Evaluation of a new eLearning platform for distance teaching of microsurgery.

Online learning (or eLearning) is in constant evolution in medicine. An analytical survey of the websites of eight academic societies and medical schools was carried out. These sites were evaluated against parameters that define the quality of an eLearning website, as well as the shareable content object reference model (SCORM) technical standards. All studied platforms were maintained by a webmaster and regularly updated. Only two platforms had teleconference opportunities, five had courses in PDF format, and four allowed online testing. Based on SCORM standards, only four platforms allowed direct access without a password. The content of all platforms was adaptable, interoperable and reusable. But their sustainability was difficult to assess. In parallel, we developed the first eLearning platform to be used as part of a university diploma in microsurgery in France. The platform was evaluated by students enrolled this diploma program. A satisfaction survey and platform evaluation showed that students were generally satisfied and had used the platform for microsurgery education, especially the seven students living abroad. ELearning for microsurgery allows the content to be continuously updated, makes for fewer classroom visits, provides easy remote access, and especially better training time management and cost savings in terms of travel and accommodations.

Floating thumb metacarpal in a motorcyclist: A case report.

We present a case of simultaneous dislocation of the carpometacarpal and the metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumb (floating thumb metacarpal) in a 47-year-old motorcyclist. The treatment consisted of closed reduction of both joints with cast immobilization. After 24 months, the functional result was excellent. The mechanism of this rare injury and its therapeutic management are discussed.

Which approach is best for subungual glomus tumors? Transungual with microsurgical dissection of the nail bed or periungual?

Glomus tumors are rare, accounting for 1% to 5% of all hand tumors. The treatment of subungual glomus tumors consists of complete surgical excision, either by the periungual or transungual approach. Tumor recurrence and nail dystrophy are the main complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome as a function of the surgical approach used - transungual or periungual. Fifty-three patients presenting with a subungual glomus tumor underwent surgical excision through the periungual approach if the tumor was peripheral, or the transungual approach if the tumor was centrally located. These patients were followed for an average of 2years. Pain relief was always obtained the day following surgery. Wound healing was achieved on average after 2weeks with the periungual approach and 5weeks with the transungual approach. Other than some longitudinal striations in 10 patients (18.9%) who had been operated through the transungual approach, there were no complications or tumor recurrence. We recommend a periungual approach for a peripheral tumor and a transungual approach for a central tumor. The latter approach, which carries some risks of nail-related sequelae--always minor in our experience--allows for better exposure if the tumor is centrally located.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome and "trigger wrist" revealing a tendinous sheath fibroma]. / Syndrome du canal carpien et poignet à ressaut révélant un fibrome de la gaine des fléchisseurs.

The tendinous sheath fibroma (TSF) is a rare benign tumor, exceptionally responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome and "trigger" wrist: we found this association less than ten times in the English and French literature. We report the case of a 63-year-old right-handed carpenter who featured a triggering phenomenon of the right wrist during the flexion-extension movements and compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel, secondary to a TSF of the flexor digitorum superficialis. The diagnosis was suspected at the sonography and MRI, the tumor was excised and proven histologically to be a TSF. One year later, the patient remained free of symptoms.

Dislocation of the elbow with ipsilateral forearm fracture. Six particular cases.

Elbow dislocation associated with ipsilateral radial shaft fracture is an infrequent injury (nine cases reported in the literature). We present six new cases observed between 2006 and 2012, with an average age of 31 years and a mean follow-up of 18 months. The forearm fracture and ipsilateral dislocation of the elbow were probably caused by forearm hypersupination with extension of the elbow. The dislocation was reduced by manipulation before open reduction and osteosynthesis of the forearm fracture. Four elbows were stable after reduction; two markedly unstable elbows necessitated temporary humero-ulnar external fixation; one case needed a ligamentoplasty several months later. Despite the complexity of the traumatic lesion, the clinical and radiological outcomes were acceptable.

[Myxoid neurofibroma of the thumb]. / Neurofibrome myxoïde du pouce.

UNLABELLED: Myxoid neurofibroma (MN) is a benign tumor of poorly identified perineural cell origin. We report a case of NM of left thumb and discuss the main differential diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old woman presented with a painless, slowly progressive tumor of the left thumb of 6 months duration. This tumor had recurred after resection done 26 years before. Clinical examination revealed a tumor on the anterior surface of the left thumb, painless, firm, 4×3cm, ulcerated and covered with thin telangiectasia. The X-ray of the phalanx showed no alteration to the underlying bone. The histopathological study of a skin biopsy reported a myxoid neurofibroma. Excision of the lesion was performed with preservation of the nail. Neither the patient nor her family members had neurofibromatosis. The outcome was favorable and no recurrence was noted after 18 months of follow-up. COMMENTS: The usual sites of the MN are the face, shoulders, arms, and periungual regions. It is usually a solitary lesion; however, lesions may be multiple or recur after initial incomplete excision as in our patient. It must be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the extremities. We report this case because of the rarity of both the tumor and its site.

