hand pain should be considered to have a malignant process until proved otherwise, particularly in patients with thumb symptoms and a history of prior malignancy.

Wrong-Bone Excision in Hand Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of wrong-bone excision in hand surgery is not known. The wrist offers a unique challenge in that a single surgical incision yields access to multiple potential surgical sites, thus rendering site marking less effective. Mistaken identification of structures in the wrist is a real and potentially troublesome phenomenon. This study is designed to evaluate the occurrence of wrong-bone excision and to identify any risk factors and preventative measures that may help to prevent this complication in the future. METHODS: We designed an anonymous online survey to determine the occurrence, risk factors, medicolegal outcomes, and preventative measures of wrong-bone excision. We distributed the survey to 777 hand surgeons via email. RESULTS: Ninety-nine surgeons responded to our survey. Twenty-three respondents had participated in an excision of the incorrect bone in the wrist. The most common error was partial or complete excision of the scaphoid during a planned excision of the trapezium. Respondents indicated that inadequate visualization, inadequate localization, and teaching of a resident or fellow contributed to the error. There was only 1 case of legal action. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our survey indicate that there exists a non-zero incidence of wrong-bone excision in hand surgery. The most common mistake is incorrect excision of the scaphoid during a planned trapeziectomy. Most surgeons feel that their patients were pleased with their outcome despite this complication, and legal action is rare. Deliberate identification of known landmarks was identified as the most useful strategy in preventing wrong-bone excision.

Osteoid osteoma of the hand and foot in children successfully treated with radiofrequency neurotomy probes.

Osteoid osteoma is a common benign tumor that is typically found in young adults and children, usually in the long bones of the lower extremity. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under computed tomography guidance is the standard of care for symptomatic osteoid osteomas. However, patients with osteoid osteoma of the hand or foot are often treated with open surgery because of the risk of injury to vascular and neural structures from RFA. This risk is more pronounced in pediatric patients because of the small lesion size and proximity of lesions to important neurovascular structures. Here, we present 2 pediatric patients, one with an osteoid osteoma in the hand and the other with an osteoid osteoma in the foot. In both patients, a 22-gauge, 2.5-mm active tip ablation probe was used. The smaller ablation volume achieved with this probe protected neighboring neurovascular structures while effectively ablating the osteoid osteoma nidus. Based on our success in these cases, we recommend the application of this method for cases in which neurovascular proximity to the osteoid osteoma lesion makes ablation challenging.

The distribution of hand fractures at the university hospital of north Norway.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the fracture pattern for hand fractures in the Arctic region of Norway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the hospital's radiological information system and picture archiving and communication system all traumatic hand fractures in the year of 2010 were registered. Fractures in the carpal, metacarpal, and phalangeal bones were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 593 patients with 691 fractures including 80 carpal, 200 metacarpal, and 411 phalangeal fractures were registered. The most commonly affected bone was the 5th metacarpal bone with a total of 99 fractures (14%), 22 of these (22%) were classified as subcapital or "boxer's fracture". Among male patients, the highest frequency of fractures was seen in the age group 10-60 years with a peak between 10-24 years. Adult female patients had most fractures in the age group 50-70 years. Generally, there were no seasonal variations, although a marked decrease of fractures could be seen in December. Triquetral fractures were more common during the winter season. Falling was the most common trauma mechanism. CONCLUSION: With a few exceptions, hand fractures were not related to particular seasons or weekdays in this material. The distribution of hand fractures was related to age and gender, and some trauma mechanisms were dominating.

[Bone Necrosis of the Hand]. / Knochennekrosen der Hand.

The bone necrosis of the hand is a common disease of the bone-cartilage complex. In principle, every bone of the hand can be affected. Compared to other osteonecroses of the hand the necrosis of the lunate occurs most frequently. Other diseases such as osteonecrosis of the Os scaphoideums (Morbus Preiser) are much rarer. Unfrequent diseases such as osteonecrosis of the metacarpal heads or all carpal bones are restricted to case descriptions. The lunate osteonecrosis leads to osteoarthritis of the wrist if untreated. A detailed clinical examination and adequate radiological diagnosis are essential. The lunate osteonecrosis is classified according to Lichtman and Ross based on radiographs. The treatment is being executed either conservatively or surgically, depending on the stage. In surgical treatment pressure relieving and revascularization procedures and rescue operations have been established. For all other osteonecroses of the hand no standardized therapy can be assigned because sufficient data are not available. Generally, the treatment for bone necroses of the hand should be found for each patient individually.

Combined Limb-Sparing Surgery and Radiation Therapy to Treat Sarcomas of the Hands and Feet: Long-Term Cancer Outcomes and Morbidity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate local control, survival outcomes, and complication rates of patients treated with limb-sparing surgery and radiation therapy (RT) for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the hands and feet. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the medical records of 85 consecutive patients treated for STS of the hands (n=38, 45%) and feet (n=47, 55%) between 1966 and 2012. The median age was 41 years (range, 10-82 years of age). Sixty-seven patients (79%) received postoperative RT after resection of their tumor (median dose, 60 Gy; range, 45-70 Gy). The remaining 18 patients (21%) were treated with preoperative RT followed by tumor resection (median dose, 50 Gy; range, 50-64 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 140 months (range, 24-442 months). Five-year local control, overall survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 86%, 89%, and 89%, respectively. Positive or uncertain surgical margin status was the only factor adversely associated with local recurrence (19% vs 6% for negative margins, P=.046) but this lost significance on multivariate analysis when adjusting for RT dose ≥64 Gy. Of the 12 patients who had local relapses, 6 (50%) were salvaged, and only 2 of those required salvage amputation. Five patients had grade ≥3 late RT sequelae, with 2 patients (2%) having moderate limitations of limb function and 3 patients (4%) having severe limitations requiring procedures for skin ulceration. CONCLUSIONS: Limb-sparing surgery combined with RT provides excellent local control outcomes for sarcomas arising in the hands or feet. In patients who have local recurrence, salvage without amputation is possible. The excellent cancer control outcomes observed, considering the minimal impact on limb function, support use of combined modality, limb-sparing local therapy for STS arising in the hands or feet.

Osteosarcomas in the upper distal extremities: are their oncological outcomes similar to other sites?

AIMS: To investigate whether the oncological outcomes of patients with osteosarcomas in the upper distal extremity are similar to other sites and assess if limb-salvage surgery is safe in this location. METHODS: The centre database was used to identify all patients with osteosarcomas in the lower humerus and distally between 1985 and 2012. Patient, tumor, treatment and outcome data was collected. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in this study. There were 9 males and 17 females with a mean age of 33 years (9-90). Seventeen osteosarcomas were located in the forearm bones (65%), six in the distal humerus (23%), and three (12%) in the hand. The three most common sub-diagnoses were parosteal 7/21 (33%), fibroblastic 4/21 (19%) and osteoblastic osteosarcomas 3/21 (14%). 2 patients (8%) had Paget's disease and 19 patients (73%) had high-grade tumors. Local excision was carried out in 12 patients (48%), 4 patients underwent endoprosthetic replacement (16%) and 9 underwent amputation (36%). The overall risk of local recurrence was 4% in our series. The five-year overall survival rate was 67%, with low tumor grade and parosteal type of osteosarcoma being positive predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: This series has shown that patients with high-grade osteosarcomas of the upper distal extremities have a higher amputation risk than other limb sites but have favorable outcomes with limb-salvage surgery, comparable to other anatomical sites. Parosteal osteosarcomas in particular have a good prognosis.