Including a Vessel Loop in Wound Closure Facilitates Suture Removal Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

BACKGROUND: Many hand surgeons prefer to close palmar wounds with non-absorbable mattress sutures. Suture removal can be painful and time-consuming. In this study, we investigated if suture removal can be facilitated by including a vessel loop in wound closure following open carpal tunnel release (CTR). METHODS: Overall, 47 patients aged 18 to 75 undergoing elective primary open unilateral CTR completed this unblinded, prospective randomized controlled superiority trial. Subjects were randomized into 1 of 2 study arms: (1) wound closure without a vessel loop (standard, n = 28); or (2) wound closure with a vessel loop (vessel loop, n = 19). Data were collected on time for wound closure and for suture removal. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess satisfaction and pain with suture removal. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in patient demographics or time for suture placement. Visual analog scale satisfaction with suture removal was significantly lower in the standard group (8.6 ± 2.6) compared to vessel loop group (9.9 ± 0.28, P < .05). VAS pain with suture removal was significantly higher in the standard group (2.6 ± 2.7) versus vessel loop group (0.68 ± 1.1, P < .01). Additionally, suture removal time was significantly longer in standard group (84 seconds ± 83) versus vessel loop group (31 seconds ± 13, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of a vessel loop in wound closure for primary open CTR increases patient satisfaction and reduces pain with and time taken for suture removal.

An ultrashort video can teach residents to perform a fingertip injury repair.

BACKGROUND: Acute fingertip injuries are common. Providers in rural and underserved areas often transfer these patients due to lack of comfort and skill with treating these injuries. Current learners prefer short and high-density educational material. It is unknown if basic hand procedures can be taught using ultrashort training videos. This study investigates whether fingertip repair can be taught using a 60-second educational video viewed immediately prior to performing the procedure. METHODS: A standardized cadaveric fingertip injury model was developed. Twenty-three emergency medicine residents each having minimal experience with fingertip injury repair were randomized into one of three study arms: A) no video, B) standard-length (8-minute) video, and C) ultrashort (60-second) video. Each subject was presented with an injured cadaveric finger and asked to prepare for and perform the repair within a 30-minute time frame. The repair was graded on a 10-point scale following a standard rubric. Time to completion, preparedness, and subjects' confidence were also assessed. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Mean repair scores for the standard-length video group (9.5 ± 0.3) and the ultrashort video group (9.2 ± 0.3) were significantly higher than those of the no video group (4.0 ± 0.3, p < 0.05 for both comparisons). Mean time to completion of the exercise was significantly shorter in the ultrashort video group (19 ± 2 minutes) than in the standard-length video group (26 ± 2 minutes). Subject-reported outcomes (median preparedness, median post-repair confidence, and median change in confidence following the procedure) were all significantly higher in the standard-length video group and the ultrashort video group than in the no video group (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: A 60-second educational video viewed immediately prior to performing a fingertip injury repair can effectively teach an emergency medicine resident to correctly perform the procedure.

Effect of Prescription Size on Opioid Use and Patient Satisfaction After Minor Hand Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of initial prescription size on opioid consumption after minor hand surgeries. Secondary outcomes include efficacy of pain control, patient satisfaction, and refill requests. BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies have shown that opioid prescriptions for acute pain after surgical procedures are often excessive in size, which encourages misuse. This is the first prospective randomized trial on the influence of initial prescription size on opioid consumption in the setting of acute postsurgical pain. METHODS: In a prospective randomized trial at a single-academic institution, patients were provided an initial prescription of either 10 or 30 hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5/325 mg) pills after surgery. Two hundred opioid-naive patients, aged 19 to 69, undergoing elective outpatient minor hand surgeries were enrolled over 9 months, with a follow-up period of 10 to 14 days. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were included in this analysis. Patients initially prescribed 30 pills (n = 79), when compared with patients initially prescribed 10 pills (n = 95), used significantly more opioid (P = <0.001, mean 11.9 vs 6.4 pills), had significantly more leftover medication (P = <0.001, mean 20.0 vs 5.2 pills), and were over 3 times more likely to still be taking opioid at follow-up (15% vs 4%). There was no significant difference in refills requested, or in patient satisfaction with postoperative pain control. CONCLUSIONS: Providing large opioid prescriptions for the management of acute pain after minor upper extremity surgeries increases overall opioid use when compared with smaller initial prescriptions. The size of initial opioid prescription is a modifiable variable that should be considered both in patient care and research design.