[Facial wounds: an epidemiological review of 850 cases]. / Plaies faciales : étude épidémiologique de 850 cas.

BACKGROUND: Facial wound are among the most frequent emergencies. They often affect a young population. We studied the epidemiological profile of facial wounds admitted in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out in the Emergency Unit from June 2008 to June 2009. It included all patients having presented with at least one facial wound. The analysed parameters were patient, trauma, and wound characteristics. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty patients were included, 20% of whom were female patients. The most frequent etiologies were traffic accidents for men, assault for women, and domestic accidents for children. Alcohol abuse was involved in 12.4% of the cases. The most frequent wound localization was frontal (35.4%). A craniofacial organ (eye, brain…) was affected in 6.1% of the cases; the wound was associated to a craniofacial fracture in 9.6% of the cases, and to an extrafacial lesion in 22% of the cases. DISCUSSION: Facial wounds are a frequent emergency. They are predominant in young male patients. The high frequency of traffic accident and alcohol abuse requires an adequate prevention policy.

[Barraquer-Simons syndrome]. / Syndrome de Barraquer-Simons.

The Barraquer-Simons syndrome is a rare acquired acral partial lipodystrophy of unknown etiology. It progressively develops during childhood. It leads to a complete loss of subcutaneous fat in the face, neck, trunk and upper limbs. The disease is more common in female than male patients and causes facial dysmorphy. Free fat transplantation seems to be an appropriate technique to treat facial abnormalities encountered in this syndrome.

[How to avoid operative injury to Martin-Grüber communicating branch in the transmuscular medial approach of the elbow?]. / Comment éviter les lésions iatrogènes du rameau communicant médio-ulnaire de Martin-Grüber dans la voie d'abord transmusculaire médiale du coude ?

The incidence of Martin-Grüber medio-ulnar communicating branch (MUCB), from median nerve to ulnar nerve, is about 20%. To avoid operative injury to MUCB, the authors suggest some modifications to the medial approach of the elbow. They suggest medial aponeurotomy of the anterior compartment of the forearm, disinsertion of the medial epicondylar muscles with dissection between the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and the other medial epicondylar muscles, not exceeding 3 cm distally. This allows a valuable exposure of the elbow joint through a medial approach, with FCU disinsertion and ulnar nerve transposition preserving the ulnar nerve vascularization, without injury to the MUCB.

[The digital external fixator, new equipment (24 cases report)]. / Le fixateur externe digital, nouveau matériel (à propos de 24 cas).

Phalangeal fractures and osteoarticular infections can be challenging injuries to manage, and their treatment is frequently complicated by deformity and stiffness. External fixation techniques have a well-established role in the treatment of these injuries. The mini-Hoffman external fixator is a particularly simple apparatus in design and in application. We report a technique of digital external fixator with a new original material developed in the service. It is an inexpensive and simple technique with good stability. The technical procedure is simple, consisting of two joints, Kirchner pins, 4mm diameter screwdrivers and a motor. Between 2001 and 2006, we used this method to treat 24 patients in a prospective study. The mean age was 35 years (range 16 to 68 years) with a male predominance, left hand predominance (14 cases), and carpenter's hand was the most frequent indication (11 cases). Mean duration of follow-up was two years (6 months to 5 years). Functional results were excellent in 12 cases and bad in six cases. Complications included a case of ischemic necrosis of the finger, two cases of secondary displacement, three cases of sepsis, two cases of algodystrophy and a case of pseudoarthrosis.

[Medial cleft lip: one diagnosis masking another]. / Les fentes labio-palatines médianes : un diagnostic qui en cache un autre.

UNLABELLED: Median cleft lip and palate are one of the facial manifestations of holoprosencephaly, a brain malformation resulting from a defect in the development of the prosencephalon, the embryonic precursor of the forebrain. It can occur in isolation or as part of a broader pattern of malformation in many different syndromes. The diagnosis of holoprosencephaly requires a complete malformative assessment. FIRST CASE: a newborn baby seen at birth for a median cleft lip associated with a complex craniofacial malformation. The search for malformations revealed the absence of the median cerebral structure and trisomy 13. The baby died at 48 h. SECOND CASE: A 28-day-old newborn baby consulting for a median cleft lip and palate. The brain ultrasounds showed no anomalies of the median cerebral structure. The malformative assessment revealed no other malformation. DISCUSSION: Holoprosencephaly is a complex developmental brain malformation. From the advances in neuroimaging and genetics, our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of this condition has advanced dramatically. This advance should lead to improved management of common medical complications and more optimal family counseling. Surgical treatment is the preferred therapy for viable malformations.

