Volar and Dorsal Blood Supply to the Lunate: A Cadaveric Study.

Although various studies have proposed vascular and mechanical factors, the etiology of Kienböck disease is unknown. Kienböck theorized that lunatomalacia resulted from traumatic disruption of blood supply and bony nutrition to the lunate. Extraosseous supply to the lunate, as far as volar or dorsal vessels are concerned, is still controversial. This study evaluated the extraosseous nutrient foramina from the dorsal and volar aspects of lunate specimens. A total of 913 specimens from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection in Cleveland, Ohio, were examined. The nutrient artery foramina on left and right lunate specimens were examined from dorsal and volar aspects. The number of nutrient artery foramen was tabulated. Age, sex, and race data were collected. Specimens were divided into groups according to the number of nutrient artery foramina, and the dorsal and volar foramina were compared. The average number of foramina on the dorsal aspect of the lunate (1.71) was greater than the volar aspect (1.64), except in specimens younger than 35 years. A greater number of specimens had 3 or more foramina on the dorsal side compared with the volar aspect. Based on this study, there was significant contribution of dorsal arterial vessels to the blood supply of lunate specimens older than 35 years, which contrasts with findings in earlier studies. The disruption of dorsal intercarpal and radiocarpal ligaments leading to the disruption of the dorsal arterial arches may contribute to vascular insufficiency of the lunate and should be evaluated further in the etiopathogenesis of Kienböck disease. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(2):e243-e247.].

Opioid Prescribing Patterns After Anorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal procedures are frequently performed and have the potential to be particularly painful. There are no evidence-based guidelines regarding opioid prescribing after anorectal surgery and limited data on how surgeons determine opioid prescriptions after anorectal procedures. We hypothesize significant variations in prescribing practices. The aim of this study is to determine current opioid prescribing patterns after anorectal surgery. METHODS: A survey was sent to members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. It included demographics, opioid prescribing habits after anorectal procedures, and factors influencing prescribing. Median morphine equivalents were calculated. Respondents prescribing higher than the median for >4 procedures were considered high prescribers. RESULTS: 519 surveys were completed (3160 sent). 38.6% of respondents were high prescribers, and 61.4% were low prescribers. There were significant differences by years in practice (P = 0.049), hospital type (P = 0.037), region (P < 0.001), and procedures performed per month (P < 0.001). 73% prescribed a standard quantity of opioids for each procedure. The mean milligrams of ME prescribed overall was 129 (SD 82); by procedure the quantities were as follows: hemorrhoidectomy 188 (111), condyloma treatment 149 (105), fistulotomy 146 (98), advancement flap 144 (97), LIFT 140 (93), abscess drainage 107 (91), sphincterotomy 105 (85), chemodenervation 64 (34). Nearly, all (98%) surgeons used local anesthesia. 91% typically prescribed adjunctive medications. In multivariable analysis, performing <10 anorectal procedures per month or practicing in the Northeast or outside the US was associated with low prescribers. High prescribers were more likely to be in practice for >10 y, report >25% of patients request refills, or significantly consider patient satisfaction or phone calls when prescribing. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid prescribing patterns are highly variable after anorectal procedures. Creating opioid prescribing guidelines for anorectal surgery is important to improve patient safety and quality of care.