[Rare localization of an aggressive epithelioid sarcoma in an adolescent]. / Localisation rare d'un sarcome épithélioïde agressif chez un adolescent.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma affecting mostly young adult males. It is exceptional under the age of 20. Diagnosis is by histiochemistry. Treatment is mainly wide surgical excision. The normal evolution is local spread followed by generalized metastasis. We report a case of epithelioid sarcoma of the left arm in a 16-year old adolescent of 8 months duration.

[Correction of breast Poland's anomalies. About eight cases and literature review]. / Correction des anomalies mammaires du syndrome de Poland. A propos de huit cas et revue de la littérature.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to analyze current indications and results of different methods for breast anomaly correction of Poland's syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with this deformity were operated between 1997 and 2008: seven females and one male. The mean age was 22. According to Foucras et al. classification, four patients revealed Poland's syndrome grade II, three patients grade I and two patients grade III. Three patients received silicone implants (two with Poland's syndrome grade II, one with grade III). Autologous fat injection was used for a male adolescent who was very embarrassed by his deformity. Controlateral lipo-aspiration was carried out in three cases with moderate Poland's syndrome breast asymmetry. For one patient, correction was achieved by controlateral breast resection. RESULTS: No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred for the eight patients. Aesthetic results were overall satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The simplest and the fastest breast deformity correction technique in Poland's syndrome patients, the one with the least complications and cosmetic sequella and the most practiced by the surgeon, remains the best method for breast anomaly correction of Poland's syndrome.

[Osteoid osteoma of the lunate: case report]. / Ostéome ostéoïde du lunatum: à propos d'un cas.

The Osteoid Ostéome is a benign tumour which affects the young subjects and is electively located on the level of the long bones. We report a hyperalgic form of the lunatum in a young student with which surgical excision with bone-graft allowed the cure.

[Bipolar dislocation of the forearm]. / Luxation bipolaire de l'avant-bras: luxation du coude et luxation transcapholunaire du carpe. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of a 23 year old patient, who presented the following combination of injuries after a fall, namely a divergent dislocation of the elbow, a fracture of the radial head, a fracture of the ulna and a perilunate dislocation with scaphoid fracture. The entire injury thus represented a bipolar dislocation of the forearm. The emergency management consisted of a closed reduction of the elbow together with osteosynthesis of the ulna, internal fixation of the scaphoid with a compression screw, and scaphocapitate K wiring. After 26 months, the function of the elbow was satisfactory, and the range of motion of the wrist was from 50 degrees of flexion to 40 degrees of extension. Satisfactory healing of the scaphoid was observed. This combination of injuries has only rarely been reported in the literature.

[Ewing's sarcoma of the hand: a case report]. / Sarcome d'Ewing de la main: a propos d'un cas.

Ewing's sarcoma of the hand is rare. This tumor was first described in 1921, since then, only a few cases with hand involvement have been reported. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the left hand, presenting as a swelling of the hand gradually enlarging over six months. Plain radiographs showed marked osteolysis of the second, third and fourth metacarpals. Histological confirmation was made following biopsy. Despite amputation and post-operative chemotherapy, death occurred two months later due marrow aplasia.

[Total carpometacarpal dislocation. Case report]. / La luxation carpométacarpienne antérieure complète des doigts. A propos d'un cas.

Anterior carpometacarpal dislocation are rare injuries. The anterior type is exceptional. Mr A.T 18 years old, male, student, right-handed, without pathological medical history. He was admitted in emergency after a fall of a motorbike (unknown mechanism) for a closed left hand injury; examination revealed a total impaired mobility and an important swelling of the hand without vasculonervous disorders. X-ray revealed a pure anterior dislocation of the five carpometacarpal joints. The patient was operated on in emergency using both anterior and posterior approach, which allowed to reduce the dislocation. It was maintained by K-wires. An antebrachiopalmar cast was applied for six weeks. One year later, the result obtained was considered excellent.

[Aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head in thalassemia minor: a case report]. / Ostéonécrose aseptique de la tête du fémur dans la thalassémie mineure: á propos d'un cas.

We report a case of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in a 14-year-old black adolescent with thalassemia minor disclosed by physical examination and blood tests. No other anomaly could be identified. Despite the very probably secondary nature of the aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and the absence of any other etiology, it is highly difficult to demonstrate the causal effect of thalassemia minor. We reviewed the literature and discuss the pathogenesis of this association.